DFS Proxy Statement

Company Information regulations applicable to our business. The Company encourages all employees, officers and directors to promptly report any violations of any of the Company’s policies. In the event that an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics is necessary, the Company will post such information on its web site. The full text of each of the Principles of Ethical Business Conduct and our Code of Ethics is available through the Corporate Governance link on the Investors page of the Company’s web site at the following address: http://investor.dfsco.com/corporate-governance/governance-documents and a print copy is available upon request. Independence of Directors The Company’s Principles of Corporate Governance provides that the Board must be composed of a majority of independent directors. No director qualifies as independent unless the Board affirmatively determines that the director has no relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. All seven non-employee directors of our Board are independent in accordance with NYSE requirements. Mr. Leib is not independent. Executive Sessions The Company’s independent directors are expected to meet regularly in executive sessions without management. Executive sessions are led by the lead director of the Board. An executive session is expected to be held in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Board meeting. Each committee of the Board also is expected to meet in executive session without management in conjunction with each regularly scheduled committee meeting and such sessions will be led by the chair of such committee. Board Leadership The Board has determined that having an independent director serve as chairman of the Board is in the best interest of stockholders at this time. The structure ensures a greater role for the independent directors in the oversight of the Company and active participation of the independent directors in setting agendas and establishing priorities and procedures for the work of the Board. No single leadership model is right for all companies and at all times, however, the Board conducts an annual evaluation in order to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively and recognizes that, depending on the circumstances, other leadership models might be appropriate. Accordingly, the Board periodically reviews its leadership structure. The Board’s Principles of Corporate Governance provides that, generally, no director may serve as chairman of the Board or any committee for more than three years, provided that the Corporate Responsibility & Governance Committee may recommend to the Board, and the Board may approve, a single extension of the term of a chairman of the Board or any committee for an additional three years once the chairman’s initial three-year term has ended and the Corporate Responsibility & Governance Committee may recommend to the Board, and the Board may approve, extending the term of the chairman of the Board or any committee beyond six years if it deems such an extension to be in the best interest of the stockholders and the Company. Board’s Role in Risk Oversight The Board is actively involved in oversight of risks inherent in the operation of the Company’s businesses and the implementation of its strategic plan. The Board performs this oversight role by using several different levels of review. In connection with its reviews of the operations of the Company’s business units and corporate functions, the Board addresses the primary risks associated with those units and functions. In addition, the Board reviews the key risks associated with the Company’s strategic plan annually and periodically throughout the year as part of its consideration of the strategic direction of the Company, as well as reviews the output of the Company’s risk management process each year. The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee oversight of the Company’s risk management process. Among its duties, the Audit Committee will review with management (1) Company policies with respect to risk assessment and management of risks that may be material to the Company, (2) the Company’s system of disclosure controls and system of internal controls over financial reporting, and (3) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. 18