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The transparency of remuneration policy in financial holding companies based on the example of the UniCredit Group

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  • Agata Wieczorek

    (University of Lodz)

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the level of transparency of remuneration policy in financial holding companies (FHCs) using the example of the UniCredit Group, as well as to identify the factors that affect its level. It will also indicate to what extent international recommendations on remuneration policy transparency have been implemented into national legal regulations and codes of best practice. Using data collected on the basis of annual reports of financial institutions that belong to the UniCredit Group from 2005 to 2018, I found that the UniCredit Group’s remuneration policy has a low level of transparency. Although the dominant bank discloses all information required by international recommendations and regulations, the subsidiary banks’ disclosures are kept to a minimum. The study also showed that the level of transparency (measured by the remuneration policy transparency index) is influenced by all the governance characteristics examined (the size of the bank’s board, the appointment of independent directors in the bank’s board, the frequency of meetings of the remuneration committee, and the direct involvement of the shareholder) and firm characteristics (the size of the bank and the financial performance measured by ROE). The study also showed that not all countries have decided to implement international recommendations on remuneration policy into their legal regulations and codes of best practice (this is especially true for countries outside the European Union).

Suggested Citation

  • Agata Wieczorek, 2022. "The transparency of remuneration policy in financial holding companies based on the example of the UniCredit Group," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(2), pages 173-198, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jbkreg:v:23:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1057_s41261-021-00155-3
    DOI: 10.1057/s41261-021-00155-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transparency; Remuneration policy; Corporate governance; Financial holding company; Financial sector;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G2 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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