UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

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LOGO

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LOGOLOGO

Notice of 2017
Annual Meeting
and Proxy Statement
TO BENOTICE OF 2020 ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT HELD ON MAY 18, 2017
Synchrony FINANCIAL


21, 2020

 


LOGO

NOTICE OF 2017 ANNUAL MEETING

OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

LOGONOTICE OF

2020 ANNUAL

MEETING OF

STOCKHOLDERS

 

Dear Stockholders:

 

LOGOYou are invited to attend Synchrony Financial’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on May 21, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

 

  To elect the 11 directors named in the proxy statement for the coming year;

 

LOGO  To approve our named executive officers’ compensation in an advisory vote;

 

Time

  To ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020; and

Date

  To consider any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

Virtual Meeting Website AddressThe meeting will be held virtually to provide expanded access, improved communication and cost savings for our stockholders and Synchrony Financial. Hosting a virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation because stockholders can participate from any location. We ensure that at our virtual meeting, all attendees are afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at anin-person

meeting. During the live Q&A session of the meeting, we answer questions as they come in, and we commit to publishing each question received following the meeting. The live webcast is available to stockholders and the general public at the time of the meeting, and a replay of the meeting is made publicly available on the company’s website. The website address for the virtual meeting is: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2020.

Record DateTo participate in the meeting, you will need the16-digit

control number included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Onlinecheck-in will begin at 10:45 a.m., Eastern Time, and you should allow for time to complete the onlinecheck-in procedure. You are eligible to vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 26, 2020. Proxy materials are being mailed or made available to stockholders on or about April 6, 2020. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please submit your proxy by mail, internet or telephone to ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting.

 

May 18, 2017Sincerely,

 

  www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017  LOGO

 

March 23, 2017

Dear Stockholders:

You are invited to attend Synchrony Financial’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on May 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

To elect the nine directors named in the proxy statement for the coming year;

To approve our named executive officers’ compensationin an advisory vote;

To approve the adoption of the amendment to the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan andre-approval of performance measures;

To ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2017; and

To consider any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

The meeting will again be held virtually to provide expanded access, improved communication and cost savings for our stockholders and Synchrony Financial. Hosting a virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation because stockholders can participate from any location. The website address for the virtual meeting is: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017.

To participate in the meeting, you will need the16-digit control number included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Onlinecheck-in will begin at 10:45 a.m., Eastern Time, and you should allow for time to complete the onlinecheck-in procedure. You are eligible to vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 23, 2017. Proxy materials are being mailed or made available to stockholders on or about April 4, 2017. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please submit your proxy by mail, internet or telephone to ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Jonathan S. Mothner

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

April 4, 20176, 2020

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2017 ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 2017

Our proxy materials relating to our Annual Meeting (notice, proxy statement and annual report) are available at www.proxyvote.com.

2    LOGOLOGO


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROXY SUMMARY

 

4

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

10

Item 1—Election of Directors15
Committees of the Board of Directors23
Board of Directors’ Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight28
Attendance at Meetings28
Meetings ofNon-Management and Independent Directors29
Communications With the Board of Directors29
Code of Conduct29
Governance Principles29
Management Development and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation29

COMPENSATION MATTERS

30

Item 2—Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation30
Management30
Compensation Discussion and Analysis33
Compensation Philosophy38
2019 Executive Compensation49
Independent Directors’ Compensation59

    2        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


AUDIT MATTERS

62

Independent Auditor62

Item 3—Ratification of Selection of KPMG LLP as Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm of the Company for 2020

63
Audit Committee Report63

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

64

Related Person Transactions66

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING (“FAQS”)

67

Voting Information67
Proxy Solicitation and Document Request Information69
Information About Attending the 2020 Annual Meeting69

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

70

Other Business70
Annual Report and Company Information70
Stockholder Proposals for the 2021 Annual Meeting70

Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

for the 2020 Annual Meeting to be held on May 21, 2020

70

APPENDIX A

70

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        3    


PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information in this proxy statement in connection with our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). As it is only a summary and does not contain all of the information you should consider, please review the complete proxy statement before you vote. In this proxy statement, references to the “Company” and to “Synchrony” are to Synchrony Financial. For answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Annual Meeting, please refer to pages67-69 of this proxy statement. Proxy materials are being mailed or made available to stockholders on or about April 6, 2020.

PROXY SUMMARY5

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE12

Item 1—Election of Directors12
Committees of the Board of Directors19
Board of Directors’ Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight23
Attendance at Meetings24
Meetings ofNon-Management and Independent Directors24
Communications with the Board of Directors24
Code of Conduct25
Governance Principles25
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance25
Management Development and Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation
25
COMPENSATION MATTERS26

Item 2—Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation26
Management27
Compensation Discussion and Analysis29
Compensation Committee Report39
2016 Executive Compensation40
Independent Directors’ Compensation48
Item 3—Adoption of the Amendment to the Synchrony Financial
2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan andRe-Approval of Performance Measures
49

LOGO     3


TABLE OF CONTENTS, CONT.

AUDIT MATTERS55

Independent Auditor55  
Item 4—Ratification of Selection of KPMG LLP as Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Company for 2017
56  
Audit Committee Report56  
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP57

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS59

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING (FAQs)
60

Voting Information60  
Proxy Solicitation and Document Request Information62  
Information About Attending the 2017 Annual Meeting63  
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION64

Other Business64  
Annual Report and Company Information64  
Stockholder Proposals for the 2018 Annual Meeting64  
Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability
of Proxy Materials for the 2017 Annual Meeting to be held on May 18, 2017
64  
APPENDIX A:
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN,
AS AMENDED
65

4    LOGO


PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information in this proxy statement in connection with our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). As it is only a summary and does not contain all of the information you should consider, please review the complete proxy statement before you vote. In this proxy statement, references to the “Company” and to “Synchrony” are to Synchrony Financial. For answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Annual Meeting, please refer to the pages60-63 of this proxy statement.

LOGISTICS

 

LOGO

LOGO 

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

TimeDateVirtual Meeting Website AddressRecord Date

  11:00 a.m. Eastern Time  

May 18, 2017

  www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017  

March 23, 2017

 

 

ELIGIBILITY TO VOTEDATE

You are eligible to vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 23, 2017.

 

VOTING

LOGOBY MAIL
You may date, sign and promptly return your proxy card by mail in a postage prepaid envelope (such proxy card must be received by May 17, 2017).
LOGOBY TELEPHONE
You may use the toll-free telephone number shown on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) or proxy card up until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 17, 2017.
LOGOBY THE INTERNET

In Advance

You may visit the internet website indicated on your Notice or proxy card or scan the QR code indicated on your Notice or proxy card with your mobile device, and follow theon-screen instructions until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 17, 2017.

At the Annual Meeting

You may visit the internet website at the following address: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017.

AGENDA

Election of nine directors 

named in this proxy 

statement 

Advisory approval 

of our named executive 

officers’ compensation 

Approve the adoption 

of the amendment to 

the Synchrony Financial 

2014 Long-Term Incentive 

Plan andre-approval of 

performance measures 

Ratify the selection 

of KPMG LLP as our 

independent registered 

public accounting firm 

for 2017 

Majority of votes cast

Majority of votes cast

Majority of votes cast*

Majority of votes cast

Page Reference — 12

Page Reference — 26Page Reference — 49Page Reference — 56

LOGO

LOGOLOGOLOGO

Board Recommendation

Board RecommendationBoard RecommendationBoard Recommendation
FORFORFORFOR

*with abstentions counted as “votes cast” for this proposal only

LOGO     5


PROXY SUMMARYMay 21, 2020

 
 
LOGO

TIME

11:00 a.m. Eastern Time

LOGO

VIRTUAL MEETING WEBSITE ADDRESS

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2020

LOGO

RECORD DATE

March 26, 2020

 
  

ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE

You are eligible to vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 26, 2020.

VOTING

 

LOGO

 

 

2016 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTSBY MAIL

You may date, sign and promptly return your proxy card by mail in a postage prepaid envelope (such proxy card must be received by May 20, 2020).

LOGO

BY TELEPHONE

You may use the toll-free telephone number shown on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) or proxy card up until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 20, 2020.

LOGO

BY THE INTERNET

In Advance

You may vote online by visiting the internet website address indicated on your Notice or proxy card or scan the QR code indicated on your Notice or proxy card with your mobile device, and follow theon-screen instructions until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 20, 2020.

At the Annual Meeting

You may attend the virtual Annual Meeting by visiting this internet website address: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2020.

AGENDA

Election of 11 directors

We performed very wellnamed in 2016 comparedthis proxy

statement

Majority of votes cast

Page Reference — 15

Board Recommendation

Advisory approval of

our named executive

officers’ compensation

Majority of votes cast

Page Reference — 30

Board Recommendation


Ratify the selection of KPMG LLP

as our independent registered

public accounting firm for 2020

Majority of votes cast

Page Reference — 63

Board Recommendation

FORFORFOR


4        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


LOGO

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        5    


LOGO

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2019SAY-ON-PAY ADVISORY VOTE AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

At our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, our investors supported the compensation for our named executive officers with over 90% of the votes approving the advisorysay-on-pay item. Our Management Development and Compensation Committee (“MDCC”) considers the results of oursay-on-pay advisory vote as part of its review of our overall compensation programs and policies. As part of our regular engagement with stakeholders regarding our compensation program, in 2018 and 2019, we reached out to our top 30 stockholders representing over 60% of our outstanding shares and had conversations with all stockholders who expressed interest in meeting with us. We also engaged with proxy advisory firms and sought regulatory perspectives. Richard Hartnack, Chair of the Board and Chair of the MDCC, participated in many of the meetings with stockholders, and feedback received was regularly shared and discussed with our full Board. The MDCC considered several potential changes to the compensation program and discussed them with the full Board and with investors during our stakeholder engagement. Following these helpful dialogues and the MDCC’s own discussions, a number of actions were taken over the last two years, several of which are highlighted below.

  AREAS OF FOCUS

ACTIONS WE TOOK

Emphasize Alignment
of Pay for Performance

  Added a Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) modifier to goals established byour long-term Performance Share Unit (“PSU”) program beginning with grants in 2019 that are linked to stockholder returns relative to peers over the Management Development2019–2021 performance period

  Increased the weight of Net Earnings in our annual cash incentive awards under the AIP (1/3 in 2017, 45% in 2018 and Compensation Committee (the “MDCC”)50% in 2019)

Add Transparency

to Disclosure

  Enhanced disclosure of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) atpay metrics, providing minimum, target and maximum funding goals for both our annual cash incentive awards under the beginningAIP and the 2017–2019 PSUs

  Disclosed philosophy to target median pay with additional consideration based on the size, scope and impact of the year as well asexecutive’s role, market data, leadership skills, length of service and individual performance and contributions

Encourage Long-Term

Performance and Other

Best Practices

  Clarified minimum vesting period of twelve months for equity grants

  Changed the calculation of the severance payments to our direct peers (Discover Financial Services, Capital One, American Express). We generated strong financial performance, growing our core business through allthe CEO and other NEOs under the Change in Control Severance Plan to include average bonus paid for the three prior years instead of our sales platforms (Retail Card, Payment Solutions and CareCredit). We grew loan receivables by 11.8% over 2015, increased net interest income and net earnings by 11.9% and 1.7%, respectively, over 2015 and achieved ourthe current target efficiency ratio of less than 34%. We forged new relationships with Cathay Pacific, Nissan and At Home; renewed programs with TJX Companies, Stein Mart, Ashley Furniture Homestore,La-Z-Boy, Nationwide Marketing Group and Suzuki; and launched programs with partners like Citgo, Marvel, GoogleStore, Fareportal, Mattress Firm and The Container Store. We maintainedto reflect a strong balance sheet with robust capital and liquidity levels and diversified funding sources, growing deposits by 20.0% at December 31, 2016 as compared to deposits at December 31, 2015.more representative amount

 

 

Loan

Receivables

Grew

 

 

Net Interest

Income

Increased

 Efficiency Ratio 

Deposits

Grew

 

Online and

Mobile Sales

Grew

11.8%  11.9%  31% 20%  26% 

 

    6        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION                

MIX OF PAY

A majority of our NEOs’ compensation is performance-based and therefore at risk. The only fixed compensation paid is base salary, which represents approximately10% of the CEO’s total direct compensation and no more than25% of the other NEOs’ total direct compensation.

Below we illustrate the 2019 mix of direct pay for our CEO and CFO and the pay trend of our CEO pay.

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        7      


LOGO

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ALIGN INCENTIVES WITH STOCKHOLDERS

The MDCC evaluates recent and historical financial and operational achievements against our peers, including return measures, growth metrics, efficiency ratio and TSR, among others. Performance during 2019 against our peers ranked first or second out of our direct peers for Efficiency Ratio and Return on Assets—two key metrics we believe reflect our annual performance.

LOGO

 

(1)

The following charts showAdjusted to exclude the amounts related to the reduction in reserves for loan losses related to the Walmart portfolio, which was sold in October 2019. Seenon-GAAP reconciliation in Appendix A.

The MDCC also considers multi-year historical performance that drives sustainable results and creates long-term stockholder value. During the five-year period from 2015 through 2019, our annualized earnings growth rate and annualized receivables growth rate ranked first and second, respectively, compared to our direct peers:

LOGO

(1)

Adjusted to exclude the impact of the reduction in reserve for loan losses in 2019 related to the Walmart portfolio.

(2)

Reflects loan receivables growth adjusted to exclude amounts related to the Walmart and Yamaha portfolios for the five-year period. These portfolios were sold in October 2019 and January 2020, respectively. Seenon-GAAP reconciliation in Appendix A.

    8        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION                

BEST PRACTICE COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND POLICIES

The MDCC has implemented the following measures as part of our executive compensation programs:

WHAT WE DO:WHAT WE DON’T DO:

LOGO

Substantial portion of executive pay based on performance against goals set by the MDCCLOGONo hedging or pledging of Company stock

LOGO

Risk governance framework underlies compensation decisionsLOGONo employment agreements for executive officers

LOGO

Stock ownership requirements for executive officersLOGONo taxgross-ups for executive officers
LOGOMinimum vesting of 12 months for any options or stock appreciation rightsLOGONo discretion to accelerate the vesting of awards
LOGOMinimum vesting of 12 months for any restricted stock units (“RSUs”)LOGONo cash buyouts of stock options or stock appreciation rights with exercise prices that are notin-the-money
LOGOCompensation subject to clawback in 2016 comparedthe event of misconduct and expanded to 2015 and“no fault” in the case of Efficiency Ratiofinancial restatements for all NEOsLOGONo payout of dividends on unvested equity prior to the vesting date
LOGOLimited perquisitesLOGONo backdating or repricing of stock option awards
LOGOUse of peer company benchmarking, targeting median among peers with additional consideration based on the size, scope and Loan Receivables Growth ourimpact of role, market data, leadership skills, length of service and both company and individual performance versus peers. For Synchrony, Efficiency Ratio represents (i) other expense, divided by (ii) net interest income, after retailer share arrangements, plus other income.

LOGO

* Peer Avg. = 2016 average for Discover Financial, Capital One and American Express, as publicly reported by such company.

contributions
6    LOGO  


LOGODouble-trigger vesting of equity and long-term incentive plan awards upon change in control 

PROXY SUMMARY

 
LOGOOne-year“Say-on-Pay” frequency
LOGOIndependent compensation consultant advises the MDCC
LOGOUpdated: Include relative performance metric by applying a Total Shareholder Return modifier to our long-term performance awards that will be linked to stockholder returns relative to peers  

LOGO

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        9      


LOGO

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We believe that strong corporate governance is integral to building long-term value for our stockholders and enabling effective Board oversight. We are committed to governance policies and practices that serve the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board monitors emerging issues in the governance community and continually reviews our governance practices to incorporate evolving best practices and stockholder feedback.

A FEW OF OUR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE BEST PRACTICES INCLUDE:

 

STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

We continue to value our stockholders’ perspectives on our strategy and governance practices. We believe that maintaining a dialogue with our stockholders allows us to better understand and respond to their perspectives on matters of importance to them. In 2019, we engaged with representatives of a majority of our outstanding shares on a variety of topics, including our growth plans, business strategy, board composition, governance and compensation practices and environmental and social issues.

BOARD’S ROLE IN STRATEGY

The Board actively oversees the Company’s strategic direction and the performance of our business and management. On an annual basis, the Board conducts an intensive,multi-day review of the Company’s short-, medium- and long-term strategic plan, taking into consideration economic, consumer, technology and other significant trends, as well as developments in the industry and regulatory initiatives. The Board’s input is then incorporated into the strategic plan and approved at the subsequent Board meeting. The output of these meetings provides the strategic context for the Board’s discussions at its meetings throughout the next year, including regular updates and feedback from the Board on the Company’s progress on its strategic plan and deep dives on developments in important areas such as cyber security. In addition, the Board regularly discusses and reviews feedback on strategy from our stockholders and other stakeholders, and often engages with internal and external experts and advisors to ensure our strategy reflects the latest competitive landscape.

At the 2019 annualthree-day strategy meeting, the Board worked with management to build a strategic plan focusing on growing the core and diversifying the business. We are pleased to share the Company’s progress executing this plan:

Further diversifying Retail Card ine-commerce and mobile payments, extending Amazon and partnering with PayPal to launch Venmo’s first-ever credit card, and expanding into new verticals such as telecommunications through our partnership with Verizon.

Positioning Payment Solutions for continued success by driving organic growth and developing Synchrony-branded consumer products like the Synchrony Car Care and Synchrony Home card networks.

Expanding our CareCredit network by creating broader acceptance and utility for our cards and moving into new adjacencies such as pet insurance and patient financial care platforms.

Evolving our offerings in the direct to consumer space, making significant progress building our consumer banking platform and launching Synchrony’s general-purpose credit card.

Looking ahead, the Company remains focused on improving all aspects of the customer experience, starting with a quick, seamless account opening process all the way through account self-servicing features. We will continue to invest heavily in digital innovations to develop new products and services that drive deeper customer relationships.

BOARD REFRESHMENT

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee routinely assesses the composition of our Board to ensure that we have the right mix of skills and experience to maximize our Board’s potential and align our Board’s strengths with our strategic direction. To this end, the Board appointed Ellen Zane and Fernando Aguirre as new independent directors in February 2019 and July 2019, respectively. Ms. Zane has significant executive experience in the healthcare industry, specifically as the former CEO of a large teaching and research medical center, and brings a wealth of financial and other expertise to the Board. Mr. Aguirre has significant executive experience and expertise spanning leadership, strategy, digital marketing, branding, and communications.

    10        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Corporate and social responsibility demonstrates the kind of company we are and reflects how we build and maintain trust and credibility with our stakeholders, including our customers, partners, employees and stockholders. Recognizing the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters, the Board formalized the ongoing oversight that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee exercises over ESG matters in its charter. In 2018, management launched a cross-functional team that will help to shape the Company’s ESG initiatives and strategy and report regularly to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. You can read more about our ESG efforts in our Corporate Social Responsibility report at www.synchrony.com.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

We believe diversity makes our business stronger, more innovative and more successful. We have strong hiring practices for women, minorities, veterans, the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities. We promote this inclusive culture by sponsoring eight different employee Diversity & Inclusion Networks. We also have the most diverse board of directors of any financial services company or commercial bank in the Fortune 200 based on 2019 proxy statement disclosures. Our Board includes seven directors (out of 11) who are women and/or minorities, as well as cognitive diversity with expertise in consumer banking, credit cards, retail, technology, cyber security, risk management, marketing, government affairs, and accounting.

BOARD OVERSIGHT OF CYBER SECURITY

The protection and security of financial and personal information of our consumers is one of the Company’s highest priorities. To that end, we have an extensive cyber security governance framework in place. The Board and its Risk Committee receive regular reports on cyber security and oversee a comprehensive information security program that includes administrative, technical and physical safeguards and provides an appropriate level of protection to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our Company’s and our customers’ information. This includes protecting against any known or evolving threats to the security or integrity of customer records and information, and against unauthorized access to or use of customer records or information. Our information security program is

continuously adapting to an evolving landscape of emerging threats and available technology, and we have developed a security strategy and implemented multiple layers of controls embedded throughout our technology environment that establish multiple control points between threats and our assets. We evaluate the effectiveness of the key security controls through ongoing assessment and measurement.

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD

A key part of our strategic focus is the continued development of innovative, efficient, and flexible technology to deliver products and services that meet the needs of our partners and enables us to operate our business efficiently. The integration of our technology with our partners is at the core of our value proposition, enabling us to help our partners anticipate and deliver the experiences and tools consumers want, while reducing fraud and enhancing customer service. Recognizing the importance of technology and innovation to our future success, and in order to better leverage the Board’s technology expertise, we have a committee of the Board devoted exclusively to technology and innovation. The Technology Committee reviews and advises the Board on major strategies and other subjects relating to the Company’s approach to technology-related innovation, the technology development process and existing and emerging technologies. The Chair of the Technology Committee is Art Coviello, a leader in the technology industry and former Executive Vice President of EMC Corporation and Executive Chairman of RSA Security, Inc.

LOGO

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        11      


LOGO

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

OUR GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

LOGO

10 out of 11 directors are independent

 

LOGO

Experienced Board members with a diversity of skills and experiences

LOGO

7 out of 11 directors are women and/or minorities

LOGO

Each Board committee is comprised exclusively of independent directors

LOGO

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONNon-executive

Target Pay

The MDCC reviews our compensation practices prior to making any decision on target pay and mix of pay, including (i) a detailed benchmarking study of peer compensation data, (ii) a pay for performance analysis comparing our compensation to our peers’ and to alignment with our performance, and (iii) a review of our executives’ stock ownership.

The chart below shows the target pay for our NEOs as Chair of the end of 2016:Board

 

  Name Position Base Salary Target
Annual Cash
Incentive Pay
 Target Annual
Equity Award
 Target
Long-Term
Incentive
Awards (PSUs)
 

Target

Total Pay

Margaret Keane

 President and CEO   $1,100,000   $2,200,000    $2,750,000    $2,750,000     $8,800,000 

Brian Doubles

 Executive Vice President, CFO   $   685,000   $   685,000    $   685,000    $   685,000     $2,740,000 

Glenn Marino

 

Executive Vice President, CEO—

Payment Solutions and Chief

Commercial Officer

   $   750,000   $   600,000    $   600,000    $   600,000     $2,550,000 

Jonathan

Mothner

 

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

   $   700,000   $   560,000    $   560,000    $   560,000     $2,380,000 

Thomas

Quindlen

 

Executive Vice President

and CEO—Retail Card

   $   812,000   $   825,000    $   718,000    $   650,000     $3,005,000 

Mix of Pay

The mix of target pay as of the end of 2016 for our CEO and CFO is shown below.

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PROXY SUMMARY

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COMPENSATION PRACTICES

The MDCC of the Board, which consists solelyRegular meetings of independent directors has implementedin executive session without management

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Annual election of all directors

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Majority voting standard for directors in uncontested elections

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Stockholder special meetings may be called upon the following best practices with respect torequest of a majority of stockholders

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Single-class voting structure (one share, one vote)

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No stockholder rights plan

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Stock ownership requirements for our executive compensation:officers and directors

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Stockholder proxy access

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly reviews overall corporate governance framework and oversees the Company’s corporate, environmental and social responsibility efforts

    12        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                

 

What we do:
Substantial portion of executive pay based on performance against goals set by the MDCC
Risk governance framework underlies compensation decisions
Stock ownership requirements for executive officers
Limited perquisites
Double-trigger vesting of equity and long-term incentive plan awards upon change in control
Compensation subject to claw-back in the event of misconduct
Independent compensation consultant advises the MDCC
Use of peer company benchmarking
One-year“Say-on-Pay” vote frequency
What we don’t do:
  ÒNo hedging or pledging of company stock
  ÒNo employment agreements for executive officers
  ÒNo taxgross-ups for executive officers
  ÒNo backdating or repricing of stock option awards
  ÒNo automatic or guaranteed annual salary increases
  ÒNo guaranteed bonuses or long-term incentive awards

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We believe that our directors possess the highest personal and professional ethics, deep industry knowledge and expertise, and are committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. We deliberately and thoughtfully formed an independent Board with diverse perspectives and experiences, which we believe is critical to effective corporate governance and to achieving our strategic goals. Today, 10 of the 11 directors on our Board are independent, four of the directors are women and four of the directors are minorities. The composition of the Board reflects distinct and varied professional experience and cognitive diversity.

 

EXPERIENCE

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BOARD QUALIFICATIONS

 Name

 

 

  

Age

 

 

  

Director
Since

 

 

  

Independent

 

 

  

Committee

Membership

 

 

Margaret M. Keane

CEO of Synchrony Financial

 

  60

 

  2014

 

      

Fernando Aguirre

Former Chairman, President and CEO of Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

 

  62

 

  2019

 

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Management Development and Compensation; Nominating and Corporate Governance

 

Paget L. Alves

Former Chief Sales Officer of Sprint Corporation

 

  65

 

  2015

 

  LOGO  

Audit; Technology

 

Arthur W. Coviello, Jr.

Former Executive Vice President of EMC Corporation; Former Executive Chairman of RSA Security, Inc.

 

  66

 

  2015

 

  LOGO  

Risk; Technology (Chair)

 

William W. Graylin

Chairman and CEO of OV Loop, Inc.;

Executive Chairman and CEO of Indigo Technologies, Inc.; Former GlobalCo-General Manager of Samsung Pay, Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

 

  51

 

  2015

 

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Risk; Technology

 

Roy A. Guthrie

Former CEO of Renovate America Inc.;

Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Discover Financial Services, Inc.

 

  66

 

  2014

 

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Risk (Chair)

 

Richard C. Hartnack

(Chair of the Board)

Former Vice Chairman and Head, Consumer and Small Business Banking of U.S. Bancorp

 

  74

 

  2014

 

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Management Development and Compensation (Chair)

 

Jeffrey G. Naylor

Former CFO and Chief Administrative Officer of the TJX Companies, Inc.

 

  61

 

  2014

 

  LOGO  

Audit (Chair); Management Development and Compensation

 

Laurel J. Richie

Former President of the Women’s National Basketball Association LLC

 

  61

 

  2015

 

  LOGO  

Management Development and Compensation; Nominating and Corporate Governance

 

Olympia J. Snowe

Chairman and CEO of Olympia Snowe, LLC; U.S. Senator from 1995–2013 and Member of U.S. House of Representatives from
1979–1995

 

  73

 

  2015

 

  LOGO  

Audit; Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair)

 

Ellen M. Zane

Former President and CEO of Tufts Medical Center and the Floating Hospital for Children

 

  68

 

  2019

 

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Audit; Technology

 

    14        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We believe that strong corporate governance is integral to building long-term value for our stockholders and enabling effective Board oversight. We are committed to governance policies and practices that serve the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board monitors emerging issues in the governance community and continually reviews our governance practices to incorporate evolving best practices and stockholder feedback.

2016 governance enhancements include:

Stockholder Engagement—We value our stockholders’ perspectives on our strategy and governance practices. We believe that maintaining a dialogue with our stockholders allows us to better understand and respond to their perspectives on matters of importance to them. In 2016, with input from members of our Board, we developed and implemented a plan to engage with a significant portion of our stockholders to proactively discuss strategy and governance matters such as board composition, diversity and compensation practices.

Majority Voting—To ensure that stockholders have a meaningful role in director elections, the Board changed the election standard in uncontested elections from a plurality vote standard to a majority vote standard in February 2016. Under a majority vote standard, a director nominee must receive an affirmative majority of votes cast in order to be elected, giving real meaning to withheld or negative votes and making directors more accountable to stockholders. The election standard in contested elections for directors remains a plurality standard.

Proxy Access—In October 2016, the Board amended and restated our bylaws (the “Bylaws”) to provide eligible stockholders the right to include their own director nominees in the Company’s proxy materials. As detailed in the Bylaws, the Board provided that a stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, owning 3% or more of our common stock continuously for at least three years may nominate up to the greater of two directors or 20% of the Board.

8    LOGO


PROXY SUMMARY

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

Our governance highlights include:
8 out of 9 directors are independent
Experienced Board members with a diversity of skills and experiences
3 out of 9 directors are women
Each Board committee is comprised exclusively of independent directors
Non-executive Chair of the Board
Regular meetings of independent directors in executive session without management
Annual election of all directors
Majority voting standard for directors in uncontested elections
Stockholder special meetings may be called upon the request of a majority of stockholders
Single-class voting structure (one share, one vote)
No stockholder rights plan
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly reviews overall corporate governance framework
Stock ownership requirements for our executive officers and directors
Stockholder proxy access

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PROXY SUMMARY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We became a fully stand-alone public company after the completion of oursplit-off from General Electric Company (“GE”) in November 2015, a multi-step process that began in November 2013. At the time of our initial public offering (“IPO”) in July 2014, the first step toward GE’s exit from our business, we had three independent directors, each with deep industry knowledge and experience. In November 2015, when GE sold its remaining holdings in Synchrony through an exchange offer, GE’s designees on our Board resigned and we appointed five additional independent directors. We deliberately and thoughtfully formed an independent Board with diverse perspectives and experiences, which we believe is critical to effective corporate governance and to achieving our strategic goals. Today, eight of the nine directors on our Board are independent and three of the directors are women. The composition of the Board reflects distinct and varied professional experience and cognitive diversity.

Experience, Diversity and Independence

LOGO

Third-Party Board Assessment

To enhance Board functioning and effectiveness, the Board engaged an independent, third-party facilitator in 2016 to perform the annual Board evaluation. This third-party expert interviewed each director to obtain his or her assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, including director performance and Board culture. The individual assessments were then summarized and presented to the Board for discussion. The results of the evaluation confirmed the Board’s view that the Company is performing well and that the Board is delivering effective oversight and governance of critically important business areas. Directors also expressed a high degree of confidence in the Company’s leadership team and the risk management processes in place.

10    LOGO


PROXY SUMMARY

BOARD QUALIFICATIONS

  Name Age Director
Since
 Independent  

Committee

Membership

 

Margaret M. Keane

President and Chief Executive Officer

of Synchrony Financial

 

 

57

 

 

2014

      

 

Paget L. Alves

Former Chief Sales Officer of Sprint Corporation

 

 

62

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Audit; Nominating and Corporate Governance

 

Arthur W. Coviello, Jr.

Former Executive Vice President of EMC Corporation and Executive Chairman, RSA Security, Inc.

 

 

63

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

William W. Graylin

GlobalCo-General Manager of Samsung Pay, Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

 

 

48

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

Roy A. Guthrie

Former Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer of Discover Financial Services, Inc.

 

 

63

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Risk (Chair)

 

Richard C. Hartnack

Former Vice Chairman and Head, Consumer and Small Business Banking of U.S. Bancorp

 

 

71

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Management Development and Compensation (Chair)

 

Jeffrey G. Naylor

Former CFO and CAO of the TJX Companies, Inc.

 

 

58

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Audit (Chair); Management Development and Compensation

 

Laurel J. Richie

Former President of The Women’s National Basketball Association, LLC

 

 

58

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Management Development and Compensation; Nominating and Corporate Governance

 

Olympia J. Snowe

Chairman and CEO of Olympia Snowe, LLC U.S. Senator from 1995–2013 and Member of U.S. House of Representatives from

1979–1995

 

 

70

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Audit; Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair)

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ITEM 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board currently consists of nine11 directors: our President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”),CEO, Margaret M. Keane, and eight10 directors who are “independent” under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and our own independence standards set forth in our Governance Principles. The independent directors are Fernando Aguirre, Paget L. Alves, Arthur W. Coviello, Jr., William W. Graylin, Roy A. Guthrie, Richard C. Hartnack, Jeffrey G. Naylor, Laurel J. Richie, and Senator Olympia J. Snowe and Ellen M. Zane (together, the “Independent Directors”). Under our Bylaws, our directors will be elected annually by a majority vote in uncontested elections. As discussed under “Committees of the Board of Directors” below, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for recommending to our Board, for its approval, the director nominees to be presented for stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting.each annual meeting.

Nominees for Election to the Board of DirectorsNOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Each of the nine11 director nominees listed below is currently a director of the Company.

The following biographies describe the business experience of each director nominee. Following the biographical information for each director nominee, we have listed specific qualifications that the Board considered in determining whether to recommend that the director be nominated for election at the Annual Meeting.

If elected, each of the director nominees is expected to serve for a term of one year or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The Board expects that each of the nominees will be available for election as a director. However, if by reason of an unexpected occurrence one or more of the nominees is not available for election, the persons named in the form of proxy have advised that they will vote for such substitute nominees as the Board may nominate.

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        15      


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

LOGO The Board recommends a vote FOR the following nominees for election as directors.

 

12    LOGOMARGARET M. KEANE


CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

Name and present position, if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director and other business experience

Ms. Keane, 60, has been our CEO since February 2014, our President from February 2014 to May 2019 and previously served as CEO and President of GE’s North American retail finance business since April 2011. She has also been a member of the Board since 2013 and a member of the board of directors of Synchrony Bank (the “Bank”) since 2009. From June 2004 to April 2011, Ms. Keane served as President and CEO of the Retail Card platform of GE’s North American retail finance business. From January 2002 to May 2004, Ms. Keane served as Senior Vice President of Operations of the Retail Card platform of GE’s North American retail finance business. From January 2000 to December 2001, Ms. Keane served as Chief Quality Leader of GE Capital Corporation (“GECC”). From October 1999 to December 1999, Ms. Keane served as Shared Services Leader for GECC’sMid-Market Leasing Businesses. Prior to that, Ms. Keane served in various operations and quality leadership roles at GECC and Citibank. Ms. Keane serves on the board of directors of The Allstate Corporation, a publicly-held personal lines insurer. Ms. Keane received a B.A. in Government and Politics and an M.B.A. from St. John’s University.

We believe that Ms. Keane should serve as a member of the Board due to her extensive experience in the retail finance business and the perspective she brings as our CEO.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  

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      16        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                 

 

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LOGO

Name and present position, if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director and other business experience

Mr. Aguirre, 62, has been a director since July 2019. He served as President and CEO of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. from January 2004 to October 2012 and also served as Chairman from May 2004 to October 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Aguirre held various global marketing and management roles at Procter & Gamble from 1980 to 2004. Mr. Aguirre is currently on the boards of directors of CVS Health, a publicly-traded American healthcare company that owns CVS Pharmacy, CVS Caremark, and Aetna; and Barry Callebaut, a publicly-traded company which is one of the world’s largest cocoa processors and chocolate manufacturers. He previously served on other boards including Aetna, Inc., Coca-Cola Enterprises, and Levi Strauss & Co. Mr. Aguirre is currently the Owner & CEO of the Erie SeaWolves Minor League Baseball team, the double AA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. He also owns a minority stake in the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a high A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. A native of Mexico, Mr. Aguirre is a prominent figure in the Hispanic community, recognized as one of the 100 Influentials by Hispanic Business Magazine and honored with the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award by the NFL. Mr. Aguirre received a B.S. from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

We believe that Mr. Aguirre should serve as a member of the

Board due to his significant knowledge and experience in the areas of leadership, strategy, digital marketing, branding, and communications, as well as his extensive experience as a director of other publicly-traded companies.

Mr. Alves, 65, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from July 2015 to November 2015. He has also been a member of the board of directors of the Bank since January 2017. He served as Chief Sales Officer of Sprint Corporation, a wireless and wireline communications services provider, from January 2012 to September 2013 after serving as President of that company’s Business Markets Group from 2009 to 2012. Prior thereto, Mr. Alves held various positions at Sprint Corporation, including President, Sales and Distribution, from 2008 to 2009; President, South Region, from 2006 to 2008; Senior Vice President, Enterprise Markets, from 2005 to 2006; and President, Strategic Markets, from 2003 to 2005. Between 2002 and 2003, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Centennial Communications Corporation and from 2000 to 2001 served as President and CEO of PointOne Telecommunications, Inc. Mr. Alves currently serves on the boards of directors of Assurant, Inc., a publicly-traded global provider of risk management products and services; Yum! Brands, Inc., a company that develops, operates, franchises, and licenses a system of quick-service restaurants; and International Game Technology PLC, a manufacturer and distributor of microprocessor-based gaming and video lottery products and software systems. He previously served on the boards of directors of GTECH Holdings Corporation from 2005 to 2006, Herman Miller, Inc. from 2008 to 2010 and International Game Technology Inc. from 2010 to 2015. In 2017,Savoy magazine recognized Mr. Alves among Savoy’s 2017 Most Influential Black Corporate Directors. Mr. Alves received a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations and a J.D. from Cornell University.

We believe that Mr. Alves should serve as a member of the Board due to his executive management and leadership experience, including leadership roles with technology companies, his extensive background in sales, his financial expertise and his experience with strategic and business development. He also has experience with strategic corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. The Board has determined that Mr. Alves qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d) (5) of RegulationS-K.

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        17      


LOGO

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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Name and present position, if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director and other business experience

Mr. Coviello, 66, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from July 2015 to November 2015. He has also been a member of the board of directors of the Bank since January 2017. Since 2015 he has been an independent cyber security consultant. He served as Executive Vice President of EMC Corporation, a cloud computing and information security company, and Executive Chairman of RSA Security, Inc. (“RSA”), the Security Division of EMC Corporation and a provider of security, risk and compliance solutions, from 2011 to 2015, after serving as Executive Vice President and President of RSA from 2006 to 2011. Prior thereto, Mr. Coviello held various executive positions at RSA, including President and CEO from 2000 to 2006, and President from 1999 to 2000. Prior to RSA, he had extensive financial and operating management expertise in several technology companies. Mr. Coviello currently serves on the boards of directors of Tenable Holdings, Inc., a provider of Cyber Exposure solutions, which is a discipline for managing and measuring cyber security risk; and three private companies, ZeroNorth, a software and infrastructure security company that is the security industry’s first provider of orchestrated risk management; Capsule8, a security software platform for Linux, containers and micro-services; SecZetta, a provider of identity management software for governing and managing third party risk; and Bugcrowd, Inc., which uses tens of thousands of independent researchers to assist its customers in finding security vulnerabilities in their software. Mr. Coviello previously served on the boards of directors of EnerNOC, Inc., Gigamon, Inc., AtHoc, RSA, Sana Security, Inc. and Cylance, Inc. He received a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts.

We believe that Mr. Coviello should serve as a member of the Board due to his leadership experience, including as CEO of a publicly-traded company, his extensive financial expertise and accounting background and his considerable experience in technology and cyber security.

Mr. Graylin, 51, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from July 2015 to November 2015. He has been Chairman and CEO of OV Loop, Inc., an Omni Commerce company with1-Tap or Handsfree Messaging & Payments on virtually any device, anywhere, since 2018. He is also Executive Chairman and CEO of Indigo Technologies, Inc., a provider of breakthrough Ultra-Efficient EV & Energy Management technologies. Prior thereto, Mr. Graylin was GlobalCo-General Manager of Samsung Pay, the mobile payment platform of Samsung Electronics America, Inc., from February 2015 to April 2018. From 2012 to 2015, he was Founder and CEO of LoopPay, Inc., a mobile payment company; from 2007 to 2012, he was Founder and CEO of Roam Data, Inc., a developer of mobile point of sale software; from 2002 to 2007, he was Founder, Chairman and CEO of Way Systems, Inc.; and from 2000 to 2001, he was Founder and CEO of Entitlenet, Inc. Mr. Graylin served in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Submarine Officer from 1992 to 1998. He currently serves on the boards of directors of several privately held high-tech startups including: People Power, Inc., an IoT (internet of things) services company managed by artificial intelligence for home automation, security and senior care; PayFi, Inc., a real-time payment company; and Global Unites, anon-profit organization training and equipping youths on conflict transformation and reconciliation in 15 countries. Mr. Graylin is currently a Connection Science Fellow with MIT’s Media Lab, where he teaches part time on FinTech and Entrepreneurship. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a B.A. in Chinese Linguistics and Literature from the University of Washington; an M.B.A. from the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

We believe that Mr. Graylin should serve as a member of the Board due to his executive management and leadership experience, and his extensive background as an entrepreneur and innovator in technology.

      18        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                 

LOGO

LOGO

Name and present position, if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director and other business experience

Mr. Guthrie, 66, joined our Board and the board of directors of the Bank in connection with our initial public offering in July 2014 (the “IPO”). From October 2017 to September 2018, Mr. Guthrie served as CEO of Renovate America, Inc., a privately-owned financial services company. From July 2005 to January 2012, Mr. Guthrie served as Executive Vice President, and from July 2005 to May 2011 as CFO of Discover Financial Services, Inc., a direct banking and payments company. From September 2000 to July 2004, he served as President and CEO of various businesses of Citigroup Inc., including CitiFinancial International from 2000 to 2004 and CitiCapital from 2000 to 2001. From April 1978 to September 2000, Mr. Guthrie served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Associates First Capital Corporation. Mr. Guthrie serves on the boards of directors of Mr. Cooper Group, Inc., an originator and servicer of real estate mortgage loans; OneMain Holdings, Inc., a financial services company; and Renovate America Inc. He previously served on the boards of directors of LifeLock, Inc. and Garrison Capital Inc. During his tenure with Discover Financial Services, Inc., he also served on the board of directors of Discover Bank. Mr. Guthrie received a B.A. in Economics from Hanover College and an M.B.A. from Drake University.

We believe that Mr. Guthrie should serve as a member of the Board due to his leadership experience, including as CFO of two publicly-traded companies and as a director of other publicly-traded companies, financial expertise and accounting background, risk management experience and extensive experience in consumer finance (including the private-label credit card industry), including more than 30 years of experience in finance and/or operating roles.

Mr. Hartnack, 74, joined our Board and the board of directors of the Bank in connection with the IPO in July 2014 and serves as the nonexecutive Chair of the Board. From April 2005 to February 2013, Mr. Hartnack served as Vice Chairman and Head, Consumer and Small Business Banking of U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company. From June 1991 to March 2005, Mr. Hartnack served in various leadership roles at Union Bank, N.A. (formerly known as Union Bank of California, N.A.), including Vice Chairman, Director and Head, Community Banking and Investment Services from 1999 to 2005. From June 1982 to May 1991, Mr. Hartnack served in various leadership roles at First Chicago Corporation, including Executive Vice President and Head, Community Banking. Mr. Hartnack previously served on the boards of directors of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Mastercard International, Inc. (U.S. Region) and UnionBanCal Corporation. Mr. Hartnack received a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.

We believe that Mr. Hartnack should serve as a member of the Board due to his leadership experience and extensive background in consumer finance, banking and financial services regulatory matters that he accumulated over the course of a40-year career in the banking industry.

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        19      


LOGO

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

LOGOLOGO

Name and present position, if any, with the Company

 

BOARD QUALIFICATIONS

   Name and present position,   
if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director

and other business experience

  LOGO

  Margaret M. Keane

President and Chief

Executive Officer

Ms. Keane, 57, has been our President and CEO since February 2014 and previously served as CEO and President of GE’s North American retail finance business since April 2011. She has also been a member of the Board since 2013 and a member of the board of directors of Synchrony Bank (the “Bank”) since 2009. From June 2004 to April 2011, Ms. Keane served as President and CEO of the Retail Card platform of GE’s North American retail finance business. From January 2002 to May 2004, Ms. Keane served as Senior Vice President of Operations of the Retail Card platform of GE’s North American retail finance business. From January 2000 to December 2001, Ms. Keane served as Chief Quality Leader of GE Capital Corporation (“GECC”). From October 1999 to December 1999, Ms. Keane served as Shared Services Leader for GECC’sMid-Market Leasing Businesses. Prior to that, Ms. Keane served in various operations and quality leadership roles at GECC and Citibank. Ms. Keane received a B.A. in Government and Politics and an M.B.A. from St. John’s University.

We believe that Ms. Keane should serve as a member of the Board due to her extensive experience in the retail finance business and the perspective she brings as our President and CEO.

  LOGO

  Paget L. Alves

Mr. Alves, 62, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from July 2015 to November 2015. He has also been a member of the board of directors of the Bank since January 2017. He served as Chief Sales Officer of Sprint Corporation, a wireless and wireline communications services provider, from January 2012 to September 2013 after serving as President of that company’s Business Markets Group since 2009. Prior thereto, Mr. Alves held various positions at Sprint Corporation, including President, Sales and Distribution, from 2008 to 2009; President, South Region, from 2006 to 2008; Senior Vice President, Enterprise Markets, from 2005 to 2006; and President, Strategic Markets, from 2003 to 2005. Between 2002 and 2003, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Centennial Communications Corporation and from 2000 to 2001 served as President and CEO of PointOne Telecommunications, Inc. Mr. Alves currently serves on the boards of directors of Yum! Brands, Inc., a company that develops, operates, franchises, and licenses a system of quick-service restaurants; International Game Technology PLC, a manufacturer and distributor of microprocessor-based gaming and video lottery products and software systems; and Ariel Investments LLC, an investment management company. He previously served on the boards of directors of GTECH Holdings Corporation from 2005 to 2006, Herman Miller, Inc. from 2008 to 2010 and International Game Technology Inc. from 2010 to 2015. Mr. Alves received a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations and a J.D. from Cornell University.

We believe that Mr. Alves should serve as a member of the Board due to his executive management and leadership experience and his extensive background in sales.

LOGO     13


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BOARD QUALIFICATIONS

   Name and present position,   

if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director

and other business experience

  LOGO

  Arthur W. Coviello, Jr.

Mr. Coviello, 63, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from July 2015 to November 2015. He has also been a member of the board of directors of the Bank since January 2017. He served as Executive Vice President, EMC Corporation, a cloud computing and information security company, and Executive Chairman, RSA, the Security Division of EMC Corporation and a provider of security, risk and compliance solutions, from 2011 to 2015, after serving as Executive Vice President and President of RSA from 2006 to 2011. Prior thereto, Mr. Coviello held various executive positions at RSA Security, Inc., including President and Chief Executive Officer from 2000 to 2006, and President from 1999 to 2000. Prior to RSA Security, Inc., he had extensive financial and operating management expertise in several technology companies. Mr. Coviello currently serves on the board of directors at EnerNOC, Inc. (ENOC), a provider of cloud-based energy intelligence software. He also serves on the boards of directors of two private companies, Cylance, Inc., which applies artificial intelligence, algorithmic science and machine learning to cyber security, and Bugcrowd, Inc., which uses tens of thousands of independent researchers to assist its customers in finding security vulnerabilities in their software. Mr. Coviello previously served on the boards of directors of AtHoc, RSA Security, Inc., and Sana Security, Inc. He received a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts.

We believe that Mr. Coviello should serve as a member of the Board due to his leadership experience, his extensive financial and accounting background and his considerable experience in cyber security.

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  William W. Graylin

Mr. Graylin, 48, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from July 2015 to November 2015. He is GlobalCo-General Manager of Samsung Pay, the mobile payment platform of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Prior thereto, Mr. Graylin was CEO of LoopPay, Inc., a mobile payment company, from 2012 to 2015. Between 2007 and 2012, he was Founder and CEO of Roam Data, Inc., a developer of mobile point of sale software; from 2002 to 2007, he was Founder, Chairman and CEO of Way Systems, Inc.; and from 2000 to 2001, he was Founder and CEO of Entitlenet, Inc. Mr. Graylin served in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Submarine Officer from 1992 to 1998. He currently serves on the boards of directors of several privately held high-tech startups including: ONvocal, Inc., a wearable voice assistant solutions; Movylo, Inc., a SaaS-based mobile engagement solution for merchants; People Power, Inc., an IoT (internet of things) services company managed by artificial intelligence (“AI’”) for home automation, security and senior care; Myne/GeeVee, a universal communications app (phone/voip/messaging/video) for carriers and enterprises to better engage their customers; Feelter, crowd-sourced trusted reviews to improve eCommerce conversions; and PushPayments, real-time payment disbursements for businesses. Mr. Graylin is currently a Connection Science Fellow with MIT’s Media Lab, where he teaches part time on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a B.A. in Chinese Linguistics and Literature from the University of Washington; an M.B.A. from the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

We believe that Mr. Graylin should serve as a member of the Board due to his executive management and leadership experience and his extensive background in technology.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BOARD QUALIFICATIONS

   Name and present position,   

if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director

and other business experience

  LOGO

  Roy A. Guthrie

Mr. Guthrie, 63, joined our Board and the board of directors of the Bank in connection with the IPO in July 2014. From July 2005 to January 2012, Mr. Guthrie served as Executive Vice President, and from July 2005 to May 2011 as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of Discover Financial Services, Inc., a direct banking and payments company. From September 2000 to July 2004, Mr. Guthrie served as President and CEO of various businesses of Citigroup Inc., including CitiFinancial International from 2000 to 2004 and CitiCapital from 2000 to 2001. From April 1978 to September 2000, Mr. Guthrie served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Associates First Capital Corporation. Mr. Guthrie serves on the boards of directors of Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc., an originator and servicer of real estate mortgage loans, and OneMain Holdings, Inc., a financial services company. He previously served on the board of directors of LifeLock, Inc., a company offering identity theft protection and detection services, from 2012 to 2017. During his tenure with Discover Financial Services, Inc., he also served on the board of directors of Discover Bank. Mr. Guthrie received a B.A. in Economics from Hanover College and an M.B.A. from Drake University.

We believe that Mr. Guthrie should serve as a member of the Board due to his leadership experience and extensive background in consumer finance (including the private-label credit card industry), including more than 30 years of experience in finance and/or operating roles.

  LOGO

  Richard C. Hartnack

Mr. Hartnack, 71, joined our Board and the board of directors of the Bank in connection with the IPO in July 2014. From April 2005 to February 2013, Mr. Hartnack served as Vice Chairman and Head, Consumer and Small Business Banking of U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company. From June 1991 to March 2005, Mr. Hartnack served in various leadership roles at Union Bank, N.A. (formerly known as Union Bank of California, N.A.), including Vice Chairman, Director and Head, Community Banking and Investment Services from 1999 to 2005. From June 1982 to May 1991, Mr. Hartnack served in various leadership roles at First Chicago Corporation, including Executive Vice President and Head, Community Banking. Mr. Hartnack serves on the board of directors of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and has served on the boards of directors of MasterCard International, Inc. (U.S. Region) and UnionBanCal Corporation. Mr. Hartnack received a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.

We believe that Mr. Hartnack should serve as a member of the Board due to his leadership experience and extensive background in consumer finance and banking accumulated over the course of a40-year career in the banking industry.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BOARD QUALIFICATIONS

   Name and present position,   

if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director

and other business experience

  LOGO

  Jeffrey G. Naylor

Mr. Naylor, 58, joined our Board and the board of directors of the Bank in connection with the IPO in July 2014. From February 2013 to April 2014, Mr. Naylor served as Senior Corporate Advisor of the TJX Companies, Inc., a retail company of apparel and home fashions. From January 2012 to February 2013, Mr. Naylor served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the TJX Companies, Inc.; from February 2009 to January 2012, he served as its Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer; from June 2007 to February 2009, he served as its Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative and Business Development Officer; from September 2006 to June 2007, he served as its Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer; and from February 2004 to September 2006, he served as its CFO. From September 2001 to January 2004, Mr. Naylor served as Senior Vice President and CFO of Big Lots, Inc. From September 2000 to September 2001, Mr. Naylor served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Dade Behring, Inc. From November 1998 to September 2000, he served as Vice President, Controller of The Limited, Inc. Mr. Naylor also serves on the boards of directors of two privately held companies:Save-A-Lot, a grocery retailer, and Emerald Expositions, which conducts business and consumer trade shows. Mr. Naylor received a B.A. in Economics and Political Science and an M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.

We believe that Mr. Naylor should serve as a member of the Board due to his executive management and leadership experience, his extensive financial and accounting background and his considerable experience accumulated over the course of 25 years in the retail and consumer goods industries.

  LOGO

  Laurel J. Richie

Ms. Richie, 58, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from July 2015 to November 2015. Ms. Richie served as President of the Women’s National Basketball Association LLC, a professional basketball league, from 2011 to 2015. Prior to her appointment in 2011, she served as Chief Marketing Officer of Girl Scouts of the United States of America from 2008 to 2011. From 1984 to 2008, she held various positions at Ogilvy & Mather, including Senior Partner and Executive Group Director and founding member of its Diversity Advisory Board. She was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Business byThe Network Journaland is a recipient of the YMCA Black Achievers in Industry award,Ebonymagazine’s Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications award, and Power 100 List. Most recently,Black Enterprisenamed her one of the Most Influential African Americans in Sports. Ms. Richie received a B.A. in Policy Studies from Dartmouth College. She was named as a Charter Trustee of her alma mater in 2012, and currently serves as board vice chair and chairman of the communications committee.

We believe that Ms. Richie should serve as a member of the Board due to her executive management and leadership experience and her considerable experience in communications and marketing.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BOARD QUALIFICATIONS

   Name and present position,   

if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director

and other business experience

  LOGO

  Olympia J. Snowe

Senator Snowe, 70, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from January 2015 to November 2015. She has also been a member of the board of directors of the Bank since January 2017. She is currently chairman and CEO of Olympia Snowe, LLC, a policy and communications consulting firm, and a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, anon-profit organization focused on national policy solutions, where she is a member of the board andco-chairs its Commission on Political Reform. Senator Snowe served in the U.S. Senate from 1995–2013, and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979–1995. While in the U.S. Senate, she served as chair and was the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and served on the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Intelligence Committee, and the Senate Commerce Science and Technology Committee. She also served as chair of the Subcommittee on Seapower for the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Snowe serves on the boards of directors of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., a financial services company, and Aetna, Inc., a diversified healthcare benefits company. Senator Snowe received a B.A. in political science from the University of Maine and has received honorary doctorate degrees from many colleges and universities.

We believe that Senator Snowe should serve as a member of the Board due to her broad range of valuable leadership and public policy experience.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Qualifications of Directors

Directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the stockholders. They must also have an inquisitive and objective perspective, practical wisdom and mature judgment. The Company will endeavor to have a Board representing a range of experience at policy-making levels in areas that are relevant to the Company’s activities. Although the Board does not have a specific diversity policy, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account a candidate’s ability to contribute to the diversity on the Board. It considers the candidate’s and the existing Board members’ race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural background and professional experience. Directors must be willing to devote sufficient time to carrying out their duties and responsibilities effectively and should be committed to serve on the Board for an extended period of time. Our Governance Principles maintain that directors who also serve as CEOs or in equivalent positions should not serve on more than two boards of public companies in addition to the Company’s Board, and other directors should not serve on more than four boards of public companies in addition to the Company’s Board.

Pursuant to our Company’s Governance Principles, when a director’s principal occupation or job responsibilities change significantly during his or her tenure as a director that director shall tender his or her resignation for consideration byand other business experience

Mr. Naylor, 61, joined our Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend toboard of directors of the Board the action, if any, to be taken with respect to the resignation. The Board does not believe that arbitrary term limits on directors’ service are appropriate, nor does it believe that directors should expect to be renominated annually until they reach the mandatory retirement age. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate each directorBank in connection with his or her renomination for election at each annual meetingthe IPO in July 2014. From February 2013 to April 2014, Mr. Naylor served as Senior Corporate Advisor of stockholders. Exceptthe TJX Companies, Inc., a retail company of apparel and home fashions. From January 2012 to February 2013, Mr. Naylor served as Senior Executive Vice President and CAO of the TJX Companies, Inc.; from February 2009 to January 2012, he served as its Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer; from June 2007 to February 2009, he served as its Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative and Business Development Officer; from September 2006 to June 2007, he served as its Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer; and from February 2004 to September 2006, he served as its CFO. From September 2001 to January 2004, Mr. Naylor served as Senior Vice President and CFO of Big Lots, Inc. From September 2000 to September 2001, Mr. Naylor served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Dade Behring, Inc. From November 1998 to September 2000, he served as Vice President, Controller of The Limited, Inc. Mr. Naylor serves on the boards of directors of three other public companies: Dollar Tree, Inc., an operator of discount variety stores; Wayfair, Inc., ane-commerce retailer of home furnishings and decor; and Emerald Expositions, a company that conducts business to business trade shows. He also serves on the board of directors of a private company:Save-A-Lot, a discount grocery retailer. Mr. Naylor received a B.A. in special circumstances, directors will not be nominated for election toEconomics and Political Science and an M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.

We believe that Mr. Naylor should serve as a member of the Board after their 75th birthday.

Process for Reviewing, Identifyingdue to his executive management and Evaluating Director Nominees

The Nominatingleadership experience, including as CFO of a publicly-traded company and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing, identifying, evaluating and recommending director nominees to the Board after considering the qualifications described above and set forth in the Company’s Governance Principles. Upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board proposes a slate of nominees to the stockholders for election to the Board. Between annual stockholder meetings, the Board may fill vacancies and newly created directorships on the Board with directors who will serve until the next annual meeting.

Other stockholders may also propose nominees for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by submitting the names and other supporting information required under our Bylaws to: Corporate Secretary, Synchrony Financial, 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will apply the same standards in considering director candidates recommended by stockholders that it applies to other candidates. In addition to recommending director candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, stockholders may also, pursuant to procedures established in our Bylaws, directly nominate one or more director candidates to stand for election by the stockholders. For information on how to nominate a person for election as a director atof other publicly-traded companies, his extensive financial expertise and accounting background, and his considerable experience accumulated over the 2018 annual meetingcourse of stockholders, including through the proxy access right to include such nominees25 years in the Company’s proxy materials, please see the discussion under the heading “Additional Information—Stockholder Proposals for the 2018 Annual Meeting.”

18    LOGO


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The standing committees of the Board consist of the Audit Committee, the Nominatingretail and Corporate Governance Committee, the MDCC, and the Risk Committee. The duties and responsibilities of these standing committees are set forth below. The Board may also establish various other committees to assist it in its responsibilities. Our Board has adopted charters for each of its standing committees. Copies of the committees’ charters are available on our website at http://investors.synchronyfinancial.com under “Corporate Governance.” Each of the standing committees reports to the Board as it deems appropriate and as the Board requests.

  Committees

        Members

Primary Responsibilities

# of

Meetings

in 2016

Audit

Mr. Naylor (Chair)

Mr. Alves

Senator Snowe

Selecting, evaluating, compensating and overseeing the independent registered public accounting firm12

Receiving reports from our internal audit, risk management and independent liquidity review functions on the results of risk management reviews and assessments, including the Company’s internal control system over operational and regulatory controls and of the adequacy of the processes for controlling the Company’s activities and managing its risk

Reviewing the audit plan, changes in the audit plan, the nature, timing, scope and results of the audit, and any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response

Overseeing our financial reporting activities, including our annual report, and accounting standards and principles followed (including any significant changes in such standards and principles)

Reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor, as appropriate, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures

Reviewing our major financial risk exposures, the Company’s risk assessment and risk management practices and the guidelines, policies and processes for risk assessment and risk management

In conjunction with the Risk Committee, overseeing our risk guidelines and policies relating to financial statements, financial systems, financial reporting processes, compliance and auditing, and allowance for loan losses

Approving audit andnon-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm

Meeting with management and the independent registered public accounting firm to review and discuss our financial statements and other matters required to be reviewed under applicable legal, regulatory or NYSE requirements

Establishing and overseeing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters

Overseeing our internal audit function, including reviewing its organization, performance and audit findings, and reviewing our disclosure and internal controls

Overseeing the Company’s compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory requirements (other than those assigned to other committees of the Board)

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  Committees

        Members

Primary Responsibilities

# of

Meetings

in 2016

Nominating and Corporate Governance

Senator Snowe (Chair)

Mr. Alves

Ms. Richie

Developing, and recommending to our Board for approval, qualifications for director candidates, taking into account applicable regulatory or legal requirements regarding experience, expertise or other qualifications for service on certain of our Board’s committees6
Considering potential director nominees properly recommended by the Company’s stockholders, leading the search for other individuals qualified to become members of the Board, recommending to our Board for approval the director nominees to be presented for stockholder approval at the annual meeting, and recommending to the Board nominations for any vacancies that may arise on the Board prior to the annual meeting
Reviewing and making recommendations to our Board with respect to the Board’s leadership structure and the size and composition of the Board and the Board committees
Developing and annually reviewing our corporate governance principles, including guidelines for determining the independence of directors
Annually reviewing director compensation and benefits
Developing and recommending to the Board for its approval an annual self-evaluation process of the Board and the Board’s committees and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of our Board and its committees
Reviewing and, if appropriate, approving or ratifying any “transaction” between the Company and a “related person” required to be disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission (”SEC”) rules and annually reviewing the use and effectiveness of such policy
Reviewing our policies and procedures with respect to political spending
Reviewing actions in furtherance of our corporate social responsibility
Reviewing and resolving any conflicts of interest involving directors or executive officers
Overseeing the risks, if any, related to our corporate governance structure and practices
Identifying and discussing with management the risks, if any, related to our social responsibility actions and public policy initiatives

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  Committees

Members

Primary Responsibilities

# of

Meetings
in 2016

Management Development and Compensation

Mr. Hartnack (Chair)

Mr. Naylor

Ms. Richie

Assisting our Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions, including the CEO, and overseeing our management resources, structure, succession planning, development and selection process6
Evaluating the CEO’s performance and approving and, where required, recommending for approval by the independent members of our Board, the CEO’s annual compensation, including salary, bonus and equity andnon-equity incentive compensation
Evaluating the performance of other senior executives and approving and, where required, recommending for approval by our Board, each senior executive’s annual compensation, including salary, bonus and equity andnon-equity incentive compensation, in each case, based on initial recommendations from the CEO
Reviewing and overseeing incentive compensation arrangements with a view to appropriately balancing risk and financial results in a manner that does not encourage employees to expose us or any of our subsidiaries to imprudent risks, and are consistent with safety and soundness, and reviewing (with input from our Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”) and the CRO of the Bank) the relationship among risk management policies and practices, corporate strategies and senior executive compensation
Reviewing and overseeing equity incentive plans and other stock-based plans

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  Committees

Members

Primary Responsibilities

# of

Meetings
in 2016

Risk

Mr. Guthrie (Chair)

Mr. Coviello

Mr. Graylin

Assisting our Board in its oversight of our enterprise-wide risk management framework, including as it relates to credit, investment, market, liquidity, operational, compliance and strategic risks10
Reviewing and, at least annually, approving our risk governance framework, and our risk assessment and risk management practices, guidelines and policies, including significant policies that management uses to manage credit and investment, market, liquidity, operational, compliance and strategic risks
Reviewing and, at least annually, recommending to our Board for approval, our enterprise-wide risk appetite, including our liquidity risk tolerance, and reviewing and approving our strategy relating to managing key risks and other policies on the establishment of risk limits as well as the guidelines and policies for monitoring and mitigating such risks
Meeting separately, at least quarterly, with our CRO and the Bank’s CRO to discuss the Company’s risk assessment and risk management practices and related guidelines and policies
Receiving periodic reports from management on the metrics used to measure, monitor and manage known and emerging risks, including management’s view on acceptable and appropriate levels of exposure
Receiving reports from our internal audit, risk management and independent liquidity review functions on the results of risk management reviews and assessments, including the Company’s internal control system over operational and regulatory controls and of the adequacy of the processes for controlling the Company’s activities and managing its risk
Reviewing and approving, at least annually, the Company’s enterprise-wide capital and liquidity framework (including our contingency funding plan) for addressing liquidity needs during liquidity stress events
Reviewing, at least quarterly, in coordination with the Bank’s Risk Committee, the Company’s allowance for loan losses methodology, liquidity, risk appetite, regulatory capital and ratios, and internal capital adequacy assessment processes
Reviewing, at least quarterly, information provided by senior management to determine whether we are operating within our established risk appetite
Reviewing the status of financial services regulatory examinations
Reviewing the independence, authority and effectiveness of our risk management function and independent liquidity review function
Approving the appointment of, evaluating and, when appropriate, approving the replacement of the CRO
Reviewing the disclosure regarding risk contained in our annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Audit Committee

consumer goods industries. The Board has determined that Mr. Naylor qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of RegulationS-K,S-K.

Ms. Richie, 61, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting and the Board is satisfied that all members of our Audit Committee have sufficient expertise and business and financial experience necessaryobserver from July 2015 to effectively perform their dutiesNovember 2015. Ms. Richi served as membersPresident of the Audit Committee.

Management Development and Compensation Committee

Each of Mr. Hartnack, Mr. Naylor andWomen’s National Basketball Association LLC, a professional sports league, from 2011 to 2015. From 2008 to 2011, Ms. Richie qualifiesserved as “outside directors” within the meaningChief Marketing Officer of Section 162(m) (“Section 162(m)”)Girl Scouts of the U.S. Internal Revenue CodeUnited States of 1986,America. From 1984 to 2008, she held various positions at Ogilvy & Mather, including Senior Partner and Executive Group Director and member of the agency’s Operating and Diversity Advisory Boards. Ms. Richie is currently engaged by several Fortune 100 companies to advisec-suite executives on matters of personal leadership and corporate culture. She also serves on the board of directors of Bright Horizons, a publicly-traded provider of high-quality child care and early education. Ms. Richie has been recognized as amended (the “Code”)one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Business by The Network Journal, one of the Most Influential African Americans in Sports by Black Enterprise and as“non-employee directors” withinone of the meaningMost Influential Black Corporate Directors bySavoy magazine. She is the recipient of Rule16b-3 undernumerous awards including Sports Business Journal’s Game Changer Award and Ebony magazine’s Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications Award. Ms. Richie received a B.A. in Policy Studies from Dartmouth College. Ms. Richie is a former Trustee of the Securities Exchange ActNaismith Basketball Hall of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

The Board is led by ournon-executive Chair, Mr. Hartnack. We believe that having an independent director serve as thenon-executiveFame; she was named a Charter Trustee of her alma mater in 2012; and she became Chair of the Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College in 2017.

    20        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                

LOGOLOGO

Name and present position, if any, with the Company

Age, period served as a director and other business experience

Senator Snowe, 73, has been a director since November 2015 and was anon-voting Board observer from January 2015 to November 2015. She has also been a member of the board of directors of the Bank since January 2017. She is currently Chairman and CEO of Olympia Snowe, LLC, a policy and communications consulting firm, and a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, anon-profit organization focused on national policy solutions, where she is also a member of the board, a senior fellow, andco-chairs its Commission on Political Reform. Senator Snowe currently serves on the board of directors of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., a financial services company, and she previously served on the board of directors of Aetna, Inc., a diversified healthcare benefits company. Senator Snowe served in the bestU.S. Senate from 1995–2013, and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979–1995. While in the U.S. Senate, she served as Chair and was the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and served on the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Intelligence Committee, and the Senate Commerce Science and Technology Committee. She also served as Chair of the Subcommittee on Seapower for the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Snowe received recognition from the National Association of Corporate Directors as an NACD Directorship 100 “Class of 2015.” Senator Snowe received a B.A. in political science from the University of Maine and has received honorary doctorate degrees from many colleges and universities.

We believe that Senator Snowe should serve as a member of the Board due to her broad range of valuable leadership and public policy experience, including more than 30 years as an elected member of the U.S. Congress. Her experiences provide her with an extensive background handling complex issues, including budget and fiscal responsibility, economic, tax and regulatory policy, and healthcare policy.

Ms. Zane, 68, has been a director since February 2019 and was anon-voting Board observer from October 2018 to February 2019. She currently serves as CEO Emeritus and Vice Chair of the board of trustees at Tufts Medical Center and the Floating Hospital for Children, and from 2004 to 2011, she served as its President and CEO. From 1994 to 2004, Ms. Zane served as Network President for Partners Healthcare System, a physician/hospital network sponsored by the Harvard affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Prior to 2004, Ms. Zane served as the CEO of Quincy Hospital. Ms. Zane serves on the boards of directors of Boston Scientific Corporation, a manufacturer of medical devices; Brooks Automation, a provider of automation, vacuum and instrumentation equipment for multiple markets, including semiconductor manufacturing, technology device manufacturing, and life sciences; and Haemonetics Corporation, a global provider of blood and plasma supplies and services. Ms. Zane received a Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University and a Master of Arts from Catholic University of America. She has an Advanced Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors and she holds the following honorary degrees: Doctorate of Humane Letters from University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth; Doctorate of Commercial Science from Bentley University; Doctorate of Business Administration from Stonehill College; and Doctorate of Humane Letters from Curry College.

We believe that Ms. Zane should serve as a member of the Board due to her executive experience in the healthcare industry, including as the CEO of a large medical center, in addition to her financial expertise and substantial experience as a director at other public companies. The Board has determined that Ms. Zane qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of RegulationS-K.

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        21      


LOGO

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS

Directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the stockholders. They must also have an inquisitive and objective perspective, practical wisdom and mature judgment. The Company will endeavor to have a Board representing a range of experience at policy-making levels in areas that are relevant to the Company’s activities. Although the Board does not have a specific diversity policy, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account a candidate’s ability to contribute to the diversity on the Board. It considers each candidate’s and the existing Board members’ race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural background and professional experience. Directors must be willing to devote sufficient time to carrying out their duties and responsibilities effectively and should be committed to serve on the Board for an extended period of time. Our Governance Principles maintain that directors who also serve as CEOs or in equivalent positions should not serve on more than two boards of public companies in addition to the Company’s Board, and other directors should not serve on more than three boards of public companies in addition to the Company’s Board.

Pursuant to our Company’s Governance Principles, when a director’s principal occupation or job responsibilities change significantly during his or her tenure as a director, that director shall tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend to the Board the action, if any, to be taken with respect to the resignation. The Board does not believe that arbitrary term limits on directors’ service are appropriate, nor does it believe that directors should expect to be renominated annually until they reach the mandatory retirement age. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate each director in connection with his or her renomination for election at each annual meeting of stockholders. Except in special circumstances, directors will not be nominated for election to the Board after their 75th birthday.

PROCESS FOR REVIEWING, IDENTIFYING AND EVALUATING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing, identifying, evaluating and recommending director nominees to the Board after considering the qualifications described above and set forth in the Company’s Governance Principles. Upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board proposes a slate of nominees to the stockholders for election to the Board. Between annual stockholder meetings, the Board may fill vacancies and newly created directorships on the Board with directors who will serve until the next annual meeting.

Other stockholders may also propose nominees for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by submitting the names and other supporting information required under our Bylaws to: Corporate Secretary, Synchrony Financial, 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will apply the same standards in considering director candidates recommended by stockholders that it applies to other candidates. In addition to recommending director candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, stockholders may also, pursuant to procedures established in our Bylaws, directly nominate one or more director candidates to stand for election by the stockholders. For information on how to nominate a person for election as a director at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including through the proxy access right to include such nominees in the Company’s proxy materials, please see the discussion under the heading “Additional Information— Stockholder Proposals for the 2021 Annual Meeting.”

    22        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The standing committees of the Board consist of the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the MDCC, the Risk Committee, and the Technology Committee. The duties and responsibilities of these standing committees are set forth below. The Board may also establish various other committees to assist it in its responsibilities. Our Board has adopted charters for each of its standing committees. Copies of the committees’ charters are available on our website at http://investors.synchronyfinancial.com under “Corporate Governance.” Each of the standing committees reports to the Board as it deems appropriate and as the Board requests.

  Committees

Members

Primary Responsibilities

# of

Meetings

in 2019

  Audit

Mr. Naylor (Chair)

Mr. Alves

Senator Snowe

Ms. Zane

 Selecting, evaluating, compensating and overseeing the independent registered public accounting firm

11

 Receiving reports from our internal audit, risk management and independent liquidity review functions on the results of risk management reviews and assessments, including the Company’s internal control system over operational and regulatory controls and of the adequacy of the processes for controlling the Company’s activities and managing its risk

 Reviewing the audit plan, changes in the audit plan, the nature, timing, scope and results of the audit, and any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response

 Overseeing our financial reporting activities, including our annual report, and accounting standards and principles followed (including any significant changes in such standards and principles)

 Reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor, as appropriate, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures

 Reviewing our major financial risk exposures, the Company’s risk assessment and risk management practices and the guidelines, policies and processes for risk assessment and risk management

 In conjunction with the Risk Committee, overseeing our risk guidelines and policies relating to financial statements, financial systems, financial reporting processes, compliance and auditing, and allowance for loan losses

 Approving audit andnon-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm

 Meeting with management and the independent registered public accounting firm to review and discuss our financial statements, any critical audit matters (CAMs) and other matters required to be reviewed under applicable legal, regulatory or NYSE requirements

 Establishing and overseeing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters

 Approving the appointment of, evaluating and, when appropriate, approving the replacement of the Chief Audit Executive

 Overseeing our internal audit function, including reviewing its organization, performance and audit findings, and reviewing our disclosure and internal controls

 Overseeing the Company’s compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory requirements (other than those assigned to other committees of the Board) and related processes and programs

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        23      


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  Committees

Members

Primary Responsibilities

# of

Meetings

in 2019

Nominating and Corporate Governance

Senator Snowe

(Chair)

Mr. Aguirre

Ms. Richie

  Developing, and recommending to our Board for approval, qualifications for director candidates, taking into account applicable regulatory or legal requirements regarding experience, expertise or other qualifications for service on certain of our stockholders. The separationBoard’s committees

  Considering potential director nominees properly recommended by the Company’s stockholders, leading the search for other individuals qualified to become members of roles allowsthe Board, recommending to our ChairBoard for approval the director nominees to focusbe presented for stockholder approval at the annual meeting, and recommending to the Board nominations for any vacancies that may arise on the organizationBoard prior to the annual meeting

8

  Reviewing and making recommendations to our Board with respect to the Board’s leadership structure and the size and composition of the Board and the Board committees

  Developing and annually reviewing our corporate governance principles, including guidelines for determining the independence of directors

  Annually reviewing director compensation and benefits

  Developing and recommending to the Board for its approval an annual self-evaluation process of the Board and the Board’s committees and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of our Board and its committees

  Reviewing and, if appropriate, approving or ratifying any “transaction” between the Company and a “related person” required to be disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and annually reviewing the use and effectiveness of such policy

  Reviewing our policies and procedures with respect to political spending

  Reviewing actions in furtherance of our corporate, environmental and social responsibility

  Reviewing and resolving any conflicts of interest involving directors or executive officers

  Overseeing the Board. Atrisks, if any, related to our corporate governance structure and practices

  Identifying and discussing with management the same time, it allowsrisks, if any, related to our environmental and social responsibility actions and public policy initiatives

    24        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                

  Committees

Members

Primary Responsibilities

# of

Meetings in 2019

Management Development and Compensation

Mr. Hartnack

(Chair)

Mr. Aguirre

Mr. Naylor

Ms. Richie

  Assisting our Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions, including the CEO, to focus on executingand overseeing our strategymanagement resources, structure, succession planning, development and managing our operations,selection process

  Evaluating the CEO’s performance and risks following our transition to being a fully stand-alone public company.

We manage our enterprise risk using an integrated framework that includes Board-level oversight, administration by a group of cross-functional management committees,approving and,day-to-day implementation by a dedicated risk management team led where required, recommending for approval by the CRO. Theindependent members of our Board, the CEO’s annual compensation, including salary, bonus and equity andnon-equity incentive compensation

6

  Evaluating the performance of other senior executives and approving and, where required, recommending for approval by our Board, each senior executive’s annual compensation, including salary, bonus and equity andnon-equity incentive compensation, in each case, based on initial recommendations from the CEO

  Reviewing and overseeing incentive compensation arrangements with a view to appropriately balancing risk and financial results in a manner that does not encourage employees to expose us or any of our subsidiaries to imprudent risks, and are consistent with safety and soundness, and reviewing (with input from our Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”) and the Risk Committee) is responsible for approvingCRO of the Company’senterprise-wide risk appetite statement and framework, as well as certain otherBank) the relationship among risk management policies and oversees the Company’s strategic planpractices, corporate strategies and senior executive compensation

  Reviewing and overseeing equity incentive plans and other stock-based plans

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        25      


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  CommitteesMembersPrimary Responsibilities# of
Meetings in
2019

  Risk

Mr. Guthrie (Chair)

Mr. Coviello

Mr. Graylin

  Assisting our Board in its oversight of our enterprise-wide risk management program.framework, including as it relates to credit, investment, market, liquidity, operational (including cyber security), compliance and strategic risks

7

The

  Reviewing and, at least annually, approving our risk governance framework, and our risk assessment and risk management practices, guidelines and policies, including significant policies that management uses to manage credit and investment, market, liquidity, operational, compliance and strategic risks

  Reviewing and, at least annually, recommending to our Board regularly devotes time during its meetingsfor approval, our enterprise-wide risk appetite, including our liquidity risk tolerance, and reviewing and approving our strategy relating to reviewmanaging key risks and other policies on the establishment of risk limits as well as the guidelines and policies for monitoring and mitigating such risks

  Meeting separately, at least quarterly, with our CRO and the Bank’s CRO to discuss the most significantCompany’s risk assessment and risk management practices and related guidelines and policies

  Receiving periodic reports from management on the metrics used to measure, monitor and manage known and emerging risks, facingincluding management’s view on acceptable and appropriate levels of exposure

  Receiving reports from our internal audit, risk management and independent liquidity review functions on the Companyresults of risk management reviews and management’s responses to those risks. During these discussions,assessments, including the CEO,Company’s internal control system over operational and regulatory controls and of the CFO,adequacy of the CRO,processes for controlling the General CounselCompany’s activities and other members ofmanaging its risk

  Reviewing and approving, at least annually, the Company’s enterprise-wide capital and liquidity framework (including our contingency funding plan) for addressing liquidity needs during liquidity stress events

  Reviewing, at least quarterly, in coordination with the Bank’s Risk Committee, the Company’s allowance for loan losses methodology, liquidity, risk appetite, regulatory capital and ratios, and internal capital adequacy assessment processes and our annual capital plan and the Bank’s resolution plan

  Reviewing, at least quarterly, information provided by senior management present management’s assessmentto determine whether we are operating within our established risk appetite

  Reviewing the status of risks, a description offinancial services regulatory examinations

  Reviewing the most significant risks facing the Companyindependence, authority and any mitigating factors and plans or practices in place to address and monitor those risks. The Board has also delegated certain of its risk oversight responsibilities to its committees.

The Risk Committee of the Board has responsibility for the oversighteffectiveness of our risk management program,function and independent liquidity review function

  Approving the three other board committees have other oversight roles with respect to risk management within their respective oversight areas. Several management committeesappointment of, evaluating and, subcommittees have important roles and responsibilities in administering our risk management program. This committee-focused governance structure provides a forum through which risk expertise is applied cross-functionally to all major decisions, including developmentwhen appropriate, approving the replacement of policies, processes and controls used by the CRO and

  Reviewing the disclosure regarding risk management team to execute our risk management philosophy. Our enterprise risk management philosophy is to ensure that all relevant riskscontained in our business activities are appropriately identified, measured, monitoredannual and controlled. Our approach in executing this philosophy focuses on leveraging our strong credit risk culture to drive enterprise risk management using a strong governance framework, a comprehensive enterprise risk assessment program and an effective risk appetite framework.

Responsibility for risk management flows to individuals and entities throughout our Company, including our Board, various Board and management committees and senior management. We believe our corporate culture and values in conjunctionquarterly reports filed with the risk management accountability incorporated into our integrated Risk Management Framework, which includes our governance structure and three distinct “Lines of Defense” (as further described below), has facilitated, and will continue to facilitate, the evolution of an effective risk management presence across the Company.SEC

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    26        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                

Committees

Members

Primary Responsibilities

# of

Meetings in
2019

  Technology   CommitteeMr. Coviello
(Chair)

  Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board on major strategies and other subjects relating to technology

2

Mr. Alves

Mr. Graylin

Ms. Zane

  Reviewing the Company’s approach to technology-related innovation, including the Company’s competitive position and relevant trends in technology and innovation

  Reviewing the technology development process to assure ongoing business growth

  Providing a forum for dialogue on existing and emerging technologies which present opportunities or threats to the Company’s strategic agenda

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Board has determined that each of Mr. Naylor, Mr. Alves and Ms. Zane qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d) (5) of RegulationS-K, and the Board is satisfied that all members of our Audit Committee have sufficient expertise and business and financial experience necessary to effectively perform their duties as members of the Audit Committee.

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Each of Mr. Hartnack, Mr. Aguirre, Mr. Naylor and Ms. Richie qualifies as “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) (“Section 162(m)”) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and as“non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act).

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        27      


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

The Board is led by ournon-executive Chair, Mr. Hartnack. We believe that having an independent director serve as thenon-executive Chair of the Board is in the best interests of our stockholders. The separation of roles allows our Chair to focus on the organization and effectiveness of the Board. At the same time, it allows our CEO to focus on executing our strategy and managing our operations, performance and risks.

We manage enterprise risk using an integrated framework that includes Board-level oversight, administration by a group of cross-functional management committees, andday-to-day implementation by a dedicated risk management team led by the CRO. The Board (with input from the Risk Committee) is responsible for approving the Company’s enterprise-wide risk appetite statement and framework, as well as certain other risk management policies, and oversees the Company’s strategic plan and enterprise-wide risk management program.

The Board regularly devotes time during its meetings to review and discuss the most significant risks facing the Company and management’s responses to those risks. During these discussions, the CEO, the CFO, the CRO, the General Counsel and other members of senior management present management’s assessment of risks, a description of the most significant risks facing the Company and any mitigating factors and plans or practices in place to address and monitor those risks. The Board has also delegated certain of its risk oversight responsibilities to its committees.

The Risk Committee of the Board has responsibility for the oversight of the risk management program, and the three other board committees have other oversight roles with respect to risk management within their respective oversight areas. Several management committees and subcommittees have important roles and responsibilities in administering the risk management program. This committee-focused governance structure provides a forum through which risk expertise is applied cross-functionally to all major decisions, including development of policies, processes and controls used by the CRO and risk management team to execute our risk management philosophy. The enterprise risk management philosophy is to ensure that all relevant risks are appropriately identified, measured, monitored and

controlled. The approach in executing this philosophy focuses on leveraging risk expertise to drive enterprise risk management using a strong governance framework structure, a comprehensive enterprise risk assessment program and an effective risk appetite framework.

Responsibility for risk management flows to individuals and entities throughout our Company, including the Board, various Board and management committees and senior management. The corporate culture and values, in conjunction with the risk management accountability incorporated into the integrated Enterprise Risk Government Framework, which includes a governance structure and three distinct “Lines of Defense” (as further described below), has facilitated, and will continue to facilitate, the evolution of an effective risk management presence across the Company.

The “First Line of Defense” is comprised of the business areas whoseday-to-day activities involve decision-making and associated risk taking for the Company. As the business owner, the first line is responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and controlling that risk, and for mitigating our overall risk exposure. The first line formulates strategy and operates within the risk appetite and risk governance framework. The “Second Line of Defense,” also known as the independent risk management organization, provides oversight of first line risk taking and management. The second line assists in determining risk capacity, risk appetite, and the strategies, policies and structure for managing risks. The second line owns the risk governance framework. The “Third Line of Defense” is comprised of Internal Audit. The third line provides independent and objective assurance to senior management and to the Board and Audit Committee that first and second line risk management and internal control systems and its governance processes are well-designed and working as intended.

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

It is our policy that each director is expected to dedicate sufficient time to the performance of his or her duties as a director, including by attending meetings of the stockholders, and meetings of the Board and Board committees of which he or she is a member.

In 2019, the Board held nine meetings, including regularly scheduled and special meetings. All directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board (held during the period for which he or she has been a director); and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees on which he or she served (during the periods for which he or she has served). All directors attended the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

    28        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                

MEETINGS OFNON-MANAGEMENT AND INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

In accordance with our Governance Principles, at the conclusion of every Board meeting, the independent directors have an executive session without anynon-independent directors present. The Chair of the Board, Mr. Hartnack, presides at executive sessions. During executive sessions, the independent directors have complete access to Company personnel as they may request.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stockholders and any interested parties who would like to communicate with the Board or its committees may do so by writing to them via the Company’s Corporate Secretary by email at corporate.secretary@ synchronyfinancial.com or by mail at Synchrony Financial, 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902 or by leaving a voicemail message at (800)275-3301.

All communications directed to the Board, the Chair of the Board or any other members of the Board are initially reviewed by the Company’s Ombuds Leader. Any communications that allege or report fiscal improprieties or complaints about internal accounting controls or other accounting or auditing matters are immediately forwarded to the Chair of the Audit Committee, the General Counsel and the Chief Audit Executive, and after consultation with the Chair of the Audit Committee, may be sent to the other members of the Audit Committee. Any communications that raise legal, ethical or compliance concerns about the Company’s policies or practices are immediately forwarded to the General Counsel and the Chief Compliance Officer. The Chair of the Board is advised promptly of any such communication that alleges misconduct on the part of the Company’s management or raises legal, ethical or compliance concerns about the Company’s policies or practices and that the General Counsel or the Chief Compliance Officer believes may be credible, and after consultation with the Chair of the Board, such communication may be reported to the other members of the Board or to a committee of the Board.

Typically, the Ombuds Leader will not forward to the Company’s directors communications from stockholders or other communications that are of a personal nature or not related to the duties and

responsibilities of the Board, including: junk mail and mass mailings; routine customer service complaints; human resources matters; service suggestions; resumes and other forms of job inquiries; opinion surveys and polls; business solicitations; or advertisements.

CODE OF CONDUCT

We have adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to anyone who works for or represents Synchrony, including all directors, officers and employees. A copy of this code is available on our website at http://investors.synchronyfinancial.com under “Corporate Governance.” If we make any substantive amendments to this code or grant any waiver from a provision to our CEO, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a Current Report onForm 8-K.

GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES

Our Governance Principles provide the framework for the governance of the Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing and implementing our Governance Principles, periodically reviewing such Governance Principles and recommending any proposed changes to the Board for approval. A copy of our Governance Principles is available on our website at http://investors. synchrony.com under “Corporate Governance.”

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The members of the Company’s MDCC are Mr. Hartnack, Mr. Aguirre, Mr. Naylor and Ms. Richie. None of Mr. Hartnack, Mr. Aguirre, Mr. Naylor and Ms. Richie was, during 2019 or previously, an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. During 2019, there were no compensation committee interlocks required to be disclosed. In addition, no member of the MDCC had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of RegulationS-K under the Exchange Act.

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        29      


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COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS

ITEM 2—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking stockholders to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement on pages33-58 (the“Say-on-Pay Vote”). Although the voting results are not binding, we value continuing and constructive feedback from our stockholders on compensation and other important matters, and the Company’s MDCC will consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation program. Consistent with the direction of our stockholders at our 2015 annual meeting, theSay-on-Pay Vote is held on an annual basis until the nextnon-binding stockholder vote on the frequency with which theSay-on-Pay Vote should be held in 2021.

We believe that our executive compensation program aligns the interests of the Company’s executives and other key employees with those of the Company and its stockholders. The program is intended to attract, retain and motivate high-caliber executive talent to enable the Company to maximize operational efficiency and long-term profitability. The program is also designed to differentiate compensation based upon individual contribution, performance and experience.

WE ASK FOR YOUR ADVISORY APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The “First Line of Defense” is comprised of the business areas whoseday-to-day business activities involve decision-making and associated risk-taking for the Company. As the business owner, the first line is responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and controlling that risk, and for mitigating our overall risk exposure. The first line formulates strategy and operates within the risk appetite and framework. The “Second Line of Defense,” which includes the independent risk management organization, provides oversight of first line risk taking and management. The second line assists in determining risk capacity, risk appetite, and the strategies, policies and structure for managing risks. The second line owns the risk framework. The “Third Line of Defense” is comprised of our Internal Audit function. The third line provides independent and objective assurance to senior management and to the Board of Directors that first and second line risk management and internal control systems and its governance processes are well-designed and working as intended.

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

It is our policy that each director is expected to dedicate sufficient time to the performance of his or her duties as a director, including by attending meetings of the stockholders, and meetings of the Board and Board committees of which he or she is a member.

In 2016, the Board held 12 meetings, including regularly scheduled and special meetings. All directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board (held during the period for which he or she has been a director); and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees on which he or she served (during the periods for which he or she has served). All directors attended the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

MEETINGS OFNON-MANAGEMENT AND INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

In accordance with our Governance Principles, at the conclusion of every Board meeting, the independent directors have an executive session without anynon-independent directors present. The Chair of the Board, Mr. Hartnack, presides at executive sessions. During executive sessions, the independent directors have complete access to Company personnel as they may request.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stockholders and any interested parties who would like to communicate with the Board or its committees may do so by writing to them via the Company’s Corporate Secretary by email at corporate.secretary@synchronyfinancial.com or by mail at Synchrony Financial, 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902 or by leaving a voicemail message at (800)275-3301.

All communications directed to the Board, the Chair of the Board or any other members of the Board are initially reviewed by the Company’s Ombuds Leader. Any communications that allege or report fiscal improprieties or complaints about internal accounting controls or other accounting or auditing matters are immediately forwarded to the Chair of the Audit Committee, the General Counsel and Chief Audit Executive, and after consultation with the Chair of the Audit Committee, may be sent to the other members of the Audit Committee. Any communications that raise legal, ethical or compliance concerns about the Company’s policies or practices are immediately forwarded to the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. The Chair of the Board is advised promptly of any such communication that alleges misconduct on the part of the Company’s management or raises legal, ethical or compliance concerns about the Company’s policies or practices and that the General Counsel or Chief Compliance Officer believes may be credible, and after consultation with the Chair of the Board, such communication may be reported to the other members of the Board or to a committee of the Board. On a quarterly basis, the Chair of the Board receives updates on other communications from stockholders that raise issues related to the affairs of the Company but do not fall into the two prior categories. The Chair of the Board determines which of these communications he would like to see.

Typically, the Ombuds Leader will not forward to the Company’s directors communications from stockholders or other communications that are of a personal nature or not related to the duties and responsibilities of the Board, including: junk mail and mass mailings; routine customer service complaints; human resources matters; service suggestions; resumes and other forms of job inquiries; opinion surveys and polls; business solicitations; or advertisements.

24    LOGO


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

CODE OF CONDUCT

We have adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to anyone who works for or represents Synchrony, including all directors, officers and employees. A copy of this code is available on our website at http://investors.synchronyfinancial.com under “Corporate Governance.” If we make any substantive amendments to this code or grant any waiver from a provision to our CEO, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a Current Report onForm 8-K.

GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES

Our Governance Principles provide the framework for the governance of the Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing and implementing our Governance Principles, periodically reviewing such Governance Principles and recommending any proposed changes to the Board for approval. A copy of our Governance Principles is available on our website at http://investors.synchronyfinancial.com under “Corporate Governance.”

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Based upon a review of our records, we believe that all reports required to be filed by our directors, officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during 2016 were filed on a timely basis.

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The members of the Company’s MDCC are Mr. Hartnack, Mr. Naylor and Ms. Richie. None of Mr. Hartnack, Mr. Naylor and Ms. Richie was, during 2016 or previously, an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. During 2016, there were no compensation committee interlocks required to be disclosed. In addition, no member of the MDCC had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of RegulationS-K promulgated by the SEC.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

ITEM 2—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking stockholders to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement on pages29-48 (the“Say-on-Pay Vote”). Although the voting results are not binding, we value continuing and constructive feedback from our stockholders on compensation and other important matters, and the Company’s MDCC will consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation program. Consistent with the direction of our stockholders at our 2015 annual meeting, theSay-on-Pay Vote is held on an annual basis until the nextnon-binding stockholder vote on the frequency with which theSay-on-Pay Vote should be held in 2021.

We believe that our executive compensation program aligns the interests of the Company’s executives and other key employees with those of the Company and its stockholders. The program is intended to attract, retain and motivatehigh-caliber executive talent to enable the Company to maximize operational efficiency and long-term profitability. The program is also designed to differentiate compensation based upon individual contribution, performance and experience.

We ask for your advisory approval of the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders hereby approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to Synchrony Financial’s named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement on pages29-48.33-58.

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MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive officers (other than Ms. Keane): Alberto Casellas, Brian D. Doubles, Henry F. Greig, Neeraj Mehta, David P. Melito, Jonathan S. Mothner, Thomas M. Quindlen, Brian J. Wenzel Sr. and Paul Whynott. For information concerning Ms. Keane, see “Corporate Governance—Election of Directors.”

Name and present position with the Company

 

LOGO The Board recommends a vote FOR approval of the compensation paid to the Company’s

named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.

Age, period served in present position

and other business experience

 

 

26    LOGOAlberto Casellas


COMPENSATION MATTERSExecutive Vice President, CEO—CareCredit

  

 

MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information concerningMr. Casellas, 53, has been the CEO of our executive officers (other than Ms. Keane).

For information concerning Ms. Keane, see “Corporate Governance—ElectionCareCredit platform since January 2019. He previously served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Engagement Officer from November 2016 to December 2018 and as our Senior Vice President, Retail Card Client Initiatives Group from March 2014 to November 2016. Mr. Casellas joined GE in 1990 and held various leadership roles of Directors.”

Name and present position

with the Company

Age, period served in present position

and other businessincreasing responsibility in sales, operations, and P&L including Vice President & General Manager, Retail Card Portfolios, leading several client relationships out of the San Francisco Bay Area from 2004 to 2014; Site Operations Leader in Charlotte, NC under GE Capital’s Consumer Finance from 2002 to 2004; Leader of thee-Business initiative for GE Structured Services from 1999 to 2002; and General Manager, GE Supply South America Operations in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Casellas serves on the Board of Directors of Domus Kids, a Stamford, CTnon-profit organization that helps thousands of the Stamford area’s most vulnerable youth experience success. He is also the Executive Sponsor of Synchrony’s Hispanic Network. Mr. Casellas received a B.A. in Economics from Yale University.

 

Brian D. Doubles

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Doubles, 41, has been our Executive Vice President and CFO since February 2014 and has served as CFO of GE’s North American retail finance business since January 2009 and a member of the board of directors of the Bank since 2009. From July 2008 to January 2009, Mr. Doubles served as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis of GE’s global consumer finance business. From March 2007 to July 2008, Mr. Doubles led the wind-down of GE’s U.S. mortgage business as CFO and subsequently as CEO. From May 2006 to March 2007, Mr. Doubles served as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis of GE’s North American retail finance business. From January 2001 to May 2006, Mr. Doubles served in roles of increasing responsibility for GE’s internal audit staff. From February 1998 to January 2001, Mr. Doubles held various roles as part of a GE management leadership program. Mr. Doubles received a B.S. in Engineering from Michigan State University.

Henry F. Greig

Executive Vice President

and Chief Risk Officer

Mr. Greig, 54, has been our Executive Vice President and CRO since February 2014 and has served as CRO of GE’s North American retail finance business since October 2010 and the Bank since May 2011. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Bank from 2011 to January 2016. From June 2004 to October 2010, Mr. Greig served as CRO of the Retail Card platform of GE’s North American retail finance business. From December 2002 to June 2004, Mr. Greig served as Vice President of Risk for GE’s North American retail finance business. From June 2000 to December 2002, Mr. Greig served as Vice President of Information & Customer Marketing of GE’s North American retail finance business. Prior to that, Mr. Greig served in various business and risk positions with GE affiliates. Mr. Greig received an A.B. in Mathematics from Bowdoin College and an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Jonathan S. Mothner

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

Mr. Mothner, 53,

    30        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


COMPENSATION MATTERS                

Name and

present position

with the Company

Age, period served in present position

and other business experience

Brian D. Doubles

President

Mr. Doubles, 44, has been our President since May 2019. He has also been a member of the board of directors of the Bank since 2009. Mr. Doubles previously served as our Executive Vice President and CFO from February 2014 to April 2019 and as CFO of GE’s North American retail finance business from January 2009 to February 2014. From July 2008 to January 2009, Mr. Doubles served as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis of GE’s global consumer finance business. From March 2007 to July 2008, Mr. Doubles led the wind-down of GE’s U.S. mortgage business as CFO and subsequently as CEO. From May 2006 to March 2007, Mr. Doubles served as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis of GE’s North American retail finance business. From January 2001 to May 2006, Mr. Doubles served in roles of increasing responsibility for GE’s internal audit staff. From February 1998 to January 2001, Mr. Doubles held various roles as part of a General Electric Company (“GE”) management leadership program. Mr. Doubles received a B.S. in Engineering from Michigan State University.

Henry F. Greig

Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer and Capital Management Leader

Mr. Greig, 57, has been our Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer and Capital Management Leader since April 2017. He previously served as our Executive Vice President and CRO from February 2014 to April 2017. Mr. Greig served as CRO of GE’s North American retail finance business from October 2010 to February 2014, and the Bank from May 2011 to April 2017. Mr. Greig was also a member of the board of directors of the Bank from 2011 to January 2016. From June 2004 to October 2010, Mr. Greig served as CRO of the Retail Card platform of GE’s North American retail finance business. From December 2002 to June 2004, Mr. Greig served as Vice President of Risk for GE’s North American retail finance business. From June 2000 to December 2002, Mr. Greig served as Vice President of Information & Customer Marketing of GE’s North American retail finance business. Prior to that, Mr. Greig served in various business and risk positions with affiliates of GE. Mr. Greig received an A.B. in Mathematics from Bowdoin College and an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Neeraj Mehta

Executive Vice President, CEO—Payment Solutions and Chief Commercial Officer

Mr. Mehta, 49, has been Executive Vice President and CEO of our Payment Solutions platform and our Chief Commercial Officer since January 2018. He previously served as our Executive Vice President of Business Strategy and Development from January 2015 to December 2017. From January 2012 to December 2014, Mr. Mehta served as President and CEO of GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance. From January 2008 to December 2011, Mr. Mehta served as President and CEO of GE Capital, Bank Loan Group and Managing Director of GE Capital Europe, Bank Loans. Mr. Mehta joined GE in 1996 where he held numerous executive roles. Mr. Mehta received a B.A. in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Syracuse University.

David P. Melito

Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller

Mr. Melito, 54, has been our Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller since February 2014 and has served as Controller for GE’s North American retail finance business since March 2009. From January 2008 to March 2009, Mr. Melito served as Global Controller, Technical Accounting for GE Capital Aviation Services. From January 2001 to January 2008, Mr. Melito served as Global Controller, Technical Accounting for GE Capital Commercial Finance. Prior to that, Mr. Melito worked in public accounting. Mr. Melito received a B.A. in Accounting from Queens College, City University of New York, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jonathan S. Mothner

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Mr. Mothner, 56, has been our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since February 2014 and has served as General Counsel for GE’s North American retail finance business since January 2009 and the Bank since September 2011. From December 2005 to July 2009, Mr. Mothner served as Chief Litigation Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of GE’s global consumer finance business. From June 2004 to December 2005, Mr. Mothner served as Chief Litigation Counsel and head of the Litigation Center of Excellence of GE Commercial Finance. From May 2000 to June 2004, Mr. Mothner served as Litigation Counsel of GE’s global consumer finance business. Prior to joining GECC, Mr. Mothner served in various legal roles in the U.S. Department of Justice and a private law firm. Mr. Mothner received a B.A. in Economics from Hobart College and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

 

David P. Melito

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

Name and
present position

with the Company

Age, period served in present position

and other business experience

Senior Vice President,

Chief Accounting Officer

and Controller

Mr. Melito, 51, has been our Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller since February 2014 and has served as Controller for GE’s North American retail finance business since March 2009. From January 2008 to March 2009, Mr. Melito served as Global Controller, Technical Accounting for GE Capital Aviation Services. From January 2001 to January 2008, Mr. Melito served as Global Controller, Technical Accounting for GE Capital Commercial Finance. Prior to that, Mr. Melito worked in public accounting. Mr. Melito holds a B.A. in Accounting from Queens College, City University of New York, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

Name and present position

with the Company

Age, period served in present position

and other business experience

Thomas M. Quindlen

Executive Vice President

and Chief Executive Officer—

Retail Card

Mr. Quindlen, 54, has been our Executive Vice President and CEO of our Retail Card platform since February 2014 and has served as Vice President of the Retail Card platform for GE’s North American retail finance business since December 2013. From January 2009 to December 2013, Mr. Quindlen served as Vice President and CEO of GECC Corporate Finance. From November 2005 to January 2009, Mr. Quindlen served as President of GECC Corporate Lending, North America. From March 2005 to November 2005, Mr. Quindlen served as Vice President and CEO of GECC Commercial Financial Services. From May 2002 to March 2005, Mr. Quindlen served as President and CEO of GECC Franchise Finance. From September 2001 to May 2002, Mr. Quindlen served as Senior Vice President of GECC Global Six Sigma for Commercial Equipment Financing. Prior to that, Mr. Quindlen served in various sales, marketing, business development and financial positions with GE affiliates. Mr. Quindlen received a B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University.

Glenn P. Marino

Executive Vice President,

Chief Executive Officer—

Payment Solutions and

Chief Commercial Officer

Mr. Marino, 60, has been our Executive Vice President and CEO of our Payment Solutions platform and our Chief Commercial Officer since February 2014 and has served as CEO of the Payment Solutions platform and as Chief Commercial Leader of GE’s North American retail finance business since December 2011. From July 2002 to December 2011 Mr. Marino served as CEO of the Sales Finance platform of GE’s North American retail finance business. From March 1999 to July 2002, Mr. Marino served as CEO of Monogram Credit Services, a joint venture between GE and BankOne (now JPMorgan Chase & Co.). From February 1996 to March 1999, Mr. Marino served as CRO of the Visa/MasterCard division of GE’s North American retail finance business. Prior to that, Mr. Marino served as Vice President of Risk within Citigroup’s U.S. retail banking business. Mr. Marino received a B.S. in Biology from Syracuse University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

David Fasoli

Executive Vice President

and Chief Executive Officer—

CareCredit

Mr. Fasoli, 58, has been our Executive Vice President and CEO of our CareCredit platform since February 2014 and has served as President and CEO of the CareCredit platform of GE’s North American retail finance business since March 2008. From June 2003 to March 2008, he served as General Manager of the Home and Recreational Products Business of GE’s North American retail finance business. Prior to June 2003, Mr. Fasoli served as Vice President of Client Development of GE’s North American retail finance business and held several positions of increasing responsibility within GE and GE’s North American retail finance business in finance, client development, business integration and quality. Mr. Fasoli received a B.S. in Business and Economics from the State University of New York at Albany.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Executive Summary

Our Named Executive Officers—The executive officers whose compensation we discuss in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and whom we refer to as our named executive officers (“NEOs”) are Margaret M. Keane, President and CEO; Brian D. Doubles, Executive Vice President, CFO; Glenn P. Marino, Executive Vice President, CEO —Payment Solutions and Chief Commercial Officer; Jonathan S. Mothner, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; and Thomas M. QuindlenExecutive Vice President and CEO—Retail Card.Card

Mr. Quindlen, 57, has been our Executive Vice President and CEO of our Retail Card platform since February 2014 and has served as Vice President of the Retail Card platform for GE’s North American retail finance business since December 2013. From January 2009 to December 2013, Mr. Quindlen served as Vice President and CEO of GECC Corporate Finance. From November 2005 to January 2009, Mr. Quindlen served as President of GECC Corporate Lending, North America. From March 2005 to November 2005, Mr. Quindlen served as Vice President and CEO of GECC Commercial Financial Services. From May 2002 to March 2005, Mr. Quindlen served as President and CEO of GECC Franchise Finance. From September 2001 to May 2002, Mr. Quindlen served as Senior Vice President of GECC Global Six Sigma for Commercial Equipment Financing. Prior to that, Mr. Quindlen served in various sales, marketing, business development and financial positions with GE affiliates. Mr. Quindlen received a B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University.

Brian J. Wenzel

Sr. Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

2016 PerformanceMr. Wenzel, 52, has been our Chief Financial Officer since May 2019. Prior to that he served as SVP and Deputy Chief Financial Officer from April 2018 to April 2019 and as Chief Financial Officer for our Retail Card platform from September 1998 to April 2018. Earlier in his career, Mr. Wenzel held Chief Financial Officer roles in Business Development, Growth & Investments for Synchrony performed very welland for GE’s Treasury & Global Funding Operation. He was also an Assistant Controller for GE’s Consumer North American Finance Business. Prior to GE, Mr. Wenzel worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1989 to 1993 and held various roles in 2016 comparedastart-up healthcare venture from 1993 to goals established by the MDCC1998. Mr. Wenzel received a B.S. from Marist College and is a CPA.

Paul Whynott

Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer

Mr. Whynott, 49, has been our Executive Vice President and CRO since April 2017. From May 2014 to April 2017, Mr. Whynott served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer. Prior to joining Synchrony Financial, Mr. Whynott served as Senior Supervisory Officer, Financial Institution Supervision Group at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from April 2011 to May 2014 and he held various leadership positions of increasing responsibility from August 1992 to May 2014. Mr. Whynott received a B.A. in Economics from Connecticut College and an M.B.A. in Finance from the Columbia School of Business, Columbia University.

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        33


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COMPENSATION MATTERS

2019SAY-ON-PAY ADVISORY VOTE AND STAKEHOLDER

ENGAGEMENT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

At our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, our investors supported the compensation for our named executive officers with over 90% of the votes approving the advisorysay-on-pay item. Our MDCC considers the results of oursay-on-pay advisory vote as part of its review of our overall compensation programs and policies. As part of our regular engagement with stakeholders regarding our compensation program, in 2018 and 2019, we reached out to our top 30 stockholders representing over 60% of our outstanding shares and had conversations with all stockholders who expressed interest in meeting with us. We also engaged with proxy advisory firms and sought regulatory perspectives. Richard Hartnack, Chair of the Board and Chair of the MDCC, participated in many of the meetings with stockholders, and feedback received was regularly shared and discussed with our full Board. The MDCC considered several potential changes to the compensation program and discussed them with the full Board and with investors during our stakeholder engagement. Following these helpful dialogues and the MDCC’s own discussions, a number of actions were taken over the last two years, several of which are highlighted below.

  AREAS OF FOCUS

ACTIONS WE TOOK

Emphasize Alignment of Pay for Performance

  Added a TSR modifier to our long-term PSU program beginning with grants in 2019 that are linked to stockholder returns relative to peers over the 2019–2021 performance period

  Increased the weight of Net Earnings in our annual cash incentive awards under the AIP (1/3 in 2017, 45% in 2018 and 50% in 2019)

Add Transparency to Disclosure

  Enhanced disclosure of our pay metrics, providing minimum, target and maximum funding goals for both our annual cash incentive awards under the AIP and the 2017–2019 PSUs

  Disclosed philosophy to target median pay with additional consideration based on the size, scope and impact of the year, as well asexecutive’s role, market data, leadership skills, length of service and individual performance and contributions

Encourage Long-Term Performance and Other Best Practices

  Clarified minimum vesting period of twelve months for equity grants

  Changed the calculation of the severance payments to our direct peers (Discover Financial Services, Capital One, American Express). We generated strong financial performance, growing our core business through allthe CEO and other NEOs under the Change in Control Severance Plan to include average bonus paid for the three sales platforms. We grewprior years instead of the current target to reflect a more representative amount

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COMPENSATION MATTERS                

MIX OF PAY

A majority of our NEOs’ compensation is performance-based and therefore at risk. The only fixed compensation paid is base salary, which represents approximately10% of the CEO’s total direct compensation and no more than25% of the other NEOs’ total direct compensation.

Below we illustrate the 2019 mix of direct pay for our CEO and CFO and the pay trend of our CEO pay.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

ALIGN INCENTIVES WITH STOCKHOLDERS

The MDCC evaluates recent and historical financial and operational achievements against our peers, including return measures, growth metrics, efficiency ratio and TSR, among others. Performance during 2019 against our peers ranked first or second out of our direct peers for Efficiency Ratio and Return on Assets—two key metrics we believe reflect our annual performance.

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(1)

Adjusted to exclude the amounts related to the reduction in reserves for loan losses related to the Walmart portfolio, which was sold in October 2019. Seenon-GAAP reconciliation in Appendix A.

The MDCC also considers multi-year historical performance that drives sustainable results and creates long-term stockholder value. During the five-year period from 2015 through 2019, our annualized earnings growth rate and annualized receivables growth rate ranked first and second, respectively, compared to our direct peers:

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(1)

Adjusted to exclude the impact of the reductions in reserve for loan losses in 2019 related to the Walmart portfolio.

(2)

Reflects loan receivables by 11.8% over 2015, increased net interest incomegrowth adjusted to exclude amounts related to the Walmart and net earnings by 11.9%Yamaha portfolios for the five-year period. These portfolios which were sold in October 2019 and 1.7%, respectively, over 2015 and achieved our target efficiency ratio of less than 34%. We forged new relationships with Cathay Pacific, Nissan and At Home; renewed programs with TJX Companies, Stein Mart, Ashley Furniture Homestore,January 2020, respectively. SeeLa-Z-Boy,non-GAAP Nationwide Marketing Group and Suzuki; and launched programs with partners like Citgo, Marvel, GoogleStore, Fareportal, Mattress Firm and The Container Store. We maintained a strong balance sheet with robust capital and liquidity levels and diversified funding sources, growing deposits by 20.0% at December 31, 2016 as compared to December 31, 2015.reconciliation in Appendix A.

The following charts show our performance in 2016 compared to 2015 and, in the case of Efficiency Ratio and Loan Receivables Growth, our performance versus peers. For Synchrony, Efficiency Ratio represents (i) other expense, divided by (ii) net interest income, after retailer share arrangements, plus other income.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS                

BEST PRACTICE COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND POLICIES

The MDCC has implemented the following measures as part of our executive compensation programs:

 

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* Peer Avg. = 2016 average for Discover Financial, Capital One and American Express, as publicly reported by such company.

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WHAT WE DO:

WHAT WE DON’T DO:

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

Compensation Philosophy—One of the key principles guiding Synchrony’s executive compensation program is that compensation programs should measure business and individual performance against both qualitative and quantitative goals and objectives. Synchrony’s executive compensation program is intended to discourage excessive or imprudentrisk-taking while at the same time promoting and supporting our key compensation principles—our performance, our values, market competitiveness, internal equity, fair customer treatment and employees’ ability to raise concerns. The program is also designed to be consistent with our safety and soundness and to identify, measure, monitor and control incentive compensation arrangements.

Major Compensation Programs—Since our IPO in 2014, our employees have been granted equity awards consisting of restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock options pursuant to the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, in addition to salary and annual cash incentive awards. In 2014, our executives began to transition away from participation in GE compensation programs. In 2016, they were completely integrated into Synchrony compensation programs. In 2014, salary, annual incentives, and triennial grants of three-year long-term incentives for our executives were based on GE programs. In 2015, compensation programs for our executives were based on Synchrony programs except for the outstanding triennial grants of three-year long-term incentives, which were still part of a GE program. In 2016, we transitioned long-term incentives to a Synchrony program in the form of Performance Share Units (“PSUs”). The 2016 PSUs granted to our executives are linked to our financial performance over the 2016-2018 period, will not vest unless performance conditions are met, and are intended to comprise half of the value of each employee’s equity-based incentive compensation.

Our major compensation components and their objectives are:

Base Salary—Provides market-based compensation based on experience, position and performance of the executives.

Annual Cash Incentive Awards—Focuses executives on short-term goals set by the fully independent MDCC through cash awards.

��Annual Equity Awards—Aligns executives’ interests with stockholders through a combination of RSUs and stock options.

Long-Term Incentive Awards—Through the use of three-year vesting PSUs, focuses executives on long-term goals set by the MDCC.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

Target Pay—The MDCC reviews our compensation practices prior to making any decision on target pay and mix of pay, including (i) a detailed benchmarking study of peer compensation data, (ii) a pay for performance analysis comparing our compensation to our peers and to alignment with our performance, and (iii) a review of our executives’ stock ownership.

The chart below shows the target pay for our NEOs as of the end of 2016:

   Name  Position Base Salary Target
Annual Cash
Incentive Pay
 Target Annual
Equity Award
 

Target

Long-Term
Incentive
Awards (PSUs)

 Target
    Total Pay    

Margaret Keane

  President and CEO  $1,100,000  $2,200,000  $2,750,000  $2,750,000  $8,800,000

Brian Doubles

  Executive Vice President, CFO  $685,000  $685,000  $685,000  $685,000  $2,740,000

Glenn Marino

  Executive Vice President, CEO—  $750,000  $600,000  $600,000  $600,000  $2,550,000
  Payment Solutions and Chief          
   Commercial Officer                         

Jonathan

  Executive Vice President,  $700,000  $560,000  $560,000  $560,000  $2,380,000

Mothner

  General Counsel and Secretary                         

Thomas

  Executive Vice President  $812,000  $825,000  $718,000  $650,000  $3,005,000

Quindlen

  and CEO—Retail Card                         

Mix of Pay—The mix of target pay as of the end of 2016 for our CEO and CFO is shown below.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

Strong Governance—Our MDCC has implemented the following governance measures as part of our executive compensation programs:

Substantial portion of executive pay based on performance against goals set by the MDCC;
MDCC

 

LOGONo hedging or pledging of Company stockLOGO

Risk governance framework underlies compensation decisions;

decisions

 

LOGONo employment agreements for executive officersLOGO

Stock ownership requirements for executive officers;

officers

 

No hedging or pledging of company stock;

No employment agreements for executive officers;

LOGONo taxgross-ups for executive officers;officers
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Minimum vesting of 12 months for any options or stock appreciation rights

 

Limited perquisites;
LOGONo discretion to accelerate the vesting of awardsLOGO

Minimum vesting of 12 months for any restricted stock or RSUs

 

LOGONo cash buyouts of stock options or stock appreciation rights with exercise prices that are notin-the-moneyLOGO

Compensation subject to clawback in the event

of misconduct and expanded to “no fault” in the case of financial restatements for all NEOs

LOGONo payout of dividends on unvested equity prior to the vesting date

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Limited perquisites

LOGONo backdating or repricing of stock option awardsLOGO

Use of peer company benchmarking, targeting median among peers with additional consideration based on the size, scope and impact of role, market data, leadership skills, length of service and both company and individual performance and contributions

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Double-trigger vesting of equity and long-term incentive plan awards upon change in control;

control

 

Compensation subject to claw-back in the event of misconduct;
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One-year“Say-on-Pay” frequency

 

No backdating or repricing of stock option awards; and
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Independent compensation consultant advises the MDCC.

2016Say-On-Pay Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation—At our 2016 annual stockholder meeting, our investors supported the compensation for our named executive officers with approximately 95% of the votes approving the advisorysay-on-pay item. Our MDCC considers the results of oursay-on-pay advisory vote as part of its review of our overall compensation programs and policies.

Compensation Philosophy

Synchrony Program Principles

One of the key principles guiding Synchrony’s executive compensation program is that compensation programs should measure business and individual performance against both qualitative and quantitative goals and objectives. Synchrony’s executive compensation program is intended to discourage excessive or imprudent risk-taking while at the same time promoting and supporting the key principles outlined below. The program is also designed to be consistent with our safety and soundness and to identify, measure, monitor and control incentive compensation arrangements.

The key principles guiding this program and underlying the oversight of our program by Synchrony’s MDCC are:

 

LOGOPerformanceUpdated:—compensation programs should measure business and individual Include relative performance against both qualitative and quantitative goals and objectives;

Values—compensation programs shouldmetric by applying a Total Shareholder Return modifier to our long-term performance awards that will be linked to how employees go about their work or, more specifically, how they demonstrate the behaviors we expect of our employees;stockholder returns relative to peers

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

 

MarketCOMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

SYNCHRONY PROGRAM PRINCIPLES

Synchrony’s executive compensation program is intended to discourage excessive or imprudent risk taking while at the same time promoting and supporting the key principles outlined below. The program is also designed to be consistent with our safety and soundness and to identify, measure, monitor and control incentive compensation arrangements.

The key principles guiding this program and underlying the oversight of our program by Synchrony’s MDCC are:

Performance—compensation programs are linked to business and individual performance against both qualitative and quantitative goals and objectives;

Values—compensation programs are also linked to how employees demonstrate the behaviors and values expected of our employees;

Stockholder Alignment—compensation program should be designed to align management incentives with the creation of stockholder returns over the long-term;

Market Competitiveness—compensation programs should be competitive with the external labor markets;

 

Internal Equity—compensation programs should be internally equitable, subject to the employee’s experience, performance and other relevant factors;

 

Prudent Risk—compensation programs, particularly in the form of incentive compensation must not encourage employees to expose the Company to inappropriate or excessive risks and should be based in part on the long-term performance outcomes of risks taken. RiskEmployees should always be takentake risks only within approved policy limits, in accordance with the MDCC charter and key practices and in consideration of Synchrony’s ability to effectively identify and manage such risks, including credit, operational and reputational risks;

 

Fair Customer Treatment—compensation programs should encourage employees to follow established companyCompany procedures and to treat customers fairly; and

 

Reporting Concerns—compensation programs should be designed in such a way as to encourage employees to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

The consistent application of these design principles enables Synchrony to maintain compensation programs that are reasonable, balanced and effectively attract, retain, motivate and engage employees who strive to achieve the mission, goals and objectives of Synchrony in a way that is compatible with effective risk management controls.controls and long- term stockholder value. A robust performance review process is a critical element in all reward decisions.

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KEY CONSIDERATIONS IN SETTING COMPENSATION MATTERS

Key Considerations in Setting Compensation

For 2016,2019, we used the following considerations in setting compensation for our NEOs:

Consistent and sustainable performanceSustainable Performance—Our executive compensation program provides the greatest pay opportunity when executives demonstrate superior performance for sustained periods of time. It also rewards executives for executing our Company’s strategy through business cycles, so that the achievement of long-term strategic objectives is not compromised by short-term considerations. The emphasis on consistent performance affects annual salary and equity incentive compensation. With the prior year’s salary and grant serving as an initial basis for consideration, such awardsthe final determinations for salary and grants are determined based on an assessment of an executive’s past performance and expected future contributions. Because current-year, past and sustainable performance are incorporated into compensation decisions, any percentage increase or decrease in the amount of total annual compensation tends to be more gradual than in a framework that is focused solely or largely on current-year performance.

Future pay opportunity versus current payBalanced Compensation Approach—We strive to provide an appropriate mix of compensation elements to achieve a balance between currentshort versus long-term deferred compensation, cash versus equity incentive compensation and other features that cause the amounts ultimately received by the NEOs to appropriately reflect risk and risk outcomes. Cash payments primarily, but not exclusively, reward more recent performance, whereas equity awards encourage our NEOs to continue to deliver results over a longer period of time, align our executives’ interests with the interests of our stockholders and serve as a retention tool. We believe that the compensation paid or awarded to our NEOs should be more heavily weighted toward rewards based on our Company’s sustained operating performance against both internal goals and relative to peers, as well as our stock price performance over the long-term.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS                

Qualitative and quantitative factorsQuantitative Factors—Quantitative formulas are not used exclusively in determining the amount of compensation. While quantitative calculations and formulas set the funding and cap award levels for our performance-based programs, the MDCC can use qualitative factors such as performance in the context of the economic environment relative to other companies, a track recordrisk considerations, execution of integrity, good judgment, the visionour strategic plan and ability to create further growth, the ability to lead others, and other considerations that cause the amounts ultimately received by the NEOs to appropriately reflect risk and risk outcomes.leadership competencies/values.

Consideration of riskRisk Mitigation—Our compensation program is balanced, focused on the long termlong-term and takes into consideration thefullthe full range and duration of risks associated with an NEO’s activities. Under this structure, through clawback policies and other program features, the highest amount of compensation can be achieved through consistent superior performance but only within the limits of our stated risk appetite. In addition, significant portions of compensation are earned only over the longer term and may be adjusted during the vesting period for risk outcomes. This provides strong incentives for executives to manage our Company for the long termlong-term while avoiding excessive risk-takingrisk taking in the short term.short-term. As discussed further below under “Compensation and Risk,” Synchrony’s MDCC reviews the relationship between our risk management policies and practices and the incentive compensation provided to our NEOs.

Peer company payCompany Pay—We also considered compensation levels and pay practices at our direct peers and other peer companies when making Synchrony equity grants in 2016. In addition to total assetssetting target pay levels for 2019, targeting median pay among peers with additional consideration based on the size, scope and impact of the availabilityexecutive’s role, market data, leadership skills, length of information in compensation databases, the selection criteria for theservice and individual performance and contributions. The peer group focused on publicly tradedwas selected to reflect publicly-traded financial services companies headquartered in the United States with eitherconsidering assets, annual revenue orand market capitalization equal to approximatelyone-half totwo-times Synchrony’s annual revenue or market capitalization. Whensize. At the MDCC established 2016 target compensation at its September 2015 meeting, Synchrony’s assets and annual revenue weretime of the peer group selection, Synchrony was at the 23rdpeer 42nd percentile in assets, 52nd percentile in revenue and 78th45th percentile respectively, of our peers,in market capitalization, based on financial information from the most recent fiscal year prior to the meeting,meeting.

For 2019, upon the recommendation of Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”), the MDCC’s new independent advisor, the MDCC updated Synchrony’s peer group to include more data processors and Synchrony’s market cap was atconsumer finance companies (Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Fidelity National Information Services, Alliance Data Systems, Fiserv, and Total System Services) and eliminate banks with limited consumer focus to help balance the 65th percentilemix of our peers as of September 1, 2015.

across the industry (i.e., The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and Comerica Incorporated). As a result, the list of peer companies used for understanding industry pay practices and targetto set pay levels for 2016 includes the following financial services companies.2019, as set forth below, better reflects our business model.

 

Consumer Finance

  

Data Processing

  

Commercial Banks

Alliance Data SystemAlly Financial Inc.  MasterCardMastercard Incorporated  BB&T Corporation
Ally Financial Inc.Visa Inc.Comerica Incorporated
American Express Company  PayPal Holdings, Inc.  Fifth Third BancorpCitizens Financial Group, Inc.
Capital One Financial Corporation  Visa Inc.  Huntington Bancshares IncorporatedFifth Third Bancorp
Discover Financial Services  Fidelity National InformationHuntington Bancshares
Santander Consumer USA Holdings    Services    Incorporated
Alliance Data Systems  KeyCorp
Navient Corporation  Fiserv  M&T Bank Corporation
  The PNC FinancialTotal System Services Group, Inc.
  Regions Financial Corporation
    

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

U.S. Bancorp

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS

2016 Compensation Elements2019 COMPENSATION ELEMENTS

The following summarizes the compensation elements used in 2016for 2019 to reward and retain our NEOs.

Base SalaryBASE SALARY

Base salaries for our NEOs depend on a number of factors, including the size, scope and impact of their role, the market value associated with their role,data, leadership skills, and values, length of service and individual performance and contributions. Decisions regarding salary increases are affected

The MDCC reviews base salaries and benchmark data provided by the NEOs’ currentMDCC’s independent compensation consultant. In January 2019, the MDCC determined to keep base salaries flat for all NEOs other than in connection with promotions. Promotion increases were granted to Brian Doubles and Brian Wenzel in connection with their appointments to President and CFO, respectively. Mr. Doubles’ annual base salary was increased to $800,000 and the amounts paidMr. Wenzel’s annual base salary was increased to their peers within and outside our Company. Salary increases in 2016 also reflect that this was the first year that Synchrony operated as a fully stand-alone public company after the completion of our$650,000.

split-off from GE in November 2015.ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN

AnnualNon-Equity Incentive Plan Award

Annualnon-equity incentive plan awards to our NEOs are grantedmade (or paid in cash) pursuant to Synchrony’s Annual Incentive Plan. The Synchrony Annual Incentive Plan is designed to retain and motivate the officers and other employees of Synchrony by providing them with the opportunity to earn incentive payments based upon the extent to which specified performance goals have been achieved or exceeded during the year. Each NEO has a target incentive opportunity based on market practice for 2016,his/her role with range of payouts from 0% for below threshold performance to 150% of target for performance at or above goals set for maximum payout. Performance measures for 2019 were based on three equally weighted quantitative metrics, each as calculated in accordance with GAAP, consistent with our approach adopted in 2015.U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These metrics are designed to promote a balanced focus on profit, growth, risk and expenses:

 

Net EarningsEarnings—align—to align the interests of executives with the interestinterests of stockholders;

Receivables Growth (including held for sale)to focus executives on expanding the business to drive future net earningsearnings; and

Efficiency RatioRatio——to drive cost discipline.

Minimum,In 2019, the MDCC increased the weight of Net Earnings in our annual cash incentive awards under Synchrony’s Annual Incentive Plan to 50% (from 45% in 2018 and 1/3 in 2017).

The MDCC established minimum, target and maximum performance levels are established for each metric by the MDCC based on Synchrony’s business plan and financial and economic outlook and result in funding levels thatwhich are applied to an executive’s target annual incentive. TheAfter funding is calculated based on performance relative to the specific goals, the MDCC may make negative adjustments toadjust the weighted funding or individual payouts based on views of companyCompany and individual performance, risk outcomes and other considerations. The goals for target funding payout require continued(i) strong company performance abovein light of historical peer median levels (in the case of Receivables Growth and Efficiency Ratio) orperformance, (ii) achieving our operating plan (in the case of Net Earnings).and/or (iii) beating prior year performance after reflecting accounting or other governance changes.

Metric weighting, fundingThe metrics, weights, goals, actual performance and the payout fundingpayouts for 20162019 are shown below.

 

        100% Payout    Actual    Calculated                
   Metric  Weight    Target    Performance    Payout*                

 

Net Earnings

  

 

1/3

    

 

$2.250B

    

 

$2.251B

    

 

101%              

Receivables Growth

  1/3    6%    11.8%    148%              

Efficiency Ratio

 

  1/3

 

    33.5%

 

    31.1%

 

    150%              

 

             

 

Goals

 

       

 

Associated Payout

 

     

 

Calculation

 

 

 

 Metric

 

  

 

Weight

 

       

 

Min

 

   

 

Target

 

   

 

Max

 

       

 

Min

 

   

 

Target

 

   

 

Max

 

     

 

Performance

 

  

 

Payout

 

 

 

 Net
 Earnings(1)(2)

 

   

 

50%

 

 

 

       

 

$2.5B

 

 

 

   

 

$2.7B

 

 

 

   

 

$2.9B

 

 

 

       

 

50%

 

 

 

   

 

100%

 

 

 

  150%

 

    $2,905(3)

 

  

 

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

 

 Receivables
 Growth(1)

 

   

 

25%

 

 

 

       

 

5%

 

 

 

   

 

7%

 

 

 

   

 

9%

 

 

 

       

 

50%

 

 

 

   

 

100%

 

 

 

  150%

 

    5.17%

 

   

 

13.6

 

 

 

 Efficiency
 Ratio(2)

 

   

 

25%

 

 

 

       

 

32%

 

 

 

   

 

31%

 

 

 

   

 

30%

 

 

 

       

 

50%

 

 

 

   

 

100%

 

 

 

  150%

 

    31.74%

 

   

 

15.7

 

 

                                         

 

Funding Payout:

 

   

 

104.3

 

 

*Payout if threshold

(1)

Goals set at the beginning of the year by the MDCC and performance used to determine funding include loan receivables held for sale and adjustments to exclude from both the prior year and the current year amounts related to the Walmart portfolio sold in October 2019.

(2)

Adjusted to exclude a 4Q 2019 restructuring charge included in employee costs pursuant to plan terms and as approved by MDCC.

(3)

$ in millions.

    40        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


COMPENSATION MATTERS                

For 2019, the MDCC approved payouts at the funded amount (i.e., 104.3% of target) for five of the NEOs and at 120% for Mr. Greig in recognition of his performance.

Name of

Executive

 

  

2019
Annual
Incentive
Target

 

  

2019 Annual
Incentive Payout

 

Margaret Keane

 

  $2,350,000

 

    $2,451,000

 

Brian Doubles

 

  $1,200,000

 

    $1,251,600

 

Henry Greig

 

  $625,000

 

       $750,000

 

Neeraj Mehta

 

  $735,000

 

       $766,600

 

Tom Quindlen

 

  $850,000

 

       $886,600

 

Brian Wenzel

 

  $650,000

 

       $678,000

 

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE (LTI) AWARDS

Our executives are eligible to receive long-term (equity) awards which are intended to provide compensation that supports multiple goals including: (i) motivate and reward long-term performance, achieved ranges from(ii) reinforce an ownership mentality, (iii) align our executives with stockholder interests, (iv) provide retention, and (v) mitigate risk through long-term ownership and stock holdings. In 2018, NEOs received 35% RSUs, 15% stock options, and 50% to a capPSUs. For 2019, the mix of 150% of target.long-term incentives was 50% RSUs and 50% PSUs.

Annual RSU and Option AwardsRESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (RSUs)—50% OF LTI GRANT

In 2016, ourThe NEOs received annual grants of RSUs and stock options under the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan.in 2019. The amount of RSUs and stock options awarded to each NEO is based on target incentive levels for each executive, based on the competitive market for their role and subject to adjustment by the MDCC. The 2016In 2019, to reflect market practices, the MDCC changed the vesting period for RSUs from five years to three years. Accordingly, the 2019 RSU awards were divided between RSUs (70%) and stock options (30%), with both awards vesting 20%each vest 1/3 per year over fivethree years. Synchrony uses grants of stock options to focus its executives on delivering long-term value to its stockholders because options have value only to the extent that the price of Synchrony stock on the date of exercise exceeds the stock price on the grant date, as well as to retain its executives. Synchrony also grants RSUs to reward and retain executives by offering them the opportunity to receive shares of Synchrony stock on the date the restrictions lapse as long as they continue to be employed by the Company.

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS (PSUs)—50% OF LTI GRANT

34    LOGO


COMPENSATION MATTERS

Long-Term Performance Awards (PSUs)

In 2016, we adopted a performance-based, long-term incentive program underUnder the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, pursuant to which we issued performance-based, long-term PSUs in 2019 that are linked tovest based on financial performance over the 2016-20182019–2021 (three-year) performance period. The PSUs will be payablepaid in shares of common stock based onif we achievepre-defined goals relating to our cumulative annual diluted earnings per share (EPS) and average return on assetsequity (ROE), each weighted 50%. The MDCC selected and approved the metrics and the goals for threshold, target and stretch with the ultimate award ranging from 0% (if threshold performance is not achieved) up to 150% for achieving stretch performance levels. Target payout levels set for the 2019–2021 performance period require increased EPS growth over the three-year PSU grant period and above median return on equity performance relative to historical peer performance levels. Performance below threshold results in forfeiture of the share units allocated to the corresponding performance measure. Dividend equivalents are accrued but not paid until the end of the performance period which were approved bybased on the MDCC after evaluating several possible alternative performance metrics for this program. Each measure is weighted equally.actual number of shares earned. These performance metrics align the interestinterests of our executives with the interests of stockholders in an efficient and balanced manner,by encouraging growth andwhile ensuring that growth does not come at the cost of lower returns on assets. Grants of PSUs will vest at the end of 2018the three-year period in the event performance conditions are met.

Synchrony Financial Restoration Plan

The Restoration Plan mirrors the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan. The plan provides a continuation of Company contributions on salary and bonus that would have been made to our 401(k) plan but for various limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), along with additional Company contributions that cannot be made to the 401(k) plan. The plans are designed to include company contributions of (i) a 3% core contribution, (ii) a 4% match, and (iii) up to 10% additional contribution for former participants of GE pension plans, which will decline to 4% over the next three years. The Restoration Plan account is forfeited if an executive leaves voluntarily prior to age 60. For 2016, each of our NEOs received contributions to his or her Restoration Plan account, which are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column in the 2016 Summary Compensation Table.

Other Compensation

In 2016, Synchrony provided its executive officers with financial counseling, tax preparation services and annual physical examinations, which is reported in2019, the “All Other Compensation” column in the 2016 Summary Compensation Table.

Synchrony Deferred Compensation Plan

Effective for 2016, we adopted our own deferred compensation plan, which does not pay an “above-market” rate of interest. The plan is available toMDCC also added a select group of management and highly compensated employees of Synchrony and any of its participating affiliates. Under the plan, eligible employees may,TSR modifier to the extent permitted by the administratorPSUs based on our 2019 performance relative to peers in response to stakeholder feedback.

Below is a summary of the plan, electequity grants made to defer upNEOs in 2019:

Name of

Executive

 

  

Restricted
Stock
Units

 

  

Performance
Share Units

 

  

Total

 

Margaret Keane

 

  $4,000,013

 

  $4,000,014

 

  $8,000,027

 

Brian Doubles

 

  $1,200,044

 

  $1,200,044

 

  $2,400,088

 

Henry Greig

 

  $625,017

 

  $625,018

 

  $1,250,035

 

Neeraj Mehta

 

  $978,831

 

  $588,013

 

  $1,566,844

 

Tom Quindlen

 

  $717,820

 

  $680,005

 

  $1,397,825

 

Brian Wenzel

 

  $642,530

 

  $642,531

 

  $1,285,061

 

LOGO

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        41      


LOGO

COMPENSATION MATTERS

LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE AWARDS (PSUs)—2017–2019

In 2017, the MDCC granted performance-based, long-term PSUs that vested based on financial performance over the 2017–2019 performance period. The metrics used during the three-year cycle were chosen to 80% (or such lower percentage,balance executives’ focus on profitability, returning capital to investors, and growing the company. Target payouts set for the 2017–2019 performance period required 6.5% growth of EPS over the period which was above historical peer growth levels at that time and 2.3% return on assets which was approximately 75th percentile of historical peer performance at that time.

The charts below show (i) the performance over the last three years against goals approved at the beginning of the period and (ii) adjustments to GAAP that neutralize the impact of extraordinary items (such as determined by the plan administrator) of theirfavorable corporate tax rate change for 2018):

2017–2019 Performance

 

    
   
        

Goals

 

  

Associated Payout

 

 

    Calculation

 

    
   

Metric

 

  

Weight

 

  

Min

 

  

Target

 

  

Max

 

  

Min

 

  

Target

 

  

Max

 

 

2019
Performance

 

 

Payout

 

    
   
Cumulative EPS  50%  $8.13  $9.23  $10.43    50%  100%  150% $9.26 50.5%  
   

Return on Assets

 

  50%  1.8%  2.3%  2.8%    50%  100%  150% 2.3% 52.1%   
                            

Weighted Average:

 

 102.6%    

Adjustments to GAAP

 

Metric  GAAP  Tax Impact  Walmart Impact(1)
  

Adjusted
Non-GAAP

 

Cumulative EPS

  $11.72  ($1.19)  ($1.27)  $9.26

Return on Assets

 

  2.8%

 

  (0.3%)

 

  (0.2%)

 

  2.3%

 

(1)

Other consists of the impact of new program wins not contemplated in our operating plan.

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER PROMOTIONS FOR 2019

In connection with Mr. Doubles’ appointment as President, his annual base salary was increased to $800,000 and bonus,his target incentive level for purposes of annual awards, includingnon-equity incentive plan awards granted pursuant to Synchrony’s Annual Incentive Plan, as well as RSUs and all or a portion of any other type of compensation, as determined by the plan administrator. The plan administrator will designate two or more investment benchmarks from which participants can select the benchmarks that will be used to determine the rate of return or loss applicable to their deferred compensation amounts. Participants will also make elections regarding the time and form of payment of their deferralPSUs awarded under the plan,Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, was increased, in accordance with Section 409Aeach case, to 150% of the Code. We have established notional accounts attributable to participants’ deferrals, which will be adjusted based on participants’ investment elections.his base salary.

Performance ObjectivesIn connection with Mr. Wenzel’s appointment as Executive Vice President and EvaluationsCFO, his annual base salary was increased to $650,000 and his target incentive level for Our Named Executive Officers for 2016purposes of annual awards, includingnon-equity incentive plan awards granted pursuant to Synchrony’s Annual Incentive Plan, as well as RSUs and PSUs awarded under the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, was increased, in each case, to 100% of his base salary.

In addition, and also in connection with their promotions, Mr. Doubles and Mr. Wenzel each received equity grants that resulted in total 2019 awards consistent with their new roles. The grants were made on the same terms and conditions as the grants that were made to Mr. Doubles and Mr. Wenzel on March 1, 2019.

    42        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


COMPENSATION MATTERS                

PERFORMANCE

OBJECTIVES AND

EVALUATIONS FOR OUR

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR 2019

At the beginning of 2016,2019, the Board approved, with the Board’sMs. Keane’s input, Ms. Keane developed thespecific objectives that shethey believed should be achieved for our Company to be successful. These objectives includeincluded both quantitative financial measurementsmeasures and qualitative factors, including strategic, operational and risk management considerations, as well as her individual performance and are focused on the factorscontributions, that Ms. Keane believes create long-term shareowner value. The MDCC evaluated Ms. Keane’s 20162019 performance was evaluated and measured against these goals by the MDCC to determine the appropriateher incentive compensation awards for her.awards. The amount of her incentive compensation was ultimately approved by the MDCC, based on their discretion and judgment. Ms. Keane did not participate in the determination of her compensation.

During 2016, ourOur other NEOs reported directly to Ms. Keane, and developed theiralso had objectives based on our Company’s objectives relatedthat reflected goals specific to their role.roles at the Company. Each of our other NEOs’ objectives include both quantitative financial measurementsmeasures and qualitative strategic, operational and risk management considerations, as well as individual performance and contributions, affecting our Company and the sales platforms or functions that they lead. Each of our other NEOs’ 20162019 performance was evaluated and measured against their respective goals by the MDCC, as well as by Ms. Keane. The amount of their incentive compensation was ultimately approved by the MDCC, based on the Company’s performance against goals established by the MDCC at the beginning of the year and based on the MDCC’s discretion and judgment. None of our other NEOs participated in the determination of their compensation.

2019 CEO PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

LOGO     35


COMPENSATION MATTERS

2016 CEO Performance Objectives and AchievementsAND ACHIEVEMENTS

The MDCC believes that Ms. Keane performed very wellKeane’s strong leadership resulted in 2016 in executing on the performance frameworkstrong core financials, continued growth and 2016 financial objectives outlined below.execution of key strategic achievements. Under Ms. Keane’s leadership, managementSynchrony delivered the following results on the qualitative and quantitative performance goals set for Synchrony by Ms. Keane with respect to 2016:2019:

Invest in our talent and live our values—Through continued focus on diversity and inclusion, leadership development, volunteerism and work/life balance, we’re determined to create a better work environment for all our employees. Simply put, we’re creating a great place to work. Based on 2019 employee survey results, Synchrony was named #44 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list. This along with external recognition by Forbes, Great Place to Work and others confirmed Synchrony’s strong standing with employees and reflected a culture built on trust, diversity and inclusion. More than 6,500 unique employees volunteered more than 48,000 hours to over 300 nonprofit organizations. We helped employees realize their unique ambitions through our diversity networks and business leadership and skills training programs. From open enrollment and nomination-based leadership courses toon-demand tools like Harvard ManageMentor® and audible downloads, Synchrony offered development for employees at every career level. Scores on Synchrony’s employee survey increased from 2018 in key survey focus areas including equity, fairness, impartiality, engagement, justice and corporate image. We continued to cultivate a strong governance culture derived from the very basic principle that we want to do the right thing for all of our stakeholders— partners, cardholders, depositors, employees, stockholders, regulators and our communities.

 

Grow core business onacross all three sales platforms (Retail Card, Payment Solutions and CareCredit)During 2019, across all three sales platforms, we financed $149.4 billion of purchase volume, and at December 31, 2019, we had $87.2 billion of loan receivables and 75.5 million active accounts. We extendedcompleted the account conversions of our Retail Cardacquisition of the U.S. PayPal Credit program, agreements with TJX Companieswhich is the largest conversion in our history, and Stein Mart,successfully renewed over 50 key relationships, while also signing 30 new business deals across all our sales platforms, including Venmo and Verizon. In addition, we launched our Synchrony HOME credit card, giving cardholders the purchasing power to finance all their home needs on one card and take advantage of all the promotions that participating retailers offer today; it also extends purchasing utility to over 1.3 million locations in the home category. CareCredit expanded into three new programs with Citgo, Marvel, Google Storespecialty healthcare markets and Fareportal,broadened our product offerings, including entry into pet insurance as a managing general agent through the acquisition of Pets Best. CareCredit also expanded into health systems, securing the HFMA Peer review and announced ourfive new partnerships with Cathay Pacific, Nissanhealth systems. CareCredit also grew acceptance for pharmacy and At Home. Program agreements accounting for nearly 99% of Retail Card platform revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 currently have expiration dates in 2019personal care items at Walgreens, and beyond. We also launched key Payment Solutions programs with Mattress Firm and The Container Store, and extended our program agreements with Ashley Furniture HomeStore,La-Z-Boy, Nationwide Marketing Group and Suzuki. In our CareCredit network, we increased the number ofgrew total provider locations to approximately 200,000 locationsover 240,000.

LOGO

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        43      


LOGO

COMPENSATION MATTERS

Expand robust data analytics and digital capabilities—We employed our expanded data, analytics and digital capabilities to improve customer experience at each major part of the customer journey, including the application and point of buy, customer service and in mobile apps. We launched significant new customer service features, including freeze my account, balance transfer,pre-login activation, and customer accountlook-up. We also successfully completed the conversion of the PayPal portfolio and launched other new clients throughout the year.

Position our business for long-term growth—We executed on our multi-year credit transformation journey, driving incremental sales and many new accounts at a flat loss rate. As part of our diversification strategy, we added new digital partners, such as of December 31, 2016.Venmo, and entered new verticals, such as our new partnership with Verizon, which we announced in early 2020. We continued to expand our Synchrony Home and Synchrony Car Care networks, and our CareCredit sales platform continued to diversify, focusing on health systems and acquiring Pets Best. We also executed on our executive succession plan.

 

Operate with a strong balance sheet and financial profile—We grew loan receivables by 11.8%delivered strong operating and financial performance in 2019. We reported net earnings of $3.7 billion, or $5.56 earnings per share on a diluted basis, and at December 31, 2016 as compared to December 31, 2015. We maintained stable credit metrics2019, we had $87.2 billion of loan receivables and remained disciplined on underwriting. For 2016, we reported a75.5 million active accounts.

Leverage strong net interest margin of 16.1% and achieved an efficiency ratio of 31.1%, which was below our <34% target. We also maintained a strong balance sheet with robust capital and liquidity levels and diversified funding sources, growingposition—We had strong deposit growth in an increasingly competitive market. We continue to invest in our direct banking activities to grow our deposit base, with total direct deposit accounts increasing by approximately 115,000, or 13%, from 2018.Total deposits by 20.0%increased to $52.1$65.1 billion at December 31, 2016, compared to December 31, 2015. On July 7, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $952 million2019, representing 77% of our outstanding shares of common stock for the four quarters ending June 30, 2017.total funding sources. We also declared a dividend of $0.13 per share in each of the thirdobtained funding through unsecured and fourth quarters of 2016.

Build and invest for the future—We delivered leading capabilities in digital and the evolving payment landscape, enhanced our Enterprise Customer Engagement analytics and loyalty capabilities, and expanded inmid-market and online-only retailers. We also enhancedco-brand opportunities and grew our banking platform into a full-scale online bank.

Invest in talent and strengthen culture—We continued to build our leadership development programs for all levels in our organization, from university recruiting to executive level leadership training experiences. For university recruiting, we received three LEAD Awards in 2017,secured financings, diversified through our first yearpreferred stock issuance, maintained strong liquidity and executed on our capital plan, returning $4.2 billion of being nominated for such awards. The LEAD Awards recognize organizations globally that have the best use of or the best internally created leadership development programs. We received the number 2 rankingcapital to stockholders through $3.6 billion in “Best Customer Service Leadership Training Program,” the number 2 rankingshare repurchases and $0.6 billion in “Best Use of Team Building” and the number 8 ranking in “Best Innovation of Deployment of a Leadership Program.” We also continue to invest to ensure we recruit and retain a very diverse workforce, and support our teams through seven internal diversity networks that include Women, African American, Hispanic, Asian, Veteran, LGBT, and People with Disabilities. We were ranked in Fortune’s Top 50 best places to work for diversity, coming in at number 29.

Continue to build our brand externally—We continued to build a distinctive Synchrony Financial brand. This included the launch of an enterprise-wide brand platform (“Unique Ambitions”) to differentiate Synchrony with key audiences. We introduced a new creative and messaging approach (“What are you working forward to?”) that is memorable for Synchrony and continues to be amplified through advertising, social media and internal channels. We published editorial, thought-leadership and custom content to bring Synchrony’s perspective, data insights, technology and people into new places and to new audiences. Synchrony developed its first corporate sponsorship program with KAABOO Del Mar and the Rock n’ Roll Marathon series and activated dynamic opportunities for brand exposure, client hospitality, employee engagement, partner collaboration and consumer promotion.

Increase Corporate Citizenship—Launched a philanthropic platform called Synchrony Families that Work, focused on helping working families through grants and providing basic needs. Launched the 1st Annual Pay It Forward; A Month of Caring, which is a month-long global volunteer initiative with over 25 Synchrony sites participating including India, the Philippines and Puerto Rico. Nearly 2,000 volunteers gave more than 6,600 hours to approximately 100 projects that directly impacted 47,000 people. Held United Way Campaign at 22 U.S. sites and raised nearly $1 million. Held 1st Annual Doubles Dive, a polar bear plunge which raises money for local nonprofits. Seventy-five employees, friends and family members participated in the event in Westport, Connecticut. Partnered with the USTA Foundation to host Stamford Family Fun Day. More than 100 kids from four local nonprofits participated in an afternoon of educational and tennis activities.dividends.

36    LOGO


COMPENSATION MATTERS

2016 Other2019 OTHER NEO Compensation DecisionsACHIEVEMENTS

Mr. DoublesMR. DOUBLES

In addition to Mr. Doubles’ contributions toward our Company’s objectives described above, Ms. Keane specifically recognized that Mr. Doubles effectively transitioned to his new role as President and his impact in this role was positively felt across the Company. Mr. Doubles immersed himself in his new responsibilities and played a key leadership role in driving growth, new deals and making key investment decisions, positively impacting all three platforms. Mr. Doubles has had significant influence over our strategic growth initiatives and direct to consumer strategy, leading investment decisions to support diversification and launch the Synchrony Mastercard program. Beyond his impacts to the business results, Mr. Doubles led efforts to improve talent and strengthen our culture, focusing on diverse talent recruitment, performance management and driving adoption of “Acting as An Owners” mindset. Mr. Doubles created and executed a robust development plan to ensure he continued building relationships with key external stakeholders (partners, regulators, stockholders, government relations) and employees across the Company.

MR. WENZEL

Mr. Wenzel transitioned from Deputy CFO to CFO very well. In addition to his contributions toward our Company’s objectives described above, Mr. Wenzel provided strong leadership of our finance organization, including driving excellent financial discipline across the business;business and leading his team to add value in new ways; playing a key role in new program wins and renewals; supporting growth and strategic investment opportunities; maintaining strong controllership and risk management; supporting growth and strategic investment opportunities; supporting renewals of key deals; completing Synchrony’s first dividend and launching the share repurchase program; driving strong deposit growth; increasing Synchrony’s dividend and share repurchase program; maintaining strong investor relations; further expanding his relationships with our key customers; and promoting career development and diversity.

Mr. MarinoMR. GREIG

In addition to hisMr. Greig’s contributions toward our Company’s objectives described above, Ms. Keane specifically recognized that Mr. MarinoGreig provided strong leadership of the Credit and Capital Management organization, including delivering on critical credit loss and fraud metrics while supporting strategic business initiatives to drive smart growth and enhance the consumer experience. This performance led to improved net losses and reserve metrics compared to the operating plan, which had a direct positive impact on the Company’s net earnings in 2019.

    44        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


COMPENSATION MATTERS                

Mr. Greig led initiatives to acquire new data and apply machine learning to improve underwriting. He and his team launched and executed more than 1,000 fraud, authentication, account acquisition, account management, and collections strategies. Mr. Greig continues to work cross-functionally with IT, Enterprise Customer Engagement, and Marketing to leverage new technology to transform credit lending and improve the experience for the customer. Mr. Greig also helped prepare the Company to implement the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) model, a new credit loss accounting standard.

MR. MEHTA

In addition to Mr. Mehta’s contributions toward our Company’s objectives described above, Mr. Mehta provided strong leadership of the Payment Solutions sales platform, including growing the platform within approved risk tolerances; exceedingtolerances and delivering on critical growth targets; successfully launching Synchrony’s Auto Network; signingmetrics; retaining and deepening key partnerships and adding new dealsrelationships with major retailers and extending key partnerships;merchants; and making multiple senior executive promotions within Payment Solutionscontinuing to positiondrive transformation, optimization and commercial discipline. Mr. Mehta is also responsible for leading innovative new products and markets like unsecured installment lending,e-commerce solutions, gifting and more. He contributes as an external thought leader across the businessindustry. He is a champion for long-term growth.diversity inclusion, talent development, and recruitment inside and outside the Company.

Mr. MothnerMR. QUINDLEN

In addition to hisMr. Quindlen’s contributions toward our Company’s objectives described above, Ms. Keane specifically recognized that Mr. Mothner provided strong leadership of our legal organization, including effectively engaging with regulators, including obtaining approval to declare Synchrony’s first dividend and begin a share repurchase program; supporting multiple business initiatives, including the successful renewal of key deals; successfully managing litigations and investigations; and continuing to drive corporate governance excellence, including the adoption of both majority voting and proxy access.

Mr. Quindlen

In addition to his contributions toward our Company’s objectives described above, Ms. Keane specifically recognized that Mr. Quindlen provided strong leadership of the Retail Card sales platform, including growing the platform within approved risk tolerances and delivering on critical growth metrics; building strong relationships with existing Retail Card partners;partners and adding new partnerships as well, including with Venmo and Verizon; leading Retail Card’s risk culture and tone at the top; driving engagement with and the development of the Retail Card organization’s talent; and supportingdriving diversity through hiring and promotion practices.

Other Compensation PracticesOTHER COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Stock Ownership GuidelinesSYNCHRONY FINANCIAL

RESTORATION PLAN

NEOs participate in the Synchrony Financial Restoration Plan, which provides retirement benefits that mirror the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan. The plan provides a continuation of Company contributions on salary and bonus that would have been made to our 401(k) plan

but for various limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), along with additional Company contributions that cannot be made to the 401(k) plan. The plans include Company contributions of (i) a 3% core contribution, (ii) a 4% match, and (iii) as of December 31, 2019, up to 4% additional contribution in 2019 for former participants of GE pension plans. The Restoration Plan account is forfeited if an executive leaves voluntarily prior to age 60. For 2019, each of our NEOs received contributions to his or her Restoration Plan account, which are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column in the 2019 Summary Compensation Table.

OTHER COMPENSATION

In 2019, Synchrony provided certain executive officers with (i) financial counseling and/or tax preparation services, (ii) supplementary life insurance, and (iii) annual physical examinations, which are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column in the 2019 Summary Compensation Table. The supplementary life insurance policies are intended to maintain benefits that existed for certain executives as GE employees prior to the completion of oursplit-off from GE and in lieu of life insurance benefits that are provided to other Synchrony employees. These policies were frozen in value and participation upon Synchrony’s IPO. While Synchrony could have “bought out” the value of these polices upon IPO, the Company chose to freeze the insurance amount and maintain the policies to help retain senior management through Synchrony’s transition away from GE. The policies require an executive to stay with Synchrony through age 60 to receive the full value of the benefit. The face value of the supplementary life insurance policies for all participants is less than the value of the standard life insurance program for Synchrony employees.

SYNCHRONY DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

Our Deferred Compensation Plan does not pay an “above-market” rate of interest and is available to a select group of management and highly compensated employees of Synchrony and any of its participating affiliates. Under the plan, eligible employees may, elect to defer up to 80% of their base salary and bonus. The plan administrator will designate two or more investment benchmarks which participants can choose between to determine the rate of return or loss applicable to their deferred compensation amounts. Participants can also make elections regarding the time and form of payment of their deferral under the plan, in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. We have established stock ownership guidelinesnotional unfunded accounts attributable to participants’ deferrals, which will be adjusted based on participants’ investment elections.

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Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        45      


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COMPENSATION MATTERS

OTHER COMPENSATION PRACTICES

STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES

Our Stock Ownership Guidelines require the Company’s CEO, President and Executive Vice Presidents to own significant amounts of our common stock, thereby aligning theirhelping to ensure alignment of executives’ interests with the interestthose of our stockholders. The enhanced stock ownership guideline for our CEO is fivesix times base salary and thefor our President is five times base salary. The stock ownership guideline for Executive Vice Presidents, including the other four NEOs, is three times base salary,salary. The guidelines are to be met within five years of being subject to the policy.policy and/or promotion. For the purposes of our stock ownership guidelines, all shares of common stock, RSUs and phantom stock units held by our executives are credited toward ownership levels. All of our NEOs’ stock ownership far exceeds the ownership guidelines, aligning our executive team with our stockholders. Based on our closing stock price on December 30, 2016 ($36.27),February 28, 2020 of $29.10, our NEOs had the following ownership base-salary multiples:

 

  Name of ExecutiveRequired MultipleActual Ownership

Margaret Keane

5.0X14.7X

Brian Doubles

3.0X  9.7X

Glenn Marino

3.0X  7.0X

Jonathan Mothner

3.0X  6.3X

Tom Quindlen

3.0X  8.1X

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  Name of

  Executive

  

Required
Multiple

COMPENSATION MATTERS

  

Ownership as of
March 1, 2020

  Margaret Keane

  

6.0X

  

17.6X

  Brian Doubles

5.0X

9.2X

  Brian Wenzel

3.0X

2.6X

  Henry Greig

3.0X

7.8X

  Neeraj Mehta

3.0X

6.2X

  Tom Quindlen

3.0X

5.6X

ANTI-HEDGING AND

Equity Grant Practices

The exercise price of each Synchrony stock option granted to our NEOs in 2016 was the closing price of Synchrony’s stock on the date of grant, which was April 1, 2016. Synchrony’s MDCC has delegated to the CEO the ability to grant equity-based awards to executives outside of the CEO’s staff to allow the Company to make timely decisions on hiring, performance and retention.

Hedging and Anti-Pledging RestrictionsANTI-PLEDGING RESTRICTIONS

Our Compensation Key Practices,Code of Conduct, which applyapplies to all of our employees include(including officers) and directors, includes anti-hedging provisions that prohibit all employees and directors from engaging in transactions in derivatives of or short-selling of Synchrony securities, including buying and writing options. We also maintain an anti-pledging policy that prohibits employees and directors from pledging activity in Synchrony securities.

Clawback PolicyCLAWBACK POLICY

In 2018, the MDCC expanded the existing clawback policy beyond conduct detrimental to the Company, to include “no fault” financial restatements for all of our named executive officers. Under the revised policy, in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, the Company will take action to recover from any current or former executive officer who received any annual or long-term incentive compensation paid, awarded, or granted during the three-year period preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, based on the erroneous data, in excess of what would have been paid to the executive officer under the accounting restatement.

Additionally, under the Company’s policy, if it is determined that an employee at or above a designated executive grade under the Company’s compensation structure has engaged in conduct detrimental to the Company, the Bank or any of the Company’s other subsidiaries, Synchrony’sthe MDCC or, in the case of a Bank employee, the Bank’s Development and Compensation Committee, may take a range of actions to remedy the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and impose such discipline as would be appropriate. Discipline may vary depending on the facts and circumstances, and may include, without limitation, (a) termination of employment, (b) initiating an action for breach of fiduciary duty, (c) reducing, cancelling or seeking reimbursement of any paid or awarded compensation, and (d) if the conduct resulted in a material inaccuracy in the Company’s financial statements or performance metrics that affects the executive’s compensation, seeking reimbursement of any portion of incentive compensation paid or awarded to the executive that is greater than what would have been paid or awarded if calculated based on the accurate financial statements or performance metrics. If it is determined that an executive engaged in fraudulent misconduct, Synchrony’sthe MDCC or, in the case of a Bank employee, the Bank’s Development and Compensation Committee, will seek such reimbursement. These remedies would be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any actions imposed by law enforcement agencies, regulators or other authorities.authorities, or as otherwise required by any agreement with a stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed.

Compensation    46        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and RiskProxy Statement


COMPENSATION MATTERS                

COMPENSATION AND RISK

2016 Risk Review Process2019 RISK REVIEW PROCESS

Synchrony’s risk management culture is strongly supported by a thorough risk review process that focuses on whether the risks we take are within our risk appetite framework. In 2016,2019, working cross-functionally, our CEO and senior executives from our risk and human resource teams identified the individuals considered to be Material Risk Takers (“MRTs”) or Material Risk Controllers (“MRCs”). These individuals were required to have annual goals and objectives specifically tied to risk and compliance standards. DuringAs part of the fourth quarter,annual process, our Control Function Leaders, our CEO, our Audit Committee, MDCC and Risk Committee conducted assessments on MRTs and MRCs, which took into consideration MRT/MRC behavior in relation to their annual goals and objectives as well as any adverse risk outcomes during the year. These assessments wereare included in each MRT/MRC’s annual performance evaluation. By conducting these risk review processes as well as maintaining full transparency on all of our risk management policies and procedures, we believe that we have been able to discourage inappropriate risk-taking.risk taking.

Review of Compensation toREVIEW OF INCENTIVE COMPENSATION TO NEOs Related to Risk ManagementRELATED TO RISK MANAGEMENT

In 2016,2019, the MDCC reviewed the relationship between our risk management policies and practices and the incentive compensation provided to our NEOs to confirm that their incentive compensation appropriately balances risk and reward and determined that our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our Company. The MDCC met with the CRO to discuss the annual risk assessment conducted with respect to incentive compensation plans in which all employees (including the NEOs) participate, including whether these arrangements had any features that might encourage excessive risk-takingrisk taking that could threaten the value of the Company. The CRO also discussed the risk mitigation factors reviewed in the annual risk assessment, including the balance between financial andnon-financial measures as well as the short-term and long-term oriented measures. The MDCC also continues to monitor a separate, ongoing risk assessment by senior management of our broader employee compensation practices consistent with the federal banking regulators’ guidance on sound incentive compensation policies.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

Risk Review of Incentive PlansRISK REVIEW OF INCENTIVE PLANS

Each year, we conduct a risk analysis on each of our incentive plans using a risk analysis tool. This analysis covered 100% of our incentive eligible population and allowed us to gauge the degree to which our plans contribute to excessive risk-taking.risk taking. The tool looks at six assessment categories (incentive design, strategic alignment/goal setting, pay opportunity, process, monitoring and administration) for each plan and assigns a rating score based on results. All of our incentive plans were rated such that they conform to or exceed key standards for risk management. Additionally, all incentive plans are reviewed each year and approved by our Chief Risk and Chief Human Resource Officers.

RoleWe also conduct a risk analysis of Independent Compensation Consultantthird-party incentive plans at our clients and vendors related to our credit products. This assessment also covers design, strategic alignment/goal setting, pay opportunity, process, monitoring and administration. Each of the third-party incentive plans reviewed were rated such that they exceed risk management standards.

ROLE OF INDEPENDENT

COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

Under its charter, the MDCC has the authority to retain such compensation consultants, outside counsel and other advisors as the MDCC may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. In 2016,2019, the MDCC engaged Pay GovernanceMeridian to provide advice regarding market pay levels, strong pay practices and other executive compensation matters. Pay GovernanceMeridian also provided advice to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regarding director compensation. Other than these services, Pay Governance LLCMeridian does not provide any other services to the MDCC or to Synchrony. The MDCC has determined that Pay Governance LLCMeridian is independent and does not have any conflicts of interest.

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Tax ConsiderationsSynchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        47      


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COMPENSATION MATTERS

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Prior to December 22, 2017 when the Tax Act was signed into law, Section 162(m) of the Code providesprovided that no U.S. income tax deduction iswas allowable to a publicly held corporation fornon-performance-based compensation in excess of $1 million paid to a “covered employee” (generally, the NEOs (otherother than the CFO)). “Performance-based

The Tax Act includes numerous changes to existing law, including (1) eliminating the exclusions for commissions or performance-based compensation paid to “covered employees” under Code Section 162(m), (2) expanding the definition of “covered employee” to include anyone serving as CFO or CEO at any point during the year, as well as the three most highly compensated officers, and (3) providing that status as a covered employee continues to apply if the person was ever a covered employee for years ending after December 31, 2016. The Act is effective for tax years beginning after 2017, though it includes a transition rule for compensation paid pursuant to certain written binding contracts in place on November 2, 2017 which are not materially modified. Where we believe awards or payments are eligible for relief under this transition rule, our policy generally is exempt from the $1 million limitation, must be payable based upon meeting objective performance goals established by our MDCC under a planto preserve that has been approved by stockholders and meets other tax code requirements.eligibility.

Our policy generally ishad been to seek to qualify various elements of the compensation payable to executives as “performance-based compensation,” although we may paynon-deductiblecompensation” to the extent possible. However, as described above, the exemptions from Section 162(m)’s deduction limit have been eliminated as a result of the Tax Act, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, such that all compensation paid to our covered executive officers (including the CFO) in order to preserveexcess of $1 million will not be deductible unless it qualifies for the MDCC’s abilitytransition relief referenced above.

Although the MDCC has historically intended to structure various elements of the compensation payable to executives in a manner intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m), because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section 162(m) and the proposed regulations issued thereunder, including the uncertain scope of the transition relief under the Tax Act, no assurance can be given that compensation intended to satisfy the requirements for exemption from Section 162(m) in fact will satisfy such requirements. Further, the MDCC reserves the right to modify compensation that was initially intended to be exempt from Section 162(m) if it determines that such modifications are consistent with our executive compensation program to meet the objectives discussed above, including to reward individual and team performance.business needs.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The MDCC of the Board of Directors of Synchrony have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with Synchrony’s management, and based on our review and discussions with management, we recommend to Synchrony’s Board of Directors that this Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Respectfully submitted by the MDCC of the Board.

    

Richard C. Hartnack, Chair

Jeffrey G. Naylor

Laurel J. Richie

Richard C. Hartnack, Chair

Fernando Aguirre

Jeffrey G. Naylor

Laurel J. Richie

 

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS                 

 

20162019 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table contains 20162019 compensation information for our NEOs.

2016 Summary Compensation Table2019 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and

Principal Position

   Year       Salary  Bonus    Stock
  Awards(1)
    Option
  Awards(2)
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards(3)
  

Change
in Pension
Value

andNon-
qualified
Deferred
Comp.
Earnings(4)

   All Other
 Comp.(5)
  Total 

Margaret Keane

    2016   $1,092,923       $4,675,026   $825,428    $2,923,800       $743,180   $10,260,358    
President and Chief Executive Officer    2015   $933,893   $912,500   $1,400,016   $599,742    $5,318,600   $3,077,387   $108,812   $12,350,949    
    2014   $881,250   $2,287,500   $6,156,088   $2,636,436       $2,708,286   $114,101   $14,783,661    

Brian Doubles

    2016   $680,077       $1,077,760   $195,853    $   910,400       $275,294   $3,139,384    
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    

2015

2014


   $

$

631,394

555,000


   $

$

427,500

877,500


   $

$

456,758

3,256,773


   $

$

195,672

1,394,589


    

$1,561,500


   $

$

376,728

694,487


   $

$

38,631

28,292


   $

$

3,688,184    

6,806,641    


Glenn Marino

    2016   $741,877       $975,135   $172,171    $   797,400       $360,194   $3,046,776    
Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer—
 
Payment Solutions and Chief Commercial Officer
    

2015

2014


   $

$

712,077

682,500


   $

$

577,500

1,152,500


   $

$

394,813

2,451,326


   $

$

169,127

1,049,687


    

$1,723,000


   $

$

943,196

1,558,558


   $

$

113,799

98,126


   $

$

4,633,512    

6,992,697    


Jonathan Mothner

    2016   $669,250       $896,266   $158,247    $   744,200       $256,451   $2,724,414    
Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel    

2015

2014


   $

$

660,447

600,000


   $

$

425,000

825,000


   $

$

364,008

1,932,702


   $

$

155,939

827,541


    

$1,431,900


   $

$

623,537

839,288


   $

$

43,447

33,785


   $

$

3,704,279    

5,058,316    


Tom Quindlen

    2016   $812,000       $1,152,082   $215,453    $1,096,400       $383,443   $3,659,379    
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer—Retail Card    

2015

2014


   $

$

782,825

750,000


   $

$

730,000

1,545,000


   $

$

502,434

3,144,956


   $

$

215,232

1,346,753


    

$2,313,400


   $

$

1,226,711

2,568,861


   $

$

108,802

73,951


   $

$

5,879,404    

9,429,521    


  Name    Year    Salary    Bonus    Stock
Awards(1)
    Option
Awards(2)
    Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Comp.(3)
    All Other
Comp.(4)
    Total

  Margaret

      2019     $1,175,000      $0     $8,000,027      $0     $2,451,000     $  543,281     $12,169,308  

  Keane

      2018     $1,175,000      $0     $6,800,052     $1,200,023     $2,681,400     $592,663     $12,449,138  
       2017     $1,168,654      $0     $7,800,060     $1,199,408     $2,655,500     $701,881     $13,525,503  

  Brian

      2019     $766,575      $0     $2,400,088      $0     $1,251,600     $198,117     $4,616,381  

  Doubles

      2018     $750,000      $0     $1,700,038     $300,006     $855,800     $262,794     $3,868,638  
       2017     $750,000      $0     $2,164,536     $205,402     $847,500     $228,046     $4,195,484  

  Henry

      2019     $625,000      $0     $1,250,035      $0     $750,000     $147,191     $2,772,226  

  Greig

      2018     $625,000      $0     $1,062,566     $187,506     $713,100     $173,069     $2,761,241  

  Neeraj

      2019     $735,000      $0     $1,566,844      $0     $766,600     $226,793     $3,295,237  

  Mehta

      2018     $735,000      $0     $1,245,204     $293,646     $827,200     $237,802     $3,338,852  

  Tom

      2019     $850,000      $0     $1,397,825      $0     $886,600     $266,319     $3,400,744  

  Quindlen

      2018     $850,000      $0     $1,182,503     $215,347     $941,300     $281,976     $3,471,126  
       2017     $840,500      $0     $1,152,068     $215,235     $932,300     $342,842     $3,482,945  

  Brian

      2019     $526,329      $0     $1,285,061      $0     $678,000     $101,632     $2,591,022  

  Wenzel

                                                                

 

(1)

For 2016,2019, these amounts include the grant date fair value of three-year PSUs based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions: Ms. Keane ($2,750,010)4,000,013); Mr. Doubles ($621,004)1,200,044); Mr. MarinoGreig ($573,607)625,017); Mr. MothnerMehta ($527,207)588,012); and Mr. Quindlen ($649,601)680,005) and Mr. Wenzel ($642,531). The value of these awards, assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be achieved as follows: Ms. Keane ($4,125,030)6,000,020); Mr. Doubles ($931,521)1,800,066); Mr. MarinoGreig ($860,425)937,526); Mr. MothnerMehta ($790,825)882,019); and Mr. Quindlen ($974,401)1,020,007), and Mr. Wenzel ($963,796).

 

(2)

This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted in 2016 in accordance with SEC rules.options. Synchrony measures the fair value of each stock option grant at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The grant-date fair value of options granted in 2016 was $6.99, based on the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 1.5%; dividend yield of 1.5%; expected volatility of 26.3%; and expected lives of 6.5 years. See the “—2016 Grants of Synchrony Plan-Based Awards Table” for further information ondid not grant any stock options granted in 2016.2019.

 

(3)For 2015, this column includes amounts paid pursuant to

As permitted under Synchrony’s Annual Incentive Plan, in recognition of Mr. Greig’s individual performance in 2019 (as described above), the triennial 2013-2015 GE Long-Term Performance Awards (LTPAs), which includes the following cash amounts pursuant to the 2013-2015 GE Long-Term Performance awards: Keane—$2,415,600; Doubles—$667,500; Marino—$881,000; Mothner—$672,900; Quindlen—$1,125,400.MDCC awarded Mr. Greig a final payout of 120%. See “—AnnualNon-Equity Incentive Plan Award” above.

 

(4)This column represents the sum of the change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings for each of the NEOs. As of the completion of oursplit-off from GE in November 2015, our NEOs stopped accruing any benefits under the GE pension plans and GE deferred compensation plans, and amounts under the GE deferred compensation plans were paid out in 2016. For information about the 2015 and 2014 change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings, see the 2015 Summary Compensation Table and the 2014 Summary Compensation Table.

(5)See the “— 20162019 All Other Compensation Table” for additional information about All Other Compensation paid in 2016.2019.

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40    LOGOSynchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        49


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COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS

2016 All Other Compensation2019 ALL OTHER COMPENSATION

In 2016,2019, our NEOs received additional benefits, reflected in the table below, which Synchrony believed to be reasonable, competitive and consistent with its overall executive compensation program. The costs of these benefits are shown below after giving effect to any reimbursements by the NEOs.

2016 All Other Compensation Table2019 ALL OTHER COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name of Executive

  

Perquisites
& Other
Personal
Benefits(1)

 

      

Value of
Supplementary
Life Insurance
Premium(2)

 

      

Payments
Relating to
Employer
Savings
Plan(3)

 

      

Amounts
Credited

to Restoration
Plan Account(4)

 

      

Total     

 

  Perquisites &
Other Personal
Benefits (1)
  Value of
Supplementary
Life Insurance
Premiums(2)
  Payments
Relating
to Employee
Savings Plan (3)
  Amounts
Credited to
Restoration
Plan Account (4)
  Total  

Margaret Keane

   $6,150       $67,773       $35,000        $634,257       $743,180         $12,000    $107,121    $30,800    $393,360  $543,281  

Brian Doubles

   $8,500       $1,525       $42,563        $222,706       $275,294         $15,500    $2,340    $30,800    $149,477  $198,117  

Glenn Marino

   $13,500       $80,163       $42,321        $224,209       $360,194     

Jonathan Mothner

   $8,500       $7,934       $42,243        $197,774       $256,451     

Henry Greig

    $0    $0    $30,800    $116,391  $147,191  

Neeraj Mehta

    $12,000    $20,098    $30,800    $163,895  $226,793  

Tom Quindlen

   $15,500       $30,719       $42,275        $294,950       $383,443         $0    $69,276    $30,800    $166,243  $266,319  

Brian Wenzel

    $0    $0    $30,800    $70,832  $101,632  

 

(1)

Amounts in this column include financial counseling for all of the NEOs and annual physical examinations for Messrs. Doubles, Mothner, Marino and Quindlen.examinations.

 

(2)

This column reports taxable payments made to the NEOs to cover premiums for universal life insurance policies owned by the executives. The NEOs receive these payments in lieu of the higher standard life insurance coverage available to other employees. These policies include: (a) for Ms. Keane and Messrs. MarinoMehta and Quindlen, life insurance policies totaling $1 million in coverage at the time of enrollment, increased 4% annually thereafter and (b) life insurance policies for each of the NEOs with coverage amounts fixed at two times their annual pay at the time of the completion of oursplit-off from GE. These policies are intended to maintain benefits that existed for these executives as GE employees prior to the completion of oursplit-off from GE and in lieu of life insurance benefits that are provided to other Synchrony employees. The face value of the life insurance policies for Ms. Keane and Messrs. MarinoMehta and Quindlen is less than what they would have received under the standard life insurance program for Synchrony employees.

 

(3)

This column reports Company core contributions, matching contributions and additional contributions to the NEOs’ 401(k) savings accounts up to the limitations imposed under IRS rules, and Synchrony 401(k) Company contributions.the plan.

 

(4)

This column reports Company core contributions, matching contributions and additional contributions to the NEOs’ Restoration Plan accounts. For additional details on the Restoration Plan and the specific design elements of the plan, see “2016“2019 Compensation Elements—Synchrony Financial Restoration Plan.”

 

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS                 

 

2019 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table provides information about Synchrony equityplan-based awards granted to the NEOs in 2016:2019, including the annualnon-equity incentive plan awards granted pursuant to Synchrony’s Annual Incentive Plan and the equity awards granted under the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

In regard to the annualnon-equity incentive plan awards granted pursuant to Synchrony’s Annual Incentive Plan, the table below provides: (i) the grant date, and (ii) the threshold, target and maximum cash awards linked to Synchrony’s performance over the 2018 performance period. Cash awards are payable based on equally weighted quantitative metrics: net earnings, receivables growth and efficiency ratio.

In regard to the equity incentive plan awards granted pursuant to the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the table below provides: (i) the grant date, (ii) the number of shares or stock units underlying stock awards, granted to the NEOs under the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, (iii) the number of other securities underlying option awards granted, to the NEOs under the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, (iv) the exercise or base price of the stock option grants, which reflects the closing price of Synchrony common stock on the date of grant, and (v) the grant date fair value of each option grant computed in accordance with applicable SEC rules.

2016 Grants of Synchrony Plan-Based Awards Table2019 GRANTS OF SYNCHRONY PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

 

     

Estimated Future

Payouts Under

Non-Equity Incentive

Plan Awards(1)

 

    

Estimated Future

Payouts Under

Equity Incentive

Plan Awards(2)

 

  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
  Exercise
or Base
  Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Name of Executive Grant
Date
  Threshold
($)
  

Target

($)

  

Maximum

($)

     Threshold
(# units)
  Target
(# units)
  Maximum
(# units)
  of Shares
of Stock
or Units(3)
  Securities
Underlying
Options(4)
  Price of
Option
Awards
  of Stock
and Option
Awards(5)
 

Margaret Keane

  4/1/16   $1,100,000   $2,200,000   $3,300,000     46,881   93,761   140,642   65,633   118,087   $29.33   $5,500,454 

Brian Doubles

  4/1/16   $   342,500   $   685,000   $1,027,500     10,587   21,173   31,760   15,573   28,019   $29.33   $1,273,613 

Glenn Marino

  4/1/16   $   300,000   $   600,000   $   900,000     9,779   19,557   29,336   13,690   24,631   $29.33   $1,147,305 

Jonathan Mothner

  4/1/16   $   280,000   $   560,000   $   840,000     8,988   17,975   26,963   12,583   22,639   $29.33   $1,054,513 

Tom Quindlen

  4/1/16   $   412,500   $   825,000   $1,237,500     11,074   22,148   33,222   17,132   30,823   $29.33   $1,367,535 
                       All Other         
                       Stock         
     Estimated Future Payouts Under  Estimated Future Payouts Under  Awards;  Total     Value of All
     Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards  Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)  Number  Stock     Other Stock
                       of Shares  Awards;     Awards;
                       of Stock  Number of     Number of
                       or Units  Shares of     Shares of
  Name of  Grant Threshold  Target  Maximum  Threshold  Target  Maximum  —RSU  Stock or  Grant  Stock or
  Executive  Date ($)  ($)  ($)  (# units)  (# units)  (# units)  Awards (2)  Units  Price AEG  Units(3)
   

  Keane

    3/1/19   2,000,000    4,000,000    6,000,000    61,615    123,229    184,844    123,229  246,458      $32.46  $8,000,027  
     

  Doubles

    3/1/19   600,000    1,200,000    1,800,000    15,404    30,808    46,212    30,808  73,330      $32.46  $2,400,088  
    5/2/19(4)                2,929    5,857    8,786    5,857  $34.15
   

  Greig

    3/1/19   312,500    625,000    937,500    9,628    19,255    28,883    19,255  38,510      $32.46  $1,250,035  
   

  Mehta

    3/1/19   489,500    979,000    1,468,500    9,058    18,115    27,173    30,155  48,270      $32.46  $1,566,844  
   

  Quindlen

    3/1/19   359,000    718,000    1,077,100    10,475    20,949    31,424    22,114  43,063      $32.46  $1,397,825  
     

  Wenzel

    3/1/19   325,000    650,000    975,000    3,466    6,932    10,398    6,932  38,316      $32.46  $1,285,061  
    5/1/19(4)                6,113    12,226    18,339    12,226  $34.15

 

(1)These columns show the annual incentive cash awards that are linked to Synchrony’s performance over the 2016 performance period. Cash awards are payable based on three equally-weighted quantitative metrics: net earnings, receivables growth and efficiency ratio.

(2)These columns show the number of PSUs granted as long-term performance awards that are linked to Synchrony’s performance over the 2016–20182019 2021 performance period. The PSUs will be payable in shares of common stock based on our cumulative annual diluted earnings per share and average return on assets over the performance period provided performance and vesting conditions are met.

 

(3)(2)

This column shows the number of RSUs granted as part of the annual equity incentive grant in April.March, and, for Mr. Doubles and Mr. Wenzel, in May in connection with their promotions. These RSUs will vest and become exercisable ratably in fivethree equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant and each year thereafter.

 

(4)(3)This column shows the number of stock options granted as part of the annual equity incentive grant in April. These stock options will vest and become exercisable ratably in five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant and each year thereafter.

(5)This column shows the aggregate grant date fair value of PSUs RSUs and stock optionsRSUs granted to the NEOs in April.March, and, for Mr. Doubles and Mr. Wenzel, in May in connection with their promotions. Generally, the aggregate grant date fair value is the expected accounting expense that will be recognized over the award’s vesting schedule. For stock options, fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes value of an option on the grant date ($6.99 on April 1, 2016). For RSUs and PSUs, the value is assumed to be the stock price on date of grant. For additional information on the valuation assumptions, refer to the “— 20162019 Summary Compensation Table” above.

(4)

Reflects the number of PSUs granted to Mr. Doubles and Mr. Wenzel in May in connection with their promotions.

LOGO

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        51      


LOGO

COMPENSATION MATTERS

2016 Outstanding Synchrony Equity Awards at Fiscal2019 OUTSTANDING SYNCHRONY EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCALYear-EndYEAR-END

The following table provides information on the current holdings of Synchrony common stock and Synchrony equity awards by the NEOs. This table includes unexercised (both vested and unvested) option grants and unvested RSUs with vesting conditions that were not satisfied as of December 31, 2016.2019. Each equity grant is shown separately for each NEO. The vesting schedule for each outstanding award is shown following this table.

2019 OUTSTANDING SYNCHRONY EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCALYEAR-END TABLE

          

 

Option Awards

                 Stock Awards      
 

 Name of

 Executive

  

Option

Grant Date

  

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(Exercisable)

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(Unexercisable)

 

Option

Exercise
Price

  Option Expiration  
Date
    Stock
Award
Grant
Date
  

Number of
Shares or Units of

Stock That Have

Not Vested

 

Market (YE 2019)
Value of Shares
of Stock that
Have Not Yet

Vested

 

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units or

Other Rights That

Have Not Vested

 

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares, Units

or Other Rights
That Have Not

Vested(2)

 Keane

    7/31/14    198,218   0   $23.00   7/31/24      7/31/14    0   $0   
    9/17/14    53,205   0   $24.55   9/17/24      9/17/14    0   $0   
    4/1/15    50,825   12,707   $30.41   4/1/25      4/1/15    9,926   $357,417   
    4/1/16    70,852   47,235   $29.33   4/1/26      4/1/16    28,300   $1,019,095   
         0           4/1/16        0 $0
    4/1/17    66,449   99,674   $34.30   4/1/27      4/1/17    52,156   $1,878,154   
         0           4/1/17        0 $0
         0           4/1/17    31,046   $1,117,983   
    4/1/18    31,284   125,136   $33.53   4/1/28      4/1/18    44,899   $1,616,819   
                   4/1/18        124,719 $4,491,134
                   3/1/19    125,543       $4,520,814       
                                  3/1/19              125,543     $4,520,814

 Doubles

    7/31/14    184,696   0   $23.00       7/31/24      7/31/14    0   $0   
    9/17/14    11,610   0   $24.55   9/17/24      9/17/14    0   $0   
    4/1/15    16,582   4,146   $30.41   4/1/25      4/1/15    3,238   $116,592   
    4/1/16    16,811   11,208   $29.33   4/1/26      4/1/16    6,715   $241,805   
         0           4/1/16        0 $0
    4/1/17    11,379   17,070   $34.30   4/1/27      4/1/17    8,931   $321,615   
         0           4/1/17        0 $0
         0           4/1/17    31,046   $1,117,983   
    4/1/18    7,821   31,284       $33.53   4/1/28      4/1/18    17,461   $628,775   
                   4/1/18        31,181 $1,122,812
                   3/1/19    31,387   $1,130,231   
                   3/1/19        31,387 $1,130,231
                   5/2/19    5,967   $214,872   
                                  5/2/19              5,967 $214,872
    7/31/14    111,609         0   $23.00   7/31/24      7/31/14    0   $0   
    9/17/14    14,512   0   $24.55   9/17/24      9/17/14    0   $0   
    4/1/15    13,342   3,336   $30.41   4/1/25      4/1/15    2,604   $93,778   

 Greig

    4/1/16    13,810   9,207   $29.33   4/1/26      4/1/16    5,516   $198,624   
         0           4/1/16        0 $0
    4/1/17    9,635   14,453   $34.30   4/1/27      4/1/17    7,563   $272,336   
         0           4/1/17        0 $0
    4/1/18    4,888   19,553   $33.53   4/1/28      4/1/18    10,915   $393,031   
                   4/1/18        19,488 $701,772
                   3/1/19    19,617   $706,394   
                                  3/1/19              19,617 $706,394

 Mehta

    7/31/14    0   0   $23.00   7/31/24      7/31/14    0   $0   
    9/17/14    0   0   $24.55   9/17/24      9/17/14    0   $0   
    4/1/15    24,872   6,219   $30.41   4/1/25      4/1/15    4,856   $174,869   
    4/1/16    25,218   16,813   $29.33   4/1/26      4/1/16    10,073   $362,726   
         0           4/1/16        0 $0
    4/1/17    16,260   24,391   $34.30   4/1/27      4/1/17    12,763   $459,590   
         0           4/1/17        0 $0
    4/1/18    7,655   30,621   $33.53   4/1/28      4/1/18    17,091   $615,448   
                   4/1/18        17,461 $628,775
                   3/1/19    30,721   $1,106,275   
                                  3/1/19              18,455 $664,572
 

 

42    LOGO      52        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS                 

 

2016 Outstanding Synchrony Equity Awards at FiscalYear-End Table

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
Name of Executive  Option
Grant Date
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(Exercisable)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(Unexercisable)
  Option
Exercise
Price
  Option
Expiration
Date
    Stock
Award
Grant
Date
  Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
  

Market Value

of Shares

or Units of

Stock That
Have Not
Vested(1)

   

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have

Not Vested

  

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or

Payout Value

of Unearned
Shares, Units

or Other Rights
That Have

Not Vested(2)

 

Margaret Keane

  7/31/14    323,218   $23.00  7/31/24  7/31/14  213,044  $7,727,106     
  9/17/14  25,926   47,889   $24.55  9/17/24  9/17/14  30,699  $1,113,453     
  4/1/15  12,706   50,826   $30.41  4/1/25  4/1/15  36,831  $1,335,860     
  4/1/16    118,087   $29.33  4/1/26  4/1/16  65,633  $2,380,509     
                   4/1/16          93,761   $3,400,711     

Brian Doubles

  7/31/14    184,696   $23.00  7/31/24  7/31/14  121,740  $4,415,510     
  9/17/14  5,609   17,415   $24.55  9/17/24  9/17/14  11,163  $404,882     
  4/1/15  4,145   16,583   $30.41  4/1/25  4/1/15  12,016  $435,820     
  4/1/16    28,019   $29.33  4/1/26  4/1/16  15,573  $564,833     
                   4/1/16          21,173   $767,945     

Glenn Marino

  7/31/14    139,099   $23.00  7/31/24  7/31/14  91,685  $3,325,415     
  9/17/14  8,707   13,061   $24.55  9/17/24  9/17/14  8,373  $303,689     
  4/1/15  3,583   14,333   $30.41  4/1/25  4/1/15  10,387  $376,736     
  4/1/16    24,631   $29.33  4/1/26  4/1/16  13,690  $496,536     
                   4/1/16          19,557   $709,332     

Jonathan Mothner

  7/31/14    115,435   $23.00  7/31/24  7/31/14  76,087  $2,759,675     
  9/17/14  1,644   6,966   $24.55  9/17/24  9/17/14  4,466  $161,982     
  4/1/15  3,303   13,216   $30.41  4/1/25  4/1/15  9,576  $347,322     
  4/1/16    22,639   $29.33  4/1/26  4/1/16  12,583  $456,385     
                   4/1/16          17,975   $651,953     

Tom Quindlen

  7/31/14    174,307   $23.00  7/31/24  7/31/14  114,892  $4,167,133     
  9/17/14  12,770   19,156   $24.55  9/17/24  9/17/14  12,280  $445,395     
  4/1/15  4,560   18,240   $30.41  4/1/25  4/1/15  13,218  $479,417     
  4/1/16    30,823   $29.33  4/1/26  4/1/16  17,132  $621,378     
                   4/1/16          22,148   $803,308     
           Option Awards                    Stock Awards        
 

  Name of

  Executive

  

Option

Grant Date

  

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(Exercisable)

  

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(Unexercisable)

  

Option

Exercise
Price

   Option Expiration  
Date
    Stock
Award
Grant
Date
  

Number of
Shares or Units of

Stock That Have

Not Vested

  

Market (YE 2019)
Value of Shares
of Stock that
Have Not Yet

Vested

  

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units or

Other Rights That

Have Not Vested

  

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares, Units

or Other Rights
That Have Not

Vested(2)

 
    7/31/14    124,307    0    $23.00    7/31/24      7/31/2014    0    $0     
    9/17/14    12,771    0    $24.55    9/17/24      9/17/2014    0    $0     
    4/1/15    13,680    4,560    $30.41    4/1/25      4/1/2015    3,562    $128,262     
    4/1/16    12,329    12,330    $29.33    4/1/26      4/1/2016    7,386    $265,974     

  Quindlen

                                
          0             4/1/2016          0  $0
    4/1/17    11,924    17,887    $34.30    4/1/27      4/1/2017    9,359    $337,013     
          0             4/1/2017          0  $0
    4/1/18    5,614    22,456    $33.53    4/1/28      4/1/2018    12,534    $451,346     
                      4/1/2018          21,203  $763,512
                                     3/1/2019    22,529    $811,281    21,342  $768,541

  Wenzel

    7/31/14    40,864    0    $23.00    7/31/24      3/1/2019           
    9/17/14    4,935    0    $24.55    9/17/24      9/17/14    0    $0     
    4/1/15    5,024    1,257    $30.41    4/1/25      4/1/15    982    $35,350     
    4/1/16    5,094    3,396    $29.33    4/1/26      4/1/16    2,034    $73,260     
          0             4/1/16          0  $0
    4/1/17    3,405    5,109    $34.30    4/1/27      4/1/17    2,672    $96,225     
          0             4/1/17          0  $0
          0             1/1/18    136    $4,894     
    4/1/18    1,759    7,040    $33.53    4/1/28      4/1/18    3,930    $141,514     
                      4/1/18          7,016  $252,647
                      3/1/19    7,062    $254,309     
                      3/1/19          7,062  $254,309
                      5/2/19    12,456    $448,527     
                                     

 

5/2/19

 

 

                

 

12,456

 

 

  

$448,527

 

 

(1)

The market value of the stock awards represents the product of the closing price of Synchrony common stock as of December 30, 2016,31, 2019, which was $36.27,$36.01, and the number of shares underlying each such award.

 

(2)

PSUs granted in 20162019 and 2018 vest, to the extent earned, on December 31, 2018.2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The market value of PSUs that have not vested as of December 31, 20162019 was calculated using the closing price of Synchrony common stock as of December 30, 2016,31, 2019, which was $36.27,$36.01, multiplied by the number of unvested units based on achieving target performance goals.

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2016 Outstanding Synchrony  Equity Awards Vesting Schedule  2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        53      


LOGO

COMPENSATION MATTERS

2019 OUTSTANDING SYNCHRONY EQUITY AWARDS VESTING SCHEDULE

 

Name of

  Executive

Grant Date  

GrantOption Awards

DateVesting Schedule(1)

  Option Awards Vesting Schedule(1)Grant Date  

GrantStock Awards

Date

Stock Awards Vesting Schedule(2)

All NEOsExecutives        

  7/31/14100% vests 7/31/187/31/14100% vests 7/31/18
9/17/1420% vests 9/17/17, 9/17/18 and 9/17/199/17/1420% vests 9/17/17, 9/17/18 and 9/17/19
4/1/15  20% vests 4/1/18, 4/1/19 and 4/1/202020  4/1/15  20% vests 4/1/18, 4/1/19 and 4/1/202020
  4/1/16  

20% vests 4/1/18, 4/1/19, 4/1/20 2020

and 4/1/212021

  4/1/16  

20% vests 4/1/18, 4/1/19, 4/1/20 2020

and 4/1/212021

4/1/17

20% vests 2020, 2021

and 2022

4/1/17

20% vests 2020, 2021

and 2022

4/1/174/1/17100% vests 2020(3)
        1/1/18

33.3% vests 2020,

2021(4)

4/1/1618

20% vests 2020, 2021,

2022 and 2023

4/1/18

20% vests 2020, 2021,

2022 and 2023

4/1/18  100% vests 12/31/182020(3)(5)
3/1/19

33.3% vests 2020,

2021 and 2022

3/1/19100% vests 2021(6)
5/2/19

33.3% vests 2020,

2021 and 2022(7)

5/2/19100% vests 2021(7)

 

(1)

This column shows the vesting schedule of unexercisable or unearned options reported in the “Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (Unexercisable)” column of the “—20162019 Outstanding Synchrony Equity Awards at FiscalYear-End Table.” The stock options vest on the anniversary of the grant date in the years shown in the table above.

 

(2)

This column shows the vesting schedule of unvested RSUs reported in the “Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested” column and unvested PSUs reported in the “Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested” column of the “—20162019 Outstanding Synchrony Equity Awards at FiscalYear-End Table.” The RSUs vest on the anniversary of the grant date in the years shown in the table above.

 

(3)The

This grant applies to Ms. Keane and Mr. Doubles only.

(4)

This grant applies to Mr. Wenzel only.

(5)

PSUs granted in 2018 vest, to the extent earned, on December 31, 2018.2020.

(6)

PSUs granted in 2019 vest, to the extent earned, on December 31, 2021

(7)

This grant applies to Mr. Doubles and Mr. Wenzel only.

 

 

LOGO     43    54        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS                 

 

2016 Synchrony Nonqualified Deferred Compensation2019 SYNCHRONY NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The table below provides information on the nonqualified deferred compensation of the NEOs in 2016,2019, including:

Synchrony Deferred CompensationSYNCHRONY DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

As discussed above, effective for 2016, we adopted our own deferred compensation plan, whichDeferred Compensation Plan does not pay an “above-market” rate of interest. The planinterest and is available to a select group of management and highly compensated employees of Synchrony and any of its participating affiliates. Under the plan, eligible employees may, to the extent permitted by the administrator of the plan, elect to defer up to 80% (or such lower percentage, as determined by the plan administrator) of their base salary and bonus, and all or a portion of any other type of compensation, as determined by the plan administrator.

Synchrony Financial Restoration PlanSYNCHRONY FINANCIAL RESTORATION PLAN

As discussed above, the Restoration Plan mirrors the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan. The plan provides a continuation of Company contributions on salary and bonus that would have been made to our 401(k) plan but for various limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, of 1986 (the “Code”), along with additional Company contributions that cannot be made to the 401(k) plan. The plans are designed to include Company contributions of (i) a 3% core contribution, (ii) a 4% match, and (iii) up to 10%4% additional contribution for former participants of GE pension plans, which will decline to 4% over the next three years.plans. The Restoration Plan account is forfeited if an executive leaves voluntarily prior to age 60. For 2016,2019, each of our NEOs received contributions to his or her Restoration Plan account, which are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column in the 20162019 Summary Compensation Table.

2016 Synchrony Nonqualified Deferred Compensation2019 SYNCHRONY NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

 

Name of Executive  Type of Plan  Executive
Contributions
in Last
Fiscal Year
  Registrant
  Contributions  
in Last
Fiscal Year
   

Aggregate  
Earnings  

in Last  
  Fiscal Year(1)  

   

Aggregate

Balance
      at Last Fiscal      
  Year-End  

 

Margaret Keane

  Restoration Plan     $634,257        $  2,169         $636,426       
   Deferred Comp Plan     —        —         —       

Brian Doubles

  Restoration Plan     $222,706        $22,419         $245,125       
   Deferred Comp Plan     —        —         —       

Glenn Marino

  Restoration Plan     $224,209        $34,375         $249,809(2)    
   Deferred Comp Plan     —        —         —       

Jonathan Mothner

  Restoration Plan     $197,774        $  3,549         $201,322       
   Deferred Comp Plan     —        —         —       

Tom Quindlen

  Restoration Plan     $294,950        $31,952         $326,902       
   Deferred Comp Plan     —        —         —       
  Name of
  Executive
  Type of Plan  Executive
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year
  Registrant
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year
  Aggregate
Earnings in Last
Fiscal Year(1)
  Aggregate    
Balance at Last    
Fiscal Year-End    

  Keane

  Restoration Plan    $0    $393,360   $437,887   $2,580,547
  Deferred Comp Plan    $0    $0    $0    $0

  Doubles

  Restoration Plan    $0    $149,477   $205,876   $1,008,246
  Deferred Comp Plan    $0    $0    $0    $0

  Greig

  Restoration Plan    $0    $116,391   $13,012   $631,626
  Deferred Comp Plan    $0    $0    $0    $0

  Mehta

  Restoration Plan    $0    $163,895     $74,022   $691,692
  Deferred Comp Plan    $82,720    $0     $237,876   $702,255

  Quindlen

  Restoration Plan    $0    $166,243   $271,036   $1,273,869
  Deferred Comp Plan    $0    $0    $0    $0

  Wenzel

  Restoration Plan    $0    $70,832     $74,990   $389,803
  Deferred Comp Plan    $0    $0    $0    $0

 

(1)

The earnings on amounts contributed to the Restoration Plan may be positive or negative, depending on the NEO’s investment choice.

 

(2)The aggregate balance atyear-end reflects a deduction of $8,775 to pay taxes pursuant to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). This tax only applies to Mr. Marino because Mr. Marino is the only NEO who has reached the age to be eligible for retirement.

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LOGO

COMPENSATION MATTERS

 

2016 Potential Payments Upon Termination or2019 POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION ORChange-in-ControlCHANGE-IN-CONTROL At FiscalAT FISCALYear-EndYEAR-END

The information below describes and quantifies certain compensation that would have become payable under existing plans and arrangements if the NEO’s employment had terminated on December 31, 2016,2019, given the NEO’s compensation and service levels as of such date and based on Synchrony’s closing stock price on December 30, 2016,31, 2019, as applicable. Due to the number of factors that affect the nature and amount of any benefits provided upon the events discussed below, any amounts actually paid or distributed may be different. Factors that could affect these amounts include the time during the year of any such event, Synchrony’s stock price, as applicable, and the executive’s age.

Executive Severance PlanEXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PLAN

The purpose of the Executive Severance Plan is to secure the continued services and ensure the continued dedication of our NEOs and other executives. The Executive Severance Plan provides that if a participating executive is laid off, part of a redundancy or reorganization, or terminated for “for the good of the Company,” such executive will be entitled to the following:

 

CEO—18 months of the CEO’s base salary, offset by all other severance benefits that the CEO will receive from the Company in connection with being laid off; and

 

Other NEOs—12 months of an NEO’s base salary, offset by all other severance benefits that the NEO will receive from the Company in connection with being laid off.

CIC Severance PlanSEVERANCE PLAN

The purpose of the CIC Severance Plan is to secure the continued services and ensure the continued dedication and objectivity of these executives in the event of any threat or occurrence of, or negotiation or other action that could lead to, or create the possibility of, a change in control of the Company. The CIC Severance Plan provides for the following severance benefits upon a “double-trigger” qualifying termination of employment within 30 months following a change in control:

CEO—lump sum payment equal to the sum of (1) the CEO’s prorated bonus for the year of termination, (2) the product oftwo-and-one-half multiplied by the sum of the CEO’s annual base salary and average target bonus for the three prior years, and (3) an amount equal to 30 months of the employer portion of the monthly premium or cost of coverage for the health benefits elected by the CEO, based on the rates for continuation coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“Healthcare Premiums”). In addition, for 30 months following the CEO’s termination of employment, the CEO will be entitled to reasonable executive outplacement services.

 

Other NEOs—lump sum payment equal to the sum of (1) the NEO’s prorated bonus for the year of termination, (2) the product of two multiplied by the sum of the NEO’s annual base salary and average target bonus for the three prior years, and (3) an amount equal to 24 months of Healthcare Premiums. In addition, for 24 months following the NEO’s termination of employment, the NEO will be entitled to reasonable executive outplacement services.

Synchrony Equity AwardsSYNCHRONY EQUITY AWARDS

If one of the NEOs were to die or become disabled, anyun-exercisable stock options become exercisable and remain exercisable until their expiration date. In the event of disability, this provision applies only to options that have been held for at least one year. For these purposes, “disability” generally means disability resulting in the NEO being unable to perform his or her job. Remaining restrictions on RSUs that were awarded prior to death or disability lapse immediately. In addition, any unvested options or RSUs held for at least one year become fully vested upon becoming retirement-eligible (reaching age 60 with three years of service), depending on the terms of the particular award. For involuntary termination, awards are eitherpro-rated (if under age 60 and less than 20 years of service) or fully vest if over 20 years of service.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

PAYMENT UPON TERMINATION AS OFPayment Upon Termination as ofYear-EndYEAR-END TablesTABLES

The following tables show the payments that each of our NEOs would have received under various termination scenarios on December 31, 2016.2019. Termination upon a change in control reflects amounts assuming each NEO’s employment was terminated by the Company without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” within 30 months of the specified time period prior to or following the change in control. Other than Mr. Marino, none ofOf the NEOs, wereonly Ms. Keane was eligible to retire as of

    56        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


COMPENSATION MATTERS                 

December 31, 2016;2019; therefore, the NEOs, other than Mr. Marino,Ms. Keane, the NEOs do not have any values in the retirement termination columns below. The tables below assume a stock price of $36.27,$36.01, the closing price of a share of our common stock on December 30, 2016.31, 2019.

Margaret Keane  MARGARET KEANE

 

Element of Pay

  

For
Cause

 

   

Voluntary
Termination

 

   

Involuntary
Termination

 

      

Pre-60
Retirement

 

      

Death or
Disability

 

      

Change-in-   
Control   

 

   For
Cause
  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination(1)
  Retirement (2)  Death or
Disability
  Change-in-
Control

Severance

        $1,650,000              $8,250,000     $0    $0   $1,762,500    $0    $0   $9,821,083

RSUs

        $7,117,773         $12,556,928    $12,556,928   

Restricted Stock Units

  $0   $4,871,486   $5,896,303   $4,871,486   $10,510,283   $10,510,283

Stock Options

        $3,450,432         $5,967,726    $5,967,726     $0   $867,469   $867,469   $867,469   $867,469   $867,469

PSUs

                  $3,400,711    $3,400,711   

Long-Term Performance Plan

  $0   $4,491,134   $4,491,134   $4,491,134   $9,011,948   $9,011,948

Annual Cash Incentive

        $2,923,800         $2,923,800    $2,923,800     $0    $0   $2,451,000   $2,451,000   $2,451,000   $2,451,000

Medical Benefits

                       $37,511     $0    $0    $0    $0    $0   $28,797

Outplacement

                       $14,750     $0    $0    $0    $0    $0   $14,750

Restoration Plan

        $636,426         $636,426    $636,426     $0   $2,580,547   $2,580,547   $2,580,547   $2,580,547   $2,580,547

Deferred Compensation

                             —     $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0

Total

          $15,778,431           $25,485,591     $33,787,853   

Brian Doubles

                 

Element of Pay

  

For
Cause

 

   

Voluntary
Termination

 

   

Involuntary
Termination

 

      

Pre-60
Retirement

 

      

Death or
Disability

 

      

Change-in-   
Control   

 

 

Severance

         $   685,000              $2,740,000   

RSUs

         $3,088,055         $5,821,045    $5,821,045   

Stock Options

         $1,631,402         $2,946,648    $2,946,648   

PSUs

                  $767,945    $767,945   

Annual Cash Incentive

         $   910,400         $910,400    $910,400   

Medical Benefits

                       $30,254   

Outplacement

                       $11,800   

Restoration Plan

         $   245,125         $245,125    $245,125   

Deferred Compensation

                             —   

Total

           $6,559,982           $10,691,163     $13,473,217   

Glenn Marino

                 

Element of Pay

  

For
Cause

 

   

Voluntary
Termination

 

   

Involuntary
Termination

 

      

Retirement

 

      

Death or
Disability

 

      

Change-in-   
Control   

 

 

Severance

         $   750,000              $2,700,000   

RSUs

         $2,689,530    $2,689,530     $4,502,376    $4,502,376   

Stock Options

         $1,352,264    $1,352,264     $2,253,849    $2,253,849   

PSUs

                   $   709,332    $709,332   

Annual Cash Incentive

         $   797,400    $797,400     $   797,400    $797,400   

Medical Benefits

                       $18,884   

Outplacement

                       $11,800   

Restoration Plan

         $   249,809    $249,809     $   249,809    $249,809   

Deferred Compensation

                             —   

Total

           $5,839,003     $5,089,003      $8,512,767     $11,243,451   

Total Value to Executive

  $0   $12,810,636   $18,048,953   $15,261,636   $25,421,247   $35,285,877    

  BRIAN DOUBLES

  Element of Pay  For Cause  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination(1)
  Retirement (2)  Death or
Disability
  Change-in-
Control

 Severance

    $0    $0    $766,575    $0    $0    $3,275,617

 Restricted Stock Units

    $0    $0    $2,333,604    $0    $3,771,872    $3,771,872

 Stock Options

    $0    $0    $204,861    $0    $204,861    $204,861

 Long-Term Performance Plan

    $0    $0    $1,122,812    $0    $2,467,915    $2,467,915

 Annual Cash Incentive

    $0    $0    $1,251,600    $0    $1,251,600    $1,251,600

 Medical Benefits

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $33,944

 Outplacement

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $11,800

 Restoration Plan

    $0    $0    $1,008,246    $0    $1,008,246    $1,008,246

 Deferred Compensation

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0

  Total Value to Executive

    $0    $0    $6,687,698    $0    $8,704,494    $12,025,855    

  HENRY GREIG

  Element of Pay  For Cause  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination(1)
  Retirement (2)  Death or
Disability
  Change-in-
Control

 Severance

    $0    $0    $625,000    $0    $0    $2,710,133

 Restricted Stock Units

    $0    $0    $957,769    $0    $1,664,163    $1,664,163

 Stock Options

    $0    $0    $153,390    $0    $153,390    $153,390

 Long-Term Performance Plan

    $0    $0    $701,772    $0    $1,408,166    $1,408,166

 Annual Cash Incentive

    $0    $0    $750,000    $0    $750,000    $750,000

 Medical Benefits

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $36,287

 Outplacement

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $11,800

 Restoration Plan

    $0    $0    $631,626    $0    $631,626    $631,626

 Deferred Compensation

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0

  Total Value to Executive

    $0    $0    $3,819,557    $0    $4,607,345    $7,365,565    

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46    LOGOSynchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        57      


LOGO

COMPENSATION MATTERS

  COMPENSATION MATTERS

Jonathan Mothner      NEERAJ MEHTA

 

Element of Pay  For
Cause
  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination
   Pre-60
Retirement
  Death or
Disability
   Change-in-
Control
   For Cause  

Voluntary

Termination

  

Involuntary

Termination(1)

  Retirement (2)  Death or
Disability
  Change-in-
Control

Severance

       $   700,000            $2,520,000    $0    $0    $735,000    $0    $0    $3,210,000

RSUs

       $1,921,956        $3,725,364      $3,725,364  

Restricted Stock Units

  $0    $0    $1,612,633    $0    $2,718,908    $2,718,908

Stock Options

       $1,005,020        $1,848,024      $1,848,024    $0    $0    $264,786    $0    $264,786    $264,786

PSUs

               $   651,953      $   651,953  

Long-Term Performance Plan

  $0    $0    $628,775    $0    $1,293,347    $1,293,347

Annual Cash Incentive

       $   744,200        $   744,200      $   744,200    $0    $0    $766,600    $0    $766,600    $766,600

Medical Benefits

                   $     30,375    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $35,926

Outplacement

                   $     11,800    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $11,800

Restoration Plan

       $   201,322        $   201,322      $   201,322    $0    $0    $691,692    $0    $691,692    $691,692

Deferred Compensation

                 —    $0    $702,255    $702,255    $702,255    $702,255    $702,255

Total

       $4,572,498        $7,170,864      $9,733,039  

Total Value to Executive

  $0    $702,255    $5,401,741    $702,255    $6,437,588    $9,695,314    

Tom Quindlen  TOM QUINDLEN

 

Element of Pay For
Cause
  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination
   Pre-60
Retirement
  Death or
Disability
   Change-in-
Control
   For Cause  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination(1)
  Retirement (2)  Death or
Disability
  Change-in-
Control

Severance

      $   812,000          $  3,274,000      $0    $0    $850,000    $0    $0    $3,680,000

RSUs

      $3,442,455      $  5,713,323    $  5,713,323  

Restricted Stock Units

    $0    $0    $1,182,595    $0    $1,993,875    $1,993,875

Stock Options

      $1,728,865      $  2,858,360    $  2,858,360      $0    $0    $194,178    $0    $194,178    $194,178

PSUs

            $     803,308    $     803,308  

Long-Term Performance Plan

    $0    $0    $763,512    $0    $1,532,053    $1,532,053

Annual Cash Incentive

      $1,096,400      $  1,096,400    $  1,096,400      $0    $0    $886,600    $0    $886,600    $886,600

Medical Benefits

                $       30,254      $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $36,287

Outplacement

                $       11,800      $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $11,800

Restoration Plan

      $   326,902      $     326,902    $     326,902      $0    $0    $1,273,869    $0    $1,273,869    $1,273,869

Deferred Compensation

                —      $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0

Total

      $7,406,622      $10,798,293    $14,114,348  

Total Value to Executive

    $0    $0    $5,150,753    $0    $5,880,575    $9,608,662    

    BRIAN WENZEL

  Element of Pay  For Cause  Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination(1)
  Retirement (2)  Death or
Disability
  Change-in-
Control

 Severance

    $0    $0    $526,329    $0    $0    $1,719,324

 Restricted Stock Units

    $0    $0    $351,243    $0    $1,054,079    $1,054,079

 Stock Options

    $0    $0    $55,920    $0    $55,920    $55,920

 Long-Term Performance Plan

    $0    $0    $252,647    $0    $955,483    $955,483

 Annual Cash Incentive

    $0    $0    $678,000    $0    $678,000    $678,000

 Medical Benefits

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $53,438

 Outplacement

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $11,800

 Restoration Plan

    $0    $0    $389,803    $0    $389,803    $389,803

 Deferred Compensation

    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0

  Total Value to Executive

    $0    $0    $2,253,942    $0    $3,133,285    $4,917,847    

(1)

20 years of service.

(2)

Requires age 60 with at least three years of service.

 

 

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS                

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION

Our compensation program for independent directors is designed to achieve the following goals: (a) fairly pay directors for work required at a company of our size and scope of operations; (b) align directors’ interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders; and (c) have a compensation structure that is simple, transparent and easy for stockholders to understand. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews director compensation annually. In connection with these reviews, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives advice regarding director compensation, including peer company benchmarking.

Each independent director currently receives annual compensation of $210,000, of which $75,000 is paid in cash and $135,000 is paid in RSUs. The RSUs are subject to a three-yearone-year vesting period and will be credited with amounts equivalent to any regular quarterly dividends paid on our common stock, which amounts will be reinvested in additional RSUs. In light of the workload and broad responsibilities of their positions, certain independent directors currently receive additional compensation as follows: the Chair of our Board receives an additional $235,000, of which $110,000 is paid in cash and $125,000 is paid in RSUs, the Chairs of the Audit Committee and Risk Committee each receive an additional $35,000 in annual cash compensation and the Chairs of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the MDCC and the Company’s MDCCTechnology Committee each receive an additional $20,000 in annual compensation. Separately, for each Board committee meeting attended, an independent director receives $2,000 in cash. If an independent director is also a director of the Bank and attends a meeting of a Bank committee that takes place on a day when the analogous Board committee is not meeting, the independent director receives $2,000 in cash for such meeting. Independent directors can defer up to 80% of their annual cash compensation and RSUs into deferred stock units, which will be paid out after they leave our Board.

The compensation amounts reported in the table below for our independent directors reflect a combination of our current compensation program described above, which was effective on October 1, 2016, and our previous compensation program for the remainder of 2016. Previously, each independent director received annual compensation of $160,000, of which $50,000 was paid in cash and $110,000 was paid in RSUs. Also, under the previous program, the Chair of our Board received an additional $90,000 in annual cash compensation. The remaining elements of our previous program are the same as described above for our current program.

We require each independent director to own at least $375,000 in our common stock, RSUs or deferred stock units while a member of our Board. Each independent director has four years to satisfy this requirement. Individual and joint holdings of our common stock with immediate family members, including unvested time-based restricted stock, RSUs and deferred stock units count toward this requirement.

2016 Independent Directors’ Compensation Table2019 INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name of Director

 

  

Fees Earned or Paid  
in Cash(1)  

 

     

Stock Awards(2)

 

      

Total  

 

 

Paget L. Alves

  $  92,250      $116,310        $208,560   

Arthur W. Coviello, Jr.

  $  74,250      $116,310        $190,560   

William W. Graylin

  $  76,250      $116,310        $192,560   

Roy A. Guthrie

  $111,250      $116,310        $227,560   

Richard C. Hartnack

  $181,250      $147,574        $328,824   

Jeffrey G. Naylor

  $127,250      $116,310        $243,560   

Laurel J. Richie

  $  80,250      $116,310        $196,560   

Olympia J. Snowe

  $108,250      $116,310        $224,560   
  Name of Director  Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1)  Stock Awards (2)  Total

  Aguirre

  $38,608  $59,311  $97,919

  Alves

  $107,000  $135,079  $242,079

  Coviello

  $106,611  $135,079  $241,690

  Graylin

  $ 91,000  $135,079  $226,079

  Guthrie

  $122,000  $135,079  $257,079

  Hartnack

  $217,000  $260,131  $477,131

  Naylor

  $144,000  $135,079  $279,079

  Richie

  $ 99,000  $135,079  $234,079

  Snowe

  $129,000  $135,079  $264,079

  Zane

  $ 84,750  $123,468  $208,218

 

(1)

Amount of cash compensation received in 20162019 for Board and committee service and meeting attendance.

 

(2)

Aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs granted in 2016.2019. Grant date fair value is calculated by multiplying the number of RSUs granted by the closing price of Synchrony common stock on the grant date, which was $28.66$31.90 for March 31, 20162019 grants, $25.28$34.67 for June 30, 20162019 grants, $28.00$34.09 for September 30, 20162019 grants and $36.27$36.01 for December 31, 20162019 grants.

 

48    LOGO


(3)

COMPENSATION MATTERSAs of December 31, 2019, the number of unvested equity awards (in the form of RSUs) that were outstanding for eachnon-employee director was as follows: Mr. Aguirre 753; Mr. Alves 7,373; Mr. Coviello 7,373; Mr. Graylin 7,373 Mr. Guthrie 7,373; Mr. Hartnack 14,200; Mr. Naylor 7,373; Ms. Richie 7,373; Senator Snowe 7,373; and Ms. Zane 2,690.

 

ITEM 3—ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN ANDRE-APPROVAL OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES

On February 22, 2017, the Board approved amending the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan subject to the approval of our stockholders. We refer to the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan prior to such amendment as the “Old LTIP” and to the plan subsequent to such amendment as the “Amended LTIP,” and we refer to the Old LTIP and Amended LTIP collectively as the “LTIP.” The purpose of the amendment is to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the LTIP by 46,000,000 shares, from 16,605,417 shares to 62,605,417 shares. The LTIP, as proposed to be amended and as shown in an amended and restated form, is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A.

Under the LTIP, various equity or cash-based awards may be granted to eligible participants, as described in further detail below. As of April 1, 2017, approximately 793,061 shares remained available for issuance under the Old LTIP. The Amended LTIP increases the aggregate number of shares reserved under the LTIP from 16,605,417 shares to 62,605,417 shares. Accordingly, if the Amended LTIP is approved, approximately 46,793,061 shares will remain available for issuance under the LTIP. Under the terms of the LTIP, this number may be increased to the extent that awards previously made under the LTIP are forfeited or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares or other consideration. We expect that there are sufficient shares currently remaining available under the Old LTIP to enable us to make equity awards under our compensation programs through the Annual Meeting. We are requesting approval of the Amended LTIP to enable us to make regular annual and other equity awards under our compensation programs after that date.

We believe it is important that the Amended LTIP be approved because we view long-term incentives as a vital component of our executive compensation program. We believe that long-term incentives help us encourage our officers, employees,non-employee directors and consultants to have a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company. We believe that long-term incentives provide an increased incentive to contribute to the Company’s future success and prosperity, which enhances the value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders and enhances the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified individuals.

Approval of the Amended LTIP will also constitutere-approval, for purposes of Section 162(m), of the material terms of the performance measures contained in the LTIP that are to be used in connection with awards under the LTIP that are intended to qualify as “performance-based” compensation for purposes of Section 162(m). One of the conditions for compensation to be considered “performance-based” under Section 162(m) is that the material terms under which such compensation will be paid (the class of eligible employees, performance criteria and theper-person maximums) be disclosed to and approved by stockholders every five years. By approving the Amended LTIP, stockholders will also be approving the material terms of the performance goals under the LTIP.

The LTIP includes a number of corporate governance provisions, including the following: (1) the LTIP is administered by the MDCC, which is composed entirely of independentnon-employee directors, (2) stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs) cannot bere-priced without stockholder approval, (3) the LTIP limits the size of awards that may be granted during any one year to any one participant, (4) the LTIP does not permit reload options or have “evergreen” provisions that automatically add shares to the reserve, and (5) the LTIP does not include any taxgross-up provisions.

The following is a description of the material terms of the LTIP. This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the LTIP, a copy of which, as proposed to be amended and as shown in an amended and restated form, has been included as Appendix A to this proxy statement.LOGO

 

 

LOGO     49Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        59      


LOGO

COMPENSATION MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS

Material Terms of the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive PlanEQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

Effective date and term. The LTIP was initially effective as of May 21, 2015, the date of its approval by the Company’s stockholders. No award may be granted under the LTIP on or after the date that is 10 years from July 10, 2014, the date the Old LTIP was approved by the Board.

Administration. The LTIP is administered by the Company’s MDCC, which has the authority to make any determination or take any action that it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the LTIP, including, for example, to: (i) establish rules and guidelines for the administration of the LTIP, (ii) select the participants to whom awards are granted, (iii) determine the types of awards to be granted and the number of shares covered by such awards, (iv) set the terms and conditions of such awards and (v) cancel, suspend and amend awards. The MDCC has discretion to make determinations with respect to and interpret the LTIP and award agreements. The MDCC may delegate its authority under the LTIP, including to the chairman of the MDCC, a subcommittee of the MDCC, or to one or more officers or managers of the Company; provided, however, that the MDCC may not delegate to officers or managers of the Company its authority to grant awards and to cancel or suspend awards for executive officers and directors of the Company who file reports under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

Eligibility.Officers, employees, consultants andnon-employee directors of the Company and its affiliates are eligible to participate in the LTIP. The Company does not currently have any consultants designated as eligible to participate in the LTIP.

Number of shares available for issuance.Subject to adjustment as described below and the adoption of the Amended LTIP, a total of 62,605,417 shares of our common stock (including authorized and unissued shares and treasury shares) will be available for granting awards under the LTIP. If any shares covered by an award under the LTIP are forfeited or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares or other consideration, then the shares covered by such an award shall again be available for granting awards under the LTIP. In an acquisition, any awards made and any of the shares delivered upon the assumption of or in substitution for outstanding grants made by the acquired company will not be counted against the shares available for granting awards under the LTIP. Dividend equivalents denominated in shares and awards not denominated, but potentially payable, in shares shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares available for granting awards under the LTIP in such amount and at such time as the dividend equivalents and such awards are settled in shares. Shares surrendered for the payment of the exercise price or withholding taxes under stock options or SARs, and stock repurchased in the open market with the proceeds of an option exercise, may not again be made available for issuance under the LTIP. In addition, shares that were subject to an option or stock-settled SAR and were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such option or SAR will also not be made available for issuance.

Adjustments. In the event of certain corporate transactions or events affecting the number or type of outstanding common shares of the Company, including, for example, a dividend or other distribution (whether in cash or stock), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation,split-up,spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of shares or issuance of warrants, the MDCC will make adjustments as it deems appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of LTIP benefits. These adjustments include: (i) changing the number and type of shares to be issued under the LTIP and outstanding awards, (ii) changing the per participant limitations on awards and the grant, purchase or exercise price of outstanding awards and (iii) changing the restriction on the total amount of shares subject to options or SARs, or the total amount of restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance awards or other stock-based awards that may be granted. The MDCC may also make adjustments in the terms of awards in connection with acquisitions of another business or business entity in which the Company assumes outstanding employee awards or the right or obligation to make future awards, and make adjustments in performance award criteria or in the terms and conditions of other awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its financial statements or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.

Awards.Awards generally will be granted for no cash consideration. We intend that, under the LTIP, awards may provide that upon exercise the participant will receive cash, stock, other securities, other awards, other property, or any combination thereof, as the MDCC will determine. The exercise price per share of common stock purchasable under any stock option, the grant price of any SAR, and the purchase price of any security which may be purchased under any other stock-based award will be not less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock or other security on the date of the grant of such option, SAR, or right. It is intended that, under the LTIP, any exercise or purchase price may be paid in cash or, if permitted by the MDCC, by surrender of shares.

50    LOGO


COMPENSATION MATTERS

Award limits.The awards which may be granted under the LTIP are generally subject to the following limits. The maximum number of our shares of common stock with respect to which stock options or SARs may be granted or measured to any participant during any fiscal year is 3,000,000 shares. The maximum number of our shares of common stock with respect to which restricted stock, RSUs, performance awards and other stock-based awards may be granted to any participant during any fiscal year is 1,000,000 shares. With respect to awards denominated in cash, the maximum amount that may be earned during any fiscal year by an individual participant of the LTIP is $20,000,000. These provisions are designed so that compensation resulting from awards can qualify astax-deductible performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, assuming other applicable regulatory requirements are satisfied. The aggregate grant date fair value of awards that may be granted to anynon-employee director in any fiscal year is $500,000.

Stock options and SARs.The MDCC may award stock options in the form of nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options, or SARs, each with a maximum term of 10 years. The MDCC will establish the vesting schedule for stock options and SARs and, with respect to stock options, the method of payment for the exercise price, which may include cash, shares or other awards.

Restricted stock and RSUs.The MDCC may award restricted stock and RSUs and establish the applicable restrictions, including any limitation on voting rights of restricted stock or the receipt of dividends. The MDCC will establish the manner and timing under which restrictions may lapse. If employment is terminated during the applicable restriction period, shares of restricted stock and RSUs still subject to restriction will be forfeited, except as determined otherwise by the MDCC.

Performance awards and other stock-based awards. The MDCC may grant performance awards, which may be denominated in cash, shares, other securities or other awards and payable to, or exercisable by, the participant upon the achievement of performance goals during performance periods, as established by the MDCC. Performance criteria mean any measures, as determined by the MDCC, which may be used to measure the level of performance of the Company or participant during a performance period. The MDCC may grant other stock-based awards that are denominated or payable in shares, under the terms and conditions as the MDCC will determine.

Dividends and dividend equivalents.The MDCC may decide to include dividends or dividend equivalents as part of an award (other than stock options and SARs), and the payment of any such dividends may be deferred, with or without interest, until the award is paid.

Deferrals. The MDCC also will be able to require or permit award payments to be deferred and may authorize crediting of dividends or interest or their equivalents in connection with any such deferral.

Transferability. Awards are not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution unless determined otherwise by the MDCC. Awards may not be pledged or otherwise encumbered and are exercisable during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant.

Conditions and restrictions on stock issuable under an award.The MDCC may provide that shares of our common stock issuable under an award will be subject to such further restrictions or conditions as the MDCC may determine, including, but not limited to, conditions on vesting or transferability, forfeiture or repurchase provisions, tax withholding conditions and restrictions regarding the timing and manner ofre-sales or other subsequent transfers by the participant of shares issuable under an award.

Amendments and termination.Our Board may amend, suspend or terminate the LTIP, provided, however, that our Board will seek stockholder approval of material amendments to the LTIP as required by law, regulation or stock exchange and any amendment that would increase the total number of shares available for awards under the LTIP (except pursuant to the corporate transaction adjustment provisions discussed above) or permit stock options, SARs or other rights to purchase our common stock to bere-priced, replaced orre-granted through cancellation or by lowering the exercise or purchase price. The MDCC generally may waive conditions or amend the term of awards, or otherwise amend, suspend or terminate awards already granted, provided that such action does not, without the participant’s consent, impair the rights of the award holder.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a brief summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences generally arising with respect to awards under the LTIP. This discussion does not address all aspects of the United States federal income tax consequences of participating in the LTIP that may be relevant to participants in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances and does not discuss any state, local ornon-United States tax consequences of participating in the LTIP. Each participant is advised to consult his or her personal tax advisor concerning the application of the United States federal income tax laws to such participant’s particular situation, as well as the applicability and effect of any state, local ornon-United States tax laws before taking any actions with respect to any awards.

Section 162(m)—As noted above, Section 162(m) generally limits to $1 million the amount that a publicly held corporation is allowed each year to deduct for the compensation paid to the corporation’s covered employees under Section 162(m). However, “qualified performance-based compensation” is not subject to the $1 million deduction limit. To qualify as performance based-compensation, the following requirements must be satisfied: (1) the performance goals are determined by a committee consisting solely of two or more “outside directors”; (2) the material terms under which the compensation is to be paid, including the performance goals, are approved by the corporation’s stockholders; and (3) the committee certifies that the applicable performance goals were satisfied before payment of any performance-based compensation is made. Compensation payable with respect to stock options and SARs will be considered payable solely on account of the attainment ofpre-established objective performance measures (i) if such award has a purchase or base price at least equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, (ii) if such award is granted by a committee, or a subcommittee thereof, consisting solely of two or more “outside directors,” and (iii) if the plan under which the stock option or SAR is granted states the maximum number of shares with respect to which stock options or SARs may be granted during a specified period to any employee.

Stock Options—A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time an option is granted and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. A participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) upon exercise of anon-qualified stock option equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares purchased over their exercise price, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. A participant will not recognize income (except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax) upon exercise of an incentive stock option. If the shares acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option are held for the longer of two years from the date the option was granted and one year from the date it was exercised, any gain or loss arising from a subsequent disposition of those shares will be taxed as long-term capital gain or loss, and the Company will not be entitled to any deduction. If, however, those shares are disposed of within the above-described period, then in the year of that disposition the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income equal to the excess of the lesser of (1) the amount realized upon that disposition, and (2) the excess of the fair market value of those shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.

SARs—A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time SARs are granted and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) in an amount equal to the fair market value of any shares delivered and the amount of any cash paid by the Company, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.

Stock Awards—A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time restricted stock is granted and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time, unless the participant makes an election to be taxed at that time. If such election is made, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) at the time of the grant in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value for the shares at such time over the amount, if any, paid for those shares. If such election is not made, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) at the time the restrictions constituting a substantial risk of forfeiture lapse in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at such time over the amount, if any, paid for those shares. The amount of ordinary income recognized by making the above-described election or upon the lapse of restrictions constituting a substantial risk of forfeiture is deductible by the Company as compensation expense, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) apply. In addition, a participant receiving dividends with respect to restricted stock for which the above-described election has not been made and prior to the time the restrictions constituting a substantial risk of forfeiture lapse will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee), rather than dividend income, in an amount equal to the dividends paid and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) apply.

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

A participant who receives shares of common stock that are not subject to any restrictions under the LTIP will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income on the date of grant in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares on that date over the amount, if any, paid for those shares, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) apply.

Restricted Stock Units—A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time a restricted stock unit is granted and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. Upon settlement of restricted stock units, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) in an amount equal to the fair market value of any shares delivered and the amount of any cash paid by the Company, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) apply.

Performance Awards—A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time performance awards are granted and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. Upon settlement of performance awards, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) in an amount equal to the fair market value of any shares delivered and the amount of any cash paid by the Company, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) apply.

Awards Granted to Date Under the Old LTIP

The following table sets forth the number of stock options, RSUs and PSUs granted over the lifetime of the Old LTIP to the individuals and groups indicated as of April 1, 2017.

Name 

Number of Shares
Subject to

Stock Option Awards

     

RSUs

(#)

     

PSUs

(#)

    

Margaret Keane

  750,775      490,965      211,531   

Brian Doubles

  290,916      216,058      41,403   

Glenn Marino

  228,333      146,092      37,290   

Jonathan Mothner

  189,461      120,777      34,522   

Tom Quindlen

  289,667      185,613      41,358   

Paget L. Alves

  —        5,428      —     

Arthur W. Coviello, Jr.

  —        5,428      —     

William W. Graylin

  —        5,428      —     

Roy A. Guthrie

  —        10,617      —     

Richard C. Hartnack

  —        12,394      —     

Jeffrey G. Naylor

  —        10,617      —     

Laurel J. Richie

  —        5,428      —     

Olympia J. Snowe

  —        5,428      —     

Executive Group (8 persons)

  2,199,923      1,447,500      444,205   

Non-Executive Director Group (8 persons)

  —        60,768      —     

Non-Executive Officer Employee Group (995 persons)

  7,027,055      5,184,561      566,925   

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COMPENSATION MATTERS

Equity Compensation Plan Information2019 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information as of December 31, 20162019 regarding the number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans.

 

  A  B  C
 A  B  C  

Number of securities to be

issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,

  

Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding

options, warrants and

  Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding  securities
Plan Category 

Number of

securities to be
issued upon exercise
    of outstanding options,     
warrants and rights(1)

    

      Weighted-average      
exercise price

of outstanding

options, warrants

and rights

    

 

Number of securities
remaining available

for future issuance

under equity

compensation plans
(excluding securities
      reflected in column A)  

  warrants and rights(1)  rights  reflected in column A)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 13,006,204  $25.13  3,340,083  12,048,777  $28.98  43,581,766

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

               —          —               —       

Total

 13,006,204   $25.13   3,340,083  12,048,777  $28.98  43,581,766

(1)

This column includes 7,499,5857,044,782 shares underlying stock options, 4,982,9733,400,235 shares underlying RSUs and 523,6461,603,760 shares underlying PSUs, in each case, awarded under the Old LTIP.

As of December 31, 2016,2019, the weighted-average term of outstanding stock options was 7.96.2 years.

The table below provides details regarding the number of shares available for future awards under our equity compensation plans as of the end of each fiscal year since our IPO through December 31, 2016.

  

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

                                                 For the Years Ended                                                 

December 31,

  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018(1)  2019(1)
 2016  2015  2014

Beginning of the period available shares

 5,699,056             7,414,644            16,605,417             16,605,417    7,414,644    5,699,056    3,340,083    46,839,931    45,115,124

Granted: Stock Based (RSUs/PSUs) and
Non-Qualified Stock Options (“NQSOs”)

       

2017 Amended Plan Additional Shares

    0    0    0    46,000,000    0    0

New Shares Available

    16,605,417    7,414,644    5,699,056    49,340,083    46,839,931    45,115,124

Granted: Stock Based (RSUs/PSUs) and NQSOs

                  

– RSUs

  1,000,900              793,585             3,704,535             3,704,535    793,585    1,000,900    1,034,299    1,069,882    1,802,996

– PSUs

  523,646              —             —                   523,646    502,022    616,673    606,006

– NQSOs

  1,272,897              984,086             5,553,815             5,553,815    984,086    1,272,897    1,369,269    1,782,601    0

Total

 2,797,443             1,777,671            9,258,350             9,258,350    1,777,671    2,797,443    2,905,590    3,469,156    2,409,002

Cancelled: Stock Based (RSUs/PSUs) and NQSOs

                         

– RSUs

  226,407              45,484             26,806         

– RSUs(2)

    26,806    45,484    226,407    271,981    1,499,331    440,084

– PSUs

  —              —             —             0    0    0    11,001    62,704    271,478

– NQSOs

  212,063              16,599             40,771             40,771    16,599    212,063    122,456    182,313    164,082

Total

 438,470             62,083            67,577             67,577    62,083    438,470    405,438    1,744,349    875,644

End of the period available shares

 3,340,083             5,699,056            7,414,644             7,414,644    5,699,056    3,340,083    46,839,931    45,115,124    43,581,766    

 

(1)

Includes shares and dividend equivalent units granted during 2019.

 

(2)

LOGO The Board recommends a voteFOR the adoption of the amendment to the

Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan andre-approval of performance measures, as disclosed in this proxy statement.

Includes lapsed or unissued units.

 

 

54    LOGO    60        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


AUDIT MATTERS

COMPENSATION MATTERS                 

 

PAY RATIO

As required by the SEC and in accordance with its regulations and guidance, we determined the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO and the annual total compensation of our median employee using the following methodology. We note that the pay ratio and annual total compensation amounts we disclose are reasonable estimates that have been calculated using methodologies and assumptions permitted by the SEC, which may differ from those used by other companies.

We identified our median employee by using the target total compensation including retirement for all employees globally. Based on our CEO’s annual total compensation compared to the annual total compensation for our median employee, our estimated pay ratio for 2019 was 268:1.

We calculated the median employee’s annual total compensation in accordance with the SEC rules used to calculate the amount set forth in the “total” column of the Summary Compensation Table and added the value of benefits. Accordingly, our median employee’s total annual compensation was calculated as $45,407, including benefits.

With respect to the annual total compensation of our CEO, we used the amount reported in the “total” column of our Summary Compensation Table for 2019 and added the value of benefits. Accordingly, our CEO’s annual total compensation for purposes of the pay ratio determination was $12,181,183 including benefits.

LOGO

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        61      


LOGO

AUDIT MATTERS

AUDIT

MATTERS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

The Audit Committee retained KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) to audit our consolidated and combined financial statements for 2016.2019. In addition, the Audit Committee retained KPMG to provide other auditing and advisory services in 2016.2019. In selecting KPMG as the independent auditor for 2020, the Audit Committee considered, among other factors, KPMG’s performance during 2019, including that of the lead audit partner, its independence and its attention to quality control matters. We understand the need for KPMG to maintain objectivity and independence in its audit of our financial statements. To minimize relationships that could appear to impair the objectivity of KPMG, our Audit Committee has restricted thenon-audit services that KPMG may provide to us primarily to tax services and merger and acquisition due diligence and integration services. The Audit Committee also requires key KPMG partners assigned to our audit to be rotated at least every five years.

Pre-ApprovalPRE-APPROVAL ProcessesPROCESSES

The Audit Committee approves all audit engagement fees and terms. It is the Audit Committee’s policy to review andpre-approve all audit andnon-audit services provided to the Company by KPMG on anengagement-by-engagement basis. To minimize relationships that could appear to impair KPMG’s objectivity, it is the Audit Committee’s practice to restrict thenon-audit services that may be provided to the Company by KPMG primarily to tax services and merger and acquisition due diligence and integration services. The Chair of the Audit Committee is authorized topre-approve any audit ornon-audit service on behalf of the Audit Committee, provided such decisions are presented to the full committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Accounting Fees and ServicesACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The following table presents fees paid for the audit of our annual consolidated and combined financial statements and all other professional services rendered by KPMG for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and 2015.2018.

 

  

For the Years Ended December 31,

 
  

                           For the Years Ended                          

December 31,

          2019           2018 
  2016              2015

Audit fees

   $5,080,164                       $4,290,536          $5,249,495    $4,726,603 

Audit-related fees

   495,471                       435,928       

Audit-related

   556,600    597,956 

fees

    

Tax fees

    —                       —               

All other fees

    —                       2,830         

 

 

  

 

 

Total fees

   $5,575,635                       $4,729,294         

 

$5,805,995

 

  

 

$5,324,559

 

In the above table, in accordance with SEC rules, “Audit” fees are fees that we paid to KPMG for (i) the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2019, and review of financial statements included in the Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2016,2019, and (ii) services that are normally provided by KPMG in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, including comfort letter procedures and consent-related procedures. “Audit-related” fees are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements, including agreed-upon procedures. “Tax” fees are fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, and “All other” fees are fees for any services not included in the first three categories.

Hiring RestrictionsHIRING RESTRICTIONS

The Audit Committee has adopted restrictions on our hiring of any KPMG partner, director, manager, staff, advising member of the department of professional practice, reviewing actuary, reviewing tax professional and any other persons having responsibility for providing audit assurance on any aspect of KPMG’s certification of the Company’s financial statements. These restrictions are contained in our Audit Committee Key Practices, which are published on the Company’s website at http://investors.synchronyfinancial.cominvestors.synchrony.com under “Corporate Governance.”

 

 

LOGO     55    62        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


AUDIT MATTERS

AUDIT MATTERS                

 

ITEM 4—3—RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY FOR 20172020

We are asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2017. The Audit Committee has approved the selection of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2017. KPMG is currently our independent registered public accounting firm.

Although the Company is not required to seek stockholder approval of this appointment, the Board believes that doing so is consistent with good corporate governance practices. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will explore the reasons for stockholder rejection and whether it is appropriate to select another independent auditor.

We are asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020. The Audit Committee has approved the selection of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020. KPMG is currently our independent registered public accounting firm.

LOGO
Although the Company is not required to seek stockholder approval of this appointment, the Board believes that doing so is consistent with good corporate governance practices. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will explore the reasons for stockholder rejection and whether it is appropriate to select another independent auditor.

We have been advised that representatives of KPMG will attend the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

LOGO The Audit Committee and the Board recommend a voteFOR ratification of the selection of KPMG
as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.

Audit Committee ReportAUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee reviews and oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board, including the selection, evaluation, compensation and oversight of our independent auditor. Management has the primary responsibility for the Company’s financial statements and overall financial reporting process, including the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. KPMG, our independent auditor for 2016,2019, has the responsibility to conduct an independent audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and to issue an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

In this context, the Audit Committee:

 

hasHas reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited consolidated and combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016;2019;

 

has discussed with KPMG the matters required to be discussed byAuditing Standard No. 1301: Communications with Audit Committees;
Has discussed with KPMG the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301: Communications with Audit Committees;

 

hasHas discussed with KPMG its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

hasHas received from KPMG the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding KPMG’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence; and

 

hasHas discussed with KPMG its independence, taking into consideration the amount and nature of the fees paid to the firm for audit andnon-audit services.

Based on the review and discussions described above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated and combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20162019 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162019 for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board.

Jeffrey G. Naylor, Chair

Paget L. Alves

Olympia J. Snowe

Ellen M. Zane

Jeffrey G. Naylor, Chair
Paget L. Alves
Olympia J. Snowe

LOGO

 

 

56    LOGOSynchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        63      


LOGO

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

At March 23, 2017,16, 2020, we had 810,804,845587,232,613 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

The following table shows information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:

 

allAll persons known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock;

ourOur CEO and each of our named executive officers;

eachEach of our directors; and

allAll directors and executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Synchrony common stock subject to options or RSUs held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable (or in the case of RSUs, vested or vest) within 60 days of the date of this proxy statement are deemed to be issued and outstanding. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing percentage ownership of each other stockholder. Except as noted by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe based on the information provided to us that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Except as noted by footnote, all stockholdings are as of March 23, 2017,16, 2020, and the percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 810,804,845587,232,613 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 23, 2017.16, 2020.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner  Number of Shares          Percent of Total        

BlackRock, Inc.

       

55 East 52nd Street

       

New York, NY 10055(1)

    52,387,744           6.3%               

GIC Private Limited

       

168, Robinson Road

       

#37-01, Capital Tower

       

Singapore 068912(2)

    45,980,617           5.6%               

The Vanguard Group

       

100 Vanguard Blvd.

       

Malvern, PA 19355(3)

    49,977,595           6.1%               

Margaret M. Keane(4)

    71,238           *               

Brian D. Doubles(5)

    17,257           *               

Glenn P. Marino(6)

    19,394           *               

Jonathan S. Mothner(7)

    14,278           *               

Thomas M. Quindlen(8)

    25,437           *               

Paget L. Alves

    0           0%               

Arthur W. Coviello, Jr.

    6,186           *               

William W. Graylin

    32,000           *               

Roy A. Guthrie(9)

    10,000           *               

Richard C. Hartnack

    2,000           *               

Jeffrey G. Naylor

    20,000           *               

Laurel J. Richie

    0           0%               

Olympia J. Snowe

    0           0%               

All directors and executive officers as a group (16 persons)

    257,308           *               

  Name of Beneficial Owner

  

Number of
Shares

   

Percent of

Total

 

  The Vanguard Group—100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355(1)

   53,037,946    9.03% 

  GIC Private Limited—168, Robinson Road#37-01, Capital Tower Singapore 068912(2)

   41,907,785    7.01% 

  BlackRock, Inc.—55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055(3)

   41,189,773    7.01% 

  FMR LLC—245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210(4)

   35,383,831    6.03% 

  Margaret M. Keane(5)

   877,606    * 

  Brian D. Doubles(6)

   311,063    * 

  Henry F. Greig(7)

   301,160    * 

  Neeraj Mehta(8)

   160,306    * 

  Tom M. Quindlen(9)

   295,295    * 

  Brian J. Wenzel Sr.(10)

   79,270    * 

  Fernando Aguirre

   0    * 

  Paget L. Alves(11)

   8,136    * 

  Arthur W. Coviello, Jr.(12)

   17,673    * 

  William W. Graylin(13)

   66,775    * 

  Roy A. Guthrie(14)

   15,027    * 

  Richard C. Hartnack(15)

   6,792    * 

  Jeffrey G. Naylor(16)

   39,962    * 

  Laurel J. Richie(17)

   12,987    * 

  Olympia J. Snowe(18)

   5,664    * 

  Ellen M. Zane(19)

   712   

  All directors and executive officers as a group (20 persons)

   2,627,956    * 

* Denotes less than 1.0%

 

    64        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP                

(1)Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on January 27, 2017 by BlackRock, Inc. regarding its holdings, together with its subsidiaries, of our common stock as of December 31, 2016. The Schedule 13G/A discloses that the reporting entity had sole voting power as to 44,883,079 of the shares, shared voting power as to 18,469 of the shares, sole dispositive power as to 52,369,275 of the shares and shared dispositive power as to 18,469 of the shares.

(2)Based on a Schedule 13G filed on January 25, 2017 by GIC Private Limited regarding its holdings of our common stock as of December 31, 2016. The Schedule 13G discloses that the reporting entity had sole voting power as to 28,725,657 of the shares, shared voting power as to 17,254,960 of the shares, sole dispositive power as to 28,725,657 of the shares and shared dispositive power as to 17,254,960 of the shares.

(3)Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 10, 201712, 2020 by The Vanguard Group regarding its holdings, together with its subsidiaries, of our common stock as of December 31, 2016.2019. The Schedule 13G/A discloses that the reporting entity had sole voting power as to 1,268,399917,439 of the shares, shared voting power as to 149,348180,530 of the shares, sole dispositive power as to 48,599,49052,014,626 of the shares and shared dispositive power as to 1,378,1051,023,320 of the shares.

(2)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2020 by GIC Private Limited regarding its holdings of our common stock as of December 31, 2019. The Schedule 13G/A discloses that the reporting entity had sole voting power as to 36,491,806 of the shares, shared voting power as to 5,415,979 of the shares, sole dispositive power as to 36,491,806 of the shares and shared dispositive power as to 5,415,979 of the shares.

(3)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 6, 2020 by BlackRock, Inc. regarding its holdings, together with its subsidiaries, of our common stock as of December 31, 2019. The Schedule 13G/A discloses that the reporting entity had sole voting power as to 35,092,111 of the shares, shared voting power as to none of the shares, sole dispositive power as to 41,189,773 of the shares and shared dispositive power as to none of the shares.

 

(4)

Based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 7, 2020 by FMR LLC regarding its holdings, together with certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, of our common stock as of December 31, 2019. The Schedule 13G discloses that the reporting entity had sole voting power as to 3,954,371 of the shares, shared voting power as to none of the shares, sole dispositive power as to 35,383,831 of the shares and shared dispositive power as to none of the shares.

(5)

Includes 22,33484,276 restricted stock units and 36,323 options (before netting out shares of our common stock withheld to pay the tax liability of the reporting person) and 100,832 stock options that vested on April 1, 2017.2020. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of our common stock.

 

(5)(6)

Includes 6,11845,277 restricted stock units and 9,749 options (before netting out shares of our common stock withheld to pay the tax liability of the reporting person) and 23,261 stock options that vested on April 1, 2017. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of our common stock.2020.

 

(6)(7)

Includes 5,33510,681 restricted stock units and 8,509 options (before netting out shares of our common stock withheld to pay the tax liability of the reporting person) and 17,644 stock options that vested on April 1, 2017. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of our common stock.2020.

 

(7)(8)

Includes 4,91018,539 restricted stock units and 7,831 options (before netting out shares of our common stock withheld to pay the tax liability of the reporting person) and 30,410 stock options that vested on April 1, 2017. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of our common stock.2020.

 

(8)(9)

Includes 6,73013,595 restricted stock units and 10,724 options (before netting out shares of our common stock withheld to pay the tax liability of the reporting person) and 22,301 stock options that vested on April 1, 2017. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of our common stock.2020.

 

(9)(10)

Includes 3,898 restricted stock units (before netting out shares of our common stock withheld to pay the tax liability of the reporting person) and 6,418 stock options that vested on April 1, 2020.

(11)

Includes 426 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020.

(12)

Includes 2,139 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020.

(13)

Includes 2,139 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020.

(14)

Includes 426 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020. Mr. Guthrie is the Investment Manager of Guthrie 2012 Investments LP, which owns the reported securities. Mr. Guthrie disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock held by Guthrie 2012 Investments LP, except to the extent of his direct pecuniary interest therein.

(15)

Includes 821 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020.

(16)

Includes 426 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020.

(17)

Includes 2,139 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020.

(18)

Includes 426 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020.

(19)

Includes 712 restricted stock units that vested on March 31, 2020.

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58    LOGOSynchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        65      


LOGO

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

 

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

There were no transactions or proposed transactions between the Company and any officer, director or nominee for director, any stockholder beneficially owning more than 5% of any class of our voting stock or any immediate family member of any of them, since January 1, 2016,2019, of the type or amount required to be disclosed under the applicable SEC rules.

Related Person Transactions PolicyRELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS POLICY

Our Board has adopted a written policy for the review, approval or ratification of transactions (known as “related person transactions”) between us or any of our subsidiaries and any related person, in which the amount involved since the beginning of our last completed fiscal year will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 and in which one of our executive officers, directors or nominees for director, or stockholders beneficially owning more than 5% of any class of our voting stock (or an immediate family member of any of the foregoing has a direct or indirect material interest). Since January 1, 2016,2019, no transaction has been identified as a related person transaction.

The policy calls for related person transactions to be reported to, reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved or ratified by, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In determining whether or not to approve or ratify a related person transaction, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into account, among other factors it deems important, whether the related person transaction is in our best interests and whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to us from an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances. In the event a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is not disinterested with respect to the related person transaction under review, that member may not participate in the review, approval or ratification of that related person transaction.

Certain decisions and transactions are not subject to the related person transaction approval policy, including: (i) decisions on compensation or benefits relating to our directors or executive officers or the hiring or retention of our executive officers, (ii) decisions relating to pro rata distributions to all our stockholders, (iii) indebtedness transactions with the Bank made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the lender and not presenting more than the normal risk of collectability or other unfavorable features, and (iv) deposit transactions with the Bank made in the ordinary course of business and not paying a greater rate of interest on the deposits of a related person than the rate paid to other depositors on similar deposits with the Bank.

Certain of our directors and executive officers and certain members of their immediate families have received extensions of credit from us in connection with credit card transactions. The extensions of credit were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons not related to us and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable terms. Future extensions of credit of this nature are not subject to the related person transaction approval policy.

 

 

LOGO     59    66        Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement


  FREQUENTLY ASKED

  QUESTIONS ABOUT THE

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT THE  ANNUAL MEETING (“FAQs”FAQS”)

 

VOTING INFORMATION

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?

Holders of our common stock as of the close of business on the record date, which is March 23, 2017,26, 2020, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, there were 810,804,845583,232,644 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, with each share entitled to one vote.

How doHOW DO I vote at the Annual Meeting?VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?

Stockholders of record can vote in one of four ways:

 

LOGO

 LOGO     

BY MAIL

 

You may date, sign and promptly return your proxy card by mail in a postage prepaid envelope (such proxy card must be received by May 17, 2017)20, 2020).

    

LOGO

 

LOGO     

BY TELEPHONE

 

You may use the toll-free telephone number shown on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) or proxy card up until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 17, 2017.20, 2020.

    

 

LOGO    LOGO       

  

 

BY THE INTERNET

 

In Advance

You may visitvote online by visiting the internet website address indicated on your Notice or proxy card or scan the QR code indicated on your Notice or proxy card with your mobile device, and follow theon-screen instructions until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 17, 2017.20, 2020.

 

At the Annual Meeting

You may visitattend the virtual Annual Meeting by visiting this internet website at the following address: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017.SYF2020.

Voting instructions (including instructions for both telephonic and internet voting) are provided on the Notice and the proxy card. The telephone and internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholder identities, to allow stockholders to give voting instructions and to confirm that stockholders’ instructions have been recorded properly. A control number, located on the Notice and the proxy card, will identify stockholders and allow them to submit their proxies and confirm that their voting instructions have been properly recorded.

If your shares are held through a bank, broker, fiduciary or custodian (which we refer to in this proxy statement as a “broker”), please follow the voting instructions on the form you receive from such institution.

What if my shares of the Company’s common stock are held for me by a broker?WHAT IF MY SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK ARE HELD FOR ME BY A BROKER?

If you are the beneficial owner of shares held for you by a broker, your broker must vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not provide your broker with instructions as to how to vote such shares, your broker will only be able to vote your shares at its discretion on certain “routine” matters as permitted by NYSE rules. The proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG is the only proposal considered a routine matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting. Brokers will not be permitted to vote your shares on any of the other matters presented at the Annual Meeting. If you do not provide voting instructions on these matters, including the election of the director nominees named herein, the shares will be considered “brokernon-votes” with respect to such matters.

 

What ifSynchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        67    


WHAT IF I do not vote or do not indicate how my shares should be voted on my proxy card?DO NOT VOTE OR DO NOT INDICATE HOW MY SHARES SHOULD BE VOTED ON MY PROXY CARD?

If a stockholder does not return a signed proxy card or submit a proxy by telephone or the internet, and does not attend the meeting and vote, his or her shares will not be voted or counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Shares of our common stock represented by properly executed proxies received by us and not subsequently revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions contained therein.

60    LOGO


FAQs

If you submit a properly completed proxy but do not indicate how your shares should be voted on a proposal, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted as the Board recommends on such proposal.In addition, if any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card will have discretion to vote your shares in their best judgment on such matter.

How canHOW CAN I change my votes or revoke my proxy afterCHANGE MY VOTES OR REVOKE MY PROXY AFTER I have voted?HAVE VOTED?

Any proxy signed and returned by a stockholder or submitted by telephone or via the internet may be revoked or changed at any time before it is exercised by mailing a written notice of revocation or change to our Corporate Secretary at Synchrony Financial, 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902 or by executing and delivering a later-dated proxy (either in writing, by telephone or via the internet).

Will my votes be publicly disclosed?WILL MY VOTES BE PUBLICLY DISCLOSED?

No. Stockholder proxies, ballots and tabulations that identify individual stockholders are not publicly disclosed and are available only to the inspector of election and certain employees, who are obligated to keep such information confidential.

What if other matters come up during the Annual Meeting?WHAT IF OTHER MATTERS COME UP DURING THE ANNUAL MEETING?

If any other matters properly come before the meeting, including a question of adjourning or postponing the meeting, the persons named in the proxies or their substitutes acting thereunder will have discretion to vote your shares on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

What constitutes a quorum at the Annual Meeting?WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?

The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or represented by proxy, of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding capital stock issued and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to constitute a quorum to transact business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. As explained above under “What if my shares of the Company’s common stock are held for me by a broker?,” if brokers exercise their discretionary voting authority on the ratification of the appointment of KPMG, such shares will be considered present at the Annual Meeting for quorum purposes and brokernon-votes will occur as to each of the other proposals presented at the Annual Meeting.

How many votes are required to approve each matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting?HOW MANY VOTES ARE REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?

 

Voting Item

 

  

Voting Standard

 

  

Treatment of Abstentions

and BrokerNon-Votes

 

  

Board

Recommendation

 

  

Election of directors named in this proxy statement

  

Majority of votes cast

  

Not counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effect

  

FOR

Advisory approval of our named executives’ compensation

  Majority of votes cast  Not counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effect  FOR

Approve the adoption of the amendment to the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan andre-approval of performance measures  Auditor ratification

  Majority of votes cast  Abstentions are counted as votes cast pursuant to NYSE stockholder approval rules applicable to this proposal and will have the same effect as a vote cast against the proposal; brokernon-votes are not counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effecteffect. No brokernon-votes (routine matter).  FOR

Auditor ratification

Majority of votes castNot counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effectFOR

 

LOGO     61    68        Synchrony  


FAQs  2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

 


 

Who will count the vote?WHO WILL COUNT THE VOTE?

Votes will be tabulated by Broadridge. The Board has appointed a representative of Broadridge to serve as the Inspector of Elections.

Will a list of stockholders be made available?WILL A LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS BE MADE AVAILABLE?

We will make a list of stockholders available for 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting at our offices located at 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. Please contact Synchrony’s Corporate Secretary by telephone at (203)585-2400 if you wish to inspect the list of stockholders prior to the Annual Meeting. This list will also be available during the Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017.SYF2020.

PROXY SOLICITATION AND DOCUMENT REQUEST INFORMATION

Why didWHY DID I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of printed proxy materials?RECEIVE A NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS INSTEAD OF PRINTED PROXY MATERIALS?

The SEC permits companies to furnish proxy materials to stockholders by providing access to these documents over the internet instead of mailing printed copies, which can reduce costs of printing and impact on the environment. Accordingly, we have mailed a Notice to some of our stockholders. All stockholders can access our proxy materials on the internet website referred to in the Notice. If you received a Notice and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for obtaining such materials included in the Notice.

Multiple individuals residing at my address are beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock, so why did we receive only one mailing?MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS RESIDING AT MY ADDRESS ARE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK, SO WHY DID WE RECEIVE ONLY ONE MAILING?

The SEC permits companies to deliver a single Notice or set of Annual Meeting materials to an address shared by two or more stockholders. This delivery method is referred to as “householding.” We have delivered only one such Notice or set of Annual Meeting materials to some stockholders who share an address, unless we received contrary instructions from the affected stockholders prior to the mailing date. We agree to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of such Notice or Annual Meeting materials to any stockholder at the shared address to which a single copy of those documents was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of such Notice or Annual Meeting materials, please contact our Corporate Secretary by telephone at (203)585-2400 or in writing at Synchrony Financial, 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902.

If you are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder receiving multiple copies of Notices or Annual Meeting materials and wish to receive only one copy for your household, please contact the Company at the above phone number or address.

62    LOGO


FAQs

Who is soliciting my proxy and who pays to prepare, mail and solicit the proxies?WHO IS SOLICITING MY PROXY AND WHO PAYS TO PREPARE, MAIL AND SOLICIT THE PROXIES?

The Board is soliciting proxies from the Company’s stockholders for the Annual Meeting. We will bear the costs of solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting, including preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of the Notice, this proxy statement, the annual report, the proxy card and any additional information furnished to stockholders. We may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners of common stock for their costs of forwarding any solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. However, we do not reimburse or pay additional compensation to our own directors, officers or other employees for soliciting proxies. In addition, we have retained Georgeson, LLCInnisfree M&A Incorporated to assist us in the solicitation of proxies for an aggregate fee of $15,000,$20,000, plus reasonableout-of-pocket expenses.

INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING THE 20172020 ANNUAL MEETING

How canHOW CAN I attend the Annual Meeting?ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING?

Stockholders as of the record date and/or their authorized representatives are permitted to attend our Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be conducted entirely over an internet website, at the following address: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017.www.virtualshareholdermeeting. com/SYF2020. Hosting a virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation because stockholders can participate from any location. You may attend the Annual Meeting, vote and submit a question during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017SYF2020 and using your16-digit control number, located on the Notice and the proxy card, to enter the meeting.

 

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board has no knowledge of any other matter to be submitted at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter shall properly come before the Annual Meeting, including a question of adjourning or postponing the meeting, the persons named in this proxy statement will have discretionary authority to vote the shares thereby represented in accordance with their best judgment.

ANNUAL REPORT AND COMPANY INFORMATION

A copy of our 20162019 Annual Report is being furnished to stockholders concurrently herewith. Our Annual Report and other reports we file with the SEC are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed or furnished to the SEC at http://investors.synchronyfinancial.cominvestors.synchrony.com under “SEC Filings.”

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 20182021 ANNUAL MEETING

Proposals that stockholders wish to submit for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2018 annual meeting2021 Annual Meeting of stockholdersStockholders pursuant to Rule14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received by our Corporate Secretary at Synchrony Financial, 777 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902 no later than December 5, 2017.7, 2020. Any stockholder proposal submitted for inclusion must be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC.

With respect to proposals submitted by a stockholder for consideration at our 20182021 annual meeting but not for inclusion in our proxy statement for such annual meeting, timely notice of any stockholder proposal must be received by us in accordance with our Bylaws no earlier than January 18, 2018,21, 2021, nor later than February 17, 2018.20, 2021. Such notice must contain the information required by our Bylaws.

Stockholders who intend to submit director nominees for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 20182021 annual meeting must comply with the requirements of proxy access as set forth in our Bylaws. The stockholder or group of stockholders who wish to submit director nominees pursuant to proxy access must deliver the required materials to the Company not earlier than November 5, 2017,7, 2020, nor later than December 5, 2017.7, 2020. Stockholders who wish to propose director nominees at the 20182021 annual meeting but not include such nominees in our proxy statement must deliver notice to the Company at its principal executive offices no earlier than January 18, 2018,21, 2021, nor later than February 17, 2018,20, 2021, and such notice must otherwise comply with our Bylaws.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 20172020 ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 201721, 2020

Our proxy materials relating to our Annual Meeting (notice,(Notice, proxy statement and annual report) are available at www.proxyvote.com.

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APPENDIX A: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL AMENDED AND RESTATED

2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

The purposes ofinformation provided in this Amended and Restated Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)proxy statement includes measures which are to encourage selected officers, employees,non-employee directors and consultants of Synchrony Financial (together with any successor thereto, the “Company”) and its Affiliates (as defined below) to acquire a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company, to generate an increased incentive to contribute to the Company’s future success and prosperity, thus enhancing the value of the Company for the benefit of its shareowners, and to enhance the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain exceptionally qualified individuals upon whom, in large measure, the sustained progress, growth and profitability of the Company depend.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a)“Affiliate” shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Committee.

(b)“Award” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.

(c)“Award Agreement” shall mean any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document, including an electronic communication, as may from time to time be designated by the Company as evidencing any Award granted under the Plan.

(d)“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

(e)“Committee” shall mean a committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, acting in accordance with the provisions of Section 3, designated by the Board to administer the Plan and composed of not less than twonon-employee directors.

(f)“Dividend Equivalent” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan.

(g)“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(h)“Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to any Shares or other securities, the closing price of a Share on the date as of which the determination is being made as reported on the principal national stock exchange on which the Shares are then traded or, if there shall be no reported transactions for such date, on the next preceding date for which transactions were reported; provided, however, that if the Shares are not listed on a national stock exchange or if the closing price of a Share for any date cannot be so determined, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee by whatever means or method as the Committee, in the good faith exercise of its discretion, shall at such time deem appropriate and, to the extent applicable, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code; provided, further, in the case of grants made in connection with the Initial Public Offering, Fair Market Value shall mean the price per Share at which the Shares are initially offered for sale to the public by the Company’s underwriters in the Initial Public Offering.

(i)“Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Sections 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto.

(j)“Initial Public Offering” shall mean the initial public offering of the Company registered on FormS-1 (or any successor form under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).

(k)“Non-Employee Director” shall mean any director of the Company who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

(l)“Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

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SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

(m)“Option” shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or aNon-Qualified Stock Option.

(n)“Other Stock-Based Award” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(f) of the Plan.

(o)“Participant” shall mean an officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Affiliates or aNon-Employee Director, in each case, as designated to be granted an Award under the Plan.

(p)“Performance Award” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of the Plan.

(q)“Performance Criteria” shall mean any quantitative and/or qualitative measures, as determined by the Committee, which may be used to measure the level of performance of the Company or any individual Participant during a Performance Period, including any Qualifying Performance Criteria.

(r)“Performance Period” shall mean any period as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(s)“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or government or political subdivision thereof.

(t)“Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall mean, to the extent necessary to qualify an Award as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the company as a whole or to a business unit or related company, and measured on an absolute basis or relative to apre-established target, to a previous year’s results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award: purchase volume; loan receivables; Tier 1 common ratio; liquidity as a percentage of total assets; liquidity coverage ratio; tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio; platform revenue; net earnings; earnings per share; diluted earnings per share; return on average assets; return on capital or invested capital; return on equity; cash flow; gross or operating profit and margin rate; net interest margin; other expense efficiency; active accounts; new accounts; the attainment by a Share of a specified Fair Market Value for a specified period of time; increase in stockholder value; return on investments; total stockholder return; earnings or income of the Company before or after taxes and/or interest; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”); EBITDA margin; operating income; operating expenses, attainment of expense levels or cost reduction goals; net charge-offs and netcharge-off percent; delinquency rates; won, lost and extended deals; market share; interest expense; economic value created; net cash provided by operations;price-to-earnings growth; and strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified goals relating to compliance, market penetration, customer acquisition, business expansion, cost targets, customer satisfaction, reductions in errors and omissions, reductions in lost business, management of employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, quality and quality audit scores, efficiency, and acquisitions or divestitures, or any combination of the foregoing. The applicable performance measures may be applied on apre- orpost-tax basis and may be adjusted in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code to include or exclude objectively determinable components of any performance measure, including, without limitation, charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items and all items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence, related to the disposal of a segment or a business, or related to a change in accounting principle or otherwise. With respect to Participants who are not “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and who, in the Committee’s judgment, are not likely to be covered employees at any time during the applicable Performance Period or during any period in which an award may be paid following a Performance Period, the Performance Criteria may consist of any objective or subjective corporate-wide or subsidiary, division, operating unit or individual measures, whether or not listed herein. If the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Awards that are not intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may grant such award without satisfying the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and that use Performance Criteria other than those specified herein.

(u)“Restricted Securities” shall mean Awards of Restricted Stock or other Awards under which issued and outstanding Shares are held subject to certain restrictions.

(v)“Restricted Stock” shall mean any award of Shares granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan.

(w)“Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan that is denominated in Shares.

(x)“Shares” shall mean the common shares of the Company, $0.01 par value, and such other securities as may become the subject of Awards, or become subject to Awards, pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(b) of the Plan.

(y)“Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan.

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SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION

Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have the power to interpret the Plan and to adopt such rules and guidelines for implementing the terms of the Plan as it may deem appropriate. The Committee shall have the ability to modify the Plan provisions, to the extent necessary, or delegate such authority, to accommodate any changes in law and regulations in jurisdictions in which Participants will receive Awards.

(a)Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to:

(i)designate Participants;

(ii)determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan;

(iii)determine the number of Shares to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with) Awards;

(iv)determine the terms and conditions of any Award, including any restrictive covenants, clawback or recoupment provisions or requirements that a Participant execute a waiver and release;

(v)determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, or other Awards, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended, and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended;

(vi)determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee;

(vii)interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan;

(viii)establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and guidelines;

(ix)appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan;

(x)make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan; and

(xi)correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.

(b)Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time, and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, any shareowner, and any employee of the Company or of any Affiliate. To the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code and Section 16 of the Exchange Act, actions of the Committee may be taken by:

(i)the Chairman of the Committee;

(ii)a subcommittee, designated by the Committee;

(iii)the Committee but with one or more members abstaining or recusing himself or herself from acting on the matter, so long as two or more members remain to act on the matter. Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of such members, shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan; or

(iv)one or more officers or managers of the Company or any Affiliate, or a committee of such officers or managers whose authority is subject to such terms and limitations set forth by the Committee, and only with respect to employees who are not officers orNon-Employee Directors of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. This delegation shall include modifications necessary to accommodate changes in the laws or regulations of jurisdictions outside the U.S.

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SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

SECTION 4. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS

(a)SHARES AVAILABLE. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b):

(i)The total number of Shares reserved and available for delivery pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be 62,605,417. If any Shares covered by an Award granted under the Plan, or to which such an Award relates, are forfeited, or if an Award otherwise terminates without the delivery of Shares or of other consideration, or if an Award is settled in cash, then the Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates, or the number of Shares otherwise counted against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination or cash settlement, shall again be available for granting Awards under the Plan. The full number of Shares available for delivery under the Plan may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options, except that in calculating the number of Shares that remain available for Awards of Incentive Stock Options, the rules set forth in this Section shall not apply to the extent not permitted by Section 422 of the Code.

(ii)ACCOUNTING FOR AWARDS. For purposes of this Section 4,

(A)If an Award (other than a Dividend Equivalent) is denominated in Shares, the number of Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates, shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan; provided, however that if an Award is settled or paid by the Company in whole or in part through the delivery of consideration other than Shares, or by delivery of fewer than the full number of Shares that was counted against the Shares available for delivery as provided above, there shall be added back to the number of Shares available for delivery pursuant to Awards the excess of the number of Shares that had been so counted over the number of Shares (if any) actually delivered upon payment or settlement of the Award (including with respect to Awards that are outstanding as of the effective date of the amendment and restatement of the Plan).

(B)If an Award is not denominated in Shares, the number of Shares available for delivery shall be reduced by the number of Shares actually delivered upon payment or settlement of the Award.

(C)Dividend Equivalents denominated in Shares and Awards not denominated, but potentially payable, in Shares shall be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan in such amount and at such time as the Dividend Equivalents and such Awards are settled in Shares; provided, however, that Awards that operate in tandem with (whether granted simultaneously with or at a different time from), or that are substituted for, other Awards may only be counted once against the aggregate number of Shares available, and the Committee shall adopt procedures, as it deems appropriate, in order to avoid double counting. Any Shares that are delivered by the Company, and any Awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company through the assumption by the Company or an Affiliate of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired company, shall not be counted against the Shares available for granting Awards under this Plan.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Shares related to Awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such Shares, are settled in cash in lieu of Shares, or are exchanged with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of Shares, for Awards not involving Shares, shall be available again for grant under this Plan. Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may not again be made available for issuance under the Plan if such Shares are: (x) Shares that were subject to an Option or a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right and were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (y) Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price or the withholding taxes under Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, or (z) Shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option exercise. Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the withholding taxes for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall again be available for issuance under this Plan.

(iii)SOURCES OF SHARES DELIVERABLE UNDER AWARDS. Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or of treasury Shares.

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(b)ADJUSTMENTS.

(i)In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, or other securities), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation,split-up,spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event constitutes an equity restructuring transaction, as that term is defined in the Accounting Standards Codification 718 (or any successor accounting standard) or otherwise affects the Shares, then the Committee shall adjust the following in a manner that is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan:

(A)the number and type of Shares or other securities which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards;

(B)the number and type of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards;

(C)the number and type of Shares or other securities specified as the annualper-participant limitation under Section 6(g)(v) and (vi);

(D)the grant, purchase, or exercise price with respect to any Award, or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; and

(E)other value determinations applicable to outstanding awards.

Provided, however, in each case, that with respect to Awards of Incentive Stock Options no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such authority would cause the Plan to violate Sections 422(b)(1) of the Code or any successor provision thereto and, with respect to Awards of Stock Appreciation Rights and Options, such adjustment shall benot prepared in accordance with Section 409AU.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

We present certain financial measures that have been adjusted to exclude amounts related to the Walmart and/or the Yamaha portfolios. These financial measures are not measures presented in accordance with GAAP. Given the sale of the Code;Walmart and provided further, however, thatYamaha portfolios which were completed in October 2019 and January 2020, respectively, we believe the numberpresentation of Shares subjectthese financial measures is a more meaningful measure to any Award denominated in Shares shall always be a whole number.

(ii)ADJUSTMENTS OF AWARDS UPON CERTAIN ACQUISITIONS. In the event the Company or any Affiliate shall assume outstanding employee awards or the right or obligation to make future such awards in connection with the acquisition of another business or another corporation or business entity, the Committee may make such adjustments, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, in the terms of Awards as it shall deem appropriate in order to achieve reasonable comparability or other equitable relationship between the assumed awards and the Awards granted under the Plan as so adjusted.

(iii)ADJUSTMENTS OF AWARDS UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN UNUSUAL OR NONRECURRING EVENTS. The Committee shall be authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits to be made available under the Plan.

SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY

Any officer, employee or consultantinvestors of the Company or of any Affiliate and anyNon-Employee Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant.Company’s ongoing credit programs.

 

 

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SECTION 6. AWARDSNON-GAAP RECONCILIATION    

The following table sets forth a reconciliation between GAAP results andnon-GAAP Core results for 2019.    

 

(a)OPTIONS. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:

(i)EXERCISE PRICE. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, and except as provided in Section 4(b), that such purchase price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option.

(ii)OPTION TERM. The term of each Option shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant.

(iii)TIME AND METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Committee shall establish in the applicable Award Agreement the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, and the method or methods by which, and the form or forms, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or other Awards, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price, in which, payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.

(iv)INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. The terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be designed to comply in all respects with the provisions of Sections 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, and any regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6(a) to the contrary, Options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall not be eligible for treatment under the Code as Incentive Stock Options (and will be deemed to beNon-Qualified Stock Options) to the extent that either (1) the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares (determined as of the time of grant) with respect to which such Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted, or (2) such Options otherwise remain exercisable but are not exercised within three (3) months of termination of employment (or such other period of time provided in Section 422 of the Code).

(b)STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over (ii) the grant price of the right as specified by the Committee.

(i)GRANT PRICE. Shall be determined by the Committee, provided, however, and except as provided in Section 4(b), that such price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, except that if a Stock Appreciation Right is at any time granted in tandem to an Option, the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than the exercise price of such Option.

(ii)TERM. The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant.

(iii)TIME AND METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Committee shall establish in the applicable Award Agreement the time or times at which a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part.

(c)RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.

(i)ISSUANCE. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to Participants. Subject to the terms of the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, a Restricted Stock Unit may be payable in Shares or cash.

(ii)RESTRICTIONS. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may establish in the applicable Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote a Share of Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend or other right), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate. Unrestricted Shares, evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall deem appropriate, shall be delivered to the holder of Restricted Stock promptly after such restrictions have lapsed.

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(iii)REGISTRATION. Any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates. In the event any stock certificate is issued in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, such certificate shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.

(iv)FORFEITURE. Upon termination of employment during the applicable restriction period, except as determined otherwise by the Committee, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units still, in either case, subject to restriction shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company.

(d)PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants. Performance Awards include arrangements under which the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of any Award is subject to such Performance Criteria and such additional conditions or terms as the Committee may designate. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, a Performance Award granted under the Plan:

(i)may be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without limitation, Restricted Stock), other securities, or other Awards; and

(ii)shall confer on the holder thereof rights valued as determined by the Committee and payable to, or exercisable by, the holder of the Performance Award, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of such Performance Criteria during such Performance Periods as the Committee shall establish.

(e)DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to Participants Awards under which the holders thereof shall be entitled to receive payments equivalent to dividends or interest with respect to a number of Shares determined by the Committee, and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, such Awards may have such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, any Dividend Equivalents with respect to Awards subject to performance-based vesting conditions shall be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Awards.

(f)OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, provided, however, that such grants must comply with applicable law. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Shares or other securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this Section 6(f) shall be purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by such method or methods and in such form or forms, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other securities, or other Awards, or any combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine, the value of which consideration, as established by the Committee, and except as provided in Section 4(b), shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date such purchase right is granted.

(g)GENERAL.

(i)NO CASH CONSIDERATION FOR AWARDS. Awards shall be granted for no cash consideration or for such minimal cash consideration as may be required by applicable law.

(ii)AWARDS MAY BE GRANTED SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards, or in addition to or in tandem with awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate, may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

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(iii)FORMS OF PAYMENT UNDER AWARDS. Subject to the terms of the Plan and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise, or payment of an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, rights in or to Shares issuable under the Award or other Awards, other securities, or other Awards, or any combination thereof, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents in respect of installment or deferred payments.

(iv)LIMITS ON TRANSFER OF AWARDS. Except as provided by the Committee, no Award and no right under any such Award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that, if so determined by the Committee, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of the Participant with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant. Each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. No Award and no right under any such Award, may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

(v)PER-PERSON LIMITATION ON OPTIONS AND SARs. The number of Shares with respect to which Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year to an individual Participant shall not exceed 3,000,000 Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b).

(vi)PER-PERSON LIMITATION ON CERTAIN AWARDS. Other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, (A) the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year to an individual Participant shall not exceed 1,000,000 Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b) and (B) with respect to Awards denominated in cash, the maximum amount that may be earned during any fiscal year by an individual Participant shall not exceed $20,000,000. The aggregate grant date fair value of the Awards that may be granted to anyNon-Employee Director in any fiscal year shall not exceed $500,000.

(vii)CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS UPON SECURITIES SUBJECT TO AWARDS. The Committee may provide that the Shares issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or otherwise subject to or issued under an Award shall be subject to such further agreements, restrictions, conditions or limitations as the Committee in its discretion may specify prior to the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or the grant, vesting or settlement of such Award, including without limitation, conditions on vesting or transferability and forfeiture or repurchase provisions or provisions on payment of taxes arising in connection with an Award. Without limiting the foregoing, such restrictions may address the timing and manner of anyre-sales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued under an Award, including without limitation: (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy or pursuant to applicable law, (B) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and holders of other Company equity compensation arrangements, (C) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for suchre-sales or other transfers and (D) provisions requiring Shares to be sold on the open market or to the Company in order to satisfy tax withholding or other obligations.

(viii)SHARE CERTIFICATES. All Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable Federal, state, or local securities laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

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SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

SECTION 7. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan:

(a)AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN. The Board of Directors of the Company may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan, in whole or in part; provided, however, that without the prior approval of the Company’s shareowners, no material amendment shall be made if shareowner approval is required by law, regulation, or stock exchange, and; provided, further, that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination shall be made without the approval of the shareowners of the Company that would:

(i)increase the total number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan, except as provided in Section 4 hereof; or

(ii)except as provided in Section 4(b), permit Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or other Stock-Based Awards encompassing rights to purchase Shares to bere-priced, replaced, orre-granted through cancellation, or by lowering the Option Price of a previously granted Option or the grant price of a previously granted Stock Appreciation Right, or the purchase price of a previously granted Other Stock-Based Award.

(b)AMENDMENTS TO AWARDS. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate, any Awards theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively. No such amendment or alteration shall be made which would impair the rights of any Participant, without such Participant’s consent, under any Award theretofore granted, provided that no such consent shall be required with respect to any amendment or alteration if the Committee determines in its sole discretion that such amendment or alteration either (i) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy or conform to any law or regulation or to meet the requirements of any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award.

SECTION 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS

(a)NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS. No Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, or, having been selected to receive an Award under this Plan, to be selected to receive a future Award, and further there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of employees or consultants of the Company or any Affiliates,Non-Employee Directors, Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

(b)WITHHOLDING. The Company or any Affiliate shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, or other Awards) of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under such Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or Affiliate to satisfy statutory withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes.

(c)NO LIMIT ON OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

(d)NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. The grant of an Award shall not constitute an employment contract nor be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any liability, or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

(e)GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable Federal law without regard to conflict of law.

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SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

(f)SEVERABILITY. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person, or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(g)NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

(h)NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, or other securities shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares, or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

(i)HEADINGS. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

(j)INDEMNIFICATION. Subject to requirements of Delaware State law, each individual who is or shall have been a member of the Board, or a Committee appointed by the Board, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Section 3, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under this Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his/her own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability, or expense is a result of his/her own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such individuals may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

(k)COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. Except to the extent specifically provided otherwise by the Committee, Awards under the Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (and the Treasury Department guidance and regulations issued thereunder) so as to avoid the imposition of any additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. If the Committee determines that an Award, Award Agreement, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken, cause a Participant to become subject to any additional taxes or other penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then unless the Committee specifically provides otherwise, such Award, Award Agreement, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be given effect to the extent it causes such result and the related provisions of the Plan and/or Award Agreement will be deemed modified, or, if necessary, suspended in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case without the consent of or notice to the Participant.

(l)NO REPRESENTATIONS OR COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO TAX QUALIFICATION. Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify an Award for favorable U.S. or foreign tax treatment (e.g., incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code) or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment (e.g., under Section 409A of the Code), the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment. The Company shall be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on holders of Awards under the Plan.

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SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

(m)AWARDS TONON-U.S. EMPLOYEES. The Committee shall have the power and authority to determine which Affiliates shall be covered by this Plan and which employees outside the U.S. shall be eligible to participate in the Plan. The Committee may adopt, amend or rescind rules, procedures orsub-plans relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws, procedures, and practices. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee is specifically authorized to adopt rules, procedures andsub-plans with provisions that limit or modify rights on death, disability or retirement or on termination of employment; available methods of exercise or settlement of an award; payment of income, social insurance contributions and payroll taxes; the withholding procedures and handling of any stock certificates or other indicia of ownership which vary with local requirements. The Committee may also adopt rules, procedures orsub-plans applicable to particular Affiliates or locations.

(n)COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or stock exchanges on which the Company is listed as may be required. The Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares issued under the Plan prior to:

(i)obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and

(ii)completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable national or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable or at a time when any such registration or qualification is not current, has been suspended or otherwise has ceased to be effective.

The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

(o)AWARDS SUBJECT TO CLAWBACK. The Awards granted under this Plan and any cash payment or Shares delivered pursuant to an Award are subject to forfeiture, recovery by the Company or other action pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement or any clawback or recoupment policy which the Company may adopt from time to time, including without limitation any such policy which the Company may be required to adopt under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and implementing rules and regulations thereunder, or as otherwise required by law.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE; STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL

The Plan, as amended and restated, shall be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for approval at the Company’s 2017 annual meeting of stockholders and, if so approved, the Plan, as amended and restated, shall become effective as of the date of such approval. In the event that this Plan is not approved by the stockholders of the Company, this Plan, as amended and restated, shall be void and of no force or effect.

SECTION 10. TERM OF THE PLAN

No Award shall be granted under the Plan on or after the date that is ten years from the date of the adoption of the Plan. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond such date, and the authority of the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award, or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award, and the authority of the Board of Directors of the Company to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond such date.

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For the year ended December 31, 2019

2019 Return on Assets

GAAP Return on Assets

3.5%

Adjustment to exclude reduction in loan loss reserves for Walmart

(0.8)%

Core Return on Assets

2.7%

For the five-year period ended December 31, 2019

5-Year Net Earnings Growth Rate

GAAP5-Year Net Earnings Growth

12.2%

Adjustment to exclude reduction in loan loss reserves in 2019 for Walmart

(5.7)%

Core5-Year Net Earnings Growth Rate

 

6.5%

5-Year Receivables Growth Rate

GAAP5-Year Receivables Growth Rate

7.3%

Adjustment to exclude Walmart and Yamaha loan receivables for all periods

3.1%

Core5-Year Receivables Growth Rate

10.4%

Synchrony    2020 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement        71    


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SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL

LOGO

777 LONG RIDGE ROAD

        STAMFORD, CT 06902

    LOGO

  

VOTE BY INTERNET

STAMFORD, CT 06902

 ��

Before The Meeting- Go towww.proxyvote.comor scan the QR Barcode above

 

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

  

During The Meeting- Go towww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017SYF2020

You may attend the Meeting via the internet and vote during the Meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.

 

  

VOTE BY PHONE -1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

 

  

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

If you vote your proxy by internet or telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card. To vote by mail, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
  E96815-P33047KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

E23463-P90076                         KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

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DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

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THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

 

SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees and FOR Items 2, 3 and 4.

               
 1.
 

Election of DirectorsSYNCHRONY FINANCIAL

                
    

Nominees:

 

For

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees and FOR Items 2 and 3.

Against

Abstain

           
     

    

1.  

Election of Directors

 

Nominees:

For

Against

Abstain

1a.  Margaret M. Keane
1b.Fernando Aguirre

For

Against

Abstain

1b.   

1c.Paget L. Alves

1c.   

1j.      Olympia J. Snowe
1d.Arthur W. Coviello, Jr.

1k.      Ellen M. Zane

1e.

 

1f.

1d.   

1g.

1h.

1i.

William W. Graylin

 

1e.   Roy A. Guthrie

 

1f.    Richard C. Hartnack

 

1g.   Jeffrey G. Naylor

 

1h.   Laurel J. Richie

1i.    Olympia J. Snowe

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

  ☐

  ☐

  ☐

  ☐

  ☐

  ☐

  ☐

  ☐

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

2.

2.      Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation

 

3.      Approve the Adoption of the Amendment to the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan and Re-Approval of Performance Measures

 

4.      Ratification of Selection of KPMG LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Company for 20172020

 

NOTE:Any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

  

For

  

Against

  ☐

  ☐

  ☐

 

 Abstain

  
  

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

  

    
 

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.

   

All shares will be voted as instructed above. In the absence of instructions, all shares will be voted with respect to registered stockholders that return a signed proxy card, FOR all nominees listed in Item 1, FOR Item 2 FOR Item 3, and FOR Item 4.

3.

       
 
  
                                          
  

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

Date

          

Signature (Joint Owners)

 

Date    

        

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SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL

20172020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

MAY 18, 201721, 2020

11:00 A.M., EASTERN TIME

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017SYF2020

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INTERNET OR TELEPHONE VOTING.

BOTH ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

Internet and telephone voting is available through 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 17, 2017.20, 2020.

Your internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote the shares in the same

manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

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

The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

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E96816-P33047          

 

PROXY

 

    

PROXY

FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL

SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    

The undersigned appoints Margaret M. Keane, Brian D. Doubles and Jonathan S. Mothner, and each of them, as proxies, each with full power of substitution, and authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this form, all shares of common stock of Synchrony Financial held of record by the undersigned as of March 23, 2017,26, 2020, at the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 18, 2017,21, 2020, beginning at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SYF2017,SYF2020, and in their discretion, upon any matter that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting, in accordance with their best judgment.

            

If no other indication is made on the reverse side of this form, the proxies shall vote FOR all nominees listed in Item 1, FOR Item 2 FOR Item 3, and FOR Item 4.3.

            

This proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the time voting is declared closed by giving the Corporate Secretary of Synchrony Financial written notice of revocation or a subsequently dated proxy, or by casting a ballot at the meeting.

 
  
 
  

Address Changes/Comments:
  

Address Changes/Comments: 

 

                                                                                                                                                   

 

 
  

    

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

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

  
 

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