Form 4: Ameriprise Financial Executive Walter Berman Reports Phantom Stock Acquisition

Walter Stanley Berman, Executive VP and CFO of Ameriprise Financial, reports the acquisition of phantom stock units.

Summary

• Walter Stanley Berman, Executive VP and CFO of Ameriprise Financial Inc. [AMP], filed a Form 4 on February 11, 2025.
• The report details a transaction on February 7, 2025, where Berman acquired 308.6706 units of phantom stock.
• Each phantom stock unit represents the right to receive one share of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common stock.
• These shares are payable in Ameriprise common stock following termination of employment or during a specified future year, as per The Ameriprise Financial Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Following the reported transaction, Berman beneficially owns 31,939.1551 shares of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: Neutral sentiment as it's a routine disclosure of executive compensation. The acquisition of phantom stock is generally viewed as a positive sign, aligning executive interests with shareholder value, but it's not a major event.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock aligns the executive's interests with the long-term performance of the company.

Future Outlook

The phantom stock is payable in shares of Ameriprise common stock following termination of employment or during a specified future year in accordance with The Ameriprise Financial Deferred Compensation Plan.

Industry Context

Form 4 filings are a routine part of executive compensation and provide transparency into the holdings of company insiders. Phantom stock is a common tool used to incentivize executives and align their interests with shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Phantom stock grants are a fairly standard component of executive compensation packages in the financial services industry.
• Companies like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and BlackRock also utilize similar deferred compensation plans to incentivize their executives.
• The specific amount of phantom stock granted varies based on the executive's role, performance, and the company's overall compensation strategy.

Stakeholder Impact

• The acquisition of phantom stock aligns the executive's interests with the long-term performance of the company, potentially benefiting shareholders.

Key Dates

Keywords

Form 4, Ameriprise Financial, Walter Berman, Phantom Stock, Executive Compensation, Beneficial Ownership, AMP