NOTICE & PROXY STATEMENTUNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrant  x                             Filed by a Partyparty other than the Registrant  ¨

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 Preliminary Proxy Statement

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 CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14A-6(E)Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x

 Definitive Proxy Statement

¨

 Definitive Additional Materials

¨

 Soliciting Material Under Section 240.14a-12

NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION

(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):

NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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x

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 (1) 

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(2) 

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(3) 

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LOGOLOGO

Northern Trust Corporation

50 South La Salle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

March 10, 20159, 2016

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Northern Trust Corporation 20152016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Tuesday, April 21, 2015,19, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., Central Time, at our corporate headquarters at 50 South La Salle Street in Chicago, Illinois.

For more than 125 years, our stockholders’ support has been essential to Northern Trust’s stability and success.Your vote plays a vital role and is very important for our future. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, I urge you to vote your shares as promptly as possible.

The attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement provide you with information about each proposal to be considered at the Annual Meeting, as well as other information you may find useful in voting your shares. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please review the information on admittance procedures in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

If you choose not to attend in person, you may vote your shares by Internet or telephone. If you received a paper copy of the proxy materials, you also may complete, sign, date, and return your proxy card in the enclosed envelope. Instructions for voting by Internet or telephone can be found on your proxy card or your Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials.

Thank you for your continued support of Northern Trust Corporation, and your contribution to the future of our company.

 

Sincerely,
LOGO

Frederick H. Waddell

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer


LOGOLOGO

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Date:  Tuesday, April 21, 201519, 2016
Time:  10:30 a.m., Central Time
Place:  

Northern Trust Corporation

50 South La Salle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Purposes:  The purposes of the Annual Meeting are to:
  

       elect eleventwelve directors to serve on the Board of Directors until the 20162017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders andor until their successors are elected and qualified;

 

       approve, by an advisory vote, 20142015 named executive officer compensation;

 

       ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Northern Trust Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 20152016 fiscal year; and

 

      consider a stockholder proposal regarding additional disclosure of political and lobbying contributions, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting; and

       transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Record Date:  You can, and should, vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on February 23, 2015.22, 2016.

March 10, 20159, 2016

By order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

Stephanie S. Greisch

Corporate Secretary

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 21, 201519, 2016

This Proxy Statement, other proxy materials, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 and a link to the means to vote by Internet or telephone are available at https://materials.proxyvote.com/665859.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

   1  

A Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

   1  

Who May Vote

   1  

Voting Your Proxy

   12  

Revoking Your Proxy

   3  

Voting in Person

   3  

Householding Information

   3  

Quorum and Vote Required for Approval

   4  

Solicitation of Proxies; Costs

   5  

ADMITTANCE TO THE ANNUAL MEETING

   5  

ITEM 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

   6  

INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR

   7  

BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEE INFORMATION

   11  

Board Committees

   11  

Committee Composition

12

Audit Committee

   1112  

Business Risk Committee

   12  

Business StrategyCapital Governance Committee

   1213  

Compensation and Benefits Committee

   1213  

Corporate Governance Committee

   13  

Corporate Social Responsibility Committee

14

Executive Committee

   1314  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   1315

Key Governance Principles

15  

Director Independence

   1315  

Related Person Transactions Policy

   1516  

Executive Sessions

   1618  

Board Leadership Structure; Lead Director

   1618  

Risk Oversight

   1719  

Corporate Governance Guidelines

   1719  

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

   1820  

Management Development and Succession Planning

   1820  

Director Nominations and Qualifications

   1920  

Stockholder Outreach

   1921  

Communications with the Board and Independent Directors

   1921  

Securities TradingTransactions Policy and Procedures and Policy Against Hedging

   2022  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   2123  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

   2224  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

   2224  

ITEM 2—ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   2426  

 

i


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   2527  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

   2527  

Compensation and Benefits Committee Report

   42

Compensation and Benefits Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

4347  

Summary Compensation Table

   4448  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

   4751  

Description of Certain Awards Granted in 20142015

   4852  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

   5156  

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

   5560  

Pension Benefits

   5560  

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

   5964  

Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or a Change in Control of the Corporation

   6267  

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

   6671  

Annual Retainer and Other Fees

   6671  

Deferral of Compensation

   6671  

Other Director Compensation

   6672  

Stock Ownership Guidelines

   6672  

Director Compensation Table

   6772  

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

   6874  

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

   6975  

AUDIT MATTERS

   7076  

Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   7076  

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures of the Audit Committee

   7076  

ITEM 3—RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   71

ITEM  4—STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE OF POLITICAL AND LOBBYING CONTRIBUTIONS

72

Stockholder Proposal

72

Statement of Board of Directors in Opposition to the Stockholder Proposal

7377  

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 20162017 ANNUAL MEETING

   7478  

 

ii


LOGOLOGO

PROXY STATEMENT

The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Northern Trust Corporation (the “Corporation”) for use at the Corporation’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, April 21, 201519, 2016 (the “Annual Meeting”). On or about March 10, 2015,9, 2016, we began mailing or otherwise making available our proxy materials, including a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014,2015, to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

GENERAL INFORMATION

A Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), for some of our stockholders we are providing access to our proxy materials via the Internet. The rules permit us to send a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to stockholders of record and beneficial owners. All stockholders have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice, www.proxyvote.com, or to request a printed set of proxy materials on this site or by calling toll-free 1-800-690-6903.1-800-579-1639. Complete instructions for accessing the proxy materials on the Internet or requesting a printed copy may be found in the Notice. In addition, stockholders may request to receive all future proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by e-mail on the website above or when voting electronically. Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by e-mail will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of our annual stockholders’ meetings on the environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by e-mail will remain in effect until you terminate it.

Who May Vote

Record holders of the Corporation’s common stock at the close of business on February 23, 201522, 2016 may vote at the Annual Meeting. On that date, the Corporation had 233,620,101228,731,503 shares of common stock outstanding. The shares of common stock held in the Corporation’s treasury will not be voted.

You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock that you owned of record at the close of business on February 23, 2015.22, 2016. The proxy card or Notice, as applicable, indicates the number of shares you are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Voting Your Proxy

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote your shares promptly.

If you are a stockholder“stockholder of recordrecord” (that is, you hold your shares of the Corporation’s common stock in your own name), you may vote your shares by proxy using any of the following methods:

 

  

using the Internet site listed on the Notice or the proxy card;

 

  

calling the toll-free telephone number listed on the proxy card; or

 

  

completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card.

The Internet and telephone voting procedures set forth on the Notice and the proxy card are designed to authenticate stockholders’ identities, to allow stockholders to provide their voting instructions and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote by Internet or telephone, you should not return your proxy card.

If you are a beneficial“beneficial owner,,” also known as a street name“street name” holder (that is, you hold your shares of the Corporation’s common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee), you will receive from the record holder, in the form of a Notice or otherwise, voting instructions (including instructions, if any, on how to vote by Internet or telephone) that you must follow in order to have your shares voted at the Annual Meeting. Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, brokers, banks and other nominees that hold securities on behalf of beneficial owners generally may vote on routine matters even if they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owners for whom they hold securities, but are not permitted to vote on nonroutine matters unless they have received such voting instructions. While the ratification of the appointment of an issuer’s independent registered public accounting firm generally is considered to be a routine matter, the election of directors and executive compensation matters and stockholder proposals generally are considered to be nonroutine matters.Thus, if you fail to provide your specific voting instructions, your broker may only vote your shares on the ratification of the appointment of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm.Consequently, it is important that you communicate your voting instructions by using any of the following methods so your vote can be counted:

 

  

using the Internet site listed on the voting instruction form;

 

  

calling the toll-free telephone number listed on the voting instruction form; or

 

  

completing, signing, dating and returning your voting instruction form.

If you own shares of common stock as a participant in The Northern Trust Company Thrift-Incentive Plan (“TIP”), or as a participant in any other employee benefit plan of the Corporation, your proxy card will cover the shares credited to each of your plan accounts. The completed proxy card (or vote by Internet or telephone) will serve as your voting instructions to the TIP trustee. To allow sufficient time for voting by the trustee, your voting instructions must be received by 11:59 p.m.,p.m, Eastern Time, on April 16, 2015.14, 2016.

Whether you vote by Internet, telephone or mail, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you sign, date and return your proxy card without indicating how you want to vote your shares, the proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with the following recommendations of the Board:

 

Item 1

       FOR the election of each nominee for director;

Item 2

       FOR the approval, by an advisory vote, of the 20142015 compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC; and

Item 3

       FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015; and

Item 4

AGAINST the stockholder proposal regarding additional disclosure of political and lobbying contributions.2016.

The proxy holders are authorized to vote as they shall determine in their sole discretion on any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Revoking Your Proxy

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by:

 

  

sending a written notice of revocation to the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary;

 

  

submitting another signed proxy card with a later date;

 

  

voting by Internet or telephone at a later date; or

 

  

attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

If you hold your shares in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee and wish to revoke your proxy, you will need to contact that party to revoke your proxy.

Voting in Person

You may come to the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person by obtaining and submitting a ballot that will be provided at the meeting. However, if your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee in street name, to be able to vote at the meeting you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the record holder of your shares, indicating that you were the beneficial owner of the shares at the close of business on February 23, 2015.22, 2016.

Householding Information

We are delivering only one Annual Report on Form 10-K and Proxy Statement (or, as applicable, the Notice) to stockholders of record who share the same address unless they have notified us that they wish to continue receiving multiple copies. This practice, known as “householding,” reduces duplicate mailings, saves printing and postage costs as well as natural resources and will not affect dividend check mailings. If you wish to receive separate copies of proxy materials, please contact Broadridge at 1-800-542-10611-866-540-7095 or Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. Stockholders who wish

to receive a separate set of proxy materials now should contact Broadridge at the same telephone number or mailing address and the materials will be delivered to you promptly upon your request.

If you and other stockholders of record with whom you share an address currently receive multiple copies of our proxy materials or if you hold our stock in more than one account, and, in either case, you wish to receive only a single copy of such materials in the future, please contact Broadridge at the telephone number or mailing address above with the names in which all accounts are registered and the name of the account for which you wish to receive mailings.

Quorum and Vote Required for Approval

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will exist if a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting is present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker nonvotes, if any, will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum. A “broker nonvote” will occur when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. As noted above, brokers, banks and other nominees generally cannot vote your shares on the election of directors or executive compensation matters or stockholder proposals without your specific instructions.Please return your proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable, or vote by Internet or telephone so your vote can be counted. An inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting will tabulate all votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. In the event a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, we expect that the Annual Meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies.

The following table indicates the vote required for approval of each item to be presented to the stockholders at the Annual Meeting and the effect of abstentions and broker nonvotes.

 

Item  Required Vote  Effect of Abstentions and Broker Nonvotes
Item 1—Election of directors  Affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to each nominee. See below for further detail.  

   Abstentions with respect to a nominee will have no effect on the election of such nominee.

 

   Broker nonvotes will have no effect on the voting for this item.

Item 2—Advisory vote on executive compensation  Affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present and entitled to vote.  

   Abstentions will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this proposal.

 

   Broker nonvotes will have no effect on the voting for this item.

Item 3—Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year 2015  Affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present and entitled to vote.  

   Abstentions will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this proposal.

 

   Brokers may vote uninstructed shares on this
item.

Item 4—Stockholder proposalAffirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present and entitled to vote.

  Abstentions will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this proposal.

  Broker nonvotes will have no effect on the voting for this item.

Pursuant to the Corporation’s By-laws, a nominee for director in an uncontested election (such as this year’s election where the only nominees are those recommended by the Board) must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to his or her election at a meeting of stockholders to be elected. In contested elections, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast

will be required to elect a director. The Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines require an incumbent director who fails to receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to his or her election in an uncontested election at a meeting of stockholders to submit his or her resignation following certification of the stockholder vote. Such resignation will first be considered by the members of the Corporate Governance Committee (other than the tendering director, if applicable), who will recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject the resignation after considering all factors deemed relevant by the Committee, including, without limitation, any stated reasons as to why stockholders did not support the director whose resignation has been tendered, the length of service and qualifications of such director, the director’s contributions to the Corporation and the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board (other than the tendering director) will then act to accept or reject the Committee’s recommendation no later than ninety days following the date of the stockholders’ meeting after considering the factors considered by the Committee and such additional information and factors as the Board believes to be relevant.

Solicitation of Proxies; Costs

The Corporation will bear the cost of preparing, printing and mailing the materials in connection with this solicitation of proxies. In addition to mailing these materials, the Corporation’s officers and other employees may, without being additionally compensated, solicit proxies personally and by mail, telephone or electronic communication. The Corporation will reimburse banks and brokers for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of stock or otherwise in connection with this solicitation. In addition, the Corporation has retained Georgeson Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of approximately $13,500,$12,500, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

ADMITTANCE TO THE ANNUAL MEETING

Stockholders at the close of business on the record date, February 23, 2015,22, 2016, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend our Annual Meeting at our corporate headquarters on April 21, 201519, 2016 at 10:30 a.m., Central Time. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. Our corporate headquarters are located at 50 South La Salle Street (northwest corner of La Salle Street and Monroe Street) in Chicago, Illinois.

In order to be admitted to the meeting, you must bring documentation showing that you owned the Corporation’s common stock at the close of business on the record date, February 23, 2015.22, 2016. Acceptable documentation includes an admission ticket, a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or any other proof of ownership of the Corporation’s common stock at the close of business on February 23, 2015.22, 2016. A brokerage statement or letter from a bank or broker reflecting your holdings at the close of business on February 23, 201522, 2016 is an example of such other proof of ownership. Your admission ticket is located on the top portion of the rear side of your proxy card or on the left side of your voting instruction form if your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee in street name. You will be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. For safety and security reasons, cameras and recording devices will not be permitted in the meeting.

ITEM 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Stockholders will be asked to elect eleventwelve directors at the Annual Meeting. Set forth below is detailed information with respect toEach of the eleventwelve nominees each of whom is currently serving as a director of the Corporation and its principal subsidiary, The Northern Trust Company (the “Bank”). Included in the incumbent directors nominated for re-election are Dean M. Harrison and Donald Thompson,is Thomas E. Richards, who were recentlywas appointed as directorsa director of the Corporation by the Board, effective January 1,July 21, 2015, and March 6, 2015, respectively, in accordance with the Corporation’s By-laws and pursuant to the recommendation of the Corporation’s Chairman and CEOChief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Lead Director. Current directors not standing for re-election are Nicholas D. Chabraja, who has not been nominated for re-election in accordance with the director retirement age under the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, and Robert W. Lane, who has notified the Board that he intends to retire from service as a director effective upon the conclusion of his current term at the Annual Meeting. Messrs. Chabraja and Lane have served as members of the Board since 2007 and 2009, respectively.

Each of the eleventwelve director nominees has consented to serve as a director if elected at the Annual Meeting. Each nominee elected as a director will serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders andor until his or her successor is elected and qualified. If any nominee is unable to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, your proxy may be voted for the election of another nominee proposed by the Board or the Board may reduce the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting.

Under the majority voting policy as set forthAs discussed further under “Corporate Governance — Director Nominations and Qualifications,” in the Corporation’s By-laws, a nominee forevaluating director in an uncontested election (such as this year’s election where the only nominees, are those recommended by the Board) must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders. In contested elections, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast will be required to elect a director. The Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines require an incumbent director who fails to receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election at a meeting of stockholders to submit his or her resignation following certification of the stockholder vote. Such resignation will first be considered by the members of the Corporate Governance Committee (other thanconsiders a variety of factors, including relevant business and industry experience; professional background; age; current employment; community service; other board service; and racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. Accordingly, the tenderingtwelve director if applicable), whonominees possess a wide variety of experience, qualifications and skills, which will recommend toequip the Board whetherwith the collective expertise to acceptperform its oversight function effectively. Each of the candidates also has a reputation for, and long record of, integrity and good business judgment; has experience in leadership positions with a high degree of responsibility; is free from conflicts of interest that could interfere with his or reject the resignation after considering all factors deemed relevant by the Committee, including, without limitation, any stated reasons why stockholders did not support such director, the length of service and qualifications of such director, the director’s contributionsher duties to the Corporation and its stockholders; and is willing and able to make the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. Thenecessary commitment of time and attention required for effective Board (other than the tendering director) will then act to accept or reject the Committee’s recommendation no later than ninety days following the dateservice.

A summary of the stockholders’ meeting after considering the factors consideredcertain key experience, qualifications and skills represented by the Committee and such additional information and factors asnominees for election to the Board believesat the Annual Meeting, collectively, is set forth below.

Key Experience, Qualifications and Skills    

●   Corporate governance and social responsibility

●   Marketing

●   Finance and accounting

●   Operations

●   Financial services

●   Public company board experience

●   Global experience

●   Risk management

●   Leadership of large, complex, highly regulated organizations

●   Management development and succession

●   Strategic thinking

●   Technology

Further information with respect to be relevant.the nominees is set forth on the following pages.

The Board unanimously recommends that you voteFOR the election of each nominee.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR

The following information about the nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting is as of December 31, 2014,2015, unless otherwise indicated.

 

LOGO  

LINDA WALKER BYNOE, Director since 2006, Age 6263

 

President and Chief Executive Officer,Telemat Ltd. (project management and consulting firm) since 1995.

 

Ms. Bynoe is a director of Anixter International Inc. and Prudential Retail Mutual Funds and a trustee of Equity Residential. She is a former director of Simon Property Group, Inc.

 

The Board concluded that Ms. Bynoe should serve as a director based on her diverse consulting and investment experience, her expertise in public accounting, corporate governance, managing a private equity investment portfolio and strategy development and her experience as a director of financial services and other complex global corporations.

LOGO

  

SUSAN CROWN, Director since 1997, Age 5657

 

Vice President, Henry CrownChairman and Company (global company with diversified investments in banking, transportation, manufacturing, real estate and other industries) since 1984,Chief Executive Officer of Owl Creek Partners, LLC (venture capital investment vehicle)(private equity firm) since 2010, andChairman and Founder, Susan Crown Exchange Inc. (social investment organization that connects talentorganization) since 2009. Ms. Crown previously served as Vice President of Henry Crown and innovationsCompany (company with market forcesdiversified investments) from 1984 to drive social change) since 2009.2015.

 

Ms. Crown is a director of Illinois Tool Works Inc. andMs. Crown also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.Chicago and as a director of CARE USA and Navy Pier, Inc. Ms. Crown ispreviously served two terms as a former trusteeFellow of Yale University.Corporation.

 

The Board concluded that Ms. Crown should serve as a director based on her business experience, at Henry Crown and Company, her leadership and risk oversight experience as a director of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and her extensive experience with civic and not-for-profit organizations. The board also considered the valuable perspective on governance and corporate responsibility matters that Ms. Crown brings through her current and former board service at various large organizations, both commercial and not-for-profit.

LOGO  

DEAN M. HARRISON, Director since 2015, Age 6061

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare (the primary teaching affiliate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and parent corporation of Northwestern Memorial Hospital) since 2006. Mr. Harrison served as President of Northwestern Memorial Hospital from 1999 to 2006. Mr. Harrison also servesserved as the chairman of the Illinois Hospital Association.Association through December 31, 2015.

 

The Board concluded that Mr. Harrison should serve as a director based on his extensive experience leading a large, complex organization in a highly regulated industry.

LOGO  

DIPAK C. JAIN, Director since 2004, Age 5758

 

Director, Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration (international graduate business school) since July 2014. Mr. Jain served as the INSEAD Chaired Professor of Marketing from 2013 to July 2014 and the Dean of INSEAD from 2011 to 2013. Previously, Mr. Jain served as a member of the faculty of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in a number of capacities, including as Dean from 2001 to 2009, Sandy and Morton Goldman Professor in Entrepreneurial Studies and Professor of Marketing from 1994 to 2001, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 1996 to 2001.

 

Mr. Jain is a director of Deere & Company, Reliance Industries Limited, India, and Global Logistics Properties Limited, Singapore.

 

The Board concluded that Mr. Jain should serve as a director based on his academic experience, his business administration positions both in the United States and abroad, his global consulting experience, including his experience and research in marketing and competitive market analysis, and his experience as a director of other complex global corporations.

LOGO  

JOSE LUIS PRADO,Director since 2012, Age 6061

 

Retired President of Quaker Oats North America, a division of PepsiCo, Inc. (global food and beverage company). Mr. Prado served as President of Quaker Oats North America from 2011 to September 2014 and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Gamesa-Quaker, PepsiCo International, Monterrey, Mexico, from 2002 to 2010.

Mr. Prado joined PepsiCo in Mexico in 1984 and served in a variety of positions at PepsiCo, including: Regional Vice President Andean Region, Frito-Lay International; President of PepsiCo Snacks Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina; and President of Frito-Lay Snacks Caribbean, San Juan, Puerto Rico. His early career at PepsiCo included assignments in sales, finance, and information technology.

Mr. Prado is a director of Brinker International, Inc.

 

The Board concluded that Mr. Prado should serve as a director based on his management, marketing and risk oversight experience at a complex global corporation and his substantial international experience.

LOGO

THOMAS E. RICHARDS, Director since 2015, Age 61

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, CDW Corporation (provider of integrated information technology solutions in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom). Mr. Richards has served as CDW Corporation’s President since 2009, its Chief Executive Officer since 2011 and its Chairman since 2013. Prior to serving as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Richards served as CDW Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer from 2009 to 2011.

Mr. Richards is a director of CDW Corporation.

The Board concluded that Mr. Richards should serve as a director based on his experience leading a large, complex organization and his experience in the information technology industry.

LOGO

  

JOHN W. ROWE, Director since 2002, Lead Director since April 2010, Age 6970

 

Chairman Emeritus, Exelon Corporation(producer (producer and wholesale marketer of energy) since 2012. Mr. Rowe served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exelon Corporation from 2002 to 2012.

 

Mr. Rowe is a director of Allstate Corporation, American DG Energy Inc., and SunCoke Energy, Inc. Mr. Rowe is a former director of Sunoco Corporation and Exelon Corporation.

 

The Board concluded that Mr. Rowe should serve as a director based on his management, regulatory, government relations and risk oversight experience as Chief Executive Officer at Exelon Corporation (and, prior to that, at New England Electric System and Central Maine Power Company) and his experience as a director of other complex corporations.

LOGO  

MARTIN P. SLARK, Director since 2011, Age 6061

 

Chief Executive Officer, Molex Incorporated(manufacturer (manufacturer of electronic, electrical, and fiber optic interconnection products and systems) since 2005. Previously, Mr. Slark served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Molex Incorporated from 2001 to 2005.

 

Mr. Slark is a director of Hub Group, Inc. and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (not a public company).

 

The Board concluded that Mr. Slark should serve as a director based on his experience leading a complex global corporation and his risk oversight experience as Chief Executive Officer of Molex Incorporated and as a director of other complex global corporations.

[PHOTO]
LOGO

  

DAVID H. B. SMITH, JR.,, Director since April 2010, Age 4849

 

Executive Vice President,Policy & Legal Affairs and General Counsel, Mutual Fund Directors Forum(nonprofit (nonprofit membership organization for investment company directors) since 2005. Previously, Mr. Smith held several positions at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1996 to 2005, including Associate Director in the Division of Investment Management.

 

Mr. Smith is a director of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and a trustee of Carleton College.

 

The Board concluded that Mr. Smith should serve as a director based on his regulatory and leadership experience in the finance industry gained from his roles at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. The Board also considered that Mr. Smith’s interest as a beneficiary of a trust that holds a significant amount of the Corporation’s common stock further aligns his interests with the interests of the Corporation’s stockholders.

LOGOLOGO

  

DONALD THOMPSON, Director since 2015, Age 52

 

Retired President and Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s Corporation (global foodservice retailer). Mr. Thompson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Corporation from 2012 until March 1, 2015. Previously, Mr. Thompson served as President and Chief Operating Officer of McDonald’s Corporation from 2010 to 2012 and President of McDonald’s USA from 2006 to 2010.

Mr. Thompson alsois a director of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Mr. Thompson served as director of McDonald’s Corporation from 2011 to March 1, 2015 and of Exelon Corporation from 2007 to 2013.

 

The Board concluded that Mr. Thompson should serve as a director based on his management and board experience at other complex global corporations.

LOGO

  

CHARLES A. TRIBBETT III, Director since 2005, Age 5960

 

Managing Director, Russell Reynolds Associates (global executive recruiting firm) since 1989,Chairman of the firm’s Leadership Assessment and Promotions Board since 2006, andCo-Leader of the firm’s CEO/Succession Planning and Board Services Practice since 1995.

 

The Board concluded that Mr. Tribbett should serve as a director based on his global leadership consulting experience evaluating and identifying senior management professionals and his leadership experience as a Managing Director of Russell Reynolds Associates.

LOGOLOGO  

FREDERICK H. WADDELL, Director since 2006, Age 6162

 

Chairman of the Board of the Corporation and the Bank since 2009 andChief Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Bank since 2008. Previously, Mr. Waddell served as President of the Corporation and the Bank from 2006 to 2011, Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation and the Bank from 2006 to January 2008 and Executive Vice President of the Bank from 1997 to 2006 and of the Corporation from 2003 to 2006.

 

Mr. Waddell is a director of AbbVie, Inc.

 

Since joining Northern Trust in 1975, Mr. Waddell has held leadership positions in a variety of the Corporation’s businesses. The Board concluded that Mr. Waddell should serve as a director based on his experience and ongoing responsibilities with respect to the Corporation’s businesses.

BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEE INFORMATION

Our Board currently consists of thirteentwelve members. The Board has determined that each of the following twelveeleven current directors is independent in accordance with our independence standards, which conform with SEC rules and the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”): Linda Walker Bynoe, Nicholas D. Chabraja (who is not standing for re-election), Susan Crown, Dean M. Harrison, Dipak C. Jain, Robert W. Lane (who is not standing for re-election), Jose Luis Prado, Thomas E. Richards, John W. Rowe, Martin P. Slark, David H. B. Smith, Jr., Donald Thompson and Charles A. Tribbett III.

During 2014,2015, the Corporation’s Board held tennine meetings. All persons who were directors during 20142015 attended at least 75% of these meetings andthe total meetings of the Board and the committees on which they served occurring during the period in which they served. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines state that all directors are expected to attend each Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In accordance with this expectation, all of the directors then serving attended the 20142015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on April 15, 2014.21, 2015.

Board Committees

The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, the Business Risk Committee, the Business StrategyCapital Governance Committee, the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee, the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee and the Executive Committee. With the exception of the Executive Committee, all standing committees are composed solely of independent directors. Consequently, independent directors directly oversee critical matters and appropriately oversee the Chairman and CEO.

Each standing committee is governed by a written charter. These charters detail the duties and responsibilities of each committee and are available on the Corporation’s website at www.northerntrust.com.

Pursuant to its charter, the Corporate Governance Committee periodically reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the Board’s committee structure. Following such a review, on November 17, 2015, the Board took the following actions:

formally assumed direct oversight of the strategic direction and initiatives of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, due to the critical importance of such matters, by dissolving the Business Strategy Committee;

established the Capital Governance Committee, to assist the Board in discharging its oversight duties with respect to capital management and planning activities of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including the annual Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (“CCAR”) exercise; and

established the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, to assist the Board in discharging its oversight duties with respect to corporate citizenship and social responsibility matters of significance to the Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Additional information regarding the roles, responsibilities and composition of the Board’s standing committees is set forth below. The Business Strategy Committee met four times in 2015. All such meetings were well attended by the Board, as the full Board was invited to attend all Business Strategy Committee meetings.

Committee Composition

A summary of the composition of each of the Board’s current standing committees is set forth below.

Director Audit  Business 
Risk
Capital
 Governance 
 Compensation 
and Benefits
Corporate
 Governance 
Corporate
Social
 Responsibility 
 Executive 

  Bynoe

üü

  Crown

üCü

  Harrison

üü

  Jain

üü

  Prado

Cüü

  Richards

üü

  Rowe

üüCü

  Slark

üü

  Smith

Cüüü

  Thompson 

üüCü

  Tribbett

Cüü

  Waddell

C

C - Chair    ü - Member

Audit Committee

Current Members: Directors Smith (Chair), Chabraja, Harrison, Jain and Prado

Number of Meetings in 2014: 5

The Audit Committee’s purpose is to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and the audits of the consolidated financial statements of such entities, as well as to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters involving the organization’s accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal financial control and legal compliance functions, including, without limitation: (i) assisting the Board’s oversight of (a) the integrity of the organization’s consolidated annual and quarterly financial statements and earnings releases, (b) the organization’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (c) the Corporation’s public accountants’ qualifications and independence of the Corporation’s public accountants and (d) the performance of the organization’s internal audit function and the Corporation’s public accountants; and (ii) preparing the report required to be prepared by the Committee pursuant to SEC rules for inclusion each year in the Corporation’s annual proxy statement.statement relating to its Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are independent under SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards. The Board also has also determined that all Audit Committee

members have the financial experience and knowledge required for service on the Committee, and has designated Mr. Smith as its “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by SEC rules. The Audit Committee met five times in 2015.

Business Risk Committee

Current Members: Directors Prado (Chair), Bynoe, Harrison and Smith

Number of Meetings in 2014: 4

The Business Risk Committee’s sole and exclusive function is responsibility for the risk-management policies of the Corporation’s global operations and oversight of the operationsoperation of the Corporation’s global risk-management framework. In furtherance of this function, the Business Risk

Committee assists the Board in discharging its oversight duties with respect to: (i) the risks inherent in the businesses of the Corporation and its subsidiaries in the following categories: credit risk, market and liquidity risk, fiduciary risk, operational risk, compliance risk and compliancestrategic risk; and (ii) the process by which risk-based capital requirements are determined, including the organization’s internal capital adequacy assessment process; and (iii) the resolution planning process.determined.

The Board has determined that all members of the Business Risk Committee are independent under SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards. The Business Risk Committee met four times in 2015.

Business StrategyCapital Governance Committee

Current Members: Directors Crown (Chair), Jain, Lane and Slark

Number of Meetings in 2014: 4

The Capital Governance Committee was established on November 17, 2015. The purpose of the Business StrategyCapital Governance Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its oversight duties with respect to: (i) the strategic direction of the Corporation; (ii) the strategic initiatives of the businessesto capital management and planning activities of the Corporation and its subsidiaries;subsidiaries. Among other matters, the Capital Governance Committee performs the following functions: (i) oversees the capital adequacy assessments, forecasting, and stress testing processes and activities of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including with respect to the annual CCAR exercise; (ii) reviews and recommends to the Board for approval the Corporation’s annual capital plan, including proposed capital actions; (iii) unless reviewed and approved by the management of strategic riskBoard, reviews and approves capital policies for the organization;Corporation and the Bank, including the Corporation’s and the Bank’s capital management goals and targets and the Corporation’s payout ratios; (iv) reviews and discusses with management the Corporation’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios and capital levels; (v) reviews and recommends to the Board for approval (a) integration of corporate social responsibility principles relateddividend declarations with respect to environmentalthe Corporation’s common and social practices into the strategic direction and strategic initiatives of the organization and its businessespreferred stock and (b) governanceissuances or repurchases of those practices.debt or equity securities.

The Board has determined that all members of the Business StrategyCapital Governance Committee are independent under SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards. The Capital Governance Committee met two times in 2015.

Compensation and Benefits Committee

Current Members: Directors Chabraja (Chair), Bynoe, Rowe, Slark and Tribbett

Number of Meetings in 2014: 5

The purpose of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its duties and responsibilities relating to: (i) the compensation of the directors and executive officers of the Corporation and its subsidiaries; and (ii) the employee benefit and equity-based plans of the organization. The Committee also assists the Board with management development and succession planning, including with respect to the position of CEO, and prepares the report required to be prepared by the Committee pursuant to SEC rules for inclusion in the Corporation’s annual proxy statement.statement relating to its Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The Board has determined that all members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee are independent under SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation and Benefits Committee met four times in 2015.

Corporate Governance Committee

Current Members: Directors Rowe (Chair), Crown, Lane and Tribbett

Number of Meetings in 2014: 5

The purpose of the Corporate Governance Committee is to: (i) identify and recommend to the Board candidates for nomination or appointment as directors; (ii) review the Board’s committee structure and recommend appointments to committees; (iii) developprovide leadership in shaping the corporate governance of the Corporation, including through the development and recommend,recommendation to the Board of Corporate Governance Guidelines applicable to the Corporation; (iv) advise the Board on the appointment of a successor in the event of the unanticipated death, disability or resignation of the Corporation’s CEO, after

consultation with the Chairman of the Corporation’s Compensation and Benefits Committee; (v) oversee the procedures relating to stockholder communications with the Board and review any proposals submitted by stockholders; and (vi) oversee the annual evaluation of the Board and its committees.

The Board has determined that all members of the Corporate Governance Committee are independent under SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards. The Corporate Governance Committee met four times in 2015.

Corporate Social Responsibility Committee

The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee was established on November 17, 2015. The purpose of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its oversight duties with respect to corporate citizenship and social responsibility matters of significance to the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Among other matters, the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee receives and reviews reports on each of the following as they pertain to the Corporation and its subsidiaries: (i) political, lobbying and other public advocacy activities, including significant trade association memberships; (ii) strategic philanthropy and charitable contributions; (iii) sustainability initiatives and other social responsibility matters of significance, including environmental, social, and governance issues; (iv) diversity and inclusion initiatives; and (v) compliance with Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending laws. The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee also provides oversight with respect to policies, programs and strategies in respect of each of these matters.

The Board has determined that all members of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee are independent under SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards. The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee did not meet in 2015.

Executive Committee

Current Members: Directors Waddell (Chair), Chabraja, Crown, Prado, Rowe and Smith

Number of Meetings in 2014: 0

The Board appoints an Executive Committee so that there will be a committee of the Board empowered to act for the Board, to the full extent permitted by law, between meetings of the Board if necessary and appropriate. The Executive Committee is composed of the Chairman of the Board and the Chair of each of the other standing committees of the Board. The Executive Committee did not meet in 2014.2015.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Key Governance Practices

We believe that the high standards set by our governance structure provide the foundation for the strength of our business. An overview of certain key governance practices reflective of our strong governance profile is set forth below.

What We Do                What We Don’t Do            
üMajority Independent Directors (11 of 12 Current Directors)×No Plurality Voting in Uncontested Director Elections
üEngaged Lead Director×

No Staggered Board

üRegular Executive Sessions for CEO and Independent Directors×

No Poison Pill

üAnnual Strategy Retreat with Board and Executive Officers×

No Supermajority Voting

üRegular Rotations of Committee Chairs×

No Overboarding

üRegular Reviews of Governance Documents
üAnnual Board and Committee Self-Evaluations

Director Independence

To be considered independent, the Board must affirmatively determine that a director has no relationship with the Corporation which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines require that the Board be composed of a majority of directors who meet the criteria for “independence” under NASDAQ listing standards.

To assist the Board in making its independence determinations, the Board has adopted categorical standards. Under these standards, the following persons shall not be considered “independent”:

 

  

a director who is or was an employee or executive officer of the Corporation, or whose Family Member (as defined below) is or was an executive officer of the Corporation, at any time during the past three years;

  

a director who receives or has received, or whose Family Member receives or has received, compensation from the Corporation in excess of $120,000 during any period of twelve consecutive months within the past three years, other than director and committee fees, benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan or other forms of nondiscretionary compensation; provided, however, that compensation received by a Family Member of a director for service as an employee (other than an executive officer) of the Corporation need not be considered in determining independence;

  

a director who is, or whose Family Member is, a current partner of the Corporation’s outside auditor, or who was a partner or employee of the Company’s outside auditor who worked on the Corporation’s audit at any time during any of the past three years;

 

  

a director of the Corporation who is, or has a Family Member who is, employed as an executive officer of another entity where at any time during the past three years any of the executive officers of the Company serve on the compensation committee of such other entity; or

 

  

a director who is, or whose Family Member is, a partner in, a controlling stockholder of, or an executive officer of, any organization to which the Corporation made, or from which the Corporation received, payments for property or services in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed the greater of $200,000 or 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenue for that year, other than payments arising solely from investments in the Corporation’s securities or payments under nondiscretionary charitable contribution matching programs.

“Family Member” means a person’s spouse, parents, children and siblings, whether by blood, marriage or adoption, or anyone residing in such person’s home.

As discussed above, theThe Board has determined that each director serving during 2015 was, and each current director (other than Mr. Waddell, who serves as Chairman and CEO of the Corporation) is, independent of the Corporation in accordance with the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and categorical standards.

In addition to the categorical standards, the Board also considers any transactions, relationships,transaction, relationship, or arrangementsarrangement between the Corporation and a director that constitutes a related person transaction under the Corporation’s Related Person Transactions Policy described below. In assessing the independence of the Corporation’s directors, the Board considered the fact that, during 2014,2015, the Corporation or its subsidiaries provided financial services to each of its directors, or persons related to such directors, except for Mr. Tribbett, in the ordinary course of business. Services provided included trust and related services, brokerage services, investment management, asset servicing, asset management, securities lending, credit services and other banking services. These transactions were undertaken in the ordinary course of business and were made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral for loan transactions) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons not related to the Corporation or any affiliated entities involved in the transactions. None of the transactions involved more than the normal risk of collectability or presented other unfavorable features. None of the transactions or any transactions in which the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries sold or purchased products and services were material to the Corporation or affiliated entities involved in the transactions, and none require disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Any extensions of credit to directors and executive

officers of the Corporation were permitted under the provisions of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act. In each case, the Board determined that these relationships were immaterial and did not affect the independence of any director.

Related Person Transactions Policy

The Board, through its Audit Committee, has adopted a written Related Person Transactions Policy to govern the review, approval, and ratification of transactions betweento which the Corporation or its

subsidiaries are party and in which any related persons.persons have a direct or indirect material interest. “Related persons” means the Corporation’s directors, nominees for director, executive officers, greater than five percent beneficial owners, members of their immediate family and any person other than a tenant or employee sharing their household. The Related Person Transactions Policy also covers transactions in which any related person has an indirect interest.

The Related Person Transactions Policy provides that the Corporation may undertake certain pre-approved related person transactions in the ordinary course of business without specific review, approval or ratification, including the following pre-approved transactions:

 

  

an extension of credit by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to a related person that is made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the lender and does not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features;

 

  

certain other ordinary course transactions in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries provide products or services to related persons on terms no less favorable to the Corporation and its subsidiaries as those prevailing at the time for comparable services to nonrelated persons;

 

  

a transaction involving services as a bank depositary of funds, transfer agent, registrar, trustee under a trust indenture or similar services;

 

  

a transaction where the rates or charges involved in the transaction are determined by competitive bids, or the transaction involves the rendering of services as a common or contract carrier, or public utility, at rates or charges fixed in conformity with law or governmental authority;

 

  

a transaction with another company atto which a related person’s only relationship is as an employee, a director, a limited partner or a beneficial owner of less than 10% of the company’s outstanding common equity (when aggregated with all other directors, executive officers or nominees for election of as a director of the Corporation), or, in the case of partnerships, a limited partner with less than 10% interest in the partnership (when aggregated with all other directors, executive officers or nominees for election of as a director of the Corporation) and who is not a general partner of, or holder of another position with, that partnership, provided in each case the aggregate amount of the transaction does not exceed the greater of $1 million$200,000 or 2%5% of the other company’s annual revenue;

 

  

contributions or grants, or pledges of contributions or grants, by the Corporation, any of its subsidiaries, or The Northern Trust Company Charitable Trust to a charitable, nonprofit, or educational organization for which a director or executive officer of the Corporation or an immediate family member of a director or executive officer of the Corporationrelated person serves as an executive officer, and whereprovided that the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the lessergreater of $1 million$200,000 or 2%5% of the organization’s total annual receipts;

  

transactions where the related person’s interest arises solely from the ownership of the Corporation’s common stock and all stockholders receive the same benefit on a pro rata basis; and

  

compensation paid to executive officers of the Corporation that is required to be reported in the Corporation’s proxy statement under Item 402 of Regulation S-K, or to executive officers that are not immediate family members of another related person and such compensation would be reported in the Corporation’s proxy statement under Item 402 of Regulation S-K if such executive officers were named executive officers, and the Corporation’s Compensation and Benefits Committee approved such compensation (or recommended it for approval by the Board of Directors); and

compensation paid to directors of the Corporation that is required to be reported in the Corporation’s proxy statement or otherwise approved or recommended by the Compensation and Benefits Committee.under Item 402 of Regulation S-K.

Any other related person transaction involving amounts in excess of $120,000 must be approved or ratified by the Audit Committee or the Audit Committee Chair. In considering related person transactions, the Audit Committee or the Audit Committee Chair will consider all relevant facts and circumstances and approve only those related person transactions that are in, or otherwise not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.

As noted above, in 2014,2015, certain related persons were clients of, and engaged in the types of transactions identified in the bullet points above with, the Corporation andor one or more of its subsidiaries. These transactions were undertaken in the ordinary course of business and upon such other terms and conditions as permitted such transactions to qualify for pre-approval under the Related Person Transactions Policy. Further, as noted above, none of the transactions requirerequires disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act.

Executive Sessions

The independent directors of the Corporation met in executive sessions separate from management sixseven times during 2014.2015. The Lead Director or, in his absence, another independent director designated by the Lead Director, presides at executive sessions of the independent directors.

Board Leadership Structure; Lead Director

The current leadership structure of the Board consists of a combined Chairman and CEO position and a Lead Director appointed annually by the Corporation’s independent directors.

The Board has determined that combining the positions of Chairman and CEO is the most appropriate for the Corporation at this time. Having one person as Chairman and CEO provides unified leadership and direction to the Corporation and strengthens the ability of the CEO to develop and implement strategic initiatives and respond efficiently in crisis situations. The Board believes the combination of the Chairman and CEO positions is appropriate in light of the substantial independent oversight provided by the Board. The Board also believes that the desire for independent leadership of the Board is sufficiently achieved by the prominent role of the Lead Director.

The Lead Director’s primary duties are described in the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. Among other things,matters, the Lead Director’s duties include: (i) approving meeting agendas for the Board and the nature of information sent to the Board; (ii) approving Board meeting schedules to assureensure that there is sufficient time for discussion of all Board agenda items; (iii) the authority to call at any time a special meeting of the Board or a special executive session of the independent directors;

(iv) the authority to add items to the agenda of any regular or special meeting of the Board; (v) preparing the agenda for all regular and any special executive sessions of the independent directors; (vi) presiding at all regular and special meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present; (vii)(vi) presiding at all regular and any special executive sessions of the independent directors; (viii)(vii) serving as a liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman and CEO;

(ix) conducting, by means of an interview with each independent director, the independent directors’ annual evaluation of the Chairman and CEO’s performance and then communicating the results to the Compensation and Benefits Committee and to the Chairman and CEO; (x) (viii) conducting, by means of an interview with each director, including the Chairman and CEO, the Board’s annual self-evaluation of its performance and then providing a summary report to the Board; and (xi)(ix) being available for consultation and direct communication with major stockholders. Mr. Rowe has served as our Lead Director since 2010.

Risk Oversight

The Board provides oversight of risk management directly as well as through its Audit, Business Risk, Business Strategy,Capital Governance and Compensation and Benefits Committees. The Board annually approves the Corporation’s enterprise risk management framework, risk universe and Corporate Risk Appetite Statement. The Corporate Risk Appetite Statement reflects the expectation that risk be consciously considered as part of the Corporation’s strategic decisions and in its day-to-day activities. The Corporation actively monitors employees using programs, policies, and other tools that are designed to ensure that they work within established risk frameworks and limits. The Business Risk Committee assumes primary responsibility and oversight with respect to credit risk, operational risk, fiduciary risk, compliance risk, market risk and liquidity risk, and the Business Strategy Committee provides oversight with respect to strategic risk for the Corporation and its subsidiaries.risk. The Audit Committee provides oversight with respect to financial reporting and legal risk, while the Compensation and Benefits Committee oversees the development and operation of the incentive compensation program of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Compensation and Benefits Committee annually reviews management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the design and performance of the incentive compensation arrangements and practices in providing risk-taking incentives that are consistent with the safety and soundness of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. This assessment includes an evaluation of whether these incentive compensation arrangements and practices discourage inappropriate risk takingrisk-taking behavior by participants. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation and Benefits Committee is required to have at least one member who is a member of the Business Risk Committee and at least one member who is a member of the Audit Committee. Among other responsibilities, the Capital Governance Committee oversees the capital adequacy assessments, forecasting, and stress testing processes and activities of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including the annual CCAR exercise. Accordingly, the Capital Governance Committee provides oversight with respect to the Corporation’s risk identification for the capital adequacy assessment process. The charters for the Audit, Business Risk, Business StrategyCapital Governance and Compensation and Benefits Committees provide that the Committees may meet with the individuals who supervise day-to-day risk management responsibilities of the Corporation and other members of management, consultants or advisors, as each committee deems appropriate.

The Board has approved a corporate risk appetite statement articulating the Corporation’s expectation that risk be consciously considered as part of strategic decisions and in day-to-day activities. For a further description of the risk management policies and practices of the Corporation’s management, see the sectionsections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk ManagementManagement” and —Liquidity“—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity Risk Management” in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Corporation has had Corporate Governance Guidelines in place since 2000. The Corporate Governance Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines

at least annually and recommends any changes to the Board for approval. The Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines embody many of the Corporation’s long-standing practices and incorporate policies and procedures that strengthen its commitment to corporate governance best practices. A copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on the Corporation’s website at www.northerntrust.com.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Board of the Corporation has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to:

 

  

promote honest and ethical conduct, including fair dealing and the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;

 

  

promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable public disclosure about the Corporation;

 

  

promote compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules, codes and regulations wherever the Corporation does business;

 

  

ensure the protection of the Corporation’s legitimate business interests; and

 

  

deter wrongdoing.

The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics satisfies applicable SEC and NASDAQ requirements and applies to all directors, officers (including the Corporation’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Corporation intends to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for directors and executive officers by posting such information on its website. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Corporation’s website at www.northerntrust.com.

Management Development and Succession Planning

The Compensation and Benefits Committee oversees executive management and succession planning. Pursuant to the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charter forBoard of Directors, led by the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Compensation and Benefits Committeeannually conducts an annuala formal management development and succession planning review. Allreview with respect to the position of the Corporation’s directors are invited to,CEO and typically all participate in, this review. Following the review, the Compensation and Benefits Committee makes recommendations concerning management development and succession planning. This management review process also includes a review of other senior employees of the Corporation, with a focusofficers. This review focuses on CEO succession planning, as well as developing internal candidates for advancement within the Corporation.

In connection with setting the compensation of the Corporation’s Chairman and CEO, the The Compensation and Benefits Committee andmakes recommendations to the Board concerning management development and succession planning, which recommendations reflect the Board’s annual management development and succession planning review, as well as Committee discussions with and without the performance of the Chairman and CEOCEO. The Corporate Governance Committee discusses succession planning in light of the Chairman and CEO’s responsibilities to the Corporation, including the development of short-term and long-term strategic plans, goals and objectives, the development of an effective senior management team, positioning of the Corporation for current and future success and effective communications with all of the Corporation’s constituencies. These criteria, among others, would also be considered by the Board in evaluating any successor Chairman and CEO candidates.

In the event of the unexpected death, incapacity, or resignation of the ChairmanCEO and CEO, pursuant to its charter, the Corporate Governance Committee will discuss and make a recommendationrecommends to the Board, after consultation with the Chairman of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, for an appropriate successor.successor under such circumstances. The full Board is responsible for succession planning for the position of the CEO.

Director Nominations and Qualifications

The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for considering, evaluating, and recommending candidates for director. The Committee will consider persons nominated by stockholders in accordance with the nomination procedures specified in the Corporation’s By-laws or

otherwise recommended by stockholders. The Corporation’s By-laws provide that stockholders may propose director nominations only if they give timely written notice, directed to the attention of the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary, not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If such Annual Meeting of Stockholders is called for a date that is not within thirty days before or after the anniversary date of the prior year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be received within ten days after notice of such subsequent Annual Meeting of Stockholders is mailed or public disclosure of the date of such Annual Meeting of Stockholders is made, whichever occurs first. In either case, the notice must contain the information required by the Corporation’s By-laws. Stockholders may also recommend candidates for director by following the procedures for communicating with directors described below under “Communications with the Board and Independent Directors.”

In its evaluation of director candidates, including persons recommended by stockholders, the Corporate Governance Committee considers the factors specified in the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines to ensure the Board has a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds, including the nature of the expertise and experience required for the performance of the duties of a director of a corporation engaged in the Corporation’s business and such matters as relevant business and industry experience, professional background, age, current employment, community service and other board service. The Committee also considers the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the Board in assessing candidates. The Committee seeks to identify as candidates for director persons with a reputation for, and record of, integrity and good business judgment who: (i) have experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility and are leaders in the organizations with which they are affiliated; (ii) are free from conflicts of interest that could interfere with a director’s duties to the Corporation and its stockholders; and (iii) are willing and able to make the necessary commitment of time and attention required for effective Board service. The Committee also takes into account a candidate’s level of financial literacy, and monitors the mix of skills and experience of the directors in order to assess whetherensure the Board has the necessary toolscollective expertise to perform its oversight function effectively. A full listing of the characteristics and qualifications of director candidates considered by the Committee is set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines on the Corporation’s website at www.northerntrust.com. Following its evaluation process, the Committee recommends its director nominees to the full Board, and the Board makes the final determination of director nominees based on its consideration of the Committee’s recommendation and report.recommendation.

Stockholder Outreach

The Corporation recognizes the importance of stockholder engagement to help our investors understandengaging with stockholders and other key constituents. Open and constructive dialogue with stockholders helps further their understanding of our performance and strategies and allows us to allow our stockholders to express their viewsreceive direct feedback on issues importantrelating to the Corporation. Accordingly, it is the Corporation’s long-standing practice to engage proactively and routinely engage with stockholders throughout the year. In 2015, the Corporation expanded its engagement efforts through a proactive outreach campaign focused on fostering dialogue with certain of the Corporation’s large institutional stockholders. Through this initiative, our CEO and/or CFO, along with members of our investor relations and governance teams, engaged with stockholders representing approximately 40% of our outstanding shares regarding matters pertaining to the Corporation’s performance, strategies and governance.

Communications with the Board and Independent Directors

Stockholders and other interested persons may communicate with any of the Corporation’s directors, including the Lead Director or the nonmanagementindependent directors as a group, by writing a letter

addressed to the applicable director(s), c/o Northern Trust Corporation, 50 South La Salle Street, M-9, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The Corporation’s Corporate Secretary will forward communications directly to the Lead Director, unless a different director is specified.

Any stockholder or other interested person who has a particular concern regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or other audit matters that he or she wishes to bring to the attention of the Audit Committee may communicate those concerns to the Audit Committee or its Chairman, using the address indicated above. Any written communication regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or other matters are processed in accordance with procedures adopted by the Audit Committee.

Securities TradingTransactions Policy and Procedures and Policy Against Hedging

Our securities trading policySecurities Transactions Policy and Procedures prohibits directors, employees, including our named executive officers, and certain of their family members from purchasing or selling any type of security, whether issued by us or another company, while such persons are aware of material nonpublic information relating to the issuer of the security and from providing such material nonpublic information to any person who may trade while aware of such information. This policy also prohibits directors, employees, and certain of their family members from engaging in short selling, margining, and pledging or hypothecating the Corporation’s securities, and from trading in options, warrants, puts, calls or similar instruments on the Corporation’s securities.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table shows the beneficial ownership of the Corporation’s common stock as of December 31, 20142015 for each director, each named executive officer and all directors and executive officers of the Corporation as a group.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner  Shares (1) (2)   

Shares under
Exercisable

Options (3)

   

Total Beneficial
Ownership

of

Common Stock

   Percent
of Class
   Shares (1) (2)   Shares under
Exercisable
Options (3)
   Total Beneficial
Ownership of
Common Stock
   

Percent

of
Class

 

Non-Employee Directors:

                                

Linda Walker Bynoe

   14,178     —       14,178     *     15,855     —       15,855     *  

Nicholas D. Chabraja

   16,342     —       16,342     *  

Susan Crown

   33,515     —       33,515     *     35,192     —       35,192     *  

Dean M. Harrison (4)

   15     —       15     *  

Dean M. Harrison

   512     —       512     *  

Dipak C. Jain

   15,314     —       15,314     *     16,991     —       16,991     *  

Robert W. Lane

   15,799     —       15,799     *  

Jose L. Prado

   3,819     —       3,819     *     5,496     —       5,496     *  

Thomas E. Richards

   —       —       —       *  

John W. Rowe

   26,915     —       26,915     *     28,592     —       28,592     *  

Martin P. Slark

   6,642     —       6,642     *     8,319     —       8,319     *  

David H. B. Smith, Jr. (5)

   27,845     —       27,845     *  

Donald Thompson (6)

   —       —       —       *  

David H.B. Smith, Jr. (4)

   29,022     —       29,022     *  

Donald Thompson

   213     —       213     *  

Charles A. Tribbett III

   14,515     —       14,515     *     16,192     —       16,192     *  

Named Executive Officers:

                                

Frederick H. Waddell

   349,127     1,084,248     1,433,375     *     345,842     1,123,123     1,468,965     *  

S. Biff Bowman

   25,822     75,254     101,076     *     31,255     91,515     122,770     *  

Steven L. Fradkin

   121,372     359,191     480,563     *     131,308     370,310     501,618     *  

William L. Morrison

   109,847     396,706     506,553     *     130,982     329,358     460,340     *  

Michael G. O’Grady

   8,919     129,006     137,925     *  

Jana R. Schreuder

   60,757     336,700     397,457     *     66,538     351,670     418,208     *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (26 persons)

   1,041,017     3,159,462     4,200,479     1.77   1,124,304     3,296,046     4,420,350     1.90

 

* Less than 1%.

(1) Except as noted below, the nature of beneficial ownership for shares shown in this table is sole voting and investment power (including shares as to which spouses and minor children of the individuals covered by this table have such power).

(2) Amount includes restricted stock units payable on a one-for-one basis in shares of the Corporation’s common stock that are scheduled to vest within sixty days of December 31, 20142015 in the following amounts: Mr. Waddell – 37,99415,777 units; Mr. Bowman – 5,7197,377 units; Mr. Fradkin – 11,8734,745 units; Mr. Morrison – 11,8737,948 units; Ms. Schreuder – 11,8734,745 units; and all directors and officers as a group – 124,41385,658 units.

(3) Amount of shares includes options that were exercisable as of December 31, 20142015 and options that become exercisable within sixty days thereafter.

(4) Mr. Harrison was appointed asAmount includes 1,704 shares held in a director of the Corporation effective January 1, 2015.

(5)trust over which Mr. Smith is co-trustee with another individual on two separate trusts. He shares voting and investment power foras co-trustee with one other individual. Amount excludes 500 shares held in onea trust over which

Mr. Smith shares voting and 1,704investment power as co-trustee with three other individuals. Amount also excludes 1,362,880 shares held in anothera trust all of which such shares are reflected in the table. HeMr. Smith is also a beneficiary, of a trust that holds 1,362,880 shares; as Mr. Smith has no investment or voting power with respect to these shares, they are not reflected in the table.

(6) Mr. Thompson was appointed as a director of the Corporation effective March 6, 2015.such shares.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Corporation’s directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Corporation’s stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of any equity securities of the Corporation. Based solely on the Corporation’s review of the reports that have been filed by or on behalf of such reporting persons in this regard and written representations from such reporting persons that no other reports were required, the Corporation believes that all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act were made on a timely basis during or with respect to 2014,2015, except for: (i) two Form 4s filed for aeach of Linda Walker Bynoe, Dipak C. Jain, Jose Luis Prado and Charles A. Tribbett III, and one Form 34 filed on August 22, 2014 reporting initial ownership information for Edward J. Mooney upon his appointment aseach of Susan Crown, Dean M. Harrison and John W. Rowe, each of which related to an advisory directoracquisition of stock units representing the Corporation which should have beendeferral of cash compensation pursuant to the Corporation’s 1997 Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors and was filed by July 25, 2014,late due to administrative error; and (ii) a Form 4 filed for Mr. Mooney on August 22, 2014Steven L. Fradkin to report a transaction that should have been reported by July 17, 2014.resulting from the rebalancing of his 401(k) savings account which was filed late due to administrative error.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table includes information concerning stockholders who were the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Corporation’s common stock as of December 31, 2014.2015.

 

   
Name and Address  Shares   Percent of Class   Shares   Percent of Class 
  

The Northern Trust Company (1)
50 South La Salle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603

   21,607,614     9.3   20,876,098     9.1
  

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (2)
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

   15,322,381     6.5

Wellington Management Group LLP (2)
c/o Wellington Management Company LLP
280 Congress Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

   16,497,251     7.2
  

BlackRock, Inc. (3)
55 East 52
nd Street
New York, New York 10022

   12,424,815     5.3

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (3)
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

   14,397,685     6.3
 

BlackRock, Inc. (4)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, New York 10022

   12,623,186     5.5
 

The Vanguard Group, Inc. (5)
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

   12,357,347     5.4

 

(1) As of December 31, 2014,2015, the Bank and its affiliates individually acted as sole or co-fiduciary with respect to trusts and other fiduciary accounts which owned, held or controlled through intermediaries the shares.shares reported. This aggregate number of shares includes 1,362,880 shares held by the trust described in footnote 54 to the “Security Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers” table in this Proxy Statement, or less than 0.6%approximately 0.59% of the outstanding common stock. Of thesethe total shares owned, held or controlled by trusts and other fiduciary accounts for which the Bank and its affiliates acted as sole or co-fiduciary, the Bank and its affiliates had sole voting power with respect to 8,427,7708,036,253 shares, or 3.6%3.50% of the outstanding common stock, and they shared voting power with respect to 11,648,71511,296,876 shares, or 5.0%4.93% of the outstanding

common stock. They had sole investment power with respect to 2,153,4022,224,439 shares, or 0.9%0.97% of the outstanding common stock, and they shared investment power with respect to 12,433,10012,166,974 shares, or 5.3%5.31% of the outstanding common stock.

(2) As reported on a Schedule 13G filed by Wellington Management Group LLP, Wellington Group Holdings LLP, Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP and Wellington Management Company LLP on February 11, 2016. Wellington Management Group LLP, Wellington Group Holdings LLP, and Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP each had shared voting power with respect to 7,781,068 shares, or 3.39% of the outstanding common stock, and shared investment power with respect to all shares reported. Wellington Management Company LLP had shared voting power with respect to 6,560,735 shares, or 2.86% of the outstanding common stock, and shared investment power with respect to 14,556,824 shares, or 6.35% of the outstanding common stock. None of the entities had sole voting or investment power with respect to any shares reported. Based on the Schedule 13G, the securities as to which the Schedule 13G was filed are owned of record by clients of one or more investment advisers identified therein directly or indirectly owned by Wellington Management Group LLP.

(3) As reported on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 13, 2015.10, 2016. T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) has indicated that these shares are owned by various individual and institutional investors, for which Price Associates serves as an investment adviser with power to direct investments and, in certain cases, sole power to vote the securities. For the purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities. Of these shares, Price Associates had sole voting power with respect to 4,575,0824,288,952 shares, or 2.0%1.87% of the outstanding common stock, and it did not have shared voting power with respect to any such shares. Price Associates had sole investment power with respect to all such shares.

(3)(4) As reported on a Schedule 13G13G/A filed on February 6, 2015.10, 2016. Of the shares reported, BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) had sole voting power with respect to 10,566,30010,781,949 shares, or 4.5%4.70% of the outstanding common stock, and it did not have shared voting power with respect to any shares reported. BlackRock had sole investment power with respect to all shares reported.

(5) As reported on a Schedule 13G filed on February 11, 2016. Of the shares reported, The Vanguard Group, Inc. (“Vanguard”) had sole voting power with respect to 403,396 shares, or 0.18% of the outstanding common stock, and shared voting power with respect to 21,300 shares, or 0.01% of the outstanding common stock. Vanguard had sole investment power with respect to 11,926,300 shares, or 5.20% of the outstanding common stock, and shared investment power with respect to 431,047 shares, or 0.19% of the outstanding common stock.

ITEM 2—ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the SEC, the Corporation is required to include in this Proxy Statement a separate resolution, subject to an advisory vote, to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement (commonly referred to as a “Say-on-Pay” advisory vote). In a nonbinding, advisory vote on the frequency of future Say-on-Pay votes held at our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholders voted in favor of conducting Say-on-Pay votes annually. In light of this result, and other factors considered by the Board, the Board has determined that the Corporation will hold Say-on-Pay votes on an annual basis until the next advisory vote on such frequency, which is expected to take place at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Accordingly, the Board is requesting that stockholders vote FOR approval of the following resolution:

“Resolved, that the compensation paid to the Corporation’s named executive officers, as disclosed in its Proxy Statement dated March 10, 2015,9, 2016, pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding on the Corporation. Although the vote is nonbinding, the Board and the Compensation and Benefits Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and, consistent with past practice, will consider the outcome of the vote when determining compensation policies and making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

As outlinedThe Corporation’s executive compensation program and the framework used in evaluating and making 2015 compensation decisions for our named executive officers are described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that begins on page 2527 of this Proxy Statement, the Corporation’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain individuals who will contribute to the Corporation’s success and the creation of stockholder value. The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that executive officers are most effectively motivated when their incentive compensation is tied to the Corporation’s overall performance as well as their individual performance. That is why a significant portion of each executive officer’s short-term and long-term incentive compensation is variable and depends on such performance. Long-term incentive compensation delivered through annual equity awards is the most significant element of the Corporation’s executive compensation program. The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that this emphasis on equity-based compensation aligns the interests of executive officers with our stockholders, discourages inappropriate risk-taking, and encourages executive officers to appropriately consider and control risk factors, which furthers the Corporation’s risk-mitigation strategy. In addition, the Corporation has adopted policies, like stock ownership guidelines, and incorporated provisions into compensation plans, like forfeiture and clawback provisions, to ensure long-term focus and discourage inappropriate risk-taking by executive officers.

The Corporation’s conservatively managed executive compensation philosophy, coupled with its sound balance sheet and prudent business model, have contributed to the Corporation’s strong strategic and financial positioning, despite an increasingly regulated and a persistent low interest rate environment. In 2014, the Corporation reported revenue of $4.3 billion, net income of $811.8 million and diluted earnings per share of $3.32. The Corporation’s 2014 return on equity increased to 10.0% from 9.5% in the prior year. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Corporation’s average three- and five-year returns on equity were 9.6% and 9.5%, respectively, in line with the peer-group medians of 9.7% for each of such periods. Further, the Corporation’s average revenue growth of 5.9%, 4.7% and 2.7% over the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2014, respectively, significantly outpaced peer-group median growth of 0.7%, 1.4% and (1.0)% over such periods.Statement.

The Board unanimously recommends that you voteFOR this proposal.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes how we compensate our executives, including our 2015 named executive officers, which consist of the following individuals.

NameTitle

Frederick H. Waddell

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

S. Biff Bowman

Chief Financial Officer

Steven L. Fradkin

President—Wealth Management

William L. Morrison

President

Jana R. Schreuder

Chief Operating Officer

Executive Summary

In 2014,2015 Financial Performance

Our strong results in 2015 demonstrated continued progress executing on the performance and achievementsthree pillars of our named executive officers helped the Corporation deliver sound financial results and accelerate the strategic initiatives of the organization in a continued challenging global economic environment. New business and our measured approach to managing the business contributed to the Corporation’s strong financial performance.strategy:

Appropriately linking the compensation of our named executive officers to the performance of our business is important to the continued growth and success of the Corporation. Accordingly, performance is the most significant driver of compensation decisions. The following charts summarize our performance in 2014 and highlight important considerations in the development, review and approval of our 2014 named executive officers’ compensation.

Achieve Growth across the business, as demonstrated by continued growth in Corporate & Institutional Services (“C&IS”) and Wealth Management trust, investment and other servicing fees.

LOGO

Improve Profitability and Productivity, as demonstrated by the decrease in our noninterest expense as a percentage of trust, investment and other servicing fees, which in turn resulted in significant improvements in pre-tax margin and growth in pre-tax income.

LOGO

 

2014 PerformanceLOGOLOGO

Financial Results 

  Net income was $811.8 million in 2014,Increase Stockholder Returns through an improvement of 11% from $731.3 million in 2013

  Revenue grew 6% to $4.3 billion in 2014 from $4.1 billion in 2013

  Trust, investment and other servicing fees, which represent the single largest source of revenue to the Corporation, increased 9% in 2014

  Earnings per diluted common share totaled $3.32 in 2014, compared to $2.99 in 2013

  Ourimproved return on equity, was 10.0% in 2014, an increase from 9.5% in 2013 andwith return on equity within our target range of 10–10%–15%

Capital Planning

  Our capital ratios are well above the ratios that are a requirement for regulatory classification as “well-capitalized”

  We returned $792.4 million, and increases in capital to our common stockholders by increasing the quarterly dividend to $0.33 per share and repurchasing 7.5 million common shares

  We grew our capital base by 7% due to the issuance of 16,000 shares of preferred stock for net proceeds of $388.5 million and continued growth in retained earnings

  The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) did not object to our 2014 Capital Plan

Risk Management

  Our risk profile remained strong, with no material changes in 2014

  The quality of our balance sheet and our liquidity position remained strong at both the Corporation and the Bank

Strategic

Developments

  Assets under custody rose 7% to $6 trillion, while assets under management rose 6% to $934.1 billion

  Our growth in clients continues to be diversified across our businesses, services and geographies

  We continued to expand and optimize our geographic footprint by establishing new offices in South Korea and Malaysia, beginning new processing and back-office operations in Manila, Philippines and announcing plans to open a new office in Tempe, Arizona to perform a wide variety of front-, middle- and back-office functions

2014 Performance (con’t)
Leadership Changes

  At the Chairman and CEO’s direction, the Corporation made a number of leadership changes across the organization in 2014

  These changes impacted each of the named executive officers, except for Mr. Waddell, and were designed to position the organization for faster growth and expand the experience of its leadersdividends.

 

Guiding Principles for Executive CompensationLOGOLOGO

Our financial performance compares favorably with that of our peers. For the year ended December 31, 2015, our average three- and five-year returns on equity were 10.3% and 9.8%, respectively, compared to peer-group medians of 10.1% and 9.7%, respectively, for such periods. Further, our average revenue growth of 8.6%, 6.5% and 5.2% over the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, significantly outpaced peer-group median growth of 0.8%, 1.9% and 2.0% over such periods.

We achieved these financial results while continuing to maintain strong capital ratios, with all ratios applicable to classification as “well capitalized” under U.S. regulatory requirements having exceeded all “well capitalized” ratio guidelines.

Key Strategic Achievements

In addition to our strong financial performance, the successful execution of our strategies also was demonstrated through various strategic achievements, including:

Compensation Philosophy 

  Attract, motivate and retain the best talent

  Link compensation to long-term performance

  Align programs with stockholder interests

  Position pay competitively inexpansion of our client base, as we developed relationships across the marketplace

  Discourage inappropriate risk-takingglobe;

Total Pay Guidelines 

  80%our continued strong growth in key markets, including Australia with respect to 90% of total pay opportunity focused on performance-based incentives

  Majority of total pay opportunity linkedour C&IS business and New York with respect to long-term incentives

  Multi-year vesting schedules for equity grants link total pay to long-term performance

  Stock ownership guidelines equal or exceed requirements at most peer banksour Wealth Management business;

Forfeiture (“Clawback”) Provisions 

  All equity granted to named executive officers is subject to forfeiture, or “clawback” provisions, that may be triggered upon the occurrencecontinued successful implementation of certain events, includingour location strategy, with approximately 30% of our employees in our Limerick, Bangalore, Manila and Tempe locations as of December 31, 2015, and the misuseannouncement of confidential information, a violation of applicable nonsolicitation provisions or misconduct as determined by the Compensationnew location in Pune, India in 2016; and Benefits Committee in connection with the restatement of the Corporation’s financial statements or otherwise

the recognition we have received for our technology, including three first-place awards in mobile, private cloud and analytics.

2015 Compensation of our Chairman and CEO

Based on the strength of our performance in 2015 and Mr. Waddell’s contributions thereto, the Board determined that an increase in our Chairman and CEO’s incentive compensation for 2015 was appropriate. As a result, Mr. Waddell’s total direct compensation—consisting of base salary,short-term annual cash incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation—increased by 11% from 2014 to 2015.

The chart below summarizes Mr. Waddell’s total direct compensation for 2014 and 2015. Base salary for 2014 and 2015 reflects Mr. Waddell’s base salary, as determined by the Board in February 2014 and February 2015, respectively. Short-term annual cash incentive compensation represents amounts awarded in February 2015 and February 2016 for 2014 and 2015 performance, respectively. Long-term incentive compensation represents grants relating to 2014 and 2015 performance made in February 2015 and February 2016, respectively. It should be noted that the amounts in the chart below are different than the amounts in the Summary Compensation Table on page 48. The most significant difference is that the long-term incentive award amounts included in the Summary Compensation Table for 2014 and 2015 were granted in February 2014 and February 2015, respectively, for 2013 and 2014 performance. We believe the chart below may be useful in summarizing key incentive compensation decisions made for 2014 and 2015 performance.

LOGO

As illustrated by the chart below and consistent with our pay for performance philosophy, the Chairman and CEO’s pay mix heavily emphasizes incentive compensation, with the greatest weight placed onlong-term incentives. Our long-term incentive mix emphasizes performance-based pay, with half of the long-term incentives being awarded in the form of performance stock units earned based on our return on equity over a three-year period.

LOGO

Compensation Governance Practices

We have implemented the compensation practices summarized below to ensure that our compensation program is effective in addressing stockholder objectives.

 

Decisions and Actions
Factors Guiding Compensation Decisions

  Financial performance, as measured by pre-tax income, revenue growth, expense management, assets under custody and management and return on equity

  Individual qualitative factors, including with respect to leadership, client service, regulatory compliance, corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, communication, ethics, diversity and development of talent

  Risk performance, including an evaluation of qualitative and quantitative inputs to determine whether excessive risk was taken or realized

  Chairman and CEO recommendations for other named executive officers

  Advice of the Compensation and Benefit Committee’s independent compensation consultant

  Peer bank pay practices, current and historical compensation and internal equity principles

Decisions and Actions (con’t)What We Do
2014 Compensation Decisions  

What We Don’t Do   Base salaries

  üEnsure our executives meet robust stock ownership guidelines×No excise tax gross-ups for 2014 remained unchanged forany new executive severance agreements
  üEnsure performance-based compensation comprises the most significant portion of incentive compensation; 50% of long-term incentives are provided in performance stock units tied to return on equity×No short selling, margining, hedging, pledging or hypothecating company shares permitted under our Securities Transactions Policy and Procedures
  üInclude clawback provisions in long-term incentive awards granted to named executive officers except for Mr. Bowman

   Annual short-term incentive awards — determined in 2015 for 2014 performance — reflect improvement in key corporate performance metrics and growth in key businesses

   Long-term incentive compensation awarded as follows:

   50% as performance stock units

   25% as stock options

   25% as restricted stock units

2015 Performance Stock Units×  

No compensation plans that encourage excessive risk-taking

  üUse an independent compensation consultant to advise the Compensation and Benefits Committee×   Performance stock units granted in 2015No repricing of underwater options
  üClosely align pay outand performance, with the Compensation and Benefits Committee validating this alignment annually
  üPosition target pay at 100% only if the Corporation achieves ancompetitive levels among peer group companies
  üSolicit and consider feedback from investors

2016 Compensation Program Enhancements

The Compensation and Benefits Committee approved the following program enhancements in February 2016. These provisions apply to the performance stock units granted in 2016 for 2015 performance.

The average annual rate of return on equity of 10.25% overduring the three-year performance period required to become fully vested is 11.0%, up from 10.25% for grants in line2015.

Dividend equivalents will be distributed only with respect to those performance stock units that actually vest upon satisfaction of the target returnapplicable performance conditions rather than being paid in cash on equity rangea current basis prior to vesting and distribution.

Guiding Principles for Executive Compensation

The Corporation’sOur compensation philosophy is to attract, motivate and retain talent, including executive-level talent, who will contribute to our long-term success. With the goals of solid long-term financial performance and creating long-term stockholder value, the Corporation’sour executive compensation program and compensation decisions are framed by the four core valuesguiding principles described below.

Linked to Long-Term Performance

The Corporation’s executive compensation program strongly focuses on incentive compensation, which is intended to help drive long-term financial performance. Currently, 80% to 90% of each named executive officer’s total pay opportunity consists of performance-based compensation. Short-term cash and long-term incentive awards reflect the Corporation’s performance as well as each named executive officer’s individual performance. The Compensation and Benefits Committee determines and approves annual cash incentives for the Corporation’s named executive officers under the provisions of the stockholder-approved Management Performance Plan.

The net income generated by the Corporation in the applicable fiscal year determines the maximum funding for annual cash incentives. Accordingly, no annual cash incentive can be paid in the absence of positive net income. The Corporation’s average annual rate of return on equity during the respective three-year performance period (as compared to pre-established targets) determines the payout under 50% of the Corporation’s annual long-term incentive awards, which are granted in the form of performance stock units. Payout of this component therefore generally requires the executive to remain with the company during the applicable performance period, as well as attainment of return on equity goals over multi-year periods. The overall performance of the Corporation’s common stock delivers the remainder of the value of annual long-term incentive awards; this portion of the award is granted in the form of stock options (25%), which have no economic value absent share price appreciation, and through restricted stock units (25%). The Corporation’s current performance schedule provides that officers will only receive 100% of their performance stock unit awards if the Corporation achieves an average annual return on equity of 10.25% over the three-year performance period, which aligns the payout of these awards to the target return on equity range.

Aligned with Stockholder Interests

The Corporation’s executive compensation program is designed to align the interests of the named executive officers with those of its stockholders by tying a significant portion of an executive’s total compensation to the longer-term performance of the Corporation’s common stock. Long-term incentive compensation is the most significant component of overall compensation, as it provides the majority of named executive officers’ compensation. The emphasis on long-term multi-year vesting schedules applied to these incentives contributes to continuity and stability within the Corporation’s executive leadership and encourages executives to act as owners with a tangible stake in the Corporation.

Supporting the alignment with stockholders’ interests, the Corporation has a long-standing practice of emphasizing stock ownership and maintaining robust stock ownership guidelines for named executive officers at or above industry practice. Each executive officer is expected to meet his or her respective minimum ownership level within five years of becoming an executive officer. Until such time as any executive officer meets the minimum ownership level requirement, he or she is expected to retain 100% of the net, after-tax shares received from share distributions or stock option exercises. As of December 31, 2014, the Chairman and CEO and each other named executive officer met or exceeded the Corporation’s stock ownership guidelines.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

Expected Stock Ownership as a Multiple of Base SalaryGuiding Principle
Chairman and CEO  10xImpact on Compensation Design

PresidentLinked to Long-Term Performance

  7x

●   Performance stock units based on three-year return on equity constitute 50% of long-term incentive compensation

Chief Operating OfficerAligned with Stockholder Interests

  7x

●   Majority of pay delivered in long-term incentives (approximately 66% of the Chairman and CEO’s total direct compensation)

●   Executives are subject to robust stock ownership guidelines

Chief Financial Officer and Business PresidentsPositioned Competitively in the Marketplace

  5x

●   Compensation levels are developed with reference to a peer group of comparable companies

All Other Executive OfficersDiscourages Inappropriate Risk-Taking

  3x

●   Long-term incentives are subject to risk-based forfeiture and clawback provisions

●   Short-term cash incentive compensation awards are capped

●   Compensation and Benefits Committee can exercise negative discretion to reduce incentives

●   Compensation program balances short-term and long-term performance objectives

Positioned Competitively in the MarketplaceRisk Management

We believe a competitive executiveA key objective of our compensation program is key to attracting, motivating and retainingensure that the best executive talent. Therefore, the Compensation and Benefits Committee evaluates the competitiveness of the Corporation’s named executive officerincentive compensation program against a peer group that reflects key trust and custody banks (The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and State Street Corporation) as well as certain other U.S. banking organizations of varying size. The peer group specifically excludes certain direct competitors whose size or scope are significantly larger and might distort the appropriate pay comparisons. The combination of the character and relative size of the Corporation’s businesses makes it challenging to identify any definitive, single group of companies as peers for compensation purposes. The Corporation’s peer group was established based in part on data and analysis provided by management’s executive compensation consultant, Towers Watson.

The banks identified below comprise the Corporation’s peer group:

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

Comerica Incorporated

Fifth Third Bancorp

KeyCorp

State Street Corporation

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

U.S. Bancorp

Wells Fargo & Company

The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that this group of peer companies fairly represents a range ofdesign does not encourage inappropriate risk-taking. We have considered our competitors and certain other U.S. banking organizations and is an appropriate group of companies against which the Corporation can gauge the competitiveness of the Corporation’s executive compensation program for the named executive officers. The Committee regularly reviews the composition of the Corporation’s peer group using data and analysis provided by Towers Watson. The Committee makes updates based on changes within the peer group companies, industry consolidation and the Corporation’s own evolving global presence. No modifications have been made to the peer group since 2011.

Discourage Inappropriate Risk-Taking

The Corporation has considered its incentive compensation program in light of the guidance provided by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) with respect to sound incentive compensation policies at banking organizations. The Corporation believes itsfinancial institutions. We believe our compensation arrangements discourage inappropriate risk-taking behavior,are consistent with our safety and soundness, in part because the Corporation iswe are not involved with many of the lines of business that have exposed other financial institutions to excessive risk, such as significant proprietary derivatives trading or origination or securitization of subprime mortgage loans.risk.

To align with the Federal Reserve’s guidance for the financial industry, the Corporation provided direction to its employees about risk management expectations and the incentive adjustments that may be made to awards for those who expose the Corporation to excessive risk. The Corporation actively monitors employees using programs, policies, and other tools that are designed to ensure that they work within established risk frameworks and limits. To reinforce the important role of effective risk management in our compensation framework, in recent years the Corporation has reducedwe have increased the portion of its long-term incentive awards composed of stock options (now representing only 25% of long-term incentive compensation) and replaced a portion of those awards with performance stock units. Performance stock units, which contain meaningful performance targets for named executive officers and are payable in shares if these targets are attained, discourage inappropriate risk-taking behavior because they can only be earned by attaining long-term performance goals and because the value of the award is less susceptible to short-term fluctuations in share value than stock options. To further reinforce the important role of effective risk management in our compensation framework,All long-term incentive compensation is the most significant element of compensation for senior management. All grants of long-term equityawards vest over a multi-year period and have an inherent risk adjustment factor based on changes in the value of the Corporation’sour common stock. Consistent with the Corporation’s risk-mitigation strategies for its compensation programs, sinceSince 2012 all long-term incentive compensation arrangements for named executive officers have incorporated clawback provisions that deter certain types of conduct, including conduct that could affect the accuracy of the Corporation’s financial statements. In 2013, expanded risk-basedincluded forfeiture and clawbackrecoupment provisions. Further information with respect to these provisions were included in restricted stock unit awards.for our named executive officers can be found under “Other Compensation Practices—Clawback Provisions.”

The Compensation and Benefits Committee annually reviews management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the design and performance of the Corporation’sour incentive compensation arrangements and practices in providing risk-taking incentives that are consistent with the organization’s safety and soundness.soundness of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. This assessment includes an evaluation of whether the Corporation’sour incentive compensation arrangements and practices discourage inappropriate risk-taking behavior by participants. WeIn connection with the Committee’s assessment, the Corporation’s Chief Risk Officer presents an annual incentive compensation risk performance review, discussing his observations and assessments of risk performance for the performance year for the Corporation and each of its significant businesses. The Committee will continue to monitor and, if necessary, revise our incentive compensation program to ensure that it continues to balance appropriately balance the objectives of stockholders, the needs of the business and risk concerns.

Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation and Benefits Committee is required to have at least one member who is a member of the Business Risk Committee and at least one member who is a member of the Audit Committee. This overlap in composition is intended to ensure that compensation decisions reflect the input of the Audit and Business Risk Committees.

Executive Compensation Program Elements

The table below provides a brief description of the elements of our compensation program and how each element helps address our guiding principles for executive compensation.

ElementLink to Compensation Philosophy  Rationale/Key Features

Base Salary

●   Targeted at competitive levels among peer group companies.

●   Base salaries provide a fixed level of income consistent with a named executive officer’s position and responsibilities, competitive pay practices, and internal equity principles.

Short-Term Annual Cash Incentive

●   Total incentive funding is established as a percentage of pre-tax income.

●   Targeted at competitive levels among peer group companies.

●   The Compensation and Benefits Committee determines annual incentive funding and awards based on both qualitative and quantitative considerations, including the individual performance of each executive officer.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

●   Linked to long-term performance.

●   Aligned with stockholders’ interests by motivating executive officers to act as owners.

●   Targeted at competitive levels among peer group companies.

●   Long-term incentives are the most significant element of overall compensation.

●   Long-term incentive compensation is comprised of performance stock units (50%), restricted stock units (25%) and stock options (25%). The number of shares that is paid out upon the vesting of a performance stock unit award is determined based on our return on equity.

Retirement, Health and Welfare Benefits

●   Targeted at competitive levels among peer group companies.

●   Benefits are designed with broader employee populations in mind and are not specifically structured for executive officers.

Additional information with respect to each of the four principal elements of our compensation program can be found beginning on page 40.

Determining Awards

Role of the Compensation and Benefits Committee

During its February meeting each year, the Compensation and Benefits Committee determines the appropriate level of compensation for all executive officers. The Committee considers all elements of the Corporation’sour executive compensation program holistically rather than each compensation element individually, and makes executive compensation decisions after careful review and analysis of financial and nonfinancial performance information, as well as historical and market compensation data. The Committee also considers the impact that compensation decisions may have on the potential value of other pay and benefit programs.

The Committee has the discretion to determine compensation in the context of individual performance in nonfinancial areas that are important to long-rangelong-term growth and the enhancement of stockholder value. This flexibility allows the Committee to modify individual incentive payouts and long-term incentive opportunities to best reflect:reflect best:

 

  

the Corporation’sour business model and strategy;

 

  

prevailing market trends;

 

  

evolving financial and regulatory environment;

 

  

cross-function executive assignments; and

 

  

risk management objectives.

TheAs discussed under “2015 Compensation Decisions and Design—2015 Performance Considerations” beginning on page 37 of this Proxy Statement, the Committee also evaluates the performance of theour Chairman and CEO against his objectives for the past year. The Committee shares this evaluation with the Board in order for the Board to set the Chairman and CEO’s compensation.

Role of the Chairman and CEO

The Chairman and CEO presents the Compensation and Benefits Committee with recommendations on the total compensation for each of the Corporation’sour other executive officers based in part upon competitive market data provided by management’s executive compensation consultant.for our peer group. The Chairman and CEO’s evaluations of the other executive officers are based on performance against the past year’s performance expectations, and are comprised of a mix of objective and subjective factors, which are not formulaically weighted or scored. With input from the Corporation’sour Chief Risk Officer, the Chairman and CEO also evaluates each of the other executive officer’s performance with regard to business risks and individual adherence to risk and compliance policies and procedures. The Committee gives substantial weight to the recommendations of the Chairman and CEO, but retains the ultimate oversight and responsibility to set compensation for all executive officers.

Role of Human Resources

The Human Resources function provides materials to assist the Compensation and Benefits Committee in making executive compensation decisions, including current and historical compensation data for executive officers. The Corporation’sOur Executive Vice President, Human Resources attends and participates in

all Committee meetings. The Human Resources function also assists the Chairman and CEO in formulating his compensation recommendations for all other executive officers. The Human Resources function provides historical and current market data for executive pay in the industry, information concerning the historical and current compensation of executive officers and the comparison of stock ownership measured against the Corporation’sour stock ownership guidelines.

Role of the Compensation and Benefits Committee’s Independent Compensation Consultant

In February 2014, theThe Compensation and Benefits Committee has retained Compensation Advisory Partners (“CAP”), a nationally recognized compensation and benefits consulting firm, to replace Aon Hewitt as its independent compensation consultant. The Committee confers with its independent compensation consultant to ensure that decisions and actions are consistent with stockholders’ long-term interests and compensation-related best practices within the financial services industry. The Committee also references market data provided by its independent compensation consultant when considering compensation for executive officers. A representative of CAP attended all meetings of the Committee during which 2014 executive compensation decisions were made.2015. CAP provides insights into compensation trends and market practices, presents views on the compensation proposed by the Committee and participates in Committee meeting discussions and executive sessions.

Use of Peer Group Data

To help to inform its decision-making, the Compensation and Benefits Committee reviews peer group data regarding competitive pay levels in the market place. Historically, the Committee has worked with management’s executive compensation consultant, Towers Watson, to develop the relevant peer group of companies that would provide the Committee with a representative view of the market for executive talent. The Corporation’s two most comparable direct peers are The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and State Street Corporation, as they are also trust and custody banks. The remainder of our peer group historically has been made up of large, regional banks similar to us in certain respects, but not generally representing direct business competitors. The peer group described below was used to assess competitive compensation when developing 2015 base salary decisions and determining the size of short-term annual cash incentive awards and long-term incentive grants made in 2015 based on 2014 performance.

Peer Group (2015 Base Salary; Incentive Compensation Based on 2014 Performance)  

●   Comerica Incorporated

●   The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

●   Fifth Third Bancorp

●   The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

●   KeyCorp

●   U.S. Bancorp

●   State Street Corporation

●   Wells Fargo & Company

●   SunTrust Banks, Inc.

In 2015, the Compensation and Benefits Committee worked with CAP and Towers Watson to refine the peer group noted above, which had remained unchanged since 2011. As a result of this review, Wells Fargo & Company was removed from the peer group, as it operates a different business model and is significantly larger than us. In addition, Franklin Resources, Inc., Invesco Ltd., Legg Mason, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. were added to the peer group to reflect better our significant presence in wealth management and asset management. The Compensation and Benefits Committee usesbelieves that the new peer group datareflects better our business mix, complexity, and global footprint and includes peer companies with more comparable revenues and market capitalizations.

Our current peer group, as refined, is as follows.

Current Peer Group                    

●   Comerica Incorporated

●   State Street Corporation

●   Fifth Third Bancorp

●   SunTrust Banks Inc.

●   Franklin Resources, Inc.

●   T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

●   Invesco Ltd.

●   The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

●   KeyCorp

●   The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

●   Legg Mason, Inc.

●   U.S. Bancorp

When making compensation decisions, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considers how the recommended compensation levels will compare to assess the competitiveness of themedian compensation paid to executive officers. The Corporation does not use peer compensation data to set precise pay levels by position. Rather, the peer data and data provided by compensation consultants are used to validate relative competitive pay for our executive officers. With respect to 2014 compensation, the Committee considered the Corporation’s performance relative to our peers across various performance and financial measures. Weighing these measures, the Committee determined that the Corporation’s overall performance generally compared favorably tocomparable positions among the peer group performance. Thecompanies. However, the Committee took these comparisons into account generallyrecognizes that the compensation levels may vary from the peer group median compensation level based on our performance or specific individual circumstances, including the executive’s tenure in making its compensation decisions for 2014.the role, the nature of the responsibilities of the executive and the executive’s individual performance.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

The CorporationCompensation and Benefits Committee views the tax deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), as a factor in determining the forms and amounts of executive compensation. The Corporation, through the Compensation and Benefits Committee reviews each material element of compensation on a continuing basis and takes steps to assureensure deductibility if that can be accomplished without sacrificing flexibility or other important elements of the overall executive compensation program. For example, the Committee approves all short-term annual cash incentives for executive officers under the provisions of the stockholder-approved Management Performance Plan to ensure such awards qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

2015 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Our 2014 named executive officer compensation was approved on an advisory basis by our stockholders at our April 21, 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Approximately 89% of the votes present and entitled to vote at the meeting, together with abstentions, supported approval of 2014 named executive officer compensation. Although such advisory votes are nonbinding, the Board reviews and thoughtfully considers the voting results when determining compensation policies and making future compensation decisions for named executive officers. Additionally, as mentioned under “Corporate Governance—Stockholder Outreach” beginning on page 21 of this Proxy Statement, it is our practice to engage proactively and routinely with stockholders throughout the year to help further their understanding of our performance and strategies and to allow us to receive direct feedback on issues relating to the Corporation. The decisions made by the Board with respect to compensation in 2015—including the decision to maintain the overall structure of our executive compensation program—reflect the Board’s belief, based on the results of the advisory vote on 2014 named executive officer compensation and our stockholder outreach, that our stockholders generally support our overall executive compensation program.

Elements of the Corporation’s Executive2015 Compensation ProgramDecisions and Design

There are four principal elements of2015 Performance Considerations

In determining total compensation for the Corporation’snamed executive compensation program, each of which is discussed below. In making determinations regarding these compensation elements,officers, the Compensation and Benefits Committee’s overall goal is to establish total executive compensation that appropriately rewardsCommittee considered a variety of performance aligns with stockholders’ interests, and positionsfactors. The Committee considered the Corporation competitivelyCorporation’s 2015 financial performance, as well as each officer’s success in the marketplace for executive talent. While the Committee’s determinationsachieving his or her individual performance objectives. Further detail with respect to these elements may reflect unique characteristicsfactors considered in determining the total compensation for the named executive officers is set forth below.

Frederick H. Waddell

As the Corporation’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Waddell is responsible for, among other things: developing and implementing our corporate strategies; managing and developing our senior leaders; and embodying our guiding principles of that element (for instance, inservice, expertise and integrity. In determining his compensation for 2015, the case of annual cash incentives,Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Board considered the performance of the Corporation),Corporation under Mr. Waddell’s leadership, as well as Mr. Waddell’s success in achieving his specific individual performance objectives. The Committee’s considerations included the Committee’s overall decision-making is governed by a collective evaluation of the elements of compensation, with a view toward establishing an appropriate level of total executive compensation.following:

Financial Performance

 

Element Link to Compensation Philosophy

Our continued financial strength, including our strong balance sheet demonstrating high asset quality, ample liquidity and a strong capital base.

 Rationale / Key Features

Growth in our trust, investment and other servicing fees from $2.8 billion in 2014 to $3.0 billion in 2015, an increase of 5%.

Base Salary Targeted at competitive levels among peer group companies.

Growth in our pre-tax income from $1.2 billion in 2014 to $1.5 billion in 2015, an increase of 23%.

 Base salaries provide a fixed level of income consistent with a named executive officer’s position and responsibilities, competitive pay practices, and internal equity principles.

An increase in our pre-tax margin from 27.5% in 2014 to 31.2% in 2015.

Short-Term Annual Cash Incentive Aligned with stockholders’ interests by linking maximum award to

Continued progress in lowering our noninterest expense as a percentage of net incometrust, investment and actual awardother servicing fees, with noninterest expense representing 110% of such fees in 2015 compared to executive’s performance. Targeted at competitive levels among the peer group companies.111% in 2014.

 Annual cash incentives are intended

Improvement in our return on equity from 10.0% in 2014 to qualify11.5% in 2015, within our target range.

Client Development and Satisfaction

Mr. Waddell’s contributions to our strong new business performance in 2015.

Mr. Waddell’s role in maintaining and developing client relationships across the globe through client outreach and engagement efforts.

Our continued high levels of client satisfaction, and the implementation of new tools to improve our ability to identify and address client needs or concerns.

Leadership Development

Mr. Waddell’s role in developing senior leaders, maintaining a strong group of leaders in our succession plans and attracting and retaining talent throughout the Corporation.

Mr. Waddell’s role in creating a Chief Capital Management Officer position as performance-baseda part of broader enhancements to our CCAR framework in 2015.

Mr. Waddell’s role in advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives across the Corporation and driving our high level of employee engagement.

S. Biff Bowman

As the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Bowman is primarily responsible for financial reporting and control, management reporting and analysis, liquidity management, capital planning and investor relations. To determine Mr. Bowman’s 2015 compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Mr. Bowman fulfilled his responsibilities in 2015. In doing so, the Committee considered the following performance factors:

Improvement in our return on equity from 10.0% in 2014 to 11.5% in 2015, enabling us to return $829.9 million in capital to common stockholders in 2015 through quarterly dividends and share repurchases.

Growth in our diluted earnings per share from $3.32 in 2014 to $3.99 in 2015, an increase of 20%.

Growth of 6% in our net interest income from $1.0 billion in 2014 to $1.1 billion in 2015.

Our continued financial strength, with ample liquidity and a high-quality securities portfolio contributing to sound credit ratings.

Mr. Bowman’s role in enhancing our profitability and productivity, demonstrated through continued progress in lowering our noninterest expense as they are tieda percentage of trust, investment and other servicing fees, with noninterest expense representing 110% of such fees in 2015 compared to 111% in 2014.

Mr. Bowman’s contributions to our CCAR process, our capital management policies and our 2015 capital plan, which was not objected to by the Federal Reserve.

The strength of our investor relations program and his contributions to the expanded outreach campaign conducted in 2015, as discussed under “Corporate Governance—Stockholder Outreach” on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.

Steven L. Fradkin

As the Corporation’s President of Wealth Management, Mr. Fradkin is primarily responsible for the overall performance of such business. To determine Mr. Fradkin’s 2015 compensation, the

Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Mr. Fradkin fulfilled his responsibilities in 2015. In doing so, the Committee considered the following performance factors:

Improvement in Wealth Management financial performance across financial metrics such as revenue, fees, credit quality, net income, resultsassets under management, loans, deposits and may not exceed a fixed maximum. Annual cash incentives also reflect the individual performance of each executive officer.return on equity.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation Aligned with stockholders’ interests by motivating executive officers

Growth in Wealth Management net income from $389.2 million in 2014 to act as owners. Targeted at competitive levels among the peer group companies.$439.7 million in 2015, a 13% increase.

 Given

Growth in Wealth Management revenue, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, from $1.9 billion in 2014 to $2.0 billion in 2015, an increase of 4%.

Increased loan and deposit balances within Wealth Management, resulting in an increase in net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, from $536.1 million in 2014 to $568.1 million in 2015, an increase of 6%.

Wealth Management’s continued strong competitive position within our target markets.

Expansion of our client base, facilitated by our continued investment in talent acquisition, with particular successes in mega-market geographies, such as New York, and the wealthiest client segments.

Enhancements made to our client capabilities, including with respect to Goals Driven Investing,TM family education, art lending, business owner initiatives and family office innovations.

William L. Morrison

As the Corporation’s President, Mr. Morrison is primarily responsible for driving business growth and overseeing the Corporation’s client-facing businesses and corporate marketing and strategy functions. To determine Mr. Morrison’s 2015 compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Mr. Morrison fulfilled his responsibilities in 2015. In doing so, the Committee considered the following performance factors:

Continued strength in each of the C&IS and Wealth Management businesses, with the Corporation’s focus on pay for performance, long-term incentives are the most significant elementtotal consolidated revenue growing from $4.3 billion in 2014 to $4.7 billion in 2015, an increase of overall compensation. Long-term incentive compensation is comprised of performance stock units (50%), restricted stock units (25%) and stock options (25%)9%. The number of shares that is paid out upon the vesting of a performance stock unit award is determined based on the Corporation’s return on equity.

Retirement, Health and Welfare Benefits Targeted at the median level of peer group companies.

Strong growth in our core businesses, including 7% growth in trust, investment and other servicing fees within our C&IS business from 2014 to 2015 and 3% growth in such fees within our Wealth Management business.

 Benefits are

Growth in our net income from $811.8 million in 2014 to $973.8 million in 2015, an increase of 20%.

Our continued high levels of client satisfaction, which helped drive strong new business results.

Mr. Morrison’s contributions to initiatives designed with the entire workforceto enable efficient and profitable growth in mind and are not specifically structured for executive officers.our businesses.

Jana R. Schreuder

As the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Schreuder is primarily responsible for business operations and enabling the Corporation’s businesses to grow faster, more efficiently and more profitably. To determine Ms. Schreuder’s 2015 compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Ms. Schreuder fulfilled her responsibilities in 2015. In doing so, the Committee considered the following performance factors:

Ms. Schreuder’s role in establishing and executing upon a comprehensive roadmap to support growth in our businesses efficiently and profitably.

Our continued introduction of agile solutions to ensure success in an increasingly complex, fast-paced and digitally connected global environment.

Ms. Schreuder’s role in the continued implementation of our location strategy and the prioritization of capital expenditures.

Ms. Schreuder’s leadership in establishing our innovation lab, the aim of which is to enhance client and employee experiences and ensure that such experiences are delivered through relevant and contemporary channels.

Our continued investments in building a robust technology environment focused on reliability and security.

Ms. Schreuder’s contributions to continued progress in lowering our noninterest expense as a percentage of trust, investment and other servicing fees, with noninterest expense representing 110% of such fees in 2015 compared to 111% in 2014.

Base Salary

The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that base salaries should provide a fixed level of annual income consistent with an executive officer’s position and responsibilities, competitive pay practices and internal equity among executive officers.

The Committee uses discretion in determining base salaries. It does not take a formulaic approach to setting base salary levels but considerssalaries, considering the following factors:

 

  

individual performance over the prior year relative to established goals and expectations for the position;

 

  

targeted base salary levels that balance market pay practice with internal equity principles;

 

  

experience and qualifications of the individual executive;

 

  

the executive officer’s tenure in the position or a position of similar level; and

 

  

significant changes in assignment or scope of responsibility.

For new and recently promoted executives, the Committee’s approach is to gradually increase incrementally base salary to the appropriate target pay level as the executive officer gains experience and tenure in the new position.

In February 2015, based on competitive salary market data among our peer group companies, the Committee increased the base salary for Mr. Waddell from $975,000 to $1,000,000. Prior to this action, Mr. Waddell had not received an increase in base salary since 2011. In February 2015, the Committee also approved more meaningful base salary increases for Mr. Bowman — from $500,000 to $550,000 — and Ms. Schreuder — from $600,000 to $675,000 — to account for additional experience and tenure in their current roles, to which they were appointed in 2014. No other named executive officer’s base salary was increased in 2015.

Short-Term Annual Cash Incentive

Annual cash incentives provide an opportunity for our executive officers to receive additional cash compensation based on the Corporation’sour financial performance, as well as each executive officer’s individual performance. The overall annual bonus pool is funded based on a targeted percentage range of pre-tax income. In approving the total funded cash incentive pool, the Corporation’s overall performance, as well as competitive requirements for incentive compensation, are considered.

Actual incentive allocations under the funded pool to each named executive officer are made based on a review of the Corporation’s performance in the context of key performance indicators on an absolute basis and relative to custody bank peers (e.g., growth in fees, total revenue and pre-tax income, return on equity, pre-tax margin, operating leverage, etc.), a review of the individual’s contribution to corporate performance and an assessment of competitive levels of pay for each position.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee determines and approves annual cash incentives for the Corporation’s executive officers under the provisions of the stockholder-approved Management Performance Plan. These awards are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The maximum funding for each officer’s annual cash incentive award under the Management Performance Plan is a percentage of the consolidated net income generated by the Corporationus in the applicable year. The annual cash incentive maximums for executive officers are as follows:

 

  

annual cash incentives for the Chairman and CEO may not exceed 0.6% of consolidated net income;

  

annual cash incentives for the President and the Chief Operating Officer may not exceed 0.4% of consolidated net income;

 

  

annual cash incentives for all other executive officers may not exceed 0.3% of consolidated net income; and

 

  

no annual incentives can be paid in the absence of positive net income.

While the Corporation’s net income establishes the maximum annual cash incentive that may be paid to an officer, theThe final determination of annual cash incentives is not tied to any specific formula. Instead,formula, rather the process that the Compensation and Benefits Committee uses to determine incentives relies on a discretionary assessment of quantitative and qualitative performance criteria for Northern Trust as a whole, specific businesses and individual executive officers. The Committee believes that its use of discretion:

allows the Committee to assess performance holistically across multiple dimensions of performance;

provides for a year-end assessment of how challenging the operating environment was and how well we performed relative to our direct peers; and

ensures that the Committee has the ability to adjust incentives for how results were achieved (i.e., degree of risk taken, sustainability of results).

In determining overall annual incentive funding and how incentives will be allocated among different businesses, the Committee exercisesconsiders the following factors:

Our overall financial performance, with a focus on key metrics, including:

Pre-tax income relative to plan and prior year

Return on equity

The performance of individual businesses in the following areas:

Growth (fees and revenue)

Productivity (expense management and ratio of noninterest expense to trust, investment and other servicing fees)

Profitability (pre-tax margin and return on equity)

Risk management

Internal equity principles

The Committee then uses negative discretion to set the final award. In applying negative discretionawards based on consideration of our overall performance, the individual executive officer’s performance, internal equity principles and peer group compensation levels. Using this process, the Committee recommended the short-term cash annual incentive for our Chairman and CEO to the Board for approval. For the other named executive officers, the Chairman and CEO recommended a short-term cash annual incentive which was approved by the Committee. The table below summarizes the 2015 short-term annual cash incentives for the named executive officers awarded in February 2016, along with 2014 short-term annual cash incentives awarded in February 2015 for 2014 performance, the Committee considered the Corporation’s overall performance results, each officer’s individual performance and the cash incentive award data reported by peer firms, adjusted for size.comparative purposes.

Short-Term Annual Cash Incentives 
Executive Title  2015   2014 

  Frederick H. Waddell

 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  $2,800,000    $2,300,000  

  S. Biff Bowman

 Chief Financial Officer   850,000     650,000  

  Steven L. Fradkin

 President—Wealth Management   1,000,000     1,000,000  

  William L. Morrison

 President   1,400,000     1,200,000  

  Jana R. Schreuder

 Chief Operating Officer   1,000,000     900,000  

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Long-term incentive compensation is the most significant element of overall compensation and is designed to reward the performance of executive officers over time. Under the current plan design,For long-term incentive compensation takesawards made in February 2016 and February 2015 for performance in 2015 and 2014, respectively, we have granted the formlong-term incentive awards to named executive officers as a mix of 50% performance stock units, 25% restricted stock units and 25% nonqualified stock options. The relative mix of these components is as follows.

LOGO

In February 2016, the Compensation and Benefits Committee emphasizesestablished long-term incentivesincentive award opportunities for our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and approved long-term incentive recommendations for our other named executive officers after receiving input from our Chairman and CEO. In establishing long-term incentive award opportunities for our named executive officers, the Committee places greater emphasis on an executive’s long-term contributions to the organization, while taking into account internal equity principles among comparable roles.

The table below summarizes the long-term incentive awards for our named executive officers made in February 2016 and February 2015 for performance in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Long-Term Incentive Awards 
Executive Title  2015   2014 

  Frederick H. Waddell

 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  $7,200,000    $6,650,000  

  S. Biff Bowman

 Chief Financial Officer   2,250,000     2,000,000  

  Steven L. Fradkin

 President—Wealth Management   2,250,000     2,000,000  

  William L. Morrison

 President   3,500,000     3,250,000  

  Jana R. Schreuder

 Chief Operating Officer   3,000,000     2,500,000  

Performance Stock Units.Performance stock units make up 50% of our long-term incentive award opportunity and the largest portion of the total compensation mix for our named executive officers. Our performance stock units are earned based on our average return on equity performance over a three-year period relative to pre-established goals. Return on equity is the primary financial performance metric used internally and externally to assess our long-term performance. Further discussion with respect to the performance stock units granted to our named executive officers is set forth in the “Description of Certain Awards Granted in 2015” section beginning on page 52 of this Proxy Statement.

Restricted Stock Units.Restricted stock units are an effective tool to align compensationexecutives with stockholder interests by making them owners of our stock. Another critical aspect of our restrictedstock unit design is that they vest over four years, with 50% vesting at the intereststhird anniversary of grant

and the stockholders. The Committee believesremaining 50% vesting at the fourth anniversary of grant. This vesting schedule is effective in helping us to retain critical talent and ensuring that executives have significant outstanding unvested equity value over the course of their careers. Further discussion with respect to the restricted stock units granted to our named executive officers is set forth in the “Description of Certain Awards Granted in 2015” section beginning on page 52 of this Proxy Statement.

Stock Options.Stock options are included as part of our long-term incentive compensation encouragesto ensure that our executives to act as ownersremain focused on increasing our stock price over time. When used in combination with an equity stake in the Corporation, discourages inappropriate risk-taking and contributes to continuity and stability within the Corporation’s leadership.

The Committee considers a variety of individual factors to determine the actual dollar value of long-term incentive compensation for each executive officer. The dollar value of equity compensation generally has been defined as 100% of the fair market value at the time of grant for all performance stock units and restricted stock units, and one-third of the fair market value of the shares underlying grants of stock options at the timehelp to ensure that executives will take a balanced view towards risk-taking. The key features of grant for all stock options. These guidelines also applied to long-term incentive awards granted in 2015 for 2014 performance, with the exception of the dollar value ofour stock option grants, which were valued at 30% of the fair market value of the shares underlying such grants at the time they were made.

The Committee has flexibility in determining the value of total long-term incentive compensation for each executive officer based on a review of objective and subjective factors. There is no formula that assigns specific weights to these factors and the importance of these factors may vary from year to year. In addition to consideration of the long-term incentive compensation reported by peer banks, the followingprogram are the specific objective and subjective factors considered by the Committee in setting total 2014 and 2015 long-term incentive compensation for each executive officer:summarized below:

 

  

experience and tenure;option exercise price equals the closing sale price on the date of grant;

 

  

prior and expected individual performance;

potential long-term impact onoption awards vest 25% per year over the financial successfirst four anniversaries of the Corporation;

strategic leadership, teamwork and individual contributions as a member of the Corporation’s leadership team;

the Committee’s desire to maintain internal equity in long-term incentive opportunity;

mix of total compensation relative to each element of compensation;

recommendations of the Chairman and CEO with respect to other executive officers;grant date; and

 

  

adviceoption awards expire on the tenth anniversary of the Committee’s independent compensation consultant.grant date.

In February 2014 for 2013 performance,It is the view of the Compensation and Benefits Committee that stock options are a performance-based form of compensation, as they only have value to the extent that the stock price appreciates from the grant date price. The Committee also believes that with a ten-year term, stock options encourage executives to focus on long-term, sustainable performance. Further discussion with respect to the stock options granted to our named executive officers receivedis set forth in the following dollar amounts“Description of long-term incentive compensation: Mr. Waddell, $6,650,000; Mr. Bowman, $1,650,000; Mr. Fradkin, $2,000,000; Mr. Morrison, $3,250,000; Mr. O’Grady, $2,000,000;Certain Awards Granted in 2015” section beginning on page 52 of this Proxy Statement.

Total Direct Compensation for 2015 and Ms. Schreuder, $2,000,000. Overall Pay Mix

The Committee believes that these awards reflect appropriate differentiation among the officers in light of their respective responsibilities at the time of grant. In addition to internal equity principles, these awards also reflect the Committee’s considerationtable below provides a comprehensive summary of each ofnamed executive officer’s total direct compensation for 2015. Base salary reflects the factors listed above.applicable named executive officer’s salary, as determined in February 2015. Short-term annual cash incentive compensation represents amounts awarded in February 2016 for 2015 performance. Long-term incentive compensation represents grants made in February 2016 relating to 2015 performance.

Total Direct Compensation 
Executive Title Salary  

Short-Term 

Annual
Cash
Incentive

  

Performance 
Stock

Units

  Stock
Options
  Restricted 
Stock
Units
  Total 

  Frederick H. Waddell

 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer $1,000,000    $2,800,000    $3,600,000    $1,800,000    $1,800,000    $11,000,000   

  S. Biff Bowman

 Chief Financial Officer  550,000     850,000     1,125,000     562,500     562,500     3,650,000   

  Steven L. Fradkin

 President—Wealth Management  600,000     1,000,000     1,125,000     562,500     562,500     3,850,000   

  William L. Morrison

 President
    
  800,000     1,400,000     1,750,000     875,000     875,000     5,700,000   

  Jana R. Schreuder

 Chief Operating Officer  675,000     1,000,000     1,500,000     750,000     750,000     4,675,000   

Other Compensation Practices

Retirement, Health and Welfare Benefits

Retirement benefits are generally designed with the Corporation’sour entire workforce in mind and are not specifically structured for the executive officers. The design of the Corporation’sour retirement program for employees, including executive officers:

 

  

reflects competitiveness in that the Corporation targetswe target total retirement benefits at approximately the median level of retirement benefits of peer group companies; and

 

  

encourages employees to contribute to their individual retirement savings through participation in TIP and the Northern Trust Corporation Supplemental Thrift-Incentive Plan (“Supplemental TIP”).

ExecutiveOur executive officers also participate in the Corporation’sour health and welfare benefits, including medical, retiree medical, dental, disability and life insurance programs, on the same terms as other employees.

Severance Benefits and Employment Security Arrangements

The Corporation providesWe provide a severance plan to provide reasonable benefits to employees who are involuntarily terminated without cause due to a reduction in force, job elimination or similar reasons specified in the severance plan. The Corporation believesWe believe that the availability of severance benefits allows the Corporationus to compete with itsour peer group companies in attracting and retaining talent. Executive officers participate in this plan on the same terms as all other eligible and similarly situated employees.

ExecutiveOur executive officers generally are eligible to receive severance benefits that include:

 

  

a lump sum payment of two weeks of base salary for each year of completed service up to, but less than 25 years, or 52 weeks of base salary for 25 years or more of completed service to the Corporation;us; and

  

a COBRA subsidy based on their length of service to help cover the costs of continuation coverage under the employer’s medical and dental plans, full vesting under TIP, Supplemental TIP, The Northern Trust Company Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”), and the Northern Trust Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan (the “Supplemental Pension Plan”), enhanced early retirement eligibility under the Pension Plan for employees who have reached age 54 with 14 years of credited service and outplacement assistance.

These benefits are contingent upon execution of a release, waiver and settlement agreement with the Corporation.us. Severance payments will be reduced by any severance payments made under employment security agreements or any other benefit plan, program or individual contract.

In addition to the severance benefits discussed above, the Corporation haswe have entered into employment security arrangements forwith certain executive officers of the Corporation, including each named executive officer. The purpose of these agreements is to provide an executive with sufficient security to remain focused on his or her responsibilities before, during and after a change in control transaction without undue concern for his or her personal circumstances. The Corporation believesWe believe the employment security

agreements are critical to itsour ability to attract and retain key executives in light of the fact that all named executive officers are employed at will and change in control provisionsbenefits for executives are a standard element of a competitive compensation program at peer group companies.

Further discussion with respect to the Corporation’sour employment security agreements, including disclosure of potential change in control benefits payable to each named executive officer, assuming a change in control of the Corporation and termination of employment on December 31, 2014,2015, is set forth in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or a Change in Control of the Corporation” section beginning on page 6267 of this Proxy Statement.

Perquisites

The Corporation providesWe provide a limited number of perquisites intended to assist executive officers in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Corporation. The Corporation providesWe provide financial consulting and tax return preparation services and personal use of company automobiles as perquisites to itsour executive officers. If circumstances warrant and if pre-approved by theour Chairman and CEO, the Corporation permitswe permit personal use of companyprivate aircraft on a limited basis. The CorporationWe also reimbursesreimburse executive officers for the payment of personal income taxes in connection with the use of company vehicles in certain circumstances and taxable relocation expenses. The Compensation and Benefits Committee periodically reviews the types and costs of perquisites to ensure they remain aligned with our compensation philosophy.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Supporting our guiding principle of alignment with stockholders’ interests, we have a long-standing practice of emphasizing stock ownership and maintaining robust stock ownership guidelines for named executive officers at or above industry practice. Each executive officer is expected to meet his or her respective minimum ownership level within five years of becoming an executive officer. Until such time as any executive officer meets the compensation philosophyminimum ownership level requirement, he or she is expected to retain 100% of the Corporation.net, after-tax shares received upon vesting of equity awards or stock option exercises. As of December 31, 2015, our Chairman and CEO and each of our other named executive officers met or exceeded our stock ownership guidelines.

Stock Ownership Guidelines
Expected Ownership as Multiple of Base Salary

  Chairman & CEO

10x

  President

7x

  Chief Operating Officer

7x

  Chief Financial Officer and Business Presidents

5x

  All Other Executive Officers

3x

2014 Advisory Vote on Executive CompensationClawback Provisions

TheAll awards granted to named executive officers since 2012 under our long-term incentive compensation program include certain forfeiture provisions pertaining to unpaid amounts, as well as recoupment of paid amounts, under such awards in the event of a restatement of the Corporation’s financial statements and certain types of misconduct. Such awards also are subject to forfeiture and recoupment provisions relating to “ex-post” risk, meaning risk resulting from the recipient’s

inappropriate risk-taking that does not materialize until after the performance period in which such inappropriate risk-taking takes place. Beginning in 2013 we began to include certain provisions in our restricted stock unit award agreements with named executive officers requiring the forfeiture or recoupment of awards if it were determined that the applicable named executive officer compensation was approved on an advisory basis by its stockholders athad engaged in inappropriate risk-taking which resulted in a “significant risk outcome,” as defined in the Corporation’s April 15, 2014 Annual Meetingform of Stockholders. Approximately 86%agreement. An analysis of the votes cast, together with abstentions, supported approval of 2013 named executive officer compensation. Althoughsignificant risk outcomes is completed annually to determine if such advisory votes are nonbinding, the Board reviews and thoughtfully considers the votingsignificant risk outcomes were tied to inappropriate risk-taking. The results when determining compensation policies and making future compensation decisions for named executive officers. Additionally, as mentioned under “Corporate Governance—Stockholder Outreach” beginning on page 19 of this Proxy Statement, it is the Corporation’s practice to proactively and routinely engage with stockholders throughout the year to help investors understand the Corporation’s performance and strategies and to allow stockholders to

express their views on issues important to the Corporation. Accordingly, the decisions madeanalysis are reviewed by the Board with respect to compensation in 2014—including the decision to maintain the overall structure of the Corporation’s executive compensation program—reflect consideration of stockholder feedback, particularly the results of the advisory vote on 2013 named executive officer compensation, as well as the other factors described above.

2014 Compensation Decisions for Named Executive Officers

In determining total compensation for the named executive officers, including Mr. Waddell, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered a variety of performance factors. The Committee considered the Corporation’s 2014 financial performance as well as each officer’s success in achieving his or her individual qualitative performance objectives. The Committee also considered the total compensation paid to similarly situated executives by the Corporation’s peers. Although the same methodology is used to determine the compensation paid to the Chairman and CEO as for any other executive officer, Mr. Waddell’s compensation is measurably higher than the compensation paid to the other named executive officers due to his significantly greater responsibilities and obligations to the Corporation.Committee.

Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerHedging Policy

Total ChairmanWe maintain a Securities Transactions Policy and CEO Compensation.The table below summarizes the key compensation decisions made by the Committee for Mr. Waddell, the Corporation’s ChairmanProcedures that, among other things, prohibits directors, employees, and CEO, for the 2014 compensation yearcertain of their family members from engaging in short selling, margining, pledging or hypothecating our securities, and provides a comparison to his 2013 compensation. It should be noted that the amountsfrom trading in this table are different than the amounts in the Summary Compensation Table as the table below does not include the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings and All Other Compensation values. As illustrated in the chart, the Chairman and CEO’s salary and incentive compensation increased by 4.2% from 2013 to 2014.

Year  Annual Compensation  Total
  Salary   Incentive Compensation (1)  
    Cash   Performance
Stock Units
   Stock
Options (2)
   Restricted
Stock Units
  

2014

  $975,000    $2,300,000    $3,325,000    $1,662,500    $1,662,500   $9,925,000

2013

  $975,000    $1,900,000    $3,325,000    $1,662,500    $1,662,500   $9,525,000

(1) The performance stock units, stock options, and restricted stock units included for 2014 were granted to Mr. Waddell in February 2015 for his 2014 performance and accordingly are not included in the “Summary Compensation Table” in this Proxy Statement.

(2) The Corporation’s policies and internal valuation methodology with respect to stock options reflected in the chart above differ from the valuation methodology required to be used in the “Summary Compensation Table” in this Proxy Statement.

The mix of total compensation forwarrants, puts, calls or similar instruments on our Chairman and CEO, as illustrated in the chart below, demonstrates our emphasis on performance-based compensation and belief that long-term incentives should be the most significant element of overall compensation.

LOGO

Mr. Waddell’s compensation for 2014 reflects each of the elements of the Corporation’s 2014 performance presented on pages 25-26 of this Proxy Statement, as his leadership was instrumental to these achievements. Mr. Waddell’s compensation also reflects his role in developing the senior leaders of the Corporation and maintaining a strong group of leaders in our succession plan through actions such as the organizational leadership changes implemented in 2014 at his direction. Consistent with the Corporation’s philosophy of aligning pay with performance, the Compensation and Benefits Committee determined that Mr. Waddell’s total 2014 compensation should compare favorably with the median compensation among the Corporation’s peer companies, relative to size, financial results and stockholder returns. As further explained below, the year-over-year increase in Mr. Waddell’s overall compensation was driven primarily by increases in the value of his pension benefits and the amount of his annual cash incentive award.

Base Salary.Based on competitive salary market data among the Corporation’s peer group companies, at its February 2014 meeting, the Compensation and Benefits Committee determined that Mr. Waddell’s annual base salary should remain unchanged for 2014.

Short-Term Annual Cash Incentive.Taking into consideration available competitive market data, the Corporation’s 2014 performance, and Mr. Waddell’s success in achieving his individual qualitative performance objectives, the Compensation and Benefits Committee set Mr. Waddell’s actual cash incentive award at $2,300,000 for 2014, as compared to $1,900,000 for 2013. The year-over-year increase in Mr. Waddell’s annual cash incentive award was reflective of the Corporation’s 2014 financial performance. Our earnings for 2014 increased 11.0% relative to 2013 and growth in new business was strong. The Corporation’s return on equity improved to 10.0% from 9.5%, within our target range. For 2014, Mr. Waddell’s individual qualitative performance objectives related to operating performance, client performance and leadership development. Under the provisions of the Management Performance Plan, the Corporation’s net income of $811.8 million in 2014 provided for a maximum funding opportunity for Mr. Waddell of $4,870,800; his actual incentive of $2,300,000 was well below this level.

Long-Term Incentive.In determining the total long-term incentive award for Mr. Waddell, the Compensation and Benefits Committee took into account the Corporation’s 2014 performance, as well as the total compensation paid by the Corporation’s peers, adjusted for size, financial results and stockholder returns. Based on these factors, the Committee set Mr. Waddell’s long-term incentive compensation award for 2014 performance at $6,650,000, equal to his long-term incentive award of $6,650,000 made in 2014 for 2013 performance.

Pension Benefits.While the Committee did not make any changes to the structure of the Corporation’s pension design in 2014, Mr. Waddell’s pension value increased by $2,762,043, compared to a decrease in 2013 of $444,845. The present value of Mr. Waddell’s benefits under the Pension Plan is sensitive to changes in interest rates. The decrease in value of Mr. Waddell’s benefits in 2013 was primarily driven by an increase in the discount rate used to value such benefits, while the increase in 2014 was influenced by a decrease in the applicable discount rate. The value of Mr. Waddell’s pension benefits reflects the thirty-five years of credited service he has accrued, which is the maximum permissible under the plan, as his tenure at the Corporation began in 1975. See “Pension Benefits” beginning on page 55 of this Proxy Statement for additional information on how benefits accrue under the Pension Plan.

S. Biff Bowman

Mr. Bowman has served as the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer since September 1, 2014. Prior thereto, Mr. Bowman served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources. As the Corporation’s Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Mr. Bowman was primarily responsible for overseeing the Corporation’s Human Resources function. As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Bowman is primarily responsible for financial reporting and control, management reporting and analysis, liquidity management, capital planning and investor relations. To determine Mr. Bowman’s 2014 compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Mr. Bowman fulfilled his responsibilities in 2014, including with respect to the transition in his roles. The Compensation and Benefits Committee also considered the following performance factors:

Mr. Bowman’s contributions to the leadership changes implemented across the organization during 2014;

Mr. Bowman’s contributions to the Corporation as the head of a function with a significant role in positioning the company for future success through talent management; and

Mr. Bowman’s performance as the Chief Financial Officer from September 1, 2014, including with respect to the Corporation’s 2015 Capital Plan.

Based on competitive salary market data among the Corporation’s peer group companies, the Committee chose to increase Mr. Bowman’s base salary by $25,000 to $500,000 in 2014.

Based on the limits set forth in the Management Performance Plan for Mr. Bowman, as well as the Corporation’s performance and achievement of Mr. Bowman’s individual objectives, the Committee determined a 2014 annual cash incentive of $650,000 for Mr. Bowman.

In determining the total long-term incentive grant made to Mr. Bowman in 2015 for 2014 performance, the Committee took into account the Corporation’s performance, the total compensation

levels among the Corporation’s peers, adjusted for size, financial results and stockholder returns, and the objective and subjective factors discussed on pages 34-35 of this Proxy Statement. Based on these factors, the Committee set a long-term award of $2,000,000 for Mr. Bowman.

Steven L. Fradkin

Mr. Fradkin has served as President of Wealth Management since September 1, 2014. Prior thereto, Mr. Fradkin served as President of Corporate & Institutional Services (“C&IS”). As President of C&IS and Wealth Management, Mr. Fradkin was primarily responsible for the overall performance of those businesses. To determine Mr. Fradkin’s 2014 compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Mr. Fradkin fulfilled his responsibilities in 2014, including with respect to the transition in his roles. The Compensation and Benefits Committee also considered the following performance factors:

C&IS’s strong growth in 2014, with assets under custody increasing 7% to $5.5 trillion and assets under management increasing 7% to $709.6 billion;

C&IS’s continued geographic expansion and strong growth in its client base; and

Mr. Fradkin’s performance as President of Wealth Management since September 1, 2014.

Based on competitive salary market data among the Corporation’s peer group companies, the Committee determined that Mr. Fradkin’s annual base salary should remain unchanged for 2014.

Based on the limits set forth in the Management Performance Plan for Mr. Fradkin, as well as the Corporation’s performance and achievement of Mr. Fradkin’s individual objectives, the Committee determined a 2014 annual cash incentive of $1,000,000 for Mr. Fradkin, compared to a 2013 annual cash incentive of $800,000.

In determining the total long-term incentive grant made to Mr. Fradkin in 2015 for 2014 performance, the Committee took into account C&IS’s and Wealth Management’s performance, the total compensation levels among the Corporation’s peers, adjusted for size, financial results and stockholder returns, and the objective and subjective factors discussed on pages 34-35 of this Proxy Statement. Based on these factors, the Committee set a long-term award of $2,000,000 for Mr. Fradkin, equal to the long-term incentive award of $2,000,000 made in 2014 for 2013 performance.

William L. Morrison

Mr. Morrison served as the Corporation’s President and Chief Operating Officer through August 31, 2014. Since September 1, 2014, Mr. Morrison has served as the Corporation’s President. As the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Morrison was primarily responsible for the Corporation’s business operations. As President, he is primarily responsible for corporate marketing and strategy functions, driving business growth and overseeing the Corporation’s client-facing businesses. To determine Mr. Morrison’s 2014 compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Mr. Morrison fulfilled his responsibilities in 2014, including with respect to the transition in his roles. The Compensation and Benefits Committee also considered the following performance factors:

Net income was $811.8 million in 2014, an improvement of 11.0% from 731.3 million in 2013;

Return on equity improved to 10.0% in 2014 from 9.5% in 2013, within our target range; and

The strength of the performance of the C&IS and Wealth Management businesses in 2014.

Based on competitive salary market data among the Corporation’s peer group companies, the Committee determined that Mr. Morrison’s annual base salary should remain unchanged for 2014.

Based on the limits set forth in the Management Performance Plan for Mr. Morrison, as well as the Corporation’s performance and achievement of Mr. Morrison’s individual objectives, the Committee determined a 2014 annual cash incentive of $1,200,000 for Mr. Morrison, compared to a 2013 annual cash incentive of $1,000,000.

In determining the total long-term incentive award made to Mr. Morrison in 2015 in respect of 2014 performance, the Committee took into account the Corporation’s performance, the total compensation levels among the Corporation’s peers, adjusted for size, financial results and stockholder returns, and the objective and subjective factors discussed on pages 34-35 of this Proxy Statement. Based on these factors, the Committee set a long-term award of $3,250,000 for Mr. Morrison, equal to the long-term incentive award of $3,250,000 made in 2014 for 2013 performance.

Michael G. O’Grady

Mr. O’Grady has served as President of C&IS since September 1, 2014. Prior thereto, Mr. O’Grady served as the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer. As the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. O’Grady was primarily responsible for financial reporting and control, management reporting and analysis, liquidity management, capital planning and investor relations. As President of C&IS, he is primarily responsible for the overall performance of that business. To determine Mr. O’Grady’s 2014 compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Mr. O’Grady fulfilled his responsibilities in 2014, including with respect to the transition in his roles. The Compensation and Benefits Committee also considered the following performance factors:

The Corporation’s financial strength remained a hallmark in 2014, with asset quality in the loan, liquidity and securities portfolios contributing to sound credit ratings;

Mr. O’Grady’s contributions related to the Corporation’s 2014 Capital Plan, which was not objected to by the Federal Reserve and which allowed the Corporation to return $792.4 million in capital to stockholders through quarterly dividend payments and share repurchases;

The strength of the Corporation’s investor relations program, which results in significant engagement with analysts and investors throughout the year; and

Mr. O’Grady’s performance as President of C&IS since September 1, 2014.

Based on the competitive salary market data among the Corporation’s peer group companies, the Committee determined that Mr. O’Grady’s annual base salary should remain unchanged for 2014.

Based on the limits set forth in the Management Performance Plan for Mr. O’Grady, as well as the Corporation’s performance and achievement of Mr. O’Grady’s individual objectives, the Committee determined a 2014 annual cash incentive of $900,000 for Mr. O’Grady, compared to a 2013 annual cash incentive of $750,000.

In determining the total long-term incentive grant made to Mr. O’Grady in 2015 for 2014 performance, the Committee took into account the Corporation’s and C&IS’s performance, the total compensation levels among the Corporation’s peers, adjusted for size, financial results and stockholder returns, and the objective and subjective factors discussed on pages 34-35 of this Proxy Statement. Based on these factors, the Committee set a long-term award of $2,000,000 for Mr. O’Grady, equal to the long-term incentive award of $2,000,000 made in 2014 for 2013 performance.

Jana R. Schreuder

Ms. Schreuder has served as the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer since September 1, 2014. Prior thereto, Ms. Schreuder served as President of Wealth Management. As President of Wealth Management, she was primarily responsible for the overall performance of that business. As the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Schreuder is primarily responsible for business operations and enabling the Corporation’s businesses to grow faster, more efficiently and more profitably. To determine Ms. Schreuder’s compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered how well Ms. Schreuder fulfilled her responsibilities in 2014, including with respect to the transition in her roles. The Compensation and Benefits Committee also considered the following performance factors:

Wealth Management’s steady growth in 2014, with assets under custody increasing 4% to $515.7 billion and assets under management increasing 1% to $224.5 billion;

In 2014, The Northern Trust Company was named by the Financial Times Group as Best Private Bank in the U.S. for the sixth year and as Best Private Bank for Socially Responsible Investing for the second year; and

Ms. Schreuder’s performance as Chief Operating Officer since September 1, 2014.

Based on competitive salary market data among the Corporation’s peer group companies, the Committee determined that Ms. Schreuder’s annual base salary should remain unchanged for 2014.

Based on the limits set forth in the Management Performance Plan for Ms. Schreuder, as well as the Corporation’s and Wealth Management’s performance and achievement of Ms. Schreuder’s individual objectives, the Committee determined a 2014 annual cash incentive of $900,000 for Ms. Schreuder, compared to a 2013 annual cash incentive of $785,000.

In determining the total long-term incentive grant made to Ms. Schreuder in 2015 in respect of 2014 performance, the Committee took into account the Corporation’s and Wealth Management’s performance, the compensation levels among the Corporation’s peers, adjusted for size, financial results and stockholder returns, and the objective and subjective factors discussed on pages 34-35 of this Proxy Statement. Based on these factors, the Committee set a long-term award of $2,500,000 for Ms. Schreuder, compared to a long-term incentive award of $2,000,000 made in 2014 for 2013 performance.securities.

Compensation and Benefits Committee Report

The Compensation and Benefits Committee is responsible for providing oversight of the compensation of the directors and executive officers of the Corporation. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation

Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement. Based upon this review and discussion, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20142015, and this Proxy Statement for the 20152016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each of which is filed with the SEC.

Compensation and Benefits Committee

Nicholas D. ChabrajaCharles A. Tribbett III (Chair)

Linda Walker Bynoe

Thomas E. Richards

John W. Rowe

Martin P. Slark

Charles A. Tribbett III

Compensation and Benefits Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the directors serving on the Compensation and Benefits Committee during 2014 was an officer or employee of the Corporation in 2014 or at any prior time or had any relationship with the Corporation requiring disclosure pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act. In addition: (i) no executive officer of the Corporation served on the compensation committee of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Corporation’s Compensation and Benefits Committee; (ii) no executive officer of the Company served as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Corporation’s Compensation and Benefits Committee; and (iii) no executive officer of the Corporation served on the compensation committee of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Corporation.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the information concerning the compensation paid to or earned by the named executive officers for 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012.2013. In accordance with SEC rules, 2013 and 2012 compensation is not presented for Mr. Bowman because he was not a named executive officer in those years.that year.

 

Name and

Principal

Position(1)

 Year  

Salary

($)

  

Stock

Awards

($)(2)(3)

 

Option

Awards

($)(4)

  

Non-Equity

Incentive

Plan

Compensation

($)(5)

  

Change in

Pension

Value and

Nonqualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

($)(6)

  

All

Other

Compensation

($)(7)

  

Total

($)

  Year 

Salary

($)

 

Bonus

($)(2)

 

Stock

Awards

($)(3)

 

Option

Awards

($)(4)

 

Non-Equity

Incentive

Plan

Compensation

($)(5)

 

Change in

Pension

Value and

Nonqualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

($)(6)

 

All

Other

Compensation

($)(7)

 

Total

($)

 

Frederick H. Waddell
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  2014   $975,000   $4,987,571 $1,329,507   $2,300,000   $2,762,043   $81,401   $12,435,522    2015   $993,750   $2,413,689   $4,987,508 $1,477,612   $2,800,000    $—   $87,991   $12,760,550  
 2013    975,000   4,987,530  1,211,083    1,900,000        94,387    9,168,000    2014    975,000       4,987,571  1,329,507    2,300,000    2,762,043    81,401    12,435,522  
 2012    975,000   2,333,354  1,850,555    2,000,000    3,839,003    85,283    11,083,195    2013    975,000       4,987,530  1,211,083    1,900,000        94,387    9,168,000  

S. Biff Bowman

Chief Financial Officer

  2015    537,500       1,500,037  444,407    850,000    31,870    20,545    3,384,359  
  2014    493,750   1,237,506  329,879    650,000    583,444    39,759    3,334,338    2014    493,750       1,237,506  329,879    650,000       583,444    39,759    3,334,338  

Steven L. Fradkin
President—Wealth Management

  2014    600,000   1,500,013  399,854    1,000,000    1,131,157    23,348    4,654,372    2015    600,000    724,107   1,500,037  444,407    1,000,000    21,367    22,652    4,312,570  
 2013    600,000   1,500,032  364,241    800,000        23,287    3,287,560    2014    600,000       1,500,013  399,854    1,000,000    1,131,157    23,348    4,654,372  
 2012    600,000      700,015  555,165    800,000    1,069,699    25,799    3,750,678    2013    600,000       1,500,032  364,241    800,000        23,287    3,287,560  

William L. Morrison
President

  2014    800,000   2,437,590  649,766    1,200,000    387,764    44,155    5,519,275    2015    800,000    1,206,845   2,437,550  722,145    1,400,000        35,908    6,602,448  
 2013    775,000   2,512,523  610,096    1,000,000        33,893    4,931,512    2014    800,000       2,437,590  649,766    1,200,000    387,764    44,155    5,519,275  
 2012    700,000   1,166,677  925,283    1,000,000    852,901    31,364    4,676,225    2013    775,000       2,512,523  610,096    1,000,000        33,893    4,931,512  

Michael G. O’Grady
President—Corporate & Institutional Services

  2014    600,000   1,500,013  399,854    900,000    56,828    24,245    3,480,940  
 2013    593,750   1,500,032  364,241    750,000    56,745    25,819    3,290,587  
 2012    568,750      700,015  555,165    750,000    40,365    4,312    2,618,607  

Jana R. Schreuder
Chief Operating Officer

  2014    600,000   1,500,013  399,854    900,000    1,363,916    31,781    4,795,564    2015    656,250    724,107   1,875,028  555,495    1,000,000    8,270    34,588    4,853,738  
 2013    600,000   1,500,032  364,241    785,000        32,923    3,282,196    2014    600,000       1,500,013  399,854    900,000    1,363,916    31,781    4,795,564  
 2012    600,000      700,015  555,165    825,000    1,495,879    29,733    4,205,792    2013    600,000       1,500,032  364,241    785,000        32,923    3,282,196  

 

(1) Positions reflected in this column reflect current positions. As noted above, effectiveEffective September 1, 2014, the Corporation implemented certain leadership changes. Prior to these changes: Mr. Bowman served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources; Mr. Fradkin served as President of C&IS; Mr. Morrison served as President and Chief Operating Officer; Mr. O’Grady served as Chief Financial Officer; and Ms. Schreuder served as President of Wealth Management.

(2) Amounts in this column represent long-term cash incentive awards, granted in February 2012 for 2011 performance, which vested in February 2015. Long-term cash incentive awards were granted to named executive officers in February 2012 due to changes in the long-term incentive compensation plan design and no such awards have been granted since February 2012. The amount of the award granted to each named executive officer in February 2012 is as follows: Mr. Waddell: $2,333,333; Mr. Fradkin: $700,000; Mr. Morrison: $1,166,667; and Ms. Schreuder: $700,000. Amounts in this column also include interest credited on such awards from the date of grant through the vesting date at a rate equal to the mid-term applicable federal rate for the month of February 2012, compounded annually, in accordance with the terms of such awards.

(3) Amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value of the restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC Topic 718”). See “Note 22—Share-Based Compensation Plans” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 for a discussion of the assumptions made by the Corporation in the valuation of these stock unit awards. This column includes the following amounts in 20142015 with respect to performance stock units, which are based on achievement of target performance levels: Mr. Waddell: $3,325,027;$3,325,005; Mr. Bowman: $825,004;$1,000,001; Mr. Fradkin: $1,000,009;$1,000,001; Mr. Morrison: $1,625,060; Mr. O’Grady: $1,000,009;$1,625,010; and Ms. Schreuder: $1,000,009.$1,250,019. If the maximum level of performance were

attained, the value of the performance stock units would be as follows: Mr. Waddell: $4,156,298;$4,156,292; Mr. Bowman: $1,031,286;$1,250,019; Mr. Fradkin: $1,250,042;$1,250,019; Mr. Morrison: $2,031,356; Mr. O’Grady: $1,250,042;$2,031,316; and Ms. Schreuder: $1,250,042.$1,562,524. See the narrative under “Description of Certain Awards Granted in 2014”2015” beginning on page 4852 of this Proxy Statement for more information on these awards.

(3) In February 2012 for 2011 performance, the named executive officers were awarded the following long-term cash incentive awards: Mr. Waddell: $2,333,333; Mr. Fradkin: $700,000; Mr. Morrison: $1,166,667; Mr. O’Grady: $700,000; and Ms. Schreuder: $700,000. In February 2015 these awards became fully vested. No such long-term cash incentive awards were granted in 2013 or 2014 due to changes in the long-term incentive compensation plan design.

(4) Amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value of the option awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See “Note 22—Share-Based Compensation Plans” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 for a discussion of the assumptions made by the Corporation in the valuation of these option awards. See the narrative under “Description of Certain Awards Granted in 2014”2015” beginning on page 4852 of this Proxy Statement for more information on these awards.

(5) Amounts in this column represent the annual cash incentives earned by the named executive officers in the applicable years under the Management Performance Plan.

(6) Amounts in this column represent the aggregate increase in actuarial present values of accumulated benefits under the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan. The increase in discount rate used to calculate the pension from 4.25% at December 31, 2012 to 5.00% at December 31, 2013 resulted in a decrease in the present value of benefits under the Traditional Formula for each named executive officer with 2013 information provided at December 31, 2013 relative to December 31, 2012, except Mr. O’Grady whose benefits are accrued under the Pension Plan’s “Pension Equity Plan (PEP) Formula.”2012. Accordingly, no amount is included for 2013 in this column for any named executive officer, except Mr. O’Grady.officer. At December 31, 2014, the applicable discount rate decreased from 5.00% back down to 4.25%, resulting in an increase in the present value of benefits under the Traditional Formula. At December 31, 2015, the applicable discount rate increased to 4.71%, resulting in a decrease in the present value of benefits under the Traditional Formula. This decrease was more than offset by increases in the present value of benefits attributable to other factors for all named executive officers, except for Mr. Waddell and Mr. Morrison, the present value of benefits for whom decreased by $387,577 and $102,918, respectively. See “Pension Benefits” beginning on page 5560 of this Proxy Statement for additional information.

(7) The following table sets forth a detailed breakdown of the items which comprise “All Other Compensation” for 2014:2015.

 

Name 

Contributions
to TIP and

Supplemental

TIP

($)(a)

  

Perquisites
and Other
Personal
Benefits

($)(b)

  

Tax

Reimbursements

($)(c)

  

Total

($)

   

Contributions  

to TIP and

Supplemental  

TIP

($)(a)

   

Perquisites  

and Other

Personal

Benefits

($)(b)

   

Tax

Reimbursements  

($)(c)

   

Total

($)

 

Mr. Waddell

 $29,250   $35,829   $16,322   $81,401    $29,813    $39,802    $18,376    $87,991   

Mr. Bowman

  14,812    22,833    2,114    39,759     16,125     2,400     2,020     20,545   

Mr. Fradkin

  18,000    4,872    476    23,348     18,000     4,080     572     22,652   

Mr. Morrison

  24,000    17,664    2,491    44,155     24,000     9,677     2,231     35,908   

Mr. O’Grady

  18,000    4,773    1,472    24,245  

Ms. Schreuder

  18,000    13,781        31,781     19,688     14,825     75     34,588   

(a) Includes matching contributions made by the Corporation on behalf of named executive officers participating in TIP and Supplemental TIP.

(b) With respect to Mr. Waddell, includesrepresents financial consulting and tax return preparation services ($16,500) and personal use of company automobiles ($19,329)23,302). With respect to Mr. Bowman, includes relocation expenses ($22,833) relating torepresents tax return preparation services in conjunction with an overseas assignment. With respect to

Mr. Fradkin, includesrepresents financial consulting and tax return preparation services ($4,335)3,400) and personal use of company

automobiles ($537)680). With respect to Mr. Morrison, includesrepresents financial consulting and tax return preparation services ($14,850)7,000) and personal use of company automobiles ($2,814). With respect to Mr. O’Grady, includes personal use of company aircraft ($4,773)2,677). With respect to Ms. Schreuder, includesrepresents financial consulting and tax return preparation services ($13,781)14,570) and personal use of company automobiles ($255).

(c) IncludesRepresents tax reimbursements provided in connection with personal use of company vehiclesautomobiles and, with respect to Mr. Bowman, taxable relocation expenses.expenses relating to an overseas assignment.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

     

Estimated Possible Payouts

Under Non-Equity Incentive

Plan Awards (1)

  

Estimated Future

Payouts Under Equity

Incentive Plan

Awards (2)

  All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)(3)
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(4)
  Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/sh)
  

Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards

($)(5)

     

Estimated Possible Payouts

Under Non-Equity Incentive

Plan Awards (1)

 Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards (2)
 

All

Other

Stock

Awards:

Number

of

Shares

of Stock

or Units

(#)(3)

  

All Other

Option

Awards:

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Options

(#)(4)

  

Exercise

or Base

Price of

Option

Awards

($/sh)

  

Grant

Date Fair

Value of

Stock and

Option

Awards

($)(5)

 
Name 

Grant

Date

  

Thres-

hold

($)

 

Target

($)

  

Maximum

($)

  

Thres-

hold

(#)

  

Target

(#)

  

Maximum

(#)

   

Grant

Date

 

Thres-

hold

($)

 

Target

($)

 

Maximum

($)

 

Thres-

hold

(#)

 

Target

(#)

 

Maximum

(#)

  

Mr. Waddell

      $1,900,000   $4,870,800                             $2,300,000   $5,842,800                       
 2/10/2014                        81,964   $60.85   $1,329,507    2/17/2015                        78,930   $70.21   $1,477,612  
 2/10/2014                     27,322          1,662,544    2/17/2015                     23,679          1,662,503  
 2/10/2014            27,322    54,643    68,304             3,325,027    2/17/2015            23,679    47,358    59,198             3,325,005  

Mr. Bowman

       500,000    2,435,400                              650,000    2,921,400                       
 2/10/2014                        20,337    60.85    329,879    2/17/2015                        23,739    70.21    444,407  
 2/10/2014                     6,779          412,502    2/17/2015                     7,122          500,036  
 2/10/2014            6,779    13,558    16,948             825,004    2/17/2015            7,122    14,243    17,804             1,000,001  

Mr. Fradkin

       800,000    2,435,400                              1,000,000    2,921,400                       
 2/10/2014                        24,651    60.85    399,854    2/17/2015                        23,739    70.21    444,407  
 2/10/2014                     8,217          500,004    2/17/2015                     7,122          500,036  
 2/10/2014            8,217    16,434    20,543             1,000,009    2/17/2015            7,122    14,243    17,804             1,000,001  

Mr. Morrison

       1,000,000    3,247,200                              1,200,000    3,895,200                       
 2/10/2014                        40,058    60.85    649,766    2/17/2015                        38,575    70.21    722,145  
 2/10/2014                     13,353          812,530    2/17/2015                     11,573          812,540  
 2/10/2014            13,353    26,706    33,383             1,625,060    2/17/2015            11,573    23,145    28,932             1,625,010  

Mr. O’Grady

       750,000    2,435,400                       
 2/10/2014                        24,651    60.85    399,854  
 2/10/2014                     8,217          500,004  
 2/10/2014            8,217    16,434    20,543             1,000,009  

Ms. Schreuder

       785,000    3,247,200                              900,000    3,895,200                       
 2/10/2014                        24,651    60.85    399,854    2/17/2015                        29,673    70.21    555,495  
 2/10/2014                     8,217          500,004    2/17/2015                     8,902          625,009  
 2/10/2014            8,217    16,434    20,543             1,000,009    2/17/2015            8,902    17,804    22,255             1,250,019  

 

(1) These columns show information regarding payouts under the Management Performance Plan. The amount set forth under the Maximum column represents the highest potential payout under the plan based on the Corporation’s 20142015 performance. Although the plan does not provide for a target or threshold, the amount set forth under the Target column represents the amount actually awarded to the named executive officer in 20142015 in respect of 20132014 performance.

(2) The amounts set forth under the Threshold, Target and Maximum columns represent the number of shares of common stock that would be paid out under the performance stock units granted in February 20142015 if the Corporation achieves a three-year return on equity of 7.0%7.5%, 10.0%10.25% or 15.0%, respectively.

(3) This column shows the number of restricted stock units granted to the named executive officers in 2014.2015.

(4) This column shows the number of shares that may be issued to the named executive officers upon exercise of stock options granted in 2014.2015.

(5) Represents the grant date fair value of each equity award, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (using the target level of performance for performance stock unit awards), disregarding any estimated forfeitures.

Description of Certain Awards Granted in 20142015

Performance Stock Units

Each performance stock unit constitutes the right to receive a share of the Corporation’s common stock and vests over a three-year performance period, subject to satisfaction of specified performance targets (“performance conditions”) that are a function of return on equity and continued employment until the end of the vesting period. Dividend equivalents on performance stock units granted prior to February 16, 2016, including grants made in 2015 for 2014 performance, are paid in cash on a current basis prior to vesting and distribution. Dividend equivalents on performance stock units granted on or after February 16, 2016, including performance stock units granted for 2015 performance, will be deferred into a cash account and paid, with interest credited at a rate equal to the mid-term applicable federal rate for the month of February 2016, compounded annually, only with respect to the portion of the cash account attributable to performance stock units that actually vest upon satisfaction of the applicable performance conditions (provided, however, that the amount of deferred dividends and interest will not accrue on more than 100% of the performance stock units granted, even if greater than 100% of such performance stock units may vest upon satisfaction of the applicable performance conditions).

With respect to the performance stock units granted in 20142015 and 2015,2016, the Compensation and Benefits Committee identified specific types of objectively determinable factors that could affect return on equity if the factors occur during the performance period. In doing so, the Committee established that the effects of those factors will be excluded from the calculation of the performance measure if any of them, alone or in combination, would produce a change in net income in excess of $100 million. Factors that result in an adjustment to the calculation of the performance measure include: (i) acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, and similar transactions, and securities issuances and expenses in connection therewith; (ii) changes in accounting principles, tax laws or other laws that affect reported results that become effective during the performance period; (iii) litigation or regulatory settlements; (iv) charges and expenses for restructuring activity, including reductions in force; (v) discontinued operations; (vi) asset write-downs; and (vii) any other gain, loss, income or expense with respect to the performance period that is nonrecurring in nature. The Committee retains the power to exercise negative discretion, as it deems appropriate under the relevant circumstances, to reduce the actual payouts under the performance stock units below the payouts otherwise resulting from the application of adjustments for any of these factors.

The following charts illustrate the vesting requirements for the performance stock unit grants to named executive officers in 2014 and 2015 and shows that the average annual rate of return on equity that must be attained in order for the awards to become fully or partially vested has been increased for the 2015 grants.2016.

 

Performance Stock Unit
Performance Schedule

February 2015 Grants

   

Performance Stock Unit
Performance Schedule

February 2014 Grants

 

Performance Stock Unit

Performance Schedule

February 2016 Grants

Performance Stock Unit

Performance Schedule

February 2016 Grants

   

Performance Stock Unit

Performance Schedule

February 2015 Grants

 

Average

Annual Rate of
Return on Equity

 Percentage of
Stock Units Vested
   

Average

Annual Rate of
Return on Equity

 Percentage of
Stock Units Vested
  

Percentage of

Stock Units Vested

   

Average

Annual Rate of

Return on Equity

 

Percentage of

Stock Units Vested

 

Less than 7.5%

  0%    

Less than 7.0%

  0%    0%    

Less than 7.5%

  0%  

7.5%

  50%    

7.0%

  50%    50%    

7.5%

  50%  

10.25%

  100%    

10%

  100%  

12.5%

  115%    

12.5%

  115%  

11.0%

  100%    

10.25%

  100%  

13.0%

  115%    

12.5%

  115%  

> 15%

  125%    

> 15%

  125%    125%    

> 15%

  125%  

As it is possible that there will be no payout under the performance stock units, these awards are completely “at-risk” compensation. Since performance stock units were reintroduced as an element of the Corporation’s long-term incentive compensation program in 2012, the average annual rate of return on equity required for awards to become fully vested has increased from 8.0% to 11.0%. These increases emphasize the “at-risk” element of these awards.

If, an executive dies, becomes disabled, or retires during the performance period relating to performance stock units granted to an executive, such executive retires or the executive’sterminates employment terminates during the performance period under certain circumstances entitling the executive to benefits under the Corporation’s severance plan, the executive or the

such executive’s beneficiaryperformance stock units will be eligible for pro rata vesting and distribution at the end of the performance period, subject to certain conditions, including satisfaction of the performance conditions. In addition, if a named executive officer terminates employment on or after attainment of age 55, the executive will be eligible for pro rata vesting and distribution at the end of the performance period, subject to certain conditions, including satisfaction of the performance conditions.

Upon a change in control,the death or disability of an executive during the performance period, performance stock units granted prior to December 31, 2012, become 100 percent vestedFebruary 17, 2015 will be eligible for pro rata vesting and aredistribution at the end of the performance period, subject to be immediately distributed.certain conditions, including satisfaction of the performance conditions. With respect to performance stock units granted on or after December 31, 2012,February 17, 2015, the performance stock units will be eligible for full vesting and distribution at the end of the performance period, subject to certain conditions, including satisfaction of the performance conditions.

Upon a change in control, a pro rata portion of each performance stock unit award (based on the portion of the performance period that has elapsed as of the change in control) is eligible to vest based on the Corporation’s actual performance at the time of the change in control and areis to be paid out at the end of the performance period, subject to accelerated distribution upon a qualifying termination. The remainder of the performance award converts at the target level of performance specified in the performance stock unit agreement into an award with respect to the acquirer of an equal economic value and vests subject only to the continued employment of the recipient through the remainder of the applicable performance period and is paid out at the end of the performance period, subject to acceleration of vesting upon a qualifying termination, in which event the units are distributed at that time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that both a change in control occurs and the acquirer refuses or is unable to agree to the foregoing conversion and vesting provisions, the award will be vested at the time of the change in control, and will be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, to the extent applicable. The performance stock unit awards provide that in such event the distribution may be in cash.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units vest 50% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 50% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. Each restricted stock unit award entitles an executive to receive one share of common stock in the year in whichwhen the award vests. Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units are paid in cash on a current basis prior to vesting and distribution.

If, an executive dies, becomes disabled, or retires during the vesting period relating to restricted stock units granted to an executive, such executive retires or the executive’sterminates employment is terminated during the vesting period under certain circumstances entitling the executive to benefits under the Corporation’s severance plan, the executive or the executive’s beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a distribution of a prorated number of restricted stock units. In addition, if a named executive officer is age 55 or older on the date of termination of employment, and does not compete with the Corporation during the

vesting period, a prorated number of restricted stock units on each remaining vesting date in the vesting period become vested and are eligible for distribution. Upon the death or disability of an executive during the vesting period, such executive, or the executive’s beneficiary, will be entitled to receive a distribution of a prorated number of any unvested restricted stock units granted prior to February 17, 2015. With respect to restricted stock units granted on or after February 17, 2015, such executive, or the executive’s beneficiary, will be entitled to the full vesting and distribution of any unvested restricted stock units.

Upon a change in control of the Corporation, all restricted stock units granted to executive officers prior to December 31, 2012, become fully vested immediately. Restricted stock units granted after December 31, 2012, would be converted into units of the acquirer and continue to vest in accordance with the regular vesting schedule; provided, however, that they become fully vested in connection with a change in control if the executive experiences a qualifying termination of employment following the change in control (in which case they are distributed within sixty days). A qualifying termination is an involuntary termination of employment without “cause” or termination for “good reason,” as those terms are defined in the award agreements, that occurs after the change in control and prior to the second anniversary thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that both a change in control occurs and the acquirer refuses or is unable to agree to the foregoing

conversion and vesting provisions, the award will be vested and will be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, to the extent applicable. The restricted stock unit awards provide that in such event the distribution may be in cash.

Stock Options

Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing sale price of the common stock on the date of grant and expire ten years after the date of the grant. Stock options generally vest in equal annual installments over a four-year vesting period determined by the Compensation and Benefits Committee.period.

If an executive dies or becomes disabled, the executive’s outstanding stock options become vested and may be exercised until the earlier of five years following death or disability or the expiration date of the option. If the executive retires, or if a named executive officer is age 55 or older with a minimum of ten years of employment on the date of termination of employment, and is not otherwise retirement-eligible pursuant to the Corporation’s retirement policy, the executive’s outstanding stock options continue to vest in accordance with their terms and, once vested, may be exercised until the earlier of five years following retirement or the expiration date of the option. If the executive’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances entitling the executive to severance benefits, the executive’s stock options (whether vested or unvested) may be exercised until the earlier of 180 days following termination of employment or the expiration date of the option, provided that if the executive is retirement eligible upon his or her termination of employment under the severance plan, the executive’s stock options (whether vested or unvested) become vested upon the executive’s termination of employment and may be exercised until the earlier of five years from the executive’s effective date of retirement or the expiration of the option. If an executive dies or becomes disabled, the executive’s outstanding stock options become vested and may be exercised until the earlier of five years following death or disability or the expiration date of the option. In other instances, in the absence of a change in control, vested stock options expire on the earlier of three months following termination of employment or the expiration date of the option, and unvested stock options expire on termination of employment.

Upon a change in control of the Corporation, all stock options granted prior to December 31, 2012 become vested and exercisable. Stock options granted after December 31, 2012 convert to

options relating to the stock of the acquirer and continue to vest in accordance with the regular vesting schedule; provided, however, that they become fully vested in connection with a change in control if the executive experiences a qualifying termination of employment following the change in control (in which case the options on the acquirer stock remain exercisable until the expiration of the option), or if they are not assumed in the transaction (in which case the employee is entitled to a cash payment equal to the “spread” between the transaction consideration and the option exercise price).

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

    
 Option Awards  Stock Awards   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
      
Name 

Number

of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

Exercisable

(#)

  

Number

of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

Unexercisable

(#)

  

Option

Exercise

Price

($)

  

Option

Expiration

Date

  

Number

of

Shares

or

Units

of

Stock

That

Have

Not

Vested

(#)

  

Market

Value

of

Shares

of

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
($)(2)

   

Number

of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable 

(#)

   

Number

of

Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable 

(#)

 

Option
Exercise 
Price

($)

   Option
Expiration 
Date
   

Number

of

Shares

or

Units

of

Stock
That

Have

Not
Vested

(#)

   

Market
Value

of

Shares

of

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

($)(2)

 

Mr. Waddell

  65,105        63.36    2/20/2017    96,869(8 $6,528,971    171,204(14 $11,539,150     126,352      71.23     2/19/2018     82,554(7)     $5,951,318      206,384(12)     $14,878,223   
 126,352        71.23    2/19/2018            270,808      57.54     7/21/2019               
 270,808        57.54    7/21/2019            205,923      50.99     2/15/2020               
 205,923        50.99    2/15/2020            227,964      52.64     2/14/2021               
 170,973    56,991(3)   52.64    2/14/2021            120,276    40,091(3)  43.65     2/13/2022               
 80,184    80,183(4)   43.65    2/13/2022            47,329    47,329(4)  52.69     2/11/2023               
 23,665    70,993(5)   52.69    2/11/2023            20,491    61,473(5)  60.85     2/10/2024               
     81,964(6)   60.85    2/10/2024                78,930(6)  70.21     2/17/2025               

Mr. Bowman

  5,919        63.36    2/20/2017    23,434(9  1,579,452    27,793(15  1,873,248     2,960      63.36     2/20/2017     24,837(8)      1,790,499      52,546(13)      3,788,041   
 7,371        71.23    2/19/2018            7,371      71.23     2/19/2018               
 14,444        55.39    2/16/2019            14,444      55.39     2/16/2019               
 11,768        50.99    2/15/2020            11,768      50.99     2/15/2020               
 8,550    2,849(3)   52.64    2/14/2021            11,399      52.64     2/14/2021               
 5,728    5,727(4)   43.65    2/13/2022            8,592      2,863(3)  43.65     2/13/2022               
 5,338    16,014(5)   52.69    2/11/2023            10,676    10,676(4)  52.69     2/11/2023               
     20,337(6)   60.85    2/10/2024            5,085    15,252(5)  60.85     2/10/2024               

Mr. Bowman

     23,739(6)  70.21     2/17/2025               
   20,124      63.36     2/20/2017     24,829(9)      1,789,923      62,071(14)      4,474,698   
  40,247        63.36    2/20/2017    29,580(10  1,993,692    51,450(16  3,467,730    42,118      71.23     2/19/2018               
 42,118        71.23    2/19/2018            90,270      57.54     7/21/2019               
 90,270        57.54    7/21/2019            58,836      50.99     2/15/2020               
 58,836        50.99    2/15/2020            71,239      52.64     2/14/2021               
 53,430    17,809(3)   52.64    2/14/2021            36,083    12,027(3)  43.65     2/13/2022               
 24,055    24,055(4)   43.65    2/13/2022            14,235    14,234(4)  52.69     2/11/2023               
 7,118    21,351(5)   52.69    2/11/2023            6,163    18,488(5)  60.85     2/10/2024               

Mr. Fradkin

     24,651(6)   60.85    2/10/2024                23,739(6)  70.21     2/17/2025               
  40,247        63.36    2/20/2017    46,121(11  3,108,555    85,224(17  5,744,098     40,247      63.36     2/20/2017     40,821(10)      2,942,786      102,053(15)      7,357,001   
 42,118        71.23    2/19/2018            42,118      71.23     2/19/2018               
 90,270        57.54    7/21/2019            90,270      57.54     7/21/2019               
 58,836        50.99    2/15/2020            71,239      52.64     2/14/2021               
 53,430    17,809(3)   52.64    2/14/2021                20,046(3)  43.65     2/13/2022               
 40,092    40,092(4)   43.65    2/13/2022            23,843    23,842(4)  52.69     2/11/2023               
 11,922    35,763(5)   52.69    2/11/2023            10,015    30,043(5)  60.85     2/10/2024               

Mr. Morrison

     40,058(6)   60.85    2/10/2024          
       38,575(6)  70.21     2/17/2025        ��       

    
 Option Awards  Stock Awards   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
      
Name 

Number

of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

Exercisable

(#)

  

Number

of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

Unexercisable

(#)

  

Option

Exercise

Price

($)

  

Option

Expiration

Date

  

Number

of

Shares

or

Units

of

Stock

That

Have

Not

Vested

(#)

  

Market

Value

of

Shares

of

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
($)(2)

   

Number

of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable 

(#)

   

Number

of

Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable 

(#)

 

Option
Exercise 
Price

($)

   Option
Expiration 
Date
   

Number

of

Shares

or

Units

of

Stock
That

Have

Not
Vested

(#)

   

Market
Value

of

Shares

of

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

($)(2)

 

Mr. O’Grady

  72,525    24,175(7)   38.78    10/18/2021    33,824(12  2,279,738    51,450(18  3,467,730  
 24,055    24,055(4)   43.65    2/13/2022          
 7,118    21,351(5)   52.69    2/11/2023          
     24,651(6)   60.85    2/10/2024          

Ms. Schreuder

  17,756        63.36    2/20/2017    29,580(13  1,993,692    51,450(19  3,467,730     42,118      71.23     2/19/2018     26,609(11)      1,918,243      66,522(16)      4,795,571   
 42,118        71.23    2/19/2018            90,270      57.54     7/21/2019               
 90,270        57.54    7/21/2019            58,836      50.99     2/15/2020               
 58,836        50.99    2/15/2020            71,239      52.64     2/14/2021               
 53,430    17,809(3)   52.64    2/14/2021            36,083    12,027(3)  43.65     2/13/2022               
 24,055    24,055(4)   43.65    2/13/2022            14,235    14,234(4)  52.69     2/11/2023               
 7,118    21,351(5)   52.69    2/11/2023            6,163    18,488(5)  60.85     2/10/2024               
     24,651(6)   60.85    2/10/2024                29,673(6)  70.21     2/17/2025               

 

(1) The market value of the restricted stock units included in this column is based on a price of $67.40$72.09 per share (the closing market price of the Corporation’s common stock on December 31, 2014)2015).

(2) The market value of the performance stock units included in this column is based on a price of $67.40$72.09 per share (the closing market price of the Corporation’s common stock on December 31, 2014)2015).

(3) Options originally granted February 14, 2011,13, 2012, with 25% of the award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. Accordingly, all remaining unvested options vest on February 14, 2015.13, 2016.

(4) Options originally granted February 13, 2012, with 25% of the award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. Accordingly, the remaining unvested options vest in equal portions on each of February 13, 2015 and 2016.

(5) Options originally granted February 11, 2013, with 25% of the award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. Accordingly, the remaining unvested options vest in equal portions on each of February 11, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

(6)(5) Options originally granted February 10, 2014, with 25% of the award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. Accordingly, the remaining unvested options vest in equal portions on each of February 10, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

(7)(6) Options originally granted October 18, 2011,February 17, 2015, with 25% of the award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. Accordingly, allthe remaining unvested options vest in equal portions on October 18, 2015.

each of February 17, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

(8)(7) Consists of 37,994 restricted stock units vesting on February 14, 2015, 15,777 units vesting on February 11, 2016, 13,661 units vesting on February 10, 2017, 15,776 units vesting on February 11, 2017, and 13,661 units vesting on February 10, 2018.

(9) Consists of 3,819 restricted stock2018, 11,840 units vesting on February 13, 2015, 1,90017, 2018 and 11,839 units vesting on February 14, 2015,17, 2019.

(8) Consists of 3,559 units vesting on February 11, 2016, 3,818 units vesting on February 13, 2016, 3,390 units vesting on February 10, 2017, 3,559 units vesting on February 11, 2017, and 3,389 units vesting on February 10, 2018.

(10) Consists of 11,873 restricted stock2018, 3,561 units vesting on February 14, 2015,17, 2018 and 3,561 units vesting on February 17, 2019.

(9) Consists of 4,745 units vesting on February 11, 2016, 4,109 units vesting on February 10, 2017, 4,745 units vesting on February 11, 2017, and 4,108 units vesting on February 10, 2018.

(11) Consists of 11,873 restricted stock2018, 3,561 units vesting on February 14, 2015, 5,00017, 2018 and 3,561 units vesting on July 19, 2015,February 17, 2019.

(10) Consists of 7,948 units vesting on February 11, 2016, 6,677 units vesting on February 10, 2017, 7,947 units vesting on February 11, 2017, and 6,676 units vesting on February 10, 2018.

(12) Consists of 16,117 restricted stock2018, 5,787 units vesting on October 18, 2015,February 17, 2018 and 5,786 units vesting on February 17, 2019.

(11) Consists of 4,745 units vesting on February 11, 2016, 4,109 units vesting on February 10, 2017, 4,745 units vesting on February 11, 2017, and 4,108 units vesting on February 10, 2018.

(13) Consists of 11,873 restricted stock2018, 4,451 units vesting on February 14, 2015, 4,74517, 2018 and 4,451 units vesting on February 11, 2016, 4,109 units vesting on February 10, 2017, 4,745 units vesting on February 11, 2017 and 4,108 units vesting on February 10, 2018.17, 2019.

(14)(12) Consists of the following maximum number of target shares Mr. Waddell may receive under performance stock units: 53,45678,882 shares vestingunderlying performance stock units granted in 2013; 68,304 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2014; and 59,198 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2015. The distribution of shares underlying the performance stock units granted in 2013 took place on February 13, 2015;January 19, 2016, with 63,105 shares vesting on February 11, 2016; and 54,643 shares vesting on February 10, 2017.actually being distributed to Mr. Waddell. The actual number of shares distributed on the vesting datewith respect to performance stock units granted in 2014 and 2015 will be based upon the satisfaction of certain performance conditions. Accordingly, it is possible that no shares of common stock will be distributed under these performance stock units.

(15)(13) Consists of the following maximum number of target shares Mr. Bowman may receive under performance stock units: 17,794 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2013; 16,948 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2014; and 17,804 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2015. The distribution of shares underlying the performance stock units granted in 2013 took place on January 19, 2016, with 14,235 shares vesting on February 11, 2016; and 13,558 shares vesting on February 10, 2017.actually being distributed to Mr. Bowman. The actual number of shares distributed on the vesting datewith respect to performance stock units granted in 2014 and 2015 will be based upon the satisfaction of certain performance conditions. Accordingly, it is possible that no shares of common stock will be distributed under these performance stock units.

(16)(14) Consists of the following maximum number of target shares Mr. Fradkin may receive under performance stock units: 16,03723,724 shares vestingunderlying performance stock units granted in 2013; 20,543 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2014; and 17,804 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2015. The distribution of shares underlying the performance stock units granted in 2013 took place on February 13, 2015;January 19, 2016, with 18,979 shares vesting on February 11, 2016; and 16,434 shares vesting on February 10, 2017.actually being distributed to Mr. Fradkin. The actual number of shares distributed on the vesting datewith respect to performance stock units granted in 2014 and 2015 will be based upon the satisfaction of certain performance conditions. Accordingly, it is possible that no shares of common stock will be distributed under these performance stock units.

(17)(15) Consists of the following maximum number of target shares Mr. Morrison may receive under performance stock units: 26,72839,738 shares vestingunderlying performance stock units granted in 2013; 33,383 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2014; and 28,932 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2015. The distribution of shares underlying the performance stock units granted in 2013 took place on February 13, 2015;January 19, 2016, with 31,790 shares vesting on February 11, 2016; and 26,706 shares vesting on February 10, 2017. actually being distributed to Mr. Morrison.

The actual number of shares distributed on the vesting datewith respect to performance stock units granted in 2014 and 2015 will be based upon the satisfaction of certain performance conditions. Accordingly, it is possible that no shares of common stock will be distributed under these performance stock units.

(18)(16) Consists of the following maximum number of target shares Mr. O’GradyMs. Schreuder may receive under performance stock units: 16,03723,724 shares vestingunderlying performance stock units granted in 2013; 20,543 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2014; and 22,255 shares underlying performance stock units granted in 2015. The distribution of shares underlying the performance stock units granted in 2013 took place on February 13, 2015;January 19, 2016, with 18,979 shares vesting on February 11, 2016;

and 16,434 shares vesting on February 10, 2017.actually being distributed to Ms. Schreuder. The actual number of shares distributed on the vesting datewith respect to performance stock units granted in 2014 and 2015 will be based upon the satisfaction of certain performance conditions.

(19) Consists Accordingly, it is possible that no shares of the following number of target shares Ms. Schreuder may receivecommon stock will be distributed under these performance stock units: 16,037 shares vesting on February 13, 2015; 18,979 shares vesting on February 11, 2016; and 16,434 shares vesting on February 10, 2017. The actual number of shares distributed on the vesting date will be based upon the satisfaction of certain performance conditions.units.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth information regarding exercises of stock options and vesting of stock awards for each named executive officer with respect to:in 2015.

 

    
 Option Awards  Stock Awards   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
   
Name 

Number of Shares

Acquired on Exercise

(#)

  

Value

Realized on

Exercise

($)(1)

  

Number of

Shares Acquired

On Vesting

(#)

  

Value Realized

On Vesting

($)(2)

   

Number of Shares

Acquired on Exercise 

(#)

   

Value

Realized on 

Exercise

($)(1)

   

Number of

Shares Acquired 

On Vesting

(#)

   

Value Realized 

On Vesting

($)(2)

 

Mr. Waddell

  151,761   $2,477,299    72,314   $4,486,814     65,105     $816,725     91,450     $5,988,890  

Mr. Bowman

  6,045    95,844    7,849    494,128     2,959     28,377     5,719     401,571  

Mr. Fradkin

  28,786    342,571    21,680    1,345,187     20,123     192,980     27,910     1,829,930  

Mr. Morrison

  138,328    2,157,012    26,680    1,670,412     118,974     3,249,738     43,601     2,887,026  

Mr. O’Grady

  —      —      16,117    1,028,829  

Ms. Schreuder

  59,975    669,597    21,680    1,345,187     17,756     188,924     27,910     1,829,930  

 

(1) The value realized on the exercise of stock options represents the pre-tax difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise.

(2) The value realized on the distribution of restricted stock units represents the average of the high and low sales prices on the distribution date of the applicable award multiplied by the number of stock units heldvesting multiplied by the named executive officers.fair market value of the common stock on such date.

Pension Benefits

Information with respect to accrued benefits of each named executive officer under the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2015 is as follows:follows.

 

     
Name 

Plan

Name

 

 Number of 

Years

Credited

Service

(#)

  

 Present Value of 
  Accumulated

Benefit

($)

  

Payments
 During Last 

Fiscal Year

($)

   

Plan

Name

  

 Number of  

Years

Credited

Service

(#)

   

  Present Value of  

Accumulated

Benefit

($)

   

Payments

  During Last  

Fiscal Year

($)

 

Mr. Waddell

 Qualified Pension Plan  35.0   $1,942,586    —      Qualified Pension Plan   35.0     td,906,802     —    
  Supplemental Pension Plan    35.0    19,097,368    —    
    Supplemental Pension Plan     35.0     18,745,575     —    

Mr. Bowman

 Qualified Pension Plan  29.5    1,020,734    —      Qualified Pension Plan   30.5     1,018,081     —    
Supplemental Pension Plan  29.5    1,814,412    —    
  Supplemental Pension Plan   30.5     1,848,935     —    

Mr. Fradkin

 Qualified Pension Plan  29.7    1,076,076    —      Qualified Pension Plan   30.7     1,077,383     —    
Supplemental Pension Plan  29.7    4,658,243    —    
  Supplemental Pension Plan   30.7     4,678,303     —    

Mr. Morrison

 Qualified Pension Plan  18.8    909,332    —      Qualified Pension Plan   19.8     882,480     —    
Supplemental Pension Plan  18.8    3,957,522    —    

Mr. O’Grady

 Qualified Pension Plan  3.4    36,250    —    
Supplemental Pension Plan  3.4    125,068    —    
  Supplemental Pension Plan   19.8     3,881,456     —    

Ms. Schreuder

 Qualified Pension Plan  34.7    1,476,590    —      Qualified Pension Plan   35.0     1,476,281     —    
Supplemental Pension Plan  34.7    6,344,466    —    
  Supplemental Pension Plan   35.0     6,353,045     —    

Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan

Defined benefit pension benefits are provided generally to employees under the Pension Plan and to certain employees (including the named executive officers) under the Supplemental Pension Plan. The Pension Plan is a tax-qualified retirement plan that provides a retirement benefit as described below, which is subject to various limitations of the Internal Revenue Code and the Pension Plan. The Supplemental Pension Plan is a nonqualified retirement plan that provides the portion of an employee’s benefit that cannot be paid under the Pension Plan due to Internal Revenue Code and Pension Plan limits. The material terms and conditions of the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan as they relate to the named executive officers include the following:following.

Eligibility

Employees participate in the Pension Plan after completing six months of vesting service. Employees with six months of vesting service who would have a portion of their benefit from the Pension Plan limited due to Internal Revenue Code or Pension Plan restrictions also participate in the Supplemental Pension Plan.

Benefit FormulaTraditional Formula

Prior to April 1, 2012, the benefits of the named executive officers except for Mr. O’Grady, were determined under the Pension Plan’s “Traditional Formula.” To determine a participant’s benefit, the Traditional Formula first multiplies 1.8% by the average of the participant’s highest sixty consecutive calendar months of eligible pay. This amount is further multiplied by the participant’s years of credited service (up to a maximum of thirty-five years). The Social Security offset is then determined by multiplying 0.5% by (i) the lesser of the participant’s Social Security covered compensation limit or the average of the participant’s eligible pay for the three consecutive calendar years prior to retirement, with calendar year compensation not to exceed the Social Security taxable wage base in effect for a given calendar year, by (ii) the participant’s years of credited service (up to thirty-five years). This offset is subtracted from the benefit amount previously calculated to determine the annual benefit amount produced by the Traditional Formula.

For purposes of the Traditional Formula:

 

  

“Eligible pay” means base salary (including any before-tax payroll deductions), shift differentials, overtime and certain types of performance-based incentive compensation, including cash, Northern Performance Incentives under the Northern Partners Incentive Plan (“NPIP”), compensation under the Management Performance Plan, payments from the former Annual Performance Plan and the cash value of stock options which were specifically paid in lieu of cash incentives from January 1, 2002 through April 30, 2004. Cash incentives deferred under the Northern Trust Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) are not included in eligible pay under the Pension Plan but are included in eligible pay under the Supplemental Pension Plan.

 

  

“Social Security covered compensation” means the average of the Social Security taxable wage base for each of the thirty-five calendar years ending in the year in which the participant attains Social Security retirement age. In determining Social Security covered compensation as of a certain year, the taxable wage base for any subsequent year is assumed to be the same as for the determination year.

Benefit FormulaPEP Formula

Because Mr. O’Grady commenced employment on August 15, 2011, his benefits underEffective June 1, 2001, the Pension Plan was amended to provide that benefits of all newly hired employees of the Corporation and Supplemental Pension Plan for his entire period of credited service areits affiliates would be calculated under the Pension Plan’s “Pension Equity Plan (PEP) Formula.” Under the PEP Formula, each year a participant earns a specific pension credit “percentage,” determined in accordance with a schedule in the Pension Plan that varies directly with his or her total number of years of credited service. Participants currently earn a 4% pension credit percentage for each of their first ten credited years of service, with the pension credit percentage increasing by one percentage point for the eleventh year of service and every fifth year thereafter through the end of their thirty-fifth year of service (after which no additional pension credit percentages are earned). A participant’s PEP Formula lump sum amount is equal to the sum of his or her pension credit percentages multiplied by the average of the participant’s highest sixty consecutive calendar months of eligible pay. Prior to April 1, 2012, eligible pay was defined the same for the PEP Formula as for the Traditional Formula, except that eligible pay under the PEP Formula also included cash sales and technical incentives under the NPIP up to 50% of the participant’s prior year’s base pay. Effective April 1, 2012, eligible pay under the PEP Formula includes all cash incentives under the NPIP. A participant’s annual benefit under the PEP Formula is equal to a single life annuity commencing at age 65 that is the actuarial equivalent of his or her PEP Formula lump sum amount. The single life annuity is calculated using interest rate and mortality assumptions specified in the Pension Plan.

Benefit FormulaChanges

EffectiveAs noted above, effective June 1, 2001, the Pension Plan was amended to provide that benefits of all newly hired employees of the Corporation and its affiliates would be calculated under a version of the PEP Formula. All employees already employed by the Corporation and its affiliates prior to such time were provided the opportunity to elect whether to accrue future benefits under such PEP Formula or the Traditional Formula. Effective April 1, 2012, the Pension Plan was further amended to provide that for credited service earned after March 31, 2012 all employees, including those who had previously elected the Traditional Formula, will accrue benefits pursuant to the revised PEP Formula described above. Accordingly, the named executive officers other than Mr. O’Grady, will be entitled to an annual benefit equal to the sum of their accruals: (i) under the Traditional Formula for periods of credited service before April 1, 2012; and (ii) under the amended PEP Formula for their periods of credited service after March 31, 2012. Each such executive’s pre-April 1, 2012 Traditional Formula benefits will be based on credited service and average compensation calculated as of March 31, 2012, provided that the executive’s average compensation as of March 31, 2012, will be indexed at a rate of 1.5% per year for any period on and after April 1, 2012 during which the executive earns credited service under the Pension Plan.

Although the April 1, 2012 changes made to the Pension Plan are anticipated to moderate any future pension value increases, the present value of benefits under the Traditional Formula is sensitive to changes in interest rates. The decreaseincrease in discount rate used to calculate the pension from 5.00%4.25% to 4.25%4.71% at December 31, 20142015 resulted in an increase in valuea decrease in the present value of benefits under the Traditional Formula for each of the named executive officers. This decrease was more than offset by increases in the present value of benefits attributable to other factors for all named executive officers, except for Mr. O’Grady, whose benefits are all accrued under the PEP Formula.Waddell and Mr. Morrison. The other primary factors influencing pension values include an increase of the final average pay calculation and the application of the average pay across years of credited service under the Pension Plan.

Benefit FormulaSupplemental Pension Plan

Pension benefits are first calculated under the combined Traditional Formula and PEP Formulas or solely under the PEP Formula, as applicable, without regard to Internal Revenue Code limits and including in eligible pay the amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan. They are then recalculated applying Internal Revenue Code limits and excluding Deferred Compensation Plan deferrals from eligible pay to determine the amount of the benefit that is payable from the Pension Plan. The difference between the total benefit calculation and the Pension Plan calculation is paid from the Supplemental Pension Plan.

Benefit Entitlement

A participant is eligible to receive a benefit under the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan after completing three years of vesting service.

Retirement

A participant is generally eligible for a normal retirement benefit based on the combined Traditional and PEP Formulas or based solely on the PEP Formula, as described above, if his or her employment terminates on or after age 65. A participant is eligible for an early retirement benefit if his or her employment terminates on or after age 55 and he or she has completed fifteen years of credited service. A participant who terminates employment with three years of vesting service but prior to becoming eligible for a normal or early retirement benefit is eligible for a “vested terminee” benefit commencing any time after termination. Mr. Waddell, Mr. Morrison and Ms. Schreuder are each eligible for early retirement benefits.

Under the Traditional Formula, the early retirement benefit is equal to the normal retirement benefit described above, reduced by 0.5% for each month payments are received prior to age 62 (or prior to age 60 under certain circumstances). Participants eligible for a “vested terminee” benefit are entitled to benefit payments that are reduced by 0.5% for each month up to 120 months that payments are received prior to age 65, then actuarially reduced for each month that payments are received prior to age 55.

Under the PEP Formula, both the early retirement benefit and “vested terminee” benefit are equal to the normal retirement benefit (in the form of a monthly single life annuity as described above), adjusted for early commencement prior to age 65. The adjustment is made using interest rate and mortality assumptions specified in the Pension Plan.

Form of Benefit Payment

The normal form of benefit payment under the Pension Plan is a single life annuity in the case of an unmarried participant and a 50% joint and survivor annuity in the case of a married participant, although optional forms of payment are available, depending on marital status and age and years of service. A lump sum option is available in all cases. All optional forms are the actuarial equivalent of the normal form of payment. The normal form of benefit under the Supplemental Pension Plan is a five-year certain annuity, payable to the participant in five annual installments; if the participant dies prior to receiving full benefits, payments will continue for the remainder of the five years to a designated beneficiary. Any installment payments are credited with interest pursuant to a market-based formula set forth in the Supplemental Pension Plan. If the value of the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit is $125,000 or less, the benefit is paid in a single lump sum.

Assumptions

The assumptions used in calculating the present value of the accumulated benefit are set forth in “Note 21—Employee Benefits” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015. The Corporation does not grant extra years of credited service under the Pension Plan, other than as noted below under “Potential Payment Upon Termination of Employment or a Change in Control of the Corporation.”

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

       
Name 

Form of Deferred

Compensation

 

Executive

Contributions

in Last FY

($)(1)

 

Registrant

Contributions
in Last FY

($)(2)

  

Aggregate

Earnings
in

Last
FY

($)(3)

  

Aggregate

Withdrawals/

Distributions

($)

 

Aggregate

Balance at

Last
FYE

($)(4)

  

Form of Deferred

Compensation

 

Executive

Contributions

in Last FY

($)(1)

 

Registrant

Contributions

in Last FY

($)(2)

 

Aggregate

Earnings

in Last FY

($)(3)

 

Aggregate

Withdrawals/

Distributions

($)

 

Aggregate

Balance at

Last FYE

($)(4)

 

Mr. Waddell

 Deferred Compensation Plan               Deferred Compensation Plan                    
 Supplemental TIP $42,900 $21,450   $88,049    $1,379,594   Supplemental TIP $43,725   $21,863   $(13,542     $1,431,640  
 Deferred Stock Units       1,969,709     9,072,205   Deferred Stock Units          632,328        7,734,824  

Mr. Bowman

 Deferred Compensation Plan               Deferred Compensation Plan                    
 Supplemental TIP 23,375  7,013    7,921     145,633   Supplemental TIP  27,250    8,175    (1,452      179,606  
 Deferred Stock Units               Deferred Stock Units                    

Mr. Fradkin

 Deferred Compensation Plan       10,860     114,194   Deferred Compensation Plan          1,095        115,289  
 Supplemental TIP 20,400  10,200    51,818     677,769   Supplemental TIP  20,100    10,050    (5,724      702,195  
 Deferred Stock Units       549,799     1,718,715   Deferred Stock Units          104,067        1,272,983  

Mr. Morrison

 Deferred Compensation Plan               Deferred Compensation Plan                    
 Supplemental TIP 32,400  16,200    1,029     717,864   Supplemental TIP  32,100    16,050    50        766,064  
 Deferred Stock Units       546,647     1,680,162   Deferred Stock Units          100,916        1,234,431  

Mr. O’Grady

 Deferred Compensation Plan              
 Supplemental TIP 20,400  10,200    385     61,259  
 Deferred Stock Units              

Ms. Schreuder

 Deferred Compensation Plan               Deferred Compensation Plan                    
 Supplemental TIP 20,400  10,200    65,780     604,499   Supplemental TIP  23,475    11,738    5,048        644,760  
 Deferred Stock Units       497,581     1,079,966   Deferred Stock Units          51,849        634,234  

 

(1) Amounts in this column also are also included in each named executive officer’s compensation reported in the “Summary Compensation Table,” either as “Salary” or “Stock Awards.“Salary.

(2) Amounts in this column also are also included in each named executive officer’s “All Other Compensation” in the “Summary Compensation Table.”

(3) The aggregate earnings in this column are not “above-market” and thus are not included in the “Summary Compensation Table.”

(4) All amounts in this column have previously been included in each named executive officer’s compensation reported in the “Summary Compensation Table” to the extent that compensation data for each such officer, generally, has been included in such table.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Corporation maintains the Deferred Compensation Plan pursuant to which eligible employees, including the named executive officers, may defer all or a portion of their eligible annual incentive cash awards until a later date. The material terms and conditions of the Deferred Compensation Plan as they relate to the named executive officers include the following:following.

Eligibility

An employee is eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan for any calendar year if as of the preceding November 15 he or she: (i) was actively employed by the Corporation or a subsidiary and either resided in the United States or was an expatriate of the United States on temporary international assignment; (ii) participated in the Management Performance Plan or the NPIP; and (iii) had an annual base salary of $100,000 or more or a combination of base salary and cash awards paid from April 1 of the prior year through March 31 of the current year equal to $150,000 or more.

Contributions

Each participant must make an election prior to the beginning of a calendar year, and can elect to defer up to 100% of each eligible cash incentive award that will be paid in the second calendar year following the year of the election, subject to a minimum deferral of $2,500 of each cash incentive award. All deferrals are credited to an account maintained for the participant under the Deferred Compensation Plan. No employer contributions are made under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

Vesting

A participant is fully vested in his or her entire Deferred Compensation Plan account balance at all times.

Investments

Each participant’s Deferred Compensation Plan account is credited with earnings or losses based on various mutual fund investment alternatives made available under the Deferred Compensation Plan and selected by the participant.

Distributions

At the time a participant makes a deferral election, he or she must elect a short-term deferral or a retirement deferral. If the participant elects a short-term deferral, distribution of such amount must be deferred until a later specified date, which is at least three years following the end of the year in which the cash incentive award would have otherwise been paid. The short-term deferral, including the attributable earnings or losses, is paid to the participant in a lump sum. If the participant elects a retirement deferral, distribution of such amount will be deferred until the participant retires after reaching eligibility for early or normal retirement under the Pension Plan. At the time the participant makes the retirement deferral election, he or she must also elect whether the deferral, including the attributable earnings or losses, will be paid in a lump sum or in installments payable over five or ten years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the participant’s employment terminates before the scheduled distribution date, the short-term or retirement deferral, and attributable earnings or losses, will be paid

in a lump sum within sixty days following the date of such termination. If the participant is deemed to be a “key employee” as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, any distribution that was deferred after December 31, 2004 and is payable due to retirement or termination of employment will be delayed for six months following the date of such retirement or termination.

Supplemental TIP

Supplemental TIP is a nonqualified retirement plan that provides the portion of an employee’s benefit that cannot be paid under TIP due to the Internal Revenue Code’s limit on the amount of a participant’s compensation that can be taken into account in determining TIP benefits. Account information provided for Supplemental TIP also includes account balances in the Northern Trust Corporation Supplemental Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which was frozen effective January 1, 2005 when the qualified Northern Trust Employee Stock Ownership Plan was merged into TIP. The material terms and conditions of Supplemental TIP as they relate to the named executive officers include the following:following.

Eligibility

An employee is eligible to participate in Supplemental TIP for any calendar year if he or she participates in TIP and as of the prior November 30 his or her base salary exceeded the Internal Revenue Code compensation limit. Employees are eligible to participate in TIP and elect salary deferrals immediately upon their hire, and are eligible for employer matching contributions after six months of service. All named executive officers participate in both plans.

Contributions

Each participant must make an election prior to the beginning of a calendar year to contribute to Supplemental TIP a portion of his or her base salary that exceeds the Internal Revenue Code compensation limit. The Corporation makes a matching contribution under Supplemental TIP using the formula in TIP, which is 50% of the first 6% of deferred salary, for a maximum matching contribution of 3% of salary.

Vesting

Each participant generally vests in the employer contributions under TIP and Supplemental TIP on a graduated basis of 20% per year over five years and is fully vested after five years. The named executive officers are fully vested in their TIP and Supplemental TIP accounts, except for Mr. O’Grady, whose employer contributions were 60% vested under such plans as of December 31, 2014.accounts.

Investments

Each participant’s Supplemental TIP account is credited with earnings or losses based on various mutual fund investment alternatives made available under Supplemental TIP and selected by the participant (which are generally the same investment alternatives available to participants under TIP). On a monthly basis, participants can change their Supplemental TIP investment alternatives among the alternatives offered in Supplemental TIP.

Distributions

No withdrawal or borrowing of Supplemental TIP assets is permitted during a participant’s employment. Distribution of the entire Supplemental TIP account balance generally is made to a participant within ninety days after the participant’s termination of employment. If the participant is deemed to be a “key employee,” as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, the portion of his or her Supplemental TIP account accruing after December 31, 2004 is distributed as a single lump sum following the six-month anniversary of the termination of employment.

Deferred Stock Units

Certain restricted stock units granted prior to 2010 may be required to be deferred until the earlier of: (i) the year in which the Compensation and Benefits Committee reasonably anticipates that, if the payment is made during that year, the deduction of the payment will not be barred by Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m); or (ii) the period beginning with the date of the participant’s separation from service (as defined in the Corporation’s Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan) and ending on the later of the last day of the Corporation’s taxable year in which the participant incurs a separation from service or the fifteenth day of the third month following such separation from service. “Aggregate Earnings in Last FY” in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table above represent the change in the value of deferred stock units, which is based on the change in the value of the underlying shares of common stock into which the stock units convert.

Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or a Change in Control of the Corporation

In addition to benefits to which the Corporation’s employees would be entitled upon a termination of employment generally, the Corporation provides certain additional benefits to eligible employees upon certain types of termination of employment, including a termination of employment involving a change in control of the Corporation. These incremental benefits that the named executive officers would receive in the event of a termination involving a change in control of the Corporation relative to the benefits they would otherwise receive are described below.

Employment Security Agreements

As discussed above, the Corporation has employment security agreements with the named executive officers and certain other executive officers. The Corporation’s decision to enter into these employment security agreements and the determination of the level of benefits under these agreements, as well as under various termination of employment scenarios were exercises in judgment, informed by: (i) the recognition that all named executive officers are employed at-will; (ii) the Corporation’s desire to provide the named executive officers with sufficient security to assureensure they are not distracted and remain focused on maximizing stockholder value during and after a change in control; (iii) the Corporation’s goal of providing executive compensation at levels that are competitive with similar positions to those in its peer group companies; (iv) the nature and scope of the job responsibilities undertaken by the named executive officers; and (v) the terms of other types of compensation paid by the Corporation to the named executive officers. In particular, in setting the terms of the benefits payable to the named executive officers under various termination scenarios, the Compensation and Benefits Committee was guided in large part by a desire to be sufficiently responsive to market forces and the environment in which the Corporation seeks to attract, motivate and retain its named executive officers by providing benefits consistent and competitive with those of the peer group companies with

which it competes for top executive talent. In initially establishing the form and level of post-termination benefits, the Committee received and reviewed relevant peer group company information provided by its independent compensation consultant at the time. In particular, this competitive peer group data influenced the decision of the Committee to provide for employment security agreements, to set the level of lump sum payments equal to three years of salary and bonus and to provide for the vesting of equity compensation awards, the continuation of coverage under certain health and welfare plans and other protections afforded in the event of a termination of employment in connection with a change in control or under other termination of employment scenarios.

The employment security agreements provide benefits upon the occurrence of the following terminations of employment that are in connection with an actual or pending change in control of the Corporation (as defined in the agreements):

 

  

a termination of the executive’s employment by the Corporation or a subsidiary without “good cause” that occurs either within two years after a change in control of the Corporation or during the period pending a change in control of the Corporation; or

 

  

an executive’s voluntary termination of employment with the Corporation or a subsidiary for “good reason” that occurs either within two years after a change in control of the Corporation or during the period pending a change in control of the Corporation.

The benefits provided to a named executive officer upon such a termination of employment would consist of the items identified in the following seven bullet points:

 

  

A lump sum payment equal to three times the sum of: (i) the named executive officer’s annual salary in effect on the date of employment termination, or if higher, the date of the change in control; and (ii) the average of the named executive officer’s awards under the Corporation’s cash incentive plans for the last three fiscal years of participation in such plans prior to the date of termination, or, if higher, the date of the change in control. The amount of this payment to each named executive officer, assuming the named executive officer became eligible for benefits under the agreement due to a termination of employment on December 31, 2014,2015, would be as follows: Mr. Waddell: $8,425,000;$9,200,000; Mr. Bowman: $2,780,000;$3,275,000; Mr. Fradkin: $4,075,000;$4,400,000; Mr. Morrison: $5,150,000; Mr. O’Grady: $4,050,000;$5,600,000; and Ms. Schreuder: $4,085,000.$4,535,000.

 

  

A lump sum payment of a prorated portion of the average amounts paid to the named executive officer under the Corporation’s cash incentive plans for the last three fiscal years of participation in such plans prior to the date of termination, or, if higher, the date of the change in control, less any amounts paid to the named executive officer under those plans with respect to completed performance periods occurring in the year the named executive officer’s employment terminates. The amount of this payment to each named executive officer, assuming the executive became eligible for benefits under the employment security agreement due to a termination of employment on December 31, 2014,2015, would be as follows: Mr. Waddell: $1,833,333;$2,066,667; Mr. Bowman: $426,667;$541,667; Mr. Fradkin: $758,333;$866,667; Mr. Morrison: $916,667; Mr. O’Grady: $750,000;$1,066,667; and Ms. Schreuder: $761,667.$836,667.

  

With respect to equity awards: (i) full vesting of all stock options; (ii) all outstanding nonqualified stock options remain exercisable for five years following termination of

employment (or until the end of the option term, if earlier); (iii) full vesting of all outstanding restricted stock units; and (iv) full vesting and immediate distribution of all outstanding performance stock units as provided in the awards. The named executive officers become entitled to full and accelerated vesting upon an actual change in control, even if there is no termination of employment, or upon termination during a pending change in control. On December 31, 2014,2015, the fully vested equity awards would have had the following values for each named executive officer:officer.

 

    
Name 

Stock
Options

($)

  

Restricted
Stock Units

($)

  

Performance 
Stock Units

($)

   

Stock

Options

($)

   

Restricted

Stock Units

($)

   

Performance

Stock Units

($)

 

Mr. Waddell

 $4,326,705   $2,716,504   $3,873,051    $2,897,716    $3,081,721    $3,589,097  

Mr. Bowman

  546,841    1,579,452    1,873,248     504,600     1,790,499     3,030,375  

Mr. Fradkin

  1,309,704    2,693,692    3,467,730     870,622     1,789,923     3,579,701  

Mr. Morrison

  2,003,499    1,375,283    1,914,205     1,442,847     1,516,116     1,754,094  

Mr. O’Grady

  1,738,732    2,979,738    3,467,730  

Ms. Schreuder

  1,309,704    818,253    1,164,829     881,778     1,028,451     1,250,569  

The value of the fully vested stock options is based on the difference between the option exercise price and $67.40,$72.09, which was the closing market price of the Corporation’s common stock on December 31, 2014.2015. The value of the fully vested restricted stock and performance units is also based on the $67.40$72.09 closing market price. In addition to the amounts noted above, the long-term cash incentive awards described in footnote 3 to the “Summary Compensation Table” also would vest with respect to Messrs. Fradkin and O’Grady.

 

  

Continued coverage under the Corporation’s health, dental, life, accident, disability, and other welfare benefit plans for three years (or if earlier, until the executive becomes covered under similar plans maintained by another entity that provides at least equal benefits). If the named executive officer cannot be covered under any plan of the Corporation due to legal or contractual restrictions, the Corporation would provide the executive with substantially similar benefits and coverage. The value of this continued benefit coverage for three years to each named executive officer, derived by multiplying the Corporation’s annual cost of providing such coverage in 20142015 by three, would be as follows: Mr. Waddell: $34,878;$37,313; Mr. Bowman: $34,633;$34,653; Mr. Fradkin: $41,068;$43,988; Mr. Morrison: $41,068; Mr. O’Grady: $34,633;$43,988; and Ms. Schreuder: $41,068.$43,988.

 

  

Up to an additional three years of age and/or service credits for purposes of determining eligibility and subsidy for participation in the Corporation’s retiree medical plans and an additional three-year age and service credit for benefits under the Supplemental Pension Plan. Assuming a termination of employment under the employment security agreement on December 31, 2014,2015, the value of these age and service credits to each named executive officer would be: Mr. Waddell: $0; Mr. Bowman: $220,311;$735,509; Mr. Fradkin: $1,350,657;$1,390,233; Mr. Morrison: $300,889; Mr. O’Grady: $143,098;$347,306; and Ms. Schreuder: $40,468.$0. The assumptions used in calculating the present value of the age and service credits are set forth in “Note 21—Employee Benefits” in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015.

  

Full vesting in benefits accrued under the Supplemental Pension Plan and Supplemental TIP. All named executive officers—other than Mr. O’Grady, who is fully vested in the Supplemental Pension Plan, but 60% in employer contributions under Supplemental TIP—officers are already vested in these benefits.

  

A gross-up payment to the executive to cover any excise and related income tax liability arising under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code as a result of any payment or benefit arising under thean employment security agreement. Assuming a termination of employment under thean employment security agreement on December 31, 2014,2015, the named executive officers would be entitled to the following gross-up payments: Mr. Waddell: $6,758,328;$6,105,666; Mr. Fradkin: $4,854,269;$4,926,360; Mr. Morrison: $3,873,156;$3,695,975; and Ms. Schreuder: $2,807,250.$2,869,407. Mr. Bowman’s and Mr. O’Grady’s agreements doagreement does not contain such provisions. Since 2011, the Corporation has discontinued inclusion of tax gross-up payments in new employment security agreements for executive officers.

Equity Compensation Plans and Agreements

As described above under “Description of Certain Awards Granted in 2014”2015” beginning on page 48,52, the Corporation’s equity compensation plans and agreements provide enhanced benefits to named executive officers upon a change in control of the Corporation or a termination of employment with the Corporation or a subsidiary due to death, disability, or retirement (when such termination is not a termination described in his or her employment security agreement). In the case of a termination of a named executive officer’s employment due to death, disability, or retirement (including termination at age 55 with the requisite service), stock options granted under the equity compensation plans would have acceleratedwill accelerate or continuedcontinue vesting, and equity award agreements for restricted stock units and performance stock units granted prior to February 17, 2015 provide for prorated vesting of units. AssumingEquity award agreements for restricted stock units and performance stock units granted on or after February 17, 2015 provide for the full vesting of such units in the case of a named executive officer’s termination on December 31, 2014,due to death or disability. The following table shows the estimated values inof the following table show the prorated distributions of restricted stock units and performance stock units.units assuming such termination events on December 31, 2015. The cumulative value of stock options subject to accelerated or continued vesting in such scenarios for each of our named executive officers is equal to the value noted in the table above under “Employment Security Agreements.”

 

  
  Restricted Stock Units      Performance Stock Units    
   
Name 

Restricted Stock Units

($)

  

Performance Stock Units

($)

   

Death /Disability   

($)

   

Retirement   

($)   

   

Death /Disability   

($)

   Retirement   
($)  
 

Mr. Waddell

 $3,812,481   $7,666,076    $4,221,014    $2,869,615    $10,589,444    $8,313,419  

Mr. Bowman

  802,397    944,207     1,364,664     958,220     2,704,601     2,020,106  

Mr. Fradkin

  1,175,456    2,302,923     1,269,505     863,061     3,184,792     2,500,297  

Mr. Morrison

  1,733,258    3,829,870     2,087,150     1,426,661     5,243,755     4,131,406  

Mr. O’Grady

  1,268,535    2,302,923  

Ms. Schreuder

  1,175,456    2,302,923     1,397,825     889,807     3,441,505     2,585,868  

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Non-employeeThe Compensation and Benefits Committee is responsible for reviewing non-employee director compensation and making a recommendation with respect thereto to the Board. In doing so, the Committee works with CAP and has access to such other resources as it deems appropriate. Under the current plan design, non-employee directors are compensated for their services with cash compensation and equity awards in the form of restricted stock units. Directors who are employees of the Corporation receive no additional compensation for serving on the Board or on any Board committee.

Annual Retainer and Other Fees

Non-employee directors of the Corporation received an annual retainer of $200,000$220,000 for their service on the Board in 2014,2015, paid 50% in cash and 50% in the form of restricted stock units. In addition to the annual retainer, directors serving as the Chair of any Board committee were entitled to an additional $15,000 annually, directors serving on the Audit Committee (including the Chair) were entitled to an additional $5,000 annually and the Corporation’s Lead Director was entitled to receive an additional $25,000 annually, each of which such additional fees were paid in cash. All non-employee directors also were eligible to receive a per diem fee of $1,000 when required to attend orientation meetings or to perform specific services on behalf of the Corporation. No payments for such services were made in 2014.2015.

Restricted stock units granted to directors for their service on the Board were made in April 20142015 and will vest on April 21, 2015,19, 2016, the date of the 20152016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Stock units do not have voting rights. Dividend equivalents on the non-employee directors’ stock units are subject to the same vesting, forfeiture and distribution provisions as the underlying stock units. Each stock unit entitles a director to one share of common stock at vesting, unless a director elects to defer receipt of the shares.

Effective January 1, 2015, the annual retainer to be paid in conjunction with each director’s serviceFebruary 16, 2016, directors serving on the Board was increasedAudit, Business Risk and Capital Governance Committees are entitled to $220,000.an additional $10,000 annually (representing a $5,000 increase for the Audit Committee and a $10,000 increase for the other affected committees) in recognition of the additional time and other commitments required of the members of such committees. Also effective February  16, 2016, directors are no longer eligible to receive the $1,000 per diem fee discussed above.

Deferral of Compensation

Non-employee directors may elect to defer payment of their cash compensation and stock units until termination of their service as directors. Any deferred cash compensation is converted into stock units representing shares of common stock. The value of each such stock unit is based upon the price of the stock at the end of the calendar quarter for which the cash compensation would have been paid. Dividends on all deferred stock units are paid quarterly to a cash account and accrue interest at an interest rate determined from time to time by the Compensation and Benefits Committee. DeferredThe value of stock units representing deferred cash compensation, andas well as all dividends on stock units representing deferred compensation of any form, will be paid out in cash, and stock units representing deferred stock unitsunit compensation will be distributed in stock, in each case in a lump sum or in up to ten annual installments at the election of the director.

Other Director Compensation

Directors are eligible to participate in the Corporation’s matching gift program, under which the Corporation matches gifts made by employees and directors to eligible nonprofit organizations, on the same terms as employees. The maximum gift total for a non-employee director participant in the program is $2,000 in any calendar year.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Within five years of election to the Board, non-employee directors are required to hold shares of the Corporation’s common stock equal to five times the annual cash retainer provided to directors. In addition, non-employee directors are expected to meet a minimum share ownership level of 1,000

shares within one year of the date they are initially elected to the Board. Until such time as any non-employee director meets the minimum ownership level requirement, he or she is expected to retain 100% of the net, after-tax shares received from share distributions.the vesting of equity awards.

As of December 31, 2014,2015, all non-employee directors met or exceeded the stock ownership guidelines to which they were subject. Consistent with those guidelines, Messrs. Harrison, Prado, SlarkRichards and Thompson have until January 1, 2020, October 16, 2017, April 19, 2016July 21, 2020 and March 6, 2020, respectively, to reach the share ownership threshold.

Director Compensation Table

The following table sets forth all compensation earned by each non-employee director of the Corporation in 2014. Messrs. Harrison and Thompson were appointed to the Board effective January 1, 2015 and March 6, 2015, respectively, and thus did not earn any compensation in 2014 relating to service on the Board.2015.

 

Name  

Fees  

Earned  

or Paid  

        in Cash          

($)  

   

Stock    

    Awards        

($)(1)    

   

All Other    

Compensation    

($)(2)    

   

        Total          

($)  

   

    Fees Earned or    
Paid in Cash

($)

   

  Stock Awards    

($)(1)

   

All Other    
Compensation    

($)(2)    

   

        Total        

($)

 

Linda Walker Bynoe

  $105,769    $100,000    $2,322    $208,091    $110,000    $110,000    $2,214    $222,214  

Nicholas D. Chabraja(3)

   120,000     100,000     2,322     222,322     39,643          2,214     41,857  

Susan Crown

   110,673     100,000     4,322     214,995     125,000     110,000     2,214     237,214  

Dean M. Harrison

   114,347     110,000     164     224,511  

Dipak C. Jain

   107,885     100,000     2,322     210,207     115,000     110,000     2,214     227,214  

Robert W. Lane

   101,442     100,000     2,322     203,764  

Edward J. Mooney(3)

   34,615     —       2,322     36,937  

Jose L. Prado

   114,231     100,000     2,322     216,553  

Robert W. Lane(3)

   33,544     —       2,214     35,758  

Jose Luis Prado

   126,525     110,000     2,214     238,738  

Thomas E. Richards

   49,022     82,500     —       131,522  

John W. Rowe

   140,000     100,000     2,322     242,322     150,000     110,000     2,214     262,214  

Martin P. Slark

   100,000     100,000     2,322     202,322     113,475     110,000     2,214     225,689  

David H. B. Smith, Jr.

   115,673     100,000     2,322     217,995     130,000     110,000     2,214     242,214  

Donald Thompson

   95,754     110,000     70     205,824  

Charles A. Tribbett III

   100,000     100,000     2,322     202,322     120,426     110,000     2,214     232,639  

 

(1) This column shows the grant date fair value of the stock awards for all non-employee directors in 2014,2015, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See “Note 22—Share-Based Compensation Plans” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 for a discussion of the

assumptions made by the Corporation in the valuation of these stock unit awards. As of December 31, 2014,2015, each non-employee director serving on such date held 1,677.011,530 unvested stock units, which represents the stock unit award made by the Corporation in April 20142015 described above.

(2) Includes $2,000 of contributions to eligible nonprofit organizations made on behalf of Susan Crown pursuant to the Corporation’s matching gift program. The matching gift program is available to directors on the same terms as it is available to all employees, with a maximum gift total of $2,000 in any calendar year. All other amounts in this column representRepresents accumulated dividend payments to which the non-employee directors became entitled upon the vesting of underlying stock units in 2014.2015.

(3) Amounts reported for Mr. MooneyMessrs. Chabraja and Lane reflect compensation earned through April 15, 2014,21, 2015, the effective date of histheir retirement from the Board pursuant to the director retirement age set forth in the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.Board.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

Set forth below is information with respect to other equity compensation plans under which the common stock of the Corporation was authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2014.2015.

 

    
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 Issuance under

Equity Compensation

Plans (Excluding

Securities Reflected in
the Second Column)

(#)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

  13,302,608   $54.70(1)   29,803,955(2) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

  109,002(3)   N/A      

Total

  13,411,610   $54.70(1)   29,803,955  

    
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 Issuance under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
the Second Column)

(#)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

  11,946,559   $55.51(1)   28,597,071(2) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

  115,075(3)   N/A      

Total

  12,061,634   $55.51(1)   28,597,071  

 

(1) Restricted stock units and performance stock units are excluded when determining the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options.

(2) All shares are available for issuance under the Corporation’s 2012 Stock Plan.

(3) Consists of stock units that have been deferred at the election of certain directors pursuant to the 1997 Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. These units will be distributed on a one-for-one basis in shares of common stock following retirement.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee is responsible for providing oversight of the Corporation’s financial reporting functions and internal controls.control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s function is one of oversight, recognizing that: (i) management is responsible for the complete and accurate preparation of the Corporation’s financial statements;statements, including internal control over financial reporting; and (ii) KPMG LLP, the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an audit on such financial statements and expressing an opinion as to whether they are free of material misstatement and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. KPMG LLP is also responsible for expressing an opinion as to whether the Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.

Consistent with its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and KPMG LLP the Corporation’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015. The Committee has also discussed with KPMG LLP the firm’s assessment of the Corporation’s internal controls and the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standards No. 16, “Communication with Audit Committees.” The Audit Committee has also received and discussed the written disclosures and the letter from KPMG LLP required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526, “Communicationwith Audit Committees Concerning Independence” and has conducted a discussion with KMPG LLP regarding its independence. The Audit Committee also considered whether the provision of non-audit services by KPMG LLP to the Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20142015 is compatible with maintaining KPMG LLP’s independence.

Based on the above-mentioned reviews and discussions, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014,2015, for filing with the SEC.

Audit Committee

David H. B. Smith, Jr. (Chair)

Nicholas D. ChabrajaDean M. Harrison

Dipak C. Jain

Jose Luis PradoMartin P. Slark

Donald Thompson

AUDIT MATTERS

Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Description of Fees 2014  2013  2015 2014 

Audit Fees

 $4,446,680   $4,187,380   $4,995,395   $4,446,680  

Audit-Related Fees

  2,244,030    2,194,300    2,638,295    2,244,030  

Tax Fees

  126,937    148,334    150,467    126,937  

All Other Fees

  16,550    57,600    811,634    16,550  

Total

 $6,834,197   $6,587,614   $8,595,791   $6,834,197  

Audit Fees include fees for professional services rendered for the annual integrated audit of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year (including services relating to the audit of internal control over financial reporting) audits of subsidiary financial statements and reviews of the financial statements included in the Corporation’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Audit-Related Fees include fees for services that were reasonably related to performance of the audit of the annual consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year, other than Audit Fees, such as comfort letters, employee benefit plan audits, internal control reviews, and other attestation services.

Tax Feesinclude fees for tax return preparation, tax compliance and tax advice.

All Other Fees include fees for all services other than Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, and Tax Fees, including advisory services related to regulatory initiatives and ancillary services provided to the Corporation’s foreign subsidiaries in connection with certain foreign-jurisdiction requirements.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee has in place a policy regarding the engagement of independent public accounting firms to provide auditor services to the Corporation. The purpose of the policy is to establish procedures for Audit Committee pre-approval of all auditor services to be provided to the Corporation by its independent registered public accounting firm. Auditor services include audit services, audit-related services, taxand non-audit services, and non-auditincluding tax services. The policy provides that the Audit Committee, the Chairman, or any Audit Committee member delegated the authority (a “Designated Member”) has the authority to grant pre-approvals of auditor services. In addition, the policy provides that the independent registered public accounting firm may be engaged to provide only those non-audit services: (i) that are permitted by SEC rules; and (ii) that, in the judgment of the Audit Committee, maintain the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence from the Corporation. In evaluating whether a proposed engagement of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for a specific permitted non-audit service maintains the firm’s independence from the Corporation, the Audit Committee or a Designated Member thereof must consider whether the proposed engagement would cause the independent registered public accounting firm to: (a) audit its own work; (b) perform management functions; or (c) act as an advocate for the Corporation. The independent registered public accounting firm shall in no event be engaged to perform any prohibited services, as set forth in the policy.

All audit, audit-related, tax and other services provided by KPMG LLP in 20142015 were pre-approved in accordance with the Audit Committee’s policy regarding the engagement of independent public accounting firms to provide auditor services to the Corporation.

ITEM 3RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The independent registered public accounting firm is appointed annually by the Corporation’s Audit Committee. For the year ending December 31, 2015,2016, the Audit Committee has authorized the engagement of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm. KPMG LLP served as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.2015. Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Stockholder ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required. However, the Board is submitting the selection of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification because it believes it is a governance best practice to do so. If the stockholders fail to ratify KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee will reassess its appointment, but in such event it may elect to retain KPMG LLP nonetheless. Further, even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such change would be in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders.

The Board unanimously recommends that you voteFOR the ratification of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

ITEM 4—STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE OF

POLITICAL AND LOBBYING CONTRIBUTIONS

Information regarding a stockholder proposal is set forth below. The Corporation disclaims any responsibility for the content of this proposal and statement of support, which is presented as received from the stockholder. The Massachusetts Laborers’ Pension Fund, P.O. Box 3005, 14 New England Executive Park, Suite 200, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, the owner of approximately 400 shares of our common stock, has given the Corporation notice that its representative intends to present this proposal at the Annual Meeting.

Stockholder Proposal

Resolved, that the shareholders of Northern Trust Corporation (“Northern Trust” or “Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the amounts that the Company has paid or incurred in connection with influencing legislation; participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office; and attempting to influence the general public, or segments thereof, with respect to elections, legislative matters or referenda.

The report should include (a) contributions to or expenditures on behalf of political candidates, political parties, political committees and other political entities and (b) the portions of any dues or other payments that are made to a tax-exempt organization for an expenditure or contribution that, if made directly by the Company, would not be deductible under section 162(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. The report should identify each recipient, the amount paid to each, and the purpose of any contribution or expenditure.

Stockholder Supporting Statement

As long-term shareholders of Northern Trust, we support transparency and accountability in corporate spending on lobbying and political activities. The expenditures upon which we seek a report are those that Congress has said do not warrant a deduction as an ordinary and necessary business expense, namely, lobbying participation in the political system by supporting or opposing candidates for office, and trying to influence the general public or segment thereof as to elections, legislative matters or referenda. This includes payments to third parties, including trade associations and other tax-exempt groups, which payments are used for expenditures that would not be deductible if made by the company itself.

Disclosure is consistent with public policy and we believe, in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. The Supreme Court’sCitizens United decision recognized the importance of political spending disclosure when it said “[D]isclosure permits citizens and shareholders to react to the speech of corporate entities in a proper way. This transparency enables the electorate to make informed decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages.”

Gaps in transparency and accountability may expose the company to reputational and business risks that could threaten long-term shareholder value. Moreover, publicly available data does not provide a complete picture of the Company’s lobbying or political expenditures. Thus the Company’s payments to trade associations for these purposes are undisclosed and unknown, as are any payments to tax-exempt groups that work to influence legislation and political campaigns, as well as public opinion that could affect legislation or elections.

The sums involved can be significant. A 2010Bloomberg story reported that several health insurers donated $86.2 million to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2009-10 for advertisements, polling and grassroots events to drum up opposition to health care reform legislation. A former Federal Election Commission chairman described this figure as “breathtaking”.

We believe that shareholders need improved disclosure in order to fully evaluate the use of corporate assets on these activities. Thus, we urge you to vote FOR this critical governance reform.

Statement of the Board of Directors in Opposition to the Stockholder Proposal

The Board of Directors believes that the proponent’s proposal is not in the best interests of Northern Trust and its stockholders and unanimously recommends a voteAGAINST the proposal.

As a leading provider of asset servicing, fund administration, asset management, fiduciary, and banking solutions for corporations, institutions, families, and individuals worldwide, Northern Trust is extensively regulated. Changes in the legal and regulatory environment for financial institutions may substantially impact the manner in which Northern Trust and its subsidiaries operate, serve their clients, and create value for stockholders. We believe it is in the best interests of Northern Trust’s stockholders for Northern Trust to support positions that enhance the safety of client assets and promote the safety and soundness of the financial system and a strong global economy. The potential impact that public policy changes can have on Northern Trust’s business and its stakeholders requires Northern Trust to participate in the political process to advance and protect the long-term interests of Northern Trust.

Northern Trust’s philosophy and policies concerning political contributions and legislative lobbying are set forth in its “Statement Regarding Government Relations and Political Contributions,” which can be found under “Corporate Social Responsibility” in the “About Us” section of Northern Trust’s website. Northern Trust contributes to candidates for public office and related organizations in compliance with applicable law. Northern Trust sponsors both a federal-only political action committee and a multi-candidate political action committee. These political action committees, known as PACs, allow certain U.S. employees to pool their financial resources to support United States federal and state candidates who support legislation important to Northern Trust and its stockholders. All contributions to the PACs are voluntary. The PACs determine all political contributions based on the best interests of Northern Trust. Northern Trust also contributes to certain industry trade organizations relating to its public policy objectives.

We believe that the additional disclosure sought by the proposal would be of no appreciable benefit to stockholders. As required by law, each Northern Trust PAC reports its contributions on a periodic basis to the Federal Election Commission and appropriate state election authorities. In addition, Northern Trust is required to comply with United States federal and state laws and regulations regarding the disclosure of certain lobbying activities. These reports and disclosures are publicly available and there are direct links to the Federal Election Commission and the Lobbying Database included in Northern Trust’s publicly available “Statement Regarding Government Relations and Political Contributions.” The Board believes that in light of the fact that Northern Trust already provides all legally required disclosures regarding political contributions and lobbying activities, much of which is already publicly available, this proposal is duplicative and unwarranted, and would cause the Corporation to expend unnecessary time and resources without providing any appreciable benefit to its stockholders.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you voteAGAINST the proposal.2016.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 20162017 ANNUAL MEETING

Any stockholder proposals for the Corporation’s 20162017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Corporation, directed to the attention of the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary, no later than November 12, 20159, 2016 in order to be eligible for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting. The proposal must comply in all respects with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Corporation’s By-laws.

Also, under the Corporation’s By-laws, other proposals that are not included in the proxy statement will be considered timely and may be eligible for presentation at that meeting if they are received by the Corporation in the form of a written notice, directed to the attention of the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary, no earlier than November 23, 201520, 2016 and no later than December 23, 2015.20, 2016. If the 20162017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is called for a date that is not within thirty days before or after the anniversary date of this Annual Meeting, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be received within ten days after notice of the 20162017 Annual Meeting is mailed or public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting is made, whichever occurs first. The notice must contain the information required by the Corporation’s By-laws.

 

LOGO

LOGO


LOGOLOGO

 

NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION

50 SOUTH LASALLE STREET

CHICAGO, IL 60603

  

VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. EDT April 20, 2015.18, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

 

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

 

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. EDT April 20, 2015.18, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

 

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Northern Trust Corporation, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.Please mailmail in advance, so that your instruction may be received no later than11:59 p.m. EDT on April 20, 2015.18, 2016.

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:  
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DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 

NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION

 

              

TheBoardof Directorsrecommendsyou

vote FOReach of the followingproposals:

For

    Against

    Abstain

     

1.     Election of 11 Directors

          

    1.     Election of 12 Directors

ForAgainstAbstain   
  
  1a.  Linda Walker Bynoe  ¨ ¨ ¨  The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST For Against Abstain   
  

 

1b.

  

��

Susan Crown

  

 

¨

 

 

¨

 

 

¨

  

2.     Approval, by an advisory vote, of the following proposal:

4.     Stockholder proposal regarding additional disclosure2015 compensation of political and lobbying contributions, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting.Corporation’s named executive officers.

 

For

 

¨

 

Against

¨

 

Abstain

 

¨

   
  

 

1c.

  

 

Dean M. Harrison

  

 

¨

 

 

¨

 

 

¨

        
  

 

1d.

  

 

Dipak C. Jain

  

 

¨

 

 

¨

 

 

¨

 

3.     Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.

¨

  ¨

¨

1e.

Jose Luis Prado

¨

  ¨

¨

1f.

Thomas E. Richards

¨

  ¨

¨

       
  
  1e.Jose Luis Prado¨¨¨
1f.1g.  John W. Rowe  ¨ ¨¨
1g.Martin P. Slark¨¨ ¨        
  
  1h.  David H. B. Smith, Jr.Martin P. Slark  ¨ ¨ ¨        
  
  1i.  Donald ThompsonDavid H. B. Smith, Jr.  ¨ ¨ ¨        
  
  1j.  Charles A. Tribbett IIIDonald Thompson  ¨ ¨ ¨        
  
  1k.  Frederick H. WaddellCharles A. Tribbett III  ¨ ¨ ¨        
 

2.     Approval, by an advisory vote, of the 2014 compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers.

1l.

  ¨

Frederick H. Waddell

  

¨

 

¨

¨

  For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.   ¨   
 

3.     Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

¨¨¨
 

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

   
  
   
       
       

  Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

  Date     

  Signature (Joint Owners)

 Date   


LOGOLOGO

ANNUAL MEETING ADMISSION TICKET

Northern Trust Corporation

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

(northwest corner of LaSalle Street and Monroe Street)

April 21, 201519, 2016

10:30 a.m. CDT

You should present this admission ticket in order to gain admittance to the meeting.

(Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and seating will begin at 10:00 a.m.)

This ticket admits only the stockholder(s) listed on the reverse side and is not transferable. Each stockholder will be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license. Cameras, recording devices, and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the meeting.

Directions to the Northern Trust corporationCorporation Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Lake Shore Drive(coming from north or south)

Kennedy Expressway (I90 - I94)

Take Lake Shore Drive to the Randolph Street exit. Continue on Randolph Street to LaSalle Street. Turn left (southbound) on LaSalle Street to Madison Street. Turn right (westbound) on Madison Street to the parking garage that is between LaSalle Street and Wells Street.

  

Kennedy Expressway (I90 - I94)

Take I90-I94 east to the Monroe Street exit. Turn left (eastbound) on Monroe Street. Continue on Monroe Street to LaSalle Street. Turn left (northbound) on LaSalle Street and continue one block north to Madison Street. Turn left (westbound) on Madison Street to the parking garage that is between LaSalle Street and Wells Street.

Stevenson Expressway (I55)

Eisenhower Expressway (I290)

Take I55 east to Lake Shore Drive north. Take Lake Shore Drive to the Randolph Street exit. Continue on Randolph Street to LaSalle Street. Turn left (southbound) on LaSalle Street to Madison Street. Turn right (westbound) on Madison Street to the parking garage that is between LaSalle Street and Wells Street.

  

Eisenhower Expressway (I290)

Take I290 east to the Franklin Street exit. Continue northbound on Franklin Street to Monroe Street. Turn right (eastbound) on Monroe Street to LaSalle Street. At LaSalle Street turn left and continue one block north to Madison Street. Turn left on Madison Street to the parking garage that is between LaSalle Street and Wells Street.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

You may access the 20152016 Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 by going to the following website: https://materials.proxyvote.com/665859

 

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M83622-P62240E00926-P72488-Z67092        

 

NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 10:30 a.m. CDT

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Frederick H. Waddell and S. Biff Bowman, and each of them, as proxy holders, each with the power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all shares of common stock of Northern Trust Corporation which the undersigned is entitled to vote on the proposals at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 21, 2015, at 50 S. LaSalle St. Chicago, IL 60603, and any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The above proxy holders cannot vote the undersigned’s shares unless the undersigned votes in one of the manners specified on this card.

If any shares have been allocated to the undersigned’s account under The Northern Trust Company Thrift-Incentive Plan (“TIP”), this proxy card will serve as voting instructions for any shares, including shares held by the undersigned in TIP, and the undersigned hereby directs The Northern Trust Company, as trustee of TIP (the “TIP Trustee”), to vote such shares, in person or by proxy, in the manner specified on this card, at the Annual Meeting. The TIP Trustee will vote allocated shares for which no direction is received and unallocated shares, if any, in the same proportion as the shares for which direction is received, except as otherwise provided in accordance with applicable law. To allow sufficient time for voting by the TIP Trustee, voting instructions must be recorded by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 16, 2015.

NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 10:30 a.m. CDT

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Frederick H. Waddell and S. Biff Bowman, and each of them, as proxy holders, each with the power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all shares of common stock of Northern Trust Corporation which the undersigned is entitled to vote on the proposals at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 19, 2016, at 50 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60603, and any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The above proxy holders cannot vote the undersigned’s shares unless the undersigned votes in one of the manners specified on this card.

If any shares have been allocated to the undersigned’s account under The Northern Trust Company Thrift-Incentive Plan (“TIP”), this proxy card will serve as voting instructions for any shares, including shares held by the undersigned in TIP, and the undersigned hereby directs The Northern Trust Company, as trustee of TIP(the “TIP Trustee”), to vote such shares, in person or by proxy, in the manner specified on this card, at the Annual Meeting. The TIP Trustee will vote allocated shares for which no direction is received and unallocated shares, if any, in the same proportion as the shares for which direction is received, except as otherwise provided in accordance with applicable law. To allow sufficient time for voting by the TIP Trustee, voting instructions must be recorded by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 14, 2016.

Whether voting by mail, telephone or Internet, the undersigned’s shares (including shares held under TIP) will be voted in accordance with the undersigned’s instructions.If this proxy card is returned without indication as to how shares are to be voted, the proxy holders will vote the undersigned’s shares, including any held in TIP: for the election of each nominee for director; for the approval, by an advisory vote, of 2015 compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers; and for the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December31, 2016.proxycard is returnedwithoutindicationas to how shares are to be voted,theproxyholderswillvote theundersigned’s shares, includingany held in TIP: for the electionof each nomineefor director; for the approval,by an advisory vote, of 2014 compensationof the corporation’s namedexecutiveofficers;for the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the corporation’s independentregisteredpublic accounting firm for thefiscal year endingDecember31, 2015; and againstthestockholderproposalregardingadditionaldisclosure of political and lobbyingcontributions.

The proxy holders are authorized to vote those shares for which they receive proxies as they shall determine in their sole discretion on any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

 

Address Changes/Comments: 

 

Address changes/comments:

 

(If any Address Changes/Comments are noted above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

(If any Address Changes/Comments are noted above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)

Continued and to be signed on reverse side