UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement
Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Ebix, 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):
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
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Ebix, Inc.
1 Ebix Way
Johns Creek, Georgia
30097
(Address of principal
executive offices)
March 18, 2016
Dear Stockholder:
On behalf of our Board of Directors, I cordially
invite you to the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Ebix, Inc., to be held at 9:00 a.m.,
Eastern Daylight Time, on Friday, April 29, 2016, at Embassy Suites Alpharetta, located at 5955 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta,
GA 30022.
The business of the Annual Meeting is described
in detail in the attached notice of meeting and proxy statement. Also included is a proxy card and postage paid return envelope.
It is important that your shares are represented
and voted at the Annual Meeting, regardless of the size of your holdings. Whether or not you plan to attend, please complete and
return the enclosed proxy or vote over the telephone or internet, as applicable, to ensure that your shares will be represented
at the Annual Meeting. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may withdraw your proxy by voting in person.
Sincerely,
Robin Raina
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
EBIX, INC.
1 EBIX WAY
JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA
30097
NOTICE OF 2016
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
April 29, 2016
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF EBIX, INC.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that
the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Ebix, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held
at Embassy Suites Alpharetta, located at 5955 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time,
on Friday, April 29, 2016, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the following purposes:
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To elect the eight directors identified in the accompanying proxy statement to serve until
the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified; |
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To ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent registered public accounting
firm for the year ending December 31, 2016; |
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To approve our Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan to qualify for tax deductibility
as performance-based compensation under IRS Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code; |
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To approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers;
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
or postponement thereof. |
Only stockholders at the close of business
on March 11, 2016, the record date, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
Whether or not you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided or vote over the telephone
or internet, as applicable.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Robin Raina
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: March 18, 2016
EBIX, INC.
1 EBIX WAY
JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA
30097
(678) 281-2020
PROXY STATEMENT
2016 ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
April 29, 2016
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
| Q: | Why am I
being asked to review these materials? |
| A: | Ebix, Inc. (“Ebix,” the “Company”
or “we”) is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Ebix Board of Directors (the “Board”) for
use at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Company’s Stockholders (the “Annual
Meeting”). The Annual Meeting will take place at Embassy Suites Alpharetta, located
at 5955 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time,
on Friday, April 29, 2016. Stockholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and
are requested to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. It is anticipated
that this proxy statement and the form of proxy solicited on behalf of our Board of Directors
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and mailed
to our stockholders on or about March 18, 2016. |
| Q: | What information
is contained in these materials? |
| A: | The information included in this proxy statement relates
to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation
of certain of our most highly paid executive officers and our directors, and certain
other required information. Our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes our audited
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, is also being
furnished with this proxy statement. |
| Q: | What does
it mean if I received more than one proxy or voting instruction form? |
| A: | It means that your shares are registered differently or are
in more than one account. Please provide voting instructions for each proxy you receive
to help ensure that all of your shares are voted. |
| Q: | On what
proposals will Ebix stockholders vote at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | There are three proposals to be considered and voted on at
the Annual Meeting. The proposals to be voted on are as follows: |
| · | Proposal
1 — To elect eight directors, each to hold office for a one-year
term ending on the date of the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders or until
such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified; |
| · | Proposal
2 — To ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2016; |
| · | Proposal
3 — To approve our Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan (the
“Bonus Plan”) to qualify as performance-based compensation for tax deductibility
under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code; and |
| · | Proposal
4 — To approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of
the Company’s named executive officers. |
For a more detailed discussion of each of these proposals,
please see the information included elsewhere in the proxy statement relating to these proposals.
| Q: | What are the Board’s voting recommendations? |
| A: | The Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows: |
| · | “FOR”
the election of each of the eight nominees to the Board (Proposal 1); |
| · | “FOR”
the approval and ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm (Proposal 2); |
| · | “FOR”
the approval of the Bonus Plan to qualify as performance-based compensation for tax deductibility
under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (Proposal 3); and |
| · | “FOR”
the approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal
4). |
If you give us your signed proxy but do not specify
how to vote, we will vote your shares “FOR” each of the above proposals.
We are not aware of any matter to be presented at
the Annual Meeting other than those described in the Notice of Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual
Meeting for consideration, the person named on your proxy will have the discretion to vote your shares according to such person’s
best judgment.
| Q: | Who is entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | Holders of our common stock outstanding as of the close of
business on March 11, 2016, the record date, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
On each proposal presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting, each stockholder is entitled
to one vote for each share of common stock owned as of the record date. |
| Q: | What is the difference between a stockholder of record
and a stockholder who holds stock in street name? |
| A: | If your shares are registered in your name, you are a stockholder
of record with respect to those shares. As a stockholder of record, you have the right
to vote in person at the Annual Meeting or to vote by proxy on the proxy card included
with these materials. |
If your shares are held in the name of your broker,
bank or other nominee, you are considered to be the “beneficial owner” of such shares, which are held in “street
name.” If your shares are held in street name, your bank or brokerage firm (the record holder of your shares) forwarded
these proxy materials, along with a voting instruction card, to you. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your
record holder how to vote your shares, and the record holder is required to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions.
If you do not give instructions to your bank or brokerage firm, it will nevertheless be entitled to vote your shares with respect
to “routine”
items, but it will not be permitted to vote your
shares with respect to “non-routine” items. In the case of a non-routine item, your shares will be considered “broker
non-votes” on that proposal.
| Q: | If I hold my shares in street name through my broker,
will my broker vote these shares for me? |
| A: | If you provide instructions on how to vote by following the
instructions provided to you by your broker, your broker will vote your shares as you
have instructed. If you do not provide your broker with voting instructions, your broker
will vote your shares only if the proposal is a “routine” management proposal
on which your broker has discretion to vote. On matters considered “non-routine,”
brokers may not vote your shares without your instruction. Shares that brokers are not
authorized to vote are referred to as “broker non-votes.” |
Under NASDAQ Stock Market Business Conduct Rules,
to which your broker is subject, brokers are prohibited from voting uninstructed shares for elections of directors, and the compensation
of our named executive officers, in which case a broker non-vote will occur and your shares will not be
voted on these matters.
| Q: | What are
the quorum requirements for the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | The presence of holders of a majority of our outstanding
shares of common stock in person or by proxy constitutes a quorum for the Annual Meeting.
Both abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for purpose of determining
the presence of a quorum. |
| Q: | What is
the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals? |
| A: | Proposal 1 — Pursuant to our Bylaws, the
director candidates who receive the most votes will be elected to fill the eight available
seats on our Board. This means that the eight director candidates or nominees who receive
the greatest number of votes will be elected. Because abstentions, failures to vote or
broker non-votes are not counted as “cast” votes, none of them will have
any effect on the outcome of the proposal. |
Proposal 2 — The proposal to ratify
the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a
majority in voting interest of the Ebix stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
and on the proposal. Because brokers may vote your shares on this proposal without instruction, there will be no broker non-votes
for this proposal. If you fail to vote your shares in person or by proxy, your shares are not considered present at the Annual
Meeting, and they will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. If you return a signed proxy card but abstain from voting
on the proposal, your shares will be considered as present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and on the proposal but
will not be voted “for” the proposal, and they will have the same effect as votes “against” the proposal.
Proposal 3 — The proposal to approve
Company’s Bonus Plan to qualify as performance-based compensation for tax deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code requires the affirmative vote of a majority in voting interest of the Ebix stockholders present in person or by proxy
and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and on the proposal. Because broker non-votes are not entitled to vote on the proposal
because it is considered non-routine, broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. If you fail to vote your
shares in person or by proxy, your shares are not considered present at the Annual Meeting, and they will have no effect on the
outcome of the proposal. If you return a signed proxy card but abstain from voting on the proposal, your shares will be considered
as present and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting and on the proposal but will not be voted
“for” the proposal, and they will have the same effect as votes “against” the proposal.
Proposal 4 — The proposal to approve,
by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers requires the affirmative vote
of a majority in voting interest of the Ebix stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
and on the proposal. The proposal with respect to the approval of the 2015 executive compensation paid to our named executive
officers is “advisory” and not binding upon the Board. However, the Board will consider the results of the votes on
this proposal in formulating future executive compensation policy. Because broker non-votes are not entitled to vote on the proposal
because it is considered non-routine, broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. If you fail to vote your
shares in person or by proxy, your shares are not considered present at the Annual Meeting, and they will have no effect on the
outcome of the proposal. If you return a signed proxy card but abstain from voting on the proposal, your shares will be considered
as present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and on the proposal but will not be voted “for” the proposal,
and they will have the same effect as votes “against” the proposal.
| Q: | What do
I need to do now to vote at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | Stockholders
of record may vote their shares in any of four ways: |
| · | Submitting
a Proxy by Mail: If you choose to submit your proxy by mail, simply mark
your proxy, date and sign it and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided; |
| · | Submitting
a Proxy by Telephone: Submit a proxy for your shares by 11:59 p.m., Eastern
Daylight Time, on April 28, 2016 by telephone by using the toll-free telephone number
provided on your proxy card. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day; |
| · | Submitting
a Proxy by Internet: Submit your proxy via the internet. The website for
internet proxy voting is on your proxy card. Internet proxy voting is also available
24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on April 28, 2016;
or |
| · | Voting in
Person: If you were registered as a stockholder on our books on March
11, 2016 or if you have a letter from your broker identifying you as a beneficial owner
of our shares as of that date and granting you a legal proxy, you may vote in person
by attending the Annual Meeting. |
If you submit a proxy by telephone or via the internet,
you should not return your proxy card. Instructions on how to submit a proxy by telephone or via the internet are located on the
proxy card enclosed with this proxy statement.
Street name holders may submit a proxy by telephone
or the internet, if their bank or broker makes these voting methods available, in which case the bank or broker will enclose related
instructions with this proxy statement. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker, follow the voting instructions you receive
from your bank or broker.
| Q: | Can I change
my vote or revoke my proxy? |
| A: | Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your
vote or revoke your proxy at any time before the applicable vote at the Annual Meeting
by: |
| · | Delivering to
Computershare Shareowner Services a written notice, bearing a date later than the proxy,
stating that you revoke the proxy; |
| · | Submitting a
later-dated proxy relating to the same shares by mail, telephone or the internet prior
to the applicable vote at the Annual Meeting; or |
| · | Attending the
Annual Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not,
by itself, revoke a proxy). |
You should send any written notice or a new proxy
card to: Ebix, Inc. c/o Computershare Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 3550, South Hackensack, NJ 07606-9250, or follow the instructions
provided on your proxy card to submit a proxy by telephone or via the internet. You may request a new proxy card by calling Computershare
Shareowner Services, Proxy Processing at 1-800-370-1163 (toll-free).
| Q: | Will anyone contact me regarding this vote? |
| A: | We have retained Computershare Shareowner Services to distribute
proxy solicitation materials to brokers, banks, and other nominees and to assist in the
solicitation of proxies from our stockholders. The fee for this firm’s services
is estimated to be $5,000, plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses. |
In addition to solicitation by mail, our directors,
officers and employees may solicit proxies from stockholders by telephone, letter, facsimile or in person but will not receive
any additional compensation for these services. Following the original mailing of the proxy solicitation materials, we will request
brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward copies of the proxy statement and related soliciting materials
to beneficial owners for whom they hold shares of our common stock and to request authority for the exercise of proxies. In such
cases, upon the request of the record holders, we will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses.
| Q: | Who has paid for this proxy solicitation? |
| A: | All expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation
of proxies, including the printing and mailing of this proxy statement, will be borne
by Ebix. |
| Q: | Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual
Meeting and publish final detailed voting results on a Form 8-K, which we expect to file
with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting. |
| Q: | Are there any dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights
with respect to any of the proposals described in this proxy statement? |
| A: | There are no rights of appraisal or similar dissenter’s
rights with respect to any matter to be acted upon pursuant to this proxy statement. |
| Q: | May I propose actions for consideration or nominate individuals
to serve as directors at next year’s annual meeting? |
| A: | You may submit proposals for consideration at future annual
stockholder meetings. In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion
in our proxy materials for the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Company’s Stockholders
(the “2017 Annual Meeting”) pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8, your proposal must
be received by our Corporate Secretary no later than November 18, 2016 (unless the meeting
date is changed by more than 30 days from April 29, 2017, in which case a proposal must
be a received a reasonable time before we print proxy materials for the 2017Annual Meeting)
and must be submitted in compliance with the rule. Proposals should be directed
to our Corporate Secretary, Ebix, Inc., 1 Ebix Way, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097, and should
comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 and the requirements of our Bylaws. |
If our Corporate Secretary receives at the address
listed above any stockholder proposal intended to be presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting without inclusion in the proxy statement
for the meeting after February 2, 2017 (unless the meeting date is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary of the Annual
Meeting, in which case a proposal must be received a reasonable time before we print proxy materials for the 2017 Annual Meeting),
SEC Rule 14a-4(c) provides that the proxies designated by the Board will have discretionary authority to vote on such proposal.
The proxies designated by the Board also will have such discretionary authority, notwithstanding the stockholder’s compliance
with the deadlines described above, if we advise stockholders in the proxy statement for the meeting about the nature of the matter
and how management intends to vote on such matter, and the stockholder does not comply with specified provisions of the SEC’s
rules.
In January 2015, the Company amended
its Bylaws in a way that changed the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors.
Section 3.10 of the Amended and Restated Bylaws creates certain advance notice requirements for stockholder nominations of directors
at both annual and special meetings. To be timely, a director nomination by a stockholder for an annual meeting must be submitted
not less than 90 nor more than 120 days before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting. In the case of
a nomination at a special meeting, notice of such nomination must be given within 10 days that notice of such meeting was provided
or made public. Stockholders who wish to submit nominees for the position of director should submit their nominees in writing
by mail to our Corporate Secretary, Ebix, Inc., 1 Ebix Way, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097. Nominations for the 2017 Annual Meeting
must be received by January 30, 2017.
PROPOSALS
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR
EACH OF PROPOSALS
1 THROUGH 3 BELOW.
PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
Proposal
Proposal 1 is the election of eight nominees
to the Board. In accordance with our Bylaws, the number of directors constituting the entire Board is fixed between four and eight
directors. In accordance with the Director Nomination Agreement, as amended (defined below), the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee of the Board has recommended all of our current directors be nominated for re-
election. If elected, each will hold office until the next
succeeding annual meeting of stockholders or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Information concerning all director nominees appears below.
The Board expects that all of the nominees
will, if elected, be available to serve. Except as otherwise provided for in the Director Nomination Agreement, if a nominee should
decline re-election or become unable to serve for any reason, votes will be cast for a substitute nominee, if the Board designates
any such substitute nominee, or, if no substitute nominee is so designated prior to the election, votes will be cast according
to the judgment of the person or persons named in the proxy.
ROBIN RAINA, 49, has been
a director at Ebix since 2000 and Chairman of the Board at Ebix since May 2002. Mr. Raina joined Ebix in October 1997 as our Vice
President-Professional Services and was promoted to Senior Vice President-Sales and Marketing in February 1998. Mr. Raina was
promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer in December 1998. Mr. Raina was appointed President effective August
2, 1999, Chief Executive Officer effective September 23, 1999 and Chairman in May 2002. Mr. Raina holds an industrial engineering
degree from Thapar University in Punjab, India.
Areas of Relevant Experience. Mr.
Raina’s strategic direction for the Company and implementation of such direction has proven instrumental for the Company’s
turnaround and growth.
HANS U. BENZ, 69, has been
a director at Ebix since 2005. From 2001 to 2005 Mr. Benz was President of the holding of the BISON GROUP, a Swiss corporation
that develops and implements process oriented business solution software in Europe. Prior to this position and from 1995 to 2001
he was President of a Swiss banking software development company belonging to the UBS Group. Previously Mr. Benz was with the
private bank of Coutts & Co., Zürich as Senior Vice President and was also head of their global IT organization as a
part of their larger worldwide NatWest IT organization.
Areas of Relevant Experience. Mr.
Benz’s former business experience extends from wholesale and retail industry to the Swiss private insurance industry as
founding partner in a national data center. He has extensive experience in the software ERP and finance sectors, international
marketing, strategic planning, IT planning, executive compensation, and defining strategic vision.
PAVAN BHALLA, 53, has been
a director since June 2004. He is currently the Executive Vice President - Global Service Operations for Aon Hewitt, and is based
in Atlanta, Georgia. He has held this position since March 2015. Previously and since September 2011, Mr. Bhalla was Executive
Vice President and India Managing Director at Aon Hewitt. Prior to this role, he was the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer of Harris Interactive Inc., a position he held since October 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Bhalla served as Vice
President for Hewitt Associates, and had been in this role since August 2006. Prior to his recent roles at Hewitt Associates and
Harris Interactive, Mr. Bhalla served as the Senior Vice President-Finance of MCI Inc., a global telecommunications company, and
supervised the financial management of MCI’s domestic business units. Prior to joining MCI in August 2003, Mr. Bhalla spent
more than seven years with BellSouth Corporation, a telecommunications company, serving in a variety of executive positions, including
Chief Financial Officer of BellSouth Long Distance from 1999 to 2002 and Corporate Controller of BellSouth Cellular Corp. from
1997 to 1999. Mr. Bhalla holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago’s Booth
School of Business.
Areas of Relevant Experience. Mr.
Bhalla has extensive hands-on relevant experience in corporate finance and international business transactions. His extensive
accounting and financial background qualifies him as an audit committee financial expert under applicable SEC and the NASDAQ Stock
Market Marketplace Rules (the “NASDAQ Marketplace Rules”).
NEIL
D. ECKERT, 53, has been a director since 2005. Until April 2005, he served as Chief Executive Office of Brit and had been
such since 1999. In 1995, he co-founded Brit as a listed investment trust company. In 2005, Mr. Eckert founded Climate Exchange
PLC and was Chief Executive Officer until 2010 when the company was sold to InterContinental Exchange Inc. Mr. Eckert is Chairman
of Micro Power Ltd, a business that specializes in developing and investing in small scale alternative energy projects and technologies.
He is a director of Evofem Inc. and is Non-Executive Chairman of Design Technology and Innovation Limited, a patenting and intellectual
property company. He also served as a Non-Executive Director of Arthur J Gallagher (UK) Ltd
until September 2015.
Areas of Relevant Experience. Mr.
Eckert has an extensive background with experience of operating as the CEO of two different public companies and has executive
experience in strategic planning, hands-on understanding of insurance industry, sales and marketing, corporate finance, executive
compensation and international matters.
GEORGE W. HEBARD III,
43, has been a director since March 2015. Mr. Hebard was nominated pursuant to the Director Nomination Agreement. Mr.
Hebard has served as a Managing Director of Barington Capital Group, a New York investment firm, since January 2014.
Mr. Hebard also serves as Interim Principal Executive Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer of Enzon
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a position he held as an employee from May 2012 to December 2013 and as a consultant since January
2014. From September 2011 to April 2012, Mr. Hebard was a Managing Director at Icahn Capital LP, the entity
through which Carl C. Icahn manages investment funds. Prior to joining Icahn Capital, from January 2005 to 2011, September
Mr. Hebard served as a Managing Director at Blue Harbour Group, an investment firm in Greenwich, Connecticut. Prior to
Blue Harbour Group, Mr. Hebard served as a Managing Director at Ranger Partners from April 2002 to December 2003, and
prior to Ranger Partners; Mr. Hebard was an Associate at Icahn Associates Corp. from August 1998 to April 2002.
Mr. Hebard has been a director of Turning Point Brands, Inc. since May 2014. Mr. Hebard was also a director of Enzon
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENZN) from February 2012 to November 2013. He has an MBA from INSEAD and an A.B. in Economics
from Princeton University.
Areas of Relevant Experience. Mr.
Hebard has extensive experience in managing companies with respect to their investments, capital structure, organization restructuring
and governance.
ROLF HERTER, 52, has been
a director since 2005. Mr. Herter is the managing partner of Streichenberg, Attorneys at Law in Zurich, Switzerland. Streichenberg
is a mid-sized commercial law firm, and Mr. Herter has been managing partner since 2004. Mr. Herter’s practice consists,
among others, of representation for information technology companies, both private and publicly held. He has served on the board
of directors of several companies and is currently serving as a member of the board of directors of IC Company’s Switzerland
AG and Roccam Rocca Asset Management AG. He also serves as a supervisor of investments for several Swiss and German companies.
Mr. Herter’s law firm, Streichenberg, represents the Rennes Foundation, a holder of 11.1% of Ebix’s outstanding
common stock.
Areas of Relevant Experience. Mr.
Herter has extensive experience in the legal sector with expertise in managing multiple companies in terms of investments, capital
structure, organization restructuring and governance, and with an expertise in European affairs.
HANS UELI KELLER, 63, has
been a director since 2004. Mr. Keller has spent over 20 years with Zurich-based Credit Suisse, a global financial services company,
serving as Executive Board Member from 1997 to 2000, head of retail banking from 1993 to 1996, and head of marketing from 1985
to 1992. He is presently also serving as Chairman of the Board of Engel & Voelkers Commercial, Switzerland, a commercial real
estate broker company. He serves as chairman of the board of Helvetica Property Investors AF, Zurich, a real estate management
company.
Areas of Relevant Experience. Mr.
Keller has extensive executive experience in sales and marketing, corporate finance, strategic planning, executive compensation,
and international distribution.
JOSEPH R. WRIGHT, JR., 77,
has been a director since January 2015. Mr. Wright was nominated pursuant to the Director Nomination Agreement. Mr. Wright serves
as Chairman of Tempus Applied Solutions Holding, Inc., Senior Advisor to the Chart Group and Comvest Group and Chairman of the
Investment Committee of ClearSky Fund. Mr. Wright is currently on the Boards of Cowen Group Inc., Adayana and Priority Holdings.
Previously, he served as Chairman of Intelsat, CEO of PanAmSat, Chairman of GRC International, Executive Chairman of MTN Satellite
Communications and CEO of Scientific Games Corporation, all who provided communication and other services to governments around
the world. He was also Co-Chairman of Baker & Taylor Holdings and EVP/Vice Chairman of W.R. Grace & Company and Senior
Advisor of Providence Equity LLC. In the 1980s, he served as Deputy Director and Director of the United States Office of Management
and Budget under President Ronald Reagan, serving in the Cabinet and Executive Office of the President from 1982 to 1989. From
1981 to 1982, he served as Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce and later on the President’s Export
Council as Chairman of the Export Control Subcommittee. He currently serves on President Obama’s Defense Business Board.
Areas of Relevant Experience. Mr.
Wright has extensive experience in leading businesses, having served as the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman or as a board member
of numerous companies, as well as extensive commercial and governmental experience.
The Board unanimously recommends that stockholders vote
FOR the election of each of its nominees for director named above.
PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Proposal
Based on the recommendation of our Audit
Committee, we have retained Cherry Bekaert LLP (“CB”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. CB has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since December 2008.
Although our Bylaws do not require that
the stockholders ratify the appointment of CB as our independent registered public accounting firm, we are submitting the appointment
of CB to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate governance. If our stockholders do not ratify the appointment,
the Board and the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain CB. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Board
and the Audit Committee, in their discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if they determine that such
a change would be in the best interests of Ebix and its stockholders.
A representative of CB is expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting and will be given an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so chooses and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board unanimously recommends that
the stockholders vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent registered public accounting
firm for 2016.
Fees Paid to Our Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
CB served as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The following table sets forth fees for
all professional services rendered by CB for the audit of our financial statements for 2015 and 2014 and fees billed for other
services rendered by CB:
Services Rendered by Cherry Bekaert LLP | |
2015 | | |
2014 | |
Audit Fees(1) | |
$ | 548,100 | | |
$ | 522,000 | |
Audit Related Fees(2) | |
$ | 87,231 | | |
$ | 162,859 | |
Tax Compliance Service Fees | |
$ | 27,269 | | |
$ | 71,181 | |
All Other Fees(3) | |
$ | 2,208 | | |
$ | — | |
(1) |
Includes fees for the audit of our annual financial statements included in our Form 10-K
and reviews of the financial statements in our Forms 10-Q, but excluding audit-related fees. |
|
|
(2) |
Includes fees associated with the review of valuation reports associated with business acquisition
and audits of the Company’s 401(k) plans, and related out of pocket expenses incurred by the auditors. |
|
|
(3) |
Includes fees related to the audit of the financial statements and the Company’s purchase
accounting for certain acquired businesses. |
Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy
Consistent with SEC policies regarding
auditor independence, our Audit Committee has the responsibility to appoint, set compensation and oversee the work of our independent
auditor. In recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy that requires it to pre-approve all
audit and permitted non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. Pre-approval is generally
detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specified budget. Management is required to
seek pre-approval of services that will exceed the budget or for services that are not detailed in an existing pre-approval. The
Chair of the Audit Committee has been delegated the authority to pre-approve certain services between regularly scheduled meetings,
with ratification by the Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Management reports quarterly to the Audit Committee
regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval
and the fees for the services performed to date. All services performed by CB during fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were approved
in accordance with this policy.
PROPOSAL 3— APPROVAL
OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ANNUAL INCENTIVE
BONUS PLAN TO QUALIFY AS PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION FOR TAX DEDUCTIBILITY UNDER SECTION 162(M) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
On November 9, 2015, the Board adopted,
subject to stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting, the Ebix, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan (the
“Bonus Plan”). The Board directed that the Bonus Plan be submitted to the stockholders at the Annual Meeting in order
to permit the grant of awards that qualify as performance-based compensation for tax deductibility under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 162(m)”). If the Bonus Plan is approved by the stockholders at
the Annual Meeting, it will become effective as of January 1, 2016. If the Bonus Plan is not approved by the stockholders at the
Annual Meeting, bonus payments to our Chief Executive Officer will not be made under this Bonus Plan and the Company will not
be able to claim tax deductibility under Section 162(m) if any bonus payments are made to the Chief Executive Officer. The Bonus
Plan is attached to this Proxy as Appendix A.
The Bonus Plan provides for the payment
of annual cash incentive awards to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer based upon the achievement by the Company of specified
performance goals, as discussed below. The Bonus Plan is intended to preserve the Company’s federal income tax deduction
for annual incentive payments to the CEO by meeting the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation”
under Section 162(m).
Section 162(m) prevents a publicly-held
corporation from claiming income tax deductions for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain senior executives. Compensation
is exempt from this limitation if it qualifies as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). Compensation that is earned
based on achievement of pre-established objective performance formulas may qualify as fully-deductible performance-based compensation
if certain requirements, such as stockholder approval of the material terms of the performance goals, are met.
The following is a summary of the material
terms of the Bonus Plan. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Bonus Plan, which is attached
as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
Eligibility. Participation in the
Bonus Plan is limited to the CEO of the Company. The Company does not anticipate that compensation paid to any of its other executive
officers will be subject to the compensation deduction limits of Section 162(m).
Performance Goals. The CEO shall
be eligible to receive cash incentives in connection with a particular fiscal year during the term of the Bonus Plan if the Company
meets or exceeds certain performance goals (“Performance Goals”) set each year by the Compensation Committee. Not
later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of any fiscal year during the term of the Bonus Plan (or such other date as
may be permitted or required by Section 162(m)), and at a time when the outcome is uncertain, the Compensation Committee will
set in writing Performance Goals based on one or more of the following business criteria:
| · | Profit
(net profit, gross profit, operating profit or other corporate profit measures) |
| · | Earnings
(EBIT, EBITDA, earnings per share, or other corporate earnings measures) |
| · | Net
income (before or after taxes, operating income or other income measures) |
| · | Cash
(cash flow, cash generation or other cash measures) |
| · | Stock
price or performance |
| · | Total
stockholder return (stock price appreciation plus reinvested dividends divided by beginning
share price) |
| · | Return
measures (return on assets, capital, equity, investments or sales, and cash flow return
on assets, capital, equity, or sales) |
| · | Improvements
in capital structure |
| · | Expenses
(expense management, expense ratio, expense efficiency ratios or other expense measures) |
| · | Business
expansion or consolidation (acquisitions and divestitures) |
| · | Strategic
plan development and implementation |
At the time the Compensation Committee
sets the Performance Goals for a particular fiscal year, it will also set in writing the CEO’s incentive bonus opportunity,
expressed as a dollar amount or a percentage of the CEO’s base salary, which will be earned if the established Performance
Goals are achieved.
Performance Goals may be specified in absolute
terms, on an adjusted basis, in percentages, or in terms of growth from period to period or growth rates over time, as well as
measured relative to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or a published or special index, or a stock market index.
Performance Goals need not be based upon an increase or positive result under a business criterion and could include, for example,
the maintenance of the status quo or the limitation of economic losses (measured, in each case, by reference to a specific business
criterion). Performance measures may but need not be determinable in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Certification of Performance Goals.
Payment of annual incentives under the Bonus Plan will be made promptly following the Compensation Committee’s written
certification that the Performance Goals and any other material conditions were satisfied. The Compensation Committee has the
right to exercise negative discretion to pay out an annual incentive to the CEO under the Bonus Plan that is less than the amount
that would have been payable based solely upon application of the applicable Performance Goals.
Limitation of Benefits. In no event
shall the CEO receive bonus payments under the Bonus Plan in connection with any one fiscal year which exceed $3,000,000.
Plan Administration. The Bonus Plan
will be administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is empowered to set the Performance Goals in connection
with each plan year during the term of the Bonus Plan. The Compensation Committee may amend the Bonus Plan at any time, provided
that no such amendment may, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, change the material terms of a Performance
Goal or effect such other change that would cause the loss of any tax deduction to the Company under Code Section 162(m) absent
stockholder approval.
Federal Income Tax Consequences.
It is the intent of the Company that payments to the CEO under the Bonus Plan, if approved by the stockholders, will not count
toward the $1,000,000 annual deduction limit under Section 162(m).
The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote
FOR the approval of the Bonus Plan.
PROPOSAL 4 — ADVISORY
VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Proposal
Proposal 4 is to approve the compensation
of our named executive officers, disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules, including the compensation
discussion and analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion. As provided by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act” or the “Act”), the Company submitted to a nonbinding vote of its
stockholders at its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders whether a nonbinding vote of stockholders as to the compensation paid
its named executive officers (the so-called “say on pay” vote) should be held every one, two or three years (the “frequency
vote”). The Company recommended, and the stockholders agreed, that the say-on-pay vote should be held annually. Thereafter,
our Board confirmed the stockholders’ recommendations.
As described more fully in the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis (the “CD&A”) section of this proxy statement, the compensation package of the Company’s
named executive officers (as identified in the Executive Compensation section of this proxy statement under the heading “Compensation
Discussion and Analysis — Named Executive Officers”) is designed to act as both an incentive for superior
performance and as an inducement to attract and retain highly qualified senior executives, while at the same time mitigating against
excessive risk. The Company’s executive compensation program promotes a performance-based culture and aligns the interests
of stockholders and executives through variable, at-risk compensation. The program is also designed to attract and retain highly
talented executives who are critical to the successful implementation of the Company’s strategic plan. A significant portion
of an executive officer’s overall compensation is performance-based, in that it is dependent upon the achievement of pre-determined
corporate and/or personal performance goals and strategic objectives. Stockholders are encouraged to read the CD&A, which
discusses in detail how our compensation policies and procedures implement our compensation philosophy.
The say-on-pay vote gives stockholders
the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our executive compensation program by voting for or against the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the stockholders
of Ebix approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers of the Company, as disclosed in the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis and the tabular and narrative disclosures contained in this proxy statement.”
The Board urges stockholders to endorse
the executive compensation program by voting in favor of this resolution. This advisory vote is non-binding, meaning that our
Board will not be obligated to take any compensation actions or adjust our executive compensation in response to the vote. Although
the say-on-pay vote is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results and will consider
the vote, as well as other communications from stockholders relating to our compensation practices and take them into account
in future determinations concerning our executive compensation program. To the extent there is a significant vote against the
compensation of our named executive officers, we would expect to communicate with our stockholders to better understand the concerns
that influenced that vote. The Board and Compensation Committee would consider constructive feedback obtained through this process
in making future determinations concerning our executive compensation.
The Board unanimously recommends that
the stockholders vote FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers as described
in the sections of this proxy statement entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation.”
INFORMATION CONCERNING
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
Generally
Our business is managed by the Company’s
employees under the direction and oversight of the Board. Except for Mr. Raina, none of our current directors is an employee of
the Company. We keep directors informed of our business through discussions with management, materials we provide to them, visits
to our offices and facilities and their participation in Board and Board committee meetings.
The Board has three standing committees: the
Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Members of each of these committees
are nominated by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Corporate Governance Committee”) and are
appointed annually at the meeting of the Board held following each annual meeting of stockholders. Each of these committees is
composed entirely of independent, non-management directors and operates under a charter approved by the Board which sets out the
purposes and responsibilities of each committee. These committees annually renew and, as appropriate, seek revisions of their
charters to reflect, among other things, changing regulatory developments. All three of these charters are available for review
at our website at www.ebix.com. The principal responsibilities of these committees are described below.
Our Board carefully follows the corporate
governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Act, the rules adopted thereunder by the SEC and the
NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. Our Board has established Corporate Governance Guidelines, which address, among other things, the Board’s
composition, qualifications and responsibilities, director education and stockholder communication with directors. These guidelines
are reviewed annually and amended as necessary or appropriate in response to changing regulatory requirements and evolving best
practices.
Director Independence
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines,
we require that a majority of the Board consist of independent, non-management directors, who also meet the criteria for independence
required by the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. Under such rules, a director is independent if he or she does not have a material relationship
with the Company. Our Board annually evaluates each member’s independent status.
The Board has determined that, as of January
1, 2016, the following seven of the Company’s directors are independent under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules: Messrs. Benz,
Bhalla, Eckert, Hebard, Herter, Keller and Wright. Mr. Raina, as a management director, participates in the Board’s activities
and provides valuable insight and advice.
Non-management directors have access to
individual members of management or to other employees of the Company on a confidential basis. Directors also have access to Company
records and files and directors may contact other directors without informing Company management of the purpose or even the fact
of such contact.
It is the Company’s
policy that directors should attend each meeting of the Board of Directors and each meeting of the committees on which they serve.
During 2015 the Company’s full Board of Directors met four times, with one of the meetings being in person and three of
the meetings being conducted over telephonic conference calls. Each member of the Board of Directors attended all of the regular
meetings of the Board and the Board committees on which the director served and for which they were eligible to
participate. In addition to participation
at Board and committee meetings, our directors discharge their responsibilities throughout the year through personal meetings
and other communications, including considerable telephone contact with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and sometimes
with other pertinent members of management regarding matters of interest and concern to the Company.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee’s principal responsibility
is to assist the Board in its general oversight of the Company’s financial reporting, internal controls, ethics compliance
and audit functions. This committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the
Company’s independent public accounting firm, reviews the annual financial results and the annual audit of the Company’s
financial statements and approves the inclusion of the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K.
The Audit Committee assists the Board in
monitoring: (a) the integrity of our financial statements, (b) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting, (c) the effectiveness of our disclosure controls, (d) the qualifications and independence of our independent registered
public accounting firm, (e) the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm, and (f) our compliance with
legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee is also responsible for oversight of the Company’s major financial
risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company’s risk assessment
and risk management policies. The Audit Committee reviews all related party transactions in accordance with the Company’s
formal written policy and is responsible for reviewing and monitoring compliance with the Company’s Code of Ethics for Senior
Financial Officers. In addition, the Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints
received by the Company regarding accounting, financial reporting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential
and anonymous submission by Company employees of concerns regarding accounting and auditing matters.
In discharging this responsibility, the
Audit Committee, among other things, holds the authority to approve or remove the independent registered public accounting firm
and to pre-approve the audit and any non-audit service to be provided by the auditors and reviews the results and scope of the
annual audit performed by the auditors. The Audit Committee has three members, who currently are Messrs. Bhalla (Chairman), Benz
and Keller. After reviewing the qualifications of the current members of the Audit Committee, and any relationships they may have
with the Company that might affect their independence from the Company, our Board has determined that: (1) all current members
of the Audit Committee are “independent” as that concept is defined in Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, (2) all current members of the Audit Committee are “independent” as that concept is defined in the NASDAQ
listing standards, (3) all current members of the Audit Committee are financially literate, and (4) Mr. Bhalla qualifies as an
“audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC rules promulgated under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The
Audit Committee met five times during 2015.
Compensation Committee
The principal responsibilities of the Compensation
Committee are to: (a) review and make recommendations to the Board concerning the compensation of the named executive
officers of the Company, (b) provide input and make recommendations to the Board regarding the general compensation goals, guidelines,
and policies for the Company’s employees, (c) administer the Company’s equity incentive programs and awards under
such programs, and (d) consider and make recommendations with respect to the Company’s existing and proposed compensation
and bonus plans, including the adoption of new equity incentive plans or other executive compensation programs. The Compensation
Committee also is responsible for a review and recommendation to the Board as to the compensation and benefits to be paid to non-employee
directors.
The Compensation Committee is responsible
for periodically reviewing our incentive compensation arrangements to confirm that the design of incentive pay does not encourage
unnecessary risk-taking. The Compensation Committee also reviews the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in our proxy
statement and prepares a report for inclusion in our proxy statement. The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs.
Keller (Chairman) and Benz. The Compensation Committee met seven times during 2015. The Compensation Committee does not delegate
its authority to management.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible
for developing and implementing policies and practices relating to corporate governance and oversight, including reviewing and
monitoring implementation of our Corporate Governance Guidelines. It oversees the identification and evaluation of director candidates,
consistent with the criteria approved by the Board, and it makes recommendations to the Board with respect to director nominees,
membership on the Board committees, and the appointment of committee chairs. The Corporate Governance Committee also prepares
and supervises the Board’s annual review of director independence and the Board’s performance self-evaluation. In
addition, the Corporate Governance Committee considers matters of corporate governance generally and it annually evaluates our
Corporate Governance Guidelines, making any recommendations or changes that it deems appropriate to the Board for its consideration.
To the extent that we receive any stockholder proposals that relate to corporate governance matters, the Corporate Governance
Committee is responsible for reviewing such proposals and making recommendations to the Board. The Corporate Governance Committee
currently consists of Messrs. Eckert (Chairman) and Herter. The Corporate Governance Committee met once in 2015. See “Director
Qualifications” and “Our Director Nominations Process” below.
Director Qualifications
The Board seeks members from diverse personal
and professional backgrounds and who combine a broad spectrum of experience and expertise. At a minimum, directors should also
have an inquisitive and objective perspective, practical wisdom and mature judgment. Directors should also possess the highest
personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interest of the stockholders.
While the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines do not prescribe specific diversity standards, as a matter of practice,
our Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the personal characteristics (e.g., gender, ethnicity and age) and experience
(e.g., industry, professional and public service) of current and prospective directors to facilitate Board deliberations that
reflect a broad range of perspectives.
In evaluating a director candidate, it
is preferable that candidates possess a considerable amount of business management (such as experience as a chief executive officer
or chief financial officer) and educational experience. However, the Corporate Governance Committee also considers other factors
that are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, including: (a) the knowledge, experience, candor, integrity
and judgment of each candidate, (b) the alignment of the candidates’ knowledge and experience, both individually and as
a group, with the needs of the business, (c) the potential contribution of each candidate to the diversity of backgrounds, experience
and competencies which the Board desires to have represented, (d) each candidate’s ability to devote sufficient time and
effort to his or her duties as a director, (e) independence and willingness to consider all strategic proposals, and (f) any other
criteria established by the Board and any core competencies or technical expertise necessary to staff Board committees.
In addition, the Corporate Governance Committee
assesses whether a candidate possesses the integrity, judgment, knowledge, experience, skills, and expertise that are likely to
enhance the Board’s ability to manage and direct the affairs and business of the Company, including, when applicable, to
enhance the ability of committees of the Board to fulfill their
duties. The Corporate Governance Committee and the Board as a whole believe that diversity, including gender, race and national
origin, education, professional experience, and differences of viewpoints and skills is an important consideration when screening
and evaluating candidates for nomination to the Board. The Corporate Governance Committee does not assign specific weights to
particular criteria and no particular criterion is necessarily applicable to all prospective nominees and continuing directors.
The Corporate Governance Committee believes
that it is important that the Board members have complementary skills that together can best guide the Company to a successful
future. In considering whether the nominees meet the requirements necessary to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities
effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the Corporate Governance Committee and the Board focused on
the information provided in the directors’ individual biographies set forth above, as well as their personal knowledge and
experience in having worked with one another as members of the Board. Each nominee brings a strong and unique background and set
of skills to the Board, giving the Board as a whole competence and experience in a wide variety of areas. Certain individual qualifications
and skills of our directors that contribute to the Board’s effectiveness as a whole are also described under “Proposal
1 — Election of Directors.”
The information provided in Proposal 1
presents information as of the date of this proxy statement about each director nominee. The information presented includes the
names of each of the nominees, along with his or her age, all positions held with the Company, term of office as a director, principal
occupations or employment for the past five years or more, involvement in certain legal proceedings, if applicable, and the name
of all other publicly-held companies of which he or she currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the
past five years. In addition, the information presented also includes a description of the specific experience, qualifications,
attributes and skills of each nominee and continuing director that led our Corporate Governance Committee to conclude that he
or she should serve as a director of the Company for the ensuing term.
Director Nomination Agreement
On November 26, 2014, we entered into a
Director Nomination Agreement, by and among the Company, Barington Companies Equity Partners, L.P., Barington Companies Investors,
LLC (together with Barington Companies Equity Partners, L.P., “Barington”), Ancora Advisors, LLC (together with Barington,
the “Barington Group”), James A. Mitarotonda and Joseph R. Wright, Jr. (the “Director Nomination Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Director Nomination Agreement, the Board expanded the size of the Board by two directorships to eight directors,
and nominated James A. Mitarotonda and Joseph R. Wright, Jr. (the “New Nominees”), as well as all of the incumbent
directors, for election at the 2014 Annual Meeting. On March 23, 2015, the Director Nomination Agreement was amended to accept
the resignation of Mr. Mitarotonda from the Board and to appoint Mr. George W. Hebard III as a new director and to provide that
Mr. Hebard become a New Nominee under the Director Nomination Agreement. The Director Nomination Agreement, as amended, also provides,
among other things, that:
The Board and the Corporate
Governance Committee agreed to consider the New Nominees for inclusion on committees of the Board, in good faith and in a manner
consistent with other members of the Board in accordance with past practice:
| · | During
the Standstill Period (defined below), if either New Nominee is unable to serve (or to
continue to serve) as a director of the Company as a result of such person’s death,
incapacity or an impediment resulting from events or circumstances outside of his control,
then Barington shall be entitled to designate a replacement New Nominee so long as such
replacement is reasonably acceptable to the Board and the Corporate Governance Committee;
Through the Standstill Period, the Barington Group and its affiliates are prohibited
from taking certain actions, customarily |
restricted by an agreement of this kind, including
soliciting proxies or written consents of stockholders, presenting proposals for action by stockholders, commencing legal action
against the Company or certain of its representatives or launching a tender offer for shares of the Company; and
| · | Through the Standstill
Period, the Barington Group must vote all of its Company common stock for the Company’s
nominees to the Board and according to the Board’s recommendations on any other
routines matters, such as ratification of auditors and the advisory vote on executive
compensation. |
With respect to the Director Nomination
Agreement, as amended, the “Standstill Period” means the period from the effective date of the Director Nomination
Agreement until 90 days before the date of the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting or, if earlier, 10 days before any advance
notice deadline for making director nominations at the 2015 Annual Meeting; provided, that the Standstill Period
will be extended each year through the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held in 2018 for so long as the Company
recommends (or has notified Barington in writing of its commitment to recommend) that its stockholders vote for the re-election
of the New Nominees at the next annual meeting of stockholders (regardless of whether the New Nominees agree to stand for re-election)
and supports the New Nominees for election in no less rigorously and favorably a manner than it supports all of its other nominees.
The Board and the Corporate Governance Committee have nominated and are supporting the New Nominees at the 2016 Annual Meeting,
thus the standstill is extended at least another year.
Our Director Nominations Process
The Board is responsible for selecting
director candidates. The Board has delegated the process to the Corporate Governance Committee. Notwithstanding the requirements
set forth in the Director Nomination Agreement, the Corporate Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to become
Board members and recommends such individuals to the Board for its consideration. While the Corporate Governance Committee has
the authority to retain a third party to assist in the nomination process, it has not done so to date.
Directors may also be nominated by our
stockholders. Eligible stockholders may nominate a candidate for election to the Board. Those stockholders who wish to submit
nominees for election at an annual or special meeting of stockholders should follow the procedure generally described in Stockholder
Proposals on page 41 of this proxy statement. The Board applies the same standards in considering candidates
submitted by stockholders as it does in evaluating candidates submitted by members of the Board. The Board does not have a separate
policy with regard to the consideration of candidates recommended by stockholders other than the procedures generally described
in Stockholder Proposals on page 41 of this proxy statement.
Board Committee Membership and Meetings
The following table
lists our four board committees, the directors who served on them as of the end of 2015 and the number of committee meetings held
in 2015.
Name |
|
Audit |
|
Compensation |
|
Corporate
Governance and
Nominating |
Mr. Bhalla |
|
C |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Benz |
|
• |
|
• |
|
|
Mr. Eckert |
|
|
|
|
|
C |
Mr. Herter |
|
|
|
|
|
• |
Mr. Keller |
|
• |
|
C |
|
|
Mr. Raina |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Wright |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hebard |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015 Meetings |
|
5 |
|
7 |
|
1 |
C = Chair
• = Member
Executive Sessions of the Board
On February 20, 2015, the Board appointed
Hans Ueli Keller as Lead Independent Director. As Lead Independent Director, Mr. Keller’s responsibilities include, but
are not limited to: (i) coordinating the activities of the independent directors; (ii) setting the agenda for board meetings in
conjunction with the CEO and corporate secretary; (iii) chairing executive sessions of the independent directors; and (iv) performing
such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Board. It is the policy of the Company for the independent directors
of the Company to meet in executive session following meetings of the Board. The independent directors may call upon members of
management and outside consultants, including auditors and executive compensation consultants to participate in executive sessions.
To the extent any specific issues surface or it is appropriate to provide feedback to management following an executive session,
the Lead Independent Director acts as a liaison with the Chairman to convey information or coordinate action with management.
Stockholder Communications
The Board has established a process for
stockholders and other interested parties to communicate with the Board or to individual members of the Board. Such communications,
whether by letter, e-mail or telephone, should be directed to the Secretary of the Company who will forward them to the intended
recipients. However, unsolicited advertisements or invitations to conferences or promotional material, in the discretion of the
Secretary or his designee, may not be forwarded to the directors. If the communication is specifically marked as a private communication
for the Board, or for a specific director, the Secretary will not open the correspondence, but will forward it to the addressee.
These procedures may change from time to time, and you are encouraged to visit our website for the most current means of contacting
our directors.
If a stockholder wishes to communicate
to the Chairman of the Audit Committee about a concern relating to the Company’s financial statements, accounting practices
or internal controls, the concern should be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Audit Committee in care of the Company’s
Secretary at the Company’s headquarters address. If the concern relates to the Company’s governance practices, business
ethics or corporate conduct, the concern likewise should be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Audit Committee in care
of the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s headquarters address. If the stockholder is unsure as to which category
his or her concern relates, he or she may communicate it to any one of the independent directors in care of the Company’s
Secretary. The Company’s “whistleblower” policy prohibits the Company or any of its employees from retaliating
or taking any adverse action against anyone for raising a concern. If a stockholder or employee nonetheless prefers to raise his
or her concern in a confidential or anonymous manner, the concern may be directed to the Secretary at the Company’s headquarters
or by telephone at (678) 281-2028.
The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The Board has an active role, both as a
whole and at the committee level, in overseeing the management of the Company’s risk. The Board is responsible for establishing
and reviewing the Company’s strategic direction and determining the acceptable risk tolerance of the Company, engaging management
to implement its strategic plan within approved risk tolerances and monitoring the effectiveness of and exercising oversight over
management, the compensation of management and the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Risk can take different
forms, including operating risk, financial risk, risk related to the economy in general and unemployment in particular, risks
related to management succession, risk of fraud and reputational risk. The Board discharges many of its responsibilities and oversight
functions with respect to risk through its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate
Governance Committee is responsible for establishing corporate governance procedures designed to effectively administer the Board’s
strategic planning and oversight duties, including an annual evaluation of the Board’s leadership structure, along with
risks associated with the independence of the Board members and potential conflicts of interest. The Audit Committee supports
the Board’s risk oversight functions through its review of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting,
fraud risks identified by management and the Company’s financial statements and their preparation, as well as its oversight
of the Company’s Code of Conduct and the administration of the Company’s whistleblower procedures. The Compensation
Committee establishes the appropriate compensation incentives in light of its views regarding an appropriate impact that the Company’s
compensation policies have on risk. Because all of these committees are comprised solely of independent directors, our independent
directors have a significant role in the Board’s risk oversight function. While each committee is responsible for evaluating
and overseeing certain risks, the entire Board is apprised of such risks through regular committee reports. This enables the Board
and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships. See “Board
Committee Membership and Meetings” for further discussion of the roles, responsibilities and inter-relationships
of the Board Committees. We believe our current Board leadership structure is appropriate and helps ensure proper risk oversight
for Ebix.
Board Leadership Structure
Robin Raina serves as both the CEO and
Chairman of the Board. We combine this traditional leadership structure with a board structure in which Mr. Raina is the only
non-independent director. The Board believes its members have no reticence about forcefully expressing their views while at the
same time fully and fairly considering the views of their fellow directors, and that the members of the Board have the experience
and ability to critically evaluate the performance of our CEO and chairman and in implementing the strategic, as well as day-to-day,
goals of the Company. Although the Board periodically evaluates alternative board governance models and refinements to the existing
structure, it believes, after
assessing the current service of the Company’s CEO and
chairman and the current composition of the Board, that the current Board leadership structure is appropriate for the Company.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
The Board has adopted the Code of Conduct
and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”), which applies to the senior financial officers (the “Senior Financial Officers”)
of the Company and its subsidiaries, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting
officer. Our Board also has adopted a Code of Conduct, articulating standards of business and professional ethics, which is applicable
to all of our directors, officers and employees. The Company is committed to the highest standards of professional and ethical
conduct, and the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct provide guidance as to upholding these standards.
The Code of Ethics consists of basic standards
of business practice, as well as professional and personal conduct, including prohibitions against any conduct or transactions
that might constitute a conflict of interest between the Senior Financial Officers and the Company. Any action that might constitute
a conflict of interest is reviewed by Company management, and potential conflicts of executive officers or members of the Board
are reviewed by the Board.
This Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s
website atwww.ebix.com, where it may be found by navigating to “Ebix Inc.’s Code of Ethics” under Corporate
Governance within the Investor section of the website. Any amendment to or waiver of the Code of Ethics must be approved by the
Audit Committee and will be promptly disclosed by the Company. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under
Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics by posting such information on the Company’s
website, at the address and location specified above. The Company’s Compliance Officer, Robert Kerris, is charged with monitoring,
overseeing and reviewing compliance with the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. These codes are reviewed annually and amended
as necessary or appropriate in response to changing regulatory requirements and evolving best practices.
Availability of Corporate Governance Documents
The charters of the Audit Committee, the
Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee, as well as other documents relating to corporate governance at
Ebix, are available in the corporate governance section of our website, www.ebix.com. You may also obtain copies of
these materials, free of charge, by sending a written request to Ebix, Inc. at 1 Ebix Way, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097, Attn: Investor
Relations.
Director Compensation
On January 12, 2015, the Board granted
to each non-employee director 6,000 stock options of which one-fourth will vest on January 12, 2016, and the remaining options
will vest ratably each quarter in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. In addition each non-employee director received an annual cash
retainer of $25,000 during 2015. Mr. Keller received an additional cash retainer of $16,000 for serving as the Compensation Committee
Chairman and $8,000 for serving on the Audit Committee. Mr. Benz received an additional cash retainer of $8,000 for serving on
the Audit Committee and $8,000 for serving on the Compensation Committee. Mr. Bhalla received an additional cash retainer of $24,000
for serving as the Audit Committee Chairman and $8,000 for serving on the Audit Committee.
Director Compensation
Name | |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | | |
Option Awards ($) | | |
Total ($) | |
Pavan Bhalla | |
$ | 57,000 | | |
$ | 47,360 | | |
$ | 104,360 | |
Hans Ueli Keller | |
$ | 49,000 | | |
$ | 47,360 | | |
$ | 96,360 | |
Hans U. Benz | |
$ | 41,000 | | |
$ | 47,360 | | |
$ | 88,360 | |
Neil D. Eckert | |
$ | 25,000 | | |
$ | 47,360 | | |
$ | 72,360 | |
Rolf Herter | |
$ | 25,000 | | |
$ | 47,360 | | |
$ | 72,360 | |
Joseph Wright, Jr. | |
$ | 18,750 | | |
$ | 47,360 | | |
$ | 66,110 | |
George Hebard, III | |
$ | 12,500 | | |
$ | 63,205 | | |
$ | 75,705 | |
The following table lists below the aggregate
number of outstanding options held by each director as of December 31, 2015:
| |
Aggregate Number of Stock Option Awards Outstanding at Year End | |
Pavan Bhalla | |
| 17,250 | |
Hans Ueli Keller | |
| 21,750 | |
Hans U. Benz | |
| 24,000 | |
Neil D. Eckert | |
| 37,500 | |
Rolf Herter | |
| 17,250 | |
Joseph Wright, Jr. | |
| 6,000 | |
George Hebard, III | |
| 6,000 | |
Executive Officers of the Company
We have five executive officers: Robin
Raina, Robert F. Kerris, Graham Prior, Leon d’Apice and James Senge, Sr. Information as to Mr. Raina is provided above.
ROBERT F. KERRIS, 62, serves
as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
in October 2007. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kerris was Chief Financial Officer at Aelera Corporation. He held this position
from May 2006 to October 2007. Previously he was a Financial Vice President at Equifax, Inc. from November 2003 to April 2006,
Corporate Controller at Interland, Inc. from September 2002 to October 2003 and held senior financial management positions at
AT&T, BellSouth, and Northern Telecom. Mr. Kerris is a licensed certified public accountant and holds an accounting and economics
degree from North Carolina State University.
GRAHAM PRIOR, 59, serves
as Corporate Executive Vice President International Business & Intellectual Property. Mr. Prior has been employed by Ebix
since 1996 when the Company acquired Complete Broking Systems Ltd., for which Mr. Prior was a part owner. Mr. Prior has been working
within the insurance technology industry since 1990 and is currently responsible for the Company’s international operations
in Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia. Mr. Prior is also responsible for the company’s worldwide
product development initiatives. Mr. Prior is a chartered
accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration
degree from Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.
LEON d’APICE, 59, serves
as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director - Ebix Australia Group Head. Mr. d’Apice, has been
employed with Ebix since 1996 when the Company acquired Complete Broking Systems Ltd. for which Mr. d’Apice was also a part
owner. Mr. d’Apice has been in the information technology field since 1977 and is currently responsible for all of the operations
of Ebix’s Australian business units. Mr. d’Apice holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Accounting and
Financial Management from the University of New South Wales, Australia.
JAMES SENGE, SR., 55, serves
as the Company’s Senior Vice President EbixHealth. Mr. Senge, has been employed with Ebix (as a result of the business acquisition
of Acclamation Systems, Inc. in 2008) since 1979. During his over 32 years with Acclamation/Ebix, Mr. Senge has been involved
with all facets of the EbixHealth division, including being responsible for the strategic direction and day to day operations
of the divisions. Mr. Senge’s focus is on expanding the Company’s reach into the on-demand, end-to-end technology
solutions for the health insurance and healthcare markets. Mr. Senge works from Ebix’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Disclosure and Analysis
Objectives and Goals
The objectives of the Compensation Committee
have been to adopt a compensation approach that is simple, internally equitable, and externally competitive, and that attracts,
motivates, and retains qualified people capable of contributing to the growth, success and profitability of the Company, thereby
contributing to long-term stockholder value.
• |
Simplicity. The Compensation Committee believes that
a compensation package with three major elements of compensation is the simplest approach, consistent with the Company’s
goals. The Company generally does not utilize special personal perquisites such as private jets, payment of country club dues,
Company-furnished motor vehicles, permanent lodging, or defrayment of the cost of personal entertainment. |
|
|
• |
Internal Equity. Internal equity has generally been
evaluated based on an assessment of the relative contributions of the members of the management team. In 2015, the Compensation
Committee did not undertake any formal audit or similar analysis of compensation equity with respect to either the CEO relative
to the other members of the management team or with respect to the management team relative to the Company’s employees
generally. However, the Compensation Committee believes that the relative difference between CEO compensation and the compensation
of the Company’s other executives is consistent with such differences found in the Company’s insurance services
peer group and the market for executive level personnel for public companies of similar size. |
|
|
• |
External Competitiveness. The Compensation Committee
believes it is important to management retention and morale that compensation be competitive with our competitors. In setting
annual compensation, the Compensation Committee generally reviews market data and compares total annual compensation opportunities
for our executive officers with compensation opportunities for similar positions at comparable companies. Based on this review,
the Compensation Committee approves compensation levels and opportunities for our CEO and our other executive officers that
|
the Compensation Committee believes are competitive
with the marketplace and provide appropriate retention and incentive value.
Major Compensation Components
The principal components of compensation
for our executive officers are: (i) base salary, (ii) short-term incentives, generally in the form of cash bonus programs, and
(iii) long-term incentives, generally in the form of equity-based awards such as stock awards. We believe the Company’s
goals are best met by utilizing an approach to compensation with these three distinct elements.
| • | Base Salaries. The Company’s base salaries are
intended to be consistent with the committee’s understanding of competitive practices,
levels of executive responsibility, qualifications necessary for the particular executive
position, and the expertise and experience of the executive officer. Salary adjustments
reflect the committee’s belief as to competitive trends, the performance of the
individual and, to some extent, the overall financial condition of the Company. |
Base salaries for our executive officers are established
based on the scope of their responsibilities, prior relevant background, professional experience, and technical training. Also
in this regard, the Compensation Committee takes into account competitive market compensation paid by the companies represented
in the compensation data it reviews for similar positions, and the overall market demand for such executives. Although the Company
considered the same factors in establishing the base salaries of each of its executive officers, due to the different levels of
roles played by each executive, the base salaries are justifiably substantially different.
Effective August 16, 2012, the Compensation Committee
increased the base salary of Robin Raina, the Company’s President Chief Executive Officer (CEO), from $800,000 to $1,300,000,
in recognition of his leadership and significant contributions to the growth of the Company and the creation of stockholder value.
This was the first increase to the CEO’s base salary since 2008. No changes to his salary were made for 2015.
| • | Short-Term Incentives. Executive officers have the opportunity
to earn short-term incentives in the form of discretionary annual cash bonuses. These
annual bonus opportunities are not guaranteed or formulaic, but rather are approved by
the Compensation Committee following the end of the fiscal year based on the committee’s
qualitative, subjective assessment of the Company’s overall performance and the
executive’s individual performance and contributions to the Company’s success. |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the
Company’s CEO, Robin Raina, was awarded an incentive bonus of $1,000,000 based on his service and strong leadership of the
Company. For 2015, the Compensation Committee awarded Robert Kerris, the Company’s Executive Vice President & Chief
Financial Officer (CFO), an incentive bonus of $50,000 based on his exemplary service and his strong leadership in the role of
CFO, and for maintaining an effective regulatory and compliance framework across the Company. No short-term incentives for 2015
were paid to the Company’s other executive officers.
As a part of the items being voted on by the stockholders,
the Company has presented a Bonus Plan for Mr. Raina for 2016. The Bonus Plan provides for the payment of annual cash incentive
awards to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer based upon the achievement by the Company of specified performance goals.
The Bonus Plan is intended to preserve the Company’s federal income tax deduction for annual incentive payments to the CEO
by meeting the requirements for
“qualified performance-based compensation”
under Section 162(m). See “Proposal 3— Approval of Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan”
for a detailed description of the Bonus Plan.
| • | Long-Term Incentives. While salary and short-term
incentives are primarily designed to compensate current and past performance, the primary
goal of the long-term incentives, such as stock options and restricted stock awards,
is to link executive officer compensation with the long-term interests of the stockholders. |
On November 5, 2015, the Compensation Committee,
in consultation with the entire Board granted 98,684 shares of restricted stock to Mr. Raina under the 2010 Plan. The shares vest
over a three year period. The first one-third of these awards vest after one year on November 5, 2016. The remaining two-thirds
vest in quarterly installments over the next eight quarters, with the first quarterly installment vesting on February 5, 2017.
Use of Compensation Consultants and Benchmarking
During 2015, the Compensation Committee
did not retain any compensation consultants or engage in any formal benchmarking. The compensation committee may decide to retain
(but not yet retained) a compensation consulting firm to review and evaluate the compensation arrangements for the Company’s
executive officers for future periods.
While the Company does not formally engage
in benchmarking, the Compensation Committee does review and consider the compensation of its peer group. In 2015, the Compensation
Committee compiled two distinct comparable groups to frame the Compensation Committee’s deliberations on prospective executive
compensation for the Company’s executive officers. One group is a conventionally arranged comparator group that is comprised
of a number of companies engaged in insurance and/or finance related activities in the United States market within a range of
net revenue and market capitalization that is comparable to Ebix (the “Insurance & Finance Group”). In selecting
this group of companies, the Compensation Committee focused on companies with market capitalization from $650 million to $5 billion
and a Chief Executive Officer of these companies being either a Founder Chief Executive Officer or a Chief Executive Officer who
has led a successful turnaround. Because of the extent of the difference between the Company’s growth and the performance
of these comparable companies, the Compensation Committee believed it important to review the executive compensation practices
at those companies that reflected the growth characteristics of Ebix as nearly as could be determined. Accordingly, the Compensation
Committee also searched public filings for companies beyond just the insurance and finance industry with annualized three year
revenue growth between 3% and 154%, market capitalization between $150 million and $3.5 billion and either a Founder CEO or a
CEO who has successfully engineered a high growth trajectory for these companies (the “Growth Group”). The Compensation
Committee believes that the dual comparator groups approach is appropriate to accurately assess the performance and compensation
of the Company’s executive officers. The Insurance & Finance Group provides valuable information for use by the Compensation
Committee concerning companies in the same industry sector. The Growth Group provides valuable information for use by the Compensation
Committee about how the Company compared with other companies with similar performance. Consideration was also given to the differences
in size, scope, and complexity between the Company and the various members of the respective comparator groups. Such considerations
comprise the judgmental factors that the Compensation Committee considers and are not based on a specific formula or tied to a
comparator group.
For 2015, the Compensation Committee determined
that the following companies met the criteria for the Insurance & Finance Group:
|
• |
Universal Insurance Holdings |
|
• |
Safety Insurance Group, Inc. |
|
• |
RLI Corp (RLI) |
|
• |
Amtrust Financial Services, Inc. |
|
• |
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. |
|
• |
The Navigators Group, Inc. |
|
• |
Evercore Partners Inc. |
|
• |
Horace Mann Educators Corp. |
|
• |
Selective Insurance Group Inc. |
|
• |
Financial Engines, Inc. |
and that the following companies met the criteria for the Growth
Group:
|
• |
K12 Inc. |
|
• |
Blackbaud Inc. |
|
• |
CSG Systems International, Inc. |
|
• |
ComScore, Inc. |
|
• |
LogMeIn, Inc. |
|
• |
Willis Lease Finance Corporation |
|
• |
Epiq Systems, Inc. |
|
• |
Higher One Holdings, Inc. |
|
• |
Bottomline Technologies, Inc. |
|
• |
J 2 Global, Inc. |
|
• |
Limelight Networks, Inc. |
|
• |
Blucora, Inc. |
The Compensation Committee’s survey
of the Insurance & Finance Group indicates that the total compensation of the CEO’s within this group ranged from $2.7
million to $22 million for 2015. The total compensation for Ebix’s Chief Executive Officer for 2015 was below the compensation
of two of the ten CEO’s in this group and was 20% below the average for the Insurance & Finance Group for 2015. The
Compensation Committee’s survey of the Growth Group indicates that total compensation of the Ebix’s Chief Executive
Officer for 2015 was only 8% above the average for the Growth Group for 2015.
Other Compensation Components
Company executives are eligible to participate
in the Company’s health care, insurance and other welfare and employee benefit programs, which are the same for all eligible
employees, including Ebix’s executive officers.
Use of Employment and Severance Agreements
In the past, the Compensation Committee
has determined that competitive considerations merit the use of employment contracts or severance agreements for certain members
of senior management. Presently, however, no member of senior management is employed under an employment contract.
Recapture and Forfeiture Policies
Historically the Company has not had formal
policies with respect to the adjustment or recapture of performance based awards where the financial measures on which such awards
are based or to be
based are adjusted for changes in reported results such as,
but not limited to, instances where the Company’s financial statements are restated. The Compensation Committee does not
believe that repayment should be required where the Plan participant has acted in good faith and the errors are not attributable
to the participant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. In such later situations, the Compensation Committee believes
the Company has or will have available negotiated or legal remedies. However, the Compensation Committee may elect to take into
account factors such as the timing and amount of any financial restatement or adjustment, the amounts of benefits received, and
the clarity of accounting requirements lending to any restatement in fixing of future compensation.
Deductibility of Compensation and Related Tax Considerations
As one of the factors in its review of
compensation matters, the Compensation Committee considers the anticipated tax treatment to the Company and to the executives
of various payments and benefits.
| • | Section 162(m). Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) generally limits to $1 million
the amount that a publicly-held corporation is allowed each year to deduct for the compensation
paid to each of the corporation’s chief executive officer and the corporation’s
three most highly compensated executive officers, other than the chief executive officer
and chief financial officer. However, compensation that qualifies as “performance-based”
under Section 162(m) is not subject to the $1 million deduction limit. |
Although the Company’s stock option
plans generally have been structured with the goal of complying with the requirements of Section 162(m), and the Compensation
Committee believes stock options awarded thereunder should qualify as “performance-based” compensation exempt from
limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m), the deductibility of any compensation was not a condition to any compensation
decision. With the exception of compensation payable to the CEO, the Company does not expect its ability to deduct executive compensation
to be limited by operation of Section 162(m). However, due to interpretations and changes in the tax laws, some types of compensation
payments and their deductibility depend on the timing of an executive’s vesting or exercise of previously granted rights
and other factors beyond the Compensation Committee’s control which could affect the deductibility of compensation.
The Bonus Plan is intended to preserve
the Company’s federal income tax deduction for annual incentive payments to the CEO by meeting the requirements for “qualified
performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee will continue to consider carefully the
impact of Section 162(m) when designing compensation programs, and in making compensation decisions affecting the Company’s
Section 162(m) covered executives. The Compensation Committee believes, however, that in certain circumstances factors other than
tax deductibility are more important in determining the forms and levels of executive compensation most appropriate and in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Accordingly, it may award compensation in excess of the deductibility limit,
with or without requiring a detailed analysis of the estimated tax cost of non-deductible awards to the Company. Given our dynamic
and rapidly changing industry and business, as well as the competitive market for outstanding leadership talent, the Compensation
Committee believes it is important to retain the flexibility to design compensation programs consistent with its compensation
philosophy for the Company, even if some executive compensation is not fully deductible.
| • | Section 280G. Code Section 280G generally denies
a deduction for a significant portion of certain compensatory payments made to corporate
officers, certain stockholders and certain highly-compensated employees if the payments
are contingent on a change of control of the employer and the aggregate amounts of the
payments to the relevant individual exceed a specified relationship to that individual’s
average compensation from the employer over the preceding five |
years. In addition, Code Section 4999 imposes on
that individual a 20% excise tax on the same portion of the payments received for which the employer is denied a deduction under
Section 280G. In determining whether to approve an obligation to make payments for which Section 280G would deny the Company a
deduction or whether to approve an obligation to indemnify (or “gross-up”) an executive against the effects of the
Section 4999 excise tax, the Compensation Committee has adopted an approach similar to that described above with respect to payments
which may be subject to the deduction limitations of Section 162(m).
Compensation Committee Conclusion
Attracting and retaining talented and motivated
management and employees is essential to create long-term stockholder value. Offering a competitive, performance-based compensation
program with a large equity component helps to achieve this objective by aligning the interests of the Company’s CEO and
other executive officers with those of stockholders. The Compensation Committee believes that Ebix’s 2015 compensation program
met these objectives. Likewise, based on our review, the Compensation Committee finds the total compensation (and, in the case
of the severance and change-in-control scenarios, the potential payouts) to the Company’s CEO and other named executive
officer in the aggregate to be reasonable and not excessive.
Stockholder Advisory Vote
At the last Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
a majority of the votes cast by the Ebix stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
and on the proposal were cast in support of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as discussed and
disclosed in the proxy statement. The Board and the Compensation Committee appreciate and value the views of our stockholders.
In considering the results of this advisory vote on executive compensation, the Compensation Committee concluded that the compensation
paid to our executive officers and the Company’s overall pay practices are supported by our stockholders.
In light of the stockholder support of
the compensation paid to our executive officers evidenced by the results of this advisory vote, the Board and the Compensation
Committee did not make any specific changes to our executive compensation program for 2015. Going forward, future advisory votes
on executive compensation will serve as an additional tool to guide the Board and the Compensation Committee in evaluating the
alignment of the Company’s executive compensation program with the interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Risk Considerations
Our Compensation Committee has reviewed
risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for both our executives and non-executive employees and has determined
that they are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed
and discussed with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer the above Compensation Disclosure and
Analysis. Based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion
and Analysis be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and in this annual proxy statement.
This report has been submitted by the Compensation Committee:
Hans U. Benz and Hans Ueli Keller
The foregoing report shall not be deemed incorporated by
reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this annual report into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933
or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference,
and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
Executive Compensation Tables
The following tables provide information
relating to compensation earned by or paid to our named executive officers in all capacities.
Summary Compensation Table
Name
and Principal Position | |
Year | |
Salary ($) | | |
Bonus ($) | | |
Stock Awards ($)(1) | | |
Option Awards ($) | | |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | | |
All
Other Compensation ($) | | |
Total | |
Robin Raina, | |
2015 | |
$ | 1,300,000 | | |
$ | 1,000,000 | (2) | |
$ | 3,091,802 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 9,975 | (5) | |
$ | 5,401,777 | |
President, CEO and | |
2014 | |
$ | 1,300,000 | | |
$ | 2,000,000 | (3) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 9,675 | (5) | |
$ | 3,309,675 | |
Chairman of the Board | |
2013 | |
$ | 1,300,000 | | |
$ | 2,000,000 | (4) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 9,675 | (5) | |
$ | 3,309,675 | |
Robert Kerris, | |
2015 | |
$ | 225,000 | | |
$ | 50,000 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 3,375 | (6) | |
$ | 278,375 | |
Senior Vice | |
2014 | |
$ | 211,539 | | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 250,000 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 3,010 | (6) | |
$ | 564,549 | |
President – Chief | |
2013 | |
$ | 175,000 | | |
$ | 65,000 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 2,625 | (6) | |
$ | 242,625 | |
Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Graham Prior, | |
2015 | |
$ | 154,126 | (7) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 48,205 | (8) | |
$ | 202,331 | |
Corporate Senior | |
2014 | |
$ | 164,708 | (7) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 250,000 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 58,773 | (8) | |
$ | 473,481 | |
Vice President | |
2013 | |
$ | 171,893 | (7) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 61,503 | (8) | |
$ | 233,396 | |
Leon d’Apice, | |
2015 | |
$ | 164,250 | (9) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 13,523 | (10) | |
$ | 177,773 | |
Managing | |
2014 | |
$ | 183,515 | (9) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 250,000 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 18,159 | (10) | |
$ | 451,674 | |
Director – Ebix Australia
Group | |
2013 | |
$ | 199,665 | (9) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 15,682 | (10) | |
$ | 215,347 | |
James Senge, Sr., | |
2015 | |
$ | 225,000 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 3,075 | (6) | |
$ | 228,075 | |
Senior Vice | |
2014 | |
$ | 216,346 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 150,000 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 3,032 | (6) | |
$ | 369,378 | |
President EbixHealth | |
2013 | |
$ | 200,000 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 2,900 | (6) | |
$ | 202,900 | |
Footnotes
(1) |
These amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in
accordance with accounting guidance related to stock compensation, based on the stock price on the date of grant. |
|
|
(2) |
Total bonus for 2015was $1,000,000 which was unpaid as of December 31, 2015 but was paid
in 2016. |
|
|
(3) |
Total bonus for 2014 was $2,000,000. $1,000,000 of bonus that was unpaid as of December
31, 2014 but was paid in 2015. |
|
|
(4) |
Reflects an unpaid portion of Mr. Raina’s 2012 bonus in the amount of $800,000 that
was paid in 2013, and a retention bonus in the amount of $1,200,000. |
|
|
(5) |
Amount includes a Company matching contribution to a 401(k)/Retirement Plan of $3,975 in
2015 and $3,675 in 2014 and 2013. Also includes a $6,000 allowance for miscellaneous business and travel expenses. |
(6) |
Reflects a Company matching contribution to the 401(k)/Retirement Plan. |
|
|
(7) |
Mr. Prior was compensated in Singapore Dollars. For 2015 all sums were derived by using
the exchange rate as of December 31, 2015 of 0.70700. For 2014 all sums were derived by using the exchange rate as of December
31, 2014 of 0.75554. For 2013, all sums were derived by using the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 of 0.7885. |
|
|
(8) |
Amount includes a home leave travel allowance in the amount of $ 9,320, $8,908
and $9,462 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively and an accommodation benefit in the amount of $38,885, $49,866 and $52,041
for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to cover housing and other expenses associated with Mr. Prior’s temporary relocation
to Singapore. |
|
|
(9) |
Mr. d’Apice was compensated in Australian Dollars. For 2015, all sums were derived
by using the exchange rate as of December 31, 2015 of 0.7300. For 2014, all sums other than those representing
Stock Awards were derived by using the exchange rate as of December 31, 2014 of 0.81562. For 2013, all sums were derived by
using the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 of 0.8874. |
|
|
(10) |
Reflects a 401(k) superannuation in Australia which is accessible after age 65. |
Grants of Plan-Based Award
| |
| |
Estimated
Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards | | |
All
Other Stock Awards: Number
of Shares
of | | |
All
Other Option Awards: Number
of Securities | | |
Exercise or
Base Price
of Option | | |
Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock | |
Name | |
Grant Date | |
Threshold ($) | | |
Target ($) | | |
Maximum ($) | | |
Stock
or Units (#) | | |
Underlying Options
(#) | | |
Awards ($/Sh) | | |
and
Option Awards | |
Robin Raina | |
11/5/2015 | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 98,684 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 2,999,993 | (1) |
Robert Kerris | |
| |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Graham Prior | |
| |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Leon d’Apice | |
| |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
James Senge, Sr. | |
| |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
(1) based on the market price of the Company common stock on
November 5, 2015, the date of grant, times the number of restricted shares granted.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2015 Fiscal
Year-End
| |
Option
Awards | | |
Stock
Awards | | |
| |
Name | |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | | |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | | |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | |
Option Exercise Price ($) | | |
Option Expiration Date | | |
Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | |
Market Value
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested ($)(1) | | |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units
or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | | |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value
of Unearned Shares, Units
or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | |
Robin Raina,
President, CEO and Chairman of the Board | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| — | | |
| 98,684 | (2) | |
$ | 3,235,848 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Robert Kerris, Senior
Vice President – CFO and Secretary | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| — | | |
| 6,057 | (3) | |
$ | 198,609 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Graham Prior, Corporate
Senior Vice President | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| — | | |
| 6,057 | (3) | |
$ | 198,609 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Leon d’Apice, Managing
Director, Ebix Australia Group | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| — | | |
| 6,057 | (3) | |
$ | 198,609 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
James Senge, Sr., Senior
Vice President, EbixHealth | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,633 | (4) | |
$ | 119,126 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Footnotes
| (1) | Market value is calculated by multiplying unvested shares by $32.79,
the closing price of the Company common stock on 12/31/2015. |
| (2) | Robin Raina has been awarded restricted stock grants by the Compensation
Committee of 98,684 shares of Company common stock on November 5, 2015 of which 98,684
were unvested as of December 31, 2015 |
| (3) | Robert Kerris, Graham Prior, and Leon d’Apice were each awarded
restricted stock grants by the Compensation Committee of 14,535 shares Company common
stock on March 18, 2014 of which 6,057 shares were unvested as of December 31, 2015. |
| (4) | James Senge, Sr. has been awarded restricted stock grants by the
Compensation Committee of 13,181 shares of Company common Stock on March 18, 2014 of
which 5,493 shares were unvested as of December 31, 2015. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
| |
Option Awards | | |
Stock Awards | |
Name | |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | | |
(Spread) Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1) | | |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | | |
Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2) | |
Robin Raina | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,126 | | |
| 91,831 | |
Robert Kerris | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 8,478 | | |
| 263,811 | |
Graham Prior | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 8,478 | | |
| 263,811 | |
Leon d’Apice | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 8,478 | | |
| 263,811 | |
James Senge, Sr. | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 5,629 | | |
| 174,111 | |
Footnotes
(1) |
Reflects the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time
of exercise over the exercise price of the options. |
(2) |
Reflects the fair market value of the shares on the vesting date. |
Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The Company does not sponsor or maintain
any tax-qualified defined benefit plans, supplemental executive retirement plans or nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
Potential Payments for Mr. Raina Upon a Change of Control
As mentioned previously, no member of senior
management other than Mr. Raina has an employment or severance agreement. Except as described below for Mr. Raina, upon a termination
or change of control, each of the executive officers will receive only the unpaid portion of their salary and benefits through
the date of termination. No severance payments, acceleration of equity vesting, or other special payments will be due to such
executive officers, regardless of the circumstances of the termination.
In 2009 our independent directors unanimously
approved the recommendation of the Compensation Committee regarding changes to the compensation structure for Mr. Raina. Specifically
in this regard, the independent directors unanimously approved the Company’s execution of and entry into the Acquisition
Bonus Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Company and Mr. Raina. The Agreement aligns both the interests of the
Company’s stockholders and Mr. Raina. Considering the continued healthy growth of the Company and the prevailing comparatively
low price to earnings multiple of Ebix’s common stock, the Board has evaluated the potential threat of the Company itself
being an acquisition target. The Agreement serves in part to allow for stockholder value to be maximized by dissuading a potentially
hostile acquisition attempt at an unacceptable price. Also, the Board acknowledges that Mr. Raina’s retention is critical
to the future success and growth of Ebix, and as such, the Agreement helps to ensure that Mr. Raina will be appropriately awarded
for his contributions prior to any potential acquisition event as well as to further motivate Mr. Raina to maximize the value
received by all stockholders of Ebix if the Company were to be acquired.
Under the terms of the Agreement the occurrence
of any of the following events shall constitute an “Acquisition Event”: (a) more the 50% of the voting stock of Ebix
is sold, transferred, or exchanged; (b) a merger or consolidation of the Company occurs; (c) the sale, exchange, or transfer of
substantially all of the Company’s assets; or (d) the Company is acquired or dissolved; provided, however, an
Acquisition Event also must qualify as a “change in control”
event as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3. Upon the occurrence of an Acquisition Event, Mr. Raina shall receive
from the acquiring company, in cash, an amount that is determined by multiplying the “Share Base” by the “Spread”.
| · | “Spread”
is calculated by subtracting $7.95 (prior to the three-for-one split that occurred on
January 4, 2010, this value was $23.84) from the Net Proceeds per share. |
| · | “Share Base”
shall be the positive number, if any, that is determined when the number of Shares Deemed
Held by Mr. Raina immediately prior to the Closing Date is subtracted from the number
of shares that is 20% of the total shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior
to the Closing Date on a fully diluted basis, taking into account the effect of the occurrence
of the Acquistion Event on the vesting, repurchase of any stock by the Company, conversion
or exercise terms of any outstanding securities or other instruments exercisable for,
or convertible into, shares of common stock; provided that the difference that is so
obtained shall be reduced by the number of shares, if any, sold by Executive after the
first public announcement by the Company or any other party of any agreement, arrangement,
Agreement, proposal or intent to engage in a transaction which would constitute an Acquisition
Event. |
The number of Shares Deemed Held by Mr.
Raina immediately prior to the Closing Date shall equal the number of shares of common stock of the Company then beneficially
owned by Mr. Raina plus any shares sold by Mr. Raina between the signing of the agreement and the Closing Date, plus any additional
shares issuable to Mr. Raina (other than pursuant to this Agreement) immediately prior to or upon the Closing Date upon the exercise
of stock options or the conversion of convertible securities, after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting that will occur
due to the occurrence of the Acquisition Event.
As defined in the Agreement, Net Proceeds
shall equal the sum of any cash consideration received for each share of Company common stock plus the Fair Market Value of any
securities received or receivable per share of Company common stock held by the stockholders of the Company by virtue of an Acquisition
Event.
The “Fair Market Value” of
any securities received by Company stockholders shall be determined as follows: (i) if such securities are listed and traded on
a national securities exchange (as such term is defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) on the date of determination,
the Fair Market Value per share shall be the average of the closing prices of the securities on such national securities exchange,
over the twenty trading day period ending three trading days prior to the closing date of an Acquisition Event; (ii) if such securities
are traded in the over-the-counter market, the Fair Market Value per share shall be the average of the closing bid and asked prices
on the day immediately prior to the closing date of an Acquisition Event; or (iii) if such securities are not listed on a national
securities exchange or, if such securities are traded in the over-the-counter market but there shall be no published closing bid
and asked prices available on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date, then the Board shall determine the Fair Market Value
of such securities from all relevant available facts, which may include the average of the closing bid and ask prices reflected
in the over-the-counter market on a date within a reasonable period either before or after the date of determination, or opinions
of independent experts as to value and may take into account any recent sales and purchases of such securities to the extent they
are representative.
In the event of a determination by an accounting
firm of national standing that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Mr. Raina, whether paid, payable,
distributed or distributable pursuant to the Agreement or otherwise would be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended
(or any successor provision) or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax, then Mr. Raina shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment in an amount such that after the payment by Mr. Raina of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), Mr. Raina retains an amount equal to any such tax.
The base price of $7.95 (post-stock split)
from which any Net Proceeds will be subtracted represents the approximate price per share of the Company’s common stock
on March 25, 2009 when the independent members of the Board agreed on the desirability of this type of agreement.
In the event that an Acquisition Event
had occurred on December 31, 2015, and assuming that the Company received Net Proceeds of $32.79 per share (the closing price
of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2015), Mr. Raina would have received a $150.4 million payment upon the Acquisition
Event, which payment does not include any tax gross-up payment described above.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information
regarding the beneficial ownership of our outstanding shares of common stock as of March 11, 2016 by: (a) each person known by
us to beneficially own 5% or more of our shares of common stock, (b) each of our directors and each of our named executive officers,
and (c) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table
below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the common stock owned by them.
| |
Current Beneficial Ownership | |
Name of Beneficial Owner | |
Number of Shares(1) | | |
Percent of Class(2) | |
Directors and Named Executive Officers | |
| | |
| |
Robin Raina(3) | |
| 3,775,244 | | |
| 11.2 | % |
Neil D. Eckert(4) | |
| 131,180 | | |
| * | |
Rolf Herter(5) | |
| 87,160 | | |
| * | |
Hans Ueli Keller(6) | |
| 85,437 | | |
| * | |
Leon d’Apice(7) | |
| 79,971 | | |
| * | |
Hans U. Benz(8) | |
| 64,189 | | |
| * | |
Pavan Bhalla(9) | |
| 47,916 | | |
| * | |
George Hebard(10) | |
| 42,500 | | |
| * | |
Graham Prior(11) | |
| 37,006 | | |
| * | |
James S. Senge, Sr.(12) | |
| 21,219 | | |
| * | |
Robert F. Kerris(13) | |
| 7,093 | | |
| * | |
Joseph R. Wright(14) | |
| 1,875 | | |
| * | |
Directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)(15) | |
| 4,380,790 | | |
| 13.0 | % |
| |
Current Beneficial Ownership | |
Name of Beneficial Owner | |
Number of Shares(1) | | |
Percent of Class(2) | |
Other Beneficial Holders | |
| | | |
| | |
FMR LLC (16) | |
| 5,065,063 | | |
| 15.1 | % |
Rennes Foundation(17) | |
| 3,746,473 | | |
| 11.1 | % |
Blackrock(18) | |
| 2,464,626 | | |
| 7.3 | % |
Steven D. Lebowitz (19) | |
| 2,172,704 | | |
| 6.5 | % |
The Vanguard Group(20) | |
| 2,056,534 | | |
| 6.1 | % |
P2 Capital Partners, LLC(21) | |
| 1,703,764 | | |
| 5.1 | % |
First Trust Advisors(22) | |
| 1,308,555 | | |
| 3.9 | % |
* Less than 1%. *
(1) |
For purposes of this table, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner
of a security if he or she: (a) has or shares voting power or dispositive power with respect to such security, or (b) has
the right to acquire such ownership within 60 days. “Voting power” is the power to vote or direct the voting of
shares, and “dispositive power” is the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares, irrespective of any
economic interest in such shares. |
|
|
(2) |
In calculating the percentage ownership or percent of equity vote for a given individual
or group, the number of common shares outstanding includes unissued shares subject to options, warrants, rights or conversion
privileges exercisable within 60 days held by such individual or group, but are not deemed outstanding by any other person
or group. Percentage is based on 33,646,656 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 11, 2016. |
|
|
(3) |
Mr. Raina’s ownership includes: (a) 98,684 shares of restricted stock and (b) 217,064
shares held as trustee for the Robin Raina Foundation, a 501(c) charity ownership, which were donated by Robin Raina from
vested restricted stock grants previously issued to Mr. Raina by the Company and to which Mr. Raina disclaims any beneficial
ownership. The Federal Tax ID Number for the foundation is 51-0497387. The address of Mr. Raina is 1 Ebix Way, Johns Creek,
Georgia 30097. |
|
|
(4) |
Mr. Eckert’s ownership includes options to purchase 27,750 shares of our common stock
which are exercisable as of March 11, 2016, or that will become exercisable within 60 days after that date. |
|
|
(5) |
Mr. Herter’s ownership includes options to purchase 7,500 shares of our common stock
which are exercisable as of March 11, 2016, or that will become exercisable within 60 days after that date. |
|
|
(6) |
Mr. Keller’s ownership includes options to purchase 12,000 shares of our common stock
which are exercisable as of March 11, 2016, or that will become exercisable within 60 days after that date. |
|
|
(7) |
Mr. d’Apice’s ownership includes 6,056 shares of restricted stock. |
|
|
(8) |
Mr. Benz’s ownership includes options to purchase 14,250 shares of our common stock
which are exercisable as of March 11, 2016, or that will become exercisable within 60 days after that date. |
|
|
(9) |
Mr. Bhalla’s ownership includes options to purchase 4,128 shares of our common stock
which are exercisable as of March 11, 2016, or that will become exercisable within 60 days after that date. |
|
|
(10) |
Mr. Hebard’s ownership includes options to purchase 1,500 shares of our common
stock which are exercisable as of March 11, 2016, or that will become exercisable within 60 days after that date. |
(11) |
Mr. Prior’s ownership includes 6,056 shares of restricted stock. |
|
|
(12) |
Mr. Senge’s ownership includes 3,633 shares of restricted stock. |
|
|
(13) |
Mr. Kerris’s ownership includes 6,056 shares of restricted stock. |
|
|
(14) |
Mr. Wright’s ownership includes options to purchase 1,875 shares of our common stock
which are exercisable as of March 11, 2016, or that will become exercisable within 60 days after that date. |
|
|
(15) |
Includes options to purchase 69,003 shares of our common stock which are exercisable as
of March 11, 2016, or that will become exercisable within 60 days after that date. |
|
|
(16) |
Ownership consists of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by FMR LLC, certain
of its subsidiaries and affiliates, and other companies (“Fidelity”) as disclosed on its joint Schedule 13G/A
filed with the SEC on February 12, 2016. The address of Fidelity is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. |
|
|
(17) |
The address of the Rennes Foundation is Rätikonerstrasse 13, P.O. Box 12Capital Partners5,
9490 Vaduz, Principality of Liechtenstein. |
|
|
(18) |
Ownership consists of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Blackrock, Inc. and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Blackrock”) as disclosed on its Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 26,
2016. The address of Blackrock is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. |
|
|
(19) |
Includes 125,000 shares beneficially owned by The Lebowitz Family, LLC, a trust over which
Mr. Lebowitz serves as a co-trustee; 1,124,737 shares beneficially owned by Deborah P. Lebowitz, the Steven & Deborah
Lebowitz Foundation and the Lebowitz Family Trust-1986, and options to purchase 1,185 shares which are exercisable within
60 days of February 2, 2016. This is as disclosed on a group Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 16, 2016. The address
of Mr. Lebowitz is 439 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. |
|
|
(20) |
Ownership consists of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by The Vanguard Group,
Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Vanguard”), as disclosed on Vanguard’s joint schedule
13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2016. The address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. |
|
|
(21) |
Ownership consists of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by P2 Capital Partners,
LLC as disclosed on Form 13F as filed with the SEC on February 16, 2016. The Address of P2 Capital Partners LLC is 590 Madison
Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10022. |
|
|
(22) |
Ownership consists of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by First Trust Portfolios
L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P., and The Charger Corporation (collectively, “First Trust”), as disclosed on its
joint Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2016. The address of First Trust is 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400,
Wheaton, Illinois 60187. |
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The audited financial statements of the
Company, as of and for the three year period ended on December 31, 2015, are included in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process and the independent audit of the annual consolidated
financial statements on behalf of the Board. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the Audit Committee Charter
at least annually.
The Company, acting through its management
and Board, has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and reporting process, including the system of internal
accounting controls. Management of the Company is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the Company’s
financial statements, the financial reporting process, and internal controls.
Cherry Bekaert LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm engaged by the Company, is responsible for auditing the Company’s annual financial statements and
expressing its opinion thereon in accordance with auditing standards and accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
In addition, the members of the Audit Committee
reviewed, and the chairman of the Audit Committee discussed with management and CB, the interim financial information contained
in each quarterly earnings release prior to the release of such information to the public.
The Audit Committee met five times during
2015. In performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements with the Company’s
management, including a discussion of the quality, not merely the acceptability, of the accounting principles used, the reasonableness
of significant judgments and the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements. The Audit Committee also has reviewed
with CB its judgments as to the quality and the acceptability of the Company’s accounting principles. Management and CB
have advised the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were fairly stated in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting
firm the matters required to be discussed under auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, including those matters
set forth in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as currently in effect, and amended
by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 89 (Audit Adjustments) and Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90 (Audit Committee Communications).
In addition, the Audit Committee has received
the written disclosures and the letter from CB required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees), as currently in effect, and has reviewed, evaluated, and discussed with that firm its independence from
the Company.
In fiscal year 2015, all of the audit fees,
audit-related fees and tax fees were approved by either the Audit Committee or its designee. The Audit Committee has considered
whether the provision of non-audit services by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is compatible
with maintaining auditor independence and believes that the provision of such services is compatible. Pursuant to the requirements
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the terms of the engagement of CB are subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee.
All audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed by CB require pre-approval by the Audit Committee in accordance with
pre-approved procedures established by the Audit Committee. The procedures require all proposed engagements of CB for services
of any kind to be directed to the Company’s CFO and then submitted for approval to the Audit Committee prior to the beginning
of any services. Following its consideration of all such factors, the Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered
public accountants are independent from the Company and its management.
Further, the Audit Committee discussed
with CB the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee conferred with CB, with and without management
present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluation of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall
quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial
statements of the Company, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015, with management and CB.
Based upon the reviews and discussions
with management and CB referred to above, in reliance on management and CB, and subject to the limitations of the role of the
Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the inclusion of the audited
financial statements of the Company in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee also has approved, and is
recommending stockholder approval and ratification of, the appointment of CB to audit the Company’s financial statements
for its 2016 fiscal year.
This report has been submitted by the Audit
Committee:
Respectfully submitted,
The Members of the Audit Committee
Pavan Bhalla
Hans Ueli Keller
Hans U. Benz
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
As of December 31, 2015, we maintained
the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated in 2006. Our stockholders also approved the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan at
our annual meeting on November 17, 2010. The table below provides information as of December 31, 2015 related to these plans.
Plan Category | |
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options Warrants and Rights | | |
Weighted- Average Exercise Price of Outstanding
Options Warrants and Rights | | |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans | |
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
—1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated in 2006 | |
| 27,000 | | |
$ | 2.27 | | |
| 1,097,563 | |
—2010 Stock Incentive Plan | |
| 112,878 | | |
$ | 18.25 | | |
| 4,427,689 | |
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders | |
| — | | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
Total | |
| 139,878 | | |
$ | 15.17 | | |
| 5,525,252 | |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Under the Audit Committee’s charter,
and consistent with SEC rules, any material potential or actual conflict of interest or transaction between the Company and any
“related person” of the Company must be reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. SEC rules define a “related
person” of the Company as any director (or nominee), executive officer, 5%-or-greater stockholder or immediate family member
of any of these persons.
We consider Regions Bank (“Regions”)
to be a related party because Regions provides financing to the Company via a syndicated commercial banking facility, and because
Regions is also a customer to whom the Company sells products and services. Revenues recognized from Regions were $300 thousand,
$281 thousand, and $292 thousand, for each of the years ending December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
Rahul Raina, is the Company’s Corporate
Vice President - Operations Ebix RCS & A.D.A.M. International Business Development and the brother of Robin Raina, our Chairman
of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer. During 2015 and 2014 he was paid a salary of $120,000 and received a cash
bonus of $25,000 in 2015 and no cash bonus in 2014. He received no share-based compensation awards in either 2005 or 2014.
During the year ended December 31, 2015
Ebix made no donations to the Robin Raina Foundation, a non-profit 501(c) charity in support of the cause of building and providing
homes for the severely underprivileged in India.
On November 26, 2014, we entered into the
Director Nomination Agreement, which was amended in March 2015. See “Information Concerning the Board of Directors, Executive
Officers and the Corporate Governance of the Company – Director Nomination Agreement” on page 18 for a
description of the Director Nomination Agreement. Under the Director Nomination Agreement, the Company reimbursed $140,000 of
the Barington Group’s out-of-pocket expenses in connection with, relating to or resulting from its letters to the Company
dated November 10 and 11, 2014, the 2014 Annual Meeting, the negotiation and execution of the Director Nomination Agreement and
the Barington Group’s efforts and actions, and any preparations therefor, before the execution and delivery of the Director
Nomination Agreement, to consider means by which to alter the composition of the Board and related activities.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 requires the Company’s officers and directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered
class of our equity securities to file with the SEC reports of securities ownership on Form 3 and changes in such ownership on
Forms 4 and 5. Officers, directors and more than ten percent beneficial owners also are required by rules promulgated by the SEC
to furnish the Company with copies of all such Section 16(a) reports that they file. Based solely upon a review of the copies
of Forms 3, 4, and 5 furnished to the Company or representations by certain executive officers and directors that no such reports
were required for them, the Company believes that during 2015 all of the Company’s directors, officers and more than ten-percent
beneficial owners filed all such reports on a timely basis except for Joseph Wright who filed one Form 4 one day late, Robin Raina
who filed one Form 4 one day late, James Mitarotonda who filed one Form 4 two months late, and George Hebard who filed one Form
4 twelve days late. In addition, Rennes Foundation is a ten percent stockholder located in Liechtenstein who filed its Form 3
ten days late, three Form 4s each one day late and one Form 4 two days late.
OTHER MATTERS
At the time of the preparation of this
proxy statement, the Board has not been informed of any other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting other than those
proposals specifically set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting and referred to herein. If you execute the enclosed proxy and
any other business should come before the meeting, we expect that the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote your shares
in accordance with their best judgment on that matter.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company encourages stockholders to
contact the Corporate Secretary prior to submitting a stockholder proposal. Stockholder proposals must conform to the Company’s
Bylaws and the requirements of the SEC.
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange
Act, some stockholder proposals may be eligible for inclusion in our 2017 proxy statement. In order for a stockholder proposal
to be considered for inclusion in the proxy material for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8, your
proposal must be received by our Corporate Secretary no later than November 19, 2016 (unless the meeting date is changed by more
than 30 days from April 29, 2017, in which case a proposal must be a received a reasonable time before we print proxy materials
for the 2017 Annual Meeting) and must be submitted in compliance with the rule. Proposals should be directed to our Corporate
Secretary, Ebix, Inc., 1 Ebix Way, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097, and should comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8.
If our Corporate Secretary receives at
the address listed above any stockholder proposal intended to be presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting without inclusion in the
proxy statement for the meeting after February 2, 2017 (unless the meeting date is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary
of the 2016 Annual Meeting, in which case a proposal must be received a reasonable time before we print proxy materials for the
2017 Annual Meeting), SEC Rule 14a-4(c) provides that the proxies designated by the Board will have discretionary authority to
vote on such proposal. The proxies designated by the Board also will have such discretionary authority, notwithstanding the stockholder’s
compliance with the deadlines described above, if we advise stockholders in the proxy statement for the meeting about the nature
of the matter and how management intends to vote on such matter, and the stockholder does not comply with specified provisions
of the SEC’s rules.
Stockholders who wish the Corporate Governance
Committee to consider their recommendations for nominees for the position of director should submit their recommendations in writing
by mail to our Corporate Secretary, Ebix, Inc., 1 Ebix Way, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097.
Section 3.10 of our Bylaws creates certain
advance notice requirements for stockholder nominations of directors at both annual and special meetings. To be timely, a director
nomination by a stockholder for an annual meeting must be submitted not less than 90 nor more than 120 days before the anniversary
date of the immediately preceding annual meeting. In the case of a nomination at a special meeting, notice of such nomination
must be given within 10 days that notice of such meeting was provided or made public. Nominations for the 2017 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders must be received between November 19 and December 19, 2016.
In addition, Section 3.10 requires disclosures
relating to the nominees and their relationships with stockholders proposing their nomination. Among other things, Section 3.10
requires a proposed nominee to: (1) represent and promise that the nominee is not, nor will become, party to any understanding
with another person (a) to vote or act as a Director in a certain manner or (b) concerning compensation, reimbursement or indemnification
without disclosure to the Company; and (2) represent that, if elected to the Board, such nominee would comply with Regulation
FD and Company governance, trading, ethics, stock ownership and other policies.
Section 3.10 also requires disclosures
similar to a stockholder proposing business for an annual meeting. In addition, a proposing stockholder, including its affiliates,
must disclose all agreements or other understandings with a director nominee it has proposed, as well as any other material interest
involved in such nomination.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company will provide without charge
to any stockholder upon written request, a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including financial statements
and schedules thereto, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC (without exhibits). All such requests
should be delivered to Aaron Tikkoo, Investor Relations, Ebix, Inc., at the address set forth on the front page of this proxy
statement. Copies of exhibits will be provided upon written request and payment of a reasonable fee to cover the costs of reproducing
and mailing.
Please date, sign and return the proxy card at your earliest
convenience in the enclosed return envelope. No postage is required if mailed in the United States.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Robin Raina
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: March 18, 2016
Appendix A
EBIX, INC.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ANNUAL INCENTIVE BONUS PLAN
ARTICLE 1
ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN
1.1 Background
of Plan. EBIX, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby establishes, effective as of January 1, 2016, an annual incentive
plan for its Chief Executive Officer known as the EBIX, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan. The Plan was
adopted by the Board of Directors on November 9, 2015, and approved by the stockholders of the Company on _____________, 2016.
1.2 Purpose.
The purpose of the Plan is to provide for the payment of annual cash bonus awards to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
based upon the achievement by the Company of specified performance goals. The Plan is intended to preserve the Company’s
federal income tax deduction for annual bonus payments under the Plan by meeting the requirements for performance-based compensation
under Section 162(m) of the Code.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS
2.1 DEFINITIONS. Certain
terms of the Plan have defined meanings set forth in this Article and which shall govern unless the context in which they are
used clearly indicates that some other meaning is intended.
| | Beneficiary. Any person or persons
designated by the Participant, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee,
to receive benefits hereunder in the event of the Participant's death. If the Participant
shall fail to designate a Beneficiary or shall designate a Beneficiary who shall fail
to survive the Participant, the Beneficiary shall be the Participant's surviving spouse,
or, if none, the Participant's surviving descendants (who shall take per stirpes) and
if there are no surviving descendants, the Beneficiary shall be the Participant's estate. |
| | Board. The Board of Directors of
the Company. |
| | Code. The Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended from time to time. |
| | Committee. The Compensation Committee
of the Board. |
| | Company. EBIX, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and its corporate successors. |
Disability. Any illness
or other physical or mental condition of the Participant that renders the Participant incapable of performing his customary and
usual duties for the
Company which has lasted or
can reasonably be expected to last for at least 180 days in a continuous 365-day period. The Committee may require such medical
or other evidence as it deems necessary to judge the nature and permanency of the Participant's condition. The effective date
of the Participant's Disability shall be as determined by the Committee and such determination shall be communicated to the Participant
in writing.
Incentive Bonus. Has
the meaning described in Section 5.1.
| | Participant. The Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. |
| | Performance Criteria. The performance
criteria listed in Section 5.2 from among which the Committee may set Performance Goals
in each Plan Year. |
| | Performance Goals. The performance
goals established each Plan Year by the Committee from among the Performance Criteria
listed in Section 5.2. |
| | Plan. The EBIX, Inc. Chief Executive
Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, as set forth in this document together with any
subsequent amendments hereto. |
Plan Year. The calendar
year.
Subsidiary. Any corporation,
limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power is
beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company.
Target Bonus. Has the
meaning described in Section 5.3.
ARTICLE 3
ADMINISTRATION
3.1 COMMITTEE. The Plan
shall be administered by the Committee.
3.2 AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE.
The Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:
(a) Establish
Performance Goals and weightings for different Performance Goals;
(c) Establish
target Incentive Bonuses for the Participant;
(d) Determine
whether and to what extent Performance Goals were achieved in a given Plan Year;
(e) Reduce
any Incentive Bonus, regardless of the achievement of Performance Goals;
(f) Establish,
adopt or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; and
(g) Make
all other decisions and determinations that may be required under the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to
administer the Plan; and
(h) Amend
the Plan as provided herein.
3.3. DECISIONS BINDING.
The Committee's interpretation of the Plan and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are
final, binding, and conclusive.
ARTICLE 4
ELIGIBILITY
The Chief Executive
Officer of the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.
ARTICLE 5
OPERATION OF THE PLAN
5.1 PLAN STRUCTURE. The
Participant shall be eligible to receive payment of an Incentive Bonus in connection with a particular Plan Year if the Company
meets or exceeds certain Performance Goals set by the Committee, together with the satisfaction of any other conditions, such
as continued employment, as the Committee may determine to be appropriate
provided, however, that the Committee may provide, either in connection with the grant thereof or by amendment thereafter,
that achievement of such performance goals will be waived, in whole or in part, upon (i) the termination of employment of the
Participant by reason of death or Disability, or (ii) the occurrence of a change in control of the Company. The Committee has
the right, in connection with the payment of an Incentive Bonus, to exercise negative discretion to determine that the portion
of such Incentive Bonus actually earned, vested and/or payable (as applicable) shall be less than the portion that would be earned,
vested and/or payable based solely upon application of the applicable Performance Goals.
5.2 Establishment
of Performance Goals. Not later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of any Plan Year (or such other date as
may be permitted or required by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee will set in writing Performance Goals for such Plan
Year based upon one or more of the following Performance Criteria:
| · | Profit (net profit,
gross profit, operating profit or other corporate profit measures) |
| · | Earnings (EBIT,
EBITDA, earnings per share, or other corporate earnings measures) |
| · | Net income (before
or after taxes, operating income or other income measures) |
| · | Cash (cash flow,
cash generation or other cash measures) |
| · | Stock price or
performance |
| · | Total stockholder
return (stock price appreciation plus reinvested dividends divided by beginning share
price) |
| · | Return measures
(return on assets, capital, equity, investments or sales, and cash flow return on assets,
capital, equity, or sales) |
| · | Improvements
in capital structure |
| · | Expenses (expense
management, expense ratio, expense efficiency ratios or other expense measures) |
| · | Business expansion
or consolidation (acquisitions and divestitures) |
| · | Strategic plan
development and implementation |
Performance Goals
with respect to the foregoing Performance Criteria may be specified in absolute terms, on an adjusted basis, in percentages, or
in terms of growth from period to period or growth rates over time, as well as measured relative to the performance of a group
of comparator companies, or a published or special index, or a stock market index, that the Committee deems appropriate. Any member
of a comparator group or an index that ceases to exist during a measurement period shall be disregarded for the entire measurement
period. Performance Goals need not be based upon an increase or positive result under a business criterion and could include,
for example, the maintenance of the status quo or the limitation of economic losses (measured, in each case, by reference to a
specific business criterion). Performance measures may but need not be determinable in conformance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
At the time Performance
Goals are established, the Committee may provide that any evaluation of performance shall exclude or otherwise objectively adjust
for any specified circumstance or event that occurs during a Plan Year, including by way of example but without limitation the
following: (a) asset write-downs or impairment charges; (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (c) the effect of changes
in tax laws, accounting principles or other laws or provisions affecting reported results; (d) accruals for reorganization and
restructuring programs; (e) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in then-current accounting principles; (f) extraordinary
nonrecurring items as described in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year; (g) acquisitions or divestitures; and
(h) foreign exchange gains and losses.
5.3. Establishment
of Incentive Bonus TARGETs. At the time the Committee sets the Performance Goals for a particular Plan Year, it shall
also set in writing the Participant’s bonus opportunity, expressed as a dollar amount or a percentage of the Participant’s
base salary, which will be earned by the Participant if the established Performance Goals are achieved (the “Target Bonus”).
The basis for amount of the Target Bonus amount will be competitive practice, as determined by the Committee. The Target Bonus
will be communicated in writing to the Participant at the beginning of the performance period.
The Committee may,
but is not required to, establish the weightings for the Participant for performance within any category of the Performance Goals.
If established, the weightings would be expressed as a percent of the Target Bonus (or a stated dollar amount of the Incentive
Bonus) that can be earned by the Participant from performance in each category.
5.4 AMOUNT OF INCENTIVE BONUS
EARNED. At the beginning of each Plan Year, the Committee may, but is not required to, identify an amount of Incentive Bonus,
which may be expressed as a dollar amount or as a percentage of the Target Bonus, that will be earned at various performance levels.
For example, the Committee may establish separately for each category of performance (e.g., net income, earnings per share, etc.)
a level of "Expected," "Threshold," and "Outstanding" performance, and provide that a percent of
Target Bonus (or a stated dollar amount) will correspond to each level of performance, such as:
— Outstanding:
150% of Target Bonus (or a stated dollar amount)
— Expected: 100%
of Target Bonus (or a stated dollar amount)
— Threshold:
50% of Target Bonus (or a stated dollar amount)
— Below Threshold:
0%
5.5 ACHIEVEMENT AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERFORMANCE GOALS. Payment of an Incentive Bonus shall be conditioned on the written certification of the Committee that
the Performance Goals and any other material conditions were satisfied. Except as specifically provided in Section 5.1, an Incentive
Bonus may not be amended, nor may the Committee exercise any discretionary authority it may otherwise have under the Plan, in
any manner to waive the achievement of the applicable Performance Goal or to increase the amount payable pursuant thereto or the
value thereof, or otherwise in a manner that would cause the Incentive Bonus to fail to meet the requirements for performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
5.6 PAYOUT FORM AND TIMING.
Incentive Bonuses will be made not later than March 15 of the calendar year following the Plan Year, and as soon as possible after
the audited results for the Company are available for the Plan Year. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may, in its discretion,
reduce the amount of an Incentive Bonus otherwise payable to the Participant under the Plan.
5.7. Annual
Limit. In no event shall the Participant receive bonus payments under the Plan in connection with any one Plan Year
which exceed $3,000,000.
5.8 DEATH AND DISABILITY.
In the event of the Participant's termination of employment by reason of death or Disability, a pro rata Incentive Bonus will
be made, based on the number of days in the Plan Year preceding the date of termination. Performance criteria will be based on
full-year performance. Incentive Bonuses in these situations will be calculated and paid after the end of the Plan Year, according
to the regular schedule. In the event of the Participant’s death, amounts will be paid to the Participant’s Beneficiary.
5.9 OTHER TERMINATIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.
In the event of a termination of employment other than by reason of death or Disability, the Participant will forfeit any right
to
an Incentive Bonus for the Plan Year in
which the termination of employment occurs. For terminations after a Plan Year, but before payout from the Plan for such Plan
Year, payout will be made as though the termination had not occurred. Whether military, government or other service or other leave
of absence shall constitute a termination of employment shall be determined in each case by the Committee at its discretion, and
any determination by the Committee shall be final and conclusive. A termination of employment shall not occur in a circumstance
in which a Participant transfers from the Company to one of its Subsidiaries, transfers from a Subsidiary to the Company, or transfers
from one Subsidiary to another Subsidiary.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION
6.1. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION
AND TERMINATION. The Committee may, at any time and from time to time, amend, modify or terminate the Plan; provided, however,
that (i) no such amendment may, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, change the material terms of the Performance
Goals or Performance Criteria or effect such other change that would cause the loss of any tax deduction to the Company under
Code Section 162(m) absent stockholder approval. The Committee may condition any other amendment or modification on the approval
of stockholders of the Company if such approval is necessary or deemed advisable with respect to tax, securities or other applicable
laws, policies or regulations.
6.2 Termination
AFTER OR during a Plan Year. Termination of the Plan after a Plan Year but before Incentive Bonuses are made will not
reduce the Participant’s rights to receive Incentive Bonuses. Termination or amendment of the Plan during a Plan Year may
be retroactive to the beginning of the Plan Year, at the discretion of the Committee. If any amendment or termination occurs during
the Plan Year, the Committee shall determine when and to what extent awards, if any, shall be paid for the portion of the Plan
Year preceding the amendment or termination.
ARTICLE 7
GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.3. WITHHOLDING.
The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit
to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant's FICA obligation)
required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan.
7.4. UNFUNDED STATUS
OF AWARDS. The Plan is intended to be an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to
any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to the Plan, nothing contained in the Plan shall give the Participant any
rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.
7.5. INDEMNIFICATION.
To the extent allowable under applicable law, each member of the Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company
from any loss, cost,
liability, or expense that may be imposed
upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which
such person may be a party or in which he may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act under the Plan and against
and from any and all amounts paid by such person in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him provided
he gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he undertakes to handle and defend
it on his own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to
which such person may be entitled under the Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or
any power that the Company may have to indemnify him or hold him harmless.
7.6. EXPENSES.
The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries.
7.7. TITLES AND
HEADINGS. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any
conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
7.8. GOVERNING
LAW. To the extent not governed by federal law, the Plan shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of
the State of Delaware.
The foregoing is hereby
acknowledged as being the EBIX, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan as adopted by the Board on November 9, 2015
and approved by the stockholders of the Company on ____________, 2016.
|
EBIX, INC. |
|
|
|
Compensation Committee |
|
The President HU Keller |
|
|
|
/s/ HU Keller |
|
|
|
Compensation Committee member |
|
HU Benz |
|
|
|
/s/ HU Benz |
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