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Remuneration Policy for Directors and Officers

Remuneration Policy for Directors and Officers of Splitit Payments Ltd. (the “Company” or “Splitit”)

Table of Contents

  1. Background
  2. The purpose of the document and its contents
  3. Remuneration Objectives
  4. Remuneration Policy
  5. Remuneration structure and components
  6. Base salary for Officers
  7. Benefits and perquisites – for Officers
  8. Incentive Scheme – for Officers
  9. Equity based remuneration for Officers
  10. Retirement and termination of service arrangements
  11. Non-Employee Directors’ Remuneration
  12. Insurance, Exculpation and Indemnification
  13. The ratio of Officers’ remuneration to that of other Company employees

1. Background

Under the Israeli Companies Law 5759-1999 (the “Companies Law”), the remuneration committee is responsible for: (i) making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the Remuneration Policy applicable to the Company’s office holders and any extensions thereto; (ii) providing the Board of Directors with recommendations with respect to any amendments or updates to the Remuneration Policy and periodically reviewing the implementation thereof; (iii) reviewing and approving arrangements with respect to the terms of office and employment of office holders; and (iv) determining whether or not to exempt a transaction with a candidate for the position of chief executive officer from shareholder approval.

The Remuneration Policy is a multi-year policy which shall be in effect for a period of three years from the date of its approval. The Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors shall review the Remuneration Policy from time to time, as required by the Companies Law and any other law and or regulations to the extent applicable to the Company, including the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the ASX Listing Rules. The Remuneration Policy shall be reapproved as required by the Companies Law, every three years.

Nothing in this Remuneration Policy shall authorize the Company to do anything that would contravene the ASX Listing Rules (unless the requirements of the ASX Listing Rules are also complied with) and to the extent of any inconsistency between this Remuneration Policy and the ASX Listing Rules (as amended from time to time), the ASX Listing Rules shall prevail

2. The purpose of the document and its contents

The purpose of the document is to define the Remuneration Policy for the Office Holders in the Company, and present the guiding principles for the remuneration.

For purposes of this Policy, “Officers” shall mean “Office Holders” as such term is defined in the Companies Law, excluding, unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, the Company’s directors who are not employees or service providers of the Company.

This Remuneration Policy shall apply to remuneration agreements and arrangements which will be approved after the date on which this Remuneration Policy is approved by the shareholders of the Company.

3. Remuneration Objectives

Attract, motivate, retain and reward highly experienced personnel in competitive labor markets.

Improve business results and strategy implementation, and support workplan’s goals, through a long term perspective.

Drive Officers to create long term economic value for the Company.

Create a clear correlation between an individual’s remuneration and both the Company and the individual’s performance.

Align Officers’ interests with those of the Company and its shareholders and incentivize achievement of long term goals.

Create fair and reasonable incentives, considering the Company’s size, characteristics and type of activity.

Support market-driven pay decisions and ensure pay levels are set according to comparable market rates.

Create a desired and suitable balance between fixed and variable pay components.

4. Remuneration Policy

4.1. Remuneration structure and components

Remuneration components under this Remuneration Policy may include the following:

  • Base Salary – a fixed monetary remuneration paid monthly.
  • Benefits and perquisites – programs designed to supplement cash remuneration, based on local market practice for comparable positions and as may be required under any applicable law.
  • Bonus – variable cash incentive paid annually or quarterly, designed to reward officers based on both the Company’s results and achievement of individual predetermined goals.
  • Equity based remuneration – variable equity based remuneration designed to retain officers, align officers’ and shareholders’ interests and incentivize achievement of long term goals.

The Company’s Officers’ remuneration package is tailored to best suit with the Company’s characteristics and operations; and is designed to serve the Company’s long term goals and balance correctly between encouraging performance and limiting unwarranted risks.

4.2. Base salary for Officers

The base payment compensates the Officer for his/her time and effort in performing his/her tasks and reflects the Officer’s role, skills, qualifications, experience and market value (the “Base Salary”).

The Base Salary for Officers will be set based on the following considerations:

  • Role and the business responsibilities.
  • Professional experience, education, expertise and qualifications.
  • Previous remuneration paid to the Officer, before joining the Company and/or for previous roles within the Company.
  • Internal comparison: (a) base salary of comparable Officers of the Company; (b) the ratio between the overall remuneration of the Officer and 4 and median salary of other employees of the Company; and (c) the effect of the salary differences on the work level’s atmosphere and relationships.
  • External comparison – the cap of Base Salary of each Officer shall not exceed the average Base Salary granted to holders of similar positions in the Company’s peer group. This creates a desired balance between the Company’s expenses and maintaining competitiveness in the relevant labor markets. The Company’s peer group includes several public companies that are comparable in size, stage of life cycle, revenues and market value.

When deciding on increasing an Officer’s Base Salary, the following considerations shall be applied:

  • Changes to the Officer’s scope of responsibilities and business challenges.
  • Officer’s professional experience, education, expertise, qualifications and achievements in the Company.
  • The need to retain the Officer, including related aspects such as competing job offers or the availability of alternative talent in the relevant labor market.
  • Inflation rate since the last Base Salary update.
  • The Company’s financial state.
  • Internal comparison – (a) base salary of comparable Officers of the Company; (b) the ratio between the overall remuneration of the Officer and the average and median salary of other employees of the Company; and (c) the effect of the salary differences on the work level’s atmosphere and relationships.
  • External comparison – the Base Salary of each Officer shall be targeted towards the average Base Salary granted to holders of similar positions in the Company’s peer group, and shall not exceed such average, creating a desired combination between balancing the Company’s expenses and maintaining competitiveness in the relevant labor markets.

An executive Officer’s remuneration must not include a commission on, or a percentage of, operating revenue of the Company or its subsidiaries.

4.3. Benefits and perquisites – for Officers

The Company’s benefit plans are designed to supplement cash remuneration, based on local market practice for comparable positions, and are subject to the Israeli labor laws.

The Company may offer its Officers market-competitive benefit plans which may include the following:

  • Pension and savings – subject to applicable law, Officers may be offered a choice between any combination of executive insurance and pension fund.
  • Disability insurance – the Company may purchase disability insurance for its Officers; premium will not exceed the maximum premium permitted by applicable law.
  • Providence fund – Officers may be entitled to a providence fund provision at the expense of the Company which shall not exceed the maximum contributions permitted by applicable law.
  • Convalescence pay – Officers are entitled to convalescence pay according to applicable law.
  • Vacation – Officers are entitled to annual vacation days pursuant to their employment agreement, up to 28 days per annum, and no less than the minimal number required under applicable law.
  • Sick days quota – Officers are entitled to up to 20 paid sick days per annum but no less than such minimal number required under applicable law.
  • Vehicle – car leasing may be offered to Officers on top of their salaries. The Company may gross up the taxation cost.
  • Meals cost reimbursements – according to Company’s practice as shall be from time to time. Tax will be paid by the Officer.
  • Medical health insurance – according to Company’s practice, applicable law and local customs.
  • Out of pocket expenses – reimbursements according to Company’s practice.
  • Severance pay – the Company’s liability for severance pay to its Officers shall be calculated pursuant to the Israeli Severance Pay Law, 1963, however an Officer is not entitled to receive severance pay in the event of voluntary resignation.

4.4. Incentive Scheme – for Officers

The Company’s incentive scheme will be based on a variable annual cash incentive, designed to reward Officers based on the achievement of predetermined Company and individual goals (the “Bonus”).

For each calendar year, the Company will define individual and Company measurable goals for each Officer.

The annual Bonus will be capped at 6 monthly base salaries.

The Bonus plan shall, but is not required to, take into account the profit level of the Company as a group and may also, but is not required to, take into account the profit level of the respective applicable division.

The bonus parameters will be determined based on pre-defined measurable and quantified considerations.

Measurable criteria for the Bonus may include (but is not limited to) any one or more of the following criteria, in accordance with the following ranges:

Category Weight Weight Measurements may include (non-exhaustive list):
Company 50-100% Increase in profitability from year to year Annual growth in revenues Meeting the Company’s budget Increase in sales overseas Net profit Increase in product offerings by new technologies or solutions
Individual Up to 50% Compliance with individual milestones Promoting strategic targets Compliance with corporate governance rules Discretion of Board of Directors

The Bonus plan will include the following stipulations:

  • Special bonus for outstanding achievements – Officers may receive a special bonus based on outstanding personal achievement as shall be determined by the Board of Directors, following recommendation and approval of the Remuneration Committee.
  • Such special bonus shall not exceed the amount of 8 monthly salary of the Officer.

4.5. Equity based remuneration for Officers:

The Company’s variable equity based remuneration is designed to retain Officers, align Officers and shareholders’ interests and incentivize achievement of long term goals.

goals. The Company shall be entitled to grant to Officers stock options, Restricted Stock Units (as defined in the Employee Share Incentive Plan) or any other equity based remuneration (the “Options”).

The grant of the Options shall be in accordance with the Company’s equity remuneration policies and programs in place from time to time.

General guidelines for the grant of Options:

The Options shall be granted from time to time and be individually determined and awarded by the Board of Directors according to the performance, skills, qualifications, experience, role and the personal responsibilities of the Officer.

Outstanding Options granted to Officers and directors of the Company will not represent more than 15% of the Company’s outstanding (fully diluted) shares.

Vesting schedule – The Options will vest and become exercisable over a period of three years, according to the vesting schedule below, creating desired incentives for the Officers in a long-term perspective.

(i) 33.33% of the Award shall vest on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date.

(ii) The remaining 66.66% of the Award shall vest (equally) on a quarterly basis, over 8 quarters as of the first anniversary of the Commencement Date.

Exercise price will be as determined by Remuneration Committee in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

The Options shall have a 5-year expiration period.

Any others terms of the grant will be determined by the Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors at their discretion, in accordance with applicable law.

The Board of Directors shall have discretion to determine a cap to the exercise value of the Options.

4.6. Retirement and termination of service arrangements

Advance notice

The Officer shall be entitled to an advance notice prior to termination in a period of up to 3 months (the “Notice Period”). Any Notice Period longer than 3 months requires the prior written approval of the Board of Directors.

No Officer of the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) shall be entitled to “termination benefits” (as that term is defined in the ASX Listing Rules, “Termination Benefits”) (or any increase in termination benefits) if a change occurs in the shareholding or control of the Company or its subsidiary.

With the approval of the Company’s shareholders, no Officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries will be, or may be, entitled to Termination Benefits if the value of those benefits and the Termination Benefits that are or may become payable to all Officers together exceed 5% of the “equity interests” (as that term is defined in the ASX Listing Rules) of the Company as set out in the latest audited financial accounts given to ASX.

During the Notice Period, the Officer is required to keep performing his duties pursuant to his agreement with the Company, unless the Board of Directors has released the Officer from such obligation.

Adaptation grant

In case of termination by the Company (except for cases of termination for Cause), an Officer will be eligible for an adaptation grant (of several monthly salaries), in addition to the payment related to the advance Notice Period, as depicted in the following table:

Up to 5 years with the Company Over 5 years with the Company
President / CEO 0 3
CFO 0 2

The adaptation grant is subject to the approval of the Remuneration Committee following the CEO recommendation (or recommendation of the Chairman when dealing with the President / CEO).

4.7. Non-Employee Directors’ Remuneration

The directors of the Company, who are not employees or service providers of the Company or External Directors as defined in the Israel Companies Law 5759-1999 (“External Directors”) or shareholders of the Company (other than being shareholders by virtue of being issued shares under this Remuneration Policy), shall be entitled to remuneration in the form of cash compensation, grant of options, convertible into Ordinary Shares of the Company (“Options”), and to refund of expenses incurred in their capacity as directors, subject to the Company’s Travel Expense Policy, in effect from time to time.

The remuneration for the directors (excluding External Directors) may be paid, in whole or in part, in Ordinary Shares instead of or in addition to cash and Options, subject in each case to applicable law and regulations, including, where required, the Company obtaining the approval by its shareholders under the ASX Listing Rules. Payment in Options, convertible into the Company’s Ordinary Shares is made according to the following terms:

  • An initial grant of 1,000,000 Options shall be made to each non-executive director (the “Initial Grant”) and an annual grant (the “Annual Grant”), starting on the second anniversary of the date each such director was appointed (the “Appointment Date”).
  • Half of the Options granted pursuant to the Initial Grant shall vest on the first anniversary of the Appointment Date and half of the Options granted pursuant to the Initial Grant shall vest on the second anniversary of the Appointment Date. All Options granted pursuant to the Annual Grant shall vest on the 12 month anniversary of such grant.
  • All granted Options shall expire on the fifth (5th) anniversary of their issue date.
  • The price per share used for the exercise price in respect of each Option granted in connection with the Initial Grant shall be equal to the three (3) month trailing average price up to the day prior to the director’s appointment date plus 8%. The price per share used for the exercise price in respect of each Option granted in connection with the Annual Grant shall be equal to an amount equal to AUD$100,000 divided by the greater of (x) AUD 1.10 or (y) the closing share price on the trading day immediately prior to the relevant Annual Grant.
  • In addition, subject to applicable law and regulations, including, where required, the Company obtaining the approval of its shareholders under the ASX Listing Rules, additional compensation can be provided to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Chairperson of any Committee of the Board of Directors as follows:
  • The Chairperson of the Board shall be entitled to additional cash compensation in the aggregate annual amount of USD 50,000 (the “Supplemental Chairperson Cash Compensation”) and the Chairperson of any Committee of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to additional cash compensation in the aggregate annual amount of USD 16,500, per Committee (the “Supplemental Committee Chairperson Cash Compensation”).
  • The Chairperson of the Board shall be entitled to an additional annual grant of Options (the “Supplemental Chairperson Option Compensation) equal to an amount equal to AUD$100,000 divided by the greater of (x) AUD 1.10 or (y) the closing share price on the trading day immediately prior to the relevant Annual Grant. The exercise price and expiry date applicable to each grant of Options under the Supplemental Chairperson Option Compensation shall be determined in the same manner as applicable to options issued under an Annual Grant.

The total annual amount of directors’ fees paid to the non-executive directors of the Company and its subsidiaries must not exceed that amount approved by the Company’s shareholders from time to time in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules.

The Company may pay additional fees to directors, who are not External Directors, and who are also contracted to perform various services to the Company, including but not limited to consulting services, finder fee services, investment-banking services, business development services or other commercial services, as may be determined from time to time by the Remuneration Committee, the Board of the Directors, and the shareholders of the Company.

4.8. Insurance, Exculpation and Indemnification

All directors and Officers will be covered by the Company’s D&O liability insurance, in such scope and under such terms as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors pursuant to the requirements of the Companies Law.

In addition, the Company exempts and releases each director and Officer from any and all liability to the Company and indemnifies its directors and Officers, in each case up to the maximum extent permitted by law.

5. Management and Control

The Board of Directors shall:

(a) Review the Remuneration Policy and its implementation and from time to time asses the need for updates.

(b) Review this Remuneration Policy whenever business conditions shall warrant such a review.

(c) Take into account while examining the Remuneration Policy and plans, inter alia, the Company’s profits and revenue, market conditions, business plan, the effect of the Remuneration Policy on the performance of the Company, work-relations in the Company and any other relevant factors and circumstances.

This Policy will be submitted to shareholders approval at least once in every three years.

6. The ratio of Officers’ remuneration to that of other Company employees

The Company has decided that the ratio of each executive, including the CEO, remuneration to the average and median salary of the rest of the employees (including contractor employees engaged by the Company) will not be higher than 15.

The Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors consider this ratio, taking into account the senior position of the executive officers and their scope of responsibilities, to be reasonable, fair and appropriate, and will not hinder working relations in the Company.