The actions concerning the advisory proposal on executive compensation (Item 2), the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm (Item 3) and the shareholder proposal (Item 4) will be approved if the votes cast “for” the action exceed the votes cast “against” the action. Items 2, 3 and 4 are non-binding proposals.
How is the vote counted?
Votes cast by proxy or at the annual meeting will be counted by the persons appointed by State Street to act as tellers for the meeting.
“Abstentions” and “broker non-votes” are not counted as votes with respect to any of the items to be voted on at the annual meeting.
Stock exchange rules permit a broker to vote shares held in a brokerage account on “routine” proposals if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you. Stock exchange and SEC rules, however, prohibit brokers from voting uninstructed shares in the election of directors and executive compensation matters. Accordingly, of the matters to be voted on at the annual meeting, we believe the only “routine” proposal is the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm (Item 3).
Where is the meeting held?
The annual meeting will be conducted via live audio webcast at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/STT2021.
Due to the continuing COVID-19 public health crisis, out of caution for the health and safety of our shareholders, employees and directors, the annual meeting of shareholders will be conducted online via live audio webcast. You will be able to participate, submit questions and vote your shares electronically. To do so, you will need to visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/STT2021 and use the 16-digit control number provided with the voting instructions.
Please allow ample time for the online check-in process. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the login page hosting the virtual meeting.
How do I submit a question at the annual meeting?
If you wish to submit a question on the day of the annual meeting, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 19, 2021, you may login and ask a question at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/STT2021. The annual meeting will be governed by our meeting guidelines posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/STT2021 in advance of the meeting. The meeting guidelines will address the ability of shareholders to ask questions during the meeting, including rules on permissible topics, and rules for how questions and comments will be recognized and disclosed to meeting participants.
What happens if the meeting is postponed or adjourned?
Your proxy may be voted at the postponed or adjourned meeting. You will still be able to change your proxy until it is voted.
May I see a list of shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting as of the record date?
A list of our registered shareholders as of the close of business on the record date will be made available to shareholders during the meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/STT2021. To access such list of registered holders beginning April 8, 2021 and until the meeting, shareholders should email State Street Investor Relations at IR@statestreet.com.
What are my rights as a participant in the Salary Savings Program?
As part of its employee benefits program, State Street maintains a 401(k) plan called the Salary Savings Program, or SSP. If you participate in the SSP and have invested part or all of your account in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan fund, you are considered a named fiduciary and may direct the voting of the State Street Corporation common stock allocated to your account as of the record date.
You may give direction on the Internet, by telephone or by mail. If you do not provide timely direction as to how to vote your allocated share, your allocated share will be voted on the same proportional basis as the shares that are directed by other participants. If a matter arises at the meeting, or such other time as affords no practical means for securing participant direction, the trustee will follow the direction of the Committee designated by the Plan Sponsor, or its designee. Voting of your allocated share will occur as described above unless the trustee or plan administrator (or its designee), as applicable, determines that doing so would result in a breach of its fiduciary duty.
You must direct your vote in advance of the annual meeting so that the trustee, the registered owner of all of the shares held in the SSP, can vote in a timely manner. Regardless of what method you use to direct the trustee, the trustee must receive your direction no later than 11:59