AGM Information • Apr 7, 2023
AGM Information
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8 May 2023
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of the Meeting agenda
Poste Italiane S.p.A. Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022. Reports of the Board of Directors, the Board of Statutory Auditors, and the Audit Firm. Related resolutions. Presentation of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Dear Shareholders,
A special file, that will be made available to the public at the Company's registered office and on its website within the time period established by the law, to which we therefore refer you, contains (i) the proposed financial statements of Poste Italiane S.p.A. for the year ended 31 December 2022 – including the separate Accounts of BancoPosta's Ring-Fenced Capital (established by the Company with effect from 2 May 2011 by a resolution of the extraordinary shareholders' meeting held on 14 April 2011, and whose functioning is governed by special rules available at www.posteitaliane.it) – showing net income for the year of 847.1 million euro, as well as (ii) the Poste Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 showing a net result for the year amounting to 1,511 million euro (1,506 million euro being the share pertaining to the Group), which the Board of Directors approved on 29 March 2023.
Considering the foregoing, we submit the following
The present Shareholders' Meeting of Poste Italiane S.p.A.:
• having examined the proposed financial statements of Poste Italiane S.p.A. for the year ended 31 December 2022, with the related reports of the Board of Directors, the Board of Statutory Auditors, and the External Auditor;
to approve the financial statements of Poste Italiane S.p.A. for the year ended 31 December 2022, accompanied by the related report of the Board of Directors and including the separate Accounts of BancoPosta's Ring-Fenced Capital.
We firstly remind you that the dividend policy – as previously approved by the Board of Directors during the years 2018 and 2019 – provides the distribution of the annual dividend in two tranches: one as an interim dividend and one as a balance dividend.
In addition to the above, we remind you that during the last month of March 2022 the Board of Directors – within the ambit of the updating of the Strategic Plan "2024 Sustain & Innovate" – updated the above said dividend policy, providing for a 21% increase in the dividend to apply to the 2021 fiscal year compared to the previous year and a further increase in the following years up to 2024 equal to 7% per annum.
In light of the above, on 9 November 2022 the Board of Directors has approved, pursuant to Article 2433-bis of the Italian Civil Code and Article 26.3 of the Corporate Bylaws, the distribution of an interim dividend for the financial year 2022 of 0.210 euro per share (for a total amount of about euro 272.7 million), that has been paid, gross of any withholding tax, from 23 November 2022.
Given the amount of the paid interim dividend and considering that the Poste Italiane Group's net consolidated income for 2022 amounts to 1,511 million euro (1,506 million euro being the share pertaining to the Group), we propose the distribution of a balance of the dividend amounting to 0.440 euro per share, to be paid in June 2023 in accordance with the dates communicated to the market on 27 January 2023, when the corporate calendar of events for the year 2023 was released, and precisely: (i) 21 June 2023 as the payment date, (ii) 19 June 2023 as the "ex dividend" date, and (iii) 20 June 2023 as the record date (i.e., the date of entitlement to the aforesaid dividend).
Therefore, the total dividend for the financial year 2022 amounts to 0.650 euro per share, in increase of 10.2% in comparison with the dividend of 0.590 euro per share for the financial year 2021.
In light of all the foregoing, and considering that:
we submit for your approval the following
The present Shareholders' Meeting of Poste Italiane S.p.A., having examined the report of the Board of Directors,
2.2) to the distribution to the Shareholders, as dividend of the year, the amount of 0.650 euro for each ordinary shares in circulation on the ex-dividend dates below indicated, excluding treasury shares on those dates;
2.3) what will remain following the aforementioned distribution in favor of the Shareholders, to the available reserve called "Results carried forward";
Report on the 2023 remuneration policy.
The Report on the 2023 remuneration policy was prepared in accordance with the provisions of article 123-ter of Legislative Decree n. 58 of 24 February 1998 and article 84-quater of Consob Resolution n. 11971 of 14 May 1999 and subsequent amendments and additions. According to the provisions of the paragraphs 3, 3-bis, and 3-ter of article 123-ter of Legislative Decree n. 58 of 24 February 1998, a Shareholders' Meeting must approve, through a binding resolution, the Report on the policy regarding remuneration, which explains (i) the Company's policy regarding the remuneration for members of the board of directors, the general manager and other executives who have strategic responsibilities, with respect to the year 2023, and, without prejudice to the provisions of article 2402 of the Italian Civil Code, the members of control body, as well as (ii) the procedures used for the adoption and implementation of such policy.
A document describing the remuneration and incentive plans for personnel under BancoPosta's Ring-Fenced Capital – prepared pursuant to the Bank of Italy's Circular n. 285, First Part, Title IV, Chapter 2 of 17 December 2013, as well as the EBA guidelines and EBA Regulatory Technical Standard (RTS) in force and likewise submitted to the binding resolution of the Shareholders' Meeting – is attached to the Report on the policy regarding remuneration. It should also be noted that, following the inspection carried out on compliance of the practices with respect to the remuneration and incentives policy for personnel of BancoPosta's Ring-Fenced Capital in force in 2022, a general level of adequacy was found.
Together with the attachment regarding the guidelines on the remuneration policies and incentive programs of BancoPosta's Ring-Fenced Capital, the Report on the policy regarding remuneration is contained in a document – named "Report on the 2023 remuneration policy
and on the amounts paid in 2022", to which we refer you – made available at the same time as the present report.
In light of the foregoing, we submit for your approval the following
The present Shareholders' Meeting of Poste Italiane S.p.A. approves the Report on the policy regarding remuneration for the year 2023 – including the guidelines on the policies of remuneration and incentive plans of BancoPosta's Ring-Fenced Capital, which are attached to the Report on the policy regarding remuneration – which explains (i) the Company's policy regarding the remuneration for members of the board of directors, the general manager and other executives with strategic responsibilities, and the members of control body, as well as (ii) the procedures used for the adoption and implementation of such policy.
Dear Shareholders,
The Report on amounts paid in the year 2022 was prepared in accordance with the provisions of article 123-ter of Legislative Decree n. 58 of 24 February 1998 and article 84 quater of Consob Resolution n. 11971 of 14 May 1999 and subsequent amendments and additions.
According to the provisions of the fourth and sixth paragraph of article 123-ter of Legislative Decree n. 58 of 24 February 1998, a Shareholders' Meeting must resolve in favor of or against the Report on amounts paid with respect to the year 2022, which are provided (i) by name, for the members of the administrative and auditing bodies, and the general manager, and (ii) in aggregate form, for executives with strategic responsibilities. The resolution is not binding.
The Report on amounts paid in the year 2022 is contained in a document – named "Report on the 2023 remuneration policy and on the amounts paid in 2022", to which we refer you – made available at the same time as the present report.
In light of the foregoing, we submit for your approval the following
The present Shareholders' Meeting of Poste Italiane S.p.A. resolves in favor of the Report on amounts paid in the year 2022, which are provided (i) by name, for the members of the administrative and auditing bodies, and the general manager, and (ii) in aggregate form, for executives with strategic responsibilities.
Dear Shareholders,
In accordance with article 114-bis, paragraph 1, of Legislative Decree n. 58 of 24 February 1998 – the shareholders' meeting is called to approve certain incentive plans, based upon financial instruments, as approved by the Board of Directors upon proposal by the Remuneration Committee.
In particular, we submit to you the following incentive schemes (together also the "Plans" or the "Incentive Plans"):
The Plans provide for the granting of Rights to receive Poste Italiane S.p.A. shares to their participants.
Accordingly, the Plans fall within the definition of "compensation plan based on financial instruments" pursuant to article 114-bis, paragraph 1, of Legislative Decree n. 58 of 24 February 1998.
In accordance with the provisions of article 84-bis, paragraph 1, of Consob Resolution n. 11971 of 14 May 1999 and subsequent amendments and additions, the features of the Plans are described in detail in a specific information document – to which we refer you – made available to the public at the same time as this report.
We therefore submit to your approval the following
Having examined the report of the Board of Directors and the information document on the Plans prepared pursuant to article 84-bis, paragraph 1, of Consob Resolution n. 11971 of 14 May 1999 and subsequent amendments and additions, the Annual General Meeting of Poste Italiane S.p.A.
You have been convened to discuss and resolve upon granting the Board of Directors with an authorization for the acquisition and the disposal of own shares of the Company, pursuant to Articles 2357 and 2357-ter of the Italian Civil Code, for the purposes and in accordance with the terms and modalities described below.
The request for authorization is aimed at granting the Board of Directors with the right to purchase and dispose of own shares of the Company, in compliance with the relevant applicable (also European Union) laws, to fulfil the obligations arising from the variable remuneration, to be paid in shares of Poste Italiane, for directors or employees of the group of Poste Italiane S.p.A. ("Poste Italiane" or the "Company").
More specifically, the own shares are destined to fulfil the "Incentives Plans", i.e.:
In particular, the long-term incentives plan "ILT Performance Share" has the objective of strengthening the link between the variable component of the remuneration and the long term strategy of Poste Italiane Group, in line with the budget and the objectives of the
Strategic Plan, over a multi-year horizon. Such plan calls for the use of ordinary shares of Poste Italiane and, through the establishment of adequate periods of non-availability, it ensures a constant alignment between the interests of the beneficiaries and those of the shareholders, fostering the loyalty of key resources of the Company and Poste Italiane Group. The beneficiaries are the Chief Executive Officer and the General Manager of the Company and the "key resources", directors and executives, of the Poste Italiane Group that perform relevant functions for the implementation of the guidelines of the Strategic Plan. In addition, the conversion into shares of portion of the bonus vested under the five-years plan "ILT Deliver 2022" for the Material Risk Takers of Patrimonio BancoPosta, including the CEO and General Manager, is aimed at maintaining and strengthening the constant alignment between the interests of management and those of shareholders, also considering the regulatory updates that have taken place in recent years.
Concerning the short-term incentive plan 2023 based on financial instruments for the Material Risk Takers of Patrimonio BancoPosta, therein included the Chief Executive Officer and the General Manager, in line with the relevant legislation, the objective is to link the remuneration to the strategy of Patrimonio BancoPosta. Such plan represents, furthermore, a useful tool for strengthening the focus on the creation of value, management by objectives and encouraging management continuity in the long-term generating a retention effect, to the culture of integration and efficiency, as well as to engage those responsible for the strategic plans.
Based on the abovementioned requirements the purchase of own shares of the Company may concern a maximum number of 3.5 million shares, for a maximum amount of 52.5 million euros. If, once the allocation provided for under the incentives plans has been made, there are outstanding own shares, the latter may be disposed of in accordance with the terms and conditions set out, from time to time, by the Board of Directors or by the persons authorised by it, without prejudice to compliance with the limits provided for under any applicable legislation.
It should be recalled that the Company carried out (i) on February 2019, an initial purchase of own shares programme – authorized by the Shareholders Meeting of 29 May 2018 for a maximum number of 65.3 million shares and a total amount of 500 million euros – according
to which the Company acquired a total of 5,257,965 shares for an amount of 39,999,993.98 euros; (ii) in the period between 30 May 2022 and 13 June 2022 (ends included) a second purchase of own shares programme – authorized by the Shareholders Meeting of 27 May 2022 for a maximum number of 2.6 million shares and a total amount of 40 million euros – according to which the Company acquired a total of 2,600,000 shares for an amount of 25,300,204.62 euros.
Taking into account the share grants made during 2021 and 2022 in execution of previous incentive plans, the own shares currently held by Poste Italiane amount to 7.535.991 shares (equal to the 0.58% of the share capital), sufficient to cover the requirements deriving from the incentives plans assigned until 2022, making it necessary to proceed with new purchases of own shares.
It is hereby proposed that the Shareholders' Meeting authorizes the acquisition of own shares, in one or more instalments, up to a maximum number of 3.5 million Poste Italiane ordinary shares, representing approximately the 0.27% of the Company's share capital, which currently amounts to 1,306,110,000.00 euros divided in 1,306,110,000 shares without par value and up to a maximum amount of 52.5 million euros.
Pursuant to Article 2357, paragraph 1, of the Italian Civil Code, the acquisitions shall be made within the limits of distributable net income and of the available reserves, as per the most recent duly approved financial statements. In this regard, please note that the available reserves resulting from Poste Italiane's draft financial statements as of 31 December 2022, which is submitted to the approval of this Shareholders' Meeting, are equal to an overall amount of approximately 828 million euros, after the distribution of dividends has been resolved.
The authorization includes the right to dispose, in one or more instalments, of all or part of the own shares in portfolio, also before having reached the maximum amount of shares that can be purchased as well as, as the case may be, to buy-back the shares, provided that the own shares held by the Company and, if applicable, by its subsidiaries, do not exceed the limit established by the authorization.
At the date of this report, the share capital of Poste Italiane S.p.A. amounts to 1,306,110,000.00 euros, divided into 1,306,110,000 ordinary shares without par value. The Company currently owns 7.535.991 own shares in portfolio, as indicated above, which were acquired in February 2019 and then in the period between 30 May 2022 and 13 June 2022, and which purpose was to fulfil the obligations deriving from the incentives plans already assigned.
The authorization to purchase own shares is requested for the maximum term provided for by Article 2357, paragraph 2, of the Italian Civil Code, equal to eighteen months starting from the date on which the Shareholders' Meeting grants the authorization. During such period, the Board of Directors may carry out the acquisitions freely determining the amount and times, in compliance with the relevant applicable (also European Union) laws. Given the absence of any legislative restriction and taking into account the need to grant the
Company with as much operational flexibility as possible, the requested authorization does not provide for any term in relation to the disposal of the own shares purchased.
Under the requested authorization, purchases shall be made at a price which shall be determined from time to time, taking into account the specific modality selected to carry out the transaction and in compliance with the regulatory provisions (also of European Union), if any and that the purchases are made in accordance with the conditions to trading set out under Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 (the "Regulation 1052") implementing Regulation (EU) 596/2014, where applicable. In particular, pursuant to article 3 of Regulation 1052, the acquisitions may be made against a consideration that is not higher than the highest price between the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent purchase bid price on the trading venues where the purchase is carried out.
Furthermore, for further caution,such price shall not be 10% lower or higher than the official price recorded by the Poste Italiane's stock on the Mercato Telematico Azionario organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. in the trading day preceding each transaction.
Under the same requested authorization, the sale or any other disposal of own shares in portfolio shall take place in accordance with the terms and conditions determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, in compliance with the purposes and criteria illustrated above, and in any case according to the limits (if any) provided for by the relevant applicable (also of European Union) laws from time to time and any guidelines received from the competent Supervisory Authorities.
Given the several purposes indicated in paragraph 1 above, under the requested authorization, acquisitions shall be carried out in compliance with most of the modalities provided for by the relevant applicable (also European Union) laws, in particular in accordance with the conditions and limitations to trading set out under Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation 1052.
The buyback programme shall be carried out under the modalities currently set forth by Article 132 of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998 (the "Consolidated Financial Act"), by Article 144-bis of Consob Resolution no. 11971 of 14 May 1999 (the "Issuers' Regulation"), by Article 5 of the Regulation (EU) no. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 16, 2014 and its relating implementing measures.
In particular, in compliance with Article 132, paragraph 1, of the Consolidated Financial Act, the acquisitions of own shares shall be carried out ensuring the equal treatment among Shareholders, according to the modalities established by Consob within the ambit of Article 144-bis, paragraph 1, of the Issuers' Regulation.
According to the operative modalities for implementing the purchase programme, it is envisaged that it may be carried out by means of direct or indirect purchases, within the framework of a mandate to be granted to a specialized financial intermediary that, in case of direct purchases, shall follow the orders given by Poste Italiane and, in case of indirect purchases, shall act independently within the limits of the general parameters and limits set
out by Poste Italiane, all in accordance with the applicable legislation and the limits set out above.
From the transparency point of view, the operation shall be communicated to the market in accordance with the applicable legislation. In particular, the following documents shall be published:
Under the same requested authorization, acts of disposal and/or use of own shares shall be made with the modalities deemed the most appropriate and compliant with the interest of the Company as well as consistent with the provisions of the management incentive plans and, in any case, in accordance with the relevant applicable (also of European Union) laws.
This request for authorization to purchase own shares is not instrumental to the reduction of the share capital.
We therefore submit to your approval the following
The Shareholders' Meeting of Poste Italiane S.p.A., having examined the explanatory report of the Board of Directors,
do not exceed the limit established by the authorization referred to in point 1 above. The acts of disposal and/or use of the own shares in portfolio shall be carried out for the purposes provided for by the explanatory report of the Board of Directors relating to this item on the agenda of today's Shareholders' Meeting, according to the terms and conditions specified below:
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