DEF 14A
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
Filed by the Registrant ☒     
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
 
Preliminary Proxy Statement
 
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
 
Definitive Proxy Statement
 
Definitive Additional Materials
 
Soliciting Material Pursuant to
Section 240.14a-12
EVERCORE INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than The Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
No fee required.
 
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules
14a-6(i)(1)
and
0-11
 
 
 


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LOGO

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

June 18, 2024

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Evercore Inc. will be conducted online only, via live webcast, on June 18, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. There will be no physical location for shareholders to attend. Shareholders may only participate online by logging in at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EVR2024.

 

 

Agenda and Board Recommendations

 

  Proposal

   Board Voting
    Recommendation    

 

 1. Election of the 10 nominees named in this proxy statement to serve on our Board of Directors until the 2025 annual meeting

 

 

   FOR  each nominee

 

 2. Non-binding, advisory vote to approve executive compensation of our named executive officers

 

 

   FOR

 

 3. Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024

 

 

   FOR

 

 4. Approval of the Third Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan

 

   FOR

 

We will also act on any other business as may properly come before our Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 19, 2024 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at our Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of that meeting.

 

 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LOGO

 Jason Klurfeld

 Corporate Secretary

 April 26, 2024

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CAREFULLY READ YOUR PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE.

 

LOGO  

VIA THE INTERNET

Visit the website listed on your proxy card or Notice

  LOGO  

BY TELEPHONE

Call the telephone number listed on your proxy card

 

LOGO

 

LIVE WEBCAST

Participate in the annual meeting (see page 15 for more information)

 

LOGO

 

BY MAIL

Request printed
proxy materials and mail in a completed proxy card

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 18, 2024
Prior to May 3, 2024, the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Form of Proxy and
2023 Annual Report to Shareholders will be available electronically at www.proxyvote.com. These materials are also available at www.evercore.com.

 


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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CEO

April 26, 2024

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we cordially invite you to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held online, via live webcast only, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. This Proxy Statement describes Evercore’s 2023 accomplishments, compensation practices and governance highlights for your consideration in connection with the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

The past year continued to present a challenging operating environment. Despite these challenges, we served our clients while also investing in and diversifying our business. We hired our largest class ever of Advisory senior managing directors, in addition to promoting seven Advisory managing directors to senior managing directors, and we have expanded our client base and coverage universe. Our competitive positioning and strategic focus have enabled us to hire this new group of exceptional talent. We expect to continue investing meaningfully in our business in 2024.

Our diversified business model has provided us with significant support throughout much of 2023. In addition to our strength in M&A, which has always been core to what we do, we continue to diversify our business and build scale. In 2023, for the fifth consecutive year, more than a third of our revenues came from non-M&A sources. This growth has allowed us to offer our clients a broad set of investment banking services. We continue to fulfill our commitment to offset the dilutive effect of our annual bonus equity awards through our stock repurchase program. To that end, in 2023 we returned $523.5 million to shareholders through dividends and repurchases.

We continue to prioritize and invest in our culture and sustainability efforts, and we remain focused on continuing to create an inclusive culture. In 2023, we hired our firm’s first Chief Diversity Officer, a role that reflects Evercore’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as we work to attract, hire and retain the best talent. We look forward to sharing updates with you in our forthcoming 2024 Sustainability Report.

Finally, I wanted to share that Richard Beattie has informed us that he will be retiring from the Board at the 2024 annual meeting. Mr. Beattie has served Evercore with wisdom and grace during his time on the Board. We thank him for his leadership, his counsel, his moral compass and his commitment to our organization over these years. We wish him only the very best and we are grateful for his dedicated service.

At this year’s Annual Meeting, you will be asked to vote on several items, including the election of our directors, our executive compensation program and our equity plan. Approval of these matters, including our equity plan request, is critically important to our ability to operate the business consistent with our pay for performance philosophy and compensation model, which promotes alignment between our employees and shareholders. We embrace engagement with our shareholders on an ongoing basis and welcome your feedback regarding our performance, corporate governance, compensation and sustainability practices and other matters of interest to our shareholders. We encourage you to read the Proxy Statement carefully for more information. Your vote is important to us, and we hope that you will participate in the Annual Meeting and vote as promptly as possible through any of the means described in this Proxy Statement. Instructions on how to vote begin on page 10. Thank you for your continued support of Evercore.

 

  

LOGO

  

John Weinberg

 

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROXY SUMMARY

     1  

GENERAL INFORMATION

     9  

PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     17  

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     23  

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION

     24  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     29  

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     36  

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

     38  

PAY RATIO

     63  

PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

     64  

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

     67  

PROPOSAL 2—NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     68  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     69  

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     71  

PROPOSAL 3—RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     72  

PROPOSAL 4—APPROVAL OF THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED 2016 EVERCORE INC. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

     73  

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR 2025 ANNUAL MEETING

     88  

HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

     88  

OTHER MATTERS

     88  

GLOSSARY OF KEY DEFINED TERMS

     89  

ANNEX A: U.S. GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

     A-1  

ANNEX B: THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED 2016 EVERCORE INC. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

     B-1  

 

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PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information and is intended to assist you in reviewing the proposals. You should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting. Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares promptly.

In this Proxy Statement, unless the context requires otherwise, the “Company” or “Evercore” refers to Evercore Inc. and “we,” “us” or “our” all refer to Evercore and its subsidiaries. For ease of reference, we have included definitions of the abbreviations, capitalized terms and other terms frequently used in this Proxy Statement in the Glossary of Key Defined Terms beginning on page 89.

2024 Annual Meeting Information

 

 Date and Time    Place     Record Date

9:00 a.m., Eastern Time
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

 

Online via live webcast at

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EVR2024. There will be no physical location for shareholders to attend.

  

April 19, 2024

Additional information about our Annual Meeting, including details about how to participate in our Annual Meeting online and how to submit questions and cast your votes, is provided under “Why did the Board decide to adopt a virtual format for the Annual Meeting?” on page 15 of the Proxy Statement and “What do I need to do if I want to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting?” on page 15 of the Proxy Statement.

Matters to be Voted on at our 2024 Annual Meeting

 

 

Agenda and Board Recommendations

 

  Proposal

  

Board Voting
Recommendation

  

Page Reference
(for more detail)

 

 1. Election of the 10 nominees named in this proxy statement to serve on our Board of Directors until the 2025 Annual Meeting

 

  

FOR each nominee

 

  

17

 

 2. Non-binding, advisory vote to approve executive compensation of our named executive officers

 

  

FOR

 

  

68

 

 3. Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024

 

  

FOR

 

  

72

 

 4. Approval of the Third Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan

 

 

  

FOR

 

 

  

73

 

 

 

2023 Financial Performance and Compensation Highlights

We highly value the faith that our investors have placed in us and take seriously our obligations as fiduciaries. Despite a challenging operating environment, 2023 was a year of significant investment for Evercore, as we delivered results for our investors while hiring our largest ever class of Advisory senior managing directors. We expanded our client relationships and coverage universe, in addition to

 

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promoting seven Advisory managing directors to senior managing directors. Our competitive positioning and strategic focus provided us with the opportunity to hire this new group of exceptional talent, and we expect to continue investing in our business in 2024.

Our long-standing pay-for-performance compensation program is designed to reward performance and align the long-term interests of our executives and professionals with those of our shareholders. As discussed throughout our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, beginning on page 38 of this Proxy Statement, in determining NEO compensation for 2023, our Compensation Committee considered, among other strategic accomplishments, the financial results achieved by the Company in 2023, the accomplishment of the Company’s capital return and strategic objectives, including the Company’s strong recruitment efforts, and the promotion of and adherence to our Core Values, including as they relate to our sustainability initiatives and culture, while giving appropriate consideration to our operating results. The following summarizes our 2023 financial performance as considered by the Compensation Committee in making NEO compensation determinations, and also highlights key components of our executive compensation program, each as discussed in more detail in Compensation Discussion and Analysis, beginning on page 38 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Creating Value for Shareholders

Our TSR continues to demonstrate the long-term positive growth in our share price*

 

 

LOGO

 

 

LOGO

* The Stock Performance graph and related table compares the performance of an investment in our Class A common stock from December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2023, with the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Financial Index, and the peer average index. The graph assumes $100 was invested at the opening of business on December 31, 2018 in each of our Class A common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Financial Index, and the peer average index. It also assumes that dividends were reinvested on the date of payment without payment of any commissions. The performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance. Equal weighted index methodology. Peer average includes Houlihan Lokey, Lazard, Moelis & Company, PJT Partners, and Perella Weinberg Partners.

 

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Returning Significant Capital to Shareholders

Returned $523.5 million to shareholders during 2023 through dividends and share/LP unit repurchases*

 

 

LOGO

 

  *

Includes dividends to Class A shareholders and equivalent amounts distributed to holders of LP units. Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

Delivering Financial Results in a Challenging Environment

The past year continued to present a challenging operating environment. Despite these challenges, we continued to effectively serve our clients while strengthening our franchise by investing in and diversifying our business, allowing us to achieve solid Net Revenues, Net Income, EPS, and Operating Margin taking into account the prevailing market conditions.

 

  Net Revenues*   

Net Revenues of $2.426 billion on a U.S. GAAP basis and $2.449 billion on an Adjusted basis.

 

  Net Income*

  

 

Net Income of $255.5 million on a U.S. GAAP basis and $276.9 million on an Adjusted basis.

 

  EPS*

  

 

EPS of $6.37 on a U.S. GAAP basis and $6.46 on an Adjusted basis.

 

  Operating Margin*

  

 

Operating Margin of 14.8% on a U.S. GAAP basis and 15.7% on an Adjusted basis

 

  *

Adjusted Net Revenues, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, and Adjusted Operating Margin are non-GAAP measures. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.

 

Performance-Based Compensation

 

 

No Guaranteed Incentive Awards. We generally do not provide guaranteed incentive awards to any of our NEOs, except in limited circumstances such as commencement of employment or assumption of significant new responsibilities.

 

 

No Change in Base Salaries. We have not increased base salaries for our NEOs since they became executive officers, and base salary continues to represent a relatively small share of their total annual compensation.

 

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Performance Drives Changes in Pay. Compensation is linked to the performance of Evercore and our executives’ individual performance, which motivates our executive leadership to conduct the business in a manner that produces superior results over the long term.

 

 

NEO Compensation Reflects our Performance. Our NEO compensation is closely aligned with our performance in 2023, while giving appropriate consideration to our operating results. In a challenging operating environment where global announced M&A activity based on deal value was down almost 20%, we delivered solid results under the prevailing market conditions, while accomplishing important strategic objectives, including the recruitment of our largest class ever of Advisory senior managing directors and the expansion of our client relationships and coverage universe. However, our Adjusted Net Revenues* declined to approximately $2.4 billion, Adjusted EPS* declined to approximately $6.46 and Adjusted Net Income* declined to approximately $276.9 million. Accordingly, our CEO’s compensation declined in 2023 compared to 2022, on top of the 41% decrease in our CEO’s annual incentive award from 2021 to 2022.

 

  *

Adjusted Net Revenues, Adjusted Earnings Per Share and Adjusted Net Income are non-GAAP measures. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.

 

Shareholder Alignment

 

 

Equity-Based Compensation Included in Incentive Awards, Not Additional. Our Compensation Committee determines the overall amount of incentive compensation to be awarded to our NEOs, inclusive of cash incentive distributions and RSUs.

 

 

50% of 2023 Incentive Awards Delivered in RSUs Subject to Four Year Deferred Delivery. RSUs granted to our NEOs as a component of 2023 annual incentive awards are unvested and are delivered over four years, which is consistent with market practice, and enhances ongoing alignment with our shareholders.

 

 

Equity Ownership Guidelines and Significant Equity Ownership by NEOs. Each of our NEOs holds a meaningful amount of equity in our Company and met the formal equity ownership guidelines applicable to such NEO for 2023.

 

 

No Hedging or Pledging. All employees, including our NEOs, are prohibited from hedging their equity securities, and our anti-pledging policy prohibits directors and executive officers from pledging their equity without Compensation Committee approval.

 

 

Clawback Policy. On October 24, 2023, the Company adopted a clawback policy that was established in accordance with the listing requirement of the NYSE to provide for the recovery or “clawback” of certain erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement. The policy was made effective December 1, 2023 and applies to incentive-based compensation received by current and former executive officers of the Company during the three fiscal years preceding an accounting restatement and after the effective date of the NYSE listing requirement, October 2, 2023. The Company also continues to maintain an additional clawback policy, which provides for the recapture of incentive awards provided to SMDs in the event of certain types of misconduct by that SMD or a restatement of the financial results of the Company due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements.

 

Accountability to Shareholders

 

 

Annual Say on Pay Vote. Based on our Board’s recommendation and our shareholders’ advisory vote in 2022, we continue to hold an advisory vote each year on our executive compensation program.

 

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Strong Support for Executive Compensation Program. Our executive compensation program has not changed in any material way since last year, when our shareholders supported our Say on Pay proposal at approximately the 92% level. We believe this continued support is due to the Company’s strong business performance, a close alignment between performance and pay, our extensive shareholder engagement process and disclosure regarding our executive compensation program.

 

 

Majority Voting Resignation Policy. Our majority voting resignation policy provides that a director that receives the support of less than a majority of votes cast must tender his or her resignation, which our Board will then determine whether to accept.

 

 

Extensive Shareholder Engagement and Feedback. We engage extensively with our shareholders on an ongoing basis and welcome feedback regarding our performance, corporate governance practices and other matters of interest to our shareholders. The feedback we received continued to inform our Board, particularly with respect to our compensation program and equity plan.

 

Approval of the Third Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan

Our Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Third Amended 2016 Plan, the terms of which are identical to those of the shareholder approved Second Amended 2016 Plan other than an increase of 6,000,000 in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan. When we last sought shares in 2022, we requested the limited number of shares which we anticipated would be necessary to continue managing and growing the business for two years. Due to our prudent management of equity awards, our strong performance, and our balanced use of deferred cash compensation, we have approximately 2.6 million shares remaining from our 2022 authorization. However, given the critical importance of our equity program to our compensation program and growth strategy, we believe it is necessary to request a limited number of additional shares in order to execute our compensation program for 2024 and beyond. We received positive feedback from our shareholders in respect of our request in 2022, and are requesting only the limited number of shares which we believe will be necessary, together with our existing share authorization, for continuing to manage and grow our business over the next approximately two to three years. We are therefore seeking your approval of the Third Amended 2016 Plan in order for us to continue our practice of granting equity compensation in connection with our recruitment of talented SMDs and as a significant portion of annual incentive awards.

 

Background

 

 

We are a human capital business and our revenue and profits are tied to the number, quality and performance of our people. Our ability to pay appropriate levels of compensation in the form of equity incentives has enabled us to recruit, retain and motivate high-caliber talent dedicated to our long-term growth and success.

 

 

We have a track record of prudent equity compensation management. We anticipated our 2022 and 2020 proposals would provide sufficient shares to last two years each. Due to our prudent management of equity awards, our strong performance and our balanced use of deferred cash compensation, we have exceeded our expectations, with approximately 2.6 million shares remaining from our 2022 authorization.

 

 

We are requesting only the limited number of shares which we believe will be necessary for continuing to manage and grow our business in the current environment over the next approximately two to three years. While we have approximately 2.6 million shares remaining from our 2022 authorization, the availability of shares over the next two to three years is critical for our ability to execute our growth strategy, including the continued recruitment of talented SMDs, manage our existing talent, and implement our compensation program, in the near term. Accordingly, we are seeking shareholder approval to refresh the number of shares under our plan by 6,000,000 shares.

 

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Shareholder approval of the Third Amended 2016 Plan is also critical for our compensation planning and business model, as it will enable us to continue granting equity compensation broadly as a significant portion of our annual incentive compensation awards. This allows us to incentivize all employees who receive equity, not just senior employees and NEOs, which will align the interest of our employees with those of our shareholders.

 

 

We effectively use our equity compensation program as a form of capital expenditure to invest in and grow the business through our people. As a result, we rely more on equity compensation programs than many of our bulge bracket peers do and use our equity plan to compensate a broader base of employees (although in relation to our independent peers, our use of equity compensation is consistent). In prior years, our shareholders have recognized the need to tailor their assessment accordingly when considering Evercore’s use of equity.

 

 

A reduction in our use of equity-based compensation would require a corresponding increase in alternative forms of deferred compensation, which we believe would reduce the alignment of interests between our employees and shareholders.

 

Prudent Use of Equity Compensation and Management of Dilution

 

 

Traditional burn rate and dilution analyses do not take into account our people-based cost structure or our compensation and share repurchase practices. In addition, we are often compared to peers that have significantly different compensation systems, cost structures and businesses. However, as discussed in more detail on page 76, our burn rate is similar to that of other public independent investment banking advisory firms (“IAF”).

 

 

In 2022, we committed to carefully managing our shares by offsetting the dilutive effect of bonus equity awards through share repurchases, including through net settlement of outstanding awards, subject to our future earnings and our need to maintain a strong liquidity position and reserve the necessary flexibility to address unusual circumstances that may arise.

 

 

As indicated in the below chart, we have delivered on our 2022 commitment, achieving an average negative Net Burn Rate, with repurchases offsetting not just bonus equity awards over the 2022-2023 period but also new hire and replacement awards. This year, we reaffirm our 2022 commitment to shareholders.

 

 (Shares in 000’s)

   2021     2022     2023     3-Year
Average 
 

 Equity Grants:

        

Incentive Award Grants(1)

     2,949       2,748       2,469       2,722  

New Hire/Retention/Special Equity(2)

     210       438       107       252  

Forfeitures

     (184     (184     (190     (186

 Net RSU Grants

     2,975       3,001       2,386       2,788  

 Shares Repurchased

     5,456       4,438       3,001       4,298  

 Net Grants—Net RSU Grants less Shares Repurchased

     (2,481     (1,437     (615     (1,511

 Percentage of Net RSU Grants repurchased

     183     148     126     152

 Weighted Common Shares Outstanding and Vested Evercore LP Partnership Units

     44,878       41,873       40,766       42,506  

 Burn Rate (Taking into account Weighted Common Shares Outstanding, Vested Evercore LP Partnership Units and Forfeitures)

     6.6     7.2     5.9     6.6

 Net Burn Rate (Also taking into account share repurchases)

     -5.5     -3.4     -1.5     -3.5

 

  (1)

This amount reflects RSU grants and certain performance-based special incentive equity awards but does not include the deferred cash compensation awards granted to certain employees.

 

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  (2)

This amount reflects new hire awards, retention awards and special equity awards that were issued to certain employees and for which the Company reserved shares under the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

 

 

We believe our careful use of equity compensation is further evidenced by an analysis of our 2021-2023 average stock compensation expense as a percentage of various three-year average operating measures, as compared to our IAF public peers who disclose equity-only compensation expense. Our public IAF peers share our human capital intensive business model, and are a better comparison for equity compensation program purposes than certain members of our broader financial services peer group, which generate revenue from other capital. Please see page 76 for additional information and methodology.

 

     Three-Year Average of Stock Compensation Expense(1)  

 

   Three-Year Average Stock
Compensation Expense
(in 000’s)(2)
     As a Percentage of U.S.
GAAP Net
Revenue(3)
    Per
Employee(4) 
 

 Evercore

   $ 264,690        9.37   $ 126,747   

 Lazard

   $ 241,723        8.55   $ 73,457   

 Moelis

   $ 151,688        13.46   $ 139,676   

 PJT Partners

   $ 150,992        14.29   $ 164,599   

 Greenhill(5)

   $ 30,850        10.71   $ 82,708   

 Perella Weinberg Partners

   $ 144,287        20.79   $ 224,049   

 

  (1)

Information regarding stock compensation expense of Houlihan Lokey has not been included, as Houlihan Lokey does not separately report equity only compensation expense.

 

  (2)

Calculated as the three-year average of the equity only compensation expense for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 as reported in the company’s 2023 10-K.

 

  (3)

Calculated as (i) Three-Year Average Stock Compensation Expense, divided by (ii) the three-year average U.S. GAAP Net Revenue for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 as reported in each company’s 2023 10-K.

 

  (4)

Calculated as (i) Three-Year Average Stock Compensation Expense, divided by (ii) the three year-average of the employee headcount disclosed in each company’s 2021, 2022 and 2023 10-K.

 

  (5)

Information regarding stock compensation expense of Greenhill is calculated for years 2021 and 2022 only, based on the information reported in its 2022 and 2021 10-K.

 

Equity Plan Best Practices

 

 

The Third Amended 2016 Plan, together with our equity compensation practices, demonstrates many best practices:

 

×  No “evergreen” provision

×  No liberal share recycling

×  No repricing (or cash buybacks) of underwater stock options or stock appreciation rights

×  No “reload” equity awards

×  No equity grants below fair market value

×  Prohibition on hedging Evercore equity holdings

 

 Fixed maximum share limit

 Four-year deferred vesting of RSUs, subject to early vesting events

 Equity granted under the Second Amended 2016 Plan and the First Amended 2016 Plan has been broad-based, with more than 90% of all equity awards granted in the past three years issued to employees other than our executive officers and more than 90% were issued to employees with direct revenue-generating and client-facing responsibilities

 Equity ownership guidelines for executive officers and SMDs

 Separate annual compensation limit of $500,000 for non-employee directors

 NEO awards are subject to a clawback

 

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Governance and Leadership Highlights

The following are highlights of our governance and leadership practices that are discussed further under herein under “Corporate Governance” and “Director Compensation” on pages 29 and 36, respectively.

 

Director Tenure    Director Independence    Independent Director Diversity
LOGO    LOGO    LOGO

 

 

Our director nominees include three independent directors who have joined our Board over the past six years – all of whom are women, and one of whom identifies as African American. Currently, 44% of our independent directors are women, including our lead independent director.

 

 

Our lead independent director presides over meetings of our non-management directors. She works with the Chairman and CEO to develop and approve Board agendas and meeting schedules, leads Board and Committee evaluations and otherwise serves as a liaison among our non-management directors.

 

 

82% of our current directors have been determined to be independent under the applicable NYSE rules and company guidance and 100% of our committee members are independent.

 

 

Our Board and Committees perform an annual self-evaluation, during which it considers issues of structure, leadership and oversight needs and skills to guide the company in executing its long-term strategic objectives.

 

 

Our independent directors conduct regular executive sessions without management present.

 

 

Our Board met in full session five times during 2023. We held an aggregate of 21 Board and Committee meetings in 2023, and each of our directors attended over 80% of their Board and respective Committee meetings.

 

 

A substantial portion of director compensation is paid in equity.

 

 

Our directors are subject to Equity Ownership Guidelines, which align their interests with those of our shareholders.

 

 

Our majority voting resignation policy provides that a director that receives the support of less than a majority of votes cast must tender his or her resignation, which the Board will then determine whether to accept.

 

 

We engage extensively with our shareholders on an ongoing basis and seek feedback regarding our performance, corporate governance practices and other matters of interest to our shareholders.

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Why am I receiving this Proxy Statement?

The Board is soliciting proxies for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and we will bear the cost of this solicitation. You are receiving a Proxy Statement because you owned shares of our Class A common stock and/or our Class B common stock as of the close of business on April 19, 2024, the record date. Your ownership of shares on that date entitles you to vote at our Annual Meeting. By following the instructions on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) or, if you received printed proxy materials, using the attached proxy card or voting instruction card from your broker or other intermediary, you are able to vote whether or not you participate in our Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement describes the matters on which we would like you to vote and provides information on those matters so that you can make an informed decision when you do vote.

How are the proxy materials being distributed?

To expedite delivery, reduce costs and improve our environmental impact, we used “Notice and Access” in accordance with an SEC rule that allows us to provide proxy materials to our shareholders over the Internet. By May 3, 2024, we will have sent a Notice to certain shareholders including instructions on how to access our proxy materials online. If you received a Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials. The Notice also explains how you may submit your proxy via the Internet. If you received a Notice and would like to receive a copy of our proxy materials, follow the instructions contained in the Notice to request a copy electronically or in paper form on a one-time or ongoing basis. Shareholders who do not receive the Notice will continue to receive either a paper or electronic copy of the Proxy Statement, which will be sent on or about April 26, 2024.

What will I be voting on?

You will be voting:

 

   

to elect the 10 director nominees identified in this Proxy Statement;

 

   

to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our NEOs as disclosed in this Proxy Statement;

 

   

to ratify the selection of Deloitte, on an advisory basis, as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024;

 

   

to approve the Third Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan; and

 

   

to transact such other business as may properly come before our Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

What are the Board’s recommendations?

Our Board recommends:

 

   

a vote FOR the election of each of Roger C. Altman, Pamela G. Carlton, Ellen V. Futter, Gail B. Harris, Robert B. Millard, Willard J. Overlock, Jr., Sir Simon M. Robertson, John S. Weinberg, William J. Wheeler and Sarah K. Williamson to serve as directors until the next annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified;

 

   

a vote FOR the approval of the advisory resolution approving the compensation of our NEOs as disclosed in this Proxy Statement;

 

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a vote FOR the ratification of the selection of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024; and

 

   

a vote FOR the approval of the Third Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.

How do I vote?

You can vote either at our virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy without participating in our Annual Meeting. To vote by proxy you may vote by telephone, on the internet or through the mail as follows, which instructions are also set forth on your Notice or, if you received printed proxy materials, your proxy card:

 

   

Vote by Internet—www.proxyvote.com: Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your Notice or, if you received printed proxy materials, your proxy card in hand when you access the website and follow the applicable instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

 

   

Vote by Phone—1-800-690-6903: Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

 

   

Vote by Mail—If you received printed proxy materials, and would like to vote by mail, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, so that it is received no later than the day before the meeting date. If you did not receive printed proxy materials, and would like to vote by mail, you must request printed copies of the proxy materials by following the instructions on your Notice.

We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to participate in our Annual Meeting so that we will know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present for us to hold the Annual Meeting and so your vote will be counted if you later decide not to participate in the Annual Meeting. If you received printed proxy materials and are voting by mail, you should follow the instructions set forth on the proxy card, being sure to complete it, to sign and date it and to mail it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you participate in the Annual Meeting, you may vote at the meeting as described herein and your previously delivered proxy will not be counted.

If your shares are held through a bank, broker or other holder of record (that is, in “street name”), please refer to the information forwarded to you by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see what you must do in order to vote your shares. If you want to vote in person, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other holder of record and have it at the meeting. Please also see the information under “—What do I need to do if I want to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting?” on page 15.

What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner or street name holder?

If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Shareowner Services LLC, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the “shareholder of record.” We have sent the Notice or, if you received printed proxy materials, your notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Annual Report and proxy card directly to you.

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, broker or other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in street name. The notice of the Annual Meeting, the Proxy Statement, the Annual Report and a voting instruction card have been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other holder of record who is considered, with respect to those shares, the shareholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other holder of record on how

 

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to vote your shares by using the voting instruction card included in the mailing or by following their instructions for voting.

What is included in the proxy materials?

Our proxy materials, which are available on our website at www.evercore.com at the Online Investor Kit under the “Resources” tab of the “For Investors” link, include our Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our Proxy Statement and our 2023 Annual Report to shareholders. If you received printed versions of these materials by mail (rather than through electronic delivery), these materials also included a proxy card or voting instruction form.

What type of financial information is used in this Proxy Statement?

The Evercore financial measures in this Proxy Statement are those prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, unless they are designated as “non-GAAP measures,” in which case a reconciliation to the U.S. GAAP numbers is included in Annex A.

How does Evercore’s corporate structure impact Evercore’s share count and vote calculation?

The diagram on page 12 depicts our organizational structure. Our structure is similar to an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust, or UPREIT structure, which is common in the real estate sector and with human capital-intensive businesses which have gone public.

Certain of our SMDs and other individuals and entities hold some of their equity in limited partnership units and interests issued by Evercore LP, a Delaware limited partnership. These include Class A units, Class E units, Class I units, Class K units and Class K-P units (which may convert into Class K units) in Evercore LP.

Class A, Class E, Class I and Class K units of Evercore LP are exchangeable, at the discretion of the unit holder and without the payment of any consideration, on a one-for-one basis for shares of our Class A common stock, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications.

The Class K-P units generally convert, on specified vesting dates, into a number of Class K units, contingent upon the achievement of certain defined benchmark results and subject to the participant’s continued service with the Company (which Class K units will, in turn, be exchangeable for Class A common stock as noted above). The performance conditions applicable to a portion of the outstanding Class K-P units have been achieved.

Generally, all holders of Class A units, Class E units, Class I units and Class K units (collectively, “Voting Units”), other than the Company, have the same voting rights as holders of Class A common shareholders through the ownership of our Class B common stock, which entitles each holder to one vote for each unit held by such holder. Holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

The Class B common stock has no economic rights. The Company funds dividends to holders of our Class A common stock by causing Evercore LP to make distributions to its partners, including the Company. Evercore LP makes pro-rata distributions to its partners based on their interest in Evercore LP concurrently with Evercore LP distributions to the Company (provided that holders of Class K-P units are not entitled to regular or extraordinary distributions).

Thus, holders of Voting Units, through the combination of Class B common stock of Evercore and LP units, generally have similar equity interests as if they held an equivalent number of shares of Class A common stock.

 

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Because of our corporate structure, we view our share count as including Voting Units for voting purposes, and include these units when we calculate total shares and share equivalents for voting purposes. Unless indicated otherwise, where we use the terms voting power, votes outstanding, votes cast or other similar terms, such terms should be read to include both the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding and the number of votes associated with Class B common stock, which is generally equal to the number of Voting Units. As of April 19, 2024, the record date for our Annual Meeting, a combined total of 41,090,456 shares of Class A common stock and Voting Units (by virtue of the associated Class B common stock) are entitled to vote.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

 

LOGO

What is our voting share count?

As of April 19, 2024, the record date for our Annual Meeting, our voting share count was as follows:

 

Shares of Class A common stock outstanding

     38,516,548  

Voting Units outstanding

     2,573,908  

Total voting shares and units

     41,090,456  

What constitutes a quorum?

The holders of a majority of voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock (which is equal to the number of Voting Units) entitled to vote must be present or represented by proxy to constitute a quorum for the Annual Meeting. Abstentions are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. Shares represented by broker non-votes (as defined below) also are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. However,

 

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if you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other holder of record, under current NYSE rules, Proposals 1 and 2 are considered non-discretionary matters and a bank, broker or other holder of record will lack the authority to vote shares at his or her discretion on these proposals, and your shares will not be voted on these proposals (a “broker non-vote”).

How are votes calculated?

If you are a holder of our Class A common stock, then you are entitled to one vote at our Annual Meeting for each share of our Class A common stock that you held as of the close of business on April 19, 2024.

If you are a holder of our Class B common stock, then you are entitled to a number of votes at our Annual Meeting equal to the total number of Voting Units in Evercore LP that you held as of the close of business on April 19, 2024.

If you hold RSUs, you will not be entitled to vote the shares underlying such RSUs until you actually receive delivery of the shares of Class A common stock underlying such units.

All matters on the agenda for our Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof will be voted on by the holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class.

How many votes are required to approve each PROPOSAL and how are votes counted?

 

     How many votes
are required for
approval?
  How are director
withhold votes
treated?
  How are
abstentions
treated?
  How are broker
non-votes
handled?
  How will signed
proxies that do not
specify voting
preferences be
treated?
Elect the 10 director nominees identified in this Proxy Statement   A plurality of votes cast, subject to our director resignation policy if a director receives less than majority support   Withhold votes will not be counted as votes cast for purposes of the plurality voting standard but will be considered in determining whether our director resignation policy applies to a director   Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast   Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast   Votes will be cast FOR the 10 director nominees identified in this Proxy Statement
Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our NEOs   A majority of votes cast   N/A   Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast   Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast   Votes will be cast FOR the approval of the compensation of our NEOs
Advisory vote to ratify the selection of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024   A majority of votes cast   N/A   Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast   Banks, brokers and other holders of record may exercise discretion and vote on this matter and these will be counted as votes cast   Votes will be cast FOR the ratification of the selection of Deloitte as our independent public accounting firm for 2024
Approval of the Third Amended 2016 Plan   A majority of votes cast   N/A   Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast   Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast   Votes will be cast FOR the approval of the Third Amended 2016 Plan

 

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It is important to note that the proposals with respect to (i) approval of the compensation of our NEOs and (ii) ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm are non-binding and advisory. However, the Board intends to carefully consider the results of Proposal 2 in making future compensation decisions and, if our shareholders fail to ratify the selection of Deloitte, the selection of another independent registered public accounting firm may be considered by the Audit Committee. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.

What happens if a director fails to receive the support of a majority of votes cast?

Under our director resignation policy, if a director receives more “withhold” votes than “for” votes, then that director must promptly tender his or her resignation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the resignation offer (without the participation of the relevant director) and will recommend to the Board the action to be taken, and the Board will take action within 90 days following certification of the vote, and publicly disclose its decision and the reason therefor. See “PROPOSAL 1-Election of Directors-Majority Voting Policy” below on page 22.

What if I do not specify a choice for a matter when returning a proxy?

Shareholders should specify their choice for each matter on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card. If no specific instructions are given, proxy cards and voting instruction cards which are signed and returned will be voted at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof as indicated in the chart above. In addition, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect to other matters that may properly come before our Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting in accordance with their judgment.

Can I change my vote?

Yes. At any time before your proxy is exercised at the Annual Meeting, you may change your vote by:

 

   

revoking it by written notice sent to our Corporate Secretary that is received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 17, 2024;

 

   

delivering a later-dated proxy card that is received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 17, 2024;

 

   

voting again by Internet or telephone at a later time before the closing of the voting facilities at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 17, 2024; or

 

   

voting at our Annual Meeting.

If your shares are held in street name, please refer to the information forwarded to you by your bank, broker or other holder of record for procedures on revoking or changing your vote.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or Notice?

If you receive more than one proxy card or Notice, it means that you hold shares registered in more than one account. To ensure that all of your shares are voted, please follow the instructions included on each Notice you receive or, if you received printed proxy materials by mail, complete, sign and return each proxy card you receive.

What happens if a nominee for director declines or is unable to accept election?

If you vote in the manner described in the Notice or by signing the proxy card or voting instruction card, and if unforeseen circumstances make it necessary for our Board to substitute another person for a nominee, the proxies named in the proxy card or voting instruction card will vote your shares for that other person.

 

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Will anyone contact me regarding this vote?

In addition to solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited by our directors, officers or employees in person, by telephone or by other means of communication, for which no additional compensation will be paid. We have also engaged Alliance Advisors LLC (“Alliance”) to assist in the solicitation and distribution of proxies. Alliance will receive fees of approximately $65,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses, for its services. Brokerage houses, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians will be requested to forward soliciting materials to beneficial owners and will be reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners.

Why did the Board decide to adopt a virtual format for the Annual Meeting?

Following consideration of the successful implementation of the virtual format for the annual meetings held in recent years, the Board has determined it would be advisable to continue to hold our annual meeting virtually. We believe the virtual format provides a productive opportunity for shareholders to communicate with the Board by submitting questions. In addition, the online meeting format will eliminate many of the costs associated with holding a physical meeting.

What do I need to do if I want to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting?

As discussed above, our Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting conducted only via live webcast. There will be no physical meeting location. All holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, including shareholders of record and shareholders who hold their shares through banks, brokers or other holders of record, may participate in the Annual Meeting. Only shareholders as of the record date can vote at the Annual Meeting.

If you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EVR2024 and enter the 16-digit control number included either on your Notice, proxy card or the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. You may begin to log into the meeting platform at 8:45 a.m., Eastern Time, on June 18, 2024. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on June 18, 2024. Participants should ensure they have a strong internet connection and suitable devices wherever they intend to participate in the Annual Meeting, and should give themselves time to log in and ensure they can hear and stream audio prior to the start of the Annual Meeting.

If you wish to submit a question during the Annual Meeting, log into the virtual meeting platform at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EVR2024, type your question into the ‘‘Ask a Question” field, and click “Submit.”

Questions pertinent to Annual Meeting matters will be answered during the Annual Meeting, subject to time constraints. Questions regarding personal matters, including those related to employment, product or service issues, are not pertinent to Annual Meeting matters and therefore will not be answered. Any questions pertinent to Annual Meeting matters that cannot be answered during the meeting due to time constraints will be posted online and answered at www.evercore.com. If you encounter any technical difficulties with the virtual meeting platform on the meeting day, we will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during check-in, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual meeting platform log-in page.

In fairness to all shareholders and participants at the meeting, and in the interest of an orderly and constructive meeting, rules of conduct will be enforced. Copies of these rules will be available at the meeting. Only shareholders or their valid proxy holders may address the meeting. Depending on the number of shareholders who wish to speak, we cannot ensure that every such shareholder will be able to do so or will be able to do so for as long as they might want to hold the floor.

 

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Only proposals that meet the requirements of our Amended and Restated Bylaws will be eligible for consideration at the meeting. This year there are no shareholder proposals that meet the criteria. Therefore, no shareholder proposals will be considered during the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may submit proposals and other matters for consideration at the 2025 Annual Meeting as described in “Shareholder Proposals and Nominations for 2025 Annual Meeting” on page 88.

Is a list of shareholders available?

The names of shareholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available to shareholders at least 10 days prior to our Annual Meeting at our principal executive offices located at 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055 during normal business hours, and at the Annual Meeting. The list will also be available to shareholders at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EVR2024 during the Annual Meeting.

How do I find out the voting results?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting, and final voting results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following the Annual Meeting.

When is our fiscal year?

Our fiscal year ends on December 31 of each year. Our 2023 fiscal year was from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. Our 2024 fiscal year will be from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Will I receive a copy of the Annual Report?

If you did not receive a Notice, you will receive our 2023 Annual Report with the Proxy Statement. If you did receive a Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the 2023 Annual Report or other proxy materials, unless you have requested a copy by following the instructions contained in the Notice. The Annual Report includes our audited financial statements, along with other financial information about us, which we urge you to read carefully.

Where can I find more financial information about Evercore?

You can obtain, free of charge, a copy of our filings with the SEC by:

 

   

accessing our Internet website at www.evercore.com and clicking on the “For Investors” link;

 

   

writing to Investor Relations at Evercore, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055; or

 

   

telephoning us at (212) 857-3100.

You can also obtain a copy of our SEC filings from the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.

How can I contact our Corporate Secretary?

In several sections of this Proxy Statement, we suggest that you should contact our Corporate Secretary to follow up on various items. You can reach our Corporate Secretary by writing to the Corporate Secretary Department at our principal offices located at 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055 or telephoning us at (212) 857-3100.

 

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PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that our Board will consist of that number of directors determined from time to time by our Board. Acting upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board has nominated 10 persons identified herein for election as directors, all of whom are directors currently, to hold office until the 2025 Annual Meeting or until the election and qualification of their successors. Our nominees include 8 independent directors. Richard I. Beattie will be retiring from the Board at this year’s Annual Meeting.

 

Nominees

Set forth below are the names of the nominees for election as our directors; their ages and principal occupations as of April 19, 2024; and their biographical information.

 

Name

  Age    

Position

  Director Since  

 Roger C. Altman

    78     Founder, Senior Chairman and Director     2006  

 Pamela G. Carlton

    69     Director     2019  

 Ellen V. Futter

    74     Director     2018  

 Gail B. Harris

    71     Director     2006  

 Robert B. Millard

    73     Director     2012  

 Willard J. Overlock, Jr.

    78     Director     2014  

 Sir Simon M. Robertson

    83     Director     2017  

 John S. Weinberg

    67     Chairman of the Board and CEO     2016  

 William J. Wheeler

    62     Director     2015  

 Sarah K. Williamson

    60     Director     2018  

Roger C. Altman, is Founder and Senior Chairman of Evercore. Mr. Altman began his investment banking career at Lehman Brothers, advancing to general partner in 1974. He was then nominated by President Carter and confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, serving in that position for four years. Mr. Altman subsequently returned to Lehman, where he later became co-head of overall investment banking as well as a member of the management committee and board. He remained in those positions until Lehman was sold. In 1987, Mr. Altman joined The Blackstone Group as vice chairman, head of advisory business, and investment committee member. Mr. Altman was then nominated by President Clinton and again confirmed by the Senate as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. He served in that position for two years. Then in 1995, he formed Evercore.

He is a trustee of MIT, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and New Visions for Public Schools and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He earned an A.B. from Georgetown University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Pamela G. Carlton was appointed to our Board on October 22, 2019. After 22 years as an investment banker on Wall Street, Ms. Carlton launched Springboard – Partners in Cross Cultural Leadership, LLC, where she has been President since 2003. Ms. Carlton retired as a Managing Director and Associate Director of U.S. Equity Research at JPMorgan Chase in May 2003, having also served as Director of U.S. Equity Research for Chase Asset Management from 1996 to 1999. Prior to JPMorgan Chase, Ms. Carlton was an investment banker with Morgan Stanley for 14 years in corporate finance and capital markets. While at Morgan Stanley, she was also Co-Director of U.S. and Latin America Equity Research. Ms. Carlton began her career as a corporate attorney at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

 

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Ms. Carlton also serves on the following Boards: Columbia Threadneedle Investments funds board (which includes Tri-Continental Corporation and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth closed-end funds, and Columbia Seligman Semiconductor and Technology ETF) where she is the Chair of the Board; Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. where she chairs the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; DR Bank, where she chairs the Audit Committee; and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Ms Carlton is a member of the Women’s Forum of New York. She has served on the Board of Visitors of Yale School of Management, the Board of Visitors of Yale Law School, and the Board of Trustees of Williams College.

Ms. Carlton earned a B.A. from Williams College and was elected President of the Williams College Phi Beta Kappa Society. She earned a J.D. from Yale Law School and an MBA from Yale School of Management.

Ellen V. Futter served as the President of the American Museum of Natural History from November 1993 through March 15, 2023, when she was elected President Emerita. She also is currently the Interim President of the Markle Foundation and Senior Advisor to the Boston Consulting Group. Previously, Ms. Futter served as the President of Barnard College and prior to that was a corporate attorney at the law firm of Milbank (formerly known as Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy). She also previously served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Ms. Futter is a trustee of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. and a director of Consolidated Edison, Inc., and is also a member of Consolidated Edison’s board’s Executive Committee and its Safety Environment, Operations and Sustainability Committee. Ms. Futter is also a Trustee of the Brookings Institution, where she chairs the Nominations and Governance Committee and is a member of the Brookings Institution’s board’s Executive Committee, a Governing Trustee at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where she serves as a member of the Joint Nominating and Governance Committee and a Trustee of the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School and is a Trustee of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where she serves on the Nominating, Education, and Compensation Review and Advisory Committees, and is an ex officio Director of New York City Tourism and Conventions.

Ms. Futter graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, from Barnard College and earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School.

Gail B. Harris is our Lead Director and serves as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Harris was also on the Board of Seacor Holdings Inc., where she served on the Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and on the Board of Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, where she was the Lead Director and Chair of the Outside Directors/Audit Committee. In addition, Ms. Harris serves on the boards of several private companies.

Ms. Harris is the Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council of Stanford Law School and is a member of the Advisory Council of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Ms. Harris previously served as a trustee on the Stanford University Board of Trustees, where she chaired the Special Committee on Investment Responsibility, and was a member of the Finance and Audit Committees. Ms. Harris is President Emeritus and a current member of the Board of New York Cares, the largest non-profit for volunteering in New York City. She began her legal career at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in 1977 and was a partner in the Corporate Department from 1984 to 1998. She was Of Counsel to Simpson Thacher through June 2011. Ms. Harris has extensive experience in advising boards of directors, and representing clients on general corporate and securities work, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions and dispositions.

Ms. Harris received an A.B. with distinction from Stanford University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.

 

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Robert B. Millard formerly served as Chairman of the MIT Corporation, and served on its Executive Committee, until October 2020. Mr. Millard was also formerly a member of the MIT Investment Management Company endowment board.

Prior to becoming Chairman of MIT, Mr. Millard served as the Chairman of Realm Partners LLC from 2009 to 2014 and held various senior roles, including Managing Director, at Lehman Brothers and its predecessors from 1976 to 2008. Mr. Millard is the Lead Independent Director of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Compensation and Executive Committees of L-3 Communications Corporation. He also served as a director of Weatherford International Inc. until February 2012 and director of GulfMark Offshore Inc. until July 2013.

He is a current member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on its Finance and Budget Committee. Mr. Millard has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and an S.B. from MIT.

Willard J. Overlock, Jr. retired in 1996 from a career in investment banking. Mr. Overlock is a trustee emeritus of Rockefeller University and a Special Partner at Cue Ball Capital. Until recently, Mr. Overlock served as a member of the Board of Directors of Becton, Dickinson and Company and chairman of The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation. He holds an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina.

Sir Simon M. Robertson founded Simon Robertson Associates LLP, offering independent and trusted corporate finance advice to a limited number of major international companies, and has led the firm since its founding in 2005. Prior to founding his own firm, he was a Managing Director and President of Goldman Sachs Europe Limited from 1997 until he retired in 2005. Before joining Goldman Sachs, Sir Simon served various roles at the Kleinwort Benson Group. He joined the Kleinwort Benson Group in 1963, working in most of the businesses of the Kleinwort Benson Group before joining the Corporate Finance Division in 1968. He became Chairman of Kleinwort Benson Group Plc in 1996 and resigned from the Group in 1997. Sir Simon is a director of several private companies, including Byhiras Group and Immodulon Therapeutics.

He has served on the boards of numerous public and private entities in the past, including as Chairman of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (2005-2013), on the board of Berry Bros & Rudd Ltd (1998-2018), on the board of The Economist Newspaper Ltd. (2005-2017) and on the board of HSBC Holdings plc (2006-2016), where he was Senior Independent Director (2007-2015) and Deputy Chairman (2010-2016) and on the board of Troy Asset Management Limited (2012-2024). In 2015 he joined the International Advisory Board of Brown Advisory, from which he retired in November 2021. He is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London (Department of Political Economy). He is also a member of the Supervisory Board of LOV Group Invest, an Ambassador of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and President of the Légion d’Honneur UK Chapter Limited from which he retired in January 2022. He is now Emeritus President of the Légion d’Honneur UK Chapter Limited. Sir Simon was knighted for services to Business in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2010. He also became an “Officier” of the “Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” in 2011 and “Officier” de la Légion d’Honneur in 2014.

John S. Weinberg has served as Chairman of the Board and CEO of Evercore since February 25, 2022. Prior to February 2022, Mr. Weinberg served as Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-CEO since July 2020, and as Chairman of the Board and Executive Chairman from November 2016 until July 2020. Prior to joining Evercore, Mr. Weinberg was Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs Group from 2006 to 2015, was Co-Head of Global Investment Banking from 2002 until 2015 and served on its Management Committee from 2002 to 2015. Mr. Weinberg joined Goldman Sachs in 1983 as an Associate and was promoted to Partner in 1992.

Mr. Weinberg is a board member of Ford Motor Company, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mr. Weinberg received a B.A. from Princeton University in 1979 and in 1983 earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

 

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William J. Wheeler is Vice Chairman of Athene Holding Ltd. Previously he served as President of Athene from 2015 to 2022. Prior to joining Athene, Mr. Wheeler was President of the Americas group for MetLife Inc., where he oversaw the insurance and retirement business in the United States and Latin America. Previously, Mr. Wheeler had been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at MetLife. Prior to joining MetLife, Mr. Wheeler was an investment banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

Mr. Wheeler has an A.B. from Wabash College, where he is now a member of the board of trustees, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He also serves on the boards of Venerable Holdings Inc. and the American Council of Life Insurers.

Sarah K. Williamson has served as the Chief Executive Officer of FCLTGlobal, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging long-term behaviors in business and investment decision making, since July 2016. Ms. Williamson previously spent over 21 years at Wellington Management Company LLP, where she was most recently a Partner and Director of Alternative Investments. During her tenure at Wellington, Ms. Williamson served on a number of firm boards and committees, including on the Trust Investment Committee, as the Chair of the Wellington Trust Company NA, and as the founding chair of the Diversity Committee.

Ms. Williamson received her B.A. in economics, with honors, from Williams College in 1984 and earned an MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School in 1989.

 

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Qualifications of Nominees Considered by the Board

When considering whether director nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board focused primarily on the information discussed in each director’s individual biography set forth above and the qualifications described below.

 

   

With regard to Mr. Altman, the Board considered his position as a founder and his experience as CEO, his extensive knowledge of our industry and his investment banking and government experience prior to founding Evercore.

 

   

With regard to Ms. Carlton, the Board considered her extensive investment banking, financial markets and equity research leadership experience, and her prominent role in advising organizations on inclusive leadership and diversity. The Board also considered Ms. Carlton’s service on other boards.

 

   

With regard to Ms. Futter, the Board considered her management and operations experience leading major New York not-for-profit entities that provide services to the public, her legal and financial experience, as well as her prior service on other public company boards.

 

   

With regard to Ms. Harris, the Board considered her legal experience representing investment banks and multinational companies on a wide range of business transactions and corporate governance matters, evaluating and forming complex legal structures and arrangements with respect to acquisitions, joint ventures and mergers, and her experience with boards.

 

   

With regard to Mr. Millard, the Board considered his extensive investment and financial management experience, including his prior leadership experience as Chairman of MIT and his prior service as the managing partner of Realm Partners LLC, his experience serving on other boards, and his experience with financial and compensation matters.

 

   

With regard to Mr. Overlock, the Board considered his extensive experience in investment banking and in managing financial institutions and his experience on other boards.

 

   

With regard to Sir Simon Robertson, the Board considered his extensive investment banking and financial markets experience, and in particular, his international background, as well as his experience serving on other boards of financial and other companies.

 

   

With regard to Mr. Weinberg, the Board considered his service as our Chairman of the Board and CEO, his leadership experience at Goldman Sachs, his relationships with a number of leading companies, his extensive knowledge of our industry and his investment banking experience.

 

   

With regard to Mr. Wheeler, the Board considered his executive leadership experience and experience as chief financial officer at a large multinational public company and his experience with financial institutions and, in particular, insurance companies.

 

   

With regard to Ms. Williamson, the Board considered her extensive experience in the investment management industry, as well as her management and leadership experience as CEO of a non-profit organization focused on sustainability and long-term investing, and her familiarity with institutional investors’ approach to company performance, sustainability and corporate governance.

 

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Board Recommendation

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of Roger C. Altman, Pamela G. Carlton, Ellen V. Futter, Gail B. Harris, Robert B. Millard, Willard J. Overlock, Jr., Sir Simon M. Robertson, John S. Weinberg, William J. Wheeler and Sarah K. Williamson, each of whom has also been recommended by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which is comprised exclusively of independent directors.

Unless authority to vote for one or more of the nominees is specifically withheld or authority to vote against one or more of the nominees is given according to the instructions in your signed proxy card or Notice, the proxies named in the enclosed proxy card will be voted “FOR” the election of Messrs. Altman, Millard, Overlock, Weinberg, and Wheeler, Mses. Carlton, Futter, Harris and Williamson, and Sir Simon Robertson. Our Board does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director, but if that contingency should occur prior to the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed proxy card will have the right to vote for such substitute nominee or nominees as they, in their discretion, may determine.

Majority Voting Policy

Our Board and management regularly monitor and discuss developments in corporate governance practices, and value the views of our shareholders on governance matters. Following discussions with several of our larger investors, our Board, upon the recommendation of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, added a director resignation policy in 2017 to our Corporate Governance Principles dealing with the situation where a director nominee fails to receive majority support in an uncontested election. Under this policy, any nominee in an uncontested election who does not receive a greater number of “for” votes than “withhold” votes shall promptly tender his or her resignation following certification of the vote. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the resignation offer and shall recommend to the Board the action to be taken. Any director whose resignation is under consideration shall not participate in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommendation regarding whether to accept the resignation. The Board shall take action within 90 days following certification of the vote, and the Company will promptly disclose the Board’s decision and the reasons therefor, in a press release or Form 8-K furnished to the SEC. Our Corporate Governance Principles are available on our website at www.evercore.com.

Proxies will be voted FOR the 10 director nominees identified in this Proxy Statement unless otherwise specified.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Set forth below are biographical summaries and ages of our executive officers as of April 19, 2024. Each of our executive officers serves at the discretion of our Board without specified terms of office.

See “PROPOSAL 1-Election of Directors” above (on page 17) for information about Messrs. Altman and Weinberg.

Edward S. Hyman (79) is chairman of Evercore ISI and vice chairman of Evercore. He heads Evercore ISI’s Economic Research Team. Prior to joining Evercore ISI in October 2014, Mr. Hyman was the Chairman and Founder of ISI Group, LLC and ISI Inc. Prior to forming both of these companies in 1991, Mr. Hyman was Vice Chairman and a member of the Board of C.J. Lawrence Inc., which he joined in 1972. He also was an economic consultant at Data Resources, Inc. from 1969 to 1971. Mr. Hyman is a member of the China Institute Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee of Bowdoin College, and The Economic Club of New York. He previously served on the boards of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Capital Trust (NYSE: CT), Said Holdings Ltd, 10 Gracie Square, Saint David’s School, and The Economic Club of New York. He also served on the Collegiate School’s finance committee. Mr. Hyman earned a B.S. in engineering from the University of Texas and an MBA from MIT. He is a UT Distinguished Alumnus recipient.

Jason Klurfeld (50), General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, is responsible for our legal and compliance functions. Prior to joining us in June 2011, Mr. Klurfeld was a corporate and transactional attorney, focusing primarily on mergers, acquisitions, financings, strategic investments and other corporate law matters at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York from 2006 to 2011 and at Skadden Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Washington, D.C. from 2004 to 2006. Prior to that, he served in government as an aide to New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Mr. Klurfeld earned a B.A. in economics from Hamilton College, a Masters in History from Oxford University (St. Antony’s College) and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Timothy LaLonde (62), Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for our financial, tax, internal audit, investor relations, information technology, and facilities functions. Mr. LaLonde has more than three decades of investment banking experience and previously served as Evercore’s COO of Global Investment Banking and co-head of the U.S. Investment Banking business. Prior to Evercore, he was an executive director at UBS and a vice president at Dillon Read, a predecessor firm of UBS. He received his B.S.B. with high distinction from the University of Minnesota, his M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and his MBA with high distinction from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College. Mr. LaLonde currently serves on the Board of Advisors at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and any persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our stock, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership in our stock. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish to us copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. As a matter of practice, our administrative staff assists our directors and officers in preparing and filing such reports with the SEC.

To our knowledge, based solely on our review of copies of the reports received by us and written representations by these individuals that no other reports were required since January 1, 2023, except as previously disclosed, all such filings under Section 16(a) were timely filed.

 

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RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION

Tax Receivable Agreement

Limited partnership units in Evercore LP are held by, among others, current and former SMDs who provided services to our predecessor entities prior to our 2006 initial public offering, which includes Mr. Altman and Mr. LaLonde. Limited partnership units in Evercore LP may be exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. Evercore LP has made and intends to make an election under Section 754 of the Code effective for each taxable year in which an exchange of limited partnership units for shares occurs, which may result in an adjustment to the tax basis of the assets owned by Evercore LP at the time of an exchange of limited partnership units. The exchanges have resulted and may in the future result in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Evercore LP that otherwise would not have been available. These increases in tax basis increased and in the future would increase (for tax purposes) amortization and, therefore, reduce the amount of tax that we would otherwise be required to pay.

In connection with our IPO, we entered into a tax receivable agreement with certain of our current and former SMDs who were partners prior to our IPO and held Class A limited partnership units, including Mr. Altman and Mr. LaLonde, that provides for the payment by us to an exchanging Evercore partner of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that we actually realize as a result of these increases in tax basis. We retain the economic benefit of the remaining 15% of cash savings, if any, of the tax benefits that we realize. For purposes of the tax receivable agreement, cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing our actual income tax liability to the amount of such taxes that we would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Evercore LP as a result of the exchanges and had we not entered into the tax receivable agreement. The term of the tax receivable agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless we exercise our right to terminate the tax receivable agreement for an amount based on agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement. In certain circumstances, we sold shares of Class A common stock in public offerings and used such cash consideration to acquire Evercore LP limited partnership units, which resulted in substantially similar rights and benefits under the tax receivable agreement as an exchange of Evercore LP limited partnership units for shares of Class A common stock.

While the actual amount and timing of any payments under this agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable, the change in tax rates and the amount and timing of our income, we expect that, as a result of the size of the increases of the tangible and intangible assets of Evercore LP attributable to our interest in Evercore LP, during the expected term of the tax receivable agreement, the payments that we may make to such SMDs could be substantial. Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the Internal Revenue Service to challenge a tax basis increase, we are not entitled to reimbursement for any payments previously made under the tax receivable agreement.

As a result of the acquisition of Evercore LP limited partnership units by Evercore since the IPO, certain SMDs, including certain executive officers, became entitled to payments under the tax receivable agreement. During 2023, Mr. Altman (including estate planning vehicles and/or trusts for which Mr. Altman disclaims beneficial ownership) and Mr. LaLonde received payments pursuant to the tax receivable agreement of $2,346,568 and $172,266 respectively.

Registration Rights Agreements

In connection with the IPO, we entered into a registration rights agreement with certain of our current and former SMDs who were partners prior to the IPO, pursuant to which we may be required to register the resale of shares of our Class A common stock held by certain current and former SMDs, including Mr. Altman, upon exchange of certain limited partnership units of Evercore LP held by such SMDs. The

 

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holders of these registration rights may require us to register the sale of their shares of Class A common stock and to make available shelf registration statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period. In addition, such registration rights agreements provide for certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings of our common stock. In addition, in connection with our acquisition of ISI, we granted registration rights to the former owners of ISI, including Mr. Hyman, requiring us to file a shelf registration statement covering the resale of shares of our Class A common stock received by them upon exchange of certain limited partnership units of Evercore LP, and giving Mr. Hyman certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings of our common stock.

Relationship with Our Former Private Equity Funds

Glisco

In 2016, the Company and the principals of its Mexican private equity business entered into an agreement to transfer ownership of its Mexican private equity business and related entities to Glisco Partners Inc. (“Glisco”), which assumed all responsibility for the management of the existing funds Glisco II and Glisco III (formerly Evercore Mexico Capital Partners II and III, respectively). Glisco is controlled by the principals. These principals ceased to be employed by Evercore following this transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the transaction, the Company will receive a fixed percentage of the management fees earned by Glisco for a period of up to 10 years, as well as a portion of the carried interest in the next two successor funds. The Company committed to invest capital in those successor funds consistent with the level of carried interest it owns and will retain its carried interest and its capital interests in the existing funds. The Company is entitled to 20% of the carried interest in such successor funds. In conjunction with this transaction, the Company entered into a transition services agreement to provide operational support to Glisco.

Following this transaction, the Company ceased to have a general partner’s interest in and deconsolidated GCP II and III (formerly Evercore Mexico Partners II and III), the general partners of Glisco II and Glisco III, respectively, and related subsidiaries. Evercore LP, through its subsidiaries, maintained an interest in the general partner of Glisco II and Glisco III and is entitled to (i) 50% of the carried interest realized from Glisco II and 45% of the carried interest realized from Glisco III and (ii) as an indirect investor in Glisco II and Glisco III, gains (or losses) on investments made by Glisco II and Glisco III based on the amount of capital that Evercore LP or its subsidiaries contributed or subsequently funded. For Glisco II and Glisco III, we will include as consolidated revenue all realized and unrealized carried interest earned by the general partners of Glisco II and Glisco III, although a portion of the carried interest is allocated to employees, and such amounts are recorded as compensation expense.

Carried interest entitles the general partners of Glisco II and Glisco III to a specified percentage of net investment gains that are generated on the capital invested by third-party investors in Glisco II and Glisco III. The general partners of each of Glisco II and Glisco III are entitled to a carried interest that allocates them 20% of the net investment gains realized on capital invested in Glisco II and Glisco III by third-party investors. Each of Glisco II and Glisco III includes a performance hurdle which requires them to return 8%, compounded annually, to third-party investors prior to the general partners receiving their 20% share of net profits realized by the third-party investors. The ultimate value of carried interest with respect to Glisco II and Glisco III are not determinable until the investments have been fully divested or otherwise monetized by the relevant fund, a process that can take many years. For Glisco II and Glisco III, carried interest is allocated on a fund-wide basis rather than on an investment-by-investment basis, and the vesting of carried interest for Glisco II and Glisco III is tied to the formation of the fund and other vesting thresholds. No carried interest will be paid to employees until such time as the carried interest is actually received by the general partners of Glisco II and Glisco III. Carried interest for Glisco II and Glisco III is subject to vesting, generally over a period of four years, and may only be transferred under limited circumstances.

 

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Transactions with Our Mexican Private Equity Investments

Our investments in Glisco II and Glisco III as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Mexico Private Equity Funds

   Investments in Private
Equity Funds
 

Glisco II

   $        2,642,476  

Glisco III

   $ 937,175  

The investment period has lapsed for Glisco II and Glisco III.

Certain employees and current and former SMDs, including Mr. LaLonde, have also invested (either directly or through estate planning vehicles) their own capital through the general partners. For 2023, there were no contributions or receipt of proceeds from the Mexico Private Equity Funds for our executive officers, and no payments in respect of carried interest received by the general partner of the Mexico Private Equity Funds, in each case in excess of $120,000.

Relationship with Trilantic

We formed a strategic alliance with Trilantic to pursue private equity investment opportunities with Trilantic and to collaborate on the future growth of Trilantic’s business in 2010 and expanded our relationship on April 22, 2013 through a supplement agreement. As part of the original agreement and the supplement, we agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to source investment opportunities for Trilantic IV and Trilantic V, and Trilantic agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to refer to us mergers and acquisitions advisory services or restructuring advisory services from time to time with respect to selected portfolio companies of these Trilantic Funds.

In exchange for 500,000 Evercore LP limited partnership units that were later converted into 500,000 shares of our Class A common stock and sold, we received a minority economic interest in Trilantic and the right to invest in Trilantic’s current and future private equity funds, beginning with Trilantic IV. In connection with the issuance of such limited partnership interests in Trilantic, we became a limited partner of Trilantic and are entitled to receive 10% of the aggregate amount of carried interest in respect of all of the portfolio investments made by Trilantic IV, up to $15 million. In addition, we committed $5 million of the total capital commitments of Trilantic V. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of our investment in Trilantic IV was $112,827 and the carrying value of our investment in Trilantic V was $1,653,479. We and our affiliates are passive investors and do not participate in the management of any Trilantic-sponsored funds.

Separately, certain of our SMDs (either directly or through estate planning vehicles) have committed to invest up to $15 million in Trilantic V. For 2023, there were no contributions to or distributions from Trilantic V for our executive officers in excess of $120,000.

Evercore LP Partnership Agreement

We operate our business through Evercore LP and its subsidiaries and affiliates. As the general partner of Evercore LP, we have unilateral control over all of the affairs and decision making of Evercore LP. As such, we, through our officers, are responsible for all operational and administrative decisions of Evercore LP and the day-to-day management of Evercore LP’s business. Furthermore, we cannot be removed as the general partner of Evercore LP without our approval.

Distributions

Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement of Evercore LP, we have the right to determine when distributions will be made to the partners of Evercore LP and the amount of any such distributions. If we authorize a distribution, such distribution will be made (1) in the case of a tax distribution (as described below),

 

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to the holders of limited partnership units and interests in proportion to the amount of taxable income of Evercore LP allocated to such holder, (2) in the case of the distributions in respect of the Class L Interests, to such holders as determined by the Compensation Committee on behalf of the Company, in accordance with the terms of the applicable subscriptions agreements, as described below under “—Employment Agreements and Awards,” and (3) in the case of other distributions, pro-rata in accordance with the percentages of the holders’ respective limited partnership units (provided that holders of Class K-P units and Class L Interests are not entitled to distributions).

The holders of limited partnership units and interests in Evercore LP will incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and foreign taxes on their proportionate share of any net taxable income of Evercore LP. Net profits and net losses of Evercore LP will generally be allocated to its partners pro-rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective limited partnership units and interests. The Partnership Agreement provides for cash distributions to the partners of Evercore LP if we determine that the taxable income of Evercore LP will give rise to taxable income for its partners. In accordance with the Partnership Agreement, we intend to cause Evercore LP to make cash distributions to the holders of limited partnership units and interests of Evercore LP for purposes of funding their tax obligations in respect of the income of Evercore LP that is allocated to them. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on our estimate of the net taxable income of Evercore LP allocable to such holder of limited partnership units and interests multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in New York, New York (taking into account the non-deductibility of certain expenses and the character of our income).

For 2023, Mr. Altman (including estate planning vehicles and/or trusts for which Mr. Altman disclaims beneficial ownership of) and Mr. Weinberg received $945,698 and $1,200,000, respectively as regular distributions on limited partnership units. In addition, certain of our NEOs received as distributions on the Class L Interests held by them in the amounts described in the “Bonus” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 52.

Dissolution

Evercore LP may be dissolved only upon the occurrence of certain unlikely events specified in the Partnership Agreement. Upon dissolution, Evercore LP will be liquidated and the proceeds from any liquidation shall be applied and distributed in the following order:

 

   

First, to pay the debts, liabilities and expenses of Evercore LP;

 

   

Second, as reserve cash for contingent liabilities of Evercore LP; and

 

   

Third, pro-rata in respect of all partnership units, as set forth in Section 9.03 of the Partnership Agreement.

Use of Corporate Aircraft

For security, safety and health reasons, our Board adopted a policy requiring our Senior Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to use corporate aircraft for certain business air travel to the extent practical.

While the primary use of corporate aircraft is for business purposes, because of the benefit afforded to us in terms of security and productivity while traveling for personal reasons, we allow Messrs. Altman and Weinberg to use the aircraft for personal travel, when the aircraft are not being used for Company business. Under these arrangements, Messrs. Altman and Weinberg must reimburse us for an amount equal to or exceeding the incremental cost associated with their personal use of the aircraft, which generally reimburse us for the full incremental costs and a pro-rata share of the fixed costs. Mr. Weinberg did not use the aircraft for personal travel in 2023, and Mr. Altman reimbursed us for his personal use of the aircraft in 2023 in an amount

 

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equal to $118,426, which generally included the full incremental costs and a pro-rata share of the fixed costs, and which in all cases equaled or exceeded the incremental costs associated with such use. Depending on the nature of the aircraft and applicable regulatory guidelines, the required amount of reimbursement was calculated by assessing either (i) the maximum amount of reimbursement allowed by Federal Aviation Administration rules (including enumerated direct costs such as fuel, crew travel expenses, landing fees, flight planning and an additional amount equal to 100% of fuel costs) or (ii) 100% of the costs charged to the Company by certificated air carriers/fractional program operators for personal flights, including a proportionate share of the annual management fees (where applicable). In addition, on limited occasion, we have allowed a business-related flight to deviate and land at an airport other than its destination to drop-off or pick-up a non-business traveler, without such change in destination being treated as an incremental cost.

Transactions with Other 5% Shareholders

From time to time, we engage in ordinary course transactions with entities or affiliates of entities that are the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. For example, BlackRock and Vanguard are clients of our Institutional Equities business. All of our transactions with these 5% holders and their affiliates were arms-length transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business, with management and other fees based on the prevailing rates for non-related persons.

Ordinary Course Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors

From time to time, certain executive officers, directors and other affiliates of ours, their family members, and related business organizations or charitable foundations may utilize our services as customers in the ordinary course of our business, such as by holding investments in various Evercore Wealth Management investment vehicles or accounts or by purchasing research services from our equity sales, trading and research business, Evercore ISI. These products and services are offered and provided in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions for similarly situated customers. For certain types of products and services offered by Evercore Wealth Management, certain of our executive officers and other affiliates receive or may be eligible to receive discounts that are available to our employees or SMDs generally.

Policy Regarding Transactions with Related Persons

Our Related Person Transaction Policy, which is available on our website at www.evercore.com under the “For Investors” link, requires that Related Person Transactions (defined below) must be approved or ratified by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board unless they have been deemed pre-approved. In determining whether to approve or ratify a Related Person Transaction, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the Related Person Transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the Related Person’s interest in the transaction. Under the policy, certain Related Person Transactions are pre-approved, including routine commercial transactions in the ordinary course or transactions that are approved by other committees of the Board. A “Related Person” is any of our executive officers, directors or director nominees, any shareholder owning at least 5% of our stock, or any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons. A “Related Person Transaction” means any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar financial transactions, arrangements or relationships involving more than $120,000 in which we are a participant and in which a Related Person has a direct or indirect material interest. All Related Person Transactions were approved in accordance with our Related Person Transaction Policy, other than those discussed under “-Tax Receivable Agreement” on page 24, “—Registration Rights Agreements” on page 24, “—Relationship with Our Former Private Equity Funds” on page 25 and “—Evercore LP Partnership Agreement” on page 26, which were undertaken prior to the adoption of the policy.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

General

Pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the state in which we are organized, and our Amended and Restated Bylaws, our business, property and affairs are managed by or under the direction of our Board. Members of our Board are kept informed of our business through discussions with our executive officers and other officers, by reviewing materials provided to them by management and by participating in meetings of the Board and its committees.

NYSE and SEC Requirements

Under the NYSE’s corporate governance rules, no director qualifies as independent unless our Board affirmatively determines that the director has no “material relationship” with us, either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us. Under NYSE rules, directors who have relationships covered by one of five bright-line independence tests established by the NYSE may not be found to be independent. In addition, audit committee members are subject to heightened independence requirements under NYSE rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. NYSE rules require that in affirmatively determining the independence of any director who will serve on the Compensation Committee, the Board must consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to us that is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a compensation committee member.

Corporate Governance Principles and Categorical Independence Standards

In order to provide guidance on the composition and function of our governing body, our Board adopted our Corporate Governance Principles, which include, among other things, our categorical standards of director independence. The complete version of our Corporate Governance Principles is available on our website at www.evercore.com under the “For Investors” link. We will provide a printed copy of the Corporate Governance Principles to any shareholder who requests them by contacting Investor Relations. These categorical independence standards establish certain relationships that our Board, in its judgment, has deemed to be material or immaterial for purposes of assessing a director’s independence. In the event a director maintains any relationship with us that is not specifically addressed in these standards, the Board will determine whether such relationship is material.

The Board has determined that the following relationships should not be considered material relationships that would impair a director’s independence: (1) relationships where a director, or an immediate family member of the director, is an executive officer or director of another company in which we beneficially own less than 10% of the outstanding voting shares of that company; (2) relationships where a director, or an immediate family member of that director, serves as an executive officer, director or trustee of a charitable organization, and our annual charitable contributions to the organization (excluding contributions by us under any established matching gift program) are less than the greater of $1,000,000 or 2% of that organization’s consolidated gross revenues in its most recent fiscal year; and (3) relationships where a director is a current employee, or such director’s immediate family member is a current executive officer, of another company that has made payments to, or received payment from, us for property or services in an amount which, in any of the preceding three fiscal years, did not exceed the greater of $1,000,000 or 2% of the consolidated gross revenues of such other company.

Our Corporate Governance Principles also provide, among other things, that all non-management directors must notify the Board of his or her retirement, change in employer and any other significant change in the director’s principal professional occupation or roles and responsibilities and, in

 

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connection with any such change, tender his or her resignation from the Board (and the applicable Board committees) for consideration by the Board. The Board would then consider the continued appropriateness of Board membership under the new circumstances and the action, if any, to be taken with respect to such resignation.

Evaluations of Director Independence

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee undertook its annual review of director independence and reviewed its findings with our Board. During this review, our Board considered transactions and relationships between each director, or any member of his or her immediate family, and us, our subsidiaries and affiliates, including those reported under “Related Person Transactions and Other Information” above (on page 24). Our Board also examined transactions and relationships between directors or their affiliates and members of our senior management. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions compromised a director’s independence.

As a result of this review, our Board affirmatively determined that each of Messrs. Beattie, Millard, Overlock and Wheeler, Mses. Carlton, Futter, Harris and Williamson and Sir Simon Robertson is independent under NYSE rules and the categorical standards for director independence set forth in the Corporate Governance Principles. In reaching this determination, the Board considered the fact that Mr. Beattie is a partner of Simpson Thacher, which provides legal services to us and our affiliates. In reaching this conclusion with respect to Mr. Beattie, it was noted that in 2023 payments from us to Simpson Thacher were less than 1% of Simpson Thacher’s revenues. In connection with Mr. Beattie, it was also noted that Simpson Thacher’s partnership income attributed to payments from us in 2023 resulted in less than $10,000 in income to Mr. Beattie.

Our Board has also determined that the members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee are also independent under the applicable NYSE and SEC rules mentioned above.

Messrs. Altman and Weinberg are not considered to be independent directors as a result of their employment with us.

Committees of the Board

General

Our Board has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

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The following table shows the membership of each of our Board’s standing committees as of April 19, 2024 and the number of in-person and telephonic meetings held by each of those committees during 2023:

 

 Director

   Audit
 Committee 
    Compensation 
Committee
    Nominating and 
Corporate
Governance
Committee

 Roger C. Altman

        

 Richard I. Beattie(1)

        

 Pamela G. Carlton

   X       X

 Ellen V. Futter

         X

 Gail B. Harris

   X       Chair

 Robert B. Millard

      Chair    X

 Willard J. Overlock, Jr.

   X    X   

 Sir Simon M. Robertson

      X    X

 John S. Weinberg

        

 William J. Wheeler

   Chair    X   

 Sarah K. Williamson

   X    X   

 2023 Meetings

   8    5    3

 

  (1)

Mr. Beattie will be retiring from the Board at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

Our Board met in full session five times during 2023. Our Board’s standing committees held a total of 16 additional meetings (eight Audit Committee, five Compensation Committee and three Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meetings).

Our Board has adopted a charter for each of the three standing committees that addresses the composition and function of each committee. You can find links to these materials on our website at www.evercore.com under the “For Investors” link, and we will provide a printed copy of these materials to any shareholder who requests it by contacting Investor Relations.

Audit Committee

General. The Audit Committee assists our Board in fulfilling its responsibility relating to the oversight of: (1) the quality and integrity of our financial statements, (2) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) our independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, (4) the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm and (5) risk management and compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Financial Literacy and Expertise. Our Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee in 2023 was and in 2024 is “financially literate” within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE. In addition, our Board has determined that each of Mr. Wheeler and Ms. Williamson qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined by applicable SEC regulations and that each has “accounting or related financial management expertise” within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE. The Board reached its conclusion as to Mr. Wheeler’s qualification based on, among other things, his experience as chief financial officer at a large multinational public company, his executive leadership experience and his experience with financial institutions and the Board reached its conclusion as to Ms. Williamson’s qualification based on, among other things, her experience with financial reporting and internal auditing, including with respect to oversight of public accountants.

Compensation Committee

General. The Compensation Committee discharges the responsibilities of our Board relating to the oversight of our compensation programs and compensation of our executives. Each of the members of the

 

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Compensation Committee in 2023 was and in 2024 is an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code as in effect during 2017 and a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 16b-3. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee can delegate any or all of its responsibilities to a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee. For information on the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for considering and determining executive and director compensation and the role of executive officers in determining and recommending the amount and form of such compensation, see “Director Compensation” on page 36 and “Compensation Discussion & Analysis” on page 38.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. During the last fiscal year, each of Messrs. Millard, Overlock and Wheeler, Ms. Williamson and Sir Simon Robertson served as members of our Compensation Committee, and no member of our Compensation Committee during fiscal year 2023 was an employee or officer or former employee or officer of the Company or had any interest in a transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K during fiscal year 2023. None of our executive officers has served as a member of a board of directors or a compensation committee of a board of directors of any other entity which has an executive officer serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee, and there are no other matters regarding interlocks or insider participation that are required to be disclosed.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

General. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists our Board in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to corporate governance by (1) identifying individuals qualified to become directors and recommending that our Board select the candidates for all directorships to be filled by our Board or by our shareholders, (2) overseeing the evaluation of the Board, (3) developing and recommending the content of our Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to our Board, (4) overseeing the Company’s adherence to its Core Values, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the implementation of its Environmental, Social and Governance program, and (5) otherwise taking a leadership role in shaping our corporate governance. In evaluating candidates for directorships, our Board, with the help of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, takes into account a variety of factors it considers appropriate, which may include the following: strength of character and leadership skills; general business acumen and experience; knowledge of strategy, finance, international business, government affairs and familiarity with our business and industry; age; number of other board seats; willingness to commit the necessary time; and whether the nominee assists in achieving a mix of members that represents a diversity of background and experience—all to ensure an active Board whose members work well together and possess the collective knowledge and expertise required to maximize the effectiveness of the Board. Accordingly, although diversity may be a consideration in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s process, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board do not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees. From time to time, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have engaged a third-party search firm to assist in identifying potential nominees for our Board.

Shareholder Recommendations for Director Nominations. As noted above, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers recommendations for nomination to our Board, including nominations submitted by shareholders. Such recommendations should be sent to the attention of our Corporate Secretary. Any recommendations submitted to the Corporate Secretary should be in writing and should include any supporting material the shareholder considers appropriate in support of that recommendation, but must include the information that would be required under the rules of the SEC to be included in a Proxy Statement soliciting proxies for the election of such candidate and a signed consent of the candidate to serve as one of our directors if elected.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates all potential candidates in the same manner, regardless of the source of the recommendation. Based on the information provided to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, it will make an initial determination whether to conduct a

 

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full evaluation of a candidate. As part of the full evaluation process, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may conduct interviews, obtain additional background information and conduct reference checks of candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also ask the candidate to meet with management and other members of our Board. When the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews a potential candidate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee looks specifically at the candidate’s qualifications in light of our needs and the needs of the Board at that time, given the current mix of director attributes. In evaluating a candidate, our Board, with the assistance of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, takes into account a variety of additional factors as described in our Corporate Governance Principles.

Meeting Attendance

During 2023, our Board met in full session five times, and our Board’s standing committees held a total of 16 additional meetings (eight Audit Committee, five Compensation Committee and three Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meetings). Each of our directors attended over 80% of the Board meetings and meetings of the Board committees on which he or she served (during the periods that he or she served). Our policy is that all of our directors, absent special circumstances, should attend our Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All of our then incumbent directors attended our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Executive Sessions, Role of the Chairman of Our Board, CEO and Lead Director

Our Corporate Governance Principles require our non-management directors, all of whom are also independent under applicable regulations and our Corporate Governance Principles, to have at least one meeting per year without management present. We complied with this requirement in 2023, as our non-management directors meet regularly in executive session.

We have no fixed policy with respect to the separation of the offices of the Chairman of the Board and CEO. The Board believes that the separation of the offices of the Chairman of the Board and CEO is best decided on a case-by-case basis from time to time. Effective February 25, 2022, the Board appointed Mr. Weinberg to serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. In order to facilitate communications among non-management directors and management and to preside over executive sessions, the Board has selected Ms. Harris to serve as the lead director. As lead director, Ms. Harris is responsible for working with the Chairman and CEO to develop and approve Board agendas and meeting schedules, conducting executive sessions with the non-management members of the Board, leading Board and Committee evaluations and otherwise serving as a liaison amongst our non-management directors.

Under the guidance of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each year the Board reviews the structure of our Board and its committees as a part of its annual self-evaluation process and, as part of that process, considers, among other things, issues of structure, leadership and oversight needs and skills to guide the company in executing its long-term strategic objectives. The Board is satisfied that its current structure and processes are appropriate.

Oversight of Risk Management by the Board

We are exposed to a number of risks, and we regularly identify and evaluate these risks and develop plans to manage them effectively. The Audit Committee is charged with a majority of the risk oversight responsibilities on behalf of the Board (including risk associated with cybersecurity), our Compensation Committee is charged with the oversight responsibility related to our compensation programs and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with human capital, ESG, including diversity, equity and inclusion, board organization, membership and structure and succession planning for our directors. The Audit Committee also works with members of senior management to review our cybersecurity policies and

 

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procedures. The Board is aware of the threats presented by cybersecurity incidents (including the increased risk relating to the remote working environment and geopolitical issues) and is committed to preventing and mitigating the effects of any such incidents. The Board and the Audit Committee are updated regularly on cybersecurity matters. Our CFO and General Counsel both report directly to our CEO and meet with the Audit Committee at least four times a year in conjunction with a review of our quarterly and annual periodic SEC filings to discuss important risks we face, highlighting any new risks that may have arisen since they last met. Our CFO and General Counsel update our Audit Committee as to changes in our risks on a periodic basis. In addition, all non-management members of the Board are invited to attend all committee meetings, regardless of whether the individual sits on the specific committee. Outside of formal meetings, Board members have regular access to senior executives, including our CFO and General Counsel.

Each of our business unit leaders is responsible for various aspects of risk management associated with their business, and our executive officers, including our CEO, CFO and General Counsel, also have the primary responsibility for enterprise-wide risk management. Our CFO and General Counsel work closely with members of senior management, including our accounting staff, our internal audit department, our information technology department and our compliance department to monitor and manage risk.

Shareholder Engagement

As we have done in the past, in 2023 we engaged in extensive shareholder outreach. In our meetings and other engagement with shareholders, we primarily discussed feedback on our executive compensation program, financial performance, corporate governance initiatives, use of equity compensation, sustainability and other matters. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis2023 Say on Pay Vote” on page 50 for more information on our recent engagement efforts, as well as key shareholder feedback provided to us during the engagement process.

We are committed to having an open dialogue, and we proactively engage with shareholders in discussions regarding our objectives. We view an open dialogue with our shareholders as a valuable tool that allows us to better appreciate our shareholders’ perspective. Our senior management frequently meets face-to-face and communicates telephonically with our shareholders. We carefully consider the feedback we receive from our shareholders in meetings and through other communications. We also participate in investor conferences, and we make investor presentations available on our website at www.evercore.com under the “For Investors” link.

Communicating with the Board

Interested parties may communicate directly with our Board, our non-management directors or an individual director by writing to our Corporate Secretary and specifying whether such communication should be addressed to the attention of (1) the Board as a whole, (2) non-management directors as a group or (3) the name of the individual director, as applicable. Communications will be distributed to our Board, non-management directors as a group or to any individual director or directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication. In that regard, our Board has requested that certain items that are unrelated to its duties and responsibilities should be excluded, such as spam, junk mail and mass mailings, resumes and other forms of job inquiries, surveys and business solicitations or advertisements.

In addition, material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable will be excluded, with the provision that any communication that is filtered out must be made available to any non-management director upon request. Any concerns relating to accounting, internal control over financial reporting or auditing matters will be brought to the attention of our Audit Committee. In addition, for such matters, shareholders and others are encouraged to use our hotline discussed below.

 

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Hotline for Accounting, Auditing and Other Matters

As part of the Audit Committee’s role to establish procedures for the receipt of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, we established a hotline for the anonymous submission of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal control over financial reporting, auditing matters, employee matters and other matters. Communications are distributed to the Board, or to any individual director as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication. Any matters reported through the hotline that involve accounting, internal control over financial reporting, audit matters or any fraud involving management or persons who have a significant role in our internal control over financial reporting will be reported to the Chairman of our Audit Committee.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all of our employees, including our CEO, our CFO, our Controller (or persons performing similar functions) and our Board. You can find a link to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on our website at www.evercore.com under the “For Investors” link, and we will provide a printed copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to any shareholder who contacts Investor Relations and requests a copy. To the extent required to be disclosed, we will post amendments to, or any waivers from, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics at the same location on our website as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Our policy is to not pay director compensation to directors who are also our employees. The Board’s non-employee director compensation policies provide for non-management directors to receive a one-time award of RSUs with a value of $50,000 upon initial appointment to the Board, which delivers on the second anniversary of the grant date. For 2023, non-management directors also receive an annual retainer and RSU grant, with amounts outlined below.

 

     ($)     

Key Payment and Vesting Features

     

✓Retainer payable 100% in cash or RSUs, or 50% in cash and 50% in RSUs, at director’s election.

✓Annual RSU grants deliver on the first anniversary of the grant date.

✓One-time RSU grants deliver on the second anniversary of the grant date.

 Annual Compensation:

  

 Retainer

     125,000  

 RSU Grant

     125,000  

 Committee Chairs

     30,000  

 One-Time RSU Grant upon Joining the Board

     50,000  
  

In 2022, our Board decided that effective as of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, non-employee directors will receive an annual retainer of $125,000, and an annual RSU grant of $125,000. In addition, the Board decided Committee Chairs will receive an additional award of $30,000. The annual retainer is payable either 100% in cash or RSUs, or 50% in cash and 50% in RSUs, at the director’s option. The Board believes that our payment structure is consistent with the compensation practices of our peers and similarly situated companies.

Other Compensation. Non-management directors are further reimbursed for travel and related expenses associated with attendance at Board or committee meetings, as well as expenses for continuing education programs related to their role as members of the Board. For administrative ease in dealing with our transfer agent and our stock plan administrator, equity awards that would otherwise result in fractional shares are rounded up to the nearest whole share.

Details on 2023 RSU Grants. Each non-management director received, upon his or her re-election to the Board on June 15, 2023, an award of 1,069 RSUs with a value of approximately $125,000, based on the average of the high and low average share price during each day of the 10-trading-day period from June 1, 2023 through June 14, 2023, with the exception of Mr. Overlock and Ms. Williamson, who elected to receive their retainer 100% in RSUs rather than cash, and accordingly received an award of 2,137 RSUs with a value of approximately $250,000, based on the average of the high and low average share price during each day of the 10-trading-day period from June 1, 2023 through June 14, 2023. These RSUs will deliver on the first anniversary of the grant date.

Equity Ownership Guideline: 3x Most Recent Annual Retainer. Our Board has also adopted equity ownership guidelines that require our non-management directors to own shares of Class A common stock, including RSUs awarded in connection with service on the Board, shares beneficially owned by his or her immediate family members residing in the same household and shares held in trust for the benefit of the director or his or her immediate family members, with a value equal to or greater than three times the director’s most recently paid annual retainer. Until a director meets the required ownership level, he or she must retain 100% of shares received upon delivery of RSUs (other than shares sold to satisfy tax obligations associated with vesting and delivery of shares) awarded in connection with service on the Board. Compliance with these guidelines may be waived, at the discretion of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, if compliance would create severe hardship for a non-management director or prevent him or her from complying with a court order. It is expected that these instances will be rare and, in these cases, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will develop alternative ownership guidelines that reflect the intent of these guidelines and the director’s personal circumstances.

 

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The following table provides summary information concerning compensation paid or accrued by us to or on behalf of our non-management directors for services rendered to us during 2023.

Director Compensation in 2023

 

Name

    Fees Earned 
or Paid in
Cash
($)
   Stock
 Awards(1) 
($)
     Total  
($)

Richard I. Beattie(2)

   125,000    131,989    256,989

Pamela G. Carlton

   125,000    131,989    256,989

Ellen V. Futter

   125,000    131,989    256,989

Gail B. Harris

   155,000    131,989    286,989

Robert B. Millard

   155,000    131,989    286,989

Willard J. Overlock, Jr(3).

   125,000    131,989    256,989

Sir Simon M. Robertson

   125,000    131,989    256,989

William J. Wheeler

   155,000    131,989    286,989

Sarah K. Williamson(3)

   125,000    131,989    256,989

 

  (1)

The amounts reflected in the Stock Awards column represent the grant date fair value of the awards made during 2023, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of the awards reflected in the table above is based on the average of the high and low trading price of the Class A common stock on the date of grant, which would be June 15, 2023 ($123.47) for the annual RSUs award granted to all directors. For non-management directors, the grant date fair value of the annual RSU awards differs from $125,000 because the number of RSUs granted to directors was determined based on the average of the high and low average share price during each day of the 10-trading-day period from June 1, 2023 through June 14, 2023 ($117.02). As of December 31, 2023, each of the directors listed above held 1,069 vested RSUs, which deliver on June 15, 2024, with the exception of Mr. Overlock and Ms. Williamson, who hold 2,137 vested RSUs which deliver, as applicable, on June 15, 2024 due to their election to receive their retainer 100% in common stock rather than cash, as described in footnote 2 below.

 

  (2)

Mr. Beattie will be retiring from the Board at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

 

  (3)

Mr. Overlock and Ms. Williamson elected to receiver their cash retainer 100% in common stock rather than cash, and therefore did not receive the cash payment shown in the table above, but received a total of 2,137 vested RSUs, based on the average of the high and low average share price during each day of the 10-trading-day period from June 1, 2023 through June 14, 2023 ($117.02).

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

The following discussions and tables provide summary information concerning compensation for our NEOs, who for 2023 are: Messrs. Altman, Weinberg, LaLonde, Hyman, Klurfeld and Pensa, and Ms. Mellet.

 

Introduction

Our executive compensation program reflects the Company’s commitment to pay for performance. Executives that serve in our business units, including those that are NEOs, are paid largely on their contribution to our success and the success of their respective business units, motivating them to conduct the business in a manner that produces superior results over the long term.

Consistent with our commitment to pay for performance, the Compensation Committee considered the Company’s performance during a challenging business environment, including its delivery of solid results under the prevailing market conditions, while accomplishing important strategic objectives, such as the recruitment of our largest class ever of Advisory senior managing directors and the expansion of our client relationships and coverage universe. In 2023, the Company delivered Adjusted Net Revenues* of approximately $2.4 billion, Adjusted EPS* of approximately $6.46 and Adjusted Net Income* of approximately $276.9 million. In addition, the Company accomplished its capital return objectives, returning $523.5 million to shareholders during the year through dividends and equity repurchases. The Compensation Committee also considered our NEOs’ promotion of and adherence to our Core Values, including as they relate to sustainability and culture.

The following sections provide an overview of 2023 financial performance, compensation and incentive highlights, say on pay results and our related shareholder outreach efforts.

 

Overview of Organization and Key Considerations

 

2023 Performance
(see page 40)

  

 

Delivering financial results

 

✓  Adjusted Net Revenues* for 2023 of $2.4 billion

 

✓  Adjusted EPS* of $6.46 and Adjusted Net Income* of $276.9 million for 2023

 

✓  Adjusted Operating Margin* of 15.7% for 2023

 

    

Returning significant capital to shareholders

 

✓  $523.5 million returned to shareholders during the year through dividends and equity repurchases

 

 

 

  *

Adjusted Net Revenues, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Operating Margin are non-GAAP measures. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.

 

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Compensation of Named Executives (see page 43)

  

 

Links pay to performance and promotes alignment with shareholders

 

✓  NEO compensation is closely aligned with our performance in 2023

 

✓  No increases to base salaries for our NEOs since they became executive officers, and base salary continues to represent a relatively small share of total annual compensation

 

✓  No guaranteed bonuses for any of our NEOs except in limited circumstances, such as commencement of employment or assumption of significant new responsibilities.

 

✓  50% of 2023 NEO incentive compensation awarded in RSUs, which are unvested and are delivered over four years, consistent with market practice

 

✓  Formal equity ownership guidelines and clawback and anti-hedging policies

 

2023 Say on Pay Vote and Shareholder Engagement (see page 50)

  

Shareholder Engagement and Key Shareholder Feedback

 

✓  The proxy advisors and our shareholders have historically supported our executive compensation program. We believe this is due to the Company’s strong business performance and a close alignment between performance and pay

 

✓  Our executive compensation program has not changed in any material way since last year, when our shareholders supported our Say on Pay proposal at approximately the 92% level

 

✓  We believe, as evidenced by the results of our Say on Pay vote and shareholder outreach, that our shareholders support our executive compensation program

 

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2023 Performance

As discussed throughout this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, in determining NEO compensation for 2023, our Compensation Committee considered the Company’s financial results in a challenging business environment, including its achievement of approximately $2.4 billion in Adjusted Net Revenues*, approximately $6.46 of Adjusted EPS*, and approximately $276.9 million of Adjusted Net Income*. The Compensation Committee also considered the accomplishment of several strategic initiatives, including the recruitment of our largest class ever of Advisory senior managing directors and the expansion of our client relationships and coverage universe, the contributions each individual NEO made to the firm, the management of the firm’s operational and reputational risks, and the value created and capital returned to our shareholders, including through dividends and repurchases during 2023. The Compensation Committee further took into account the promotion of and adherence to our core values—Client Focus, Integrity, Excellence, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Investment in People and Partnership—which are critical to our reputation, culture and maintaining a sustainable business with long-term success. The following are highlights of the Company’s 2023 performance.

 

  *

Adjusted Net Revenues, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Operating Margin are non-GAAP measures. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.

 

Creating Value for Shareholders

Our TSR continues to demonstrate the long-term positive growth in our share price*

 

 

LOGO

 

 

LOGO

*. The Stock Performance graph and related table compares the performance of an investment in our Class A common stock from December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2023, with the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Financial Index, and the peer average index. The graph assumes $100 was invested at the opening of business on December 31, 2018 in each of our Class A common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Financial Index, and the peer average index. It also assumes that dividends were reinvested on the date of payment without payment of any commissions. The performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance. Equal weighted index methodology. Peer average includes Houlihan Lokey, Lazard, Moelis & Company, PJT Partners, and Perella Weinberg Partners.

 

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Returning Significant Capital to Our Shareholders

 

   

We returned $523.5 million of capital to shareholders during the year through dividends and equity repurchases.

 

   

We have carefully managed and offset the dilutive effect of RSUs granted for incentive awards and new hire or replacement awards on a cumulative basis over the past five years.

 

Delivering Financial Results in a Challenging Environment

The past year continued to present a challenging operating environment. Despite these challenges, we continued to effectively serve our clients while strengthening our franchise by investing in and diversifying our business, allowing us to achieve solid Net Revenues, Net Income, EPS, and Operating Margin taking into account the prevailing market conditions.

 

  Net Revenues*   

Net Revenues of $2.426 billion on a U.S. GAAP basis and $2.449 billion on an Adjusted basis.

 

  Net Income*

  

 

Net Income of $255.5 million on a U.S. GAAP basis and $276.9 million on an Adjusted basis.

 

  EPS*

  

 

EPS of $6.37 on a U.S. GAAP basis and $6.46 on an Adjusted basis.

 

  Operating Margin*

  

 

Operating Margin of 14.8% on a U.S. GAAP basis and 15.7% on an Adjusted basis

 

  *

Adjusted Net Revenues, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, and Adjusted Operating Margin are non-GAAP measures. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.

 

2023 Compensation and Incentive Highlights

Our pay for performance compensation program is designed to reward performance and align the long-term interests of our executives with those of our shareholders — for example, through our equity ownership guidelines and by prohibiting hedging and pledging by our directors and executive officers. The following are highlights of our 2023 compensation and incentive structure, as determined by our Compensation Committee.

 

Performance-Based Compensation

 

 

No Guaranteed Incentive Awards. We generally do not provide guaranteed incentive awards to any of our NEOs, except in limited circumstances such as commencement of employment or assumption of significant new responsibilities.

 

 

No Change in Base Salaries. We have not increased base salaries for our NEOs since they became executive officers, and base salary continues to represent a relatively small share of their total annual compensation.

 

 

Performance Drives Changes in Pay. Compensation is linked to the performance of Evercore and our executives’ individual performance, which motivates our executive leadership to conduct the business in a manner that produces superior results over the long term.

 

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NEO Compensation Reflects our Performance. Our NEO compensation is closely aligned with our performance in 2023, while giving appropriate consideration to our operating results. In a challenging operating environment where global announced M&A activity based on deal value was down almost 20%, we delivered solid results under the prevailing market conditions, while accomplishing important strategic objectives, including the recruitment of our largest class ever of Advisory senior managing directors and the expansion of our client relationships and coverage universe. However, our Adjusted Net Revenues* declined to approximately $2.4 billion, Adjusted EPS* declined to approximately $6.46 and Adjusted Net Income* declined to approximately $276.9 million. Accordingly, our CEO’s compensation declined in 2023 compared to 2022, on top of the 41% decrease in our CEO’s annual incentive award from 2021 to 2022.

 

  *

Adjusted Net Revenues, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, and Adjusted Operating Margin are non-GAAP measures. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.

 

Shareholder Alignment

 

 

Equity-Based Compensation Included in Incentive Awards, Not Additional. Our Compensation Committee determines the overall amount of incentive compensation to be awarded to our NEOs, inclusive of cash incentive distributions and RSUs.

 

 

50% of 2023 Incentive Awards Delivered in RSUs Subject to Four Year Deferred Delivery. RSUs granted to our NEOs as a component of 2023 annual incentive awards are unvested and are delivered over four years, which is consistent with market practice, and enhances ongoing alignment with our shareholders.

 

 

Equity Ownership Guidelines and Significant Equity Ownership by NEOs. Each of our NEOs holds a meaningful amount of equity in our Company and met the formal equity ownership guidelines applicable to such NEO for 2023.

 

 

No Hedging or Pledging. All employees, including our NEOs, are prohibited from hedging their equity securities, and our anti-pledging policy prohibits directors and executive officers from pledging their equity without Compensation Committee approval.

 

 

Clawback Policy. On October 24, 2023, the Company adopted a clawback policy that was established in accordance with the listing requirement of the NYSE to provide for the recovery or “clawback” of certain erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement. The policy was made effective December 1, 2023 and applies to incentive-based compensation received by current and former executive officers of the Company during the three fiscal years preceding an accounting restatement and after the effective date of the NYSE listing requirement, October 2, 2023. The Company also continues to maintain an additional clawback policy, which provides for the recapture of incentive awards provided to SMDs in the event of certain types of misconduct by that SMD or a restatement of the financial results of the Company due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements.

 

Accountability to Shareholders

 

 

Annual Say on Pay Vote. Based on our Board’s recommendation and our shareholders’ advisory vote in 2022, we continue to hold an advisory vote each year on our executive compensation program.

 

 

Strong Support for Executive Compensation Program. Our executive compensation program has not changed in any material way since last year, when our shareholders supported our Say on Pay proposal at approximately the 92% level. We believe this continued support is due to the Company’s strong business performance, a close alignment between performance and pay, our extensive shareholder engagement process and disclosure regarding our executive compensation program.

 

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Majority Voting Resignation Policy. Our majority voting resignation policy provides that a director that receives the support of less than a majority of votes cast must tender his or her resignation, which our Board will then determine whether to accept.

 

 

Extensive Shareholder Engagement and Feedback. We engage extensively with our shareholders on an ongoing basis and welcome feedback regarding our performance, corporate governance practices and other matters of interest to our shareholders. The feedback we received continued to inform our Board, particularly with respect to our compensation program and equity plan.

 

Compensation of Named Executives

The goals of our executive compensation program are to align compensation and incentives with business objectives and performance, and in turn continue to create and sustain shareholder value over the long term. In addition, our program is designed to enable us to attract, retain and reward executives who contribute to our long-term success and growth in shareholder value. Our future success depends to a substantial degree on our ability to retain and recruit highly qualified personnel as opposed to the deployment and management of the firm’s financial capital, as with other financial services firms. The market for highly qualified financial professionals has been and remains extremely competitive. In addition, although our NEOs and other SMDs have all entered into restrictive covenant agreements, their departure could still jeopardize our relationships with clients and result in the loss of client engagements. Accordingly, it is imperative for our compensation and incentive programs to be highly competitive and reward outstanding individual and Company achievement.

 

2023 NEO Compensation and Incentive Structure

 

 

LOGO

 

2023 Incentive Awards and Determinations

Consistent with industry practice, incentive awards account for a majority of our NEOs’ total compensation and incentive opportunities. In our case, base salary averaged less than 10% of total 2023 compensation for our NEOs. For 2023, with the exception of the newly appointed CFO, no guaranteed incentive awards were paid to any NEO, nor were any of our NEOs paid any compensation pursuant to formulaic or other pre-established performance targets or personal compensation arrangements. Rather, incentive awards paid to our NEOs were determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee after taking into account the Company’s performance along with the NEO’s individual contributions, the NEO’s promotion of and adherence to our Core Values, and other factors.

 

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Ultimately, 50% of total 2023 incentive award amounts were paid to our NEOs in cash incentive distributions or payments and the remaining 50% paid in RSUs that vest over a four-year period, subject to retirement eligibility and other earlier vesting conditions. As in 2021 and 2022, the Compensation Committee determined that the cash incentive compensation payments that may otherwise have been made to the NEOs in respect of their service in 2023 would be delivered in the form of distributions in respect of Class L Interests in Evercore LP, awarded to each of the NEOs (other than Ms. Mellet, Mr. LaLonde and Mr. Pensa) in January 2023. Distributions payable with respect to the awards of Class L Interests granted in 2023 were determined by the Committee in its discretion and paid in the first quarter of 2024, and were subject to a maximum amount equal to a specified percentage of 2023 Adjusted Operating Income, as defined in the relevant subscription agreement.

The Compensation Committee decided that 50% of our NEOs’ 2023 incentive awards would be paid in RSUs and subject to future service-based vesting requirements, because awarding equity over a longer period aligns the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders. As a result, we believe our NEOs have a demonstrable and significant interest in increasing shareholder value over the long term.

 

 

LOGO

We refer to the portion of our NEOs’ 2023 compensation granted in RSUs as “deferred compensation” because it will not be delivered until a future year (and then, only if applicable vesting requirements have been met). See “— Employment Agreements and AwardsEvercore Annual Equity Awards” on page 61 for a discussion of the terms of these awards.

Company Performance and Individual Contributions

As noted above, in determining incentive awards for our NEOs, the Compensation Committee took into account the Company’s performance along with the other NEO accomplishments, including the financial results achieved by the Company in a challenging market environment, the accomplishment of several strategic initiatives, the contributions each individual NEO made to the firm, the management of the firm’s operational and reputational risks, and the value created and capital returned to our shareholders, including through dividends and repurchases during 2023. The Committee noted, among other considerations, our Net Revenues, Net Income, EPS, and Operating Margin, in each case, on a U.S. GAAP and an Adjusted basis. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.

 

  Net Revenues*   

Net Revenues of $2.426 billion on a U.S. GAAP basis and $2.449 billion on an Adjusted basis.

 

  Net Income*

  

 

Net Income of $255.5 million on a U.S. GAAP basis and $276.9 million on an Adjusted basis.

 

  EPS*

  

 

EPS of $6.37 on a U.S. GAAP basis and $6.46 on an Adjusted basis.

 

  Operating Margin*

  

 

Operating Margin of 14.8% on a U.S. GAAP basis and 15.7% on an Adjusted basis

 

  *

Adjusted Net Revenues, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, and Adjusted Operating Margin are non-GAAP measures. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.

 

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Below is a summary of the specific unique factors identified by the Compensation Committee for each NEO.

Mr. Altman. Mr. Altman was awarded a discretionary annual incentive award with a value of $7.0 million for 2023. In determining this amount, the Compensation Committee considered the overall performance of the Company, while recognizing his continued leadership in serving clients, his leadership and highly valued input in the direction of the Company and his contributions to pursuing and securing new business opportunities. Mr. Altman played a key role on our work with many of our largest and most strategically important advisory and capital markets clients. He also contributed to the recruitment of an outstanding class of SMDs within the Company and was an exemplar of the Company’s culture and Core Values. Mr. Altman remains a visible spokesman for Evercore, both in public media as well as in client meetings.

Mr. Weinberg. In determining Mr. Weinberg’s discretionary annual incentive award, the Compensation Committee considered Mr. Weinberg’s role in leading the Company in achieving important strategic results while navigating macroeconomic and business challenges. Mr. Weinberg was responsible for the management of the business and setting and achieving objectives relating to the Company’s most important strategic matters, recruitment, cost management, and meaningful growth opportunities for 2024 and beyond. In particular, Mr. Weinberg was instrumental in recruiting eleven Advisory SMDs in 2023, expanding coverage of white space in key sectors and geographic regions, consistent with our growth strategy. Mr. Weinberg continued to lead our efforts to develop talent from within Evercore, overseeing the promotion of seven Advisory Managing Directors to SMDs at the beginning of 2024. Mr. Weinberg was also actively involved in service to a number of clients, and has continued to be a leader in advancing our strategy of covering some of the largest and most well-respected companies and broadening our relationships. He led the business while continuing to prioritize our people, our clients and our shareholders, with continuing focus on, and upholding of, our Core Values, maintaining and strengthening our culture and community, and advancing our sustainability efforts. In light of the Company’s overall performance, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Weinberg a discretionary annual incentive award with a value of $6.25 million.

As previously disclosed in our 2017 proxy statement and other public filings, when Mr. Weinberg first joined Evercore in 2016, he was granted an initial long-term sign-on restricted cash award of $35 million, which included $6 million that vested on March 1, 2023. This award is not a part of Mr. Weinberg’s discretionary annual bonus in respect of any year of his service. Approximately 75% of the sign-on and replacement awards granted to Mr. Weinberg were intended to replace deferred compensation (a portion of which was variable) from Mr. Weinberg’s former employer that he forfeited as a result of joining the Company, with the remaining approximately 25% of such awards granted as an inducement to join the Company. The restricted sign-on cash award provides the Compensation Committee with the ability to adjust the amount payable on any applicable vesting date, provided that the amount may not be increased to more than 200% of the target amount or decreased by more than 25% of the target amount. The Compensation Committee determined not to increase or decrease the $6 million that vested on March 1, 2023, which was the final tranche of the award.

Mr. Hyman. Mr. Hyman was awarded a discretionary annual incentive award with a value of $3.9 million for 2023. In determining this amount, the Compensation Committee took into account his continued performance as the top-ranked macroeconomic analyst, his significant continuing work with clients, and his contribution to the leadership of Evercore ISI as its Chairman, while also taking into account the overall performance of Evercore ISI and the Company more broadly. Mr. Hyman was and continues to be an important expert voice on the economy for our clients and our firm.

Mr. LaLonde. Mr. LaLonde was awarded an annual incentive award with a value of $6.0 million in accordance with the guaranteed compensation arrangements owing to him in connection with his assumption of the Company’s CFO role. In considering the amount of Mr. LaLonde’s annual incentive award,

 

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the Compensation Committee made note of his responsibility for the Company’s financial, tax, internal audit, corporate strategy (with our CEO and business leaders), information technology, investor relations, real estate and facilities functions. Mr. LaLonde played a critical role in many of the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the recruitment of an outstanding class of SMDs, management of the Company’s liquidity and capital structure during the banking crisis and challenging 2023 environment, headcount and cost management, and the advancement of our finance, technology and real estate initiatives and strategy. He effectively oversaw the Company’s financial reporting processes and enhanced our investor relations efforts and connectivity with our shareholders. Together with Mr. Klurfeld, Mr. LaLonde was responsible for managing the Firm’s operational and reputational risks, including the committee processes, new business selection and conflict management.

Mr. Klurfeld. Mr. Klurfeld was awarded a discretionary annual incentive award with a value of $3.75 million for 2023. In determining this amount, the Compensation Committee took into account his significant contributions to the Firm. In 2023, Mr. Klurfeld was responsible for implementing and enhancing global compliance policies and managing the Company’s timely response to evolving regulations and regulatory inquiries. He played a critical role in many of the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the Company’s recruiting initiatives, senior management transitions, the expansion of our business into new geographic regions, and the grantmaking and governance cycle of the Evercore Foundation. Mr. Klurfeld was responsible for corporate governance matters, including our sustainability programs, and is Evercore’s primary liaison to the corporate governance representatives at our lead shareholders and investors. Together with the CFO, Mr. Klurfeld was responsible for managing the Firm’s operational and reputational risks.

Ms. Mellet. Ms. Mellet was not awarded an annual incentive award for 2023 due to her resignation effective February 22, 2023.

Mr. Pensa. Mr. Pensa, who acted as interim CFO during February 2023, was awarded a discretionary annual incentive award with a value of $1.5 million for 2023. The compensation awarded to Mr. Pensa reflects his broader role as the Director of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, his service as Interim CFO during February 2023, and his consistent leadership of our financial organization. Mr. Pensa is recognized as a leader in technical matters among his industry peers. He is a leader of our financial risk oversight and internal control programs and is respected throughout the Corporate and Business Groups.

 

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2023 NEO Annual Compensation and Incentives

The following table is presented to show how the Compensation Committee viewed annual compensation and incentive awards for our NEOs (excluding Ms. Mellet and Mr. Pensa, who only served in their roles for a portion of the year) for their 2023 performance, and includes base salary as well as year-end cash and equity incentive awards for 2023 performance, paid or granted in February 2024. This table differs substantially from the Summary Compensation Table on page 52 and is not a substitute for that table. The Summary Compensation Table provides compensation information as required by SEC regulations, and therefore reflects for 2023 the grant date fair value of equity awards granted during the 2023 calendar year (that is, those awards granted in February 2023 for 2022 performance), while not including the equity awards granted in February 2024 for 2023 performance. The Summary Compensation Table also includes the portion of Mr. Weinberg’s one-time sign-on and replacement awards that were earned in 2023, 2022 and 2021 but initially granted in 2016 in connection with his recruitment, the portion of Mr. Klurfeld’s deferred cash award that was earned in 2023, 2022 and 2021 but was initially granted in 2018, as well as the portion of Mr. LaLonde’s deferred cash awards that was earned in 2023 but was initially granted prior to his becoming CFO, each of which the Compensation Committee does not view as part of annual compensation and incentive awards as discussed above.

 

NEOs   Salary ($)     Incentive Awards     Total Compensation ($)  
   Cash ($)       RSUs(1) ($)   

Roger C. Altman

Founder and Senior Chairman

           
       

2023

    500,000       3,500,000       3,500,000       7,500,000  

2022

    500,000       3,750,000       3,750,000       8,000,000  

2021

    500,000       4,750,000       4,750,000       10,000,000  

John S. Weinberg

Chairman of the Board and CEO

           
       

2023

    500,000       3,125,000       3,125,000       6,750,000  

2022

    500,000       3,250,000       3,250,000       7,000,000  

2021(2)

    500,000       5,500,000       5,500,000       11,500,000  

Tim LaLonde

CFO

           
       

2023

    500,000       3,000,000       3,000,000       6,500,000  

Edward S. Hyman

Chairman of Evercore ISI and Vice Chairman of Evercore

           
       

2023

    400,000       1,950,000       1,950,000       4,300,000  

2022

    400,000       2,050,000       2,050,000       4,500,000  

2021

    400,000       2,050,000       2,050,000       4,500,000  

Jason Klurfeld

General Counsel

           
       

2023

    500,000       1,875,000       1,875,000       4,250,000  

2022

    500,000       1,875,000       1,875,000       4,250,000  

2021

    500,000       1,500,000       1,500,000       3,500,000  

 

  (1)

RSUs vest in equal installments over four years, subject to early vesting conditions. The number of RSUs granted to each NEO for 2023 performance was determined by dividing the dollar value of the RSU allocation by the simple average of the high and low average share price during each day of the 10-trading-day period from February 1, 2024 through February 14, 2024 ($176.25). The grant date fair value of the RSUs granted in February 2024 in respect of 2023 performance will, in accordance with SEC rules, be reflected as Stock Awards for 2024 in next year’s Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards table.

 

  (2)

The amounts reflected in these rows do not reflect the amount of Mr. Weinberg’s one-time sign-on and replacement awards that were earned in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as these grants are not recurring, relate to future performance and were designed so that the vast majority, approximately 75% of such awards, were intended to replace deferred compensation (a portion of which was variable) from Mr. Weinberg’s former employer that he forfeited as a result of joining the Company, with the remaining approximately 25% of such awards granted as part of the recruitment of Mr. Weinberg as an enticement to join the Company.

 

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Process for Compensation Decisions

Role of the Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee is responsible for implementing and administering all aspects of our compensation, incentive and benefit plans and programs for our NEOs. In establishing compensation and incentive awards for our NEOs, we take into account the fact that we generally do not provide significant retirement or similar benefits to our NEOs. We also take into account other economic relationships between the individual and us, including equity ownership.

Messrs. Altman and Weinberg each participated in discussions with the Compensation Committee and made recommendations to the Committee regarding compensation of senior employees (except as to their own compensation), but they do not vote or otherwise participate in the Compensation Committee’s ultimate determinations. Our Board believes that it is wise and prudent to have Messrs. Altman and Weinberg participate in these discussions because they possess unique insight regarding the day-to-day performance of our executives.

In connection with making 2023 NEO compensation and incentive award determinations, the Compensation Committee reviewed compensation and incentives to be awarded to certain other employees to assess internal balance and consistency in compensation levels, including: (a) for Mr. Weinberg, the incentive award amounts payable to other NEOs, (b) for Messrs. Altman, Hyman and Weinberg, the incentive award amounts payable to other SMDs devoted to generating revenue through existing or new client relationships and (c) for Messrs. Klurfeld, LaLonde and Pensa the incentive award amounts payable to SMDs who did not have client revenue-generating responsibilities. The Compensation Committee, however, did not fix internal pay ratios at any specified levels.

For 2023, the Compensation Committee also reviewed the performance and NEO compensation data from certain financial institutions. While many of the companies included in such data may be described as financial services companies where human capital is of critical importance, Evercore competes with only a small subset of these companies for employees and clients. The companies included in the peer group considered by the Compensation Committee include Bank of America, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Houlihan Lokey, JPMorgan Chase, Lazard, Moelis & Company, Perella Weinberg Partners, Morgan Stanley, PJT Partners and UBS, The Compensation Committee has not set any specific metrics or targets relative to these competitors or any of the other companies comprising our compensation peer group.

Assessment of Risk

Our compensation and incentive programs are designed to discourage excessive risk-taking. The base salary component of compensation does not encourage risk-taking because it is a fixed amount. In addition, there are several other factors associated with our equity ownership, incentive award programs and CEO compensation and incentive awards that discourage inappropriate or excessive risk-taking:

 

   

While incentive compensation awarded to our Advisory business SMDs is generally determined with reference to Company financial performance and their individual performance, many of our SMDs hold equity stakes far in excess of annual incentive awards, which broadly aligns their economic interests with shareholders’ interests. Our Compensation Committee formalized our practice of encouraging equity retention by SMDs through the adoption of equity ownership guidelines applicable to all SMDs. See “—Linkage of Management and Shareholder InterestsEquity Ownership Guidelines” below (on page 49) for a description of these guidelines;

 

   

Incentive compensation is based on an overall review of a variety of factors, which removes incentives that an executive may have to incur risks in order to achieve specific benchmark metrics;

 

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A substantial portion of most incentive compensation is paid in equity and, in general, the portion paid in equity increases with the seniority of the recipient and the size of the bonus;

 

   

Our RSUs, including those awarded as part of our annual incentive compensation program, generally vest over four years, which encourages an appropriately long-term focus;

 

   

Members of the Compensation Committee apply discretion in the establishment of the size of our incentive award pool, the percentage split between cash and equity and the terms of our equity awards;

 

   

Many of our senior investment management employees (none of whom are NEOs) have interests in their individual business units and thus are directly exposed to the risks inherent in their own decision making; and

 

   

We believe that RSUs are an appropriate form of deferred equity compensation because, unlike other forms of equity awards, such as options, they encourage the holder to think like a shareholder from the date of grant, including, for example, by being exposed to downside risk from stock price drops.

Insider Trading Policy

Since we went public in 2006, we have had an insider trading policy which, among other things, prohibits all employees from hedging the economic risk of their company stock ownership.

Clawback Policy

On October 24, 2023, the Company adopted a clawback policy that was established in accordance with the listing requirement of the NYSE to provide for the recovery or “clawback” of certain erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement. The policy was made effective December 1, 2023 and applies to incentive-based compensation received by current and former executive officers of the Company during the three fiscal years preceding an accounting restatement and after the effective date of the NYSE listing requirement, October 2, 2023. The Company also continues to maintain an additional clawback policy, which provides for the recapture of incentive awards provided to SMDs in the event of certain types of misconduct by that SMD or a restatement of the financial results of the Company due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements.

Linkage of Management and Shareholder Interests—Equity Ownership Guidelines

Our formal equity ownership guidelines are applicable to all SMDs. The goal of these guidelines is to formalize our practice of encouraging executive officers to have a meaningful amount of Evercore equity at risk. In particular, we focused on developing a simple method of calculating required thresholds and concluded that adopting an ownership amount based on a number of shares rather than dollar value would be most effective. The equity ownership guidelines count Class A common stock, Evercore LP limited partnership units and vested and unvested RSUs as shares or share equivalents.

 

 

Title/Position

 

 

 

Required Amount of Equity at Risk

 

   
Chairman of the Board/CEO and Senior Chairman   200,000 shares or share equivalents
   
All other SMDs (including other Executive Officers)   Lesser of (i) 40,000 shares or share equivalents or (ii) 50% of the number of RSUs granted as part of annual bonuses over last four years(1)
  (1)

Includes the period prior to their becoming an SMD, if applicable. By way of example, if over four years an SMD was granted at least 200,000 RSUs as part of annual bonuses, the required amount of equity at risk is 40,000 shares.

 

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Tax and Accounting Considerations

The Compensation Committee considers certain tax implications when designing our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee believes that there are circumstances where the provision of compensation that is not fully tax deductible may be more consistent with our compensation philosophy and objectives and/or may be in our best interests and those of our shareholders. The Compensation Committee believes that retaining the ability to exercise discretion and the flexibility to attract, retain and motivate executives with a compensation program that aligns with our long-term business objectives, in many circumstances, outweighs the advantages of qualifying all compensation as deductible, or causing all compensation expenses to be accounted for in a particular fashion.

Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly held corporation a federal income tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million per year per person paid to its “covered employees,” subject to certain exceptions (including for certain arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017). In addition, the deductibility limit may also apply to any compensation paid by Evercore LP to Evercore’s covered employees, but only to the extent of Evercore’s allocable share of the otherwise deductible compensation paid by Evercore LP. Thus, if Evercore LP pays any compensation to Evercore’s covered employees, Evercore may be required to aggregate its allocable share of Evercore LP’s deduction for compensation paid to such covered employees with the deduction for compensation paid by Evercore when applying the deductible limit and if such limit is exceeded, Evercore would lose the excess deduction. The Compensation Committee continues to evaluate the impact of Section 162(m) and retains the ability to award compensation that is not fully tax deductible, or to revise our compensation programs in order to achieve tax efficiencies, in its discretion, in order to provide compensation consistent with our compensation philosophy and objectives.

2023 Say on Pay Vote

Historically, our shareholders have supported our overall executive compensation program. Our executive compensation program has not changed in any material way since last year, when our shareholders supported our Say on Pay proposal at approximately the 92% level. We believe this overwhelming support is due to the Company’s consistently strong business performance, a close alignment between performance and pay, our extensive shareholder engagement process and disclosure regarding our executive compensation program.

Shareholder Engagement and Feedback

As we have done in the past, in 2023 we engaged in extensive shareholder outreach. In our meetings and other engagement with shareholders, we primarily discussed feedback on our executive compensation program, financial performance, corporate governance initiatives, use of equity compensation, sustainability and other matters. The feedback we received from our shareholders included the following, which informed Board actions throughout the course of the year:

 

 

Support for our commitment to shareholder engagement and our response to feedback.

 

 

Understanding of the costs and benefits of investing in talent, especially at the most senior levels of revenue producing professionals, in our human capital intensive business.

 

 

Appreciation of our broad-based equity compensation program coupled with share repurchases and other anti-dilutive actions, together with an understanding of the benefits of using equity compensation to attract and retain talent.

 

 

Appreciation of our commitment to manage the dilutive impact of equity grants to employees.

 

 

Support of our continued focus on alignment of pay and performance.

 

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Recognition of our consistent performance and demonstrated commitment to creating shareholder value over the long term.

 

 

Appreciation of how our core values inform our business strategy and culture, including support of our employee development programs and community involvement.

During our shareholder outreach in 2023, our shareholders were interested in, among other things, discussing our broad-based equity compensation program and understanding the purpose and mechanics of our anti-dilutive actions, including our share repurchase program. In particular, our shareholders were focused on the rationale for our use of equity compensation and why our program differs from that of many other similarly sized publicly traded financial services companies. Our shareholders were also interested in understanding more about the Board’s approach to evaluating Board composition, together with the firm’s efforts to address key sustainability matters. To that end, we encourage our shareholders to read our upcoming 2024 Sustainability Report regarding our efforts on these matters, which builds on our previous reports in 2023, 2022 and 2021.

 

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Executive Compensation Tables

2023 Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal
Position

   Salary
($)
     Bonus(1)
($)
     Stock
Awards(2)
($)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(3)
($)
     All Other
Compensation(4)
($)
     Total
($)
 

Roger C. Altman

                 

Founder and Senior Chairman

                 

2023

     500,000        3,500,000        3,854,506                      7,854,506  

2022

     500,000        3,750,000        4,686,683                      8,936,683  

2021

     500,000        4,750,000        3,778,407                      9,028,407  

John S. Weinberg

                 

Chairman of the Board and CEO(5)

                 

2023

     500,000        3,125,000        3,340,491        6,000,000               12,965,491  

2022

     500,000        3,250,000        5,426,726        6,000,000               15,176,726  

2021

     500,000        5,500,000        4,282,195        6,000,000               16,282,195  

Tim LaLonde

                 

CFO(6)

                 

2023

     500,000        3,812,885        2,505,470                      6,818,355  

Edward S. Hyman

                 

Chairman of Evercore ISI and Vice Chairman of Evercore

                 

2023

     400,000        1,950,000        2,107,206                      4,457,206  

2022

     400,000        2,050,000        2,022,656                      4,472,656  

2021

     400,000        2,050,000        1,939,582                      4,389,582  

Jason Klurfeld

                 

General Counsel(7)

                 

2023

     500,000        2,085,000        1,927,253                      4,512,253  

2022

     500,000        2,129,217        1,480,085                      4,109,302  

2021

     500,000        1,540,237        881,628                      2,921,865  

Celeste Mellet

                 

Former CFO(8)

                 

2023

     43,590                                    43,590  

2022

     500,000               2,096,661                      2,596,661  

2021

     244,551        2,125,000        2,607,268               286,138        5,262,957  

Paul Pensa

                 

Interim CFO (9)

                 

2023

     400,000        861,191        503,678                      1,764,869  

 

  (1)

The amounts reflected in the Bonus column, if any, represent the cash distributions paid in respect of the Class L Interests issued to our NEOs in 2023, 2022 and 2021, except for Ms. Mellet and Messrs. LaLonde and Pensa, for whom the amount represents the cash portion of the bonus paid to them in respect of their service for such years, and Mr. Klurfeld as described in footnote 7.

 

  (2)

The amounts reflected in the Stock Awards column represent the grant date fair value of the equity awards made during the identified fiscal year, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Equity awards for 2023 performance were granted in 2024 and, therefore, in accordance with SEC rules, are not shown here but are described above in the table titled “2023 NEO Annual Compensation and Incentives” on page 47. The amounts shown in this column for 2023 reflect the grant date fair value of equity awards granted in 2023 for 2022 performance. For Ms. Mellet, the amount shown in this column for 2021 reflects her one-time new hire equity award.

 

  (3)

As described above, the amount reflected in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column for Mr. Weinberg reflects a long-term sign-on compensation arrangement agreed in 2016 with Mr. Weinberg, that vested on each of March 1, 2023, March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2021. Mr. Weinberg joined Evercore in 2016, and received this long-term initial sign-on restricted cash award with a target payment amount of $35 million, of which $11 million vested on March 1, 2019, $6 million vested on each of March 1, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, as previously disclosed. Approximately 75% of the sign-on and replacement awards granted to Mr. Weinberg were intended to replace deferred

 

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  compensation (a portion of which was variable) from Mr. Weinberg’s former employer that he forfeited as a result of joining Evercore, with the remaining approximately 25% of such awards granted as part of the recruitment of Mr. Weinberg as an inducement to join the Company. The restricted cash award provides for adjustment based on performance criteria to be determined by the Compensation Committee, provided that the amount payable on any applicable vesting date may not be increased to more than 200% of the target amount or decreased by more than 25% of the target amount. The Compensation Committee determined not to increase or decrease any of the amounts that vested in 2019 through 2023, which was the final year of the award.

 

  (4)

The incremental costs of perquisites and other personal benefits to each NEO were less than $10,000 (with the exception of Ms. Mellet in 2021), and therefore information regarding perquisites and other personal benefits has not been included. The amount shown for Ms. Mellet in 2021 reflects payment for certain reasonable reimbursable expenses, including relocation costs and expenses. Each of our NEOs also received accrued cash dividends on such awards. Consistent with SEC rules, the value of these dividend equivalents has not been included in this table because the right to receive future dividends was factored into the grant date fair value of the initial awards under FASB ASC Topic 718. See “—Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End”, which information includes dividend equivalent awards held by our NEOs.

 

  (5)

Mr. Weinberg became Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-CEO in July 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Weinberg served as our Executive Chairman. Mr. Weinberg became the sole Chairman of the Board and CEO effective February 25, 2022.

 

  (6)

Mr. LaLonde commenced serving as CFO effective March 6, 2023. The amount reflected as Bonus for Mr. LaLonde includes the cash portion of the bonus earned by Mr. LaLonde in 2023 ($3,000,000) and the amount of Mr. LaLonde’s deferred cash that vested in 2023 ($812,885).

 

  (7)

The amount reflected as Bonus for Mr. Klurfeld includes the cash portion of the bonus earned by Mr. Klurfeld in 2021 ($1,500,000), 2022 ($1,875,000) and 2023 ($1,875,000) and the amount of Mr. Klurfeld’s deferred cash that vested in 2021 ($40,237), 2022 ($254,217) and 2023 ($210,000).

 

  (8)

Ms. Mellet joined the Company on July 1, 2021 and commenced serving as CFO effective September 1, 2021. Ms. Mellet ceased serving as CFO effective February 1, 2023.

 

  (9)

Mr. Pensa, the Company’s Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, served as Interim CFO from February 3, 2023 until March 6, 2023. The amount reflected as Bonus for Mr. Pensa includes the cash portion of the bonus earned by Mr. Pensa in 2023 ($750,000) and the amount of Mr. Pensa’s deferred cash that vested in 2023 ($111,191).

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2023

 

Name

  Grant Date     Estimated Future Payments under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
    Estimated Future Payments
under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
    All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or Units
(#)
    Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
Awards(1)
($)
 

 

 

 

    Threshold
($)
    Target
(#)
    Maximum
(#)
    Threshold
($)
    Target
(#)
    Maximum
(#)
 

 Roger C. Altman

    2/14/2023                                           28,338       3,854,506  

 John S. Weinberg

    2/14/2023                                           24,559       3,340,491  

 Tim LaLonde

    2/14/2023                                           18,420       2,505,470  

 Edward S. Hyman

    2/14/2023                                           15,492       2,107,206  

 Jason Klurfeld

    2/14/2023                                           14,169       1,927,253  

 Celeste Mellet

                                                     

 Paul Pensa

    2/14/2023                                           3,703       503,678  

 

  (1)

Represents the grant date fair value of the awards, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End

 

     Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That Have
Not Vested(1) (#)
    Market Value of Shares
or Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested(9) ($)
 

Roger C. Altman

     82,325 (2)       14,081,691  

John S. Weinberg

     82,704 (3)       14,146,519  

Tim LaLonde

     137,172 (4)       23,463,271  

Edward S. Hyman

     40,834 (5)       6,984,656  

Jason Klurfeld

     32,476 (6)       5,555,020  

Celeste Mellet

     — (7)        

Paul Pensa

     7,109 (8)       1,215,994  

 

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  (1)

All RSUs are subject to accelerated vesting upon a change in control, qualifying retirement, the executive’s death or the executive’s disability. See “—Employment Agreements and AwardsEvercore Annual Equity Awards” below for a further discussion on the terms of the RSUs.

 

  (2)

34,559 of Mr. Altman’s RSUs vested on February 4, 2024; 24,335 vest on February 4, 2025; 16,346 vest on February 4, 2026; and 7,085 vest on February 4, 2027.

 

  (3)

33,782 of Mr. Weinberg’s RSUs vested on February 4, 2024; 25,917 RSUs vest on February 4, 2025; 16,865 RSUs vest on February 4, 2026; and 6,140 on February 4, 2027.

 

  (4)

14,381 of Mr. LaLonde’s RSU vested on February 4, 2024; 10,387 of Mr. LaLonde’s RSUs vest on February 4, 2025; 7,799 of Mr. LaLonde’s RSUs vest on February 4, 2026; and 4,605 of Mr. LaLonde’s RSUs vest on February 4, 2027. Mr. LaLonde also holds 100,000 Class K-P units, which were granted to him as a long-term award in December 2021, that vest and convert into a number of Class K units based on achievement of cumulative net revenue-based performance metrics applicable for the Advisory business for a 2021-2025 performance period, subject to, among other conditions, Mr. LaLonde’s continuous employment through the end of the performance period (or earlier, upon a qualifying termination of Mr. LaLonde’s employment or in the event of a change in control).

 

  (5)

17,119 of Mr. Hyman’s RSUs vested on February 4, 2024; 11,971 RSUs vest on February 4, 2025; 7,871 RSUs vest on February 4, 2026; and 3,873 RSU’s vest on February 4, 2027.

 

  (6)

10,377 of Mr. Klurfeld’s RSUs vested on February 4, 2024; 731 RSUs vest on February 13, 2024; 8,331 RSUs vest on February 4, 2025; 731 RSUs vest on February 13, 2025; 6,467 RSUs vest on February 4, 2026; 731 RSUs vest on February 13, 2026; 3,543 RSUs vest on February 4, 2027; 782 RSUs vest on February 13, 2027; and 783 RSUs vest on February 13, 2028.

 

  (7)

Ms. Mellet’s RSUs were forfeited in connection with her resignation from the Company in February 2023.

 

  (8)

2,678 of Mr. Pensa’s RSUs vested on February 4, 2024; 2,112 RSUs vest on February 4, 2025; 1,393 RSUs vest on February 4, 2026; and 926 on February 4, 2027.

 

  (9)

The market value is based upon the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 ($171.05).

Options Exercised and Stock Vested in 2023

Although we have had the authority to issue stock options since our IPO, we have not done so. Accordingly, the table below is with respect to the vesting of RSUs and other stock-based awards.

 

     Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
     Value Realized on
Vesting(1)
($)
 

 Roger C. Altman

     43,430       $ 5,728,417   

 John S. Weinberg

     39,436       $ 5,201,608   

 Tim LaLonde

     13,122       $ 1,730,792   

 Edward S. Hyman

     13,245       $ 1,747,016   

 Jason Klurfeld

     9,230       $ 1,218,146   

 Celeste Mellet

     —       $ —   

 Paul Pensa

     3,816       $ 503,300   

 

  (1)

The value of the awards is based on the average of the high and low trading price of the Class A common stock on the vesting date (or if such date was not a trading day, on the trading day immediately preceding the vesting date).

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2023

Generally, we provide SMDs (other than our NEOs) an election to receive a portion of their deferred incentive compensation in the form of deferred cash rather than RSUs, which have a similar four-year vesting schedule to RSUs. Deferred cash is credited under this arrangement when annual bonuses are declared (generally, in February of the year following the year to which the bonus relates). Pending distribution, these deferred cash amounts are notionally invested in one or more registered mutual funds or fixed income options selected by the executive from a list of funds established by us. For more information, please see the information described in Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no deferred cash awards granted to any NEOs for 2023 performance.

 

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Potential Payments upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control

The following table describes the potential incremental payments and benefits to which our NEOs would be entitled upon termination of employment or a change in control. All calculations in this table are based on an assumed termination date of December 31, 2023 and the completion of a full fiscal year, and all defined terms are as defined in the respective employment agreements of each NEO, which are summarized below under “—Employment Agreements and Awards.” Ms. Mellet resigned from the Company effective February 1, 2023 and did not receive any payments or benefits in connection with her separation, and therefore is not included in the table below.

The amounts shown in the table below do not include payments and benefits to the extent they are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees generally upon termination of employment, such as continuation of health care benefits through the end of the month of the termination of employment. While our NEOs’ rights in respect of RSUs granted in connection with bonuses and deferred cash awards are subject to continued vesting upon a qualifying retirement, as described above, none of our NEOs have satisfied the advance notice required for such qualifying retirement as of December 31, 2023. Accordingly, none of our NEOs would have been eligible for this benefit as of December 31, 2023 and this benefit is therefore not illustrated in the table below for those awards.

 

 Name

  Lump
Sum
Cash
Severance
Payment
($)
    2023
Fiscal
Year
Bonuses
($)
    Continuation
of Medical
Benefits
($)
    Accelerated
Vesting of
Equity
Awards
($)
    Accelerated
Vesting of
Cash
Awards
($)
    Other
($)
    Total
($)
 
   

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

Roger C. Altman

             

Termination due to death or disability

          7,500 (1)            14,082 (2)                  21,582  

Termination by us without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” or if we elect not to extend term (“Qualifying Terminations”)

    17,000 (3)      7,500 (1)      13 (4)      14,082 (2)                  38,595  

Qualifying Termination within six months prior to or anytime following a change in control

    25,500 (5)      7,500 (1)      20 (6)      14,082 (2)            20,507 (7)      67,609  

Change in control (regardless of whether executive’s employment terminates)

                      14,082 (2)                  14,082 (2) 

John S. Weinberg

             

Change in control (regardless of whether executive’s employment terminates), termination due to death, disability, termination by us without “cause” or resignation for “good reason”

                      14,147 (8)                  14,147  

Tim LaLonde

             

Change in control (regardless of whether executive’s employment terminates), termination due to death or disability, or termination by us without cause

                      23,463 (9)                  23,463  

Edward S. Hyman

             

Change in control (regardless of whether executive’s employment terminates), termination due to death or disability, or termination by us without cause

                      6,985 (10)                  6,985  

Jason Klurfeld

             

Change in control (regardless of whether executive’s employment terminates), termination due to death or disability, or termination by us without cause

                      5,555 (11)      1,080 (12)            6,635  

Paul Pensa(13)

             

Change in control (regardless of whether executive’s employment terminates), termination due to death or disability, or termination by us without cause

                      1,216                   1,216  

 

  (1)

This amount consists of Mr. Altman’s annual bonus for the 2023 fiscal year; Mr. Altman would otherwise be required to remain employed through the bonus payment date in order to receive these amounts. Note that approximately 50% of the annual bonus

 

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  payable to Mr. Altman would have been paid in the form of restricted securities, subject to time-based vesting over a period of up to four years, but we have assumed for illustrative purposes only that when paid in connection with a severance event, Mr. Altman would have been paid the entire annual bonus in cash with no grants of equity securities subject to vesting.

 

  (2)

This amount represents the value of 82,325 otherwise unvested RSUs based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 ($171.05).

 

  (3)

This amount is equal to two times the greater of: (i) the sum of (A) Mr. Altman’s base salary and (B) Mr. Altman’s average annual bonus for the three most recently completed fiscal years; or (ii) the average of the aggregate amount of cash compensation payable to our three most highly paid executive officers in the fiscal year preceding the year of termination.

 

  (4)

This amount represents the estimated present value of the employer-paid portion of premium payments for 24 months of medical, dental and vision insurance coverage.

 

  (5)

This amount is equal to three times the greater of: (i) the sum of (A) Mr. Altman’s base salary and (B) Mr. Altman’s average annual bonus for the three most recently completed fiscal years; or (ii) the average of the aggregate amount of cash compensation payable to our three most highly paid executive officers in the fiscal year preceding the year of termination.

 

  (6)

This amount represents the estimated present value of the employer-paid portion of premium payments for 36 months of medical, dental and vision insurance coverage.

 

  (7)

If payments or benefits provided to Mr. Altman in connection with a change in control result in an “excess parachute payment” excise tax being imposed on Mr. Altman, he is entitled to a gross-up payment equal to the amount of the excise tax, as well as the excise tax and income tax on the gross-up payment. This amount represents the estimated gross-up payment that would be made to Mr. Altman in the event his employment is terminated by us without “cause” or by Mr. Altman for “good reason” on December 31, 2023, within six months prior to or anytime following a change in control. The actual amount of a gross-up payment, if any, will depend on the facts in existence at the time of any change in control and/or employment termination.

 

  (8)

This amount represents the value of 82,704 otherwise unvested RSUs, based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 ($171.05).

 

  (9)

This amount represents the value of 37,172 otherwise unvested RSUs, based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 ($171.05), and $17,105,000, representing Mr. LaLonde’s Class K-P units, based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 ($171.05), and estimated for purposes of this table based on target performance.

 

  (10)

This amount represents the value of 40,834 otherwise unvested RSUs, based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 ($171.05).

 

  (11)

This amount represents the value of 32,476 otherwise unvested RSUs, based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 ($171.05).

 

  (12)

This amount represents the value of the otherwise unvested deferred cash awards on December 31, 2023.

 

  (13)

This amount represents the value of 7,109 otherwise unvested RSUs, based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 ($171.05).

Employment Agreements and Awards

Our Rationale for Agreements that Provide for Payments to Executives upon the Occurrence of Specified Events

The employment agreements we entered into with some of our NEOs provide for severance payments. In addition, some of those agreements provide for additional payments in connection with a change in control or a termination that occurs after a change in control (including, for Mr. Altman, a payment to compensate him for excise taxes that could arise in such circumstances). In December 2019, we confirmed our agreement to pay each of our NEOs their current base salaries during their employment with the Company.

We believe that these severance and change in control arrangements mitigate some of the risk that exists for executives working in a public company, while also appropriately balancing incentives and providing certainty to our executives, and, for Mr. Altman, will make him whole in the case of any potential tax penalty in connection with a change of control. In addition, due to the fact that there has historically been significant acquisition activity in the financial services industry, there is a possibility that we could be acquired in the future. Accordingly, we believe that severance and change in control arrangements are necessary to enable key executives to evaluate objectively the benefits to our shareholders of a proposed transaction, notwithstanding its potential effects on their own job security.

 

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Employment Agreement with Mr. Altman

Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Altman’s employment agreement, Mr. Altman will have automatic, successive one-year extensions of his employment expiring on August 10 of the relevant year, unless either party gives the other 60 days’ prior notice that the term will not be extended.

Mr. Altman’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $500,000, and an annual bonus as determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. According to Mr. Altman’s employment agreement, up to 50% of the annual bonus payable to him may be payable in the form of our restricted securities, with such restricted securities vesting in four equal annual installments (or at such faster rate and subject to acceleration upon certain specified events as may be applicable to restricted securities issued in the same fiscal year to our other SMDs).

Pursuant to his employment agreement, if Mr. Altman’s employment terminates prior to the expiration of the term due to his death or disability, he would be entitled to receive (1) any base salary earned but unpaid through the date of termination; (2) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by him; (3) such employee benefits, if any, to which he may be entitled under our employee benefit plans (the payments and benefits described in (1) through (3) are referred to as the “accrued rights”); (4) lump sum payments equal to his earned but unpaid annual bonus, if any, payable in respect of the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, to be paid when such bonus would have otherwise been payable had his employment not terminated; and (5) a pro-rated portion of the annual bonus, calculated based on the number of months (and any fraction thereof) he is employed during the fiscal year in which a termination of employment occurs and in respect of which such bonus is payable, relative to 12 months.

If Mr. Altman’s employment is terminated prior to the expiration of the term (or such extension thereof) by us without “cause” (as defined below) or by him for “good reason” (as defined below) or if we elect not to extend the term (each a “qualifying termination”), he would be entitled, subject to his compliance with specified restrictive covenants, to (A) a lump sum payment equal to two times (three times in the case of a qualifying termination that occurs on or following our “change in control” (as defined in the employment agreement)) the greater of (x) the sum of (1) his annual base salary and (2) his average annual bonus for the three most recently completed fiscal years and (y) the average of the aggregate amount of cash compensation payable to our three most highly paid executives in the most recently completed fiscal year; (B) any “accrued rights” (as defined above); (C) lump sum payments equal to Mr. Altman’s earned but unpaid annual bonus, if any, payable in respect of the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, to be paid when such bonuses would have otherwise been payable had Mr. Altman’s employment not terminated; and (D) a pro-rated portion of the annual bonus, calculated based on the number of months (and any fraction thereof) Mr. Altman is employed during the fiscal year in which a termination of employment occurs and in respect of which such bonus is payable, relative to 12 months. Mr. Altman would also be entitled to receive continued coverage for himself and his spouse and dependents under our medical plans for two years (three years in the case of a qualifying termination that occurs on or following a change in control), subject to payment by him of the same premiums he would have paid during such period of coverage if he were an active employee. Any termination by us without cause within six months prior to the occurrence of a change in control would be deemed to be a termination of employment on the date of such change in control. The severance benefits payable to Mr. Altman are conditioned on his continued compliance with specified confidentiality, non-solicitation and proprietary information covenants following his termination of employment with us. For purposes of Mr. Altman’s employment agreement, “cause” means the occurrence of: (1) Mr. Altman’s breach of a material obligation under the governing documents of our entities, (2) Mr. Altman’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere in respect of, any felony, (3) Mr. Altman’s perpetration of a fraud against us, (4) Mr. Altman’s willful and continued failure to perform his duties to us or (5) any willful misconduct by Mr. Altman which could reasonably have an adverse effect on his ability to function as our employee or on our business or reputation. For purposes of Mr. Altman’s employment agreement, “good reason” means: (1) our failure to pay Mr. Altman’s base salary and annual bonus (if such

 

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amounts become payable to Mr. Altman), (2) any diminution in Mr. Altman’s title or authority with us, (3) our failure to provide Mr. Altman with the employee benefits or perquisites provided for in the employment agreement, or (4) the failure to re-elect him as a member of the Board.

In the event of a termination of Mr. Altman’s employment which is not a qualifying termination or a termination due to his death or disability (including if Mr. Altman resigns without good reason), Mr. Altman would be entitled to receive any “accrued rights” (as defined above).

Mr. Altman has also entered into confidentiality, non-solicitation and proprietary information agreements with us. Pursuant to these agreements, he is subject to a covenant not to (1) compete with us while employed and for 24 months following his termination of employment for any reason and (2) solicit our employees, consultants and certain actual and prospective clients while employed and for 12 months following his termination of employment for any reason, in each case, subject to certain specified exclusions.

If a dispute arises out of the employment agreement with Mr. Altman, we would pay his reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with such dispute if he prevails on substantially all issues in dispute.

In addition, if payments or benefits provided to Mr. Altman under an employment agreement or any other plan or agreement in connection with a change in control result in an “excess parachute payment” excise tax being imposed on him, he would be entitled to a gross-up payment equal to the amount of the excise tax, as well as the excise tax and income tax on the gross-up payment.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Weinberg

We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Weinberg, the initial term of which expired on March 1, 2023. Mr. Weinberg continues to be employed by us as an at-will employee.

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Weinberg received an initial sign-on restricted cash award with a target payment amount of $35 million, of which $11 million vested on March 1, 2019, $6 million vested on each of March 1, 2020, March 1, 2021, March 1, 2022, and March 1, 2023, subject to Mr. Weinberg’s continued employment through each such vesting date except as noted below. The Compensation Committee has discretion to increase or decrease the amount payable on each vesting date based on performance criteria to be discussed with Mr. Weinberg and determined by the Compensation Committee at least annually. The Compensation Committee may not, however, without Mr. Weinberg’s consent, increase the amount payable on any applicable vesting date to more than 200% of the target amount or decrease the amount payable by more than 25% of the target amount. The Compensation Committee determined not to increase or decrease the $11 million that vested on March 1, 2019, the $6 million that vested on each of March 1, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the 2016 Plan), the initial cash award would have vested in full at the target payment amount.

In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Weinberg will be entitled to participate in all Company employee benefit programs on terms no less favorable than other executive officers of the Company.

Mr. Weinberg’s employment agreement further provides that if Mr. Weinberg’s employment is terminated by us without “cause,” by Mr. Weinberg for “good reason” or as a result of death or “disability” (each as defined in the employment agreement), then, subject to his execution, delivery and non-revocation of a release of claims with respect to the Company and its affiliates, Mr. Weinberg will be entitled to receive, in addition to certain accrued rights, (i) to the extent not already vested, full vesting of his initial RSU award (the final tranche of which vested by their terms in 2022, as described below); (ii) to the extent not already vested and paid, full vesting of his initial cash award, paid in accordance with the original payment schedule with the Company to determine in good faith the amounts payable pursuant to the initial cash award based on the performance criteria established with respect to each vesting tranche (the final tranche of which vested and paid

 

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by its terms in March 2023); and (iii) full satisfaction of the service vesting condition applicable to his Class I-P units, with the Class I-P units remaining outstanding for one year, during which time the applicable performance vesting conditions may be satisfied (the Class I-P units fully vested by their terms in 2022). In addition, Mr. Weinberg is entitled to receive his annual bonus for any completed fiscal year preceding the termination date, provided that the Company may issue up to 50% of such amount in shares of fully-vested Class A common stock.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Mr. Weinberg retires and satisfies the six month prior written notice requirement associated with retirement eligibility in this case, Mr. Weinberg will be deemed to have satisfied the service requirements necessary for full vesting of the initial cash award, and Mr. Weinberg is entitled to be paid the relevant cash amounts (to be determined in good faith by the Company based on the performance criteria established with respect to each vesting tranche) in accordance with the original payment schedule. Further, if Mr. Weinberg retires and satisfies the one year prior written notice requirement associated with retirement eligibility in this case, Mr. Weinberg will be deemed to have satisfied the age and service requirements necessary for full vesting of all deferred compensation and then-unvested equity awards (including equity awards granted to Mr. Weinberg in respect of his annual bonuses, if any, and his initial RSU award and Class I-P units), with such deferred compensation and equity awards generally to be paid out or settled, as applicable, in accordance with the original payment or vesting schedule. The right to receive the initial cash award, deferred compensation and equity awards following retirement is subject to continued compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in his restrictive covenant agreement (as described below), regardless of whether the applicable time limits have otherwise expired.

In connection with the employment agreement, Mr. Weinberg also entered into a confidentiality, non-solicitation and proprietary information agreement with the Company. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Weinberg is subject to a covenant not to (i) compete with the Company or its affiliates while employed and for 12 months following his termination of employment for any reason and (ii) solicit our employees, consultants and certain actual and prospective clients while employed and for 12 months following his termination of employment for any reason, in each case, subject to certain specified exclusions. This agreement also contains a covenant not to disclose confidential information and an assignment of property rights provision.

Employment Agreement with Mr. LaLonde

We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. LaLonde on January 19, 2023. Mr. LaLonde’s employment agreement provides for him to serve as the CFO and Senior Managing Director commencing March 6, 2023. The employment agreement provides for annual compensation as follows: (1) an annual base salary in an amount equal to $500,000, (2) an annual incentive bonus for 2023 (and thereafter at the discretion of the Company), payable in 50% cash and 50% RSUs, subject to continued employment through the payment date except as noted below. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. LaLonde’s compensation for 2023 was not to be less than $6.5 million.

The employment agreement further provides that if Mr. LaLonde’s employment is terminated by us without “cause,” by Mr. LaLonde for “good reason” or as a result of death or “disability” (each as defined in the employment agreement), then, subject to his execution, delivery and non-revocation of a release of claims with respect to the Company and its affiliates, Mr. LaLonde would be entitled to receive, in addition to certain accrued rights, (i) any unpaid portion of his 2023 annual incentive bonus; and (ii) to the extent not already vested, full vesting of any RSUs granted in satisfaction of any portion of his 2023 annual incentive bonus.

Mr. LaLonde has also entered into a confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition and proprietary information agreement with the Company. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. LaLonde is subject to a covenant not to (1) compete with us while employed and (2) solicit our employees and consultants for 12 months, and certain actual and prospective clients while employed and for six months, following termination of employment for any reason, in each case, subject to certain specified exclusions.

 

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Partnership Unit Awards to Mr. LaLonde

In addition, on December 12, 2021, the Company, Evercore LP and Mr. LaLonde entered into an incentive subscription agreement pursuant to which Mr. LaLonde subscribed for a one-time grant of 100,000 Class K-P units, which are structured as “profits interests” under applicable tax rules. The Class K-P units will convert into a number of Class K units ranging from 0-200% of the Class K-P unit award based on the achievement of cumulative net revenue-based performance metrics applicable for the Advisory business during the 2021-2025 performance period, subject to, among other conditions, satisfaction of a service vesting condition. The service vesting condition will be satisfied if Mr. LaLonde remains a full-time employee in good standing through December 31, 2025 or, if prior to such date, (i) Mr. LaLonde’s employment with the Company terminates due to death or “disability,” (ii) Mr. LaLonde’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause,” (iii) the Company undergoes a “change in control” or (iv) the Company materially diminishes Mr. LaLonde’s title, role, responsibilities or reporting line (each such event is as defined in the Partnership Agreement and referred to here as a “qualifying termination”). In the event of a qualifying termination, the number of Class K units will generally be based on actual performance. The Class K-P units are subject to forfeiture in the event of a breach of the terms of Mr. LaLonde’s restrictive covenant agreement.

Agreements with Mr. Hyman

We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hyman on August 3, 2014, the initial term of which expired on October 31, 2019. Mr. Hyman continues to be employed by us as an at-will employee.

In connection with his employment agreement, Mr. Hyman also entered into a confidentiality, non-solicitation and proprietary information agreement with us that remains in effect. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Hyman is subject to a covenant not to (1) compete with us while employed and, if terminated for any reason other than death, a termination without cause or as a result of a resignation for good reason, for 24 months following his termination of employment (the “Restricted Period”) and (2) solicit our employees, consultants and certain actual and prospective clients during the Restricted Period, in each case, subject to certain specified exclusions.

Agreement with Mr. Klurfeld

Mr. Klurfeld is employed by us as an at-will employee. Mr. Klurfeld entered into a confidentiality, non-solicitation and proprietary information agreement with us that remains in effect. Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Klurfeld is subject to a covenant not to (1) compete with us while employed and (2) solicit our employees and consultants for 12 months, and certain actual and prospective clients while employed and for six months, following termination of employment for any reason, in each case, subject to certain specified exclusions.

Deferred Cash and Incentive Deferred Cash Awards to Mr. Klurfeld

Generally, we provide SMDs (other than our NEOs) an election to receive a portion of their deferred incentive compensation in the form of deferred cash rather than RSUs, as described above under “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2023.

In addition, in connection with his appointment as General Counsel, Mr. Klurfeld was granted an incentive deferred cash award in February 2018 in the amount of $1.5 million. The incentive deferred cash award vests as follows, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date: $210,000 vested on February 13, 2022; $210,000 vested on February 13, 2023; $210,000 vested on February 13, 2024; $210,000 will vest on each of February 13, 2025 and 2026; and $225,000 will vest on each of February 13, 2027 and 2028. Any unvested portion of the incentive deferred cash award will vest in full upon a change in control, Mr. Klurfeld’s death or disability or termination without cause (subject, in the case of death, disability or termination without cause, to execution of a release). Distributions generally occur within two and a half months following the applicable vesting date.

 

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Mr. Klurfeld’s deferred cash was, and incentive deferred cash awards will be, reported in the Summary Compensation Table in the years earned.

Agreements with Ms. Mellet

We entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Mellet on May 26, 2021. Ms. Mellet’s employment agreement provided for her to serve as the CFO and Senior Managing Director commencing September 1, 2021 and as a Senior Managing Director from her start date on July 1, 2021 through the commencement of her CFO role. The employment agreement provided for annual compensation as follows: (1) an annual base salary in an amount equal to $500,000, (2) an annual incentive bonus for each of 2021 and 2022 with a minimum of $3.75 million, no less than 50% of which was payable in cash, subject to continued employment through the payment date except as noted below. Pursuant to her employment agreement, Ms. Mellet received a special, one-time grant of a restricted cash award with a target value of $2.6 million, which was scheduled to vest on each of the first four anniversaries of July 6, 2021, subject to Ms. Mellet’s continued employment through each such vesting date except as noted below.

In addition to the foregoing, Ms. Mellet was entitled to reimbursement of certain reasonable expenses and was entitled to participate in all Company employee benefit programs.

The employment agreement further provided that if Ms. Mellet’s employment was terminated by us without “cause,” by Ms. Mellet for “good reason” or as a result of death or “disability” (each as defined in the employment agreement), then, subject to her execution, delivery and non-revocation of a release of claims with respect to the Company and its affiliates, Ms. Mellet would be entitled to receive, in addition to certain accrued rights, (i) any unpaid portion of her 2021 annual incentive bonus and 2022 annual incentive bonus; and (ii) to the extent not already vested, full vesting of her initial RSU award and any RSUs granted in satisfaction of any portion of her 2021 annual incentive bonus and 2022 annual incentive bonus.

In connection with the employment agreement, Ms. Mellet also entered into a confidentiality, non-solicitation and proprietary information agreement with the Company. Pursuant to this agreement, Ms. Mellet is subject to a covenant not to (1) compete with us while employed and (2) solicit our employees and consultants for 12 months, and certain actual and prospective clients while employed and for six months, following termination of employment for any reason, in each case, subject to certain specified exclusions.

We did not enter into any additional agreements with Ms. Mellet in connection with her resignation, and her confidentiality, non-solicitation and proprietary information agreement with the Company continued to apply by its terms.

Agreements with Mr. Pensa

Mr. Pensa is employed by us as an at-will employee. Mr. Pensa entered into a confidentiality, non-solicitation and proprietary information agreement with us that remains in effect. Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Pensa is subject to a covenant not to (1) compete with us while employed and (2) solicit our employees and consultants for 12 months, and certain actual and prospective clients while employed and for six months, following termination of employment for any reason, in each case, subject to certain specified exclusions.

Evercore Annual Equity Awards

Our RSUs granted in connection with annual incentive awards vest in substantially equal annual installments over four years, subject to accelerated vesting upon death, disability, change in control, qualifying retirement or termination without cause. When deferred compensation is awarded in the form of RSUs, the RSUs include dividend equivalent rights payable in the form of cash or additional RSUs, at the Company’s election, which will vest and be settled on the same terms as the original RSUs to which they relate.

 

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The RSUs will continue to have the underlying stock distributed (or released from restriction) on the original vesting schedule following a qualifying retirement as long as the recipient complies with his or her non-competition commitments, gives the minimum advanced notice of his or her decision to retire, which is generally six months to one year, and, at the time of retirement, (i) (a) is at least 55 years old and has completed at least five years of continuous service with the Company and (b) his or her age plus years of service exceeds 65 or (ii) is at least 60 years old and has completed at least 10 years of continuous service with the Company. If a qualified retiree violates his or her non-competition commitments at any time before a scheduled release date, the undelivered shares will be forfeited. Because the general vesting period of these awards is four years, this will provide an incentive for qualified retirees to refrain from competition or client solicitation for up to four years.

The vesting of deferred compensation awards is also subject to accelerated vesting upon a termination of the recipient’s service by us without “cause,” subject to his or her execution of a general release of claims against us and our affiliates. For this purpose, “cause” for U.S. partners and employees generally means (1) the employee’s material breach of any restrictive covenants or any of our published policies (including our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics); (2) any act or omission by the employee that causes us or the employee to be subject to discipline under any law, rule or regulation related to our business, or any rule of any exchange or association of which we are a member; (3) the employee’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, any felony; (4) the employee’s participation in any fraud or embezzlement; (5) gross negligence or willful misconduct by the employee in the course of employment or the employee’s deliberate and continuous disregard of his or her material duties; or (6) the employee’s commission of any act or making of any statement that impairs, impugns, denigrates, disparages or otherwise negatively reflects on us or our reputation or business interests. For non-U.S. partners and employees, the cause definition is substantively similar. The RSUs are subject to the terms of our clawback policy and our anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies.

Evercore LP Class L Interest Subscription Agreements

In January 2023, the Compensation Committee issued Class L Interests in Evercore LP, to each of the named executive officers other than Ms. Mellet, Mr. LaLonde and Mr. Pensa pursuant to a subscription agreement. The Class L Interests granted in January 2023 entitled the applicable named executive officers to a discretionary distribution of profits from Evercore LP in the first quarter of 2024, and were subject to a maximum amount equal to a specified percentage of 2023 “adjusted operating income,” as defined in the subscription agreements, which in the case of (i) Messrs. Altman and Weinberg was 1.50%, (ii) Mr. Hyman was 0.65%, and (iii) Mr. Klurfeld was 0.30%.

The Class L Interests and any distributions thereon, are subject to the Company’s clawback policies as in effect from time to time and compliance with the restrictive covenant agreements applicable to the named executive officer. In addition, the Class L Interests are cancelled in the event the employment of the named executive officer is terminated for any reason prior to the date of the distribution, and will otherwise be cancelled immediately following the distribution. The Committee anticipates it will cause the issuance of Class L Interests to named executive officers for subsequent years on substantially similar terms.

 

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PAY RATIO

Set forth below is the annual total compensation of our median employee, the annual total compensation of Mr. Weinberg, and the ratio of those values:

 

   

The 2023 annual total compensation of our median employee was $248,715;

 

   

The 2023 annual total compensation of our current Chairman of the Board and CEO, Mr. Weinberg, was $12,965,491; and

 

   

For 2023, the ratio of Mr. Weinberg’s annual total compensation to the annual total compensation of our median employee was 52.1 to 1.

Background

To identify our median employee, we used our entire employee population, excluding independent contractors and consultants, as of November 1, 2023 and measured compensation based on total pay (including the value of equity awards received in 2023, cash bonus, overtime pay, commissions and pensions) actually received over the period from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

As required by SEC rules, after determining that our median employee (who is located in the U.S.) will be the median employee for purposes of this pay ratio, we calculated 2023 annual total compensation for both our median employee and Mr. Weinberg using the same methodology that we use to determine our named executive officers’ annual total compensation for the Summary Compensation Table.

The pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll, employment records and the methodology described above. The SEC rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt various methodologies, to apply certain exclusions and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. As such, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

 

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PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
Our pay for performance compensation program is designed to reward performance and align the long-term interests of our executives with those of our shareholders. As discussed in more detail in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” above, compensation of our executive officers is linked to the performance of Evercore and their individual performance, which motivates our executive leadership to conduct the business in a manner that produces superior results over the long term.
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
the following disclosure is provided about the relationship between executive compensation and the Company’s performance on select financial metrics. For a description regarding the Company’s compensation program and the factors considered by the Committee in making its compensation decisions, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
2023 Performance Measures
For 2023, with the exception of our newly appointed CFO, none of our NEOs were paid pursuant to formulaic or other
pre-established
performance targets or personal compensation arrangements. Rather, incentive awards paid to our NEOs were determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee after taking into account the Company’s performance along with the NEO’s individual contributions, the NEO’s promotion of and adherence to our Core Values, and other factors. In making its determinations, the Compensation Committee considered these factors in a holistic manner (including qualitative factors), without ascribing any specific weight to any single factor or metric. However, as required by the SEC rules, the performance measured identified in the tabular list below are the financial performance measures used by the Compensation Committee to link our NEOs’ 2023 compensation actually paid to performance:
 
 
 
Adjusted Net Revenues
 
 
 
Adjusted EPS
 
 
 
Adjusted Net Income
 
 
 
Adjusted Operating Margin
2023 Pay Versus Performance Table
 
   
Summary Compensation
Table (SCT) Total(1)
   
Compensation Actually
Paid (CAP)(2)
   
Average
SCT Total
for other
NEOs(1)
   
Average
CAP for
other
NEOs(2)(4)
   
Value of Initial Fixed
$100 Investment
Based on:
             
Year
 
John
Weinberg(3)
   
Ralph
Schlosstein
   
John
Weinberg(3)
   
Ralph
Schlosstein
   
 
   
 
   
Company
TSR
   
Peer
Group
TSR(5)
   
Net
Income

($ in
millions)
   
Adjusted
Net
Revenue
($
in
millions)(6)
 
2023
  $ 12,965,491       N/A     $ 18,668,990       N/A     $ 4,087,784     $ 6,630,862     $ 253     $ 133     $ 255     $ 2,449  
2022
  $ 15,176,726     $ 7,676,726     $ 5,693,292     $ 5,502,692     $ 5,028,826     $ 3,900,059     $ 158     $ 119     $ 477     $ 2,786  
2021
  $ 16,282,195     $ 10,282,195     $ 38,025,295     $ 12,841,786     $ 5,443,744     $ 6,610,145     $ 192     $ 133     $ 740     $ 3,317  
2020
  $ 13,315,103     $ 7,315,103     $ 42,672,395     $ 10,685,288     $ 4,463,806     $ 6,267,435     $ 152     $ 98     $ 351     $ 2,327  
 
  (1)
The PEO in the 2023 reporting year is John S. Weinberg. The PEOs in the 2022, 2021, and 2020 reporting years are John S. Weinberg and Ralph L. Schlosstein (Mr. Schlosstein stepped down as
Co-Chairman
of the Board and
Co-CEO
effective February 25, 2022). The NEOs in the 2023 reporting year are Roger C. Altman, Edward S. Hyman, Jason Klurfeld, Tim LaLonde, Celeste Mellet, and Paul Pensa. The NEOs in the 2022 reporting year are Roger C. Altman, Edward S. Hyman, Jason Klurfeld, and Celeste Mellet. The NEOs in the 2021 reporting year are Roger C. Altman, Edward S. Hyman, Jason Klurfeld, Celeste Mellet, and Robert B. Walsh. The NEOs in the 2020 reporting year are Roger C. Altman, Edward S. Hyman, Jason Klurfeld, and Robert B. Walsh.
 
  (2)
SEC rules require certain adjustments be made to Summary Compensation Table values to determine Compensation Actually Paid, or CAP. The amounts reported as CAP to our PEOs and Average CAP to
Non-PEO
NEOs were calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
as shown in the table below. NEOs do not participate in any defined benefit plan and as such, no adjustment for pension is included in the following table. The following table details adjustments made to calculate CAP.
 
64

         
Deduction
from SCT
Total
   
Additions (Deductions) to SCT Total
       
Year
 
SCT Total
   
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Equity
Awards
   
Fair Value
of Current
Year
Equity
Awards
Unvested at
FY End
   
Change in
Fair Value of
Prior Year
Equity
Awards
Unvested at
FY End
   
Change in
Fair Value of
Prior Year
Equity
Awards that
Vested in the
Year
   
Change in
Fair Value of
Prior Year
Equity
Awards
Forfeited in
the Year
   
Dividends on
Equity
Awards not
Otherwise
Reflected in
Fair Value or
Total
Compensation
   
CAP
 
PEO SCT Total to CAP Reconciliation (Mr. Weinberg)
 
2023
  $ 12,965,491     $ 3,340,491     $ 4,200,817     $ 3,603,246     $ 991,815     $ 0     $ 248,112     $ 18,668,990  
2022
  $ 15,176,726     $ 5,426,726     $ 4,679,314     $ (1,463,864   $ (7,708,408   $ 0     $ 436,250     $ 5,693,292  
2021
  $ 16,282,195     $ 4,282,195     $ 4,919,129     $ 18,076,120     $ 2,089,618     $ 0     $ 940,429     $ 38,025,295  
2020
  $ 13,315,103     $ 2,565,103     $ 3,449,713     $ 28,334,454     $ (977,793   $ 0     $ 1,116,022     $ 42,672,395  
PEO SCT Total to CAP Reconciliation (Mr. Schlosstein)
 
2023
    N/A       —        —        —        —        —        —        —   
2022
  $ 7,676,726     $ 5,426,726     $ 4,679,314     $ (1,463,864   $ (239,888   $ 0     $ 277,130     $ 5,502,692  
2021
  $ 10,282,195     $ 4,282,195     $ 4,919,129     $ 1,458,980     $ 220,209     $ 0     $ 243,469     $ 12,841,786  
2020
  $ 7,315,103     $ 2,565,103     $ 3,449,713     $ 2,159,351     $ 106,799     $ 0     $ 219,424     $ 10,685,288  
Average
Non-PEOs
SCT Total to CAP Reconciliation
 
2023
  $ 4,087,784     $ 1,816,352     $ 2,284,145     $ 2,196,985     $ 347,395     $ (569,052   $ 99,958     $ 6,630,862  
2022
  $ 5,028,826     $ 2,571,521     $ 2,217,351     $ (759,806   $ (154,846   $ 0     $ 140,056     $ 3,900,059  
2021
  $ 5,443,744     $ 2,264,559     $ 2,535,885     $ 689,931     $ 90,370     $ 0     $ 114,774     $ 6,610,145  
2020
  $ 4,463,806     $ 1,817,682     $ 2,444,533     $ 1,008,564     $ 47,866     $ 0     $ 120,346     $ 6,267,435  
 
  (3)
The amounts shown for Mr. Weinberg’s CAP include (i) as a component of the SCT Total, the portion of Mr. Weinberg’s initial long-term
sign-on
restricted cash award of $35 million that vested during the applicable year (as explained in more detail in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”), as well as (ii) the change in the fair value of Mr. Weinberg’s initial long-term
sign-on
equity awards granted in 2016 that were unvested at fiscal year end or vested during the applicable fiscal year. These awards, which were granted in 2016, were not a part of Mr. Weinberg’s discretionary annual bonus in respect of any year of his service and the vast majority were intended to replace deferred compensation from Mr. Weinberg’s previous employer that was at risk of forfeiture as a result of joining Evercore.
 
  (4)
The fair value of performance-based equity awards reported for CAP purposes reflects calculated performance at the end of the performance year for internal metrics, in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Performance-based equity awards subject to internal metrics will ultimately vest, if at all, based on measured performance through the end of the performance period.
 
  (5)
Reflects the total shareholder return indexed to $100 per share for the S&P 500 Financials Index, which is the industry line peer group reported in our annual report to shareholders.
 
  (6)
Adjusted Net Revenues is a
non-GAAP
financial measure. See Annex A for further information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP amounts.
Relationship between “Compensation Actually Paid” and Performance Measures
In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
we are providing the following graphic descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table.
 
 
LOGO

 
65

 
LOGO

 
As described above, the Compensation Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure described
above
when making its compensation decisions. However, as indicated in the above charts:
 
 
 
A substantial portion of our NEO compensation is delivered in the form of equity. Accordingly, PEO and average other NEO “compensation actually paid” each year generally increased when our TSR increased and decreased when our TSR decreased. This correlation is amplified with respect to Mr. Weinberg for years prior to 2023, for whom the change in value of the long-term initial
sign-on
equity awards granted to him in 2016 that were unvested at fiscal year end or vested during the applicable fiscal year were included.
 
 
 
As discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, the Compensation Committee considers a range of measures, including the Company’s performance along with the NEO’s individual contributions, the NEO’s promotion of and adherence to our Core Values, and other factors in determining NEO compensation. Accordingly, the year-over-year changes in NEO compensation as shown in the Summary Compensation Table and the table titled “2023 NEO Annual Compensation and Incentives” on page 47, are directionally aligned with the year-over-year changes in Net Income and Adjusted Net Revenues (particularly after giving effect to the decrease in our CEO’s compensation this year and the 41% decrease in our CEO’s annual incentive award from 2021 to 2022). However, because “compensation actually paid” is influenced by, among other things, the change in value of unvested deferred equity awards, the “compensation actually paid” to our PEO and NEOs increased in 2023 in alignment with the increase in the value of those awards. For Mr. Weinberg’s “compensation actually paid” in years prior to 2023, this effect is amplified by the change in value of the long-term initial
sign-on
equity awards granted to him in 2016 that were unvested at the applicable fiscal year end or vested during the applicable fiscal year.
 
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

We have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on our review and discussion with management, we recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement issued in connection with our Annual Meeting and in our Form 10-K.

Compensation Committee

Robert B. Millard, Chairman

Willard J. Overlock, Jr.

Sir Simon M. Robertson

William J. Wheeler

Sarah K. Williamson

The information in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filings.

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 2—NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE

ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary of Proposal

 

   

What is being voted on. An advisory vote to approve the 2023 compensation of our NEOs (“Say on Pay”).

 

   

Board recommendation. Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the resolution approving the 2023 compensation of our NEOs.

Our Say on Pay Vote gives our shareholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of all of our NEOs. We currently include this advisory vote on an annual basis. While the results of this vote are non-binding and advisory in nature, the Board values our shareholders’ opinions and will consider the results of the 2024 vote when making future decisions regarding the compensation of our NEOs.

We encourage you to review the following sections of this Proxy Statement for further information on our key compensation practices and the effect of shareholder feedback on NEO compensation:

 

   

“2023 Compensation and Incentive Highlights” in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis (see page 41)

 

   

“2023 Incentive Awards and Determinations” in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis (see page 43)

 

   

“2023 Say on Pay Vote” in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis (see page 50)

Please note that these sections should be read in conjunction with our entire Compensation Discussion & Analysis (beginning on page 38), as well as the executive compensation tables and related disclosures that follow (beginning on page 47).

 

2024 Say on Pay Vote

In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Rule 14a-21(a), the below resolution gives shareholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, including the Compensation Discussion & Analysis, the executive compensation tables and related disclosures.

Accordingly, we are asking our shareholders to vote on the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, executive compensation tables and any related narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.

Proxies will be voted FOR the approval of the resolution unless otherwise specified.

 

 

 

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of April 19, 2024, information regarding the beneficial ownership of Voting Units and our Class A common stock and Class B common stock held by (1) each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, (2) each of our directors, (3) each of our NEOs and (4) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and thus the 11,759 shares of our Class A common stock that will be delivered in respect of RSUs that vest within 60 days of April 19, 2024 to certain individuals are deemed outstanding for calculating the percentage of outstanding shares of the person holding such RSUs, but are not deemed outstanding for calculating the percentage of any other person. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based upon (1) 38,516,548 shares of our Class A common stock issued and outstanding and (2) 2,573,908 votes associated with Class B common stock and Voting Units outstanding, excluding general partnership units held by the Company, in each case, as of April 19, 2024. Generally, all holders of Voting Units hold one or more shares of our Class B common stock. To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table, and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s name. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons in this table is as follows: c/o Evercore, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.

 

     Shares of Class A
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
    Voting Units
Beneficially Owned†
       

 Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of
Shares
of Class A
Common Stock
     Percentage of
Class A
Common
Stock
    Number of
Voting Units††
    Percentage of
Voting Units
    Total
Combined
Voting Power
of Evercore
 

5% Shareholders

           

The Vanguard Group(1)

     3,694,904        9.59                 8.99

BlackRock, Inc.(2)

     3,191,057        8.28                 7.77

Directors

           

Roger C. Altman(3)

     16,321        *         281,934       10.95     *    

Richard I. Beattie(4)

     17,000        *                     *    

Pamela G. Carlton (4)

     3,041        *                     *    

Ellen V. Futter (4)

     5,782        *                     *    

Gail B. Harris(4)

     38,654        *                     *    

Robert B. Millard(4)

     50,862        *                     *    

Willard J. Overlock, Jr.(4).

     12,221        *                     *    

Sir Simon M. Robertson(4)

     8,185        *                     *    

John S. Weinberg (5)

     544,429        1.41     400,000       15.54     2.30

William J. Wheeler(4)

     11,112        *                     *    

Sarah K. Williamson(4)

     9,014        *                     *    

Named Executive Officers who are not Directors

           

Edward S. Hyman(6)(7)

     2,000,246        5.19     1,200       4.87

Jason Klurfeld(8)

     357        *         1,200       *    

Tim LaLonde(9)

     4,500        *         1,000       *    

Celeste Mellet

                              *    

Paul Pensa (10)

     16        *                     *    

Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (16 Persons)

     2,721,740        7.07     685,334       26.63     8.29

 

  *

Less than 1%.

 

  (†)

The Voting Units are ultimately exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. Beneficial ownership of Voting Units reflected in this table has not also been reflected as beneficial ownership of the shares of our Class A common stock for which such units may be exchanged.

 

  (††)

Generally, holders of Voting Units hold one or more shares of Class B common stock, which entitles such holder to one vote for each Voting Unit.

 

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Table of Contents
  (1)

Based on information set forth in the Schedule 13G/A, filed February 13, 2024 (the “Vanguard 13G/A”), filed with the SEC by Vanguard. The address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. According to the Vanguard 13G/A, Vanguard has shared voting power over 12,993 shares, sole dispositive power over 3,644,396 shares and shared dispositive power over 50,508 shares.

 

  (2)

Based on information set forth in the Schedule 13G/A, filed January 25, 2024 (the “BlackRock 13G/A”), filed with the SEC by BlackRock. The address of BlackRock is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. According to the BlackRock 13G/A, BlackRock has sole voting power over 3,071,224 shares and sole dispositive power over 3,191,057 shares.

 

  (3)

Some of the Evercore LP Class A limited partnership units, shares of Class A common stock and shares of Class B common stock listed as beneficially owned by Mr. Altman are held by trusts benefiting his family and as to which Mr. Altman has voting and/or investment power. Mr. Altman disclaims beneficial ownership of the Evercore LP limited partnership units, shares of Class A common stock and shares of Class B common stock held by these trusts. Does not include 67,625 unvested RSUs granted to Mr. Altman under the 2006 Plan, the 2016 Plan, the First Amended 2016 Plan and the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

 

  (4)

Includes 1,069 unvested RSUs (2,137 in the case of Mr. Overlock and Ms. Williamson, who elected to receive their retainer 100% in common stock rather than cash) granted to each non-management director, as director compensation that will vest within 60 days of April 19, 2024.

 

  (5)

Does not include 66,653 unvested RSUs granted to Mr. Weinberg under the 2006 Plan, the 2016 Plan, the First Amended 2016 Plan and the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

 

  (6)

Does not include 34,779 unvested RSUs granted to Mr. Hyman under the 2006 Plan, the 2016 Plan, the First Amended 2016 Plan and the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

 

  (7)

Mr. Hyman is also a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock

 

  (8)

Does not include 32,007 unvested RSUs granted to Mr. Klurfeld under the 2006 Plan, the 2016 Plan, the First Amended 2016 Plan and the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

 

  (9)

Does not include 39,813 unvested RSUs and 100,000 unvested K-P Units granted to Mr. LaLonde under the 2006 Plan, the 2016 Plan, the First Amended 2016 Plan and the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

 

  (10)

Does not include 8,687 unvested RSUs granted to Mr. Pensa under the 2006 Plan, the 2016 Plan, the First Amended 2016 Plan and the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

 

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in our Audit Committee Charter which can be found on our website, www.evercore.com, under the “For Investors” link. The Audit Committee has:

 

   

selected the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our books and records;

 

   

reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements for 2023 with management and with Deloitte, our independent registered public accounting firm, and has held, as appropriate, executive sessions with Deloitte without the presence of management;

 

   

discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required by the applicable standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T and the SEC, including the quality of our accounting principles, the reasonableness of management’s significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements;

 

   

received from Deloitte the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with Deloitte its independence; and

 

   

reviewed and discussed with management and with our independent registered public accounting firm management’s evaluation and the independent registered public accounting firm’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.

In performing all of these functions, the Audit Committee acts in an oversight capacity. The Audit Committee reviews our respective quarterly and annual reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K prior to filing with the SEC. In its oversight role, the Audit Committee relies on the work and assurances of:

 

   

our management, which has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for preparing the financial statements and other reports; and

 

   

the independent registered public accounting firm, which is engaged to audit and report on our and our subsidiaries’ consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

Based on these reviews and discussions, and the reports of the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC.

Audit Committee:

William J. Wheeler, Chairman

Pamela G. Carlton

Gail B. Harris

Willard J. Overlock, Jr.

Sarah K. Williamson

The information in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filings.

 

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PROPOSAL 3—RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Deloitte served as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023. Our Audit Committee has selected Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm to perform the audit of our consolidated financial statements for 2024, as well as an audit of our internal control over financial reporting for 2024. Representatives of Deloitte are expected to be present at our Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Board Recommendation

The appointment of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm is being submitted to our shareholders for ratification at the Annual Meeting. Our Board recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” the ratification of the selection of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm. The submission of the appointment of Deloitte is required neither by law nor by our Amended and Restated Bylaws. Our Board is nevertheless submitting it to our shareholders to ascertain their views. If our shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the selection of another independent registered public accounting firm may be considered by our Audit Committee. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.

Fees

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees earned by Deloitte for services provided to us in 2023 and 2022:

 

       2023           2022     
    (in thousands)  

Audit Fees

   $ 4,111      $ 4,107  

Audit-Related Fees

    24        

Tax Fees

           

All Other Fees

    91       6  
               

Total

   $      4,226      $      4,113  
               

Audit Fees for 2023 include fees for the audit of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and professional services rendered for the audit and quarterly review of our consolidated financial statements. In addition, the fees include professional services for audit opinions issued related to statutory and regulatory filings. The fees also include accounting consultations related to various transactions and assistance with various reviews of documents filed with the SEC.

Audit-Related Fees include services related to regulatory and compliance reviews

All Other Fees include subscription fees for Deloitte’s accounting research tool, participation in Deloitte-sponsored education programs and other related services.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Our Audit Committee does not permit the engagement of our auditors without pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The engagement of Deloitte for non-audit accounting and tax services is limited to circumstances where these services are considered integral to the audit services that Deloitte provides or where there is another compelling rationale for using Deloitte. All audit, audit-related and permitted non-audit services for which Deloitte was engaged for 2022 and 2023 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in compliance with applicable SEC requirements.

Proxies will be voted FOR the ratification of the selection of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm unless otherwise specified.

 

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PROPOSAL 4—APPROVAL OF THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

2016 EVERCORE INC. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Summary of Proposal

What is being voted on. The approval of the Third Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Third Amended 2016 Plan”).

Board recommendation. Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the Third Amended 2016 Plan.

 

Our Board Unanimously Recommends a Vote FOR Approval of the Third Amended 2016 Plan

On April 23, 2024, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Third Amended 2016 Plan, in the form attached hereto as Annex B, subject to the approval of our shareholders at this Annual Meeting. The Third Amended 2016 Plan would replace the Second Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Second Amended 2016 Plan”), approved by shareholders at our annual meeting that took place on June 16, 2022, which replaced the First Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “First Amended 2016 Plan”). The Third Amended 2016 Plan would apply to awards granted on or after the date of our Annual Meeting. The terms of the Third Amended 2016 Plan are identical to those of the shareholder-approved Second Amended 2016 Plan, other than an increase of 6,000,000 in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan.

 

Highlights of the Third Amended 2016 Plan and Equity Compensation Practices

 

   

Third Amended 2016 Plan Includes Features Designed to Protect Shareholder Interests. The Third Amended 2016 Plan, together with our equity compensation practices, demonstrates many best practices:

 

×  No “evergreen” provision

×  No liberal share recycling

×  No repricing (or cash buybacks) of underwater stock options or stock appreciation rights

×  No “reload” equity awards

×  No equity grants below fair market value

×  Prohibition on hedging Evercore equity holdings

 

 Fixed maximum share limit

 Four-year deferred vesting of RSUs, subject to early vesting events

 Equity granted under the Second Amended 2016 Plan and the First Amended 2016 Plan has been broad-based, with more than 90% of all equity awards granted in the past three years issued to employees other than our executive officers and more than 90% were issued to employees with direct revenue-generating and client-facing responsibilities

 Equity ownership guidelines for executive officers and SMDs

 Separate annual compensation limit of $500,000 for non-employee directors

 NEO awards are subject to a clawback

 

   

Importance of the Third Amended 2016 Plan and Request for Limited Share Authorization. We believe that our prudent use of equity compensation has been an important driver of our success, and is necessary for our continued success and growth. We are requesting only the limited number of shares which we believe will be necessary for continuing to manage and grow our business in the current environment over the next approximately two to three years. While we have approximately

 

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2.6 million shares remaining from our 2022 authorization, the availability of shares over the next two to three years is critical for our ability to execute our growth strategy, including the continued recruitment of talented SMDs, manage our existing talent, and implement our compensation program, in the near term. Accordingly, we are seeking shareholder approval to refresh the number of shares under our plan by 6,000,000 shares.

 

   

We are a human capital business and our revenue and profits are tied to the number, quality and performance of our people. Our ability to pay appropriate levels of compensation in the form of equity incentives has enabled us to recruit, retain and motivate high-caliber talent dedicated to our long-term growth and success (such as the 11 Advisory SMDs recruited in 2023).

 

   

Broad-based equity compensation is a critical tool for aligning the interests of our employees with those of our shareholders at all levels – not just at senior levels. Over the last three years, more than 90% of equity awards were granted to employees other than our executive officers and more than 90% were granted to employees with direct revenue-generating and client-facing responsibilities.

 

   

Your approval of the Third Amended 2016 Plan is critical for us to continue granting equity compensation broadly as a significant portion of our annual incentive compensation awards. In turn, this allows us to incentivize all employees who receive equity, not just senior employees and NEOs, and align the interest of our employees with those of our shareholders

 

   

Prudent Use of Equity Compensation. We have a track record of prudent equity compensation management. We anticipated our 2022 and 2020 proposals would provide sufficient shares to last two years each. Due to our prudent management of equity awards, our strong performance and our balanced use of deferred cash compensation, we have exceeded our expectations, with approximately 2.6 million shares remaining from our 2022 authorization.

 

   

We have carefully considered the share request to allow the business to run with stability and certainty, and to execute our compensation program and growth strategy, for approximately two to three years. We believe it is important to revisit equity compensation practices and norms with shareholders on a regular basis, and this interval strikes a prudent balance for shareholders and Evercore.

 

   

Equity-based incentive awards are generally delivered as a component of an employee’s annual incentive awards. Such equity awards are generally based on services already performed and, for award recipients who have client facing responsibilities, revenue already generated, rather than for future potential performance.

 

   

By making equity a significant portion of our employees’ incentive awards, we are linking our employees’ incentive awards to the performance of the Company (as well as individual performance). Through our use of equity compensation (as opposed to simply deferred cash compensation), we encourage our employees to behave like shareholders, and therefore motivate them to conduct business in a manner that produces superior returns over the long term. We grant equity awards in the form of RSUs that expose the award recipient to both the downside and upside of our stock performance.

 

   

Strong Track Record of Mitigating Dilution. We have consistently offset the potential dilutive effect of equity incentive compensation. By repurchasing in a fiscal year at least as many shares as we expect to ultimately issue as a result of deferred year-end equity incentive compensation granted in respect of the prior year, we have protected our shareholders by essentially neutralizing any dilutive effect of such bonus equity awards. This has the effect of increasing employee and shareholder alignment while protecting shareholders—a benefit which is not available if we pursued purely cash-based forms of compensation.

 

   

In 2022, we reaffirmed our 2020 commitment to carefully managing our shares by offsetting the dilutive effect of bonus equity awards through share repurchases, including through net settlement of outstanding awards, subject to our future earnings and our need to maintain a strong liquidity position and reserve the necessary flexibility to address unusual circumstances that may arise.

 

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As indicated in the below chart, we have delivered on our 2022 commitment, achieving an average negative Net Burn Rate, with repurchases offsetting not just bonus equity awards over the 2022-2023 period but also new hire and replacement awards. This year, we reaffirm our 2022 and 2020 commitments to shareholders.

 

   

We remain committed to carefully managing our shares by offsetting the dilutive effect of bonus equity awards through share repurchases, including through net settlement of outstanding awards, subject to our future earnings and our need to maintain a strong liquidity position and reserve the necessary flexibility to address unusual circumstances that may arise. For this reason, we are requesting only 6,000,000 additional shares, which we believe will be necessary to manage and grow our business over the next approximately two to three years.

 

 (Shares in 000’s)

   2021     2022     2023     3-Year
Average
 

 Equity Grants:

        

Incentive Award Grants(1)

     2,949       2,748       2,469       2,722  

New Hire/Retention/Special Equity(2)

     210       438       107       252  

Forfeitures

     (184     (184     (190     (186

 Net RSU Grants

     2,975       3,001       2,386       2,788  

 Shares Repurchased

     5,456       4,438       3,001       4,298  

 Net Grants—Net RSU Grants less Shares Repurchased

     (2,481     (1,437     (615     (1,511

 Percentage of Net RSU Grants repurchased

     183     148     126     152

 Weighted Common Shares Outstanding and Vested Evercore LP Partnership Units

     44,878       41,873       40,766       42,506  

 Burn Rate (Taking into account Weighted Common Shares Outstanding, Vested Evercore LP Partnership Units and Forfeitures)

     6.6     7.2     5.9     6.6

 Net Burn Rate (Also taking into account share repurchases)

     -5.5     -3.4     -1.5     -3.5

 

  (1)

This amount reflects RSU grants and certain performance-based special incentive equity awards but does not include the deferred cash compensation awards granted to certain employees.

 

  (2)

This amount reflects new hire awards, retention awards and special equity awards that were issued to certain employees and for which the Company reserved shares under the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

 

   

Our Approach to Managing Equity Compensation Warrants a Tailored Assessment. Traditional burn rate and dilution models, including those employed by proxy advisory firms and some shareholders, do not take into account our anti-dilution efforts of our repurchase programs or the specific factors impacting our business model that necessitate our compensation philosophy. In our conversations with shareholders, they have expressed support for our prudent use of share repurchases to offset the dilutive effect of equity awards as well as the need to use equity compensation broadly in our business. Many of our shareholders therefore recognize the need to tailor their assessment and consideration of these metrics when circumstances warrant.

 

   

In our case, the primary drivers of this recognition stem from an understanding that we are a human-capital business that uses equity much differently than more financial or capital intensive firms, including several of our financial services peers.

 

   

Our equity compensation practices, including our burn rate and dilution calculations, are often compared to peers with significantly different compensation systems, cost structures and businesses. Many of these peers produce significant revenue from their capital, or compensate employees by direct participation in funds they manage, and are therefore less inclined to issue the same relative volume of equity compensation as us.

 

   

By comparison, our revenues are produced predominantly by our revenue generating employees, and we effectively use our equity compensation program as a form of capital expenditure to invest

 

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in, retain and grow the business through our people. As a result, we rely to a greater extent on our equity compensation programs than many of our peer firms and use our equity plan to compensate a broader base of employees.

 

   

In light of these distinctions, our shareholders have appreciated and endorsed our use of stock repurchases to mitigate the dilutive effect of equity compensation issuances and have understood the benefits of using equity-based compensation rather than cash-based compensation.

We believe that our careful use of equity compensation is further evidenced by an analysis of our 2021-2023 average stock compensation expense as a percentage of various three-year average operating measures, which is in line with our IAF public peers who disclose equity-only compensation expense. Our public IAF peers share our human capital-intensive business model, and are a better comparison for equity compensation program purposes than certain members of our broader financial services peer group, which generate revenue from financial or other capital and do not grant equity as broadly.

 

     Three-Year Average of Stock Compensation Expense(1)  
     Three-Year Average Stock
Compensation Expense
(in 000’s)(2)
     As a Percentage of
U.S. GAAP Net
Revenue(3)
    Per 
Employee(4) 
 

 Evercore

   $ 264,690        9.37   $ 126,747   

 Lazard

   $ 241,723        8.55   $ 73,457   

 Moelis

   $ 151,688        13.46   $ 139,676   

 PJT Partners

   $ 150,992        14.29   $ 164,599   

 Greenhill(5)

   $ 30,850        10.71   $ 82,708   

 Perella Weinberg Partners

   $ 144,287        20.79   $ 224,049   

 

  (1)

Information regarding stock compensation expense of Houlihan Lokey has not been included, as Houlihan Lokey does not separately report equity only compensation expense.

 

  (2)

Calculated as the three-year average of the equity only compensation expense for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 as reported in the company’s 2023 10-K.

 

  (3)

Calculated as (i) Three-Year Average Stock Compensation Expense, divided by (ii) the three-year average U.S. GAAP Net Revenue for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 as reported in each company’s 2023 10-K.

 

  (4)

Calculated as (i) Three-Year Average Stock Compensation Expense, divided by (ii) the three year-average of the employee headcount disclosed in each company’s 2021, 2022 and 2023 10-K.

 

  (5)

Information regarding stock compensation expense of Greenhill is calculated for years 2021 and 2022 only, based on the information reported in its 2022 and 2021 10-K.

In addition, while we do not believe that traditional burn rate calculations that are calculated without taking into account repurchases are a meaningful metric for us on a standalone basis, these metrics do demonstrate that our equity compensation practices are in line with our most direct IAF public peers. While our direct IAF peers each have differing equity compensation programs and organizational structures that limit direct comparisons, the below chart illustrates a comparison of equity compensation practices using publicly available information consistent with the methodology described below.

 

     Three-Year Average Burn Rate 
(Not Adjusted for Repurchases)(1) 
 

 Evercore

     6.6

 Lazard

     5.2

 Moelis

     4.5

 PJT Partners

     5.0

 Greenhill

     9.8

 Houlihan Lokey

     3.0

 Perella Weinberg Partners

     5.9

 

  (1)

Calculated for Evercore as shown on page 75, and of our peers as (i) the three-year average number of non-performance based equity grants over the three most recently reported fiscal years (less forfeitures), which are reported as equity share awards in each company’s

 

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  10-K for such years, divided by (ii) the three-year average weighted average basic shares of common stock outstanding plus vested equity interests convertible into shares of common stock (e.g., partnership units) over the three most recently reported fiscal years, as reported in each company’s 10-K for such years. Information regarding Greenhill is calculated based on the two-year average for 2021 and 2022 only.

 

   

Impact on Compensation and Incentive Practices. A reduction in equity-based compensation would require a corresponding increase in alternative forms of deferred compensation to remain competitive for talent, which we believe would reduce the alignment of interests between our employees and shareholders.

 

   

We seek to deliver compensation at competitive levels and at levels correlated with employee productivity. A material reduction in compensation would impair our ability to recruit, retain, promote and motivate key employees, and would therefore threaten our business.

 

   

If the Third Amended 2016 Plan is not approved, we would likely be compelled to alter our compensation program to increase alternative forms of deferred compensation in order to remain competitive for talent, which we do not believe would be as effective or in the best interests of our shareholders, and would reduce the alignment of interests between our employees and shareholders.

 

   

We believe the substitution of deferred cash for equity would reduce the alignment of interests between employees and shareholders. It would not, however, change our need to appropriately compensate our employees. This could be particularly challenging in the current competitive environment.

 

   

Support of Executive Compensation Program. Our executive compensation and performance are well aligned and have been strongly supported by our shareholders.

 

   

As further discussed under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 2023 Say on Pay Vote,” in 2023, our shareholders approved our executive compensation program with approximately 92% of voted shares cast in favor of the say on pay proposal.

 

   

We believe these results inherently reflect strong shareholder support for our pay-for-performance linkage and the associated compensation structure. Our overall compensation program has not changed in any material way since our 2023 say on pay vote and has remained constant in its implementation methodology and fundamental philosophy.

 

Introduction

The Third Amended 2016 Plan amends and restates the Second Amended 2016 Plan and is substantively identical to the Second Amended 2016 Plan, except for the increase of 6,000,000 authorized shares.

Our shareholders last approved an increase to the number of shares authorized under the Second Amended 2016 Plan in 2022. At the time we told you that our equity compensation was a critical element of our growth strategy and that we needed additional shares to grow over the following two years. Since that time we have prudently and efficiently managed the resulting share pool under the First Amended 2016 Plan. After granting the Company’s annual equity awards in February 2024, and other awards made in 2024, we had about 2.6 million shares remaining under the Second Amended 2016 Plan.

The administration of our annual incentive compensation plan, and the execution of our growth strategy, which includes the recruitment and retention of talented SMDs, including our largest class ever in 2023, requires that we have certainty as to the sufficiency of the shares authorized under our equity plan to meet the demands of the talent market. While we have approximately 2.6 million shares remaining from our 2022 authorization, without your approval of this proposal, we do not believe we will have the certainty required to grant the equity awards needed over the next approximately two to three year period to support

 

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annual incentive bonuses and new hire grants that are necessary to operate and grow the business in the current environment. In particular, the unprecedented competition for top talent necessitates that we use equity compensation as a core component of compensating our employees and attracting, motivating and retaining key talent. In order to do this effectively, it is critical that we have an appropriate number of shares regardless of the broader market environment or fluctuations in our share price.

The nature of our business requires us to continue attracting and incentivizing our high-performing, revenue-generating and client-facing employees. We are a human-capital business and our revenue is closely tied to the number and quality of our people. While capital intensive companies may engage in lending or investing activities, or invest directly in plants, technology and research and development to grow their businesses, we invest in people, our main source of revenue generation. As a result, we use equity more extensively than many of our peers. By using equity, we have been able to invest in the most talented and revenue-generating employees and to have cash available for share buybacks that would otherwise have been used for compensation, historically offsetting the dilution of these equity awards.

As discussed above, the number of awards we have granted under the Second Amended 2016 Plan as a percentage of our shares of common stock outstanding, taking into account vested Evercore LP partnership units and forfeited shares, which is commonly referred to as the “burn rate,” averaged 6.6% over the last three years if calculated without taking into consideration share repurchases, but our Net Burn Rate, calculated to reflect the offsetting effect of repurchases, was negative. We believe that calculating the burn rate without regard to repurchases does not provide a meaningful metric for our company in light of our business model and the factors that differentiate our firm. Further, irrespective of burn rate calculations, we grant share-based awards because we believe it to be in the shareholders’ best interests to have employees equity-aligned, as alternative forms of compensation carry the same costs without the benefit of employee shareholder alignment.

In connection with the request for additional shares in 2022, we reaffirmed our commitment to working to (1) offset the dilutive effect of our annual bonus equity awards over the next two to three years through our stock repurchase program and (2) maintain our average three-year Net Burn Rate at or below 1.5%, subject in each case to our ability to reserve the necessary flexibility to address unusual circumstances. We remain committed to carefully managing our shares by offsetting the dilutive effect of bonus equity awards through share repurchases, including through net settlement of outstanding awards, subject to our future earnings and our need to maintain a strong liquidity position and reserve the necessary flexibility to address unusual circumstances that may arise. In furtherance of this commitment, in February 2022 the Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to the lesser of $1.4 billion or 10 million shares of Class A common stock and/or Evercore LP Units. If the Third Amended 2016 Plan is approved by our shareholders, it will become immediately effective as of June 18, 2024, with approximately 6,000,000 shares available for future awards (plus the number of shares remaining available for future awards).

 

The Board unanimously recommends that our shareholders vote to approve the Third Amended 2016 Plan for the reasons discussed in “— Highlights of the Third Amended 2016 Plan” and “—Introduction” and more generally in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—2023 Performance” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Highlights” and for the reasons discussed on pages 79 - 87.

 

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Rationale for the Third Amended 2016 Plan and Equity Compensation Practices

 

   

Equity-based compensation is crucial to our recruitment and retention strategy.

Equity-based compensation helps us to recruit and retain top talent. Our recruitment, retention and motivation of SMDs have been crucial to our success and hinge on our ability to pay an appropriate percentage of compensation in the form of equity incentive awards. We believe that grants of equity allow us to remain competitive in the marketplace, enabling us to recruit, retain, promote and motivate high-caliber talent dedicated to the Company’s long-term growth and success.

We must be able to compete for top talent. The equity awards that we grant to new hires are generally included in two types: “replacement” awards and “new hire” awards. Replacement awards, as the name suggests, are designed to replace equity awards forfeited by the employee upon departure from his or her prior employer. These awards are generally sized to approximate the value of, and vest on the same schedule as, the forfeited awards. New hire awards effectively guarantee a floor level of compensation during the initial period of employment and are designed to mitigate temporarily the uncertainty associated with a senior banker’s decision to change firms. Generally, new hire awards vest ratably over three to four years. Both replacement and new hire awards are a commercial convention within our industry; without them, our lateral hiring efforts would cease to be successful or we would be forced to increase our use of deferred cash awards.

High performers receive more annual equity-based compensation. The size of our annual incentive RSU awards is highly correlated to the revenue contribution of award recipients and such awards are generally subject to ratable vesting over four years. For many of our employees, annual bonus equity awards and other deferred compensation constitutes at least half of their compensation. We grant equity broadly. During the 2021-2023 period, more than 90% of all annual bonus equity awards granted by us were issued to persons other than our executive officers. Similarly, more than 90% of all annual bonus equity awards granted by us during that period were issued to persons with direct, client- facing and revenue-generating responsibilities. This further underscores that our compensation is tied directly to the contribution to the business, not seniority or role.

 

   

A reduction in our use of equity-based compensation would require a corresponding increase in our use of alternative deferred compensation programs and cash compensation.

We could reduce the number of shares that we sought to use for compensatory awards by substituting cash compensation for equity awards. We seek to deliver compensation at market competitive levels and at levels correlated with employee productivity. A material reduction in compensation would impair our ability to recruit, retain, promote and motivate key employees, and would therefore threaten our future business prospects. If the Third Amended 2016 Plan is not approved, we would likely be compelled to alter our compensation program to increase alternative deferred compensation programs or cash compensation in order to remain competitive, which we do not believe is as effective. The substitution of deferred cash for equity reduces the alignment of interests between employees and shareholders. Moreover, we believe the substitution would also limit our flexibility to use cash for other purposes. This could be particularly challenging in adverse environments when we need flexibility to preserve cash.

 

   

Equity compensation aligns employee and shareholder interests.

We drive long-term value creation. Equity compensation is critical to aligning the interests of our employees with those of our shareholders. By making equity a significant portion of our employees’ compensation, we are linking our employees’ compensation to the performance of the Company and their individual performance. Our employees are therefore motivated to conduct the business in a manner that produces superior returns over the long term. We grant equity awards in the form of RSUs that, in contrast to options, expose the award recipient to both the downside and the upside of our stock performance. We believe that this, in part, has driven the long-term value we have created for our shareholders.

 

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The Third Amended 2016 Plan Includes Features Designed to Protect Shareholder Interests.

The requested number of shares to be authorized under the Third Amended 2016 Plan is conservative, and we only request authorization for additional shares as necessary. The Third Amended 2016 Plan does not contain an “evergreen” provision, under which new shares are automatically authorized each year. We have carefully considered the share request to allow the business to run with stability and certainty for approximately two to three years. We believe it is important to revisit equity compensation practices and norms with shareholders on a regular basis, particularly in the current environment, and this interval strikes the right balance for shareholders and Evercore in the current environment.

The Third Amended 2016 Plan does not permit liberal share recycling. Consistent with best practices, we do not recycle shares withheld to satisfy taxes payable upon award settlement or otherwise engage in so-called “liberal share recycling” under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. This means that the number of shares reserved for issuance under the plan is an accurate reflection of the size of the awards we actually issue and is not reduced to exclude the one-third or more of every award that may be withheld to pay taxes. An issuer that does not engage in liberal share recycling will most likely have share utilization that is higher than one that does.

Repricing of options or stock appreciation rights is not permitted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. The Third Amended 2016 Plan guarantees that all options and stock appreciation rights are priced at no less than 100% of the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the grant date. Since repricing is prohibited, these prices remain unchanged regardless of changes in the price of our Class A common stock. Thus consistent with best practices, the Third Amended 2016 Plan does not permit the repricing of “underwater” options and stock appreciation rights.

 

Burn Rate and Dilution Calculations

Traditional burn rate and dilution calculations do not take into account our human capital-based cost structure or our compensation and repurchase practices.

Proxy advisors and many shareholders recognize that certain elements of our structure and practices require changes to traditional burn rate and dilution calculations. For example, due to our UPREIT structure, proxy advisory firms include in their equity grant calculations Evercore LP partnership units, since Evercore LP Class A, Class E, Class I and Class K partnership units are convertible into common stock on a one-to-one basis at the discretion of the holder, do not require the payment of a conversion or exercise price and receive the same dividend payout as common stock. When these partnership units are taken into account, the dilutive effect of our equity-based compensation grants declines.

However, the proxy advisory firms have generally not taken into account our historical practice of offsetting the dilutive effect of equity compensation grants through stock repurchases. Without taking repurchases (a corporate action our shareholders have overwhelmingly supported) into account in determining the dilutive effect of our equity grants, the calculations overstate our burn rate and dilution because, for purposes of the calculations, the total shares outstanding are reduced by stock buybacks, but the shares granted are not. The proxy advisory firms have also compared us to peers who have significantly different cost structures and businesses, and have used dilution calculations that penalize us for having longer vesting periods and granting RSU awards, which we believe result in greater retention. Paying compensation with equity while using cash to repurchase stock puts us in the same economic position as, for example, a manufacturing company that uses its cash to pay compensation and other business costs, but gives us the added benefit of aligning employee and investor interests and permits us to use cash to repurchase shares.

 

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Burn Rate Calculation

See “—Introduction” above (on page 77) for an overview of our grant history and burn rate calculation during the past three years with and without the effect of stock repurchases.

Dilution Calculation

While we believe that burn rate, adjusted to take into account share repurchases, is the best measure of the dilutive effect of annual equity-based compensation, certain proxy advisors and shareholders focus on total potential equity awards that may be made under a plan, together with outstanding unvested awards, as a measure of dilution.

We do not believe this methodology accurately captures the dilutive effect of our annual equity-based compensation because it penalizes us for share repurchases (since share repurchases reduce the amount of the total shares and share equivalents without similarly offsetting the shares issued as part of our equity-based compensation). However, for completeness, below is a summary of the potential dilution associated with the Third Amended 2016 Plan pursuant to such methodology. The Class A Shares and Voting Units listed in the table are as of April 19, 2024.

 

     Share Allocation & 
Potential Dilution 
 

 Requested shares

     6,000,000  

 Shares remaining available under the Second Amended 2016 Plan

     2,566,564  

 Shares reserved under the Second Amended 2016 Plan

     7,379,623  

 Total Potential Unvested Equity Awards

     15,946,187  

 Class A shares outstanding

     38,516,548  

 Voting Units outstanding

     2,573,908  

 Requested shares

     6,000,000  

 Shares remaining available under the Second Amended 2016 Plan

     2,566,564  

 Shares reserved under the Second Amended 2016 Plan

     7,379,623  

 Total Shares and Share Equivalents

     57,036,643  

 Potential Dilution from Third Amended 2016 Plan

     28

 

Description of the Third Amended 2016 Plan

The following description of the Third Amended 2016 Plan is not complete and is qualified by reference to the full text of the Third Amended 2016 Plan, which is attached hereto as Annex B.

Administration. The Compensation Committee of our Board will administer the Third Amended 2016 Plan. The Compensation Committee is composed entirely of “non-employee directors,” as that term is defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and “outside directors,” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Board may also designate another committee of the Board composed of one or more directors, who may also be officers, to administer awards under the Third Amended 2016 Plan to persons other than non- employee directors and officers. In addition, to the extent permitted by Delaware law, the Board may designate a committee of one or more officers to administer certain employee awards under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. If the Board designates a committee described in the preceding two sentences, references herein to the Compensation Committee will apply equally to the designated committee.

Shares Subject to the Third Amended 2016 Plan. The Third Amended 2016 Plan would authorize a total number of 6,000,000 additional shares of our Class A common stock to be issued. Awards with respect to no more than 900,000 shares of our Class A common stock may be issued per year, per participant, in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights or certain

 

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performance-based awards denominated in our Class A common stock. The maximum dollar value payable in respect to performance-based awards valued in cash or with reference to property other than our Class A common stock and granted to any participant in any one calendar year is $15 million.

We will make available the number of shares of our Class A common stock necessary to satisfy the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. The shares of our Class A common stock underlying any award granted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan that expires, terminates or is cancelled or forfeited for any reason will again become available for awards under the Third Amended 2016 Plan.

Eligibility. Employees of the Company or any subsidiary, non-employee directors of the Company, or any other natural person who provides services (other than capital raising services) to the Company or a subsidiary will be eligible to be granted awards under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. As of April 19, 2024, an aggregate of 2,288 persons (including 2,250 employees, 9 non-employee directors and 29 consultants) were eligible to participate in the Third Amended 2016 Plan. The Compensation Committee selects participants for the Third Amended 2016 Plan from among the eligible persons.

Separate Compensation Limits for Non-Employee Directors. Consistent with developing market practice, the Third Amended 2016 Plan imposes annual limits on the aggregate value of compensation granted to any one non-employee director in respect of any calendar year with respect to his or her service as a non-employee director. Under the Third Amended 2016 Plan, the aggregate grant date value of equity awards plus annual cash compensation may not exceed $500,000.

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. The Compensation Committee may award non-qualified or incentive stock options under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. As noted above, the Third Amended 2016 Plan does not permit the repricing of options or stock appreciation rights or the granting of discounted options or stock appreciation rights. Stock options granted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan will become vested and exercisable at such times and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, but an option will generally not be exercisable for a period of more than 10 years after it is granted.

The exercise price per share of our Class A common stock for any stock option awarded will not be less than the fair market value of a share of our Class A common stock on the day the stock option is granted. To the extent permitted by the Compensation Committee, the exercise price of a stock option may be paid in cash or its equivalent; in shares of our Class A common stock having a fair market value equal to the aggregate stock option exercise price and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Compensation Committee; partly in cash and partly in shares of our Class A common stock; or through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell shares of our Class A common stock obtained upon the exercise of the stock option and to deliver promptly to us an amount out of the proceeds of the sale equal to the aggregate stock option exercise price for the shares of our Class A common stock being purchased.

The Compensation Committee may grant stock appreciation rights independent of or in conjunction with a stock option. The exercise price of a stock appreciation right will not be less than the fair market value of a share of our Class A common stock on the date the stock appreciation right is granted; except that, in the case of a stock appreciation right granted in conjunction with a stock option, the exercise price will not be less than the exercise price of the related stock option. Each stock appreciation right granted independent of a stock option shall entitle a participant to receive, upon exercise, an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the fair market value on the exercise date of one share of our Class A common stock over (B) the exercise price per share of our Class A common stock, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of our Class A common stock covered by the stock appreciation right, and each stock appreciation right granted in conjunction with a stock option will entitle a participant to surrender to us the stock option and to receive such amount. Payment will be made in shares of our Class A common stock and/or cash (with any share of our Class A common stock valued at fair market value), as determined by the Compensation Committee.

 

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Other Stock-Based Awards. The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant or sell shares of our Class A common stock and awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on the fair market value of, our Class A common stock. Any of these other stock-based awards may be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Compensation Committee determines, including, without limitation, the right to receive, or vest with respect to, one or more shares of our Class A common stock (or the equivalent cash value of such shares of our Class A common stock) upon the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of performance objectives. The Compensation Committee may in its discretion determine whether other stock-based awards will be payable in cash, shares of our Class A common stock, or a combination of both cash and shares.

Certain stock awards, stock-based awards and non-stock denominated awards may be granted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. Performance goals applicable to such awards may be based upon one or more of the following performance criteria: (i) net income; (ii) operating income; (iii) earnings or book value per share; (iv) stock price; (v) return on equity; (vi) expense management; (vii) return on investment; (viii) improvements in capital structure; (ix) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (x) profit margins; (xi) consolidated earnings before or after taxes (including EBITDA); (xii) return on assets; (xiii) revenues or sales; (xiv) working capital; (xv) market share; (xvi) costs; and (xvii) cash flow. The foregoing criteria may relate to us, one or more of our subsidiaries or one or more of our divisions or units, or any combination of the foregoing, and may be applied on an absolute basis and/or be relative to one or more peer group companies or indices, or any combination thereof, as the Compensation Committee shall determine. The Compensation Committee may specify that any performance goal is to be calculated on an adjusted basis, to exclude extraordinary items. The Compensation Committee shall determine whether, with respect to a performance period, the applicable performance goals have been met with respect to a given participant and, if they have, shall so certify and ascertain the amount of the applicable performance-based award. No performance-based awards will be paid to any participant for a given period of service until the Compensation Committee certifies that the objective performance goals (and any other material terms) applicable to such period have been satisfied. The amount of the performance-based award actually paid to a given participant may be less than the amount determined by the applicable performance goal formula, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

Adjustments upon Certain Events. In the event of any change in the outstanding shares by reason of any share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, transaction, exchange of shares or other corporate exchange, any distribution to shareholders of shares or cash other than regular cash dividends, or any transaction similar to the foregoing, the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any person will make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable, as to (i) the number or kind of shares or other securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Third Amended 2016 Plan or pursuant to outstanding awards, (ii) the maximum number of shares for which performance-based awards denominated in shares, stock options or stock appreciation rights may be granted during a calendar year to any participant, (iii) the option price of any option or exercise price of any stock appreciation right and/or (iv) any other affected terms of such awards.

Change in Control. In the event of a change in control of us (as defined in the Third Amended 2016 Plan), the Third Amended 2016 Plan provides that (i) if determined by the Compensation Committee in the applicable award agreement or otherwise, some or all outstanding awards then held by participants which are unexercisable or otherwise unvested or subject to lapse restrictions shall automatically be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested or no longer subject to lapse restrictions, as the case may be, as of immediately prior to such change in control and (ii) the Compensation Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, (A) cancel some or all awards for fair value, (B) provide for the issuance of substitute awards that will substantially preserve the otherwise applicable terms of some or all affected awards previously granted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, or (C) provide that, with respect to awards that are stock options and/or stock appreciation rights, for a period of at least 15 days prior to the change in control, such awards will be exercisable as to all shares subject thereto and

 

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that upon the occurrence of the change in control, such stock options and/or stock appreciation rights will terminate.

Transferability. Unless otherwise determined by our Compensation Committee, no award granted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan will be transferable or assignable by a participant in the Third Amended 2016 Plan, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

Effectiveness. The Third Amended 2016 Plan will become effective only upon its approval by shareholders and will remain in effect until the tenth anniversary of such approval. Irrespective of whether it is so approved, the 2016 Plan will continue in effect in accordance with its terms.

Amendment and Termination. Our Board may amend or terminate the Third Amended 2016 Plan, but no amendment or termination shall be made (i) without the approval of our shareholders, if such action would, except as permitted in order to adjust the shares as described above under the section “—Adjustments upon Certain Events” on page 83, increase the total number of shares reserved for the purposes of the Third Amended 2016 Plan or increase the annual per participant limit on certain awards under the Third Amended 2016 Plan, or (ii) without the consent of a participant, if such action would diminish any of the rights of the participant under any award previously granted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. However, the Compensation Committee may amend the Third Amended 2016 Plan and/or any outstanding awards in such manner as it deems necessary to permit the Third Amended 2016 Plan and/or any outstanding awards to satisfy applicable requirements of the Code or other applicable laws.

No Repricing. The repricing of options or stock appreciation rights is not permitted without the approval of our shareholders. “Repricing” means changing the terms of an option or stock appreciation right to lower its exercise price (other than on account of a capital adjustment) or any other action that is treated as a “repricing” under generally accepted accounting principles.

Market Value. As of April 19, 2024, the per share closing sale price of Evercore’s Class A common stock on the NYSE was $186.36.

U.S. Income Tax Consequences. The following is a brief summary of the principal U.S. income tax consequences under current law of awards under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does not describe non-U.S., state or local tax consequences or withholding and other payroll tax matters.

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.

The grant of an option or a stock appreciation right will create no federal income tax consequences for the participant or the Company. A participant will not have taxable income upon exercising an option which is an incentive stock option, except that alternative minimum tax may apply. Upon exercising an option which is not an incentive stock option, the participant generally must recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the freely transferable and non-forfeitable shares acquired on the date of exercise. Upon exercising a stock appreciation right, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the cash or the fair market value of the shares received.

Upon a disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option before the end of the applicable incentive stock option holding periods (two years from the date the option was granted and one year from the date the shares were transferred upon the exercise of the option), the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the incentive stock option shares at the date of exercise minus the exercise price or (ii) the amount realized upon the disposition of the incentive stock option shares minus the exercise price. Any gain realized in excess of the fair market value at

 

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the time of exercise will be short or long-term capital gain, as applicable. Upon disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option after the end of the applicable holding periods, no ordinary income is recognized and any gain or loss relative to the option exercise price will be long-term capital gain or loss.

A participant’s sale of shares acquired by exercise of an option that was not an incentive stock option or a stock appreciation right generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the sale price and the tax “basis” in the shares, which generally is the amount he or she recognized as ordinary income in connection with the option’s or stock appreciation right’s exercise.

Restricted Stock.

A participant will generally not recognize federal taxable income when he or she receives a grant of restricted stock, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction, until the stock is transferable by the participant or is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. When the stock is either transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, a participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at that time (less any amounts paid for the shares). Any gain or loss recognized by the participant upon a later disposition of the shares will be capital gain or loss. A participant’s holding period for purposes of determining whether that capital gain or loss is long-term or short-term will be counted from the date the stock became transferable or ceased to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

A participant may elect to recognize ordinary income in the year when the share award is granted in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares subject to the award (less any amounts paid for such shares) at the time of grant, determined without regard to any restrictions. This election is referred to as a Section 83(b) election. In that event, the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction in the same year. Any gain or loss recognized by the participant upon a later disposition of the shares will be capital gain or loss. A participant’s holding period for purposes of determining whether that capital gain or loss is long-term or short-term will be counted from the date of the original transfer to the participant. The participant may not claim a credit for any tax previously paid on stock that is later forfeited.

RSUs.

If a participant is granted a RSU, he or she will not be required to recognize any taxable income at the time of grant. Upon distribution of shares in respect of RSUs, the fair market value of those shares will be taxable to the participant as ordinary income. The subsequent disposition of shares acquired pursuant to a restricted stock unit will result in capital gain or loss based on the difference between the price received on disposition and the participant’s basis in those shares (generally, the market value of the shares at the time of their issuance). A participant’s holding period for purposes of determining whether that capital gain or loss is long-term or short-term will be counted from the date the stock is issued to the participant.

Tax Consequences to Evercore.

Subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, Evercore normally can claim a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as ordinary income by a participant in connection with an award granted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan, but no tax deduction relating to a participant’s capital gains. Accordingly, we will not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect to an incentive stock option if the participant holds the shares for the applicable incentive stock option holding period before selling the shares.

In general, Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly held corporation a federal income tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million per year per person paid to its “covered employees,” subject to certain exceptions. The deductibility limit related to compensation paid to certain covered employees may also apply to any compensation paid by Evercore LP to Evercore’s covered employees, but only to the extent that Evercore allocates a share of the otherwise deductible compensation as a result of its ownership in Evercore LP.

 

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The foregoing provides only a general description of the application of federal income tax laws to certain awards under the Third Amended 2016 Plan. This discussion is intended for the information of shareholders considering how to vote at the Annual Meeting and not as tax guidance to participants in the Third Amended 2016 Plan, as the consequences may vary with the types of awards made, the identity of the recipients and the method of payment or settlement. Different tax rules may apply to variations on transactions that are permitted under the Third Amended 2016 Plan (such as payment of the exercise price of an option by surrender of previously acquired shares). In addition, we reserve the authority to award compensation that may not be fully deductible or deductible at all.

 

New Plan Benefits

The amounts that will be awarded under the Third Amended 2016 Plan cannot currently be determined because awards made by the Compensation Committee are based on several factors, as described above in “Compensation of Named Executives” (on page 43). Simply to illustrate potential future use of the Third Amended 2016 Plan, the following table shows the grant date fair value and number of shares subject to awards that were received by our NEOs, other executive officers, non-employee directors and employees (including senior advisors and consultants) who are not executive officers of Evercore in 2023, pursuant to the Second Amended 2016 Plan. These amounts do not reflect grants made in 2024 for 2023 performance. The awards granted in 2023 would not have changed if the Third Amended 2016 Plan had been in place instead of the First Amended 2016 Plan.

 

Name and Position

   Grant Date
Fair Value(1)
($)
     Number
of Shares
(#)
 

 Roger C. Altman, Founder and Senior Chairman

     3,854,506        28,338  

 John S. Weinberg, Chairman and CEO (Former Co-Chairman and Co-CEO)

     3,340,491        24,559  

 Tim LaLonde, CFO

     2,505,470        18,420  

 Edward S. Hyman, Chairman of Evercore ISI and Vice Chairman of Evercore

     2,107,206        15,492  

 Jason Klurfeld, General Counsel

     1,927,253        14,169  

 Celeste Mellet

             

 Paul Pensa

     503,678        3,703  

 Executive officers as a group (7 individuals)

     14,238,605        104,681  

 Non-employee directors as a group (9 individuals)

     1,451,637        11,757  

 Non-executive officer employees as a group (i.e., all employees, including senior advisors and consultants, other than the executive officers listed in this table)

     322,672,463        2,375,396  

 

  (1)

The amounts in the column under “Grant Date Fair Value” represent the grant date fair value of the awards, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of the awards is based on the average of the high and low trading price of the Class A common stock on the grant date. Totals for groups may not add due to rounding.

 

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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table summarizes Evercore’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023 and does not reflect grants made in 2024 for 2023 performance and other grants made in 2024:

 

Plan Description

   Number of
shares to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
     Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights(1)
     Number
of shares
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (excluding
securities
reflected in
the first
column)(2)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders (Second Amended 2016 Plan)

     5,899,000               5,184,058  

Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders

                    

Total

     5,899,000           5,184,058  

 

  (1)

The only awards presently outstanding are RSUs and similar stock-based awards, which by their nature have no exercise price.

 

  (2)

The figures shown are as of December 31, 2023 and do not reflect, among other things, grants made in 2024 for 2023 performance and other grants made in 2024. As of April 23, 2024 (after giving effect to grants made in 2024 for 2023 performance and other 2024 awards), the number of shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column) was 2,566,564.

 

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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS

FOR 2025 ANNUAL MEETING

In order for a shareholder proposal to be included in our Proxy Statement to be issued in connection with our 2025 Annual Meeting, that proposal must be received by our Corporate Secretary no later than December 27, 2024 (which is 120 calendar days before the anniversary of the date this Proxy Statement was first mailed to shareholders).

In addition to including a proposal in our proxy materials, eligible shareholders may wish to submit director nominations and other proposals at the 2025 Annual Meeting. In order for such director nominations and other proposals to be deemed timely, such director nominations and other proposals must be received by our Corporate Secretary (A) no earlier than February 18, 2025 and no later than March 20, 2025 or (B) in the event that our 2025 Annual Meeting of stockholders is held prior to May 29, 2025 or after August 27, 2025, notice by the shareholder must be so received no earlier than the 120th day prior to such Annual Meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such Annual Meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the Annual Meeting is first made, and, in each case, must satisfy the notification, timeliness, consent and information requirements set forth in our Amended and Restated Bylaws.

In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, to comply with universal proxy rules, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than April 19, 2025.

HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

Some banks, brokers and other holders of record may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our proxy materials may have been sent to multiple shareholders in your household. If you want to receive separate copies of our proxy materials in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, you should contact your bank, broker or other holder of record, or you may contact the Corporate Secretary. See “How can I contact our Corporate Secretary?” for information on how to contact the Corporate Secretary.

OTHER MATTERS

Our Board does not know of any other matters that are to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. Should any other matter arise at the Annual Meeting, however, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect to such matters in accordance with their judgment.

 

   BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  LOGO
 

 

 Jason Klurfeld

 Corporate Secretary

Dated: April 26, 2024

 

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GLOSSARY OF KEY DEFINED TERMS

 

2006 Plan

  

Amended and Restated 2006 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan

2016 Plan

  

2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of June 15, 2016

2025 Annual Meeting

  

2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Alliance

  

Alliance Advisors LLC

Annual Meeting

  

2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Annual Report

  

Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

Beneficial owner

  

Shareholder of shares held in street name through a bank, broker or other holder of record

BlackRock

  

BlackRock, Inc.

Board

  

Board of Directors of Evercore

Broker non-vote

  

When the beneficial owner of stock held in street name does not provide the broker voting instructions with respect to proposals that are considered non-discretionary under current NYSE rules

Code

  

Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

Company

  

Evercore Inc.

Deloitte

  

Deloitte & Touche LLP

EPS

  

Earnings Per Share

ESG

  

Environmental, Social and Governance

Evercore

  

Evercore Inc.

EWM

  

Evercore Wealth Management, LLC

Exchange Act

  

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

FASB ASC Topic 718

  

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation

First Amended 2016 Plan

  

Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of June 16, 2020

Form 10-K

  

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

GCP II

  

Glisco Capital Partners II, L.P., formerly Evercore Mexico Partners II, L.P.

Glisco

  

Glisco Partners, Inc.

Glisco II

  

Glisco Partners II, L.P., formerly Evercore Mexico Capital Partners II, L.P.

Glisco III

  

Glisco Partners III, L.P., formerly Evercore Mexico Capital Partners III, L.P.

IPO

  

Evercore’s 2006 initial public offering

ISI

  

International Strategy & Investment Group

Lehman Brothers

  

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.

Mexico Private Equity Funds

  

Glisco II and Glisco III

MIT

  

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

 

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NEO

  

Named Executive Officer

Notice

  

Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

NYSE

  

New York Stock Exchange

Partnership Agreement

  

Seventh Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement of Evercore LP, as amended

RSUs

  

Restricted stock units

Say on Pay

  

Non-binding, advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation

SEC

  

Securities and Exchange Commission

Second Amended 2016 Plan

  

2022 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of June 16, 2022

Securities Act

  

Securities Act of 1933, as amended

Simpson Thacher

  

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

SMD

  

Senior Managing Director

Street name

  

Shares held through a bank, broker or other holder of record

Third Amended 2016 Plan

  

2024 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, effective immediately upon approval by our shareholders

Trilantic

  

Trilantic Capital Partners

Trilantic IV

  

Trilantic Capital Partners Associates IV L.P.

Trilantic V

  

Trilantic Capital Partners Associates V L.P.

Trilantic Funds

  

Trilantic IV and Trilantic V

TSR

  

Total Shareholder Return

UPREIT

  

Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Investment Trust

U.S. GAAP or GAAP

  

Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America

Vanguard

  

The Vanguard Group

Voting Units

  

Evercore LP Class A, Class E, Class I, and Class K limited partnership units.

 

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ANNEX A: U.S. GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

This Proxy Statement includes certain adjusted measures that are calculated on a non-GAAP basis. We believe that these measures are useful to compare our results across several periods and facilitate an understanding of our operating results. We use these measures to evaluate our operating performance, and the Compensation Committee uses Adjusted measures as part of its assessment of the performance of our NEOs. These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which are included in the reconciliations below. The U.S. GAAP and Adjusted results present the continuing operations of the Company.

U.S. GAAP RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED RESULTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
     2023     2022     2021     2020  

Net Revenues – U.S. GAAP

    $  2,425,949     $  2,762,048     $  3,289,499     $  2,263,905  

Income from Equity Method Investments (1)

     6,655       7,999       14,161       14,398  

Interest Expense on Debt (2)

     16,717       16,850       17,586       18,197  

Gain on Sale of Interests in ABS (3)

     -       (1,294     -       -  

Gain on Redemption of G5 Debt Security (4)

     -       -       (4,374     -  

Mexico Transition – Net Loss on Sale of ECB Businesses (5)

     -       -       -       3,441  

Mexico Transition – Release of Foreign Exchange Losses (6)

     -       -       -       27,365  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Revenues – Adjusted

    $ 2,449,321     $ 2,785,603     $ 3,316,872     $ 2,327,306  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Income – U.S. GAAP

    $ 359,135     $ 696,042     $ 1,102,438     $ 526,433  

Income from Equity Method Investments (1)

     6,655       7,999       14,161       14,398  

Interest Expense on Debt (2)

     16,717       16,850       17,586       18,197  

Gain on Sale of Interests in ABS (3)

     -       (1,294     -       -  

Gain on Redemption of G5 Debt Security (4)

     -       -       (4,374     -  

Mexico Transition – Net Loss on Sale of ECB Businesses (5)

     -       -       -       3,441  

Mexico Transition – Release of Foreign Exchange Losses (6)

     -       -       -       27,365  

Intangible Asset Amortization / Other Purchase Accounting-related Amortization (7)

     -       -       -       1,183  

Amortization of LP Units and Certain Other Awards (9)

     -       -       -       1,067  

Special Charges, Including Business Realignment Costs (10)

     2,921       3,126       8,554       46,645  

Acquisition and Transition Costs (11)

     -       -       7       562  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Income – Adjusted

    $ 385,428     $ 722,723     $ 1,138,372     $ 639,291  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to Evercore Inc. – U.S. GAAP

    $ 255,479     $ 476,520     $ 740,116     $ 350,574  

Gain on Sale of Interests in ABS (3)

     -       (1,294     -       -  

Gain on Redemption of G5 Debt Security (4)

     -       -       (4,374     -  

Mexico Transition – Net Loss on Sale of ECB Businesses (5)

     -       -       -       3,441  

Mexico Transition – Release of Foreign Exchange Losses (6)

     -       -       -       27,365  

Intangible Asset Amortization / Other Purchase Accounting-related Amortization (7)

     -       -       -       1,183  

Income Taxes (8)

     (5,739     (108     (18,602     (29,731

Amortization of LP Units and Certain Other Awards (9)

     -       -       -       1,067  

Special Charges, Including Business Realignment Costs (10)

     2,921       3,126       8,554       46,645  

Acquisition and Transition Costs (11)

     -       -       7       562  

Noncontrolling Interest (12)

     24,263       50,502       117,484       58,489  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to Evercore Inc. – Adjusted

    $ 276,924     $ 528,746     $ 843,185     $ 459,595  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted Shares Outstanding – U.S. GAAP

     40,099       41,037       43,321       42,623  

LP Units (13)

     2,769       2,970       4,854       5,126  

Unvested Restricted Stock Units – Event Based (13)

     12       12       12       12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted Shares Outstanding – Adjusted

     42,880       44,019       48,187       47,761  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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     Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
     2023     2022     2021     2020  

Key Metrics: (a)

        

Diluted Earnings Per Share – U.S. GAAP

   $ 6.37     $ 11.61     $ 17.08     $ 8.22  

Diluted Earnings Per Share – Adjusted

   $ 6.46     $ 12.01     $ 17.50     $ 9.62  

Operating Margin – U.S. GAAP

     14.8     25.2     33.5     23.3

Operating Margin – Adjusted

     15.7     25.9     34.3     27.5

 

  (a)

Reconciliations of the key metrics from U.S. GAAP to Adjusted results are a derivative of the reconciliations of their components.

 

  1.

Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments has been reclassified to Revenue in the Adjusted presentation.

 

  2.

Interest Expense on Debt is excluded from Net Revenues and presented below Operating Income in the Adjusted results and is included in Interest Expense on a U.S. GAAP Basis.

 

  3.

The gain on the sale of a portion of the Company’s interests in ABS in the first quarter of 2022 is excluded from the Adjusted presentation.

 

  4.

The gain resulting from the redemption of the G5 debt security in the second quarter of 2021 is excluded from the Adjusted presentation.

 

  5.

The net loss resulting from the gain on the sale of the ECB Trust business and the loss on the sale of the remaining ECB business in the third and fourth quarters of 2020, respectively, is excluded from the Adjusted presentation.

 

  6.

Release of cumulative foreign exchange losses in the fourth quarter of 2020 resulting from the sale and wind-down of our businesses in Mexico are excluded from the Adjusted presentation.

 

  7.

The exclusion from the Adjusted presentation of expenses associated with amortization of intangible assets and other purchase accounting-related amortization from the acquisition of ISI and certain other acquisitions.

 

  8.

Evercore is organized as a series of Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships, C-Corporations and a Public Corporation in the U.S. as the ultimate parent. Certain of the subsidiaries, particularly Evercore LP, have noncontrolling interests held by management or former members of management. As a result, not all of the Company’s income is subject to corporate level taxes and certain other state and local taxes are levied. The assumption in the Adjusted earnings presentation is that substantially all of the noncontrolling interest is eliminated through the exchange of Evercore LP units into Class A common stock of the ultimate parent. As a result, the Adjusted earnings presentation assumes that the allocation of earnings to Evercore LP’s noncontrolling interest holders is substantially eliminated and is therefore subject to statutory tax rates of a C-Corporation under a conventional tax structure in the U.S. and that certain state and local taxes are reduced accordingly.

 

  9.

Expenses, or reversal of expenses, incurred from the vesting of Class E and J LP Units issued in conjunction with the acquisition of ISI are excluded from the Adjusted presentation.

 

  10.

Expenses during 2023 that are excluded from the Adjusted presentation relate to the write-off of non-recoverable assets in connection with the wind-down of the Company’s operations in Mexico. Expenses during 2022 that are excluded from the Adjusted presentation relate to charges associated with the prepayment of the Company’s Series B Notes during the second quarter, as well as certain professional fees, separation benefits and other charges related to the wind-down of the Company’s operations in Mexico. Expenses during 2021 that are excluded from the Adjusted presentation relate to the write-down of certain assets associated with a legacy private equity investment relationship which, consistent with the Company’s investment strategy, the Company decided to wind down during the third quarter. Expenses during 2020 that are excluded from the Adjusted presentation relate to separation and transition benefits and related costs as a result of the Company’s review of its operations and the acceleration of depreciation expense for leasehold improvements and certain other fixed assets in conjunction with the expansion of our headquarters in New York and our business realignment initiatives, as well as charges related to the impairment of assets resulting from the wind-down of our Mexico business.

 

  11.

The exclusion from the Adjusted presentation of professional fees incurred and costs related to transitioning acquisitions or divestitures.

 

  12.

Reflects an adjustment to eliminate noncontrolling interest related to substantially all Evercore LP partnership units which are assumed to be converted to Class A common stock in the Adjusted presentation.

 

  13.

Assumes the vesting, and exchange into Class A shares, of substantially all Evercore LP Units and IPO related restricted stock unit awards in the Adjusted presentation. In the computation of outstanding common stock equivalents for U.S. GAAP net income per share, the Evercore LP Units are anti-dilutive.

 

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ANNEX B: THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED 2016 EVERCORE INC. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED 2016 EVERCORE INC.

STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

(As Amended and Restated Effective June 18, 2024)

 

1.

Purpose of the Plan; Effect on Prior Plan

 

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to aid the Company and its Affiliates in recruiting and retaining key employees, directors or other persons of outstanding ability to provide services to the Company or its Affiliates and to motivate such persons to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company and its Affiliates by providing incentives through the granting of Awards. The Company expects that it will benefit from the added interest which such persons will have in the welfare of the Company as a result of their proprietary interest in the Company’s success.

 

(b)

Effect on Prior Plan. The Plan amends and restates the Prior Plan. The Plan replaces the Prior Plan for Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, but does not affect the terms or conditions of any outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plan prior to the Effective Date.

 

2.

Definitions

The following capitalized terms used in the Plan have the respective meanings set forth in this Section:

 

(a)

Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto.

 

(b)

Affiliate: With respect to a specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person.

 

(c)

Award: An Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Award granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(d)

Beneficial Owner: A “beneficial owner”, as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act (or any successor rule thereto).

 

(e)

Board: The Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(f)

Change in Control: The occurrence of any of the following: (1) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the General Partner or the Partnership to any Person if any Person or affiliated group of Persons (other than the General Partner, a Founding Limited Partner or any of their respective Affiliates) will be, immediately following the consummation of such transaction or transactions, the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding securities or voting securities of such Person; (2) the dissolution of the General Partner or the Partnership (other than by way of merger, consolidation or a reorganization transaction); (3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation or a reorganization transaction) the result of which is that any Person or affiliated group of Persons (other than the General Partner, a Founding Limited Partner or any of their respective Affiliates) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding Partnership Units and/or more than 50% of the voting power of the General Partner’s voting securities; or (4) the consummation of any transaction subject to Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

(g)

Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto.

 

(h)

Committee: The Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

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(i)

Company: Evercore Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(j)

Control (including the terms “Controlled by” and “under common Control with”): The possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise, including, without limitation, the ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar body governing the affairs of such Person.

 

(k)

Director: A member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of a consolidated subsidiary of the Company.

 

(l)

Disability: Inability of a Participant to perform in all material respects his duties and responsibilities to the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity which inability is reasonably expected to be permanent and has continued (i) for a period of six consecutive months or (ii) such shorter period as the Committee may reasonably determine in good faith. The Disability determination shall be in the sole discretion of the Committee and a Participant (or his representative) shall furnish the Committee with medical evidence documenting the Participant’s disability or infirmity which is satisfactory to the Committee.

 

(m)

Effective Date: June 18, 2024 or such later date this Plan is duly approved by the stockholders of the Company.

 

(n)

Employment: (i) A Participant’s employment, if the Participant is an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (ii) a Participant’s services, if the Participant is engaged in the performance of services for the Company or its Affiliates as a non- employee member of the Board or in any other bona fide capacity.

 

(o)

Fair Market Value: On a given date, (i) if there should be a public market for the Shares on such date, the arithmetic mean of the high and low prices of the Shares as reported on such date on the Composite Tape of the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading, or, if the Shares are not listed or admitted on any national securities exchange, the arithmetic mean of the per Share closing bid price and per Share closing asked price on such date as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (or such market in which such prices are regularly quoted) (the “NASDAQ”), or, if no sale of Shares shall have been reported on the Composite Tape of any national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ on such date, then the immediately preceding date on which sales of the Shares have been so reported or quoted shall be used, and (ii) if there should not be a public market for the Shares on such date, the Fair Market Value shall be the value established by the Committee in good faith.

 

(p)

Founding Limited Partner: Each of Mr. Roger C. Altman, Mr. Austin M. Beutner and Mr. Pedro Aspe.

 

(q)

General Partner: The Company or any successor general partner admitted to the Partnership in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement.

 

(r)

ISO: An Option that is also an incentive stock option granted pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Plan.

 

(s)

LSAR: A limited stock appreciation right granted pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Plan.

 

(t)

Other Stock-Based Awards: Awards granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.

 

(u)

Option: A stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.

 

(v)

Option Price: The purchase price per Share of an Option, as determined pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Plan.

 

(w)

Participant: Employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parent Corporation (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code (or any successor section thereto)), including Directors, will be eligible to

 

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  receive Awards hereunder. For this purpose, “employee” will have the same meaning as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or any successor to such instructions or such form). Any such person selected by the Committee to participate in this Plan will be known as a Participant.

 

(x)

Partnership: Evercore LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

 

(y)

Partnership Agreement: The Seventh Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Evercore LP, dated as of November 1, 2017 and as amended as of April 30, 2021 and from time to time.

 

(z)

Performance-Based Awards: Certain Other Stock-Based Awards granted pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Plan.

 

(aa)

Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated or governmental organization or any agency or political subdivision thereof).

 

(bb)

Plan: This Third Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of the Effective Date, as may be further amended from time to time.

 

(cc)

Prior Plan: The Second Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, effective June 16, 2022.

 

(dd)

Restricted Stock: An award of Shares which are subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

 

(ee)

Shares: Shares of Class A common stock of the Company.

 

(ff)

Stock Appreciation Right: A stock appreciation right granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan.

 

(gg)

Subsidiary: A subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code (or any successor section thereto).

 

3.

Shares Subject to the Plan

 

(a)

Shares Available for Issuance. The total number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan is 6,000,000, plus any Shares remaining available for grant under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date (including pursuant to the operation of Section 3(b) thereof). The Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of unissued Shares or treasury Shares.

 

(b)

Shares Added Back to Reserve. If and to the extent an Option or Stock Appreciation Right expires, terminates or is canceled or forfeited for any reason without having been exercised in full, the Shares subject to that Award will again become available for grant under the Plan. Similarly, if and to the extent any Other Stock-Based Award is canceled, forfeited or terminated for any reason, the Shares subject to that Award will again become available for grant under the Plan.

 

(c)

Shares Not Added Back to Reserve. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3, including Section 3(b) above, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares available for grant under the Plan: (i) Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option under the Plan, or, after the Effective Date, in payment of the exercise price of an option under the Prior Plan; (ii) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award under the Plan, or, after the Effective Date, to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an award under the Prior Plan; (iii) Shares subject to a SAR under the Plan, or, after the Effective Date, a stock appreciation right under the Prior Plan, that are not issued in connection with the settlement of such stock appreciation rights on exercise thereof; or (iv) Shares purchased on the open market or otherwise with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options under the Plan, or, after the Effective Date, from the exercise of options under the Prior Plan.

 

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4.

Administration; Interpretation

 

(a)

Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall consist of at least two individuals who are intended to qualify as “Non-Employee Directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Act (or any successor rule thereto) and “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section thereto). However, the Board may also delegate to any committee of the Board, which committee may include one or more members of the Board who are also officers of the Corporation, the authority to grant Awards under the Plan to Participants who are neither Non-Employee Directors nor “officers” of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Act. Similarly, the Board may also delegate the authority to grant Awards under the Plan to a committee of one or more officers of the Company, who need not be members of the Board, to the extent and in the manner permitted by Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (or any successor statute or rule). With respect to Awards granted by the above-described delegates, references herein to the “Committee” will also be deemed to include the delegate. Subject to Section 16, Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be made under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by the Company or its Affiliates or a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines. Subject to Section 3(b), the number of Shares underlying such substitute awards shall be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan.

 

(b)

Interpretation. The Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and to make any other determinations that it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable. Any decision of the Committee in the interpretation and administration of the Plan, as described herein, shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion and shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned (including, but not limited to, Participants and their beneficiaries or successors).

 

(c)

Terms of Awards. The Committee shall have the full power and authority to establish the terms and conditions of any Award consistent with the provisions of the Plan and to waive any such terms and conditions at any time (including, without limitation, accelerating or waiving any vesting conditions).

 

(d)

Withholding Taxes. The Committee shall require payment of any amount it may determine to be necessary to withhold for federal, state, local or other taxes as a result of the exercise, grant or vesting of an Award. Unless the Committee specifies otherwise, the Participant may elect to pay a portion or all of such withholding taxes by (a) delivery in Shares or (b) having Shares with a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount of such withholding taxes withheld by the Company from any Shares that would have otherwise been received by the Participant.

 

5.

Limitations

 

(a)

No Award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.

 

(b)

The maximum number of Shares for which Performance-Based Awards denominated in Shares, Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted during a calendar year to any Participant shall be 900,000.

 

(c)

The maximum dollar value payable with respect to Performance-Based Awards that are valued in cash or with reference to property other than Shares and granted to any Participant in any one calendar year is $15,000,000.

 

(d)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the aggregate value of (i) any cash compensation received from the Company or an Affiliate by any Director who is not also an employee of the Company or an Affiliate for

 

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  services to the Company, plus (ii) any Awards, determined based on the grant date Fair Market Value of such Award(s) granted to any such Director, may not exceed $500,000 in any calendar year.

 

6.

Terms and Conditions of Options

Options granted under the Plan shall be, as determined by the Committee, non-qualified or incentive stock options for federal income tax purposes, as evidenced by the related Award agreements, and shall be subject to the foregoing and the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent therewith, as the Committee shall determine:

 

(a)

Option Price. The Option Price per Share shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date an Option is granted.

 

(b)

Exercisability. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee, but in no event shall an Option be exercisable more than ten years after the date it is granted.

 

(c)

Exercise of Options. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in an Award agreement, an Option may be exercised for all, or from time to time any part, of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. For purposes of Section 6 of the Plan, the exercise date of an Option shall be the later of the date a notice of exercise is received by the Company and, if applicable, the date payment is received by the Company pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) in the following sentence. The purchase price for the Shares as to which an Option is exercised shall be paid to the Company in full at the time of exercise at the election of the Participant (i) in cash or its equivalent (e.g., by check), (ii) to the extent permitted by the Committee, in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price for the Shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided, that such Shares have been held by the Participant for no less than six months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles), (iii) partly in cash and, to the extent permitted by the Committee, partly in such Shares, or (iv) if there is a public market for the Shares at such time, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell Shares obtained upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount out of the proceeds of such Sale equal to the aggregate Option Price for the Shares being purchased. No Participant shall have any rights to dividends or other rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has given written notice of exercise of the Option, paid in full for such Shares and, if applicable, has satisfied any other conditions imposed by the Committee pursuant to the Plan.

 

(d)

ISOs. The Committee may grant Options under the Plan that are intended to be ISOs. ISOs may be granted with respect to all the shares reserved for issuance under this Plan. Such ISOs shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor section thereto). No ISO may be granted to any Participant who at the time of such grant, owns more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary, unless (i) the Option Price for such ISO is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the ISO is granted and (ii) the date on which such ISO terminates is a date not later than the day preceding the fifth anniversary of the date on which the ISO is granted. Any Participant who disposes of Shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO either (i) within two years after the date of grant of such ISO or (ii) within one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant, shall notify the Company of such disposition and of the amount realized upon such disposition. All Options granted under the Plan are intended to be nonqualified stock options, unless the applicable Award agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an ISO. If an Option is intended to be an ISO, and if for any reason such Option (or portion thereof) shall not qualify as an ISO, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a nonqualified stock option granted under the Plan; provided that such Option (or potion thereof) otherwise complies with the Plan’s requirements relating to nonqualified stock options. In no event shall any member of the Committee, the

 

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  Company or any of its Affiliates (or their respective employees, officers or directors) have any liability to any Participant (or any other Person) due to the failure of an Option to qualify for any reason as an ISO.

 

(e)

Attestation. Wherever in this Plan or any agreement evidencing an Award a Participant is permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by delivering Shares, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to the Committee, satisfy such delivery requirement by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such Shares, in which case the Company shall treat the Option as exercised without further payment and shall withhold such number of Shares from the Shares otherwise issuable upon the exercise of the Option.

 

7.

Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights

 

(a)

Grants. The Committee also may grant (i) a Stock Appreciation Right independent of an Option or (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right in connection with an Option, or a portion thereof. A Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence (A) may be granted at the time the related Option is granted or at any time prior to the exercise or cancellation of the related Option, (B) shall cover the same number of Shares covered by an Option (or such lesser number of Shares as the Committee may determine) and (C) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as such Option except for such additional limitations as are contemplated by this Section 7 (or such additional limitations as may be included in an Award agreement).

 

(b)

Terms. The exercise price per Share of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be an amount determined by the Committee but in no event shall such amount be less than the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in conjunction with an Option, or a portion thereof, the Option Price of the related Option and (ii) the minimum amount permitted by applicable laws, rules, by-laws or policies of regulatory authorities or stock exchanges. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted independent of an Option shall entitle a Participant upon exercise to an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date of one Share over (B) the exercise price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right, times (ii) the number of Shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted in conjunction with an Option, or a portion thereof, shall entitle a Participant to surrender to the Company the unexercised Option, or any portion thereof, and to receive from the Company in exchange therefore an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date over (B) the Option Price per Share, times (ii) the number of Shares covered by the Option, or portion thereof, which is surrendered. The date a notice of exercise is received by the Company shall be the exercise date. Payment shall be made in Shares or in cash, or partly in Shares and partly in cash (any such Shares valued at such Fair Market Value), all as shall be determined by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised from time to time upon actual receipt by the Company of written notice of exercise stating the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. No fractional Shares will be issued in payment for Stock Appreciation Rights, but instead cash will be paid for a fraction or, if the Committee should so determine, the number of Shares will be rounded downward to the next whole Share.

 

(c)

Limitations. The Committee may impose, in its discretion, such conditions upon the exercisability or transferability of Stock Appreciation Rights as it may deem fit.

 

(d)

Limited Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant LSARs that are exercisable upon the occurrence of specified contingent events. Such LSARs may provide for a different method of determining appreciation, may specify that payment will be made only in cash and may provide that any related Awards are not exercisable while such LSARs are exercisable. Unless the context otherwise requires, whenever the term “Stock Appreciation Right” is used in the Plan, such term shall include LSARs.

 

8.

Other Stock-Based Awards

 

(a)

Generally. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant or sell Awards of Shares, Awards of Restricted Stock and Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on the Fair

 

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  Market Value of, Shares (“Other Stock-Based Awards”). Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive, or vest with respect to, one or more Shares (or the equivalent cash value of such Shares) upon the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted alone or in addition to any other Awards granted under the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall determine to whom and when Other Stock-Based Awards will be made, the number of Shares to be awarded under (or otherwise related to) such Other Stock-Based Awards; whether such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares; and all other terms and conditions of such Awards (including, without limitation, the vesting provisions thereof and provisions ensuring that all Shares so awarded and issued shall be fully paid and non-assessable).

 

(b)

Performance-Based Awards. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, certain Other Stock-Based Awards granted under this Section 8 may be granted in a manner intended to satisfy the requirements for treatment as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section thereto) (“Performance-Based Awards”). A Participant’s Performance-Based Award shall be determined based on the attainment of written performance goals approved by the Committee for a performance period established by the Committee (i) while the outcome for that performance period is substantially uncertain and (ii) no more than 90 days after the commencement of the performance period to which the performance goal relates or, if less, the number of days which is equal to 25 percent of the relevant performance period. The performance goals, which must be objective, shall be based upon one or more of the following criteria: (i) consolidated earnings before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (ii) net income; (iii) operating income; (iv) earnings per Share; (v) book value per Share; (vi) return on stockholders’ equity; (vii) expense management; (viii) return on investment; (ix) improvements in capital structure; (x) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (xi) maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (xii) stock price; (xiii) market share; (xiv) revenues or sales; (xv) costs; (xvi) cash flow; (xvii) working capital and (xviii) return on assets. The foregoing criteria may relate to the Company, one or more of its Subsidiaries or one or more of its divisions or units, or any combination of the foregoing, and may be applied on an absolute basis and/or be relative to one or more peer group companies or indices, or any combination thereof, all as the Committee shall determine. In addition, to the degree consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section thereto), the performance goals may be calculated without regard to extraordinary items. The Committee shall determine whether, with respect to a performance period, the applicable performance goals have been met with respect to a given Participant and, if they have, to so certify and ascertain the amount of the applicable Performance-Based Award. No Performance-Based Awards will be paid for such performance period until such certification is made by the Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based Award actually paid to a given Participant may be less than the amount determined by the applicable performance goal formula, at the discretion of the Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based Award determined by the Committee for a performance period shall be paid to the Participant at such time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion after the end of such performance period; provided, however, that a Participant may, if and to the extent permitted by the Committee and consistent with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, elect to defer payment of a Performance-Based Award.

 

9.

Adjustments Upon Certain Events

Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted under the Plan:

 

(a)

Generally. In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares after the Effective Date by reason of any Share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, combination or transaction or exchange of Shares or other corporate exchange, or any distribution to stockholders of Shares or cash other than regular cash dividends or any transaction similar to the foregoing, the Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any person shall make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to

 

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  be equitable, as to (i) the number or kind of Shares or other securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan or pursuant to outstanding Awards, (ii) the maximum number of Shares for which Performance-Based Awards denominated in Shares, Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted during a calendar year to any Participant, (iii) the Option Price of any Option or exercise price of any Stock Appreciation Right and/or (iv) any other affected terms of such Awards.

 

(b)

Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control after the Effective Date, (i) if determined by the Committee in the applicable Award agreement or otherwise, some or all outstanding Awards then held by Participants which are unexercisable or otherwise unvested or subject to lapse restrictions shall automatically be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested or no longer subject to lapse restrictions, as the case may be, as of immediately prior to such Change in Control and (ii) the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, (A) cancel some or all Awards for fair value (as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee) which, in the case of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, may equal the excess, if any, of value of the consideration to be paid in the Change in Control transaction to holders of the same number of Shares subject to such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (or, if no consideration is paid in any such transaction, the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights) over the aggregate exercise price of such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (B) provide for the issuance of substitute Awards that will substantially preserve the otherwise applicable terms of some or all affected Awards previously granted hereunder, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and/or (C) provide that, for a period of at least 15 days prior to the Change in Control, some or all Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable as to all the Shares subject thereto and that, upon the occurrence of the Change in Control, such Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.

 

10.

No Right to Employment or Awards

The granting of an Award under the Plan shall impose no obligation on the Company or any Subsidiary to continue the Employment of a Participant and shall not lessen or affect the Company’s or Subsidiary’s right to terminate the Employment of such Participant. No Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant (whether or not such Participants are similarly situated).

 

11.

Successors and Assigns

The Plan shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company and each Participant, including without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate, or any receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or representative of the Participant’s creditors.

 

12.

Nontransferability of Awards

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, an Award shall not be transferable or assignable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. An Award exercisable after the death of a Participant may be exercised by the legatees, personal representatives or distributees of the Participant.

 

13.

Amendments or Termination

The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made, (a) without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, if such action would (except as is provided in Section 9 of the Plan), increase the total number of Shares reserved for the purposes of the Plan or change the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted to any Participant or (b) without the consent of a Participant, if such action would diminish any of the rights of the

 

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Participant under any Award theretofore granted to such Participant under the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may amend the Plan in such manner as it deems necessary to permit the granting of Awards meeting the requirements of the Code or other applicable laws.

 

14.

International Participants

With respect to Participants who reside or work outside the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board may, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of the Plan or Awards with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law. The approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company includes authorization for the Board to adopt foreign participant terms and to grant Awards under such foreign participant terms, until no later than six years following the Effective Date.

 

15.

Choice of Law

The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws.

 

16.

No Repricing

The repricing of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall not be permitted without the approval of the stockholders of the Company. For this purpose, a “repricing” means changing the terms of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right to lower its exercise price, any other action that is treated as a “repricing” under generally accepted accounting principles or any other action that has the same effect as the foregoing, and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, any cancellation in conjunction with the grant of a new Option, SAR or other Award or repurchase for cash or other consideration in a manner that has the effect of reducing the exercise price.

 

17.

Effectiveness of the Plan

The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

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LOGO

EVERCORE INC. ATTN: JASON KLURFELD, CORP. SEC. 55 EAST 52ND STREET NEW YORK, NY 10055 SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE w VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting—Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 17, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. During The Meeting—Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EVR2024 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE—1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 17, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, so that it is received no later than June 17, 2024. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: V47564-P10928 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY EVERCORE INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors Nominees: For Against Abstain 1a. Roger C. Altman ! ! ! 1b. Pamela G. Carlton ! ! ! The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the For Against Abstain following proposals: 1c. Ellen V. Futter ! ! ! 2. To approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation ! ! ! of our Named Executive Officers. 1d. Gail B. Harris ! ! ! 3. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our ! ! ! independent registered public accounting firm for 2024. 1e. Robert B. Millard ! ! ! 4. Approval of the Third Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. ! ! ! Stock Incentive Plan. 1f. Willard J. Overlock, Jr. ! ! ! NOTE: In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or 1g. Sir Simon M. Robertson ! ! ! any adjournment or postponement thereof. 1h. John S. Weinberg ! ! ! 1i. William J. Wheeler ! ! ! 1j. Sarah K. Williamson ! ! ! Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date


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LOGO

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. V47565-P10928 EVERCORE INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders June 18, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Local Time This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Jason Klurfeld and John S. Weinberg, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of EVERCORE INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 9:00 a.m., Local Time on June 18, 2024, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EVR2024, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. The stockholder(s) acknowledge(s) receipt with this proxy of a copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report describing more fully the matters set forth herein. Continued and to be signed on reverse side