Macquarie CEO Shemara Wikramanayake Sees 15,657 Performance Share Units Forfeited After Missing Targets

7 min read | July 01, 2026 10:16 PM BST | By Shwetambri Chauhan

Macquarie Bank Limited (ASX:MBL) and its parent company Macquarie Group Limited have reported a change in the director's interest of Chief Executive Officer Shemara Wikramanayake, following the forfeiture and lapse of 15,657 Performance Share Units (PSUs) on 30 June 2026. These PSUs were forfeited without exercise and without compensation after the required performance targets were not met at vesting. The update, lodged on 2 July 2026, details Ms Wikramanayake's current shareholding across various direct and indirect interests. Investors in Macquarie Bank and Macquarie Group will closely monitor this disclosure as it highlights the group's senior executive equity remuneration structure and the strictness of its performance-linked incentive system.<\/p> <\/div>

Key Points<\/h3>
  • Company: Macquarie Bank Limited and Macquarie Group Limited (ASX:MBL)<\/li>
  • Director involved: Shemara Wikramanayake, Chief Executive Officer<\/li>
  • 15,657 Performance Share Units (PSUs) forfeited and lapsed unexercised on 30 June 2026 due to unmet performance hurdles<\/li>
  • No compensation was received for the forfeited PSUs—they expired with zero value<\/li>
  • Ms Wikramanayake still holds 378,091 Restricted Share Units (RSUs) and 62,106 PSUs under the Macquarie Group Limited Employee Retained Equity Plan (MEREP)<\/li>
  • Direct MQG share holdings across four registered entities remain steady at a total of 1,474,481 MQG shares<\/li>
  • Investors should monitor upcoming MEREP vesting dates and whether the remaining PSUs meet their performance criteria<\/li> <\/ul> <\/div>

    Implications of the 15,657 PSU Forfeiture on Wikramanayake's MEREP Holdings<\/h2>

    The key highlight of this update is the forfeiture of 15,657 PSUs held by Ms Wikramanayake under the Macquarie Group Employee Retained Equity Plan (MEREP). The filing explains these PSUs were Deferred Share Units—rights to receive MQG shares in the future—subject to performance conditions that needed to be met before vesting. On 30 June 2026, these conditions were evaluated and found unmet, resulting in automatic forfeiture and lapse.<\/p>

    This forfeiture means Ms Wikramanayake received no value from this tranche of PSUs. The update clearly states the forfeited PSUs "lapsed unexercised for no consideration." This underscores the at-risk nature of performance-based executive pay and reduces her total PSU holdings from 77,763 to 62,106 units. Her RSU holdings of 378,091 units remain unaffected.<\/p>

    Wikramanayake's Unchanged MQG Shareholdings Across Four Registered Entities<\/h2>

    Despite the PSU lapse, Ms Wikramanayake maintains a significant indirect and direct interest in MQG shares. The filing confirms her MQG ordinary shares held across four registered entities were unaffected by the 30 June 2026 event. These holdings include: 41,272 MQG shares registered to Aljebra Super Pty Limited as Trustee for the Aljebra Superannuation Fund; 1,092,542 MQG shares held by Aljebra Pty Limited as trustee for the Aljebra Investment Trust; 233,930 MQG shares held through HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited on behalf of the Aljebra Investment Trust; and 106,737 MQG shares registered to Aljebra Capital Pty Ltd.<\/p>

    Collectively, these holdings total 1,474,481 MQG ordinary shares. The update classifies these as a mix of direct and indirect interests, with indirect interests stemming from Ms Wikramanayake’s beneficiary status in the Aljebra Superannuation Fund and Aljebra Investment Trust, as well as her directorship at Aljebra Capital Pty Ltd. These shareholdings remain unchanged from the previous director's interest notice dated 21 May 2026.<\/p>

    Macquarie's MEREP Equity Plan and Its Role in Executive Compensation at Risk<\/h2>

    The Macquarie Group Limited Employee Retained Equity Plan (MEREP) delivers a substantial portion of senior executive remuneration through equity awards that vest over time. Performance Share Units (PSUs) under this plan are subject to performance conditions, aligning executives’ pay with shareholder interests by making compensation contingent on meeting specific performance hurdles.<\/p>

    The PSUs are Deferred Share Units—rights to receive MQG shares in the future—conditional on performance targets. The specific hurdles for the forfeited tranche are not disclosed in this update. In contrast, Restricted Share Units (RSUs) under the plan are not subject to the same performance conditions and represent a less contingent form of equity. The forfeiture of 15,657 PSUs by the CEO highlights the financial risks executives face when performance targets are not met.<\/p>

    Overview of the Aljebra Corporate Structure Behind Wikramanayake's Indirect Holdings<\/h2>

    The update offers detailed insight into the corporate and trust entities through which Ms Wikramanayake holds economic interests in MQG shares. The Aljebra group—comprising Aljebra Super Pty Limited, Aljebra Pty Limited, Aljebra Capital Pty Ltd, and associated trusts—forms the registered ownership framework for her MQG shares. Each entity holds shares in its own name, but beneficial ownership flows back to Ms Wikramanayake as a beneficiary or director with relevant interests under the Corporations Act.<\/p>

    Additionally, Aljebra Super Pty Limited as trustee for the Aljebra Superannuation Fund holds 2,000,000 ordinary shares in MAFCA Investments Pty Ltd. This holding was unchanged by the 30 June 2026 event and is included for completeness as part of Ms Wikramanayake’s full notifiable interest disclosure. No further details about MAFCA Investments Pty Ltd or its operations were provided.<\/p>

    Regulatory Background and Previous Notices Related to This Disclosure<\/h2>

    This update was filed under ASX Listing Rule 3.19A.2 and Section 205G of the Corporations Act 2001, which require directors of listed companies to notify the exchange of any changes to their relevant securities interests within a specified timeframe. The prior director's interest notice for Ms Wikramanayake was dated 21 May 2026, making this the latest update as of 2 July 2026.<\/p>

    The filing covers both Macquarie Group Limited (ABN 94 122 169 279) and Macquarie Bank Limited (ABN 46 008 583 542), reflecting the dual-entity structure governing Macquarie group securities. The notice confirms no trading occurred during a closed period and no prior written clearance was required or sought, consistent with the automatic nature of the PSU lapse rather than a discretionary market transaction.<\/p>

    Distinguishing PSU Lapse From Share Sales: No On-Market Transactions Occurred<\/h2>

    Investors should note this disclosure does not indicate any on-market sale of MQG shares by Ms Wikramanayake, nor any voluntary disposal of securities. The PSU lapse is an automatic administrative event triggered when performance hurdles are assessed as unmet at vesting. The update states the PSUs "were forfeited and lapsed unexercised upon vesting due to performance hurdles not being met."<\/p>

    This distinction is important because a director selling shares on-market can convey different signals to investors compared to an automatic forfeiture of unvested performance awards. Here, no value was transferred, no proceeds received, and Ms Wikramanayake’s underlying ordinary shareholdings remain intact. The filing also confirms that closed period rules did not apply, emphasizing that no discretionary trading decision was involved.<\/p>

    Remaining PSU and RSU Holdings of Wikramanayake After 30 June 2026<\/h2>

    After the forfeiture, Ms Wikramanayake holds 378,091 RSUs and 62,106 PSUs under MEREP. The RSU count remains unchanged from the 21 May 2026 notice, while the PSU count decreased from 77,763 to 62,106 due to the lapse.<\/p>

    Both RSUs and PSUs represent rights to receive MQG ordinary shares at future vesting dates, subject to their respective conditions. The remaining 62,106 PSUs will be assessed against performance hurdles at future dates, with vesting or forfeiture dependent on Macquarie Group’s results. This remaining PSU pool still represents a significant equity incentive for the CEO, contingent on future performance.<\/p>

    What the PSU Forfeiture Reveals About Macquarie's Incentive Discipline<\/h2>

    The forfeiture of PSUs by Macquarie’s CEO offers insight into the effectiveness of the group’s executive pay framework. PSUs are designed to be genuinely at risk, and the lapse of 15,657 units for zero value demonstrates that the performance conditions in MEREP have real financial consequences when targets are missed.<\/p>

    The update does not specify which performance metrics were evaluated or the extent of shortfall. While these details are not disclosed here, the outcome aligns with the principle that long-term incentive plans should only reward executives if performance criteria are met. Shareholders and governance analysts may interpret this as evidence of Macquarie’s robust pay-for-performance approach, although full assessment requires disclosure typically found in the annual remuneration report.<\/p>

    Immediate Market Impact and Future Monitoring Recommendations for Investors<\/h2>

    The immediate effect on share price is unclear from public information. Appendix 3Y filings serve as disclosure documents rather than operational announcements, and this notice reflects a housekeeping update to a director’s equity position rather than new business developments or guidance. Ms Wikramanayake’s underlying ordinary shareholdings remain unchanged, with no shares sold.<\/p>

    Looking forward, investors and analysts should watch for future Appendix 3Y filings for Ms Wikramanayake and other senior executives to track vesting outcomes of remaining MEREP awards. Key upcoming milestones include vesting assessments for the 62,106 PSUs and 378,091 RSUs, which will shed light on whether Macquarie’s performance conditions continue to be met. The group’s annual remuneration report, typically published with full-year results, remains the primary source for detailed disclosure on performance hurdles and executive equity award composition.<\/p>


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