UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

COMMISSIO

N
Washington, D.C. 20549

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THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.—NOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

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      LOGO

Goldman Sachs

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.Items of Business

 

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Proxy Statement

2020


THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.—NOTICE OF 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

200 West Street, New York, New York 10282

Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Item 1. 1. Election to our Board of Directors of the 1112 director nominees named in the attached Proxy Statement for aone-year term
as further described herein

 

Item 2. 2. An advisory vote to approve executive compensation (Say on Pay)

 

Item 3. 3. An advisory vote on the frequency of Say on Pay votes

Item 4. Ratification of the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020

2023

 

Items 4–5. 5-12. Consideration of certain shareholder proposals, if properly presented by each relevant shareholder proponent

 

Transaction of such other business as may properly come before our 20202023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

 

  TIME Time

  

 

8:30 a.m., New YorkDallas time

  DATEThursday, April 30, 2020
  ACCESS*

 Date

  

Our Annual Meeting can be accessed virtually at:

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020Wednesday, April 26, 2023

 Place

The Fairmont Dallas

1717 N. Akard Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

 

 

For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions

    

  RECORD

  DATE

 Record Date       February 27, 2023

 

 

March 2, 2020

The close of business on the record date is when it is determined which of our shareholders are entitled to vote at our 20202023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or any adjournments or postponements thereof

 

*

In light of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak, for the safety of all of our people, including our shareholders, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the 2020 Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. If you plan to participate in the virtual meeting, please see Frequently Asked Questions. Shareholders will be able to attend, vote and submit questions (both before, and for a portion of, the meeting) from any location via the Internet.

Your vote is important to us. Please exercise your shareholder right to vote.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

LOGOLOGO

Beverly L. O’Toole

Assistant Secretary

March 20, 202017, 2023

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for our Annual Meeting to be held on April 30, 2020.26, 2023. Our Proxy Statement, 20192022 Annual Report to Shareholders and Notice of Settlement of Stockholder Derivative Actionother materials are available on our website atwww.gs.com/proxymaterials. By March 20, 2020,17, 2023, we will have sent to certain of our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (Notice). The Notice includes instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and 20192022 Annual Report to Shareholders and how to vote online. Shareholders who do not receive the Notice will continue to receive either a paper or an electronic copy of our proxy materials, which will be sent on or about March 24, 2020.21, 2023. For more information, seeFrequently Asked Questions.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

 

Letter from our Chairman and CEO

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS

 ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Letter from our Chairman and CEO

ii

Letter from our Lead Director

  iii 

Executive Summary

  1 

20202023 Annual Meeting Information

  1 

Matters to be Voted on at our 20202023 Annual Meeting

  1 

Strategy and Performance Highlights

  2 

2023 Investor Day Highlights

3

Compensation Highlights

4

Corporate Governance Highlights

  5 

Corporate Governance Highlights

  6
Corporate Governance87 

Corporate Governance SnapshotBest Practices

  87 

Item 1. Election of Directors

  98 

Our Directors

  98 

Independence of Directors

  1617 

Structure of our Board and Governance Practices

  1718 

Our Board Committees

  1718 

Board and Committee Evaluations

19

Board Leadership Structure

  20 

Year-Round Review of Board CompositionLeadership Structure

  2221 

Director EducationYear-Round Review of Board Composition

  23 

Director Education

24

Commitment of our Board

  2324 

Board Oversight of our Firm

  2526 

Key Areas of Board Oversight

  2526 

Stakeholder Engagement

  2931 

Compensation MattersSpotlight on Sustainability

  3132

Compensation Matters

34 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

  3134 

20192022 Annual NEO Compensation Determinations

  3134 

How Ourour Compensation Committee
Makes Decisions

  3235 

Overview of Annual Compensation Elements and Key Pay
Practices

  3641 

20192022 Annual Compensation

  3742 

Equity-Based Variable Compensation Elements—Elements of Annual Compensation—A
More Detailed Look

  4249

Shareholder Value Creation Awards—A Detailed Look

50

Other Compensation Policies and Practices

51

GS Gives

54 

OtherExecutive Compensation Policies and Practices

  43

GS Gives

4655 

Executive2022 Summary Compensation Table

  4755 

2019 Summary Compensation Table2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

  4857 

2019 Grants of Plan-Based2022 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

  4958 

2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End2022 Stock Vested

  5059 

2019 Stock Vested2022 Pension Benefits

  5060 

2019 Pension Benefits2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

  5160 

2019Non-Qualified Deferred CompensationPotential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

  52

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in
Control

5361 

Compensation Committee Report

  5665 

Item 2. An Advisory Vote to Approve Executive
Compensation (Say on Pay)

  5766

2022 Say on Pay Vote

66

Item 3. An Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Say on Pay Votes

67 

Pay Ratio Disclosure

  5867 

Non-EmployeePay Versus Performance Disclosure

68

Director Compensation Program

  5972 

Audit Matters

  6275 

Item 3.4. Ratification of PwC as our Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm for 20202023

  6275

Assessment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

75

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

76 

Report of our Audit Committee

  64
Items 4–5. Shareholder Proposals65
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions70
Beneficial Ownership74
Additional Information77 

Frequently Asked QuestionsItems 5-12. Shareholder Proposals

  7978

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

97 

Annex A: Calculation ofNon-GAAP MeasuresBeneficial Ownership

  A-1100 

Additional Information

103

Frequently Asked Questions

105

Annex A: Calculation of Non-GAAP Measures

A

Annex B: Additional Details
on Director Independence

  B-1B

Directions to our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

C 
 

 

This Proxy Statement includes forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the firm’s beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the firm’s control. Forward-looking statements include statements about our business and expense savings initiatives and interest expense savings and may relate to, among other things, our future plans and results, including our target ROE, ROTE, efficiency ratio and CET1 capital ratio, and how they can be achieved, and various legal proceedings or governmental investigations. It is possible that the firm’s actual results, including the incremental revenues and savings, if any, from such initiatives, and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results, financial condition and incremental revenues and savings indicated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect the firm’s future results and financial condition, see “Risk Factors” in Goldman Sachs’ Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Statements about Goldman Sachs’ business and expense initiatives are subject to the risk that the firm’s businesses may be unable to generate additional incremental revenues or reduce expenses consistent with current expectations.

This Proxy Statement includes forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only our beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Forward-looking statements include statements about our businesses, expense savings initiatives, interest expense savings, funding optimization and durability of earnings as well as the effectiveness of our management of our human capital, including our aspirational diversity goals, and may relate to, among other things, our future plans and results, including the impact of our strategic realignment and our target ROE , ROTE, efficiency ratio and CET1 ratio, and how they can be achieved, and goals relating to our sustainability initiatives. It is possible that the firm’s actual results, including the incremental revenues and savings, enhanced funding optimization and increase in durability of earnings, if any, from such initiatives, and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results, financial condition and incremental revenues and savings, enhanced funding optimization or increased durability in earnings indicated in these forward-looking statements. Statements about Goldman Sachs’ business, savings and other initiatives are subject to the risk that our businesses may be unable to generate additional incremental revenues or reduce expenses consistent with current expectations. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect our future results and financial condition, see “Risk Factors” in Goldman Sachs’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

References to our website or other links to our publications or other information are provided for the convenience of our shareholders. None of the information or data included on our websites or accessible at these links is incorporated into, and will not be deemed to be a part of, this Proxy Statement or any of our other filings with the SEC.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Goldman SachsGOLDMAN SACHS        

i


LETTER FROM OUR CHAIRMAN AND CEO

 

 

Letter from our Chairman and CEO

Letter from our Chairman and CEO

March 17, 2023

LOGO

Goldman Sachs

March 20, 2020

Fellow Shareholders:

I am pleased to invite you to attend the 20202023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., towhich will be held virtually viaon Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 8:30 a.m., local time, at the Internet.Fairmont Dallas hotel in Dallas, Texas. Enclosed you will find a notice setting forth the items we expect to address during the meeting, a letter from our Lead Director, our Proxy Statement, a form of proxy and a copy of our 20192022 Annual Report to Shareholders. Your vote is important to us: evenus. Even if you do not plan to attend the meeting, we hope your votevotes will be represented.

AsIncluded with the Annual Report is our 2022 letter to shareholders, where we issue this Proxy Statement, the world is facing a global health crisis and volatile market environment with significant unknowns related to COVID-19. It is a fluid and historic situation, and we are taking actions to supportdiscuss how our people their familiesnavigated a difficult environment to deliver for shareholders. We lay out what we have learned from three years of executing our long-term strategy and why we decided to reorganize the firm and sharpen our clients. Wefocus. And we explain how, even in the face of unexpected challenges, our people have enacted business continuity plans so that we can continuecontinued to learn and adapt, serve our clients while protecting the well-being of our people. Helping clients navigate dynamic environments is core to what we do, and we will stand by and assist them always.

In our 2019 letter to shareholders, which is included in the Annual Report, we discuss our purpose and core values as an organization, as well as our competitive strengths. We also outline our new operating approach and our strategic direction. To this end, we lay out our three-year targets and our path to mid-teen or higher ROEs over the longer term. We are building on and enhancing a set of market-leading businesses which, coupled with new growth initiatives, we are confident will carry us into a future of higher,produce more sustainabledurable returns for our shareholders.

I would like to personally thank you for your continued support of Goldman Sachs. The health and safety of all of our people, including you, our shareholders, remains paramountSachs as we continue to invest together in the future of this firm. We look forward to engaging with our shareholders at our Annual Meeting.

 

 

LOGOLOGO

David M. Solomon

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

LOGO

OUR PURPOSE

We advance sustainable economic growth and financial opportunity

OUR CORE VALUES

Our Purpose

We aspire to be the world’s most exceptional financial institution, united by our shared values of partnership,

client service, integrity and excellence.

 

PartnershipOur Core Values Integrity
  
Client ServiceWe distilled our Business Principles into 4 Core Values that inform everything we do: Excellence

Our core values have endured for over 150 years, driven by a spirit of partnership

LOGO

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        ii


LETTER FROM OUR LEAD DIRECTOR

 

 

Partnership  

   Client Service    

   Integrity   

   Excellence  

Letter from our Lead Director 

        

LOGO

Goldman Sachs

March 20, 2020PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        ii


LETTER FROM OUR LEAD DIRECTOR

Letter from our Lead Director

March 17, 2023

To my fellow shareholders,

With the 2020our 2023 Annual Meeting fast approaching, I consider it is once again my distinct privilege as your Lead Director to reflect upon the last year and share with you my observations on some of the highlights of the work of our Board. 2019 was, once again, an active year for our Board, with 58 regular Board and committeeCommittees.

2022 provided a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the firm and its leaders to navigate. Under the leadership of David Solomon, John Waldron and Denis Coleman, and with the oversight of the Board, the firm remained nimble, was able to support our clients across the breadth of our global franchises, and prudently managed capital, liquidity, and financial and nonfinancial risks, in order to deliver the firm’s second highest ever net revenues and double-digit returns for shareholders.

As you heard in more detail from David and our leadership team last month during our 2023 Investor Day presentations, 2022 also provided an important inflection point to further evolve our strategy, realign our businesses, reorient the firm for the forward opportunity set and reinvest in our culture. I hope that this recent Investor Day provided you with important clarity on the firm’s strategic path. The Board is fully supportive of management’s ongoing focus on enhancing transparency and accountability, and our 2023 Investor Day was an important affirmation of this.

As I’ve communicated to you before, we as a Board are cognizant of our role as stewards of your investment, and we will continue to engage with management on – and hold management accountable for – creating long-term value for you, our shareholders. To this end, as a Board, we engaged regularly over the course of the year – not only with David, John and Denis – but with the broader management and control teams as well as with employees across the firm – on the key drivers and risks relating to the execution of our strategy on firmwide, regional and business levels.

Execution of our strategy and a focus on prudent resource management will continue to be top of mind for the Board in the coming year. We will continue to focus not only on our financial results but also on how they are achieved; we firmly believe that long-term value creation and the realization of our communicated goals necessitates a commitment to our culture and Core Values, sound risk management and controls, and an unwavering dedication to our clients and our people. In this regard, we remain steadfast in our determination to maintain a strong and appropriately resourced control environment.

We also continue to oversee management’s investment in our future. This includes maintaining our focus on fundamental considerations and priorities, such as attracting and retaining the best talent, continued progress around diversity, inclusion and equity, the development of the firm’s “next generation” of leaders, the strength, depth and diversity of our leadership bench, further progress toward achieving our sustainable finance targets, and reinvesting in and strengthening our culture.

For example, as you will see in the Key Areas of Board Oversight section of this Proxy Statement, the firm recently launched a series of cultural stewardship and connection programs to reaffirm and reinvest in its culture. The firm’s culture is a topic that we as directors regularly discuss – and will continue to discuss – with management. Investing in the firm’s culture is a strategic imperative, particularly after the growth we have experienced over the last several years, and we are supportive of the steps that the firm has taken and continues to take in this regard.

In carrying out our work, the Board met actively throughout 2022, with 65 Board and Committee meetings, and for me, as Lead Director, with over 8065 additional meetings, calls and engagements with the firm and itsour people, our shareholders, regulators and other stakeholders, including meetings with shareholders representing over 20% of our shares outstanding.

2019 was a year in which we reflected on Similarly, my fellow Committee Chairs held over 140 such meetings during 2022. This broad and comprehensive engagement outside the firm’s history. The firm’s 150th anniversary providedboardroom provides us with a unique opportunity to consider and reinforce the firm’s core values and purpose, which will serve as the cornerstone of our strategic priorities as we invest in the firm’s next 150 years. To this end, our new executive leadership team, David Solomon, John Waldron and Stephen Scherr, together with the entire firm, have worked tirelessly to chart the firm’s future course and bring both long-term value to our shareholders and enduring value to our communities.

Our Board has provided guidance and oversight throughout this process as part of our fundamental role as stewards of the firm. In this regard, we have engaged regularly with David, John and Stephen, providing insight and advice as they refined their strategic vision and developed and began to execute on a growth strategy that reflects the firm’s core values, leverages its foundational advantages and is grounded in sound risk management.

As a Board, during 2019 we engaged with senior management and leaders across the firm on businesses and strategies covering the full breadth of the firm’s franchises and on the development of new businesses, from the Investment Banking client coverage expansion, Transaction Banking, Marquee and Third Party Alternatives to the launch of the firm’s first credit card offering and the review of other organic and inorganic growth opportunities. In each case, we have seen David, John and Stephen redouble their commitment to harnessing the best the firm has to offer as we expand into new products and markets and invest in our core franchises to more effectively and efficiently deliverOne Goldman Sachsto our clients and customers. The firm has also made significant efforts to bolster this clear strategic direction with a new operating approach that prioritizes a client-centric organizational structure while maintaining appropriate controls, a longer-term operating focus, a growth investment mindset and enhanced accountability and transparency.

Accountability and transparency were core themes of the firm’s inaugural Investor Day earlier this year. From the firm’s reorientation of its reporting segments to the announcement of medium-term (three-year) financial targets and detailed presentations during Investor Day, these steps are emblematic of our commitment to provide all of our stakeholders with additional insightkey insights into the firm’s strategic directionbusinesses and drive greater accountability—both internally and externally—as the firm executes on these goals. its people.

As you will see detailed in this Proxy Statement, there have been a Board, we strongly support senior management’s renewed commitmentnumber of changes to these priorities, as we believe it will ultimately drive enhanced long-term value for our shareholders.

Our Board has been pleased with the steadfast commitment that our executive leadership team has shown over the past year, and their willingness to makeeach of which was the necessary investments in our firm’s businesses, technology and people, which we believe will set the firm on a path to achieve its forward goals. In particular, we appreciate their commitment to the development of the firm’s “next generation” of leaders and doing so with a focus on our diverse professionals; the continued strength, depth and diversity of the firm’s leadership bench will be paramount to the firm’s long-term success. We will continue to engage with David, John and Stephen on this critical topic, and, as always, will seek out opportunities to engage with our next generation of leadership both in and outside of the boardroom.

Senior management is dedicated to operating the firm in a sustainable and inclusive way. Sustainability is core to the firm’s purpose, and at Investor Day David spoke about the importance of corporations focusing on the bottom line, but doing so sustainably and responsibly. Sustainability is also increasingly important to our clients, and in December 2019 the firm announced a new $750 billion sustainable finance target over the next ten years across

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        iii


LETTER FROM OUR LEAD DIRECTOR

the areas of climate transition and inclusive growth. Our Board wholeheartedly endorses this mindset, and sustainability-related considerations are a regular partresult of our ongoing reviews of Board composition and Committee discussions, whether it be climate risk considerations, updates from the firm’s new Sustainable Finance Group, discussion of our aspirational diversity goalsgovernance processes, including with respect to board leadership succession planning. These processes and broader talent strategy or the impact we make on our communities through Corporate Engagement programs.

In closing, I wantpractices help to confirm that our Board strongly believes that, to most effectively carry out our duties, our composition must reflect an appropriate diversity—broadly defined—of demographics, viewpoints, experiences and expertise. We believe our Board has significantly benefitted from the enhanced diversity we have achieved through our most recently added independent directors—Ellen Kullman, Drew Faust and Jan Tighe. Ongoing review of our Board’s composition is an item that will always be top of mind and on our agenda, and we remain committed to ensuringensure that our Board has an appropriate mix and balancediverse mix of skills and experiences. To this end,experiences, strong independent leadership, and sound governance so that we can effectively carry out our responsibilities.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

iii


LETTER FROM OUR LEAD DIRECTOR

In October 2022, we were pleased to welcome Kevin Johnson, the recently retired CEO of Starbucks, to our Board. Kevin has already proven to be an invaluable member of the Board, drawing upon his experiences across a breadth of subjects, including consumer leadership, technology and international business, as well as his many years as a business leader and director, to provide seasoned judgment to our Board.

I also want to take a moment to extend my gratitude – on behalf of the entire Board and the firm – to Mark Winkelman and Drew Faust, who are actively engaged in an ongoing searchnot standing for new directors, focusedre-election pursuant to our retirement age policy, and will be retiring from our Board at our Annual Meeting. Each of them has been a dedicated steward of shareholder and other stakeholder interests, with a resolute focus on candidates who will addfinancial and nonfinancial risk management and unwavering commitment to the diversityfirm’s culture and reputation. Their contributions, including Mark’s role as Chair of our Board.Risk Committee and, more recently, Chair of our Compensation Committee, and Drew’s relentless focus on our people, culture, reputation and One Goldman Sachs, are too numerous to detail. We wish them both continued success.

As a result of our ongoing board leadership succession process, I am pleased to report that David Viniar assumed the role of Risk Chair in the Fall, bringing to bear his deep financial acumen and broad expertise across the breadth of the risk spectrum. I am also happy to share that, upon Mark’s retirement, Kimberley Harris will become Chair of our Compensation Committee. In this new leadership role, Kim will draw upon her cross-disciplinary perspective, and public policy and regulatory expertise, garnered from her range of experiences acting as a trusted advisor in both the public and private sectors.

With respect to the firm’s governance beyond The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. level, I wanted to highlight several steps that the Board has taken over the past year to further strengthen our connection to the firm’s subsidiary boards. For example, in February 2023, Peter Oppenheimer assumed the additional role of chair of the board of our subsidiary, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, having joined the bank board in August 2022, and, in March, Michele Burns also joined the board of our U.K. subsidiary, Goldman Sachs International, replacing Mark Winkelman. I am grateful to each of Peter and Michele for taking on these additional roles to enhance the critical connectively of our Board to these key entities.

On behalf of ourmy colleagues on the Board, I want to thank youam grateful for your ongoing support of both our Board and the firm. We are cognizant of the challenges and uncertainty posed by the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19, for the firm, our people, our shareholders, our clients and other stakeholders, and our Board remains diligent and focused on its work.support. We value your investment in our firm and our ongoingcontinued engagement, which is invaluable to me and informs the work of our entire Board. Stay safe and healthy, andwork. I look forward to continuing our ongoing dialogue in the year to come.

 

 

LOGOLOGO

Adebayo O. Ogunlesi

Independent Lead Director

 

ivGoldman Sachs

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersPROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—20202023 ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

 

 

Executive Summary

This summary highlights information from our Proxy Statement for the 20202023 Annual Meeting. You should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting. Please refer to our glossary inFrequently Asked Questions on page 79105 for definitions of some of the terms and acronyms we use.

20202023 Annual Meeting Information

 

DATE AND TIME

8:30 a.m., New York time
Thursday, April 30, 2020

ACCESS*

Our Annual Meeting can be accessed virtually via the Internet at:

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020.

To participate (e.g., submit questions and/or vote), you will need the control number provided on your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice. If you are not a shareholder or do not have a control number, you may still access the meeting as a guest, but you will not be able to participate.

RECORD DATE

March 2, 2020

*

In light of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak, for the safety of all of our people, including our shareholders, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the 2020 Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. At our virtual Annual Meeting, shareholders will be able to attend, vote and submit questions by visitingwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in these proxy materials. Additional information can also be found atwww.gs.com/proxymaterials.

Matters to be Voted on at our 2020 Annual Meeting

   

Date, Time

and Place

BOARD
    RECOMMENDATION

8:30 a.m., Dallas time                

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

    PAGE    

The Fairmont Dallas

1717 N. Akard Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

  
Item 1. Election of Directors    FOR each director      9  

Record Date

 

February 27, 2023

Other Management Proposals

Admission

Photo identification and proof of ownership as of the record date are required to attend our Annual Meeting.

Webcast

Our Annual Meeting will also be available through an audio webcast, which will be accessible to the public at www.gs.com/proxymaterials.

For additional information about our Annual Meeting, see Frequently Asked Questions.

Matters to be Voted on at our 2023 Annual Meeting

  
Board
Recommendation        
Page      

Item 1. Election of Directors

FOR each director8

Other Management Proposals

Item 2. An Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)

    FOR      57  

 FOR66

Item 3. An Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Say on Pay Votes

EVERY YEAR67

Item 4. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020

    FOR      62  
2023

 
Shareholder Proposals

FOR 75

Shareholder Proposals

Item 4.5. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Righta Report on Lobbying

Requests that the firm prepare a report disclosing various policies, procedures and expenditures relating to Act by Written Consentlobbying

AGAINST78

Item 6. Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Policy for an Independent Chair

Requests that the Board undertake stepsadopt a policy to permit shareholder action without a meeting
by written consentrequire that the chair of the Board be an independent director

    AGAINST      65  
 AGAINST81

Item 5.7. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Board OversightChinese Congruency of the “Statement on the Purpose
of a Corporation”
Certain ETFs

Requests that the Board provide oversightcommission and guidance as topublish a third-party review of whether the firm’s implementation of the
“Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation” signed by our Chairman and CEOChina-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) align with its commitments

AGAINST83

Item 8. Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Racial Equity Audit

Requests that the Board oversee a racial equity audit analyzing the firm’s impacts on nonwhite stakeholders and communities of color

AGAINST85
  67  

Item 9. Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Policy to Phase Out Fossil Fuel-Related Lending & Underwriting Activities

Requests that the Board adopt a policy for a time-bound phase-out of the firm’s lending and underwriting to projects and companies engaging in new fossil fuel exploration and development

AGAINST88

Item 10. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Disclosure of 2030 Absolute Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

Requests that the firm issue a report disclosing 2030 absolute greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets covering both lending and underwriting for certain high emitting sectors

AGAINST90

Item 11. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Climate Transition Report

Requests that the firm issue a report disclosing a transition plan that describes how it intends to align its financing activities with its 2030 sectoral greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets

AGAINST92

Item 12. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Reporting on Pay Equity

Requests that the firm report annually on unadjusted median and adjusted pay gaps across race and gender

AGAINST94

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Goldman SachsGOLDMAN SACHS        

1


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Strategy and Performance Highlights

We encourage you to read the followingStrategy and Performance Highlights as background to this Proxy Statement.

2019 Highlights

The operating environment in 2022 was challenging, but the strength of our client franchises allowed us to support our clients globally across a wide range of needs and enabled us to deliver double-digit returns for our shareholders

 2022 Performance—Financial Highlights

Net Revenues

$47.4 billion

2nd highest full-year net revenues

EPS

$30.06

2nd highest full-year EPS

ROE

10.2%

ROTE(a)

11.0%

Pre-Tax Earnings

$13.5 billion

BVPS Growth

6.7%

Year-over-Year (YoY)

Standardized CET1

Capital Ratio

15.0%

Efficiency Ratio

65.8%

1-Year TSR

-7.9%

(compares to Peer(b)

average of -17.3%)

Dividend

    25% increase in the    

quarterly dividend to

$2.50 per share

(a)

For a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the corresponding GAAP measure, please see Annex A: Calculation of Non-GAAP Measures.

(b)

Please refer to our glossary in Frequently Asked Questions for the definition of Peer.

 Key Business Highlights
  Global Banking & Markets

  Ranked #1 in worldwide completed M&A for 23 of the last 24 years(a)

  Record net revenues in FICC financing and Equities financing, and 2nd highest net revenues in FICC and Advisory

  Top 3 position with 77 of the top 100 institutional clients across FICC and Equities(b)

  Asset & Wealth Management

  Record Management and other fees of $8.8 billion

  Record assets under supervision (AUS) of $2.5 trillion

  2022 gross third-party alternatives fundraising of $72 billion

  Platform Solutions

  Generated net revenues of $1.5 billion, more than doubling net revenues from 2021

  $70 billion in Transaction banking deposits as of 2022 year-end

  13 million active customers and $15 billion of loans ($18 billion, gross of allowance for loan losses) in Consumer platforms as of 2022 year-end

(a)  Source: Dealogic.

(b) Source: Top 100 client list and rankings compiled by GS through Client Ranking / Scorecard / Feedback and/or Coalition Greenwich 1H22 Institutional Client Analytics Global Markets ranking (data as of first half of 2022).

 

2

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        

2019 was the first full year for our Executive Leadership Team (our CEO, COO and CFO) in their new roles. Under their leadership, the firm developed along-term growth strategy that is founded on anew operating approachfor the firm.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—2023 INVESTOR DAY HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

LOGO

 DEVELOPMENT & EXECUTION OF LONG-TERM GROWTH STRATEGY Grow and Strengthen Existing Businesses Higher Wallet Share Diversify our Products and Services More Durable Earnings Operate More Efficiently Higher Margins and Returns IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW OPERATING APPROACH Client-Centric Organizational Structure Delivering One Goldman Sachs Longer Term Operating Focus Multi-year financial planning process Investing for Growth Improving existing businesses and building new businesses Enhanced Accountability Transparency and performance targets

These initiatives also enabled the firm to announce the following financial targetsat ourfirst-ever2023 Investor Dayin January 2020:

MEDIUM-TERM(3-YEAR) FINANCIAL TARGETS(a) Highlights

 

  Why Goldman Sachs

LOGO  We have a track record of delivering for our shareholders*

15.3%

Average ROE

since our initial

public offering

39%

BVPS growth since 2019YE

~2.5x growth vs. peer**
average

60%

TSR since 2019YE

~4.5x growth vs. peer**
average

100%

Quarterly dividend per
share growth
since 2019YE

~2.5x growth vs. peer**
average

*   Data as of December 31, 2022.

** For these calculations, peers include JPM, MS, BAC and C.

  Structural improvements since Investor Day 2020

 

ROE / ROTE

 

 Efficiency Ratio

 

LOGO

 CET1 Ratio

  Higher quality revenues

LOGO

  Enhanced efficiency

LOGO

  Improved capital footprint

>13% / >14%

 

 

 

 ~60%

 

 

 

 13-13.5%

New business growth positions Goldman Sachs to generatemid-teens

or higher returns over longer-term (next 5+ years)

 

(a) These targets should be viewed in the context of a normalized operating environment.

2        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

2019 Key Financial Performance Highlights—Consistent, Solid Net Revenue Performance

We achieved 2019 net revenues of approximately $36.5 billion, essentially unchanged from 2018, demonstratingrevenue durabilityand thecontinued strengthof our franchise following strong year-over-year growth in 2018.

Net Revenues ($bn)

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 $34.4 $34.6 $34.1 $30.8 $32.7 $36.6 $36.5 2013-2017 Avg. $33.3LOGO

Our results reflect our 2019 litigation expense and our investments for growth(a), which together reduced our 2019 ROE in excess of 200 basis points:

 

  Focused on the Forward

  How we will deliver for our shareholders

 
  1 2  3
 

Clear strategic direction

 Differentiated franchise, talent and culture  Track record of success

  Entering the Next Phase of our Strategic Evolution

LOGO

Clear strategic direction Grow and strengthen existing businesses Diversify our products and services Operate more efficiently Operating segments Global Banking & Markets Maximize wallet share and grow financing activities Asset & Wealth Management Grow management and other fees Platform Solutions Scale Platform Solutions to deliver profitability

        

10.0%

ROEPROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

 

10.6%

ROTE(b)

68%

Efficiency Ratio

5.4%

BVPS Growth

Year-Over-Year

$10.6bn

Pre-Tax Earnings

$21.03

EPS

40.5%

1-Year TSR

13.3%

Standardized CET1

Capital Ratio

(a)

Includes our investments in our digital platform,Marcus by Goldman Sachs, our credit card activities and our transaction banking activities.

(b)

For a reconciliation of thisnon-GAAP measure to the corresponding GAAP measure (ROE), please seeAnnex A: Calculation of Non-GAAP Measures.

The continued strength of our franchise, as well as the development and initial execution of our long-term growth strategy, is reflected in our strong1-year TSR.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs3


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCECOMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Key Business Highlights

INVESTMENT BANKING

GLOBAL MARKETS

Net Revenues:$7.6bn

Net Revenues:$14.8bn

#1 in M&A and Equity Underwriting(a)

#2 Institutional Client Franchise(b)

  The firm ranked #1 in worldwide announced and completed mergers and acquisitions and equity and equity-related offerings and common stock offerings for the year

  Net revenues were lower year-over-year, reflecting lower net revenues in Underwriting and Financial advisory, partially offset by higher net revenues in Corporate lending

  Net revenues in Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities (FICC) were higher year-over-year, driven by significantly higher net revenues in commodities and mortgages and higher net revenues in interest rate products within FICC intermediation

  Net revenues in Equities were essentially unchanged year-over-year, reflecting lower net revenues in derivatives within Equities intermediation and higher net revenues in Equities financing

ASSET MANAGEMENT

CONSUMER & WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Net Revenues:$9.0bn

Net Revenues:$5.2bn

World-Class Active Asset Manager

Premier Financial Advisor

  Net revenues were essentially unchangedyear-over-year, reflecting higher net revenues in Equity investments, offset by significantly lower Incentive fees and lower Lending net revenues

  Record net revenues, including record Management and other fees in Wealth management

  Significant growth in Consumer banking net revenues, driven by higher net interest income

Record Firmwide Assets Under Supervision

  Firmwide assets under supervision increased $317 billion during the year (up 21%) to a record $1.86 trillion

(a)  Source: Dealogic

(b)  Source: Coalition institutional client analytics for FY2018. Institutional clients only. Analysis excludes captive, andnon-core products.

4        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS

Compensation Highlights(see Compensation Matters, beginning on page 31)34)

Highlights of our compensation program, and 2019including our Compensation CommitteeCommittee’s 2022 annual compensation decisions for our NEOs, are described below. It is important that you review our CD&A and compensation-related tables in this Proxy Statement for a complete understanding of our compensation program and 20192022 annual compensation decisions.

 

Compensation reflects our pay-for-performance culture and incentivizes long-term shareholder alignment without undue emphasis on shorter-term results

2022 Annual Compensation*

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our NEOs

  Total Annual
Compensation**                
  Year-End PSUs***                       

Equity
amount
at grant;
PSUs subject
to ongoing
performance
metrics
(absolute &
relative ROE)

 

 

 

David Solomon, Chairman and CEO

  

 

25.0

  

 

16.1

 

LOGO

 

John Waldron, President and COO

  

 

23.5

  

 

13.0

 

Denis Coleman, CFO

  

 

17.0

  

 

  9.1

 

Philip Berlinski, Global Treasurer

  

 

10.0

  

 

  5.1

 

Kathryn Ruemmler, CLO and General Counsel

  

 

12.0

  

 

  6.3

*

Reflects dollar amounts, in millions

 

**

2019 COMPENSATIONSalary plus annual variable compensation consisting of cash and year-end equity-based awards (100% PSUs for all NEOs).

 

OUR NEOS***

TOTAL
COMPENSATION  
($ IN MILLIONS)

YEAR-END

EQUITY-BASED AWARDS

($ IN MILLIONS)

David M. Solomon, ChairmanFor more information on our PSUs, see Compensation Matters—Compensation Discussion and CEO

$27.5

$17.85 (100% PSUs)

LOGO

Equity

amount at

grant; PSUs

subject to

ongoing performance metrics (absolute &

  relative ROE)  

John E. Waldron, President and COO

$24.5

$13.59 (100% PSUs)

Stephen M. Scherr, CFO

$22.5

$12.39 (100% PSUs)

John F.W. Rogers, EVP

$11.5

$6.0 (25% PSUs, 75% RSUs)

Karen P. Seymour, EVP & General Counsel

$9.0

$4.5 (25% PSUs, 75% RSUs)  

Analysis—Equity-Based Variable Compensation Elements of Annual Compensation—A More Detailed Look.

 

2022 Annual Compensation for NEOs Reflects Pay-for-Performance Philosophy

Solid results despite a challenging

economic backdrop

Strong individual performance

 Second highest net revenues and full-year EPS as well as double digit returns

 Year-over-year decline in firm performance, including due to impacts of challenging operating environment

 Continued progress in many of our strategic initiatives, with more work needed to fully realize longer-term ambitions

 Effective leadership and set appropriate tone from the top

 Led ongoing execution of our strategic priorities, including business realignment

 Commitment to our people strategy, including advancing our culture, diversity and talent development

2022 Annual Meeting Feedback

Stakeholder feedback and Say on Pay vote reflects:

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR LOGO

LOGO   Pay-for-performance philosophy

LOGO   100% deferral in PSUs for all NEOs and broader Management Committee

LOGO   PSUs tie compensation for senior leaders to ongoing performance conditions

LOGO   Rigorous structure of previously granted Shareholder Value Creation Awards (SVC Awards); commitment to maintaining award thresholds despite change in operating environment

LOGO   Robust risk-balancing features in compensation program

4

LOGO        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        

2019 COMPENSATION REFLECTS Development & execution of long-term growth strategy Implementation of new operating approach Consistent, solid net revenue performance Strong individual performance Building foundation for more durable revenues over time Driving enhanced discipline, accountability and transparency Demonstrating continued strength of our franchise Exemplary leadership and tone at the top; first full year in role for Executive Leadership Team Compensation incentivizes continued long-term, sustainable growth and achievement of financial targets without undue emphasis on shorter-term results


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Corporate Governance Highlights (see Corporate Governance, beginning on page 7)

 

2019 ANNUAL MEETING FEEDBACK

STAKEHOLDER

ENGAGEMENT:

STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK:

SAY ON PAY:

Extensive governance-
related engagement
with shareholders
representing more than 

35%of Common Stock
outstanding and other key
stakeholders

LOGO

New PSU design for 2018 (continued for 2019)

High percentageof performance-based pay

Engagement and responsiveness

Transparentproxy disclosure

~91%

shareholder support for Say on Pay Vote reflects positive feedback for compensation program

DEMONSTRATED CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OUR:

ENHANCEMENTS FOR 2019 COMPENSATION

Building upon what we heard from stakeholders, for 2019 compensation we introduced:

New Performance Assessment Framework — enhances transparency regarding certain key factors considered by the Compensation Committee in connection with compensation decisions for  Key Facts About our NEOs and other senior leaders (our Management Committee); also more closely aligns performance metrics and goals across our Management Committee with our firmwide forward strategy

Granted PSUs beyond our Executive Leadership Team to our Management Committee — ties a portion of our Management Committee’s compensation to ongoing performance metrics and works to broadly incentivize the achievement of our strategic targets

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        5


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Key Facts About our Board

Corporate Governance Highlights(see Corporate Governance, beginning on page 8)

  KEY FACTS ABOUT OUR BOARD

Board

We strive to maintain a well-rounded and diverse Board that balances financial industry expertise with independence, and the institutional knowledge of longer-tenured directors coupled with the fresh perspectives brought by newer directors. Our directors bring to our Board a variety of skills and experiences developed across a broad range of industries, both in established and growth markets and in each of the public, private andnot-for-profit sectors.

 

 
NOMINEE SKILLS & EXPERIENCES

 

5

 

 

11

 

 

11

 

 

6

 

 

5

 

 

8

 

 

3

 

 

10

 

        

FINANCIAL  

SERVICES  

INDUSTRY  

COMPLEX OR

REGULATED

INDUSTRIES

 

 

RISK 

MANAGEMENT 

TALENT 

DEVELOPMENT 

TECHNOLOGY

 

PUBLIC 

COMPANY 

GOVERNANCE 

 

AUDIT/TAX/

ACCOUNTING

    GLOBAL    
Key Board Statistics
    

 

Director Nominees        

 

  

 

Independence of Nominees     

 

  

 

2022 Meetings

 

Board

 

   12

 

  

 11 of 12     

 

  

 16(a)

 

Audit

 

     4

 

  

 All     

 

  

 16

 

Compensation

 

     5

 

  

 All     

 

  

   8

 

Governance

 

   11

 

  

 All     

 

  

   7

 

Public Responsibilities

 

     4

 

  

 All     

 

  

   6

 

Risk

 

     6

 

  

 All     

 

  

 12

 

(a)

Includes two meetings of the Board’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Remediation Special Committee.

Frequent Engagement Throughout 2022

65

Total Board and

Committee Meetings

19

Director Sessions without
Management Present

Over 200

Engagements by Lead Director

and Committee Chairs with Others

Outside of Formal Board Meetings

Diversity of Nominees Enhances Board Performance

~42%

New Nominees
in the
Last 5 Years

~7.3 Years

Median Tenure

~63 Years

Median Age

~58%

Nominees who are
Diverse by Race,
Gender or Sexual Orientation

~17%

Nominees who
are Non-U.S. or
Dual Citizens

Empowered Lead Director with Expansive List of Enumerated Duties

 Key Pillars of Lead Director Role

 

Sets and approves
agenda for Board
meetings and leads
executive sessions

Focuses on Board effectiveness, composition and conducting evaluations

Acts as primary Board contact for shareholder engagement and engages with regulators

Serves as liaison between independent directors and Chair/management

For more information on our Board’s leadership structure, see page 21.

 

        

KEY BOARD STATISTICS

PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

 5


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

  Director Nominees     

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

INDEPENDENCE OF NOMINEES

    

Board

11

9 of 11

Audit

4

All

Compensation

4

All

Governance

9

All

Public Responsibilities

3

All

Risk

6

5 of 6

 

12

 

  

 

46

  

 

22

  

 

> 215

BOARD MEETINGS

IN 2019

  

STANDING COMMITTEE

MEETINGS IN 2019

  

DIRECTOR SESSIONS IN 2019 WITHOUT MANAGEMENT

PRESENT

 

  

MEETINGS OF  

LEAD DIRECTOR /  

COMMITTEE CHAIRS WITH   

OTHERS OUTSIDE OF BOARD  

MEETINGS   

 

 

 

DIVERSITY OF NOMINEES ENHANCES BOARD PERFORMANCE

     

36%

 

~5 YEARS

 

64

 

54%

 

27%

     

NOMINEES WHO

JOINED IN THE

LAST 5 YEARS

 MEDIAN TENURE MEDIAN AGE 

NOMINEES WHO ARE
DIVERSE BY RACE,
GENDER OR SEXUAL
ORIENTATION

 

 

 

NOMINEES WHO
ARENON-U.S.
OR DUAL CITIZENS

 

6        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Director Nominees

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

 

  Name/Age/Director SinceOccupation/ Career
Highlights
Qualifications/Key ExperienceEEO-1 Data(a)
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

  LOGO

 

OTHERDavid Solomon, 61

CURRENT U.S.-Chairman & CEO

LISTED PUBLICOctober 2018

Chairman & CEO
The Goldman Sachs
Group, Inc.

Engaged leader who exemplifies our Core Values

BOARDS(a)Strategic thinker with deep business and industry expertise

Primary face of our firm

White (M)

 

NAME/AGE/INDEPENDENCE    LOGO

 

  DIRECTOR  
  SINCE  

  OCCUPATION/CAREER  

  HIGHLIGHTS  

  AUD  

  COMP  

  GOV  

  PRC    

  RISK

LOGO

David Solomon,58

Chairman and CEO

October

2018

Chairman & CEO,

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

0

LOGO

Adebayo Ogunlesi,66, 69*

Independent Lead Director

Chair, Governance

October 2012

Chairman & CEO
Global Infrastructure
Partners

Strong leader with global financial services industry experience

International business and global capital markets expertise

Corporate governance expertise

Black (M)

  LOGO

 

October

2012

Chairman & Managing Partner, Global Infrastructure Partners

Ex-Officio

C

Ex-Officio

2

LOGO

Michele Burns,62

Independent

65*

October

2011

 

Retired

(Chairman & CEO,
Mercer LLC;

CFO
of each of:of Marsh &
McLennan,

Companies, Inc., Mirant
Corp. and

& Delta Air
Lines, Inc.)

C

 

Compensation, governance and risk expertise

Human capital management and strategic consulting experience

Expertise in accounting and the review and preparation of financial statements

 

3

White (F)

 

 

LOGO

Drew Faust,72

Independent

LOGO

 

July

2018

Professor, Harvard University

(Retired, President, Harvard University)

0

LOGO

Mark Flaherty,60 63*

Independent

December

2014

 

Retired

(Vice Chairman,
Wellington


Management
Company)

 

Leadership experience in investment management industry

Informed perspective on institutional investors’ approach to company performance and corporate governance

Risk expertise

 

0

White (M)

LOGO

 

Ellen Kullman,64

Independent

LOGO

 

DecemberKimberley Harris, 52*

2016Chair (Incoming),

Compensation

May 2021

EVP & General
Counsel,
NBCUniversal; EVP,
Comcast Corporation

Cross-disciplinary legal experience

Government and regulatory affairs expertise

Informed perspective on public policy and reputational risk management

Multiracial:
Black, White (F)

  LOGO

 

President &Kevin Johnson, 62*

October 2022

Retired (President

and CEO, Starbucks

Corporation)

Technology and consumer leader with multi-disciplinary background

International business and growth markets experience

Leadership and governance expertise

White (M)

  LOGO

Ellen Kullman, 67*

Chair, Public
Responsibilities

December 2016

Executive Chairman, Carbon, Inc.

(Retired, (Retired, Chairman & CEO, E.I.
du Pont

de Nemours
and Company)

Key leadership and strategic experience, with engineering background

Corporate governance and compensation expertise

Focus on reputational risk and sustainability/ESG matters

 White (F)

  LOGO

 

Lakshmi Mittal, 72*

June 2008

Executive Chairman
ArcelorMittal

Leadership, business development and operations experience

International business and growth markets expertise

Corporate governance and international governance perspective

Asian (M)

  LOGO

 

C

3

LOGO

Lakshmi Mittal,69

Independent

June

2008

Chairman & CEO,

ArcelorMittal S.A.

1

LOGO

Peter Oppenheimer,57   60*

IndependentChair, Audit

March

2014

 

Retired

(Senior Vice President
and CFO, Apple, Inc.)

Capital and risk management expertise

Experienced in financial management and the review and preparation of financial statements

Seasoned perspective on oversight of technology and technology risks

White (M)

 

  LOGO

 

C

0

LOGO

Jan Tighe,57 60*

Independent

December

2018

 

Retired

(Vice Admiral, United
States Navy)

 

Expert in technology risk, including cybersecurity

Strategic planning and operations expertise

Leadership and governance experience

 

2

White (F)

LOGO

 

David Viniar,64

Non-Employee

LOGO

 

JanuaryJessica Uhl, 55*

2013July 2021

Retired

(CFO, Shell plc)

Financial management experience, including the review and preparation of financial statements

Complex risk management expertise

Leadership, operations and sustainability experience

White (F)

  LOGO

David Viniar, 67*

Chair, Risk

January 2013

 

Retired

(CFO, The
Goldman Sachs
Group, Inc.)

1

LOGO

Mark Winkelman,73

Independent

 

DecemberFinancial services industry experience, in particular risk management and regulatory affairs

2014Deep financial acumen and insight into our firm’s financial reporting, controls and risk management

Expertise in capital management processes and assessments

 

Private investor

C

0

White (M)

 

(a)*

As per SEC rules. Independent

 

C(a)

Designates Committee Chairs. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO-1) categories, as self-identified.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders6

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Goldman Sachs        7PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—CORPORATE GOVERNANCE SNAPSHOTBEST PRACTICES

 

 

Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance SnapshotBest Practices

 

  Independent Lead Directorwith expansive duties, including setting Board agendas

 

  Regularexecutive sessionsof independent andnon-employee directors

 

  CEO evaluation processconducted by our Lead Director with our Governance Committee

 

  Independent director focus onexecutivesuccession planning

 

  Comprehensive process forBoard refreshment, including a focus on diversity and on succession for Board leadership positions

 

  Annual Board and Committee evaluations, which incorporate feedback onindividual directorperformance(enhanced in 2019)

 

  Candid,one-on-oneone-on-one discussionsbetween our Lead Director and eachnon-employee director supplementing formal evaluations

 

  Active, year-round shareholder engagement process, whereby we, including our Lead Director, meet and speak with our shareholders and other key stakeholders

 

  Board and Committee oversight ofsustainabilityand other environmental, social and governanceESG matters

 

  Directors maycontact any employeeof our firm directly, and our Board and its Committees mayengage independent advisorsat their sole discretion
  New. Expanded existing policies to formalize a limit on the number of public company board memberships for our directors

Annual electionsof all directors (i.e., no staggered board)

 

  Proxy access rightfor shareholders, which right was adopted proactively after engagement with shareholders. In addition, shareholders are welcome to continue torecommend director candidatesfor consideration by our Governance Committee

 Majority voting with resignation policy for directors in uncontested elections

 

 Majority voting with resignation policy for directors in uncontested elections

 Shareholders holding at least 25% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock cancall a special meetingof shareholders

 

  No supermajority vote requirementsin our charter orBy-lawsBy-Laws

 

  Executive share retention and share ownership requirements (as applicable), which require significant long-term share holdings by our NEOs

 

  Director share ownership requirement of 5,000 shares or RSUs, with a transition period for new directors

 

 » All RSUs granted as director compensation must be held for a director’s entire tenure on our Board. Directors are not permitted to hedge or pledge these RSUs
 

LOGO

WORKING DYNAMICS Candid discussions Open access to management & information Focus on reputation BOARD COMPOSITION Broad range of skills & experiences Independence Diversity BOARD EFFECTIVENESS BOARD STRUCTURE Strong Lead Director role 5 standing Committees All independent directors on Governance Committee GOVERNANCE PRACTICES Candid self-evaluation Oversight of CEO/ management performance Board/management succession planning YEAR-ROUND ENGAGEMENT Broad range of stakeholders Proactive outreach Responsiveness to areas of focus 2019 FIRM & BOARD ENGAGEMENT IR meetings with >35% Common Stock Lead Director meetings with >20% Common Stock ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT RANGE OF TOPICS Corporate governance Firm performance Executive compensation Sustainability Reputational risk FEEDBACK PROVIDED Stakeholder feedback informs Board/Committee discussions

 

8        Goldman Sachs

Board Effectiveness

Active Engagement

 Working Dynamics Board Composition Year-Round Engagement 2022 Firm & Board Engagement

   Candid discussions

   Open access to management
& information

   Focus on reputation

   Broad range of skills & experiences

   Independence

   Diversity

   Regular refreshment

   Broad range of stakeholders

   Proactive outreach

   Responsiveness to areas
of focus

   IR meetings with >35% Common Stock

   Lead Director and/or our Compensation Committee Chair met with >20%
Common Stock

 Board Structure Governance Practices Range of Topics Feedback Provided

   Strong Lead Director role

   5 standing Committees

   All independent directors on Governance Committee

   Candid self-evaluation

   Oversight of CEO/ management performance with assessment framework

   Board/management succession planning

   Corporate governance

   Firm performance

   Strategic priorities/goals

   Risk management

   Culture & conduct

   Sustainability

   Stakeholder feedback informs Board/Committee discussions and decisions

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersGOLDMAN SACHS        

7


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our DirectorsOUR DIRECTORS

 

   Proposal Snapshot — Snapshot—Item 1. Election of Directors      
  
 

What is being voted on: Election of 12 director nominees to our Board of 11 director nominees.Board.

 

Board recommendation:After a review of the individual qualifications and experience of each of our director nominees and his or her contributions to our Board (as applicable), our Board determined unanimously to recommend that shareholders vote FOR all of our director nominees.

 

 

Item 1. Election of Directors

 

  Our Directors

Board Updates

New Directors

Our Board was pleased to welcome Kevin Johnson as an independent director on the Board on October 26, 2022. Mr. Johnson, who brings significant experience as described in his biography below, also serves on our Compensation, Risk and Governance Committees. Mr. Johnson was recommended to our Lead Director and to our Governance Committee by our independent director search firm.

Director Retirements

Pursuant to the retirement age policy set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which provides that a director will typically retire at the annual meeting following his or her 75th birthday, each of Mark Winkelman and Drew Faust will not be standing for re-election and will be retiring from our Board at our 2023 Annual Meeting. We are grateful to Mr. Winkelman and Dr. Faust for their wise counsel, informed judgment and the many contributions that each have made to our Board and Committees over their respective tenures.

Changes in Board Leadership

As part of our Board’s chair succession process, in anticipation of Mr. Winkelman’s retirement from our Board, David Viniar succeeded Mr. Winkelman as Chair of our Risk Committee on October 1, 2022. Mr. Viniar brings deep financial acumen as well as risk and regulatory expertise to this critical role.

In connection with Mr. Viniar’s appointment as Chair of the Risk Committee, our Governance Committee and Board determined that Mr. Viniar satisfied each of the requisite independence criteria. For additional information regarding our independence assessment, see —Independence of Directors—Process for Independence Assessment.

In addition, Michele Burns, who has served in Board leadership roles for over a decade, first as Chair of our Audit Committee, then as Chair of our Risk Committee and, since 2018, as Chair of our Compensation Committee stepped down as Chair of the Compensation Committee as of October 1, 2022. We look forward to her continued contributions, including representing our Board as a director on the board of our subsidiary, Goldman Sachs International, which she joined effective March 1, 2023. Ms. Burns’ service across each of her leadership roles has been exceptional and our Board is grateful for her dedication and service.

On an interim basis, Mr. Winkelman was appointed to replace Ms. Burns as Compensation Committee Chair and, as previously announced, Kimberley Harris will serve as Chair of the Compensation Committee, effective April 26, 2023, bringing her cross-disciplinary perspective and public policy and regulatory expertise to this key role.

In addition, as of February 1, 2023, Peter Oppenheimer assumed the additional role of chair of the board of our subsidiary, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, and will provide critical connectivity to our Board to further enhance oversight of this key entity.

For more information on our processes for Board refreshment, see —Structure of our Board and Governance Practices—Year-Round Review of Board Composition.

8

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        

  OUR DIRECTORS


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

OUR DIRECTORS

 

Board of Directors’ Qualifications and Experience

Our director nominees have a great diversity of experience and bring to our Board a wide variety of skills, qualifications and viewpoints that strengthen their ability to carry out their oversight role on behalf of shareholders.

 

 

DIVERSITY OF SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

Financial services industryComplex / Regulated industries

Global experience /

Established & growth markets

Human Capital Management /

Talent development

AcademiaTechnology / CybersecurityAudit, tax, accounting &
preparation of financial
statements
Compliance
Operations

Public policy & regulatory affairs

/ Military

Risk & financial productsSustainability / ESG

Risk management

Public company / Corporate governance

CORE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCESCore Qualifications and Experiences: All Directors

 

 

Financial literacyIntegrity & business judgment

 Demonstrated management/management & leadership ability
 

 

Strategic thinking

 Leadership & expertise in their respective fields
 

 

InvolvementCurrent/past involvement in educational, charitable

& and/or community organizations

 

 

Extensive experience across public, private andor not-for-profit sectors

 

 

Integrity & business judgmentFinancial literacy

 Reputational focus

 

Diversity is an important factor in our consideration       
of potentialSkills and incumbent directors     

Experiences

   

Risk management

(financial and
nonfinancial risks)

 All directors    Complex/regulated industries 

 

OUR NOMINEES(a)All directors            

   International experience/

   established & growth

   markets

11 directors

Public company/

corporate governance

8 directorsSustainability/ESG8 directors

   Human capital management,

   including diversity/talent

   development

7 directors

Technology/cyber threat

6 directorsFinancial services industry4 directors

   Audit/tax/accounting/
   preparation of financial
   statements

4 directors

Further to those skills and experiences highlighted above, our director nominees possess a broad range of additional skills and experiences, including with respect to compliance, financial products, operations and large organization oversight, capital adequacy and deployment, design and evaluation of executive and firmwide compensation programs, succession planning, public policy, government and regulatory affairs, philanthropy and the military.

   Diversity is an important factor in our consideration of directors for nomination.    

Our Governance Committee considers a number of demographics and other factors, including race, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, culture, nationality and work experiences (including military service), seeking to develop a board that, as a whole, reflects diverse viewpoints, backgrounds, skills, experiences and expertise.

 

Among the factors our Governance Committee considers in identifying and evaluating a potential director candidate is the extent to which the candidate would add to the diversity of our Board. The Committee considers the same factors in determining whether tore-nominate an incumbent director.

 

Diversity is also considered as part of the annual Board evaluation.

 

 

Our Nominees(a)    
 
5  2  1  1  2
Women  Black  Indian  Career  Non-U.S. or
       Descent  Military Service  Dual Citizens
 
(a) As self-identified, and, where applicable, EEO-1 categories.

 

LOGO
 

(a) Based on self-identified characteristics        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

 

4 WOMEN 1 BLACK 1 INDIAN DESCENT 1 CAREER MILITARY SERVICE 3 NON-U.S. OR DUAL CITIZENS

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs9


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our DirectorsOUR DIRECTORS

 

Director Tenure: A Balance of Experience

Our nominees have an average tenure of approximately 6.9 years and a median tenure of approximately 5.37.3 years. This experience balances the institutional knowledge of our longer-tenured directors with the fresh perspectives brought by our newer directors.

 

LOGO

LOGO

No. of Directors 6 5 4 3 2 1 0Nominees <5 YEARS 4 DIRECTORSYears 5 Nominees 5-10 YEARS 6 DIRECTORS 5.3 years median tenure 10+ YEARS 1 DIRECTORYears 3 Nominees ~7.3 Years Median Tenure Years of Experience 10+ Years 4 Nominees

 

 

 

  Comprehensive Re-Nomination Process     

 

  
  
 Our Governance Committee appreciates the importance of critically evaluating individual directors and their contributions to our Board in connection withre-nomination decisions.

 

In considering whether to recommendre-nomination of a director for election at our Annual Meeting, our Governance Committee conducts a detailed review, considering factors such as:

 

   The extent to which the director’sjudgment, skills, qualifications and experience (including thatthose gained due to tenurefrom service on our   Board) continue to contribute to the success of our Board and our firm;

 

Feedback from the annual Board evaluation and related individual discussions between eachnon-employee director and our Lead Director;

 

Attendanceandparticipationat, andpreparationfor, Board and Committee meetings;

 

Independence;

 

   The extent to which the director contributes to the diversity of our Board;

Shareholder feedback, including the support received at our 20192022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; and

 

Outside board and other affiliations, including overboarding considerations, time commitment and any actual or perceived   conflicts of interest; and

 The extent to which the director continues to contribute to thediversity of our Board.interest.

 

 

Each of our director nominees has been recommended for election by our Governance Committee and approved

and re-nominatednominated for election by our Board.

If elected by our shareholders, our director nominees, alleach of whom areis currently membersa member of our Board, will serve for a one-year term expiring at our 20212024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each director will hold office until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, or until the director’s earlier resignation or removal.

All of our directors must be elected by a majority vote of our shareholders.

 

  

A director who fails to receive a majority of FOR votes will be required to tender his or her resignation to our Board.

 

  

Our Governance Committee will then assess whether there is a significant reason for the director to remain on our Board and will make a recommendation to our Board regarding the resignation.

For detailed information on the vote required for the election of directors and the choices available for casting your vote, please seeFrequently Asked Questions.Questions.

Biographical information about our director nominees follows. This information is current as of March 1, 2020February 27, 2023 and has been confirmed by each of our director nominees for inclusion in our Proxy Statement. There are no family relationships among any of our directorsdirector nominees and executive officers.

 

10Goldman Sachs

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersPROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our DirectorsOUR DIRECTORS

 

 

LOGO                     LOGO

 

David M. Solomon, 58        61

 

Chairman and CEO

 

 

Director Since:Since: October 2018

 

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

 

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years): None

 

   

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

  Key Experience and Qualifications    
  
    
   

 

Engaged and motivating leader who embodiesexemplifies our firm’s culture:Core Values:With over 20 years of leadership roles at our firm, he develops the firm’s strategy, embodies the tone at the top, exemplifies our Core Values and commitment to client service and leveragesfirm-specific and industry knowledge to lead the firm and its people, develop the firm’s strategy, embody the “tone at the top” and helpincluding helping to protect and enhance our firm’s culture, includingand through his commitment to talent development and the diversity of our workforce

Strategic thinker with deep business and industry expertise:Utilizes Leverages deep familiarity with all aspects of the firm’s businesses, including from his experience as President and Chief Operating Officer,COO, to develop, articulate and articulatelead the execution of the firm’s strategic vision, assess attendant risks and guide the firm’s growth, in each case providing his insights to our Board and keeping directors apprised of significant developments in our business and industry

Actively engaged with stakeholders as a primary face of our firm:Committed to engaging with our external stakeholders, he draws upon his extensive interaction with our clients, investors and other stakeholders to communicate feedback and offer insight and perspective to our Board

 

 
   
   
     

  

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTSCareer Highlights

 

Goldman Sachs

»Chairman (January 2019 – Present) and Chief Executive Officer (October 2018 – Present)

 

»President and Chief orCo-Chief Operating Officer (January 2017 – September 2018)

 

»Co-Head of the Investment Banking Division (July 2006 – December 2016)

 

»Various positions of increasing seniority, including Global Head of the Financing Group (September 1999 – July 2006)

 

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTOther Professional Experience and Community Involvement

 

    Trustee,Chair, Board of Trustees, Hamilton College

Member, Board of Directors, Robin Hood Foundation

Member, Executive Committee, Partnership for New York City

Member, Board of Trustees, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

 

EDUCATIONEducation

 

Graduate of Hamilton College

 

 

 

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

Adebayo O. Ogunlesi, 6669  

 

Independent Lead Director

 

 

Director Since:Since: October 2012

 

GS Committees

 

Governance (Chair)

Ex-officio member:

 

»Audit

 

»Compensation

 

»Public Responsibilities

 

»Risk

 

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

 

Current: Callaway Golf
Company; Kosmos Energy Ltd.

Former (Past 5 Years): None

   

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

  Key Experience and Qualifications    
  
    
   

 

Strong leader including leadershipwith global experience in the financial services industry:industry: Founder, Chairman and Managing PartnerChief Executive Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners and a former executive of Credit Suisse with over 25 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry, including investment banking and private equity

International business and global capital markets experience, including emerging markets:markets: Advised and executed transactions and provided capital markets strategy advice globally

Broad board and governance expertise: Servesexpertise: Service on the boards of directors and board committees of other public companies andnot-for-profit entities, and, in particular, as chair or former chair of the nominating and corporate governance committees at each of Callaway Golf and Kosmos Energy, provides additional governance perspective

 
 
 
 
   
   
     

  

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTSCareer Highlights

 

Chairman and Managing Partner,Chief Executive Officer, Global Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm that invests worldwide in infrastructure assets in the energy, transport, water and waste industry sectors (July 2006 – Present)

Credit Suisse, a financial services company

»Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Client Officer (2004 – 2006)

 

»Member of Executive Board and Management Committee (2002 – 2006)

 

»Head of Global Investment Banking Department (2002 – 2004)

Law Clerk to the Honorable Thurgood Marshall, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1980 – 1981)

 

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTOther Professional Experience and Community Involvement

 

Member, National Board of Directors, The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

Member, Global Advisory Council, Harvard University

Member, Board of Dean’s Advisors, Harvard Business School

Member, Dean’s Advisory Board and Leadership Council of New York, Harvard Law School

 

EDUCATIONEducation

 

Graduate of Oxford University, Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School

 

 

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Goldman SachsGOLDMAN SACHS        

11


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our DirectorsOUR DIRECTORS

 

LOGO

M. Michele Burns, 62                

Independent

Director Since: October 2011

GS Committees

Compensation (Chair)

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: Anheuser-Busch InBev; Cisco Systems, Inc.;
Etsy, Inc.

Former (Past 5 Years):
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

Leadership, compensation, governance and risk expertise: Leverages current and former service on the boards of directors and board committees (including compensation committees) of other public companies andnot-for-profit entities

Human capital management and strategic consulting: Background gained as former CEO of Mercer LLC

Accounting and the review and preparation of financial statements: Garnered expertise as former CFO of several global public companies

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

    Chief Executive Officer, Retirement Policy Center, sponsored by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC); Center focuses on retirement public policy issues (October 2011 – February 2014)

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mercer LLC, a subsidiary of MMC and a global leader in human resource consulting, outsourcing and investment services (September 2006 – early October 2011)

    Chief Financial Officer, MMC, a global professional services and consulting firm (March 2006 – September 2006)

    Chief Financial Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer and Executive Vice President, Mirant Corporation, an energy company (May 2004 – January 2006)

    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Delta Air Lines, Inc., an air carrier (including various other positions, 1999 – April 2004)

    Senior Partner and Leader, Southern Regional Federal Tax Practice, Arthur Andersen LLP, an accounting firm (including various other positions, 1981 – 1999)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Advisory Council Member, former Center Fellow and Strategic Advisor, Stanford University Center on Longevity

    Former Board Member and Treasurer, Elton John AIDS Foundation

EDUCATION

    Graduate of University of Georgia (including for Masters)

             

LOGO

Drew G. Faust, 72                    

Independent

Director Since: July 2018

GS Committees

Compensation

Governance

Public Responsibilities

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years): Staples, Inc.

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

Human capital and diversity:As former President of Harvard University, well-positioned to provide insight on the firm’s strategies relating to diversity, recruiting and retention

Leadership and governance:Current and prior service on the boards of directors of public and/ornot-for-profit entities provides additional perspective on governance

Operations and sustainability: During her tenure at Harvard University she, among other things, broadened the university’s international reach, promoted collaboration across disciplines and administrative units and developed and implemented various sustainability initiatives, including Harvard’s Climate Action Plan

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

    Harvard University

»   President Emeritus and Arthur Kingsley Porter University Professor (January 2019 – Present)

»   President (July 2007 – June 2018)

»   Lincoln Professor of History (January 2003 – December 2018)

»   Founding Dean, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study (January 2001 – July 2007)

    University of Pennsylvania (1975 – 2000); various faculty positions including as the Annenberg Professor of History and the Director of the Women’s Studies Program

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Member, Educational Advisory Board, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation

    Member, American Academy of Arts & Sciences

    Former Member, Board of Directors, The Broad Institute Inc.

    Former Member, Board of Directors, Harvard Management Company Inc.

EDUCATION

    Graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the University of Pennsylvania (Masters and Ph.D.)

12        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Directors

LOGO

Mark A. Flaherty, 60            

Independent

Director Since: December 2014

GS Committees

Audit

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years): None

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

Investment management: Leverages over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry, including at Wellington Management Company

Perspective on institutional investors’ approach to company performance and corporate governance: Experience developed through his tenure at Wellington and Standish, Ayer and Wood

Risk expertise: Draws upon years of experience in the financial industry to provide informed perspective to our Board and committees

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

    Wellington Management Company, an investment management company

»   Vice Chairman (2011 – 2012)

»   Director of Global Investment Services (2002 – 2012)

»   Partner, Senior Vice President (2001 – 2012)

    Standish, Ayer and Wood, an investment management company

»   Executive Committee Member (1997 – 1999)

»   Partner (1994 – 1999)

»   Director, Global Equity Trading (1991 – 1999)

    Director, Global Equity Trading, Aetna, a diversified healthcare benefit company (1987 – 1991)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Member, Board of Trustees, The Newman School

    Member, Board of Directors, Boston Scholar Athletes

    Former Member, Board of Trustees, Providence College

EDUCATION

    Graduate of Providence College

      
 

LOGOLOGO

 

Ellen J. Kullman, 64Michele Burns, 65     

 

Independent

 

 

Director Since: December 2016Since: October 2011      

 

GS Committees

 

Compensation

Governance

Public Responsibilities (Chair)

Compensation

GovernanceResponsibilities*

 

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

 

Current: AmgenAnheuser-Busch
InBev; Cisco Systems,
Inc.; Dell Technologies
Etsy,
 Inc.; United Technologies Corporation

Former (Past 5 Years): E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

     Leadership and strategy:During her tenure as Chair and CEO of DuPont, a highly-regulated science and technology-based company with global operations, led the company through a period of strategic transformation and growth

Corporate governance and compensation: Leverages service on the boards of directors and board committees (including in leadership roles) of other public companies andnot-for-profit entities

Focus on reputational risk and sustainability/ESG matters: Draws upon experiences gained from DuPont and other board roles, including in connection with her role as Chair of our Public Responsibilities Committee

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

    Carbon, Inc., a digital manufacturing platform

»   President and CEO (November 2019 – Present)

    E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, a provider of basic materials and innovative products and services for diverse industries

»   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2009 – 2015)

»   President (October 2008 – December 2008)

»   Executive Vice President, DuPont Coatings and Color Technologies, DuPont Electronic and Communication Technologies; DuPont Performance Materials, DuPont Safety and Protection, Marketing and Sales, Pharmaceuticals, Risk Management and Safety and Sustainability (2006 – 2008)

»   Various positions, including Group Vice President, DuPont Safety and Protection (1988 – 2006)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Member, Board of Overseers, Tufts University School of Engineering

    Trustee, Northwestern University

    Member, National Academy of Engineering

    Member, The Business Council

    Co-Chair, Paradigm for Parity

EDUCATION

    Graduate of Tufts University and Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        13


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Directors

LOGO

Lakshmi N. Mittal, 69                

Independent

Director Since: June 2008

GS Committees

Compensation

Governance

Public Responsibilities

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: ArcelorMittal S.A.

Former (Past 5 Years): None

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

Leadership, business development and operations: Founder of Mittal Steel Company and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading integrated steel and mining company

International business and growth markets: Leading company with operations in 18 countries on four continents provides global business expertise and perspective on public responsibilities

Corporate governance and international governance: Current and prior service on the boards of directors of other international public companies andnot-for-profit entities assists with committee responsibilities

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

    ArcelorMittal S.A., a steel and mining company

»   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (May 2008 – Present)

»   President and Chief Executive Officer (November 2006 – May 2008)

    Chief Executive Officer, Mittal Steel Company N.V. (1976 – November 2006)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Member, International Business Council of the World Economic Forum

    Trustee, Cleveland Clinic

    Member, Governing Board, Indian School of Business

    Member, European Round Table of Industrialists

    Chairman, Governing Council, LNM Institute of Information Technology

    Member, Global Advisory Council, Harvard University

EDUCATION

    Graduate of St. Xavier’s College in India

LOGO

Peter Oppenheimer, 57            

Independent

Director Since: March 2014

GS Committees

Audit (Chair)

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years): None

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

Capital and risk management: Garnered experience as CFO and Controller at Apple and Divisional CFO at ADP

Review and preparation of financial statements: Over 20 years as a CFO or controller provides valuable experience and perspective as Audit Committee Chair

Oversight of technology and technology risks: Leverages prior experience in overseeing information systems at Apple

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

    Apple, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of electronic devices and related software and services

»   Senior Vice President (retired September 2014)

»   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2004 – June 2014)

»   Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (2002 – 2004)

»   Vice President and Corporate Controller (1998 – 2002)

»   Vice President and Controller, Worldwide Sales (1997 – 1998)

»   Senior Director, Finance and Controller, Americas (1996 – 1997)

    Divisional Chief Financial Officer, Finance, MIS, Administration and Equipment Leasing Portfolio at Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), a leading provider of human capital management and integrated computing solutions (1992 – 1996)

    Consultant, Information Technology Practice at Coopers & Lybrand, LLP (1988 – 1992)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Vice Chair, Community Board, French Hospital Medical Center

    Board Member, Pacific Coast Health Center

EDUCATION

    Graduate of California Polytechnic State University and the Leavey School of Business, University of Santa Clara

14        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Directors

LOGO

Jan E. Tighe, 57                    

Independent

Director Since: December 2018

GS Committees

Audit

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: Huntsman Corporation; Progressive Corporation

Former (Past 5 Years): None

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

Technology and technology risk: Over 20 years of senior executive experience in cybersecurity and information technology, which experience provides perspective to aid in oversight of the firm’s deployment of technology and the management of technology risk

Strategic planning and operations: Experience in strategic planning, risk assessment and execution of naval strategies across a variety of positions, including as a Fleet Commander and as a university president

Leadership and governance: Retired Vice Admiral who served in numerous leadership roles in the U.S. Navy and with the National Security Agency, who served on the U.S. Navy’s Corporate Board and now serves on the boards of directors and board committees of other public companies andnot-for-profit entities

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

    United States Navy, Vice Admiral and various positions of increasing authority and responsibility (1980 – 2018), including:

»   Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare and Director, Naval Intelligence (2016 – 2018)

»   Fleet Commander or Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet (2013 – 2016)

»   University President, Naval Postgraduate School (2012 – 2013)

»   Director, Decision Superiority Division of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Staff (2011 – 2012)

»   Deputy Director of Operations, U.S. Cyber Command (2010 – 2011)

»   Executive Assistant to General Keith Alexander, U.S. Cyber Command and National Security Agency/Central Security Service (2009 – 2010)

»   Commander, National Security Agency/Central Security Service Hawaii (2006 – 2009)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

     Trustee, The MITRE Corporation

      Member, Strategic Advisory Committee, Idaho National Labs – National and Homeland Security Directorate

     Board Member, United States Naval Academy Foundation

      Member and Global Security Expert, Strategic Advisory Group, Paladin Capital Group

     Governance Fellow, National Association of Corporate Directors

EDUCATION

    Graduate of U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School (including for Ph.D.)

LOGO

David A. Viniar, 64              

Non-Employee

Director Since: January 2013

GS Committees

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: Square, Inc.

Former (Past 5 Years): None

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

     Financial industry, in particular risk management and regulatory affairs: Over 30 years of experience in various roles at Goldman Sachs, as well as service as chair of the audit and risk committee of Square, Inc., provides valuable perspective to our Board

    Insight into our firm’s financial reporting, controls and risk management: As our former CFO, able to provide insights about our risks to our Board and committees

     Capital management processes and assessments: Experience gained through serving as our CFO for over 10 years

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

   Goldman Sachs

»   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (May 1999 – January 2013)

»   Head of Operations, Technology, Finance and Services Division (December 2002 – January 2013)

»   Head of the Finance Division and Co-Head of Credit Risk Management and Advisory and Firmwide Risk (December 2001 – December 2002)

»   Co-Head of Operations, Finance and Resources (March 1999 – December 2001)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

   Trustee, Garden of Dreams Foundation

   Former Trustee, Union College

EDUCATION

   Graduate of Union College and Harvard Business School

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        15


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Independence of Directors

LOGO

Mark O. Winkelman, 73

Independent

Director Since: December 2014

GS Committees

Risk (Chair)

Audit

Governance

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years):

     Anheuser-Busch InBev* Effective April 26, 2023

   

KEY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS    

Key Experience and Qualifications    
  
    
   

 

Knowledge about our firm, including our fixed income business, and an understanding of the risks we face: Utilizes his previous tenure at Goldman Sachs as well as his current service on the board of our subsidiary, Goldman Sachs International (GSI), including as the former chair of the GSI risk committee

Audit and financial expertise, corporateCompensation, governance and leadership:risk expertise: Leverages prior service on the board of directorscurrent and the audit and finance committees of Anheuser-Busch InBev andformer service on the boards of directors and audit, financeboard committees (including compensation committees) of other public companies and other committees ofnot-for-profit entities

Financial services industry: ExperienceHuman capital management and strategic consulting: Background gained through his role as operating partner at J.C. Flowersformer CEO of Mercer LLC

Accounting and through other industry experiencethe review and preparation of financial statements: Garnered expertise as former CFO of several global public companies

 

 
   
   

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

    Private investor (Present)

    Operating Partner, J.C. Flowers & Co., a private investment firm focusing on the financial services industry (2006 – 2008)

    Goldman Sachs

»   Retired Limited Partner (1994 – 1999)

»   Management Committee Member andCo-Head of Fixed Income Division (1987 – 1994)

»   Various positions at the firm, including Head of J. Aron Division (1978 – 1987)

    Senior Investment Officer, The World Bank (1974 – 1978)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Director, Goldman Sachs International

    Trustee, Penn Medicine

    Trustee Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

    Graduate of Erasmus University in the Netherlands and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

  
 



  

Career Highlights

Chief Executive Officer, Retirement Policy Center, sponsored by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC), Center focuses on retirement public policy issues (October 2011 – February 2014)

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mercer LLC, a subsidiary of MMC and a global leader in human resource consulting, outsourcing and investment services (September 2006 – October 2011)

Chief Financial Officer, MMC, a global professional services and consulting firm (March 2006 – September 2006)

Chief Financial Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer and Executive Vice President, Mirant Corporation, an energy company (May 2004 – January 2006)

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Delta Air Lines, Inc., an air carrier (including various other positions, January 1999 – April 2004)

Senior Partner and Leader, Southern Regional Federal Tax Practice, Arthur Andersen LLP, an accounting firm (including various other positions, 1981 – 1999)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Director, Goldman Sachs International

Advisory Council Member, former Center Fellow and Strategic Advisor, Stanford University Center on Longevity

Former Board Member and Treasurer, Elton John AIDS Foundation

Education

Graduate of University of Georgia (including for Masters)

 

 

LOGO

Mark Flaherty, 63                

Independent

Director Since: December 2014

GS Committees

Audit

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years): None

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Leadership in investment management industry: Leverages over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry, including at Wellington Management Company

Perspective on institutional investors’ approach to company performance and corporate governance: Experience developed through his tenure at Wellington and Standish, Ayer and Wood

Risk expertise: Draws upon years of experience in the financial industry to provide informed perspective to our Board and committees

Career Highlights

Wellington Management Company, an investment management company

»Vice Chairman (2011 – 2012)

»Director of Global Investment Services (2002 – 2012)

»Partner, Senior Vice President (2001 – 2012)

Standish, Ayer and Wood, an investment management company

»Executive Committee Member (1997 – 1999)

»Partner (1994 – 1999)

»Director, Global Equity Trading (1991 – 1999)

Director, Global Equity Trading, Aetna, a diversified healthcare benefit company (1987 – 1991)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Member, Board of Directors, PGA TOUR

Member, Board of Directors, Patrick Cantlay Foundation

Former Member, Board of Trustees, Providence College

Education

Graduate of Providence College

12

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

OUR DIRECTORS

LOGO

Kimberley Harris, 52          

Independent

Director Since: May 2021

GS Committees

Compensation (Chair)*

Governance

Public Responsibilities

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years): None

* Effective April 26, 2023

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Cross-disciplinary legal experience: A leader in the legal field with a differentiated perspective garnered from working at a global law firm, the U.S. Department of Justice, the White House and as Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation and General Counsel at NBCUniversal, where she is responsible for providing legal advice to senior management and overseeing legal function across all NBCUniversal divisions

Government and regulatory affairs: Experience managing complex governmental and regulatory matters, including in the White House Counsel’s office, as well as overseeing global government affairs for NBCUniversal and international government and regulatory affairs for Comcast, supporting the company’s businesses worldwide

Public policy and reputational risk management: Experience both in the public and private sectors advising on complex issues of public policy and reputational sensitivity

    

Career Highlights

Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology company

»Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation (2019 – Present)

»Executive Vice President and General Counsel, NBCUniversal (2013 – Present)

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, a global law firm

»Partner (2012 – 2013, 2007 – 2009); Counsel (2006 – 2007); Associate (1997 – 2006)

United States Government

»White House Counsel’s Office, Principal Deputy Counsel and Deputy Assistant to the President (2011 – 2012); Associate Counsel and Special Assistant to the President (2010)

»U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General (2009 – 2010)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Member, Board of Directors, Advocates for Children of New York City

Member, Board of Directors, Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law

Member, Advisory Board, Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law

Member, Board of Trustees, Mount Sinai Health System

Education

Graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School

LOGO

Kevin Johnson, 62              

Independent

Director Since: October 2022

GS Committees

Compensation

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years):
Starbucks Corporation

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Technology and consumer leader with multi-disciplinary background: As an independent director and then President, COO and CEO of Starbucks, where he led a global consumer brand and leveraged his deep technological expertise from over 32 years in the tech industry, including senior leadership roles at both Microsoft and Juniper Networks

International business and growth markets: Experience in driving growth across global markets, including in China

Leadership and governance expertise: Draws upon years of past service as a public company CEO and public company director to provide informed perspective to our Board and committees, including with respect to stakeholder governance and building, managing, transforming and sustaining a highly visible and global brand

    

Career Highlights

Starbucks Corporation, a global roaster, marketer and retailer of specialty coffee

»Partner and Special Consultant (April 2022 – September 2022)

»President and Chief Executive Officer (April 2017 – April 2022)

»President and Chief Operating Officer (March 2015 – April 2017)

»Independent Director (2009 – March 2015)

Chief Executive Officer, Juniper Networks, Inc., a global company that designs, develops and sells products and services for high-performance networks (September 2008 – January 2014)

Microsoft Corporation, a global technology company

»President, Platforms and Services (2005 – September 2008)

»Group Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services (2003 – 2005)

»Various positions of increasing seniority, including Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Services (September 1992 – 2003)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Served Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama on the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee and chaired the Cybersecurity Taskforce

Education

Graduate of New Mexico State University

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

13


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

OUR DIRECTORS

LOGO

Ellen Kullman, 67               

Independent

Director Since: December 2016

GS Committees

Compensation

Governance

Public Responsibilities (Chair)

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

Current: Amgen Inc.; Dell
Technologies Inc.

Former (Past 5 Years):
United Technologies
Corporation

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Engineering background, with key leadership and strategic experience: In her role as Chair and CEO of DuPont, a highly regulated science and technology-based company with global operations, she led the company through a period of strategic transformation and growth. As CEO of Carbon, she led the company through its global expansion and navigated the COVID-19 pandemic

Corporate governance and compensation expertise: Leverages service on the boards of directors and board committees (including in leadership roles) of other public companies and not-for-profit entities

Focus on reputational risk and sustainability/ESG matters: Draws upon experiences gained from DuPont and other board roles, including in connection with her role as Chair of our Public Responsibilities Committee

    

Career Highlights

Carbon, Inc., a digital manufacturing platform

»Executive Chairman (June 2022 – Present)

»President and CEO (November 2019 – June 2022)

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, a provider of basic materials and innovative products and services for diverse industries

»Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2009 – 2015)

»President (October 2008 – December 2008)

»Executive Vice President, DuPont Coatings and Color Technologies, DuPont Electronic and Communication Technologies, DuPont Performance Materials, DuPont Safety and Protection, Marketing and Sales, Pharmaceuticals, Risk Management and Safety and Sustainability (2006 – 2008)

»Various positions, including Group Vice President, DuPont Safety and Protection (1988 – 2006)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Member, Board of Advisors, Tufts University School of Engineering

Trustee, Northwestern University

Member, National Academy of Engineering

Member, The Business Council

Co-Chair, Paradigm for Parity

Education

Graduate of Tufts University and Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

LOGO

Lakshmi Mittal, 72              

Independent

Director Since: June 2008

GS Committees

Compensation

Governance

Public Responsibilities

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

Current: ArcelorMittal S.A.

Former (Past 5 Years): None

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Leadership, business development and operations: Founder of Mittal Steel Company and Executive Chairman and former CEO of ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading integrated steel and mining company and a leader in its focus on sustainability efforts

International business and growth markets: Leadership of a company with a presence in over 60 countries and an industrial footprint in 16 countries provides global business expertise and perspective on public responsibilities

Corporate governance and international governance: Current and prior service on the boards of directors of other international public companies and not-for-profit entities assists with committee responsibilities


Career Highlights

ArcelorMittal S.A., a steel and mining company

»Executive Chairman (February 2021 – Present)

»Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (May 2008 – February 2021)

»President and Chief Executive Officer (November 2006 – May 2008)

Chief Executive Officer, Mittal Steel Company N.V. (1976 – November 2006)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Trustee, Cleveland Clinic

Member, Governing Board, Indian School of Business

Member, European Round Table for Industry

Chairman, Governing Council, LNM Institute of Information Technology

Member, Global Advisory Council, Harvard University

Education

Graduate of St. Xavier’s College in India

14

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

OUR DIRECTORS

LOGO

Peter Oppenheimer, 60      

Independent

Director Since: March 2014

GS Committees

Audit (Chair)

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years): None

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Capital and risk management: Garnered experience as CFO and Controller at Apple and Divisional CFO at Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

Financial management and the review and preparation of financial statements: Over 20 years as a CFO or controller provides valuable experience and perspective as Audit Committee Chair

Oversight of technology and technology risks: Leverages prior experience in overseeing information systems at Apple


Career Highlights

Apple, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of electronic devices and related software and services

»Senior Vice President (retired September 2014)

»Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (June 2004 – June 2014)

»Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (2002 – June 2004)

»Vice President and Corporate Controller (2000 – 2002)

»Vice President, Finance and Controller, Worldwide Sales (1997 – 2000)

»Senior Director, Finance and Controller, Americas (1996 – 1997)

Divisional Chief Financial Officer, Finance, MIS, Administration and Equipment Leasing Portfolio at Automatic Data Processing, Inc., a leading provider of human capital management and integrated computing solutions (1992 – 1996)

Consultant, Information Technology Practice at Coopers & Lybrand, LLP (1988 – 1992)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Chair, Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Education

Graduate of California Polytechnic State University and the Leavey School of Business, University of Santa Clara

LOGO

Jan Tighe, 60                      

Independent

Director Since: December 2018

GS Committees

Audit

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company
Directorships

Current: Huntsman
Corporation; The Progressive
Corporation (retiring May 12,
2023); IronNet, Inc.

Former (Past 5 Years): None

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Technology risk expertise: More than 20 years of senior executive experience in cybersecurity and information technology that provides perspective to aid in oversight of the firm’s deployment of technology and management of technology risk

Strategic planning and operations: Experience in strategic planning, risk assessment and execution of naval strategies across a variety of positions, including as a Fleet Commander and a university president

Leadership and governance: Retired Vice Admiral who served in numerous leadership roles in the U.S. Navy and with the National Security Agency, who served on the U.S. Navy’s Corporate Board and who serves on the boards of directors and board committees of other public companies and not-for-profit entities


Career Highlights

United States Navy, Vice Admiral and various positions of increasing authority and responsibility (1980 – 2018), including:

»Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare and Director, Naval Intelligence (2016 – 2018)

»Fleet Commander or Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet (2013 – 2016)

»University President, Naval Postgraduate School (2012 – 2013)

»Director, Decision Superiority Division, Chief of Naval Operations’ Staff (2011 – 2012)

»Deputy Director of Operations, U.S. Cyber Command (2010 – 2011)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Trustee, The MITRE Corporation

Member, Strategic Advisory Committee, Idaho National Labs – National and Homeland Security Directorate

Board Member, United States Naval Academy Foundation

Member and Global Security Expert, Strategic Advisory Group, Paladin Capital Group

Directorship Certified and Governance Fellow, National Association of Corporate Directors

Education

Graduate of U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School (including for Ph.D.)

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

15


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

OUR DIRECTORS

LOGO

Jessica Uhl, 55                   

Independent

Director Since: July 2021

GS Committees

Audit

Governance

Risk

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: General Electric Company (nominee for election)

Former (Past 5 Years): Shell plc

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Financial management and the review and preparation of financial statements: Leverages global finance experience, including from her former role as CFO of Shell, where she drove measures to support the long-term health of the company, such as overseeing the delivery of industry-leading cash flow, supporting strategic plans related to Shell’s business and managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Complex risk management: Valuable perspective on the management of complex financial and nonfinancial risks, including climate risk management

Leadership, operations and sustainability: Experience across finance leadership positions at Shell in the U.S. and Europe, including achievement of key business objectives ranging from cost-saving initiatives related to complex operations to M&A. She has also been a leading advocate for transparency in the energy industry, including with respect to climate change, and during her tenure Shell expanded its disclosures and climate commitments


Career Highlights

Shell plc, an international energy company

»Special Advisor (April 2022 – June 2022)

»Chief Financial Officer (March 2017 – March 2022)

»Executive Vice President, Finance, Integrated Gas (2016 – March 2017)

»Executive Vice President, Finance, Upstream Americas (2014 – 2015)

»Vice President, Finance, Unconventionals (2013 – 2014)

»Vice President, Controller, Upstream and Projects and Technology (2010 – 2012)

»Vice President, Finance, Shell Lubricants (2009 – 2010)

»Head of External Reporting (2007 – 2009)

»Vice President, Business Development, Shell Renewables, Hydrogen & CO2 (2005 – 2006)

»Finance Manager, Shell Solar (2004 – 2005)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Strategic Advisor, Breakthrough Energy

Member, Board of Trustees, Rocky Mountain Institute

Member, Executive Committee, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University

Education

Graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and INSEAD

LOGO

David Viniar, 67                  

Independent

Director Since: January 2013

GS Committees

Governance

Risk (Chair)

Other U.S.-Listed Company Directorships

Current: None

Former (Past 5 Years): Block, Inc.

Key Experience and Qualifications    

Financial services industry, in particular risk management and regulatory affairs: With over 40 years of combined experience serving in various roles at Goldman Sachs and on our Board, as well as service as the former lead independent director and chair of the audit and risk committee of Block, Inc., he provides valuable perspective to our Board

Deep financial acumen and insights into our firm’s financial reporting, controls and risk management: As our former CFO, able to provide insights about our risks to our Board and committees

Expertise in capital management processes and assessments: Experience gained through serving as our CFO for over 10 years

    

Career Highlights

Goldman Sachs

»Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (May 1999 – January 2013)

»Head of Operations, Technology, Finance and Services Division (December 2002 – January 2013)

»Head of the Finance Division and Co-Head of Credit Risk Management and Advisory and Firmwide Risk (December 2001 – December 2002)

»Co-Head of Operations, Finance and Resources (March 1999 – December 2001)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

Co-Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Garden of Dreams Foundation

Former Trustee, Union College

Education

Graduate of Union College and Harvard Business School

16

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

INDEPENDENCE OF DIRECTORS

INDEPENDENCE OF DIRECTORS

Independence of Directors

 

 

  9  11 of 1112 director nominees are independent    

  
  
 

Our Board determined, upon the recommendation of our Governance Committee, that Ms. Burns, Dr. Faust,each of our director nominees (other than Mr. Flaherty, Ms. Kullman, Mr. Mittal, Mr. Ogunlesi, Mr. Oppenheimer, Vice Admiral Tighe and Mr. Winkelman areSolomon) is “independent” within the meaning of NYSE rules and our Policy Regarding Director Independence Policy. Prior to their retirement(Director Independence Policy). Mr. Winkelman and Dr. Faust, each of whom are retiring from our Board in 2019, each of William W. George and James A. Johnsonat the 2023 Annual Meeting, were also determined to be independent. Furthermore, our Board has determined that all of our independent directors satisfy the heightened audit committee independence standards under SEC and NYSE rules and that Compensation Committee members also satisfy the relevant heightened standards under NYSE rules.

 

 

Process for Independence Assessment

A director is considered independent under NYSE rules if our Board determines that the director does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with Goldman Sachs. Our Board has established a Policy Regarding Director Independence (Director Independence Policy)Policy that provides standards to assist our Board in determining which relationships and transactions might constitute a material relationship that would cause a director not to be independent.

To assess independence, our Governance Committee and our Board review detailed information regarding our independent directors or nominees, including employment and public company andnot-for-profit directorships, as well as information regarding immediate family members and affiliated entities.

Through the course of this review, our Governance Committee and our Board consider relationships between the independent directors or nominees (and their immediate family members and affiliated entities) on the one hand, and Goldman Sachs and its affiliates on the other, in accordance with our Director Independence Policy. This includes a review of revenues to the firm from, and payments or donations made by usthe firm to, relevant entities affiliated with our directors or nominees (or their immediate family members) as a result of ordinary course transactions or contributions tonot-for-profit organizations.

For more information on the categories of transactions that our Governance Committee and our Board reviewed, considered and determined to be immaterial under our Director Independence Policy, seeAnnex B: Additional Details on Director Independence.Independence.

Additional Details Regarding David Viniar

In connection with succession planning for the Risk Chair role in light of Mr. Winkelman’s upcoming retirement, our Board and Governance Committee undertook a robust analysis of Mr. Viniar’s independence. In September 2022, our Board, upon the recommendation of our Governance Committee, determined that Mr. Viniar was “independent” within the meaning of NYSE rules and our Director Independence Policy, including the heightened audit committee independence standards under SEC and NYSE rules. Numerous factors were considered in reaching this conclusion, including that:

 

Mr. Viniar’s employment at the firm ended in January 2013;

Mr. Viniar has not received any direct compensation from the firm (other than director fees or deferred compensation for prior service that is permissible under applicable rules) since January 2015;

Mr. Viniar is not an employee of, and no member of his immediate family is currently an executive officer of, a company or not-for-profit organization that has made payments to, or received payment from, the firm for property or services in an amount that exceeded the standards set forth in the NYSE rules and our Director Independence Policy; and

Mr. Viniar’s investments with the firm are on substantially the same terms and conditions as other similarly situated investors who are neither directors nor employees.

16        Goldman Sachs

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersGOLDMAN SACHS        

17


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

 

Our Board CommitteesOUR BOARD COMMITTEES

 

Structure of our Board and Governance Practices

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN AND CEO: DAVID SOLOMON; LEAD DIRECTOR: ADEBAYO OGUNLESI

AUDIT

COMMITTEE

COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE
GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE

PUBLIC
RESPONSIBILITIES
COMMITTEE

RISK

COMMITTEE

4 Members:4 Members:9 Members:3 Members:6 Members:

All Independent

All Independent

All Independent

All Independent

5 Independent

 

OUR BOARD COMMITTEESOur Board Committees

Our Board has five standing Committees: Audit, Compensation, Governance, Public Responsibilities and Risk. The specific membership of each Committee allows us to take advantage of our directors’ diverse skill sets, which enables a deep focus on Committee matters.

Each of our Committees:

 

  

Operates pursuant to a written charter (available on our website atwww.gs.com/charters)

 

  

Evaluates its performance annually

 

  

Reviews its charter annually

 

 

 

 

The firm’sreputation is of critical importance.importance. In fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, each of our standing Committees and our Board considers the potential effect of any matter on our reputation.

 

In October 2020, in connection with the announcement of the settlement of government and regulatory proceedings relating to 1MDB matters, our Board formed the 1MDB Remediation Special Committee to provide additional oversight and review of the remediation efforts arising out of the lessons of 1MDB. The 1MDB Remediation Special Committee is chaired by our Lead Director and the members are the Chairs of each of the Audit, Compensation, Public Responsibilities and Risk Committees. This Special Committee met twice in 2022 and reports periodically to the Board on its activities.

 

 

     AUDIT    Audit

 

     

 

    ALL INDEPENDENTAll independent

Key Skills & Experiences     

Represented

  

 

KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
REPRESENTED

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESKey Responsibilities

     LOGO         

Peter Oppenheimer(a)Oppenheimer*

Mark Flaherty

Jan Tighe

Mark WinkelmanJessica Uhl

 

Adebayo Ogunlesi

(ex-officio)

 

   Audit/Tax/Accounting

   Preparation or oversight of financial statements

   Compliance

   Technology

  

   Assist our Board in its oversight of our financial statements, legal and regulatory compliance, independent auditors’ qualification,qualifications, independence and performance, internal audit function performance and internal controls over financial reporting

   Decide whether to appoint, retain or terminate our independent auditors

   Pre-approve all audit, audit-related, tax and other services, if any, to be provided by the independent auditors

   Appoint and oversee the work of our Director of Internal Audit and annually assess her performance

   Prepare the Audit Committee Report

 

(a)

Multiple members of our Audit Committee, including the Chair, have been determined to be “audit committee financial experts.”

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        17


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

Our Board Committees

 

     COMPENSATION    Compensation

 

     

 

    ALL INDEPENDENTAll independent

Key Skills & Experiences     

Represented

  

 

KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
REPRESENTED
Key Responsibilities

     LOGO         

 

Mark Winkelman**

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESKimberley Harris**

Michele Burns

Drew FaustFaust**

Kevin Johnson

Ellen Kullman

Lakshmi Mittal

 

Adebayo Ogunlesi

(ex-officio)

 

   Setting of executive compensation

   Evaluation of executive and firmwide compensation programs

   Human capital management, including diversity practices

  

   Determine and approve the compensation of our CEO and other executive officers

   Approve, or make recommendations to our Board for it to approve, our incentive, equity-based and other compensation plans

   Assist our Board in its oversight of the development, implementation and effectiveness of our policies and strategies relating to our human capital management function, including:

»   recruiting, retention and career development and progression;

»   management succession (other than that within the purview of our Governance Committee); and

»   diversity and employment practices

   Prepare the Compensation Committee Report

 

*

Multiple members of our Audit Committee, including the Chair, have been determined to be “audit committee financial experts.”

**

Dr. Faust and Mr. Winkelman are retiring at our 2023 Annual Meeting. Effective April 26, 2023, Ms. Harris will be the Chair of our Compensation Committee.

18

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

OUR BOARD COMMITTEES

 

     GOVERNANCE    Governance

 

     

 

    ALL INDEPENDENTAll independent

Key Skills & Experiences     
Represented

  

 

KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
REPRESENTED
Key Responsibilities

     LOGO         

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Adebayo Ogunlesi

Michele Burns

Drew FaustFaust*

Mark Flaherty

Kimberley Harris

Kevin Johnson

Ellen Kullman

Lakshmi Mittal

Peter Oppenheimer

Jan Tighe

Jessica Uhl

David Viniar

Mark WinkelmanWinkelman*

 

   Corporate governance

   Talent development and succession planning

   Current and prior public company board service

  

   Recommend individuals to our Board for nomination, election or appointment as members of our Board and its Committees

   Oversee the evaluation of the performance of our Board and our CEO

   Review and concur with the succession plans for our CEO and other members of senior management

   Take a leadership role in shaping our corporate governance, including developing, recommending to our Board and reviewing on an ongoing basis the corporate governance principles and practices that apply to us

   Review periodically the form and amount ofnon-employee director compensation and make recommendations to our Board with respect thereto

 

 

     PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES    Public Responsibilities

 

   

 

    ALL INDEPENDENTAll independent

Key Skills & Experiences     
Represented

  

 

KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCESKey Responsibilities

     LOGO         

REPRESENTED

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Ellen Kullman

Michele Burns*

Drew FaustFaust*

Kimberley Harris

Lakshmi Mittal

 

Adebayo Ogunlesi

(ex-officio)

 

   Reputational risk

 Sustainability /    Sustainability/ESG

   Government and regulatory affairs

   Philanthropy

  

   Assist our Board in its oversight of our firm’s relationships with major external constituencies and our reputation

   Oversee the development, implementation and effectiveness of our policies and strategies relating to citizenship, corporate engagement and relevant significant public policy issues

   Review sustainability issues affecting our firm, including through the periodic review of the Sustainability Report

 

 

     RISK    Risk

 

     

 

     MAJORITY
     INDEPENDENT    All independent

Key Skills & Experiences     
Represented

  

 

KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCESKey Responsibilities

     LOGO         

REPRESENTED

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Mark WinkelmanDavid Viniar

Michele BurnsBurns*

Mark Flaherty

Kevin Johnson

Peter Oppenheimer

Jan Tighe

Jessica Uhl

Mark Winkelman*

 

Adebayo Ogunlesi

(ex-officio)

Non-independent

David Viniar

 

   Understanding of how risk is undertaken, mitigated and controlled in complex industries

   Technology and cybersecurity

   Understanding of financial products

   Expertise in capital adequacy and deployment

  

   Assist our Board in its oversight of our firm’s overall risk-taking tolerance and management of financial and operational risks, such as market, credit and liquidity risk, including reviewing and discussing with management:

»   our firm’s capital plan, regulatory capital ratios, capital management policy and internal capital adequacy assessment process, and the effectiveness of our financial and operational risk management policies and controls;

»   our liquidity risk metrics, management, funding strategies and controls, and the contingency funding plan; and

»   our market, credit, operational (including information security and cybersecurity), climate and model risk management strategies, policies and controls

*

Dr. Faust and Mr. Winkelman are retiring at our 2023 Annual Meeting. Effective April 26, 2023, Ms. Burns will rotate off of our Risk Committee and onto our Public Responsibilities Committee.

 

18        Goldman Sachs

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersGOLDMAN SACHS        

19


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

 

Board and Committee EvaluationsBOARD AND COMMITTEE EVALUATIONS

 

BOARD AND COMMITTEE EVALUATIONS

Board and Committee evaluations play a critical role in ensuring the effective functioning of our Board. It is important to take stock of Board, Committee and director performance and to solicit and act upon feedback received from each member of our Board. To this end, under the leadership of our Lead Director, our Governance Committee is responsible for evaluating the performance of our Board annually, and each of our Board’s Committees also annually conducts a self-evaluation.Evaluations

Board and Committee evaluations play a critical role in helping to ensure the effective functioning of our Board. It is important to take stock of Board, Committee and director performance and to solicit and act upon feedback received from each member of our Board. To this end, under the leadership of our Lead Director, our Governance Committee is responsible for evaluating the performance of our Board annually, and each of our Board’s Committees also conducts an annual self-evaluation.

 

 

LOGO

20192022 Evaluations: A Multi-Step Process
REVIEW OF EVALUATION PROCESS
Our Lead Director and Governance Committee periodically review the evaluation process to ensureso that actionable feedback is solicited on the operation of our Board and its Committees, as well as on director performance performance. In 2021, additional director interviews were added to further solicit individual director feedback. In a review of the 2022 evaluation process, it was determined to conduct such interviews biennially
QUESTIONNAIRE
Provides director feedback on an unattributed basis; feedback from questionnaire informs one-on-one and closed session discussions
ONE-ON-ONE DISCUSSIONS One-on-one discussions between our
Our
Lead Director andhas one-on-one discussions with each non-employee director, which provides furtheran opportunity for candid discussion regarding individual feedback and an additional forum to solicit additionalfurther feedback as well as to provide individual feedback
CLOSED SESSION DISCUSSION
Joint closed session discussion of Board and Committee evaluations led by our Lead Director and independent Committee Chairs provides for a synergistic review of Board and Committee performance
EVALUATION SUMMARY
Summary of Board and Committee evaluations results provided to full Board
FEEDBACK INCORPORATED
Policies and practices updated as appropriate as a result of the annual and ongoing feedback
ONGOING FEEDBACK
Directors provide ongoing, real-time feedback outside of the evaluation process
Examples include changes to Committee structure,of feedback from evaluations and otherwise include: additional presentations on various topics (e.g., strategic initiatives, risk "deep dives," talent strategy, investor feedback), evolution of director skill sets, refinements to meeting materials and presentation format, additional Auditrefinement of board and Risk Committee meetingscommittee meeting cadence and additional opportunities for exposure to "next generation" leaders of the firm ONGOING FEEDBACK Directors provide ongoing, real-time feedback outside of
Topics Considered During
the evaluation process TOPICS CONSIDERED DURING THE BOARD AND COMMITTEE EVALUATIONS INCLUDE: Board and Committee Evaluations Include:
DIRECTOR PERFORMANCE
Individual director performance
Lead Director (in that role)
Chairman of the Board (in that role) (new in 2019)
Each Committee Chaircommittee chair (in that role)
BOARD AND COMMITTEE OPERATIONS
Board and Committee membership, including director skills, background, expertise and diversity
Committee structure, including whether the Committee structure enhances Board and Committee performance
Access to firm personnel
Executive succession planning process
Conduct of meetings, including frequency of, time allocated for and encouragement of candid dialogue, and effectiveness of closed sessions
Materials and information, including quality, quantity and timeliness of information received from management, and suggestions for educational sessions
Shareholder feedback
BOARD PERFORMANCE
Key areas of focus for the Board
Oversight of reputation
Strategy oversight, including risks related thereto
Consideration of shareholder value
Capital planning
COMMITTEE PERFORMANCE
Performance of Committee duties under Committee charter
Oversight of reputation and consideration of shareholder value
Effectiveness of outside advisors
Identification of topics that should receive more attention and discussion LOGO

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders20

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Goldman Sachs        19PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

 

Board Leadership StructureBOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

 

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTUREBoard Leadership Structure

Strong Independent Lead Director—Combined Chair-CEO: Why our Structure is Effective

Strong Independent Lead Director — CombinedChairman-CEO: Why our Structure is Effective

We review our Board leadership structure annually. Conducting regular assessments allows our Board to discuss and debate whether the most efficient and appropriate leadership structure is in place to meet the needs of our Board and our firm, which may evolve over time. We are committed to independent leadership on our Board. If at any time the Chairman

We review our Board leadership structure annually. Conducting regular assessments allows our Board to deliberate the merits of our Board’s leadership structure to ensure that the most efficient and appropriate leadership structure is in place for our firm’s needs, which may evolve over time. We are committed to independent leadership on our Board. If at any time the Chair is not an independent director, our independent directors will appoint an independent Lead Director.

 

 

KEY COMPONENTS OF REVIEW

Key Components of Review

 

CHAIRMAN-CEOChair-CEO

& LEADLead

DIRECTORDirector

RESPONSIBILITIESResponsibilities

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

POLICIESPolicies & Practices

& PRACTICES TOto Ensure Strong

ENSURE STRONGIndependent Board

INDEPENDENT

BOARD OVERSIGHTOversight

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERShareholder

FEEDBACKFeedback & Voting

VOTING RESULTSResults Regarding

REGARDING BOARD

LEADERSHIPBoard Leadership

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

FIRMFirm

PERFORMANCEPerformance

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

TRENDSTrends &

DEVELOPMENTS REGARDINGDevelopments

LEADERSHIPRegarding

STRUCTURELeadership

Structure

                      

In December 2022, our Governance Committee conducted its annual review of our Board’s leadership structure. The review considered a variety of factors, including our governance practices and shareholder feedback on our Board and its leadership structure. In addition, our Governance Committee considered feedback on the Chairman of the Board received in connection with the Board evaluation.

In December 2019, our Governance Committee conducted its annual review of our Board’s leadership structure. The review considered a variety of factors, including our governance practices and shareholder feedback on our Board and its leadership structure. In addition, our Governance Committee considered feedback on the Chairman of the Board received in connection with the Board evaluation.

As a result of this review, our Governance Committee determined that continuing to have Mr. Solomon serve as both Chairman and CEO — working together with a strong independent Lead Director — is the most effective leadership structure for our Board and our firm at this time.

Ultimately, we believe that our current leadership structure, together with strong governance practices, creates a productive relationship between our Board and management, including strong independent oversight that benefits our shareholders.

We will continue to conduct Board leadership assessments annually. If at any time our Governance Committee determines it would be appropriate to appoint an independent Chairman and CEO—working together with a strong independent Lead Director—is the most effective leadership structure for our Board and our firm at this time.

Ultimately, we believe that our current leadership structure, together with strong governance practices, creates a productive relationship between our Board and management, including strong independent oversight that benefits our shareholders.

We will continue to conduct Board leadership assessments annually. If at any time our Governance Committee determines it would be appropriate to appoint an independent Chair, it will not hesitate to do so.

Benefits of a Combined Role

 

 

BENEFITS OF A COMBINED ROLE

A combinedChairman-CEO Chair-CEO structure provides our firm with a senior leader who serves as a primary liaison between our Board and management and as a primary public face of our firm.firm. This structure demonstrates clear accountability to shareholders, clients and othersothers.

 

Our CEO has extensive knowledge of all aspects of our current business, operations and risks, which he brings to Board discussions as ChairmanChairman.

 

»

»A combinedChairman-CEO can serve Chair-CEO serves as a knowledgeable resource for independent directors both at and between Board meetingsmeetings.

 

»

»Combining the roles at our firm has been effective in promulgating strong and effective leadership of the firm, particularly in times of economic challenge and regulatory change affecting our industry; this remainsthe sameis important during this timephase of our strategic developmentjourney, including the implementation of our strategic realignment,integration of recent acquisitions, execution of our strategic plans and investment for long-term growthgrowth.

 

  EMPOWERED LEAD DIRECTOR WITH EXPANSIVE LIST OF ENUMERATED DUTIES

Key Pillars of Lead Director Role

 

Key Pillars of Lead Director Role

 

SETS AND APPROVES

AGENDA FOR BOARDSets and approves

MEETINGS AND LEADSagenda for Board

EXECUTIVE SESSIONSmeetings and leads

executive sessions

 

FOCUSES ON BOARD

EFFECTIVENESS,Focuses on Board

COMPOSITIONeffectiveness,

AND CONDUCTINGcomposition and

EVALUATIONS

ACTS AS PRIMARY

BOARD CONTACT

FOR SHAREHOLDER

ENGAGEMENT AND

ENGAGES WITH

REGULATORSconducting evaluations

 

 

SERVES AS LIAISON

BETWEEN INDEPENDENTActs as primary Board

DIRECTORS ANDcontact for shareholder

CHAIRMAN/engagement and engages

MANAGEMENTwith regulators

Serves as liaison between

independent directors

and Chair/management

 

20        Goldman Sachs

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersGOLDMAN SACHS        

21


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

 

Board Leadership StructureBOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

 

 

     Powers and Duties of our Independent Lead Director

  

  Provides independent leadership

 

Sets agenda for Board meetings, working with our Chairman (including adding items to and approving the agenda) and approving the form and type of related materials, as well as reviewing and concurring in the agendas for each Committee meeting

 

  Approves the schedule for Board and committeeCommittee meetings

 

Presides at executive sessions of the Independent Directorsindependent directors

 

Calls meetings of the Board, including meetings of the Independent Directorsindependent directors

 

  Presides at each Board meeting at which the Chairman is not present

 

  Engages with the Independent Directorsindependent directors and non-employee directors at and between Board and Committee meetings, including:

 

» to identify matters for discussion, including for discussion at executive sessions of the Independent Directorsindependent directors

 

» to facilitate communication with the Chairman (as set forth below)

 

» one-on-one engagement regarding the performance and functioning of the collective

Board, individual director performance and other matters as appropriate

 

Serves as an adviseradvisor to the Chairman, including by:

 

» engaging with the Chairman between Board meetings

 

» facilitating communication between the Independent Directorsindependent directors and the Chairman, including by presenting the Chairman’s views, concerns and issues to the Independent Directorsindependent directors, as well as assisting with informing or engagingnon-employee directors, as appropriate

 

» raising to the Chairman views, concerns and issues of the Independent Directors,independent directors, including decisions reached, and suggestions made, at executive sessions, in each case as appropriate

 

Oversees the Board’s governance processes, including Board evaluations, succession planning and other governance-related matters

 

Leads the annual CEO evaluation

 

  Meets directly with management and non-management employees of the firm

 

  Consults and directly communicates with shareholders and other key constituents, as appropriate

 

 

 

 

 

    STRONG GOVERNANCE PRACTICES SUPPORTStrong Governance Practices Support

    INDEPENDENT BOARD OVERSIGHT

Independent Board Oversight

 

 

 

 

STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACKStakeholder Feedback & ENGAGEMENTEngagement

 

  Nine  Experienced independent directors, and onenon-employee director, the majority of whichwhom have executive-level experience

 

  Independent and engaged Chairs of all standing Committees

 

  Regular executive sessions of independent directors chaired by Lead Director, supplemented by additional sessions ofnon-employee directors without management present

 

  All directors may suggest inclusion of additional subjects on agendas and any director may call an executive session

 

  Annual Board and Committee evaluations that include feedback on individual director performance

 

  Independent director participation in, and oversight of, key governance processes, such as CEO performance, executive compensation and succession planning

 

  All directors are free to contact any employee of theour firm directly

 

  Our Chairman and CEO and our Lead Director meet and speak with each other regularly about our Board and our firm

 

 

  We have generally received positive stakeholder feedback on the nature of our Lead Director role and our annual leadership structure review

 

» In considering the strength of our Board leadership structure, many investors cite our Lead Director’s expansive list of enumerated duties, extensive engagement with shareholders and the insight into the Board’s perspectives and focus areasour Board provided by theour Lead Director’s letter in our proxy statement that comes from our Lead Director

 

  Our Lead Director, Adebayo Ogunlesi, has engaged with the firm’s shareholders and other key stakeholders, including our regulators, to discuss a variety of topics, including our Board leadership structure and his responsibilities as Lead Director, Board effectiveness, compensation, the Board’s independent oversight of strategy Boardand firm culture, and Board and management succession planning

 

» In 2019,2022, Mr. Ogunlesi met with investors representing over 20% of our shares outstanding. He has regularly conducted engagement since becoming Lead Director, generally meeting with individuals representing key investors and proxy advisory firms

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders22

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Goldman Sachs        21PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

 

Year-Round Review of Board CompositionYEAR-ROUND REVIEW OF BOARD COMPOSITION

 

YEAR-ROUND REVIEW OF BOARD COMPOSITIONYear-Round Review of Board Composition

 

 

Our Governance Committee seeks to build and maintain an effective,

well-rounded, financially literate and diverse Board that operates

in an atmosphere of candor and collaboration.

 

  
  
  
  
 

 

In identifying and recommending director candidates, our Governance Committee places primary emphasis on the criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, including:

 
 

 

 Judgment, character, expertise, skills and knowledge useful to the oversight of our business;

 
 

 

 Diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, work and other experiences and other demographics;

 
 

 

 Business or other relevant experience; and

 
 

 

 The extent to which the interplay of the candidate’s expertise, skills, knowledge and experience with that of other members of our Board will build a strong and effective Board that is collegial and responsive to the needs of our firm.

 

 

Board Process for Identification and Review of Director Candidates to Join our Board

LOGO

Independent Directors Shareholders Independent Search Firms Our People Candidate Pool In-Depth Review Screen Qualications Consider Diversity Review Independence and Potential Conflicts Meet with Directors Consider Skills/Matrix Recommend Selected Candidates for Appointment to our Board Five New Director Nominees in Last Five Years Median Nominee Tenure of ~7.3 Years

Identifying and recommending individuals for nomination, election or re-election to our Board is a principal responsibility of our Governance Committee. The Committee carries out this function through an ongoing, year-round process, which includes the Committee’s annual evaluation of our Board and individual director evaluations. Each director and director candidate is evaluated by our Governance Committee based on his or her individual merits, taking into account our firm’s needs and the composition of our Board.

To assist in this evaluation, the Committee utilizes as a discussion tool a matrix of certain skills and experiences that would be beneficial to have represented on our Board and on our Committees at any particular point in time. For example, the Committee is focused on what skills are beneficial for service in key Board positions, such as Lead Director and Committee Chairs, and conducts a succession planning process for those positions.

Our Governance Committee welcomes candidates recommended by shareholders and will consider these candidates in the same manner as other candidates. Shareholders wishing to submit potential director candidates for consideration by our Governance Committee should follow the instructions in Frequently Asked Questions.

Board Process for Identification and Review of Director Candidates to Join Our Board

        

LOGO

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORSPROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  INDEPENDENT SEARCH FIRMS OUR PEOPLE CANDIDATE POOL IN-DEPTH REVIEW Screen Qualifications Consider Diversity Review Independence and Potential Conflicts Meet with Directors Consider Skills/Matrix RECOMMEND SELECTED CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO OUR BOARD

Identifying and recommending individuals for nomination, election orre-election to our Board is a principal responsibility of our Governance Committee. The Committee carries out this function through an ongoing, year-round process, which includes the Committee’s annual evaluation of our Board and individual director evaluations. Each director and director candidate is evaluated by our Governance Committee based on his or her individual merits, taking into account our firm’s needs and the composition of our Board.

To assist in this evaluation, the Committee utilizes as a discussion tool a matrix of certain skills and experiences that would be beneficial to have represented on our Board and on our Committees at any particular point in time. For example, the Committee is focused on what skills are beneficial for service in key Board positions, such as Lead Director and Committee Chairs, and conducts a succession planning process for those positions.

Our Governance Committee welcomes candidates recommended by shareholders and will consider these candidates in the same manner as other candidates. Shareholders wishing to submit potential director candidates for consideration by our Governance Committee should follow the instructions inFrequently Asked Questions.|  GOLDMAN SACHS        

22        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders23


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

 

Director EducationDIRECTOR EDUCATION

 

DIRECTOR EDUCATIONDirector Education

Director education about our firm and our industry is an ongoing process that begins when a director joins

Director education about our firm and our industry is an ongoing process, which begins when a director joins our Board.

Upon joining our Board, new directors are provided with a comprehensive orientation about our firm, including our business, strategy and governance. For example, new directors (including Mr. Johnson during 2022) typically meet with senior leaders covering each of our revenue-producing segments and regions, as well as with senior leaders from key control, finance and operating functions. New directors also participate in orientation sessions covering the responsibilities and key areas of focus of the Board and its Committees.

Additional training is also provided when a director assumes a leadership role, such as becoming a Committee Chair.

Board and Committee presentations, roundtables, regular communications and firm and other industry events help keep directors appropriately apprised of key developments in our businesses and in our industry, including material changes in regulation, so that they can carry out their oversight responsibilities effectively.

Upon joining our Board, new directors are provided with a comprehensive orientation about our firm, including our business, strategy and governance. For example, new directors typically meet with senior leaders covering each of our revenue-producing divisions and regions, as well as with senior leaders from key control-side functions.

New directors will also undergoin-depth training on the work of each of our Board’s Committees, such as Audit and Risk Committee orientation sessions with our CFO, Controller, Treasurer and CRO, as well as a session with the Director of Internal Audit. Additional training is also provided when a director assumes a leadership role, such as becoming a Committee Chair.

Board and Committee presentations, roundtables, regular communications and firm and other industry events help to keep directors appropriately apprised of key developments in our businesses and in our industry, including material changes in regulation, so that they can carry out their oversight responsibilities.

 

  COMMITMENT OF OUR BOARDCommitment of our Board

Commitment of our Directors — 2019Directors—2022 Meetings

Our Board and its Committees met frequently in 2019.2022.

 

  

 

2019         
MEETINGS         
2022 Meetings       

 

   

 

 

 

Board

 

 

 

 

 

12

16(a)

 

 

 

  

LOGO

58 TOTAL BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN 2019

LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit

 

 

 

 

17

16    


65

Total Board

and Committee

Meetings

in 2022


 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

 

 

 

 

6

  8    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Governance

 

 

 

 

6

  7    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Responsibilities

 

 

 

 

5

  6    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors without Management(a)(b)

 

 

 

 

17

  6    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Executive Sessions of Independent and/or Non-Employee Directors without Management(b)(c)

 

 

 

 

5

13    

 

 

 

 

(a)  Includes two meetings of the Board’s 1MDB Remediation Special Committee.

 

(a)

(b) Chaired by our Lead Director.

 

(b)

(c)  Led by our Lead Director or other independent Committee Chairs.

Each of our current directors attended over 75% (the threshold for disclosure under SEC rules) of the meetings of our Board and the Committees on which he or she served as a regular member during 2019.2022. Overall attendance at Board and Committee meetings during 20192022 was over 99%98% for our directors as a group.

We encourage our directors to attend our annual meetings. All of our directors then in office attended the 20192022 Annual Meeting.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders24

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Goldman Sachs        23PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—STRUCTURE OF OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

COMMITMENT OF OUR BOARD

 

Commitment of our Board

Commitment of our Directors — Directors—Beyond the Boardroom

 

 

 

Engagement beyond the boardroom provides our directors with additional insights into our businesses, risk management and industry, as well as valuable perspectives on the performance of our firm, our CEO and other members of senior management.

 

  
  
  
 

 

The commitment of our directors extends well beyond preparation for, and attendance at, regular and special meetings.

 



    

 

 

    

 

 

 

ONGOING COLLABORATIONOngoing Collaboration

 

Frequent interactions with each

other, senior management and
key
employees around the globe
on
topics including strategy,

performance, risk management,

culture and talent development

 

 

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTStakeholder Engagement

 

Regular engagement with
key
stakeholders, including
regulators
and engagement with our
shareholders.
Participation in firm
and industry
conferences and
other events on
behalf of the
Board

 

 

REGULARLY INFORMEDRegularly Informed

 

Receive and review postings on
significant
developments and
weekly
informational packages
that
include updates on recent

developments, press coverage

and current events that relate
to
our business, our people
and our industry

 

 
  

 

Our Lead Director and Committee Chairs provide additional independent leadership outside the boardroom.

 

  For example, each Chair sets the agenda for his or her respective Committee meetings and reviews and provides feedback on the form and type of related materials, in each case taking into account whether theirhis or her Committee is appropriately carrying out its core responsibilities and focusing on the key issues facing the firm, as may be applicable from time to time. To do so, each Chair engages with key members of management and subject matter experts in advance of each Committee meeting.

 

  In addition, our Lead Director also sets the Board agenda (working with our Chairman) and approves the form and type of related materials. Our Lead Director also approves the schedule of Board and Committee meetings, taking into account whether there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items at each Board and Committee meeting.

 

In carrying out their leadership roles during 2019:2022:

 

 

 

Lead Director / Governance Chair

Adebayo Ogunlesi

 

 

     LOGO   

Includes meetings with, as applicable:

Risk ChairCEO, COO, CFO, Secretary to the Board, CLO and General Counsel, CRO, Director of Internal Audit and Other Key Internal Audit Employees, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Global Head of HCM, Director of Investor Relations, Global Head of Reward and People Analytics, Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Information Officer, Global Head of Marketing, Shareholders, Regulators, Independent Compensation Consultants, Director Search Firm, Independent Auditors

Mark Winkelman

 

 

Over 65meetings

Public Responsibilities

Chair

Ellen Kullman(a)

 

 

Committee Chairs

Audit – Peter Oppenheimer

Compensation Chair

Michele Burns or Mark Winkelman*

Public Responsibilities – Ellen Kullman

Audit Chair

Peter OppenheimerRisk – Mark Winkelman or David Viniar*

 

 

 

  

 

 

Over80140meetings

 

Over30meetings

Over10meetings

Over45meetings

Over60meetings

Includes meetings with, as applicable: CEO, COO, CFO, Secretary to the Board, General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer, Director of Internal Audit and other key Internal Audit employees, Controller, Global Head of HCM, Director of Investor Relations, Head of Employee Experience, Global Head of Executive Compensation, Global Head of Corporate Engagement, key Sustainable Finance Group employees, Shareholders, Regulators, Independent Compensation Consultants, Director Search Firm, Independent Auditors

(a)  Chair since May 2019.

    

 

*

Changes to Compensation and Risk Committee Chairs effective October 2022.

 

24        Goldman Sachs

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersGOLDMAN SACHS        

25


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—BOARD OVERSIGHT OF OUR FIRM

 

Key Areas of Board OversightKEY AREAS OF BOARD OVERSIGHT

 

Board Oversight of our Firm

 

  KEY AREAS OF BOARD OVERSIGHTKey Areas of Board Oversight

Our Board discusses and receives regular updates on a wide variety of matters affecting our firm. Our Board is responsible for, and committed to, the oversight of the business and affairs of our firm. In carrying out this responsibility, our Board, working with and through its Committees, as applicable, discusses and receives regular updates on a wide variety of matters affecting our firm.

Our reputation is a core consideration, as is our culture, as our Board advises our senior management to help drive success for our clients and our communities in order to create long-term, sustainable value for our shareholders. Central to this is

LOGO

Strategy CEO performance Financial performance & reporting Conduct People strategy Risk management Executive succession planning Culture & Core Values Sustainability Consideration of our Board’s oversight of management’s efforts to ensure that the firm’s cultural expectations are appropriately communicatedReputation Underscores our Board and embraced throughout the firm.Committee Oversight

LOGO

Strategy

 

LOGO

STRATEGY RISK MANAGEMENT CEO PERFORMANCE EXECUTIVE SUCCESSION PLANNING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE & REPORTING CULTURE CONDUCT

          CONSIDERATION OF OUR REPUTATION UNDERSCORES OUR BOARD AND COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT

strategy

 

LOGO

Our Board oversees and provides advice and guidance to senior management on the formulation and implementation of the firm’s strategic plans, including the development of growth strategies by our senior management team.

 
» 

»This occurs year-round through presentations and discussions covering firmwide, divisionalbusiness and regional strategy, business planning and growth initiatives, both during and outside Board meetings.

» 

Our Board’s focus on overseeing risk management enhances our directors’ ability to provide insight and feedback to senior management and, if necessary, to challenge management on its development and implementation of the firm’s strategic direction.

 

»Our Lead Director helps facilitate our Board’s oversight of strategy, by ensuring that directors receive adequate information about strategy and by discussing strategyincluding through discussions with independent directors atduring executive sessions.

sessions, as needed.

 

 
 

SPOTLIGHT ON STRATEGIC PLANNING

Throughout 2019,2022, our Board engaged on an ongoing basis with our CEO, COO and CFO, as well as other key members of senior management and the control side, on management’s developmentexecution of our growth-focused long-term strategy and progress towards our financial targets as announced at our inaugural Investor Day in January 2020.targets.

»This took various forms, ranging from high-level discussions regarding strategic direction, reviewsreview of existing and new business initiatives and progress on the key performance indicators (KPIs) that underpin our medium-term financial targets and inform consideration of our performance pursuant to the Compensation Committee’s Performance Assessment Framework, as well as organic and inorganic growth opportunitiesopportunities.

In particular, during 2022 our Board engaged with senior management and a focusother key leaders regarding the evolution of the firm’s strategic journey, including the development and implementation of our new operating segments, as announced in October 2022 and further discussed at our 2023 Investor Day.

»Discussions are focused on the quality and diversity of our people, each of which was alignedas well as alignment with our goal of long-term value creation for our shareholders, and groundedunderscored by considerations such as risk management, culture and reputation.

 

Our Board will continue to receive regular updates from, and provide advice to, management as they execute on the firm’s strategy.

 

Risk Management

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—BOARD OVERSIGHT OF OUR FIRM

KEY AREAS OF BOARD OVERSIGHT

LOGO

Risk Management

 

In the normal course, our firm commits capital and otherwise incurs risk as an inherent part of serving our clients’ needs. Our intention is to manage risks or,avoid, mitigate and, where possible, to mitigate them. In doing so, we endeavor not to undertakemanage risks that could materially impair our firm, including our capital and liquidity position, ability to generate revenues andor reputation.

 
 

Management is responsible for theday-to-day identification, assessment and monitoring of, and decision-making regarding, the risks we face. Our Board is responsible for overseeing the management of the firm’s most significant risks on an enterprise-wide basis, which includes setting the types and levels of risk the firm is willing to take. This oversight is executed by our full Board, as well as each of its Committees in(in particular our Risk Committee,Committee), and is carried out in conjunction with the Board’s oversight of firm strategy.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        25


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—BOARD OVERSIGHT OF OUR FIRM

Key Areas of Board Oversight

REPUTATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT

 

 

Board risk management oversight includes:

REPUTATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT

LOGO

 

 

BOARD RISK MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT INCLUDES:

  Strategic and financial considerations

 

  Legal, regulatory, reputational and compliance risks

 

  Other financial and nonfinancial risks considered by Committees

 

 

 

 

 LOGO

 

 

 

Risk Committee risk management oversight includes:

 

 

 

 
 

 

RISK COMMITTEE RISK MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT INCLUDES:

 

  Overall risk-taking tolerance and risk governance, including our Enterprise Risk Management Framework

 

  Our Risk Appetite Statement (in coordination with our full Board)

 

  Liquidity, market, credit, capital, operational, model and modelclimate risks

 

  Our Capital Plan, capital ratios and capital adequacy

 

  Information and cybersecurity risk, third-party risk and business resilience risk, including oversight of management’s processes, monitoring and controls related thereto (such as at least annual presentations and additional updates as needed)

 

 

 

 

 

Public Responsibilities Committee risk
management oversight includes:

 

 

Compensation Committee risk management

oversight includes:

 

 

  

 

PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES COMMITTEE RISK MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT INCLUDES:

 

  Brand  Reputational risk and reputational risk,constituent impact, including client and business standardsfranchise considerations as well as theand receipt of reports from the Firmwide Reputational Risk Committee regarding certainthe processes by which the firm evaluates transactions and topics that may present heightened reputational risk, as well as business standards

 

  Sustainability /   Sustainability/ESG riskstrategy

 

  

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE RISK MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT INCLUDES:

 

  Firmwide compensation program and policies that are consistent with the safety and soundness of our firm and do not raise risks reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our firm

 

  Jointly with our Risk Committee, annual CRO compensation-related risk assessment

 

  People strategy (in coordination with our full Board and other Committees)

 

Audit Committee risk management oversight
includes:

Governance Committee risk management

oversight includes:

 
 

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE RISK MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT INCLUDES:

 

  Financial, legal and compliance (including financial crime compliance) risk in(in coordination with our full BoardBoard)

 

  Coordination with our Risk Committee, including with respect to technology-related risks, risk assessment and risk, as well as business standards management practices

 

  

 

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE RISK MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT INCLUDES:

 

  Board composition and refreshment

Board leadership succession and executive succession

 
 

Continued Focus on Reputational Risk Management

Over the past several years, our firm has taken a number of steps that have enhanced our Board’s and our firm’s oversight of reputational risk, including:

  Development andimplementation of a Reputational Risk Frameworkand formation of a management-levelFirmwide Reputational Risk Committee andcontrol-side “regional vetting groups” to review transactions with potential heightened reputational risks, as well as numeroustransaction- and client-level controls embedded in our firm’s multi-faceted committee and working group structure

Training programs, including our Chairman’s Forum and Control Side Learning Initiative, which together aim to empower all employees to defend against transactional, operational and reputational risks

  Implementation of acomprehensive Enterprise Risk Framework, including formation of a management-level Enterprise Risk Committee, a common firmwide risk taxonomy and risk dashboard, a revised Risk Appetite Statement thataddresses both financial and non-financial risks and the enhancement of our“three lines of defense” structure

 

26        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—BOARD OVERSIGHT OF OUR FIRM

 

Key Areas of Board Oversight

CEO PERFORMANCE

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—BOARD OVERSIGHT OF OUR FIRM

KEY AREAS OF BOARD OVERSIGHT

CEO Performance LOGO

 

Under the direction of our Lead Director, our Governance Committee annually evaluates CEO performance.

 

»TheProcess includes a review of the results of the CEO assessment pursuant to the Performance Assessment Framework and the CEO’s evaluation under our 360° Review Process, as described further in Compensation Matters—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—How our Compensation Committee Makes Decisions.

While this formal process includes anis conducted at year-end, our directors are regularly focused on the performance of our CEO, including during executive sessionsessions of independent directors, aregular closed sessionsessions with our CEO and additional discussions between our Lead Director and our CEO throughout the year.

  The Committee reviewsyear, as well as through mid-year discussions with the results of our CEO’s evaluation under our “360 degree” review process (360° Review Process, as described further inCompensation MattersCompensation Discussion and Analysis—How Our Compensation Committee Makes Decisions) and also assesses our CEO’s performance both as CEO and as Chairman ofon progress pursuant to the Board against the key criteria and responsibilities for these roles that were developed by our Governance Committee.Performance Assessment Framework.

 

EXECUTIVE SUCCESSION PLANNINGExecutive Succession Planning LOGO

LOGO

 Succession planning is a priority for our Governance Committee, which worked with Mr. Solomon to put in place an appropriate emergency succession protocol and will continue to work with him on the development and ongoing refinement of our longer-term succession plan.

 Our Governance Committee has long utilized a framework relating to executive succession planning under which the Committee has defined specific criteria for, and responsibilities of, each of the CEO, COO and CFO roles. The Committee then focuses on the particular skill set needed to succeed in these roles at our firm both on a long-term and an emergency basis.

 

   Our Lead Director also meets on this topic separately Executive succession planning takes many forms, including Governance Committee reviews of long-term and emergency succession plans with our CEO, regular closed sessions with the Board and facilitatesour CEO throughout the year, one-on-one discussions between our Lead Director and CEO and additional discussions withamong our independent directors, about executive succession planning throughout the year, including at executive sessions.sessions, as may be appropriate.

   Even after our recent executive transitions, succession planning remains a priority for our Governance Committee. The Committee has worked with Mr. Solomon to ensure an appropriate emergency succession protocol and will continue to work with Mr. Solomon on the development and ongoing refinement of our longer-term succession plan.

 

 

The Board also continues to engage with management on the firm’s leadership pipeline more broadly, including with respect to leadership pipeline health and the development of the firm’s “next generation” of leaders.

 

        LOGO                     

Interaction with senior managementleaders in a variety of settings, including Board meetings and preparatory meetings, during visits to our offices around the world and at client-related events Plan

Executive succession planning reviewed by our Governance Committee with our CEO at least annually MonitoringCEO; ongoing assessment of senior management for potential executive positions

Developing the Firm’s

Next Generation of Leaders

Monitoring of careers to ensure appropriate exposure to our Board and our business Review of senior management summaries (including 360° evaluations) and assessment of potential for executive positions ALWAYS DEVELOPING NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

 

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE & REPORTING

LOGOAdditional engagement on broader leadership pipeline for key roles across the firm

  
   

 

Financial Performance & Reporting LOGO

 

Our Board, including through its Committees, is continually kept apprised by management of the firm’s financial performance and key drivers thereof. For example, our Board generally receives an update on financial performance from our CFO at each regularly scheduled meeting (and additionally as needed), which update provides critical information to the Board and its Committees that assists them in carrying out their responsibilities.

 

Our Board, through its Audit Committee, is responsible for overseeing management’s preparation and presentation of our annual and quarterly financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

 

»

»Each quarter, our Audit Committee meets with members of our management, the Director of Internal Audit and our independent registered public accounting firm to review and discuss our financial statements, as well as our quarterly earnings release.

 

»   For example, during 2019, our Board and Audit Committee oversaw management’s development of the firm’s new external segment presentation as well as the financial targets announced at Investor Day, in each case consistent with the firm’s long-term strategy.

In addition, our Audit Committee is directly responsible for overseeing the independence, performanceappointment, compensation, retention and compensationoversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. In this regard, our Audit Committee and Audit Committee Chair are directly involved with the periodic selection of the lead audit partner (seeAudit Matters—Item 3.4. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 20202023).

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        27


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—BOARD OVERSIGHT OF OUR FIRM

Key Areas of Board Oversight

culture

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—BOARD OVERSIGHT OF OUR FIRM

KEY AREAS OF BOARD OVERSIGHT

Culture & Core Values LOGO

Management’s role in shaping the firm’s culture is critical and our Board’s oversight of firm culture is an important element of its responsibilities, in each case particularly because our people are our greatest asset. responsibilities.

Our culture is core to our Board’s and Committees’ focus on the firm’s reputation and to management’s operation of the firm responsibly for the long-term.

»   We expect our people to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do. It is only with the determination and dedicationhas been a cornerstone of our people that we can servebusiness and performance throughout our clients, generate long-term value forhistory. Our Core Values of partnership, client service, integrity and excellence are derived from our shareholderslong-standing Business Principles and contributeare regularly reinforced at every step of our peoples’ careers, from onboarding to economic progress.training, and through our performance, development, compensation and promotion processes.

 

Our Board holds senior management accountable for embodying an appropriate “tonetone at the top”top and for maintaining and communicating a culture that emphasizes our Core Values and the importance of compliance with both the letter and spirit of the laws, rules and regulations that govern us.

»  Oversight of culture takes many forms, and includes oversight ofincluding strategy and risk tolerance, review of governance policies, and practices the receipt of governanceand metrics, regular discussions with the Executive Leadership Team, members of the firm’s Compliance, Legal, Risk, Human Capital and Internal Audit functions, as well as others across the firm, and oversightassessment of CEO and senior management performance and compensation.

 

»  These are also topics on which our firm regularly engages with our shareholders, regulators and other stakeholders.

 

Our culture has beenis defined by a cornerstone of our business and performance throughout our history. Our 14 Business Principles (available on our website atwww.gs.com), which were originally codified in 1979, outline our commitment to delivering the best service to our clients through collaboration, innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It is a strategic imperative that we continually reinvest in our cultural expectations,culture, including how teamwork, excellence, personal initiativeto bring our people together in person given the growth of the firm over the course of the pandemic. To this end, we have launched a Culture Stewardship Program for our PMDs and accountability are integrala firmwide Culture Connect Forum to our long-term success. These principles continue to guide us and were recently distilled intoreinforce our Core Values which inform everything that we do.

  Our Core Values are embedded in, and regularly reinforced at, every step of our peoples’ careers, from onboarding to training, performance development, compensationpromote cultural stewardship, awareness and promotion processes.connectivity.

  These efforts are underscored by our focus on cultivating and sustaining a diverse work environment and workforce, which is critical to our ability to meet the unique needs of our diverse client base and the communities in which we operate, as well as our commitment to diversity more broadly as stewards of the global capital markets.

»   For example, during 2019 the firm announced new initiatives aimed at increasing the representation of diverse communities at all levels across the firm, including aspirational goals to increase the representation of analyst and entry-level associate new joiners to the firm, as well as other talent development programs and diversity retention initiatives. In addition to these internal initiatives, the firm also recently announced a commitment to only underwrite IPOs in certain jurisdictions for companies with at least one diverse board member.

 

conductConduct LOGO

 

LOGO

We strive to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct at all times, consistent with our Business Principles and our Core Values. For example:

»  Our Board regularly receives governance metrics, including metrics focused on conduct, controls and business integrity matters, as well as attrition and complaints, and engages in regular discussions with the Compliance, Legal, Risk, Human Capital and Internal Audit functions.functions, among others.

 

»  Our Board also expects management to examine and to report to it on “lessons learned” from events at our firm or in our industry, as appropriate.

 

»   The new  Our Performance Assessment Framework not only assesses the firm’s financial performance, but also takes into account a wide array ofnon-financial factors. nonfinancial factors, including conduct-related matters.

 

As part of our ongoing commitment to dialogue, education and formal training, the firm offers a range of programs focused on our business standards and conduct.

 

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (available on our website atwww.gs.com) www.gs.com) outlines our ongoing commitment to the highest standards of partnership, client service, integrity and excellence, and our shared responsibility to treat our clients our colleagues and our communities.

each other with honesty and integrity, avoid conflicts of interest, treat customers fairly, maintain accurate and complete records, comply with applicable laws and regulations and escalate concerns.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—BOARD OVERSIGHT OF OUR FIRM

KEY AREAS OF BOARD OVERSIGHT

Sustainability LOGO

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the oversight of sustainability, including the priorities of climate transition and inclusive growth, and the financial and nonfinancial risks related to these activities, including climate-related risks, the Board carries out its oversight of these matters directly, at the full Board level, as well as through its Committees.

 

This may include periodic updates on the firm’s sustainability strategy, including the firm’s approach, objectives and progress, discussions regarding the climate models the firm utilizes to assess physical and transition risks and reviews of our sustainability-and climate-related reporting, as well as presentations on initiatives such as One Million Black Women.

For additional information regarding our commitment to sustainability, see Spotlight on Sustainability.

People Strategy LOGO

We have long emphasized that our people are our greatest asset, and we seek to manage our people with the same rigor as we manage all other aspects of our firm, including our risk and capital. It is only with the determination and dedication of our people that we can serve our clients, generate long-term value for our shareholders and contribute to economic progress for all our stakeholders.

Our Board and Committees engage with management on all aspects of our people strategy, which includes attracting talent, sustaining our culture and broadening our impact, and is informed by regular surveys of our people, the results of which are shared with our Board.

One key element of our people strategy is diversity, equity and inclusion. Our Board has provided oversight as management has enhanced its commitments in these areas over the last several years, including through initiatives aimed at increasing the representation of diverse communities at all levels across the firm, enhanced parenting and family leave policies and reinvigorated inclusion networks, while sustaining our existing programs.

More broadly, the Board and its Committees continue to work with management to enhance other aspects of our people strategy across all levels of the organization, including ongoing enhancements to our performance management process and our leadership pipeline health through succession planning, next-generation skill development and talent mobility.

Consistent with our commitments to provide enhanced accountability, during 2022 we published our second annual People Strategy Report (available at www.gs.com), which provides tangible indicators of our progress on our people-related goals. Our next People Strategy Report will be issued later this year.

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        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersPROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT—OUR APPROACHENGAGEMENT

 

 

Stakeholder Engagement

 

 

Commitment to Active Engagement with our Shareholders and Other Stakeholders

                                                                         
 
 

 

Stakeholder views regarding matters affecting our firm are important to our Board. We employ a year-round approach to engagement that includes proactive outreach as well as responsiveness to targeted areas of focus. We also seek to engage with all proponents of shareholder proposals. If you would like to speak with us, please contact our Investor Relations team at gs-investor-relations@gs.com.

 

Our Approach

We engage on a year-round basis with a wide range of stakeholders, including shareholders, fixed income investors, credit rating agencies, ESG rating firms, fixed income investors, proxy advisory firms, prospective shareholders and thought leaders, among others. We also conduct additional targeted outreach ahead of our annual meeting each year, and otherwise as needed.

Firm engagement is led by our Investor Relations team, including targeted outreach and open lines of communication for inbound inquiries. Board-level engagement is led by our Lead Director, who meets regularly with shareholders and other key stakeholders, and may include other directors as appropriate. Feedback is provided to all directors from these interactions to inform Board and Committee work.

Depth of Engagement

Corporate governance represents only one component of our broader approach to stakeholder engagement. We take a holistic, comprehensive approach when communicating with shareholders. Discussions on corporate governance matters are often part of a broader dialogue covering corporate strategy, business performance, risk oversight and other key themes. We continued to conduct year-round, proactive engagement on corporate governance matters in 2019:

 

~15

~90~25

Investor Conferences

Participated in by senior

management during 2022

 

Targeted outreach to top 200Total Equity Investors Met

Across all group and 1:1 engagements with

senior management

Fixed Income Investors Engaged

Across group meetings with senior
management

~25%  

Common Stock Outstanding Engaged

Lead Director and/or Chair of Compensation Committee
engagement with
shareholders ahead of 2019 Annual Meetingduring 2022

 

Top 200

Shareholder Outreach

Ahead of Annual Meeting

 

40+

Total Meetings

With Rating Agencies

>35%

Common Stock Outstanding Engaged

IR metengagement with shareholders representing more than 35% of Common Stock outstandingon ESG issues during 2022

~55

1:1 Investor Meetings

With C-Suite

During 2022, engagement with corporate governance stakeholders covered a variety of topics, including board governance, executive compensation and succession planning as well as business performance, strategic priorities and goals, financial resource management, firm culture and people strategy, risk management, sustainable finance and climate risk, and regulatory outlook.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY

Spotlight on Sustainability

Our Approach to Sustainability

Sustainability helps guide our everyday work with our clients, our emphasis on supporting our people and our broader strategic direction. Our priorities in this area underscore two broad themes—climate transition and inclusive growth—that represent our view of the risk and opportunity that continue to develop across sectors.

Since 2019 when we announced our $750 billion sustainable financing, investing and advisory activity target by 2030, we have achieved approximately $425 billion in sustainable finance activity, including $215 billion in climate transition, $67 billion in inclusive growth and the remainder in multiple themes.

 Climate

 Transition    

LOGO

Clean

Energy    

LOGO

Sustainable    

Transport

LOGO

Sustainable    

Food &

Agriculture

LOGO

Waste &

Materials    

LOGO

Ecosystem

Services

 

 Inclusive       

 Growth

LOGO 

Lead Director met with 23 investors in 2019, representing over 20% of Common Stock outstandingAccessible &

Innovative

Healthcare

LOGO

Financial

Inclusion

LOGO

Accessible &

Affordable

Education

LOGO

Communities

2019 engagement covered:Our efforts are grounded in a commercial, One Goldman Sachs focus that is integrated throughout our businesses and draws upon external partnerships and engagements that complement our work. In addition to building out and delivering capabilities in each of our segments, by engaging with clients to understand the variety of needs and opportunities they face, we are best able to deliver the firm’s expertise and capabilities by mobilizing across our businesses, deepening our client relationships and accelerating progress and impact.

Our annual Sustainability Report (which will be available later this year at www.gs.com/sustainability-report) will provide a more in-depth review of our firmwide sustainability strategy.

 

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BUSINESS PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OPERATIONAL GOALS REGULATORY OUTLOOK RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY TALENT STRATEGY EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION BOARD GOVERNANCE SUCCESSION PLANNING TONE AT THE TOP

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        29


STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT—SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY

Spotlight on Sustainability

We believe executing abest-in-class sustainability strategy is central to our long-term success.

Sustainability is top of mind for our clients and front and center for the next generation of talent. We address sustainability in various ways, including through:

Sustainable finance �� Core to how we serve our clients, we are committed to driving commercial solutions to advance this focus. This is reflected in the launch of our new Sustainable Finance Group and our new $750 billion sustainable finance target.

Integration of sustainability across our firm — Sustainability is central to how we manage our operations and invest in our people and our communities.

We believe that successfully delivering on our sustainability strategy willhelp drive returns for our shareholders.

More information can be found in our annual Sustainability Report, available atwww.gs.com/sustainability-report. Our 2019 report will be available at the end of April 2020.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Finance

In December 2019, we announced a new target of$750 billionin sustainable finance by 2030, focusing on climate transition and inclusive growth. This commitment encompasses financing, investing and advisory activity spanning nine sustainable growth themes:

LOGO

Climate Transition Clean Energy Sustainable Transport Sustainable Food & Agriculture Waste & Materials Ecosystem Services Inclusive Growth Accessible & Innovative Healthcare Financial Inclusion Accessible & Affordable Education Communities

To better deliver our leading expertise and capabilities in these areas to our clients, we formed a new Sustainable Finance Group to partner with our various business divisions to deepen capabilities and knowledge in sustainable finance, as well as to help drive our efforts toward our commitment.

Ongoing Focus on Environmental & Social Risk Management

In connection with our sustainable finance commitment, we also enhanced our Environmental Policy Framework guidelines for carbon intense sectors to reflect that we will:

No longer engage in direct financing of new thermal coal development (new power plants and coal mines);Climate Transition

 

  

Engage withAs a financial institution, we have long been committed to providing innovative, commercial solutions for our clients to address and manage climate-related risk and accelerate the climate transition. We view climate transition as a key driver of both risk and opportunity, and we have been innovating and expanding our commercial capabilities to help them diversify away from thermal coal and reduce carbon emissions withour clients navigate the goal of helping their climate transition; andtransition.

 

 » 

Not directly finance new upstream oil explorationOur Sustainable Banking Group delivers an integrated one-stop shop for clients that educates, advises and production in the Arctic, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

delivers solutions towards our clients’ decarbonization strategies. To date, our solutions include climate transition financing, offsite and onsite renewable power procurement, commodity risk management strategies, carbon offset purchases and climate-related investments.

Enhancements in our Operations and Reporting

We have also broadened our reporting efforts and operational goals over the past year, including:

 

  

Reporting in our Sustainability Report forIn addition, we announced the first time underthree investments by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) (the first U.S. bankClimate Innovation and Development Fund, a blended financing facility seeded with $25 million in philanthropic funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and Goldman Sachs, and managed by the Asian Development Bank. The goal of the Fund and its investments is to do so);support sustainable low-carbon economic development with a focus on South and Southeast Asia to increase the pace, scale and ambition of climate solutions and contribute to the clean energy transition.

 

  

AnnouncingNear-Term Targets: In 2021, we announced our support for the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)commitment to align our financing activities with a net-zero-by-2050 pathway and planning to further enhancean expansion of our disclosure through a TCFD-aligned report; andoperational carbon commitment.

 

 »Interim 2030 Business-Related Targets: In Accelerating Transition, our firmwide 2021 Task Force on Climate-Related Disclosures (TCFD) Report, we set an initial set of business-related, ranged physical emissions intensity targets for 2030 focused on three sectors, including power, oil and gas, and auto manufacturing. These are sectors where we see an opportunity to proactively engage our clients, deploy capital required for transition and invest in new commercial solutions to drive decarbonization in the real economy.

»Firm Operations and Supply Chain Targets: Carbon neutrality is also a priority for the operation of our firm and our supply chain. In 2015, we achieved carbon neutrality in our operations and business travel, ahead of our 2020 goal that was announced in 2009. We have since expanded our operational carbon commitment to include our supply chain, targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY

Climate Risk: Climate-related risks manifest in different ways across the firm’s businesses. To mitigate and manage these risks, we have continued to make significant enhancements to our 2025 sustainable operational goals,climate risk management framework, including with respectsteps to carbon neutralityfurther integrate climate risk into broader risk management processes and across risk disciplines. Through our Risk Identification process, we identify the most significant risks that drive potential climate impact for business travel, renewable energy procurement, reductions in usage of plastics and other disposables, and increased spend with diverse vendors.the firm.

 

»For more information, our 2021 TCFD Report, Accelerating Transition, highlights how these methodologies serve as a foundation for measurement and integration of climate risk into business strategy and risk appetite.

»The firm incorporates climate risk into its credit evaluation and underwriting processes for material transactions in select industries. Climate risk factors are evaluated as part of transaction due diligence for select loan commitments. The firm undertakes a robust review process to assess and consider climate impacts across our businesses. The firm has also established integrated climate risk governance and has designated roles and responsibilities across the three lines of defense to ensure appropriate oversight.

We will publish an updated firmwide TCFD report later this year that will demonstrate our progress towards our climate-related goals and commitments.

30        Goldman Sachs

Inclusive Growth

We recognize that growth that is not inclusive is not sustainable. To advance inclusive growth, we combine our experience, learnings from listening to the needs of diverse communities, and partnerships across the financial system to drive solutions that improve affordability, access and quality of life.

Launched in 2021, One Million Black Women (OMBW) is our commitment to invest $10 billion in commercial capital and $100 million in philanthropic support to Black women-led and Black women-serving organizations, with the goal of impacting the lives of at least one million Black women by 2030. Since the launch of OMBW, two new philanthropic programs were created: Black in Business and Black Women Impact Grants.

For more information on OMBW, including how we are measuring our progress, see the OMBW 2022 Impact Report available at www.gs.com.

Spotlight on Racial Equity Audit

On March 17, 2023, we released the results of a ten-month racial equity audit, conducted by the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale), which has expertise in conducting racial equity audits and other assessments of civil rights impacts. WilmerHale was asked to examine and report on the effectiveness of three important initiatives: OMBW, the Fund for Racial Equity and our 10,000 Small Businesses program. Given the importance of these initiatives and our commitment to transparency, we felt that our stakeholders would benefit from this type of third party assessment, the results of which will help inform our future investment and philanthropic strategies.

We are pleased that WilmerHale found that these initiatives were “serious and substantial efforts to promote equity and opportunity for underserved communities,” that were conceived of and designed on the basis of rigorous planning, including “[assessments on] how to deploy [our] capital and other resources to reach external stakeholders most effectively.”

We reiterate our ongoing commitment to promoting equity within our firm, throughout the industry and in the communities where we work and live. To this end, the Governance Committee has directed our Office of Corporate Engagement to review the recommendations set forth in WilmerHale’s report and to provide an update to the Public Responsibilities Committee on its implementation of applicable enhancements. WilmerHale’s report is available at www.gs.com/corpgov.

None of the information or data included on our websites or accessible at these links is incorporated into, and will not be deemed to be a part of, this Proxy Statement or any of our other filings with the SEC.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersGOLDMAN SACHS        

33


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

20192022 ANNUAL NEO Compensation DeterminationsCOMPENSATION DETERMINATIONS

 

Compensation Matters

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This CD&A describes our executive compensation philosophy and the process by which our Compensation Committee makes executive compensation decisions, each of which is designed to support our strategic objectives and the long-term interests of our shareholders. Our 20192022 NEOs are:

 

LOGO

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO
David M. Solomon

John WaldronDenis ColemanPhilip BerlinskiKathryn Ruemmler
Chairman and CEO

  

LOGO

John E. Waldron

President and COO

  

LOGO

Stephen M. Scherr

CFO

  

LOGO

John F.W. Rogers

EVP

Global Treasurer
  

LOGO

Karen P. Seymour

EVPCLO and General Counsel

 

2019 NEO COMPENSATION DETERMINATIONS

2022 Annual NEO Compensation Determinations

The following table shows our Compensation Committee’s determinations regarding our NEOs’ 20192022 annual compensation, as well as 20182021 annual compensation information for those individuals who were also NEOs in that year (dollar amounts shown in millions). For our Executive Leadership Team, 2019 was the first year that each served in their respective roles for the full year.2021.

This table is different from theSEC-required 2019 2022 Summary Compensation Table on page 48.55. Dollar amounts in the following table are shown in millions.

 

      
  YEAR     SALARY
 ($)(a)
  ANNUAL VARIABLE
COMPENSATION ($)
  TOTAL
($)
     

EQUITY-BASED

AWARDS

 
  

 

  CASH

  

 

  PSUS(b)

  

 

  RSUS(b)

  

 

% OF ANNUAL
VARIABLE
COMPENSATION

   

 

    % OF TOTAL        

 

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

 

         
          

David M. Solomon

Chairman and CEO

 

 

 

 

2019   

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.65

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.85 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

70

 

 

  

 

 

 

65    

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018   

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.41 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73

 

 

  

 

 

 

67    

 

 

          

John E. Waldron

President and COO

 

 

 

 

2019   

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.59 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

 

  

 

 

 

55    

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018   

 

 

  1.59   6.81   11.60       20.00  

 

 

 

 

  63    58     
          

Stephen M. Scherr

CFO

 

 

 

 

2019   

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.39 

 

 

    

 

 

 

22.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

 

  

 

 

 

55    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.36 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.00

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

58    

 

 

 

 

OTHER NEOS

          
          

John F.W. Rogers

EVP

  2019      1.50   4.00   

1.50 

(new) 

 

 

  4.50   11.50  

 

 

 

 

  60    52     
          

Karen P. Seymour

EVP and General Counsel

  2019      1.50   3.00   

1.12 

(new) 

 

 

  3.38   9.00  

 

 

 

 

  60    50     
    
  Year      Total Annual
Compensation ($)(a)
  Salary ($)  

Annual Variable
Compensation ($)

 

    Equity-Based Awards 
  

 

Cash      

  

 

PSUs      

   

 

 

 

% of Annual
Variable Comp    

 

 

% of
Total

 

Executive Leadership Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

David Solomon

Chairman and CEO

  2022   25.00   2.00     6.90   16.10  

 

 70  64             
  2021   35.00   2.00     9.90   23.10  

 

 70  66 
        

John Waldron

President and COO

  2022   23.50   1.85     8.66   12.99  

 

 60  55 
  2021   33.00   1.85   12.46   18.69  

 

 60  57 
        

Denis Coleman

CFO

  2022   17.00   1.85     6.06     9.09  

 

 60  53 
  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Other NEOs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Philip Berlinski

Global Treasurer

  2022   10.00   1.50     3.40     5.10  

 

 60  51 
  2021   17.50   1.11(b)     6.56     9.84  

 

 60  56 
        

Kathryn Ruemmler

CLO and General Counsel

  2022   12.00   1.50     4.20     6.30  

 

 60  53 
  2021   17.50   1.50     6.40     9.60  

 

 60  55 

(a) Each of Messrs. Solomon, Waldron and Scherr served in more than one role during 2018. Mr. Solomon became CEO, and Mr. Waldron became COO, in October 2018 and Mr. Scherr became CFO in November 2018. The 2018 salary for each of these individuals was increased at the time of their respective change in role/title during 2018 and their compensation for each year reflects length of service in prior and new roles.

(a)

Total annual compensation does not include the value of any previously granted SVC Awards because they are not part of annual compensation. For more information on these one-time, performance-based stock awards, see —Shareholder Value Creation Awards—A Detailed Look.

(b) The number of PSUs or RSUs awarded as part of our NEOs’ 2019 annual compensation was determined by reference to the closing price of our Common Stock on the grant date ($249.72 on January 16, 2020). This resulted in grants as follows: Mr. Solomon—71,481 PSUs; Mr. Waldron—54,421 PSUs; Mr. Scherr—49,616 PSUs; Mr. Rogers—6,006 PSUs and 18,021 RSUs; and Ms. Seymour—4,505 PSUs and 13,516 RSUs.

(b)

Reflects Mr. Berlinski’s effective salary for 2021, which amount takes into account his annualized salary increase to $1.5 million, effective as of September 20, 2021, in connection with his appointment to the Management Committee.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders34

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

How Our Compensation Committee Makes Decisions

HOW OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MAKES DECISIONS

LOGO

OUR COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES FIRMWIDE PERFORMANCE INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK CRO INPUT AND RISK MANAGEMENT MARKET FOR TALENT REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

LOGO

OUR COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES

 

Our Compensation Principles guideHow our Compensation Committee in its review of compensation at our firm, including the Committee’s determination of NEO compensation. The full text of our Compensation Principles is available on our public website atwww.gs.com/corpgov. Key elements of our Compensation Principles include:Makes Decisions

 

Our
    Compensation    

Principles

Firmwide PerformanceIndividual PerformanceMarket for TalentStakeholder
Feedback
CRO Input
and Risk
Management
Regulatory Considerations

Independent

    Compensation    

Consultant

Importance of Informed Judgment

To help ensure that our compensation program is appropriately aligned with our long-term strategy, stakeholder expectations and the safety and soundness of our firm, our Compensation Committee, within the structure of our Performance Assessment Framework and in the context of the inputs and factors described below, uses its informed judgment to evaluate, and structured discretion to set, executive compensation.

We believe this balanced approach, which is consistent with industry practice, is appropriate for our firm, and that a more formulaic compensation program would not be in the long-term best interests of our firm, our shareholders and other stakeholders.

Avoids Unintended Consequences and Mitigates Compensation-Related Risk. Our business is dynamic and requires us to respond rapidly to changes in our operating environment. As such, our annual compensation program is designed to encourage appropriate prudence by our senior leaders, on behalf of our shareholders and our clients, regardless of prevailing market conditions.

»

We use a Performance Assessment Framework to provide greater definition to, and transparency regarding, the pre-established financial and nonfinancial factors considered by the Compensation Committee to assess the firm’s performance in connection with compensation decisions for our NEOs and other senior leaders. However, a strictly formulaic compensation program would not permit adjustments based on less quantifiable factors, such as unexpected external events or individual performance.

Performance-Based Pay Provides Alignment. While annual compensation decisions are based on our Compensation Committee’s informed judgment and use of structured discretion, the amounts ultimately realized by our NEOs (who received 100% of year-end equity-based pay in PSUs) are subject to ongoing performance metrics and tied to the firm’s longer-term stock price (settlement of PSUs and Shares at Risk delivered in respect of PSUs).

LOGO Our Compensation Principles

Our Compensation Principles (available at www.gs.com/corpgov) underpin all of our compensation decisions, including the Compensation Committee’s determination of NEO compensation. The Committee recently undertook a review of our long-standing Compensation Principles, reaffirming the key elements contained therein as well as formally documenting in the principles our existing commitment and practice that compensation should promote a strong risk management and control environment. Key elements of our Compensation Principles include:

   PAYING FOR PERFORMANCE
Paying for PerformanceEncouraging Firmwide Orientation & CultureDiscouraging Imprudent Risk-TakingAttracting & Retaining Talent
   ENCOURAGING FIRMWIDE
ORIENTATION & CULTURE
DISCOURAGING IMPRUDENT 
RISK-TAKING

ATTRACTING &

RETAINING TALENT

Firmwide compensation should directly relate to firmwide performance over the cycle.

 

Employees should think and act like long-term shareholders, and compensation should reflect the performance of the firm as a whole.

 

Compensation should be carefully designed to be consistent with the safety and soundness of our firm. Risk profiles must be taken into account in annual performance reviews, and factors like liquidity risk and cost of capital should also be considered.

 

Compensation should reward an employee’s ability to identify and create value, and the recognition of individual performance should also
be considered in the context of the competitive market for talent.

Promoting a Strong Risk Management and Control Environment

 

 

In addition to our Compensation Principles, our Compensation Committee is guided by our variable compensation frameworks, which more broadly govern the variable compensation process for employees who could expose the firm to material amounts of risk (such as our NEOs).        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

LOGO

FIRMWIDE PERFORMANCE

 35


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

HOW OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MAKES DECISIONS

Firmwide Performance LOGO

Consistent withTaking into account ourpay-for-performance philosophy, our Compensation Committee places substantial importance on the assessment of firmwide performance when determining NEO compensation.

 

  

The assessment of firmwide performance takes into account a number of factors. For 2019 compensation decisions, the Committee determined it was appropriate to focus on the strategic planning and investments made during 2019 to develop, articulate and begin execution of a new long-term growth strategy, which will provide the foundation for more durable revenues over time, and to implement a new operating approach for the firm.

In addition, duringDuring 2019, we developed a newour initial Performance Assessment Framework to help provide greater definition to, and transparency regarding the key factors considered by the Compensation Committee to assess certain aspects of the firm’s annual performance in connection with compensation decisions for our NEOs and our Management Committee.

»  The framework, which guided our Compensation Committee’s processFramework includes an assessment of pre-established financial metrics and nonfinancial factors on a firmwide basis. It also includes business metrics that underpin firmwide performance and serve to inform compensation decisions for 2019,the firm’s business leaders.

»  The Framework aligns performance metrics and goals across our most senior leaders and helpsprovides a structure to help ensure that our compensation program for our NEOs and Management Committee continues to be appropriately aligned with our long-term strategy, our financial targets, stakeholder expectations and the safety and soundness of our firm. The Framework continues to evolve, as appropriate, to help ensure this purpose is served.

In February 2022, the Committee adopted financial metrics and nonfinancial factors, each as described below, that informed the 2022 compensation decisions for our NEOs.

 

The assessment of firmwide performance takes into account a number of factors, including:

2022 financial performance, focused on the key metrics set forth in the Performance Assessment Framework, both on an absolute basis and relative to our Peers;

Progress towards achieving the firm’s strategic objectives through a review of a dashboard of KPIs that support our medium-term financial targets; and

Nonfinancial factors that underpin how our financial results are achieved and support appropriate investment in the firm’s future.

    OVERVIEW OF PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

    Overview of Performance Assessment Framework

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCEHOW THE RESULTS ARE ACHIEVED / INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE
    CLIENTSRISK MANAGEMENT

LEADERSHIP, CULTURE

& VALUESHow the Results are Achieved/Investment in the Future

    Financial Performance  Clients  Risk Management  People

LOGOLOGO

FIRMWIDE

 

 ROE

 ROTE

 Efficiency ratio

 TSR

 BVPS growth

 Pre-tax earnings

 Net revenuerevenues

 EPS

  TSR Strategic priorities and KPIs:

»  Grow and strengthen existing businesses

»  Diversify our products and services

»  Operate more efficiently

 

 Cross-divisional strategy/ collaboration Collaboration across the firm in support of One Goldman Sachs

 Client satisfaction Strength of client feedback

 Broaden Broadening share of addressable market

 Progress towards sustainable finance commitments

 

  Reputation Managing reputational risk

  Conduct

 Compliance

 Standing with regulators

 Governance and controls

 Managing operational risk

 Managing risk violations/ exceptions

 Capital and liquidity

 360° feedback on risk management, firm reputation and compliance

 

 Progress towards announced aspirational diversity goals Core Values

 Teamwork Compliance and collaborationconduct matters

 Succession planning Diversity, equity & inclusion (e.g., hiring and next generation leadership developmentrepresentation)

 Attrition

32        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

How Our Compensation Committee Makes Decisions

 Leadership pipeline health

 Return to office

The framework includes an assessment of financial metrics andnon-financial factors on a firmwide basis. It also includes divisional metrics which underpin firmwide performance Strategic location headcount and serve to inform compensation decisions for the firm’s divisional leaders.hiring

 

New for 2020.We will continue to evolve our Performance Assessment Framework over time to ensure that it continues to align with our long-term strategy and goals. For 2020, the Committee has adopted financial metrics that align with the goals announced at our recent Investor Day, as well asnon-financial factors that will inform 2020 compensation decisions.

LOGO

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE

 

36

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

HOW OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MAKES DECISIONS

LOGO Individual Performance

An assessment of each NEO’s individual performance and achievements is critical to our Compensation Committee’s decision-making process, including how each of our NEOs helped to contribute to firmwide performance. Eachperformance based on the criteria set forth in the Performance Assessment Framework and other factors, in each case as applicable depending on the NEO’s role.

The performance of each of our NEOs is considered against the criteria in the Performance Assessment Framework, as well as evaluated under our 360° Review Process. The 360° Review Process which includes confidential input from employees, including those who are senior to (other than for our CEO), peers of and junior to the employee being reviewed. OurThrough the 360° Review Process, assesses

360o Revew Process LOGO
our NEOs’ performance is assessed across a variety of factors, including risk management and firm reputation, control-side empowerment, judgment, compliance with firm policies, commercial contributions, culture contributions, diversity and inclusion, communication, leadership and people development, and client focus.

LOGO

360° REVIEW PROCESS

 

  

Our CEO:Under the direction of our Lead Director, our Governance Committee evaluated the performance of Mr. Solomon, including consideration of performance pursuant to the Performance Assessment Framework, as well as a summary of his evaluation under the 360° Review Process (seeCorporate GovernanceGovernance—Board Oversight of our Firm—Key Areas of Board Oversight—CEO Performance). Our Compensation Committee considered this evaluation and also discussed Mr. Solomon’s performance as part of its executive sessiondiscussions to determine his compensation.

 

  

Other NEOs:Mr. Solomon discussed with the CompensationGovernance Committee the performance of our COO and CFO, including consideration of Messrs. Waldron’s and Coleman’s performance pursuant to the Performance Assessment Framework, as well as a summary of their evaluations under the 360° Review Process. Similarly, Mr.The Compensation Committee similarly considered these evaluations and discussed the performance of Messrs. Waldron and Coleman as part of its discussions to determine their compensation. Messrs. Solomon and Waldron also discussed with the Compensation Committee the performance of our other NEOs, including in respect of the metrics included in the Framework, as well as a summary of their evaluations under the 360° Review Process. In this context, Mr. Solomon and Mr. Waldronthey submitted variable compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee for our NEOs, but did not make recommendations about their own compensation.

 

LOGO Market for Talent

LOGO

STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACKOur Compensation Committee broadly reviews the competitive market for talent as part of its review of our compensation program’s effectiveness in attracting and retaining talent, including to help determine NEO compensation.

 

  

2019 Say on Pay Results.Wherever possible, our goal is to be in a position to appoint people from within the firm to our most senior leadership positions. Our 2019 Say on Pay vote received the support ofapproximately 91%ofexecutive compensation program is intended to incentivize our shareholders. people to stay at Goldman Sachs and to aspire to these senior roles.

To this end, the Committee regularly evaluates our NEO compensation program using benchmarking to help ensure that our senior roles are properly valued, taking into account compensation program design and structure, as well as multi-year financial performance and quantum of NEO pay at our Peers. The Committee may also receive additional benchmarking information with respect to other companies with which the firm competes for talent (e.g., asset managers, S&P 100 companies).

The Committee viewedperforms this outcome as an indication of our shareholders’ positive reaction to ourevaluation with information and assistance from HCM and the Committee’s independent compensation program.consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (Meridian).

 

  

Stakeholder Engagement.Engagement has beenBenchmarking information provided by HCM is obtained from an analysis of public filings by our Controllers and continues to be a priority for our Board. To this end, we engage extensively with our stakeholders each year and the feedback received continues to inform our Board and Compensation Committee actions. For example, in 2019 we (including, in certain cases, our Lead Director) met with shareholders representing more than 35%HCM functions, as well as surveys conducted by Willis Towers Watson regarding incentive compensation practices.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

37


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

HOW OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MAKES DECISIONS

  Our Peers
  U.S. PeersEuropean Peers

Bank of Common Stock outstanding to discuss compensation-related matters and other areasAmerica Corporation

Barclays PLC

Citigroup Inc.

Credit Suisse Group AG

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Deutsche Bank AG

Morgan Stanley

UBS Group AG

The Bank of focus.New York Mellon Corporation

Wells Fargo & Company

 

  

Board Responsiveness.Stakeholder feedback received overIn addition, the last several years continues to inform our Board and Compensation Committee actions:(and other Committees as may be applicable in the context of their respective oversight) also receives and considers information on non-executive employee compensation, including information on aggregate compensation, attrition and retention. Annually, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the equity award terms, including deferral levels, for equity-based awards granted to employees at all levels across the firm. Consistent with our Compensation Principles, employees at certain compensation thresholds receive a portion of their compensation in the form of equity-based awards, which increases as compensation increases, in order to help support employee share ownership and align employee interests with those of long-term shareholders.

LOGO Stakeholder Feedback

Engagement has been and continues to be a priority for our Board and management. To this end, we engage extensively with our stakeholders each year (see Stakeholder Engagement). This feedback, together with feedback received over the last several years and the results of our annual Say on Pay vote, continues to inform our Board and Compensation Committee actions.

Feedback from the Say on Pay vote at the 2022 Annual Meeting (approximately 82% support), including stakeholder engagement in connection with our 2022 Annual Meeting, reflected continued support for our:

 

Proxy Statement

LOGO  Pay-for-performance philosophy

LOGO  100% deferral in PSUs for all NEOs and broader Management Committee

LOGO  PSUs tie compensation for senior leaders to ongoing performance conditions

LOGO  Rigorous structure of previously granted Shareholder Value Creation Awards (SVC Awards); commitment to maintaining award thresholds despite change in operating environment

LOGO  Robust risk-balancing features in the 2020 Annual Meetingcompensation program

In determining the form, structure and amount of Shareholders2022 annual compensation, the Committee took into account this feedback, and discussed and evaluated that a core element of our Compensation Principles—as well as of stakeholder feedback—is paying-for-performance. In light of this, the Compensation Committee and the Board determined to keep the form and structure of annual compensation consistent year-over-year, while lowering 2022 annual variable compensation in consideration of the firm’s 2022 performance. In doing so, we have continued our commitment to various best practices (as described below).

38

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

How Our Compensation Committee Makes DecisionsHOW OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MAKES DECISIONS

In response to stakeholder feedback

Over the last several years, we have made a number of enhancements to our compensation program and restated our commitments to various best practices, including paying-for-performance and using performance-based equity awards to further link pay to longer-term results

Stakeholder Feedback

Compensation Committee Action

   LOGO

LOGO    Compensation reflects firm performance

   LOGO Pay-for-Performance Philosophy Limit use of Time-Based RSUs in Executive Compensation

LOGO    Continually increased over time the portion of deferral in PSUs. For 2022, all NEOs and continuing Management Committee members continued to receive 100% of deferral in PSUs subject to performance conditions

  LOGO

LOGO    100% of year-end equity for NEOs granted as PSUs, which are subject to ongoing performance conditions

LOGO    Granted rigorous SVC Awards in late 2021 or early 2022 (as applicable) to our senior leaders, who have the greatest ability to influence long-term shareholder returns; maintained award thresholds despite change in operating environment

LOGO Support for High Percentage of Performance-Based Pay and Rigor of Design High Protection of European Peers in Peer Group

LOGO    Conducted Peer group analysis and expanded Peer group with two additional U.S. Peers for PSUs and compensation benchmarking

LOGO    Relative metrics in SVC Awards based on U.S. Peers only

  LOGO

LOGO    Continued use of risk-adjusted metrics, transfer restrictions, retention requirements and recapture provisions and program alignment across our senior leaders

LOGO Support for Robust Risk-Balancing Features Transparency Regarding Compensation Committee's Use of Discretion

LOGO Made enhancements to Performance Assessment Framework. In 2020, added a dashboard for the Compensation Committee to assess progress against key strategic goals and, in 2021, added a People Scorecard to enhance consideration of leadership, culture and values. Framework and metrics reviewed annually and all NEOs individually evaluated pursuant to Framework

LOGO Expanded proxy disclosure regarding Committee’s use of informed judgment and structured discretion on pay decisions

LOGO Eliminated ability for Compensation Committee to make certain discretionary adjustments to ROE in year-end PSUs; ROE based on as reported metrics

LOGO

LOGO    Continued commitment to engagement by Lead Director and Compensation Committee Chair

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

39


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

    
 2018    2019      
    
    STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK   

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ACTION

 

In response to stakeholder feedback, weenhanced the rigor of our PSU design by increasing:

 

  absolute ROE threshold for maximum payout from14% to 16%,

 

  target for 100% payout under relative ROE goals from50thpercentile to 60th, and

 

  minimum absolute ROE threshold for payout from4% to 5%.

   

 

LOGO

SUPPORT FOR NEW PSU DESIGN

  

 

LOGO   

 

 

Equity-based annual compensation for our Executive Leadership Team continues to be paidentirely in PSUs, subject torigorous thresholds

 

   

 

LOGO

  

 

LOGO   

 

LOGO   

 

 

70%of our CEO’s and60%of our COO’s and CFO’s 2019 annual variable compensationsubject to ongoing performance metrics (compared to CEO U.S. Peer average of approx. 55%)

 

 

PSUs granted beyond Executive Leadership Team to our other NEOs and members of our Management Committee

 

 

   

 

LOGO

FOCUS ON HIGH LEVELS OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE DISCRETION SUPPORT FOR HIGH PERCENTAGE OF PERFORMANCE-BASED PAY FOCUS ON HOW COMPENSATION PROGRAM TIES TO STRATEGY

 

LOGO

 

  

 

LOGO   

 

 

 

Implementation of newPerformance Assessment Framework, to enhance transparency and alignment with forward strategy

 

   

 

LOGO

 

  

 

 

LOGO   

 

 

 

 

Enhanced CD&A disclosure, including regarding our new Performance Assessment Framework

 

   

 

 

LOGO

SUPPORT FOR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND RESPONSIVENESS SUPPORT FOR TRANSPARENT PROXY DISCLOSURE

  

 

LOGO   

 

LOGO   

 

 

Continued emphasis onextensive stakeholder engagement

 

Commitment to engagementby Lead Director and Compensation Committee Chair

 

HOW OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MAKES DECISIONS

 

LOGOLOGO CRO Input & Risk Management

CRO INPUT & RISK MANAGEMENTEffective risk management underpins everything we do, and our compensation program is carefully designed to be consistent with the safety and soundness of our firm.

 

 

Effective risk management underpins everything that we do, and our compensation programs are carefully designed to be consistent with the safety and soundness of our firm.

 

Our CRO presented histhe annual risk assessment jointly to our Compensation Committee and our Risk Committee in order to assist with the evaluation of our program’s design.

 

»

»This assessment, which is also reviewed by our independent compensation consultant, is focused on whether our program is consistent with regulatory guidance providing that financial services firms should ensure that variable compensation does not encourage imprudent risk-taking.

 

»

Our Compensation Committee and our CRO each believesbelieve that the various components of our compensation programsprogram, including compensation plans, policies and policiespractices, work together to balance risk and reward in a manner that does not encourage imprudent risk-taking. For example:

 

  

Compensation is considered based onRisk-Adjusted Metricsrisk-adjusted metrics, such as net revenues and ROE (which are reflected in our Performance Assessment Framework)

 

Significant portion of pay inEquity-Based Awardsequity-based awards aligns with long-term shareholder interests

 

Transfer Restrictions, Retention Requirements and Stock Ownership Guidelineswork together to align compensation with long-term performance and discourage imprudent risk-taking

 

RobustRecaptureprovisions mitigate imprudent risk-taking, including thatrisk-taking; misconduct or improper risk analysis could result in clawback or forfeiture of compensation

34        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

How LOGO Regulatory Considerations

Our Compensation Committee Makes Decisionsalso considers regulatory matters and the views of our regulators when determining NEO compensation. To this end, the Committee receives briefings on relevant regulatory developments. See also —CRO Input & Risk Management.

 

LOGO Independent Compensation Consultant Input

LOGO

MARKET FOR TALENTOur Compensation Committee recognizes the importance of using an independent compensation consulting firm that is appropriately qualified and that provides services solely to our Board and its Committees and not to our firm.

 

 

Our Compensation Committee reviews the competitive market for talent as part of its review of our compensation program’s effectiveness in attracting and retaining talent, and to help determine NEO compensation.

»

Wherever possible, our goal is to be in a position to appoint people from within the firm to our most senior leadership positions and our executive compensation program is intended to incentivize our people to stay at Goldman Sachs and to aspire to these senior roles.

To this end, the Committee regularly evaluates our NEO compensation program against benchmarking to ensure that our senior roles are properly valued, taking into account compensation program design and structure, as well as multi-year financial performance and quantum of NEO pay at our U.S. Peers and European Peers. In considering this benchmarking, the Committee also took into account that 2018 compensation levels for our Executive Leadership Team reflected that each had served in more than one role during that year.

The Committee performs this evaluation with information and assistance from our HCM division and FW Cook (as described below). Information provided by HCM about our peers is obtained from an analysis of public filings by our Finance and HCM Divisions, as well as surveys regarding incentive compensation practices conducted by Willis Towers Watson.

LOGO

REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Our Compensation Committee also considers regulatory matters and the views of our regulators when determining NEO compensation. To this end, the Committee receives briefings on an ongoing basis on relevant regulatory developments. See also —CRO Input & Risk Management.

LOGO

INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT INPUT

Our Compensation Committee recognizes the importance of using an independent compensation consulting firm that is appropriately qualified and that provides services solely to our Board and its Committees and not to our firm.

 

For 2019,2022, our Compensation Committee received the advice of Semler Brossy and FW Cook. Semler BrossyMeridian. Meridian provided input on the development of our Performance Assessment Framework, as well as on changes to our PSUincentive compensation program eligibilitystructure and design. Semler Brossy did not recommend,terms and was not involved in determining, the amount of any NEO’s compensation. FW Cook, who was retained by the Committee in October 2019, participated in discussions regardingother compensation matters generally. In addition, they reviewed our CRO’s compensation-related risk assessment provided input and advice on our Performance Assessment Framework and the structure and amount of our 20192022 NEO annual compensation program, advised on otherincluding with respect to market context and expectations for Peer compensation, matters and they provided additional benchmarking information to the Committee.

 

  

Our Compensation Committee determined that each of Semler Brossy and FW CookMeridian had no conflicts of interest in providing services to the Committee and was independent under the factors set forth in the NYSE rules for compensation committee advisors.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders40

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Goldman Sachs        35PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Overview of Compensation Elements and Key Pay Practices

OVERVIEW OF ANNUAL COMPENSATION ELEMENTS AND KEY PAY PRACTICES

 

Overview of Annual Compensation Elements and Key Pay Practices

Our Compensation Committee believes the design of our executive compensation program is integral to further our Compensation Principles, including paying for performancepaying-for-performance and effective risk management. In addition, our variable compensation frameworks more broadly govern the variable compensation process for employees who could expose the firm to material amounts of risk (such as our NEOs).

 

 PAY ELEMENT CHARACTERISTICS
Pay Element PURPOSECharacteristics 2019 COMPENSATIONPurpose2022 Annual Compensation
   BASE SALARY  Base Salary Annual fixed cash compensation Provides our executives with a predictable level of income that is competitive withto salary at our peersPeers We made no changes to NEOFor 2022, NEOs received the following annual base salary levels ($2.0salaries: $2.0 million for our CEO, $1.85 million for our COO and CFO and $1.5 million for our other NEOs), and our Compensation Committee believes that these salary levels are competitive in the market for talentNEOs

  ANNUALAnnual Variable

  VARIABLE

   COMPENSATIONCompensation(a)

 Cash Motivates and rewards achievement of company performance and strategic and operational objectives In 2019,2022, each of our NEOs received a portion of their annual variable compensation (no more than 40%) in the form of a cash bonus

 

 

Equity-Based

Equity-Based: PSUs

RSUs

 Aligns our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders and motivates executives to achieve longer-term performance, and strategic and operational objectives 

Each of our NEOs received at least 60% of his or hertheir annual variable compensation in the form of equity-based compensation

  Executive Leadership Team: 100% PSUs

  Other NEOs: 25% PSUs (new); 75% RSUs

Our equity-based awards and underlying Shares at Risk are subject to transfer restrictions, retention requirements and robust recapture provisions

 

(a)

Our NEOs participate in the Goldman Sachs Partner Compensation Plan (PCP), the plan under which we determine variable compensation for all of our other PMDs. Previously granted SVC Awards are not part of annual compensation. For more information on these one-time, performance-based stock awards, see —Shareholder Value Creation Awards—A Detailed Look.

 

LOGO

What We Do What We Don't Do
Engage proactively with shareholders and other stakeholders
Review and carefully consider stakeholder feedback in structuring and determining executive compensation
Grant equity-based awards subject to ongoing performance metrics as a significant portion of our NEOs' annual variable compensation (for 2019 at least 60%) for NEOs, as well as our Management Committee
Align pay with firmwide performance, including through use of PSUs and RSUs Utilize
Use
Performance Assessment Framework to assess performance through financial and non-financialnonfinancial metrics Tie 100% of equity-based compensation granted to our Executive Leadership Team to ongoing performance metrics (e.g., clients, risk management and people-related metrics)
Exercise informed judgment responsive to the cyclicaldynamic nature of our business, including consideration of appropriate risk-based and other metrics within the context ofin our Performance Assessment Framework
Apply significant shareholding requirements through:
Stock Ownership Guidelines for Executive Leadership Team
Retention Requirements for all Management Committee members (including NEOs)
Shares at Risk for PMDs and managing directors (including NEOs)
Maintain robust clawback and forfeiturerecapture provisions that apply toin our variable compensation awards award agreements
Provide for annual assessment by our CRO of our compensation program to ensure it does not encourage imprudent risk-taking Utilize
Use
independent compensation consultants consultant
What We Don't Do
No employment agreements providing for severance pay with our executive officers (including our NEOs)
No golden parachutes
No guaranteed bonus arrangements with our executive officers
No tax gross-ups for our executive officers, except in connection with international assignments and relocations
No change to SVC Award thresholds for economic conditions
No repricing of underwater stock options
No excessive perquisites
No ongoing service-based pension benefit accruals for executive officers
No hedging transactions or short sales of our common stockCommon Stock permitted for any executive officer LOGO

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41


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2022 ANNUAL COMPENSATION

 

36        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020

2022 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersCompensation


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2019 Compensation

2019 COMPENSATION

Our Compensation Committee made its annual compensation determinations for our NEOs in the context of our Compensation Principles, which encompass apay-for-performance philosophy, and after consideration of the factors set forth inHow our Compensation Committee Makes its Decisions.Decisions.

 

Compensation reflects our pay-for-performance culture and incentivizes long-term shareholder alignment without undue emphasis on shorter-term results

 

2022 Annual Compensation for NEOs Reflects Pay-for-Performance Philosophy

Solid results despite a challenging
economic backdrop

Strong individual performance

  Second highest net revenues and full-year EPS as well as double digit returns

  Year-over-year decline in firm performance, including due to impacts of challenging operating environment

  Continued progress in many of our strategic initiatives, with more work needed to fully realize longer-term ambitions

  Effective leadership and set appropriate tone from the top

  Led ongoing execution of our strategic priorities, including business realignment

  Commitment to our people strategy, including advancing our culture, diversity and talent development

LOGO2022 Firmwide Performance: Delivered Solid Results Despite a Challenging Economic Backdrop

2019 COMPENSATION REFLECTS Development & executionOur Compensation Committee places key importance on the assessment of long-term growth strategy Building foundation for more durable revenues over time Implementation of new operating approach Driving enhanced discipline, accountability and transparency Consistent, solid net revenueannual firmwide performance Demonstrating continued strength ofwhen determining NEO compensation, which is core to our franchise Strong individual performance Exemplary leadership and tone at the top; first full year in role for Executive Leadership Team Compensation incentivizes continued long-term, sustainable growth and achievement of financial targets without undue emphasis on shorter-term results

Long-Term Growth Strategy and New Operating Approachpay-for-performance philosophy.

 

  

Central to our Compensation Committee decisions for 2019 was the strategic vision and planning undertaken by our NEOs, and in particular our Executive Leadership Team, in the development and initial execution of the firm’s long-term growth strategy as articulated at our January 2020 Investor Day.

In particular, our Executive Leadership Team drove the development of the firm’s forward strategic plan, and committed to making the necessary investments to drive long-term, sustainable growth for our shareholders. Each of our NEOs also focused on the implementation of a new operating approach that deliversOne Goldman Sachs to our clients, is underscored by a multi-year financial planning process, invests in new and existing businesses and enhances accountability and transparency.

In addition to its focus on 2019 firmwide performance, as described below, the Committee worked to ensure that the structure and amount of our NEO compensation appropriately incentivizes our NEOs to continue to build long-term, sustainable growth and to achieve our financial targets, without undue emphasis on shorter-term results.

»

For example, each of our NEOs receives at least 60% of his or her variable compensation in the form of equity-based awards that promote alignment with long-term shareholder interests.

»

Further, all of our Executive Leadership Team’s equity-based awards are in the form of PSUs subject to ongoing performance metrics and, for the first time, PSUs were granted to our other NEOs and Management Committee members, resulting in 25% of their equity-based awards being subject to ongoing performance metrics.

2019 Firmwide Performance

Our Compensation Committee also places key importance on the assessment of annual firmwide performance when determining NEO compensation. Performance is assessed in a holistic manner and was guided by our new Performance Assessment Framework (using metrics determined by our Compensation Committee in February 2022), without ascribing specific weight to any single factor or metric, as we continue to believe that a formulaic compensation program would not be in the best interests of our firm.firm or our shareholders.

 

  

TheIn reviewing financial performance for 2022, the Committee received absolute and relative financial metrics and considered the comparison to the firm’s record 2021 performance. They also took into account a variety of other firmwide and business specific metrics, as well as the context of the broader operating environment and the challenging economic backdrop during 2022.

In addition, the Committee also considered how 2022 results were achieved, including how the firm continued to invest in its future and how each NEO and each business contributed to the various client, risk management, and leadership, culture and values-relatedpeople-related strategies and goals set forth in the framework.Framework, including as described in —2022 Individual Performance.

The execution and evolution of the firm’s long-term growth strategy was also central to our Compensation Committee decisions for 2022 compensation.

Our NEOs, and in particular our Executive Leadership Team, drove the continued execution of our strategic plan throughout 2022 and made important decisions to evolve the firm’s strategy in line with our long-term goals. While continued progress was made, there is more work needed to fully realize our longer-term ambitions. Pursuant to the Performance Assessment Framework, the Committee considered progress towards achieving our strategic goals in 2022 by reviewing a dashboard of progress across various KPIs.

»In this regard, the Committee took into account our NEOs’ clear focus on our strategic realignment, which is intended to strengthen our businesses and improve our efficiency.

Each of our NEOs also focused on the continued implementation of an operating approach that delivers One Goldman Sachs to our clients, is underscored by a multi-year financial-planning process, invests in new and existing businesses and enhances accountability and transparency.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders42

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

2019 Compensation2022 ANNUAL COMPENSATION

 

The Committee continues to focus on ensuring that the structure and amount of our NEO compensation appropriately incentivizes our NEOs to continue to build long-term, sustainable growth and to achieve our financial targets, without undue emphasis on shorter-term results.

For example, each of our NEOs receives at least 60% of his or her variable compensation in equity-based awards that promote alignment with long-term shareholder interests.

Further, equity-based awards for our continuing Management Committee members, including for our NEOs, are all in the form of PSUs, resulting in a significant portion of compensation for our most senior leaders being subject to ongoing performance metrics.

 

  Assessment of 2022 Firmwide Performance

   ASSESSMENT OF 2019 FIRMWIDE PERFORMANCEFinancial

performance

ROE

10.2%

ROTE(a)

11.0%

Net Revenues

$47.4 billion

(2nd highest full-year

net revenues)

EPS

$30.06

(2nd highest

full-year EPS)

 

 

Pre-Tax Earnings

$13.5 billion

 

Efficiency Ratio

65.8%

1-Year TSR

-7.9%

BVPS Growth

6.7% YoY

   Progress Across our Strategic Goals

  
  

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCEGrow and

strengthen

existing

businesses

 

ROE Reported record net revenues in FICC financing and Equities financing, enhancing durability of revenues

 

10.0% Ranked #1 in worldwide announced and completed M&A(b); grew wallet share across Global Banking & Markets(c)

 Increased AUS by $77 billion(d) in 2022, including long-term net inflows of $50 billion, resulting in record AUS of $2.5 trillion

Diversify our

products and

services

 

ROTE(a) Continued building Transaction banking capabilities, with $70 billion in deposits at 2022 year-end

 

10.6% Continued to drive third-party alternatives fundraising, with gross third-party alternatives fundraising across strategies of $72 billion in 2022

 Focus on Workplace and Personal Wealth channel

 Net interest income increased 19% year-over-year for 2022

Operate more

efficiently

 

Efficiency Ratio Diversified funding mix; increased deposits by approximately $23 billion year-over-year, reflecting growth in private bank and consumer deposits and transaction banking deposits

 

68%

BVPS Growth

5.4% YoY

Pre-Tax Earnings

$10.6bn

Net Revenue

$36.5bn

EPS

$21.03

1-Year TSR

40.5%

  Consistent, solid net revenue performance, demonstrating revenue durability and continued strength of our franchise following strong year-over-year growth in 2018

  ROE of 10.0% was achieved in the context of our 2019 litigation expense and our investments for growth, which together reduced our 2019 ROE in excess of 200 basis points

  Strongone-year TSR

CLIENTS

  Cross-Divisional Strategy

  Client Satisfaction

  Broaden Market Share

  Successfully executing on initialOne Goldman Sachs cross-divisional client coverage initiative, which resulted in positive client feedback and the development of a plan to more broadly implementOne Goldman Sachs initiatives across firm

  Positive feedback on the biennial Client and Key Stakeholder survey and strong franchise rankings — including #1 in M&A and Equity Underwriting(b)and #2 Institutional Client Franchise(c) — as well as being a world-class active asset manager and a premier financial advisor

  Progress on four key opportunities Continued to expand our addressable marketpresence in strategic locations and better serve clients (Transaction Banking, Third Party Alternatives, Digital Consumer Bankmake ongoing investments in automation and Wealth Management)

RISK MANAGEMENT

  Reputation

  Conduct

  Compliance

  Standing with Regulators

  Governance & Controls

  Capital & Liquidity

  Ongoing focus on reputational risk assessment, including through the review of transactions with potentially heightened reputational risk by control-side regional vetting groups

  Made technological enhancements to manage risks, including through our insider threat program, consistent with our Enterprise Risk Framework and Risk Appetite Statement

  Continued to enhance our strong second- and third-line of defenses, including Risk, Legal, Compliance and Internal Audit, and elevate the role and stature of our Enterprise Risk Committee

  Continued engagement with our regulators

  Standardized CET1 ratio (13.3%) was unchanged, despite the return of $6.88 billion of capital to common shareholders during the year and an increase in our quarterly dividend from $0.85 per share to $1.25 per share beginning in the third quarter of 2019

  Maintained highly liquid balance sheet and robust liquidity metrics

LEADERSHIP, CULTURE & VALUES

  Diversity

  Teamwork

  Succession Planning

  Culture

  Took a broad approach to attracting and retaining diverse talent, including the announcement of, and progress towards, aspirational diversity goals, robust talent development programs and diversity retention initiatives

  Focus on development of next generation talent, including through the firm’s leadership pipeline review process

  Clear communication by senior management regarding Core Values and culture, including to further institutionalize cross-divisional teamwork and collaboration throughOne Goldman Sachs

(a)

For a reconciliation of thisnon-GAAP measure to the corresponding GAAP measure (ROE), please seeAnnex A: Calculation of Non-GAAP Measures.

(b)

Source: Dealogic

(c)

Source: Coalition institutional client analytics for FY2018. Institutional clients only. Analysis excludes captive, andnon-core products.infrastructure

 

38        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement

(a)  For a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the corresponding GAAP measure, please see Annex A: Calculation of Non-GAAP Measures.

(b) Source: Dealogic.

(c)  2022 wallet share vs. 2019 wallet share. Based on reported revenues for Advisory, Equity underwriting, Debt underwriting, FICC and Equities. Total wallet includes GS, JPM, C, MS, BAC, UBS, BARC, CS, DB.

(d) Includes net inflows from acquisitions/(dispositions) of $316 billion, substantially all from the 2020 Annual Meetingacquisition of ShareholdersNN Investment Partners.


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2019 Compensation

20192022 Individual Performance

 

  

The Committee assesses how each NEO’s individual performance (highlights of which are set forth below) contributed to the firm’s overall performance, including the development and execution of our long-term strategy as well as how each NEO exhibited effective leadership and set the tone-at-the-top in the stewardship of our culture and Core Values.

The Committee also considers the metrics and factors described in our Performance Assessment Framework as well as how(e.g., clients, risk management and people-related metrics), including assessments of each NEO exhibited exemplary leadership and set a tone atagainst the topcriteria in the stewardship of our culture. During 2019, the key individual characteristicsFramework and performance achievements that our NEOs exhibited and were committed to included (as applicable):other factors, in each case as applicable dependent on each NEO’s role.

 

LOGO

STRATEGIC VISION & DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP & CULTURE CARRIER OPERATIONAL APPROACH DIVERSITY & SUSTAINABILITY TALENT DEVELOPMENT

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

43


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2022 ANNUAL COMPENSATION

LOGO

LOGO

 

 

David M. Solomon

 

Chairman and CEO

Key Responsibilities

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENTS

As Chairman and CEO, Mr. Solomon is responsible for leading our business operations and overseeing our firm, leading development and implementation of corporate policy and strategy and serving as primary liaison between our Board and our firm and as a primary public face of our firm.

  In 2019, Mr. Solomon:

»  Successfully executed on his priorities in his first full year as Chairman and CEO. This included a smooth leadership transition and empowering the other members of the Executive Leadership Team and senior leaders across the firm to execute on the firm’s strategic and operational goals.

»  Drove the development of the firm’s forward strategic plan as unveiled at the firm’s inaugural January 2020 Investor Day. To this end, he led our development of the firm’s three-year business plan and a clear long-term strategy that leverages our foundational advantages, enhances the firm’s long-term mindset and instills a culture of innovation as well as the breakdown of silos to enable a more client-centric and efficient approach.

»  Demonstrated a strong commitment to improved transparency and established more open and real-time information sharing broadly across internal and external stakeholders. Excelled as a skilled spokesman for the firm both internally and externally, utilizing technology and various forums to effectively convey the firm’s culture and strategy.

»  Drove the firm’s sustainability initiatives and remained committed to setting and advancing the firm’s diversity aspirations.

 

2019   2022 Annual Compensation

LOGO

28% variable cashCompensationcash compensation28% variabl8% base salary64% PSUs$25MEquity-based compensation 7% base salary 65% PSUs $27.5M Equity-based compensation represented 70%represented70% of 20192022 annual variable compensation,paid 100% in PSUs subject to ongoing performanceongoingperformance metrics. LOGO

 
 

Key Performance Highlights

Mr. Solomon displayed strong and effective leadership of our firm during 2022, exhibiting relentless focus on our forward strategy, including the announced evolution thereof, driving strong financial performance despite a challenging operating environment and displaying an authentic commitment to our people and culture, clients, shareholders and broader stakeholders.

Mr. Solomon’s 2022 dashboard:

Clients

 Actively drove our forward strategic plan, including to:

»  Champion client centricity, including ongoing execution of our One Goldman Sachs approach

»  Strategically realign and re-organize revenue businesses

»  Narrow the firm’s ambitions for its direct-to-consumer strategy

»  Continue to capitalize on opportunities to expand addressable markets and provide differentiated client service

»  Exhibit commitment to ongoing transparency with 2023 Investor Day

 Displayed unwavering commitment to client engagement, delivering consistent, personal engagement with leaders of clients across the globe and regularly participating in group client and industry events

 Drove sustainability strategy, in particular to further accelerate and operationalize associated commercial capabilities to serve our clients

Risk Management

 Emphasizing the importance of an appropriate risk management and control environment

 Instilling a strong focus on the management of financial and nonfinancial risks

 Continued strong engagement with our regulators and top government officials, both in the U.S. and globally

 Worked closely with the Board and CRO to manage the firm’s Russia exposure, including with respect to our commitment to unwind our onshore business in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

People

 Continued to reinforce our culture and Core Values and advance our people strategy, including by:

»  Reinvigorating focus on the firm’s culture and continued emphasis on our employees’ responsibility to protect and foster integrity, encourage escalation and hold themselves and others to the highest standards of conduct

»  Sponsoring our people and talent initiatives, including progressing towards aspirational diversity goals, developing next generation talent, promoting internal mobility efforts and enhancing wellness offerings

»  Leading firmwide and external dialogue on important social topics, such as the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and commitment to sustainable finance and climate transition

»  Visiting our offices across the globe to host internal events and underscore the value of “Return to Office” and the firm’s people and culture

»  Recruiting various strategic hires and appointing key PMDs to focus on innovation and execution of the firm’s strategy

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

2019 Compensation2022 ANNUAL COMPENSATION

 

 LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

John E. Waldron

 

President and COO

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENTSKey Responsibilities

 

As President and COO, Mr. Waldron’s responsibilities include managing ourday-to-day business, executing on our firmwide strategy and other priorities and closely collaborating with our CFO (including on matters relating to risksenior management and firmwide operations),team across the breadth of the firm’s operations, as well as engaging with, and serving as a liaison to, our clients.

  In 2019, Mr. Waldron:

»  Successfully concluded his first full year as President and COO, balancing oversight of revenue divisions and firm operations with extensive client coverage, demonstrating energy and discipline in the approach to his roles. Worked closely with our CEO and fostered a strong partnership with our CFO in the broad operation and administration of the firm.

»  Played a key leadership role in the development and execution of firm’s long-term growth strategy and enhanced operating approach. Responsible for institutionalizing ourOne Goldman Sachs initiative and ensuring that client centricity drives the firm’s approach to efforts such as organizational structure and talent deployment. To this end, has been highly engaged with divisional leadership to improve rigor, discipline, accountability and collaboration in order to advance the firm’s strategic goals.

»  Served as a skilled spokesman for the firm and a key liaison to our clients and other stakeholders.

»  Intently focused on harnessing the firm’s talent and appropriately incentivizing the firm’s people. Drove the assessment of the firm’s top performing leaders with a particular focus on diversity and development of the firm’s “next generation” talent.

2019

   2022 Annual Compensation

LOGO

37% variable cashCompensationcash compensation37% variable8% base salary$23.5M55% PSUsEquity-based compensation 8% base salary $24.5M 55% PSUs Equity-based compensation represented 60%represented60% of 20192022 annual variable compensation,paid 100% in PSUs subject to ongoing performanceongoingperformance metrics. LOGO

 

 
 

 

Key Performance Highlights

During 2022, Mr. Waldron displayed dedicated focus on the execution and evolution of our firm’s forward strategy and driving progress towards our execution priorities with a continued attention to enhancing our expense discipline. In doing so, he provided robust leadership for the firm’s businesses and operations while continuing extensive client engagement.

Mr. Waldron’s 2022 dashboard:

Clients

 Continued dedicated focus on our One Goldman Sachs strategy, including by promoting collaboration access our businesses and actively engaging with clients

 Actively assessed key client franchises across the firm and established working groups to drive progress for key cross-business client channels

 Drove execution and evolution of our forward strategy, including by:

»  Actively managing revenue, control, finance and operating functions in pursuit of the firm’s strategy

»  Driving execution priorities, growth initiatives and achievement of KPIs in close partnership with business and functional leaders across the firm

»  Overseeing operating efficiency initiatives, including continued optimization of organizational structure and progressing automation efforts

»  Overseeing firmwide integration efforts in respect of our strategic realignment and new operating segments

Risk Management

 Collaborated closely with control, financing and operating teams with a focus on financial and nonfinancial risk management and efficient management of resource consumption and capital allocation firmwide, as well as to sponsor assessments of first-line controls, roles and responsibilities

 Assumed co-chair role (alongside CRO) of the Enterprise Risk Committee, with a focus on enhancing the monitoring and review of risk across the firm

 Oversaw reputational risk management as chair of the Firmwide Reputational Risk Committee

 Significant attention to evolution of our China strategy in the context of evolving market and geopolitical landscape

People

 Drove continued focus on the firm’s location strategy

 Sponsored major people and talent initiatives, including:

»  Continuing to enhance the firm’s leadership pipeline review process and related leadership development education and other initiatives

»  Sponsoring Partnership Committee efforts to invest in culture, connectivity and talent development

»  Sponsoring diversity, equity and inclusion networks and initiatives across the firm

»  Leading PMD selection process

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        45


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2022 ANNUAL COMPENSATION

 LOGOLOGO

 

 

 

 Stephen M. ScherrDenis Coleman

 

CFO

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENTSKey Responsibilities

 

As CFO, Mr. Scherr managesColeman is responsible for managing the firm’s overall financial condition, as well as financial analysis and reporting. Further to these responsibilities,In addition, he also oversees various control functions, operations and technology and closely collaborates withacross our COO,senior management team, including on issues relating to risk management and firmwide operations.

  In 2019, Mr. Scherr:

   2022 Annual Compensation36% variable cash compensation11% base salary53% PSUs$17MEquity-based compensation represented60% of 2022 annual variable compensation,paid 100% in PSUs subject to ongoingperformance metrics. LOGO

Key Performance Highlights

 

»  Successfully concludedIn 2022, Mr. Coleman successfully transitioned to his first full yearrole as CFO. Effectively balanced the role’s technical responsibilities with the broad operation and administrationCFO, providing strong oversight of the firm in furtherance offirm’s capital, liquidity and balance sheet to support the development and execution of the firm’s strategic and operational goals with an enduring focus on ensuring the financial safety and soundness of the firm.

Mr. Coleman’s 2022 dashboard:

Clients

 Actively engaged with clients in strong partnership with our COObusiness leaders

 Focused on ensuring the firm had appropriate capital, liquidity and working closely with our CEO.balance sheet to prudently deploy towards franchise activity as well as future growth

 

»  Led

Risk Management

 Actively managed the developmentfirm’s financial resources, including to:

»  Manage capital and liquidity through market volatility while ensuring sufficient capacity to meet internal and regulatory requirements

»  Focus on enhancing expense discipline across our businesses

»  Deploy resources to strategic opportunities

 Engaged in ongoing dialogue with key regulators and strategic government officials, including with respect to the firm’s navigation of global macro events

 Collaborated with the CEO and COO on the execution of our strategic realignment, including oversight of implications for our financial reporting

 Drove significant focus on maintaining and further enhancing the strength of the firm’s three-year business plan and the implementation of a newly centralized Financial Planning & Analysis function to support the firm’s strategy and operational goals.

»  Continued to drive accountability in the firm’s growth plans with appropriate focus on risk management, stature of control functions and expenseemphasized the importance of an appropriate control environment

 Oversaw the firm’s efforts to manage the firm’s Russia exposure in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

 Served as Vice Chair of the Enterprise Risk Committee and capital management programs to help ensureas Co-Chair of the Firmwide Asset Liability Committee

People

 Engaged with our people across the firm in support of his transition to CFO

 Regularly convened leadership across control, finance and operating functions to enhance alignment and collaboration

 Championed the firm’s people, cultural and talent initiatives, including through participation in the PMD selection process, leadership pipeline reviews and various other key programs

46        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2022 ANNUAL COMPENSATION

LOGO

Philip Berlinski

Global Treasurer

Key Responsibilities

As Global Treasurer, Mr. Berlinski is well-positioned to deliver on its financial targets. Focused onresponsible for overseeing the firm’s Corporate Treasury function, which manages the firm’s liquidity, payments, funding, balance sheet and risk profile, driving changescapital to support the firm’s strength while creating the basis for longer-term efficiencies.

»  Played instrumental role in upgrading the qualitymaximize net interest income and transparencyreturn on equity through liability planning and execution, financial resource allocation, asset liability management and liquidity portfolio management. Mr. Berlinski also serves as CEO of the firm’s earnings calls and established strong credibility with our shareholders, press and public through skilled and effective presentations as well as revitalized engagement with the firm’s primary regulators.

»  Focused on control environment in connection with the widening of our consumer efforts.Goldman Sachs Bank USA.

2019

   2022 Annual Compensation

LOGO

37%Compensation34% variable cash compensation15% base salary$10M51% PSUsEquity-based compensation 8% base salary $22.5M 55% PSUs Equity-based compensation represented 60%represented60% of 20192022 annual variable compensation,paid 100% in PSUs subject to ongoing performanceongoingperformance metrics. LOGO

 
 
 

40        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2019 Compensation

Key Performance Highlights

 

During 2022, Mr. Berlinski effectively managed the firm’s liquidity position through continued market volatility, appropriately balancing his technical responsibilities while supporting business growth in our core franchises, as well as focusing on enhancing the firm’s strategy for conducting activity in our banking entities.

Mr. Berlinski’s 2022 dashboard:

 LOGO

     John F.W. Rogers    

      EVP

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENTS

  As EVP, Mr. Rogers is responsible for overseeing the firm’s executive functions, including corporate affairs, stakeholder relations (including clients, investors, the public, media and the government) and our corporate engagement efforts. He also serves as Chief of Staff of our firm and Secretary to the Board.

  In 2019, Mr. Rogers:

»  Served as a key advisor to our Executive Leadership Team, providing significant advice and leadership across a broad spectrum of topics, including strategy, corporate affairs, culture, reputational risk management, government affairs and public policy.

»  Provided leadership, guidance and insight with respect to the firm’s regulatory interactions and served as a nexus to various industry groups.

»  Spearheaded communications, marketing and branding efforts globally, including in connection with ourOne Goldman Sachs initiative and long-term growth strategy.

»  Continued to drive the firm’s culture and values, for example, providing key oversight in the development of our new Sustainable Finance Group and driving impact of the firm’s corporate engagement efforts related to10,000 Small Businesses.

»  Demonstrated strong leadership in matters related to the firm’s Board of Directors, governance and stakeholder engagement.Clients

 

 

2019 Annual Compensation Focused on ensuring the firm has appropriate liquidity to support franchise activity as well as future growth

LOGO

35% variable cash compensation 13% base salary 13% PSUs 39% RSUs $11.5M Equity-based compensation represented 60% Engaged with a range of 2019 annual variable compensation, paid 25% in PSUs (subject to ongoing performance metrics)firm clients and 75% in RSUs.fixed income investors

 

 

Risk Management

 Successfully managed the firm’s liquidity position through continued market volatility throughout the year, including in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and ensured sufficient liquidity to meet internal and regulatory needs

 Progressed critical liquidity optimization management initiatives, including to:

»  Achieve medium-term target of optimizing the firm’s unsecured funding mix via deposit growth channels

»  Reduce need for benchmark issuances

»  Deliver enhanced liquidity projections

 Reduced interest expense through funding diversification, product innovation and efficiency optimization

 Continued progress on the migration of businesses to Bank entities with a focus on enhancing Bank governance and oversight

 Represented the firm by leading G-SIB Treasurer discussions on markets, liquidity and regulations with key regulators and policy-makers

 Served as Co-Chair of the Firmwide Asset Liability Committee

People

 Focused on supporting and implementing the firm’s people strategy goals in Corporate Treasury. In doing so, he partnered with HCM to invest in our people, develop our managers as coaches, strengthen our culture and advance diversity and inclusion

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        47


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2022 ANNUAL COMPENSATION

LOGOLOGO

 

 

Karen P. Seymour            Kathryn Ruemmler

 

EVPCLO and General Counsel

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENTSKey Responsibilities

 

As EVPCLO and General Counsel, Ms. Seymour is head ofRuemmler leads the firm’s Legal Division and is responsibledepartment, providing oversight for overseeing the firm’s legal affairs worldwide.worldwide, and oversees the Compliance and Conflicts Resolution Group, which oversight serves to enhance collaboration across these disciplines and ensure a consistent approach to addressing the legal, compliance and reputational risk issues facing the firm.

  In 2019, Ms. Seymour:   2022 Annual Compensation*13% base salary cash compensation 35% variable$12M53% PSUsEquity-based compensation represented60% of 2022 annual variable compensation,paid 100% in PSUs subject to ongoingperformance metrics. LOGO

 

»  Oversaw* Percentages do not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Key Performance Highlights

In 2022, Ms. Ruemmler exhibited exceptional judgment and provided sound counsel to the firm’s strategy regarding litigationfirm across a breadth of matters, utilizing decisive decision-making over various legal and enforcement issuesregulatory matters of importance to the firm and served as a keyenhancing collaboration and synergies across the Legal, Compliance and Conflicts Resolution functions.

Ms. Ruemmler’s 2022 dashboard:

Risk Management

 Key advisor to the firm across a varietybroad range of legal, reputational and other matters. Successfully resolved a number of importantregulatory matters, on behalf of the firm and continued to play a leading roleincluding in the negotiationher oversight of the firm’s most critical legal matters,litigation and enforcement strategy

 Leader of continued efforts to refine and improve our organizational structure and fulfill our ongoing responsibility to continually enhance the control functions, including an activeby bringing together and enhancing collaboration and synergies across the Legal, Compliance and Conflicts Resolution functions

 Significant focus on the resolutionmanagement of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) matters.reputational risk, including as Co-Vice Chair of the Firmwide Reputational Risk Committee

»  Invested significant time and Continued responsibility for executive oversight with respect to the restructuring of the firm’s Legal Division,1MDB-related remediation program, including providing updates to break down regional and operational silos, reduce expenses and increase communication within the division, in each case to ensure the Legal Division is well-positioned to advise on and assist with the firm’s growth plans and forward-strategy.

»  Implemented enhanced controls to manage and reduce professional fees and drive efficiencies; created a global Privacy Law Group to address increased privacy risk.

»  Played a key leadership role in many of the firm’s culture and diversity initiatives, including as a member of the Board of Advisors ofLaunch With GS, the firm’s $500 million commitment to invest in companies and investment managers with diverse leadership, and as a member of the firm’s Global Diversity Committee.1MDB Remediation Special Committee

 

 

2019 Annual CompensationPeople

 

LOGO

33% variable cash compensation 17% base salary 12.5% PSUs 37.5% RSUs $9M Equity-based compensation represented 60% Invested substantial time and thought leadership as chair of 2019 annual variable compensation, paid 25% in PSUs (subjectthe Firmwide Conduct Committee, focusing on ensuring that our cultural expectations are well communicated across the firm and developing and launching leadership, culture and values educational programs for all PMDs and managing directors

 Focused on supporting and implementing the firm’s people strategy goals across Compliance, Legal and Conflicts Resolution, including with respect to ongoing performance metrics)“Return to Office” and 75% in RSUs.diversity, equity and inclusion matters

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders48        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Goldman Sachs        41PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Equity-Based Variable Compensation Elements—EQUITY-BASED VARIABLE COMPENSATION ELEMENTS OF ANNUAL COMPENSATION—A More Detailed LookMORE DETAILED LOOK

 

  EQUITY-BASED VARIABLE COMPENSATION ELEMENTS—   Equity-Based Variable Compensation Elements of Annual Compensation—A MORE DETAILED LOOK

More Detailed Look

We believe it is important to pay a significant portion of our annual variable compensation in equity-based awards.

For 2019 To this end, for 2022 annual compensation, our Compensation Committee assessed the overall levels of equity-based as well as performance-based compensation for our NEOs; as a result, the Committee determined it was appropriate to pay 70% of Mr. Solomon’s and 60% of all other NEOs’ variable compensation in equity-based awards. This assessment also took into account that these levels were more consistent with those of peers.

Our Executive Leadership Team continued to receive their 2019 equity-based annual compensation entirelywas paid 100% in PSUs. This year, in order

The use of PSUs as a consistent form of equity-based compensation across our NEOs and our broader Management Committee serves to further tiealign the compensation to ongoing performance metrics and further align goalsstructure across our most senior leaders our Compensation Committee approved the granting of PSUsand further ties compensation for this population to our other NEOs as well as the other members of our Management Committee, who received 25% of their 2019 equity-based annual awards in PSUs, with the remainder continuing to be in RSUs.ongoing performance metrics.

Our equity-based variable compensation is subject to various robust risk-balancing features, as described more fully in —Other Compensation Policies and Practices. Treatment upon a termination of employment or change in control is described more fully in —Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Uponupon Termination or Change in Control.

PSUs

 

 PSUs — Year-End PSUs—Overview of Material Terms     
      
     

  PSUs provide recipientrecipients with annual variable compensation that has a metrics-based outcome; theoutcome. The ultimate value paid to the NEO is subject to firm performance both through stock price and a metrics-based structure (ROEstructure. ROE is used givenbecause it is a risk-based metric that is an important indicator of the firm’s operating performance and is viewed by many stakeholders as a key performance metric).metric.

 

  PSUs will be paid at0-150% of the initial award based on our average ROE over 2020–2022,2023-2025, using both absolute and relative metrics as described in the below table.

 

    LOGO

         

 

 

    3-Year Average

    Absolute ROE

 

 

 

    % Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    3-Year Average

    Relative ROE

 

 

 

    % Earned(a)

       
 

    <5%

 

    0%

  

LOGO   

  

    <25th percentile

 

    25%

 
 

    5% to <16%

 

    Based on relative ROE;

    see scale at right

   

    25th percentile

 

    50%

 
   

    60th percentile

 

    100%

 
 

    16%

 

    150%

   

    75th percentile

 

    150%

 

 

 

     
        

(a)   % earned is scaled if performance is between specified thresholds; payout is automatically capped at 100% if 3-year average GS ROE is between 5% and 6%.

  PSU performance thresholds for PSUs granted in January 20202023 (for 2022 year-end compensation) were unchanged year-over-year. Our Compensation Committee continues to believe these thresholds are appropriate to incentivize senior management to achieve our strategic goals and enhance long-term shareholder value. Thresholds will continue to be reviewed annually in connection with annual compensation decisions.

 PSUs granted in January 2023 will be settled in 2023, with2026. For the CEO, COO and CFO, PSUs will be settled 50% settled in cash based on the average closing price of our Common Stock over aten-trading-day period and 50% settled in Shares at Risk for our Executive Leadership Team. Similar to RSUs, the PSUs received byRisk. For our other NEOs, PSUs will settle 100% in shares of Common Stock, in 2023, substantially in the form of Shares at Risk.

 

3-YEAR AVERAGE ABSOLUTE ROE % EARNED <5% 0% 5% to <16% Based on relative ROE; see scale at right 16% 150% 3-YEAR AVERAGE RELATIVE ROE % EARNED(a) <25th percentile 25th percentile 60th percentile 75th percentile 25% 50% 100% 150% (a) % earned is scaled if performance is between specified thresholds

 

  

For purposes of the relative ROE metric, for PSUs granted in January 2023, our peer group consistsPeers consist of Bank of America Corporation; Citigroup, Inc.; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Morgan Stanley,Stanley; The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation; Wells Fargo & Company; Barclays PLC; Credit Suisse Group AG; Deutsche Bank AG; and UBS (i.e., our U.S. Peers and European Peers).

»

Group AG. Our Compensation Committee continues to believebelieves that this peer group is appropriate given that itthese Peers appropriately and comprehensively reflectsreflect those firms that have a significantmajor presence across our collection of scaled businesses (including market making, investment banking and asset and wealth management) and whothat have regulatory requirements (such as with respect to capital) similar to ours.

 

  

Average ROE is the average of the annual ROE for each year during the performance period.

 

 » 

Annual ROE for the firm is calculated as annualized net earnings applicable to common shareholders divided by average common shareholders’ equity, as publicly reported by Goldman Sachs in its annual report.report, and rounded to one decimal place.

 

 » 

For purposes of determining ROE of our peersPeers with respect to the PSUs’ relative metrics, annual ROE is as reported in the peerPeer company’s publicly disclosed annual report, rounded to one decimal place.

 

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49


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

SHAREHOLDER VALUE CREATION AWARDS—A DETAILED LOOK

  

TheIn certain circumstances (e.g., a merger, change in corporate structure or other similar corporate transaction) that result in a substantial change in a Peer company’s business or revenue mix, the Committee may adjust the peerPeer group in certain specified circumstances (e.g., a merger and/or make such other similar corporate transaction that results in a material substantial change in a peer company’s revenue mix or business activities).equitable adjustments as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

42        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Other Compensation Policies and Practices

  

If the Committee determines it is necessary or appropriateCertain adjustments (e.g., to maintain the intended economics of PSUs granted to our Executive Leadership Team, it may also make adjustments, including to the firm’s or a peer company’s ROE as it deems equitable in light of changed circumstances (e.g., unusual ornon-recurring events), resulting from changes in accounting methods, practices or policies, changes in capital structure, a material change in the firm’s or a peer company’s revenue mix or business activities or such other changed circumstances as the Committee may deem appropriate; any adjustments to the firm’s or a peerPeer company’s ROE for purposes of the relative ROE calculationcalculation) will be based on publicly disclosed financial information.

 

  

Each PSU granted to our NEOs includes a cumulative dividend equivalent right payable only if and when that PSU settles.is earned.

 

  

PSUs granted to our NEOs who meet certain age and service requirements on the grant date have no additional service-based vesting requirement; however, theyall PSUs are subject to various robust risk-balancing features, as described in —Other Compensation Policies and Practices below.

RSUs

RSUs provide recipients with annual equity-based incentives, with value tied to firm performance through stock price.

 

  

Vested at grant for Mr. RogersFor information on the vesting and Ms. Seymour; underlying shares are substantially delivered in the formsettlement of Shares at Risk (after applicable withholding) in three approximately equal installments on first, secondMessrs. Solomon’s and third anniversaries of grant.

Each RSU includes a dividend equivalent right.Waldron’s 2018 year-end PSUs during 2022, see —Executive Compensation—2022 Stock Vested.

 

  Shareholder Value Creation Awards—A Detailed Look

As previously disclosed, the non-employee members of our Board, upon the recommendation of our independent Compensation Committee, granted SVC Awards to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron in October 2021 and more broadly to members of our Management Committee, including Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler, in January 2022.

SVC Awards were designed to address three key objectives and align the incentive structure across our most senior leaders.

 

1 LOGOAlign compensation with rigorous performance thresholds that drive long-term shareholder value creation2 LOGO

OTHER COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Ensure leadership continuity over the next 5+ years in the next phase of our growth strategy3 LOGO

Enhance retention in response to the increasing competition for talent in the current environment

»  Even at maximum payout, awards represent ~55 basis points of the total shareholder value (from the time of grant) that would be created by achieving the TSR goals

»  The Board believes that senior management’s leadership and vision will continue to be critical in driving the firm’s progress

»  Recent experience shows significant opportunities for our senior leadership in less traditional sectors of the financial industry

While SVC Awards were originally granted to only Messrs. Solomon and Waldron in October 2021, the Board expanded these awards more broadly to members of the Management Committee in January 2022 in response to shareholder feedback regarding the importance of broadening the scope of the awards’ key objectives across our senior leadership team. We believe this will further enhance collaboration and teamwork.

As we already committed, the previously granted SVC Awards were not part of annual compensation and will not be awarded on a regularly recurring basis. 2022 annual compensation was determined based on the factors described in —How our Compensation Committee Makes Decisions and —2022 Annual Compensation above.

 

50

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OTHER COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

   Key Terms of our NEOs’ SVC Awards

 

  

Grant Details

 

Form: Performance stock units

Amount of Award/Grant Date(a)

 

  October 21, 2021: Mr. Solomon - $30 million ($17.0 million grant date fair value; 73,264 performance stock units); Mr. Waldron - $20 million ($11.4 million grant date fair value; 48,843 performance stock units)

 

  January 28, 2022: Mr. Coleman - $10 million ($3.3 million grant date fair value; 24,422 performance stock units); Mr. Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler - $7 million each ($2.3 million grant date fair value; 17,095 performance stock units)

 

Conversion Price: The number of performance stock units was calculated using a conversion price of $409.48, the 5-day average closing price from October 15 - 21, 2021

 

  

     TSR Thresholds
     (Absolute &

     Relative)

     Cumulative
  Absolute TSR Goals  
 

  % of Target

  Earned  

   

  Relative

  TSR Goals  

 

  % of Target

  Earned  

  

 

    75%

 

 

 

    75%

 

     + LOGO      

 

    80th percentile

 

 

 

    75%

 

  

 

    60%

 

 

    50%

 

 

    65th percentile

 

 

    50%

  

 

    47%

 

 

    25%

 

 

    40th percentile

 

 

    25%

  

 

    <47%

 

 

    0%

 

 

    <40th percentile

 

 

    0%

 

 

Performance-based vesting for the SVC Awards is based 50% on absolute TSR goals and 50% on relative TSR goals, all of which have been pre-established by the Board. As of the time of grant, with respect to absolute TSR goals, the resulting stock price plus dividends would have been approximately, in each case, $602 at 47%, $655 at 60% and $717 at 75%. For reference, as of the initial grant in October 2021, our highest closing stock price was $419.69.

 

The overall payout percentage of the SVC Awards will equal the sum of the percentage of Target Earned under each of the Cumulative Absolute TSR Goals and Relative TSR Goals. Amounts earned are determined by linear interpolation if results are between the TSR goals (both absolute and relative).

 

 

     Peer Group for

     Relative Thresholds

 

 U.S. Peers: BAC, C, JPM, MS, BK, WFC

     Achievement
     of Thresholds

 

 

  Absolute TSR: Highest average closing price of GS stock for any 30 consecutive trading days during performance period

  Relative TSR: 30-day average closing price prior to beginning and end of performance period

 

     Performance Period

     and Vesting

 

 

Vesting will occur over a five-year performance period beginning on October 21, 2021, subject to continuous service until the end of the five-year performance period, with limited exceptions provided in the applicable award agreement and the SIP, such as death and disability.

 

     Form of Settlement

 

 

Any amounts earned under the SVC Awards are settled 100% in shares of Common Stock that will deliver at the end of the five-year performance period.

 

     Transfer

     Restrictions

 

 

Any shares earned will be Shares at Risk subject to transfer restrictions for one year after delivery, and will also be subject to forfeiture and clawback provisions, including recapture for events constituting “Cause,” for failing to perform obligations under any agreement with Goldman Sachs, participating in (or otherwise overseeing or being responsible for, depending on the circumstances, another individual’s participation) materially improper risk analysis or failing sufficiently to raise concerns about risks during the performance period (see —Other Compensation Policies and Practices).

 

(a)

Grant date fair value for SVC Awards is determined by multiplying the target number of SVC Awards by the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on the grant date, and applying a discount related to the probability of achieving the award’s goals and transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these awards.

  Other Compensation Policies and Practices

Robust Risk-Balancing Features

Compensation granted to our NEOs is subject to various longstandinglong-standing risk-balancing features, including the use of Shares at Risk, retention requirements and, for our Executive Leadership Team, additional stock ownership guidelines.

 

  

Shares at Risk:Shares delivered pursuant to our equity-based awards generally deliver in the form of “Shares at Risk.” Shares at Risk are shares (after applicable tax withholding) that are subject to five-year transfer restrictions as follows:

»

For PSUs granted as part of annual compensation, calculated based on the grant date (for 20192022 Year-End Equity-Based PSU awards granted in January 2023, Shares at Risk will be subject to transfer restrictions through January 2025). Transfer restrictions generally prohibit the sale, transfer, hedging or pledging of underlying Shares at Risk, even if the NEO leaves our firm (subject to limited exceptions; see —Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control for more detail)2027).

 

 » 

For SVC Awards, Shares at Risk will be subject to transfer restrictions for one year after delivery (through October 2027) of any shares of Common Stock that are earned.

Transfer restrictions generally prohibit the sale, transfer, hedging or pledging of underlying Shares at Risk, even if the NEO leaves our firm (subject to limited exceptions). See —Executive Compensation—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control for more detail.

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51


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OTHER COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Retention Requirements:Pursuant to our Policy on Retention Requirements and Stock Ownership Guidelines,internal policy applicable to members of our Management Committee, each of our NEOs is subject to retention requirements with respect to shares of Common Stock received in respect of equity awards:

 

 » 

Our CEO is required, for so long as he holds thatsuch position, to retain (including, in certain cases, ownership(directly or indirectly through estate planning entities established by him)entities) at least 75% of the shares of Common Stock granted (net of payment of any withholding taxes) as compensation(After-Tax Shares) since becoming CEO.

 

 » 

Similarly, each of our COO and CFO (directly or indirectly through estate planning entities) is required, for so long as he holds such position, to retain at least 50% ofAfter-Tax Shares granted as compensation since being appointed to such position.

 

 » 

Our other NEOs are required, for so long as they serve on the firm’s Management Committee, to retain at least 25% ofAfter-Tax Shares granted as compensation since being appointed to the Management Committee.

 

  

Stock Ownership Guidelines:In addition, our Executive Leadership Team is subject to additional stock ownership guidelines that supplement the retention requirements. These guidelines provide that:

 

 » 

Our CEO must retain beneficial ownership of a number of shares of Common Stock equal in value to 10x his base salary for so long as he remains our CEO.

 

 » 

Each of our COO and CFO must retain beneficial ownership of a number of shares of Common Stock equal in value to 6x his base salary for so long as he remains in such a position at the firm.

 

 » 

Transition rules apply in the event that an individual becomes newly appointed to a positionone of these positions subject to these guidelines.

 

 » 

Each member of our Executive Leadership TeamMessrs. Solomon and Waldron met these stock ownership guidelines in 2019.2022; Mr. Coleman, who became CFO on January 1, 2022, utilized the transition rule under our guidelines.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        43


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Other Compensation Policies and Practices

 

  

Recapture Provisions:We have a longstandinglong-standing practice of including robust recapture provisions in our variable compensation awards.award agreements. To this end, we maintain several conduct-related recapture rights, as set forth below, which in many cases include both forfeiture and repaymentclawback rights (collectively, “Recapture”)Recapture):

 

  

 

 

CAUSECause

 

 

 

FAILURE TO CONSIDER RISKFailure to Consider Risk

 

  

LOGO

LOGO
Each employee who receives equity-based awards as part of his or her year-end compensation (since IPO) 

Each employee who receives equity-based awards as part of his or heryear-end compensation (since IPO)

Each employee who receives equity-based awards as part of his or heryear-end compensation (since 2009year-end)

LOGO

LOGO 

If such employee engages in conduct constituting “cause,” including:

  Is convicted  Conviction in a criminal proceeding on certain misdemeanor charges, on a felony charge or an equivalent charge;

  Engages  Engaging in employment disqualification conduct under applicable law;

  Willfully fails  Willful failure to perform his or her duties to the firm;

  Violates  Violation of any securities or commodities laws, rules or regulations of any relevant exchange or association of which the firm is a member;

  Violates  Violation of any of our policies concerning hedging, pledging or confidential or proprietary information, or materially violates any other of our policies;

  Impairs, impugns, denigrates, disparages  Impairing, impugning, denigrating, disparaging or reflecting negatively reflects upon our name, reputation or business interests; or

  Engages  Engaging in conduct detrimental to the firm

 

If, during the time period specified in the award agreement, such employee participated (or otherwise oversaw or was responsible for, depending on the circumstances, another individual’s participation) in the structuring or marketing of any product or service, or participated on behalf of the firm or any of its clients in the purchase or sale of any security or other property, in any case without appropriate consideration of the risk to the firm or the broader financial system as a whole (for example,(e.g., where such employee has improperly analyzed such risk or where they failed sufficiently to raise concerns about such risk), and, as a result of such action or omission, the Compensation Committee determines there has been, or reasonably could be expected to be, a material adverse impact on the firm, the employee’s business unit or the broader financial system.

system
LOGO

LOGO

 

All outstanding PSUs, RSUs, Restricted StockSVC Awards and Shares at Risk at the time “cause” occurs

 

All equity-based awards (e.g., PSUs, and RSUs, (andSVC Awards and underlying Shares at Risk) and Restricted Stock) covered by the specified time period (e.g., the year for which the award was granted)

granted or, for SVC Awards, the entire performance period)

WHO APPLICATION WHATWho Applicaion What

 

  

Pursuant to these Recapture provisions, if, after delivery, payment or release of transfer restrictions, we determine that a forfeiture event had previously occurred, we can require repayment to usthe firm of the award (including amounts withheld to pay withholding taxes) and any other amounts paid or delivered in respect thereof.

 

52 

While, as disclosed last year, 2018year-end equity-based awards provide our Board with flexibility to reduce the size of awards granted to our 2018 NEOs before payment and/or cause a forfeiture of the underlying delivered Shares at Risk if it is later determined that the results of the 1MDB investigation would have impacted 2018 year-end compensation for any such NEO, our Compensation Committee determined it was not necessary to include this provision in the 2019year-end equity-based awards.        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OTHER COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

  

Our Compensation Committee adopted a comprehensive, standalone clawback policy in January 2015 that applies to each member of our Executive Leadership Team and generally permits recovery of awards (including equity-based awards and underlying Shares at Risk).

 

 » 

Among other things, the Clawback Policyclawback policy expands our Recapture rights if the events covered by The the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley) occur, applying such provision to all variable compensation (whether cash- or equity-based) paid to any member of our Executive Leadership Team, even though the Sarbanes-Oxley provision on which itthe Policy is based requires that such a clawback apply only to our CEO and CFO.

 

  

In addition, our 2019year-end PSUsequity-based awards and as applicable, RSUs (and, in certain cases, underlying Shares at Risk)Risk (in each case as applicable) granted to our NEOs also provide for Recapture if:

 

 » 

Our firm is determined by bank regulators to be “in default” or “in danger of default” as defined under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or it fails to maintain for 90 consecutive business days the required “minimum Tier 1 capital ratio” (as defined under Federal Reserve Board regulations) (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs, defined below);

 

44        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Other Compensation Policies and Practices

 » 

The NEO associates with any business that constitutes a Covered Enterprise (as defined in Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Uponupon Termination or Change in Control)Control) (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs, defined below);

 

 » 

The NEO solicits our clients or prospective clients to transact business with a Covered Enterprise or to refrain from doing business with us or interferes with any of our client relationships;relationships (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs, defined below);

 

 » 

The NEO or an entity with which he or she is associated solicits or hires certain employees of the firm;firm (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs, defined below); or

 

 » 

The NEO fails to perform obligations under any agreement with us.

Hedging Policy; Pledging of Common Stock

Our executive officers (including our NEOs) andnon-employee directors are prohibited from hedging any shares of our Common Stock, even shares they can freely sell, for so long as they remain executive officers ornon-employee directors, as applicable. In addition, our NEOs, non-employee directors and all other employees are prohibited from hedging or pledging their equity-based awards. Our employees, other than our executive officers, may hedge only shares of our Common Stock that they can otherwise sell. However, they may not enter into uncovered hedging transactions and may notor “short” sharessales of our Common Stock. Employees alsoAdditionally, employees may not act on investment decisions with respect to our Common Stock, except during applicable “window periods.” The restrictions described above also generally apply to such individual’s immediate family, household members and dependents. In addition, none of our executive officers ornon-employee directors has any shares of Common Stock subject to a pledge.

Qualified Retirement Benefits

During 2019,2022, each NEO other than Mr. Berlinski participated in The Goldman Sachs 401(k) Plan (401(k) Plan), which is our U.S. broad-basedtax-qualified retirement plan. In 20192022, these individuals were eligible to makepre-tax and/or “Roth”after-tax contributions to our 401(k) Plan and receive adollar-for-dollar matching contribution from us on the amount they contributed, up to a maximum of $11,200.$12,500. For 2019,2022, these individuals each received a matching contribution of $11,200.$12,500. Mr. Berlinski has not participated in the U.K. defined contribution arrangement, known as LifeSight (the U.K. Defined Contribution Arrangement) since July 2019, when he relocated on assignment to the U.S. The firm provides overseas employees who can no longer participate in the U.K. Defined Contribution Arrangement with an annual payment in lieu of his or her participation. The amount of this payment for 2022 for Mr. Berlinski was $21,744, which is approximately equal to the firm’s annual cost in respect of participation in the U.K. Defined Contribution Arrangement.

Perquisites and Other Benefits

Our NEOs received in 20192022 certain benefits that are considered “perquisites” for purposes of the SEC rules regarding compensation disclosure. While our Compensation Committee was provided with the estimated value of these items, it determined, as in prior years, not to give these amounts significant consideration in determining our NEOs’ 20192022 variable compensation.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

53


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

GS GIVES

During 2019,2022, we made available to each of our Executive Leadership Team a car and driver and, in some cases, other services, including for security and/or business purposes. For a portion of the year, car and driver services were contracted through a third party for Messrs. Waldron and Scherr.security. We also offered our NEOs benefits and tax counseling services, generally provided or arranged by our subsidiary, The Ayco Company, L.P. (Ayco), to assist them with tax and regulatory compliance and to provide them with more time to focus on the needs of our business.

Our NEOs participate in our executive medical and dental program and receive executive life insurance while they remain PMDs. Our NEOs also receive long-term disability insurance coverage. Our NEOs (and their covered dependents) are also eligible for a retiree healthcare program and receive certain other perquisites, some of which have no incremental cost to us.

At our request, Mr. Coleman relocated from London to our New York office in 2021, and Mr. Berlinski did so in 2019. To this end, during 2022, consistent with our standard Global Mobility Services programs, Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski received international assignment relocation benefits and tax equalization and/or protection payments, as applicable, in connection with their respective arrangements. See “All Other Compensation” and footnote (b)(e) in —Executive Compensation—20192022 Summary Compensation Table.

Section 162(m)

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the tax deductibility of executive compensation paid to each of our “covered employees” to $1 million. In setting 2022 executive compensation, our Compensation Committee considersconsidered the factors identified in more detail in —How Ourour Compensation Committee Makes Its Decisions and doesdid not take this limit on deductibility into account.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        45


COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

GS Gives

  GS GIVES

Gives

As a key element of the firm’s overall impact investing platform, we established our GS Gives program to coordinate, facilitate and encourage global philanthropy by our PMDs. TheDuring 2021, the firm contributedmade contributions that supported an approximately $140$170 million for this year’s2022 GS Gives program.

GS Gives underscores our commitment to philanthropy through diversified and impactful giving, harnessing the collaborative spirit of the firm’s partnership while also inspiring our firm’s next generation of philanthropists. We ask our PMDs to make recommendations ofnot-for-profit organizations to receive grants from the firm’s contributions to GS Gives.Gives. GS Gives has made approximately $2.2 billion in grants and partnered with over 9,000 not-for-profit organizations supporting 140+ countries around the world since its inception.

Grant recommendations from our PMDs help to ensure that GS Gives invests in a diverse group of charities that improves the lives of people in communities around the world. We encourage our PMDs to make recommendations of grants to organizations consistent with GS Gives’Gives mission of fostering innovative ideas, solving economic and social issues and enabling progress in underserved communities globally. GS Gives undertakes diligence procedures for donations and has no obligation to follow recommendations made to us by our PMDs.

In 2019, 2022, GS Gives accepted the recommendations of over 570500 current and retired PMDs and granted over $142$219 million to over 2,5002,800 not-for-profit organizations around the world. GS Gives made grants in support of a broad range of large-scale initiatives, including relief efforts in Ukraine, the fourth-annual Analyst Impact Fund competition,and a PartnershipCommittee-led initiativepartnership benefiting food insecure families. Amounts recommended by our NEOs in which teams of analysts in all regions enter to win a 2022 for donation by GS Gives grant recommendation for charities of their choosing, with 2019’s winning teams addressing college financial aid literacy, feminine hygiene for impoverished communities and solar energy in last mile communities; a newly launched initiative in the U.K. to support mental health on university campuses; and education for impoverished children in Japan. Amounts donated in 2019 by GS Gives based on the following individuals’ recommendations were: Mr. Solomon—$3.3Solomon – $4 million; Mr. Waldron—$1.3Waldron – $3.5 million; Mr. Scherr—$1.0Coleman – $3 million; Mr. Rogers—$0.5Berlinski – $1 million; and Ms. Seymour—$0.3Ruemmler – $1 million.

 

46        Goldman Sachs54

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersPROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

2022 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Executive Compensation

The 20192022 Summary Compensation Table below sets forth compensation information relating to 2019, 20182022, 2021 and 2017. In2020. However, in accordance with SEC rules, compensation information for each NEOcertain NEOs is only reported beginning with the year that such executive became an NEO. For a discussion of 20192022 annual NEO compensation, please read —Compensation Discussion and Analysis above.

Pursuant to SEC rules, the 20192022 Summary Compensation Table is required to include for a particular year only those equity-based awards grantedduring that year, rather than awards granted afteryear-end, even if awarded for services in that year. SEC rules require disclosure of cash compensation to be included in the year earned, even if payment is made afteryear-end.

Generally, we grant equity-based awards and pay any cash variable compensation for a particular year shortly after that year’s end. As a result, annual equity-based awards and cash variable compensation are disclosed in each row of the table as follows:

2019

2022

 

“Bonus” is cash variable compensation for20192022

 

“Stock Awards” areare:

»  PSUs and RSUs awarded for20182021 (referred to as 20182021 Year-End PSUs), including PSUs awarded to Mr. Coleman for 2021 that satisfy U.K. regulatory requirements in respect of Mr. Coleman’s prior role (referred to as 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs)

»  RSUs awarded to Mr. Coleman for 2021 that satisfy U.K. regulatory requirements in respect of Mr. Coleman’s prior role (referred to as 2021 U.K. RSUs)

»  SVC Awards granted to our CFO and 2018Year-End RSUs)other NEOs in 2022

2018

2021

 

“Bonus” is cash variable compensationfor 20182021

 

“Stock Awards” areare:

»  PSUs and shares of restricted stock (Restricted Stock) awardedfor 20172020 (referred to as 20172020 Year-End PSUs PSUs)

»  RSUs awarded for 2020 (referred to as 2020 Year-End RSUs)

»  SVC Awards granted to our CEO and 2017Year-End Restricted Stock)COO in 2021

2017

2020

 

“Bonus” is cash variable compensationfor 20172020

 

“Stock Awards” are RSUsPSUs awardedfor 20162019 (referred to as 20162019 Year-End RSUs) PSUs)

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        47


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2019 Summary Compensation Table

 

2019 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

2022 Summary Compensation Table

 

 

NAME AND

PRINCIPAL POSITION

 

  

 

YEAR

 

   

 

SALARY ($)

 

   

 

BONUS ($)

 

   

 

STOCK
AWARDS(a)
($)

 

   

 

CHANGE IN
PENSION
VALUE(b) ($)

 

   

 

ALL OTHER
COMPENSATION(c)
($)

 

   

 

TOTAL ($)

 

 
        

 

David M. Solomon

Chairman and CEO

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,650,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

14,724,012

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

296

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

283,429

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

24,657,737

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,887,500

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,700,375

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

12,775,034

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

299,926

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

20,662,835

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,850,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,745,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,547,708

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

233,207

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

16,376,111

 

 

 

 

        

 

John E. Waldron

President and COO

 

  

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,850,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

9,060,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

11,082,050

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,840

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

265,912

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

22,259,802

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,587,500

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,812,625

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,236,810

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

195,172

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

16,832,107

 

 

 

 

        

 

Stephen M. Scherr

CFO

 

  

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,850,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,260,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

9,896,719

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

14,857

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

216,519

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

20,238,095

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,556,827

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,083,974

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,488,028

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

170,784

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

15,299,613

 

 

 

 

        

 

John F.W. Rogers

EVP

 

  

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

4,000,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,290,154

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

938

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

179,303

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

10,970,395

 

 

 

 

        

 

Karen P. Seymour

EVP and General Counsel

 

  

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,744,784

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

121,005

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,365,789

 

 

 

 

       

Name and

Principal

Position

Year  

Salary ($)

Bonus ($)

Stock Awards ($)

Change

in

Pension

Value(d)

($)

 

All Other

Compen-

sation(e)

($)

Total

($)

Year-End

Awards(b)

SVC

Award(c)

Total

David Solomon

Chairman and

CEO

  2022  2,000,000    6,900,000  22,404,343  —  22,404,343  —     305,077  31,609,420
  2021  2,000,000    9,900,000  10,334,614  17,045,566  27,380,180  —     264,892  39,545,072
  2020  2,000,000    4,650,000  17,036,275  —  17,036,275       192     254,190  23,940,657

John Waldron

President and

COO

  2022  1,850,000    8,660,000  18,127,364  —  18,127,364  —     343,897  28,981,261
  2021  1,850,000  12,460,000    9,515,417  11,363,788  20,879,205  —     319,593  35,508,798
  2020  1,850,000    6,660,000  12,970,318  —  12,970,318    1,259     278,153  21,759,730

Denis Coleman

CFO

  2022  1,850,000    6,060,000  11,158,962    3,341,555  14,500,517  —  1,158,036  23,568,553

Philip Berlinski

Global Treasurer

  2022  1,500,000    3,400,000    9,242,922    2,339,034  11,581,956  —  4,648,229  21,130,185
  2021  1,108,046(a)    6,556,898    6,341,994  —    6,341,994  51,518  2,908,899  16,967,355

Kathryn

Ruemmler

CLO and General

Counsel

  2022  1,500,000    4,200,000    9,021,951    2,339,034  11,360,985  —       68,577  17,129,562

 

  2021

 

 

    1,500,000

 

 

    6,400,000

 

 

    4,731,963

 

 

  —

 

 

    4,731,963

 

 

  —

 

 

       63,358

 

 

  12,695,321

 

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

55


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2022 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

(a)

Reflects Mr. Berlinski’s effective salary for 2021, which amount takes into account his annualized salary increase to $1.5 million, effective as of September 20, 2021, in connection with his appointment to the Management Committee.

(b)

Amounts included for 20192022 represent the grant date fair value of 20182021 Year-End PSUs, and for Mr. Coleman, 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs and 2021 U.K. RSUs, and 2018Year-End PSUsin each case granted in January 20192022 for services in 2018.2021. Grant date fair value for 20182021 Year-End PSUs for Messrs. Solomon and Waldron is determined by multiplying the target number PSUs by $347.01, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 28, 2022, the grant date. Grant date fair value for 2021 Year-End PSUs for Messrs. Coleman (including his 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs) and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler is determined by multiplying the target number PSUs by $347.32, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 19, 2022, the grant date. For the portion of the 2021 Year-End PSUs granted to each of our NEOs that are stock-settled, the value includes an approximately 6% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these PSUs. For Mr. Coleman’s 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs, the value includes an approximately 14% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these PSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Assuming achievement of maximum performance targets, the grant date fair value of 2021 Year-End PSUs for each of Messrs. Solomon, Waldron, Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler would be $33,606,688, $27,191,219, $3,894,900, $13,864,382 and $13,533,089, respectively. Assuming achievement of maximum performance targets, the grant date fair value of 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs for Mr. Coleman would be $12,241,470. Grant date fair value for 2021 U.K. RSUs granted to Mr. Coleman is determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $347.01, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 28, 2022, the grant date. Amounts included for 2021 represent the grant date fair value of 2020 Year-End RSUs and 20182020 Year-End PSUs, as applicable, in each case granted in January 2021 for services in 2020. Grant date fair value for 2020 Year-End RSUs and 2020 Year-End PSUs is determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs or target number of PSUs, as applicable, by $199.09,$290.47, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 17, 2019,20, 2021, the grant date. For the portion of the 20182020 Year-End PSUs granted to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron and ScherrMs. Ruemmler that are stock-settled, the value includes an approximately 10% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these PSUs. Assuming achievement of maximum performance targets, the grant date fair value of 2020 Year-End PSUs for each of Messrs. Solomon and Waldron and Ms. Ruemmler would be $15,501,920, $14,273,125 and $1,816,125, respectively. For the 2020 Year-End RSUs granted to Mr. Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler, the value includes an approximately 12% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs. Amounts included for 2020 represent the grant date fair value of 2019 Year-End PSUs granted in January 2020 for services in 2019. Grant date fair value for 2019 Year-End PSUs is determined by multiplying the target number of PSUs by $249.72, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 16, 2020, the grant date. For the portion of the 2019 Year-End PSUs granted to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron that are stock-settled, the value includes an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these PSUs. Assuming achievement of maximum performance targets, the grant date fair value of 20182019 Year-End PSUs for each of Messrs. Solomon Waldron and ScherrWaldron would be $22,086,018, $16,623,075$25,554,412 and $14,845,079,$19,455,477, respectively. For the 2018Year-End RSUs

(c)

Amounts included represent grant date fair value of SVC Awards granted to Mr. RogersMessrs. Solomon and Waldron in October 2021 and to Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Seymour,Ruemmler in January 2022. Grant date fair value for SVC Awards granted to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron is determined by multiplying the value includestarget number of SVC Awards by $407.59, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on October 21, 2021, the grant date, and including an approximately 12% liquidity43% discount related to reflect the probability of achieving the award’s goals and transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs. Amounts included for 2018 for Messrs. Solomon, Waldron and Scherr represent the grant date fair value of 2017Year-End PSUs for Mr. Solomon and 2017Year-End Restricted Stock for Messrs. Waldron and Scherr, in each case granted in January 2018 for services in 2017.awards. Grant date fair value for 2017Year-End PSUsSVC Awards granted to Messrs. Coleman and 2017Year-End Restricted StockBerlinski and Ms. Ruemmler is determined by multiplying the target number of PSUs and the aggregate number of restricted shares, as applicable,SVC Awards by $250.97,$347.01, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 18, 2018,28, 2022, the grant date. For the portion of the 2017Year-End PSUs granted to Mr. Solomon that are stock-settled, the value includesdate, and including an approximately 9% liquidity61% discount related to reflect the probability of achieving the award’s goals and transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these PSUs.awards. Assuming achievement of maximum performance targets and vesting requirements, the grant date fair value of 2017Year-End PSUsthe SVC Awards for Mr.each of Messrs. Solomon, Waldron, Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler would be $19,162,551. For 2017Year-End Restricted Stock granted to Messrs. Waldron$25,568,349, $17,045,682, $5,012,332, $3,508,619 and Scherr, the value includes an approximately 17% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on these shares. The amount included for 2017 for Mr. Solomon represents the grant date fair value of 2016Year-End RSUs granted in January 2017 for services in 2016. Grant date fair value for 2016Year-End RSUs is determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $231.41, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 19, 2017, the grant date. The value for 2016Year-End RSUs includes an approximately 12% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs.$3,508,619, respectively.

 

(b)(d)

Ms. SeymourRuemmler is not a participant in any applicable plan. For 2022, the change in pension value for certain NEOs was negative as follows: Mr. Solomon: $(382); Mr. Waldron: $(2,741); Mr. Coleman: $(15,595) and Mr. Berlinski: $(519,848).

 

(c)(e)

The following chart, together with the narrative below, describes the benefits and perquisites for 20192022 contained in the “All Other Compensation” column above.

 

 

NAME

 

 

 

401(K)
MATCHING
CONTRIBUTION
($)

 

  

 

TERM LIFE
INSURANCE
PREMIUM
($)

 

  

 

EXECUTIVE
MEDICAL
AND DENTAL
PLAN
PREMIUM ($)

 

  

 

LONG-TERM
DISABILITY
INSURANCE
PREMIUM ($)

 

  

 

EXECUTIVE
LIFE
PREMIUM

($)

 

  

 

BENEFITS
AND TAX
COUNSELING
SERVICES($)

 

  

 

CAR** ($)

 

 
        

 

David M. Solomon

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

53,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

138,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57,210

 

 

 

 

        

 

John E. Waldron

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

108,525

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

56,860

 

 

 

 

        

 

Stephen M. Scherr

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58,662

 

 

 

 

        

 

John F.W. Rogers

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,809

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

Karen P. Seymour

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,289

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       
    Name 

Defined
Contribution

Plan Employer
Contribution ($)        

 Term Life
Insurance
Premium ($)    
 Executive
Medical and
Dental Plan
Premium ($)      
 Long-Term
Disability
Insurance
Premium ($)      
 

Executive    
Life
Premium

($)

 Benefits and
Tax Counseling  
Services
 ($)*
 Car
($)**

    David Solomon

 

12,500

 

118

 

19,371

 

   423

 

20,990

 

150,485

 

68,856  

    John Waldron

 

12,500

 

118

 

78,311

 

   423

 

10,503

 

158,026

 

83,551  

    Denis Coleman

 

12,500

 

118

 

78,311

 

   423

 

  6,589

 

  71,268

 

78,549  

    Philip Berlinski***

 

21,744

 

428

 

64,050

 

1,907

 

  8,722

 

  87,206

 

    Kathryn Ruemmler

 

12,500

 

118

 

19,371

 

   423

 

11,341

 

  24,630

 

    

*

Amounts reflect the incremental cost to us of benefits and tax counseling services provided by Ayco or by another third-party provider.provider, as applicable. For services provided by Ayco, cost is determined based on the number of hours of service provided by, and compensation paid to, individual service providers. For services provided by others, amounts are payments made by us to those providers.

 

**

Amounts reflect the incremental cost to us attributable to commuting and othernon-business use. We made available to each member of our Executive Leadership Team in 20192022 a car and driver for security and business purposes. For a portion of 2019, car and driver services were contracted through a third party for Messrs. Waldron and Scherr. The cost of providing a car is determined on an annual basis and includes, as applicable, driver compensation, annual car lease, car service fees, and insurance cost and driver compensation, as well as miscellaneous expenses (for example,(e.g., fuel, and car maintenance).

 

***

Certain of the amounts for Mr. Berlinski have been converted from British Pounds Sterling into U.S. Dollars at a rate of 1.2446 Dollars per Pound, which was the average daily rate in 2022.

48        Goldman Sachs56

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersPROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards2022 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

 

Also included in the “All Other Compensation” column are amounts reflecting the incremental cost to us of providing our identity theft safeguards program for U.S. PMDs, assistance with certain travel arrangements,in-office meals and security services. We provide personal security (the incremental cost of which was $3,399$31,610 for Mr. Solomon) for the benefit of our firm and our shareholders. We do not consider these security measures to be personal benefits but rather business-related necessities due to thehigh-profile standing of our NEOs.CEO. Mr. Coleman relocated to our New York office at our request and, for 2022, Mr. Coleman received relocation benefits of approximately $443,000 and tax protection payments of approximately $466,000. In addition, Mr. Berlinski previously relocated to our New York office at our request and, for 2022, Mr. Berlinski received international assignment benefits of approximately $351,000 and tax equalization and protection payments of approximately $4.1 million. In each case, these benefits and payments were part of our standard Global Mobility Services programs applicable to relocating employees, and the tax equalization and protection payments were intended to cover certain taxes that are over and above those that Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski would have incurred if they had not relocated to New York.

We provide our NEOs, on the same terms as areconsistent with those provided to our other executive officers and also to our PMDs and at no upfront incrementalout-of-pocket cost to our firm, waived or reduced fees, andas well as interests in overrides (the level of which may vary based on certain eligibility criteria) in connection with investments in certain funds and other accounts managed or sponsored by Goldman Sachs, unused tickets to certain events and certain negotiated discounts with third-party vendors.

We make available to our NEOs private aircraft in which we own a fractional interest.aircraft. Our policy is to limit personal use of such aircraft by our NEOs and to require reimbursement byof the NEO for allaggregate incremental costs to us associated with such use. For example, inuse, as permitted by Federal Aviation regulations. In situations where an NEO brings a personal guest as a passenger on a business-related flight, the NEO pays us an amount equal to the greater of: (a) the aggregate incremental cost to us, of the usage by the guest and (b) the price of afirst-class commercial airline ticketif any, for the same trip.such personal guest.

 

2019 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The awards included in this table are 2018Year-End PSUs and 2018Year-End RSUs, each granted in January 2019. The PSU grants to Messrs. Solomon, Waldron and Scherr reported in the table below were previously described in theCompensation Discussion and Analysis section of our Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (dated March 22, 2019).

The following table sets forth plan-based awards2021 Year-End PSUs, 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs and 2021 U.K. RSUs, as applicable, granted in early 2019.2022, as well as SVC Awards granted in January 2022. In accordance with SEC rules, the table does not include awards that were granted in 2020.2023. See Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for a discussion of those awards.

 

 

NAME

 

 

 

GRANT DATE    

 

 

 

ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS(a)

 

  

 

ALL OTHER
STOCK AWARDS:

NUMBER

OF SHARES

OF STOCK OR
UNITS (#)(b)

 

  

 

GRANT DATE
FAIR

VALUE

OF

STOCK
AWARDS ($)(c)

 

 
     

 

THRESHOLD
(#)

 

   

 

TARGET
(#)

 

   

 

MAXIMUM
(#)

 

 
       

 

David M. Solomon

 

 

 

1/17/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

77,413

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

116,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,724,012

 

 

 

 

       

 

John E. Waldron

 

 

 

1/17/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

58,265

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

87,398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,082,050

 

 

 

 

       

 

Stephen M. Scherr

 

 

 

1/17/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

52,033

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

78,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,896,719

 

 

 

 

       

 

John F.W. Rogers

 

 

 

1/17/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,290,154

 

 

 

 

       

 

Karen P. Seymour

 

 

 

1/17/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,744,784

 

 

 

 

 

    Name

 

 

 

Grant Date    

 

 

 

         Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity    
Incentive Plan Awards(a)

 

 

 

All Other

Stock Awards:

Number of Shares of      

Stock or

Units (#)(b)

 

 

 

Grant Date
Fair Value of                    

Stock

Awards ($)(c)

    

 

Threshold    

(#)

 

 

Target        

(#)

 

 

Maximum    

(#)

 

    David Solomon

 

1/28/2022

 

0

 

66,569

 

99,854

 

 

22,404,343

    John Waldron

 

1/28/2022

 

0

 

53,861

 

80,792

 

 

18,127,364

    Denis Coleman

 

1/19/2022

 

0

 

27,230

 

40,845

 

 

  8,160,980

 

 

1/19/2022

 

0

 

  7,955

 

11,933

 

 

  2,596,491

 

 

1/28/2022

 

0

 

24,422

 

36,633

 

 

  3,341,555

 

 

 

1/28/2022

 

 

 

 

1,157

 

     401,491

    Philip Berlinski

 

1/19/2022

 

0

 

28,318

 

42,477

 

 

  9,242,922

 

 

 

1/28/2022

 

0

 

17,095

 

25,643

 

 

  2,339,034

    Kathryn Ruemmler

 

1/19/2022

 

0

 

27,641

 

41,462

 

 

  9,021,951

 

 

 

1/28/2022

 

0

 

17,095

 

25,643

 

 

  2,339,034

 

(a)

Consists of 20182021 Year-End PSUs. PSUs, 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs and SVC Awards granted in January 2022. See —20192022 Outstanding Equity Awards at FiscalYear-End and —Potential Payments Uponupon Termination or Change in Control below for additional information on the 2018Year-End PSUs.information.

 

(b)

Consists of 2018Year-End RSUs.2021 U.K. RSUs granted in January 2022. See —20192022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation and —Potential Payments Uponupon Termination or Change in Control below for additional information on the 2018Year-End RSUs.information.

 

(c)

Amounts included represent the grant date fair value. Grant date fair value wasfor 2021 Year-End PSUs for Messrs. Solomon and Waldron is determined by multiplying the target number of PSUs or aggregate number of RSUs, as applicable, by $199.09,$347.01, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 28, 2022, the grant date. Grant date fair value for 2021 Year-End PSUs for Messrs. Coleman (including his 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs) and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler is determined by multiplying the target number of PSUs by $347.32, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

57


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2022 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

on January 19, 2022, the grant date. For the portion of the 20182021 Year-End PSUs granted to Messrs. Solomon, Waldron and Scherreach of our NEOs that are stock-settled, the value includes an approximately 9%6% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these PSUs. For the 2018Year-End RSUs granted to Mr. Rogers and Ms. Seymour,Coleman’s 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs, the value includes an approximately 12%14% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs.

PSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Grant date fair value for 2021 U.K. RSUs granted to Mr. Coleman is determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $347.01, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 28, 2022, the grant date. Grant date fair value for SVC Awards granted to Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler is determined by multiplying the target number of SVC Awards by $347.01, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 28, 2022, the grant date, and applying an approximately 61% discount related to the probability of achieving the award’s goals and transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these awards.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        49

2022 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at FiscalYear-End

2019 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCALYEAR-END

The following table sets forth the 2018Year-End PSUs granted in January 2019 to Messrs. Solomon, Waldron and Scherr and the 2017Year-End PSUs granted in January 2018 to Mr. Solomon. As of December 31, 2019, Mr. Rogers and Ms. Seymour did not hold any awards reportable in this table, and no NEOs hold any option awards.forth:

  
NAME  

STOCK AWARDS

 

 
   
    EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS:
NUMBER OF UNEARNED SHARES, UNITS
OR OTHER RIGHTS THAT HAVE NOT
VESTED (#)
(a)
   EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS:
MARKET OR PAYOUT VALUE OF UNEARNED
SHARES, UNITS OR OTHER RIGHTS THAT
HAVE NOT VESTED ($)
(b)
 
   
David M. Solomon   157,533    36,221,563 
   
John E. Waldron   58,265    13,396,871 
   
Stephen M. Scherr   52,033    11,963,948 

 

(a)

2021 Year-End PSUs granted in January 2022 to each of our NEOs (including 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs granted in January 2022 to Mr. Coleman);

2020 Year-End PSUs granted in January 2021 to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron and Ms. Ruemmler;

2020 Year-End RSUs granted in January 2021 to Ms. Ruemmler;

2019 Year-End PSUs granted in January 2020 to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron;

SVC Awards granted to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron in October 2021 and to Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler in January 2022; and

RSUs granted to Ms. Ruemmler in April 2020 when she joined our firm.

 
   Name  Stock Awards
  

 

Number of Shares or   
Units that Have Not
Vested (#)
(a)

  

 

Market Value of
Shares or Units that   
Have Not Vested

($)(b)

  

 

Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Number of
Unearned Shares, Units   

or Other Rights that

Have Not Vested (#)(c)

  

 

Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Market or Payout   
Value of Unearned Shares,
Units or Other Rights that
Have Not Vested ($)
(b)

   David Solomon      303,087  104,074,014
   John Waldron      235,926    81,012,270
   Denis Coleman        59,607    20,467,852
   Philip Berlinski        45,413    15,593,916
   Kathryn Ruemmler  36,011  12,365,457    51,645    17,733,860

(a)

The awards reflected in this column are the 2018unvested portion of each of the 2020 Year-End PSUs RSUs granted in January 20192021 to Messrs. Solomon, Waldron and ScherrMs. Ruemmler and the 2017Year-End PSUsRSUs granted to Ms. Ruemmler in January 2018 to Mr. Solomon. April 2020.

(b)

Pursuant to SEC rules, the 2017dollar value in this column represents the number of shares shown in the immediately prior column multiplied by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022 (the last trading day of the year).

(c)

The awards reflected in this column are the 2021 Year-End PSUs granted in January 2022 to each of our NEOs, 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs granted in January 2022 to Mr. Coleman, 2020 Year-End PSUs granted in January 2021 to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron and Ms. Ruemmler and the 2019 Year-End PSUs granted in January 2020 to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron. It also reflects the SVC Awards granted to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron in October 2021 and to Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler in January 2022. Pursuant to SEC rules, the 2019 Year-End PSUs are represented at the maximum amountnumber of shares that may be earned, the 2020 Year-End PSUs are represented at the maximum number of shares that may be earned, the 2021 Year-End PSUs are represented at the target number of shares that may be earned, the 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs are represented at the target number of shares that may be earned and the 2018Year-End PSUsSVC Awards are represented at the target amountnumber of shares that may be earned. The ultimate amountnumber of shares earned under the 20172019, 2020 and 20182021 Year-End PSUs and the 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs (if any) will be determined based on the firm’s average ROE, both on an absolute basis and relative to a peerPeer group, over 2018–20202020-2022, 2021-2023 and 2019–2021,2022-2024, respectively. The ultimate number of shares earned under the SVC Awards (if any) will be determined based on the achievement of TSR goals on an absolute basis and relative to a Peer group over a five-year performance period beginning in October 2021. In both cases,each case, the amount shown does not represent the actual achievement to date under the award, and fullfinal information regarding peerapplicable Peer group performance to date was not available as of the time of filing of this Proxy Statement.

58

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2022 STOCK VESTED

2022 Stock Vested

The following table sets forth information regarding the value of the 2018 Year-End PSUs granted to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron, which settled on May 2, 2022, 2021 U.K. RSUs granted to Mr. Coleman in January 2022 and certain of Ms. Ruemmler’s April 2020 and 2020 Year-End RSUs. No information is reportable with respect to Mr. Berlinski for 2022 in this table. 2019 Year-End PSUs granted to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron, which are expected to settle in Spring 2023 when final information regarding applicable Peer performance is available, will be reflected in the 2023 Stock Vested table in our Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

   Name

Stock Awards

Number of Shares Acquired on        
Vesting (#)

Value Realized                            
on Vesting ($)
(d)

   David Solomon

116,120(a)

36,505,243

   John Waldron

  87,398(a)

27,475,764

   Denis Coleman

    1,157(b)

     401,491

   Kathryn Ruemmler

  20,074(c)

  6,893,010

 

(b)(a)

Pursuant to SEC rules,Includes the dollar value in this column represents the amountnumber of shares shownof Common Stock underlying 2018 Year-End PSUs that were settled 50% in cash and 50% in shares of Common Stock on May 2, 2022 following the immediately prior column multipliedend of the applicable performance period on December 31, 2021. The final amounts payable under these PSUs were calculated based on the firm’s average annual ROE over the applicable performance period (see —Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Overview of Compensation Elements—Annual Variable Compensation in our Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders for more details). The initial number of PSUs granted to each of Messrs. Solomon and Waldron was 77,413 and 58,265, respectively, and the average ROE over the performance period was 14.7% (at the 97th percentile versus Peers), resulting in a 150% multiplier. The final number of PSUs earned by $229.93,Messrs. Solomon and Waldron was 116,120 and 87,398, respectively.

(b)

Includes the number of shares of Common Stock underlying 2021 U.K. RSUs, which were vested upon grant. These shares were delivered in January 2023.

(c)

Includes the number of shares of Common Stock underlying one-third of Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End RSUs, which vested during 2022 and were delivered in January 2023. The remaining one-third of these 2020 Year-End RSUs are subject to vesting and delivery on or about the third anniversary of the grant date and substantially all of the shares of Common Stock underlying the 2020 Year-End RSUs that are or will be delivered to Ms. Ruemmler are subject to transfer restrictions until January 2026. Also includes the number of shares of Common Stock underlying one-third of Ms. Ruemmler’s April 2020 RSUs, which vested during 2022 and were delivered in January 2023. The remaining two-thirds of these April 2020 RSUs are subject to vesting in equal parts in December 2023 and December 2024 and delivery in equal parts in January 2024 and January 2025.

(d)

With respect to Messrs. Solomon and Waldron’s 2018 Year-End PSUs, values were determined by multiplying 50% of the aggregate number of PSUs earned, representing the cash-settled portion of the award, by $323.26, the ten-day average closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on April 18, 2022 – April 29, 2022, and multiplying 50% of the aggregate number of PSUs earned, representing the stock-settled portion of the award, by $305.49, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on April 29, 2022. Messrs. Solomon and Waldron also received approximately $2,049,518 and $1,542,575, respectively, in respect of the accrued dividend equivalents underlying these earned PSUs. With respect to Ms. Ruemmler’s RSUs, values were determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2019 (the30, 2022, the last trading day ofprior to December 31, 2022, the year).

2019 STOCK VESTED

The following table sets forth information regarding the value of the 2018Year-End RSUs granted to Mr. Rogers and Ms. Seymour in January 2019. No NEOs exercised any options in 2019, and no information is reportable with respect to Messrs. Solomon, Waldron or Scherr for 2019 in this table.

  
NAME  STOCK AWARDS 
   
    

NUMBER OF SHARES

     ACQUIRED ON VESTING (#)(a)

   

VALUE REALIZED

                             ON VESTING ($)(b)

 
   
John F.W. Rogers   30,138    6,000,174 
   
Karen P. Seymour   21,334    4,247,386 

(a)

Includes number of shares of Common Stock underlying 2018Year-Endvesting date. With respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs, which were vested upon grant.One-third of these shares were delivered in January 2020, andone-third are deliverable on or about each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date. Substantially all of the shares of Common Stock underlying the 2018Year-End RSUs that are delivered to our NEOs are subject to transfer restrictions until January 2024.

(b)

Valuesvalues were determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $199.09,$347.01, the closing price per share of our Common Stock on the NYSE on January 17, 2019,28, 2022, the grant date. In accordance with SEC rules the —20192022 Summary Compensation Table and 20192022 Grants of Plan- BasedPlan-Based Awards sections above include the grant date fair value of the 2018Year-End2021 U.K. RSUs.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

59


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2022 PENSION BENEFITS

 

50        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

2022 Pension Benefits


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2019 Pension Benefits

2019 PENSION BENEFITS

The following table sets forth pension benefit information as of December 31, 2019.2022. The Goldman Sachs Employees’ Pension Plan (GS Pension Plan) was frozen as of November 27, 2004, and none of our NEOs has accrued additional benefits thereunder since November 30, 20012002 (at the latest). Mr. Berlinski is a participant in The Goldman Sachs U.K. Retirement Plan (GS U.K. Retirement Plan), which was frozen as of March 31, 2016. Mr. Berlinski has not accrued benefits under the GS U.K. Retirement Plan since that time. Ms. SeymourRuemmler is not a participant in any plan reportable in this table.

 

     
NAME PLAN NAME   

NUMBER OF YEARS
CREDITED SERVICE

(#)(a)

   PRESENT VALUE OF
ACCUMULATED
BENEFIT ($)
(b)
   

PAYMENTS DURING
LAST FISCAL YEAR

($)

 
     
David M. Solomon  GS Pension Plan          1    1,482     
     
John E. Waldron  GS Pension Plan          1    7,097     
     
Stephen M. Scherr  GS Pension Plan          8    67,666     
     
John F.W. Rogers  GS Pension Plan          1    6,315     
    
   Name  Plan Name  Number of Years
Credited Services
(#)
(a)
  Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit ($)
(b)
  Payments During
Last Fiscal Year ($)
   David Solomon  GS Pension Plan    1      1,279  
   John Waldron  GS Pension Plan    1      5,400  
   Denis Coleman  GS Pension Plan    6    23,479  
   Philip Berlinski  GS U.K. Retirement Plan  15  327,828  

 

(a)

Our employees, including Messrs. Solomon, Waldron, ScherrColeman and Rogers,Berlinski, were credited for service for each year employed by us while eligible to participate in our GS Pension Plan.Plan or GS U.K. Retirement Plan, as applicable.

 

(b)

Represents the present value of the entire accumulated benefit and not the annual payment an NEO would receive once his benefits commence. Prior to being frozen, our GS Pension Plan provided an annual benefit equal to between 1% and 2% of the first $75,000 of the participant’s compensation for each year of credited service. The normal form of payment is a single life annuity for single participants and an actuarially equivalent 50% joint and survivor annuity for married participants. The present values shown in this column were determined using the following assumptions: payment of a single life annuity following retirement at either the normal retirement age (age 65) or immediately (if an NEO is over 65); a 3.46%5.27% discount rate; and mortality estimates based on theRP-2014 Pri-2012 white collar fully generational mortality table, with adjustments to reflect continued improvements in mortality based on ScaleMP-2019. MP-2021. Our GS Pension Plan provides for early retirement benefits, and all of our participating NEOs became or will become eligible to elect early retirement benefits upon reaching age 55. Prior to being frozen, our GS U.K. Retirement Plan provided for an annual benefit equal to 1.25% of the first £81,000 of the participant’s compensation for each year of credited service. The normal form of payment is a single life annuity plus a contingent spouse’s annuity equal to two-thirds of the member’s pension. Mr. Berlinski has two records in the plan; the normal retirement age for the first period of service is age 50, and the normal retirement age for the second period of service is age 65. The present value shown in this column reflects Mr. Berlinski’s accrued benefits with an annual cost of living adjustment that is applied pursuant to the terms of the GS U.K. Retirement Plan and was determined using the following assumptions: payment of a joint life annuity following retirement at normal retirement age; a 4.89% discount rate; mortality estimates based on the “S3 series all pensioner very light” mortality table, with adjustments to reflect continued improvements in mortality; and the GS U.K. Retirement Plan’s provision of early retirement benefits in respect of his second period of service and Mr. Berlinski’s eligibility to elect early retirement benefits upon reaching age 55.

For a description of our 401(k) Plan and our U.K. Defined Contribution Arrangement, which isare ourtax-qualified defined contribution plan,plans in the U.S. and U.K., respectively, see —Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Other Compensation Policies and Practices.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        51

2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2019Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

2019 NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth information for each NEO, as applicable, with respect to vested RSUs granted for servicesservice in prior years and for which the underlying shares of Common Stock had not yet been delivered as of the beginning of 2019during 2022 (Vested and Undelivered RSUs).

The Vested and Undelivered RSUs generally were awarded for services provided in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 20162017 and 2015.2016. RSUs generally are not transferable. No NEO received RSUsinformation is reportable in this table for services in 2017.Messrs. Solomon and Waldron.

 

  

Amounts shown as “Registrant Contributions” represent the 2018Year-End2021 U.K. RSUs, which were vested at grant.grant, and certain of the April 2020 and 2020 Year-End RSUs, which vested in December 2022.

 

  

Amounts shown as “Aggregate Earnings” reflect the change in market value of the shares of Common Stock underlying Vested and Undelivered RSUs, as well as dividend equivalents earned and paid on those shares, during 2019.2022.

60

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

  

Amounts shown as “Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions” reflect the value of shares of Common Stock underlying RSUs that were delivered, as well as dividend equivalents paid, during 2019.2022.

 

       
NAME   PLAN OR AWARD EXECUTIVE
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN LAST FISCAL
YEAR ($)
  

REGISTRANT
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN LAST

FISCAL YEAR ($)(a)

  

AGGREGATE
EARNINGS
IN LAST
FISCAL YEAR

($)(b)

  

AGGREGATE
WITHDRAWALS/
DISTRIBUTIONS
IN LAST

FISCAL YEAR ($)

  AGGREGATE
BALANCE AT
LAST FISCAL
YEAR-END
($)
(c)
 
       
David M. Solomon 

  Vested and

  Undelivered RSUs    

        2,207,076   8,406,847   3,229,367 
       
John E. Waldron 

  Vested and

  Undelivered RSUs

        1,843,995   6,674,542   2,881,483 
       
Stephen M. Scherr   Vested and   Undelivered RSUs        1,701,217   6,111,170   2,682,823 
       
John F.W. Rogers   Vested and   Undelivered RSUs     6,000,174   2,122,566   3,952,189   8,618,926 
       
Karen P. Seymour   Vested and   Undelivered RSUs     4,247,386   746,477   88,536   4,905,327 
      
   Name  

Vested and

Undelivered RSUs

  Executive
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year ($)
  Registrant
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year ($)
(a)
  

Aggregate
Earnings
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)
(b)

 

 

Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
in Last Fiscal
Year ($)

 

  

Aggregate
Balance at
Fiscal
Year-End
($)
(c)

 

   Denis Coleman  Vested and Undelivered RSUs       401,491  (2,555,129) 6,965,737  15,531,764
   Philip Berlinski  Vested and Undelivered RSUs      (2,348,672) 8,328,241  13,588,233
   Kathryn Ruemmler  Vested and Undelivered RSUs    6,893,010     (188,846) 1,573,179    6,893,010

 

(a)

ValueFor Mr. Coleman, value was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $199.09,$347.01, the closing price per share of our Common Stock on the NYSE on January 17, 2019,28, 2022, the grant date. In accordance with SEC rules,For Ms. Ruemmler, value was determined by multiplying the 2019 Summary Compensation Table and —2019Grantsaggregate number of Plan- Based Awards sections includeRSUs by $343.38, the grant date fair valueclosing price per share of Common Stock on the 2018Year-End RSUs.NYSE on December 30, 2022, the last trading day prior to December 31, 2022, the vesting date.

 

(b)

Aggregate earnings include changes in the market value of the shares of Common Stock underlying Vested and Undelivered RSUs during 2019.2022. In addition, each RSU includescertain RSUs include a dividend equivalent right, pursuant to which the holder is entitled to receive an amount equal to any ordinary cash dividends paid to the holder of a share of Common Stock approximately when those dividends are paid to shareholders. Amounts earned and paid on vested RSUs during 20192022 pursuant to dividend equivalent rights are also are included. The vested RSUs included in these amounts and their delivery dates are as follows (to the extent received by each NEO):

 

 

VESTED RSUS

     Vested RSUs
 DELIVERYDelivery
     
2018Year-End2021 U.K. RSUs With respect toFor Mr. Rogers andColeman: Delivered in January 2023.
     April 2020 RSUsFor Ms. Seymour,one-thirdRuemmler: One-third delivered in January 2020;2023 and one-third deliverable on or about each of January 2024 and January 2025.
     2020 Year-End RSUsFor Mr. Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler: One-third delivered in January 2023 and the remaining one-third deliverable on or about the third anniversary of grant. For Mr. Coleman: one-fifth delivered in January 2023 and one-fifth deliverable on or about each of the secondthird, fourth and thirdfifth anniversaries of grant.
2016     2019 Year-End RSUs For all NEOs other than Ms. Seymour (who did not receive this award),one-thirdMr. Berlinski: 26% delivered in January 2023 and approximately 11% are deliverable on or about each of December 2017,the fourth and fifth anniversaries of grant, respectively. For Mr. Coleman: one-fifth delivered in January 20192023 and January 2020.one-fifth deliverable on or about each of the fourth and fifth anniversaries of grant.
     

20152018 Year-End RSUs

(RSUs granted in January 2016 for services
in 2015)

 For all NEOs other than Ms. Seymour (who did not receive this award),one-thirdMr. Berlinski and Mr. Coleman: One-fifth delivered in eachJanuary 2023 and the remaining one-fifth deliverable on or about the fifth anniversary of grant.
     2017 Year-End RSUsFor Mr. Berlinski and Mr. Coleman: Delivered in January 2017, December 2017 and January 2019.2023.

 

Delivery of shares of Common Stock underlying RSUs may be accelerated in certain limited circumstances (for example,(e.g., in the event that the holder of the RSU dies or leaves the firm to accept a governmental position where retention of the RSU would create a conflict of interest). See Potential Payments Uponupon Termination or Change in Controlfor treatment of the RSUs upon termination of employment.

 

(c)

The Vested and Undelivered RSUs included in these amounts are 2020, 2019, 2018Year-End RSUs and 20162017 Year-End, April 2020 and/or 2021 U.K. RSUs. These stock awards were previously reported in the Summary Compensation Table (to the extent that the NEO was a named executive officer in the applicable year of grant). Values for RSUs were determined by multiplying the number of RSUs by $229.93,$343.38, the closing price per share of our Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 201930, 2022 (the last trading day of the year).

 

52        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Our NEOs do not have employment, “golden parachute” or other agreements providing for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholdersseverance pay.


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

Our NEOs do not have employment, “golden parachute” or other agreements providing for severance pay.

Our PCP, The Goldman Sachs Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (2018)(2021) (SIP) and its predecessor plans and our retiree healthcare program may provide for potential payments to our NEOs in conjunctionconnection with a termination of employment. The amounts potentially payable to our NEOs under our pension plan and vested RSUs are set forth under the —2019 Pension Benefits and —2019Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation sections above. The terms of the outstanding PSUs are not affected by a future termination of employment or change in control (absent a termination for circumstances constituting “cause” — e.g., any material violation of any firm policy or other conduct detrimental to our firm).

Each of our NEOs participated in our PCP in 2019.2022. Under our PCP, if a participant’s employment at Goldman Sachs terminates for any reason before the end of a “contract period” (generally atwo-year period as defined in the PCP), our Compensation Committee has the discretion to determine what, if any, variable compensation will be provided to the participant for services provided in that year, subject to the formula set forth in the PCP. There is no severance provided under our PCP.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

61


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

Set forth below is a calculation of the potential benefits to each of our NEOs assuming a termination of employment occurred on December 31, 2019,2022, in accordance with SEC rules. The table and other narrative disclosure that follows the table providesprovide important information and definitions regarding specific payment terms and conditions.

Equity Awards

     
TERMINATION REASON NAME  VALUE OF UNVESTED
RSUS, RESTRICTED
STOCK AND PSUS
THAT VEST UPON
TERMINATION ($)
   PRESENT VALUE
OF PREMIUMS
FOR RETIREE
HEALTHCARE
PROGRAM
(e) ($)
   TOTAL ($) 
     
Cause or Termination with Violation(a) David M. Solomon   0    0    0 
 

 

John E. Waldron

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

Stephen M. Scherr

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

John F.W. Rogers

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

Karen P. Seymour

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

     

Termination without Violation(a), Death(b),

Change in Control, Disability or Conflicted

Employment(c)or Downsizing(d)

 David M. Solomon   0    170,773    170,773 
 

 

John E. Waldron

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

551,866

 

 

  

 

 

 

551,866

 

 

 

 

Stephen M. Scherr

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

421,778

 

 

  

 

 

 

421,778

 

 

 

 

John F.W. Rogers

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

387,346

 

 

  

 

 

 

387,346

 

 

 

 

Karen P. Seymour

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

    
     Termination Reason  Name 

Value of Unvested RSUs
and PSUs that Vest upon        

Termination ($)

 Value of Unvested SVC
Awards that Vest upon   
Termination ($)
 Total ($)        
     Cause or Termination with Violation(a) All NEOs                 0                 0                 0
     Termination without Violation(a) David Solomon                 0   4,652,054   4,652,054
 John Waldron                 0   3,101,454   3,101,454
 Denis Coleman                 0   1,542,017   1,542,017
 Philip Berlinski                 0   1,079,420   1,079,420
 Kathryn Ruemmler                 0   1,079,420   1,079,420
     Death or Disability(b) David Solomon                 0 19,472,472 19,472,472
 John Waldron                 0 12,982,003 12,982,003
 Denis Coleman                 0   6,454,544   6,454,544
 Philip Berlinski                 0   4,518,216   4,518,216
 Kathryn Ruemmler        20,086,291   4,518,216 24,604,507
     Conflicted Employment(c) David Solomon                 0                 0                 0
 John Waldron                 0                 0                 0
 Denis Coleman                 0                 0                 0
 Philip Berlinski                 0                 0                 0
 Kathryn Ruemmler                 0                 0                 0

     Termination in Connection with

     a Change in Control(d)

 David Solomon                 0 19,472,472 19,472,472
 John Waldron                 0 12,982,003 12,982,003
 Denis Coleman                 0   6,454,544   6,454,544
 Philip Berlinski                 0   4,518,216   4,518,216
 Kathryn Ruemmler 20,086,291   4,518,216 24,604,507

The amounts potentially payable to our NEOs under our pension plan and vested RSUs, as applicable, are set forth under the —2022 Pension Benefits and —2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation sections above. The delivery and performance conditions of the outstanding PSUs are not affected by a future termination of employment or change in control (absent a termination for circumstances constituting “Cause”—e.g., any material violation of any firm policy, other conduct detrimental to our firm or certain other circumstances).

 

(a)

Amounts included for SVC Awards reflect level of achievement against absolute and relative thresholds, based on actual performance as of December 31, 2022, prorated for length of performance period that has lapsed. Except as discussed below, upon an NEO’s termination without Violation (as defined below), shares of Common Stock underlying any vested RSUs, as applicable, will continue to be delivered on schedule, and vested PSUs will continue to be eligible to be earned pursuant to their existing terms (and, in each case, transfer restrictions will continue to apply until the applicable transferability date to any Shares at Risk delivered thereunder), transfer restrictions will continue to apply to Restricted Stock until the applicable transferability date, and PSUs will continue to be eligible to be earned pursuant to their existing terms (and transfer restrictions will continue to apply until the applicable transferability date to any Shares at Risk delivered thereunder),; provided that the NEO does not become associated with a Covered Enterprise (as defined below). Additionally, if the NEO becomes associated with a Covered Enterprise, for 2018Any unvested RSUs, PSUs and SVC Awards will be forfeited. For 2020 Year-End RSUs, the NEO generally would have forfeited all of these awards if the Covered Enterprise association occurred in 2019; will forfeit2021; would have forfeited two-thirds of these awards if the association occursoccurred in 2020;2022; and will forfeitone-third of these awards if the Covered Enterprise association occurs in 2023. For 2019 Year-End RSUs, the NEO generally would have forfeited (i) all of these awards if the Covered Enterprise association occurred in 2020; (ii) two-thirds of these awards if the association occursoccurred in 2021.2021; and (iii) one-third of these awards if the association occurred in 2022. For 20182021, 2020 and 2019 Year-End PSUs and the SVC Awards, the NEO generally would forfeit all of these awards if the Covered Enterprise association occurred or occurs in 2019,the applicable performance period (which is 2022 through 2024, 2021 through 2023 and 2020 or 2021. For 2017through 2022, for Year-End Restricted Stock, PSUs respectively, and October 2021 through October 2026 for SVC Awards). Further, SVC Awards provide for pro rata vesting for a portion of the NEO generally would have forfeited all of these awardsaward if the association occurred in 2018; wouldfirm terminates employment and no Recapture events under the SVC Award agreement have forfeitedtwo-thirds of these awards if the association occurred in 2019; and will forfeitone-third of these awards if the association occurs in 2020. For 2017Year-End PSUs, the NEO generally would forfeit all of these awards if the association occurred or occurs in 2018, 2019 or 2020. For 2016Year-End RSUs, the NEO generally would have forfeited all of these awards if the association occurred in 2017; would have forfeitedtwo-thirds of these awards if the association occurred in 2018; and would have forfeitedone-third of these awards if the association occurred in 2019. This restriction may be removed upon a termination of employment that is characterized by us as “involuntary” or by “mutual agreement” if the individual executes an appropriate general waiver and release of claims and an agreement to pay any associated tax liability.occurred.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        53


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The occurrence of a Violation, including any event constituting Cause (as defined below) or the Solicitation (as defined below)below, except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs) of employees or clients of our firm, by an NEO prior to delivery or settlement of RSUs, and PSUs or a release of transfer restrictions on Restricted StockSVC Awards, as applicable, or other specified time period will result in forfeiture of all RSUs, PSUs and Restricted Stock,such equity awards, and in some cases may result in the NEO having to repay amounts previously received. In the event of certain Violations (for example,(e.g., NEO engaging in an event constituting Cause) following delivery of Shares at Risk underlying RSUs or PSUsequity awards but prior to the lapse of transfer restrictions, these shares also may be required to be returned to the firm.

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

RSU, Restricted StockPSU and PSUSVC awards also are subject to risk-related clawback provisions included in the definition of Violations below. As a result of these provisions, for example, an NEO will forfeit certain of their outstanding equity-based awards and any shares of Common Stock or other amounts delivered under these awards may be Recaptured if our Compensation Committee determines that their failure to properly consider risk (including overseeing or being responsible for, depending on the circumstances, another individual’s failure to properly consider risk) occurred in 20182021 (with respect to 20182021 Year-end PSUs, 2021 Year-End RSUs U.K. PSUs and PSUs)2021 U.K. RSUs), 20172020 (with respect to 20172020 Year-End Restricted Stock RSUs and PSUs as well as the April 2020 RSUs), 2019 (with respect to 2019 Year-End RSUs and PSUs) or 2016during the performance period (with respect to 2016Year-End RSUs)SVC Awards), has, or reasonably could be expected to have, a material adverse impact on their business unit, our firm or the broader financial system.

For 20172019, 2020 and 2021 Year-End PSUs (granted to Mr. Solomon) and 2018Year-End PSUsSVC Awards, as applicable, granted to our Executive Leadership Team if the firm is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to its material noncompliance, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws as described in Section 304(a) of Sarbanes-Oxley, their rights to the award will terminate and be subject to repayment to the same extent that would be required under Section 304 of Sarbanes-Oxley had thesuch NEO been a “chief executive officer” or “chief financial officer” of the firm (regardless of whether they actually held such position at the relevant time).

 

(b)

Amounts included for SVC Awards reflect level of achievement against absolute and relative thresholds, based on actual performance as of December 31, 2022. In the event of an NEO’s death, any unvested RSUs, PSUs or SVC Awards will vest and, for RSUs, delivery of shares of Common Stock, underlying RSUs is accelerated. Any transfer restrictions on the shares of Common Stock underlying RSUs, Shares at Risk delivered under PSUs and Restricted Stockor SVC Awards are removed. The termsdelivery and performance conditions of the PSUs and SVC Awards are not affected by the NEO’s death. For information on the number of PSUs and vested RSUs held by the NEOs atyear-end, see 20192022 Outstanding Equity Awards at FiscalYear-Endand 20192022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation above. These amounts do not reflect, in the case of death, the payment of a death benefit under our executive life insurance plan, which provides each NEO with term life insurance coverage through age 75 (a $4.5 million benefit for each NEO other than Mr. Waldron, who elected coverage at the minimum level under such plan)benefit).

(c)

If a Change in Control (as defined below) occurs, and within 18 months thereafter we terminate an NEO’s employment without Cause or if the NEO terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined below), delivery of shares of Common Stock underlying RSUs is accelerated and any transfer restrictions on the shares of Common Stock underlying RSUs, Shares at Risk delivered under RSUs and PSUs, and/or Restricted Stock are removed. The terms of the PSUs are not affected. For RSUs and Shares at Risk delivered in respect of PSUs and RSUs, certain forfeiture provisions no longer apply.

In the case of aan NEO’s disability, provided that the NEO does not become associated with a Covered Enterprise (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs), unvested RSUs, PSUs or SVC Awards will vest, shares of Common Stock underlying RSUs continue to deliver on schedule and PSUs and SVC Awards continue to be eligible to be earned pursuant to their existing terms. If the NEO does become associated with a Covered Enterprise, the awards would be treated as set forth in footnote (a) above for that situation.

 

(c)

In the case of a termination in which an NEO resigns and accepts a position that is deemed Conflicted Employment (as defined below), the NEO will receive, at our sole discretion, (i) with respect toYear-End RSUs, either a cash payment or an accelerated vesting (if applicable), delivery of, and removal of transfer restrictions on, the shares of Common Stock underlying those RSUs and Shares at Risk; and (ii)Risk. Unvested year-end RSUs will only be vested if the NEO has completed at least three years of continuous service with respect to Restricted Stock, removal of transfer restrictions on such Restricted Stock.the firm. Additionally, in the event of such a termination, our Compensation Committee may determine to amend the terms of any then-outstanding PSUs or SVC Awards held by the NEO.

 

(d)

Amounts included for SVC Awards reflect level of achievement against absolute and relative thresholds, based on actual performance as of December 31, 2022. In the event of an NEO’s termination for Good Reason (as defined below) or without Cause within 18 months of a termination due to Downsizing (as described below),Change in Control: (i) for RSUs, vesting and delivery of underlying shares of Common Stock, underlying RSUs delivereach as applicable, is accelerated and any applicable transfer restrictions on Restricted Stock release on scheduleare removed; and (ii) for PSUs continueand SVC Awards, vesting is accelerated and any applicable transfer restrictions are also removed, but delivery and performance conditions do not change. For RSUs and Shares at Risk delivered in respect of SVC Awards, PSUs and RSUs, certain forfeiture provisions no longer apply. For SVC Awards, in the case of a change of control that results in a delisting, the change in control would be deemed to be eligible to be earned on their existing terms.the last day of the performance period.

Retiree Healthcare

(e)

PMDs with eight or more years of service as a PMD are eligible to receive medical and dental coverage under our retiree healthcare program for themselves and eligible dependents through our firm at a 75% subsidy. Each of our NEOs (other than Ms. Seymour) is eligible for this subsidized coverage; Ms. Seymour is eligible to receive access to the retiree healthcare program at full cost with no firm subsidy. The values shown in this column reflect the present value of the cost to us of the 75% subsidy and were determined using a December 31, 2019 retirement date and the following assumptions: a 3.46% discount rate; mortality estimates based on thePRI-2012 white collar fully generational mortality table, with adjustments to reflect continued improvements in mortality based on ScaleMP-2019; estimates of future increases in healthcare subsidy costs of 2.50% for medical and pharmacy and 5.25% for dental; and assumptions for subsequent eligibility for alternative coverage, which would eliminate subsidies under our program (60% firm subsidized and 40% not firm subsidized). If an NEO becomes associated with certain entities, including certain Covered Enterprises, the NEO may forfeit some or all of his benefits and/or coverage under our retiree healthcare program. Values and assumptions shown reflect that effective January 1, 2021, the value of the benefit under our U.S. retiree healthcare program will not exceed 75% of the annual limits under Section 4980I of the Code.

In the case of a termination for Cause, the present value of premiums for our retiree healthcare program would be $0 for each of our NEOs. In the case of a termination of employment for any other reason, the present value of such premiums is: Mr. Solomon – $294,185, Mr. Waldron – $397,556, Mr. Coleman – $452,453, Mr. Berlinski – $481,051 and Ms. Ruemmler – $0.

In 2022, PMDs with eight or more years of PMD service were eligible to receive medical and dental coverage under our retiree healthcare program for themselves and eligible dependents. The 2022 healthcare program provided a subsidy equal to 100% of the individual premium for current retirees with eight years of PMD service and active PMDs who retire with eight years of PMD service. Any elected coverage for spouses/partners or dependents is not subsidized by the firm. New PMDs promoted or hired on or after January 1, 2021, will not receive a firm subsidy toward retiree healthcare and will be required to pay 100% of the retiree medical premium. Each of our NEOs (other than Ms. Ruemmler) is eligible for subsidized coverage; Ms. Ruemmler is eligible to receive access to the retiree healthcare program at full cost with no firm subsidy. The values provided above reflect the present value of the cost to us of the 100% individual subsidy starting in 2023 and were determined using a December 31, 2022 retirement date and the following assumptions: a 5.27% discount rate; mortality estimates based on the PRI-2012 white collar fully generational mortality table, with adjustments to reflect continued improvements in mortality based on Scale MP-2021; estimates of future increases in healthcare subsidy costs of 6.00% pre-65, 6.50% post-65 and then grading down 0.25% per year until ultimate rate of 4.50% for medical and pharmacy and 4.00% for dental; and assumptions for subsequent eligibility for alternative coverage, which would eliminate subsidies under our program (60% firm subsidized and 40% not firm subsidized). If an NEO becomes associated with certain entities, including certain Covered Enterprises, the NEO will forfeit some or all of his or her benefits and/or coverage under our retiree healthcare program.

Other Terms

As PMDs and members of the Management Committee, our NEOs are generally subject to a policy of 90 days’six months’ notice of termination of employment. We may require that an NEO be inactive (i.e., on “garden leave”) during the notice period (or we may waive the requirement).

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

For purposes of describing our PSUs, RSUs Restricted Stock and PSUs,the SVC Awards, the above-referenced terms generally have the following meanings:

Cause”Cause means the NEO (a) is convicted in a criminal proceeding on certain misdemeanor charges, on a felony charge or an equivalent charge,charge; (b) engages in employment disqualification conduct under applicable law,law; (c) willfully fails to perform his or her duties to Goldman Sachs,Sachs; (d) violates any securities or commodities laws, rules or regulations or the rules and regulations of any relevant exchange or association of which we are a member,member; (e) violates any of our policies concerning hedging or pledging or confidential or proprietary information, or materially violates any other of our policies,policies; (f) impairs, impugns, denigrates, disparages or negatively reflects upon our name, reputation or business interestsinterests; or (g) engages in conduct detrimental to us.

54        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


COMPENSATION MATTERS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

“Change in Control” means the consummation of a business combination involving Goldman Sachs, unless immediately following the business combination either:

 

 

At least 50% of the total voting power of the surviving entity or its parent entity, if applicable, is represented by securities of Goldman Sachs that were outstanding immediately prior to the transaction (or by shares into which the securities of Goldman Sachs are converted in the transaction); or

 

 

At least 50% of the members of the board of directors of the surviving entity, or its parent entity, if applicable, following the transaction were, at the time of our Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for the transaction, directors of Goldman Sachs on the date of grant of the award (including directors whose election or nomination was approved bytwo-thirds of the incumbent directors).

Conflicted Employment”Employment occurs where (a) a participant (a) resigns solely to accept employment at any U.S. federal, state or local government, anynon-U.S. government, any supranational or international organization, any self-regulatory organization, or any agency or instrumentality of any such government or organization, or any other employer (other than an “Accounting Firm” within the meaning of SEC Rule 2-01(f)(2) of RegulationS-X) determined by our Compensation Committee and, as a result of such employment, the participant’s continued holding of our equity-based awards would result in an actual or perceived conflict of interest or (b) a participant terminates employment and then notifies us that he/she has accepted or intends to accept employment of the nature described in clause (a).

Covered Enterprise” includes any existing or planned business enterprise that (a) offers, holds itself out as offering or reasonably may be expected to offer products or services that are the same as or similar to those offered by us or that we reasonably expect to offer or (b) engages in, holds itself out as engaging in or reasonably may be expected to engage in any other activity that is the same as or similar to any financial activity engaged in by us or in which we reasonably expect to engage.

Whether employment is terminated by reason of Downsizing” is determined solely by us.

Good Reason”Reason means (a) as determined by our Compensation Committee, a materially adverse change in the NEO’s position or nature or status of the NEO’s responsibilities from those in effect immediately before the Change in Control or (b) Goldman Sachs requiring the NEO’s principal place of employment to be located more than 75 miles from the location where the NEO is principally employed at the time of the Change in Control (except for required travel consistent with the NEO’s business travel obligations in the ordinary course prior to the Change in Control).

Solicitation” means any direct or indirect communication of any kind whatsoever (regardless of who initiated), inviting, advising, encouraging, suggesting or requesting any person or entity, in any manner, to take or refrain from taking any action.

Violation”Violation includes any of the following:

 

 

Participating in (or otherwise overseeing or being responsible for, depending on the circumstances, another individual’s participation) materially improper risk analysis or failing sufficiently to raise concerns about risks during the year for whichperiod specified in the award was granted;agreement;

 

 

Soliciting our clients or prospective clients to transact business with a Covered Enterprise, or to refrain from doing business with us or interfering with any of our client relationships;relationships (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs);

 

 

Failing to perform obligations under any agreement with us;

 

 

Bringing an action that results in a determination that the terms or conditions of RSUs, Restricted Stock or PSUsapplicable equity-based awards are invalid;

 

 

Attempting to have a dispute under our equity compensation plan or the applicable award agreement resolved in a manner other than as provided for in our equity compensation plan or the applicable award agreement;

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

Any event constituting Cause;

 

 

Failing to certify compliance to us or otherwise failing to comply with the terms of our equity compensation plan or the applicable award agreement;

 

 

Upon the termination of employment for any reason, receiving grants of cash, equity or other property (whether vested or unvested) from an entity to which the NEO provides services, to replace, substitute for or otherwise in respect of the NEO’s RSUs, Restricted Stock, PSUsapplicable equity-based awards or Shares at Risk;

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

Soliciting any of our employees to resign from us or soliciting certain employees to apply for or accept employment (or other association) with any person or entity other than us;us (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs);

 

 

Hiring or participatingParticipating in the hiring of certain employees by any person or entity other than us, whether as an employee or consultant or otherwise;otherwise (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs);

 

 

If certain employees are solicited, hired or accepted into partnership, membership or similar status by (a) any entity that the NEO forms, that bears the NEO’s name, or in which the NEO possesses or controls greater than a de minimis equity ownership, voting or profit participation or (b) any entity where the NEO has, or will have, direct or indirect managerial responsibility for such employee;employee, unless the Committee determines that the NEO was not involved in such solicitation, hiring or acceptance (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs); or

 

 

Our firm failing to maintain our “minimum tier 1 capital ratio” (as defined in the Federal Reserve Board regulations) for 90 consecutive business days or the Federal Reserve Board or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) making a written recommendation for the appointment of the FDIC as a receiver based on a determination that we are “in default” or “in danger of default.”default” (except with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs).

In addition, with respect to Mr. Coleman’s 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs and 2021 U.K. RSUs (as applicable), “Violation” also includes any of the following, in each case as determined by our Compensation Committee:

»

Our firm or the relevant business unit (i.e., investment banking in respect of Mr. Coleman’s prior role) suffering from a material downturn in financial performance (for 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs);

»

On or prior to January 1, 2029, our firm or the relevant business unit suffering from a material failure of risk management;

»

During the period beginning on the applicable transferability date and ending on December 31, 2028, engaging in misconduct sufficient to justify summary termination of employment under English law; or

»

Exercising supervisory authority over an individual who engages in misconduct sufficient to justify summary termination under English law (for 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs).

Compensation Committee Report

Our Compensation Committee reviewed the CD&A, as prepared by management of Goldman Sachs, and discussed the CD&A with management of Goldman Sachs. FW Cook and theThe CRO also reviewed the CD&A. Based on the Committee’s review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this Proxy Statement.

Compensation Committee

Mark Winkelman, Chair

Kimberley Harris (Incoming Chair, effective April 26, 2023)

Michele Burns Chair

Drew Faust

Kevin Johnson

Ellen Kullman

Lakshmi Mittal

Adebayo Ogunlesi(ex-officio)

 

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        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersGOLDMAN SACHS        

65


COMPENSATION MATTERS—ITEM 2. AN ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (SAY ON PAY)

 

2019 Say on Pay Vote2022 SAY ON PAY VOTE

 

Item 2. An Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)

 

 

 

 Proposal Snapshot — Snapshot—Item 2. Say on Pay     

 

  
  

What is being voted on: An advisory vote to approve the compensation of all of our NEOs.

 

Board recommendation:Our Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR the resolution approving the executive compensation of our NEOs.

 

 

Our Say on Pay vote gives our shareholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of all of our NEOs. We currently include this advisory vote on an annual basis.

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

 

 

“Compensation Highlights” in our Executive Summary (see page 5);4),

 

 

20192022 Annual NEO Compensation Determinations” in our CD&A (see page 31);34),

 

 

“How Ourour Compensation Committee Makes Decisions“Decisions” in our CD&A (see page 32);35),

 

 

“Overview of Annual Compensation Elements and Key Pay Practices“ in our CD&A (see page 36);41) and

 

 

20192022 Annual Compensation” in our CD&A (see page 37)42).

Please note that these sections should be read in conjunction with our entire CD&A (beginning on page 31), as well as the executive compensation tables and related disclosure that follow (beginning on page 47)

Please note that these sections should be read in conjunction with our entire CD&A (beginning on page 34), as well as the executive compensation tables and related disclosure that follow (beginning on page 55).

 

    2019 SAY ON PAY VOTE    2022 Say on Pay Vote

As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the below resolution gives shareholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, including the CD&A, the executive compensation tables and related disclosure.disclosures.

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

RESOLVED, that the holders of Common Stock approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of RegulationS-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the executive compensation tables and related disclosures.

As this is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding, although our Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation principles and practices and in connection with its compensation determinations.

For detailed information on the vote required for this matter and the choices available for casting your vote, please seeFrequently Asked Questions.Questions.

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS—ITEM 3. AN ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF SAY ON PAY RATIO DISCLOSUREVOTES

 

 

Item 3. An Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Say on Pay Ratio DisclosureVotes

 

 

In accordance with SEC rules,

 Proposal Snapshot—Item 3. Frequency of Say on Pay Votes     

What is being voted on: An advisory vote regarding the frequency of when we have calculatedwill conduct Say on Pay votes in the ratio between the 2019 compensation of our CEO and the median of the 2019future (every year, every two years or every three years).

Board recommendation: Our Board unanimously recommends a vote for Say on Pay votes EVERY YEAR.

In addition to the Say on Pay vote described above, and in accordance with SEC rules, our shareholders have an opportunity to vote on an advisory basis on the frequency of Say on Pay votes going forward — in particular, whether Say on Pay votes should be every year, every two years or every three years.

After due consideration, our Board recommends that Say on Pay votes should continue to occur annually. Our shareholders have expressed the view that an annual Say on Pay vote is an important means of engagement on executive compensation matters, and our Board respects this viewpoint.

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

RESOLVED, that the holders of Common Stock indicate, by their vote on this resolution, whether the advisory vote on executive compensation should be every year, every two years or every three years.

As this is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding, although our Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote and disclose its decision as to frequency by filing a Form 8-K no later than 150 days after our Annual Meeting.

For detailed information on the vote required for this matter and the choices available for casting your vote, please see Frequently Asked Questions.

Pay Ratio Disclosure

In accordance with SEC rules, we have calculated the ratio between the 2022 compensation of our CEO and the median of the 2022 compensation of all of our employees (other than the CEO) (Median Compensation Amount).

 

 

Using reasonable estimates and assumptions where necessary, and in accordance with SEC rules, we have determined that the Median Compensation Amount (calculated in accordance with SEC rules) for 20192022 is $138,854.$149,707.

 

»

In accordance with SEC rules, we» We identified the employee who received the Median Compensation Amount as of December 31, 20172022 using the firm’s standard internal compensation methodology known as “per annum total compensation,” which measures each employee’s fixed compensation and incentive compensation for a particular year, with appropriate prorations made to reflect actual compensation paid to part-time employees and currency conversions, as applicable.

 

 »

SEC rules permit identification of this median employee once every three years. As such, the Median Compensation Amount for 2019 reflects the 2019 “per annum total compensation” of the employee we identified as of December 31, 2017, given that there has been no change in our employee population or employee compensation arrangements that we believe would significantly impact pay ratio disclosure.

 

Mr. Solomon’s compensation for 2019,2022, as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, is $24,657,737,$31,609,420, and the ratio between this amount and the Median Compensation Amount is approximately 178:211:1.

Our Compensation Principles, described in more detail in —Compensation Discussion and Analysis—How our Compensation Committee Makes Decisions, apply to all of our people, regardless of their compensation level, and reflect the importance of (1) paying for performance, (2) encouraging firmwide orientation and culture, (3) discouraging imprudent risk-taking and (4) attracting and retaining talent.

 

Our        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

67


COMPENSATION MATTERS—PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE
Pay Versus Performance Disclosure
As required by recently enacted SEC rules, we have calculated “compensation actually paid
and set
f
orth the requisite company-selected financial measures below.
Paying-for-performance
is a key element of our Compensation Principles and our approach to executive compensation. As detailed in our —
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
above, the Compensation Committee places substantial importance on the assessment of firmwide performance when determining NEO compensation. To this end, the Committee utilizes the Performance Assessment Framework to assess a variety of financial and nonfinancial measures in applying its informed judgment to evaluate and set annual pay amounts. See —
Compensation Discussion and Analysis—2022 Annual Compensation
.
We believe that the structure of our equity-based awards provides an intrinsic link to the firm’s longer-term performance. Through the use of PSUs, the amounts ultimately realized by our NEOs with respect to annual compensation are subject to ongoing performance metrics (absolute and relative ROE) and are further tied to the firm’s longer-term performance through stock price (settlement of PSUs and Shares at Risk delivered in respect thereof). Given the use of ROE in our annual PSUs, ROE has been selected as our “company-selected measure” to include in the table below.
While the Committee looks at each of the measures in our Performance Assessment Framework in a holistic manner to evaluate executive compensation in consideration of firm performance (without ascribing any specific weight to any single factor or metric), the below measures from the Framework have been selected as they represent those firmwide performance measures for which the firm currently has set forth forward financial targets.
  ROE
  ROTE
  Efficiency Ratio
In addition, our
one-time
SVC Awards provide additional, longer-term incentives for our NEOs that are directly tied to the firm’s longer-term performance (as measured by absolute and relative TSR).
The amounts set forth below in the required table are calculated pursuant to SEC rules but do not represent amounts that have been actually earned or realized by our NEOs, including in respect of PSUs and SVC Awards. Performance conditions for many of these awards have either not yet been satisfied or applicable performance information is not yet available.
A
s
a
result, this information does not reflect compensation that is actually paid or realized.
For more information, please refer to our Stock Vested table each year in
—Executive Compensation
for the value realized by NEOs on the vesting of these awards, if any.
 
  Year    
 
 
Summary
Compensation      
Table Total for
PEO
(a)
 
 
“Compensation    
Actually Paid”
to PEO ($)
(a)(b)
 
 
Average Summary    
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO Named
Executive Officers
($)
(c)
 
 
Average
“Compensation
Actually Paid”
to Non-PEO
Named Executive    
Officers ($)
(b)(c)
 
 
     Value of Initial Fixed $100     
     Investment Based on:
(d)
     
 
 
 
Net Income    
($000s)
(e)
 
 
ROE    
(%)
 
 
Total
Shareholder    
Return ($)
 
 
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder    
Return ($)
 
 
  2022 31,609,420 26,749,650
(f)
 22,702,390 23,602,465
(g)
 160 118 11,261,000 10.2
 
  2021 39,545,072 96,228,443
(h)
 21,385,543 43,553,528
(i)
 173 132 21,635,000 23.0
 
  2020 23,940,657 29,092,114
(j)
 15,395,032 15,395,189
(k)
 117   98   9,459,000 11.1
(a)
As Chairman and CEO in each of 2022, 2021 and 2020, Mr. Solomon was our principal executive o
fficer (PEO) u
nder SEC rules.
(b)
The dollar amounts reported in the “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” column and the “Average Compensation Principles, describedActually Paid to
Non-PEO
Named Executive Officers” column represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to our PEO and the “average compensation actually paid” to our
non-PEO
NEOs, respectively, as computed in more detailaccordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K.
While the SEC rules require us to disclose these amounts, they do not correlate to actual amounts that will or may be paid to our NEOs. The actual amounts that will or may be paid to each NEO will be determined following the completion of the applicable performance period based upon the actual achievement over such performance period.
The SEC rules require fair values to be calculated. Fair values were calculated as follows:
With respect to outstanding PSUs for which the performance period has not been completed, fair value was calculated by estimating probable performance based upon both actual performance for the firm and Peers to date under the terms of such award and target future performance. With respect to outstanding SVC Awards for which the performance period has not been completed, fair value was calculated to reflect estimated level of achievement against absolute and relative thresholds,
based upon the probability of achieving the award’s goals.
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COMPENSATION MATTERS—PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE
Fair Values as of December 31, 2022
. Fair value of the 2021 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2022 was determined by multiplying approximately 117% of the target number of PSUs by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022 and including an approximately 6% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs as of December 31, 2022 was determined by multiplying approximately 117% of the target number of PSUs by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022 and including an approximately 13% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these PSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Fair value of the 2020 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2022 was determined by multiplying approximately 133% of the target number of PSUs by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022 and including an approximately 8% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the 2019 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2022 was determined by multiplying 150% of the target number of PSUs by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022 and including an approximately 8% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the SVC Awards as of December 31, 2022 is determined by multiplying the target number of SVC awards by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022, and applying an approximately 36% discount related to the probability of achieving the award’s goals, and an approximately 7% discount to reflect the impact of transfer restrictions on the shares underlying these awards. Fair value of the 2020 Year-End RSUs as of December 31, 2022 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022 and including an approximately 12% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying 50% of these RSUs that vested on December 31, 2022 and an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying 50% of these RSUs that remained outstanding as of December 31, 2022. Fair value of Ms. Ruemmler’s April 2020 RSUs as of December 31, 2022 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $343.38, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022.
Fair Values as of December 31, 2021
. Fair value of the 2020 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2021 was determined by multiplying approximately 117% of the target number of PSUs by $382.55, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2021 and including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the 2019 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2021 was determined by multiplying 150% of the target number of PSUs by $382.55, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2021 and including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the 2018 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2021 was determined by multiplying 150% of the target number of PSUs by $382.55, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2021 and including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the SVC Awards as of December 31, 2021 is determined by multiplying the target number of SVC awards by $382.55, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2021, and applying an approximately 43% discount related to the probability of achieving the award’s goals, and an approximately 7% discount to reflect the impact of transfer restrictions on the shares underlying these awards. Fair value of the 2020 Year-End RSUs as of December 31, 2021 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $382.55, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2021 and including an approximately 15% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying one-third of these RSUs that vested on December 31, 2021 and an approximately 12% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying two-thirds of these RSUs that remained outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Fair value of Ms. Ruemmler’s April 2020 RSUs as of December 31, 2021 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $382.55, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2021.
Fair Values as of December 31, 2020
. Fair value of the 2019 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying approximately 95% of the target number of PSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 10% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the 2018 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying approximately 93% of the target number of PSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 10% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the 2017 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying 150% of the target number of PSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 10% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of Ms. Ruemmler’s April 2020 RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020. Fair value of the 2019 Year-End RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 11% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs. Fair value of the 2019 Year-End Additional Base RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Fair value of the 2019 Year-End Base RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 12% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Fair value of the 2018 Year-End Additional Base RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 8% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Fair value of the 2018 Year-End Base RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 10% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Fair value of the 2017 Year-End Additional Base RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 7% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Fair value of the 2017 Year-End Base RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of
        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        
69

COMPENSATION MATTERS—PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE
RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 8% liquidity discount to reflect both the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs and the lack of dividend equivalent rights. Fair value of the 2016 Year-End RSUs as of December 31, 2020 was determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $263.71, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2020 and including an approximately 4% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs.
Fair Values as of December 31, 2019
. Fair value of the 2018 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2019 was determined by multiplying approximately 107% of the target number of PSUs by $229.93, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2019 and including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs. Fair value of the 2017 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2019 was determined by multiplying approximately 128% of the target number of PSUs by $229.93, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2019 and including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of these PSUs.
(c)
In 2022, our non-PEO NEOs were Messrs. Waldron, Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler (the 2022 Other NEOs). In 2021, our non-PEO NEOs were Mr. Waldron, Stephen Scherr (our former CFO), Mr. Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler (the 2021 Other NEOs). In 2020, our non-PEO NEOs were Messrs. Waldron and Scherr, John F.W. Rogers (Executive Vice President) and Karen Seymour (our former General Counsel) (the 2020 Other NEOs).
(d)
Reflects value of fixed $100 investment made on December 31, 2019. With respect to each of 2022, 2021 and 2020, Peer Group Total Shareholder Return reflects total shareholder return of S&P 500 Financials Index.
(e)
Information in this column reflects “Net Earnings” as reported in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K as we do not use the term “Net Income.”
(f)
With respect to our PEO, using as a starting point $31,609,420, our PEO’s total compensation for 2022, as reported in our Summary Compensation Matters—Table, we: (i) deducted $22,404,343, the grant date fair value of his 2021 Year-End PSUs; (ii) added $25,922,963, the fair value of his 2021 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2022; (iii) added $502,941, the change in the fair value of his 2020 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022; (iv) deducted $3,803,514, the change in the fair value of his 2019 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022; (v) deducted $7,495,547, the change between (A) the fair value of his 2018 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2021 and (B) the fair value of his 2018 Year-End PSUs as of May 2, 2022, the settlement date, determined by multiplying 50% of the aggregate number of PSUs earned, representing the cash-settled portion of the award, by $323.26, the ten-day average closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on April 18, 2022 – April 29, 2022, and multiplying 50% of the aggregate number of PSUs earned, representing the stock-settled portion of the award, by $305.49, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on April 29, 2022 and, with respect to the stock-settled portion of the award, including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of such PSUs; (vi) added $368,212, the change in the fair value of his SVC Award granted in 2021 between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022; and (vii) added $2,049,518, the value of the dividends paid in respect of his 2018 Year-End PSUs prior to the vesting of such PSUs.
(g)
With respect to the 2022 Other NEOs, using as a starting point $22,702,390, the average total compensation for 2022 for our 2022 Other NEOs, as collectively reported in our Summary Compensation DiscussionTable, we: (i) deducted $13,892,706, the average of the aggregate grant date fair values of: (A) Messrs. Waldron, Coleman and Analysis—How OurBerlinski and Ms. Ruemmler’s 2021 Year-End PSUs; (B) Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler’s SVC Awards granted in 2022; and (C) Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs and 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs; (ii) added $16,781,117, the average of the fair values of: (A) Messrs. Waldron, Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler’s 2021 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2022; (B) Mr. Coleman’s 2021 Year-End U.K. PSUs as of December 31, 2022; (C) Messrs. Coleman and Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler’s SVC Awards as of December 31, 2022; and (D) Mr. Coleman’s 2021 U.K. RSUs as of January 28, 2022, the vesting date, determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $347.01, the closing price per share of Common Stock on January 28, 2022; (iii) deducted $2,466,267, the average of the change in the fair value of (A) Mr. Waldron and Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022; (B) Mr. Waldron’s 2019 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022; (C) Mr. Waldron’s 2018 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2021 and May 2, 2022, the settlement date, calculating the fair value as of May 2, 2022 by multiplying 50% of the aggregate number of PSUs earned, representing the cash-settled portion of the award, by $323.26, the ten-day average closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on April 18, 2022 – April 29, 2022, and multiplying 50% of the aggregate number of PSUs earned, representing the stock-settled portion of the award, by $305.49, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on April 29, 2022 and, with respect to the stock-settled portion of the award, including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of such PSUs; (D) Mr. Waldron’s SVC Award granted in 2021 between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022; (E) one-third of Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End RSUs between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022; (F) one-third of Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End RSUs between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022, the vesting
date; (G)
two-thirds of Ms. Ruemmler’s April 2020 RSUs between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022; and (H) one-third of Ms. Ruemmler’s April 2020 RSUs between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022, the vesting date; and (iv) added $477,931, the average value of the dividends paid to: (A) Mr. Waldron in respect of his 2018 Year-End PSUs prior to the vesting of such PSUs; and (B) Ms. Ruemmler in respect of one-third of her 2020 Year-End RSUs and one-third of her April 2020 RSUs, in each case, prior to the vesting of such RSUs.
(h)
With respect to our PEO, using as a starting point $39,545,072, our PEO’s total compensation for 2021, as reported in our Summary Compensation Committee Makes DecisionsTable, we: (i) deducted $27,380,180, the aggregate grant date fair value of his 2020 Year-End PSUs and his SVC Award granted in 2021; (ii) added $15,887,300, the fair value of his 2020 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2021; (iii) added $14,721,597, the fair value of his SVC Award granted in 2021 as of December 31, 2021; (iv) added $21,947,651, the change
in the fair
value
of his
2019 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021; (v) added $24,203,324, the change
in the
fair value
of his 2018
Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021; (vi) added $6,218,053, the change betwee
n
(A)
t
he fair value of his 2017 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2020 and (B) the fair value of his 2017 Year-End PSUs as of April 29, 2021, the settlement date, determined by multiplying 50% of the aggregate number of PSUs earned, representing the cash-settled portion of the award, by $339.96, the ten-day average closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on April 15, 2021 – April 28, 2021, and multiplying 50% of the aggregate number of PSUs earned, representing the stock-settled portion of the award, by $348.11, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on April 28, 2021 and, with respect to the stock-settled portion of the award, including an approximately 9% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying the stock-settled portion of such PSUs; (vii) added $1,085,626, the value of the dividends paid in respect of the 2017 Year-End PSUs prior to the vesting of such PSUs.
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COMPENSATION MATTERS—PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE
(i)
With respect to the 2021 Other NEOs, using as a starting point $21,385,543, the average total compensation for 2021 for our 2021 Other NEOs, as collectively reported in our Summary Compensation Table, we: (i) deducted $9,938,515, the average of the aggregate grant date fair values of (A) Messrs. Waldron and Scherr and Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End PSUs; (B) Mr. Berlinski and Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End RSUs; and (C) Mr. Waldron’s SVC Award granted in 2021; (ii) added $12,878,041, the average of the fair values of: (A) Messrs. Waldron and Scherr and Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2021; (B) Mr. Berlinski’s 2020 Year-End RSUs as of December 16, 2021, the vesting date, determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $397.37, the closing price per share of Common Stock on December 16, 2021 and including an approximately 13% liquidity discount to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs; (C) two-thirds of Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End RSUs as of December 31, 2021; (D) one-third of Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End RSUs as of December 31, 2021, the vesting date; and (E) Mr. Waldron’s SVC Award as of December 31, 2021; (iii) added $19,158,876, the average of the change in the fair value of: (A) Messrs. Waldron and Scherr’s 2019 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021; (B) Messrs. Waldron and Scherr’s 2018 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021; (C) Mr. Berlinski’s 2019 Year-End Additional Base RSUs, 2019 Year-End Base RSUs, 2019 Year-End RSUs, 2018 Year-End Additional Base RSUs, 2018 Year-End Base RSUs, 2017 Year-End Additional Base RSUs, 2017 Year-End Base RSUs and 2016 Year-End RSUs between December 31, 2020 and December 16, 2021, in each case, the vesting date, calculating the fair value as of December 16, 2021 by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $397.37, the closing price per share of Common Stock on December 16, 2021 and including liquidity discounts of approximately 8%, apply12%, 12%, 7%, 10%, 6%, 7% and 5%, respectively, to reflect the transfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying all of these RSUs and, with respect to each of the 2019 Year-End Additional Base RSUs, 2019 Year-End Base RSUs, 2018 Year-End Additional Base RSUs, 2018 Year-End Base RSUs, 2017 Year-End Additional Base RSUs and 2017 Year-End Base RSUs, the lack of dividend equivalent rights; and (D) Ms. Ruemmler’s April 2020 RSUs between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021; (iv) added $82,463, the average value of the dividends paid in respect of (A) Mr. Berlinski’s 2020 Year-End RSUs, 2019 Year-End RSUs and 2016 Year-End RSUs and (B) one-third of Ms. Ruemmler’s 2020 Year-End RSUs, in each case, prior to the vesting of such awards; and (v) deducted $12,880, the average aggregate change in the actuarial present value of our people, regardless2021 Other NEOs’ accumulated benefits under the GS U.K. Retirement Plan. There are no applicable service costs or prior service costs under the GS U.K. Retirement Plan.
(j)
With respect to our PEO, using as a starting point $23,940,657, our PEO’s total compensation for 2020, as reported in our Summary Compensation Table, we: (i) deducted $17,036,275, the grant date fair value of theirhis 2019 Year-End PSUs; (ii) added $17,140,685, the fair value of his 2019 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2020; (iii) deducted $105,110, the change in the fair value of his 2018 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020; (iv) added $5,152,349, the change in the fair value of his 2017 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020; and (v) deducted $192, the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of his accumulated benefit under the GS Pension Plan. There are no applicable service costs or prior service costs under the GS Pension Plan.
(k)
With respect to the 2020 Other NEOs, using as a starting point $15,395,032, the average total compensation level,for 2020 for our 2020 Other NEOs, as collectively reported in our Summary Compensation Table, we: (i) deducted $8,537,653, the average of the aggregate grant date fair values of: (A) our 2020 Other NEOs’ 2019 Year-End PSUs and (B) Mr. Rogers and Ms. Seymour’s 2019 Year-End RSUs; (ii) added $8,578,097, the average fair value of: (A) our 2020 Other NEOs’ 2019 Year-End PSUs as of December 31, 2020 and (B) Mr. Rogers and Ms. Seymour’s 2019 Year-End RSUs as of January 16, 2020, the vesting date, determined by multiplying the aggregate number of RSUs by $
249.72
, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on January 16, 2020 and including an approximately 12% liquidity discount to reflect the importancetransfer restrictions on the Common Stock underlying these RSUs; (iii) deducted $37,370, the average change in the fair value of (1) paying for performance; (2) encouraging firmwide orientationMessrs. Waldron and culture; (3) discouraging imprudent risk-taking;Scherr’s 2018 Year-End PSUs between December 31, 2019 and (4) attractingDecember 31, 2020; and retaining talent.

(iv) deducted $2,917, the average aggregate change in the actuarial present value of our 2020 Other NEOs’ accumulated benefits under the GS Pension Plan. There are no applicable service costs or prior service costs under the GS Pension Plan.
“Compensation Actually Paid” (CAP)
Versus
Performance
Measures
In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following graphic description
of
the relationships between information presented in the P
ay Versus P
erformance table, reflecting changes from 2020-2021 and from 2021-2022 unless otherwise noted.
Peer GroupTSR %(2020 - 2021
GSTSR %(2020 - 2021
ROE(YoY%
NetIncome(YoY%)
Non-PEOAvg. CAP(YoY%)
PEOCAP(YoY%)
Peer GroupTSR %(2020 - 2022)
GSTSR %(2020 - 2022
ROE(YoY%)
NetIncome(YoY%)
Non-PEOAvg. CAP(YoY%)
PEOCAP(YoY%)
FYE 2021
FYE 2022n LOGO
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COMPENSATION MATTERS—DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Director Compensation Program

 

58        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

    2022 Director Compensation Program


COMPENSATIONMATTERS—NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

2019 Director Compensation Program

Non-Employee Director Compensation Program

Our Governance Committee reviewsIn 2021, our shareholders approved an amended and restated SIP, which fixed the form and amount of annual director compensation. Consistent with our Director Compensation Program annually, taking into account:

Advice from its independent consultant

Structure of our program and overall amount of compensation
Feedback from stakeholders

Benchmarking against form, structure and amount of peer director compensation

2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Our 2019SIP, our 2022 Director Compensation Program consisted of:

 

  

COMPONENTS OF DIRECTOR

COMPENSATION PROGRAM

FOR 2019 SERVICEComponents of Director Compensation        
Program for 2022 Service(a)

 ANNUAL VALUE OF AWARD

  Annual Value of    

  Award    

 FORM OF PAYMENT

Form and Timing of Payment

Annual RSU Grant

$500,000

 

2,003 RSUs

Annual Retainer  $350,000

 

$75,000

RSUs, granted annually in arrears(b)

Annual Retainer

 

301

  $100,000

RSUs or $75,000,cash, as per director election, paid quarterly in arrears(c)

Total Annual Base Compensation

  $450,000

Committee Chair Fee (if applicable)

$25,000

 

101

    $25,000

RSUs or $25,000,cash, as per director election, paid quarterly in arrears(c)

 

(a)

Compensation is prorated, as applicable, according to the number of months served. In connection with Board service, our directors do not receive any incremental fees for attending Board or Committee meetings andor serving on special committees formed from time to time. Mr. Solomon does not participate in our Director Compensation Program and did not receive any incremental compensation for service on our Board.

 

(b)

CERTAIN UPDATES FOR 2020 DIRECTOR COMPENSATIONRSUs granted on January 18, 2023 for service in 2022.

While

(c)

RSU grants and cash payments were made quarterly (with RSU grants made on each of April 18, 2022, July 19, 2022, October 19, 2022 and January 18, 2023) to smooth out timing of grants and payments over the course of the year and in alignment with market practice.

In December 2022, our Governance Committee reviewed the form and amount of the Director Compensation Program has always been designed to attract and retain highly qualified and diverse directors and align director interests with long-term shareholder interests (as further described in —Key Features of Director Compensation), atrecommended that the direction of our Lead Director we recently undertook a targeted review of bothBoard set the quantum and design of our2023 Director Compensation Program.Program in an amount unchanged from 2022 levels. In the context ofconnection with this review, the Governance Committee received advice from its independent consultant, reviewed benchmarking data, and considered both feedback from stakeholders as well as the resolution of outstanding director compensation litigation (see page 78 for more information on the litigation).took into account:

Following this review, our Governance Committee recommended, and our Board approved, changes to our Director Compensation Program beginning in 2020 thatresulted in a significant overall reduction in total director compensation. In addition, our Governance Committee and Board determined, in the context of the anticipated litigation settlement, to include the fixed amount of annual director compensation in our SIP, which will next be presented for shareholder approval at our 2021 Annual Meeting.

Advice from its independent consultant, including with respect to benchmarking on the form, structure and amount of peer director compensation;

The amount and structure of the compensation program;

Feedback from stakeholders; and

Commitments made in connection with the August 2020 settlement of the director compensation litigation, including the commitment that annual director compensation not exceed the current levels fixed in the SIP.

 

Key Features of Director Compensation

  Is designed to attract and retain highly qualified and diverse directors

  Appropriately values the significant time commitment required of our directors

  Effectively and meaningfully aligns interests of directors with long-term shareholder interests

  Recognizes the highly regulated and complex nature of our global business and the requisite skills and experience represented among our Board members

  Takes into account the focus on Board governance and oversight of financial firms

  Reflects the shared responsibility of all directors

  Significant Time Commitment by Directors

 LOGO    

COMPONENTS OF DIRECTOR

COMPENSATION PROGRAMIn addition to preparation for and attendance at Board and Committee meetings, our directors are engaged in a variety of other ways, including:

FOR 2020 SERVICE(a)

   Receiving and reviewing postings on significant  developments and weekly informational packages

   Communicating and meeting with each other, senior  management and key employees around the globe

   Meeting with our regulators

   Participating in firm and industry conferences and other  external engagements on behalf of the Board

   Engaging with investors (our Lead Director and  Compensation Committee Chair)

For additional information, see Corporate Governance —Structure of our Board and Governance Practices—Commitment of our Board.

  ANNUAL VALUE OF AWARDFORM OF PAYMENT

Annual RSU Grant

$350,000

RSUs

Annual Retainer

$100,000

RSUs or Cash, as per director election

Total Annual Base Compensation

$450,000 (reduced from $575,000)

Committee Chair Fee (if applicable)

$25,000

RSUs or Cash, as per director election

(a)

In connection with Board service, our directors do not receive any incremental fees for attending Board or Committee meetings. Mr. Solomon will not receive any incremental compensation for service on our Board during 2020.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders72

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  Goldman Sachs        59PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


COMPENSATIONMATTERS—NON-EMPLOYEEDIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

 

Key Features of Director Compensation

KEY FEATURES OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

LOGO

Is designed to attract and retain highly qualified and diverse directors Appropriately values the significant time commitment required of our non-employee directors Effectively and meaningfully aligns directors with long-term shareholder interests Recognizes the highly regulated and complex nature of our global business and the requisite skills and experience represented among our Board members Takes into account the focus on Board governance and oversight at financial firms Reflects the shared responsibility of all directors Significant Time Commitment By Directors In addition to preparation for and attendance at Board and Committee meetings (58 total in 2019), our directors are engaged in a variety of other ways, including: Receiving postings on significant developments and weekly informational packages Communicating and meeting with each other, senior management and key employees around the globe Meeting with our regulators Participating in firm and industry conferences and other external engagements on behalf of the Board Engaging with stakeholders, including by our Lead Director For additional information, see Corporate Governance-Structure of our Board and Governance Practices-Commitment of our Board.

 

 Highlights of Ourour Director Compensation Program     
   

 

Program features emphasize long-term alignment between director and shareholder interests.

 

What We Do

 

LOGO  Emphasis on Equity Compensation:

      The majority of director compensation is in the form of vested  equity-based awards (RSUs). Directors may elect to receive  100% of their director compensation in the form of RSUs

 

LOGO  Hold-through Retirement Requirement:

 Non-employee directors  Directors must hold all RSUsgranted to them during their entire tenure

 

  Shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUsdo not deliver until after a director’s retirement

 

LOGO Equity Ownership Requirements:

      Allnon-employee directorsDirectors are requiredto ownat least 5,000 sharesof  Common Stock or vested RSUs, with afive-year transition  period for new directors

   

LOGO

Remainder in Cash Compensation Minimum of at least 70% Equity Compensation

LOGO

What We Don’t Do

 

LOGO LOGO  No fees for attending meetings — meetings—attendance is expected   and compensation is not dependent on Board meeting   schedule

 

LOGO LOGO  No fees for membership on special committees formed   from time to time

LOGO  No undue focus on short-term stock performance — performance—director   pay aligns with compensation philosophy, not short-term   fluctuations in stock price

 

LOGO LOGO  No hedging or pledging of RSUs permitted

 

LOGO LOGO  No hedging of shares of Common Stock permitted

 

LOGO LOGO  No director has shares of Common Stock subject to a   pledge

 

60        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


COMPENSATIONMATTERS—NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Director Summary Compensation TableMaximum of no more than 30% in cash, if elected by director
Minimum of at least 70% equity compensation

 

RETENTION OF INDEPENDENT NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION CONSULTANTRetention of Independent Director Compensation Consultant

In 2019,2022, our Governance Committee reappointed FWFrederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (FW Cook), a compensation consultant, to conduct an independent review of ournon-employee Director Compensation Program. FW Cook assessed the structure of our Director Compensation Program and its value compared to competitive market practices. practices, taking into account the emphasis on equity compensation, the hold-through retirement requirement and other restrictions on the RSUs, as well as the August 2020 resolution of the director compensation litigation and the fixed amount of annual director compensation specified in the SIP, which was approved by our shareholders at the 2021 Annual Meeting.

FW Cook determined that the Director Compensation Program remained competitive with the market and continued to align the interests of ournon-employee directors with the long-term interests of our shareholders. As a result of its assessment and the ongoing nature of the director compensation litigation, FW Cook confirmed that it supported the continuation of our Director Compensation Program for 2019 without changes to either amount or design, as well as the proposed changes described in —Certain Updates for 2020 Director Compensation.

Our Governance Committee determined that FW Cook is independent and does not havehas no conflicts of interest in providing services to our Governance Committee.

 

DIRECTOR SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE2022 Director Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the 2019 compensation for ournon-employee directors as determined by SEC rules, which require us to include equity awards grantedduring 2019 2022 and cash compensationearned for 2019. Generally, 2022. Historically, we granthave granted equity-based awards and pay any cash compensation to ournon-employee directors for a particular year shortly after that year’s end. While we continue this practice for the Annual Grant RSUs, beginning in 2021 we started granting RSUs in respect of the Annual Retainer and/or Committee Chair Fee quarterly in arrears (to more closely align with timing of cash payments, providing periodic grants and payments over the course of the year and in alignment with market practice). Accordingly, this table includes RSUs granted in January 2019 for services performed in 2018 and cash paid in January 2020 for services performed in 2019 for those directors who received cash payments.includes:

     
 FEES EARNED OR
  PAID IN CASH ($)
(a)  
STOCK AWARDS ($)(b)

ALL OTHER

COMPENSATION ($)(c)

TOTAL ($)
     

Michele Burns

100,000

500,115

19,823

619,938

     

Drew Faust

  75,000

250,058

16,500

341,558

     

Mark Flaherty

  75,000

500,115

20,000

595,115

     

William George(d)

           0

600,257

  7,500

607,757

     

James Johnson(d)

           0

575,172

20,000

595,172

     

Ellen Kullman

           0

575,172

20,000

595,172

     

Lakshmi Mittal

           0

575,172

      —

575,172

     

Adebayo Ogunlesi

           0

600,257

      —

600,257

     

Peter Oppenheimer

           0

600,257

20,000

620,257

     

Jan Tighe

  75,000

  48,180

  5,000

128,180

     

David Viniar

  75,000

500,115

20,000

595,115

     

Mark Winkelman

           0

591,895

45,000

636,895

 

(a)

For 2019, Ms. Burns elected to receive her annual retainerRSUs granted in January 2022 (2021 Annual Grant, and the fourth quarter grant, in arrears, of the 2021 Annual Retainer and, as applicable, Committee Chair feeFee) for services performed in cash, and Dr. Faust, Vice Admiral Tighe and Messrs. Flaherty and Viniar elected to receive their annual retainers in cash.2021;

 

(b)

The grant date fair value of RSUs granted on January 17, 2019 for service in 2018 was based on the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on the date of grant ($199.09). These RSUs were vested upon grant and provide for delivery of the underlying shares of Common Stock on(for the first eligible trading daythrough third quarters, in the third quarter of the year following the year of the director’s retirement from our Board.arrears) during 2022 (2022 Annual Retainer and, as applicable, Committee Chair Fee) for services performed in 2022 for directors who elected RSUs; and

 

(c)

These values reflect the amounts that were donated to charities by our firm to match personal donations made bynon-employee directors in connection with requests by these directors made prior to March 2, 2020 under the Goldman Sachs employee matching gift program for 2019. We allow our directors to participate in our employee matching gift program on the same terms as ournon-PMD employees, matching gifts of up to $20,000 per participating individual. For Mr. Winkelman, the amount also represents an annual cash fee of $25,000 for his service as a member of the board of directors of our subsidiary, Goldman Sachs International, during 2019.

(d)

Each of Messrs. George and Johnson retired from our Board on May 2, 2019. Until his retirement, Mr. George served as Chair of our Public Responsibilities Committee.

Please refer toBeneficial Ownership for information pertaining to the outstanding equity awards (all of which are vested) held by eachnon-employee director as of March 2, 2020, including RSUs granted in January 2020 for services performed in 2019.

For more information on the work of our Board and its Committees, seeCorporate Governance.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        61


AUDIT MATTERS—ITEM 3. RATIFICATION OF PWC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2020

Assessment Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Audit Matters

Item 3. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020

Proposal Snapshot — Item 3. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm for 2020

What is being voted on: Ratification of the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm.

Board recommendation: Our Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020.

Our Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm retained to audit our financial statements. Our Audit Committee has appointed PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020. We are submitting the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for shareholder ratification at our Annual Meeting, as we do each year.

ASSESSMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The members of our Audit Committee believe that the continued retention of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of our firm and our shareholders. In making this determination, our Audit Committee considered a variety of factors, including:

  Independence

        

  Candor and insight provided
to Audit Committee

  Proactivity

  Ability to meet deadlines
and respond quickly

  Feasibility / benefits of audit firm /
lead partner rotationPROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

 

  Content, timeliness and  practicality
of PwC communications with management
73


COMPENSATION MATTERS—DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

 

  Adequacy of information  provided
on accounting issues, auditing
issues and regulatory developments
affecting financial institutions

  Timeliness and accuracy of all
services presented to Audit
Committee forpre-approval
and review

  Management feedback

  Lead partner performance

  Comprehensiveness of
evaluations of internal
control structure

In particular, our Audit Committee took into account:

Key Considerations of PwC

Audit Quality and Efficiency

 

  

PwC’s knowledge of the firm’s business allows it to designCash earned for services performed in 2022 paid (quarterly, in arrears) during 2022 (2022 Annual Retainer and, enhance its audit plan by focusing on core and emerging risks, investing in technology to increase efficiency and capturing cost efficiencies through iteration.as applicable, Committee Chair Fee) for directors who elected cash.

PwC has a global footprint and the expertise and capability necessary to handle the breadth and complexity of the audit of the firm’s global business, accounting practices and internal control over financial reporting.

Candid and Timely FeedbackNo information is reportable with respect to Mr. Johnson in this table per SEC rules.

 

PwC generally attends each meeting of our Audit and Risk Committees and meets regularly in closed sessions with our Audit Committee so that it can provide candid feedback to the Committees regarding management’s control frameworks to address existing and new risks.

PwC’s familiarity with the firm’s control infrastructure and accounting practices allow it to analyze the impact of business or regulatory changes in a timely manner and provide our Audit Committee with an effective, independent evaluation of management’s strategies, implementation plans and/or remediation efforts.

62        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


AUDIT MATTERS—ITEM 3. RATIFICATION OF PWC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2020

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Independence

PwC is an independent public accounting firm and is subject to oversight and inspection by the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) (the results of which are communicated to our Audit Committee), Big 4 peer reviews and SEC regulations.

Both the firm and PwC have controls to ensure the continued independence of PwC, including firm policies limiting the hiring of audit team members and PwC policies and procedures to maintain independence.

Mandatory lead audit partner rotation ensures a regular influx of fresh perspective balanced by the benefits of having a tenured auditor with institutional knowledge.

Audit Committee’s Controls

Frequent closed sessions with PwC as well as a comprehensive annual evaluation.

Direct involvement by our Audit Committee and our Audit Committee Chair in the periodic selection of PwC’s new lead audit partner.

Responsibility for the audit fee negotiations associated with the retention of PwC, including considering the appropriateness of fees relative to both efficiency and audit quality.

Advance approval (by Audit Committee or Audit Committee Chair) of all services rendered by PwC to us and our consolidated subsidiaries. These services include audit, audit-related services (including attestation reports, employee benefit plan audits, accounting and technical assistance, risk and control services and due diligence-related services) and tax services, subject to quarterly fee limits applicable to each project and to each category of services.

Review of information regarding PwC’s periodic internal quality reviews of its audit work, external data on audit quality and performance such as feedback provided by the PCAOB and PwC’s conformance with its independence policies and procedures.

We are asking shareholders to ratify the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm as a matter of good corporate practice, although we are not legally required to do so. If our shareholders do not ratify the appointment, our Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain PwC, but still may retain them. Even if the appointment is ratified, our Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of our firm and our shareholders.

A representative of PwC is expected to be available at our Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

     FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The following table provides information about fees paid by us to PwC.

     
 

2019

  ($ IN MILLIONS)     

PERCENT OF 2019

SERVICES APPROVED

  BY AUDIT COMMITTEE     

2018

  ($ IN MILLIONS)     

PERCENT OF 2018

SERVICES APPROVED

  BY AUDIT COMMITTEE     

     

Audit Fees

69.7

100%

63.1

100%

     

Audit-Related Fees(a)

10.8

100%

9.6

100%

     

Tax Fees(b)

3.9

100%

2.7

100%

     

All Other Fees

(a)

Audit-related fees include attest services not required by statute or regulation and employee benefit plan audits.

(b)

The nature of the tax services is as follows: tax return preparation and compliance, tax advice relating to transactions, consultation on tax matters and other tax planning and advice. Of the $3.9 million for 2019, approximately $1.8 million was for tax return preparation and compliance services.

PwC also provides audit and tax services to certain asset management funds managed by our subsidiaries. Fees paid to PwC by these funds for these services were $89.7 million in 2019 and $77.0 million in 2018.

For detailed information on the vote required for this matter and the choices available for casting your vote, please seeFrequently Asked Questions.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        63


AUDIT MATTERS—REPORT OF OUR AUDIT COMMITTEE

Report of our Audit Committee

Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of Goldman Sachs’ financial statements, for its accounting and financial reporting principles and for the establishment and effectiveness of internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable laws and regulations. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of Goldman Sachs’ financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of Goldman Sachs’ financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm has free access to the Committee to discuss any matters they deem appropriate.

In performing its oversight role, the Committee has considered and discussed the audited financial statements with each of management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC. The Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the auditor’s communications with the Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the registered public accounting firm its independence. The Committee, or the Committee Chair if designated by the Committee, approves in advance all audit and anynon-audit services rendered by the independent registered public accounting firm to us and our consolidated subsidiaries. See —Item 3. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020.

Based on the reports and discussions described in this Report, the Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs for 2019 be included in the 2019 Annual Report on Form10-K.

Audit Committee

Peter Oppenheimer, Chair

Mark Flaherty

Adebayo Ogunlesi(ex-officio)

Jan Tighe

    
  2022 Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash ($)(a)   
 

Stock Awards ($)

 

 

All Other

Compensation        

($)(d)

 

 Total ($)  
  

 

 

2021 Program(b)  

 

 

 

 

2022 Program(c)    

 

 

 

 

Total            

 

Michele Burns

 

118,750

 

349,751

 

 

349,751

 

19,935

 

488,436

Drew Faust

 

100,000

 

349,751

 

 

349,751

 

20,000

 

469,751

Mark Flaherty

 

100,000

 

349,751

 

 

349,751

 

20,000

 

469,751

Kimberley Harris

 

100,000

 

233,052

 

 

233,052

 

20,000

 

353,052

Ellen Kullman

 

 

380,315

 

94,313

 

474,628

 

20,000

 

494,628

Lakshmi Mittal

 

 

374,064

 

75,449

 

449,513

 

 

449,513

Adebayo Ogunlesi

 

 

380,315

 

94,313

 

474,628

 

 

474,628

Peter Oppenheimer

 

 

380,315

 

94,313

 

474,628

 

40,833

 

515,461

Jan Tighe

 

 

349,751

 

75,449

 

425,200

 

15,000

 

440,200

Jessica Uhl

 

 

174,702

 

75,449

 

250,151

 

20,000

 

270,151

David Viniar

 

106,250

 

349,751

 

 

349,751

 

20,000

 

476,001

Mark Winkelman

380,315

94,313

474,628

51,250

525,878

(a)

Includes 2022 Annual Retainer and, as applicable, 2022 Committee Chair Fee. For 2022, Ms. Burns and Mr. Viniar elected to receive their Annual Retainers and prorated Committee Chair Fees in cash, and Dr. Faust, Mr. Flaherty and Ms. Harris elected to receive their Annual Retainers in cash.

(b)

Includes 2021 Annual Grant and, as applicable, fourth quarter, in arrears, 2021 Annual Retainer and/or Committee Chair Fee. These values reflect the grant date fair value of RSUs granted on January 19, 2022 for service in 2021 based on the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on the date of grant ($347.32). These RSUs were vested upon grant and provide for delivery of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the first eligible trading day that is at least 90 days following the director’s retirement from our Board.

(c)

Includes 2022 Annual Retainer and, as applicable, 2022 Committee Chair Fee. These values reflect the grant date fair value of RSUs granted for the first through third quarters during 2022, in arrears, for service in 2022. The grant date fair value of these RSUs was based on the closing price per share of Common Stock on the NYSE on each applicable grant date: April 18, 2022 ($329.88), July 19, 2022 ($318.05) and October 19, 2022 ($311.76). These RSUs were vested upon grant and provide for delivery of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the first eligible trading day that is at least 90 days following the director’s retirement from our Board. RSUs in respect of the fourth quarter grant of the 2022 Annual Retainer and 2022 Annual Committee Chair Fee, as well as the 2022 Annual Grant, were granted on January 18, 2023 and are not required to be disclosed in this table and will be reflected in the 2023 Director Summary Compensation table in our Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, per SEC rules.

(d)

These values reflect the amounts that were donated to charities by our firm to match personal donations made by non-employee directors in connection with requests by these directors made prior to February 27, 2023 under the Goldman Sachs employee matching gift program for 2022. We allow our directors to participate in our employee matching gift program on the same terms as our non-PMD employees, matching gifts of up to $20,000 per participating individual. For Mr. Winkelman, the amount also represents a cash fee of $31,250 for his service as a member of the board of directors of our subsidiary, Goldman Sachs International, during 2022 and for Mr. Oppenheimer, the amount also represents a prorated cash fee of $20,833 for his service as a member of the board of directors of our subsidiary, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, beginning in August 2022.

Please refer to Beneficial Ownership for information pertaining to the outstanding equity awards (all of which are vested) held by each director as of February 27, 2023, including RSUs granted in January 2023 (for the 2022 Annual Grant and the final quarterly grant for the 2022 Retainer and, as applicable, Committee Chair Fee) for services performed in 2022.

For more information on the work of our Board and its Committees, see Corporate Governance.

 

74

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


AUDIT MATTERS—ITEM 4. RATIFICATION OF PWC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2023

    ASSESSMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Audit Matters

Item 4. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2023

64        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


Proposal Snapshot— Item 4. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm for 2023

ITEMS 4–5. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

 

Items 4–5. Shareholder ProposalsWhat is being voted on: Ratification of the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.

Board recommendation: Our Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.

Our Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm retained to audit our financial statements. Our Audit Committee has appointed PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023. We are submitting the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for shareholder ratification at our Annual Meeting, as we do each year.

Assessment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The members of our Audit Committee believe that the continued retention of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of our firm and our shareholders. In making this determination, our Audit

Committee considered a variety of factors, including:

  Independence

  Candor and insight provided to Audit Committee

  Proactivity

  Ability to meet deadlines and respond quickly

  Feasibility/benefits of audit firm/ lead partner rotation

  Content, timeliness and practicality of PwC communications with management

  Adequacy of information provided on accounting issues, auditing issues and regulatory developments affecting financial institutions

  Timeliness and accuracy of all services presented to Audit Committee for pre-approval and review

  Management feedback

  Lead partner performance

  Comprehensiveness of evaluations of internal control structure

Key Considerations of PwC

Audit Quality and Efficiency

PwC’s knowledge of the firm’s business allows it to design and enhance its audit plan by focusing on core and emerging risks, investing in technology to increase efficiency and capturing cost efficiencies through iteration.

PwC has a global footprint and the expertise and capability necessary to handle the breadth and complexity of the audit of the firm’s global business, accounting practices and internal control over financial reporting.

Candid and Timely Feedback

PwC generally attends each meeting of our Audit and Risk Committees and meets regularly in closed sessions with our Audit Committee so that it can provide candid feedback to the Committees regarding management’s control frameworks to address existing and new risks.

PwC’s experience with the firm’s control infrastructure and accounting practices allow it to analyze the impact of business or regulatory changes in a timely manner and provide our Audit Committee with an effective, independent evaluation of management’s strategies, implementation plans and/or remediation efforts.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

75


AUDIT MATTERS—ITEM 4. RATIFICATION OF PWC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2023

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Independence

PwC is an independent public accounting firm and is subject to oversight and inspection by the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) (the results of which are communicated to our Audit Committee), peer reviews and SEC regulations.

Both the firm and PwC have controls to ensure the continued independence of PwC, including policies and procedures to maintain independence and firm policies limiting the hiring of audit team members.

Mandatory lead audit partner rotation ensures a regular influx of fresh perspective balanced by the benefits of having a tenured auditor with institutional knowledge.

Audit Committee’s Controls

Frequent closed sessions with PwC as well as a comprehensive annual evaluation.

Direct involvement by our Audit Committee and our Audit Committee Chair in the periodic selection of PwC’s new lead audit partner.

Responsibility for the audit fee negotiations associated with the retention of PwC, including considering the appropriateness of fees relative to both efficiency and audit quality.

Advance approval (by Audit Committee or Audit Committee Chair) of all services rendered by PwC to us and our consolidated subsidiaries. These services include audit, audit-related services (including, as may be applicable, attestation reports, employee benefit plan audits, accounting and technical assistance, risk and control services and due diligence-related services) and tax services, subject to quarterly fee limits applicable to each project and to each category of services.

Review of information regarding PwC’s periodic internal quality reviews of its audit work, external data on audit quality and performance such as feedback provided by the PCAOB and PwC’s conformance with its independence policies and procedures.

We are asking shareholders to ratify the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm as a matter of good corporate practice, although we are not legally required to do so. If our shareholders do not ratify the appointment, our Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain PwC, but still may retain them. Even if the appointment is ratified, our Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of our firm and our shareholders.

A representative of PwC is expected to be present at our Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

     Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table provides information about fees paid by us to PwC.

     
  

 

 

2022

($ in millions)                    

 

Percent of 2022

Services Approved by        

Audit Committee

 

2021

($ in millions)                    

 

Percent of 2021

Services Approved by        

Audit Committee

Audit Fees

    78.1    100%    73.8    100%

Audit-Related Fees(a)

    15.0    100%    13.4    100%

Tax Fees(b)

      2.1    100%      1.0    100%

All Other Fees

    —    —    —    —

(a)

Audit-related fees include attest services not required by statute or regulation and employee benefit plan audits.

(b)

The nature of the tax services is as follows: tax return preparation and compliance, tax advice relating to transactions, consultation on tax matters and other tax planning and advice. Of the $2.1 million for 2022, approximately $0.2 million was for tax return preparation and compliance services.

PwC also provides audit and tax services to certain asset management funds managed by our subsidiaries. Fees paid to PwC by these funds for these services were $71.2 million in 2022 and $51.6 million in 2021.

For detailed information on the vote required for this matter and the choices available for casting your vote, please see Frequently Asked Questions.

 

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AUDIT MATTERS—REPORT OF OUR AUDIT COMMITTEE

Report of our Audit Committee

Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of Goldman Sachs’ financial statements, for its accounting and financial reporting principles and for the establishment and effectiveness of internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable laws and regulations. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of Goldman Sachs’ financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of Goldman Sachs’ financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, including critical audit matters, if any, addressed during the audit, and the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm has free access to the Committee to discuss any matter it deems appropriate.

In performing its oversight role, the Committee has considered and discussed the audited financial statements with each of management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC. The Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the auditor’s communications with the Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the registered public accounting firm its independence. The Committee, or the Committee Chair if designated by the Committee, approves in advance all audit and any non-audit services rendered by the independent registered public accounting firm to us and our consolidated subsidiaries. See —Item 4. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2023.

Based on the reports and discussions described in this Report, the Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs for 2022 be included in the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Audit Committee

Peter Oppenheimer, Chair

Mark Flaherty

Adebayo Ogunlesi (ex-officio)

Jan Tighe

Jessica Uhl

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Items 5-12. Shareholder Proposals

How We Engage with Shareholder Proponents

Robust shareholder engagement withis a long-standing priority for our shareholders. If you would like to speak with us, please contact ourfirm. Our Investor Relations team atgs-investor-relations@gs.com.always seeks to speak directly with any shareholder who submits a proposal for our Annual Meeting to further understand their perspective and to address their questions.

 

 

We find these discussions to be constructive and informative, as it gives us an opportunity to hear valuable feedback and find areas of common ground.

Generally, our opposition to shareholder proposals is often less centered on the overall aim of a proposal than the prescriptive nature with which the proposal seeks to address it, as well as the potential costs or risks associated with a proposed approach.

We seek to meet the broad goals of our proponents where feasible and appropriate in a manner that we believe will further the long-term interests of our diverse shareholder base, and we regularly propose alternatives to a proponent that we believe address their concerns in a more practicable way.

Even when we cannot come to agreement on a proposed approach, we often continue to engage in a dialogue with our proponents even after our Annual Meeting has occurred in order to update them on relevant issues and hear their ongoing feedback.

Proposal Snapshot — Items 4–5. Shareholder Proposals

 

What is being voted on:

  Proposal Snapshot—Items 5-12. Shareholder Proposals

What is being voted on: In accordance with SEC rules, we have set forth below certain shareholder proposals, along with the supporting statements of the respective shareholder proponents, for which we and our Board accept no responsibility. These shareholder proposals are required to be voted upon at our Annual Meeting only if properly presented at our Annual Meeting.

Board recommendation: As explained below, our Board unanimously recommends that you vote AGAINST each shareholder proposal.

For detailed information on the vote required with respect to these shareholder proposals and the choices available for casting your vote, please see Frequently Asked Questions.

Item 5. Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Report on Lobbying

John Chevedden, 2215 Nelson Avenue, No. 205, Redondo Beach, California 90278, beneficial owner of at least $2,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least three years, is the proponent of the following shareholder proposal. The proponent has advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.

 

Board recommendation: As explained below, our Board unanimously recommends that you vote AGAINST each shareholder proposal.

 Proponent’s Statement

Proposal 5—Improve Transparency in regard to Lobbying

FOR
Shareholder Rights LOGO

FOR Shareholder Rights

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Whereas, full disclosure of Goldman Sachs Group’s lobbying activities and expenditures to assess whether Goldman’s lobbying is consistent with its expressed goals and shareholders’ interests.

Resolved, the shareholders of Goldman request the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing:

1.

Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications.

2.

Payments by Goldman used for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case including the amount of the payment and the recipient.

3.

Goldman’s membership in and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation.

4.

Description of management’s and the Board’s decision-making process and oversight for making payments described in sections 2 and 3 above.

For purposes of this proposal, a “grassroots lobbying communication” is a communication directed to the general public that (a) refers “to specific legislation or regulation, (b) reflects a view on the legislation or regulation and (c) encourages the recipient of the communication to take action with respect to the legislation or regulation. “Indirect lobbying” is lobbying engaged in by a trade association or other organization of which Goldman is a member.

Both “direct and indirect lobbying” and “grassroots lobbying communications” include efforts at the local, state and federal levels.

The report shall be presented to the Public Responsibilities Committee and posted on Goldman’s website.

Supporting Statement

Goldman spent $41 million from 2010 — 2021 on federal lobbying. This does not include state lobbying, where Goldman also lobbies. Goldman also lobbies abroad, spending between 800,000 — 899,999 on lobbying in Europe for 2021 and previously drawing scrutiny. for “allegedly trying to lobby members of the European Commission.”1

Companies can give unlimited amounts to third party groups that spend millions on lobbying and undisclosed grassroots activity. These groups may be spending “at least double what’s publicly reported.”2 Goldman fails to disclose its memberships in or payments to trade associations and social welfare organizations, or the amounts used for lobbying, to shareholders. Goldman belongs to the American Bankers Association (ABA), Business Roundtable, Financial Service Forum (FSF), Managed Funds Association and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, which together spent $55 million on lobbying for 2021.

Goldman’s lack of disclosure presents reputational risks when its lobbying contradicts company public positions. For example, Goldman publicly supports addressing climate change, yet the Business Roundtable opposed the Inflation Reduction Act and its historic investments in climate action3 and FSF lobbied the Securities and Exchange Commission to weaken proposed climate disclosure rules.4 And while Goldman does not belong to or support the American Legislative Exchange Council, which is attacking “woke capitalism,”5 one of its trade associations does, as ABA supported its 2022 annual meeting.6 According to the 2022 Harris Corporate Reputation Survey, Goldman ranked 80” of the 100 most visible US companies.7

Reputational damage stemming from these misalignments could harm shareholder value, and I urge Goldman to expand its lobbying disclosure.

(1)

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/21/goldman-sachs-executive-jose-manuel-barroso-a-former-top-eu-chief-in-row-over- brusselslobbying.html.

(2)

https://theintercept.com/2019/08/06 /business-group-spending-on-lobbying-in-washington-is-at-least-double-whats-publicly-reported/.

(3)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/19/top-us-business-lobby-group-climate-action-business-roundtable

(4)

https://www.eenews.net/articles/banks-to-sec-climate-rule-poses-real-world-problems/.

(5)

https://www exposedbycmd.org/2022/07/27/abandoning-free-market-and-liberty-principles-alec-takes-on-woke-capitalism-bodilyautonomy-and-more-at-its-annual-meeting/.

(6)

https://documented.net/investigations/heres-who-bankrolling-alec-2022-annual-meeting.

(7)

https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/2022-axios-harris-poll-100-rankings.

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

 

For detailedDirectors’ Recommendation

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

Our Statement on Policy Engagement and Political Participation (our Policy Statement, available on our website

through www.gs.com/corpgov) and our existing public disclosures already address the most material requests in the

proposal. Preparing the report requested by the proposal would impose an additional administrative burden on our

firm without providing material new information to our shareholders. Furthermore, additional disclosure may also raise potential competitive and business-related concerns.

As a result, and taking into account how infrequently our lobbying activities and expenditures have been raised by our

shareholders during our ongoing engagement, we believe that the adoption of the proposal is unnecessary and not

in the best interests of our firm or our shareholders.

We already provide significant and meaningful disclosure about our policy engagement efforts, which addresses the most material items requested in the proposal, as described below.

We have transparent policies and procedures governing our policy engagement and political participation.

»

A key source of information for our shareholders is our Policy Statement, which is publicly available on our website.

»

Our Policy Statement already contains information about:

Our principal public policy priorities, which are developed by our Office of Government Affairs (OGA) in coordination with our Legal and Compliance functions with senior management oversight. These priorities are reviewed regularly to help ensure that our priorities continue to align with our goals;

The fact that we do not make any political contributions in the United States from corporate funds, including contributions to so-called Section 527 entities or independent expenditure political action committees (Super PACs);

The fact that, as required by law, all political contributions accepted or made by our federal political action committee, which is voluntarily funded by employees and makes contributions on a bipartisan basis, are reported to the Federal Election Commission (and are publicly available at: https://www.fec.gov/data/ committee/C00350744/?tab=summary). We do not contribute corporate funds to our political action committee; and

Examples of the types of trade associations and other industry groups in which we participate (such as Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Council of Institutional Investors and American Bankers Association), as well as information on the vote required with respectinstructions provided to these shareholder proposalsgroups to limit how our funds can be used.

Specifically, we instruct trade and industry groups to not use our funds for any election-related activity at the federal, state or local level. This includes contributions and expenditures (including independent expenditures) in support of or in opposition to any candidate for any office, ballot initiative campaign, political party, committee or political action committee.

We already disclose payments used for lobbying and recently enhanced our transparency in this regard.

»

We provide a link to our quarterly disclosure of all U.S. federal lobbying costs (paid directly and through trade associations) and the choicesissues to which our lobbying efforts relate pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act (available at: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/Public_Disclosure/LDA_reports.htm). A link to these reports is available through our Policy Statement, and, to provide stakeholders with greater transparency and ease of use, we recently added a link to these disclosures directly on our firm’s website at www.gs.com/corpgov.

»

As part of our advocacy program, we may inform our employees, shareholders or vendors/suppliers of legislation or regulations that may impact their interests. We have not structured or facilitated any active “grassroots lobbying” to date. However, if we were to do so in the future, we have committed to publicly disclosing related expenditures.

»

While our policy advocacy efforts are focused primarily at the national level, we also make such disclosures at the state or local level to the extent required to do so under applicable lobbying laws.

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

»

For context on the extent of our lobbying efforts, for casting your vote, please seeFrequently Asked Questions.2022, such federal, state and local payments, as well as all trade and business association membership payments (whether or not attributable to lobbying), represented less than 0.25% of our 2022 net earnings.

Item 4. We do not get involved with model legislation efforts (and are not members of any trade association for such purpose).

We already have robust oversight mechanisms including:

»

Our Board, including through our Public Responsibilities Committee, is informed of, and provides guidance (as needed) on, our various advocacy efforts;

»

Our Policy Statement is reviewed by our Public Responsibilities Committee;

»

A comprehensive report on our trade association memberships, including membership fees and dues paid in excess of $30,000, is reviewed annually by our Public Responsibilities Committee. This report also includes information about our lobbying expenditures;

»

Our Executive Vice President and staff in our OGA, Legal and Compliance functions review and approve trade association memberships to ensure that they are consistent with our public policy objectives; and

»

OGA coordinates on an ongoing basis with our business unit leadership and our Legal and Compliance functions to identify priorities, and it vets our public policy priorities and related advocacy efforts with senior management.

Item 6. Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Policy for an Independent Chair

National Legal and Policy Center, 107 Park Washington Court, Falls Church, Virginia 22046, beneficial owner of at least $2,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least three years, is the proponent of the following shareholder proposal. The proponent has advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.

 Proponent’s Statement

Request for Board of Directors to Adopt Policy for an Independent Chair

RESOLVED:

Shareholders request the Board of Directors adopt as policy, and amend the governing documents as necessary, to require hereafter that that two separate people hold the office of the Chairman and the office of the CEO as follows:

Selection of the Chairman of the Board: The Board requires the separation of the offices of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer.

Whenever possible, the Chairman of the Board shall be an Independent Director.

The Board may select a Temporary Chairman of the Board who is not an Independent Director to serve while the Board seeks an Independent Chairman of the Board.

The Chairman shall not be a former CEO of the company.

Selection of the Chairman of the Board shall be consistent with applicable law and existing contracts.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT:

The Chief Executive Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is also Board Chairman. We believe these roles — each with separate, different responsibilities that are critical to the health of a successful corporation — are greatly diminished when held by a singular company official, thus weakening its governance structure.

Expert perspectives substantiate our position:

According to the Council of Institutional Investors ( https://bit.ly/3pKrtJK ), “A CEO who also serves as chair can exert excessive influence on the board and its agenda, weakening the board’s oversight of management. Separating the chair and CEO positions reduces this conflict, and an independent chair provides the clearest separation of power between the CEO and the rest of the board.”

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

A 2014 report from Deloitte ( https://bit.ly/3vQGqgel ) concluded, “The chairman should lead the board and there should be a clear division of responsibilities between the chairman and the chief executive officer (CEO).”

A pair of business law professors wrote for Harvard Business Review (https://bit.ly/3xvclOA ) in March 2020 that “letting the CEO chair the board can compromise board discussion quality, weakening the corporation’s risk management ability... Splitting the CEO and board chair jobs between two people can help strengthen the quality of questions the corporation asks itself. When those questions remain weak, the organization is less likely to develop strategies that mitigate risk.”

Proxy adviser Glass Lewis advised ( https://bit.ly/3xwuJwa ) in 2021, “the presence of an independent chair fosters the creation of a thoughtful and dynamic board not dominated by the views of senior management. Further, we believe that the separation of these two key roles eliminates the conflict of interest that inevitably occurs when a CEO is responsible for self-oversight.”

Directors’ Recommendation

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

Our directors take very seriously their fiduciary obligation to act in the best interests of our firm and our shareholders. In exercising their fiduciary duties, our independent directors believe it is important to retain the flexibility to determine the leadership structure that will best serve our Board’s and our shareholders’ interests at any given time.

We are committed to independent leadership on our Board. In fact, our policies require that if at any time our Chair is not independent, we must have an independent Lead Director.

Furthermore, as we have repeatedly disclosed, our Board will not hesitate to appoint an independent Chair if at any time our Governance Committee concludes it would be appropriate to do so. Accordingly, and taking into account that a similar proposal at our 2022 Annual Meeting was supported by only approximately 16% of the votes cast at that meeting, we believe that the adoption of this proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of our firm or our shareholders.

Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our independent Governance Committee assesses and deliberates the merits of our leadership structure to help ensure that the most efficient and appropriate structure is in place; it has done so annually since 2011.

»

This annual review process provides our Board with the necessary flexibility to make the appropriate determination about how our Board’s leadership should be structured most effectively for our firm’s needs, which may evolve over time. This annual review process also exists within the broader context of our Board’s ongoing, year-round review of its composition and effectiveness.

»

As a result of its most recent review, in December 2022 our Governance Committee determined that continuing to combine the roles of Chair and CEO, together with maintaining a strong independent Lead Director, is the most effective leadership structure for our firm at this time.

This robust process includes a review of:

»

Chair-CEO and Lead Director responsibilities (described below);

»

Our policies and practices, which ensure strong, independent Board oversight, as well as feedback received in connection with our Board, Committee and individual director evaluation process;

»

Shareholder Proposal Regarding Right to Actfeedback and voting results regarding board leadership;

For example, in connection with our year-round shareholder engagement, we have generally received positive feedback regarding our Board leadership structure, with certain shareholders viewing Goldman Sachs as a leader among companies with a combined Chair-CEO, given the strength of our Lead Director role and our Board’s annual leadership structure review; and

»

Performance and global trends regarding board leadership structure.

For example, there is no clear, empirical evidence that a combined Chair-CEO negatively affects company performance or impairs the efficacy of independent directors. Independent chairs also remain a minority practice among S&P 500 companies.

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Our Board leadership structure is enhanced by Written Consent

John Chevedden, 2215 Nelson Avenue, No. 205, Redondo Beach, California, 90278, beneficial ownerthe independent leadership provided by our active Lead Director, whose robust role (which has been enhanced over time as a result of 20 sharesshareholder engagement) helps ensure that the perspectives of our independent directors are strongly represented on our Board. Key elements of our Lead Director role include:

»

Setting and approving the agenda for Board meetings and leading executive sessions;

»

Focusing on Board effectiveness, composition and evaluations (including of our CEO and our Board, committees and individual directors);

»

Serving as liaison between independent directors, on the one hand, and our Chair-CEO and management on the other; and

»

Serving as primary Board contact for corporate governance engagement with shareholders and other stakeholders as well as for engagement with regulators.

For example, during 2022, our Lead Director had over 65 additional meetings, calls and engagements with the firm and its people, our shareholders, regulators and other stakeholders, including meetings with shareholders representing over 20% of Common Stock isoutstanding.

A combined Chair-CEO structure provides our firm with a senior leader who serves as a primary liaison between our Board and management and as a primary public face of our firm.

Furthermore, combining the proponentroles of CEO and Chair at our firm has been effective in promulgating strong and effective leadership of the following shareholder proposal. Mr. Chevedden has advised us thatfirm, particularly in times of economic challenge and regulatory change affecting our industry. It is also important during this phase of our strategic journey, including the implementation of our strategic realignment, integration of recent acquisitions, execution of our strategic plans and investment for long-term growth.

Independent Board oversight is further enhanced by our independent committee chairs, the independence of our Board as a representative will presentwhole and the proposalgovernance policies and related supporting statementpractices in place at our Annual Meeting.firm.

»

Each of our independent directors is committed to actively and effectively overseeing the management of our firm and protecting shareholder interests.

 PROPONENT’S STATEMENT

»

Proposal 4 — Right to Act by Written ConsentOur independent directors meet often in executive session, during which they discuss topics such as Chair-CEO performance and compensation, succession planning, Board evaluation and the firm’s strategy.

»

Shareholders request that our boardOur governance structure establishes strong protections of directors undertake such steps as may be necessary to permit written consent by shareholders entitled to cast the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting at which all shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voting. This written consent is to give shareholders the fullest power to act by written consent consistent with applicable law. This includes shareholder ability to initiate any appropriate topicrights.

For example, we have majority voting for written consent.

Hundreds of major companies enable shareholder action by written consent. Taking action by written consent in place of a meeting is a means shareholders can use to raise important matters outside the normaluncontested director elections, annual meeting cycle like the election of all directors, no poison pill, a new director. This is important after Director Lakshmi Mittal was rejected by 18% of shareholders in 2019. In other words Mr. Mittal received18-times as many negative votes as each of most of our other directors.

The Written Consent topic has been gaining support at Goldman Sachs since 2015. Meanwhile the stock ownership threshold at Goldman Sachs to call a special shareholder meeting has long remained static in spite of 41%-support to lower it to 10% as far back as 2011.

This proposal topic won majority shareholder support at 13 major companies in a single year. This included 67%-support at both Allstate and Sprint. Hundreds of major companies enable shareholder action by written consent. This proposal topic might have received a still higher vote than 67% at Allstate and Sprint if more shareholders had access to independent corporate governance data and recommendations.

The right for shareholders to act by written consent is gaining acceptance as a more important right than the right to call special meetings, a special meeting. This seems to be the conclusionshareholder right of the Intel Corporation (INTC) shareholderproxy access and no supermajority vote at the 2019 Intel annual meeting.

The directors at Intel apparently thought they could divert shareholder attention away from written consent by making it easier for shareholders to call a special meeting. However Intel shareholders responded with greater support for written consentrequirements in 2019 compared to 2018.our by-laws or charter.

For more information, see Corporate Governance, including the section Structure of our Board and Governance Practices—Board Leadership Structure.

Item 7. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Chinese Congruency of Certain ETFs

The National Center for Public Policy Research, 2005 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036, beneficial owner of at least $2,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least three years, is the proponent of the following shareholder proposal. The proponent has advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.

 

Proponent’s Statement

Chinese Congruency Proposal

Resolved: Shareholders request that the Board of Directors commission and publish a third-party review within the next year (at reasonable cost, omitting proprietary information) of whether the Company’s China-focused ETFs align with its commitments, including its Statement on Human Rights and its Statement on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. The Board of Directors should report on how it addresses the risks presented by any misaligned funds and the Company’s plans, if any, to mitigate these risks, such as detailing its plans to shift these investments to less problematic companies or regimes.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        65

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ITEMS 4–5. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS83


ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Supporting Statement: The Company’s 2021 Sustainability Report touts its socially responsible goals and achievements.1 In doing so, it advertises Company’s policies and practices that it says prioritize its commitment to human rights and preventing modern slavery and human trafficking.2

But nothing about supporting business in China, which is controlled by the dictatorial and inhumane Chinese Communist Party (CCP), does anything to further these ideals.

The Chinese government has an abhorrent human rights record, as witnessed by its abuses against the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, including forced labor programs, forced sterilizations, and torture.3 Chinese authorities perpetrate genocide and use emerging technologies to carry out discriminatory surveillance and ethno-racial profiling measures designed to subjugate and exploit minority populations.4

This poor human rights record makes China’s increasingly aggressive stance toward Taiwan even more alarming, as it makes claims of sovereignty over the island. It has recently sent warplanes towards the territory’s air defense zone, and has called for Taiwan’s “reunification” with China, stoking fears and geopolitical instability.5

The Company nonetheless conducts a significant amount of business in China, investing in companies through the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM). GEM, which has hundreds of millions of assets under management, effectively funds the CCP’s oppressive military companies. These include companies such as the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC),6 which oversees the CCP’s nuclear weapons program, and Dongfeng Motor Group,7 which builds tactical vehicles for the People’s Liberation Army. The CNNC was even designated by the Pentagon at one point as a Communist Chinese military company, in accordance with its obligations under the National Defense Authorization Act to highlight the CCP’s military-civil fusion strategy.8

Goldman Sachs invests in these CCP driven companies despite the Chinese regime committing genocide against ethnic minorities and threatening military action against the government of Taiwan – actions that run counter to everything that the Company’s sustainability and other reports says the company stands for. As such, it is critical that the Board commission and publish a third-party review that includes experts who are fully aware of the dangers that China poses to ensure that Goldman Sachs’ actions as a company live up to its words.

 

(1)

https://www.goldmansachs.com/a/2021-sustainability-report.pdf

 

(2)

Written consent won 44%-support at Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) in 2018 and this increased to 56% support in 2019. Written consent won 47%-support at United Rentals, Inc. (URI) in 2018 and this increased to 51%-support in 2019. Written consent won 43%-support at Flowserve Corporation (FLS) in 2018 and this increased to 51%-support in 2019.https://www.goldmansachs.com/a/2021-sustainability-report.pdf; https://www.goldmansachs.com/investorrelations/corporate-governance/ corporate-governance-documents/human-rights-statement.pdf; https://www.goldmansachs.com/investor-relations/corporate-governance/ sustainability-reporting/state-on-modernslavery-and-human-trafficking.html

(3)

Please vote yes:https://www.state.gov/forced-labor-in-chinas-xinjiang-region/; https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-59595952; https://www.state. gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Forced-Labor-The-Hidden-Cost-of-Chinas-Belt-and-Road-Initiative.pdf

(4)

Right to Act by Written Consent — Proposal 4https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/22-00757-TIP-REPORT_072822-inaccessible.pdf

(5)

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chinese-aggression-taiwan-testing-us-resolve-afghanistan-withdrawal-experts; https://www.npr. org/2021/10/09/1044714406/xi-jinping-china-taiwan-peaceful-reunification; https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/taiwans-tsa i-backing-chinese-aggression-92041196

(6)

https://en.cnnc.com.cn/

(7)

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3143815/chinas-new-road-assault-vehicles-go-massproduction; http://www.chinadaily. com.cn/cndy/2015-09/25/content_21976945.htm

(8)

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2434513/dod-releases-list-of-additional-companies-inaccordance-with-section-1237-of-fy/;https://media.defense.gov/2020/Aug/28/2002486659/-1/1/1/LINK_2_1237_TRANCHE_1_QUALIFIYING_ENTITIES.PDF;https://2017-2021.state.gov/communistchinese-military-companies-listed-under-e-o-13959-have-more-than-1100-subsidiaries/index.html

 Directors’ Recommendation

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

As a global financial institution, we recognize and take seriously our responsibility to help protect, preserve and promote human rights around the world. While national governments bear the primary responsibility for ensuring human rights, we believe that the private sector can and should play a role in championing these fundamental rights.

To this end, we have a number of policies and procedures in place, including with respect to exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Importantly, our ETFs and other products comply with sanctions, and we have a process in place to monitor for compliance with such sanctions.

 

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 DIRECTORS’ RECOMMENDATION

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

Our Board regularly seeks input from shareholders to ensure our policies reflect best practices and are appropriately aligned with shareholder interests. Our Board hasre-evaluated the ability of shareholders to act by written consent and believes that, as proposed, permitting shareholder action by written consent may cause confusion and disruption, as well as promote short-termism or special interests. We believe that our shareholders should have the ability to raise important matters to our attention, but given our Board’s ongoing commitment to corporate governance best practices, including Board-level engagement with stakeholders,


ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

As a result, we continue to believe that the adoption of this proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of our firm or our shareholders.

 

Our Board is committed to engaging with our shareholders and listening to their perspectives.In addition to governance practices that enhance the rights of all shareholders (examples of which are described below), our firm and our Board maintain open lines of communication with our shareholders (seeStakeholder Engagement).

We are committed to providing a diverse suite of products that respond to client and investor demand. For example, we provide a broad range of ETFs focused on different asset classes, which include established and emerging markets around the globe. Our clients and other investors are then able to allocate their investments in accordance with their own goals, preferences and risk tolerance.

 

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For example, the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF referenced in the proposal is developed based on an index specifically aimed at companies in emerging markets. This is a publicly traded investment fund that does not represent a principal investment by Goldman Sachs in any of the underlying companies included in the index.

In connection with offering our products generally, we evaluate compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including with respect to global sanctions, as well as evaluate and monitor for violators of so-called “global norms,” which norms include the UN Global Compact, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and for companies that may be identified as applying poor governance practices.

In addition, as a result of our processes and reviews, we may take a variety of stewardship actions, including engagement and voting actions, and employ ongoing monitoring, in particular with respect to developing or changing situations.

Finally, as it goes to a key premise of the proposal, we confirm that none of our ETFs or other products hold any securities in China National Nuclear Corporation, a U.S.-sanctioned entity, which was incorrectly cited by the proponent as an entity of concern in which the firm through the ETF had invested.

Item 8. Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Racial Equity Audit

The Service Employees International Union Master Trust, 1800 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20036, beneficial owner of at least $2,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least three years, is the proponent of the following shareholder proposal. The proponent has advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.

 Proponent’s Statement

RESOLVED that shareholders of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Goldman”) urge the Board of Directors to oversee an independent racial equity audit analyzing Goldman’s adverse impacts on nonwhite stakeholders and communities of color and the steps Goldman plans to take to mitigate such impacts. Input from civil rights organizations, employees, and customers should be considered in determining the specific matters to be analyzed. A report on the audit, prepared at reasonable cost and omitting confidential or proprietary information, should be publicly disclosed on Goldman’s website.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

High-profile police killings of black people have galvanized the movement for racial justice. That movement, together with the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic, have focused the attention of the media, the public and policy makers on systemic racism, racialized violence and racial inequities.

Goldman touts its $10 million Fund for Racial Equity “to support the vital work of leading organizations addressing racial injustice, structural inequity and economic disparity” and the $17 million it “deployed” to “organizations supporting [COVID-19] relief efforts in communities of color.”1 But Goldman’s own diversity and inclusion record is subpar. According to its EEO-1 report, while Black workers make up 7.4% of Goldman’s U.S. workforce; only 2.9% of senior managers and 3.1% of lower level managers are Black; the proportion of Black senior managers declined between the 2020 and 2021 People Strategy Reports.2 A viral June 2020 email from a Black managing director stated: “[W]hile our firm expresses a commitment to equality and social justice up top, [junior colleagues] don’t necessarily see commitment and support from their direct managers.”3

Goldman’s proxy voting is misaligned with its stated commitment to racial equity. Of 14 large asset managers whose 2022 proxy voting records were analyzed by Majority Action, Goldman opposed more racial equity audit proposals than any manager besides Vanguard.

 

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For example, during 2019 our Lead Director met with shareholders representing over 20% of our shares outstanding on topics such as board effectiveness and composition, compensation, the Board’s independent oversight of strategy and executive succession planning, reputational risk and cybersecurity.

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

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In January 2020, we hosted our inaugural Investor Day, which represented a key milestone in the firm’s path to providing greater transparency and accountability to our shareholders and other stakeholders. During Investor Day, we provided additional insight into our strategic direction and set forth goals by which our progress can be measured over time.

 

Goldman underwrites municipal bonds whose proceeds pay police brutality settlements. Goldman was lead underwriter for a 2017 Chicago offering that allocated $225 million for settlements and judgments and a 2020 refunding bond intended to “plug[] a huge hole” in the Chicago budget,4 including a $90 million increase in the amount appropriated for settlements and judgments.5 One report characterized these bonds as “a transfer of wealth from over-policed communities of color to Wall Street and wealthy investors.”6

Goldman’s philanthropy fund has donated to the Los Angeles, New York City, Houston and other police foundations,7 and Goldman Sachs Asset Management co-chaired the New York City police foundation’s 2019 annual gala.8 Police foundations buy equipment for police departments, including surveillance technology that has been used to target communities of color and nonviolent protestors.

We urge Goldman to assess its behavior through a racial equity lens to identify how it contributes to systemic racism, and how it could begin to help dismantle it.

Matters subject to a shareholder vote should be communicated to and voted on by all shareholders in the context of an annual or special meeting, with adequate time to consider the matters proposed.

 (1)

https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/fund-for-racial-equity/index.html

(2)

https://www.goldmansachs.com/our-commitments/sustainability/2021-people-strategyreport/multimedia/report.pdf, at 45.

(3)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-goldman-sachs-race/goldman-sachs-executives-emailmaking-plea-for-racial-equality-goes-viral-at-firm-idUSKBN23C086

(4)

https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/chicago-eyes-bigger-budget-savings-from-upsized-bond-refunding

(5)

https://emma.msrb.org/ES1338805-ES1044119-ES1447851.pdf, at 6.

(6)

http://nathancummings.org/wp-content/uploads/PoliceBrutalityBonds-Jun2018-1.pdf, at 7.

(7)

https://policefoundations.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Police-Report-2021_10_05_FINALV3.pdf, at 33.I

(8)

https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1m0xjc8wmn3mf/Color-of-Change-Calls-on-Larry-Fink-to-Stop-Supporting-NYC-Police-Foundation

Directors’ Recommendation

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

We share the proponent’s focus on advancing racial equity. Bringing diverse people, perspectives and abilities to Goldman Sachs is imperative for our organization to best serve our stakeholders, and we regularly engage with our Board on this issue.

We have long been committed to promoting inclusion, diversity and equity within our own firm, throughout our industry and in the communities in which we live and work. Our efforts to bridge gaps in inequality are ongoing. As a firm focused on sustainable and inclusive growth, we are channeling the power of capital to drive economic prosperity for more people, and we continue to partner with our clients to find commercial solutions that can make a positive impact on the social and civic challenges in our communities. We also believe that diversity is core to our ability to serve our clients well and to maximize returns for our shareholders, and we have set forth aspirational diversity goals to help enhance diversity in our organization.

Over the past several years, we have continued to strengthen our established racial equity-related initiatives and taken actions to encourage open dialogue, assess our shortcomings and enhance our diversity and inclusion efforts to help create lasting change both at our firm and within our communities.

In particular, in 2022 we engaged the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale), which has expertise in conducting racial equity audits and other assessments of civil rights impact for clients in financial services and other industries, to examine and report on the effectiveness of several initiatives, as described below. In light of the actions we have taken and our continued commitment to these important issues, we believe that the adoption of this proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of our firm or our shareholders.

 

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Our governing documents provide protections, such as advance notice and thorough public disclosure to all shareholders, for the conduct of business at annual and special meetings to ensure a well-informed, fair and equitable process.

We have long focused on providing access to capital and resources to minority-owned small businesses and other underserved communities through our commercial and philanthropic activity. Key examples of these efforts include One Million Black Women (OMBW), the Fund for Racial Equity and our 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program.

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In contrast, enabling a limited group of shareholders to act by written consent may deprive almost half of our shareholders of these important rights and of the opportunity to participate in decisions that could have significant ramifications for our firm and shareholders.

»

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Annual and special meetings also allow opportunity for discussion and interaction among shareholders so that all points of view may be considered prior to a vote.

In addition to our shareholder right to call a special meeting and demonstrated commitment to shareholder engagement, we maintain strong governance practices that protect the rights of all shareholders.For example:

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Independent Lead Director with expansive duties.

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Experienced and diverse Board, which held 58 Board and Committee meetings during 2019.

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Proxy access provisions, proactively adopted in 2015.

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Single class shareholder structure.Importantly, we engaged WilmerHale to conduct an audit of these initiatives to assess their effectiveness and impact on external stakeholders and communities of color.

 

 

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ITEMS 4–5. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS


ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

 

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No supermajority vote requirements.

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WilmerHale’s work took into account input from both internal and external stakeholders regarding the design, implementation and impact of the initiatives. To this end, in addition to reviewing relevant documents and data, WilmerHale conducted over 50 interviews with Goldman Sachs employees, external partners and consultants, and participants and/or representatives of funding recipients across all three initiatives.

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More information about this audit has been made available concurrently with this Proxy Statement at www.gs.com/corpgov.

We are committed to channeling our capabilities in furtherance of sustainable and inclusive growth. For example, in addition to the initiatives and commitments reviewed in the recent audit:

»

In our business:

Launch With GS is our $1 billion investment strategy grounded in our data-driven thesis that diverse teams drive strong returns. Through Launch With GS, we aim to increase access to capital and facilitate connections for women, Black, Latinx and other diverse entrepreneurs and investors;

As part of our $750 billion commitment to sustainable finance, we are supporting underserved populations by leveraging our capabilities to improve access and affordability. Inclusive growth supports communities by drawing on innovative finance and partnerships to mitigate unequal access and affordability among underserved populations; and

Urban Investment Group is our domestic multi-asset class investing and lending business that commits over $3 billion annually to close the opportunity gap for underserved people through real estate projects and lending facilities for small businesses. Over 75% of UIG’s real estate investing is in minority communities.

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Across our workforce:

A diverse and inclusive employee base allows us to develop better ideas, respond to the needs of our clients and ensure that our people can work at their maximum potential. Over the years, the firm’s efforts have evolved from raising broader awareness and delivering an array of programs to a more deliberate, data-driven and targeted approach. We have made good progress, but we have more work to do;

To drive progress for our firm towards our aspirational goals, we have a range of initiatives in place to increase diverse representation at all levels and foster inclusion, including recruiting efforts to engage with a broader range of candidates, programs designed to help our people contribute to an inclusive environment and programs focused on retention, such as our Black Analyst & Associate Initiative, the Hispanic/Latinx Analyst Initiative, the Women’s Career Strategies Initiative and the Vice President Sponsorship Initiative. To this end, our annual People Strategy Report provides EEO-1 data for our U.S. employees and updates on our progress towards these aspirational goals; and

For example, in 2021, we announced a five-year $25 million commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the Market Madness: HBCU Possibilities Program, where we selected 125 first- and second-year students across eight HBCUs from a pool of more than 600 undergraduate applicants to participate in a four-month training program in finance fundamentals, leading up to a final case study competition with a $1 million grand prize in the form of a grant for the winner’s academic institution. Now in its third year, the firm will welcome 150 students from 12 HBCUs who will join a school-based team with two firm coaches as they complete the curriculum.

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In our community engagement:

To date, Goldman Sachs has deployed over $3 billion in philanthropic capital to drive inclusive economic growth and opportunity in underserved communities, funding over 9,000 nonprofits in over 100 countries. In addition to funding, we believe it is also critically important to work within our communities, partnering with nonprofit organizations over the long term; and

For example, through Community TeamWorks, Goldman Sachs employees dedicate their time and expertise to support communities by participating in various projects. To date, nearly 500,000 volunteers have dedicated 2.9 million hours of service in partnership with over 3,000 nonprofits.

  For more information, see www.gs.com/racialequity.

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Item 9. Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Policy to Phase Out Fossil Fuel-Related Lending & Underwriting Activities

The Sierra Club Foundation, 2101 Webster Street, Suite 2150, Oakland, California 94612, together with a co-filer, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL, each beneficial owners of at least $2,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least three years, are the proponents of the following shareholder proposal. The proponents have advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.

Proponent’s Statement

Whereas: Climate change poses a systemic risk, with estimated global GDP loss of 11-14% by midcentury under current trajectories.1 The climate crisis is primarily caused by fossil fuel production and combustion, which is enabled by funding from financial institutions.

According to scientific consensus, limiting warming to 1.5°C means that the world cannot develop new oil and gas fields or coal mines beyond those already approved (new fossil fuel exploration and development).2 Furthermore, existing fossil fuel supplies are sufficient to satisfy global energy needs.3 New oil and gas fields would not produce in time to mitigate current energy market turmoil resulting from the Ukraine War.4

Goldman Sachs (GS) has committed to align its financing with the goals of the Paris Agreement,5 achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.6 However, GS’ current policies and practices are not net-zero aligned.

GS is among the world’s largest funders of fossil fuels, providing $119 billion in lending and underwriting to fossil fuel companies during 2016-2021, including $44 billion to 100 top companies engaged in new fossil fuel exploration and development.7

Without a policy to phase out financing of new fossil fuel exploration and development, GS is unlikely to meet its climate commitments and merits scrutiny for material risks that may include:

Greenwashing: Banking and securities regulators are tightening and enforcing greenwashing regulations, which could result in major fines and settlements.8

Regulation: Central banks, including the Fed, are starting to implement climate stress tests9 and scenario analyses,10 and some have begun to propose increased capital requirements for banks’ climate risks.11

Competition: Dozens of global banks have adopted policies to phase out financial support for new oil and gas fields12 and coal mines.13

Reputation: Campaigns targeting GS’ climate policies include hundreds of organizations with tens of millions of global members and supporters, including current and potential GS customers.14

By exacerbating climate change, GS is increasing systemic risk, which will have significant negative impacts – including physical risks and transition risks15 – for itself and for diversified investors.

Best practices for banks to achieve net zero involve financing of companies reducing scopes 1-3 absolute emissions and allocating capital in line with science-based, independently verified short, medium and long-term decarbonization targets. Organizations like the Science Based Targets initiative and Transition Pathway Initiative can provide independent verification of decarbonization targets.

RESOLVED: Shareholders request that the Board of Directors adopt a policy for a time-bound phase-out of GS’ lending and underwriting to projects and companies engaging in new fossil fuel exploration and development.

Supporting Statement: This proposal is intended, in the discretion of board and management, to enable support for GS’ energy clients’ low-carbon transition.

(1)

https://www.swissre.com/media/press-release/nr-20210422-economics-of-climate-change-risks.html

(2)

https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-10/navigating-energy-transitions-mapping-road-to-1.5.pdf

(3)

https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/resources/spm-headline-statements/

(4)

https://www.iea.org/commentaries/what-does-the-current-global-energy-crisis-mean-for-energy-investment

(5)

https://www.goldmansachs.com/accelerating-transition/accelerating-transition-report.pdf

 

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Annual elections of directors; majority voting with resignation policy for directors in uncontested elections.

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» 

No “poison pill.”

Action by written consent as proposed may cause confusion, as well as promote short-termism or special interests.For example:

»

Our Board may be denied the opportunity to consider the merits of a proposed action and to suggest alternative proposals for shareholder evaluation that may be in the best interests of our shareholders and in the long-term interests of our firm.

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Multiple shareholder groups may solicit multiple written consents simultaneously, some of which may be duplicative or contradictory, causing confusion to shareholders, the Board and management.

Item 5. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Board Oversight on the “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation”

Harrington Investments, Inc., 1001 2nd Street, Suite 325, Napa, California, 94559, beneficial owner of 100 shares of Common Stock is the proponent of the following shareholder proposal. The proponent has advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.


ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

(6)

https://www.unepfi.org/net-zero-banking/commitment/http://bankingonclimatechaos.org/

(7)

http://bankingonclimatechaos.org/

(8)

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/12/business/sec-goldman-sachs-esg-funds.html

(9)

https://www.bankingsupervision.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2022/html/ssm.pr220708~565c38d18a.en.html

(10)

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20220929a.htm

(11)

https://www.bis.org/review/r220223e.htm

(12)

https://oilgaspolicytracker.org/

(13)

https://coalpolicytool.org/

(14)

https://stopthemoneypipeline.com/

(15)

https://www.bis.org/bcbs/publ/d517.pdf

  PROPONENT’S STATEMENT

Whereas, our Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, in August 2019, signed a “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation”, committing our Company to serveallstakeholders, including shareholders as stakeholders; andDirectors’ Recommendation

Whereas, while each of the companies making the pledge stated that each has its own corporate purposes, our Company notwithstanding, made a commitment to support “… the communities in which we work… respect[ing] the people in our communities and protect[ing] the environment by embracing sustainability practices across our businesses”; and

Whereas, such public statements may be beneficial to the image of our financial institution from a marketing and public relations standpoint and enhance our management’s standing in many communities, however, the statement, in and of itself, is vague and indistinct in how such statement shall be implemented by our Company, and as is most often the case, there has been no prior indication that our Board of Directors, have exercised their duty of care and loyalty, to be informed fully, utilizing good and independent external and internal resources and experts, and acting in a judicious and independent manner, to determine what specific actions the board needs to take, to implement the stakeholder theory underlying statement, to promote the best interests of the corporation; therefore, be it

Resolved, that shareholders request our Board of Directors, in exercise of their fiduciary duties of care and loyalty, review the Statement of the Purpose of a Corporation signed by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and provide oversight and guidance as to how our Company’s full implementation of this new Statement should alter our Company’s governance or management systems, such as long term plans, goals, metrics, executive and Board compensation, and/or representation of stakeholders in governance of our Company, and publish recommendations regarding implementation.

Supporting Statement

Our Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is to be congratulated in his leadership and courage to commit our Company to all stakeholders and to the future. All shareholders should appreciate and encourage our Board of Directors to implement this change, including by amending our Company’s governance documents to fully embrace the new approach.

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

Goldman Sachs has long been committed to providing innovative, commercial solutions for our clients to address and manage climate-related risk and accelerate the climate transition. We view climate transition as a key driver of both risk and opportunity, and we have been innovating and expanding our commercial capabilities to help our clients navigate the transition.

We do not believe that committing to a time-bound phase out of our financing and underwriting activity in hard-to-abate sectors, which critically need both our engagement and our capital, is in the best interests of our shareholders, clients or communities. We do not believe in placing limits on financing to producers because, among other things, we do not believe it will result in either reduction in emissions from, or demand for, fossil fuels.

In June 2021, our Global Investment Research group estimated that $56 trillion in incremental infrastructure investment is needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Recent global events have underscored how energy resilience, security and diversification are critical components to drive broader transition to a lower-carbon economy. Climate transition will require thoughtful public policy that strikes a balance between current energy capabilities and support for new technology. Even research models published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and others do not assume a complete phase out of fossil fuels by 2050; rather, they assume some form of abatement, whether through carbon capture and storage or other carbon dioxide removal methods to counterbalance residual GHG emissions.

Given our significant investment in decarbonization and transition finance capabilities, we believe our shareholders, clients and communities are better served by our engagement, not our divestment.

As a result, and taking into account that a similar proposal at our 2022 Annual Meeting was supported by only approximately 11% of the votes cast at the meeting, we believe that the adoption of this proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of our firm or our shareholders, and it would undermine our role in the low carbon transition.

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        67


ITEMS 4–5. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

Goldman Sachs has a long-standing commitment to address the impacts of climate change and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Since our initial Environmental Policy Framework in 2005, we have accelerated our efforts to integrate sustainability across our business, prioritizing climate transition and inclusive growth in our commercial efforts with clients.

 DIRECTORS’ RECOMMENDATION

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

Our firm is proud to have endorsed the Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation (the Statement) issued by the Business Roundtable in August 2019.

We believe thatsee finance and innovation playing an important role in supporting the Statement’s expressed commitmentclimate transition for a company to benefit all stakeholders — customers, employees, communities, shareholders and suppliers — is wholly consistent with our long-standing principles and our governance or management systems. Our ability to drive long term shareholder value is dependent upon how well we serve our clients, manage our people and support our broader stakeholders, including the communities in which we live and work. In light of our existing commitments and ongoing support of these important matters, a sample of which is described below, we believe that the adoption of this proposal is duplicative and unnecessary and therefore notcompanies in the best interestshardest-to-abate sectors, which need strategic advice and capital to invest in innovative technologies not yet deployable at commercial scale and shift to lower-carbon sources, while also helping to enable continued supply of our firm or our shareholders.affordable, reliable energy. For example:

Our firm’s stated purpose is to advance sustainable economic growth and financial opportunity. Successfully delivering on this purpose will drive returns for our shareholders.

 

Sustainable finance is an increasingly important topic for our clients, as evidenced by our December 2019 announcement of a target of $750 billion in investing, financing and advisory activity by 2030 focusing on nine sustainable finance themes relating to climate transition and inclusive growth.

Sustainability is also integrated across our firm, including in how manage our operations and invest in our people and our communities. We are committed to continuing to provide transparency and accountability regarding these efforts in our annual Sustainability Report, available atwww.gs.com/sustainability-report.

Here are some examples of how we follow through on our purpose as an organization, consistent with the Statement:

 

Delivering Value to our Clients.Our clients are at the center of everything we do. This mindset informs all of our activities, from the way we serve our clients to our organizational decisions.
»

Our commercial capabilities include climate transition financing, offsite and on-site renewable power procurement, commodity risk management strategies, carbon offset purchases and climate-related investments; and

»

»

This underlying philosophy is foundational to our firm, and we have made a more purposeful effort over the past year to reinforce our deep client orientation and further leverage the strength of our client relationships through ourOne Goldman Sachsinitiative.

Investing in our Employees.We have long held that our people are our greatest asset, and believe that our workforce differentiates us as a firm.

»

To this end, we are dedicated to recruiting and retaining the best, most diverse talent, and we endeavor to invest in our employees at every stage of their careers in order to maximize individual potential, increase commercial effectiveness, reinforce our culture, expand professional opportunities, and help our people contribute positively to their greater communities.

Citizenship in our Communities.We are committed to helping the communities where we work and live, and where our ideas, people and resources can make a difference.

»

Across all of our business and through our corporate engagement programs, we work to leverage our people and capital to drive sustainable growth, increase financial empowerment and advance environmental progress, including through initiatives such as10,000 Small Businesses, 10,000 Women and Launch with GS.

Generating Long-Term Value for our Shareholders.The creation and delivery of long-term shareholder value is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to increasing transparency to help enhance our investors’ understanding of our businesses and to hold ourselves accountable for driving long-term, sustainable value.

»

In January 2020, we hosted our inaugural Investor Day, which represented a key milestone in the firm’s path to providing greater transparency and accountability to our shareholders and other stakeholders. During Investor Day, we provided additional insight into our strategic direction and set forth goals by which our progress can be measured over time.We also launched Carbon Portfolio Analytics on Marquee, which helps clients measure and manage their carbon footprint. Beyond providing carbon data, this offering provides tools and analytics designed to empower clients to better understand their portfolio risks and opportunities from a carbon perspective.

 

 

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

In just the last few years, we have taken a number of other key steps and made certain commitments, including:

»

Joining OS-Climate initiative as the U.S. founding bank member as well as the UN Principles for Responsible Banking and Net Zero Banking Alliance;

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Issuing $800 million inaugural Goldman Sachs sustainability bond and establishing a sustainable issuance framework;

»

Committing to a net zero by 2050 pathway and expanding our operational carbon commitment to become net zero by 2030 in our operations and supply chain;

»

Announcing Goldman Sachs Bloomberg Climate Finance Partnership, including a Climate Innovation Fund alongside the Asian Development Bank; and

»

Publishing our second TCFD report, Accelerating Transition (available at www.gs.com/corpgov), which sets forth an interim roadmap for our net zero by 2050 commitment, including an initial set of business-related, ranged targets for 2030 across three sectors: Oil & Gas, Power and Auto Manufacturing (as further described in connection with other climate-related shareholder proposals below).

We will publish an updated TCFD report later this year that will demonstrate our progress towards our climate-related goals and commitments. We have also committed to expand our targets into additional sectors by the end of 2024.

Focusing on climate change is important for our partnerships with clients and counterparties and is a core element of how we manage risk. As such, we integrate oversight of climate-related risks into our firm’s centralized governance structures to enable oversight and guidance on the firm’s approach to managing climate-related risks and opportunities, which is reflected in our day-to-day focus across businesses as well as control and operating functions.

»

We recognize that different geographies, industries and even clients within each industry are at various stages of their decarbonization journey and require solutions relevant for each geography, industry and client depending on where they are in their path to net zero emissions. In some cases, this may involve activities that would constitute new fossil fuel development projects.

»

If we were to implement the proposal, over time, it would prevent us from engaging in transactions similar to ones we have executed over the past several years (examples of which are set forth in our sustainability reporting) to support legacy energy companies moving towards decarbonization and a renewable energy focus.

We provide extensive public disclosure regarding our sustainable finance and stewardship efforts, including through a dedicated portion of our website (www.gs.com/sustainability) as well as through www.gs.com/corpgov.

For more information on our sustainability efforts, see Spotlight on Sustainability.

Item 10. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Disclosure of 2030 Absolute Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

The New York City Comptroller, Municipal Building, One Centre Street, 8th Floor North, New York, New York 10007, on behalf of The New York City Employees’ Retirement System, The New York City Teachers’ Retirement System and the New York City Board of Education Retirement System, each a beneficial owner of at least $25,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least one year, is the proponent of the following shareholder proposal. The proponent has advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.

Proponent’s Statement

Absolute GHG Reduction Goals

RESOLVED: Shareholders request Goldman Sachs (“Goldman”) issue a report within a year, at reasonable expense and excluding confidential information, that discloses 2030 absolute greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions reduction targets covering both lending and underwriting for two high emitting sectors: Oil and Gas and Power Generation. These targets should be aligned with a science-based net zero pathway and in addition to any emission intensity targets for these sectors that Goldman has or will set.

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Supporting Statement:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has advised that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be halved by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Every incremental increase in temperature above 1.5°C will entail increasingly severe physical, transition, and systemic risks to companies, investors, the markets, and the economy as a whole. Climate change mitigation is therefore critical to address investment risks in order to avert the large economic losses projected to occur if insufficient action is taken.

According to the International Energy Agency, transformation of the Oil and Gas and Power Generation sectors are critical to reaching the global goal of keeping temperature rise below 1.5°C, and are therefore significant to Goldman’s climate-risk mitigation strategy.

Goldman should adopt absolute emission targets in these sectors to protect the Company and its long-term investors. Though the Company has a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and a target to reduce GHG emissions intensity of the Oil and Gas and Power Generation sectors by 2030, it does not yet have a science-based 2030 target to reduce these GHG emissions on an absolute basis. Intensity targets will measure the reduction in emissions per unit or per dollar, however, by definition, they will not capture whether Goldman’s total financed GHG emissions have decreased in the real world.

Rather, we believe the Company should consider target-setting approaches used by advisory groups such as the Science Based Targets initiative. Such an absolute reduction target aligned with a science-based net zero emissions pathway is critical for the Company to achieve its net-zero commitment and more fully address its climate risks.

Goldman trails its peers in setting absolute GHG emissions reduction targets. Citigroup has committed to reducing its absolute emissions for the energy sector by 29% by 2030, stating “absolute reduction is required to meet net zero goals and is the most transparent target selection.”2 Wells Fargo has set a target to reduce absolute emissions for the oil and gas sector by 26% by 2030. Other banks setting absolute reduction goals for the oil and gas sector include HSBC (34%), Société Generale (30%), BBVA (30%), and Deutsche Bank (23%).

By setting absolute targets in addition to its intensity targets in the energy sector, the Company can ensure it is moving toward its stated commitments and real-economy emissions reductions.

We urge you to vote FOR this proposal.

(1)

https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/

(2)

taskforce-on-climate-related-financial-disclosures-report-2021.pdf (citigroup.com)

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Directors’ Recommendation

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

Goldman Sachs has long been committed to providing innovative, commercial solutions for our clients to address and manage climate-related risk and accelerate the climate transition. We view climate transition as a key driver of both risk and opportunity, and we have been innovating and expanding our commercial capabilities to help our clients navigate this transition.

We share the proponent’s focus on making progress towards net zero. In fact, in March 2021 we announced our commitment to align our financing activities with a net zero by 2050 pathway, and, later that year, we published our second TCFD report, Accelerating Transition, which sets forth an interim roadmap for our net zero by 2050 commitment and includes an initial set of ranged targets tailored to our business objectives. We have also committed to expand our targets into additional sectors by the end of 2024.

We believe that this approach enables us to better manage and support our clients and prevents the potential unintended consequences of absolute targets, as detailed below.

As a result, in light of our current disclosures and continued commitment to the climate transition, we believe that the adoption of this proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of our firm or our shareholders.


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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

In our 2021 TCFD report, we shared an initial set of business-related, ranged targets for 2030 across three sectors: Oil & Gas, Power and Auto Manufacturing.

»

Our initial interim targets focus on sectors where we see an opportunity to proactively engage our clients, deploy capital required for transition and invest in new commercial solutions to help drive decarbonization in the real economy.

»

These are also areas where we believe our firm can have the most material impact, and where we have sufficient data available and an ability to engage clients on decarbonization.

»

These targets cover our corporate lending commitments, debt and equity capital markets financing and on-balance sheet debt and equity investments.

We chose to set our targets on a physical emissions intensity basis (e.g., kilograms of CO2e per megawatt hour of electricity generated) due to the close tie between the level of a company’s emissions and the scale of its production. Absolute emissions metrics may also serve as a significant disincentive to provide capital to those companies most in need of transition capital. We believe that measuring our portfolio through an intensity lens will enable us to better manage and support our clients in transition by:

»

Normalizing for company size and scale of production: We work with clients across the value chain in these different sectors and with companies of different sizes. An intensity-based approach improves comparability across clients in our portfolio;

»

Allowing for growth in businesses that are emissions-efficient: Intensity based targets reward efficiency without penalizing growth. This is particularly relevant for sectors like Power where production is expected to increase significantly over the decade, in line with science-based decarbonization pathways; and

»

Reducing volatility as a result of short-term changes in production levels: For example, global emissions fell in 2020 due to a slowdown in production and reduced demand for end-use fossil fuels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emissions have rebounded as reopening policies take hold around the world. An intensity-based approach normalizes for volatility like this in emissions caused by macro events rather than true decarbonization.

We will publish an updated TCFD report later this year that will demonstrate our progress towards our climate-related goals and commitments.

For more information on our sustainability efforts, see Spotlight on Sustainability.

Item 11. Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Climate Transition Report

Mack Street 2016 Trust (S), care of As You Sow, 2020 Milvia St., Suite 500, Berkeley, California 94704, beneficial owner of at least $25,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least one year, together with co-filer Debriana Berlin Rev Tr (S), beneficial owner of at least $2,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least three years, and co-filer United Church Funds, beneficial owner of at least $25,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least one year, are the proponents of the following shareholder proposal. The proponents have advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.

Proponent’s Statement

RESOLVED: Shareholders request that Goldman Sachs issue a report disclosing a transition plan that describes how it intends to align its financing activities with its 2030 sectoral greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, including the specific measures and policies necessary to achieve its targets, the reductions to be achieved by such measures and policies, and timelines for implementation and associated emission reductions.

WHEREAS: The banking sector has a critical role to play in achieving global Net Zero by 2050 goals. The Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) notes that 40 percent of global banking assets have committed to aligning lending and investment portfolios with Net Zero by 2050.1 But targets alone are insufficient. Investors seek disclosures demonstrating banks’ concrete transition strategies to credibly achieve their disclosed emission reduction targets.

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

The United Nations has recommended that financial institution transition plans demonstrate how all parts of the business align with interim targets and long-term net zero targets2. Other guidelines exist to help financial institutions operationalize and translate net zero commitments into strategies “with specific objectives . . . against which progress can be assessed.”3,4

Goldman Sachs is one of the top 15 global financers of fossil fuels, with $17 billion in fossil fuel financing in 2021, and nearly $118 billion between 2016 through 2021.5

Goldman is a member of the NZBA and has announced a Net Zero by 2050 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction goal for its financed emissions. It also has set 2030 intensity reduction targets for the oil and gas, power, and auto manufacturing sectors. To achieve these goals, Goldman states that it is “expanding its commercial capabilities to help clients measure and manage their climate-related exposure”; “developing new financing tools tied to progress on climate transition”; and investing in “climate solutions and emerging technologies” for hard to abate sectors” including a ten-year, $750 billion commitment to sustainable finance.6

While the described actions will help clients manage and reduce their emissions, they do not demonstrate a concrete transition plan for how Goldman will achieve its 2030 sectoral reduction targets. An effective transition plan creates accountability by describing the indicators, milestones, metrics, and timelines necessary to deliver on its decarbonization targets and ensure investors that it is accountable for reducing its financed emissions in alignment with its 2030 targets.

A transition plan might include, for example, disclosure of clients’ estimated annual reductions and how the bank plans to achieve remaining emissions reductions. Other elements of such a plan might include client and employee incentives or disincentives; setting mandatory actions, including loan approval guidelines, investment and underwriting priorities, or prohibitions; and developing policies or guidelines that otherwise restrict, limit, or condition bank business activities, along with expected associated reductions from each.

(1)

https://www.unepfi.org/net-zero-banking/

(2)

https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/high-level_expert_group_n7b.pdf p.21-22

(3)

https://www.iigcc.org/media/2022/07/An-investor-led-framework-of-pilot-indicators-to-assess-banks-on-the-transition-tonet-zero-28-July.pdf

(4)

https://assets.bbhub.io/company/sites/63/2022/06/GFANZ_Recommendations-and-Guidance-on-Net-zero-Transition-Plansfor-the-Financial-Sector_June2022.pdf

(5)

https://www.ran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BOCC_2022_vSPREAD-1.pdf

(6)

https://www.goldmansachs.com/accelerating-transition/accelerating-transition-report.pdf, p. 4

Directors’ Recommendation

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

Goldman Sachs has long been committed to providing innovative, commercial solutions for our clients to address and manage climate-related risk and accelerate the climate transition. We view climate transition as a key driver of both risk and opportunity, and we have been innovating and expanding our commercial capabilities to help our clients navigate the transition.

We share the proponent’s view on the importance of transparency regarding our climate transition commitments. To this end, we have already provided extensive public disclosures, including through our Sustainability Reports, TCFD reports and a dedicated portion of our website (www.gs.com/sustainability), as well as through www.gs.com/corpgov, and we continue to update this reporting on a regular basis.

As a result, preparing the report requested by the proposal would impose an additional administrative burden on our

firm without providing material new information to our shareholders. As such, we believe that the adoption of this

proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of our firm or our shareholders.

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

In 2021, we published our second TCFD report, which included a preliminary transition plan for how we expect to deliver on our commitment to align with a net zero by 2050 pathway. We conducted a preliminary baseline emissions analysis for our 2019 exposure and embedded our net zero commitment in our commercial and client activities.

Importantly, we dedicated an entire section of the 2021 TCFD report to our climate strategy, which describes the significant work we have already undertaken to support low-carbon transition efforts for our clients through the development of new commercial capabilities and innovative climate solutions. We also provide significant detail on the development of our metrics and targets and the implementation thereof.

»

For example, we have developed a new and unique cross-firm decarbonization offering that includes a full suite of tools to help our corporate clients develop and execute on their climate-related strategies, including renewable energy and carbon offset procurement.

»

At the same time, we recognize that different geographies, industries and even clients within each industry are at different stages of their decarbonization journey, and we must be able to tailor solutions to each geography, industry and client depending on where they are in their path to net zero emissions.

»

As a global financial institution, we regularly assess and manage the risks posed by climate change to our business through proprietary models that leverage the latest science and industry best practices on stress testing, and we are further integrating climate into our firmwide business and risk practices more broadly.

»

In addition to ongoing reporting to the market and our stakeholders, we intend to use our targets to inform business strategy. Our efforts to baseline the in-scope portfolios and estimate our 2030 targets required detailed client-level analysis, and these reviews were conducted collaboratively with subject matter experts across the firm. This granular analysis will inform our engagement with clients on their decarbonization efforts. Over time, we aim to further embed these targets into our risk management framework.

We also recognize the importance of providing continued transparency with respect to our climate transition. To this end, we will publish an updated TCFD report later this year that will demonstrate our progress towards our sectoral targets and provide additional details of how we are integrating climate-related measurements across our business.

»

We seek to balance the demand for updated information with the availability of updated data to ensure that our updates provide meaningful and new information to our stakeholders. To this end, we have been focused on the availability of 2021 emissions and production data from our vendors and providers, after which we will conduct our internal measurement and review process.

»

We are also working on automating and standardizing the emissions reporting process to allow for more frequent, recurring reporting of our portfolio intensity versus our stated targets. This includes creating infrastructure across our businesses to provide real-time visibility into changes in portfolio intensity metrics and to support client engagement, which will provide further accountability in meeting our 2030 reduction targets.

»

Going forward, we intend to provide updated disclosure on an annual basis. We have also committed to expand our targets into additional sectors by the end of 2024.

For more information on our sustainability efforts, see Spotlight on Sustainability.

Item 12. Shareholder Proposal Regarding Reporting on Pay Equity

James McRitchie, 9295 Yorkship Ct., Elk Grove, California 95758, beneficial owner of at least $2,000 in market value of the company’s Common Stock for at least three years, is the proponent of the following shareholder proposal. The proponent has advised us that a representative will present the proposal and related supporting statement at our Annual Meeting.

Proponent’s Statement

LOGO

FOR Shareholder Rights

Proposal 12 – Pay Equity Disclosure

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Resolved: James McRitchie of CorpGov.net and other shareholders, requests the Golden Sachs Group, Inc. (“Company” or “Golden Sachs”) report annually on unadjusted median and adjusted pay gaps across race and gender globally and/ or by country, where appropriate, including associated policy, reputational, competitive, and operational risks, and risks related to recruiting and retaining diverse talent. The report should be prepared at reasonable cost, omitting proprietary information, litigation strategy, and legal compliance information.

Racial/gender pay gaps are the difference between non-minority and minority/male and female median earnings expressed as a percentage of non-minority/male earnings.

Supporting Statement: Pay inequities persist across race and gender. They pose substantial risks to companies and society. Black workers’ hourly median earnings represent 64% of white wages. Median income for women working full time is 83% of that of men.1 Intersecting race, Black women earn 63%, Native women 60%, and Latina women 55%.2 At the current rate, women will not reach pay equity until 2059, Black women 2130, and Latina women 2224.3

Citigroup estimated closing minority and gender wage gaps 20 years ago could have generated 12 trillion dollars in additional national income.4 PwC estimates closing the gender pay gap could boost OECD economies by $2 trillion annually.5 Actively managing pay equity is linked to superior stock performance and return on equity.6

Best practice includes:

1.

unadjusted median pay gaps, assessing equal opportunity to high-paying roles,

2.

statistically adjusted gaps, assessing whether minorities and non-minorities, men and women, are paid the same for similar roles.

Over 20 percent of the 100 largest U.S. employers currently report adjusted gaps, and an increasing number of companies disclose unadjusted gaps to address the structural bias women and minorities face regarding job opportunity and pay.7 Golden Sachs reports neither.

Racial and gender unadjusted median pay gaps are accepted as the valid way of measuring pay inequity by the United States Census Bureau, Department of Labor, OECD, and International Labor Organization.8 The United Kingdom and Ireland mandate disclosure of median pay gaps, and the United Kingdom is considering racial pay reporting. An annual report adequate for investors to assess performance could integrate base, bonus and equity compensation to calculate:

percentage median and adjusted gender pay gap, globally and/or by country

percentage median and adjusted racial/minority/ethnicity pay gap, U.S. and/or by country

To Enhance Shareholder Value, Vote FOR

Pay Equity Disclosure – Proposal 12

(1)

https://www.nationalpartnership.org/our-work/resources/economic-justice/fair-pay/americas-women-and-the-wagegap.pdf

(2)

https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2021/09/AAUW_SimpleTruth_2021_-fall_update.pdf

(3)

https://iwpr.org/iwpr-publications/quick-figure/the-gender-pay-gap-1985-to-2020-with-forecast-for-achieving-payequity-by-race-and-ethnicity/

(4)

https://ir.citi.com/NvIUklHPilz14Hwd3oxqZBLMn1_XPqo5FrxsZD0x6hhil84ZxaxEuJUWmak51UHvYk75VKeHCMI%3D

(5)

https://www.pwc.com/hu/en/kiadvanyok/assets/pdf/women-in-work-2021-executive-summary.pdf

(6)

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/promoting-gender-parityin-the-global-workplace;https://www.issgovernance.com/file/publications/ISS-ESG-Gender-Diversity-Linked-to-Success.pdf

(7)

https://diversiq.com/which-sp-500-companies-disclose-gender-pay-equity-data/

(8)

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bc65db67d0c9102cca54b74/t/622f4567fae4ea772ae60492/1647265128087/Racial+Gender+ Pay+Scorecard+2022+-+Arjuna+Capital.pdf

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ITEMS 5-12. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

 

Directors’ Recommendation

 

Dealing Fairly and Ethically with our Vendors.A wide array of goods and services is needed to support our business operations, and we are committed to partnering with the best businesses available to achieve our objectives, including through our Vendor Diversity Program.

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.

At Goldman Sachs, we have long been committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion as a key business imperative. Diversity is core to our ability to serve our clients well and to maximize returns for our shareholders. A diverse and inclusive employee base allows us to develop better ideas, respond to the needs of our clients and ensure that our people can reach their maximum potential.

Pay equity is fundamental to this, and we share the proponent’s focus on advancing pay equity. While we recognize there is a desire among certain stakeholders for publication of more statistics regarding pay measures, we believe the fundamental underlying consideration for our firm and many corporations is the under-representation of women and diverse professionals both in magnitude and levels of seniority. We are committed to compensating our employees fairly and equitably and to promoting gender and racial/ethnic diversity and inclusion in our leadership ranks and broader workforce. To this end, we have policies and procedures in place with respect to our hiring, promotion and compensation practices to support equitable treatment. This includes ensuring compensation decisions are subject to multiple levels of review.

We are also highly focused on providing transparency and accountability to our investors and other stakeholders. In addition to the regular reporting we already provide on the firm’s progress towards our aspirational diversity goals, as well as our annual EEO-1 demographic data, we have heard from many shareholders that additional disclosure regarding our pay practices would be beneficial. Accordingly, we will provide additional information regarding our gender and race pay gaps, as detailed below, beginning next year (with respect to 2023 data).

As a result of our existing policies and procedures, as well as this new commitment, we believe that the adoption of this proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of our firm or our shareholders.

Our compensation policies and procedures are designed to compensate employees without regard to gender, race, ethnicity or other protected categories. Further, for nearly 20 years the firm has been reviewing employee compensation during the firm’s annual compensation process. Our legal and human resource functions conduct an analysis of base salary and discretionary bonuses, the purpose of which is to help ensure the firm continues to pay employees comparable compensation for similar work.

We believe that reporting median pay gaps on an unadjusted basis, as requested in the proposal, does not provide information that is accurate or useful, as it does not take into account factors such as an employee’s role, tenure, location or impact. These factors, among others, are necessary to consider when evaluating whether employees are comparably compensated for similar work.

As part of our continued commitment to enhanced transparency and accountability, we commit to disclose additional information regarding our gender and race pay gaps, with appropriate adjustments for factors such as those described above, in our 2023 People Strategy Report.

This disclosure is the next step on the firm’s journey of enhanced transparency and accountability regarding the diversity of our workforce.

»

Since 2021, we have published our People Strategy Report annually (available at www.gs.com), which provides tangible indicators of our progress on our people-related goals, including expanded EEO-1 disclosure and progress on our aspirational diversity goals.

»

While there is more work to be done, we are making notable progress towards achieving our aspirational diversity and inclusion goals. For example, our 2021 managing director class and 2022 partner class have been the most diverse classes to date.

 

 

»

We strive to engage vendors that reflect the diversity of our communities and of the clients we serve, and who can bring a range of perspectives to help us discover creative, effective solutions. We expect all of our vendors to operate in accordance with our Vendor Code of Conduct (available atwww.gs.com), including to act with integrity and to demonstrate a commitment to legal, ethical, safe, fair and environmentally responsible business practices.

For more information on our compensation philosophy generally, see Compensation Matters. For more information on our racial and gender equity initiatives, see www.gs.com/racialequity and www.gs.com/whenwomenlead.

 

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Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        69



CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS—RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS POLICY

 

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

On the recommendation of our independent directors, our Board has in place various policies that provide guidelines for the review of certain relationships and transactions involving our directors and executive officers.

Related Person Transactions Policy

Our Board has a written Related Person Transactions Policy regarding the review and approval of transactions between us and “related persons” (directors, executive officers, immediate family members of a director or executive officer, or known 5% shareholders).

Under this policy, transactions that exceed $120,000 in which a related person has, may have or may be deemed to have a direct or indirect material interest are submitted to the Designated Reviewers (the Chairs of the Governance, Audit and Risk Committees) or our full Governance Committee for review and approval, as applicable. Certain transactions, including employment relationships, ordinary course banking, brokerage, investment, lending and other services, payment of certain regulatory filing fees and certain other ordinary course non-preferential transactions, have been determined by the Governance Committee to be preapproved transactions, and thus do not require specific review and approval under the policy (although these transactions must be reported to our Governance Committee and may still be submitted for review and approval if deemed appropriate).

In reviewing and determining whether to approve a related person transaction, the following factors, among others, are considered:

Whether the transaction is in the interests of us and our shareholders;

Whether the transaction would impair the independence of an independent director;

Whether the transaction presents a conflict of interest, taking into account the size of the transaction, the financial position of the director or executive officer, the nature of the director’s or known 5% shareholders).

Under this policy, transactions that exceed $120,000executive officer’s interest in which a related person may have or may be deemed to have a direct or indirect material interest are submitted to our Governance Committee Chair, our Audit Committee Chair or our full Governance Committee for approval, as applicable. Certain transactions, including employment relationships, ordinary course banking, brokerage, investment, lending and other services, payment of certain regulatory filing fees and certain other ordinary coursenon-preferential transactions, are considered preapproved transactions, and thus do not require specific approval under the policy (although these transactions must be reported to our Governance Committee and may still be submitted for approval if deemed appropriate).

In determining whether to approve a related person transaction, the following factors, among others, are considered:ongoing nature of the transaction and any other relevant factors;

 

Whether the transaction would impair the independence of an independent director;

Whether the transaction presents a conflict of interest, taking into account the size of the transaction, the financial position of the director or executive officer, the nature of the director’s or executive officer’s interest in the transaction and the ongoing nature of the transaction;

 

Whether the transaction is fair and reasonable to us and on substantially the same terms as would apply to comparable third parties;

The business reasons for the transaction;

Any reputational issues; and

Whether the transaction is material, taking into account the significance of the transaction to our investors.

In addition to our policies on director independence and related person transactions, we also maintain a policy with respect to outside director involvement with financial firms, such as private equity firms or hedge funds. Under this policy, in determining whether to approve any current or proposed affiliation of anon-employee director with a financial firm, our Board will consider, among other things, the legal, reputational, operational and business issues presented, and the nature, feasibility and scope of any restrictions, procedures or other steps that would be necessary or appropriate to ameliorate any perceived or potential future conflicts or other issues.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS—CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS

Certain Relationships and Transactions

    BROKERAGE AND BANKING SERVICES

Some of our directors and executive officers (and persons or entities affiliated with them) have brokerage and/ or discretionary accounts at our broker-dealer affiliates and may utilize other ordinary course banking or lending products (such as credit cards) offered by Goldman Sachs Bank USA. Extensions of credit by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, which do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability and do not present other unfavorable features, have been and may be made to certain of our directors and executive officers (and persons or entities affiliated with them) in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms including interest ratesas would apply to comparable third parties;

The business reasons for the transaction;

Any reputational issues; and collateral, as those prevailing at

Whether the time for comparable transactions with persons unrelatedtransaction is material, taking into account the significance of the transaction to our investors.

All of the transactions and relationships reported under —Certain Relationships and Transactions were determined, under the mechanisms of the Related Person Transactions Policy, to be in the best interests of our firm and our shareholders.

In addition to our policies on director independence and related person transactions, we also maintain a policy with respect to outside director involvement with financial firms, such as private equity firms or hedge funds. Under this policy, in determining whether to approve any current or proposed affiliation of a non-employee director with a financial firm, our Board will consider, among other things, the legal, reputational, operational and business issues presented, and the nature, feasibility and scope of any restrictions, procedures or other steps that would be necessary or appropriate to ameliorate any perceived or potential future conflicts or other issues.

Certain Relationships and Transactions

Brokerage and in each caseBanking Services

Some of our directors and executive officers (and persons or entities affiliated with them) have brokerage and/or discretionary accounts at our broker-dealer affiliates and may utilize other ordinary course banking or lending products (such as credit cards) offered by Goldman Sachs Bank USA. Extensions of credit by Goldman Sachs Bank USA that do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability and do not present other unfavorable features have been and may be made to certain of our directors and executive officers (and persons or entities affiliated with them) in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons unrelated to our firm, and in each case in

compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 FIRM-MANAGED FUNDS AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

 

We have established private investment funds (Employee Funds) to permit our employees (and in certain cases, retired employees) to participate in our private equity, hedge fundFirm-Managed Funds and other similar activities by investing in or alongside funds and investments that we manage or sponsor for independent investors and/or for our firm. Investment decisions for the Employee Funds are made by the investment teams or committees that are fiduciaries for such funds, and no executive officers are members of such investment teams or committees.Other Investments

The Employee Funds generally maintain diversified investment portfolios, and these investment opportunities do not affect the incentives of our executive officers under our compensation program. Many of our employees, their spouses, related charitable foundations or entities they own or control have invested in these Employee Funds. In some cases, we have limited participation to our PMDs, including our executive officers, and in some cases participation may be limited to individuals eligible to invest pursuant to applicable law.

Certain of the Employee Funds provide applicable investors with an interest in the overrides we receive for managing the funds for independent investors (overrides). Employee Funds generally do not require our current or retired PMDs and other current or retired employees to pay management fees and do not deduct overrides from fund distributions. Similarly, certain other investments may be made available to our PMDs, retired PMDs and other current employees on afee-free or reduced fee basis.

Distributions and redemptions exceeding $120,000 from Employee Funds made to our 2019 executive officers (or persons or certain entities affiliated with them) and Mr. Viniar (with respect to investments made when he was an employee) during 2019, consisting of profits and other income and return of amounts initially invested (excluding overrides generally available only to PMDs, which are discussed below), were approximately, in the aggregate, as follows: Mr. Solomon—$9.0 million; Mr. Waldron—$2.2 million; Mr. Scherr—$1.2 million; Mr. Rogers—$2.6 million; Elizabeth M. Hammack (Global Treasurer)—$1.0 million; Sarah E. Smith (Chair and former Global Head of Compliance)—$725,000; and Mr. Viniar—$1.4 million.

Distributions of overrides generally available only to PMDs (and retired PMDs) made to our 2019 executive officers (or persons or entities affiliated with them) and Mr. Viniar (with respect to investments made when he was an employee) during 2019 were approximately, in the aggregate, as follows: Mr. Solomon—$481,000; Mr. Waldron—$134,000; Mr. Scherr—$77,000; Mr. Rogers—$91,000; Laurence Stein (Chief Administrative Officer)—$46,500; Ms. Hammack—$18,000; Brian J. Lee (Chief Risk Officer)—$15,000; Sheara J. Fredman (Chief Accounting Officer)—$7,500; Ms. Smith—$20,000; and Mr. Viniar—$439,000.

We have established private investment funds (Employee Funds) to permit our employees (and in certain cases, retired employees) to participate in our private equity, hedge fund and other similar activities by investing in or alongside funds and investments that we manage or sponsor for independent investors and/or for our firm. We believe the opportunity to make such investments helps to promote teamwork and collaboration across the firm and provides alignment with the firm’s strategy to grow the alternatives business. Investment decisions for the Employee Funds are made by the investment teams or committees that are fiduciaries for such funds, and no executive officers are members of such investment teams or committees.

The Employee Funds generally maintain diversified investment portfolios, and these investment opportunities do not affect the incentives of our executive officers under our compensation program. Many of our employees, their spouses, related charitable foundations or entities they own or control have invested in these Employee Funds. In some cases, we have limited participation to our PMDs, including our executive officers, or limited the amount of participation, and in some cases participation may be limited to individuals eligible to invest pursuant to applicable law.

Certain of the Employee Funds provide applicable investors with an interest in the overrides we receive for managing the funds for independent investors (Overrides); the level of Override for which applicable investors may be eligible may vary based on certain criteria. Employee Funds generally do not require our current or retired PMDs and other current or retired employees to pay management fees and do not deduct Overrides from fund distributions. Similarly, certain other investments may be made available to our PMDs, retired PMDs and other current employees on a fee-free or reduced fee basis.

Distributions and redemptions exceeding $120,000 from Employee Funds made to our 2022 executive officers (or persons or entities affiliated with them) during 2022, consisting of profits and other income and return of amounts initially invested (excluding Overrides, which are discussed below), were approximately, in the aggregate, as follows: Mr. Solomon - $15.5 million; Mr. Waldron - $1.8 million; Mr. Coleman - $1.6 million; Mr. Berlinski - $580,000; John F.W. Rogers (Executive Vice President) - $2.7 million; Laurence Stein (Chief Administrative Officer until February 2022) - $443,000; Ericka Leslie (Chief Administrative Officer) - $222,000; Brian Lee (Chief Risk Officer) - $309,000; and Sheara Fredman (Chief Accounting Officer) - $220,000.

Overrides distributed to our 2022 executive officers (or persons or entities affiliated with them) during 2022 were approximately, in the aggregate, as follows: Mr. Solomon - $556,000; Mr. Waldron - $171,000; Mr. Coleman - $90,000; Mr. Berlinski - $45,000; Mr. Rogers - $176,000; Mr. Stein - $59,000; Ms. Leslie - $48,000; Mr. Lee - $71,000; and Ms. Fredman - $34,000.

Subject to applicable laws, in addition, certain of our directors and executive officers may from time to time invest their personal funds in other funds or investments that we have established and that we manage or sponsor. Except as described above, these other investments are made on substantially the same terms and conditions as other similarly-situated investors in these funds or investments who are neither directors nor employees. In certain of these funds, including certain Employee Funds, our directors and executive officers may own in the aggregate more than 10% of the interests in these funds.

Affiliates of Goldman Sachs generally bear overhead and administrative expenses for, and may provide certain other services free of charge to, Employee Funds.

 

Transactions with Director- and Executive Officer-Affiliated Entities

We take very seriously any actual or perceived conflicts of interest, and we critically evaluate all potential transactions and relationships that may involve directors or executive officers or entities affiliated with them.

Mr. Mittal is the Executive Chairman and former CEO of ArcelorMittal S.A. and beneficially owns (directly and indirectly) approximately 37% of the outstanding common shares of ArcelorMittal. Goldman Sachs provides ordinary course financial advisory, lending, investment banking, trading (such as acting as a derivative counter-party from time to time) and other financial services to ArcelorMittal and its affiliates, including as described below.

Goldman Sachs participates in a $5.5 billion five-year revolving credit facility for ArcelorMittal. Under this $5.5 billion facility, Goldman Sachs has agreed to lend to ArcelorMittal up to $170 million at an interest rate of LIBOR + 735 basis points (which rate may vary depending on ArcelorMittal’s credit ratings). Goldman Sachs currently has no loan outstanding under this facility.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS—CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS

 

 

    TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTOR- AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER-AFFILIATED ENTITIES

Goldman Sachs also participates in a $212.5 million credit facility for an entity in which ArcelorMittal is an approximately 25% shareholder. Under the facility, Goldman Sachs has agreed to lend up to approximately $22.5 million at an interest rate of SOFR + 450 basis points (which rate may vary based on a credit spread adjustment). This credit facility is currently partially drawn, resulting in an approximately $19.4 million loan from Goldman Sachs outstanding under this facility.

During 2022, Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisor to a third-party client that sold an approximately 80% interest in a $1 billion asset to ArcelorMittal as a result of a competitive bidding process. In December 2022 and early 2023, Goldman Sachs acted as executing broker in connection with approximately $560 million of public market divestments by ArcelorMittal of a portion of its shareholding in an entity in which it is a minority shareholder.

Each of these transactions was conducted and all of these services were provided on an arm’s-length basis.

Mr. Ogunlesi is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners LLC (together with its affiliates, GIP). In connection with his role at GIP, Mr. Ogunlesi is entitled to less than 5% of the total profit of the fund that participated in the following transactions, and he also has a direct or indirect interest in such fund amounting to less than 0.02% of such fund.

In March 2022, Goldman Sachs acted as an underwriter in an approximately $301 million public common stock offering for a company in which a fund managed by GIP was a selling stockholder. Such fund received approximately $145 million of the proceeds of the offering. In addition, in April 2022, Goldman Sachs acted as an underwriter in an approximately $400 million private debt offering for a company in which a fund managed by GIP is an investor. Such fund received approximately $200 million of the proceeds of the offering, which were used to fund a repurchase of units in the company owned by such fund. In each of these transactions, Goldman Sachs’ relationship with this company pre-dates GIP’s investment therein. In addition, in connection with a transaction that closed in October 2022, Goldman Sachs provided a £200 million equity bridge loan to a third-party client, the proceeds of which were used by the client to acquire an equity interest from GIP in an infrastructure asset in an approximately £415 million transaction.

Each of these transactions was conducted and all of these services were provided on an arm’s-length basis.

During 2022, Goldman Sachs continued its consulting relationship with the company for which the spouse of Mr. Rogers serves as CEO and managing partner; the service agreement provides for annual fees of approximately $1 million for the provision of advice and insights in support of the firm’s business strategy in China. This consulting relationship was entered into on an arm’s-length basis.

 

We take very seriously any actual or perceived conflict of interests, and critically evaluate all potential transactions and relationships that may involve directors or executive officers or entities affiliated with them.

Mr. Mittal is the Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal S.A. and beneficially owns (directly and indirectly) approximately 37% of the outstanding common shares of ArcelorMittal. Goldman Sachs provides ordinary course financial advisory, lending, investment banking, trading (such as acting as a commodities derivative counter-party from time to time) and other financial services to ArcelorMittal and its affiliates, including as described below.

Goldman Sachs participates in a $5.5 billion five-year revolving credit facility for ArcelorMittal, which facility was extended during 2019. Under this $5.5 billion facility, Goldman Sachs has agreed to lend to ArcelorMittal up to $170 million at an interest rate of Libor + 55 basis points (which rate may vary depending on ArcelorMittal’s credit ratings). Goldman Sachs currently has no loan outstanding under this facility.

Goldman Sachs also participates in a $1 billion five-year asset-backed revolving credit facility for a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, which facility was refinanced in 2019. Under this facility, the firm has agreed to lend up to $75 million at an interest rate of Libor + 125 to 175 basis (varying depending on a fixed charge coverage ratio). Goldman Sachs currently has no loan outstanding under this facility.

Goldman Sachs also participates in a $4.8 billion acquisition bridge facility, pursuant to which the firm has agreed to lend to an acquisition joint venture up to approximately $252 million (repayment of which is guaranteed by ArcelorMittal) at an interest rate of Libor + 50 basis points (which rate will increase depending on the bridge facility’s time to maturity); this facility currently is partially drawn, resulting in an approximately $206 million loan from Goldman Sachs under this facility.

Goldman Sachs also participates in a $182.5 million credit facility for an entity in which ArcelorMittal is an approximately 31% shareholder, which facility was amended in 2019. Under the facility, Goldman Sachs has agreed to lend up to approximately $22.5 million at an interest rate of Libor + 450 basis points. The facility is currently partially drawn, resulting in an approximately $14.8 million loan from Goldman Sachs outstanding under this facility.

In July 2019, the firm acted as underwriter in a dual-tranche $1.25 billion public debt offering for ArcelorMittal. In addition, in November 2019, the firm acted as underwriter in a dual-tranche1.5 billion public debt offering.

Each of these transactions was conducted on, and all of these services were provided on, anarm’s-length basis.

Mr. Ogunlesi is the Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners LLC (together with its affiliates, GIP). In connection with his role at GIP, Mr. Ogunlesi is entitled to less than 5% of the total profit of the fund that participated in the following transactions, and he also has a direct or indirect interest in such fund amounting to less than 0.02% of such fund. During 2019, Goldman Sachs acted as an advisor to a portfolio company of GIP in connection with, and participated as a bookrunner, arranger and/or dealer manager in various financing elements of, a capital restructuring of the portfolio company. Goldman Sachs’ relationship with this companypre-dates GIP’s investment therein, and this capital restructuring follows from the firm’s role as an underwriter in the company’s 2017 initial public offering.Shareholders

Among other things, this capital restructuring consisted of a conversion from a master limited partnership into an“Up-C” structure, the repayment of approximately $312 million of borrowings under existing credit facilities and retirement of such facilities, an exchange of approximately $800 million of debt, the issuance of approximately $550 million of debt in a public offering and the entry into a $1 billion secured revolving credit facility and $400 million secured term loan facility. As consideration in connection with this capital restructuring, a fund managed by GIP received approximately $300 million.

Each of these transactions were conducted on, and these services were provided on, anarm’s-length basis.

Goldman Sachs has a consulting relationship with a company for which the spouse of Mr. Rogers serves as CEO and founding partner; the service agreement has been in effect since July 2015 and provides for annual fees of approximately $1 million to provide advice and insights in support of the firm’s business strategy in China. This consulting relationship was entered into on anarm’s-length basis.

For information on transactions involving Goldman Sachs, on the one hand, and BlackRock, Inc., State Street Corporation or The Vanguard Group, on the other, see footnotes (a), (b) and (c) under Beneficial Ownership—Beneficial Owners of More than Five Percent.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS—CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

 

 

Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

The following table contains certain information, as of February 27, 2023, regarding beneficial ownership of Common Stock by each director, nominee and NEO, as well as by all directors, nominees, NEOs and other executive officers as a group as of such date. The table below contains information regarding ownership not only of our Common Stock, but also of vested RSUs where applicable. It does not include PSUs, unvested RSUs or SVC Awards.

 

    FAMILY MEMBER EMPLOYMENT
   Name

Number of Shares of Common   
Stock Beneficially Owned
(a)(b)

 

Children

     David Solomon(c)

     131,989

     John Waldron(c)

       76,683

     Denis Coleman(c)

       66,956

     Philip Berlinski(c)

       50,635

     Kathryn Ruemmler(c)

       11,611

     Michele Burns

       25,470

     Drew Faust

         6,473

     Mark Flaherty

       16,434

     Kimberley Harris

         1,673

     Kevin Johnson

            321

     Ellen Kullman

       12,130

     Lakshmi Mittal

       51,701

     Adebayo Ogunlesi

       28,588

     Peter Oppenheimer

       23,535

     Jan Tighe

         6,110

     Jessica Uhl

         1,811

     David Viniar(c)

     973,182

     Mark Winkelman

     108,556

     All directors, nominees, NEOs and other executive officers as a group (22 persons)(e)

  1,811,270

(a)

For purposes of Messrs. Scherrthis table and Viniar were employed by the firm as non-executive employees during 2019 and received compensation (consistingBeneficial Owners of base salary and incentive compensation) for their most recent annual performance period of lessMore than $200,000 and less than $375,000, respectively.

In each case, the amount of compensation wasFive Percent table below, “beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with our standard compensation practices applicableRule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, pursuant to similarly-situated employees.which a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares of Common Stock that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date of determination. In light of the nature of vested RSUs, we have also included in this table shares of Common Stock underlying vested RSUs. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock held by each person or group of persons named above, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days (as well as the shares of Common Stock underlying vested RSUs) are deemed to be outstanding but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

 

The shares of Common Stock underlying vested RSUs included in the table above are as follows:

   Name

 RSUs

      David Solomon(c)

 0

 

 5% SHAREHOLDERS

 

      John Waldron(c)

 0

      Denis Coleman(c)

   27,627

      Philip Berlinski(c)

   18,524

      Kathryn Ruemmler(c)

 0

      Michele Burns

   25,470

      Drew Faust

     6,473

      Mark Flaherty

   15,419

      Kimberley Harris

     1,673

      Kevin Johnson

        321

      Ellen Kullman

   12,130

      Lakshmi Mittal

   36,701

      Adebayo Ogunlesi

   26,588

      Peter Oppenheimer

   21,535

      Jan Tighe

     6,110

      Jessica Uhl

     1,811

      David Viniar(d)

   20,778

      Mark Winkelman

   18,556

      All directors, nominees, NEOs and other executive officers as a group (22 persons)(e)

 261,924

(b)

Except as discussed in footnotes (c) and (d) below, all of our directors, nominees, NEOs and other executive officers have sole voting power and sole dispositive power over all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them. No individual director, nominee, NEO or other executive officer beneficially owned in excess of 1% of the outstanding Common Stock as of February 27, 2023. The group consisting of all directors, nominees, NEOs and other executive officers as of February 27, 2023 beneficially owned approximately 0.54% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (0.46% not including vested RSUs as of such date).

(c)

Excludes any shares of Common Stock subject to our Shareholders’ Agreement that are owned by other parties to our Shareholders’ Agreement. As of February 27, 2023, each of Messrs. Solomon and Waldron was a party to our Shareholders’ Agreement and a member of our Shareholders’ Committee; however, each disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock subject to our Shareholders’ Agreement other than those specified above for each NEO individually. For information on transactions involvinga discussion of our Shareholders’ Agreement, see Frequently Asked Questions—How is voting affected by shareholders who participate in certain Goldman Sachs onPartner Compensation plans?

Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by our NEOs indirectly through certain estate planning vehicles of our NEOs for which voting power and dispositive power is shared, through family trusts, the one hand,sole beneficiaries of which are immediate family members of our NEOs, and through private charitable foundations of which our NEOs are trustees, as follows: Mr. Solomon – 16,970 shares, Mr. Coleman – 3,874 shares and Mr. Berlinski – 6,995 shares; similarly, with respect to Mr. Viniar – 318,979 shares. Each NEO or Mr. Viniar, as applicable, shares voting power and dispositive power over these shares and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in family trusts and private charitable foundations.

(d)

All RSUs held by Mr. Viniar were received as compensation for his service as a director.

(e)

Includes an aggregate of 123,186 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by these individuals indirectly through certain estate planning vehicles for which voting power and dispositive power is shared, an aggregate of 149,273 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by family trusts, the sole beneficiaries of which are immediate family members of these individuals and an aggregate of 133,979 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the private charitable foundations of which certain of these individuals are trustees. Each of these individuals shares voting power and dispositive power over these shares and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in family trusts and private charitable foundations.

Each current executive officer is a party to our Shareholders’ Agreement and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock subject to our Shareholders’ Agreement that are owned by other parties to our Shareholders’ Agreement.

See Compensation Matters—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Other Compensation Policies and Practices for a discussion of our executive stock ownership guidelines and retention requirements.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Beneficial Owners of More than Five Percent

Based on filings made under Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Exchange Act, as of February 27, 2023, the only persons known by us to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of Common Stock were as follows:

    Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 Number of Shares
 of Common Stock
 Beneficially Owned (#)       

 Percent
 of Class (%)   

BlackRock, Inc.,

    55 East 52nd Street

    New York, New York 10055

   23,301,183(a)  6.98%

    State Street Corporation or

    State Street Financial Center

    One Lincoln Street

    Boston, Massachusetts 02111

   20,766,479(b)  6.22%

    The Vanguard Group on the other, see footnotes (a), (b) and (c) underBeneficial OwnershipBeneficial Owners of More Than Five Percent.

Prior to December 31, 2019, as set forth in    100 Vanguard Blvd.

    Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

   29,524,710(c)  8.85%

(a)

This information has been derived from the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14,5, 2013, Amendment No. 1 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 4, 2014, Amendment No. 2 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 9, 2015, Amendment No. 3 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 10, 2016, Amendment No. 4 to such filing filed with the SEC on January 24, 2017, Amendment No. 5 to such filing filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018, Amendment No. 6 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 4, 2019, Amendment No. 7 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 5, 2020, Amendment No. 8 to such filing filed with the SEC on January 29, 2021, Amendment No. 9 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 1, 2022 and Amendment No. 10 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 7, 2023 by BlackRock, Inc. and certain subsidiaries. We and our affiliates engage in ordinary course trading, brokerage, asset management or other transactions or arrangements with, and provide ordinary course investment banking, lending or other financial services to, BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates, related entities and clients. These transactions are negotiated on arm’s-length bases and contain customary terms and conditions. Affiliates of BlackRock, Inc. are investment managers for certain investment options under our 401(k) Plan, certain GS Pension Plan assets and certain tax qualified plans for employees of certain of our affiliates, including The 401(k) Savings Plan. In the case of The 401(k) Savings Plan, a third-party investment manager who is not affiliated with GS is responsible for fund selection and selected the BlackRock mutual fund. BlackRock’s affiliates’ engagement is unrelated to BlackRock’s Common Stock ownership. In addition, their fees resulted from arm’s-length negotiations, and we believe they are reasonable in amount and reflect market terms and conditions.

(b)

This information has been derived from the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2021, Amendment No. 1 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 14, 2020, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. was a beneficial owner of more than 5% of Common Stock,2022 and asAmendment No. 2 to such was considered a “related person” pursuant tofiling filed with the SEC ruleson February 6, 2023 by State Street Corporation and regulations during a portion of 2019.certain subsidiaries. We and our affiliates providedprovide ordinary course financial advisory, lending, investment banking and other financial services to, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.and engage in ordinary course trading, brokerage, asset management (including State Street’s role as fund administrator for certain of our funds) or other transactions or arrangements with State Street Corporation and its affiliates, related entities and related entities.clients. These transactions wereare negotiated onarm’s-length bases and contain customary terms and conditions. State Street Global Advisors is an investment manager for certain investment options under our 401(k) Plan. State Street Global Advisors’ engagements are unrelated to State Street’s Common Stock ownership. Their fees resulted from arm’s-length negotiations, and we believe they are reasonable in amount and reflect market terms and conditions.

(c)

This information has been derived from the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2016, Amendment No. 1 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 13, 2017, Amendment No. 2 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018, Amendment No. 3 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019, Amendment No. 4 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020, Amendment No. 5 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 10, 2021, Amendment No. 6 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 9, 2022 and Amendment No. 7 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 9, 2023 by The Vanguard Group and certain subsidiaries. We and our affiliates engage in ordinary course trading, arrangements relating to the placement of the firm’s investment funds or other transactions or arrangements with, and may from time to time provide other ordinary course lending or other financial services to, The Vanguard Group and its affiliates, related entities and clients. These transactions are negotiated on arm’s-length bases and contain customary terms and conditions. The Vanguard Group is an investment manager to mutual funds that are investment options in our 401(k) Plan and certain tax qualified plans for employees of certain of our affiliates, including The 401(k) Savings Plan, the GreenSky Trade Credit LLC 401(k) Plan and the NN Investment Partners North America LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. The selection of the Vanguard mutual funds as investment options for each plan is unrelated to Vanguard’s Common Stock ownership. In the case of The 401(k) Savings Plan and the GreenSky Trade Credit LLC 401(k) Plan, a third-party investment manager who is not affiliated with GS is responsible for fund selection and selected the Vanguard mutual funds. We believe that the fees paid to The Vanguard Group through the Vanguard mutual funds are the same as the fees that are paid by the other holders of the same share classes of those funds.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional Information

How to Contact Us

Across our shareholder base there is a wide variety of viewpoints about matters affecting our firm. We meet and speak with our shareholders and other stakeholders throughout the year. Board-level engagement is led by our Lead Director and may include other directors as appropriate.

 

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP—BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF   OUR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

 

Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

The following table contains certain information, as of March 2, 2020, regarding beneficial ownership of Common Stock by each director and each NEO, as well as by all directors, NEOs and other executive officers as a group as of such date. The table below contains information regarding ownership not only of our Common Stock, but also of vested RSUs where applicable. It does not include PSUs.

    

NAME

NUMBER OF SHARES

OF COMMON STOCK

     BENEFICIALLY  OWNED(a)(b)

David Solomon(c)

163,754

John Waldron(c)

110,631

Stephen Scherr(c)

117,786

John Rogers(c)

160,508

Karen Seymour(c)

31,232

Michele Burns

22,256

Drew Faust

3,259

Mark Flaherty

13,222

Ellen Kullman

7,761

Lakshmi Mittal

47,564

Adebayo Ogunlesi

24,219

Peter Oppenheimer

19,166

Jan Tighe

2,245

David Viniar(c)(d)

1,027,032

Mark Winkelman

104,187

All directors, NEOs and other executive officers as a group (19 persons)(d)

2,052,112

(a)

For purposes of this table and the Beneficial Owners of More than Five Percent table below, “beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule13d-3 under the Exchange Act, pursuant to which a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares of Common Stock that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date of determination. In light of the nature of vested RSUs, we have also included in this table shares of Common Stock underlying vested RSUs. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock held by each person or group of persons named above, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days (as well as the shares of Common Stock underlying vested RSUs) are deemed to be outstanding but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP—BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERSINVESTOR RELATIONS

 

 

 The shares of Common Stock underlying vested RSUs included in the table above are as follows:

 

NAME

           RSUS            

David Solomon(c)

0

John Waldron(c)

0

Stephen Scherr(c)

0

John Rogers(c)

38,113

Karen Seymour(c)

27,739

Michele Burns

22,256

Drew Faust

3,259

Mark Flaherty

12,205

Ellen Kullman

7,761

Lakshmi Mittal

32,564

Adebayo Ogunlesi

22,219

Peter Oppenheimer

17,166

Jan Tighe

2,245

David Viniar(c)(d)

17,564

Mark Winkelman

14,187

All directors, NEOs and other executive officers as a group (19 persons)(e)

305,134

    

(b)

Except as discussed in footnotes (c) and (d) below, all of our directors, NEOs and other executive officers have sole voting power and sole dispositive power over all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them. No individual director, NEO or other executive officer beneficially owned in excess of 1% of the outstanding Common Stock as of March 2, 2020. The group consisting of all directors, NEOs and other executive officers as of March 2, 2020 beneficially owned approximately 0.60% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (0.51% not including vested RSUs) as of such date.

(c)

Excludes any shares of Common Stock subject to our Shareholders’ Agreement that are owned by other parties to our Shareholders’ Agreement. As of March 2, 2020, each of Messrs. Solomon, Waldron and Scherr was a party to our Shareholders’ Agreement and a member of our Shareholders’ Committee; however, each disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock subject to our Shareholders’ Agreement, other than those specified above for each NEO individually. SeeFrequently Asked QuestionsHow is voting affected by shareholders who participate in certain Goldman Sachs Partner Compensation plans? for a discussion of our Shareholders’ Agreement.

Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by our NEOs indirectly through certain estate planning vehicles of our NEOs for which voting power and dispositive power is shared, through family trusts, the sole beneficiaries of which are immediate family members of our NEOs, and through private charitable foundations of which our NEOs are trustees, as follows: Mr. Solomon—22,980 shares and Mr. Rogers—21,471 shares; similarly, with respect to Mr. Viniar—332,043 shares. Each NEO or Mr. Viniar, as applicable, shares voting power and dispositive power over these shares and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in family trusts and private charitable foundations.

(d)

All RSUs held by Mr. Viniar were received as compensation for his service as anon-employee director.

(e)

Includes an aggregate of 123,186 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by these individuals indirectly through certain estate planning vehicles for which voting power and dispositive power is shared, an aggregate of 140,031 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by family trusts, the sole beneficiaries of which are immediate family members of these individuals and an aggregate of 138,609 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the private charitable foundations of which certain of these individuals are trustees. Each of these individuals shares voting power and dispositive power over these shares and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in family trusts and private charitable foundations.

Each current executive officer is a party to our Shareholders’ Agreement and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock subject to our Shareholders’ Agreement that are owned by other parties to our Shareholders’ Agreement.

SeeCompensation Matters—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Other Compensation Policies and Practices for a discussion of our executive stock ownership guidelines and retention requirements.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        75


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP—BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENTBUSINESS INTEGRITY PROGRAM

 

 

Beneficial Owners of More Than Five Percent

Based on filings made under Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Exchange Act, as of March 2, 2020, the only persons known by us to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of Common Stock were as follows:

 

 
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER

NUMBER OF SHARES

OF COMMON STOCK
    BENEFICIALLY OWNED    

    PERCENT    
    OF CLASS     
(%)

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10022

19,807,826(a)

5.76

State Street Corporation

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

20,061,829(b)

5.83

The Vanguard Group

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

24,931,160(c)

7.25

 

(a)

This information has been derived from the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 5, 2013, Amendment No. 1 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 4, 2014, Amendment No. 2 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 9, 2015, Amendment No. 3 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 10, 2016, Amendment No. 4 to such filing filed with the SEC on January 24, 2017, Amendment No. 5 to such filing filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018, Amendment No. 6 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 4, 2019 and Amendment No. 7 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 5, 2020 by BlackRock, Inc. and certain subsidiaries. We and our affiliates engage in ordinary course trading, brokerage, asset management or other transactions or arrangements with, and provide ordinary course investment banking, lending or other financial services to, BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates, related entities and clients. These transactions are negotiated onarm’s-length bases and contain customary terms and conditions. Affiliates of BlackRock, Inc. are investment managers for certain investment options under our 401(k) Plan and certain GS Pension Plan assets. BlackRock’s affiliates’ engagement is unrelated to BlackRock’s Common Stock ownership. In addition, their fees resulted fromarm’s-length negotiations, and we believe they are reasonable in amount and reflect market terms and conditions.

 

(b)

This information has been derived from the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2020 by State Street Corporation and certain subsidiaries. We and our affiliates provide ordinary course financial advisory, lending, investment banking and other financial services to, and engage in ordinary course trading, brokerage, asset management or other transactions or arrangements with, State Street Corporation and its affiliates, related entities and clients. These transactions are negotiated onarm’s-length bases and contain customary terms and conditions. State Street Bank and Trust Company was trustee and a custodian for each of our 401(k) Plan and the GS Pension Plan up to September 30, 2019. State Street Global Advisors is an investment manager for certain investment options under our 401(k) Plan and previously certain assets in the GS Pension Plan. State Street Bank and Trust Company’s and State Street Global Advisors’ engagements are unrelated to State Street’s Common Stock ownership. Their fees resulted fromarm’s-length negotiations, and we believe they are reasonable in amount and reflect market terms and conditions.

(c)

This information has been derived from the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2016, Amendment No. 1 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 13, 2017, Amendment No. 2 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018, Amendment No. 3 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019 and Amendment No. 4 to such filing filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 by The Vanguard Group and certain subsidiaries. We and our affiliates engage in ordinary course trading, arrangements relating to the placement of the firm’s investment funds, or other transactions or arrangements with, and may from time to time provide other ordinary course investment banking or other financial services to, The Vanguard Group and its affiliates, related entities and clients. These transactions are negotiated onarm’s-length bases and contain customary terms and conditions. The Vanguard Group is an investment manager to mutual funds that are investment options in our 401(k) Plan and certain tax qualified plans maintained by certain of our affiliates. The selection of the Vanguard mutual funds as investment options for each plan is unrelated to Vanguard’s Common Stock ownership. In the case of The 401(k) Savings Plan, a third-party investment manager who is not affiliated with GS is responsible for fund selection and selected the Vanguard mutual fund. We believe that the fees paid to The Vanguard Group through the Vanguard mutual fund are the same as the fees that are paid by the other holders of the same share class of that fund.

76        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Communicate with our directors,


including our Lead Director,

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONCommittee Chairs or Independent

Directors as a group

 

Mail correspondence to:

Additional InformationJohn F.W. Rogers

HowSecretary to Contact Usthe Board of Directors

AcrossThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Reach out to our shareholder base there is a wide variety of viewpoints about matters affecting our firm. We meet and speak with our shareholders and other stakeholders throughout the year. Board-level engagement is led by our Lead Director, and may include other directors as appropriate.Investor Relations

team at any time

 

OUR DIRECTORS

INVESTOR RELATIONS

BUSINESS INTEGRITY PROGRAM

Communicate with our directors,
including our Lead Director,

Committee Chairs or Independent

Directors as a group

Mail correspondence to:

John F.W. Rogers

Secretary to the Board of Directors

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Reach out to our Investor

Relations team at any time

Email:

gs-investor-relations@gs.com

Phone:

(+1)212-902-0300

You may contact us, or any member of
our Board upon request, in each case in a
confidential or anonymous manner, through
the firm’s reporting hotline under our
Policy on Reporting of Concerns Regarding
Accounting and Other Matters

Phone:

(+1)866-520-4056

Policy is available on our website at

www.gs.com/business-integrity-program

Email:

gs-investor-relations@gs.com

Phone:

(+1) 212-902-0300

You may contact us, or any member

of our Board upon request, in each case

in a confidential or anonymous manner,

through the firm’s reporting hotline under our Policy on Reporting of Concerns

Regarding Accounting and Other Matters

Phone:

(+1) 866-520-4056

Policy is available on our website

atwww.gs.com/business-integrity-program

 

Corporate Governance and Other Materials Available on our Website

On our website (www.gs.com/shareholders) under the heading “Corporate Governance,” you can find, among other things, our:

Restated Certificate of Incorporation

Amended and Restated By-Laws

Corporate Governance Materials Available on our WebsiteGuidelines

On our website (www.gs.com/shareholders) under the heading “Corporate Governance,” you can find, among other things, our:Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Policy Regarding Director Independence Determinations

Restated Certificate of Incorporation

Amended and RestatedBy-Laws

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Policy Regarding Director Independence Determinations

 

Charters of our Audit, Compensation, Governance, Public Responsibilities and Risk Committees

Compensation Principles

Statement on Policy Engagement and Political Participation

Information about our Business Integrity Program, including our Policy on Reporting of Concerns Regarding Accounting and Other Matters

Sustainability Report and Environmental Policy Framework

Report on Vesting of Equity-Based Awards Due to Voluntary Resignation to Enter Government Service

Statement on Human Rights and Statement on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Business Principles

Business Standards Committee Report and Business Standards Committee: Impact Report

Information on our website is not, and will not be deemed to be, a part of this Proxy Statement or incorporated into any of our other filings with the SEC.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        77


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Compensation-Related Litigation

The following description is as of March 20, 2020:

On May 9, 2017, Goldman Sachs and certain of its current and former directors were named as defendants in an action brought by a shareholder in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The complaint, which asserts derivative claims purportedly on behalf of Goldman Sachs and direct claims on behalf of the shareholder-plaintiff, alleges, among other things, that the director defendants breached their fiduciary duties by approving excessivenon-employee director compensation since 2015, including because such compensation is the highest among the firm’s U.S. Peers. A copy of the plaintiff’s complaint is available athttps://www.goldmansachs.com/litigation/2017nedderivative.pdf. On May 31, 2019, the court dismissed part of plaintiff’s claims. On February 28, 2020, the parties proposed settlement of the action and filed modified settlement papers on March 3, 2020. The settlement will require court approval. Shareholder notice of the proposed settlement, which also is required, is being distributed with this proxy statement. A copy of the notice is available atwww.gs.com/noticeofsettlement. As part of the proposed settlement we have agreed to certain changes to ourNon-Employee Director Compensation Program. For additional information, seeCompensationMatters—Non-Employee Director Compensation Program.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of our Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of Goldman Sachs. No member of our Compensation Committee or our Board is or has been in 2019 an executive officer of another entity at which one of our executive officers serves or has in 2019 served on either the board of directors or the compensation committee. For information about related person transactions involving members of our Compensation Committee, seeCertain Relationships and Related Transactions.

Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership of, and transactions in, our equity securities with the SEC. Our directors and executive officers are also required to furnish us with copies of all such Section 16(a) reports if not filed by the firm on their behalf. The reports are published on our website atwww.gs.com/shareholders.

Based on a review of the copies of these reports, and on written representations from our reporting persons, we believe that all such Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our directors and executive officers were complied with during 2019.

Incorporation by Reference

Only the following sections of this Proxy Statement shall be deemed incorporated by reference into our 2019 Annual Report on Form10-K in response to Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 thereof: Corporate Governance—Item 1. Election of Directors—Our Directors; Corporate Governance—Item 1. Election of Directors—Independence of Directors; Corporate Governance—Structure of our Board and Governance Practices—Our Board Committees—Audit; Compensation Matters—Compensation Discussion and Analysis; Compensation Matters—Executive Compensation; Compensation Matters—Compensation Committee Report; Compensation Matters—Pay Ratio Disclosure; CompensationMatters—Non-Employee Director Compensation Program; Audit Matters—Item 3. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020; Certain Relationships and Related Transactions; Beneficial Ownership; Additional Information—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation; Additional Information—Section 16(a) Reports; Frequently Asked Questions—How do I obtain more information about Goldman Sachs? and Frequently Asked Questions—How can I submit nominees (such as through proxy access) or shareholder proposals in accordance with ourBy-Laws?

To the extent that this Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing by Goldman Sachs under either the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the sections of this Proxy Statement entitled “Report of our Compensation Committee” and “Report of our Audit, Committee” (to the extent permitted by the rulesCompensation, Governance, Public Responsibilities and Risk Committees

Compensation Principles

Statement on Policy Engagement and Political Participation

Information about our Business Integrity Program, including our Policy on Reporting of the SEC)Concerns Regarding Accounting and the court documentsOther Matters

Sustainability Reporting (including Sustainability, People Strategy, SASB and TCFD reporting) and Environmental Policy Framework

Audit Report: Goldman Sachs’ Efforts To Advance Equity and Opportunity for Underserved Communities

Report on Review of Arbitration Program

Report on Vesting of Equity-Based Awards Due to which we refer under —Compensation-Related Litigation,Voluntary Resignation to Enter Government Service

Statement on Human Rights and Statement on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Business Principles

References to our website or other links to our publications or other information are provided for the convenience of our shareholders. None of the information or data included on our websites or accessible at these links is incorporated into, and will not be deemed to be a part of, this Proxy Statement or any of our other filings with the SEC.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

103


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of our Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of Goldman Sachs. No member of our Compensation Committee or our Board is, or was in 2022, an executive officer of another entity at which one of our executive officers serves, or served in 2022, on either the board of directors or the compensation committee. For information about related person transactions involving members of our Compensation Committee, see Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership of, and transactions in, our equity securities with the SEC. Our directors and executive officers are also required to furnish us with copies of all such Section 16(a) reports if not filed by the firm on their behalf. The reports are published on our website at www.gs.com/shareholders.

Based on a review of the copies of these reports, and on written representations from our reporting persons, we believe that all such reports that were required to be filed under Section 16(a) during 2022 were timely filed other than a Form 4 filing for Ericka Leslie relating to a sale of Common Stock, which was filed late due to an administrative error and was corrected promptly following the identification of the error.

Incorporation by Reference

Only the following sections of this Proxy Statement shall be deemed incorporated by reference into our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K in response to Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 thereof: Corporate Governance—Item 1. Election of Directors—Our Directors; Corporate Governance—Item 1. Election of Directors—Independence of Directors; Corporate Governance—Structure of our Board and Governance Practices—Our Board Committees—Audit; Compensation Matters—Compensation Discussion and Analysis; Compensation Matters—Executive Compensation; Compensation Matters—Compensation Committee Report; Compensation Matters—Pay Ratio Disclosure; Compensation Matters—Director Compensation Program; Audit Matters—Item 4. Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2023; Certain Relationships and Related Transactions; Beneficial Ownership; Additional Information—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation; Additional Information— Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports; Frequently Asked Questions—How do I obtain more information about Goldman Sachs? and Frequently Asked Questions—How can I submit nominees (such as through proxy access) or shareholder proposals in accordance with our By-Laws?

To the extent that this Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing by Goldman Sachs under either the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the sections of this Proxy Statement entitled “Compensation Committee Report” and “Report of our Audit Committee” (to the extent permitted by the rules of the SEC) will not be deemed incorporated into any such filing, unless specifically provided otherwise in such filing.

Other Business

As of the date hereof, there are no other matters that our Board intends to present, or has reason to believe others will present, at our Annual Meeting. If other matters come before our Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment with respect to such matters.

 

104

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        

78        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common terms and acronyms used in this Proxy Statement?

 

Annual Meeting

Goldman Sachs Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 26, 2023

BVPS

Book Value Per Common Share

By-Laws

Amended and Restated By-Laws

CD&A

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

CET1

Common equity tier one capital

CLO

Chief Legal Officer

Common Stock

Common shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

CRO

Chief Risk Officer

EPS

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

ESG

Environmental, social and governance

Exchange Act

U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Executive
Leadership Team

Our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), our Chief Operating Officer (COO) and our Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Goldman Sachs, our firm,
we, us, GS and our

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries

Governance Committee

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

GS Gives

Goldman Sachs Gives

HCM

Human Capital Management

IR

Investor Relations

NEO

Named Executive Officer. For 2022, our NEOs are: David Solomon, John Waldron, Denis Coleman, Philip Berlinski and Kathryn Ruemmler

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange

Peers

Our Peers consist of our U.S. Peers (Bank of America Corporation (BAC), Citigroup Inc. (C), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Morgan Stanley (MS), The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BK) and Wells Fargo & Company (WFC)) and our European Peers (Barclays PLC (BARC), Credit Suisse Group AG (CS), Deutsche Bank AG (DB) and UBS Group AG (UBS))

PMD

Participating Managing Director

Proxy Statement

Goldman Sachs Proxy Statement filed with the SEC in connection with the 2023 Annual Meeting

PSU

Performance-based RSU

PwC

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

ROE

Return on Average Common Shareholders’ Equity

ROTE

Return on Average Tangible Common Shareholders’ Equity

RSU

Restricted stock unit

Say on Pay Vote

Our annual advisory vote to approve NEO compensation

SEC

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Shares at Risk

Shares (generally after applicable tax withholding) that are subject to transfer restrictions, which generally prohibit the sale, transfer, hedging or pledging of underlying Shares at Risk, even if the NEO leaves our firm (subject to limited exceptions)

SVC Awards

Shareholder Value Creation Awards

TSR

Total Shareholder Return, including dividends reinvested without payment of any commission

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common terms and acronyms used in this Proxy Statement?

105


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

ANNUAL MEETING

When and where is our Annual Meeting?

We will be holding our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., Dallas time, at the Fairmont Dallas, located at 1717 N. Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. Upon arrival, please follow Annual Meeting signage for security and entry into the meeting.

How can I attend our Annual Meeting?

Shareholders as of the record date and/or their authorized representatives are permitted to attend our Annual Meeting in person by following the procedures in our Proxy Statement. Our Annual Meeting is handicap accessible, and hearing devices will be available upon request.

Will our Annual Meeting be webcast?

Our Annual Meeting will be available through an audio-only webcast, which will be accessible to the public at www.gs.com/proxymaterials. Anyone can listen to the Annual Meeting through the webcast, but you will not be able to participate in the meeting.

What is included in our proxy materials?

Our proxy materials, which are available on our website at www.gs.com/proxymaterials, include:

 

Our Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders;  

Goldman Sachs Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held virtually, via the Internet, on April 30, 2020

BVPS

Book Value Per Common Share

BY-LAWS

Amended and RestatedBy-Laws

CD&A

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

CET1

Common equity tier one capital ratio

COMMON STOCK

Common shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

CRO

Chief Risk Officer

EPS

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

ESG

Environmental, social and governance

EUROPEAN PEERS

Barclays PLC (BARC), Credit Suisse Group AG (CS), Deutsche Bank AG (DB) and UBS Group AG (UBS)

EVP

Executive Vice President

EXCHANGE ACT

U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

EXECUTIVE

LEADERSHIP TEAM, ELT

Our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), our Chief Operating Officer (COO) and our Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

FW COOK

Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.

GOLDMAN SACHS, OUR

FIRM, WE, US, GS AND OUR

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

GS GIVES

Goldman Sachs Gives

HCM

Human Capital Management

IR

Investor Relations

NEO

Named Executive Officer. For 2019, our NEOs are: David Solomon, John Waldron, Stephen Scherr, John Rogers and Karen Seymour

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange

PMD

Participating Managing Director

PROXY STATEMENT

Goldman Sachs Proxy Statement filed with the SEC in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting

PSU

Performance-based RSU

PWC

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

ROE

Return on Average Common Shareholders’ Equity

ROTE

Return on Average Tangible Common Shareholders’ Equity

RSU

Restricted stock unit

SAY ON PAY VOTE

Our annual advisory vote to approve NEO compensation

SEC

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

SHARES AT RISK

Shares (after applicable tax withholding) that are subject tofive-year transfer restrictions calculated based on the grant date, which generally prohibit the sale, transfer, hedging or pledging of underlying Shares at Risk, even if the NEO leaves our firm (subject to limited exceptions)

TSR

Total Shareholder Return, including dividends reinvested without payment of any commission

U.S. PEERS

Bank of America Corporation (BAC), Citigroup Inc. (C), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and Morgan Stanley (MS)

 

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        79
Our Proxy Statement; and


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

When and where is our Annual Meeting?

We will be holding our Annual Meeting virtually, on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 8:30 a.m., New York time, via the Internet atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020.

In light of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak, for the safety of all of our people, including our shareholders, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the 2020 Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, with no physical in-person meeting.

At our virtual Annual Meeting, shareholders will be able to attend, vote and submit questions via the Internet. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in these proxy materials. Additional information can also be found atwww.gs.com/proxymaterials.

How can I attend our Annual Meeting?

Shareholders as of the record date may attend, vote and submit questions virtually at our Annual Meeting by logging in atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020. To log in, shareholders (or their authorized representatives) will need the control number provided on their proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice. If you are not a shareholder or do not have a control number, you may still access the meeting as a guest, but you will not be able to participate.

Can I ask questions at the virtual Annual Meeting?

Shareholders as of our record date who attend and participate in our virtual Annual Meeting atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020 will have an opportunity to submit questions live via the Internet during a designated portion of the meeting. These shareholders may also submit a question in advance of the Annual Meeting atwww.proxyvote.com. In both cases, shareholders must have available their control number provided on their proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice.

What is included in our proxy materials?

Our proxy materials, which are available on our website atwww.gs.com/proxymaterials, include:

Our Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders;

Our Proxy Statement;

Our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders; and

Notice of Settlement of Stockholder Derivative Action.

If you received printed versions of these materials by mail (rather than through electronic delivery), these materials also included a proxy card or voting instruction form.

How are we distributing our proxy materials?

To expedite delivery, reduce our costs and decrease the environmental impact of our proxy materials, we used “Notice and Access” in accordance with an SEC rule that permits us to provide proxy materials to our shareholders over the Internet. By March 20, 2020, we sent a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to certain of our shareholders containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials online. If you received a Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials. The Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy via the Internet. If you received a Notice and would like to receive a copy of our proxy materials, follow the instructions contained in the Notice to request a copy electronically or in paper form on aone-time or ongoing basis. Shareholders who do not receive the Notice will continue to receive either a paper or electronic copy of our Proxy Statement and 20192022 Annual Report to Shareholders, which will be sent on or about March 24, 2020.

Who can vote at our Annual Meeting?

You can vote your shares of Common Stock at our Annual Meeting if you were a shareholder at the close of business on March 2, 2020, the record date for our Annual Meeting.

As of March 2, 2020, there were 343,873,745 shares of Common Stock outstanding, each of which entitles the holder to one vote for each matter to be voted on at our Annual Meeting.

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

Shareholder of Record.If your shares of Common Stock are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, you are considered a “shareholder of record” of those shares. You may contact our transfer agent (by regular mail or phone) at:

Computershare

P.O. Box 505000

Louisville, KY 40233-5000

U.S. and Canada:1-800-419-2595

International:1-201-680-6541

www.computershare.com

Shareholders.
80        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you received printed versions of these materials by mail (rather than through electronic delivery), these materials also included a proxy card or voting instruction form.

How are we distributing our proxy materials?

To expedite delivery, reduce our costs and decrease the environmental impact of our proxy materials, we used “Notice and Access” in accordance with an SEC rule that permits us to provide proxy materials to our shareholders over the Internet. By March 17, 2023, we sent a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to certain of our shareholders containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials online. If you received a Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials. The Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy via the Internet. If you received a Notice and would like to receive a copy of our proxy materials, follow the instructions contained in the Notice to request a copy electronically or in paper form on a one-time or ongoing basis. Shareholders who do not receive the Notice will continue to receive either a paper or electronic copy of our Proxy Statement and 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders, which will be sent on or about March 21, 2023.

How do I ask a question at our Annual Meeting?

Shareholders as of our record date who attend the Annual Meeting in person will be able to ask questions during the designated portion of our Annual Meeting, in accordance with our Rules of Conduct. Shareholders may be limited to three questions each to allow us the opportunity to answer other questions received.

How will proposals be presented at the Annual Meeting?

Our Chairman and CEO will chair our Annual Meeting and will present the Election of Directors and other management proposals as described herein. Each of the proponents of the shareholder proposals described herein (or their designated representative) will be provided with the opportunity to present their proposal in person at the meeting.

What do I need to bring to attend the Annual Meeting?

Photo Identification. Anyone wishing to gain admission to our Annual Meeting must provide a form of government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

Proof of Ownership

 

Shareholders of Record: No additional document regarding proof of ownership is required.

 

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If Name: You or your shares are held inrepresentative must bring an account at a bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealerstatement, voting instruction form or other similar organization, then you are a beneficial ownerlegal proxy as proof of your ownership of shares held in street name. In that case, you will have received these proxy materials fromas of the bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization holding your account and, as a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your bank,close of business on February 27, 2023.

Additional Documentation for an Authorized Representative. Any shareholder representative (for example, of an entity that is a shareholder) must also present satisfactory documentation evidencing his or her authority with respect to the shares.

We reserve the right to limit the number of representatives for any shareholder who may attend the meeting.

Failure to follow any of these procedures may delay your entry into or prevent you from being admitted to our Annual Meeting. Please contact Beverly O’Toole at 1-212-357-1584 or Beverly.OToole@gs.com at least five business days in advance of our Annual Meeting if you would like to confirm you have proper documentation or if you have other questions about attending our Annual Meeting.

106

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can vote at our Annual Meeting?

You can vote your shares of Common Stock at our Annual Meeting if you were a shareholder at the close of business on February 27, 2023, the record date for our Annual Meeting.

As of February 27, 2023, there were 333,794,818 shares of Common Stock outstanding, each of which entitles the holder to one vote for each matter to be voted on at our Annual Meeting.

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

Shareholder of Record. If your shares of Common Stock are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, you are considered a “shareholder of record” of those shares. You may contact our transfer agent (by regular mail or phone) at:

Computershare

P.O. Box 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

U.S. and Canada: 1-800-419-2595

International: 1-201-680-6541

www.computershare.com

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If your shares are held in an account at a bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization, then you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name. In that case, you will have received these proxy materials from the bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization holding your account and, as a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your bank, brokerage firm or similar organization as to how to vote the shares held in your account.

How do I vote?

To be valid, your vote by Internet, telephone or mail must be received by the deadline specified on the proxy card or voting information form, as applicable. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy in advance of the meeting.

 

 

IF YOU ARE A SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD

If You are a Shareholder of RecordIf You are a Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name

By Internet(a)
(24 hours a day)

www.proxyvote.comwww.proxyvote.com

By Telephone(a)
(24 hours a day)

1-800-690-69031-800-454-8683

By Mail

Return a properly executed and dated proxy card in the pre-paid envelope we have provided

 

IF YOU ARE A BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES

HELD IN STREET NAME

By Internet(a)

(24 hours a day)

www.proxyvote.comwww.proxyvote.com

By Telephone(a)

(24 hours a day)

1-800-690-69031-800-454-8683
By Mail

Return a properly executed and dated proxy card in thepre-paid envelope we have provided

Return a properly executed and dated voting instruction form by mail, depending upon the method(s) your bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization makes available

At our Annual Meeting(a)Shareholders who attend the virtual Annual Meeting should follow the instructions atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020 to vote during the meeting

Shareholders who attend the virtual Annual Meeting should follow the instructions atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020 to vote during the meeting

(a)

Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate shareholders’ identities, allow shareholders to give their voting instructions and confirm that shareholders’ instructions have been recorded properly. We have been advised that the Internet and telephone voting procedures that have been made available to you are consistent with applicable legal requirements. Shareholders voting by Internet or telephone should understand that, while we and Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge) do not charge any fees for voting by Internet or telephone, there may still be costs, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies, for which you are responsible.

Can I change my vote after I have voted?

You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at our Annual Meeting, subject to the voting deadlines that are described on the proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable.

You can revoke your vote:

By voting again by Internet or by telephone (only your last Internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the meeting will be counted);

By signing and returning a new proxy card with a later date;

By obtaining a “legal proxy” from your account representative at the bank, brokerage firm, broker- dealer or other similar organization through which you hold shares; or

By voting at the Annual Meeting.

You may also revoke your proxy by giving written notice of revocation to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, which must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 29, 2020. In light of disruptions

caused by the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak, if you intend to revoke your proxy by providing such written notice, we advise that you also send a copy via email toBeverly.OToole@gs.com.

If your shares are held in street name, we also recommend that you contact your broker, bank or other nominee for instructions on how to change or revoke your vote.

Can I confirm that my vote was cast in accordance with my instructions?

Shareholder of Record.Our shareholders have the opportunity to confirm that their vote was cast in accordance with their instructions. Vote confirmation is consistent with our commitment to sound corporate governance practices and a key means to increase transparency. Vote confirmation is available 24 hours after your vote is received beginning on April 15, 2020, with the final vote tabulation available through June 30, 2020. You may confirm your vote whether it was cast by proxy card, electronically or telephonically. To obtain vote confirmation, log ontowww.proxyvote.com using the control number we have provided to you and receive confirmation on how your vote was cast.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        81


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name.

If your shares are held in an account at a bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization, the ability to confirm your vote may be affected by the rules and procedures of your bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization and the confirmationmakes available

At our Annual
Meeting

Instructions on attending our Annual Meeting in person can be found above

To do so, you will not confirm whether your bank or broker allocated the correct number of sharesneed to you.

Howbring a valid “legal proxy.” You can I obtain an additionala legal proxy card?

Shareholders of record can contact our Investor Relations team at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10282, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone:1-212-902-0300, email:gs-investor-relations@gs.com.

If you hold your shares of Common Stock in street name, contactby contacting your account representative at the bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization through which you hold your shares. Additional instructions on attending our Annual Meeting in person can be found above

(a)

Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate shareholders’ identities, allow shareholders to give their voting instructions and confirm that shareholders’ instructions have been recorded properly. We have been advised that the Internet and telephone voting procedures that have been made available to you are consistent with applicable legal requirements. Shareholders voting by Internet or telephone should understand that, while we and Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge) do not charge any fees for voting by Internet or telephone, there may still be costs, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies, for which you are responsible.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

107


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I change my vote after I have voted?

You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at our Annual Meeting, subject to the voting deadlines that are described on the proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable.

You can revoke your vote:

By voting again by Internet or by telephone (only your last Internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the meeting will be counted);

By signing and returning a new proxy card with a later date;

By obtaining a “legal proxy” from your account representative at the bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization through which you hold shares; or

By attending and voting at our Annual Meeting.

You may also revoke your proxy by giving written notice of revocation to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, which must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 25, 2023. If you intend to revoke your proxy by providing such written notice, we advise that you also send a copy via email to Beverly.OToole@gs.com.

If your shares are held in street name, we also recommend that you contact your broker, bank or other nominee for instructions on how to change or revoke your vote.

Can I confirm that my vote was cast in accordance with my instructions?

Shareholder of Record. Our shareholders have the opportunity to confirm that their vote was cast in accordance with their instructions. Vote confirmation is consistent with our commitment to sound corporate governance practices and a key means to increase transparency. Vote confirmation is available 24 hours after your vote is received beginning on April 11, 2023, with the final vote tabulation available through June 26, 2023. You may confirm your vote whether it was cast by proxy card, electronically or telephonically. To obtain vote confirmation, log onto www.proxyvote.com using the control number we have provided to you and receive confirmation on how your vote was cast.

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If your shares are held in an account at a bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization, the ability to confirm your vote may be affected by the rules and procedures of your bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization and the confirmation will not confirm whether your bank, broker or other entity allocated the correct number of shares to you.

How can I obtain an additional proxy card?

Shareholders of record can contact our Investor Relations team at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10282, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone: 1-212-902-0300, email: gs-investor-relations@gs.com.

If you hold your shares of Common Stock in street name, contact your account representative at the bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization through which you hold your shares.

How will my shares be voted if I do not vote in person at the Annual Meeting?

The proxy holders (that is, the persons named as proxies on the proxy card) will vote your shares of Common Stock in accordance with your instructions at the Annual Meeting (including any adjournments or postponements thereof).

How will my shares be voted if I do not give specific voting instructions?

Shareholders of Record. If you indicate that you wish to vote as recommended by our Board or if you sign, date and return a proxy card but do not give specific voting instructions, then the proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by our Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement, and the proxy holders may determine in their discretion regarding any other matters properly presented for a vote at our Annual Meeting. Although our Board does not anticipate that any of the director nominees will be unable to stand for election as a director nominee at our Annual Meeting, if this occurs, proxies will be voted in favor of such other person or persons as may be recommended by our Governance Committee and designated by our Board.

Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name. If your bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization does not receive specific voting instructions from you, how your shares may be voted will depend on the type of proposal.

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. For the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, NYSE rules provide that brokers (other than brokers that are affiliated with Goldman Sachs) that have not received voting instructions from their customers ten days before the meeting date may vote their customers’ shares in the brokers’ discretion on the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm. This is known as broker-discretionary voting.

108

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

»If your broker is Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or another affiliate of ours, NYSE policy specifies that, in the absence of your specific voting instructions, your shares of Common Stock in accordance with your instructions at the Annual Meeting (including any adjournments or postponements thereof).

How will my sharesmay only be voted if I do not give specific voting instructions?in the same proportion as other shares are voted with respect to the proposal.

Shareholders
»For shares of Record. If you indicate that you wish to vote as recommended by our Board or if you sign, date and return a proxy card but do not giveCommon Stock held in retail accounts at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC for which specific voting instructions then the proxy holdersare not received, we will vote yoursuch shares in proportion to the manner recommended by our Board on all matters presentedvoted shares of Common Stock in this Proxy Statement, and the proxy holders may determine in their discretion regarding anyretail accounts at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC.

All other matters properly presented for a vote at our Annual Meeting. Although our Board does not anticipate that any of the director nominees will be unable to stand for election as a director nominee at our Annual Meeting, if this occurs, proxies will be voted in favor of such. All other person or persons as may be recommended by our Governance Committee and designated by our Board.

Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name.

Ifproposals are “non-discretionary matters” under NYSE rules, which means your bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization doesmay not receive specificvote your shares without voting instructions from you. Therefore, you howmust give your shares maybroker instructions in order for your vote to be voted will depend on the type of proposal.

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firmcounted.

Participants in our 401(k) Plan. For the ratification of the appointment of independent registered public accounting firm, NYSE rules provide that brokers (other than brokers that are affiliated with

Goldman Sachs) that have not received voting instructions from their customers 10 days before the meeting date may vote their customers’ shares in the brokers’ discretion on the ratification of independent registered public accounting firm. This is known as broker-discretionary voting.

»If your broker is Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or another affiliate of ours, NYSE policy specifies that, in the absence of your specific voting instructions, your shares of Common Stock may only be voted in the same proportion as other shares are voted with respect to the proposal.

»For shares of Common Stock held in retail accounts at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC for which specific voting instructions are not received, we will vote such shares in proportion to the voted shares of Common Stock in retail accounts at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC.

All other matters. All other proposals are“non- discretionary matters” under NYSE rules, which means your bank, brokerage firm, broker-dealer or other similar organization may not vote your shares without voting instructions from you. Therefore, you must give your broker instructions in order for your vote to be counted.

Participants in our 401(k) Plan. If you sign and return the voting instruction form but otherwise leave it blank or if you do not otherwise provide voting instructions to the 401(k) Plan trustee by mail, Internet or telephone, your shares will be voted in the same proportion as the shares held under the 401(k) Plan for which instructions are received, unless otherwise required by law.

What is the quorum requirement for our Annual Meeting?

A quorum is required to transact business at our Annual Meeting. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of February 27, 2023, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote, will constitute a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes are treated as present for quorum purposes.

Who counts the votes cast at our Annual Meeting?

Representatives of Broadridge will tabulate the votes cast at our Annual Meeting, and American Election Services, LLC will act as the independent inspector of election.

How is voting affected by shareholders who participate in certain Goldman Sachs Partner Compensation plans?

Employees of Goldman Sachs who participate in the PCP are “covered persons” under our Shareholders’ Agreement. Our Shareholders’ Agreement governs, among other things, the voting of shares of Common Stock owned by each covered person directly or jointly with a spouse (but excluding shares acquired under our 401(k) Plan). Shares of Common Stock subject to our Shareholders’ Agreement are called “voting shares.”

Our Shareholders’ Agreement requires that before any of our shareholders vote, a separate, preliminary vote is held by the persons covered by our Shareholders’ Agreement. In the election of directors, all voting shares will be voted in favor of the election of the director nominees receiving the highest numbers of votes cast by the covered persons in the preliminary vote. For all other matters, all voting shares will be voted in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the covered persons in the preliminary vote.

If you are a party to our Shareholders’ Agreement, you previously gave an irrevocable proxy to our Shareholders’ Committee to vote your voting shares at our Annual Meeting in accordance with the preliminary vote and to vote on any other matters that may come before our Annual Meeting as the proxy holder sees fit in a manner that is not inconsistent with the preliminary vote and that does not frustrate the intent of the preliminary vote.

As of February 27, 2023, 9,795,652 shares of Common Stock were beneficially owned by the parties to the Shareholders’ Agreement. Each person who is a party to our Shareholders’ Agreement disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares subject to the agreement that are owned by any other party. As of February 27, 2023, 9,069,938 of the outstanding shares of Common Stock that were held by parties to our Shareholders’ Agreement were subject to the voting provisions of our Shareholders’ Agreement (representing approximately 2.72% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at our Annual Meeting). The preliminary vote with respect to the voting shares will be concluded on or about April 14, 2023.

Other than this Shareholders’ Agreement (which covers our Chairman and CEO, who is also a director), there are no voting agreements by or among any of our directors.

Where can I find the voting results of our Annual Meeting?

We expect to announce the preliminary voting results at our Annual Meeting. The final voting results will be reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K that will be posted on our website.

How do I inspect the list of shareholders of record?

A list of the shareholders of record as of February 27, 2023 will be available for inspection during ordinary business hours at our headquarters at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, from April 16, 2023 to April 25, 2023, as well as at our Annual Meeting.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

109


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What vote is required for adoption or approval of each matter to be voted on?

ProposalVote RequiredDirectors’ Recommendation

Election of Directors

Majority of the votes cast FOR or AGAINST (for each director nominee)

FOR all nominees

Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by our Board will be voted inFOR the same proportion aselection of our director nominees

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
(Say on Pay)

Majority of the shares held underpresent in person or represented by proxy

FOR the 401(k) Plan for which instructions are received, unless otherwise requiredresolution approving the Executive Compensation of our NEOs

Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by law.our Board will be voted FOR the resolution

Advisory Vote on the Frequency
of Say on Pay Votes

Majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy

FOR Say on Pay votes EVERY YEAR

WhatUnless a contrary choice is a BrokerNon-Vote?

A “brokernon-vote” occurs when your broker submits a proxyspecified, proxies solicited by our Board will be voted for the meeting with respect toEVERY YEAR option

Ratification of PwC as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2023

Majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy

FOR the ratification of the appointment of independent registered public accounting firm but does not vote onnon-discretionary matters because you did not provide voting instructions on these matters.PwC

WhatUnless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by our Board will be voted FOR the quorum requirement for our Annual Meeting?

A quorum is required to transact business at our Annual Meeting. The holders of a majorityratification of the outstandingappointment

Shareholder Proposals

Majority of the shares of Common Stock as of March 2, 2020, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote,(for each shareholder proposal)

AGAINST each shareholder proposal

Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by our Board will constitute a quorum. Abstentions and brokernon-votes are treated as present for quorum purposes. Virtual attendance at our Annual Meeting constitutes presence in person for purposes of quorum at the meeting.be voted AGAINST each shareholder proposal

82        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are my choices for casting my vote on each matter to be voted on?

 

ProposalVoting OptionsEffect of AbstentionsBroker
Discretionary
Voting Allowed?
Effect of
Broker
Non-Votes

If I abstain, what happens to my vote?

If you choose to abstain from voting on the Election of Directors your abstention will have no

FOR, AGAINST
or ABSTAIN (for each director nominee)

No effect - not counted
as the required vote is calculated through the following calculation: votes a “vote cast”

No

No effect

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)

FOR, divided by the sum of votes FOR plus votes AGAINST.AGAINST
or ABSTAIN

If you choose to abstain from voting on any other matter at our Annual Meeting, your abstention will be countedTreated as a vote AGAINST the proposal as the required vote is calculated through the following calculation: votes FOR divided by the sum of votes FOR plus votes AGAINST plus votes ABSTAINING.

No

What vote is required for adoption or approval of each matter to be voted on?

PROPOSAL

VOTE REQUIRED*

DIRECTORS’ RECOMMENDATION

Election of Directors

Majority of the votes cast FOR or AGAINST (for each director nominee)

FOR all nominees

Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by our Board will be voted FOR the election of our director nominees

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

(Say on Pay)

Majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy

FOR the resolution approving the Executive Compensation of our NEOs

Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by our Board will be voted FOR the resolution

Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020

Majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy

FOR the ratification of the appointment of PwC

Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by our Board will be voted FOR the ratification of the appointment

Shareholder ProposalsMajority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy (for each shareholder proposal)

AGAINST each shareholder proposal

Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by our Board will be voted AGAINST each shareholder proposal

No effect

*

Virtual attendance at our Annual Meeting constitutes presence in person for purposes of the vote required under our By-Laws.

What are my choices for casting my vote on each matter to be voted on?

PROPOSALVOTING OPTIONSEFFECT OF ABSTENTIONS

BROKER
DISCRETIONARY
VOTING ALLOWED?

EFFECT OF
BROKER
NON-VOTES

Election of Directors

FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN (for each director nominee)

No effect — not counted as a “vote cast”NoNo effect

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)

FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN

Treated as a vote AGAINST the proposalNoNo effect

Ratification of PwC as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020

FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAINTreated as a vote AGAINST the proposalYesNot applicable

Shareholder Proposals

FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN (for each shareholder proposal)

Treated as a vote AGAINST the proposalNoNo effect

Who counts the votes cast at our Annual Meeting?

Representatives of Broadridge will tabulate the votes cast at our Annual Meeting, and American Election Services, LLC will act as the independent inspector of election.

How is voting affected by shareholders who participate in certain Goldman Sachs Partner Compensation plans?

Employees of Goldman Sachs who participate in the PCP are “covered persons” under our Shareholders’

Agreement. Our Shareholders’ Agreement governs, among other things, the voting of shares of Common Stock owned by each covered person directly or jointly with a spouse (but excluding shares acquired under our 401(k) Plan). Shares of Common Stock subject to our Shareholders’ Agreement are called “voting shares.”

Our Shareholders’ Agreement requires that before any of our shareholders vote, a separate, preliminary vote is held by the persons covered by our Shareholders’ Agreement. In the election of directors, all voting

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        83


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

shares will be voted in favor of the election of the director nominees receiving the highest numbers of votes cast by the covered persons in the preliminary vote. For all other matters, all voting shares will be voted in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the covered persons in the preliminary vote.

If you are a party to our Shareholders’ Agreement, you previously gave an irrevocable proxy to our Shareholders’ Committee to vote your voting shares at our Annual Meeting in accordance with the preliminary vote, and to vote on any other matters that may come before our Annual Meeting as the proxy holder sees fit in a manner that is not inconsistent with the preliminary vote and that does not frustrate the intent of the preliminary vote.

As of March 2, 2020, 11,442,766 shares of Common Stock were beneficially owned by the parties to the Shareholders’ Agreement. Each person who is a party to our Shareholders’ Agreement disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares subject to the agreement that are owned by any other party. As of March 2, 2020, 10,575,670 of the outstanding shares of Common Stock that were held by parties to our Shareholders’ Agreement were subject to the voting provisions of our Shareholders’ Agreement (representing approximately 3.08% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at our Annual Meeting). The preliminary vote with respect to the voting shares will be concluded on or about April 17, 2020.

Other than this Shareholders’ Agreement (which covers our Chairman and CEO, who is also a director), there are no voting agreements by or among any of our directors.

Where can I find the voting results of our Annual Meeting?

We expect to announce the preliminary voting results at our Annual Meeting. The final voting results will be reported in a Current Report on Form8-K that will be posted on our website.

When will Goldman Sachs next hold an advisory vote on the frequency

Frequency of Say on Pay votes?Votes

TheFor EVERY YEAR (1 YEAR), EVERY TWO YEARS (2 YEARS),
EVERY THREE YEARS (3 YEARS), or ABSTAIN

Treated as not expressing a frequency preference (equivalent to a vote “against” each frequency)

No

No effect

Ratification of PwC as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2023

FOR, AGAINST
or ABSTAIN

Treated as a vote AGAINST the proposal

Yes

Not applicable

Shareholder Proposals

FOR, AGAINST
or ABSTAIN (for each shareholder proposal)

Treated as a vote AGAINST the proposal

No

No effect

110

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Broker Non-Vote?

A “broker non-vote” occurs when your broker submits a proxy for the meeting with respect to the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm but does not vote on non-discretionary matters because you did not provide voting instructions on these matters.

If I abstain, what happens to my vote?

If you choose to abstain from voting on the Election of Directors, your abstention will have no effect, as the required vote is calculated through the following calculation: votes FOR divided by the sum of votes FOR plus votes AGAINST. If you chose to abstain from voting on the advisory vote on the frequency of Say on Pay vote, your abstention will have the effect of voting AGAINST each frequency. If you choose to abstain from voting on any other matter at our Annual Meeting, your abstention will be counted as a vote AGAINST the proposal, as the required vote is calculated through the following calculation: votes FOR divided by the sum of votes FOR plus votes AGAINST plus votes ABSTAINING.

When will Goldman Sachs next hold an advisory vote on the frequency of Say on Pay votes?

An advisory vote on the frequency of Say on Pay votes is Item 3 of this Proxy Statement. After this meeting, the next advisory vote on the frequency of Say on Pay votes will be held no later than our 2029 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

How do I obtain more information about Goldman Sachs?

A copy of our 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders accompanies this Proxy Statement. You also may obtain, free of charge, a copy of that document, our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Director Independence Policy and the charters for our Audit, Compensation, Governance, Public Responsibilities and Risk Committees by writing to: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10282, Attn: Investor Relations; email: gs-investor-relations@gs.com.

These documents, as well as other information about Goldman Sachs, are also available on our website at www.gs.com/shareholders.

How do I sign up for electronic delivery of proxy materials?

This Proxy Statement and our 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders are available on our website at: www.gs.com/proxymaterials. If you would like to help reduce our costs of printing and mailing future materials,

you can agree to access these documents in the future over the Internet rather than receiving printed copies in the mail. You may do so when you vote through www.proxyvote.com or at www.investordelivery.com and by following the instructions.

Once you sign up, you will continue to receive proxy materials electronically until you revoke this preference.

Who pays the expenses of this proxy solicitation?

Our proxy materials are being used by our Board in connection with the solicitation of proxies for our Annual Meeting. We pay the expenses of the preparation of proxy materials and the solicitation of proxies for our Annual Meeting. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, certain of our directors, officers or employees may solicit proxies telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication. Our directors, officers and employees will receive no additional compensation for any such solicitation. We have also hired Morrow Sodali LLC, 333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, to assist in the solicitation and distribution of proxies, for which they will receive a fee of $25,000, as well as reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket costs and expenses. We will reimburse brokers, including Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and other similar institutions, for costs incurred by them in mailing proxy materials to beneficial owners.

What is “householding”?

In accordance with a notice sent to certain street name shareholders of Common Stock who share a single address, shareholders at a single address will receive only one copy of this Proxy Statement and our 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders unless we have previously received contrary instructions. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. We currently do not “household” for shareholders of record.

If your household received a single set of proxy materials, but you would prefer to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement or our 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders, you may contact us at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10282, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone: 1-212-902-0300, email: gs-investor-relations@gs.com, and we will deliver those documents to you promptly upon receiving the request.

You may request or discontinue householding in the future by contacting the broker, bank or similar institution through which you hold your shares. You may also change your householding preferences through the Broadridge Householding Election system at 1-866-540-7095 using the control number we have provided to you.

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

111


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I recommend a director candidate to our Governance Committee?

Our Governance Committee welcomes candidates recommended by shareholders and will consider these candidates in the same manner as other candidates.

Shareholders who wish to recommend director candidates for consideration by our Governance Committee may do so by submitting in writing such candidates’ names to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.

How can I submit a Rule 14a-8 shareholder proposal at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

Shareholders who, in accordance with the SEC’s Rule 14a-8, wish to present proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials to be distributed by us in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must submit their proposals to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, via email at shareholderproposals@gs.com or by mail at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282. Proposals must be received on or before Saturday, November 18, 2023. Please ensure that receipt of your proposal is confirmed. As the rules of the SEC make clear, however, simply submitting a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion.

How can I submit nominees (such as through proxy access) or shareholder proposals in accordance with our By-Laws?

Shareholders who wish to submit a “proxy access” nomination for inclusion in our proxy statement in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may do so by submitting in writing a Nomination Notice, in compliance with the procedures and along with the other information required by our By-Laws, to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, via email at shareholderproposals@gs.com or by mail at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, no earlier than October 19, 2023 and no later than November 18, 2023. Please ensure that receipt of your submission is confirmed.

In accordance with our By-Laws, for other matters (including director nominees not proposed pursuant to proxy access) not included in our proxy materials to be properly brought before the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a shareholder’s notice of the matter that the shareholder wishes to present must be delivered to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, in compliance with the procedures and along with the other information required by our By-Laws, via email at shareholderproposals@gs.com or by mail at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York,

New York 10282, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the 2023 Annual Meeting. As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of a shareholder pursuant to these provisions of our By-Laws (and not pursuant to the SEC’s Rule 14a-8) must be received no earlier than December 28, 2023 and no later than January 27, 2024. Please ensure that receipt of your submission is confirmed.

Shareholders providing notice to the company under the SEC’s rule 14a-19 who intend to solicit proxies in support of nominees submitted under our advance notice By-Laws for the 2024 Annual Meeting must comply with this deadline, the requirements of our By-Laws and the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b).

112

        GOLDMAN SACHS  |  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS        


ANNEX A: CALCULATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

Annex A: Calculation of Non-GAAP Measures

Reconciliation of average common shareholders’ equity to average tangible common shareholders’ equity

ROE is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common shareholders by average monthly common shareholders’ equity. ROTE is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common shareholders by average monthly tangible common shareholders’ equity (tangible common shareholders’ equity is calculated as total shareholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets). Management believes that ROTE is meaningful because it measures the performance of businesses consistently, whether they were acquired or developed internally, and that tangible common shareholders’ equity is meaningful because it is a measure that the firm and investors use to assess capital adequacy. ROTE and tangible common shareholders’ equity are non-GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

The table below presents a reconciliation of average common shareholders’ equity to average tangible common shareholders’ equity:

Unaudited ($ in Millions)

Average for the Year Ended                
December 31, 2022

Total shareholders’ equity

115,990

Preferred stock

(10,703)

Common shareholders’ equity

105,287

Goodwill

  (5,726)

Identifiable intangible assets

  (1,583)

Tangible common shareholders’ equity

  97,978

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

A


ANNEX B: ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Annex B: Additional Details on Director Independence

Set forth below is detailed information regarding certain categories of transactions reviewed and considered by our Governance Committee and our Board in making independence determinations, which our Board has determined are immaterial under our Director Independence Policy.

Category

(Revenues, payments or donations by our firm

must not exceed the greater of $1 million or 2%

of the entity’s consolidated gross revenues)

Position During
2022

Director

Percent of 2022 CGR

Ordinary Course Business
Transactions
(last 3 years)

Between Goldman Sachs and an entity with which a director or his or her immediate family member is or was affiliated as specified

Executive Officer
(for-profit entity)

Harris

Mittal and his family member(s)

Ogunlesi

Uhl

Aggregate 2022 revenues to us from, or payments by us to, any such entity, if any, in each case did not exceed 0.4% of such other entity’s 2022 consolidated gross revenues

Employee (for
profit entity)
NoneN/A

Officer/Employee
(not-for-profit
entity)

Faust

Aggregate 2022 revenues to us from, or payments by us to, any such entity, if any, in each case did not exceed 0.1% of such other entity’s 2022 consolidated gross revenues

Charitable Donations (during 2022)

Made in the ordinary course by Goldman Sachs (including our matching gift program), The Goldman Sachs Foundation or the donor advised funds under GS Gives program

Officer/
Employee/
Trustee/Board
Member (not-for-
profit entity)
Generally all independent directors and certain of their family membersAggregate 2022 donations by us to such organization, if any, in each case did not exceed $425,000 or did not exceed 1.6% of such other organization’s 2022 consolidated gross revenues

Client Relationships (last 3 years)

Director or his or her immediate family member is a client on substantially the same terms as other similarly situated clients (for example, brokerage accounts and investment in funds managed or sponsored by us in those accounts)

N/A

Burns and her family member(s)

Harris and her family member(s)

Kullman and her family member(s)

Mittal and his family member(s)

Ogunlesi and his family member(s)

Oppenheimer and his family member(s)

Tighe and her family member(s)

Viniar and his family member(s)

Winkelman and his family member(s)

Aggregate 2022 revenues to us from each of these accounts did not exceed 0.01% of our 2022 consolidated gross revenues

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

B


DIRECTIONS TO OUR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Directions to our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Located at the Fairmont Dallas

1717 N. Akard Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Please follow Annual Meeting signage for security and entry into the meeting.

Driving Directions

From Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Airport:

Follow the signs to Dallas from either the North or South exits

North exit is Hwy 114 to I-35E South

South exit is 183 to I-35E South

Continue on I-35E South; Exit 75/Sherman

Take first exit, Field/Griffin; merge onto Griffin

Continue straight and turn left onto Ross

Turn left onto N. Akard; the hotel is immediately on the left

From the West:

Take I-30 east, exit I-35E North

Exit to 75/Sherman

Take first exit, Field/Griffin exit; merge onto Griffin

Continue straight and turn left onto Ross

Turn left onto N. Akard; the hotel is immediately on the left

From the East:

Take I-30 west

Take the Ervay exit; turn right onto Ervay

Continue straight for approximately 14 blocks; the hotel is on the left

From the North:

Take Central Expressway (Hwy 75) south

Take the Ross Avenue exit; turn right onto Ross

Turn right onto N. Akard, the hotel is immediately on the left

From the South:

Take Hwy 67 north to I-35E north

Exit to 75/Sherman

Take first exit, Field/Griffin; merge onto Griffin

Continue straight and turn left onto Ross

Turn left onto N. Akard; the hotel is immediately on the left

        PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  |  GOLDMAN SACHS        

C


LOGO

This proxy is printed using vegetable-based inks on chlorine free paper that contains recycled content, is FSC® certified and made with 10% post-consumer waste.


       LOGO

      THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

      200 WEST STREET

      NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10282

    LOGO

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING FOR HOLDERS

AS OF 2/27/23 TO BE HELD ON 4/26/23

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions (i) for shares held through our 401(k) plan, up until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2023 and (ii) for all other shares, up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 25, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to complete 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 (i) for shares held through our 401(k) plan, up until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2023 and (ii) for all other shares, up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 25, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. We recommend you mail your proxy at your earliest convenience and in any event by April 18, 2023 to ensure timely receipt.

If you vote by Internet or by telephone, please do NOT mail back the proxy card below.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

D96343-Z84402-Z84403-P87259                     KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS  

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY  

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

  THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

Matters to be voted on:

    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR
    proposal 1:
ForAgainstAbstain
    1.  Election of DirectorsLOGO
1a. Michele Burns
1b.Mark Flaherty
1c.Kimberley Harris
1d.Kevin Johnson
1e.Ellen Kullman
1f.Lakshmi Mittal
1g.Adebayo Ogunlesi
1h.Peter Oppenheimer
1i.David Solomon
1j.Jan Tighe
1k.Jessica Uhl
1l.David Viniar
    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposal 2:ForAgainstAbstain
LOGO
    2.

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)

The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 Year on
proposal 3:

1 Year

LOGO

2 Years3 YearsAbstain
3.Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Say on Pay votes will be held no later than our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

How do I obtain more information about Goldman Sachs?

A copy of our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders accompanies this Proxy Statement. You also may obtain, free of charge, a copy of that document, our 2019 Annual Report on Form10-K, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Business Conduct

and Ethics, our Director Independence Policy and the charters for our Audit, Compensation, Governance, Public Responsibilities and Risk Committees by writing to: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10282, Attn: Investor Relations; email:gs-investor-relations@gs.com.

These documents, as well as other information about Goldman Sachs, are also available on our website atwww.gs.com/shareholders.

How do I inspect the list of shareholders of record?

A list of the shareholders of record as of March 2, 2020 will be available for inspection during ordinary business hours at our headquarters at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, from April 20, 2020 to April 29, 2020. To access the list during the Annual Meeting, please visitwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020 and enter the control number provided on your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice.

How do I sign up for electronic delivery of proxy materials?

This Proxy Statement and our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders are available on our website at:www.gs.com/proxymaterials. If you would like to help reduce our costs of printing and mailing future materials, you can agree to access these documents in the future over the Internet rather than receiving printed copies in the mail. For your convenience, you may find links to sign up for electronic delivery for both shareholders of record and beneficial owners who hold shares in street name atwww.gs.com/electronicdelivery.

Once you sign up, you will continue to receive proxy materials electronically until you revoke this preference.

Who pays the expenses of this proxy solicitation?

Our proxy materials are being used by our Board in connection with the solicitation of proxies for our Annual Meeting. We pay the expenses of the preparation of proxy materials and the solicitation of proxies for our Annual Meeting. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, certain of our directors, officers or employees may solicit telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication. Our directors, officers and employees will receive no additional compensation for any such solicitation. We have also hired Morrow Sodali LLC, 470 West Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, to assist in the solicitation and distribution of proxies, for which they will receive a fee of $25,000, as well as reimbursement for certainout-of-pocket costs and expenses. We will reimburse brokers, including

84        Goldman Sachs  |  Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and other similar institutions for costs incurred by them in mailing proxy materials to beneficial owners.

What is “householding”?

In accordance with a notice sent to certain street name shareholders of Common Stock who share a single address, shareholders at a single address will receive only one copy of this Proxy Statement and our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders unless we have previously received contrary instructions. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. We currently do not “household” for shareholders of record.

If your household received a single set of proxy materials, but you would prefer to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement or our 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders, you may contact us at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10282, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone:1-212-902-0300, email: gs-investor-relations@gs.com, and we will deliver those documents to you promptly upon receiving the request.

You may request or discontinue householding in the future by contacting the broker, bank or similar institution through which you hold your shares. You may also change your householding preferences through the Broadridge Householding Election system at1-866-540-7095 using the control number we have provided to you.

How can I recommend a director candidate to our Governance Committee?

Our Governance Committee welcomes candidates recommended by shareholders and will consider these candidates in the same manner as other candidates.

Shareholders who wish to recommend director

candidates for consideration by our Governance Committee may do so by submitting in writing such candidates’ names to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.

How can I submit a Rule14a-8 shareholder proposal at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

Shareholders who, in accordance with the SEC’s Rule14a-8, wish to present proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials to be distributed by us in connection with our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must submit their proposals to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, via email at shareholderproposals@gs.com or by mail at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New

York, New York 10282. Proposals must be received on or before Friday, November 20, 2020. As the rules of the SEC make clear, however, simply submitting a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion.

How can I submit nominees (such as through proxy access) or shareholder proposals in accordance with ourBy-laws?

Shareholders who wish to submit a “proxy access” nomination for inclusion in our proxy statement in connection with our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may do so by submitting in writing a Nomination Notice, in compliance with the procedures and along with the other information required by ourBy-laws, to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, via email at shareholderproposals@gs.comor by mail at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 no earlier than October 21, 2020 and no later than November 20, 2020.

In accordance with ourBy-laws, for other matters (including director nominees not proposed pursuant to proxy access) not included in our proxy materials to be properly brought before the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a shareholder’s notice of the matter that the shareholder wishes to present must be delivered to John F.W. Rogers, Secretary to the Board of Directors, in compliance with the procedures and along with the other information required by ourBy-laws, via email at shareholderproposals@gs.com or by mail at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the 2020 Annual Meeting. As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of a shareholder pursuant to these provisions of ourBy-laws (and not pursuant to the SEC’s Rule14a-8) must be received no earlier than December 31, 2020 and no later than January 30, 2021.

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        85


ANNEX A: CALCULATION OFNON-GAAP MEASURES

Annex A: Calculation ofNon-GAAP Measures

Reconciliation of average common shareholders’ equity to average tangible common shareholders’ equity

ROE is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common shareholders by average monthly common shareholders’ equity. ROTE is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common shareholders by average monthly tangible common shareholders’ equity (tangible common shareholders’ equity is calculated as total shareholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets). Management believes that ROTE is meaningful because it measures the performance of businesses consistently, whether they were acquired or developed internally, and that tangible common shareholders’ equity is meaningful because it is a measure that the firm and investors use to assess capital adequacy. ROTE and tangible common shareholders’ equity arenon-GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similarnon-GAAP measures used by other companies.

The table below presents average equity and a reconciliation of average common shareholders’ equity to average tangible common shareholders’ equity:

UNAUDITED, ($ IN MILLIONS)

    AVERAGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED    

DECEMBER 31, 2019

Total shareholders’ equity90,297
Preferred stock(11,203)
Common shareholders’ equity79,094
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets(4,464)
Tangible common shareholders’ equity74,630

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        A-1


ANNEX B: ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Annex B: Additional Details on Director Independence

Set forth below is detailed information regarding certain categories of transactions reviewed and considered by our Governance Committee and our Board in making independence determinations, which our Board has determined are immaterial under our Director Independence Policy.

CATEGORY

(Revenues, payments or donations by our firm

must not exceed the greater of $1 million or
2% of the entity’s consolidated gross
revenues)

POSITION
DURING 2019

DIRECTOR

PERCENT OF 2019 CGR

Ordinary Course BusinessTransactions(last 3 years)

Between Goldman Sachs and an entity with which a director or his or her immediate family member is or was affiliated as specified

Executive Officer

(for-profit entity)

   Mittal and his family member(s)

   Ogunlesi

Aggregate 2019 revenues to us from, or payments by us to, any such entity, if any, in each case did not exceed 0.6% of such other entity’s 2019 consolidated gross revenues

Employee
(for profit entity)

None

N/A

Officer/Employee

(not-for-profit

entity)

   Faust

Aggregate 2019 revenues to us from, or payments by us to, any such entity, if any, in each case did not exceed 0.04% of such other entity’s 2019 consolidated gross revenues

Charitable Donations(during 2019)

Made in the ordinary course by Goldman Sachs (including our matching gift program), The Goldman Sachs Foundation or the donor advised funds under GS Gives program

Officer/Employee/
Trustee/Board
Member
(not-for-profit
entity)

Generally all independent directors and certain of their family members

Aggregate 2019 donations by us to such organization, if any, in each case did not exceed $125,000 or did not exceed 0.5% of the other organization’s 2019 consolidated gross revenues

Client Relationships(last 3 years)

Director or his or her immediate family member is a client on substantially the same terms as other similarly situated clients (for example, brokerage accounts and investment in funds managed or sponsored by us in those accounts)

N/A

   Burns and her family member(s)

   Kullman and her family member(s)

   Mittal and his family member(s)

   Ogunlesi and his family member(s)

   Oppenheimer and his family member(s)

   Tighe and her family member(s)

   Winkelman and his  family member(s)    

Aggregate 2019 revenues to us from each of these accounts did not exceed 0.01% of our 2019 consolidated gross revenues

Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders  |  Goldman Sachs        B-1


LOGO

This proxy is printed using vegetable-based inks on chlorine free paper that contains recycled content, is FSC® certified and made with 10% post-consumer waste.

FSC www.fsc.org MIX Paper from responsible sources FSC® C132107


    LOGO

Goldman Sachs

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

200 WEST STREET

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10282

LOGO

SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING FOR HOLDERS

AS OF 3/2/20 TO BE HELD ON 4/30/20

VOTE BY INTERNET

Before The Meeting - Go towww.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions (i) for shares held through our 401(k) plan, up until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 27, 2020 and (ii) for all other shares, up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 29, 2020. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to complete an electronic voting instruction form.

During The Meeting - Go towww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GS2020

You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions (i) for shares held through our 401(k) plan, up until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 27, 2020 and (ii) for all other shares, up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 29, 2020. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. We recommend you mail your proxy at your earliest convenience and in any event by April 23, 2020 to ensure timely receipt.

If you vote by Internet or by telephone, please do NOT mail back the proxy card below.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

D03741-Z76321-Z76320-P32853                  KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — 

        DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.                        

        THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

        Matters to be voted on:

            The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR
proposal 4:

For

LOGO

AgainstAbstain

4.

Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2023

The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST proposals 5-12:For

Against

LOGO

Abstain
5.Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Report on Lobbying
6.Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Policy for an Independent Chair
7.  

Shareholder Proposal Regarding Chinese Congruency of Certain ETFs

8.

Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Racial Equity Audit

9.

Shareholder Proposal Regarding a Policy to Phase Out Fossil Fuel-Related Lending & Underwriting Activities

10.

Shareholder Proposal Regarding Disclosure of 2030 Absolute Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

11.

Shareholder Proposal Regarding Climate Transition Report

12.

Shareholder Proposal Regarding Reporting on Pay Equity

            proposal 1:

ForAgainstAbstain

            1.

Election of Directors

ê

  1a.    M. Michele Burns   
  1b.    Drew G. Faust    ☐
  1c.    Mark A. Flaherty    ☐
  1d.    Ellen J. Kullman    ☐
  1e.    Lakshmi N. Mittal    ☐
  1f.    Adebayo O. Ogunlesi    ☐
  1g.    Peter Oppenheimer    ☐
  1h.    David M. Solomon    ☐
  1i.    Jan E. Tighe    ☐
  1j.    David A. Viniar    ☐
  1k.    Mark O. Winkelman    ☐

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR
proposals 2 and 3:
ForAgainstAbstain
ê
2.Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)    ☐
3.Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020    ☐
The Board of Directors recommends you vote
AGAINST proposals 4 and 5:
For  AgainstAbstain
ê
4.Shareholder Proposal Regarding Right to Act by Written Consent    ☐
5.Shareholder Proposal Regarding Board Oversight of the “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation”    ☐
 

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

 


Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Notice and Proxy Statement and the 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at: www.proxyvote.com

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D96344-Z84402-Z84403-P87259              

LOGO

 

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING: APRIL 26, 2023

 

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

Date

Signature (Joint Owners)

Date


Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Notice and Proxy Statement, the 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders and the Notice of Settlement of Stockholder Derivative Action are available at:www.proxyvote.com

This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoints David Solomon and Adebayo Ogunlesi, and each of them, as proxies, each with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote for, and on behalf of, the undersigned as designated on the reverse side at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 26, 2023 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Other than with respect to shares held through The Goldman Sachs 401(k) Plan, the undersigned hereby further authorizes such proxies to vote in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before such Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Receipt of the Notice of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement in connection with such meeting and the 2022 Annual Report to Shareholdersis hereby acknowledged.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by you. If you sign and return (or submit electronically) this proxy but do not give any direction, this proxy will be voted "FOR" Proposals (1), (2), (4) and "1 year" on Proposal (3), "AGAINST" Proposals (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (12) and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, in order for your vote to be submitted by proxy, you must (i) properly complete the Internet or telephone voting instructions or (ii) properly complete and return this proxy in order that, in either case, your vote is received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 25, 2023.

Parties to the Goldman Sachs Shareholders' Agreement should refer to the e-mail notice that accompanied the proxy card for information regarding the authorization granted by the proxy card.

Special instructions with respect to shares held through The Goldman Sachs 401(k) Plan. This proxy also provides voting instructions for shares held by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, Trustee of the Goldman Sachs Stock Fund under The Goldman Sachs 401(k) Plan, and authorizes and directs the Trustee to vote in person or by proxy all shares credited to the undersigned's account as of the February 27, 2023 record date. You must indicate how the shares allocated to your account are to be voted by the Trustee by Internet or telephone or by completing and returning this form no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2023. If you (i) sign and return (or submit electronically) this form but do not give any direction or (ii) fail to sign and return (or submit electronically) this form or vote by Internet or telephone, the shares allocated to your account will be voted in the same proportion as the shares held under the Plan for which instructions are received, unless otherwise required by law.

Submitting your proxy via the Internet or by telephone or mail will not affect your right to vote should you decide to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

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D03742-Z76321-Z76320-P32853

LOGO

Goldman Sachs

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING: APRIL 30, 2020

This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoints David M. Solomon and Adebayo O. Ogunlesi, and each of them, as proxies, each with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote for, and on behalf of, the undersigned as designated on the reverse side at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 30, 2020 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Other than with respect to shares held through The Goldman Sachs 401(k) Plan, the undersigned hereby further authorizes such proxies to vote in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before such Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Receipt of the Notice of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement in connection with such meeting and the 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders is hereby acknowledged.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by you.If you sign and return (or submit electronically) this proxy but do not give any direction, this proxy will be voted “FOR” Proposals (1), (2) and (3), “AGAINST” Proposals (4) and (5) and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, in order for your vote to be submitted by proxy, you must (i) properly complete the Internet or telephone voting instructions or (ii) properly complete and return this proxy in order that, in either case, your vote is received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 29, 2020.

Parties to the Goldman Sachs Shareholders’ Agreement should refer to the e-mail notice that accompanied the proxy card for information regarding the authorization granted by the proxy card.

Special instructions with respect to shares held through The Goldman Sachs 401(k) Plan. This proxy also provides voting instructions for shares held by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, Trustee of the Goldman Sachs Stock Fund under The Goldman Sachs 401(k) Plan, and authorizes and directs the Trustee to vote in person or by proxy all shares credited to the undersigned’s account as of the March 2, 2020 record date. You must indicate how the shares allocated to your account are to be voted by the Trustee by Internet or telephone or by completing and returning this form no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 27, 2020. If you (i) sign and return (or submit electronically) this form but do not give any direction or (ii) fail to sign and return (or submit electronically) this form or vote by Internet or telephone, the shares allocated to your account will be voted in the same proportion as the shares held under the Plan for which instructions are received, unless otherwise required by law.

Submitting your proxy via the Internet or by telephone or mail will not affect your right to vote should you decide to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting.