An incentive compensation plan built for the business

The challenge

A mid-market lender approached Pact with a specific objective: design an equity compensation plan built for their business rather than taken from a template. Their goal was to motivate high-performing sales executives while implementing a “golden handcuff” strategy to retain key talent in a highly competitive labor environment.

They weren’t looking for off-the-shelf solutions. They needed a partner who could build a structure tailored to their business, risk profile, and long-term growth goals.

Our approach

Pact delivered a bespoke incentive compensation plan built for their business rather than taken from a template: counsel that covered both legal compliance and strategic business alignment.

• A multi-layered compensation structure: deferred compensation, equity-based incentives, and immediate bonus mechanisms, fully compliant with ERISA
• Protective agreements throughout: strong non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, and confidentiality provisions
• All necessary plan documents and individual contracts

This wasn’t just a legal project. It was a strategic HR and growth initiative.

The outcome

The result was a fully customized plan that directly aligned executive incentives with the company’s long-term value. The client valued our depth of expertise, strategic thinking, and a plan tailored to their specific team and culture, not a fill-in-the-blank template.

The engagement laid the foundation for an ongoing advisory relationship, with Pact continuing to provide guidance as the business evolves and scales its workforce.

Why it matters

When off-the-shelf plans don’t cut it, Pact steps in with creative, tailored structures designed to drive performance, protect the business, and retain key talent.