The majority of the 2017 package was $2.6 million in option grants, an 86-percent increase from $1.4 million in that category in 2016. He also received $1.1 million in non-equity incentive compensation, compared to no such income the prior year. The increases were offset by a sharp drop in stock awards which fell to $1.1 million, down from $2.5 million.

The rest of the named executives were first timers. John D. Palmer, principal financial and accounting officer, who received $398,494.  He went on the report in place of former CFO Eric Emans, who left during the year.

Robert D. Oros, CEO of H.D. Vest, was paid $2.2 million. Nearly half of that was slightly more than $1 million options awards. He also received $449,998 in stock awards and also was paid a base salary of $308,654.

Sanjay Baskaran, president of TaxAct, received $2.2 million in compensation in 2017. The two major components were stock grants of $749,987 and option grants of $741,528. Chief legal counsel and secretary Ann Bruder earned $1.36 million with $349,999 in stock grants and $350,962 in options grants as the two largest elements.