UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )

 

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FIRST AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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2022 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT First American Financial Corporation

2020 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT FIRST AMERICAN First American Financial Corporation

 


 

First American Financial Corporation

 

 

 

March 30, 2018April 1, 2022

 

 

 

 

Dear Fellow Stockholder,

 

 

You are cordially invited to attend our annual meeting of stockholders at 1 p.m.1:00 PM Pacific time, on May 8, 2018,10, 2022. This year’s annual meeting of stockholders will be held in a virtual-only meeting format online via live webcast using a unique link to be provided by email after registering at the executive offices of First American Financial Corporation, located at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707.register.proxypush.com/FAF.

 

 

With this letter, we are including the notice for the annual meeting, the proxy statement and the proxy card. We are also including a copy of our 20172021 annual report. A mapMore information regarding how to vote, participate in, and directions to our executive officessubmit questions for the annual meeting can be found on the inside back cover ofin the proxy statement.

 

 

We have made arrangements for you to vote your proxy over the Internet or by telephone, as well as by mail with the traditional proxy card. The proxy card contains instructions on these methods of voting.

 

 

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan on attendingparticipating in the virtual annual meeting on May 8, 2018,10, 2022, we hope you will vote as soon as possible.

 

 

Thank you for your continued support of First American Financial Corporation.

 

 

Parker S. Kennedy

Dennis J. Gilmore

Chairman of the Board

Dennis J. GilmoreKenneth D. DeGiorgio

Chief Executive Officer

 

 


 

First American Financial Corporation

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

To be Held on May 8, 2018

The annual meeting of stockholders of First American Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (our “Company”), will be held at 1 p.m. Pacific time on May 8, 2018, at the executive offices of the Company, located at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707, for the following purposes:

Date

Matters to be voted on

May 10, 2022

Proposal

Board Recommendation

Time

 

1.

To elect1

Election of the three persons named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve as Class IIIII directors on our board of directors for a three yearthree-year term expiring on the date of the 20212025 annual meeting of stockholders;stockholders.

 

Vote For

1:00 PM Pacific Time

Website

2

Approval, on an advisory basis, of our Company’s executive compensation.

Vote For

register.proxypush.com/FAF

 

2.3

To approve, on an advisory basis,Approval of the amendment and restatement of our Company’s executive compensation;2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Vote For

 

3.

To ratify

Who can vote

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 17, 2022 are entitled to notice of the meeting and an opportunity to vote.

4

Ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as theour Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018; and2022.

Vote For

 

4.

To

At the meeting, we will also transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.

OnlyThis year’s meeting will be held in a virtual-only meeting format online via live webcast. To participate in the meeting, stockholders must go to register.proxypush.com/FAF with the control number provided on their proxy card or voting instruction form and register by following the instructions. Upon completing registration, a stockholder will receive further instructions via email, including a unique link that will allow that stockholder access to the meeting. During the meeting, stockholders may vote, submit questions and view the list of record at the close of business on March 15, 2018 are entitled to noticestockholders as of the record date. For additional information on voting at or participating in the meeting online, including how to submit questions, please see “Questions and an opportunityAnswers” on page 74.

How to vote.vote your shares before the meeting

Your vote is very important. Please submit your vote by proxy as soon as possible via the Internet, telephone or mail.

VIA THE INTERNET

Visit the website listed on your proxy card, notice or voting instruction form.

BY PHONE

Call the phone number listed on your proxy card or voting instruction form.

Y

BY MAIL

Complete, sign, date and return your proxy card or voting instruction form in the envelope provided.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 8, 2018:10, 2022:  First American Financial Corporation’s notice of annual meeting and proxy statement, annual report and other proxy materials are available at www.firstam.com/proxymaterials.proxymaterials.

We hope you will attend


Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Meeting Contingencies

In the event of a technical malfunction or other situation that the meeting chair determines may affect the ability of the meeting to vote in person. However, if you are unablesatisfy the requirements for a meeting of stockholders to attendbe held by means of remote communication under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or that otherwise makes it advisable to adjourn the meeting, and vote in person, please submit a proxy as soon as possible, so that your shares can be voted atthe chair of the meeting in accordance with your instructions. You may submit your proxy (1) overwill convene the Internet, (2)meeting at 2:00 PM Pacific Time on the date specified above and at our address, 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707, solely for the purpose of adjourning the meeting to reconvene at a date, time and physical or virtual location announced by telephone, or (3) by mail. For specific instructions, please refer to the questions and answers commencing on page 61meeting chair. Under either of the proxy statement andforegoing circumstances, we will post information regarding the instructionsannouncement on the proxy card.Investors page of our website at investors.firstam.com.

Jeffrey S. RobinsonGreg L. Smith

Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary

Santa Ana, California

March 30, 2018April 1, 2022

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

1

 

 

 

I.

PROPOSALS

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Election of Class IIIII Directors

6

Item 2. Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3. Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditor2. Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

 

98

 

 

 

 

II.

REQUIRED INFORMATIONItem 3. Approval of Amendment and Restatement of the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

10

 

 

 

 

Item 4. Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditor

16

II.

REQUIRED INFORMATION

17

 

Security Ownership of Management

 

1017

 

 

 

 

 

Board and Committee Meetings

 

1117

 

 

 

 

Independence of Directors

 

1320

 

 

 

 

 

Board Leadership Structure; Meetings of Independent Directors

 

1421

 

 

 

 

Risk OversightAnnual Performance Evaluation

 

1422

 

 

 

 

Risk Oversight

22

 

Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

 

1523

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholder and Interested Party Communications with Directors

 

1623

 

 

 

 

Transactions and Litigation with Management and Others

16

Executive Officers

16

Executive Compensation

18

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

18

Introduction

18

Executive Summary

18

Executive Compensation Program in Detail

 

23

 

 

 

 

Compensation Decision ProcessExecutive Officers

 

2524

 

 

 

 

Pay ElementsExecutive Compensation

 

26

 

 

 

Impact of Tax and Accounting

40

 

 

Compensation Committee ReportDiscussion and Analysis

 

4026

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Compensation TablesIntroduction

 

4126

2017 Summary Compensation Table

41

2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

42

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2017 Fiscal Year-End

43

2017 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

44

2017 Pension Benefits

44

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | i


Page

2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

46

2017 Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control

47

 

 

 

 

 

Pay RatioExecutive Summary

 

5226

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Director CompensationPerformance Overview

 

5328

 

 

 

 

 

Pay Philosophy

31

 

CodeExecutive Compensation Program

36

Compensation Decision Process

38

Pay Elements and Practices

39

Impact of EthicsTax and Accounting

54

Compensation Committee Report

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

55

Executive Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

55

Report of the Audit Committee

55

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation PlansTables

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceSummary Compensation Table

 

56

 

 

 

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

57

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | i


Page

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

58

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

59

Pension Benefits

59

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

60

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control

61

Pay Ratio

66

Director Compensation

67

Code of Ethics

69

Corporate Governance Guidelines

69

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

69

Report of the Audit Committee

69

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

70

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

70

 

Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

5771

 

 

 

 

 

Principal AccountingAccountant Fees and Services

 

5771

 

 

 

 

 

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-approval of Audit and Permissible Nonaudit Services of Independent Auditor

 

5771

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholder Proposals, Director Nominations and Proxy Access

 

5771

 

 

 

 

 

Appraisal Rights

 

5872

 

 

 

 

III.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

 

5973

 

 

 

 

IV.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

6174

 

 

 

 

V.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

6782

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX A    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

A-1

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX B    Amended and Restated 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

B-1

 

 

 

ii | 20182022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


 

 

First American Financial Corporation

PROXY STATEMENT

Solicitation of Proxies by the Board of Directors

 

OurThe board of directors (our “Board”) of First American Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (our “Company,” “we” or equivalent terms), is soliciting proxies from holders of our common stock for use at the annual meeting of our stockholders to be held on May 8, 2018,10, 2022, at 1 p.m.1:00 PM Pacific time. The meeting will be held in a virtual-only meeting format online via live webcast using a unique link to be provided by email after registering at the executive offices of First American Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (our “Company” or “First American”), located at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707.register.proxypush.com/FAF. We have included a mapinformation on how to vote, submit questions, and directions to our executive officesparticipate in the virtual meeting in the “Questions and Answers” section on the inside back cover of the proxy statement for your convenience.pages 75 and 77.

We are mailing this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card, notice of annual meeting, stockholders letter and 20172021 annual report to our stockholders on or about March 30, 2018.April 1, 2022. In lieu of a proxy card, holders of shares held in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee are receiving a voting instruction form from their bank, broker or other nominee. As used herein, references to “proxy” or “proxy card” also refer to the voting instruction form provided to street name holders.

The remainder of this proxy statement has been divided into five sections. You should read all five sections.sections before you vote.

 

I.

Proposals: this section provides information relating to the proposals to be voted on at the stockholders’ meeting.

 

II.

Required Information: this section contains information that is required by law to be included in this proxy statement and which has not been included in the other sections.

 

III.

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability: this section highlights some of our efforts to reduce our environmental impact and to improve the communities in which we operate.

 

IV.

Questions and Answers: this section provides answers to a number of frequently asked questions.questions related to the stockholders’ meeting.

 

V.

Other Information: this section provides other information regarding this proxy, including instructions about how to obtain a copy of our annual report.

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis section contains certain financial measures that are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including adjusted return on average total equity and adjusted pretax margin. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of these measures and a reconciliation of these amounts to the nearest GAAP financial measures.

 

First American Financial Corporation   20182022 Proxy Statement | 1


I.   Proposals

 

 

Information Regarding the Nominees for Election

The following list provides information with respect to each personthe three persons nominated and recommended to be elected as a Class IIIII director by our Board, to serve for a three-year term expiring on the date of the 20212025 annual meeting of stockholders. Each of the nominees is currently serving as a director of the Company. Virginia M. Ueberroth will retire in connection with the annual meeting. Theour Company has been conducting a search for a director to fill the vacancy createdand was previously elected by Ms. Ueberroth’s retirement, and it is anticipated that an appointment will be made to fill that vacancy shortly following the annual meeting, assuming the clearing process has been satisfactorily completed.

Age: 59

Director since: 2010

Committees:

Executive

Independent: No

DENNIS J. GILMORE

Mr. Gilmore is our chief executive officer and has been a director since we separated from The First American Corporation in 2010. From 2008 until the separation, he served as chief executive officer of The First American Corporation’s financial services group. He also served as chief operating officer of The First American Corporation from 2004 to 2008. As the Company’s chief executive officer, Mr. Gilmore provides our Board of Directors in-depth insight into the Company’s businesses, challenges and opportunities, as well as significant experience in the real estate settlement services industry.

Age: 64

Director since: 2015

Committees:

Governance

Independent: Yes

MARGARET M. MCCARTHY

Ms. McCarthy has been a director since June 2015. She has served as executive vice president of operations and technology for Aetna, Inc., one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies (NYSE: AET), since 2010. She is responsible for innovation, technology, data security, procurement, real estate and service operations. Prior to joining Aetna in 2003, she served in information technology-related roles at CIGNA Healthcare and Catholic Health Initiatives, among others. Ms. McCarthy also worked in technology consulting at Accenture and was a consulting partner at Ernst & Young. She is a director of vAmour, a data center and cloud security company, and also serves on various advisory boards and councils, including the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, Oracle Presidents Council, MIT Center for Information Systems Research and the Board of Trustees of Providence College. Given her extensive experience managing large groups of employees, complex processes and enterprise-critical technology, Ms. McCarthy brings to the Board valuable insights into areas of critical import to the operations of the Company.

2 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


I. Proposals

Information Regarding the Other Incumbent Directors

The following lists provide information with respect to the individuals currently serving as Class III directors, whose current term expiresstockholders at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, and Class I directors, whose term expires in 2020, followed by similar information for a retiring director.

Class III Directors—Term Expiring 2019stockholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 70

Director since: 2010

Committees:

Compensation

Executive (chair)

Independent: Yes

PARKER S. KENNEDY

Mr. Kennedy serves as chairman of the Board and has been a director of the Company since we separated from The First American Corporation in 2010. Mr. Kennedy served as executive chairman of the Company from the separation until his retirement as an employee in February 2012. From 2003 until the separation, he served as The First American Corporation’s chairman and chief executive officer. He also served as The First American Corporation’s president from 1993 to 2004. He served as a director of The First American Corporation and its successor entity, CoreLogic, Inc., from 1987 to 2011, and was CoreLogic, Inc.’s executive chairman from the separation to 2011. Mr. Kennedy also served on the First Advantage Corporation board until 2009. We believe that Mr. Kennedy, who has worked with us in various capacities for over 40 years, has unparalleled executive experience in our industry. He also brings to the Company an incomparable understanding of our history and culture.

Age: 63

Director since: 2013

Committees:

Audit

Compensation

Independent: Yes

MARK C. OMAN

Mr. Oman retired from Wells Fargo & Company in 2011, after serving it or its predecessors since 1979. At Wells Fargo he held numerous positions, including senior executive vice president (home and consumer finance) from 2005 until his retirement and group executive vice president (home and consumer finance) from 2002 to 2005. Mr. Oman also served as a director and the chief executive officer of Wachovia Preferred Funding Corp. from 2009 to 2011 and as a director of American Caresource Holdings, Inc. from 2013 to 2017. He is currently involved with several private ventures and serves on a variety of boards and advisory boards. Mr. Oman brings to the Board important insights into the mortgage market and working with large mortgage lenders.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 3


I. Proposals

Age: 5458

Director since: 2017

Committees:

Governance

Independent: Yes

 

REGINALD H. GILYARD

 

Mr. Gilyard ishas been a senior advisor with The Boston Consulting Group, a global management consulting company.company, since 2012. From 2012 to 2017, he was dean of the Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University. From 1996 to 2012, he held various other positions with The Boston Consulting Group, including as a partner and managing director. He is a director of CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a commercial real estate services and investment firm; Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O), a real estate investment trust; and Orion Office REIT Inc. (NYSE: ONL), a suburban office focused net lease real estate investment trust. He began his career serving in the United States Air Force. With his in-depth understanding of the complexities of large businesses and keen grasp of customer needs across a variety of industry sectors, Mr. Gilyard brings to the Board a unique perspective on how we can make our operations more efficient and serve our customers better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 74

Director since: 2010

Committees:

Compensation

Executive (chair)

Independent: Yes

PARKER S. KENNEDY

Mr. Kennedy is our chairman emeritus and lead independent director. He served as chairman of our Board from 2010 to 2022. Mr. Kennedy served as executive chairman of the Company from 2010 to 2012. From 2003 to 2010, he served as chairman and chief executive officer of The First American Corporation, the Company’s prior parent company, and as its president from 1993 to 2004. He served as a director of The First American Corporation and, as renamed in 2010, CoreLogic, Inc., from 1987 to 2011, and was CoreLogic, Inc.’s executive chairman from 2010 to 2011. He is a director of the Automobile Club of Southern California. We believe that Mr. Kennedy, who has worked with us in various capacities for over 40 years, has unparalleled executive experience in our industry. He also brings to the Company an incomparable understanding of our history and culture.

2 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


I. Proposals

Age: 67

Director since: 2013

Committees:

Audit

Compensation

Independent: Yes

MARK C. OMAN

Mr. Oman retired from Wells Fargo & Company in 2011, after serving it or its predecessors since 1979. He held numerous positions at Wells Fargo, including senior executive vice president (home and consumer finance) from 2005 until his retirement and group executive vice president (home and consumer finance) from 2002 to 2005. Mr. Oman also served as a director and the chief executive officer of Wachovia Preferred Funding Corp. from 2009 to 2011 and as a director of American Caresource Holdings, Inc. from 2013 to 2017. He is currently involved with several private ventures and serves on a variety of private-company and non-profit boards. Mr. Oman brings to the Board important insights into the mortgage market and working with large mortgage lenders.

Information Regarding the Other Incumbent Directors

The following lists provide information with respect to the individuals currently serving as Class I directors, whose current term expires at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, and Class II directors, whose term expires in 2024. The Class I directors were previously elected by stockholders at the 2020 annual meeting (other than Mr. DeGiorgio who was appointed in 2022), and the Class II directors were previously elected by stockholders at the 2021 annual meeting.

Class I Directors—Term Expiring 20202023

 

 

 

 

 

 

KENNETH D. DEGIORGIO

Mr. DeGiorgio has served as our chief executive officer since February 2022. From 2021 to 2022 he was our president with oversight responsibility for the Company’s operating groups, including its title insurance, specialty insurance and data and analytics businesses. He served as executive vice president from 2010 to 2021, overseeing the Company's international division, trust company and various corporate functions. He serves as a director of Offerpad Solutions Inc. (NYSE:OPAD), a leading tech-enabled real estate company. With over 23 years of service to our Company in various operational and corporate roles, Mr. DeGiorgio provides our Board with an in-depth understanding of the Company’s businesses, risk profile and competitive landscape.

Age: 50

Director since: 2022

Committees:

None

Independent: No

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 3


I. Proposals

 

JAMES L. DOTI

 

Mr.Dr. Doti is president emeritus and the Donald Bren Distinguished Chairhas been a professor of Business and Economicseconomics at Chapman University since 1974 and served as Chapman’sChapman University’s president from 1991 to 2016. He has been a director since we separated from The First American Corporation in 2010 and he served as a director of The First American Corporation from 1993 until the separation. He previously served on the boards of The First American Corporation, Standard Pacific Corp. and Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. Given his experience as president of Chapman University and with ahis doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago, Dr. Doti gives our Company insight into the organizational challenges that large companies face and the impact of the economic environment on the Company.

 

 

Age: 7175

Director since:2010

Committees:

Audit (chair)

Executive

Independent: Yes

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MICHAEL D. MCKEE

 

Mr. McKee serveshas served as a principal of The Contrarian Group, a private equity firm. Mr. McKee has announced his retirement this yearfirm, since 2018. He is the chairman of Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O), a real estate investment trust, and the Tiger Woods Foundation. He served as a director of HCP, Inc. (NYSE: HCP), a publicly traded real estate investment trust, for which he has been a director since 1989. From 2016from 1989 to 2018, he served as executive chairman of HCP from 2016 to 2018 and, during 2016, he also served as interim chief executive officer and president of HCP. From 2010 to 2016, Mr. McKee was chief executive officer of Bentall Kennedy (U.S.), a registered real estate investment advisor. Mr. McKeeHe also served as the chief executive officer and vice chairman of the board of directors of The Irvine Company, a privately-held real estate development and investment company, from 2007 to 2008, as vice chairman of its board of directors from 1999 to 2008 and as an executive officer of that company since 1994. Prior to that, he was a partner with the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP from 1986 to 1994. In addition, Mr. McKee is the Chairman of Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O) and the Tiger Woods Foundation. He previously served as a director of Mandalay Resort Group, Irvine Apartment Communities, Inc. and Oasis Residential Inc.LLP. Mr. McKee brings to the Board significant operating and executive management experience. This experience, combined with Mr. McKee’s extensive background in the real estate industry, facilitates the Board’s oversight of the Company’s operations and enhances its ability to assess strategic opportunities.

 

 

 

Age: 7276

Director since: 2011

Committees:

Compensation (chair)

Independent: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


I. Proposals

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 7377

Director since: 2011

Committees:

Audit

Executive

Independent: Yes

 

THOMAS V. MCKERNAN

 

Mr. McKernan serveshas served as chairman of the boardvice-chair of AAA—Auto Club Enterprises and the Automobile Club of Southern California (the “Auto Club”). since 2018 and from 2012 to 2018 he served as its chairman. Mr. McKernan served as chief executive officer of the Auto Club from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. Mr. McKernan also serves as a director of Payden & Rygel Investment Group and as a trustee of certain funds associated therewith. Other positions held by Mr. McKernan include directorships with various companies and membership on various advisory councils. In addition, he served as vice chairman of the board of California Physicians Service, Inc., which operates as Blue Shield of California, and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company, until September 2009. Through his operating, information technology and executive management experience, much of it gained in the process of transforming the Auto Club into a leader in the California insurance industry, Mr. McKernan brings to the Company valuable insight into the challenges facing an insurance company that is executing on a strategic growth plan. His extensive experience participating in the management of insurance company investment portfolios also has been of significant value to the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors Serving through May 8, 2018

4 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


I. Proposals

Class II Directors—Term Expiring 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 7863

Director since: 2010

Committees:

Executive

Independent: No

DENNIS J. GILMORE

Mr. Gilmore has served as chairman of the Board since February 2022 and as a director since 2010. He served as our chief executive officer from 2010 to 2022. From 1993 to 2010, he served in various managerial roles with The First American Corporation, including as the chief executive officer of its financial services group and as its chief operating officer. As the Company’s former chief executive officer, Mr. Gilmore brings to our Board significant operational and executive management experience specific to our Company’s businesses and our industry.

Age: 68

Director since: 20102015

Committees:

Governance (chair)

Independent: Yes

 

VIRGINIAMARGARET M. UEBERROTHMCCARTHY

 

Ms. UeberrothMcCarthy retired in 2019 as executive vice president of CVS Health Corporation, a health innovation company (NYSE: CVS), supporting the technology integration following the completion of CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna, Inc. in 2018. She served as executive vice president of operations and technology for Aetna, Inc., a diversified healthcare benefits company, from 2010 until 2018, where she was responsible for innovation, technology, data security, procurement, real estate and service operations. Prior to joining Aetna in 2003, she served in various information technology-related roles, including at CIGNA Healthcare, Catholic Health Initiatives and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), as well as a consulting partner at Ernst & Young. She is chairman of the Ueberroth Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization. She has been a director since we separated from The Firstof Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), an operator, franchisor, and licensor of hotel, residential, and timeshare properties worldwide; American Corporation in 2010Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), an electrical energy company; and sheAlignment Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: ALHC), a tech-enabled Medicare Advantage company. She served as a director of The First American CorporationBrighthouse Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: BHF), a life and annuity insurance company from 1988 until the separation. She retired as a director2018 to 2021. Given her extensive experience managing large groups of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in 2016. Throughemployees, complex processes and enterprise-critical technology, Ms. Ueberroth’s experience in philanthropic causes, the Company derives an appreciation for its stakeholders in the community.  In connection with the Company’s mandatory retirement policy, Ms. Ueberroth is not standing for reelection and, accordingly, it is anticipated that her service onMcCarthy brings to the Board will be completed on May 8, 2018.valuable insights into areas of critical import to the operations of the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 5


I. Proposals

 

Age: 64

Director since: 2018

Committees:

Governance

Independent: Yes

MARTHA B. WYRSCH

Ms. Wyrsch retired in 2019 as executive vice president and general counsel for Sempra Energy, a leading energy services company, where she oversaw the company’s legal affairs and compliance initiatives. Prior to joining Sempra Energy in 2013, Ms. Wyrsch served as the president of Vestas American Wind Technology from 2009 to 2012, where she had direct responsibility for all North American sales, construction, service and maintenance. In addition to her executive leadership roles, she served as a member of the board of directors of Spectra Energy Corporation and SPX Corporation. She currently serves on the board of directors of Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: PWR), a specialized contracting services company and National Grid plc (FTSE:NG; NYSE:NGG), an investor-owned utility managing electric and natural gas assets in the United Kingdom and United States. From 2012 to 2021 she also served as a director of Spectris plc, a publicly traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange and from 2019 to 2020 as a director of Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NBL), an energy exploration and production company. As an accomplished director for publicly-traded companies, and with deep experience leading intricate businesses, Ms. Wyrsch provides valuable insight into how we can enhance our operations and effectively serve our customers.

 

 

 

 

See the section entitled “Security Ownership of Management,” which begins on page 10,17, for information pertaining to stock ownership of our directors. There are no family relationships among any of the directors or nominees or any of theour executive officers of the Company.officers. There are no arrangements or understandings between any director and any other person pursuant to which any director was or is to be selected as a director.

The following chart displays information about the skills and experience of our directors. Most of our directors at least have exposure in each of these areas and many are proficient, but the chart below reflects only those that have self-reported as being from experienced to highly experienced in these areas.

Directors Self-Reporting as Being Experienced to Highly Experienced

Experience operating a business line:

10

Strategic planning experience:

10

Experience serving on a public company board:

10

Corporate governance experience:

10

Risk management experience:

10

Finance/accounting experience:

10

Experience serving in a CEO/top officer role:

9

Regulatory/governmental experience:

9

Real estate industry experience:

9

Customer experience/sales management experience:

8

Title industry experience:

8

Sustainability/ESG experience:

8

Marketing experience:

8

Investment management experience:

7

Data industry experience:

7

Insurance industry experience:

7

Information technology experience:

7

Human resource management experience:

7

Information security experience:

6

Experience operating a business line outside of the United States:

5

 

 

 

6 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation  2018 Proxy Statement | 5


I. Proposals

 

Item 1.    Election of Class IIIII Directors

Our certificate of incorporation provides for a classified Board. Each person elected as a Class IIIII director at the annual meeting of stockholders will serve for a three-year term expiring on the date of the 20212025 annual meeting and until his or her successor in office is elected and qualified. Our Board has nominated the following individuals for election as Class IIIII directors:

Dennis J. GilmoreReginald H. Gilyard

Margaret M. McCarthyParker S. Kennedy

Mark C. Oman

Unless otherwise specified by you in your proxy card, the proxies solicited by our Board will be voted “FOR” the election of each of the Class IIIII director nominees. If any nominee should become unable or unwilling to serve as a director, the proxies will be voted for such substitute nominee(s) as shall be designated by our Board. Our Board presently has no knowledge that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve.

 

 

 

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I. Proposals

 

Item 2.    Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, we are seeking the advice of our stockholders on the compensation of our named executive officers as presented in the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement commencing on page 18.26. Specifically, we are seeking stockholder approval of the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of First American Financial Corporation approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 2017 Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 20182022 annual meeting of stockholders.”

We refer to this proposal as a “Say on Pay” proposal. As part of its process in determining executive compensation levels for 2017,2021, the Compensation Committee has reviewed the results of last year’s Say on Pay proposal, in which approximately 97%68 percent of theour Company’s shares present and entitled to vote approved 20162020 executive compensation. The stockholder support for the prior Say on Pay proposal reinforces the Compensation Committee’s belief that it should continue its practice of implementing and overseeing executive compensation programs that provide for a substantial portion of the executive officer’sofficers’ total compensation to be related to theour Company’s consolidated financial performance. It also reinforces the Compensation Committee’s senseview that, for executive officers, the mix of compensation should be weighted heavily toward at-risk pay in particular, the annual incentive bonus (a portion of which consists of equity vesting over four years) and should include a substantial portion ofpayable in equity. This is consistent with the overall philosophy of maintaining a pay mix that results fundamentally in a pay-for-performance orientation and a strong alignment between the interests of executive officers and long-term stockholders.

TheTo ensure that our compensation program aligns with the long-term interests of our stockholders, we engaged with our stockholders to seek feedback on our executive compensation program. We reached out to stockholders representing approximately 67 percent of our outstanding shares. Holders of approximately 58 percent of our outstanding shares responded to our outreach and approximately 49 percent chose to actively engage with us. Following a thorough review of our executive compensation program and incorporating feedback received from our stockholders, the Compensation Committee believesmade several important changes to our compensation program, including the Company’s management team achieved excellent results in 2017 and was successful in executingshift of 25 percent of long-term incentive awards for executive officers to multi-year performance awards based on the Company’s strategic objectives. The Company’s 2017 performance generally improved over a strong 2016, with revenue growing 3.5% to $5.8 billion and net income increasing from $343 million to $422 million. Pretax margin for the title insurance and services segment was 12.1%, the highest in the Company’s history and up 40 basis points over the prior year. Return on equity improved from 11.9% in 2016 to 13.0% in 2017. Both metrics, pretax margin and return on equity, met the Company’s stated long-term objectives. Reflecting its commitment to drive return for its stockholders, during the year the Company increased its cash dividend by 12% from an annual rate of $1.36 to $1.52 per share and achieved a one-year total stockholder return relative to the S&P MidCap 400® Index over a three-year period. With these changes, our compensation program places an even greater emphasis on objective performance metrics that we believe will drive long-term stockholder value. For example, 62 percent of 57.9%.

Duringall restricted stock units (“RSUs”) awarded in 2022 (in connection with 2021 performance) to our chief executive officer (who is now our chairman) were metric-based, and 59 percent, on average, of RSUs granted to our other named executive officers were metric-based, up from 44 percent and 36 percent, respectively, for the year the Company successfully executed against its long-term strategic goals. Though market share in its United States title insurance business decreased slightly, the Company completed a number of strategic acquisitions designed to grow and strengthen the Company’s core title and settlement business over the long-term. The Company also invested heavily in technology aimed at increasing the efficiency of its operations, reducing risk and enhancing the customer experience. As a complement to its technology investments, the Company also invested heavily in its real property databases, already the most comprehensive of their kind in the United States.prior year.

The full results of the 20172021 executive compensation program are included in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below commencing on page 18.26. Stockholders are urged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis as well as the 2017 Summary Compensation Table and related compensation tables and narrative, appearing on pages 4156 through 52,66, in their entirety.

 

8 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation  2018 Proxy Statement | 7


Item 2. Advisory Vote to Approve Executive CompensationI. Proposals

 

While this vote to approve executive compensation is not binding, the Compensation Committee intends to review the results of the vote in connection with its ongoing analysis of theour Company’s compensation programs. The Company expectsWe expect to include a Say on Pay proposal in itsour proxy materials on an annual basis and, thus, we expect that the next Say on Pay proposal will occur at the Company’s 2019our 2023 annual meeting.

 

 

 

 

8First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 20189


I. Proposals

Item 3.    Approval of Amendment and Restatement of the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On March 9, 2022, the Board adopted and approved the First American Financial Corporation 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, As Amended and Restated effective July 1, 2022 (the “Amended ESPP”), subject to stockholder approval, as an amendment and restatement of the First American Financial Corporation 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, As Amended and Restated effective July 1, 2013 (the “ESPP”). The Board is submitting the Amended ESPP to stockholders for adoption and approval at the 2022 annual meeting. The purpose of the Amended ESPP is to provide an opportunity for employees of our Company (and any participating subsidiaries) to purchase common stock of our Company at a discount through accumulated payroll deductions. The Amended ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). However, sub-plans that do not meet the requirements of Section 423 of the Code may be established for the benefit of eligible employees of non-U.S. subsidiaries of our Company.

Summary of the Amended ESPP

The following is a summary of the principal features of the Amended ESPP. The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of all provisions of the Amended ESPP and is qualified in its entirety by the complete text of the Amended ESPP, which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix B.

The Amended ESPP increases the maximum number of shares of Company common stock that will be made available for sale from 5,000,000 to 14,000,000. As of the record date, March 17, 2022, 576,364 shares remained available for issuance under the ESPP, which, together with the additional 9,000,000 shares, represents 8.8% of our common stock outstanding as of the record date. Additionally, the Amended ESPP extends the term from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2032. Stockholder approval is required for each of these amendments. The Board believes that the Amended ESPP will encourage additional employee stock ownership and thereby better align the interests of employees with long-term stockholders. Stockholders are urged to read the Amended ESPP in its entirety.

Administration

An administrative benefits plan committee consisting of Company employees (the “Administrative Plan Committee”) administers the Amended ESPP. The Administrative Plan Committee has full discretionary authority to construe, interpret and apply the terms of the Amended ESPP, to determine eligibility and to adjudicate any disputed claims filed under the Amended ESPP. Any rights or responsibilities given to the Administrative Plan Committee under the Amended ESPP may be exercised by the Board, and the Administrative Plan Committee may delegate the routine day-to-day administration of the Amended ESPP to other persons or organizations, including to any employee of our Company.

Eligibility

All employees who are at least 18 years of age and employed by our Company or any participating subsidiaries of our Company will generally be eligible to participate in the Amended ESPP; however, the Administrative Plan Committee may exclude employees whose customary employment is for not more than 20 hours per week and/or five months in any calendar year. In addition, the Administrative Plan Committee may exclude employees who are citizens or residents of a foreign jurisdiction if the grant of an option to such an employee is prohibited under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction or if compliance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction would cause the Amended ESPP to violate the provisions of Section 423 of the Code.

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I. Proposals

 

As of March 17, 2022, approximately 15,700 employees of our Company and our subsidiaries were eligible to participate in the Amended ESPP.

Offering Periods

The Amended ESPP currently operates in consecutive quarterly periods referred to as “offering periods.” The Board, the Administrative Plan Committee and our Company’s chief executive officer may change the duration (including the commencement date) of future offering periods without stockholder approval. However, offering periods may not last longer than the maximum offering period permitted under Section 423 of the Code.

Purchase Price

The purchase price for each option will equal 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of a share of our Company’s common stock (i) on the first day of the offering period or (ii) on the last day of the offering period (such date, the “Exercise Date’). The Board, the Administrative Plan Committee or our Company’s chief executive officer may, prior to the start of any offering period, provide that the purchase price for each option will equal a different amount that is no less than 85% of the fair market value of a share of our Company’s common stock on either the first or last day of the offering period.

Payroll Deductions

A participant must designate in his or her enrollment package the amount (if any) of compensation to be deducted during that offering period for the purchase of stock under the Amended ESPP. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Plan Committee, this election may be decreased during the offering period, subject to any limitations on the number of changes determined by the Administrative Plan Committee, and will continue in effect for future offering periods unless terminated (or increased or decreased) by the participant. Each participant’s payroll deductions under the Amended ESPP will be credited to a bookkeeping account in his or her name under the Amended ESPP. Amounts contributed to the Amended ESPP constitute general corporate assets of our Company and may be used for any corporate purpose.

Purchase of Stock

A participant properly enrolled in the Amended ESPP for an offering period will be granted an option to purchase shares of our Company’s common stock. Each participant’s option will permit the participant to purchase a number of shares determined by dividing the employee’s accumulated payroll deductions for the offering period by the applicable purchase price. Unless a participant withdraws from the Amended ESPP, each option granted under the Amended ESPP will automatically be exercised on the Exercise Date, and the number of shares acquired by a participant will be determined by dividing the participant’s Amended ESPP account balance as of the Exercise Date for the offering period by the purchase price of the option.

Withdrawal

A participant may also elect to withdraw from any offering period on or before a date designated by the Administrative Plan Committee, in which case the participant’s payroll deductions will be refunded and the participant’s outstanding options will terminate.  

Limits on Authorized Shares; Limits on Contributions

If our Company’s stockholders approve the Amended ESPP, the maximum number of shares of our Company’s common stock that may be purchased will increase from 5,000,000 to 14,000,000 (subject to adjustment as described below).

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 11


I. Proposals

Participation in the Amended ESPP is also subject to the following limits:

A participant will not be granted an option under the Amended ESPP if it would cause the participant to own stock and/or hold outstanding options to purchase stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of our Company or one of our subsidiaries.

A participant cannot accrue rights to purchase more than $25,000 of stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in which an option is outstanding.

A participant’s payroll contributions are limited to 15% of his or her compensation and $7,000 per offering period (or such other percentage or amount specified by the Board, the Administrative Plan Committee or our Company’s chief executive officer).

A participant cannot purchase more than 1,000 shares of our Company’s common stock under the Amended ESPP with respect to any one offering period (or such other share limit specified by the Board, the Administrative Plan Committee or our Company’s chief executive officer).

Termination of Employment

If a participant ceases to be an eligible employee for any reason, such participant will immediately and automatically be removed from the Amended ESPP. As such, the participant’s payroll deductions will automatically cease, the participant’s payroll deductions will be refunded, and the participant’s outstanding options will terminate.

Corporate Transactions

Upon the occurrence of a sale of all or substantially all the business, stock or assets of our Company or any merger, combination, consolidation, exchange or other reorganization or similar event in connection with which our Company does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of our common stock), the Board or Administrative Plan Committee may make provision for the assumption, substitution, or exchange of the outstanding options based upon, to the extent relevant, the distribution or consideration payable to holders of the common stock upon or in respect of such event. If the Board or Administrative Plan Committee fails to make such a provision or if the outstanding options would otherwise not continue in accordance with their terms, then the in-progress offering period will be shortened by establishing a new Exercise Date that is before the date of the corporate transaction.

Liquidation or Dissolution

If our Company proposes to dissolve or liquidate, unless otherwise provided by the Board or the Administrative Plan Committee, the then in-progress offering period will be shortened by establishing a new Exercise Date that is before the date of the liquidation or dissolution.

Adjustments

The number and type of shares of stock available under the Amended ESPP or subject to outstanding options, as well as the purchase price of outstanding options and the share limits under the Amended ESPP, are subject to adjustment in the event of certain reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers, consolidation, combinations, recapitalizations, spin-offs, stock splits, stock dividends, extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the stockholders or any similar unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of our Company’s common stock.

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I. Proposals

Transfer Restrictions

A participant’s rights with respect to options or the purchase of shares under the Amended ESPP, as well as payroll deductions credited to his or her Amended ESPP account, may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

Amendments

The Board or the Administrative Plan Committee generally may amend, suspend, or terminate the Amended ESPP at any time and in any manner, provided that, with limited exceptions, the action may not adversely affect a participant’s rights under his or her outstanding options. Stockholder approval for an amendment to the Amended ESPP will generally only be required to the extent necessary to meet the requirements of Section 423 of the Code or to the extent otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange rules.

Subplans

The Board or the Administrative Plan Committee may adopt subplans applicable to particular subsidiaries of our Company, which may be designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code.

Term

The ESPP originally became effective on May 28, 2010 and was amended and restated effective July 1, 2013. Subject to stockholder approval, the Amended ESPP will become effective on July 1, 2022 and the Amended ESPP will continue in effect for a term of 10 years (until July 1, 2032), unless terminated earlier by the Board or its delegate.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The rules concerning the federal income tax consequences with respect to the purchase of shares under the Amended ESPP are quite technical. Moreover, the applicable statutory provisions are subject to change, as are their interpretations and applications, which may vary in individual circumstances. Therefore, the following is designed to provide a general summary of the current U.S. federal income tax principles applicable to the Amended ESPP. The following summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other considerations, does not describe the deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code to the extent an award is subject to and does not satisfy those rules, nor does it describe gift, estate, social security, state, local or international tax consequences. In addition, if one or more sub-plans are established for employees of non-U.S. subsidiaries, the tax rules may be different than discussed below.

The Amended ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. Participant contributions to the Amended ESPP through payroll deductions are made on an after-tax basis. That is, a participant’s payroll deductions that are contributed to the Amended ESPP are deducted from compensation that is taxable to the participant and for which our Company is generally entitled to a tax deduction.

Generally, no taxable income is recognized by a participant with respect to either the grant or exercise of his or her Amended ESPP option. Our Company will have no tax deduction with respect to either of those events. A participant will generally recognize income (or loss) only upon a sale or disposition of any shares that the participant acquires under the Amended ESPP. The particular tax consequences of a sale or disposition of shares acquired under the Amended ESPP depend on whether the participant has held the shares for a “Required Holding Period” before selling or disposing of the shares. The Required Holding Period ends on the later of (i) two years after the first day of the offering period in which the

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 13


I. Proposals

participant acquired the shares, or (ii) one year after the Exercise Date on which the participant acquired the shares.

If the participant holds the shares for the Required Holding Period and then sells the shares at a price in excess of the purchase price paid for the shares, the gain on the sale of the shares will be taxed as ordinary income to the participant to the extent of the lesser of (i) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the first day of the offering period in which the participant acquired the shares exceeded the purchase price of the shares (calculated as though the shares had been purchased on the first day of the offering period), or (ii) the gain on the sale of the shares. Any portion of the participant’s gain on the sale of the shares not taxed as ordinary income will be taxed as long-term capital gain. If the participant holds the shares for the Required Holding Period and then sells the shares at a price less than the purchase price paid for the shares, the loss on the sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the participant. Our Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction with respect to any shares held by the participant for the Required Holding Period, regardless of whether the shares are eventually sold at a gain or a loss.

The participant has a “Disqualifying Disposition” for tax purposes if the participant disposes of the shares before the participant has held the shares for the Required Holding Period. If the participant sells the shares in a Disqualifying Disposition, regardless of whether the shares are sold at a gain or a loss, the participant will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the purchase price paid for the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date on which the participant acquired the shares, and our Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction. In addition, if the participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of the shares at a price in excess of the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date, the participant will realize capital gain in an amount equal to the difference between the selling price of the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date. Alternatively, if the participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of the shares at a price less than the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date, the participant will realize a capital loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date and the selling price of the shares. Our Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction with respect to any capital gain realized by a participant.

Specific Benefits Under the Amended ESPP

The benefits that will be received by or allocated to eligible employees under the Amended ESPP cannot be determined at this time because the amount of payroll deductions contributed to purchase shares of our Company’s common stock under the Amended ESPP (subject to the limitations discussed above) is entirely within the discretion of each participant.

The following table sets forth the number of shares purchased under the ESPP from 2010 (the year in which the ESPP was first adopted) through 2021 by our named executive officers and the specified groups set forth below.

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I. Proposals

 

Purchases Under ESPP
2010 through 2021

Name

Dollar Value ($)

Number of Shares

Named Executive Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis J. Gilmore, Chief Executive Officer through February 4, 2022, when he became Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio, President through February 4, 2022, when he became Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell, Chief Operating Officer, First American Title Insurance Company

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Seaton, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner, Vice President, Treasurer

 

 

 

 

All current executive officers as a group

 

$92,377

 

 

2,630

 

All current non-employee directors as a group

 

 

 

 

Each nominee for election as a director

 

 

 

 

Each associate of the above-mentioned executive officers, directors and director nominees

 

 

 

 

Each other person who received or is to receive 5% of such options, warrants or rights

 

 

 

 

All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group

 

$139,669,333

 

 

4,421,006

 

The closing price of a share of our Company’s common stock as of March 17, 2022, was $68.32 per share.

We intend to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, after our stockholders approve the Amended ESPP, a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the new shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP.

Please refer to the Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans table on page 70 for details regarding equity securities of our Company that were authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans of our Company as of December 31, 2021.

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I. Proposals

Item 3.4.    Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditor

The Audit Committee has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.2022. Representatives of PwC are expected to be present atparticipate in the annual meeting, and, if they do attendparticipate in the annual meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement and be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Selection of our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to be submitted for stockholder approval, but the Audit Committee is seeking ratification of its selection of PwC from our stockholders as a matter of good corporate governance. If the stockholders do not ratify this selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection of PwC and will either continue to retain this firm or appoint a new independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in our Company’s best interests and those of itsour stockholders.

 

 

 

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II.   Required Information

 

Security OwnershipOwnership of Management

The following table sets forth the total number of our shares of common stock beneficially owned and the percentage of the outstanding shares so owned as of the record date by:

each director (and each nominee for director);,

each executive officer named in the “2017 Summary“Summary Compensation Table” on page 4156 (each, a “named executive officer”);, and

all current directors and executive officers as a group.

Unless otherwise indicated in the notes following the table, the stockholders listed in the table are the beneficial owners of the listed shares with sole voting and investment power (or, in the case of individual stockholders, shared power with such individual’s spouse) over the shares listed. Shares subject to rights exercisable within 60 days after the record date are treated as outstanding when determining the amount and percentage beneficially owned by a personowned. None of the directors or entity.officers included in the table below have the right to acquire any shares within 60 days of the record date.

 

Stockholders

Number of

Common Shares

Percent

if greater than 1%

Number of

Common Shares

Percent

if greater than 1%

Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

110,104

 

 

 

James L. Doti

 

49,714

 

 

 

 

66,559

 

 

 

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

292,007

 

 

 

 

468,090

 

 

 

Reginald H. Gilyard

 

 

 

 

 

10,513

 

 

 

Parker S. Kennedy(1)

 

2,649,799

 

 

2.4%

 

Parker S. Kennedy

 

2,632,670

(1)

 

2.4%

 

Margaret M. McCarthy

 

10,817

 

 

 

 

18,411

 

 

 

Michael D. McKee

 

30,847

 

 

 

 

43,515

 

 

 

Thomas V. McKernan

 

40,847

 

 

 

 

50,805

 

 

 

Mark C. Oman

 

26,888

 

 

 

 

40,846

 

 

 

Virginia M. Ueberroth(2)

 

144,523

 

 

 

Martha B. Wyrsch

 

8,558

 

 

 

Named executive officers who are not directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

13,999

 

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

71,157

 

 

 

 

92,794

 

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

30,526

 

 

 

 

95,290

 

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

9,978

 

 

 

 

17,371

 

 

 

All directors, named executive officers and other executive officers as a group (13 persons)

 

3,371,103

 

 

3.0%

 

All directors, named executive officers and other executive officers as a group (15 persons)

 

3,659,280

 

 

3.4%

 

 

(1)

Includes 2,466,686 shares held by Kennedy Enterprises, L.P., a California limited partnership of which Mr. Kennedy is the sole general partner. The limited partnership agreement pursuant to which the partnership was formed provides that the general partner has all powers of a general partner as provided in the California Uniform Limited Partnership Act, including the power to vote securities held by the partnership, provided that the general partner is not permitted to cause the partnership to sell, exchange or hypothecate any of its shares of stock of the Company without the prior written consent of all of the limited partners. Except to the extent of his voting power over the shares allocated to the capital accounts of the limited partners, Mr. Kennedy disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by the partnership other than those allocated to his own and his wife’s capital accounts. Also included are 27,087 shares over which Mr. Kennedy has investment power pursuant to a power of attorney for Mr. Kennedy’s mother, who does not share his household. She holds these shares in a personal account and Mr. Kennedy disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities.

(2)

Includes 5,000 shares held by a nonprofit corporation of which Ms. Ueberroth is an officer and whose five-member board of directors is chaired by Ms. Ueberroth and also composed of her husband and children. In her capacity as an officer of that corporation, Ms. Ueberroth has the power, as do certain other officers, to direct the voting and disposition of the shares. Ms. Ueberroth disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

10 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


II. Required Information

None of the directors or officers included in the table above have the right to acquire any shares within 60 days of the record date.

Board and Committee Meetings

Our Board held fivesix meetings during 2017.2021. No incumbent director attended less than 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board and the committees (if any) on which the director served. From time to time, our Board may act by unanimous written consent as permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware. Our Board’s standing committees include an audit, nominating and corporate governance,

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 17


II. Required Information

compensation and compensationexecutive committee. Our Board also has an ad-hoc information security risk oversight, accountability and review committee (“ROAR committee”). The following table reflects the composition of each of the standing committees as of the date of this proxy statement.

 

Audit

Committee

Compensation  

Committee

Nominating and

Corporate

Governance

Committee

Executive

Committee

Audit

Committee

Compensation  

Committee

Nominating and

Corporate

Governance

Committee

Executive

Committee

Number of Meetings in 2017

 

6

 

 

6

 

 

5

 

 

1

 

Number of Meetings in 2021

 

7

 

 

5

 

 

3

 

 

1

 

Independent Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. James L. Doti

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reginald H. Gilyard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parker S. Kennedy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret M. McCarthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael D. McKee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas V. McKernan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark C. Oman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virginia M. Ueberroth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martha B. Wyrsch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairperson Member Financial Expert

Chairperson Member Financial Expert

 

 

 

Chairperson Member Financial Expert

Audit Committee

The members offunctions performed by the Audit Committee are Messrs. Doti (chair), McKernan and Oman. The functions performed by this committee include:

reviewing internal auditing procedures, plans, results, resources and results;budgets;

selecting our independent registered public accounting firm;

engaging with our compliance and risk management executives to review the state of enterprise risk management and compliance programs with a view to understanding the steps management has taken to monitor and control the Company’s major risk exposures;

serving as the Board’s designated risk oversight committee (see the Risk Oversight section beginning on page 1422 for additional details);

engaging with our compliance and risk management executives to review the state of enterprise compliance programs and risk management with a view to understanding the steps management has taken to monitor and control our Company’s major risk exposures;

reviewing with internal counsel the state of litigation, claims and regulatory matters;

discussing with management, internal audit and external advisors the state of internal controls and management tone;

directing and supervising investigations into matters within the scope of its duties;

reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the plan and results of its audit and determining the nature of other services to be performed by, and fees to be paid to, such firm;

reviewing our Company’s information technology and information security functions; and

supervising the oversight of our Company’s investment portfolios.

 

18 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation  2018 Proxy Statement | 11


II. Required Information

 

reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the plan and results of its audit and determining the nature of other services to be performed by, and fees to be paid to, such firm; and

supervising the oversight of the Company’s investment portfolios.

The Audit Committee’s charter is posted in the corporate governance section of our Web sitewebsite at www.firstam.com. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Doti, McKernan and Oman are audit committee financial experts within the meaning of the SEC’s rules and regulations and that each member of the Audit Committee meets the requirement of independence established in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.regulations.

Compensation Committee

The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Kennedy, McKee (chair) and Oman. This committee establishes compensation rates and procedures with respect to our executive officers, including the determination of their annual bonus awards, monitors our equity compensation plans, assesses risk with respect to our compensation programs and makes recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation. The Compensation Committee’s charter is posted in the corporate governance section of our Web sitewebsite at www.firstam.com.

Additional information concerning the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures surrounding non-employee director compensation is included in the section entitled “2017 Director“Director Compensation,” which begins on page 53.67. Additional information concerning the executive compensation policies and objectives established by the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for consideration and determination of executive compensation, and the role of executive officers and the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant in determining executive compensation is included in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” which begins on page 18,26, under the subsection entitled “Compensation Decision Process,” which begins on page 25.38.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Mses. McCarthy and Ueberroth (chair) and Mr. Gilyard. This committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become directors of our Company; recommending thatto the Board select the nominees identified by this committee for all directorships to be filled by the Board or by the stockholders; and developing, recommending to the Board and periodically reviewing the corporate governance principles applicable to our Company.Company; overseeing our Company’s succession plan for the chief executive officer and the succession planning process for other key employees; and overseeing sustainability matters material to our Company’s business. This committee’s charter is posted in the corporate governance section of our Web sitewebsite at www.firstam.com. The committee has adoptedcommittee’s charter outlines the procedures by which certain stockholders of theour Company may recommend director nominees to the Board. In particular, the committee has established a policy whereby it will accept and consider, in its discretion, director recommendations from any stockholder holding in excess of five percent of theour Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. Such recommendations must include the name and credentials of the recommended nominee and should be submitted to the secretary of theour Company at our address indicated on the first page of this proxy statement.1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707. The committee will evaluate director candidates recommended by stockholders for election to our Board in the same manner and using the same criteria as used for any other director candidate (as described below). If the committee determines that a stockholder-recommended candidate is suitable for membership on our Board, it will include the candidate in the pool of candidates to be considered for nomination upon the occurrence of the next vacancy on our Board or in connection with the next annual meeting of stockholders.

Our Bylaws also provide for proxy-access, which is described in the section “Stockholder Proposals, Director Nominations and Proxy Access” on page 71. In 2022, in response to stockholder feedback, we amended our Bylaws to implement majority voting in uncontested elections of directors. In contested elections, where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, plurality voting will continue to apply. Our Bylaws also require that any director who does not receive a majority of the votes cast will promptly tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board.

12 | 2018 Proxy Statement  

First American Financial Corporation  2022 Proxy Statement | 19


II. Required Information

 

As stated in its charter, while the committee has no specific minimum qualifications in evaluating a director candidate,corporate governance guidelines, the committee takes into account all factors it considers appropriate in identifying and evaluating candidates for membership on the Board, including some or all of the following: strength of character, an inquiring and independent mind, practical wisdom, mature judgment, career specialization, relevant technical skills, reputation in the community, diversity and the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board. This committee makes recommendations to the full Board as to whether or not incumbent directors should stand for re-election. However, if theour Company is legally required by contract or otherwise to provide third parties with the ability to nominate directors, the selection and nomination of such directors generally is not subject to the committee process for identifying and evaluating nominees for director. The committee conducts all necessary and appropriate inquiries into the background and qualifications of possible candidates and may engage a search firm to assist in identifying and evaluating potential candidates for nomination.

The Company does not haveOur corporate governance guidelines set forth a formal policy for the consideration of diversity in identifying nominees for director. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance CommitteeThe policy recognizes the benefits associated with a diverse board and, as indicated above, considersrequires that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider diversity as a factor when identifying and evaluating candidates for membership on the Board. The committeepolicy utilizes a broad conception of diversity, including professional and educational background, prior experience on other boards, of directors (both public and private), political and social perspectives, as well as race, national origin, gender and sexual orientation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assessed the effectiveness of the Board diversity policy by considering, among other factors, self-assessed director skills and experience; the race, national origin. origin, gender and sexual orientation of Board members; and the practices of the Board and the committee when identifying and evaluating candidates for membership on the Board. The California corporations code required us to have three or more female directors and at least one director from an underrepresented community at some point during 2021. During 2021, we had the minimum number of female directors and directors from underrepresented communities necessary to comply with California law.

Utilizing thesethe factors and in recognition of the factorslegal requirements described above, the committee makes recommendations, as it deems appropriate, regarding the composition and size of the Board. The priorities and emphasis of the committee and of the Board may change from time to time to take into account changes in business and other trends and the portfolio of skills and experience of current and prospective Board members.

In 2016, the Board adopted a Bylaw to permit a stockholder, or group of up to 20 stockholders, owning at least 3% of the Company’s issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors continuously for at least three years, to nominate and include in the Company’s proxy materials for an annual meeting of stockholders, director nominees constituting up to 20% of the Board, provided that the stockholder(s) and the director nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in the Bylaws.

Our corporate governance guidelines also contain a mandatory retirement policy, which provides that no person is eligible for election as a director if on January 1 of the year of the election he or she is age 77 or older. The Board has not granted any waivers or exemptions to this policy.

Independence of Directors

The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as each other member of the Board, except Kenneth D. DeGiorgio and Dennis J. Gilmore, (who is not independent), is “independent” as that term is defined in the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange for listed companies and thatin accordance with our Company’s corporate governance guidelines. In addition, each member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee is independent under the additional standards applicable to the respective committee.committee under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. In making these determinations, the Board considered the following relationships between directors and theour Company: Mr.Messrs. Gilyard and McKee and Ms. McCarthy are affiliated with, and Mr. Oman wasMss. McCarthy and Wyrsch were previously affiliated with, entities that do business with, or that represent clients that do business with, the Companyus in the ordinary course from time to time;time (and the amounts involved in each case are significantly less than 2% of such entity’s consolidated gross revenues); each of Messrs.

20 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


II. Required Information

Doti Gilyard,and Kennedy and McKernan and Ms. Ueberroth is or recently was affiliated with one or more nonprofit organizations to which theour Company and/or itsour management has made donations from time to time;time (and the amounts in each case are significantly less than $1 million and 2% of the nonprofit organization’s consolidated gross revenues); and Mr. Kennedy receives standard board fees for his service as a director of theour Company’s trust subsidiary, as further described in the section entitled “2017 Director“Director Compensation,” which begins on page 53.67. Each of the relationships above, while considered by the Board, falls within the Company’sour categorical independence standards contained in the Board’s corporate governance guidelines, which areavailable on

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 13


II. Required Information

the corporate governance section of the Company’s Web siteour website at www.firstam.com. The Board also considered the following relationships between Mr. Kennedy and theour Company: he was employed by the Company as itsour executive chairman until his retirement in February 2012; for serving as chairman of the Board until February 9, 2022 and as lead independent director of the Board since then, he receives Company-provided office space, mobile devices, computer, other office equipment and secretarial assistanceadministrative support as set forth in the section entitled “2017 Director“Director Compensation,” which begins on page 53; he may from time to time attend certain subsidiary board meetings as well as certain meetings with management;67; and his son is employed by a subsidiary of theour Company as further described in the section entitled “Transactions and Litigation with Management and Others” on page 16.23.

Board Leadership Structure; Meetings of Independent Directors

Our Board believes it is important to select theour Company’s chairman and theour Company’s chief executive officer in the manner it considers in the best interests of theour Company at any given point in time. Accordingly, the chairman and chief executive officer positions may be filled by one individual or by two different individuals. Our Board has determined at this time that it is appropriate to separate the roles of chairman and chief executive officer and these positions are currently held by different individuals, Mr. Gilmore and Mr. DeGiorgio, respectively. During 2021, Mr. Kennedy served as our chairman and Mr. Gilmore respectively.as our chief executive officer.

In addition to a chairman, we also have a lead independent director, currently Mr. Doti.Kennedy. Dr. Doti served as our lead independent director during 2021. The lead director is responsible for chairing and coordinating the agenda for the executive sessions of independent directors or, as applicable, the non-management directors, which are those directors who are not employees of the Company.directors. In 20172021, the independent directors met fivefour times in executive session. In addition, the lead director is tomay provide advice to the chairman with respect to the following: (i) establishing an appropriate schedule for Board meetings; (ii) preparing agendas for the meetings of the Board and its committees; (iii) the retention of consultants who report directly to the Board; (iv) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s oversight and implementation of the Company’sour corporate governance policies; and (v) the Compensation Committee’s oversight of the implementation of and compliance with theour Company’s policies and procedures for evaluating and undertaking executive and incentive-based compensation.

Our Board believes this to be the most effective leadership structure for theour Company at this time because it effectively allocates authority, responsibility, and oversight between management, the chairman of the Board and the lead director and capitalizes on the experience and strengths of our current management team. It does this by giving primary responsibility for the operational leadership and strategic direction of theour Company to our chief executive officer, enabling the lead director to facilitate our Board’s independent oversight of management and consideration of key governance matters, and allowing our chairman to promote communication between management and our Board. The Board believes that its programs for overseeing risk, as described under the Risk Oversight section below, would be effective under a variety of leadership frameworks. Accordingly, the Board’s risk oversight function did not significantly impact its selection of the current leadership structure.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 21


II. Required Information

Annual Performance Evaluation

The Board and each of its committees conduct an annual self-evaluation to determine whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively. In connection with this annual evaluation, directors are given an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of each other and to evaluate their own personal effectiveness. The results of the evaluation are reported to the Board and each committee.

Risk Oversight

The Board’s responsibilities in overseeing theour Company’s management and business to maximize long-term stockholder value include oversight of theour Company’s key risks and management’s processes and controls to manage those risks appropriately. Management, in turn, is responsible for the day-to-day management of risk and implementation of appropriate risk management controls and procedures.

Although risk oversight permeates many elements of the work of the full Board and the committees, the Audit Committee has the most direct and systematic responsibility for overseeing risk management and

14 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


II. Required Information

has been designated by the Board as its risk oversight committee. To that end, the Audit Committee charter provides for a variety of regular and recurring responsibilities relating to risk, including:

having responsibility for the internal audit function, with that function reporting directly to the committee;

overseeing the independent registered public accounting firm;

receiving reports from management and the independent auditor regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of various internal controls;

reviewing regularly with management legal and regulatory matters that could have a significant impact on theour Company;

supervising the oversight of theour Company’s investment portfolios;

overseeing theour Company’s compliance program with respect to legal and regulatory requirements and risks; and

discussing with management and the independent auditor theour Company’s guidelines and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including theour Company’s major risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.

In performing these functions, the committee regularly receives reports from management including the Company’s enterprise risk management committee on which senior officers of the Company sit, and internal and external auditors regarding the Company’s our Company’s:

information technology environment and business continuity programs;

information security and cybersecurity programs;

enterprise risk management program, program;

compliance program, program;

investment portfolios, information securityportfolios;

vendor management program;

insurance program; and business continuity programs, extraordinary

litigation, claims and losses and noteworthy litigation.regulatory exposures.

22 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


II. Required Information

Separately, the Compensation Committee oversees theour Company’s compensation policies and practices and has assessed whether theour Company’s compensation policies encourage excessive risk taking. The Compensation Committee has concluded that these policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on theour Company. In arriving at that conclusion, the Compensation Committee considered, among other factors, theour Company’s review and approval processes surrounding certain compensatory arrangements; the metrics used to determine variable compensation, including the performance measures selected by the Compensation Committee and performance ranges associated with the metrics; the Compensation Committee’s oversight of inclusion or exclusion of extraordinary items in the financial results upon which certain compensatory arrangements are based; the inclusion of overall Company performance in the determination of divisional leader compensation; the portion of variable compensation paid in restricted stock units, which generally vest over three to four years; the extent to which qualitative judgments are involved in the compensatory arrangements; the amount of compensation paid as sales commissions, the numbermanagement’s review of people to whom such compensation is paid and the localized nature of the commission payments; controls, such as actuarial studies on claims, underwriting controls and quality checks that the Company employs;approval controls; and the extent to which compensatory arrangements can be changed if circumstances evidence increased risk associated with such arrangements.

As a supplement to the oversight of the Audit Committee of our Company’s information security program, the Board formed in 2019 the ROAR committee as an ad-hoc committee comprised of Ms. McCarthy (chair) and Mr. McKernan to oversee the implementation of certain information security-related recommendations, to provide Board-level feedback to management on information security matters and to drive accountability for information security.

Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

Our directors are expected to attend the annual meetings of our stockholders. At last year’s annual meeting, each of theour Company’s directors attended in person.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 15


II. Required Information

the virtual meeting.

Stockholder and Interested Party Communications with Directors

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate directly with members of the Board, including the chairman, lead director or any of the other non-management directors of theour Company (individually or as a group), by writing to such director(s) at our Company’s principal executive offices, 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707. In general, stockholder communications delivered to our Company for forwarding to Board members about bona fide issues and concerning our Company related to the business addresses provided under each director’s nameduties and responsibilities of the Board will be forwarded in accordance with the corporate governance section of our Web site at www.firstam.com.stockholder’s instructions. Directors receiving such communications will respond as such directors deem appropriate, including the possibility of referring the matter to management of theour Company, to our Company’s internal audit department, to the full Board or to an appropriate committee of the Board.

The Audit Committee has established procedures to receive, retain and address complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and for the submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. Our 24-hour, toll-free hotline is available for the submission of such concerns or complaints at 1-800-589-3259.1-866-921-6714. To the extent required by applicable law, individuals wishing to remain anonymous or to otherwise express their concerns or complaints confidentially are permitted to do so.

Transactions and Litigation with Management and Others

The Board of Directors has adopted a written policy regarding related party transactions, which generally requires the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s review and approval or ratification of transactions

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 23


II. Required Information

involving amounts in excess of $120,000 between theour Company and/or itsour affiliates, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, any of theour Company’s directors, director-nominees, executive officers, stockholders beneficially owning in excess of 5% of theour Company’s common stock or any of their immediate family members that have a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction. If the proposed transaction involves $1,000,000 or less, then the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may pre-approve or ratifyapprove the transaction.

Certain transactions, including compensatory arrangements reported in this proxy statement for executive officers and directors of theour Company, are deemed to be pre-approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee under the terms of the policy. In cases where the potential transaction would involve the executive officer, director, large stockholder or any of their immediate family members only in an indirect fashion, the policy does not apply where such indirect interest results solely from ownership of less than 10% of, or being a director of, the entity entering into the transaction with theour Company.

Mr. Kennedy’s son is employed by a subsidiary of theour Company as a vice president.managing director, agency division. His base salary in 20172021 was $200,000,$225,000, his cash bonus for 20162021 (paid in 2017)2022) was $540,021, his cash bonus for 2017 (paid in 2018) was $441,697$357,500 and the dollar value of restricted stock units granted to him in 20182022 (in connection with 20172021 performance) was approximately $441,697.$292,500. Some of Mr. Kennedy’s son’s 2020 compensation was received in 2021 and disclosed in last year’s proxy statement. He received standard employee benefits and he participated in the standard, performance-based incentive compensation program available to similarly-situated employees of his level and experience.

For information on transactions involving our Company and persons or groups of stockholders who are known to us to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock, see the footnotes to the table in the section “Who are the largest principal stockholders outside of management?” on page 80.

In addition, our Company and our Board, other than Mr. DeGiorgio, and certain executives are parties to a stockholder derivative action, Hollett vs. Gilmore, et al., filed on November 25, 2020 and pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The allegations arise out of the information security incident that occurred during the second quarter of 2019 and the resulting legal proceedings and disclosures made at the time of the incident. While the ultimate disposition is not yet determinable, our Company does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on our Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Executive Officers

The following provides information regarding theour Company’s current executive officers:

 

Name

 

Position(s) Held

Age

Dennis J. GilmoreKenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

59

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

Executive Vice President

4650

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

Chief Operating Officer, First American Title Insurance Company

 

5559

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

4044

Lisa W. Cornehl

Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer

43

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

Vice President, Treasurer

46

Steven A. Adams

Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

 

4252

 

 

16All officers of our Company are appointed annually by the Board on the day of the annual meeting of stockholders.

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio has served as our chief executive officer since February 2022. From 2021 to 2022 he was our president with oversight responsibility for the Company’s operating

24 | 20182022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


II. Required Information

 

All officers of the Company are appointed annually by the Board on the day of its election.

Dennis J. Gilmore has served as our chief executive officer since June 2010, when we separated from The First American Corporation. From April 2008 until the separation, he served as chief executive officer of The First American Corporation’s financial services group. Mr. Gilmore served as The First American Corporation’s chief operating officer from 2004 to 2008. He started with The First American Corporation in 1993 and served in various managerial roles, including as executive vice president of The First American Corporation from 2003 to 2004 and as president of the property information business segment from 1998 to 2005.

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio has served as executive vice president since June 2010, when we separated from The First American Corporation. He was senior vice president and general counsel of The First American Corporation from 2004 until the separation. From 2006 to 2012, he also served as secretary of the Company or The First American Corporation, as applicable. Mr. DeGiorgio was vice president and associate general counsel of The First American Corporation from 2001 to 2004, and served as regulatory and acquisition counsel from 1999 to 2001.

groups, including its title insurance, specialty insurance and data and analytics businesses. He served as executive vice president from 2010 to 2021, overseeing the Company's international division, trust company and various corporate functions.

Christopher M. Leavell has served as chief operating officer of the Company’s subsidiary, First American Title Insurance Company, since December 2011. He was its executive vice president and division president with responsibility for the lender-focused title business and national production services from 2008 to 2011. Mr. Leavell began his career withjoined The First American Corporation in 1997 and has served as general manager or president of various First American subsidiaries and divisions. Prior to joining First American, Mr. Leavell heldin various managerial and finance positions at mortgage companies.roles until 2008.

Mark E. Seaton has served as our executive vice president, chief financial officer since March 2013. From 2010 until 2013, he served as our senior vice president, finance, in which capacity he oversaw the Company’s investment management, investor relations, treasury and financial planning activities. Mr. Seaton started withjoined The First American Corporation in 2006 and served as director of investor relations of The First American Corporation from 2007 tountil 2010. Prior to joining The First American Corporation, Mr. Seaton

Lisa W. Cornehl has served as our senior vice president, chief legal officer since September 2021 and as our chief privacy officer since 2018. From 2015 until 2021, she served as our deputy general counsel, litigation. Ms. Cornehl joined the Company in 2011 and served as senior litigation counsel until 2015. Earlier in her career, she worked in the private equity and investment banking industries.for a leading international law firm.

Matthew F. Wajner has served as our vice president, treasurer since 2020. From 2013 until 2020, he served as vice president, chief accounting officer since March 2013. Fromofficer. He was the Company’s controller from 2010 until 2013, he2013. He joined The First American Corporation in 2009 and served as our controller and prior to that as ourits director of SEC reporting. From 2009reporting until the separation in June 2010, he served as The First American Corporation’s director of SEC reporting. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Wajner was a divisional controller for various operations of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and entities acquired by it. Mr. Wajner was also an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP.2010.

Steven A. Adams has served as our vice president, chief accounting officer since 2020. He served as chief accounting officer for WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems LLC, a facilities management services company, during 2020, as chief accounting officer for Tanium, Inc., an enterprise software company, from 2017 until 2019, as vice president and corporate controller for Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., an aerospace and defense propulsion manufacturer, during 2017, as chief accounting officer at Dreamworks Animation SKG, Inc., a digital animation studio, from 2016 to 2017, as a consultant to Dreamworks from 2015 to 2016, and in various positions at DIRECTV from 1999 until 2015, including as general auditor and its senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer. He started his career in the audit practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

 

 

 

First American Financial Corporation   20182022 Proxy Statement | 1725


Executive Compensation

 

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

CD&A RoadmapContents

Page

Introduction

 

1826

 

Executive Summary

 

1826

Performance Overview

28

Pay Philosophy

31

 

Executive Compensation Program in Detail

 

2336

 

Compensation Decision Process

 

2538

 

Pay Elements and Practices

 

2639

 

Impact of Tax and Accounting

 

4054

 

Introduction

In this section, we describe our executive compensation program for our named executive officers (“NEOs”). The company’sOur Company’s NEOs for 20172021 were:

 

Name

 

Principal Position

Tenure with

Company

(years)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

Chief Executive Officer through February 4, 2022, when he became Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

2529

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

President through February 4, 2022, when he became Chief Executive Vice PresidentOfficer

 

1923

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

Chief Operating Officer, First American Title Insurance Company

 

2125

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

1216

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

Vice President, Chief Accounting OfficerTreasurer

 

912

 

Executive Summary

The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) believes the Company’s management team achieved excellent results in 2017 and was successful in executing on the Company’s strategic objectives. Executive compensation for the year reflected the Committee’s pay-for-performance philosophy.

2017 Performance ResultsThe Compensation Committee (referred to in the Executive Compensation section of this proxy statement as the “Committee”) believes that on the whole our Company’s management team performed exceptionally well in 2021, as reflected by our financial results and our achievements against our strategic objectives.

The Company’s 2017 performance generally improved overCommittee is focused on ensuring that our executive compensation programs continue to attract, retain and motivate leaders who create long-term value for our stockholders. As part of that effort, we reached out to investors representing approximately 67 percent of our outstanding shares to discuss executive compensation. Holders of approximately 58 percent of our outstanding shares responded to our outreach and approximately 49 percent chose to actively engage with us. Following a strong 2016, with revenue growing 3.5% to $5.8 billion and net income increasing from $343 million to $422 million. Pretax margin for the title insurance and services segment was 12.1%, the highest in the Company’s history and up 40 basis points over the prior year. Return on equity improved from 11.9% in 2016 to 13.0% in 2017. Both metrics, pretax margin and return on equity, met the Company’s stated long-term objectives. Reflecting its commitment to drive return for its stockholders, during the year the Company increased its cash dividend by 12% from an annual rate of $1.36 to $1.52 per share and achieved a one-year total stockholder return of 57.9%.thorough

SHIFTED 25% OF LTI RSUs TO METRIC-BASED AWARD 62% of equity granted to our 2021 CEO was metric-based

review of our executive compensation program and incorporating feedback received from our stockholders, the Committee made the following changes to our compensation program, as described in more detail in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis section:

18

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Shifted 25% of long-term incentive (“LTI”) awards for executive officers to multi-year, metric-based performance awards based on total stockholder return (“TSR”) relative to the S&P MidCap 400 Index over a three-year period, with performance-based payouts ranging from 0% to 200% of target. These awards vest three years after the grant date.

o

As a result of this change, 92% of the compensation for our chief executive officer (“CEO”) for 2021 was performance-based, with 62% of all restricted stock units (“RSUs”) awarded in 2022 (in connection with 2021 performance) being metric-based.

o

For all other NEOs, on average, this change increased the percentage of metric-based RSUs awarded from 36% in connection with 2020 performance to 59% in connection with 2021 performance.

o

On average, time-vesting LTI RSUs awarded to NEOs in connection with 2021 performance were <25% of total compensation.

Enhanced disclosures in this proxy statement regarding our executive compensation program, including additional disclosures regarding:

o

the Committee’s process for determining long-term incentive award amounts (page 47);

o

our Company’s atypical annual incentive bonus program, which provides for the payment of the bonus with a combination of cash and RSUs instead of the common practice of paying it entirely in cash—a combination that improves retention and aligns NEOs’ interests with the interests of our long-term stockholders (page 41); and

o

the Committee’s process for setting annual incentive performance metrics used to determine bonus RSU awards and cash bonuses (pages 38 and 42).

The changes that the Committee made in 2022 (based on 2021 performance) resulted in a significantly greater portion of the payout of long-term awards being metric-based compared to payout in 2021 (based on 2020 performance).

 

Actual 2021 Compensation (1)

Actual 2020 Compensation

 

Performance-Based(2)

Metric-Based RSUs(3)

Performance-Based(2)

Metric-Based RSUs(3)

Named Executive Officer

(% of Total Compensation)

(% of Total RSUs Awarded)

(% of Total Compensation)

(% of Total RSUs Awarded)

Gilmore, D.

 

92%

 

 

 

62%

 

 

 

89%

 

 

 

44%

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

87%

 

 

 

57%

 

 

 

83%

 

 

 

36%

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

86%

 

 

 

59%

 

 

 

83%

 

 

 

35%

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

85%

 

 

 

62%

 

 

 

82%

 

 

 

39%

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

66%

 

 

 

53%

 

 

 

59%

 

 

 

28%

 

 

(1)

The percentages differ from the graphics in the Compensation Mix section on page 32 because the annual incentive cash bonus and annual incentive bonus RSUs (defined below as “Bonus RSUs”) in the chart above are based on actual payouts and the graphics on page 32 utilize the target annual incentive cash bonus amount and target annual incentive Bonus RSU amount.

(2)

Includes actual annual incentive cash bonus and all RSUs awarded. The annual incentive cash bonus and all RSU awards were made in the subsequent year in connection with the prior year’s performance (e.g. awarded in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance).

(3)

Metric-based RSUs include all annual incentive Bonus RSUs granted for the specified year. For 2021, metric-based RSUs also include all LTI performance RSUs that are based on the relative TSR metric (defined below as “LTI PRSUs”) and granted in connection with 2021 performance.

In addition to the changes described above (and as further described below) the annual incentive bonus plan was modified so that bonuses for 2022 performance and later could be earned up to 200% of target (previously 175%) and equity awards under the bonus plan would be subject to three-year vesting, rather than four-year vesting. Both changes were consistent with market practice. Furthermore, the vesting

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

period for LTI RSUs granted in 2022 and later was changed from four to three years, again consistent with market practice.

The Committee believes that our Company paid compensation to management commensurate with its performance and consistent with our Company’s pay-for-performance philosophy.

Performance Overview

Our Company’s financial performance in 2021 marked a year of exceptional financial performance, including the following records:

o     total revenues of $9.2 billion, up 30% compared with the prior year,

o     pretax income of $1.6 billion, up 78% from $923 million in 2020,

o     pretax margin in the title insurance and services segment of 16.3%,

o     earnings per share of $11.14, and

o     return on equity of 23.2%.

A YEAR OF RECORD PERFORMANCE $9.2B revenue $1.6B pretax income 16.3% pretax title margin $11.14 EPS 23.2% ROE

Other financial highlights for the year include:

o     annualized total stockholder return of 56.2% and 20.0% for the one- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2021, respectively, compared to the S&P 500 at 28.7% and 18.4%,respectively, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index at 24.7% and 13.1%, respectively,

o     a common stock dividend increase of 11% to an indicative annual rate of $2.04 per share, and

o     the repurchase of 1.7 million shares for a total of $99 million at an average share price of $58.05.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Total Revenues (in billions) $6.2 $7.1 $9.2 Net income attributable to the Company $707 $696 $1241 Pretax Margin (Title Segment) 16.1% 15.7% 16.3% Return on Equity 17.3% 14.9% 23.2% 2019 2020 2021

Note: The charts above reflect Company results under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).GAAP. The Committee makes certain non-GAAP adjustments in connection with its compensation programs, which are further described below.

Execution on Company Strategy

During the year the Company successfully executed against its long-term strategic goals. Though market share in its United States title insurance business decreased slightly, the Company completed a number of strategic acquisitions designed to grow and strengthen the Company’s core title and settlement business over the long-term.

The Company also invested heavily in technology aimed at increasing the efficiency of its operations, reducing risk and enhancing the customer experience. As a complement to its technology investments, the Company also invested heavily in its real property databases, already the most comprehensive of their kind in the United States.

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

2017Execution on Company Strategy

We had another successful year executing against our strategic initiatives. The sustained commitment of our employees allowed us to take advantage of strong market conditions and achieve record revenues of $9.2 billion and a return on equity of over 20 percent. This accomplishment not only is a testament to the dedication and skill of our management and employees and their commitment to customers, but also is a validation of our strategy, including our continuing efforts to digitally transform the process of transacting real estate. During the year, we also strategically deployed our capital to acquire and invest in companies that we expect will grow our core title and settlement operations and in venture-stage innovative real estate-related technology companies that, among other things, give us insight into their unique strategies and needs, allowing us to tailor our products and services accordingly. Furthermore, given the importance of data to our core business and innovation efforts, at the beginning of 2021 we announced our intention to expand our title plant footprint from 500 counties to 1,500 by the end of that year. Leveraging our proprietary data extraction technology, we are currently maintaining more than 1,600 title plants covering nearly 80% of the U.S. population.

OUR VISION To be the premier title insurance and settlement services company

2021 Performance Metric Results

The NEO annual cash bonuses and annual equity bonuses were paid out at 146%175% of target reflectingfor all NEOs. These payout amounts reflect the results of the two financial metrics utilized by the Committee: return on equity and pretax margin. Target and actual results of these metrics for 20172021 are set forth below.

 

Metric

Target

Actual

2017

Results

Target

Actual 2021

Results

Pretax Margin

 

9.3%

 

 

10.4%

 

 

10.8%

 

 

 

15.8%

 

 

Return on Equity

 

9.9%

 

 

12.4%

 

 

11.4%

 

 

 

20.1%

 

 

 

Note: The Committee’s definitiondefinitions of pretax margin and return on equity isare described on page 2842 below. The actualActual results set forth above have been adjusted to exclude (from both metrics) current year net investment gains/losses resulting from the termination of theinvestment portfolio and certain current year net investment gains/losses from our Company’s legacy pension plansventure investment portfolio. Return on equity also excludes accumulated other comprehensive income/loss and (from return on equity) net income resulting from tax reform passed at the end of 2017.noncontrolling interests. These are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of these measures and a reconciliation of these amounts to the nearest GAAP financial measures.

The annual incentive plan gives the Committee the discretion to adjust the metric-driven payout by up to 30 percentage points to account for factors that may impact theour Company’s return on equity or pretax margin, but wereincluding unanticipated external factors, such as regulatory changes or were the result of investments intendedchanges in interest rates; success against strategic initiatives designed to create long-term stockholder value.value, such as innovation efforts, risk management, employee engagement, or market share gains/losses in key markets; or environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) actions, initiatives, or omissions that impact, and reflect the role of our Company in, broader society, such as employee development, inclusion efforts, privacy and data protection and sustainability/environmental impact. The Committee also retains the ability to pay ultimately a lower amount, including the discretion not to pay an annual incentive bonus.  For 2017,2021, the Committee did not make any discretionary adjustment.adjustments.

The Committee believes that the results of the 20172021 executive compensation program, as disclosed and discussed herein, reflect its pay-for-performance philosophy.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Pay Philosophy &Philosophy

Pay Objectives

TheOur Company’s executive officer compensation program, which is administered by the Committee, is designed to enhance stockholder value by providing that a substantial portion of the executive officer’s total compensation be related to theour Company’s consolidated financial performance and a lesser portion be related to the Committee’s qualitative analysisassessment of the contribution of each individual executive officer. The Committee also believes that there is value in consistency in our Company’s policyexecutive officer compensation program. As a result, while target performance levels change from year to year, the general structure of the program typically remains consistent from year to year. From time to time, the Committee makes adjustments to the compensation program based on stockholder feedback, changes in market compensation practices or to better accomplish the Committee’s objectives.

Our Company’s approach is designed to develop and administer programs that will achieve the objectives outlined below.following objectives:

 

 

 

OUR KEY COMPENSATION OBJECTIVES

 

 

 

 

  

 

      Attract and retain executives critical to theour Company’s long-term strategy and success.

      Provide compensation levels that are competitive with other companies in the title insurance and settlement services industry and theour Company’s peer group.

      Motivate executive officers to enhance long-term stockholder value without taking excessive risk to achieve short-term goals.

      Encourage the identification and implementation of best business practices.

Compensation Mix

The Committee utilizes the particular elements of compensation described below because it believes that they represent a well-proportioned mix of stock-based compensation, retention value and at-risk compensation whichthat produces short-term and long-term performance incentives and rewards. By following this portfolio approach, the Committee endeavors to provide the NEOs with a measure of security with respect to their minimum level of compensation, while motivating each NEO to focus on the business metrics that will produce a high level of performance for theour Company with corresponding increases in long-term stockholder value and long-term financial benefits for the NEO, as well as reducing the risk of loss of top executive talent to competitors.talent.

For NEOs, the mix of compensation is weighted heavily toward at-risk pay. This is consistent with the overall philosophy of maintaining a pay mix that results fundamentally in a pay-for-performance orientation.

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The chart below shows the percentage of our NEOs’ 2021 total compensation at target that was fixed versus performance-based, as well as the percentage of RSUs that were or will be determined based on metric-driven performance criteria verses RSUs that were determined based on the subjective judgment of the Committee.

Target Compensation(1)

CEO Base Salary 11% LTI Awards 44% Target AIP Bonus RSUs 25% Target AIP Cash Bonus 20% Metric Based Equity as a Percentage of all RSUs 52% Average of Other NEOs Base Salary 20% LTI Awards 41% Target AIP Bonus RSUs 19% Target AIP Cash Bonus 20% Metric Based Equity as a Percentage of all RSUs

(1)

The chart includes 2021 actual base salary, 2021 target annual cash bonus, 2021 target annual Bonus RSUs, actual LTI Awards granted in 2022 (at target with respect to RSUs based on three-year, relative TSR metric) in connection with 2021 performance.

Say on Pay Results and Stockholder Outreach

As part of its process in determining executive compensation levels and structure for 2021, the Committee has reviewed the results of last year’s Say on Pay proposal, in which approximately 68% of our Company’s shares present and entitled to vote approved 2020 executive compensation. Continuing stockholder support for the Say on Pay proposal reinforces the Committee’s belief that it should continue

its practice of implementing and overseeing executive compensation programs that provide for a substantial portion of the executive officers’ total compensation to be related to our Company’s consolidated financial performance. It also reinforces the Committee’s view that, for executive officers, the mix of compensation should continue to be weighted heavily toward at-risk pay and should include a substantial portion payable in equity. This is consistent with the overall philosophy of maintaining a pay mix that results fundamentally in a pay-for-performance orientation and a strong alignment between the interests of executive officers and long-term stockholders.

To ensure that our compensation program aligns with the long-term interests of our stockholders, we engaged with our stockholders to seek feedback on our executive compensation program. We reached out to stockholders representing approximately 67 percent

STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Reached out to holders of 67% of our shares and engaged with holders of 49% of our shares

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

For NEOs, the mix of compensation is weighted heavily toward at-risk pay and, in particular, the annual incentive bonus. This is consistent with the overall philosophy of maintaining a pay mix that results fundamentally in a pay-for-performance orientation.

The chart below shows the percentage of our NEOs’ 2017 target compensationoutstanding shares. Holders of approximately 58 percent of our outstanding shares responded to our outreach and approximately 49 percent chose to actively engage with us, including 7 stockholders that was fixed versus performance-based, as well as the percentage that was paid in cash versus Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”).

Note: The chart includes 2017 actual base salary, 2017 target annual cash bonus, 2017 target annual equity bonus and long-term equity incentive granted in 2018 in connection with 2017 performance (for which no target existed).

Say on Pay Results

As part of its process in determining executive compensation levels for 2017, the Committee has reviewed the results of last year’svoted against our 2021 Say on Pay proposal, representing approximately 8 percent of our outstanding shares. Our management met with the engaging stockholders, and, in which approximately 97%certain instances, a member of the Company’s shares presentCommittee joined these meetings. During these meetings, we discussed our executive compensation program and entitledany other subjects of interest to vote approved 2016the stockholder. One of our primary goals for these meetings was to ensure that we understood our stockholders’ views concerning our executive compensation.compensation program, and that our stockholders understood our program. The stockholder support forfeedback was reviewed and discussed with the prior Say on Pay proposal reinforcesCommittee.Among the Committee’s belieffeedback we received was a preference that it should continue its practice of implementing and overseeing executive compensation programs that provide for a substantialsignificant portion of the executive officers’ total compensationlong-term incentive awards be made pursuant to be related to the Company’s consolidated financial performance. Ita multi-year, metric driven model. Stockholder feedback also reinforces the Committee’s senserecognized that for executive officers, the mix of compensation should be weighted heavily toward at-risk pay, in particular, theour annual incentive bonus plan, which is based on objective, annual performance metrics, was atypical because it provides for the payment of the bonus with a combination of cash and equity, instead of the more common practice of all cash, and that this annual metric-based program should include a substantial portion of equity. This is consistentbe considered in connection with the overall philosophy of maintaining a pay mix that results fundamentally in a pay-for-performance orientation and a strong alignment between the interests of executive officers andany long-term stockholders.incentive program changes.

What We Heard

What we did

Shifted 25% of long-term incentive (“LTI”) awards for executive officers to multi-year performance awards based on total stockholder return (“TSR”) relative to the S&P MidCap 400 Index over a three-year period, with performance-based payouts ranging from 0% to 200% of target. These awards vest three years after the grant date.

o     This change increased the percentage of metric-based RSUs awarded to our 2021 CEO from 44% in connection with 2020 performance to 62% in connection with 2021 performance.

o     For all other NEOs, on average, this change increased the percentage of metric-based RSUs awarded from 36% in connection with 2020 performance to 59% in connection with 2021 performance.

Retained metric-based annual incentive bonus structure to pay awards as a combination of cash and equity (vesting over multiple years).

Implemented the LTI award described above, which is based on relative TSR, while retaining the pre-tax margin and return on equity metrics for the annual incentive plan for cash bonuses and bonus RSUs.

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

What We Heard

What we did

Enhanced disclosures in this proxy statement regarding our executive compensation program, including additional disclosures regarding:

o     The Committee’s process for determining long-term incentive award amounts (page 47).

o     Our Company’s atypical annual incentive bonus program, which provides for the payment of the bonus with a combination of cash and RSUs instead of the common practice of paying it entirely in cash, which improves retention and aligns NEOs’ interests with the interests of our long-term stockholders (page 41).

o     The Committee’s process for setting annual incentive performance metrics used to determine bonus RSU awards and cash bonuses (pages 38 and 42).

o     Our stockholder engagement efforts regarding executive compensation (page 32).

Continued to:

o     provide for a substantial portion of the executive officers’ total compensation to be related to our Company’s consolidated financial performance,

o     weigh the mix of compensation heavily toward at-risk pay and include a substantial portion payable in equity, and

o     maintain a pay mix that results fundamentally in a pay-for-performance orientation and a strong alignment between the interests of executive officers and long-term stockholders.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Summary of Executive Compensation Practices

The table below highlights certain of our executive compensation practices, including practices we have implemented that drive performance as well as those we have prohibited because we do not believe they serve our stockholders’ interests.

 

 

 WHAT WE DOKEY FEATURES OF OUR PROGRAM

 

 

•     Pay-for-performance. Tie pay to performance by ensuring that a substantial portion of executive officer compensation is at-risk and related to theour Company’s consolidated financial performance.

•     ESG. ESG actions, initiatives, or omissions that impact—and reflect the role of our Company in—broader society are considered in evaluating executive performance and determining compensation.

•     Equity-based compensation. A substantial portion of compensation is paid in the form of RSUs to encourage alignment between executives and long-term stockholders and to discourage excessive risk taking.

•     Multi-year performance-based equity awards. 25% of long-term incentive awards for executive officers are based on total stockholder return relative to the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the end of a three-year period, with performance-based payouts ranging from 0% to 200% of target.

•     Peer group benchmarking. Peer group performance and compensation data is regularly reviewed by the Committee to inform compensation decisions.

•     Stock ownership guidelines. We have stock ownership guidelines of 56 times base salary for the CEO and 3 times base salary for our other NEOs with base salaries equal to or greater than $500,000.

•     Clawback policy.and forfeiture of previously awarded compensation. Compensation may be adjusted or recovered if theour Company’s reported financial results are restated due to material noncompliance with applicable financial reporting requirements.requirements or under certain circumstances if the executive officer’s misconduct results in loss or damage to our Company or our reputation.

Peer group benchmarking.Limit RSU acceleration upon change in control. Peer group performanceThe equity incentive plans and compensation datarelated award agreements provide for acceleration of all unvested RSUs only in the event of a change-in-control of our Company that is regularly reviewednot approved by the Committee to inform compensation decisions.Board of Directors.

•     No trading on margin or pledging of shares or trading on margin.shares. Our trading policies generally prohibit our NEOs and certain other employees from holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral.

•     No hedging. Hedging ownership of Company securities by engaging in short sales or trading in option contracts involving Company securities is prohibited.

•     Independent compensation consultant. The Committee uses an independent compensation consultant that provides no other services to theour Company.

 

 

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Executive Compensation Program in Detail

Key Pay Elements

The following chart summarizes the key pay elements for our NEOs. Each element is described in detail beginning on page 2639 in the Section “Pay Elements.Elements and Practices.

 

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Compensation Element Purpose How It Links to Performance Base Salary To provide a fixed source of income Reviewed annually and adjusted based on individual and Company performance and other factors, including base salary levels at peer companies and/or published market survey’s METRIC BASED Annual Cash Bonus To reward the achievement of annual performance Variable and based on measurable Company performance against financial metrics, subject to discretionary Committee adjustment; target levels reviewed annually and adjusted based on individual and Company performance and other factors, including annual cash bonus levels at peer companies and/or published market surveys Annual Equity Bonus To reward the achievement of annual performance, I prove retention and incentivize long-term Company performance Variable and based on measurable Company performance against financial metrics. Subject to discretionary committee adjustment; target levels reviewed annually and adjusted based on individual and Company performance and other factors, including annual equity award levels at peer companies and/or published market surveys; subject to a four-year vesting period (changing to three years for grants beginning in 2023) Long-Term Equity Incentive (Performance Vesting) To incentivize for long-term Company performance Variable and based on Committee assessment of company and individual performance together with compensation levels at peer companies and/or in published market surveys and other factors; value based on relative TSR over a three-year performance period; vests three years after grant Long-Term Equity Incentive (Time Vesting) To incentivize for long-term Company performance Variable and based on Committee assessment of Company and individual performance together with compensation levels at peer companies or in publish market surveys and other factors, subject to a three-year vesting period

Compensation Element Purpose How it Links to Performance FIXED AT-RISK Base Salary Annual Cash Bonus Annual Equity Bonus Long-Term Equity Incentive To provide a fixed source of income To reward the achievement of annual performance To reward the achievement of annual performance To incentivize for long-term Company performance Reviewed annually and adjusted based on individual and Company performance and other factors, including base salary levels at peer companies Variable and based on measurable Company performance against financial targets, subject to discretionary Committee adjustment; target levels reviewed annually and adjusted based on individual and Company performance and other factors, including annual cash bonus levels at peer companies Variable and based on measurable Company performance against financial targets, subject to discretionary Committee adjustment; target levels reviewed annually and adjusted based on individual and Company performance and other factors, including annual equity bonus levels at peer companies; subject to a four-year vesting period Variable and based on Committee assessment of Company and individual performance together with compensation levels at peer companies and other factors; subject to a four-year vesting period

Benchmarking Compensation and Peer Group Development

Overall compensation levels for NEOs are determined based on a number of factors, including each individual’s roles and responsibilities within theour Company, each individual’s experience and expertise, comparable compensation levels for peers within the Company,at peer companies, compensation levels in the marketplace for similar positions and the performance of the individual and theour Company as a whole. In determining these compensation levels, the Committee considers all forms of compensation and benefits.

SELECTION OF CMPARATOR COMPANIES Comparator companies are selected based on key business profile characteristics, including industry, market capitalization and revenue

General

In order to determine competitive compensation practices, the Committee primarily relies upon data compiled from public filings

of selected companies (“comparator companies”) that it considers appropriate comparators for the purpose of developing executive compensation benchmarks. The comparator companies for 2021 (meaning the companies used in connection with determinations of 2021 salaries, target cash bonuses for 2021, target Bonus RSUs for the annual equity bonus and LTI Awards issued in 2022 as long-term equity incentive in connection with 2021 performance) are identified below. In addition, the Committee periodically considers nationally recognized survey data published by various consulting firms. Proxy data was used exclusively to develop benchmarks for the executive officers except for Mr. Wajner, for whom proxy data was lacking. For Mr. Wajner, the Committee reviewed survey data from the US Mercer Benchmark Database, using regression analysis to reflect our Company’s total revenue size at the end of 2020.

Committee primarily relies upon data compiled from public filings of selected companies (“comparator companies”) that it considers appropriate comparators for the purpose of developing executive compensation benchmarks. The comparator companies for 2017 (meaning the companies used in connection with determinations of 2017 salaries, target cash bonuses for 2017, target Performance RSUs for the annual equity bonus and Long-Term Incentive RSUs issued as long-term equity incentive in connection with 2017 performance) are identified below. In addition, the Committee periodically considers nationally recognized survey data published by various consulting firms. Proxy data was used exclusively to develop benchmarks for the executive officers except for Mr. Wajner, for whom proxy data was lacking. For Mr. Wajner, the Committee utilized survey data from the US Mercer Benchmark Database for companies with revenue between $2.5 billion and $10 billion.

The comparator companies for 20172021 were:

     American Financial Group, Inc.

     Assurant, Inc.

     The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.Axis Capital Holdings Limited

     Kemper Corporation (f/k/a Unitrin, Inc.)

     Mercury General Corporation

     Cincinnati Financial Corporation

     Everest Re Group, Ltd.

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

     Genworth Financial, Inc.

     Kemper Corporation

     Mercury General Corporation

     Old Republic International Corporation

     W.R. Berkeley CorporationThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

     White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.W.R. Berkeley Corporation

These companies are the same as those utilized by the Committee with respect to 20162020 executive compensation decisions and the same group of companies has been used thus far for the purposes of 2018 executive compensation decisions.compensation. The peer companies represent the Committee’s continuing efforts to identify a significant number of comparable companies notwithstanding the fact that there is only one other company in theour Company’s primary industry with financial and operational characteristics similar to theour Company’s.

Use of Comparator Companies and Market Compensation Studies

After consideration of the data collected on competitive compensation levels and relative compensation within the executive officer group, the Committee determines each individual executive officer’s target total compensation or total compensation opportunities based on Company and individual performance and the need to attract, incentivize and retain an experienced and effective management team. The Committee examines the relationship of each executive officer’s base salary, target annual incentive bonus opportunity and potential long-term incentive awards (if such an amount has been determined) to

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

market data at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles. The Committee does not believe, however, that compensation or compensation opportunities should be structured toward a uniform relationship to any specific percentile of

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

the market data, especially in light of the different financial characteristics of theour Company’s business units (such as the relationship of revenues to net income). Accordingly, total compensation for specific individuals will vary based on a number of factors, in addition to Company and individual performance, including scope of duties, tenure, institutional knowledge and/or difficulty in recruiting a replacement executive officer.

Compensation Decision Process

 

 

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Composed entirely of
independent directors

 

 

GENERAL

The Committee is comprised entirely of independent members of the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews and approves the base salaries of the executive officers of theour Company, their annual incentive bonus programs, their long-term incentive compensation and other incentive and executive benefit plans. It also reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding director compensation. The Committee, in consultation with the independent compensation consultantsconsultant that it retains, analyzes the reasonableness of the compensation paid to the executive officers. In discharging its functions, as described in more detail above, the Committee reviews compensation data from comparable companies and from relevant surveys, which it utilizes to assess the reasonableness of compensation for theour Company’s executive officers.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

The Compensation Committee’s function is more fully described in its charter, which is regularly reviewed and has been approved by theour Company’s Board of Directors. The charter is available in the corporate governance section of theour Company’s Web sitewebsite at www.firstam.com.www.firstam.com.

 

SETTING ANNUAL INCENTIVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PERFORMANCE METRICS

The Committee sets the annual incentive executive compensation performance metrics, such as pretax margin and return on equity, based on our Company’s financial plan for the applicable year, which

ANNUAL INCENTIVE METRICS AIP metrics set based on rigorous financial planning process that includes third-party forecasts and that recognized the cyclical nature of our business

is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors. Our financial plan is developed following a robust budgeting process that contemplates difficult to forecast levels of real estate activity, mortgage originations and interest rates, expenses, capital and liquidity needs, tax rates, and investment needs. Our Board of Directors also considers industry data and forecasts, risks and challenges associated with achievement of the financial plan, and other key budgeting assumptions before approving our financial plan from which the annual incentive executive compensation targets are determined.

The third-party forecasts of real estate and mortgage activity used by our Board as part of this process, while helpful to our planning efforts, are often inaccurate and sometimes materially inaccurate.

38 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Due to the cyclical nature of our business, our financial plan, and, consequently, the metrics utilized in our annual incentive plan, are not tied to the prior year’s actual results. The Committee believes that setting rigorous performance metrics in light of the expected business climate – as opposed to the business climate in earlier periods – incentivizes performance and, thereby, maximizes value to our stockholders and to do otherwise would demotivate our employees.

 

 

INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.

 

 

In making its determinations with respect to executive officer compensation, the Committee engages the services of Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. to assist with its review of the compensation package of the chief executive officer and other executive officers. In addition, the compensation consultant has assisted the Committee with related projects, such as evaluating non-employee director pay levels, advice with respect to the design of executive compensation programs, review of annual management incentive bonus plans, preparation or review of certain of theour Company’s compensation-related disclosures and related tasks.

The Committee retains the compensation consultant directly, although in carrying out assignments, the compensation consultant also interacts with Company management to the extent necessary and appropriate. The compensation consultant performs no services for management, though, at the direction of the Committee, it does assist in the preparation or review of certain of theour Company’s compensation-related disclosures, including this Compensation Disclosure and Analysis, and related projects. The Committee has assessed the independence of the consultant and has concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent the consultant from serving as an independent consultant to the Committee.

 

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 25


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

MANAGEMENT

 

 

 

TheOur Company’s chief executive officer and, as appropriate, certain other executive officers, may attend the portion of the Committee’s meetings where individual executive officer performance is discussed. Directors other than Committee members also may attend Committee meetings, including the portion where executive officer performance is discussed. While the Committee may meet with theour Company’s chief executive officer to discuss histhe chief executive officer’s own compensation package and histhe chief executive officer’s recommendations with respect to the other executive officers, all ultimate decisions regarding executive compensation are made solely by the Committee, with input from its compensation consultant.

 

Pay Elements and Practices

As noted above, theour Company utilizes four main components of compensation: (1) Base Salary,base salary, (2) Annual Cash Bonus,annual cash bonus, (3) Annual Equity Bonus,annual equity bonus, and (4) Long-Term Equity Incentive.long-term equity incentive. Each of the pay elements is described in detail below.

Base Salary

The Committee sets base salaries for executive officers based on the individual’s position within theour Company and histhe individual’s current and sustained performance results. The Committee reviews executive officer base salaries each year and makes any adjustments it deems necessary based on, among other factors, the overall performance of theour Company, new roles and/or responsibilities assumed by the executive officer, the general performance of the business units or departments over which the

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 39


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

executive officer has responsibility, the significance of the executive officer’s impact on the achievement of theour Company’s strategic goals, the executive officer’s length of service with theour Company and the executive officer’s base salary relative to the base salaries of similar individuals in peer companies.companies and market data. The Committee gives no specific weighting to any one factor in setting the level of base salary and the process ultimately relies on the subjective exercise of the Committee’s judgment. Based on theour Company’s peer group and relevant compensation survey data, the Committee also takes into account the executive officer’s potential as a key contributor and amounts that may be required to recruit new executive officers.

Other than in the case of new hires or promotions, the Committee generally determines base salaries for executive officers around the beginning of each calendar year. As described below under “Employment Agreements,” Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell and Seaton have employment agreements with theour Company that specify their respective minimum base salaries. These minimum base salaries are indicated in the column entitled “Minimum Base Salary” in the table below. These amounts may be increased at the discretion of the Committee.

In February of 2017, the Committee reviewed executive officer base salaries and determined that, based on relevant peer company and/or market data, and after taking into account the performance of the executives and the Company, the base salary of each of Mr. Seaton and Mr. Wajner warranted an adjustment. Consequently, the Committee increased Mr. Seaton’s base salary from $575,000 to $600,000 and Mr. Wajner’s from $275,000 to $290,000. The Committee determined that market conditions did not warrant an adjustment to the salaries of the other executive officers.

26 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

In summary, the base salaries of the NEOs as of December 31, 2016 and as of December 31, 2017, and the minimum base salary as required by their respective employment agreements are as follows:

Named Executive Officer

December 31, 2016

Base Salary

December 31, 2017

Base Salary

Minimum Base

Salary

Gilmore, D.

 

$

950,000

 

 

 

$

950,000

 

 

 

$

950,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

750,000

 

 

 

$

750,000

 

 

 

$

750,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

575,000

 

 

 

$

600,000

 

 

 

$

600,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

275,000

 

 

 

$

290,000

 

 

 

None

 

 

In January and February of 2018,2021, the Committee reviewed executive officer compensation, including their base salaries. The Committee determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, particularly in light of the strong performance of both the executives and our Company during 2020 and the Company,fact that base salaries for the NEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018, the base salaries should be adjusted.adjusted for all NEOs other than Mr. Gilmore. As a result, the Committee increased Mr. Gilmore’sDeGiorgio’s base salary from $775,000 to $1,000,000;$825,000; Mr. DeGiorgio’sLeavell’s from $725,000 to $775,000; Mr. Leavell’sSeaton’s from $650,000 to $725,000; Mr. Seaton’s to $650,000;$700,000; and Mr. Wajner’s from $315,000 to $300,000.$325,000.

Annual Cash Bonus

The Committee considersIn summary, the annual cash bonus to be a critical componentbase salaries of the NEOs as of December 31, 2020 and as of December 31, 2021, and the minimum base salary as required by their respective employment agreements are as follows:

Named Executive Officer

December 31, 2020

Base Salary

December 31, 2021

Base Salary

Minimum Base

Salary

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

$

825,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

775,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

$

325,000

 

 

 

None

 

 

In February 2022, the Committee reviewed executive officer compensation program. The annual cash bonus is tiedbase salaries and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, the base salaries were appropriate and did not warrant adjustment, with the exception of Mr. Wajner, whose base salary was increased to $350,000 from $325,000. In March 2022, the annual performanceCommittee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s base salary in connection with his promotion to CEO on February 4, 2022, and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company data, his base salary should be increased from $825,000 to $925,000, effective as of the Company. In recent years the annual cash bonus, together with the annual equity bonus described below, has accounted for a substantial portion, if not the majoritydate of the compensation paid to the NEOs. This emphasis on annual incentive compensation, as opposed to fixed base salary and long-term equity incentive compensation, reflects the view that key components ofhis promotion.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Annual Incentive Bonus

ATYPICAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE BONUS STRUCTURE AIP bonus paid in both cash and equity to increase stockholder alignment, balance risk taking, focus on long-term value and increase retention

The Committee considers the annual incentive bonus to be a critical component of our broader compensation program. The annual incentive program is tied to the annual performance of our Company and is comprised to two components: an annual cash bonus and an annual equity bonus (“Bonus RSUs”). The split between cash and equity depends on a participating employee’s total compensation, except that Mr. Gilmore’s split was fixed at 45% cash and 55% Bonus RSUs. This emphasis on annual incentive compensation, as opposed to fixed base salary and long-term equity incentive compensation, reflects the view that key components of our Company’s business operations are cyclical in nature. While we believe that most companies’ annual incentive bonuses are paid solely in cash, the payment of a portion of the annual incentive bonus in Bonus RSUs, combined with the vesting of Bonus RSUs over multi-year period, reflects the Committee’s

desire to increase alignment between participating employees and our Company’s long-term stockholders, to discourage participating employees from taking excessive risk for short-term gains, to focus employees on increasing long-term stockholder value and to increase retention. Accordingly, the Committee believes that an incentive structure tied to annual performance is moremost effective in motivating and rewarding executive officers to enhance long-term stockholder value.

As was the case in recent years, the Committee structured payouts under the 2017 cash bonus2021 annual incentive program to be based on measurable performance against specific financial targets whichthat the Committee believes to be key drivers of stockholder value. Like 2016,2020, financial targets collectively accounted for 100% of the cashannual incentive bonus payout for 2017,2021 to NEOs, with the resulting amount being subject to adjustment of up to 30 percentage points in the discretion of the Committee (the “Discretionary Adjustment”). The Discretionary Adjustment gives the Committee the ability to adjust the cashannual incentive bonus payout for unanticipated external factors—factors, such as regulatory changes or meaningful changes in interest rates—or success against strategic initiatives designed to create long-term stockholder value—such as technology projects, risk management efforts, employee engagement or market share gains/losses in key markets.

rates; success against strategic initiatives designed to create long-term stockholder value, such as technology projects, risk management efforts, employee engagement, or market share gains/losses in key markets; or ESG actions, initiatives, or omissions that impact—and reflect the role of our Company in—broader society, such as:

  employee development,

  employee engagement survey results and responsiveness,

  inclusion efforts,

  privacy and data protection,

  community involvement/development,

  sustainability/environmental impact and

  business ethics.

ESG COMPENSATION CONSIDERATIONS The Company’s bonus program takes into consideration ESG factors

The Committee also retains the ultimate ability to pay ultimately a lower amount, including the discretion not to pay aan annual incentive bonus.

As part of its review in early 2017, the Committee set target cash bonus amounts as follows:

Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore’s target cash bonus increased from $1,395,000 to $1,620,000;

Mr. DeGiorgio. Mr. DeGiorgio’s target cash bonus remained at $700,000;

Mr. Leavell. Mr. Leavell’s target cash bonus remained at $650,000;

Mr. Seaton. Mr. Seaton’s target cash bonus increased from $500,000 to $575,000; and

Mr. Wajner. Mr. Wajner’s target cash bonus increased from $124,000 to $131,250.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 27


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The increase in the target cash bonus amounts for Mr. Gilmore, Mr. Seaton and Mr. Wajner reflected the Committee’s evaluation of peer group compensation data and/or relevant market data after taking into account the performance of such executives and the Company.

The 20172021 annual cashincentive bonus payable to each executive officer was determined by adjusting the applicable portion of the target cashincentive bonus amount (listed in the tabletables below under the column

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 41


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

entitled “Percentage of Target”“Weighting”) based on objective financial criteria in two areas (each listed in the table below under the column entitled “Metric”), with the result being subject to any Discretionary Adjustment as described above. Each financial metric had associated with it a threshold 50% payout level, a 100% payout level and a 175% payout level (listed in the table below under the columns entitled “Threshold”, “Target” and “Maximum”, respectively). With respect to both financial metrics (and subject to the Discretionary Adjustment), results below the threshold 50% payout level would not result in any payment and results above the maximum would not result in any additional payment. The percentage payout for results between the threshold and maximum were to be determined on a linear sliding scale basis between the two metric points on either side of the actual result (i.e., between the threshold and the target, or the target and the maximum, as applicable).

As in 2016,Consistent with recent years, for 20172021 the two financial metrics utilized by the Committee were:

Pretax Margin: the pretax income of the Company divided by the gross revenue of the Company, excluding, in the discretion of the Committee, the effects of net realized investment gains/losses and non-operating items, such as asset impairments and legal settlements; and

Pretax Margin: the pretax income of our Company divided by the gross revenue of our Company, excluding net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and, net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events) and, in the discretion of the Committee, excluding the effects of non-operating items, such as asset impairments and legal settlements; and

Return on Equity: net income attributable to theour Company divided by average invested stockholders’ equity (total equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive incomeincome/loss and noncontrolling interests), subject to the same adjustment for current year net investment gains/losses from the investment portfolio and venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events) and potential other adjustments as apply to the pretax margin metric.

The Committee set the target financial metric payout levels at the pretax margin and return on equity set forth in theour Company’s 2021 financial plan, which was unanimously approved by theour Company’s Board of Directors.Directors following the general process described on page 38. The pretax margin and return on equity targets were determined based on earnings that exceeded the consensus of estimates by analysts at the time. The Committee believes these metrics, and the related performance levels, are indicators as to whether theour Company, given the environment in which it is operating, has generated value for stockholders. The Committee also believes these metrics are utilized by stockholders, potential stockholders and their advisors in determining the value of theour Company.

The target performance levels and actual performance for 20172021 with respect to the financial metrics were as follows:

 

Metric

Percentage

of Target

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Actual

2017

Results(1)

Metric

Payout

Percentage

Weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Actual

2021

Results(1)

Metric

Payout

Percentage

Pretax Margin(2)

 

50%

 

 

6.5%

 

 

9.3%

 

 

12.1%

 

 

10.4%

 

 

129%

 

 

50%

 

 

7.6%

 

 

10.8%

 

 

13.5%

 

 

15.8%

 

 

175%

 

Return on Equity(2)(3)

 

50%

 

 

6.9%

 

 

9.9%

 

 

12.9%

 

 

12.4%

 

 

163%

 

 

50%

 

 

8.0%

 

 

11.4%

 

 

14.3%

 

 

20.1%

 

 

175%

 

Total

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

146%

 

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

175%

 

 

(1)

Adjusted to exclude (from both metrics) losses resulting from the termination of the Company’s legacy pension plans and (from return on equity) net income resulting from tax reform passed at the end of 2017. These are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of these measures and a reconciliation of these amounts to the nearest GAAP financial measures. In addition, forFor purposes of determining performance level achievement, the Compensation Committee uses preliminary results and only considers an adjustment to the annual cashincentive bonus amount if final results would result in a greater than 5% change in the amount. As a result of this practice and the non-GAAP adjustments discussed in the following footnotes, the number in the “Actual 20172021 Results” column may differ from the results reported in theour Company’s financial statements.

(2)

The Committee defines return on equitypretax margin as the netpretax income attributable to theof our Company divided by average invested stockholders’ equity (total equitythe gross revenue of our Company, excluding accumulated other comprehensive incomenet gains/losses from the investment portfolio and noncontrolling interests)net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events). This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of this measure and a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

(3)

The Committee defines return on equity as the net income attributable to our Company (adjusted for net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio, other than in connection with certain liquidity events) divided by average invested stockholders’ equity (total equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/loss, noncontrolling

 

2842 | 20182022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

In determining the actual results for the financial metrics, the Committee exercised its discretion to exclude from both metrics losses incurred during the year related to the termination of its legacy pension plans and to exclude from return on equity net income resulting from the tax reform that occurred at the end of 2017.

interests and current year net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and current year net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio, other than in connection with certain liquidity events). This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of this measure and a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

In 2016, the Company terminated its funded defined benefit pension plans and in 2017 the Company fully funded and transferred all remaining benefit obligations related to the pension plans to a highly rated insurance company. In connection with the transfer, the Company recognized approximately $152 million in expense in 2017 (the “2017 Pension Termination Loss”). Consistent with its approach in 2016, the Committee elected to exclude the 2017 Pension Termination Loss in determining the level of Company performance because the 2017 Pension Termination Loss was non-operational in nature; would result in a meaningful future benefit at the expense of short-term results; and was the result of capital allocation decisions made as a result of circumstances—such as uncertainty in future interest rates and investment returns—that are largely outside of management’s control. The Committee believed it would be inappropriate to penalize management for the termination of the plans which the Committee believes to be optimal for the Company’s long-term prospects.

In addition, the Committee elected to exclude approximately $114 million of net income resulting from the tax reform that occurred at the end of 2017 as the effects of such reform were non-operational in nature and were not included in the 2017 financial plan, which was the basis for the corresponding target financial metrics for the year. As such, the Committee believes it would be inappropriate for management to benefit from this additional net income.

In considering whether a Discretionary Adjustment should be made to the cashannual incentive bonus, the Committee took into account notable achievements, as well as challenges, towards creating long-term value for long-term stockholders, including expense management as reflected by better-than-targeted achievement against efficiency metrics when excluding the impact of recent acquisitions; strong pretax margin results in the Company’s title insurance and services segment; execution against the Company’s commitment to drive return for its stockholders, as reflected in the Company’s notable total stockholder return relative to industry peers and 12% increase in the Company’s cash dividend; the slight decrease in the Company’s United States title insurance market share; continued investment in the Company’s real property database, which is the most comprehensive in the United States; the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management efforts; completion of a number of acquisitions that support the Company’s strategy of growth in its core title and settlement business; investments in technology aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Company’s operations, reducing risk and enhancing the customer experience; and successful employee engagement efforts, as reflected in the Company’s inclusion on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the second consecutive year.stockholders. For 2017,2021, the Committee determined that no suchdid not make any Discretionary Adjustment was warranted.

Each NEO’s cash bonus for 2017 was determined by adjusting the target cash bonus amount based on the level of achievement of the financial metrics. The following table summarizes the computation of the 2017 annual cash bonuses for each NEO. It also provides the cash bonus amount for 2016 for comparison purposes. The amounts in the table below are reflected in the 2017 Summary Compensation Table under the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

For 2017 cash bonuses, the Committee continued its practice of utilizing a performance unit arrangement for NEOs intended to enable the Company to deduct for tax purposes under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code the entire amount of the cash bonus awarded for 2017 performance. The arrangement involves the granting of performance units under the Company’s incentive compensation plan in an amount approximating the maximum amount of the cash bonus, followed by a reduction of the amount of performance units to eliminate the excess units when the actual cash bonus has been determined. The remaining units are then converted into dollars and paid in cash in the bonus amount determined by the

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 29


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Committee. These performance units would not be payable unless the 2017 net income of the Company was at least $25 million. For purposes of this calculation, net income excludes (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) extraordinary, unusual and/or nonrecurring items of gain or loss and (f) foreign exchange gains and losses (“Extraordinary Items”). The Committee determined that this target was met for 2017, with the result that the NEOs ultimately received performance units for 2017, which the Committee subsequently converted into cash in the amount shown in the preceding table in the column labeled “2017 Actual Cash Bonus.”

Named Executive Officer

2017

Target

Annual

Cash

Bonus

2017

Metric

Result

2017

Actual

Cash

Bonus

2016

Actual

Cash

Bonus

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,620,000

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

2,365,200

 

 

 

$

1,757,700

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

1,022,000

 

 

 

$

882,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

949,000

 

 

 

$

819,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

575,000

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

839,500

 

 

 

$

630,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

131,250

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

191,625

 

 

 

$

156,240

 

 

In February 2018, the Committee determined target cash bonus amounts for 2018. The Committee determined that Mr. Gilmore’s target cash bonus amount would increase from $1,620,000 to $1,710,000; Mr. DeGiorgio’s target cash bonus amount would increase from $700,000 to $800,000; Mr. Leavell’s target cash bonus amount would increase from $650,000 to $750,000; Mr. Seaton’s target cash bonus amount would increase from $575,000 to $650,000; and Mr. Wajner’s target cash bonus amount would increase from $131,250 to $140,000. The increases reflected the Committee’s determination, based on its assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, and after taking into account the performance of the executives and the Company, that the target cash bonus amounts of the executives warranted an adjustment.Adjustments.

Subject to the Committee’s ability to award a lower amount, including the ability not to not award any bonus, for 20182022 the cashannual incentive bonuses of the executive officers willare expected to again be determined based on theour Company’s return on equity (weighted 50%) and pretax margin (weighted 50%). As wasFor 2022, the case in 2017, actualCommittee changed the superior performance level payout of the incentive bonus from 175% to 200%, with the superior performance threshold increasing from 125% to 133% of target. Actual performance could result in payouts ranging from 50% to 175%200% of target, or 0% if performance is below threshold levels.

Also for 2022, the Committee revised the calculation of the return on equity and pretax margin financial metrics to exclude all net investment gains/losses from our Company’s venture investment portfolio, including those gains/losses recorded in connection with a liquidity event. The Committee reviews the performance of our investment portfolio and venture investment portfolio when considering whether to make a Discretionary Adjustment. For 2018,2022, as was the case with respect to 2017,2021, non-metric factors can result in a Discretionary Adjustment that can modify the cashincentive bonus payout by up to +/- 30 percentage points.

The 2022 target cashannual incentive bonus amount will be adjusted in the same manner as in 2017,2021, in that results below the threshold 50% payout level do not result in any payment and results above the maximum do not result in any additional payment. The percentage payout for results between the threshold and maximum are determined on a linear sliding scale basis between the two metric points on either side of the actual result (i.e., between the threshold and the target, or the target and the maximum, as applicable).

The Committee believes that retaining the two primary financial metrics utilized in the past, coupled with evaluation of a potential Discretionary Adjustment based on internal or external factors as described above, advances the objective of theour Company’s annual cashincentive bonus program and properly balances the importance of (i) compensating based on objective short-term financial results that are important to investors, and (ii) retaining the ability to take into account the Committee’s subjective determination with respect to long-term value creation and overall performance.

Annual Cash Bonus

30 | 2018 Proxy Statement  As part of its review in early 2021, the Committee set target cash bonus amounts as follows:

Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore’s target cash bonus increased from $1,710,000 to $1,845,000,

Mr. DeGiorgio. Mr. DeGiorgio’s target cash bonus increased from $800,000 to $875,000,

Mr. Leavell. Mr. Leavell’s target cash bonus increased from $750,000 to $825,000,

Mr. Seaton. Mr. Seaton’s target cash bonus increased from $650,000 to $725,000, and

Mr. Wajner. Mr. Wajner’s target cash bonus increased from $147,000 to $157,500.

The decision to change the target cash bonus amounts for each NEO was based on the Committee’s assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, particularly in light of the strong performance of both the executives and our Company during 2020 and the fact that target cash bonuses for the NEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018.

First American Financial Corporation  2022 Proxy Statement | 43


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

For 2018,Each NEO’s cash bonus for 2021 was determined by adjusting the Committee again established a performance unit arrangementtarget cash bonus amount based on the level of achievement of the annual incentive bonus financial metrics described above. The following table summarizes the computation of the 2021 annual cash bonuses for the NEOs, although doing so no longer qualifieseach NEO. It also provides the cash bonus as performance-basedamount for 2020 for comparison purposes. The amounts in the table below are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table under the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

Named Executive Officer

2021 Target

Annual

Cash

Bonus

2021

Metric

Result(1)

2021 Actual

Cash

Bonus

2020 Actual

Cash

Bonus

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,845,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

3,228,750

 

 

 

$

2,120,400

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

875,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

992,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

930,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

806,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

157,500

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

275,625

 

 

 

$

182,280

 

 

(1)

The target performance levels and actual performance with respect to the financial metrics are set forth in the Metric summary table on page 42.

In February 2022, the Committee determined target cash bonus amounts for 2022. The Committee determined, after reviewing relevant market data, that the total annual incentive plan bonus amount (both cash and Bonus RSUs) for Mr. Wajner warranted an increase of $10,000. Under the terms of the annual incentive plan, based on Mr. Wajner’s total expected compensation for purposes2022, a greater percentage of Section 162(m)his annual bonus will be paid in Bonus RSUs and less in cash. Consequently, the Committee decreased Mr. Wajner’s target cash bonus from $157,500 to $153,000. The Committee determined that peer company and market data did not warrant an adjustment to the target cash bonuses of the Internal Revenue Code dueother NEOs. In March 2022, the Committee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s target cash bonus amount in connection with his promotion to recent federal tax reform legislation. The Committee granted to the NEOs performance units with a maximum cash value approximately equal to the maximum potential amountCEO in February 2022, and determined that, based on its assessment of the 2018relevant peer company data, his target annual cash bonus usingfor 2022 should be increased from $875,000 to $1,750,000 for the metrics described above (including the potential Discretionary Adjustment of up to 30 percentage points). This resulted in performance unit awards of $3,505,500, $1,640,000, $1,537,500, $1,332,500 and $287,000, respectively, to Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell, Seaton and Wajner. These performance units, which were issued under the Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, provide that they will not be payable unless the net income of the Company for 2018 is at least $25 million, excluding Extraordinary Items. As in 2017, the award agreements give the Committee complete discretion to reduce the actual amount of bonus payable to any lesser amount. It is expected that such a reduction will be made when the Committee determines the actual 2018 cash bonuses and that the performance units will be utilized to pay such amounts.full year.

Annual Equity Bonus

As with the annual cash bonus, the Committee considers the annual equity bonus, which is paid in the form of RSUs tied to the annual performance of the Company (“Performance RSUs”), to be a critical component of the executive officer compensation program. Similar to the annual cash bonus, the Company’s practice of granting Performance RSUs reflects the view that key components of the Company’s business operations are cyclical in nature. However, because these Performance RSUs vest over a four-year period, this practice also discourages executive officers from taking excessive risks for short-term gains. Taken together, the Committee believes that this incentive structure tied to annual performance is effective in motivating and rewarding executive officers to enhance long-term stockholder value.

As in prior years, the Committee structured payouts of 2017 Performance RSUs to be based on measurable performance against specific financial targets which the Committee believes to be key drivers of stockholder value. Performance RSUs granted for 2017 performance were based on the same financial targets as the 2017 annual cash bonus and subject to a Discretionary Adjustment.

For 2017,2021, the Committee set the target PerformanceBonus RSU amounts as follows:

Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore’s target PerformanceBonus RSU amount increased from $1,705,000$2,090,000 to $1,980,000;$2,255,000,

Mr. DeGiorgio. Mr. DeGiorgio’s target PerformanceBonus RSU amount remained at $700,000;increased from $800,000 to $875,000,

Mr. Leavell. Mr. Leavell’s target PerformanceBonus RSU amount remained at $650,000;increased from $750,000 to $825,000,

Mr. Seaton. Mr. Seaton’s target PerformanceBonus RSU amount increased from $500,000$650,000 to $575,000;$725,000, and

Mr. Wajner. Mr. Wajner’s target PerformanceBonus RSU amount increased from $41,000$63,000 to $43,750.$67,500.

The increase indecision to change the target PerformanceBonus RSU amounts for Messrs. Gilmore, Seaton and Wajner reflectedeach NEO was based on the Committee’s evaluationassessment of relevant peer group compensation datacompany and/or relevant market data, after taking into accountparticularly in light of the strong performance of suchboth the executives and our Company during 2020 and the Company.

For 2017 Performancefact that target Bonus RSUs the Committee utilized the same two financial metrics utilized for the 2017 cash bonus program (i.e., pretax margin and return on equity), with the same threshold, target and maximum payout levels of 50%, 100% and 175%. As a result, the amount of 2017 PerformanceNEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018.

Each NEO’s Bonus RSUs awarded to each executive officer wasfor 2021 were determined by adjusting the applicable target PerformanceBonus RSU amount bybased on the same metric payout percentage aslevel of achievement of the 2017 cash bonuses, or 146%annual incentive bonus financial metrics described above. The following table summarizes the computation of target. As with the 2021 Bonus RSUs for each NEO. It also provides the Bonus RSU amount for 2020 for comparison purposes.

 

44 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation  2018 Proxy Statement | 31


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

annual cash bonus, the Committee determined that no Discretionary Adjustment was warranted. The following table summarizes the computation of the 2017 Performance RSU amount for each NEO. It also provides the Performance RSU amount for 2016 for comparison purposes.

Named Executive Officer

2021 Target

Bonus

RSU Amount

2021 Metric

Result(1)

2021 Actual

Bonus

RSU

Amount

2020 Bonus

RSU Amount

Gilmore, D.

 

$

2,255,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

3,946,250

 

 

 

$

2,591,600

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

875,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

992,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

930,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

806,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

67,500

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

118,125

 

 

 

$

78,120

 

 

 

Named Executive Officer

2017 Target

Performance

RSU Amount

2017

Metric

Result(1)

2017

Actual

Performance

RSU

Amount

2016

Performance

RSU Amount

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,980,000

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

2,890,800

 

 

 

$

2,148,300

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

1,022,000

 

 

 

$

882,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

949,000

 

 

 

$

819,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

575,000

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

839,500

 

 

 

$

630,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

43,750

 

 

 

 

146

%

 

 

$

63,875

 

 

 

$

51,660

 

 

(1)

The target performance levels and actual performance for 2017 with respect to the financial metrics are set forth in the Metricmetric summary table on page 28.42.

Additional details regardingBonus RSUs are denominated in units of our Company’s common stock. In accordance with Company policy, the termsnumber of units granted to a NEO in 2022 for 2021 performance was determined by dividing the dollar amount of the PerformanceBonus RSUs that the Committee determined to be granted by the fair market value of our Company’s stock on February 22, 2022, the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange was open for trading following the filing of our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan defines the fair market value as the last sale price reported for a share of our Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day preceding the grant date. These underlying shares, plus any dividend equivalent shares accrued during the vesting period, are set forthgenerally distributed to the executive upon vesting.

The Bonus RSUs awarded to NEOs vest at a rate of 25% on each anniversary of the date of grant. Vesting accelerates in certain circumstances, including death, disability and normal retirement. In addition, vesting of the Bonus RSUs accelerates in connection with early retirement and termination by our Company without cause. Early retirement means the termination of the recipient’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 55 and 10 years of service. Normal retirement means the termination of the recipient’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 62 (for RSUs granted prior to 2021) or age 60 (for RSUs granted in or after 2021), irrespective of the number of years of service. In the case of death or disability, delivery of the underlying shares is made as soon as administratively practicable. In the case of normal retirement or early retirement or termination by our Company without cause, delivery of the underlying shares is made one year after the termination date. A holder of RSUs has none of the rights of a stockholder unless and until shares are actually delivered to the holder. In the case of disability, early retirement, normal retirement and termination by our Company without cause, the NEO shall also be required to sign a separation agreement.

The Bonus RSUs issued in 2021 and 2022 to our Company’s NEOs, based on the level of achievement in 2020 and 2021, respectively, provided that, except in the “Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)” section below on page 34. case of death, disability or certain change-in-control scenarios, none of the Bonus RSUs would vest unless certain performance criteria were met. In particular, Bonus RSUs would not vest unless the net income of our Company in the year of grant was at least $25 million, excluding Extraordinary Items. For purposes of this calculation, “Extraordinary Items” means (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) extraordinary, unusual and/or nonrecurring items of gain or loss and (f) foreign exchange gains and losses. The Committee determined that this target was met for 2021, with the result that the Bonus RSUs granted in 2021 to the NEOs would vest, subject to satisfaction of other applicable conditions.

It should be noted that as required by applicable rules, the 2017 Summary Compensation, 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards and Outstanding Equity Awards at 2017 Fiscal Year End tables in this proxy statement reflect PerformanceBonus RSUs issued to the NEOs in 20172021 for performance in 2016.2020. Similarly, the PerformanceBonus RSUs issued in 2018

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 45


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

2022 for performance in 20172021 are not reflected in those tables contained in this proxy statement. Applicable rules require that these tables only reflect equity awards granted to the NEOs in 2017.2021.

In February 2018,2022, the Committee determined target PerformanceBonus RSU amounts for 2018.2022. The Committee determined, after reviewing relevant market data, that the target Bonus RSU amount for Mr. Wajner warranted an adjustment. Consequently, the Committee increased Mr. Wajner’s target Bonus RSU amount from $67,500 to $82,000. The Committee determined that Mr. Gilmore’speer company and market data did not warrant an adjustment to the target Performance RSU amount would increaseamounts of the other NEOs. The Committee decreased the annual vesting period from $1,980,000four year to $2,090,000;three years for Bonus RSUs to be granted in 2023 and future years. In March 2022, the Committee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s target PerformanceBonus RSU amount would increase from $700,000in connection with his promotion to $800,000; Mr. Leavell’s target Performance RSU amount would increase from $650,000 to $750,000; Mr. Seaton’s target Performance RSU amount would increase from $575,000 to $650,000;CEO on February 2022, and Mr. Wajner’s target Performance RSU amount would increase from $43,750 to $60,000. As with the target cash bonuses, the increases reflected the Committee’s determination,determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, and after taking into account the performance of the executives and the Company, that thehis target PerformanceBonus RSU amounts of the executives warranted an adjustment.

Subjectamount for 2022 should be increased from $875,000 to the Committee’s ability to award a lower amount, including the ability to not award any Performance RSUs, for 2018 the Performance RSU amounts$1,750,000 for the executive officers are again expected to be determined based on the Company’s return on equity (weighted 50%) and pretax margin (weighted 50%). As was the case for 2017, actual performance could result in payouts ranging from 50% to 175% of target, or 0% if performance is below threshold levels. For 2018, as was the case with respect to 2017, non-metric factors can result in a Discretionary Adjustment that can modify the amount by up to +/- 30 percentage points.full year.

The target Performance RSU amount is expected to be adjusted in the same manner as in 2017, in that results below the threshold 50% payout level do not result in any payment and results above the maximum do not result in any additional payment. The percentage payout for results between the threshold and maximum are determined on a linear sliding scale basis between the two metric points on either side of the actual result (i.e., between the threshold and the target, or the target and the maximum, as applicable).

32 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Long-Term Equity IncentiveIncentives

The Committee has continued its practice of providing long-term incentives to itsour executive officers through the issuance of RSUs. RSUs (“LTI Awards”). Beginning with LTI Awards made to NEOs in 2022 (in connection with 2021 performance), 75% of an NEO’s LTI Award will be subject to time-based vesting over three years (“LTI RSUs”) and 25% will be subject to a three-year performance period and will vest on the third anniversary of the grant based on our Company’s total stockholder return relative to the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the end of a three-year performance period, as further detailed below (“LTI PRSUs”).

The Committee continues to believebelieves that RSUsLTI Awards effectively align the interests of executive officers with those of its long-term stockholders. The Committee believes that long-term incentive awards in the form of RSUs,LTI Awards, particularly when coupled with the PerformanceBonus RSUs, incentivizeincrease alignment between executive officers to have aand our Company’s long-term perspective on the Company’s performance and, at the same time,stockholders, discourage themexecutive officers from taking excessive risk to achieve short term gains. RSUs issued as part of the Company’s long-term incentive program will sometimes be referred to as “Long-Term Incentive RSUs,” to distinguish them from the previously described Performance RSUs awarded to the NEOs primarily on the basis of the annual performance of the Company.

In determining the amount of Long-Term Incentive RSUs to grant tofor short-term gains, focus executive officers the Committee reviews the performance of the Companyon increasing long-term stockholder value and the executive officers following the completion of the year together with compensation levels at peer companies, among other factors, and awards the amount of Long-Term Incentive RSUs that it deems appropriate.

In connection with 2017 performance, the Committee awarded $2,500,000, $1,350,000, $1,350,000, $900,000, and $150,000 of Long-Term Incentive RSUs to Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell, Seaton and Wajner, respectively. The Committee’s determination of the amount to be awarded to Mr. Gilmore reflected its conclusion that he, as chief executive officer, is ultimately responsible for the steps that have been taken to improve the Company’s operational efficiency and to advance its strategic goals, including effective management of enterprise risk, expense control, identifying and executing on strategic acquisition opportunities, expanding and leveraging data, and developing the Company’s employees. All of these steps, it believes, continue to significantly enhance the current earnings and the earnings potential of the Company, as well as the Company’s total stockholder return. With respect to the other NEOs, the Committee’s determination took into account the recommendations of Mr. Gilmore, peer group and market data and a review of the accomplishments in various aspects of the Company’s operations that occurred during the year.increase retention.

The approximate dollar values of the Long-Term Incentive RSUsLTI Awards granted by the Committee to each of the NEO recipients of such awards for 2017NEOs in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance are provided in the following table, together with the comparable amount granted in 2021 for 20162020 performance:

 

Named Executive Officer

Long-Term

Incentive RSUs

Granted in

2018 in Connection

with 2017

Performance(1)

Long-Term

Incentive RSUs

Granted in

2017 in Connection

with 2016

Performance(1)

LTI RSUs

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)

LTI PRSUs

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)(2)

Total LTI Awards

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)

LTI Awards

Granted in 2021 in Connection

with 2020 Performance(1)

Gilmore, D.

 

$

2,500,000

 

 

 

$

2,200,000

 

 

 

$

3,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

4,000,000

 

 

 

$

3,275,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

1,350,000

 

 

 

$

1,050,000

 

 

 

$

1,575,000

 

 

 

$

525,000

 

 

 

$

2,100,000

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

1,350,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,312,500

 

 

 

$

437,500

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

900,000

 

 

 

$

750,000

 

 

 

$

956,250

 

 

 

$

318,750

 

 

 

$

1,275,000

 

 

 

$

1,275,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

$

125,000

 

 

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

$

50,000

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

(1)

The actual grant date dollar value of the RSUs may differ slightly from these dollar amounts in the table due to rounding. The Long-Term Incentive RSUsLTI Awards granted in 2018 for 2017 performance were granted on February 21, 2018, and the Long-Term Incentive RSUs granted in 20172022 in connection with 20162021 performance were granted on February 22, 2017,2022, and the LTI Awards granted in 2021 in connection with 2020 performance were granted on February 18, 2021, in both cases pursuant to theour Company’s policy of granting RSUs to executive officers on the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading following the filingsubmission of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)

The dollar amount reflects the target grant value of the LTI PRSU award approved by the Committee. The actual value of the award and the number of shares ultimately received by a recipient will vary primarily based on our total shareholder return over the three-year performance period relative to the companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the beginning of the performance period. The grant date

46 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

fair values of the awards, as determined under applicable accounting guidance, are as follows:  $1,307,641 for Mr. Gilmore, $686,498 for Mr. Degiorgio, $572,082 for Mr. Leavell, $416,796 for Mr. Seaton and $65,355 for Mr. Wajner.

Additional details regardingIn determining the termsamount of LTI RSUs and target LTI PRSUs to grant to executive officers, the Long-Term Incentive RSUs are set forthCommittee reviewed the performance of our Company and the executive officers along with compensation levels at peer companies and market data. The Committee also took into account the notable achievements that our Company and executive officers made, as well as the challenges faced, in the “Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)” section below on page 34. As indicated above with respect to Performance RSUs, itexecuting our strategy and creating long-term value for stockholders, including:

Strategic Initiatives

completion of a number of acquisitions and equity investments that facilitated our Company’s growth strategy;

continued investment in, and progress on, our digital title and closing initiatives, including our mobile-first title and escrow company and several new product launches;

growth in our Company’s data and analytics business, including maintenance of our position as market leader in title data coverage, reduced dependency on third-party data providers and the

expansion of title plant coverage on a go forward basis into 1,000 additional counties;

changes in our Company’s United States title insurance market share;

LTI AWARDS REFLECT NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS LTI awards reflect our successes in strategic initiatives and ESG

Compliance and Risk Management

effective management of underwriting risk;

compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations;

maintenance of effective internal controls;

effective controls minimizing information security risks;

the effective management of litigation matters;

the transition of applications to the cloud, resulting in a reduction in operational and information security risk;

the remediation of audit and compliance findings;

ESG

successful succession planning;

management of the impact from the coronavirus pandemic through effective use of remote and hybrid work arrangements;

successful employee engagement efforts, as reflected in our Company’s inclusion on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the sixth consecutive year; a perfect 100% score on Human Rights Campaign’s Best Place to Work for LGBTQ for the fifth year in a row; and 92% of employees surveyed for the Fortune Trust Index agreeing that our Company is a “great place to work;”

publication of the 2020 annual sustainability report, which, among other things, indicates that for U.S. owned facilities

o     between 2013 to 2020, our Company substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions,

o     total waste to landfill emissions were substantially offset by recycling practices,

 

First American Financial Corporation   20182022 Proxy Statement | 3347


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

oelectricity consumption meaningfully decreased compared to the previous reporting year, and

o     the CDP 2020 score (representing 2019 activities and GHG emissions) improved to Management B for climate change;

Financial Performance

1-year total stockholder return of 56.2%, comparable to S&P 500 at 28.7% and S&P MidCap 400 at 24.7%;

the increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.51 per share in the third quarter of 2021, an 11% increase;

the repurchase of 1.7 million shares for a total of $99 million during 2021;

the recording of approximately $341 million of gains related to our Company’s venture investment portfolio; and

our excellent operating performance.

LTI PRSUs are denominated in units of our Company’s common stock. In accordance with Company policy, the number of target units granted to a NEO in 2022 for 2021 performance was determined by dividing the dollar amount of the LTI PRSUs that the Committee determined to be granted by the fair market value of our Company’s stock on February 22, 2022 (“Target PRSUs”), the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange was open for trading following the filing of our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan defines the fair market value as the last sale price reported for a share of our Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day preceding the grant date. A holder of LTI PRSUs has none of the rights of a stockholder unless and until shares are actually delivered to the holder.

The shares underlying the Target PRSUs, plus any dividend equivalent shares accrued prior to delivery, generally become earned upon satisfaction of the service requirement. The service requirement is satisfied if the recipient does not experience a termination prior to the third anniversary of the date of grant. LTI PRSUs represent the right to receive shares of common stock of our Company in an amount from 0% to 200% of the Target PRSUs. The number of Target PRSUs earned will be determined based on relative total stockholder return over a three-year performance period as compared to the companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the beginning of the performance period (the “Index”) with the number of delivered shares equal to the number of Target PRSUs multiplied by the applicable percentage set forth in the following table (“Earned PRSUs”).

Performance Level

rTRS Rank(1)

Payout(2)

Below Threshold

<25th Percentile

0%

Threshold

25th Percentile

50%

Target

50th Percentile

100%

Maximum

>=75th Percentile

200%

(1)

rTSR Rank is calculated based on our Company’s total stockholder return relative to the total stockholder return of each company in the Index.

(2)

For performance between threshold and target and between target and maximum, the percentage of the Target PRSUs that become Earned PRSUs will be determined on straight line interpolation.

LTI PRSUs granted in 2022 have a performance period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.

The service requirement is also deemed satisfied in certain circumstances, including death, disability and normal retirement. Normal retirement means the termination of the executive’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 60 irrespective of the number of years of service. In the case of disability, normal retirement and termination by our Company without cause the executive shall also be

48 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

should be noted that,required to sign a separation agreement. In the case of death or disability, the executive shall receive shares equal to the number of Target PRSUs as soon as administratively practicable. In the case of normal retirement, the executive shall receive shares equal to the number of Earned PRSUs after the end of the performance period.

In addition, the service requirement is deemed satisfied in connection with termination by our Company without cause, but only for the portion of the three-year vesting period actually completed, with payout based on actual performance at the end of the performance period.

The terms of the LTI RSUs are identical to the terms of the Bonus RSUs described above beginning on page 45, except the LTI RSUs granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance vest annually over a three-year period instead of a four-year period. Like Bonus RSUs, LTI RSUs for executive officers are also tied to a performance-vesting condition.

As indicated above with respect to Bonus RSUs, as required by applicable rules, Long-Term Incentive RSUsLTI Awards granted in 20182022 in connection with 20172021 performance are not reflected in the 2017 Summary Compensation table, the 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table or the Outstanding Equity Awards at 2017 Fiscal Year End table contained herein. Those tables reflect Long-Term Incentive RSUsLTI Awards granted in 20172021 in connection with 20162020 performance.

Summary of Base Salary, Cash Bonus, and Equity Incentive Compensation Paid for 2017.  2021

The following table summarizes for each NEO the amount paid for 2017or awarded in connection with 2021 performance in the form of total base salary, cash bonus (paid in 20182022 for 20172021 performance), PerformanceBonus RSUs (granted in 20182022 for 20172021 performance) and Long-Term Incentive RSUsLTI Awards (granted in 20182022 in connection with 20172021 performance). This table is not a substitute for the compensation tables required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and included under the heading “Executive Compensation Tables” herein, but it provides a more accurate picture of how the Committee viewed its compensation actions for the NEOs based on performance for 2017:

Named Executive Officer

Base Salary

Paid in 2017

2017 Actual

Cash Bonus

(Paid in 2018)

Performance

RSUs

Issued in 2018

in Connection

with 2017

Performance

Long-Term

Incentive RSUs

Issued in 2018

in Connection

with 2017

Performance

Total for

2017

Total for

2016

Gilmore, D.

 

$

950,000

 

 

 

$

2,365,200

 

 

 

$

2,890,800

 

 

 

$

2,500,000

 

 

 

$

8,706,000

 

 

 

$

7,056,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

750,000

 

 

 

$

1,022,000

 

 

 

$

1,022,000

 

 

 

$

1,350,000

 

 

 

$

4,144,000

 

 

 

$

3,564,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

$

949,000

 

 

 

$

949,000

 

 

 

$

1,350,000

 

 

 

$

3,948,000

 

 

 

$

3,338,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

600,000

 

 

 

$

839,500

 

 

 

$

839,500

 

 

 

$

900,000

 

 

 

$

3,179,000

 

 

 

$

2,585,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

290,000

 

 

 

$

191,625

 

 

 

$

63,875

 

 

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

$

695,500

 

 

 

$

607,900

 

 

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

RSUs are denominated in units of the Company’s common stock. In accordance with Company policy, the number of units granted to a NEO in 2018 for 2017 performance was determined by dividing the dollar amount of the RSUs that the Committee determined to be granted by the closing price of the Company’s stock on February 21, 2018, the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange was open for trading following the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. These underlying shares, plus any dividend equivalent shares accrued during the vesting period are generally distributed to the executive upon vesting.

The RSUs awarded to NEOs vest at a rate of 25% on each anniversary of the date of grant. Vesting accelerates in certain circumstances, including death, disability and normal retirement. In addition, vesting of the Performance RSUs (but not the Long-Term Incentive RSUs) accelerates in connection with early retirement and termination by the Company without cause. Early retirement means the termination of the recipient’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 55 and 10 years of service. Normal retirement means the termination of the recipient’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 62, irrespective of the number of years of service. In the case of death or disability, delivery of the underlying shares is made as soon as administratively practicable. In the case of normal retirement or, for Performance RSUs, early retirement or termination by the Company without cause, delivery of the underlying shares is made one year after the termination date. A holder of RSUs has none of the rights of a stockholder unless and until shares are actually delivered to the holder.performance in 2021:

The RSUs issued in 2017 and 2018 to the Company’s NEOs, based on the level of achievement in 2016 and 2017, respectively, provided that, except in the case of death, disability or certain change-in-control scenarios, none of the RSUs would vest unless certain performance criteria were met. In particular, RSUs would not vest unless the net income of the Company in the year of grant was at least $25 million, excluding

 

 

Paid/Issued in 2022 in Connection with 2021 Performance

 

 

Named Executive Officer

Base Salary

Paid in 2021

Actual

Cash Bonus

Bonus RSUs

LTI RSUs

LTI PRSUs(1)

Total for

2021

Total for

2020

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

3,228,750

 

 

 

$

3,946,250

 

 

 

$

3,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

12,175,000

 

 

 

$

8,987,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

1,575,000

 

 

 

$

525,000

 

 

 

$

5,937,500

 

 

 

$

4,509,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

1,312,500

 

 

 

$

437,500

 

 

 

$

5,362,500

 

 

 

$

4,335,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

956,250

 

 

 

$

318,750

 

 

 

$

4,462,500

 

 

 

$

3,537,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

$

275,625

 

 

 

$

118,125

 

 

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

$

50,000

 

 

 

$

893,750

 

 

 

$

775,400

 

 

 

34 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


(1)

Compensation DiscussionThe dollar amount reflects the target grant value of the LTI PRSU award approved by the Committee. The actual value of the award and Analysisthe number of shares ultimately received by a recipient will vary based on our total shareholder return over the three-year performance period relative to the companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the beginning of the performance period. The grant date fair values of the awards, as determined under applicable accounting guidance, are as follows:  $1,307,641 for Mr. Gilmore, $686,498 for Mr. Degiorgio, $572,082 for Mr. Leavell, $416,796 for Mr. Seaton and $65,355 for Mr. Wajner.

Extraordinary Items. For 2017, this condition on vesting was intended to qualify the RSUs as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, although there can be no guarantee that the RSUs will so qualify. For 2018, the Committee determined to retain the performance criteria even though doing so no longer qualifies the RSUs as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) due to recent federal tax reform legislation.

Timing of Equity Grants

The Company’s general policy with respect to equity awards to executive officers is, after Committee approval, to issue the awards on the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading following the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the case of RSUs denominated in dollars and stock options, pricing (that is, the number of shares or units issued for each dollar denominated RSU award or the strike price with respect to stock options) is determined as of that date. The price of Company common stock used for these purposes is the last sale price reported for a share of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on that date.

ConsiderationCOMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Composed entirely of Prior Amounts Realized
independent directors

The Company’s philosophy is to incentivize and reward executive officers for future performance. Accordingly, prior stock compensation gains (option gains or restricted stock awarded in prior years) generally are not considered in setting future compensation levels.

Stock Ownership Guidelines, Clawback Policy and Anti-Hedging Policy

The Company has adopted guidelines requiring its chief executive officer to hold Company stock with a value equal to at least five times his base salary and each of the other NEOs to hold stock with a value equal to at least three times their respective base salaries, or one-time their respective base salaries if that base salary is below $500,000.GENERAL

What Counts Toward the Guideline:

shares owned personally or by a spouse

shares issued or held through a Company-sponsored plan such as the First American Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan or the First American Financial Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan

unvested restricted stock units

shares held in trust for the benefit of the NEO or a spouse

What Does Not Count Toward the Guideline:

stock options

The Committee annuallyis comprised entirely of independent members of the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews complianceand approves the base salaries of the executive officers of our Company, their annual incentive bonus programs, their long-term incentive compensation and other incentive and executive benefit plans. It also reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding director compensation. The Committee, in consultation with the ownership guidelines. Allindependent compensation consultant that it retains, analyzes the reasonableness of the NEOs meet or exceed our ownership guidelines.

Clawback and Anti-Hedging Policy

The Company has adopted a clawback policy applicablecompensation paid to allthe executive officers. In discharging its functions, as described in more detail above, the Committee reviews compensation data from comparable companies and from relevant surveys, which it utilizes to assess the reasonableness of compensation for our Company’s executive officers.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

The policy generally providesCommittee’s function is more fully described in its charter, which is regularly reviewed and has been approved by our Company’s Board of Directors. The charter is available in the corporate governance section of our Company’s website at www.firstam.com.

SETTING ANNUAL INCENTIVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PERFORMANCE METRICS

The Committee sets the annual incentive executive compensation performance metrics, such as pretax margin and return on equity, based on our Company’s financial plan for the returnapplicable year, which

ANNUAL INCENTIVE METRICS AIP metrics set based on rigorous financial planning process that includes third-party forecasts and that recognized the cyclical nature of our business

is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors. Our financial plan is developed following a robust budgeting process that contemplates difficult to forecast levels of real estate activity, mortgage originations and interest rates, expenses, capital and liquidity needs, tax rates, and investment needs. Our Board of Directors also considers industry data and forecasts, risks and challenges associated with achievement of the responsiblefinancial plan, and other key budgeting assumptions before approving our financial plan from which the annual incentive executive officer(s)compensation targets are determined.

The third-party forecasts of compensation received during the three full fiscal years priorreal estate and mortgage activity used by our Board as part of this process, while helpful to our planning efforts, are often inaccurate and sometimes materially inaccurate.

38 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Due to the announcementcyclical nature of a restatement ofour business, our financial informationplan, and, consequently, the metrics utilized in our annual incentive plan, are not tied to the extent suchprior year’s actual results. The Committee believes that setting rigorous performance metrics in light of the expected business climate – as opposed to the business climate in earlier periods – incentivizes performance and, thereby, maximizes value to our stockholders and to do otherwise would demotivate our employees.

INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.

In making its determinations with respect to executive officer compensation, would not have been received under the restated results. In addition, under Section 304Committee engages the services of

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 35


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. to assist with its review of the Sarbanes-Oxley Actcompensation package of 2002, if the Company is required to restate its financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements as a result of misconduct, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer may be requiredother executive officers. In addition, the compensation consultant has assisted the Committee with related projects, such as evaluating non-employee director pay levels, advice with respect to reimburse the design of executive compensation programs, review of annual management incentive bonus plans, preparation or review of certain of our Company’s compensation-related disclosures and related tasks.

The Committee retains the compensation consultant directly, although in carrying out assignments, the compensation consultant also interacts with Company for any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation received during the 12 months following the first public issuance of the non-complying document and any profits realized from the sale of securities of the Company during that twelve-month period. In January 2016, the Company also added a provision to its employee form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement whereby the recipient agrees to repay incentive-based compensation erroneously paid to him or her due to material errors in the financial statements of the Companymanagement to the extent necessary and appropriate. The compensation consultant performs no services for management, though, at the direction of the Committee, it does assist in the preparation or review of certain of our Company’s compensation-related disclosures, including this Compensation Disclosure and Analysis, and related projects. The Committee has assessed the independence of the consultant and has concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent the consultant from serving as an independent consultant to the Committee.

MANAGEMENT

Our Company’s chief executive officer and, as appropriate, certain other executive officers, may attend the portion of the Committee’s meetings where individual executive officer performance is discussed. Directors other than Committee members also may attend Committee meetings, including the portion where executive officer performance is discussed. While the Committee may meet with our Company’s chief executive officer to discuss the chief executive officer’s own compensation package and the chief executive officer’s recommendations with respect to the other executive officers, all ultimate decisions regarding executive compensation are made solely by the Committee, with input from its compensation consultant.

Pay Elements and Practices

As noted above, our Company utilizes four main components of compensation: (1) base salary, (2) annual cash bonus, (3) annual equity bonus, and (4) long-term equity incentive. Each of the pay elements is described in detail below.

Base Salary

The Committee sets base salaries for executive officers based on the individual’s position within our Company and the individual’s current and sustained performance results. The Committee reviews executive officer base salaries each year and makes any adjustments it deems necessary based on, among other factors, the overall performance of our Company, new roles and/or responsibilities assumed by the executive officer, the general performance of the business units or departments over which the

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 39


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

executive officer has responsibility, the significance of the executive officer’s impact on the achievement of our Company’s strategic goals, the executive officer’s length of service with our Company and the executive officer’s base salary relative to the base salaries of similar individuals in peer companies and market data. The Committee gives no specific weighting to any one factor in setting the level of base salary and the process ultimately relies on the subjective exercise of the Committee’s judgment. Based on our Company’s peer group and relevant compensation survey data, the Committee also takes into account the executive officer’s potential as a key contributor and amounts that may be required to recruit new executive officers.

Other than in the case of new hires or promotions, the Committee generally determines base salaries for executive officers around the beginning of each calendar year. As described below under “Employment Agreements,” Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell and Seaton have employment agreements with our Company that specify their respective minimum base salaries. These minimum base salaries are indicated in the column entitled “Minimum Base Salary” in the table below. These amounts may be increased at the discretion of the Committee.

In February of 2021, the Committee reviewed executive officer compensation, including base salaries. The Committee determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, particularly in light of the strong performance of both the executives and our Company during 2020 and the fact that base salaries for the NEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018, the base salaries should be adjusted for all NEOs other than Mr. Gilmore. As a result, the Committee increased Mr. DeGiorgio’s base salary from $775,000 to $825,000; Mr. Leavell’s from $725,000 to $775,000; Mr. Seaton’s from $650,000 to $700,000; and Mr. Wajner’s from $315,000 to $325,000.

In summary, the base salaries of the NEOs as of December 31, 2020 and as of December 31, 2021, and the minimum base salary as required by their respective employment agreements are as follows:

Named Executive Officer

December 31, 2020

Base Salary

December 31, 2021

Base Salary

Minimum Base

Salary

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

$

825,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

775,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

$

325,000

 

 

 

None

 

 

In February 2022, the Committee reviewed executive officer base salaries and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, the base salaries were appropriate and did not warrant adjustment, with the exception of Mr. Wajner, whose base salary was increased to $350,000 from $325,000. In March 2022, the Committee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s base salary in connection with his promotion to CEO on February 4, 2022, and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company data, his base salary should be increased from $825,000 to $925,000, effective as of the date of his promotion.

40 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Annual Incentive Bonus

ATYPICAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE BONUS STRUCTURE AIP bonus paid in both cash and equity to increase stockholder alignment, balance risk taking, focus on long-term value and increase retention

The Committee considers the annual incentive bonus to be a critical component of our broader compensation program. The annual incentive program is tied to the annual performance of our Company and is comprised to two components: an annual cash bonus and an annual equity bonus (“Bonus RSUs”). The split between cash and equity depends on a participating employee’s total compensation, except that Mr. Gilmore’s split was fixed at 45% cash and 55% Bonus RSUs. This emphasis on annual incentive compensation, as opposed to fixed base salary and long-term equity incentive compensation, reflects the view that key components of our Company’s business operations are cyclical in nature. While we believe that most companies’ annual incentive bonuses are paid solely in cash, the payment of a portion of the annual incentive bonus in Bonus RSUs, combined with the vesting of Bonus RSUs over multi-year period, reflects the Committee’s

desire to increase alignment between participating employees and our Company’s long-term stockholders, to discourage participating employees from taking excessive risk for short-term gains, to focus employees on increasing long-term stockholder value and to increase retention. Accordingly, the Committee believes that an incentive structure tied to annual performance is most effective in motivating and rewarding executive officers to enhance long-term stockholder value.

As was the case in recent years, the Committee structured payouts under the 2021 annual incentive program to be based on measurable performance against specific financial targets that the Committee believes to be key drivers of stockholder value. Like 2020, financial targets collectively accounted for 100% of the annual incentive bonus payout for 2021 to NEOs, with the resulting amount being subject to adjustment of up to 30 percentage points in the discretion of the Committee (the “Discretionary Adjustment”). The Discretionary Adjustment gives the Committee the ability to adjust the annual incentive bonus for unanticipated external factors, such as regulatory changes or meaningful changes in interest

rates; success against strategic initiatives designed to create long-term stockholder value, such as technology projects, risk management efforts, employee engagement, or market share gains/losses in key markets; or ESG actions, initiatives, or omissions that impact—and reflect the role of our Company in—broader society, such as:

  employee development,

  employee engagement survey results and responsiveness,

  inclusion efforts,

  privacy and data protection,

  community involvement/development,

  sustainability/environmental impact and

  business ethics.

ESG COMPENSATION CONSIDERATIONS The Company’s bonus program takes into consideration ESG factors

The Committee also retains the ability to pay ultimately a lower amount, including the discretion not to pay an annual incentive bonus.

The 2021 annual incentive bonus payable to each executive officer was determined by adjusting the applicable portion of the target incentive bonus amount (listed in the tables below under the column

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 41


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

entitled “Weighting”) based on objective financial criteria in two areas (each listed in the table below under the column entitled “Metric”), with the result being subject to any Discretionary Adjustment as described above. Each financial metric had associated with it a threshold 50% payout level, a 100% payout level and a 175% payout level (listed in the table below under the columns entitled “Threshold”, “Target” and “Maximum”, respectively). With respect to both financial metrics (and subject to the Discretionary Adjustment), results below the threshold 50% payout level would not result in any payment and results above the maximum would not result in any additional payment. The percentage payout for results between the threshold and maximum were to be determined on a linear sliding scale basis between the two metric points on either side of the actual result (i.e., between the threshold and the target, or the target and the maximum, as applicable).

Consistent with recent years, for 2021 the two financial metrics utilized by the Committee were:

Pretax Margin: the pretax income of our Company divided by the gross revenue of our Company, excluding net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and, net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events) and, in the discretion of the Committee, excluding the effects of non-operating items, such as asset impairments and legal settlements; and

Return on Equity: net income attributable to our Company divided by average invested stockholders’ equity (total equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/loss and noncontrolling interests), subject to the same adjustment for current year net investment gains/losses from the investment portfolio and venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events) and potential other adjustments as apply to the pretax margin metric.

The Committee set the target financial metric payout levels at the pretax margin and return on equity set forth in our Company’s 2021 financial plan, which was unanimously approved by our Company’s Board of Directors following the general process described on page 38. The pretax margin and return on equity targets were determined based on earnings that exceeded the consensus of estimates by analysts at the time. The Committee believes these metrics, and the related performance levels, are indicators as to whether our Company, given the environment in which it is operating, has generated value for stockholders. The Committee also believes these metrics are utilized by stockholders, potential stockholders and their advisors in determining the value of our Company.

The target performance levels and actual performance for 2021 with respect to the financial metrics were as follows:

Metric

Weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Actual

2021

Results(1)

Metric

Payout

Percentage

Pretax Margin(2)

 

50%

 

 

7.6%

 

 

10.8%

 

 

13.5%

 

 

15.8%

 

 

175%

 

Return on Equity(3)

 

50%

 

 

8.0%

 

 

11.4%

 

 

14.3%

 

 

20.1%

 

 

175%

 

Total

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

175%

 

(1)

For purposes of determining performance level achievement, the Committee uses preliminary results and only considers an adjustment to the annual incentive bonus amount if final results would result in a greater than 5% change in the amount. As a result of this practice and the non-GAAP adjustments discussed in the following footnotes, the number in the “Actual 2021 Results” column may differ from the results reported in our Company’s financial statements.

(2)

The Committee defines pretax margin as the pretax income of our Company divided by the gross revenue of our Company, excluding net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events). This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of this measure and a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

(3)

The Committee defines return on equity as the net income attributable to our Company (adjusted for net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio, other than in connection with certain liquidity events) divided by average invested stockholders’ equity (total equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/loss, noncontrolling

42 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

interests and current year net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and current year net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio, other than in connection with certain liquidity events). This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of this measure and a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

In considering whether a Discretionary Adjustment should be made to the annual incentive bonus, the Committee took into account notable achievements, as well as challenges, towards creating long-term value for stockholders. For 2021, the Committee did not make any Discretionary Adjustments.

Subject to the Committee’s ability to award a lower amount, including the ability not to award any bonus, for 2022 the annual incentive bonuses of the executive officers are expected to again be determined based on our Company’s return on equity (weighted 50%) and pretax margin (weighted 50%). For 2022, the Committee changed the superior performance level payout of the incentive bonus from 175% to 200%, with the superior performance threshold increasing from 125% to 133% of target. Actual performance could result in payouts ranging from 50% to 200% of target, or 0% if performance is below threshold levels. Also for 2022, the Committee revised the calculation of the return on equity and pretax margin financial metrics to exclude all net investment gains/losses from our Company’s venture investment portfolio, including those gains/losses recorded in connection with a liquidity event. The Committee reviews the performance of our investment portfolio and venture investment portfolio when considering whether to make a Discretionary Adjustment. For 2022, as was the case with respect to 2021, non-metric factors can result in a Discretionary Adjustment that can modify the incentive bonus payout by up to +/- 30 percentage points.

The 2022 target annual incentive bonus amount will be adjusted in the same manner as in 2021, in that results below the threshold 50% payout level do not result in any payment and results above the maximum do not result in any additional payment. The percentage payout for results between the threshold and maximum are determined on a linear sliding scale basis between the two metric points on either side of the actual result (i.e., between the threshold and the target, or the target and the maximum, as applicable).

The Committee believes that retaining the two primary financial metrics utilized in the past, coupled with evaluation of a potential Discretionary Adjustment based on internal or external factors as described above, advances the objective of our Company’s annual incentive bonus program and properly balances the importance of (i) compensating based on objective short-term financial results that are important to investors, and (ii) retaining the ability to take into account the Committee’s subjective determination with respect to long-term value creation and overall performance.

Annual Cash Bonus

As part of its review in early 2021, the Committee set target cash bonus amounts as follows:

Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore’s target cash bonus increased from $1,710,000 to $1,845,000,

Mr. DeGiorgio. Mr. DeGiorgio’s target cash bonus increased from $800,000 to $875,000,

Mr. Leavell. Mr. Leavell’s target cash bonus increased from $750,000 to $825,000,

Mr. Seaton. Mr. Seaton’s target cash bonus increased from $650,000 to $725,000, and

Mr. Wajner. Mr. Wajner’s target cash bonus increased from $147,000 to $157,500.

The decision to change the target cash bonus amounts for each NEO was based on the Committee’s assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, particularly in light of the strong performance of both the executives and our Company during 2020 and the fact that target cash bonuses for the NEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 43


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Each NEO’s cash bonus for 2021 was determined by adjusting the target cash bonus amount based on the level of achievement of the annual incentive bonus financial metrics described above. The following table summarizes the computation of the 2021 annual cash bonuses for each NEO. It also provides the cash bonus amount for 2020 for comparison purposes. The amounts in the table below are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table under the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

Named Executive Officer

2021 Target

Annual

Cash

Bonus

2021

Metric

Result(1)

2021 Actual

Cash

Bonus

2020 Actual

Cash

Bonus

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,845,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

3,228,750

 

 

 

$

2,120,400

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

875,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

992,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

930,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

806,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

157,500

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

275,625

 

 

 

$

182,280

 

 

(1)

The target performance levels and actual performance with respect to the financial metrics are set forth in the Metric summary table on page 42.

In February 2022, the Committee determined target cash bonus amounts for 2022. The Committee determined, after reviewing relevant market data, that the total annual incentive plan bonus amount (both cash and Bonus RSUs) for Mr. Wajner warranted an increase of $10,000. Under the terms of the annual incentive plan, based on Mr. Wajner’s total expected compensation for 2022, a greater percentage of his annual bonus will be paid in Bonus RSUs and less in cash. Consequently, the Committee decreased Mr. Wajner’s target cash bonus from $157,500 to $153,000. The Committee determined that peer company and market data did not warrant an adjustment to the target cash bonuses of the other NEOs. In March 2022, the Committee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s target cash bonus amount in connection with his promotion to CEO in February 2022, and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company data, his target annual cash bonus for 2022 should be increased from $875,000 to $1,750,000 for the full year.

Annual Equity Bonus

For 2021, the Committee set the target Bonus RSU amounts as follows:

Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore’s target Bonus RSU increased from $2,090,000 to $2,255,000,

Mr. DeGiorgio. Mr. DeGiorgio’s target Bonus RSU amount increased from $800,000 to $875,000,

Mr. Leavell. Mr. Leavell’s target Bonus RSU amount increased from $750,000 to $825,000,

Mr. Seaton. Mr. Seaton’s target Bonus RSU amount increased from $650,000 to $725,000, and

Mr. Wajner. Mr. Wajner’s target Bonus RSU amount increased from $63,000 to $67,500.

The decision to change the Bonus RSU amounts for each NEO was based on the Committee’s assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, particularly in light of the strong performance of both the executives and our Company during 2020 and the fact that target Bonus RSUs for the NEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018.

Each NEO’s Bonus RSUs for 2021 were determined by adjusting the target Bonus RSU amount based on the level of achievement of the annual incentive bonus financial metrics described above. The following table summarizes the computation of the 2021 Bonus RSUs for each NEO. It also provides the Bonus RSU amount for 2020 for comparison purposes.

44 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Named Executive Officer

2021 Target

Bonus

RSU Amount

2021 Metric

Result(1)

2021 Actual

Bonus

RSU

Amount

2020 Bonus

RSU Amount

Gilmore, D.

 

$

2,255,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

3,946,250

 

 

 

$

2,591,600

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

875,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

992,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

930,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

806,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

67,500

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

118,125

 

 

 

$

78,120

 

 

(1)

The target performance levels and actual performance with respect to the financial metrics are set forth in the metric summary table on page 42.

Bonus RSUs are denominated in units of our Company’s common stock. In accordance with Company policy, the number of units granted to a NEO in 2022 for 2021 performance was determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Bonus RSUs that the Committee determined to be granted by the fair market value of our Company’s stock on February 22, 2022, the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange was open for trading following the filing of our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan defines the fair market value as the last sale price reported for a share of our Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day preceding the grant date. These underlying shares, plus any dividend equivalent shares accrued during the vesting period, are generally distributed to the executive upon vesting.

The Bonus RSUs awarded to NEOs vest at a rate of 25% on each anniversary of the date of grant. Vesting accelerates in certain circumstances, including death, disability and normal retirement. In addition, vesting of the Bonus RSUs accelerates in connection with early retirement and termination by our Company without cause. Early retirement means the termination of the recipient’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 55 and 10 years of service. Normal retirement means the termination of the recipient’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 62 (for RSUs granted prior to 2021) or age 60 (for RSUs granted in or after 2021), irrespective of the number of years of service. In the case of death or disability, delivery of the underlying shares is made as soon as administratively practicable. In the case of normal retirement or early retirement or termination by our Company without cause, delivery of the underlying shares is made one year after the termination date. A holder of RSUs has none of the rights of a stockholder unless and until shares are actually delivered to the holder. In the case of disability, early retirement, normal retirement and termination by our Company without cause, the NEO shall also be required to sign a separation agreement.

The Bonus RSUs issued in 2021 and 2022 to our Company’s NEOs, based on the level of achievement in 2020 and 2021, respectively, provided that, except in the case of death, disability or certain change-in-control scenarios, none of the Bonus RSUs would vest unless certain performance criteria were met. In particular, Bonus RSUs would not vest unless the net income of our Company in the year of grant was at least $25 million, excluding Extraordinary Items. For purposes of this calculation, “Extraordinary Items” means (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) extraordinary, unusual and/or nonrecurring items of gain or loss and (f) foreign exchange gains and losses. The Committee determined that this target was met for 2021, with the result that the Bonus RSUs granted in 2021 to the NEOs would vest, subject to satisfaction of other applicable conditions.

It should be noted that as required by applicable rules, the Summary Compensation, Grants of Plan-Based Awards and Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End tables in this proxy statement reflect Bonus RSUs issued to the NEOs in 2021 for performance in 2020. Similarly, the Bonus RSUs issued in

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 45


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

2022 for performance in 2021 are not reflected in those tables contained in this proxy statement. Applicable rules require that these tables only reflect equity awards granted to the NEOs in 2021.

In February 2022, the Committee determined target Bonus RSU amounts for 2022. The Committee determined, after reviewing relevant market data, that the target Bonus RSU amount for Mr. Wajner warranted an adjustment. Consequently, the Committee increased Mr. Wajner’s target Bonus RSU amount from $67,500 to $82,000. The Committee determined that peer company and market data did not warrant an adjustment to the target Performance RSU amounts of the other NEOs. The Committee decreased the annual vesting period from four year to three years for Bonus RSUs to be granted in 2023 and future years. In March 2022, the Committee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s target Bonus RSU amount in connection with his promotion to CEO on February 2022, and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company data, his target Bonus RSU amount for 2022 should be increased from $875,000 to $1,750,000 for the full year.

Long-Term Equity Incentives

The Committee has continued its practice of providing long-term incentives to our executive officers through the issuance of RSUs (“LTI Awards”). Beginning with LTI Awards made to NEOs in 2022 (in connection with 2021 performance), 75% of an NEO’s LTI Award will be subject to time-based vesting over three years (“LTI RSUs”) and 25% will be subject to a three-year performance period and will vest on the third anniversary of the grant based on our Company’s total stockholder return relative to the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the end of a three-year performance period, as further detailed below (“LTI PRSUs”).

The Committee believes that LTI Awards effectively align the interests of executive officers with those of its long-term stockholders. The Committee believes that LTI Awards, particularly when coupled with the Bonus RSUs, increase alignment between executive officers and our Company’s long-term stockholders, discourage executive officers from taking excessive risk for short-term gains, focus executive officers on increasing long-term stockholder value and increase retention.

The approximate dollar values of the LTI Awards granted by the Committee to each of the NEOs in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance are provided in the following table, together with the comparable amount granted in 2021 for 2020 performance:

Named Executive Officer

LTI RSUs

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)

LTI PRSUs

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)(2)

Total LTI Awards

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)

LTI Awards

Granted in 2021 in Connection

with 2020 Performance(1)

Gilmore, D.

 

$

3,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

4,000,000

 

 

 

$

3,275,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

1,575,000

 

 

 

$

525,000

 

 

 

$

2,100,000

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

1,312,500

 

 

 

$

437,500

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

956,250

 

 

 

$

318,750

 

 

 

$

1,275,000

 

 

 

$

1,275,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

$

50,000

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

(1)

The actual grant date dollar value of the RSUs may differ slightly from these dollar amounts in the table due to rounding. The LTI Awards granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance were granted on February 22, 2022, and the LTI Awards granted in 2021 in connection with 2020 performance were granted on February 18, 2021, in both cases pursuant to our Company’s policy adopted byof granting RSUs to executive officers on the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange (or any other exchange on which securitiesis open for trading following the submission of the Company are listed) pursuant to Section 10DAnnual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)

The dollar amount reflects the target grant value of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requiresLTI PRSU award approved by the Company to recover such compensation.Committee. The Company has also adopted policies generally prohibiting executive officers and certain other employees from holding Company securities in a margin account, pledging Company securities as collateral and hedging ownership of Company securities by engaging in short sales or trading in option contracts involving Company securities.

Benefits and Perquisites

Executive officers are entitled to employee benefits generally available to all full-time employeesactual value of the Company (subjectaward and the number of shares ultimately received by a recipient will vary primarily based on our total shareholder return over the three-year performance period relative to fulfilling any minimum service requirement), such as health and welfare benefits. The executive officers are also eligible to receive an incremental long-term disability insurance benefit that is not available to all employees. In designing these elements the Company seeks to provide an overall level of benefits that is competitive with the level of benefits offered by similar companies in the markets in which it operates.

Employment Agreements

Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell and Seaton are parties to employment agreements withS&P MidCap 400 Index at the Company. Messrs. Gilmore and DeGiorgio originally entered into their employment agreements in 2008 and Messrs. Leavell and Seaton originally entered into their employment agreements in 2014. Each of the agreements were most recently renewed in 2017 and the term of each of the agreements now expires on December 31, 2020. The decision to renew the agreements reflected the Committee’s favorable evaluationbeginning of the performance period. The grant date

46 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

fair values of these executives, its viewthe awards, as determined under applicable accounting guidance, are as follows:  $1,307,641 for Mr. Gilmore, $686,498 for Mr. Degiorgio, $572,082 for Mr. Leavell, $416,796 for Mr. Seaton and $65,355 for Mr. Wajner.

In determining the amount of LTI RSUs and target LTI PRSUs to grant to executive officers, the Committee reviewed the performance of our Company and the executive officers along with compensation levels at peer companies and market data. The Committee also took into account the notable achievements that our Company and executive officers made, as well as the challenges faced, in executing our strategy and creating long-term value for stockholders, including:

Strategic Initiatives

completion of a number of acquisitions and equity investments that the contracts provide an important retention incentivefacilitated our Company’s growth strategy;

continued investment in, and progress on, our digital title and closing initiatives, including our mobile-first title and escrow company and several new product launches;

growth in our Company’s data and analytics business, including maintenance of our position as market leader in title data coverage, reduced dependency on third-party data providers and the potential benefit

expansion of title plant coverage on a go forward basis into 1,000 additional counties;

changes in our Company’s United States title insurance market share;

LTI AWARDS REFLECT NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS LTI awards reflect our successes in strategic initiatives and ESG

Compliance and Risk Management

effective management of underwriting risk;

compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations;

maintenance of effective internal controls;

effective controls minimizing information security risks;

the effective management of litigation matters;

the transition of applications to the Company from the non-competition, non-solicitation and other covenants in the contracts. The agreements specify minimum base salaries equal to the base salaries paid to such individuals at the time of execution thereof, namely $950,000, $750,000, $700,000 and $600,000 for Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell and Seaton, respectively. Determinations regarding bonus amounts, long term incentive awards and any increases in base salary remain at the discretion of the Committee.

The agreements provide that if the Company terminates the executive’s employment without cause, the executive is entitled to an amount representing twice the sum of the executive’s base salary and the second largest of the prior three years’ bonuses. Half of this sum would be paid over the first year following termination in twelve equal monthly installments, and the other half would be paid at the end of this one-year period. The executive’s receipt of these amounts would be contingent on the Company’s receipt of a release from the executive as well as the executive’s compliance with certain non-solicitation and confidentiality provisions contained within the agreement. In addition, if the executive’s employment is terminated without cause and the executive would otherwise, during the term of the agreement, have reached his “early retirement date” under the Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan (the “SERP”), which is discussed in further detail below, then the executive’s benefit will be deemed vested on his early retirement date notwithstanding the termination. No additional benefits are payable in the event that the executive voluntarily terminates or termination is on account of death or disability or is for cause.

36 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Under the agreements, cause is defined to include (1) the executive officer’s physical or mental inability to perform the essential functions of his job, (2) willful breach of any fiduciary duties owed to the Company, (3) willful failure to comply with applicable rules and regulations, (4) gross incompetence in the performance of job duties, (5) commission of crimes involving moral turpitude, fraud, or misrepresentation, (6) the failure to perform duties consistent with a commercially reasonable standard of care, (7) refusal to perform job duties or reasonable directives from his superior or the Board of Directors and (8) any gross negligence or willful misconductcloud, resulting in loss or damage to the reputation of the Company.

The agreements are attached as an exhibit to the Form 10-K filed by the Company on February 16, 2018.

Change-in-Control and Post-Termination Arrangements

The Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan generally provides for the accelerated vesting of awards in the event of a change-in-control of the Company, except as otherwise provided in an award agreement. Award agreements evidencing outstanding RSUs provide that vesting will not accelerate as a result of a change-in-control that has been approved by the Company’s incumbent Board of Directors. There are no outstanding awards that accelerate upon a change-in-control that is approved by the incumbent Board of Directors.

Prior to January 1, 2011, the SERP generally provided for the accelerated vesting of benefits in the event of a change-in-control of the Company that was not approved by the Company’s incumbent directors and, upon the subsequent termination of the participant’s employment for any reason, the commencement of benefits as though the participant had attained normal retirement age. The Company amended the SERP, effective as of January 1, 2011, to, among other changes, require as a condition to the commencement of benefits the involuntary termination of the participant within 36 months of the change-in-control. In that event the amendments also provided for an actuarial reduction in the benefit payable to participants who had not yet reached age 55. Participants age 55 and older would receive the benefit they would otherwise have been entitled to at termination absent a change in control.

The document evidencing the SERP is attached as an exhibit to the Form 10-K filed by the Company on March 1, 2011 and Amendment No. 1 thereto is attached as an exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2015.

Change-in-Control Agreements.

As part of the Company’s efforts to retain key employees, it has entered into agreements with each of the NEOs to provide for certain benefits in the event the executive officer is terminated following a change-in-control. In October 2010, the Company amended these agreements to eliminate the excise tax gross-up for benefits payable under the agreements, to eliminate the obligation of the Company to pay benefits if the executive voluntarily terminates employment within 30 days of the one year anniversary of a change-in-control (commonly referred to as a “single trigger” provision) and to reduce the multiple of base and bonus payable from three to two. In the opinion of the Committee, these changes reflected current best practices with respect to such agreements.

Under the agreement a “change-in-control” means any one of the following with respect to the Company:

a merger or consolidation of the Company in which the Company’s stockholders end up owning less than 50% of the voting securities of the surviving entity;

the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 37


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

a change in the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors over a two-year period as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are incumbent directors, as defined in the agreement; or

the acquisition or accumulation by any person or group, subject to certain limited exceptions, of at least 25% of the Company’s voting securities.

If the termination of the executive officer’s employment occurs without cause or if the executive officer terminates his employment for good reason within 36 months following the change-in-control, the Company is required to pay the following benefits in one lump sum within ten business days:

the executive officer’s base salary through and including the date of termination and any accrued but unpaid annual incentive bonus;

an annual incentive bonus for the year in which the termination occurs in an amount equal to the target bonus for the year of termination (or if there is no target annual incentive bonus or under certain other specified circumstances, the average of the annual incentive bonuses paid for the three prior years), prorated through the date of termination;

accrued and unpaid vacation pay;

unreimbursed business expenses;

two times the executive officer’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the termination; and

two times the executive’s target bonus (or if there is no target annual incentive bonus or under certain other specified circumstances, two times the average of the annual incentive bonuses paid for the three prior years).

In addition, for a period of 24 months following the date on which the executive officer’s employment terminates, the Company will provide the same level of benefits and perquisites that the executive officer received at the time of termination or, if more favorable to the executive officer, at the time at which the change-in-control occurred. These benefits include tax-qualified and nonqualified savings plan benefits (excluding, however, any supplemental benefit plans), medical insurance, disability income protection, life insurance coverage and death benefits. To the extent that the executive officer cannot participate in the plans previously available, the Company will provide such benefits (or a cash equivalent) on the same after-tax basis as if they had been available. These obligations are reduced by any welfare benefits made available to the executive officer from subsequent employers.

If the amount payable under the agreements, together with other payments and benefits, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” under the Internal Revenue Code and, consequently, be subject to excise tax, the change-in-control agreements provide for a reduction in operational and information security risk;

the amount payableremediation of audit and compliance findings;

ESG

successful succession planning;

management of the impact from the coronavirus pandemic through effective use of remote and hybrid work arrangements;

successful employee engagement efforts, as reflected in our Company’s inclusion on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the sixth consecutive year; a perfect 100% score on Human Rights Campaign’s Best Place to Work for LGBTQ for the fifth year in a row; and 92% of employees surveyed for the Fortune Trust Index agreeing that amountour Company is a “great place to work;”

publication of the 2020 annual sustainability report, which, among other things, indicates that would resultfor U.S. owned facilities

o     between 2013 to 2020, our Company substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions,

o     total waste to landfill emissions were substantially offset by recycling practices,

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 47


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

oelectricity consumption meaningfully decreased compared to the previous reporting year, and

o     the CDP 2020 score (representing 2019 activities and GHG emissions) improved to Management B for climate change;

Financial Performance

1-year total stockholder return of 56.2%, comparable to S&P 500 at 28.7% and S&P MidCap 400 at 24.7%;

the increase in the eliminationquarterly common stock dividend to $0.51 per share in the third quarter of the excise tax, provided that the reduced amount exceeds the amount the executive officer would receive if the excise tax had been applied.

The change-in-control agreements would initially have expired on December 31, 2012; however, they automatically extend for additional one-year periods unless either party notifies the other not later than the preceding January 1 that it does not wish to extend the term.

The form change-in-control agreement is attached as2021, an exhibit to the Form 10-Q filed by the Company on November 1, 2010.

38 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Payments due Upon Termination and/or a Change-in-Control.11% increase;

Calculationsthe repurchase of 1.7 million shares for a total of $99 million during 2021;

the recording of approximately $341 million of gains related to our Company’s venture investment portfolio; and further explanation of the payments due the NEOs upon termination of employment and/or a change-in-control are found under the portion of the “Executive Compensation Tables” section of this document entitled “2017 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”

Retirement Benefitsour excellent operating performance.

NEOs may participate in several benefit plans that provide benefits upon retirement. Such retirement benefits include:

LTI PRSUs are denominated in units of our Company’s common stock. In accordance with Company policy, the number of target units granted to a NEO in 2022 for 2021 performance was determined by dividing the dollar amount of the LTI PRSUs that the Committee determined to be granted by the fair market value of our Company’s stock on February 22, 2022 (“Target PRSUs”), the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange was open for trading following the filing of our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan defines the fair market value as the last sale price reported for a share of our Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day preceding the grant date. A holder of LTI PRSUs has none of the rights of a stockholder unless and until shares are actually delivered to the holder.

The shares underlying the Target PRSUs, plus any dividend equivalent shares accrued prior to delivery, generally become earned upon satisfaction of the service requirement. The service requirement is satisfied if the recipient does not experience a termination prior to the third anniversary of the date of grant. LTI PRSUs represent the right to receive shares of common stock of our Company in an amount from 0% to 200% of the Target PRSUs. The number of Target PRSUs earned will be determined based on relative total stockholder return over a three-year performance period as compared to the companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the beginning of the performance period (the “Index”) with the number of delivered shares equal to the number of Target PRSUs multiplied by the applicable percentage set forth in the following table (“Earned PRSUs”).

 

Performance Level

rTRS Rank(1)

Payout(2)

Below Threshold

<25th Percentile

 

 

0%

Threshold

25th Percentile

50%

Target

50th Percentile

100%

Maximum

>=75th Percentile

200%

 

Benefit

 

Background

First American Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan

The First American Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan is a tax-qualified profit-sharing plan generally available to all employees, which authorizes company matching contributions based on the amount of employee pretax contributions and a schedule that ties the amount of matching contributions to the Company’s profitability. For 2017, for each $1.00 employees contributed to the plan up to 3% of the employee’s eligible compensation, the Company provided a match of $1.25.

Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan*

The Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan is limited to a select group of management and is closed to new participants.

First American Financial Corporation Pension Plan*

The pension plan was generally available to employees who participated before 2002. The plan was terminated in 2016 and participants were offered annuity payments or, for certain participants, an alternative lump sum distribution option.

First American Financial Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan*

The Deferred Compensation Plan is limited to a select group of management.

*

Further explanation of these plans can be found in the 2017 Pension Benefits and 2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation sections in the “Executive Compensation Tables” section.

The Company believes that these plans provide a valuable recruiting and retention mechanism for its executive officers and enable it to compete more successfully for qualified executive talent.(1)

As part of its efforts to curtail therTSR Rank is calculated based on our Company’s expenses, in 2010 management recommended certain changestotal stockholder return relative to the benefits payable undertotal stockholder return of each company in the SERP. In response to this recommendationIndex.

(2)

For performance between threshold and based on its own analysis of practices at comparable companies with respect to similar plans, effective January 1, 2011,target and between target and maximum, the Committee closed the SERP to new participants and, as partpercentage of the amendments described above, fixed as of December 31, 2010Target PRSUs that become Earned PRSUs will be determined on straight line interpolation.

LTI PRSUs granted in 2022 have a performance period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.

The service requirement is also deemed satisfied in certain circumstances, including death, disability and normal retirement. Normal retirement means the termination of the executive’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 60 irrespective of the number of years of service. In the case of disability, normal retirement and termination by our Company without cause the executive shall also be

48 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

required to sign a separation agreement. In the case of death or disability, the executive shall receive shares equal to the number of Target PRSUs as soon as administratively practicable. In the case of normal retirement, the executive shall receive shares equal to the number of Earned PRSUs after the end of the performance period.

In addition, the service requirement is deemed satisfied in connection with termination by our Company without cause, but only for the portion of the three-year vesting period actually completed, with payout based on actual performance at the end of the performance period.

The terms of the LTI RSUs are identical to the terms of the Bonus RSUs described above beginning on page 45, except the LTI RSUs granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance vest annually over a three-year period instead of a four-year period. Like Bonus RSUs, LTI RSUs for executive officers are also tied to a performance-vesting condition.

As indicated above with respect to Bonus RSUs, as required by applicable rules, LTI Awards granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance are not reflected in the Summary Compensation table, the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table or the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End table contained herein. Those tables reflect LTI Awards granted in 2021 in connection with 2020 performance.

Summary of Base Salary, Cash Bonus, and Equity Incentive Compensation Paid for 2021

The following table summarizes for each NEO the amount paid or awarded in connection with 2021 performance in the form of total base salary, cash bonus (paid in 2022 for 2021 performance), Bonus RSUs (granted in 2022 for 2021 performance) and LTI Awards (granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance). This table is not a substitute for the compensation tables required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and included under the heading “Executive Compensation Tables” herein, but it provides a more accurate picture of how the Committee viewed its compensation actions for the NEOs in connection with performance in 2021:

 

 

Paid/Issued in 2022 in Connection with 2021 Performance

 

 

Named Executive Officer

Base Salary

Paid in 2021

Actual

Cash Bonus

Bonus RSUs

LTI RSUs

LTI PRSUs(1)

Total for

2021

Total for

2020

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

3,228,750

 

 

 

$

3,946,250

 

 

 

$

3,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

12,175,000

 

 

 

$

8,987,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

1,575,000

 

 

 

$

525,000

 

 

 

$

5,937,500

 

 

 

$

4,509,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

1,312,500

 

 

 

$

437,500

 

 

 

$

5,362,500

 

 

 

$

4,335,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

956,250

 

 

 

$

318,750

 

 

 

$

4,462,500

 

 

 

$

3,537,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

$

275,625

 

 

 

$

118,125

 

 

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

$

50,000

 

 

 

$

893,750

 

 

 

$

775,400

 

 

(1)

The dollar amount reflects the compensation used to determine benefits payable under the SERP. The amendments also capped the annual benefit to a maximum of $500,000 for the Company’s chief executive officer and $350,000 for other participants.

Conclusion

The final level and mix of compensation determined by the Committee is considered within the context of both the objective data from a competitive assessment of compensation and performance, as well as discussion of the subjective factors as outlined above. The Committee believes that each of the

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 39


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

compensation packages for the NEOs is within the competitive range of practices when compared to the objective comparative data even where qualitative factors have influenced the compensation decisions.

Impact of Tax and Accounting

As a general matter, the Committee takes into account the various tax and accounting implications of compensation vehicles employed by the Company.

When determining amounts of long-term incentive grants to executive officers and employees, the Committee examines the accounting cost associated with the grants. Under accounting guidance, grants of stock options and RSUs result in an accounting charge for the Company. The accounting charge is equal to the fairtarget grant value of the instruments being issued. For RSUs,LTI PRSU award approved by the cost is generally equal to the fairCommittee. The actual value of the stock on the date of grant timesaward and the number of shares granted. Generally, this expense is amortizedultimately received by a recipient will vary based on our total shareholder return over the requisite service period. With respectthree-year performance period relative to stock options, the Company calculatescompanies in the fair valueS&P MidCap 400 Index at the beginning of the option and amortizes that amount into expense over the vestingperformance period.

The Committee has designed the Company’s compensation programs to conform to Section 162(m)grant date fair values of the Internal Revenue Codeawards, as determined under applicable accounting guidance, are as follows:  $1,307,641 for Mr. Gilmore, $686,498 for Mr. Degiorgio, $572,082 for Mr. Leavell, $416,796 for Mr. Seaton and related regulations so that total compensation paid to its NEOs would not exceed $1,000,000 in any one year, except$65,355 for compensation payments that qualified as “performance-based.” However, recent changes to Section 162(m) eliminated the “performance-based” exception, except for a limited exception with respect to written, binding contracts in effect on November 2, 2017, and, as a result, starting in 2018 executive compensation is not likely to be fully deductible.Mr. Wajner.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on its review and discussion with management, the Compensation Committee on March 6, 2018 recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Composed entirely of
independent directors

GENERAL

The Committee is comprised entirely of independent members of the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews and approves the base salaries of the executive officers of our Company, their annual incentive bonus programs, their long-term incentive compensation and other incentive and executive benefit plans. It also reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding director compensation. The Committee, in consultation with the independent compensation consultant that it retains, analyzes the reasonableness of the compensation paid to the executive officers. In discharging its functions, as described in more detail above, the Committee reviews compensation data from comparable companies and from relevant surveys, which it utilizes to assess the reasonableness of compensation for our Company’s executive officers.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

The Committee’s function is more fully described in its charter, which is regularly reviewed and has been approved by our Company’s Board of Directors. The charter is available in the corporate governance section of our Company’s website at www.firstam.com.

SETTING ANNUAL INCENTIVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PERFORMANCE METRICS

The Committee sets the annual incentive executive compensation performance metrics, such as pretax margin and return on equity, based on our Company’s financial plan for the applicable year, which

ANNUAL INCENTIVE METRICS AIP metrics set based on rigorous financial planning process that includes third-party forecasts and that recognized the cyclical nature of our business

is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors. Our financial plan is developed following a robust budgeting process that contemplates difficult to forecast levels of real estate activity, mortgage originations and interest rates, expenses, capital and liquidity needs, tax rates, and investment needs. Our Board of Directors also considers industry data and forecasts, risks and challenges associated with achievement of the financial plan, and other key budgeting assumptions before approving our financial plan from which the annual incentive executive compensation targets are determined.

The third-party forecasts of real estate and mortgage activity used by our Board as part of this process, while helpful to our planning efforts, are often inaccurate and sometimes materially inaccurate.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Due to the cyclical nature of our business, our financial plan, and, consequently, the metrics utilized in our annual incentive plan, are not tied to the prior year’s actual results. The Committee believes that setting rigorous performance metrics in light of the expected business climate – as opposed to the business climate in earlier periods – incentivizes performance and, thereby, maximizes value to our stockholders and to do otherwise would demotivate our employees.

INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.

In making its determinations with respect to executive officer compensation, the Committee engages the services of Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. to assist with its review of the compensation package of the chief executive officer and other executive officers. In addition, the compensation consultant has assisted the Committee with related projects, such as evaluating non-employee director pay levels, advice with respect to the design of executive compensation programs, review of annual management incentive bonus plans, preparation or review of certain of our Company’s compensation-related disclosures and related tasks.

The Committee retains the compensation consultant directly, although in carrying out assignments, the compensation consultant also interacts with Company management to the extent necessary and appropriate. The compensation consultant performs no services for management, though, at the direction of the Committee, it does assist in the preparation or review of certain of our Company’s compensation-related disclosures, including this Compensation Disclosure and Analysis, and related projects. The Committee has assessed the independence of the consultant and has concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent the consultant from serving as an independent consultant to the Committee.

MANAGEMENT

Our Company’s chief executive officer and, as appropriate, certain other executive officers, may attend the portion of the Committee’s meetings where individual executive officer performance is discussed. Directors other than Committee members also may attend Committee meetings, including the portion where executive officer performance is discussed. While the Committee may meet with our Company’s chief executive officer to discuss the chief executive officer’s own compensation package and the chief executive officer’s recommendations with respect to the other executive officers, all ultimate decisions regarding executive compensation are made solely by the Committee, with input from its compensation consultant.

Pay Elements and Practices

As noted above, our Company utilizes four main components of compensation: (1) base salary, (2) annual cash bonus, (3) annual equity bonus, and (4) long-term equity incentive. Each of the pay elements is described in detail below.

Base Salary

The Committee sets base salaries for executive officers based on the individual’s position within our Company and the individual’s current and sustained performance results. The Committee reviews executive officer base salaries each year and makes any adjustments it deems necessary based on, among other factors, the overall performance of our Company, new roles and/or responsibilities assumed by the executive officer, the general performance of the business units or departments over which the

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 39


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

executive officer has responsibility, the significance of the executive officer’s impact on the achievement of our Company’s strategic goals, the executive officer’s length of service with our Company and the executive officer’s base salary relative to the base salaries of similar individuals in peer companies and market data. The Committee gives no specific weighting to any one factor in setting the level of base salary and the process ultimately relies on the subjective exercise of the Committee’s judgment. Based on our Company’s peer group and relevant compensation survey data, the Committee also takes into account the executive officer’s potential as a key contributor and amounts that may be required to recruit new executive officers.

Other than in the case of new hires or promotions, the Committee generally determines base salaries for executive officers around the beginning of each calendar year. As described below under “Employment Agreements,” Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell and Seaton have employment agreements with our Company that specify their respective minimum base salaries. These minimum base salaries are indicated in the column entitled “Minimum Base Salary” in the table below. These amounts may be increased at the discretion of the Committee.

In February of 2021, the Committee reviewed executive officer compensation, including base salaries. The Committee determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, particularly in light of the strong performance of both the executives and our Company during 2020 and the fact that base salaries for the NEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018, the base salaries should be adjusted for all NEOs other than Mr. Gilmore. As a result, the Committee increased Mr. DeGiorgio’s base salary from $775,000 to $825,000; Mr. Leavell’s from $725,000 to $775,000; Mr. Seaton’s from $650,000 to $700,000; and Mr. Wajner’s from $315,000 to $325,000.

In summary, the base salaries of the NEOs as of December 31, 2020 and as of December 31, 2021, and the minimum base salary as required by their respective employment agreements are as follows:

Named Executive Officer

December 31, 2020

Base Salary

December 31, 2021

Base Salary

Minimum Base

Salary

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

$

825,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

775,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

$

325,000

 

 

 

None

 

 

In February 2022, the Committee reviewed executive officer base salaries and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, the base salaries were appropriate and did not warrant adjustment, with the exception of Mr. Wajner, whose base salary was increased to $350,000 from $325,000. In March 2022, the Committee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s base salary in connection with his promotion to CEO on February 4, 2022, and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company data, his base salary should be increased from $825,000 to $925,000, effective as of the date of his promotion.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Annual Incentive Bonus

ATYPICAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE BONUS STRUCTURE AIP bonus paid in both cash and equity to increase stockholder alignment, balance risk taking, focus on long-term value and increase retention

The Committee considers the annual incentive bonus to be a critical component of our broader compensation program. The annual incentive program is tied to the annual performance of our Company and is comprised to two components: an annual cash bonus and an annual equity bonus (“Bonus RSUs”). The split between cash and equity depends on a participating employee’s total compensation, except that Mr. Gilmore’s split was fixed at 45% cash and 55% Bonus RSUs. This emphasis on annual incentive compensation, as opposed to fixed base salary and long-term equity incentive compensation, reflects the view that key components of our Company’s business operations are cyclical in nature. While we believe that most companies’ annual incentive bonuses are paid solely in cash, the payment of a portion of the annual incentive bonus in Bonus RSUs, combined with the vesting of Bonus RSUs over multi-year period, reflects the Committee’s

desire to increase alignment between participating employees and our Company’s long-term stockholders, to discourage participating employees from taking excessive risk for short-term gains, to focus employees on increasing long-term stockholder value and to increase retention. Accordingly, the Committee believes that an incentive structure tied to annual performance is most effective in motivating and rewarding executive officers to enhance long-term stockholder value.

As was the case in recent years, the Committee structured payouts under the 2021 annual incentive program to be based on measurable performance against specific financial targets that the Committee believes to be key drivers of stockholder value. Like 2020, financial targets collectively accounted for 100% of the annual incentive bonus payout for 2021 to NEOs, with the resulting amount being subject to adjustment of up to 30 percentage points in the discretion of the Committee (the “Discretionary Adjustment”). The Discretionary Adjustment gives the Committee the ability to adjust the annual incentive bonus for unanticipated external factors, such as regulatory changes or meaningful changes in interest

rates; success against strategic initiatives designed to create long-term stockholder value, such as technology projects, risk management efforts, employee engagement, or market share gains/losses in key markets; or ESG actions, initiatives, or omissions that impact—and reflect the role of our Company in—broader society, such as:

  employee development,

  employee engagement survey results and responsiveness,

  inclusion efforts,

  privacy and data protection,

  community involvement/development,

  sustainability/environmental impact and

  business ethics.

ESG COMPENSATION CONSIDERATIONS The Company’s bonus program takes into consideration ESG factors

The Committee also retains the ability to pay ultimately a lower amount, including the discretion not to pay an annual incentive bonus.

The 2021 annual incentive bonus payable to each executive officer was determined by adjusting the applicable portion of the target incentive bonus amount (listed in the tables below under the column

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

entitled “Weighting”) based on objective financial criteria in two areas (each listed in the table below under the column entitled “Metric”), with the result being subject to any Discretionary Adjustment as described above. Each financial metric had associated with it a threshold 50% payout level, a 100% payout level and a 175% payout level (listed in the table below under the columns entitled “Threshold”, “Target” and “Maximum”, respectively). With respect to both financial metrics (and subject to the Discretionary Adjustment), results below the threshold 50% payout level would not result in any payment and results above the maximum would not result in any additional payment. The percentage payout for results between the threshold and maximum were to be determined on a linear sliding scale basis between the two metric points on either side of the actual result (i.e., between the threshold and the target, or the target and the maximum, as applicable).

Consistent with recent years, for 2021 the two financial metrics utilized by the Committee were:

Pretax Margin: the pretax income of our Company divided by the gross revenue of our Company, excluding net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and, net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events) and, in the discretion of the Committee, excluding the effects of non-operating items, such as asset impairments and legal settlements; and

Return on Equity: net income attributable to our Company divided by average invested stockholders’ equity (total equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/loss and noncontrolling interests), subject to the same adjustment for current year net investment gains/losses from the investment portfolio and venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events) and potential other adjustments as apply to the pretax margin metric.

The Committee set the target financial metric payout levels at the pretax margin and return on equity set forth in our Company’s 2021 financial plan, which was unanimously approved by our Company’s Board of Directors following the general process described on page 38. The pretax margin and return on equity targets were determined based on earnings that exceeded the consensus of estimates by analysts at the time. The Committee believes these metrics, and the related performance levels, are indicators as to whether our Company, given the environment in which it is operating, has generated value for stockholders. The Committee also believes these metrics are utilized by stockholders, potential stockholders and their advisors in determining the value of our Company.

The target performance levels and actual performance for 2021 with respect to the financial metrics were as follows:

Metric

Weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Actual

2021

Results(1)

Metric

Payout

Percentage

Pretax Margin(2)

 

50%

 

 

7.6%

 

 

10.8%

 

 

13.5%

 

 

15.8%

 

 

175%

 

Return on Equity(3)

 

50%

 

 

8.0%

 

 

11.4%

 

 

14.3%

 

 

20.1%

 

 

175%

 

Total

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

175%

 

(1)

For purposes of determining performance level achievement, the Committee uses preliminary results and only considers an adjustment to the annual incentive bonus amount if final results would result in a greater than 5% change in the amount. As a result of this practice and the non-GAAP adjustments discussed in the following footnotes, the number in the “Actual 2021 Results” column may differ from the results reported in our Company’s financial statements.

(2)

The Committee defines pretax margin as the pretax income of our Company divided by the gross revenue of our Company, excluding net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio (other than in connection with certain liquidity events). This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of this measure and a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

(3)

The Committee defines return on equity as the net income attributable to our Company (adjusted for net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio, other than in connection with certain liquidity events) divided by average invested stockholders’ equity (total equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/loss, noncontrolling

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

interests and current year net gains/losses from the investment portfolio and current year net gains/losses from the venture investment portfolio, other than in connection with certain liquidity events). This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see Appendix A for the rationale behind the presentation of this measure and a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measure.

In considering whether a Discretionary Adjustment should be made to the annual incentive bonus, the Committee took into account notable achievements, as well as challenges, towards creating long-term value for stockholders. For 2021, the Committee did not make any Discretionary Adjustments.

Subject to the Committee’s ability to award a lower amount, including the ability not to award any bonus, for 2022 the annual incentive bonuses of the executive officers are expected to again be determined based on our Company’s return on equity (weighted 50%) and pretax margin (weighted 50%). For 2022, the Committee changed the superior performance level payout of the incentive bonus from 175% to 200%, with the superior performance threshold increasing from 125% to 133% of target. Actual performance could result in payouts ranging from 50% to 200% of target, or 0% if performance is below threshold levels. Also for 2022, the Committee revised the calculation of the return on equity and pretax margin financial metrics to exclude all net investment gains/losses from our Company’s venture investment portfolio, including those gains/losses recorded in connection with a liquidity event. The Committee reviews the performance of our investment portfolio and venture investment portfolio when considering whether to make a Discretionary Adjustment. For 2022, as was the case with respect to 2021, non-metric factors can result in a Discretionary Adjustment that can modify the incentive bonus payout by up to +/- 30 percentage points.

The 2022 target annual incentive bonus amount will be adjusted in the same manner as in 2021, in that results below the threshold 50% payout level do not result in any payment and results above the maximum do not result in any additional payment. The percentage payout for results between the threshold and maximum are determined on a linear sliding scale basis between the two metric points on either side of the actual result (i.e., between the threshold and the target, or the target and the maximum, as applicable).

The Committee believes that retaining the two primary financial metrics utilized in the past, coupled with evaluation of a potential Discretionary Adjustment based on internal or external factors as described above, advances the objective of our Company’s annual incentive bonus program and properly balances the importance of (i) compensating based on objective short-term financial results that are important to investors, and (ii) retaining the ability to take into account the Committee’s subjective determination with respect to long-term value creation and overall performance.

Annual Cash Bonus

As part of its review in early 2021, the Committee set target cash bonus amounts as follows:

Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore’s target cash bonus increased from $1,710,000 to $1,845,000,

Mr. DeGiorgio. Mr. DeGiorgio’s target cash bonus increased from $800,000 to $875,000,

Mr. Leavell. Mr. Leavell’s target cash bonus increased from $750,000 to $825,000,

Mr. Seaton. Mr. Seaton’s target cash bonus increased from $650,000 to $725,000, and

Mr. Wajner. Mr. Wajner’s target cash bonus increased from $147,000 to $157,500.

The decision to change the target cash bonus amounts for each NEO was based on the Committee’s assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, particularly in light of the strong performance of both the executives and our Company during 2020 and the fact that target cash bonuses for the NEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 43


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Each NEO’s cash bonus for 2021 was determined by adjusting the target cash bonus amount based on the level of achievement of the annual incentive bonus financial metrics described above. The following table summarizes the computation of the 2021 annual cash bonuses for each NEO. It also provides the cash bonus amount for 2020 for comparison purposes. The amounts in the table below are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table under the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

Named Executive Officer

2021 Target

Annual

Cash

Bonus

2021

Metric

Result(1)

2021 Actual

Cash

Bonus

2020 Actual

Cash

Bonus

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,845,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

3,228,750

 

 

 

$

2,120,400

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

875,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

992,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

930,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

806,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

157,500

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

275,625

 

 

 

$

182,280

 

 

(1)

The target performance levels and actual performance with respect to the financial metrics are set forth in the Metric summary table on page 42.

In February 2022, the Committee determined target cash bonus amounts for 2022. The Committee determined, after reviewing relevant market data, that the total annual incentive plan bonus amount (both cash and Bonus RSUs) for Mr. Wajner warranted an increase of $10,000. Under the terms of the annual incentive plan, based on Mr. Wajner’s total expected compensation for 2022, a greater percentage of his annual bonus will be paid in Bonus RSUs and less in cash. Consequently, the Committee decreased Mr. Wajner’s target cash bonus from $157,500 to $153,000. The Committee determined that peer company and market data did not warrant an adjustment to the target cash bonuses of the other NEOs. In March 2022, the Committee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s target cash bonus amount in connection with his promotion to CEO in February 2022, and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company data, his target annual cash bonus for 2022 should be increased from $875,000 to $1,750,000 for the full year.

Annual Equity Bonus

For 2021, the Committee set the target Bonus RSU amounts as follows:

Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore’s target Bonus RSU increased from $2,090,000 to $2,255,000,

Mr. DeGiorgio. Mr. DeGiorgio’s target Bonus RSU amount increased from $800,000 to $875,000,

Mr. Leavell. Mr. Leavell’s target Bonus RSU amount increased from $750,000 to $825,000,

Mr. Seaton. Mr. Seaton’s target Bonus RSU amount increased from $650,000 to $725,000, and

Mr. Wajner. Mr. Wajner’s target Bonus RSU amount increased from $63,000 to $67,500.

The decision to change the Bonus RSU amounts for each NEO was based on the Committee’s assessment of relevant peer company and/or market data, particularly in light of the strong performance of both the executives and our Company during 2020 and the fact that target Bonus RSUs for the NEOs, other than Mr. Wajner, had not been increased since 2018.

Each NEO’s Bonus RSUs for 2021 were determined by adjusting the target Bonus RSU amount based on the level of achievement of the annual incentive bonus financial metrics described above. The following table summarizes the computation of the 2021 Bonus RSUs for each NEO. It also provides the Bonus RSU amount for 2020 for comparison purposes.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Named Executive Officer

2021 Target

Bonus

RSU Amount

2021 Metric

Result(1)

2021 Actual

Bonus

RSU

Amount

2020 Bonus

RSU Amount

Gilmore, D.

 

$

2,255,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

3,946,250

 

 

 

$

2,591,600

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

875,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

992,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

930,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

806,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

67,500

 

 

 

 

175

%

 

 

$

118,125

 

 

 

$

78,120

 

 

(1)

The target performance levels and actual performance with respect to the financial metrics are set forth in the metric summary table on page 42.

Bonus RSUs are denominated in units of our Company’s common stock. In accordance with Company policy, the number of units granted to a NEO in 2022 for 2021 performance was determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Bonus RSUs that the Committee determined to be granted by the fair market value of our Company’s stock on February 22, 2022, the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange was open for trading following the filing of our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan defines the fair market value as the last sale price reported for a share of our Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day preceding the grant date. These underlying shares, plus any dividend equivalent shares accrued during the vesting period, are generally distributed to the executive upon vesting.

The Bonus RSUs awarded to NEOs vest at a rate of 25% on each anniversary of the date of grant. Vesting accelerates in certain circumstances, including death, disability and normal retirement. In addition, vesting of the Bonus RSUs accelerates in connection with early retirement and termination by our Company without cause. Early retirement means the termination of the recipient’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 55 and 10 years of service. Normal retirement means the termination of the recipient’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 62 (for RSUs granted prior to 2021) or age 60 (for RSUs granted in or after 2021), irrespective of the number of years of service. In the case of death or disability, delivery of the underlying shares is made as soon as administratively practicable. In the case of normal retirement or early retirement or termination by our Company without cause, delivery of the underlying shares is made one year after the termination date. A holder of RSUs has none of the rights of a stockholder unless and until shares are actually delivered to the holder. In the case of disability, early retirement, normal retirement and termination by our Company without cause, the NEO shall also be required to sign a separation agreement.

The Bonus RSUs issued in 2021 and 2022 to our Company’s NEOs, based on the level of achievement in 2020 and 2021, respectively, provided that, except in the case of death, disability or certain change-in-control scenarios, none of the Bonus RSUs would vest unless certain performance criteria were met. In particular, Bonus RSUs would not vest unless the net income of our Company in the year of grant was at least $25 million, excluding Extraordinary Items. For purposes of this calculation, “Extraordinary Items” means (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) extraordinary, unusual and/or nonrecurring items of gain or loss and (f) foreign exchange gains and losses. The Committee determined that this target was met for 2021, with the result that the Bonus RSUs granted in 2021 to the NEOs would vest, subject to satisfaction of other applicable conditions.

It should be noted that as required by applicable rules, the Summary Compensation, Grants of Plan-Based Awards and Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End tables in this proxy statement reflect Bonus RSUs issued to the NEOs in 2021 for performance in 2020. Similarly, the Bonus RSUs issued in

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 45


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

2022 for performance in 2021 are not reflected in those tables contained in this proxy statement. Applicable rules require that these tables only reflect equity awards granted to the NEOs in 2021.

In February 2022, the Committee determined target Bonus RSU amounts for 2022. The Committee determined, after reviewing relevant market data, that the target Bonus RSU amount for Mr. Wajner warranted an adjustment. Consequently, the Committee increased Mr. Wajner’s target Bonus RSU amount from $67,500 to $82,000. The Committee determined that peer company and market data did not warrant an adjustment to the target Performance RSU amounts of the other NEOs. The Committee decreased the annual vesting period from four year to three years for Bonus RSUs to be granted in 2023 and future years. In March 2022, the Committee reviewed Mr. DeGiorgio’s target Bonus RSU amount in connection with his promotion to CEO on February 2022, and determined that, based on its assessment of relevant peer company data, his target Bonus RSU amount for 2022 should be increased from $875,000 to $1,750,000 for the full year.

Long-Term Equity Incentives

The Committee has continued its practice of providing long-term incentives to our executive officers through the issuance of RSUs (“LTI Awards”). Beginning with LTI Awards made to NEOs in 2022 (in connection with 2021 performance), 75% of an NEO’s LTI Award will be subject to time-based vesting over three years (“LTI RSUs”) and 25% will be subject to a three-year performance period and will vest on the third anniversary of the grant based on our Company’s total stockholder return relative to the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the end of a three-year performance period, as further detailed below (“LTI PRSUs”).

The Committee believes that LTI Awards effectively align the interests of executive officers with those of its long-term stockholders. The Committee believes that LTI Awards, particularly when coupled with the Bonus RSUs, increase alignment between executive officers and our Company’s long-term stockholders, discourage executive officers from taking excessive risk for short-term gains, focus executive officers on increasing long-term stockholder value and increase retention.

The approximate dollar values of the LTI Awards granted by the Committee to each of the NEOs in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance are provided in the following table, together with the comparable amount granted in 2021 for 2020 performance:

Named Executive Officer

LTI RSUs

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)

LTI PRSUs

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)(2)

Total LTI Awards

Granted in 2022 in Connection

with 2021 Performance(1)

LTI Awards

Granted in 2021 in Connection

with 2020 Performance(1)

Gilmore, D.

 

$

3,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

4,000,000

 

 

 

$

3,275,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

1,575,000

 

 

 

$

525,000

 

 

 

$

2,100,000

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

1,312,500

 

 

 

$

437,500

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

956,250

 

 

 

$

318,750

 

 

 

$

1,275,000

 

 

 

$

1,275,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

$

50,000

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

(1)

The actual grant date dollar value of the RSUs may differ slightly from these dollar amounts in the table due to rounding. The LTI Awards granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance were granted on February 22, 2022, and the LTI Awards granted in 2021 in connection with 2020 performance were granted on February 18, 2021, in both cases pursuant to our Company’s policy of granting RSUs to executive officers on the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading following the submission of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)

The dollar amount reflects the target grant value of the LTI PRSU award approved by the Committee. The actual value of the award and the number of shares ultimately received by a recipient will vary primarily based on our total shareholder return over the three-year performance period relative to the companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the beginning of the performance period. The grant date

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

fair values of the awards, as determined under applicable accounting guidance, are as follows:  $1,307,641 for Mr. Gilmore, $686,498 for Mr. Degiorgio, $572,082 for Mr. Leavell, $416,796 for Mr. Seaton and $65,355 for Mr. Wajner.

In determining the amount of LTI RSUs and target LTI PRSUs to grant to executive officers, the Committee reviewed the performance of our Company and the executive officers along with compensation levels at peer companies and market data. The Committee also took into account the notable achievements that our Company and executive officers made, as well as the challenges faced, in executing our strategy and creating long-term value for stockholders, including:

Strategic Initiatives

completion of a number of acquisitions and equity investments that facilitated our Company’s growth strategy;

continued investment in, and progress on, our digital title and closing initiatives, including our mobile-first title and escrow company and several new product launches;

growth in our Company’s data and analytics business, including maintenance of our position as market leader in title data coverage, reduced dependency on third-party data providers and the

expansion of title plant coverage on a go forward basis into 1,000 additional counties;

changes in our Company’s United States title insurance market share;

LTI AWARDS REFLECT NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS LTI awards reflect our successes in strategic initiatives and ESG

Compliance and Risk Management

effective management of underwriting risk;

compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations;

maintenance of effective internal controls;

effective controls minimizing information security risks;

the effective management of litigation matters;

the transition of applications to the cloud, resulting in a reduction in operational and information security risk;

the remediation of audit and compliance findings;

ESG

successful succession planning;

management of the impact from the coronavirus pandemic through effective use of remote and hybrid work arrangements;

successful employee engagement efforts, as reflected in our Company’s inclusion on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the sixth consecutive year; a perfect 100% score on Human Rights Campaign’s Best Place to Work for LGBTQ for the fifth year in a row; and 92% of employees surveyed for the Fortune Trust Index agreeing that our Company is a “great place to work;”

publication of the 2020 annual sustainability report, which, among other things, indicates that for U.S. owned facilities

o     between 2013 to 2020, our Company substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions,

o     total waste to landfill emissions were substantially offset by recycling practices,

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 47


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

oelectricity consumption meaningfully decreased compared to the previous reporting year, and

o     the CDP 2020 score (representing 2019 activities and GHG emissions) improved to Management B for climate change;

Financial Performance

1-year total stockholder return of 56.2%, comparable to S&P 500 at 28.7% and S&P MidCap 400 at 24.7%;

the increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.51 per share in the third quarter of 2021, an 11% increase;

the repurchase of 1.7 million shares for a total of $99 million during 2021;

the recording of approximately $341 million of gains related to our Company’s venture investment portfolio; and

our excellent operating performance.

LTI PRSUs are denominated in units of our Company’s common stock. In accordance with Company policy, the number of target units granted to a NEO in 2022 for 2021 performance was determined by dividing the dollar amount of the LTI PRSUs that the Committee determined to be granted by the fair market value of our Company’s stock on February 22, 2022 (“Target PRSUs”), the second day on which the New York Stock Exchange was open for trading following the filing of our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan defines the fair market value as the last sale price reported for a share of our Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day preceding the grant date. A holder of LTI PRSUs has none of the rights of a stockholder unless and until shares are actually delivered to the holder.

The shares underlying the Target PRSUs, plus any dividend equivalent shares accrued prior to delivery, generally become earned upon satisfaction of the service requirement. The service requirement is satisfied if the recipient does not experience a termination prior to the third anniversary of the date of grant. LTI PRSUs represent the right to receive shares of common stock of our Company in an amount from 0% to 200% of the Target PRSUs. The number of Target PRSUs earned will be determined based on relative total stockholder return over a three-year performance period as compared to the companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the beginning of the performance period (the “Index”) with the number of delivered shares equal to the number of Target PRSUs multiplied by the applicable percentage set forth in the following table (“Earned PRSUs”).

Performance Level

rTRS Rank(1)

Payout(2)

Below Threshold

<25th Percentile

0%

Threshold

25th Percentile

50%

Target

50th Percentile

100%

Maximum

>=75th Percentile

200%

(1)

rTSR Rank is calculated based on our Company’s total stockholder return relative to the total stockholder return of each company in the Index.

(2)

For performance between threshold and target and between target and maximum, the percentage of the Target PRSUs that become Earned PRSUs will be determined on straight line interpolation.

LTI PRSUs granted in 2022 have a performance period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.

The service requirement is also deemed satisfied in certain circumstances, including death, disability and normal retirement. Normal retirement means the termination of the executive’s employment, other than for cause, after having reached age 60 irrespective of the number of years of service. In the case of disability, normal retirement and termination by our Company without cause the executive shall also be

48 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

required to sign a separation agreement. In the case of death or disability, the executive shall receive shares equal to the number of Target PRSUs as soon as administratively practicable. In the case of normal retirement, the executive shall receive shares equal to the number of Earned PRSUs after the end of the performance period.

In addition, the service requirement is deemed satisfied in connection with termination by our Company without cause, but only for the portion of the three-year vesting period actually completed, with payout based on actual performance at the end of the performance period.

The terms of the LTI RSUs are identical to the terms of the Bonus RSUs described above beginning on page 45, except the LTI RSUs granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance vest annually over a three-year period instead of a four-year period. Like Bonus RSUs, LTI RSUs for executive officers are also tied to a performance-vesting condition.

As indicated above with respect to Bonus RSUs, as required by applicable rules, LTI Awards granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance are not reflected in the Summary Compensation table, the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table or the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End table contained herein. Those tables reflect LTI Awards granted in 2021 in connection with 2020 performance.

Summary of Base Salary, Cash Bonus, and Equity Incentive Compensation Paid for 2021

The following table summarizes for each NEO the amount paid or awarded in connection with 2021 performance in the form of total base salary, cash bonus (paid in 2022 for 2021 performance), Bonus RSUs (granted in 2022 for 2021 performance) and LTI Awards (granted in 2022 in connection with 2021 performance). This table is not a substitute for the compensation tables required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and included under the heading “Executive Compensation Tables” herein, but it provides a more accurate picture of how the Committee viewed its compensation actions for the NEOs in connection with performance in 2021:

 

 

Paid/Issued in 2022 in Connection with 2021 Performance

 

 

Named Executive Officer

Base Salary

Paid in 2021

Actual

Cash Bonus

Bonus RSUs

LTI RSUs

LTI PRSUs(1)

Total for

2021

Total for

2020

Gilmore, D.

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

3,228,750

 

 

 

$

3,946,250

 

 

 

$

3,000,000

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$

12,175,000

 

 

 

$

8,987,000

 

 

DeGiorgio, K.

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

1,575,000

 

 

 

$

525,000

 

 

 

$

5,937,500

 

 

 

$

4,509,000

 

 

Leavell, C.

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

1,312,500

 

 

 

$

437,500

 

 

 

$

5,362,500

 

 

 

$

4,335,000

 

 

Seaton, M.

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

956,250

 

 

 

$

318,750

 

 

 

$

4,462,500

 

 

 

$

3,537,000

 

 

Wajner, M.

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

$

275,625

 

 

 

$

118,125

 

 

 

$

150,000

 

 

 

$

50,000

 

 

 

$

893,750

 

 

 

$

775,400

 

 

(1)

The dollar amount reflects the target grant value of the LTI PRSU award approved by the Committee. The actual value of the award and the number of shares ultimately received by a recipient will vary based on our total shareholder return over the three-year performance period relative to the companies in the S&P MidCap 400 Index at the beginning of the performance period. The grant date fair values of the awards, as determined under applicable accounting guidance, are as follows:  $1,307,641 for Mr. Gilmore, $686,498 for Mr. Degiorgio, $572,082 for Mr. Leavell, $416,796 for Mr. Seaton and $65,355 for Mr. Wajner.

Consideration of Prior Amounts Realized

Our Company’s philosophy is to incentivize and reward executive officers for future performance. Accordingly, prior stock compensation gains (option gains or RSUs awarded in prior years) generally are not considered in setting future compensation levels.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 49


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Our Company has adopted guidelines requiring our chief executive officer to hold Company stock with a value equal to at least six times the chief executive officer’s base salary and each of the other NEOs to hold stock with a value equal to at least three times their respective base salaries, or one-time their respective base salaries if that base salary is below $500,000. The chief executive officer’s holding requirement was increased in 2021 from five to six times his base salary.

What Counts Toward the Guideline:

shares owned personally or by a spouse

shares issued or held through a Company-sponsored plan such as the First American Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan or the First American Financial Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan

unvested restricted stock units

shares held in trust for the benefit of the NEO or a spouse

What Does Not Count Toward the Guideline:

stock options

The Committee annually reviews compliance with the ownership guidelines. All of the NEOs meet or exceed our ownership guidelines.

Clawback and Anti-Hedging Policy

Our Company has adopted a clawback policy applicable to all executive officers. The policy generally provides for the return by the responsible executive officer(s) of compensation received during the three full fiscal years prior to the announcement of a restatement of financial information due to material noncompliance with reporting requirements under securities laws to the extent such compensation would not have been received under the restated results. In addition, under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, if our Company is required to restate our financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements as a result of misconduct, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer may be required to reimburse our Company for any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation received during the 12 months following the first public issuance of the non-complying document and any profits realized from the sale of securities of our Company during that twelve-month period. In addition, our Company’s 2020 and 2010 Incentive Compensation Plans, employee form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement and form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement provide for the forfeiture or recoupment of previously awarded compensation under certain circumstances if an executive officer’s misconduct causes loss or damage to our Company or our reputation. Our executive employment agreements, our employee form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement and our form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement also provide that the compensation paid or RSUs granted under such agreements shall be subject to any Company clawback, forfeiture, or similar plan, policy or document reasonably adopted from time to time.

Our Company has also adopted policies prohibiting executive officers and certain other employees from holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral. These policies further prohibit all directors, executive officers and certain other employees with access to sensitive information—as well as anyone living with such persons, family members whose transactions in our Company’s stock or derivatives are directed by such persons, or those who are subject to the

50 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

influence or control of such persons—from hedging their ownership of Company securities by engaging in zero-cost collars, forward sale contracts, short sales or trading in option contracts involving Company securities.

Benefits and Perquisites

Executive officers are entitled to employee benefits generally available to all full-time employees of our Company (subject to fulfilling any minimum service requirement), such as health and welfare benefits. The executive officers are also eligible to receive an incremental long-term disability insurance benefit and an executive health examination benefit that are not available to all employees. In designing these elements, our Company seeks to provide an overall level of benefits that is competitive with the level of benefits offered by similar companies in the markets in which it operates.

Employment Agreements

Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell and Seaton are parties to employment agreements with our Company. Messrs. Gilmore and DeGiorgio originally entered into their employment agreements in 2008 and Messrs. Leavell and Seaton originally entered into their employment agreements in 2014. Mr. Gilmore’s agreement expires on December 31, 2023. Each of the agreements for Messrs. DeGiorgio, Leavell and Seaton were most recently renewed in 2022 and the term of each of those agreements now expires on December 31, 2024. The decision to renew the agreements reflected the Committee’s favorable evaluation of the performance of these executives, its view that the contracts provide an important retention incentive and the potential benefit to our Company from the non-competition, non-solicitation and other covenants in the contracts. The agreements specify minimum base salaries equal to the base salaries paid to such individuals at the time of execution thereof, namely $1,000,000, $825,000, $775,000 and $700,000 for Messrs. Gilmore, DeGiorgio, Leavell and Seaton, respectively. Determinations regarding bonus amounts, long term incentive awards and any increases in base salary remain at the discretion of the Committee.

The agreements provide that if our Company terminates the executive’s employment without cause, the executive is entitled to an amount representing twice the sum of the executive’s base salary and the second largest of the prior three years’ bonuses. Half of this sum would be paid over the first year following termination in twelve equal monthly installments, and the other half would be paid at the end of this one-year period. The executive’s receipt of these amounts would be contingent on our Company’s receipt of a release from the executive as well as the executive’s compliance with certain non-solicitation and confidentiality provisions contained within the agreement. In addition, if the executive’s employment is terminated without cause and the executive would otherwise, during the term of the agreement, have reached the executive’s “early retirement date” under the Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan (the “SERP”), which is discussed in further detail below, then the executive’s benefit will be deemed vested on the early retirement date notwithstanding the termination. No additional benefits are payable in the event that the executive voluntarily terminates or termination is on account of death or disability or is for cause.

Under the agreements, cause is defined to include (1) embezzlement, theft or misappropriation of Company property, (2) willful breach of any fiduciary duties owed to our Company, (3) willful failure or refusal to comply with applicable rules and regulations, (4) commission of a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude, fraud, or misrepresentation, (5), refusal to perform job duties or reasonable directives from the executive’s superior or the Board of Directors and (6) any gross negligence or willful misconduct resulting in loss or damage to the reputation of our Company.

The agreements are attached or referenced as an exhibit to the Form 10-K filed by our Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2022.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 51


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Change-in-Control and Post-Termination Arrangements

Award agreements evidencing all outstanding awards provide that vesting will not accelerate as a result of a change-in-control that has been approved by our Company’s incumbent Board of Directors. The LTI PRSU award agreements further provide that the performance goal will be measured based on actual performance through the date of such change of control, with the final price based on the stock price immediately prior to the consummation of such change of control. Absent the specific language in the award agreements, vesting in the event of a change-in-control would be governed by the terms of our Company’s 2020 and 2010 Incentive Compensation Plans.

The SERP provides additional benefits to participants under age 55 if they are involuntarily terminated within 36 months of a change-in-control. In that circumstance, benefits commence as if the participant had attained early retirement age, subject to an actuarial reduction.

The document evidencing the SERP is attached as an exhibit to the Form 10-K filed by our Company on March 1, 2011 and Amendment No. 1 thereto is attached as an exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2015.

Change-in-Control Agreements.

As part of our Company’s efforts to retain key employees, it has entered into agreements with each of the NEOs to provide for certain benefits in the event the executive officer is terminated following a change-in-control. As described below, the severance payment is primarily two times the sum of base salary and target bonus. In the opinion of the Committee, this structure reflects current best practices with respect to such agreements.

Under the agreement a “change-in-control” means any one of the following with respect to our Company:

a merger or consolidation of our Company in which our Company’s stockholders end up owning less than 50% of the voting securities of the surviving entity;

the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our Company’s assets or the complete liquidation or dissolution of our Company;

a change in the composition of our Company’s Board of Directors over a two-year period as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are incumbent directors, as defined in the agreement; or

the acquisition or accumulation by any person or group, subject to certain limited exceptions, of at least 25% of our Company’s voting securities.

If the termination of the executive officer’s employment occurs without cause or if the executive officer terminates such employment for good reason within 36 months following the change-in-control, our Company is required to pay the following benefits in one lump sum within ten business days:

the executive officer’s base salary through and including the date of termination and any accrued but unpaid annual incentive bonus;

an annual incentive bonus for the year in which the termination occurs in an amount equal to the target bonus for the year of termination (or if there is no target annual incentive bonus or under certain other specified circumstances, the average of the annual incentive bonuses paid for the three prior years), prorated through the date of termination;

accrued and unpaid vacation pay;

52 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

unreimbursed business expenses;

two times the executive officer’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the termination; and

two times the executive’s target bonus (or if there is no target annual incentive bonus or under certain other specified circumstances, two times the average of the annual incentive bonuses paid for the three prior years).

In addition, for a period of 24 months following the date on which the executive officer’s employment terminates, our Company will provide the same level of benefits and perquisites that the executive officer received at the time of termination or, if more favorable to the executive officer, at the time at which the change-in-control occurred. These benefits include tax-qualified and nonqualified savings plan benefits (excluding, however, any supplemental benefit plans), medical insurance, disability income protection, life insurance coverage and death benefits. To the extent that the executive officer cannot participate in the plans previously available, our Company will provide such benefits (or a cash equivalent) on the same after-tax basis as if they had been available. These obligations are reduced by any welfare benefits made available to the executive officer from subsequent employers.

If the amount payable under the agreements, together with other payments and benefits, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” under the Internal Revenue Code and, consequently, be subject to excise tax, the change-in-control agreements provide for a reduction in the amount payable to that amount that would result in the elimination of the excise tax, provided that the reduced amount exceeds the net amount the executive officer would receive if the excise tax had been applied.

The change-in-control agreements would initially have expired on December 31, 2012; however, they automatically extend for additional one-year periods unless either party notifies the other not later than the preceding January 1 that it does not wish to extend the term.

The form change-in-control agreement is attached as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q filed by our Company on November 1, 2010.

Payments due Upon Termination and/or a Change-in-Control.

Calculations and further explanation of the payments due the NEOs upon termination of employment and/or a change-in-control are found under the portion of the “Executive Compensation Tables” section of this document entitled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 53


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Retirement Benefits

NEOs may participate in several benefit plans that provide benefits upon retirement. Such retirement benefits include:

Benefit

Background

First American Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan

The First American Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan is a tax-qualified profit-sharing plan generally available to all employees, which authorizes company matching contributions based on the amount of employee pretax contributions and a schedule that ties the amount of matching contributions to our Company’s profitability. For 2021, for each $1.00 employees contributed to the plan up to 4% of the employee’s eligible compensation, our Company provided a match of $1.50.

Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan*

The Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan is limited to a select group of management and is closed to new participants.

First American Financial Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan*

The Deferred Compensation Plan is limited to a select group of management.

*

Further explanation of these plans can be found in the Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation sections in the “Executive Compensation Tables” section.

Our Company believes that these plans provide a valuable recruiting and retention mechanism for our executive officers and enable it to compete more successfully for qualified executive talent.

Effective January 1, 2011, the Committee closed the SERP to new participants and, as part of the amendments described above, fixed as of December 31, 2010 the compensation used to determine benefits payable under the SERP. The amendments also capped the annual benefit to a maximum of $500,000 for our Company’s chief executive officer and $350,000 for other participants.

Conclusion

The final level and mix of compensation determined by the Committee is considered within the context of both the objective data from a competitive assessment of compensation and performance, as well as discussion of the subjective factors as outlined above. The Committee believes that each of the compensation packages for the NEOs is within the competitive range of practices when compared to the objective comparative data even where qualitative factors have influenced the compensation decisions.

Impact of Tax and Accounting

In reaching decisions on executive compensation, the Committee generally considers the tax and accounting consequences to our Company, including the fact that compensation (including performance-based compensation) in excess of $1 million paid to covered executive officers is generally not deductible for federal income tax purposes under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Under accounting guidance, long-term incentive grants of stock options and RSUs (Bonus and LTI) to executive officers and employees are recognized as compensation expense by our Company. Compensation expense for such awards is equal to the grant-date fair values of the instruments being issued and is generally recognized over the requisite service period of the award.

54 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on its review and discussion with management, the Compensation Committee on March 8, 2022 recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Compensation Committee

Michael D. McKee, Chair

Parker S. Kennedy

Mark C. Oman

Parker S. Kennedy

 

 

 

40 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation  2022 Proxy Statement | 55


Executive Compensation Tables

The following tables set forth compensation information for the Company’s “named executive officers” pursuant to the specific requirements of applicable regulations. The Company believes that the 2017 Summary Compensation Table below does not completely reflect its perspective on compensation for its named executive officers. Rather, the Company believes that its perspective is more completely reflected in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above.Tables

The following 2017 Summary Compensation Table sets forth compensation awarded to or earned by our named executive officers for the years indicated.

2017 Summary Compensation Table

Name and

Principal Position

Year

Salary

($)

Bonus(1)

($)

Stock Awards(2)

($)

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(1)

($)

Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(3)

($)

All Other Compensation

($)

Total

($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

2017

 

 

$

950,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

4,348,262

 

 

 

$

2,365,200

 

 

 

$

654,480

 

 

 

$

12,402

 

(4)

 

$

8,330,344

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

2016

 

 

$

949,231

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

4,765,014

 

 

 

$

1,757,700

 

 

 

$

562,048

 

 

 

$

14,471

 

 

 

$

8,048,464

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

$

900,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,556,355

 

 

 

$

2,262,330

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

8,003

 

 

 

$

5,726,688

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

2017

 

 

$

750,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

1,931,951

 

 

 

$

1,022,000

 

 

 

$

331,105

 

 

 

$

13,049

 

(5)

 

$

4,048,105

 

 

Executive Vice President

 

2016

 

 

$

749,615

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,071,440

 

 

 

$

882,000

 

 

 

$

225,947

 

 

 

$

15,056

 

 

 

$

3,944,058

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

1,281,959

 

 

 

$

1,111,500

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

8,532

 

 

 

$

3,126,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

2017

 

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

1,818,945

 

 

 

$

949,000

 

 

 

$

570,469

 

 

 

$

14,526

 

(6)

 

$

4,052,940

 

 

COO of principal subsidiary

 

2016

 

 

$

699,615

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

1,925,959

 

 

 

$

819,000

 

 

 

$

501,495

 

 

 

$

16,340

 

 

 

$

3,962,409

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

$

675,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

1,221,942

 

 

 

$

1,026,000

 

 

 

$

47,976

 

 

 

$

9,661

 

 

 

$

2,980,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

2017

 

 

$

599,519

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

1,379,971

 

 

 

$

839,500

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

11,678

 

(7)

 

$

2,830,668

 

 

EVP, Chief Financial Officer

 

2016

 

 

$

574,231

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

1,379,431

 

 

 

$

630,000

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

13,825

 

 

 

$

2,597,487

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

$

525,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

813,960

 

 

 

$

769,500

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

7,425

 

 

 

$

2,115,885

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

2017

 

 

$

289,712

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

176,646

 

 

 

$

191,625

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

11,678

 

(8)

 

$

669,661

 

 

VP, Chief Accounting Officer

 

2016

 

 

$

274,769

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

200,005

 

 

 

$

156,240

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

13,259

 

 

 

$

644,273

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

$

260,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

130,659

 

 

 

$

186,732

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

6,984

 

 

 

$

584,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following tables set forth compensation information for our Company’s “named executive officers” pursuant to the specific requirements of applicable regulations. Our Company believes that the Summary Compensation Table below does not completely reflect our perspective on compensation for our named executive officers. Rather, our Company believes that our perspective is more completely reflected in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above.

The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth compensation awarded to or earned by our named executive officers for the years indicated.

Summary Compensation Table

Name and

Principal Position

Year

Salary

($)

Bonus(1)

($)

Stock Awards(2)

($)

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(1)

($)

Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(3)

($)

All Other Compensation

($)

Total

($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

2021

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

5,866,513

 

 

 

$

3,228,750

 

 

 

$

685,598

 

 

 

$

10,242

 

(4)

 

$

10,791,103

 

 

Chairman (CEO during years presented)

 

2020

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

6,627,923

 

 

 

$

2,120,400

 

 

 

$

1,406,274

 

 

 

$

19,362

 

 

 

$

11,173,959

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

5,120,280

 

 

 

$

2,907,000

 

 

 

$

1,323,541

 

 

 

$

16,404

 

 

 

$

10,367,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

2021

 

 

$

818,462

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,741,970

 

 

 

$

1,531,250

 

 

 

$

79,578

 

 

 

$

11,661

 

(5)

 

$

5,182,921

 

 

Chief Executive Officer (President during 2021 and EVP during 2020 and 2019)

 

2020

 

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,954,963

 

 

 

$

992,000

 

 

 

$

795,830

 

 

 

$

20,442

 

 

 

$

5,538,235

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

$

775,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,385,982

 

 

 

$

1,360,000

 

 

 

$

691,274

 

 

 

$

17,197

 

 

 

$

5,229,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

2021

 

 

$

768,462

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,679,974

 

 

 

$

1,443,750

 

 

 

$

219,613

 

 

 

$

14,062

 

(6)

 

$

5,125,861

 

 

COO of principal subsidiary

 

2020

 

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,869,969

 

 

 

$

930,000

 

 

 

$

980,481

 

 

 

$

22,566

 

 

 

$

5,528,016

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,327,456

 

 

 

$

1,275,000

 

 

 

$

929,498

 

 

 

$

19,094

 

 

 

$

5,276,048

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

2021

 

 

$

693,462

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,080,923

 

 

 

$

1,268,750

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

9,549

 

(7)

 

$

4,052,684

 

 

EVP, Chief Financial Officer

 

2020

 

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

2,174,929

 

 

 

$

806,000

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

18,540

 

 

 

$

3,649,469

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

$

650,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

1,730,431

 

 

 

$

1,105,000

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

15,490

 

 

 

$

3,500,921

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

2021

 

 

$

323,692

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

278,080

 

 

 

$

275,625

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

9,549

 

(8)

 

$

886,946

 

 

VP, Treasurer

 

2020

 

 

$

314,596

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

279,954

 

 

 

$

182,280

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

18,540

 

 

 

$

795,370

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

235,187

 

 

 

$

245,000

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

15,490

 

 

 

$

795,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

As required by applicable rules, annual cash bonuses that were paid through performance units, or were otherwise based upon the achievement of pre-determined performance metrics, are included under the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation”, as opposed to the column entitled “Bonus”.

(2)

The amounts shown are the grant date fair value of stock awards granted in the year indicated as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. The values set forth under this column for each year reflect the grants made in that year based on performance metrics from the prior year (e.g., amounts reported for 2017 are based on performance metrics from 2016). For information on the valuation of the awards, refer to Note 15

(2)

The amounts shown are the grant date fair value of stock awards granted in the year indicated as computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 718 using the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. The values set forth under this column for each year reflect the grants made in that year in connection with performance metrics from the prior year (e.g., amounts reported for 2021 are in connection with performance metrics from 2020). For information on the valuation of the awards, refer to Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

(3)

For 2021, reflects the change in the present value of the benefit from the end of the year preceding the applicable fiscal year to the end of the applicable fiscal year for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

(3)

Reflects the change in the present value of the benefit from the end of the year preceding the applicable fiscal year to the end of the applicable fiscal year for both the qualified and non-qualified pension plans (which are entitled the First American Financial Corporation Pension Plan and the First American Financial Corporation Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan). Messrs. Seaton and Wajner are not participants in either of these plans. See 2017 Pension Benefits table for assumptions. Amounts in the column do not include earnings under the Company’s deferred compensation plan as such earnings are neither above market nor preferential. The Company’s deferred compensation plan provides a return based on a number of investment crediting options. In May 2016 the Company’s board of directors terminated the Pension Plan effective as of July 31, 2016. See 2017 Pension Benefits below for discussion.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 41


Executive Compensation Tables

(4)

This amount consists of (a) Company contributions of $9,938 to his account in the Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan, (b) life insurance premiums of $725 and (c) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $1,740.

(5)

This amount consists of (a) Company contributions of $9,938 to his account in the Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan, (b) life insurance premiums of $1,372 and (c) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $1,740.

(6)

This amount consists of (a) Company contributions of $9,938 to his account in the Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan, (b) life insurance premiums of $2,849 and (c) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $1,740.

(7)

This amount consists of Company contributions of $9,938 to his account in the Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan and (b) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $1,740.

(8)

This amount consists of Company contributions of $9,938 to his account in the Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan and (b) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $1,740.Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan (“SERP”), which is a non-qualified pension plan. See the 2021 Pension Benefits table for assumptions relating to the SERP. Amounts in the column do not include earnings under our Company’s deferred compensation plan as such earnings are neither above market nor preferential. Our Company’s deferred compensation plan provides a return based on a number of investment crediting options.

56 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

(4)

This amount consists of (a) Company contributions of $8,550 to his account in our Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan, (b) life insurance premiums of $693 and (c) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $999.

(5)

This amount consists of (a) Company contributions of $8,550 to his account in our Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan, (b) life insurance premiums of $2,112 and (c) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $999.

(6)

This amount consists of (a) Company contributions of $8,550 to his account in our Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan, (b) life insurance premiums of $4,513 and (c) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $999.

(7)

This amount consists of Company contributions of $8,550 to his account in our Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan and (b) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $999.

(8)

This amount consists of Company contributions of $8,550 to his account in our Company’s tax qualified 401(k) savings plan and (b) Company paid executive long-term disability insurance premium of $999.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table contains information concerning the annual cash bonus award opportunity and awards of Bonus RSUs and LTI RSUs made by our Company to each of our named executive officers during fiscal year 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Non-Equity Incentive

Plan Awards

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Equity Incentive

Plan Awards

Grant Date Fair Value of Stock

Name

Grant Date

Approval Date

Threshold

($)

Target

($)

Maximum

($)

Threshold

(#)

Target

(#)

Maximum

(#)

Awards

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

2/18/2021(1)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

$

369,000

 

 

 

$

1,845,000

 

 

 

$

3,782,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(2)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,591,546

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(3)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,274,967

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

2/18/2021(1)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

$

175,000

 

 

 

$

875,000

 

 

 

$

1,793,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(2)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

991,992

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(3)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,749,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

2/18/2021(1)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

$

165,000

 

 

 

$

825,000

 

 

 

$

1,691,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(2)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,501

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

929,996

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(3)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,749,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

2/18/2021(1)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

$

145,000

 

 

 

$

725,000

 

 

 

$

1,486,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(2)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

805,948

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(3)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,274,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

2/18/2021(1)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

$

31,500

 

 

 

$

157,500

 

 

 

$

322,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(2)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

78,115

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021(3)

 

 

2/5/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,548

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

199,965

 

 

(1)

2017 GrantsAmounts represent the threshold, target and maximum amounts payable with respect to amounts awarded under our Company’s annual incentive compensation plan for 2021. Under the plan, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to decrease or increase the final payout by up to 30 percentage points. The Compensation Committee also retains the ability to award ultimately a lower amount, including the discretion not to award any amount. The maximum and threshold amounts disclosed reflect actual number of Plan-Based Awards

The following table contains information concerning awards of RSUs and performance units made byawarded near the Company to eachbeginning of our named executive officers during fiscal year 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Non-Equity Incentive

Plan Awards

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Equity Incentive

Plan Awards

Grant Date Fair Value of Stock

Name

Grant Date

Approval Date

Threshold

($)

Target

($)

Maximum

($)

Threshold

(#)

Target

(#)

Maximum

(#)

Awards

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

2/22/2017(1)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,321,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(2)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,483

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,148,265

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(3)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,795

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,199,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

2/22/2017(1)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,435,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(2)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,368

 

 

 

 

 

$

881,970

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(3)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,629

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,049,981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

2/22/2017(1)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,332,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(2)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,770

 

 

 

 

 

$

818,961

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(3)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,361

 

 

 

 

 

$

999,984

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

2/22/2017(1)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,178,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(2)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,977

 

 

 

 

 

$

629,973

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(3)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,021

 

 

 

 

 

$

749,998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

2/22/2017(1)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

269,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(2)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,310

 

 

 

 

 

$

51,653

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017(3)

 

 

2/3/17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,170

 

 

 

 

 

$

124,993

 

 

(1)

Awards represent the maximum amount payable with respect to performance units awarded under the Company’s incentive compensation plan for 2017. None of the awards were payable unless, as was the case, the net income of the Company for 2017 was at least $25 million, excluding (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) extraordinary, unusual and/or nonrecurring items of gain or loss and (f) foreign exchange gains and losses (“Extraordinary Items”). The Compensation Committee has the discretion to reduce the amount of the performance units. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Pay Elements—Annual Cash2021 (based on 2020 performance) and reflect the potential 30-percentage point increase/reduction based on strategic performance (205% and 20% of the target amount, respectively). See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Pay Elements—Annual Incentive Bonus.” The amounts identified in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the 2017 Summary Compensation Table are the actual amounts paid under the plan.

(2)

Grants represent the Performance RSUs issued in 2017 for 2016 performance. Vesting of Performance RSUs occurs at a rate of 25% per year on each anniversary of the grant date, and would not occur unless, as was the case, the net income of the Company for 2017

(2)

Grants represent the Bonus RSUs issued in 2021 for 2020 performance. Vesting of Bonus RSUs occurs at a rate of 25% per year on each anniversary of the grant date, and would not occur unless, as was the case, the net income of our Company for 2021 was at least $25 million, excluding Extraordinary Items.

(3)

Grants represent Long-Term Incentive

(3)

Grants represent LTI RSUs which were issued to the named executive officers in 2017 for 2016 performance. Vesting of Long-Term Incentive RSUs occurs at a rate of 25% per year on each anniversary of the grant date, and would not occur unless, as was the case, the net income of the Company for 2017 was at least $25 million, excluding Extraordinary Items.

42 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2017 Fiscal Year-End

The following table shows outstanding equity awards of the Company held by the named executive officers in 2021 for 2020 performance. Vesting of LTI RSUs occurs at a rate of 25% per year on each anniversary of the grant date, and would not occur unless, as was the case, the net income of December 31, 2017.our Company for 2021 was at least $25 million, excluding Extraordinary Items.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 57


Executive Compensation Tables

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards (1)

Name

Grant Date

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That  Have Not Vested(2)

(#)

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(3)

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

2/27/2014

 

 

 

22,081

 

 

 

$

1,237,419

 

 

 

 

2/25/2015

 

 

 

39,754

 

 

 

$

2,227,814

 

 

 

 

2/23/2016

 

 

 

102,822

 

 

 

$

5,762,145

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017

 

 

 

113,735

 

 

 

$

6,373,709

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

2/27/2014

 

 

 

10,584

 

 

 

$

593,127

 

 

 

 

2/25/2015

 

 

 

19,954

 

 

 

$

1,118,222

 

 

 

 

2/23/2016

 

 

 

44,698

 

 

 

$

2,504,876

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017

 

 

 

50,531

 

 

 

$

2,831,757

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

2/27/2014

 

 

 

10,030

 

 

 

$

562,081

 

 

 

 

2/25/2015

 

 

 

19,003

 

 

 

$

1,064,928

 

 

 

 

2/23/2016

 

 

 

41,555

 

 

 

$

2,328,742

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017

 

 

 

47,574

 

 

 

$

2,666,047

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

2/27/2014

 

 

 

5,652

 

 

 

$

316,738

 

 

 

 

2/25/2015

 

 

 

12,661

 

 

 

$

709,522

 

 

 

 

2/23/2016

 

 

 

29,766

 

 

 

$

1,668,087

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017

 

 

 

36,092

 

 

 

$

2,022,596

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

2/27/2014

 

 

 

984

 

 

 

$

55,143

 

 

 

 

2/25/2015

 

 

 

2,039

 

 

 

$

114,266

 

 

 

 

2/23/2016

 

 

 

4,314

 

 

 

$

241,757

 

 

 

 

2/22/2017

 

 

 

4,617

 

 

 

$

258,737

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table shows outstanding equity awards of our Company held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2021.

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards (1)

Name

Grant Date

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That  Have Not Vested(2)

(#)

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(3)

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

26,768

 

 

 

$

2,094,061

 

 

 

 

2/22/2019

 

 

 

54,550

 

 

 

$

4,267,447

 

 

 

 

2/20/2020

 

 

 

81,539

 

 

 

$

6,378,796

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021

 

 

 

107,146

 

 

 

$

8,382,032

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

11,783

 

 

 

$

921,784

 

 

 

 

2/22/2019

 

 

 

25,421

 

 

 

$

1,988,685

 

 

 

 

2/20/2020

 

 

 

36,355

 

 

 

$

2,844,052

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021

 

 

 

50,077

 

 

 

$

3,917,524

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

11,422

 

 

 

$

893,543

 

 

 

 

2/22/2019

 

 

 

24,799

 

 

 

$

1,940,026

 

 

 

 

2/20/2020

 

 

 

35,309

 

 

 

$

2,762,223

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021

 

 

 

48,944

 

 

 

$

3,828,889

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

8,648

 

 

 

$

676,533

 

 

 

 

2/22/2019

 

 

 

18,438

 

 

 

$

1,442,405

 

 

 

 

2/20/2020

 

 

 

26,756

 

 

 

$

2,093,122

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021

 

 

 

38,004

 

 

 

$

2,973,053

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

1,077

 

 

 

$

84,254

 

 

 

 

2/22/2019

 

 

 

2,509

 

 

 

$

196,279

 

 

 

 

2/20/2020

 

 

 

3,441

 

 

 

$

269,189

 

 

 

 

2/18/2021

 

 

 

5,075

 

 

 

$

397,017

 

 

 

(1)

Stock awards vest 25% on each anniversary of the grant date and will be fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. Dividend equivalent units accumulate during the vesting period.

(2)

These amounts include RSUs that may no longer be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (due to retirement vesting provisions), but that remain subject to restrictions and have not yet been distributed.

(3)

The market value was calculated by multiplying the number of unvested units shown in the table by $56.04, which was the closing market price on December 29, 2017, the last trading day of our fiscal year.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 43


Executive Compensation Tables

2017 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The followingmarket value was calculated by multiplying the number of unvested units shown in the table sets forth information concerning value realized by each$78.23, which was the closing market price on December 31, 2021, the last trading day of the named executive officers upon exercise of stock options and vesting of stock during 2017.our fiscal year.

58 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth information concerning value realized by each of the named executive officers upon exercise of stock options and vesting of stock during 2021.

 

Stock Awards

Name

Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting

(#)

Value Realized on Vesting

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

 

110,214

 

 

 

$

6,236,694

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

 

49,464

 

 

 

$

2,798,860

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

 

47,666

 

 

 

$

2,697,201

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

 

35,943

 

 

 

$

2,033,885

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

 

4,629

 

 

 

$

261,904

 

 

Pension Benefits

The following table shows the actuarial present value of the accumulated retirement benefits payable upon normal retirement age to each of the named executive officers, computed as of December 31, 2021. The amounts are based upon benefits provided to the named executive officers under the First American Financial Corporation Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan (“SERP”). Messrs. Seaton and Wajner were never participants in the SERP.

Name

Plan Name

Number of Years Credited Service(1)

(#)

Present Value of Accumulated Benefits

($)

Payments During Last Fiscal Year

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore(2)

 

SERP(3)

 

 

28.6

 

 

$

9,180,715

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

SERP(3)

 

 

22.8

 

 

$

3,090,391

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell(2)

 

SERP(3)

 

 

24.5

 

 

$

5,635,201

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Name

Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise

(#)

Value Realized Upon Exercise

($)

Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting

(#)

Value Realized on Vesting

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

0

 

 

$0

 

 

107,036

 

 

 

$

4,181,306

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

0

 

 

$0

 

 

 

49,957

 

 

 

$

1,950,729

 

(1)

Christopher M. Leavell

 

0

 

 

$0

 

 

 

47,382

 

 

 

$

1,849,800

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

0

 

 

$0

 

 

 

25,937

 

 

 

$

1,017,568

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

0

 

 

$0

 

 

 

3,494

 

 

 

$

137,708

 

 

(1)

(1)

35,517 shares with a value of $1.4 million realized on vesting will be distributed at a later date pursuant to a deferred compensation arrangement.

2017 Pension Benefits

The following table showsCredited years of service for benefit calculation purposes is the actuarial present valuetime between the participant’s commencement of participation in the accumulated retirement benefits payable upon normal retirement age to each of the named executive officers, computed as ofplan and December 31, 2017. The amounts are based upon benefits provided to the named executive officers under the First American Financial Corporation Pension Plan (“Pension Plan”), which was terminated in July of 2016, and the First American Financial Corporation Executive Supplemental Benefit Plan (“SERP”).

Mr. DeGiorgio received a lump sum distribution of his entire benefit under the Pension Plan in 2016 and was no longer entitled to any benefit thereafter. Messrs. Seaton and Wajner were never participants in the Pension Plan or the SERP.

Name

Plan Name

Number of Years Credited Service(1)

(#)

Present Value of Accumulated Benefits

($)

Payments During Last Fiscal Year

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore(4)

 

Pension Plan

 

 

14.9

 

 

$

214,932

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

SERP

 

 

24.6

 

 

$

7,538,347

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

SERP

 

 

18.8

 

 

$

1,837,101

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell(5)

 

Pension Plan

 

 

10.8

 

 

$

56,813

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

SERP

 

 

20.5

 

 

$

4,286,067

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

(1)

Credited years of service for benefit calculation purposes under the Pension Plan is the time between the participant’s commencement of participation in the plan and the date that benefit accruals were frozen, April 30, 2008, subject to the accrual rules. Credited years of service for the SERP is generally equal to credited years of service under the Pension Plan without regard to the Pension Plan’s freezing of credited years of service as of April 30, 2008.2021. Participants in the SERP must have completed 10 years of credited service in order to be eligible to receive SERP benefits. Years of credited service beyond the minimum 10 year requirement do not result in any additional benefits under the SERP.

(2)

Pension Plan benefits were based on credited service as of April 30, 2008, and final average pay as of December 31, 2001. In connection with the termination of the Pension Plan in July 2016, all outstanding obligations were transferred to an insurance company through the purchase of life annuities on June 1, 2017, and this value reflects the actuarial present value of the purchased annuities. The following assumptions were used for calculating present values: interest rate of 3.61%, post-retirement mortality per RP-2014 Table for Healthy Annuitants with mortality projection starting in 2006 using the Fully Generational Scale MP-2017, benefit payable as a single life annuity.

(3)

SERP eligibility requires 10 years of service and 5 years of participation in the plan with the benefit dependent on age at retirement between 55 and 62, rather than credited years of service. The following assumptions were used for calculating present values: interest rate of 3.61%, post-retirement mortality per the RP-2014 Table for Healthy Annuitants (without collar or amount adjustments using 2006 base rates) with Fully Generational Scale MP-2017, benefit is payable as a 50% joint and survivor annuity and spouse is assumed to be one year younger than the participant.

(2)

44 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

(4)

Mr. Gilmore is eligible for early retirement under the Pension Plan and the SERP due to hisMessrs. Gilmore and Leavell are eligible for normal retirement and early retirement, respectively, under the SERP due to their age and meeting applicable service requirements.

(5)

(3)

Mr. Leavell’s Pension amount reflects the value of accumulated benefits payable to an alternate payee under the terms of a qualified domestic relations order. Mr. Leavell is eligible for early retirement under the SERP due to his age and meeting applicable service requirements.

(1)

Pension Plan

The Pension Plan was terminated effective as of July 31, 2016. It had previously been closed to new entrants in 2001 and frozen as to future benefit accruals on April 30, 2008. A number of participants, including Messrs. DeGiorgio and Leavell, took lump sum distributions of all or a portion of their accumulated benefit in December of 2016, and all remaining plan liabilities were transferred to a highly rated insurance company, through the purchase of group annuity contracts, in July of 2017.

The amount of a participant’s benefit under the Pension Plan was frozen as of April 30, 2008, and was generally calculated as (i) 1% of the first $1,000 and 1.25% of remaining final average pay (generally including base salary, plus cash bonuses, commissions, and certain other pay, and excluding any amounts earned after December 31, 2001) multiplied by the number of years of credited service (excluding any service earned after December 31, 2005) as of December 31, 1994; and (ii) 0.75% of the first $1,000 and 1% of the remaining final average pay times the number of years of credited service subsequent to December 31, 1994.

Under the terms of his annuity contract, Mr. Gilmore may elect to commence monthly payments of his accumulated benefit.  

(2)

SERP

The SERP which was closed to new participants on January 1, 2011, provides retirement benefits for, and pre-retirement death benefits with respect to, certain key management personnel. Under the plan, upon retirement at normal retirement date (the latest of age 62, the date on which the participant completeseligibility requires 10 years of service and the date on which the participant was covered,five years of participation in combination, by the plan with the benefit dependent on age at retirement between 55 and 62, rather than credited years of service. The following assumptions were used for five years)calculating present values: interest rate of 2.89%, post-retirement mortality per the participant generally receivesPri-2012 “Retirees” and “Contingent Survivors” tables projected generationally beyond 2012 using MP-2020 Order 2 Graduation Alternative Projection Scale. The “Contingent Survivors” tables will be used for spouses only after death of the primary retiree. Benefit is payable as a 50% joint life and 50% survivor annuity benefit equaland spouse is assumed to 30% of “final average compensation.” “Final average compensation” is generally determined based onbe one year younger than the highest average compensation for those three calendar years out of the five-year period ending on December 31, 2010, irrespective of the participant’s actual retirement date. Final average compensation generally includes base salary and commissions, cash bonuses and stock bonuses that are granted to compensate for past services (such as Performance RSUs, as described below). The maximum annual benefit under the SERP is capped at $500,000 for the Company’s chief executive officer and at $350,000 for all other participants.participant.

To be eligible to receive benefits under the plan, a participant must be at least age 55, have been an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries for at least 10 years and covered by the plan for at least five years. In the event of early retirement, benefits under the SERP are generally reduced by 5.952% for each year prior to age 62 in which retirement actually occurs. The pre-retirement death benefit under the SERP generally consists of 10 annual payments, each of which equals to 15% of final average compensation. Subject to applicable legal rules, the Board of Directors can, in its discretion, pay the participant or beneficiary in an actuarial equivalent lump sum or other form of benefit. In the event of a “change-in-control” (as defined in the plan) of the Company, benefits under the SERP become 100% vested, and, if within 36 months following the change in control, the participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the participant for good reason the participant will be entitled to benefits equal to the benefits provided by the plan (subject to reductions for early retirement) or, if the participant is not yet eligible for early retirement, subject to an actuarial reduction.  

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 45


The SERP, which was closed to new participants on January 1, 2011, provides retirement benefits for, and pre-retirement death benefits with respect to, certain key management personnel. Under the plan, upon retirement at normal retirement date (the latest of age 62, the date on which the participant completes 10 years of service and the date on which the participant was covered, in combination, by the plan for five years) the participant generally receives a joint life and 50% survivor annuity benefit equal to 30% of “final average compensation.” “Final average compensation” is generally equal to the participant’s average one year covered compensation for the five-year period ending on December 31, 2010, irrespective of the participant’s actual retirement date. Final average compensation generally includes base salary and commissions, cash bonuses and stock bonuses that are granted to compensate for past services (such as Bonus RSUs, as described below). The maximum annual benefit under the SERP is capped at $500,000 for our Company’s chief executive officer and at $350,000 for all other participants.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 59


Executive Compensation Tables

Executive Compensation Tables

Participants who engage in competition with the Company, either during their employment with or following their departure from the Company, forfeit their right to receive any vested benefits under the plan. Competition is defined to include involvement with a competing business, the misappropriation, sale, use or disclosure of the Company’s trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information

To be eligible to receive benefits under the plan, a participant must be at least age 55, have been an employee of our Company or one of our subsidiaries for at least 10 years and covered by the plan for at least five years. In the event of early retirement, benefits under the SERP are generally reduced by 5.952% for each year prior to age 62 in which retirement actually occurs. The pre-retirement death benefit under the SERP generally consists of 10 annual payments, each of which equals 15% of final average compensation. Subject to applicable legal rules, the Board of Directors can, in its discretion, pay the participant or beneficiary in an actuarial equivalent lump sum or other form of benefit. In the event of a “change-in-control” (as defined in the plan) of our Company, benefits under the SERP become 100% vested, and, if within 36 months following the change in control the participant’s employment is terminated by our Company without cause or by the participant for good reason, the participant will be entitled to benefits equal to the benefits provided by the plan (subject to reductions for early retirement) or, if the participant is not yet eligible for early retirement, subject to an actuarial reduction.

Participants who engage in competition with our Company, either during their employment with, or following their departure from, our Company, forfeit their right to receive any vested benefits under the plan. Competition is defined to include involvement with a competing business; the misappropriation, sale, use or disclosure of our Company’s trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information; and solicitation of Company employees or customers.

2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

As reflected in the following table, certain of the named executive officers have elected to participate in the First American Financial Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) and/or elected to defer receipt of shares from RSUs granted under the First American Financial Corporation 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and/or the First American Financial Corporation 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan. Messrs. Seaton and Wajner did not have any nonqualified deferred compensation.

Name

Executive Deferrals in Last FY(1)

($)

Registrant Contributions in Last FY

($)

Aggregate Earnings in Last FY(2)

($)

Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions

($)

Aggregate Amount of Deferred Compensation at Last FYE(3)

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

657,350

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,543,243

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,840,188

 

 

 

$

4,771,186

 

(4)

 

$

16,578,612

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

$

409,000

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

403,431

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

2,548,655

 

 

(1)

Represents the amount contributed during the year to the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) and/or electedplus the value of any RSUs vested during the year but subject to defer receipt of shares from RSUs granted under the First American Financial Corporation 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan. Messrs. Seaton and Wajner did not have any deferred compensation.

Name

Executive Deferrals in Last FY(1)

($)

Registrant Contributions in Last FY

($)

Aggregate Earnings in Last FY(2)

($)

Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions

($)

Aggregate Amount of Deferred Compensation at Last FYE(3)

($)

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

238,496

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

3,062,726

 

 

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

$

1,376,162

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

6,709,595

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

19,774,591

 

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

$

135,450

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

69,406

 

 

 

$0

 

 

$

423,113

 

 

(1)

Represents the amount contributed during the year to the Deferred Compensation Plan plus the value of any RSUs vested during the year but subject to deferred distribution.

(2)

Represents earnings or losses on participant-selected investment optionsdistribution. These amounts are included in the Deferred Compensation Plan and/or the increase or decrease in the fair market value of the deferred RSUs, including dividend equivalents thereon. These amounts are not reflected in the 2017 Summary Compensation Table.

(3)

These amounts are as of December 31, 2017. The following amounts are included

(2)

Represents earnings or losses on participant-selected investment options in the fiscal year-end balance and previously reported as compensation to the listed officers in the Summary Compensation Table for 2010 through 2016; Mr. Gilmore, $1,050,000, Mr. DeGiorgio, $6,245,617 and Mr. Leavell $34,981. Additional amounts were contributed by the executives prior to the Company’s separation from its former parent company.

The Deferred Compensation Plan offers a select group of management and highly compensated employees the opportunity to elect to defer up to 100% of their base salary, commissions and certain eligible cash bonuses. A committee appointed by the Board of Directors is responsible for administering the plan. The plan is unfunded and unsecured. However, the Company informally funds the plan through variable universal life insurance and absorbs all insurance charges. The Company maintains a deferral account for each participating employee on a fully vested basis for all deferrals. Participants can choose to have their cash benefits paid in one lump sum or in quarterly payments upon termination of employment or death. Subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, participants also may elect scheduled and nonscheduled in-service withdrawals of compensation deferred prior to January 1, 2005, and the earnings and losses attributable thereto. Withdrawals of compensation deferred after December 31, 2004, and the earnings and losses attributable thereto, must be scheduled by the participant at the time the participant elects to defer such compensation.

Participants allocate their deferrals among a variety of investment crediting options offered under the plan. The investment crediting rates are based upon the rates of return available under certain retail mutual funds.

For all participants who joined the Deferred Compensation Plan prior to December 31, 2001,and/or the plan provides a pre-retirement death benefit equal to the lesser of 15 times the amount deferredincrease or decrease in the participant’s first year of participation or $2 million. The death benefit is reduced beginning at age 61 by

46 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

20% per year. Participants who join the plan after December 31, 2001 are not eligible for this death benefit. The Company maintains term life insurance policies to fund this enhanced pre-retirement death benefit.

The First American Financial Corporation 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan offers a select group of management and highly compensated employees the opportunity to defer the distribution of their RSUs to a future date beyond the scheduled vesting date. Participants may elect to defer the distribution of a particular vesting tranche of an award to a future date while employed with the Company or upon termination of employment. With respect to deferrals to a future date while employed, participants must specify the year in which they wish to receive the distribution of the RSUs, provided that such year exceeds the scheduled vesting date. The resulting deferred distribution date will be the anniversary of the grant date in the year selected. If the participant terminates employment prior to the scheduled vesting date, the deferral election will not apply and the payment of such RSUs will be handled pursuant to the terms of the RSU Award Agreement. If the participant terminates employment after a scheduled vesting date but prior to the deferred distribution date, the participant will receive the distributionfair market value of the deferred RSUs, upon termination. Ifincluding dividend equivalents thereon. These amounts are not reflected in the initial deferred election is made afterSummary Compensation Table.

(3)

These amounts are as of December 31, 2021. The following amounts are included in the grant date,fiscal year-end balance and previously reported as compensation to the listed officers in the Summary Compensation Table for 2010 through 2020; Mr. Gilmore, $1,650,000, Mr. DeGiorgio, $3,924,293 and Mr. Leavell $616,355. Additional amounts were contributed by the executives prior to our Company’s separation from our former parent company.

(4)

This amount represents distributions during the year from previously deferred RSUs, valued using the closing stock price on the distribution date.

The Deferred Compensation Plan offers a select group of management and highly compensated employees the opportunity to elect to defer up to 100% of their base salary, commissions and certain eligible cash bonuses. A committee appointed by the Board of Directors is responsible for administering the plan. The plan is unfunded and unsecured. However, our Company informally funds the plan through variable universal life insurance and absorbs all insurance charges. Our Company maintains a deferral

60 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

account for each participating employee on a fully vested basis for all deferrals. Participants can choose to have their cash benefits paid in one lump sum or in quarterly payments upon termination of employment or death. Subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, participants also may elect scheduled and nonscheduled in-service withdrawals of compensation deferred prior to January 1, 2005, and the earnings and losses attributable thereto. Withdrawals of compensation deferred after December 31, 2004, and the earnings and losses attributable thereto, must be scheduled by the participant at the time the participant elects to defer such compensation.

Participants allocate their deferrals among a variety of investment crediting options offered under the plan. The investment crediting rates are based upon the rates of return available under certain retail mutual funds.

For all participants who joined the Deferred Compensation Plan prior to December 31, 2001, the plan provides a pre-retirement death benefit equal to the lesser of 15 times the amount deferred in the participant’s first year of participation or $2 million. The death benefit is reduced beginning at age 61 by 20% per year. Participants who join the plan after December 31, 2001 are not eligible for this death benefit. Our Company maintains term life insurance policies to fund this enhanced pre-retirement death benefit.

The First American Financial Corporation 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and the First American Financial Corporation 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan offer a select group of management and highly compensated employees the opportunity to defer the distribution of their RSUs to a future date beyond the scheduled vesting date. Participants may elect to defer the distribution of a particular vesting tranche of an award to a future date while employed with our Company, upon termination of employment or in annual installments over two to 15 years post termination of employment.

With respect to deferrals to a future date while employed, participants must specify the year in which they wish to receive the distribution of the RSUs, provided that such year is later than the year of the scheduled vesting date. The resulting deferred distribution date will be the anniversary of the grant date in the year selected. If the participant terminates employment prior to the scheduled vesting date, the deferral election will not apply and the payment of such RSUs will be handled pursuant to the terms of the RSU Award Agreement. If the participant terminates employment after a scheduled vesting date but prior to the deferred distribution date, the participant will receive the distribution of the deferred RSUs upon termination. If the initial deferral election is made after the grant date, the deferred RSUs will be distributed following the later of the termination date or five years from the scheduled vesting date.

2017 Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control

The following tables describe payments and other benefits that would be provided to the named executive officers under the specified circumstances upon a change-in-control of our Company or their termination on December 31, 2021. For further discussion, see “Change-in-Control and Post-Termination Arrangements” on page 52.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 61


Executive Compensation Tables

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination(1)

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With

Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

12,906,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

10,200,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

4,100,000

 

(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

130,124

 

(5)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

12,906,000

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

14,430,124

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested RSUs due to Retirement Rules(6)

 

$

21,122,335

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

21,122,335

 

 

 

$

21,122,335

 

 

 

$

21,122,335

 

 

 

$

21,122,335

 

 

 

$

21,122,335

 

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

$

5,543,243

 

 

 

$

5,543,243

 

 

 

$

5,543,243

 

 

 

$

5,543,243

 

 

 

$

5,543,243

 

 

 

$

5,588,243

 

(7)

 

$

5,543,243

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

1,898,923

 

 

 

$

1,898,923

 

 

 

$

1,898,923

 

 

 

$

1,898,923

 

 

 

$

1,898,923

 

 

 

$

1,898,923

 

 

 

$

1,898,923

 

 

Vested SERP

 

$

9,180,715

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

9,180,715

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

9,180,715

 

 

 

$

4,291,525

 

 

 

$

9,180,715

 

 

Total Value

 

$

37,745,216

 

 

 

$

7,442,166

 

 

 

$

50,651,216

 

 

 

$

28,564,501

 

 

 

$

52,175,340

 

 

 

$

32,901,026

 

 

 

$

37,745,216

 

 

(1)

Voluntary termination would qualify as normal retirement under the specified circumstances upon a change-in-control of the Company or their termination on December 31, 2017. For further discussion, see “Change-in-ControlSERP and Post-Termination Arrangements” on page 37.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 47


Executive Compensation Tables

Dennis J. Gilmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination(1)

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With

Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

9,712,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

9,100,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

3,600,000

 

(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs(5)

 

$

8,088,253

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

8,088,253

 

 

 

$

15,601,088

 

 

 

$

15,601,088

 

 

 

$

15,601,088

 

 

 

$

15,601,088

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

161,757

 

(6)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

8,088,253

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

17,800,253

 

 

 

$

15,601,088

 

 

 

$

28,462,845

 

 

 

$

15,601,088

 

 

 

$

15,601,088

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

$

3,062,726

 

 

 

$

3,062,726

 

 

 

$

3,062,726

 

 

 

$

3,062,726

 

 

 

$

3,062,726

 

 

 

$

3,137,726

 

(7)

 

$

3,062,726

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

1,165,792

 

 

 

$

1,165,792

 

 

 

$

1,165,792

 

 

 

$

1,165,792

 

 

 

$

1,165,792

 

 

 

$

1,165,792

 

 

 

$

1,165,792

 

 

Vested Pension Plan(8)

 

$

191,739

 

 

 

$

191,739

 

 

 

$

191,739

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

191,739

 

 

 

$

98,108

 

(9)

 

$

191,739

 

 

Vested SERP

 

$

8,863,665

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

8,863,665

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

8,863,665

 

 

 

$

4,339,384

 

 

 

$

8,863,665

 

 

Total “Walk-Away” Value

 

$

21,372,175

 

 

 

$

4,420,257

 

 

 

$

31,084,175

 

 

 

$

19,829,606

 

 

 

$

41,746,767

 

 

 

$

24,342,098

 

 

 

$

28,885,010

 

 

(1)

Voluntary termination would qualify as early retirement under the SERP and theour Company’s RSU grant agreements.

(2)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the median of the executive’s last three annual incentive bonuses.

(3)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the executive’s target annual incentive bonus for the current fiscal year, or if there is no such target, the average annual discretionary incentive bonus earned by the executive during the last three completed fiscal years.

(4)

Represents the pro rata portion of the executive’s target annual bonus for the year of termination. Also assumes that, while any outstanding performance units would vest in the event of a change-in-control of the Company, the Compensation Committee would exercise its discretion to reduce any performance units awarded to the amount of the target annual incentive bonus.

(5)

The

(5)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis for 24 months post termination.

(6)

Our Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan, and related agreements provide for acceleration of all unvested RSUs in the event of a change-in-control of the Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service) or normal retirement (age 62), or involuntary termination without cause (absent a change-in-control), all unvested Performance RSUs vest one year after termination. Unvested Long-Term Incentive RSUs only in the event of a change-in-control of our Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service), normal retirement (age 60, age 62 for RSUs granted before 2021), or involuntary termination without cause (absent a change-in-control), all unvested Bonus RSUs vest one year after termination. Unvested LTI Awards vest one year after termination provided the normal retirement criterion is met at the time of termination.

(6)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis.

(7)

Represents the sum of (a) the vested balance on December 31, 2017, of $3,062,726 and (b) a $75,000

(7)

Represents the sum of (a) the vested balance on December 31, 2021, of $5,543,243 and (b) a $45,000 pre-retirement death benefit equal to 15 times the amount deferred in the participant’s first year of participation.

(8)

Mr. Gilmore is eligible for early retirement, defined as retirement at age 55 or older with satisfaction of vesting requirements. The benefits of those eligible for early retirement are valued as immediately payable as a single life annuity with appropriate early commencement reduction factors applied.

62 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

(9)

Represents the lump sum present value equal to one-half of the accrued benefit, converted to a qualified joint and survivor form and payable to spouse three years younger than the participant at the latter of the participant’s current age or age 55.

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

48 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Voluntary Termination

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,028,000

 

(1)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

4,300,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

6,242,000

 

(1)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,150,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

1,400,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

1,750,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

3,241,802

 

 

 

$

7,047,983

 

 

 

$

7,047,983

 

 

 

$

7,047,983

 

 

 

$

7,047,983

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

6,403,830

 

 

 

$

9,672,044

 

 

 

$

9,672,044

 

 

 

$

9,672,044

 

 

 

$

9,672,044

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

204,641

 

(5)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

162,935

 

(5)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Enhanced SERP(6)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

1,689,359

 

(7)

 

$

1,123,059

 

(8)

 

$

2,213,509

 

(9)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

2,506,429

 

(7)

 

$

1,156,733

 

(8)

 

$

2,958,093

 

(9)

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

8,269,802

 

 

 

$

7,047,983

 

 

 

$

14,641,983

 

 

 

$

8,171,042

 

 

 

$

9,261,492

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

12,645,830

 

 

 

$

9,672,044

 

 

 

$

19,241,408

 

 

 

$

10,828,777

 

 

 

$

12,630,137

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred RSUs(10)

 

$

17,397,954

 

 

 

$

17,397,954

 

 

 

$

17,397,954

 

 

 

$

17,397,954

 

 

 

$

17,397,954

 

 

 

$

17,397,954

 

 

 

$

17,397,954

 

 

 

$

12,479,954

 

 

 

$

12,479,954

 

 

 

$

12,479,954

 

 

 

$

12,479,954

 

 

 

$

12,479,954

 

 

 

$

12,479,954

 

 

 

$

12,479,954

 

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

$

2,376,637

 

 

 

$

2,376,637

 

 

 

$

2,376,637

 

 

 

$

2,376,637

 

 

 

$

2,376,637

 

 

 

$

2,989,012

 

(11)

 

$

2,376,637

 

 

 

$

4,098,658

 

 

 

$

4,098,658

 

 

 

$

4,098,658

 

 

 

$

4,098,658

 

 

 

$

4,098,658

 

 

 

$

4,711,033

 

(11)

 

$

4,098,658

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

1,034,797

 

 

 

$

1,034,797

 

 

 

$

1,034,797

 

 

 

$

1,034,797

 

 

 

$

1,034,797

 

 

 

$

1,034,797

 

 

 

$

1,034,797

 

 

 

$

1,805,503

 

 

 

$

1,805,503

 

 

 

$

1,805,503

 

 

 

$

1,805,503

 

 

 

$

1,805,503

 

 

 

$

1,805,503

 

 

 

$

1,805,503

 

 

Total “Walk-Away” Value

 

$

20,809,388

 

 

 

$

20,809,388

 

 

 

$

29,079,190

 

 

 

$

27,857,371

 

 

 

$

35,451,371

 

 

 

$

29,592,805

 

 

 

$

30,070,880

 

 

Total Value

 

$

18,384,115

 

 

 

$

18,384,115

 

 

 

$

31,029,944

 

 

 

$

28,056,159

 

 

 

$

37,625,523

 

 

 

$

29,825,267

 

 

 

$

31,014,252

 

 

 

(1)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the median of the executive’s last three annual incentive bonuses.

(2)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the executive’s target annual incentive bonus for the current fiscal year, or if there is no such target, the average annual discretionary incentive bonus earned by the executive during the last three completed fiscal years.

(3)

Represents the pro rata portion of the executive’s target annual bonus for the year of termination. Also assumes that, while any outstanding performance units would vest in the event of a change-in-control of the Company, the Compensation Committee would exercise its discretion to reduce any performance units awarded to the amount of the target annual incentive bonus.

(4)

The Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and related agreements provide for acceleration of all unvested RSUs in the event of a change-in-control of the Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service) or normal retirement (age 62), or involuntary termination without cause (absent a change-in-control), all unvested Performance RSUs vest one year after termination. Unvested Long-Term Incentive RSUs vest one year after termination provided the normal retirement criterion is met at the time of termination.

(5)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis.

(4)

Unvested RSUs do not accelerate, except in the event of a change-in-control of our Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability per our Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan, and related agreements. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service), normal retirement (age 60, or age 62 for RSUs granted before 2021), or involuntary termination without cause, absent a change-in-control, all unvested Bonus RSUs vest one year after termination. In the event of termination after meeting normal retirement, or for grants made in 2021 only, involuntary termination without cause (absent a change-in-control), all unvested LTI RSUs vest one year after termination.

(5)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis for 24 months post termination.

(6)

“Enhanced SERP” refers to any payments which accrue to the executive, who is not yet vested, under the various scenarios for the SERP.

(7)

If a qualifying termination occurs within 36 months after a change-in-control of the Company, the executive becomes 100% vested in the benefit in the amount the executive would have been entitled to receive had he attained his early retirement date, with an actuarial reduction if the executive had not reached early retirement age. Represents the enhanced present value of the benefit calculated using the following assumptions: RP-2014 Table for Healthy Annuitants (without collar or amount adjustments using 2006 base rates) with Fully Generational Scale MP-2017 and a discount rate of 3.61%

(7)

If a qualifying termination occurs within 36 months after a change-in-control of our Company, the executive becomes 100% vested in the benefit in the amount the executive would have been entitled to receive had he attained his early retirement date, with an actuarial reduction if the executive had not reached early retirement age. Represents the enhanced present value of the benefit calculated using the following assumptions: Pri-2012 “Retirees” and “Contingent Survivors” tables projected generationally beyond 2012 using MP-2020 Order 2 Graduation Alternative Project Scale, and a discount rate of 2.49%.

(8)

Represents the present value of 10 annual payments equal to 15% of the participant’s final average compensation, calculated using a 3.61%

(8)

Represents the present value of 10 annual payments equal to 15% of the participant’s final average compensation, calculated using a 2.49% discount rate.

(9)

Represents the present value of the benefit calculated using the following assumptions: RP-2014 Table for Healthy Annuitants (without collar or amount adjustments using 2006 base rates) with Fully Generational Scale MP-2017, a discount rate of 3.61%

(9)

Represents the present value of the benefit calculated using the following assumptions: Pri-2012 “Retirees” and “Contingent Survivors” tables projected generationally beyond 2012 using MP-2020 Order 2 Graduation Alternative Project Scale, a discount rate of 2.49% and participant remains disabled until earliest retirement date at age 55.

(10)

Represents shares from vested RSUs that would have otherwise been distributed in years 2010 to 2017

(10)

  Represents shares from vested RSUs that would have otherwise been distributed in years 2010 to 2021 had they not been deferred pursuant to a deferred compensation arrangement.

(11)

Represents the sum of (a) the vested balance on December 31, 2017 of $2,376,637 and (b) a $612,375 pre-retirement death benefit equal to 15 times the amount deferred in the participant’s first year of participation.

(11)

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 49Represents the sum of (a) the vested balance on December 31, 2021 of $4,098,658 and (b) a $612,375 pre-retirement death benefit equal to 15 times the amount deferred in the participant’s first year of participation.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 63


Executive Compensation Tables

 

Christopher M. Leavell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination(1)

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,855,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

4,850,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

1,650,000

 

(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs(5)

 

$

3,656,236

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

6,156,466

 

 

 

$

9,424,681

 

 

 

$

9,424,681

 

 

 

$

9,424,681

 

 

 

$

9,424,681

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

138,929

 

(6)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

3,656,236

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

12,011,466

 

 

 

$

9,424,681

 

 

 

$

16,063,610

 

 

 

$

9,424,681

 

 

 

$

9,424,681

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

$

2,548,655

 

 

 

$

2,548,655

 

 

 

$

2,548,655

 

 

 

$

2,548,655

 

 

 

$

2,548,655

 

 

 

$

3,015,905

 

(7)

 

$

2,548,655

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

1,564,064

 

 

 

$

1,564,064

 

 

 

$

1,564,064

 

 

 

$

1,564,064

 

 

 

$

1,564,064

 

 

 

$

1,564,064

 

 

 

$

1,564,064

 

 

Vested SERP

 

$

5,342,231

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,342,231

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,342,231

 

 

 

$

2,493,622

 

 

 

$

5,342,231

 

 

Total Value

 

$

13,111,186

 

 

 

$

4,112,719

 

 

 

$

21,466,417

 

 

 

$

13,537,400

 

 

 

$

25,518,560

 

 

 

$

16,498,272

 

 

 

$

18,879,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

 

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination(1)

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

4,676,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

4,000,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

1,300,000

 

(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs(5)

 

$

3,044,709

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

3,044,709

 

 

 

$

6,621,798

 

 

 

$

6,621,798

 

 

 

$

6,621,798

 

 

 

$

6,621,798

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

134,120

 

(6)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

3,044,709

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

7,720,709

 

 

 

$

6,621,798

 

 

 

$

12,055,918

 

 

 

$

6,621,798

 

 

 

$

6,621,798

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

$

423,113

 

 

 

$

423,113

 

 

 

$

423,113

 

 

 

$

423,113

 

 

 

$

423,113

 

 

 

$

890,363

 

(7)

 

$

423,113

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

749,396

 

 

 

$

749,396

 

 

 

$

749,396

 

 

 

$

749,396

 

 

 

$

749,396

 

 

 

$

749,396

 

 

 

$

749,396

 

 

Vested Pension Plan

 

$

49,652

 

 

 

$

49,652

 

 

 

$

49,652

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

49,652

 

 

 

$

25,398

 

(8)

 

$

49,652

 

 

Vested SERP

 

$

3,598,940

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

3,598,940

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

3,598,940

 

 

 

$

1,766,575

 

 

 

$

3,598,940

 

 

Total “Walk-Away” Value

 

$

7,865,810

 

 

 

$

1,222,161

 

 

 

$

12,541,810

 

 

 

$

7,794,307

 

 

 

$

16,877,019

 

 

 

$

10,053,530

 

 

 

$

11,442,899

 

 

(1)

(1)

Voluntary termination would qualify as early retirement under the SERP and the SERP and our Company’s Bonus RSU grant agreements.

(2)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the median of the executive’s last three annual incentive bonuses.

(3)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the executive’s target annual incentive bonus for the current fiscal year, or if there is no such target, the average annual discretionary incentive bonus earned by the executive during the last three completed fiscal years.

(4)

Represents the pro rata portion of the executive’s target annual bonus for the year of termination. Also assumes that, while any outstanding performance units would vest in the event of a change-in-control of the Company, the Compensation Committee would exercise its discretion to reduce any performance units awarded to the amount of the target annual incentive bonus.

(5)

The Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and related agreements provide for acceleration of all unvested RSUs in the event of a change-in-control of the Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service) or normal retirement (age 62), or involuntary termination without cause (absent a change-in-control), all unvested Performance RSUs vest one year after termination. Unvested Long-Term Incentive RSUs vest one year after termination provided the normal retirement criterion is met at the time of termination.

(6)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis.

(5)

Unvested RSUs do not accelerate, except in the event of a change-in-control of our Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability per our Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan, and related agreements. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service), normal retirement (age 60, or age 62 for RSUs granted before 2021), or involuntary termination without cause, absent a change-in-control, all unvested Bonus RSUs vest one year after termination. In the event of termination after meeting normal retirement, or for grants made in 2021 only, involuntary termination without cause, absent a change-in-control, all unvested LTI RSUs vest one year after termination.

(7)

Represents the sum of (a) the vested balance on December 31, 2017 of $423,113

(6)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis for 24 months post termination.

(7)

Represents the sum of (a) the vested balance on December 31, 2021 of $2,548,655 and (b) a $467,250 pre-retirement death benefit equal to 15 times the amount deferred in the participant’s first year of participation.

64 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


(8)

Represents the lump sum present value equal to one-half of the accrued benefit, converted to a qualified joint and survivor form and payable to spouse three years younger than the participant at the latter of the participant’s current age or age 55.

50 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Executive Compensation Tables

Executive Compensation Tables

Mark E. Seaton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

3,720,000

 

(1)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

3,500,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

1,150,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

2,272,310

 

 

 

$

4,716,943

 

 

 

$

4,716,943

 

 

 

$

4,716,943

 

 

 

$

4,716,943

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

189,344

 

(5)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,992,310

 

 

 

$

4,716,943

 

 

 

$

9,556,287

 

 

 

$

4,716,943

 

 

 

$

4,716,943

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

385,903

 

 

 

$

385,903

 

 

 

$

385,903

 

 

 

$

385,903

 

 

 

$

385,903

 

 

 

$

385,903

 

 

 

$

385,903

 

 

Total “Walk-Away” Value

 

$

385,903

 

 

 

$

385,903

 

 

 

$

6,378,213

 

 

 

$

5,102,846

 

 

 

$

9,942,190

 

 

 

$

5,102,846

 

 

 

$

5,102,846

 

 

Mark E. Seaton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

5,131,000

 

(1)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

4,300,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

1,450,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

4,996,785

 

 

 

$

7,185,113

 

 

 

$

7,185,113

 

 

 

$

7,185,113

 

 

 

$

7,185,113

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

153,921

 

(5)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

10,127,785

 

 

 

$

7,185,113

 

 

 

$

13,089,034

 

 

 

$

7,185,113

 

 

 

$

7,185,113

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

767,551

 

 

 

$

767,551

 

 

 

$

767,551

 

 

 

$

767,551

 

 

 

$

767,551

 

 

 

$

767,551

 

 

 

$

767,551

 

 

Total Value

 

$

767,551

 

 

 

$

767,551

 

 

 

$

10,895,336

 

 

 

$

7,952,663

 

 

 

$

13,856,584

 

 

 

$

7,952,663

 

 

 

$

7,952,663

 

 

 

(1)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the median of the executive’s last three annual incentive bonuses.

(2)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the executive’s target annual incentive bonus for the current fiscal year, or if there is no such target, the average annual discretionary incentive bonus earned by the executive during the last three completed fiscal years.

(3)

Represents the pro rata portion of the executive’s target annual bonus for the year of termination. Also assumes that, while any outstanding performance units would vest in the event of a change-in-control of the Company, the Compensation Committee would exercise its discretion to reduce any performance units awarded to the amount of the target annual incentive bonus.

(4)

The Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and related agreements provide for acceleration of all unvested RSUs in the event of a change-in-control of the Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service) or normal retirement (age 62), or involuntary termination without cause (absent a change-in-control), all unvested Performance RSUs vest one year after termination. Unvested Long-Term Incentive RSUs vest one year after termination provided the normal retirement criterion is met at the time of termination.

(4)

Unvested RSUs do not accelerate, except in the event of a change-in-control of our Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability per our Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan, and related agreements. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service), normal retirement (age 60, or age 62 for RSUs granted before 2021), or involuntary termination without cause, absent a change-in-control, all unvested Bonus RSUs vest one year after termination. In the event of termination after meeting normal retirement, or for grants made in 2021 only, involuntary termination without cause, absent a change-in-control, all unvested LTI RSUs vest one year after termination.

(5)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis for 24 months post termination.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 65


(5)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 51


Executive Compensation Tables

Executive Compensation Tables

Matthew F. Wajner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With

Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

930,000

 

(1)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

175,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

209,365

 

 

 

$

669,902

 

 

 

$

669,902

 

 

 

$

669,902

 

 

 

$

669,902

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

98,506

 

(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

209,365

 

 

 

$

669,902

 

 

 

$

1,873,408

 

 

 

$

669,902

 

 

 

$

669,902

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

183,105

 

 

 

$

183,105

 

 

 

$

183,105

 

 

 

$

183,105

 

 

 

$

183,105

 

 

 

$

183,105

 

 

 

$

183,105

 

 

Total “Walk-Away” Value

 

$

183,105

 

 

 

$

183,105

 

 

 

$

392,470

 

 

 

$

853,007

 

 

 

$

2,056,513

 

 

 

$

853,007

 

 

 

$

853,007

 

 

Matthew F. Wajner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary Termination

Change-in-Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Payments and Benefits Upon Termination

Voluntary Termination

For Cause

Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Without Termination

With

Termination Without Cause/By Employee for Good Reason

Death

Disability

Amounts Due to Triggering Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

67,308

 

(1)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

1,170,000

 

(2)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Bonus

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

235,000

 

(3)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Accelerated Vesting of RSUs(4)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

582,031

 

 

 

$

946,739

 

 

 

$

946,739

 

 

 

$

946,739

 

 

 

$

946,739

 

 

Benefit Continuation

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

108,322

 

(5)

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

Incremental Severance Sub-Total

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

$

649,339

 

 

 

$

946,739

 

 

 

$

2,460,061

 

 

 

$

946,739

 

 

 

$

946,739

 

 

Previously Earned/ Vested Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested 401(k) Savings Plan Balance

 

$

475,346

 

 

 

$

475,346

 

 

 

$

475,346

 

 

 

$

475,346

 

 

 

$

475,346

 

 

 

$

475,346

 

 

 

$

475,346

 

 

Total Value

 

$

475,346

 

 

 

$

475,346

 

 

 

$

1,124,686

 

 

 

$

1,422,086

 

 

 

$

2,935,408

 

 

 

$

1,422,086

 

 

 

$

1,422,086

 

 

 

(1)

Pursuant to our Company’s severance plan generally available to employees without employment or severance agreements, Mr. Wajner could be eligible for 10 weeks of severance pay when laid off or terminated without cause in a situation not involving a change in control, subject to the terms of the plan.

(2)

Represents two times the executive’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination and two times the executive’s target annual incentive bonus for the current fiscal year, or if there is no such target, the average annual discretionary incentive bonus earned by the executive during the last three completed fiscal years.

(2)

(3)

Represents the pro rata portion of the executive’s target annual bonus for the year of termination. Also assumes that, while any outstanding performance units would vest in the event of a change-in-control of the Company, the Compensation Committee would exercise its discretion to reduce any performance units awarded to the amount of the target annual incentive bonus.

(3)

The Company’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and related agreements provide for acceleration of all unvested RSUs in the event of a change-in-control of the Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service) or normal retirement (age 62), or involuntary termination without cause (absent a change-in-control), all unvested Performance RSUs vest one year after termination. Unvested Long-Term Incentive RSUs vest one year after termination provided the normal retirement criterion is met at the time of termination.

(4)

Represents cash payments to the executive to cover the cost of purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis.

Pay Ratio(4)

For purposesUnvested RSUs do not accelerate, except in the event of identifyinga change-in-control of our Company that is not approved by the Board of Directors and in the event of death or disability per our Company’s median employee from2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan, and related agreements. In the event of termination after meeting early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service), normal retirement (age 60, or age 62 for RSUs granted before 2021), or involuntary termination without cause, absent a total annual compensation perspectivechange-in-control, all unvested Bonus RSUs vest one year after termination. In the Company appliedevent of termination after meeting normal retirement, or for grants made in 2021 only, involuntary termination without cause, absent a change-in-control, all unvested LTI RSUs vest one year after termination.

(5)

Represents cash payments to the following methodology:executive to cover the Company utilized a measurement datecost of December 31, 2017;purchasing the benefits on an after-tax basis for 24 months post termination.

Pay Ratio

For purposes of identifying our Company’s median employee from a total annual compensation perspective, our Company applied the following methodology: our Company utilized a measurement date of December 31, 2021; annual total compensation included base salary, overtime, annual bonus, other incentive pay, Company match on retirement programs or profit sharing contributions, the grant date fair value of RSUs and other perquisites; our Company did not apply a cost-of-living adjustment to compensation for employees located outside of the U.S.

As of December 31, 2021, our Company had 22,233 total (U.S. and non-U.S.) employees. The median employee’s annual total compensation was $57,046. The resulting principal executive officer to median employee pay ratio was 189 to 1 given our Company’s principal executive officer’s total compensation of $10,791,103, as more fully described in the Summary Compensation Table.

66 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Director Compensation

The following table sets forth the cash and other compensation earned by non-employee directors of our Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Name

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash

($)

Stock

Awards(1)

($)

All Other

Compensation

($)

Total

($)

James L. Doti

 

 

160,000

 

 

 

 

149,974

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

309,974

 

 

Reginald H. Gilyard

 

 

105,000

 

 

 

 

149,974

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

254,974

 

 

Parker S. Kennedy

 

 

255,000

 

 

 

 

149,974

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

(2)

 

 

424,974

 

 

Jean C. LaTorre(3)

 

 

46,329

 

 

 

 

96,158

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

142,487

 

 

Margaret M. McCarthy

 

 

135,000

 

(4)

 

 

149,974

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

284,974

 

 

Michael D. McKee

 

 

120,000

 

 

 

 

149,974

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

269,974

 

 

Thomas V. McKernan

 

 

130,000

 

(4)

 

 

149,974

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

279,974

 

 

Mark C. Oman

 

 

120,000

 

 

 

 

149,974

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

269,974

 

 

Martha B. Wyrsch

 

 

105,000

 

 

 

 

149,974

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

254,974

 

 

(1)

The amounts shown are the grant date fair value of RSUs and other perquisites;stock awards granted in the Company did not apply a cost-of-living adjustment to compensation for employees located outsideyear as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using the fair market value (as defined in our 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan) of our common stock on the grant date. For information on the valuation of the U.S.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 18,705 total (U.S. and non-U.S.) employees. The median employee’s annual total compensation was $52,428. The resulting principal executive officerawards, refer to median employee pay ratio was 159 to 1 given the Company’s principal executive officer’s total compensation of $8,330,344, as more fully described in the 2017 Summary Compensation Table on page 41.

52 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


2017 Director Compensation

The following table sets forth the cash and other compensation earned by non-employee directors of the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Name

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash

($)

Stock

Awards(1)

($)

All Other

Compensation

($)

Total

($)

James L. Doti(2)

 

140,000

 

 

99,994

 

 

0

 

 

239,994

 

Reginald H. Gilyard(3)

 

61,463

 

 

64,918

 

 

0

 

 

126,381

 

Parker S. Kennedy(4)

 

246,493

 

 

99,994

 

 

20,000

 

 

366,487

 

Margaret M. McCarthy

 

98,000

 

 

99,994

 

 

0

 

 

197,994

 

Michael D. McKee

 

105,000

 

 

99,994

 

 

0

 

 

204,994

 

Thomas V. McKernan

 

102,000

 

 

99,994

 

 

0

 

 

201,994

 

Mark C. Oman

 

112,000

 

 

99,994

 

 

0

 

 

211,994

 

Virginia M. Ueberroth

 

100,000

 

 

99,994

 

 

0

 

 

199,994

 

(1)

The amounts shown are the grant date fair value of stock awards granted in the year as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. For information on the valuation of the awards, refer to Note 15Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

(2)

Mr. Doti elected to receive RSUs in lieu of an annual cash retainer. He was granted Director RSUs with a grant value of $89,964 on December 20, 2017.

(3)

Mr. Gilyard was appointed to the Board effective May 9, 2017. His annual retainer and stock awards were prorated accordingly.

(4)

Mr. Kennedy received $20,000 for service on the board of directors of First American Trust, FSB, a subsidiary of the Company. In addition, the Company maintains an office for Mr. Kennedy and provides administrative support.

Compensation of non-employee directors consists of several components. The 2017 annual cash retainer was $90,000. The chairman of the Board received an additional retainer of $150,000. The lead independent director of the Company received an additional retainer of $25,000. The chairs of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee received an additional retainer equal to $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000, respectively. Members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee received an additional retainer equal to $12,000, $10,000 and $8,000, respectively. On February 22, 2017, the Company granted to each non-employee director RSUs with a grant date fair value of $99,994. Director RSUs vest over one year, subject to continued service on the Board. All outstanding awards vest upon retirement irrespective of length of service prior to such retirement. Directors may also receive additional compensation for serving on the board of directors of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (payments are described in footnote four to the table above).

The aggregate number of unvested RSUs held by each non-employee director as of December 31, 2017 was as set forth in the table below.

Name

Restricted

Stock Units

(#)

James L. Doti

9,178

Reginald H. Gilyard

1,471

Parker S. Kennedy

5,395

Margaret M. McCarthy

4,783

Michael D. McKee

5,395

Thomas V. McKernan

5,395

Mark C. Oman

5,395

Virginia M. Ueberroth

5,395

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 53


Director Compensation

The Board of Directors has established stock ownership guidelines for non-employee directors whereby such directors are expected to own at least five times their cash annual retainer in Company common stock. RSUs issued to directors are included for purposes of meeting the guidelines. Directors have five years following commencement of service to satisfy the guidelines.

54 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


II. Required Information

Code of Ethics

The Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions. A copy of this code of ethics is posted in the corporate governance section of the Company’s Web site at www.firstam.com. To the extent the Company waives or amends any provisions of this code of ethics, it will disclose such waivers or amendments on the above Web site. The Board also has adopted a broader code of ethics and conduct, applying to all employees, officers and directors, which also has been posted to the Web site at the address stated above. Each of these codes is available in print to any stockholder who requests it. Such request should be sent to the secretary at our address indicated on the first page of this proxy statement.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines which have been posted in the corporate governance section of the Web site at www.firstam.com and are available in print to any stockholder who requests them. Such request should be sent to the secretary at our address indicated on the first page of this proxy statement. In addition to stating the standards that the Board applies in determining whether or not its members are independent, these guidelines state the qualifications and responsibilities of our directors and describe fundamental aspects of our Board and certain of its committees.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2017 our Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Kennedy, McKee and Oman. Mr. Kennedy was appointed to the Committee on May 9, 2017. Each member is not currently and has not formerly been an employee or officer of the Company, other than Mr. Kennedy who was employed by the Company as its executive chairman until his retirement in February 2012, and there were and are no compensation committee interlocks involving any of the members of the Compensation Committee. See also the section entitled “Transactions with Management and Others” on page 16, regarding Mr. Kennedy’s son’s employment by a subsidiary of the Company.

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviews the Company’s accounting policies and financial reporting and disclosure practices, system of internal controls, audit process and the process for monitoring compliance with laws, regulations and corporate policies. The Board adopted a revised written charter for the Audit Committee on January 18, 2017. The Audit Committee has reviewed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and discussed them with management.

The Audit Committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed under applicable rules adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

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

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 55


II. Required Information

Based on the review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2021.

(2)

Includes $20,000 for service on the board of directors of First American Trust, FSB, a subsidiary of our Company. In addition, our Company maintains an office for Mr. Kennedy and be filedprovides him with mobile devices, a computer, other office equipment and administrative support.

(3)

Ms. LaTorre was appointed to the U.S. SecuritiesBoard on May 11, 2021 and Exchange Commission.resigned from the Board effective November 4, 2021, and her annual retainer and stock award were prorated accordingly.

(4)

Includes $95,000 of deferred retainer fees earned for Board service pursuant to our Company’s deferred compensation plan.

Compensation of non-employee directors consists of several components. The 2021 annual cash retainer was $95,000. The chairman of the Board received an additional annual retainer of $150,000. The lead independent director of our Company received an additional annual retainer of $25,000. The chairs of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Governance Committee received an additional annual retainer equal to $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000, respectively. Members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Governance Committee, and the Risk Oversight, Accountability and Review Committee received an additional annual retainer equal to $15,000, $10,000, $10,000 and $20,000, respectively. Retainers are prorated for partial-year service. On February 18, 2021, our Company granted to each non-employee director who was serving at such time RSUs with a grant date fair value of $149,974, other than Ms. LaTorre who was granted $96,158 on June 21, 2021. Director RSUs vest over one year, subject to continued service on the Board. All outstanding awards vest upon retirement irrespective of length of service prior to such retirement. Directors may also receive additional compensation for serving on the board of directors of certain of our Company’s subsidiaries (payments are described in footnote two to the table above).

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 67


Director Compensation

The aggregate number of unvested RSUs held by each non-employee director who served during the year is as set forth in the table below as of December 31, 2021.

Name

Restricted

Stock Units

(#)

 

Audit Committee

James L. Doti

 

2,661

Reginald H. Gilyard

2,661

Parker S. Kennedy

2,661

Jean C. LaTorre

0

Margaret M. McCarthy

2,661

Michael D. McKee

2,661

Thomas V. McKernan

2,661

Mark C. Oman

2,661

Martha B. Wyrsch

2,661

 

James L. Doti, Chairman

The Board of Directors has established stock ownership guidelines for non-employee directors whereby such directors are expected to own at least five times their cash annual retainer in Company common stock. RSUs issued to directors are included for purposes of meeting the guidelines. Directors have five years following commencement of service to satisfy the guidelines.

68 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


II. Required Information

Thomas V. McKernan

Code of Ethics

The Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions. A copy of this code of ethics is posted in the corporate governance section of our Company’s website at www.firstam.com. To the extent our Company waives or amends any provisions of this code of ethics, it will disclose within four business days such waivers or amendments on the above website. The Board also has adopted a broader code of ethics and conduct, applying to all employees, officers and directors, which also has been posted to the website at the address stated above. Each of these codes is available in print to any stockholder who requests it. Such request should be sent to the secretary at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines, which have been posted in the corporate governance section of the website at www.firstam.com and are available in print to any stockholder who requests them. Such request should be sent to the secretary at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707. In addition to stating the standards that the Board applies in determining whether or not its members are independent, these guidelines state the qualifications and responsibilities of our directors and describe fundamental aspects of our Board and certain of its committees.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2021, our Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Kennedy, McKee and Oman. Each member is not currently and has not formerly been an employee or officer of our Company, other than Mr. Kennedy, who was employed by our Company as our executive chairman until he resigned from that position in February 2012, and there were and are no compensation committee interlocks involving any of the members of the Compensation Committee. See also the section entitled “Transactions and Litigation with Management and Others” on page 23, regarding Mr. Kennedy’s son’s employment by a subsidiary of our Company.

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviews the Company’s accounting policies and financial reporting and disclosure practices, system of internal controls, audit process and the process for monitoring compliance with laws, regulations and corporate policies. The Board adopted a revised written charter for the Audit Committee on January 19, 2022. The Audit Committee has reviewed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and discussed them with management.

The Audit Committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 69


II. Required Information

Mark C. Oman

Based on the review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Audit Committee

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth details regarding equity securities of the Company that were authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans of the

James L. Doti, Chairman

Thomas V. McKernan

Mark C. Oman

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth details regarding equity securities of our Company that were authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans of our Company as ofDecember 31, 2021.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan Category

Number of securities

to be issued upon

exercise of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

(a)

Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights

(b)

Number of securities

remaining available

for future issuance

under equity

compensation plans

(excluding securities

reflected in

column (a))

(c)

 

(in thousands, except weighted-average exercise price)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

1,987

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

3,233

 

(2)

Equity compensation not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,233

 

 

(1)

Consists of unvested or undistributed restricted stock units under the First American Financial Corporation 2010 and 2020 Incentive Compensation Plans. See Note 19 to our Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan Category

Number of securities

to be issued upon

exercise of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

(a)

Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights(2)

(b)

Number of securities

remaining available

for future issuance

under equity

compensation plans

(excluding securities

reflected in

column (a))

(c)

 

(in thousands, except weighted-average exercise price)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

2,551

(1)

 

$

27.66

 

 

 

5,633

(3)

Equity compensation not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,551

 

 

$

27.66

 

 

 

5,633

 

(1)

Consists of unexercised outstanding stock options and unvested or undistributed restricted stock units under the First American Financial Corporation 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan. See Note 15 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172021 for additional information.

(2)

Calculated solely with respect to outstanding unexercised stock options.

(3)

Consists of the sum of the

(2)

Consists of 2.657 million shares remaining under the First American Financial Corporation 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and the shares remaining under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Rules adopted by the SEC require our officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of our issued and outstanding common stock, to file reports of their ownership, and changes in ownership, of our shares with the SEC on prescribed forms. Officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent stockholders are required by the SEC’s rules to furnish us with copies of all such forms they file with the SEC.

Based solely on the review of the copies of the forms received by us, or written representations from reporting persons that they were not required to file a Form 5 to report previously unreported ownership or changes in ownership, we believe that, since the filing of last year’s proxy statement, our officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners timely complied with all such filing requirements, except that two reportable events for Parker S. Kennedy were reported late on his Form 4 filed on February 12, 2018.

56 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan and 0.576 million shares remaining under our Company’s 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.


Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Rules adopted by the SEC require our officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of our issued and outstanding common stock, to file reports of their ownership, and changes in ownership, of our shares with the SEC on prescribed forms. Based solely on the review of the forms filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or written representations from reporting persons that they were not required to file a Form 5 to report previously unreported ownership or changes in ownership, we believe that, since the filing of last year’s proxy statement, our officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners timely complied with all such filing requirements, except that Jean C. LaTorre’s receipt of RSUs on June 21, 2021, was reported late on September 17, 2021, due to an administrative error in her account setup and Lisa W. Cornehl’s payment of tax liabilities by the withholding of securities incident to the vesting of RSUs on December 20, 2021 and February 18, 2022, were reported late on February 24, 2022, due to an administrative error and the discovery of the December transaction.

70 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


II. Required Information

II. Required Information

Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PwC was selected by our Audit Committee as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2017. This firm has served as our independent accountants since 2009.

A representative of PwC is expected to be present at the meeting. The representative will have the opportunity to make any desired statement and to answer any appropriate questions by the stockholders.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The aggregate fees for 2017 and 2016

Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) was selected by our Audit Committee as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the year ending December 31, 2022. This firm has served as our independent accountants since 2009.

A representative of PwC is expected to participate in the meeting. The representative will have the opportunity to make any desired statement and to answer any appropriate questions by the stockholders.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The aggregate fees for 2021 and 2020 in the four categories of service set forth in the table below are as follows:

Aggregate fees billed in year(1)

2021

2020

Audit Fees

 

$

5,627,103

 

 

 

$

5,899,713

 

 

Audit-Related Fees(2)

 

$

1,201,736

 

 

 

$

888,340

 

 

Tax Fees(3)

 

$

97,904

 

 

 

$

173,647

 

 

All Other Fees(4)

 

$

7,003

 

 

 

$

5,472

 

 

 

Aggregate fees billed in year(1)

2017

2016

Audit Fees

 

$

5,716,018

 

 

 

$

5,690,618

 

 

Audit-Related Fees(2)

 

$

765,564

 

 

 

$

540,178

 

 

Tax Fees(3)

 

$

219,014

 

 

 

$

575,699

 

 

All Other Fees(4)

 

$

466,224

 

 

 

$

131,608

 

 

(1)

(1)

All amounts include fees, out-of-pocket expenses,

All amounts include fees, out-of-pocket expense, local sales and other taxes where applicable, and other disbursements.

(2)

These fees were incurred primarily for procedures performed for internal control reports, and consultations concerning compliance with certain government regulations and financial

(2)

These fees were incurred primarily for procedures performed for internal controls reports, registration statements, consultations concerning compliance with certain government regulations and financials accounting and reporting standards.

(3)

These fees were incurred primarily for tax advice, compliance and planning.

(4)

These fees were incurred primarily for services related to information security assessments, software licensing and human resources benchmarking.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-approval of Audit and Permissible Nonaudit Services of Independent Auditoradvisory services.

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all engagements of the Company’s independent principal registered public accounting firm for audit and nonaudit services. All of these engagements must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee or a designated member of that committee on an individual basis. The Audit Committee or its designee has pre-approved all engagements included in the “audit,” “audit-related,” “tax” and “other” categories in the table above.

Stockholder Proposals

In order for a proposal by you or your fellow stockholders to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy solicited by our Board for our next annual meeting of stockholders, the proposal must be received at our address indicated on the first page of this proxy statement no later than the close of business on November 30, 2018 and must comply with all other requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8.

If you wish to submit a proposal for consideration at next year’s annual meeting without including the same in the proxy statement and form of proxy solicited by our Board, you should inform our secretary no later than the close of business on February 7, 2019, of your intention to do so. If you wait longer, the holders of the proxies solicited by our Board may vote on your proposal at their discretion. Proposals also must be submitted in accordance with the other applicable provisions of the Company’s bylaws, including the notice provisions.

These deadlines assume that the date of our next annual meeting will not be advanced or delayed by more than 30 calendar days from the one year anniversary of the date of the current annual meeting. If such an event occurs, we will provide you with notice in our earliest possible quarterly report on Form 10-Q or on Form 8-K of the respective dates by which such proposals must be received.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 57

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-approval of Audit and Permissible Nonaudit Services of Independent Auditor

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all engagements of our Company’s independent principal registered public accounting firm for audit and nonaudit services. All of these engagements must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee or a designated member of that committee on an individual basis. The Audit Committee or its designee has pre-approved all engagements included in the table above.

Stockholder Proposals, Director Nominations and Proxy Access

In order for a proposal by you or your fellow stockholders to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy solicited by our Board for our next annual meeting of stockholders, other than nominations of directors, the proposal must be received at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707 no later than 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on December 2, 2022, and must comply with all other requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8.

If you wish to submit a proposal for consideration at next year’s annual meeting or make a nomination without including the same in the proxy statement and form of proxy solicited by our Board, your notice must be delivered to our secretary at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707 no earlier than 6:00 PM, Pacific Time, on January 10, 2023, and no later than 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on February 9, 2023, of your intention to do so. If you wait longer, the holders of the proxies solicited by our Board may vote on your proposal at their discretion. In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules (once effective), stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our Company’s nominees must deliver notice to our secretary at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707 that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than March 11, 2023.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 71


II. Required Information

 

Proxy Access – A stockholder, or group of up to 20 stockholders, owning at least 3% of our Company’s issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors continuously for at least three years, may nominate and include in our proxy materials for our next annual meeting of stockholders, director nominees constituting up to 20% of the Board, provided that the stockholder(s) and the director nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in our Bylaws, including delivering a complete submission in writing to our secretary at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707 by no earlier than 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on November 2, 2022, and no later than 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on December 2, 2022.

Proposals, nominations and notices also must be submitted in accordance with the other applicable provisions of our Company’s bylaws, including the notice provisions.

These deadlines assume that the date of our next annual meeting will not be advanced or delayed by more than 30 calendar days from the one-year anniversary of the date of the current annual meeting. If such an event occurs, we will provide you with notice in our earliest possible quarterly report on
Form 10-Q or on Form 8-K of the respective dates by which such proposals must be received.

Appraisal Rights

You are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the approval of the proposals to be voted upon at the meeting.

72 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


III.   Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

Appraisal Rights

You are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the approval of the proposals to be voted upon at the meeting.

58 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


III.   Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

We recognizeRecognizing our responsibility towardsto the environment, our employees and to theour communities, in which we operate. Our commitment tobelieve socially responsible and sustainable practices is an integral part of how we do business. We believe that this is not onlyare the right way to do business but also that itand will benefit our employees, clients, vendors, stockholders, communities and the environment. We fulfill

Those interested in learning more about our efforts can read our 2020 Sustainability Report at www.firstam.com/sustainability and visit the Sustainability, Caring For Our Community and Supplier Information sections of our website. The Sustainability Report and these website sections are specifically not incorporated by reference into this responsibility in many ways, a fewproxy statement, and you should not consider that information part of which are highlighted below.this proxy statement.

Environmental—The Company measures greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy consumption and solid waste generation in an ongoing commitment to reduce our environmental impact while making our operations more efficient.  A few highlights include:

Some of Our Recent Success Stories

2020 Sustainability Report 2020

Our data center

reduced

electricity consumption

FORTUNE 100 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR 2021 BEST PLACES TO WORK for LGBTQ Equality Best Workplaces

“It’s our strong belief that putting people first matters,

“It’s our strong belief that putting people first matters, and this philosophy begins with our employees and extends from there to our customers, our shareholders and the communities in which we work” – Dennis Gilmore, Chairman of the Board and this philosophy begins with our employees and extends from there to our customers, our shareholders and the communities in which we work.” Dennis Gilmore, CEO

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – We continued to be proactive in our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts:

We established several diverse employee resource groups, with more in the formation stages, where employees can gather to support and advocate for their communities within our Company.

Primarily as a result of internal initiatives and external partnerships to enhance our recruiting and retention, we have seen approximately 38% of new hires coming from racial ethnic minorities over the past two years, increasing their share of total U.S. employees to 30% at the end of 2021, compared with 27% in 2019 (based on regular employees included in our Company’s centralized human resources system).

by 23%, reduced

natural gas usage by

34% and reduced

water usage by 48%

Smart irrigation control system, SAVES
1.2 million gallons
of water
and

$50,000 in water

costs annually

o

A “Green Team” that oversees and directs improvements in energy efficiency, water reduction, waste elimination and carbon management. Since its start, the Green Team has implemented improvement projects such as green cleaning, lighting retrofits, an energy demand response program, restroom fixture upgrades and a recycling program. The Green Team directs the activities of the Company’s Planet First council, which works to reduce our carbon footprint and improve communications about our sustainability initiatives and corporate stewardship.

 

 

 

 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions (MT CO,e, U.S. owned facilities only)

 

Annual CDP reporting—

Climate Change Management B score maintained in 2021

Energy reductions in 2020 could provide energy for 167 homes for one year

Launched executive-level ESG Committee in 2021 to provide strategic oversight, direction and execution support for ESG issues

Expanded data collection for scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions to include employee commute in 2021

 

Fortune and Fortune 100 Best Companies are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited. From Fortune. ©2021 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, First American Financial Corporation.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 73


IV.   Questions and Answers

New energy-saving

equipment in our

corporate campus

cafeteria saves

enough energy to

power 13

homes a year

47 U.S. facilities

reduced their

combined

greenhouse gas

emissions

o

Environmental impact audits conducted by third parties we engage for that purpose provide feedback about the areas in which we excel and the opportunities for improvement.

o

Renewable energy, electric vehicle charging stations, rideshare, recycling, on-site composting, locally-sourced food programs and water reduction fixtures and technologies help us to collectively reduce our environmental impact.

Social—The Company strives to be socially responsible by supporting the professional development and well-being of our employees and contributing to the communities in which we operate.  We are proud to support our employees as they give back to the communities in which they live and work. Our employees contribute their passion, time and money to dozens of food banks, charity walks, children's causes, veterans support and more every year.  Our employees make a difference in our core causes through a variety of activities nationally and locally, including:

o

Women’s Advocacy—We support organizations and initiatives that address women’s health, family and welfare issues.

Our employees across the country have participated for many years in breast cancer walks—raising money and awareness. We have supported these efforts with donations to each team, along with t-shirts and banners.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 59


III. Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

We support the American Heart Association® Go Red for Women® campaign to raise awareness for heart disease and stroke in women. In 2017, employees wore red on National Wear Red Day® and participated in organized team heart walks. We donated $1 for every employee who posted photos of themselves and their teams wearing red to support the cause.

Our Women in Leadership Institute promotes growth opportunities for women across our organization.

o

Community Development—We give to organizations that work to create and sustain affordable housing, revitalize low- to moderate-income neighborhoods and support community services and economic development, including, for example:

For many years, we have sponsored Habitat for Humanity® “Team Build” events that support the communities in which our employees live and work. Employees take a paid volunteer day to pick up hammers, saws and paintbrushes and join a collaborative effort to build a home for a family in need.

o

Human Services—We support organizations that provide access to services, education, benefits and opportunities for the disadvantaged, including programs that promote direct access to health services for patients and their families, such as:

Our corporate campus cafeteria donates prepared food items to the Southwest Community Center in Santa Ana for service and distribution to the homeless and other economically disadvantaged individuals and families.

Through our Change for Charity program, we collected spare change from employees across five offices to benefit local charities. In addition we donate $1,000 to each designated charity.

We are proud that these and other efforts have been recognized through our inclusion on the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work For® list for three consecutive years, as well as being recognized with numerous other national and regional awards, such as:

60 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


IV.   Questions and Answers

Why have I been sent these

Why have I been sent these proxy materials?

 

Our Board has sent you this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card to ask for your vote, as a stockholder of our Company, on certain matters that will be voted on at the annual meeting.

What matters will be voted on at the meeting?

The matters scheduled to be voted on at the meeting are:

the election of two persons to serve on the Board as Class II directors until the next annual meeting at which Class II directors are elected or as soon as their successors are duly elected and qualified;

an advisory vote to approve executive compensation, which we refer to as a “Say on Pay” vote;

the ratification of the Company’s selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as its independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year; and

any other business properly raised at the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

At the time this proxy statement was mailed, our Board was not aware of any other matters to be voted on at the annual meeting.

Does our Board have any recommendations with respect to the listed proposals?

Our Board recommends you vote “FOR”: (1) all of its nominees for director; (2) the Say on Pay proposal; and (3) the ratification of PwC as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2018 fiscal year.

Who may attend the annual meeting?

All stockholders of the Company.

Who is entitled to vote?

Stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2018, the record date, or those with a valid proxy from a bank, brokerage firm or similar organization that held our shares on the record date are entitled to vote on the matters to be considered at the annual meeting.

What matters will be voted on at the meeting?

The matters scheduled to be voted on at the meeting are:

the election of three persons to serve on the Board as Class III directors until the next annual meeting at which Class III directors are elected or as soon as their successors are duly elected and qualified;

an advisory vote to approve executive compensation, which we refer to as a “Say on Pay” vote;

a vote to approve the amended and restated First American Financial Corporation 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

the ratification of our Company’s selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as its independent registered public accounting firm for the 2022 fiscal year; and

any other business properly raised at the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

At the time this proxy statement was mailed, our Board was not aware of any other matters to be voted on at the annual meeting.

Does our Board have any recommendations with respect to the listed proposals?

Our Board recommends you vote “FOR”: (1) each of its nominees for Class III director; (2) the Say on Pay proposal; (3) the amended and restated First American Financial Corporation 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and (4) the ratification of PwC as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2022 fiscal year.

When and where will the annual meeting take place?

This year’s annual meeting of stockholders will be held in a virtual-only meeting format online via live webcast using a unique link to be provided by email after registering at register.proxypush.com/FAF on May 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM Pacific Time. Our Company has taken steps to provide stockholders with the same rights and opportunities to participate in the virtual meeting as in an in-person meeting.

Who may attend the annual meeting?

All stockholders of our Company as of the record date, March 17, 2022, are entitled to participate in the annual meeting, including to submit questions or comments electronically during the meeting.

Who is a stockholder of record?

 

A stockholder of record is a person or entity whose name appears as an owner of one or more shares of our common stock on the records of our transfer agent as of its close of business on the record date.

74 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


IV. Questions and Answers

How do I participate in the annual meeting?

Stockholders may participate in and submit questions at the annual meeting online using a unique link to be provided by email after registering at register.proxypush.com/FAF using the control number provided on their proxy card or voting instruction form. Stockholders will need the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge or Firefox to register. Stockholders who pre-register for the meeting on or before May 9, 2022, should receive an email confirming registration. All stockholders who register for the meeting will be sent an email with a link to the meeting approximately one hour before the meeting begins, or, after that, upon registration. Using this link, stockholders will be able to check in to the meeting and wait for the meeting portal to be opened. Stockholders are encouraged to allow ample time for the check-in procedures. The meeting portal will be opened approximately 15 minutes before the annual meeting begins. Stockholders that experience any difficulties registering for the annual meeting may call 1-800-468-9716 to receive support.

Stockholders may submit written questions and comments to our Company once the meeting portal opens and during the annual meeting through the unique link to be provided by email after registering for the meeting at register.proxypush.com/FAF. We intend to answer as many questions as possible during the time allotted. More information on the question and answer process, including the types and number of questions permitted, the length of questions, and how questions will be recognized, answered, and disclosed, will be available in the meeting Rules and Procedures, which will be posted on the meeting website when the meeting portal opens and during the meeting.

Help and technical support is available to assist stockholders with any technical difficulties they may have accessing the virtual annual meeting. If a stockholder encounters any difficulties accessing the virtual annual meeting platform, including any difficulties voting or submitting questions, the stockholder may refer to frequently asked questions that will be linked to in the email that the stockholder receives with the stockholder’s unique link to the meeting. A stockholder may also call the technical support phone number provided on the frequently asked questions webpage.

How many shares are entitled to vote at the meeting?

As of the record date, 108,889,639 shares of our common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, were issued, outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.

How many votes do I have?

Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each proposal.

How many votes are needed to elect each director?

Each nominee for election to serve as a Class III director who receives a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting will be elected as a Class III director. However, our bylaws provide that in uncontested elections, such as the election of Class III directors at this year’s annual meeting, any nominee who does not receive a majority of votes cast “for” his or her election (meaning more votes “for” than “against”) would be required to tender his or her resignation promptly following the failure to receive the required vote. Within 90 days of the certification of the stockholder vote, our Board would then be required to decide whether to accept the resignation after considering the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. If the Board accepts the resignation offer, it will thereafter determine whether to fill the resulting vacancy or reduce the size of the Board.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 75


IV. Questions and Answers

Who are the director nominees?

The nominees for Class III directors are:

Reginald H. Gilyard

Parker S. Kennedy

Mark C. Oman

See biographical information regarding the nominees beginning on page 2.

How many votes are needed to approve, on an advisory basis, our Company’s executive compensation?

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting are needed to approve, on an advisory basis, our Company’s executive compensation presented herein.

Is the Board of Directors bound by the Say on Pay vote?

No. The Say on Pay vote is advisory and non-binding.

What is the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and what changes to the plan are being proposed?

The First American Financial Corporation 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan currently allows eligible employees to purchase common stock of our Company at 85.0% of the lesser of (i) the closing price of Company common stock on the first trading day of the offering period, or (ii) the closing price of Company common stock on the last trading day of the offering period. The proposed amendment and restatement increases the maximum number of shares of Company common stock that will be made available for sale under the plan from 5,000,000 to 14,000,000 and extends the term from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2032. Stockholder approval is required for each of these amendments. The Board believes that these amendments will encourage additional employee stock ownership and thereby better align the interests of employees with long-term stockholders. For additional information, please see Item 3. Approval of Amendment and Restatement of the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP proposal”) on page 10.

How many votes are needed to approve the Amendment and Restatement of the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan?

Our Company’s bylaws require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting to approve the ESPP proposal.

How many votes are needed to ratify PwC as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022?

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is needed to ratify PwC as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.

76 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


IV. Questions and Answers

What happens if our Company’s choice of PwC as its independent registered public accounting firm is not ratified by the stockholders?

If the stockholders do not ratify PwC as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2022 fiscal year, the Audit Committee will reconsider its choice of PwC as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and may retain a different independent registered public accounting firm; however, the Audit Committee may nonetheless determine that it is in our Company’s, and our stockholders’, best interests to retain PwC as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Additionally, even if stockholders ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of PwC as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee may at any time determine that it is in our Company’s, and our stockholders’, best interests to retain a different firm.

How do I vote?

You can vote on matters that properly come before the meeting in one of four ways:

You may vote by mail before the meeting.

You do this by signing and dating the proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed, prepaid and addressed envelope within the required time. If you mark your voting instructions on the proxy card, your shares will be voted as you instruct.

You may vote by telephone before the meeting.

You do this by following the instructions accompanying the proxy card. If you submit your proxy by telephone, your shares will be voted as you instruct. You do not have to separately mail in your proxy card. Some stockholders may not be able to submit their proxy by telephone.

You may vote on the Internet before the meeting.

You do this by following the instructions accompanying the proxy card. If you submit your proxy on the Internet, your shares will be voted as you instruct. You do not have to separately mail in your proxy card. Some stockholders may not be able to submit their proxy on the Internet.

You may participate in the virtual meeting and vote online.

In order to attend and vote at the virtual annual meeting, you must register at register.proxypush.com/faf. Upon completing your registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including a unique link that will allow you access to the annual meeting and to vote and submit questions during the meeting. As part of the registration process, you must enter the control number located on your proxy card, voting instruction form, or Notice of Internet Availability. If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, you will also need to provide the registered name on your account and the name of your broker, bank or other nominee as part of the registration process.

What happens if I sign and return my proxy card, but don’t mark my votes?

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio, chief executive officer, or Lisa W. Cornehl, senior vice president, chief legal officer, will vote your shares as proxies in accordance with the recommendations of the Board reflected herein or in their discretion on any other matters that may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 77


IV. Questions and Answers

Can I revoke my proxy?

You have the power to change or revoke your proxy at any time before the polls close at the meeting. You may do this by:

signing and returning another proxy card with a later date;

if you are a stockholder of record, submitting written notice of your revocation to our secretary at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707;

submitting your proxy by telephone or on the Internet (only your latest proxy is counted) by 11:59 PM, Central time, on May 9, 2022; or

participating in the virtual meeting and voting online during the meeting. Participation in the virtual meeting will not by itself constitute revocation of a proxy.

What happens if my shares are held under the name of a brokerage firm?

If your shares are held in street name, your brokerage firm, under certain circumstances, may vote your shares. Brokerage firms have authority under NYSE rules to vote customers’ unvoted shares on certain “routine” matters. We believe that the proposal to ratify the selection of our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is expected to be deemed a routine matter under NYSE rules. If you do not submit your proxy, your brokerage firm has discretion to either vote your shares on routine matters or leave your shares unvoted.

Please note that the election to the Board of the nominees named in this proxy statement is considered a non-routine matter under NYSE Rule 452. Accordingly, if you are a street name holder and do not submit your proxy to your broker, your broker will not have discretion to vote your shares with respect to that proposal, resulting in “broker non-votes” (as described below). The Say on Pay and ESPP proposals are similarly considered non-routine under NYSE Rule 452.

We encourage you to provide instructions to your brokerage firm by submitting your proxy. This ensures that your shares will be voted at the meeting. You may have granted to your stockbroker discretionary voting authority over your account. Your stockbroker may be able to vote your shares depending on the terms of the agreement you have with your stockbroker.

Who will count the votes?

An employee of our Company’s transfer agent will serve as the inspector of elections and count the votes.

What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?

It means that you have multiple accounts at the transfer agent and/or with stockbrokers. Please sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.

What is “householding” and do we do it?

Although we do not “household” for our registered stockholders, some brokers, banks or similar entities holding our common stock for their customers may deliver only one copy of our proxy materials to a household with multiple stockholders sharing the same address, unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. This procedure, referred to as “householding,” reduces the volume of duplicate materials stockholders receive and reduces mailing expenses. Stockholders sharing

78 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


IV. Questions and Answers

an address whose shares of our common stock are held by such an entity should contact such entity if they now receive (1) multiple copies of our proxy materials and wish to receive only one copy of these materials per household in the future, or (2) a single copy of our proxy materials and wish to receive separate copies of these materials in the future. Alternatively, if you wish to receive a separate set of proxy materials for this year’s annual meeting, we will deliver them promptly upon request to our secretary at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707 or at (714) 250-3000.

What constitutes a “quorum?”

A “quorum” refers to the number of shares that must be represented at a meeting in order to lawfully conduct business. A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. Without a quorum, no business may be transacted at the annual meeting. However, whether or not a quorum exists, a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting, either in person or by proxy, may adjourn the annual meeting to another date, time and place. Abstentions and broker non-votes (defined below) will be counted for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business.

What is a “broker non-vote” and how is it treated?

A “broker non-vote” occurs with respect to a proposal if the proposal is considered non-routine under NYSE Rule 452 (as described above) and the broker has not received voting instructions from a beneficial owner and, therefore, does not have the discretionary authority to vote shares held by the beneficial owner with respect to such proposal. Broker non-votes are treated as present for purposes of establishing the presence or absence of a quorum. A broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of the election of directors nor will it affect whether a director is required to resign after failing to receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election, such as the election of Class III directors at this year’s annual meeting, because broker non-votes will not count as votes cast “for” or “against” from a director nominee. Similarly, broker non-votes will not count as shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of the Say on Pay proposal or ESPP proposal and will have no effect on the results of that proposal. We do not anticipate broker non-votes occurring with respect to the auditor ratification proposal because that matter is expected to be considered “routine” under NYSE Rule 452.

How are abstentions treated?

Abstentions are treated as present and entitled to vote but not as votes “cast” under Delaware law. Because the election of directors is determined by a majority of the votes cast, abstentions have no effect on the outcome of director elections or on whether a director is required to resign after failing to receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election. However, since the proposal to ratify the selection of our Company’s independent public registered accounting firm, the Say on Pay proposal or the ESPP proposal require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “against” those proposals.

What percentage of stock do the directors and executive officers own?

Together, they owned approximately 3.4% of our common stock as of the record date. See “Security Ownership of Management” beginning on page 17 for more details.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 79


IV. Questions and Answers

When are stockholder proposals for our next annual meeting due in order to be included in the proxy statement?

We will consider proposals submitted by stockholders for inclusion in the proxy statement for the annual meeting to be held in 2023 if they are received no later than 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on December 2, 2022 and comply with all other requirements of Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Rule 14a-8. This date assumes that the date of our next annual meeting will not be advanced or delayed by more than 30 calendar days from the one-year anniversary of the date of the current annual meeting. See page 71 for more details.

Who is paying the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the notice of the annual meeting of stockholders, proxy statement and form of proxy, and the solicitation of the proxies?

Our Company. We will also pay brokers and other nominees for the reasonable expenses of forwarding solicitation materials to their customers who own our common stock.

Who may solicit proxies?

In addition to this proxy statement, our directors, officers and other regular administrative employees may solicit proxies. None of them will receive any additional compensation for such solicitation. MacKenzie Partners, Inc., 1407 Broadway, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10018, has been engaged by our Company to solicit proxies at an estimated cost of $14,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses.

How will solicitors contact me?

People soliciting proxies may contact you in person, by mail, by telephone, by e-mail or by facsimile.

Who are the largest principal stockholders outside of management?

The following table lists as of the record date the persons or groups of stockholders who are known to us to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock. The information regarding beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock was gathered by us from the filings made by such owners with the SEC or from informal sources. Shares that may be acquired within 60 days are treated as outstanding for purposes of determining the amount and percentage beneficially owned. This table does not include shares beneficially owned by our directors and officers and entities controlled by them. See the tables under the heading “Security Ownership of Management” beginning on page 17 for that information.

Name of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

Percent of Class

The Vanguard Group(1)

 

 

11,785,169

 

 

 

 

10.8

%

 

HG Vora Capital Management, LLC

 

 

10,300,000

 

 

 

 

9.5

%

 

BlackRock, Inc.(3)

 

 

9,326,772

 

 

 

 

8.6

%

 

(1)

According to a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 10, 2022, as of December 31, 2021, The Vanguard Group beneficially owned 11,785,169 shares of our common stock and had sole voting power over 0 shares, shared voting power over 57,755 shares, sole dispositive power over 11,633,990 shares and shared dispositive power over 151,179 shares. The address for The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

Vanguard provides investment management services to our Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan, which plan offers Vanguard investments in its investment choices. Fees paid for investment management of these funds are incorporated into the fund net asset value (NAV) on a daily basis and fully disclosed as an expense ratio for the funds. As a result, these fees are paid by participants in our Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan and are not paid by our Company. The total amount of the fees will fluctuate based on the plan participant allocation decisions. The fees paid are reviewed by the fiduciaries of the 401(k) Savings Plan and are determined to be reasonable for the services provided.

80 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


IV. Questions and Answers

Our Company and our affiliates engage in ordinary course trading; arrangements relating to the placement of investment funds of our Company, our affiliates or their clients; or other transactions or arrangements with The Vanguard Group and its affiliates and related entities. From time to time, The Vanguard Group, its affiliates or their related entities may purchase products or services from our Company or our affiliates. These transactions occur on arm’s-length bases and contain customary terms and conditions.

(2)

According to a Schedule 13G filed on the records of our transfer agentFebruary 14, 2022, as of its close of business on the record date.

How many shares are entitled to vote at the meeting?

As of the record date, 111,394,747December 31, 2021, HG Vora Capital Management, LLC beneficially owned 10,300,000 shares of our common stock par value $0.00001 per share, were issued, outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.

How many votes do I have?

Each sharehad sole voting and dispositive power over all 10,300,000 shares. The address of common stockHG Vora Capital Management, LLC is entitled to one vote on each proposal.330 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 61


III. Questions and Answers

How many votes are needed to elect each director?

Those candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes, up to the number of Class II directors to be elected, will be elected as Class II directors. However, under our bylaws in uncontested elections, such as the election of Class II directors at this year’s annual meeting, any nominee who does not receive a majority of votes cast “for” his or her election (meaning more votes “for” than “withheld”) would be required to tender his or her resignation promptly following the failure to receive the required vote. Within 90 days of the certification of the stockholder vote, our Board would then be required to decide whether to accept the resignation. If the Board accepts the resignation offer, it will thereafter determine whether to fill the resulting vacancy or reduce the size of the Board.

Who are the director nominees?

The nominees for Class II directors are:

Dennis J. Gilmore        Margaret M. McCarthy        

See biographical information regarding the nominees beginning on page 2.

How many votes are needed to approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive compensation?

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote at the annual meeting are needed to approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive compensation presented herein.

Is the Board of Directors bound by the Say on Pay vote?

No. The Say on Pay vote is advisory and non-binding.

How many votes are needed to ratify PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm?

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote at the annual meeting are needed to ratify PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

What happens if the Company’s choice of PwC as its independent registered public accounting firm is not ratified by the stockholders?

If the stockholders do not ratify PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2018 fiscal year, the audit committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) will reconsider its choice of PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and may retain a different independent registered public accounting firm; however, the Audit Committee may nonetheless determine that it is in the Company’s, and its stockholders’, best interests to retain PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Additionally, even if stockholders ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee may at any time determine that it is in the Company’s, and its stockholders’, best interests to retain a different firm.

62 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


III. Questions and Answers

How do I vote?

You can vote on matters that properly come before the meeting in one of four ways:

You may vote by mail.

You do this by signing and dating the proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed, prepaid and addressed envelope within the required time. If you mark your voting instructions on the proxy card, your shares will be voted as you instruct.

You may vote by telephone.

You do this by following the instructions accompanying the proxy card. If you submit your proxy by telephone, your shares will be voted as you instruct. You do not have to separately mail in your proxy card. Some stockholders may not be able to submit their proxy by telephone.

You may vote on the Internet.

You do this by following the instructions accompanying the proxy card. If you submit your proxy on the Internet, your shares will be voted as you instruct. You do not have to separately mail in your proxy card. Some stockholders may not be able to submit their proxy on the Internet.

You may vote in person at the meeting.

You can vote in person at the meeting. However, if you hold your shares in street name (in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee), you must request and receive, prior to the meeting, a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee giving you the right to vote your shares at the meeting and you must present the legal proxy at the meeting in order to vote your shares.

What happens if I sign and return my proxy card, but don’t mark my votes?

Dennis J. Gilmore, chief executive officer, or Kenneth D. DeGiorgio, executive vice president, will vote your shares as proxies in accordance with the recommendations of the Board reflected herein or in their discretion on any other matters that may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Can I revoke my proxy?

You have the power to change or revoke your proxy at any time before the polls close at the meeting. You may do this by:

signing and returning another proxy card with a later date;

if you are a stockholder of record, submitting written notice of your revocation to our secretary at our mailing address on the cover page of this proxy statement;(3)

submitting your proxy by telephone or on the Internet (only your latest proxy is counted); or

voting in person at the meeting, provided that if your shares are held in street name (in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee), you have obtained a legal proxy from your bank, broker or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares at the meeting. Attendance at the meeting will not by itself constitute revocation of a proxy.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 63


III. Questions and Answers

Please note that any change to your proxy that is provided by telephone or the Internet must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time on May 7, 2018.

What happens if my shares are held under the name of a brokerage firm?

If your shares are held in street name, your brokerage firm, under certain circumstances, may vote your shares. Brokerage firms have authority under NYSE rules to vote customers’ unvoted shares on certain “routine” matters. We believe that the proposal to ratify the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is a routine matter under NYSE rules. If you do not submit your proxy, your brokerage firm has discretion to either:

vote your shares on routine matters; or

leave your shares unvoted.

Please note that the election to the Board of the nominees named in this proxy statement is considered a non-routine matter under NYSE Rule 452. Accordingly, if you are a street name holder and do not submit your proxy to your broker, your broker will not have discretion to vote your shares with respect to that proposal, resulting in “broker non-votes” (as described below). The Say on Pay proposal is similarly considered non-routine under NYSE Rule 452.

We encourage you to provide instructions to your brokerage firm by submitting your proxy. This ensures that your shares will be voted at the meeting. You may have granted to your stockbroker discretionary voting authority over your account. Your stockbroker may be able to vote your shares depending on the terms of the agreement you have with your stockbroker.

Who will count the votes?

An employee of the Company’s transfer agent will serve as the inspector of elections and count the votes.

What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?

It means that you have multiple accounts at the transfer agent and/or with stockbrokers. Please sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.

What is “householding” and do we do it?

Although we do not “household” for our registered stockholders, some brokers, banks or similar entities holding our common stock for their customers may deliver only one copy of our proxy materialsAccording to a household with multiple stockholders sharing the same address, unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. This procedure, referred toSchedule 13G/A filed on February 1, 2022, as “householding,” reduces the volume of duplicate materials stockholders receive and reduces mailing expenses. Stockholders sharing an address whoseDecember 31, 2021, BlackRock, Inc. beneficially owned 9,326,772 shares of our common stock are held by such an entity should contact such entity if they now receive (1) multiple copies of our proxy materials and wish to receive only one copy of these materials per household in the future, or (2) a single copy of our proxy materialshad sole voting power over 8,978,468 shares and wish to receive separate copies of these materials in the future. Alternatively, if you wish to receive a separate set of proxy materials for this year’s annual meeting, we will deliver them promptly upon request to our secretary at our address indicated on the first page of this proxy statement or at (714) 250-3000.

64 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


III. Questions and Answers

What constitutes a “quorum?”

A “quorum” refers to the number of shares that must be represented at a meeting in order to lawfully conduct business. A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. Without a quorum, no business may be transacted at the annual meeting. However, whether or not a quorum exists, a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting, either in person or by proxy, may adjourn the annual meeting to another date, time and place. Abstentions and broker non-votes (defined below) will be counted for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business.

What is a “broker non-vote” and how is it treated?

A “broker non-vote” occurs with respect to a proposal if the proposal is considered non-routine under NYSE Rule 452 (as described above) and the broker has not received voting instructions from a beneficial owner and, therefore, does not have the discretionary authority to vote shares held by the beneficial owner with respect to such proposal. Broker non-votes are treated as present for purposes of establishing the presence or absence of a quorum. A broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. The election of directors is determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and no absolute number of affirmative votes is required. The determination of whether a director is required to resign after failing to receive more “for” votes than “withheld” votes in an uncontested election will not be affected by broker non-votes because broker non-votes will not count as votes cast “for” or “withheld” from a director nominee. Similarly, broker non-votes will not count as votes cast “for” or “against” the Say on Pay proposal and will have no effect on the results of that proposal. We do not anticipate broker non-votes occurring with respect to the auditor ratification proposal because that matter is considered “routine” under NYSE Rule 452.

How are abstentions treated?

Abstentions are treated as present and entitled to vote but not as votes “cast” under Delaware law. Because the election of directors is determined by a plurality of the votes cast, abstentions have no effect on the outcome of director elections. The determination of whether a director is required to resign after failing to receive more “for” votes than “withheld” votes in an uncontested election will not be affected by abstentions. However, since the proposal to ratify the selection of the Company’s independent public registered accounting firm and the Say on Pay proposal require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “against” those proposals.

What percentage of stock do the directors and executive officers own?

Together, they owned approximately 3.0% of our common stock as of the record date. See “Security Ownership of Management” beginning on page 10 for more details.

When are stockholder proposals for our next annual meeting due in order to be included in the proxy statement?

We will consider proposals submitted by stockholders for inclusion in the proxy statement for the annual meeting to be held in 2019 if they are received no later than the close of business on November 30, 2018 and comply with all other requirements of Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Rule 14a-8. This date assumes that the date of our next annual meeting will not be advanced or delayed by more than 30 calendar days from the one-year anniversary of the date of the current annual meeting. See page 57 for more details.

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 65


III. Questions and Answers

Who is paying the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the notice of the annual meeting of stockholders, proxy statement and form of proxy, and the solicitation of the proxies?

The Company. We will also pay brokers and other nominees for the reasonable expenses of forwarding solicitation materials to their customers who own our common stock.

Who may solicit proxies?

In addition to this proxy statement, our directors, officers and other regular administrative employees may solicit proxies. None of them will receive any additional compensation for such solicitation. MacKenzie Partners, Inc., 105 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, has been engaged by the Company to solicit proxies at an estimated cost of $12,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses.

How will solicitors contact me?

People soliciting proxies may contact you in person, by mail, by telephone, by e-mail or by facsimile.

Who are the largest principal stockholders outside of management?

The following table lists as of the record date the persons or groups of stockholders who are known to us to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock. The information regarding beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock was gathered by us from the filings made by such owners with the SEC or from informal sources. Shares that may be acquired within 60 days are treated as outstanding for purposes of determining the amount and percentage beneficially owned. This table does not include shares beneficially owned by our directors and officers and entities controlled by them. See the tables under the heading “Security Ownership of Management” beginning on page 10 for that information.

Name of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

Percent of Class

BlackRock, Inc.(1)

 

10,062,890

 

 

9.1%

The Vanguard Group(2)

 

9,888,397

 

 

8.9%

FMR LLC(3)

 

9,600,502

 

 

8.7%

(1)

According to a Schedule 13G/A filed on January 29, 2018, as of December 31, 2017, BlackRock, Inc. beneficially owned 10,062,890 shares of our common stock and had sole voting power over 9,325,682 shares and sole dispositive power over 10,062,890sole dispositive power over 9,326,772 shares. The address for BlackRock is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.

(2)

According to a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 9, 2018, as of December 31, 2017, The Vanguard Group beneficially owned 9,888,397 shares of our common stock and had sole voting power over 58,667 shares, shared voting power over 12,966 shares, sole dispositive power over 9,825,762 shares and shared dispositive power over 62,635 shares. The address for The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

BlackRock provides investment management services to our Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan, which plan offers a BlackRock investment in its investment choices. Fees paid for investment management of these funds are incorporated into the fund NAV on a daily basis and fully disclosed as an expense ratio for the funds. As a result, these fees are paid by participants in our Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan and are not paid by our Company. The total amount of the fees will fluctuate based on the plan participant allocation decisions. The fees paid are reviewed by the fiduciaries of the 401(k) Savings Plan and are determined to be reasonable for the services provided.

Our Company and our affiliates engage in ordinary course trading; arrangements relating to the placement of investment funds of our Company, our affiliates or their clients; or other transactions or arrangements with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates and related entities. From time to time, Blackrock, Inc., its affiliates or their related entities may purchase products or services from our Company or our affiliates. These transactions occur on arm’s-length bases and contain customary terms and conditions.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | 81


V.   Other Information

(3)

According to a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 13, 2018, as of December 31, 2017, FMR LLC, through its subsidiaries, affiliates and other companies, including FMR Co., Inc. (an investment advisor that had beneficial ownership of 5% or more of our common stock) and Abigail P. Johnson, through her family members’ direct and indirect control of FMR and its affiliates, beneficially owned 9,600,502 shares of our common stock and had sole dispositive power over all 9,600,502 shares. Directly or indirectly, FMR had sole voting power over 318,870 shares of our common stock. According to the Schedule 13G/A, neither FMR LLC nor Abigail P. Johnson has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the shares owned directly by the various investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act (“Fidelity Funds”) advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR LLC, which power resides with the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. The address of FMR and Ms. Johnson is 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210.

66 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


V.   Other Information

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K is available at www.firstam.com/proxymaterials, together with the Company’s notice of annual meeting, proxy statement, and other proxy materials. We will, upon the written request of any stockholder on the record date for the annual meeting, furnish without charge a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year 2017

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K is available at www.firstam.com/proxymaterials, together with our Company’s notice of annual meeting, proxy statement, and other proxy materials. We will, upon the written request of any stockholder on the record date for the annual meeting, furnish without charge a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year 2021 and will furnish, at a charge of $10, a copy of the exhibits thereto. If applicable, such request should contain a representation that the person requesting this material was a beneficial owner of our shares on the record date. Such request should be sent to the secretary at our executive offices at 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707.

The Board is not aware of any matters to come before the meeting other than those set forth on the notice accompanying this proxy statement. If any other matters come before the meeting, the holders of the proxies will vote thereon in their discretion.

By Order of the exhibits thereto. If applicable, such request should contain a representation that the person requesting this material was a beneficial ownerBoard of our shares on the record date. Such request should be sent to the secretary at our address indicated on the first page of this proxy statement.Directors

The Board is not aware of any matters to come before the meeting other than those set forth on the notice accompanying this proxy statement. If any other matters come before the meeting, the holders of the proxies will vote thereon in their discretion.Greg L. Smith

Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary

Santa Ana, California

April 1, 2022

82 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Appendix A

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This proxy statement contains certain financial measures that are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including adjusted return on average total equity, and adjusted pretax margin. Our Company does not intend for these non-GAAP financial measures to be a substitute for any GAAP financial information. Below or as referenced, these non-GAAP financial measures are presented with, and reconciled to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Investors should use these non-GAAP financial measures only in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures.

Our Company is presenting adjusted return on average total equity and adjusted pretax margin because our Company’s Compensation Committee uses these measures as a factor in assessing performance for the purpose of making compensation decisions.

Adjusted return on average total equity is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes accumulated other comprehensive income/loss and noncontrolling interests from total equity and also excludes current year net gains/losses from both the investment portfolio and certain venture portfolio investments from net income attributable to our Company and from total equity. Adjusted pretax margin is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes from pretax income net gains/losses from both the investment portfolio and certain venture portfolio investments.

 

Adjusted Return on Average Total Equity

used by the Compensation Committee

Year Ended

December 31, 2021

($ in millions)

Net income attributable to the Company

 

$

1,241

 

 

Total equity

 

$

5,783

 

 

GAAP return on average total equity

 

 

23.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the Company

 

$

1,241

 

 

Net gains from the investment portfolio, net of tax

 

 

(64

)

 

Net gains from certain venture portfolio investments, net of tax

 

 

(104

)

 

Adjusted net income attributable to the Company

 

$

1,073

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

$

5,783

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

92

 

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

(16

)

 

Net gains from the investment portfolio, net of tax

 

 

(64

)

 

Net gains from certain venture portfolio investments, net of tax

 

 

(104

)

 

Adjusted total equity

 

$

5,691

 

 

Adjusted return on average total equity

 

 

20.3

%

(1)

By Order of the Board of Directors

Jeffrey S. Robinson

Vice President and Secretary

Santa Ana, California(1)

March 30, 2018

First American Financial Corporation   2018 Proxy Statement | 67


Appendix A. Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This proxy statement contains adjusted return on average equity and adjusted pretax margin financial measures that are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company is presenting these non-GAAP financial measures because the Company’s Compensation Committee uses these measures as a factor in assessing performance for the purpose of making compensation decisions. The Company does not intend for these non-GAAP financial measures to be a substitute for any GAAP financial information. Below, these non-GAAP financial measures are presented with, and reconciled to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Investors should use these non-GAAP financial measures only in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted return on average equity is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes from total equity accumulated other comprehensive loss and noncontrolling interests. The Compensation Committee exercised its discretion to also exclude pension termination losses from return on equity and pretax margin for 2017 and 2016, exclude from return on equity for 2017 the impact of the tax reform passed at the end of 2017, and also for 2016 include estimated title plant asset write-offs in return on equity and pretax margin. The reconciliationsA preliminary calculation of adjusted return on average total equity and adjusted pretax margin to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth below: 

 

Year Ended December 31,

($ in thousands)

 

2017

2016

Net income attributable to the Company

 

$

423,049

 

 

 

$

342,993

 

 

Total equity

 

$

3,483,025

 

 

 

$

3,014,349

 

 

GAAP return on average total equity

 

 

13.0

%

 

 

 

11.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

$

3,483,025

 

 

 

$

3,014,349

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

67,509

 

 

 

 

230,400

 

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

(3,070

)

 

 

 

(6,170

)

 

Impact of tax reform

 

 

(114,142

)

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted total equity

 

$

3,433,322

 

 

 

$

3,238,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the Company

 

$

423,049

 

 

 

$

342,993

 

 

Pension termination losses, net of tax

 

 

100,576

 

 

 

 

43,100

 

 

Impact of tax reform

 

 

(114,142

)

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated title plant asset write-offs, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,600

)

 

Adjusted net income attributable to the Company

 

$

409,483

 

 

 

$

375,493

 

 

Adjusted return on average total equity

 

 

12.3

%

(1)

 

 

12.1

%

(1)

(1)

Preliminary calculations of adjusted return on average equity (12.4% for 2017 and 12.0% for 2016) were(20.1%) was utilized by the Compensation Committee for purposes of determining compensation metric results for the annual incentive plan. The plan provides for no adjustment to the resulting payout if the final calculation of the metric would result in a bonus amount that differs by five percent or less from the amount determined by the preliminary calculation.

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | A-1


Appendix A.  Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Pretax Margin used by the Compensation Committee

Year Ended

December 31, 2021

($ in millions)

Pretax income

 

$

1,642

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

9,221

 

 

GAAP pretax margin

 

 

17.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

Pretax income

 

$

1,642

 

 

Net gains from the investment portfolio

 

 

(84

)

 

Net gains from certain venture portfolio investments

 

 

(135

)

 

Adjusted pretax income

 

$

1,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

9,221

 

 

Net gains from the investment portfolio

 

 

(84

)

 

Net gains from certain venture portfolio investments

 

 

(135

)

 

Adjusted total revenue

 

$

9,002

 

 

Adjusted pretax margin

 

 

15.8

%

 

A-2 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Appendix B

FIRST AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION

2010 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

As Amended and Restated effective July 1, 2022

1.

Purpose.

The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the Corporation and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common Stock of the Corporation through accumulated payroll deductions.  It is the intention of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an “Employee Stock Purchase Plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The provisions of the Plan, accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section of the Code.

2.

Definitions.

(a)“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

(b)“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(c)“Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Corporation.

(d)“Committee” shall mean the Corporation’s Administrative Benefits Plan Committee.

(e)“Company” shall mean the Corporation, and any Designated Subsidiary of the Company.

(f)“Corporation” shall mean First American Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

(g)“Compensation” shall mean an Employee's base pay, inclusive of overtime and any employer paid leave, and, except as provided below, all types of cash bonuses or commissions. Compensation also includes any amounts contributed as salary reduction contributions to a plan qualifying under Section 401(k), 125 or 129 of the Code. Any other form of remuneration is excluded from Compensation, including (but not limited to) the following: severance pay, prizes, relocation or housing allowances, stock option exercises, stock appreciation right payments, the vesting or grant of restricted stock, the payment of stock units, performance awards, auto allowances, tuition reimbursement, perquisites, non-cash compensation and other forms of imputed income. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Compensation shall not include (i) any amounts deferred under or paid from any nonqualified deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company, or (ii) any cash bonus amounts that are subject to any right of recoupment or clawback provisions.  The Committee shall have the authority to determine and approve all forms of pay to be included in the definition of Compensation, including the forms of pay to be included in Compensation for Designated Subsidiaries and Employees outside of the United States, and may change the definition of Compensation on a prospective basis, so long as any such determination, approval or change is consistent with Section 423(b)(5) of the Code.

(h)“Designated Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary which has been designated by the Committee from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan.

(i)“Employee” shall mean any individual who is an employee of the Company for tax purposes on the first day of an Offering Period, or who becomes such an employee of the Company during an Offering Period prior to the Exercise Date of the Offering Period.  For purposes of the Plan, the

First American Financial Corporation   2022 Proxy Statement | B-1


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company.  Where the period of leave exceeds ninety (90) days and the individual’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the 91st day of such leave.

(j)“Exercise Date” shall mean the last day of each Offering Period.

(k)“Fair Market Value” shall mean, unless otherwise determined or provided by the Committee in the circumstances consistent with Section 423(b)(5) of the Code, the closing price (in regular trading) for a share of Common Stock as furnished by the New York Stock Exchange for the Exercise Date (or any other applicable date) or, if no sales of Common Stock were reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date, the closing price (in regular trading) for a share of Common Stock as furnished by the New York Stock Exchange for the next preceding day on which sales of Common Stock were reported by the New York Stock Exchange.

(l)“Grant Date” shall mean the first day of the applicable Offering Period.

(m)“Offering Period” shall mean a period of approximately one (1) calendar quarter during which an option granted pursuant to the Plan may be exercised.  The first Offering Period under the amended and restated Plan will commence on July 1, 2022 and terminate on the last Trading Day in the quarter ended September 30, 2022.  Thereafter, subsequent Offering Periods, if any, will commence on the first Trading Day of each calendar quarter and terminate on the last Trading Day of that quarter.  The duration of Offering Periods may be changed pursuant to Section 4 of this Plan.

(n)“Plan” shall mean this 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated.

(o)“Purchase Price” shall mean an amount equal to 85% of the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of that Offering Period or the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Exercise Date of that Offering Period, provided, however, that the Board, the Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer may provide prior to the start of any Offering Period that the Purchase Price for that Offering Period shall be determined by applying a discount amount (not to exceed 15%) to either (1) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of that Offering Period, or (2) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Exercise Date of that Offering Period, or (3) the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of that Offering Period or the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Exercise Date of that Offering Period. The Purchase Price may be adjusted by the Board, the Committee or the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 19.

(p)“Subsidiary” shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign, of which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Corporation or a Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized or acquired by the Corporation or a Subsidiary. In all cases the determination of whether an entity is a Subsidiary shall be made in accordance with Section 424(f) of the Code.

(q)“Trading Day” shall mean a day on which national stock exchanges are open for trading.

3.

Eligibility.

(a)Any Employee who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and who shall be employed by the Company on the Grant Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan for that Offering Period.  The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that, Employees whose customary employment is for not

B-2 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

more than twenty (20) hours per week and/or five (5) months in any calendar year are not eligible to participate in the Plan.In addition, the Committee may also exclude Employees who are citizens or residents of a foreign jurisdiction (without regard to whether they are also citizens of the United States or resident aliens) from participating in the Plan for any applicable Offering Period if the grant of an option to such an Employee is prohibited under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction or if compliance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction would cause the Plan to violate the provisions of Section 423 of the Code.

(b)Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent that, immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) would own capital stock and/or hold outstanding options to purchase capital stock of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary then issued and outstanding, or (ii) to the extent that his or her rights to purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary accrues at a rate which exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) worth of stock (determined at the Fair Market Value of the shares at the time such option is granted (generally, the Grant Date)) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time, in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code.

4.

Offering Periods.

The Plan shall be implemented by consecutive quarterly Offering Periods with the first offering period under the amended and restated Plan commencing on July 1, 2013, or on such other date as the Committee shall determine, and continuing thereafter until terminated in accordance with Section 19 hereof.  The Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer shall have the power to change the duration of Offering Periods (including the commencement dates thereof) with respect to future offerings without stockholder approval if such change is announced at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled beginning of the first Offering Period to be affected thereafter and the duration of the Offering Period complies with Section 423(b)(7) of the Code.

5.

Participation.

(a)An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by completing such electronic or written enrollment form(s) or procedure(s) as the Committee may require from time to time, on or before the date designated by the Committee.

(b)Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the first payroll following the first day of the Offering Period and shall end on the last payroll in the Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

6.

Payroll Deductions.

(a)At the time a participant enrolls in the Plan, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day during the Offering Period in an amount not exceeding fifteen percent (15%) (or such other limit as the Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer may establish prior to the start of the applicable Offering Period) of the Compensation which he or she receives on each pay day during the Offering Period.  Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, payroll deductions may be made on the basis of a percentage of compensation (in whole percentages only). The Committee may, however, require or permit deductions to be expressed as flat dollar contributions, which contributions shall not exceed $7,000 per Offering Period (or such other limit as the Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer may establish prior to the start of the applicable Offering Period).

First American Financial Corporation   2019 Proxy Statement | B-3


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

(b)All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be credited to his or her account under the Plan.  A participant may not make any additional payments into such account.

(c)A participant may discontinue his or her participation in the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, or may increase or decrease the rate of his or her payroll deductions by completing or filing with the Committee, pursuant to such administrative procedures as may be implemented by the Committee from time to time, a new enrollment form authorizing a change in payroll deduction rate.  The Committee may, in its discretion and in a uniform manner applied to all participants, limit the number of participation rate changes during any Offering Period.  The change in rate shall be effective with the first full payroll period following the administrative deadline established by the Committee.  A participant’s enrollment in the Plan shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof.

(d)Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(b) hereof, a participant’s payroll deductions may be refunded to the participant, or decreased to zero percent (0%), at any time.

(e)At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time some or all of the Corporation’s Common Stock issued under the Plan is disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company’s federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time, the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the participant’s compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding obligations, if any.

7.

Grant of Option.

On the Grant Date, each participant shall be granted an option to purchase on the Exercise Date of such Offering Period (at the applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock determined by dividing such Employee’s payroll deductions accumulated prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant’s account as of the Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price; provided that (a) the maximum number of shares that may be purchased by an Employee with respect to an Offering Period is 1,000 shares and (b) such purchase shall also be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 13 hereof.  The Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer shall have the power to amend, in a uniform manner applicable to all participants, the individual award limit contained in clause (a) of the preceding sentence without stockholder approval effective no earlier than the first Offering Period commencing after the adoption of such amendment. All participants shall receive an option with the same rights and privileges within the meaning of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code.  Exercise of the option shall occur as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the participant has withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof. The Option shall expire on the last day of the Offering Period (including any shortened Offering Period pursuant to Section 18).

8.

Exercise of Option.

Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of shares subject to the option shall be purchased for such participant at the applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or her account. Shares purchased shall be full or fractional shares as determined by the Committee. If the Committee determines not to permit the issuance of fractional shares, unless the Committee elects to refund any amounts representing a fractional share, any amounts representing a fractional share that have been credited to a participant's account shall be carried forward to the next Offering Period, subject to the participant's right to withdraw

B-4 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

from the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof. During a participant’s lifetime, a participant’s option to purchase shares hereunder is exercisable only by him or her.

9.

Delivery.

As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date on which a purchase of shares occurs, the Corporation shall arrange the delivery to each participant, as appropriate, of the shares purchased upon exercise of his or her option. Delivery of such shares shall be made either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares or by entering such shares in book entry form, as determined by the Corporation in its discretion.

10.

Withdrawal.

(a)A participant may withdraw from the Plan and receive a refund of the payroll deductions credited to his or her account at any time by giving notice to the Committee on the form designated by the Committee, or pursuant to such administrative procedures as may be implemented by the Committee from time to time, on or before the date designated by the Committee.  If a participant withdraws from the Plan, payroll deductions shall not resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the participant delivers to the Committee a new enrollment form as provided in Section 5.

(b)A participant’s withdrawal from the Plan shall not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the participant withdraws.

11.

Termination of Employment.

Upon a participant’s ceasing to be an eligible Employee for any reason, he or she shall immediately and automatically be removed from the Plan, receive a refund of the payroll deductions credited to his or her account and the participant’s outstanding options shall automatically terminate. For purposes of the Plan, if a Designated Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary, each person employed by that Subsidiary will be deemed to have terminated employment for purposes of the Plan on the date that the Designated Subsidiary ceased to be a Subsidiary, unless the person continues as an employee of the Corporation or another Designated Subsidiary.

12.

Interest.

No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a participant in the Plan.

13.

Stock.

(a)Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Corporation as provided in Section 18 hereof, the maximum number of shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be 14,000,000 shares. If, on a given Exercise Date, the number of shares with respect to which options are to be exercised exceeds the number of shares then available under the Plan, the Corporation shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares remaining available for purchase in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine to be equitable.

First American Financial Corporation   2019 Proxy Statement | B-5


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

(b)The participant shall have no interest or dividend or voting rights with respect to shares covered by his or her option until such option has been exercised and shares have been delivered pursuant to Section 9 hereof.

(c)Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan shall be registered in the name of the participant.

14.

Administration.

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  The Committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe, interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan. Every finding, decision and determination made by the Committee shall, to the full extent permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties.  The Committee may delegate the routine day-to-day administration of the Plan to other persons or organizations, including to any employee of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any rights or responsibilities given to the Committee under the Plan may be exercised by the Board, in its discretion.

15.

Transferability.

Neither payroll deductions credited to a participant’s account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution) by the participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without effect, except that the Corporation or Committee may treat such act as an election to withdraw funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

16.

Use of Funds.

All payroll deductions received or held by the Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.

17.

Reports.

Individual accounts shall be maintained for each participant in the Plan.  Electronic or written statements of account, as determined by the Committee or its designee from time to time, shall be given to participating Employees at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, the Purchase Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.

18.

Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.

(a)Changes in Capitalization.  Upon (or, as may be necessary to effect the adjustment, immediately prior to): any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split; any merger, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization; any spin-off, split-up, or similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the Common Stock; or any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the Common Stock; then the Committee shall equitably and proportionately adjust (1) the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other stock) that thereafter may be made the subject of options (including the share limit set forth in Section 13 and the maximum number of shares each participant may purchase per Offering Period set forth in Section 7), (2) the number, amount and type of shares of Common Stock (or other stock) subject to any outstanding

B-6 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

options, (3) the Purchase Price of any outstanding options, and/or (4) the stock deliverable upon exercise of any outstanding options, in each case to the extent necessary to preserve (but not increase) the level of incentives intended by the Plan and the then-outstanding options. It is intended that any adjustments contemplated by this paragraph be made in a manner that satisfies applicable U.S. legal, tax (including, without limitation, Section 424 of the Code) and accounting (so as to not trigger any charge to earnings with respect to such adjustment) requirements. Without limiting the generality of Section 14, any good faith determination by the Committee as to whether an adjustment is required in the circumstances pursuant to this Section 18(a), and the extent and nature of any such adjustment, shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

(b)Dissolution or Liquidation.  Upon the occurrence of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, the Offering Period then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”), and shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Committee.  The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Corporation’s proposed dissolution or liquidation.  The Committee shall notify each participant, at least ten (10) days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the participant’s option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the participant’s option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.

(c)Corporate Transactions. Upon the occurrence of any of the following: any merger, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization in connection with which the Corporation does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock); any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation in connection with which the Corporation does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock); a sale of all or substantially all the business, stock or assets of the Corporation in connection with which the Corporation does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock); or any other similar event in which the Corporation does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock), the Committee may make provision for the assumption, substitution, or exchange of the outstanding options based upon, to the extent relevant under the circumstances, the distribution or consideration payable to holders of the Common Stock upon or in respect of such event. Upon the occurrence of any event described in the preceding sentence, unless the Committee has made a provision for the assumption, substitution, exchange or other continuation or settlement of the outstanding options or the outstanding options would otherwise continue in accordance with their terms in the circumstances, the Offering Period then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”). The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the transaction described in this Section 18(c). The Committee shall notify each participant, at least ten (10) days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the participant’s option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the participant’s option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.

19.

Amendment or Termination.

(a)The Board, Chief Executive Officer and/or the Committee may at any time and for any reason suspend, terminate or amend the Plan. Except as provided in Section 18, no such termination shall adversely affect options previously granted, provided that an Offering Period may be terminated by the Board, Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer on any Exercise Date if the Board, Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer determines that the termination of the Offering Period or the Plan is in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders. Except as provided in Section 18 and Section 19, no amendment may make any change in any option theretofore granted which

First American Financial Corporation   2019 Proxy Statement | B-7


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

materially adversely affects the rights of any participant. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule), the Corporation shall obtain shareholder approval of any suspension, termination, or amendment of the Plan in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

(b)Without stockholder consent and without regard to whether any participant rights may be considered to have been “adversely affected”:

(i)the Committee shall be entitled to add or delete Designated Subsidiaries to be eligible to participate in the Plan, exclude Employees from being eligible to participate in the Plan pursuant to Section 3, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the participant’s Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Committee determines in its sole discretion advisable which are consistent with the Plan; and

(ii)prior to the start of any Offering Period, the Committee or the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer may change the Offering Periods, change the Purchase Price, change the maximum number of shares that may be purchased by an Employee with respect to an Offering Period, and may add, change or eliminate any holding period.

(c)In the event the Board, Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Board, Committee or Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, modify or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:

(i)alter the Purchase Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Purchase Price;

(ii)shorten any Offering Period so that Offering Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period underway at the time of the action; and/or

(iii)allocate shares.

Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Plan participants.

20.

Notices.

All notices or other communications by a participant to the Company or Committee under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Committee pursuant to such administrative procedures as may be implemented by the Committee from time to time (or in writing to the extent no other applicable notice procedures are then in effect).

B-8 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

21.

Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

(a)Shares shall not be issued with respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Corporation with respect to such compliance if such approval is determined to be necessary or advisable by the Corporation.

(b)Holding Period after Exercise of Option.  The Committee or the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, at its sole discretion, may add, change or eliminate a holding period prior to the start of any Offering Period.

22.

Term of Plan.

This amendment and restatement of the Plan shall become effective July 1, 2022, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Corporation within twelve months after this amendment and restatement is adopted.  It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years following the effective date (i.e., through July 1, 2032), unless sooner terminated under Section 19 hereof.  An Offering Period may commence under the Plan prior to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Corporation, provided that all options granted in any such Offering Period shall be subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Corporation and such options shall terminate (and payroll deductions previously credited shall be refunded) if such stockholder approval is not obtained.

23.

Governing Law.

This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

24.

No Enlargement of Employee Rights.

Nothing contained in this Plan shall be deemed to give any Employee the right to be retained in the employ of the Corporation or any Designated Subsidiary, or to interfere with the right of the Corporation or Designated Subsidiary to discharge any Employee at any time.

25.

Rules for Foreign Jurisdictions.

The Committee may adopt rules or procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures, consistent with the requirements under Section 423(b)(5) of the Code.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding handling of payroll deductions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, payroll tax, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates which vary with local requirements.

The Committee may also adopt sub-plans applicable to particular Subsidiaries, which sub-plans may be designed to be outside the scope of Code section 423.  The rules of such sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 13, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan.

First American Financial Corporation   2019 Proxy Statement | B-9


Appendix B.  2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

26.

Separate Offerings.

To the extent that employees of the Corporation and one or more Subsidiaries are eligible to participate in any Offering Period, the offering of options to the eligible employees of the Corporation and each Subsidiary shall be treated as separate offerings under the Plan.

27.

Notice of Sale.

Any person who has acquired shares under the Plan shall give prompt written notice to the Corporation of any sale or other transfer of the shares if such sale or transfer occurs (1) within the two-year period after the Grant Date of the option with respect to which such shares were acquired, or (2) within the twelve-month period after the Exercise Date of the Offering Period with respect to which such shares were acquired.

28.

Additional Restrictions of Rule 16b-3.  

The terms and conditions of options granted hereunder to, and the purchase of shares of Common Stock by, persons subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3. This Plan shall be deemed to contain, and such options shall contain, and the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise thereof shall be subject to, such additional conditions and restrictions as may be required by Rule 16b-3 to qualify for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to Plan transactions.

29.

Equal Rights and Privileges.

All eligible Employees shall have equal rights and privileges with respect to the Plan so that the Plan qualifies as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code and the related Treasury regulations. Any provision of the Plan which is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code shall without further act or amendment by the Corporation or the Committee be reformed to comply with the requirements of Section 423. This Section shall take precedence over all other provisions of the Plan.

B-10 | 2022 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


First American Financial Corporation  2018 Proxy Statement | A-1


Appendix A

 

Year Ended December 31,

($ in thousands)

 

2017

2016

Pretax income

 

$

445,331

 

 

 

$

477,581

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

5,772,363

 

 

 

$

5,575,846

 

 

GAAP pretax margin

 

 

7.7

%

 

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretax income

 

$

445,331

 

 

 

$

477,581

 

 

Pension termination losses

 

 

152,388

 

 

 

 

66,300

 

 

Estimated title plant asset write-offs

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16,300

)

 

Adjusted pretax income

 

$

597,719

 

 

 

$

527,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

5,772,363

 

 

 

$

5,575,846

 

 

Estimated title plant asset write-offs

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16,300

)

 

Adjusted total revenue

 

$

5,772,363

 

 

 

$

5,559,546

 

 

Adjusted pretax margin

 

 

10.4

%

 

 

 

9.5

%

 

A-2 | 2018 Proxy Statement  First American Financial Corporation


1 First American Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707

800.854.3643www.firstam.com▼NYSE: FAF


1 First American Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707

800.854.3643www.firstam.com▼NYSE: FAF

 


 

 

First American Financial Corporation

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Tuesday, May 8, 201810, 2022

1:00 p.m.PM, Pacific Time

AtTo register for the home officevirtual meeting, please follow the instructions below:

Visit register.proxypush.com/faf on your smartphone, tablet or computer. You will need the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge or Firefox. Please ensure your browser is compatible.

First American Financial CorporationAs a stockholder, you will then be required to enter your control number which is located in the upper right-hand corner on the reverse side of this proxy card/notice.

1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Approximately one hour prior to the start of the meeting an email will be sent to the email address you provided during registration with a unique link to the virtual meeting.

Your Vote Is Important to the Company!

 

 

 

 

First American Financial Corporation

  

 

1 First American Way

  

proxy

Santa Ana, California 92707

  

proxy

 

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on May 8, 2018.10, 2022, held in a virtual-only meeting format online via live webcast using a unique link to be provided by email after registering at register.proxypush.com/FAF.

The undersigned stockholder of First American Financial Corporation hereby revokes all previously granted proxies and appoints Dennis J. Gilmore and Kenneth D. DeGiorgio and Lisa W. Cornehl, and each of them, with power to each of substitution, to attend the annual meeting of the stockholders of said corporation to be held May 8, 2018,10, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.PM, Pacific Time, virtually via live webcast using a unique link to be provided by email after registering at the home office of First American Financial Corporation, 1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California,register.proxypush.com/FAF, and any adjournments or postponements thereof; and to vote the shares of the undersigned at such meeting as indicated on the reverse side hereof, with all powers that the undersigned would have if acting in person; and with discretionary authority to act on such other matters as may properly come before said meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY SHALL BE VOTED SPECIFICALLY ON THE PROPOSALS LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF AS THERE SPECIFIED. WHERE NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, SAID SHARES SHALL BE VOTED FOR EACH NOMINEE AND FORITEMS 1, 2, 3 AND 3.4.

See reverse for voting instructions.

 

 


 

First American Financial Corporation

Shareowner Services

P.O. Box 64945

 

 

St. Paul, MN 55164-0945

COMPANY #

 

 

 

Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail

24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Your phone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

 

 

 

 

INTERNET/MOBILE –

Before the meeting www.proxypush.com/faf

Use the Internet to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m.PM (CT) on May 7, 2018.9, 2022.

During the meeting – using a unique link to be provided by email after registering at register.proxypush.com/FAFYou may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box in the upper right corner of this proxy card available and follow the instructions.

 

 

 

 

PHONE – 1-866-883-3382

Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m.PM (CT) on May 7, 2018.9, 2022.

 

 

 

 

MAIL – Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.provided in time to be received by May 9, 2022.

 

 

 

If you vote your proxy by Internet or by Telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your Proxy Card.

TO VOTE BY MAIL AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS ON ALL ITEMS BELOW,

SIMPLY SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD.

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Please detach here

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The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Each Nominee and FOR Items 1, 2, 3 and 3.4.

 

1.

Election of

Class IIIII directors:

01 Dennis J. Gilmore

02 Margaret M. McCarthyReginald H. Gilyard

Vote FOR all  nominees

(except as marked)For

Vote WITHHELD from all nomineesAgainst

Abstain

 

 

 

02 Parker S. Kennedy

For

Against

Abstain

 

 

(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)

03 Mark C. Oman

For

Against

Abstain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Advisory Votevote to Approve Executive Compensation.approve executive compensation.

For

Against

Abstain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

To approve the amendment and restatement of the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

For

Against

Abstain

4.

To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.2022.

For

Against

Abstain

 

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH NOMINEE AND FORITEMS 1, 2, 3 AND 3.4.

 

Address Change? Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below:    

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s) in Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on this Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the Proxy.