How much does the CFO of Capital One make? This is a question that piques the curiosity of many, from aspiring finance professionals to everyday consumers. Understanding the compensation of a top executive like the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides valuable insights into the corporate world, executive incentives, and the financial health of a major institution like Capital One.
Let's embark on a journey to uncover the details of the Capital One CFO's compensation, breaking down the various components that contribute to their significant earnings.
Step 1: Let's Dive In - Are You Ready to Unpack Executive Compensation?
Are you curious about the intricate world of executive pay? Have you ever wondered what goes into determining the salary of someone holding such a pivotal role in a multi-billion dollar company? If so, you're in the right place! Understanding executive compensation isn't just about a single number; it's a fascinating look at performance metrics, market forces, and the strategic alignment of leadership with shareholder interests. So, let's get started on dissecting the compensation of Capital One's CFO.
What Makes Up an Executive's Pay Package?
It's rarely just a simple salary. Executive compensation is a complex tapestry woven from various elements designed to incentivize performance, ensure long-term commitment, and align the executive's interests with the company's success.
Step 2: Identifying Capital One's CFO
To understand the CFO's compensation, we first need to identify the current individual holding that crucial position. As of the latest information, Andrew M. Young serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Capital One Financial Corporation.
Step 3: Unveiling the Total Compensation Figure
Now for the main event! While exact figures can fluctuate annually based on company performance, individual metrics, and market conditions, publicly available data provides a strong indication of the Capital One CFO's total compensation.
Recent Compensation for Andrew M. Young (CFO)
Based on recent filings and reports, Andrew M. Young's total compensation as Chief Financial Officer at Capital One Financial Corp. has been in the multi-million dollar range.
- In 2022, Andrew M. Young received a total compensation of approximately $5.26 million.
- More recent data for 2023 shows Andrew Young's total compensation as approximately $5,659,977.
- Another report indicates a total compensation of approximately $6,032,617 for Andrew M. Young.
It's important to note that these figures represent total compensation, which is much more than just base salary.
Step 4: Deconstructing the Compensation Components
A CFO's total compensation is not a single lump sum. It's carefully structured to include various components. Let's break down what typically makes up this substantial figure.
4.1 Base Salary
This is the fixed, regular payment an executive receives. While it's a significant amount, for a CFO at a company like Capital One, it often represents a smaller portion of their overall total compensation compared to other elements.
- For instance, in 2022, Andrew M. Young's base salary was approximately $940,690.
4.2 Stock Awards and Equity-Based Compensation
This is often the largest component of executive pay. Stock awards, performance shares, and restricted stock units (RSUs) are granted to executives to align their long-term interests with those of the shareholders. The value of these awards can fluctuate significantly with the company's stock price.
- In 2022, Andrew M. Young's stock award was approximately $2.48 million.
- More recently, in June 2025, Andrew Young was granted a roughly $3 million award from 15,336 restricted stock units, tied to the Discover integration.
This component emphasizes long-term performance and the company's stock appreciation. It motivates executives to make decisions that will enhance shareholder value over several years.
4.3 Cash Bonuses and Incentive Plan Compensation
These are payments tied to the achievement of specific annual or short-term performance goals. These goals can be financial (e.g., revenue growth, profitability) or operational (e.g., successful project completion, risk management).
- While specific bonus figures for each year aren't always detailed separately from the "total cash" or "incentive plan compensation" categories, they are a definite part of the overall package.
4.4 Other Compensation
This category can include a variety of benefits and perks, such as:
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Contributions to retirement plans
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Perquisites (e.g., company car, financial planning services)
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Health and welfare benefits
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Deferred compensation
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In 2022, Andrew M. Young's "other compensation" was approximately $190,490.
Step 5: Understanding the 'Why' Behind the 'How Much'
Why do CFOs of large corporations like Capital One earn such substantial sums? The reasons are multifaceted and reflect the immense responsibility, specialized skills, and market demand for such high-level financial leadership.
5.1 Immense Responsibility
The CFO is not just an accountant. They are a strategic partner to the CEO, responsible for:
- Financial Strategy: Guiding the company's financial planning, investments, and capital structure.
- Risk Management: Overseeing financial risks, compliance, and internal controls.
- Investor Relations: Communicating financial performance to investors and the market.
- Mergers & Acquisitions: Playing a critical role in strategic transactions like the recent Discover acquisition.
- Ensuring Financial Health: Ultimately, the CFO is a guardian of the company's financial stability and growth.
5.2 Scarcity of Talent
There's a limited pool of individuals with the necessary experience, expertise, and leadership qualities to effectively manage the finances of a multi-billion dollar, publicly traded company. This scarcity drives up compensation.
5.3 Performance-Based Incentives
A significant portion of the CFO's compensation is "at risk," meaning it's tied to the company's performance. If Capital One performs well and its stock price increases, the CFO's equity awards become more valuable. Conversely, poor performance can significantly impact their total earnings. This structure aims to align the CFO's personal financial success with the company's success and shareholder value.
5.4 Market Benchmarking
Companies often benchmark their executive compensation against similar roles at comparable companies in their industry. To attract and retain top talent, Capital One must offer compensation packages that are competitive with other major financial institutions.
Step 6: Where to Find This Information Yourself (for the Curious Mind!)
Want to dig deeper into executive compensation for Capital One or other public companies? Here's how you can find this information:
6.1 Proxy Statements (DEF 14A)
Publicly traded companies are required to file proxy statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) before their annual shareholder meetings. These documents contain detailed information on executive compensation, including tables outlining salaries, bonuses, stock awards, and other benefits for the "Named Executive Officers" (NEOs), which include the CFO.
- You can access these filings directly on the SEC's EDGAR database (www.sec.gov).
6.2 Annual Reports (10-K)
While not as detailed on individual compensation as proxy statements, annual reports (Form 10-K) also contain information on overall executive compensation philosophy and sometimes high-level compensation figures.
6.3 Investor Relations Sections of Company Websites
Most public companies have an "Investor Relations" section on their website where they post their financial reports, SEC filings, and sometimes summaries of their executive compensation policies.
6.4 Third-Party Compensation Data Providers
Websites like Salary.com, ERI Economic Research Institute (ERI), and Bullfincher.io often compile and present executive compensation data, sometimes with historical trends and breakdowns. It's good to cross-reference these with official SEC filings for accuracy.
Step 7: The Evolving Landscape of Executive Pay
Executive compensation is not static. It's a dynamic field influenced by:
- Shareholder Scrutiny: Increased shareholder activism and "say-on-pay" votes have put more pressure on boards to justify executive compensation.
- Regulatory Changes: New regulations can impact how compensation is structured and disclosed.
- Economic Conditions: Economic downturns or booms can influence compensation levels and the types of incentives offered.
- ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Factors: Increasingly, companies are incorporating ESG metrics into executive compensation plans to promote sustainable business practices.
The compensation of Capital One's CFO, Andrew M. Young, reflects the demanding nature of the role and the company's commitment to tying executive rewards to its financial performance and long-term strategic objectives. It's a testament to the high stakes and specialized expertise required to navigate the complex financial landscape of a major financial institution.
10 Related FAQ Questions about Capital One CFO Compensation:
How to understand "total compensation" for a CFO?
Total compensation for a CFO includes their base salary, cash bonuses, incentive plan compensation, stock awards (like restricted stock units and performance shares), and other benefits and perks. It's a comprehensive figure reflecting all forms of remuneration.
How to find the most up-to-date compensation figures for Capital One's CFO?
The most reliable and up-to-date compensation figures can be found in Capital One's annual proxy statements (DEF 14A filings) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website (www.sec.gov). These are typically released before the annual shareholder meeting.
How to interpret the role of stock awards in a CFO's compensation?
Stock awards are a significant portion of a CFO's compensation, designed to align their long-term financial interests with the company's performance and shareholder value. The value of these awards can increase or decrease with the company's stock price, incentivizing sustained growth and profitability.
How to compare Capital One CFO's compensation to other major bank CFOs?
To compare, you would need to examine the proxy statements of other major banks (e.g., JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) and look for their respective CFOs' total compensation figures, breaking down similar components like base salary, bonuses, and equity.
How to know if the CFO's compensation is considered "fair" or "excessive"?
Assessing fairness is subjective, but it often involves comparing the compensation to industry benchmarks, the company's performance (revenue, profit, stock appreciation), and the compensation of other executives within the same company and peer group. Shareholder advisory firms also provide evaluations.
How to understand the impact of company performance on CFO compensation?
A significant portion of a CFO's compensation is performance-based. If Capital One achieves its financial targets (e.g., net income, loan growth, efficiency ratio) and its stock performs well, the CFO's bonuses and equity awards will likely be higher. Conversely, underperformance can lead to reduced variable pay.
How to learn about the specific performance metrics tied to Capital One CFO's bonuses?
Detailed information about the specific performance metrics (financial and non-financial) used to determine annual bonuses and long-term incentive awards for Capital One's named executive officers can be found in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of their annual proxy statement.
How to find out about the CFO's historical compensation trends at Capital One?
Historical compensation data can often be found in past proxy statements filed with the SEC. Many third-party financial data websites also compile and present multi-year compensation figures for key executives.
How to understand the difference between cash salary and total cash compensation?
Cash salary is the fixed annual payment. Total cash compensation would include the cash salary plus any cash bonuses and other short-term cash incentives received during the year.
How to determine if the Capital One CFO owns company stock beyond their compensation awards?
Proxy statements will typically include tables detailing the stock ownership of named executive officers. This provides insight into how much company stock the CFO holds, which further aligns their interests with shareholders.
