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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Lazard Ltd, a Bermuda holding company, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Lazard Ltd”, “Lazard”, “we” or the “Company”), including Lazard Ltd’s indirect investment in Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively referred to, together with its subsidiaries, as “Lazard Group”), is one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms that specializes in crafting solutions to the complex financial and strategic challenges of our clients. We serve a diverse set of clients around the world, including corporations, governments, institutions, partnerships and individuals.

Lazard Ltd indirectly held 100% of all outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Lazard Ltd, through its control of the managing members of Lazard Group, controls Lazard Group, which is governed by an Amended and Restated Operating Agreement dated as of February 4, 2019 (the “Operating Agreement”).

Lazard Ltd’s primary operating asset is its indirect ownership of the common membership interests of, and managing member interests in, Lazard Group, whose principal operating activities are included in two business segments:

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Financial Advisory, which offers corporate, partnership, institutional, government, sovereign and individual clients across the globe a wide array of financial advisory services regarding strategic and mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) advisory, capital markets advisory, shareholder advisory, restructuring and capital solutions, sovereign advisory, geopolitical advisory, capital raising and placement, and other strategic advisory matters, and

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Asset Management, which offers a broad range of global investment solutions and investment and wealth management services in equity and fixed income strategies, asset allocation strategies, alternative investments and private equity funds to corporations, public funds, sovereign entities, endowments and foundations, labor funds, financial intermediaries and private clients.

In addition, we record selected other activities in our Corporate segment, including management of cash, investments, deferred tax assets, outstanding indebtedness, certain contingent obligations, and certain assets and liabilities associated with (i) Lazard Group’s Paris-based subsidiary, Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”), and (ii) a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of the Company, Lazard Growth Acquisition Corp. I (“LGAC”).

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s policy is to consolidate entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. The Company consolidates:

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Voting interest entities (“VOEs”) where the Company holds a majority of the voting interest in such VOEs, and

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Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company is the primary beneficiary having the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE (see Note 22).

When the Company does not have a controlling interest in an entity, but exerts significant influence over such entity’s operating and financial decisions, the Company either (i) applies the equity method of accounting in which

it records a proportionate share of the entity’s net earnings or (ii) elects the option to measure its investment at fair value.

Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The consolidated financial statements include Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and Lazard Group’s principal operating subsidiaries: Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (“LFNY”), a New York limited liability company, along with its subsidiaries, including Lazard Asset Management LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “LAM”); the French limited liability companies Compagnie Financière Lazard Frères SAS (“CFLF”), along with its subsidiaries, LFB and Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“LFG”), and Maison Lazard SAS and its subsidiaries; and Lazard & Co., Limited (“LCL”), through Lazard & Co., Holdings Limited (“LCH”), an English private limited company, together with their jointly owned affiliates and subsidiaries.

Lazard Growth Acquisition Corp. I

In February 2021, LGAC consummated its $575,000 initial public offering (the “LGAC IPO”). LGAC is a special purpose acquisition company, incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”). LGACo 1 LLC, a Delaware series limited liability company and the Company’s subsidiary, is the sponsor of LGAC. LGAC is considered to be a VIE. The Company holds a controlling financial interest in LGAC through the sponsor’s ownership of Class B founder shares of LGAC. As a result, both LGAC and the sponsor are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements.

The proceeds from the LGAC IPO of $575,000 are held in a trust account, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds in the trust account to the LGAC shareholders in connection with the redemption of LGAC’s Class A ordinary shares, subject to certain conditions. The cash held in the trust account is recorded in “restricted cash” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Transaction costs, which consisted of a net underwriting fee of $8,500, $20,125 of non-cash deferred underwriting fees (included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition) and $852 of other offering costs, were charged against the gross proceeds of the LGAC IPO, consistent with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 5.

“Redeemable noncontrolling interests” of $583,471 associated with the publicly held LGAC Class A ordinary shares are recorded on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2022 at redemption value and classified as temporary equity in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”. Changes in redemption value are recognized immediately as they occur and will adjust the carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interests to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests shall be affected by credits or charges to additional paid-in-capital and noncontrolling interests attributable to certain members of LGACo 1 LLC based on pro rata ownership.

The warrants exercisable for LGAC Class A ordinary shares that were issued in connection with the LGAC IPO (the “LGAC Warrants”) meet the definition of a liability under FASB ASC Topic 815 and are classified as derivative liabilities which are remeasured at fair value at each balance sheet date until exercised, with changes in fair value reported to earnings. See Note 7.

LGAC redeemed all of its outstanding publicly held Class A ordinary shares, effective on or about February 23, 2023, because LGAC did not consummate a Business Combination within the time period required by its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the LGAC warrants.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation—The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars. Many of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries have a functional currency (i.e., the currency in which operational activities are primarily conducted) that is other than the U.S. Dollar, generally the currency of the country in which such subsidiaries are domiciled. Such subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at year-end exchange rates, while revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year based on the daily closing exchange rates. Adjustments that result from translating amounts from a subsidiary’s functional currency to U.S. Dollars are reported in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax” (“AOCI”). Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses on transactions in non-functional currencies are included on the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign currency remeasurement gains (losses), net of gains and losses from forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts (see Note 7) amounted to $399, $(1,234) and $(721) for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and are included in “revenue-other” on the respective consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of management’s estimates. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions regarding:

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valuations of assets and liabilities requiring fair value estimates including, but not limited to, investments, derivatives and assumptions used to value pension and other post-retirement plans;

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the assessment of probability with respect to recognizing revenue;

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the discount rate used to measure operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities;

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the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses;

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the realization of deferred tax assets and adequacy of tax reserves for uncertain tax positions;

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the measurement of our tax receivable agreement obligation;

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the outcome of litigation;

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the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets;

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the vesting of share-based and other deferred compensation plan awards; and

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other matters that affect the reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the consolidated financial statements.

Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates and could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company defines cash equivalents as short-term, highly liquid securities and cash deposits with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased.

Deposits with Banks and Short-Term Investments

Deposits with Banks and Short-Term Investments—Represents LFB’s short-term deposits, including with the Banque de France and amounts placed by LFB in short-term, highly liquid securities with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. The level of these deposits and investments may be driven by the level of LFB demand deposits (which can fluctuate significantly on a daily basis) and by changes in asset allocation.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash—Primarily represents LGAC restricted cash (see Note 1) and other restricted cash deposits made by the Company, including those to satisfy the requirements of clearing organizations.

Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses

Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses—The Company’s receivables represent fee receivables, amounts due from customers and other receivables. The fee receivables are generally due within 60 days from the date of invoice, except as related to certain Restructuring services and certain Capital Raising activities, specifically Private Capital Advisory services, which have fee receivables due upon specified contractual payment terms. For customer loans within customers and other receivables, the Company has elected to apply the practical expedient, in accordance with the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) guidance for financial assets with collateral maintenance provisions, which generally results in no expected credit losses given that these loans are maintained with collateral having a fair value in excess of the carrying amount of the loans.

Receivables are stated net of an estimated allowance for credit losses determined in accordance with the CECL model, for general credit risk of the overall portfolio and for specific accounts deemed uncollectible, which may include situations where a fee is in dispute.

For fee receivables, the allowance for credit losses is determined together for all Financial Advisory fees, except for Private Capital Advisory given the different nature of the business, client composition, and risk characteristics. An allowance for credit losses is determined separately for Private Capital Advisory. In addition, a separate allowance for credit losses is determined for all Asset Management fees. The allowance is measured by the application of an average charge-off rate, determined annually based on historical bad debt charge-off experience, to the fee receivable balance of the respective services, adjusted for the specific allowance recognized based on current conditions of individual clients. The current conditions are considered on a quarterly basis and include the aging of the receivables, the client’s ability to make payments, and the Company’s relationship with the client. In addition, the Company also performs a qualitative assessment on a quarterly basis to monitor economic factors and other uncertainties that may require additional adjustment to the expected credit losses allowance.

Financial Advisory and Asset Management fee receivables are generally deemed past due when they are outstanding 60 days from the date of invoice, except for certain transactions that include specific contractual payment terms that may vary from approximately one month to four years following the invoice date (as is the case for certain Private Capital Advisory fees) or may be subject to court approval (as is the case with Restructuring activities that include bankruptcy proceedings). In such cases, receivables are deemed past due when payment is not received by the agreed-upon contractual date or the court approval date, respectively. Financial Advisory and Asset Management fee receivables past due in excess of 180 days and 10 months, respectively, are generally fully provided for unless there is evidence that the balance is collectible. Notwithstanding our policy for receivables past due, any specific receivables that are deemed uncollectible result in specific reserves against such exposures.

See Note 4 for additional information regarding the Company’s receivables and allowance for credit losses.

Investments

Investments—Investments in debt and marketable equity securities held either directly, or indirectly through asset management funds, at the Company’s broker-dealer and non broker-dealer subsidiaries are accounted for at fair value, with any increase or decrease in fair value recorded in earnings. Such amounts are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Investments also include interests in alternative investment funds and private equity funds, each accounted for at fair value, and investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Any increases or decreases in the carrying value of the investments accounted for at fair value and the Company’s share of net income or losses pertaining to its equity method investments are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, equity method investments are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred.

Dividend income is reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations. Securities transactions and the related revenue and expenses are recorded on a “trade date” basis.

See Notes 5 and 6 for additional information regarding the Company’s investments.

Property-net

Property-net—Property is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Buildings are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and are amortized over the lesser of the economic useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease. Depreciation of furniture and equipment, including computer hardware and software, is determined on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives. Depreciation and amortization expenses aggregating $42,336, $38,315 and $35,095 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are included on the consolidated statements of operations in “occupancy and equipment” or “technology and information services”, depending on the nature of the underlying asset. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Operating Lease Right-of-use Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities

Operating Lease Right-of-use Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities—The Company determines if an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at its inception and reevaluates the arrangement if the terms are modified. Operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”) represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities reflect the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. At any given time during the lease term, the operating lease liability represents the present value of the remaining lease payments and the operating lease ROU asset is measured at the amount of the lease liability, adjusted for rent prepayments, unamortized initial direct costs and the remaining balance of lease incentives received. Both the operating lease ROU asset and the operating lease liability are reduced to zero at the end of the lease.

See Note 9 for additional information regarding the Company’s ROU assets and operating lease liabilities.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—As goodwill has an indefinite life, it is required to be tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company performs a qualitative evaluation about whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount in lieu of actually calculating the fair value of the reporting unit.

Intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The pattern of amortization reflects the timing of the realization of the economic benefits of such intangible assets. For acquired customer contracts, the period of realization is deemed to be the period when the related revenue is recognized. This analysis is performed by comparing the carrying value of the intangible asset being reviewed for impairment to the current and expected future cash flows expected to be generated from such asset on an undiscounted basis, including eventual disposition. An impairment loss would be measured for the amount by which the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value.

See Note 10 with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments—A derivative is typically defined as a financial instrument whose value is “derived” from underlying assets, indices or reference rates, such as a future, forward, swap, warrant or option contract, or other financial instrument with similar characteristics. Derivative contracts often involve future commitments to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount (e.g., interest rate swaps or currency forwards) or to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specified terms on a specified date (e.g., options to buy or sell securities or currencies).

The Company enters into forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts, interest rate swaps, interest rate futures, total return swap contracts on various equity and debt indices and other derivative contracts to economically hedge exposures to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, interest rates and equity and debt prices. The Company reports its derivative instruments separately as assets and liabilities unless a legal right of set-off exists under a master netting agreement enforceable by law, in which case the Company would net the applicable assets and liabilities and related receivable and payable for net cash collateral under such contracts. The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded at their fair value, and are included in “other assets” and “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments are generally included in “interest income” and “interest expense” or “revenue-other”, depending on the nature of the underlying item, in the consolidated statements of operations.

In addition to the derivative instruments described above, the Company records derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests (“LFI”) and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, the fair value of which is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, and is included in “accrued compensation and benefits” in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Changes in the fair value of the derivative liabilities are included in “compensation and benefits” in the consolidated statements of operations, the impact of which equally offsets the changes in the fair value of investments which are currently expected to be delivered upon settlement of LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, which are reported in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations. For information regarding LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, see Notes 5, 7 and 15.

For information regarding LGAC Warrants that are accounted for as derivative liabilities, see Notes 1 and 7.

Deposits and Other Customer Payables

Deposits and Other Customer Payables—Principally consists of LFB customer-related demand deposits.

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased—Securities sold, not yet purchased represents liabilities for securities sold for which payment has been received and the obligations to deliver such securities are included within “other liabilities” in the consolidated statements of financial condition. These securities are accounted for at fair value, with any increase or decrease in fair value recorded in earnings in accordance with standard securities industry practices. Such gains and losses are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities—The majority of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value or at amounts that approximate fair value. Such assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, deposits with banks and short-term investments, restricted cash, receivables, investments (excluding investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting), derivative instruments, deposits and other customer payables.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests—See Note 1 for information regarding interests in LGAC classified as temporary equity.

Investment Banking and Other Advisory Fees

Investment Banking and Other Advisory Fees —Fees for Financial Advisory services are recorded when: (i) a contract with a client has been identified, (ii) the performance obligations in the contract have been identified, (iii) the fee or other transaction price has been determined, (iv) the fee or other transaction price has been allocated to each performance obligation in the contract, and (v) the Company has satisfied the applicable performance obligation. The expenses that are directly related to such transactions are recorded as incurred and presented within operating expenses when the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise of the arrangement. Revenues associated with the reimbursement of such expenses are recorded when the Company is contractually entitled to reimbursement and presented within investment banking and other advisory fees.

Asset Management Fees

Asset Management Fees—Fees for Asset Management services are primarily comprised of management fees and incentive fees. Management fees are derived from fees for investment management and other services provided to clients. Revenue is recorded in accordance with the same five criteria as Financial Advisory fees, which generally results in management fees being recorded on a daily, monthly or quarterly basis, primarily based on a percentage of client assets managed. Fees vary with the type of assets managed, with higher fees earned on equity assets, alternative investment (such as hedge fund) and private equity funds, and lower fees earned on fixed income and money market products. Expenses that are directly related to the sale or distribution of fund interests are recorded as incurred and presented within operating expenses when the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise of the arrangement. Revenues associated with the reimbursement of such expenses are recorded when the Company is contractually entitled to reimbursement and presented within asset management fees.

In addition, the Company earns performance-based incentive fees on various investment products, including traditional products and alternative investment funds such as hedge funds and private equity funds.

For hedge funds, incentive fees are calculated based on a specific percentage of a fund’s net appreciation, in some cases in excess of established benchmarks or thresholds. The Company records incentive fees on traditional products and hedge funds when a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue to be recognized is not probable, which is typically at the end of the relevant performance measurement period. The incentive fee measurement period is generally an annual period (unless an account is terminated during the year). The incentive fees received at the end of the measurement period are not subject to reversal or payback. Incentive fees on hedge funds generally are subject to loss carryforward provisions in which losses incurred by the hedge funds in any year are applied against certain gains realized by the hedge funds in future periods before any incentive fees can be earned.

For private equity funds, incentive fees may be earned in the form of a “carried interest” if profits arising from realized investments exceed a specified threshold. Typically, such carried interest is ultimately calculated on a whole-fund or investment by investment basis and, therefore, clawback of carried interest toward the end of the life of the fund can occur. As a result, the Company recognizes incentive fees earned on our private equity funds when it is probable that a clawback will not occur.

Receivables relating to asset management and incentive fees are reported in “fees receivable” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Equity-Based Incentive Compensation Awards

Equity-Based Incentive Compensation Awards—Equity-based incentive compensation awards that do not require future service are expensed immediately. Equity-based compensation awards that require future service are expensed over the applicable vesting period, or requisite service period, based on the fair value of the Company’s Class A common stock (“common stock”), the only class of common stock of Lazard Ltd outstanding, on the date of grant. Compensation expense recognized for equity-based incentive compensation is determined based on the number of awards that in the Company’s estimate are considered probable of vesting (including as a result of any applicable performance conditions). Equity-based incentive compensation is recognized in “compensation and benefits” expense.

Share-Based Incentive Plan Awards

A description of Lazard Ltd’s 2018 Plan, 2008 Plan and 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and activity with respect thereto during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 is presented below.

Shares Available Under the 2018 Plan, 2008 Plan and 2005 Plan

The 2018 Plan became effective on April 24, 2018 and was amended on April 29, 2021 to increase the aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2018 Plan by 20,000,000 shares. The 2018 Plan replaced the 2008 Plan, which was terminated on April 24, 2018. The 2018 Plan originally authorized issuance of up to 30,000,000 shares of common stock, plus any shares of common stock that were subject to outstanding awards under the 2008 Plan as of March 14, 2018 that are forfeited, canceled or settled in cash following April 24, 2018, which was the date that the 2018 Plan was approved by our shareholders. Such shares may be issued pursuant to the grant or exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”), restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), profits interest participation rights, including performance-based restricted participation units (“PRPUs”), and other share-based awards.

The 2008 Plan authorized the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs, PRSUs and other share-based awards. Under the 2008 Plan, the maximum

number of shares available was based on a formula that limited the aggregate number of shares that could, at any time, be subject to awards that were considered “outstanding” under the 2008 Plan to 30% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock. The 2008 Plan was terminated on April 24, 2018, and no additional awards have been or will be granted under the 2008 Plan after its termination, although outstanding deferred stock unit (“DSU”) awards granted under the 2008 Plan before its termination continue to be subject to its terms.

The 2005 Plan authorized the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs and other share-based awards. The 2005 Plan expired in the second quarter of 2015, although outstanding DSU awards granted under the 2005 Plan before its expiration continue to be subject to its terms.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. Such temporary differences are reflected as deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A deferred tax asset is recognized if it is more likely than not (defined as a likelihood of greater than 50%) that a tax benefit will be accepted by the relevant taxing authority.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized and, when necessary, a valuation allowance is established. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of deferred tax assets:

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future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

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future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;

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taxable income in prior carryback years; and

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tax-planning strategies.

The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted also considers all available information, including the following:

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nature, frequency, magnitude and duration of any past losses and current operating results;

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duration of statutory carryforward periods;

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historical experience with tax attributes expiring unused; and

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near-term and medium-term financial outlook.

The Company records tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return based upon the Company’s estimates regarding the amount that is more likely than not to be realized or paid, including in connection with the resolution of any related appeals or other legal processes. Accordingly, the Company recognizes liabilities for certain unrecognized tax benefits based on the amounts that are more likely than not to be settled with the relevant taxing authority.

The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in “provision for income taxes”. See Note 17 for additional information relating to income taxes.

Employer Contributions to Pension Plans

Employer Contributions to Pension Plans—The Company’s funding policy for its U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans is to fund when required or when applicable upon an agreement with the plans’ trustees. Management also evaluates from time to time whether to make voluntary contributions to the plans.

Fair Value Measurement Policy

Fair Value Hierarchy of Investments and Certain Other Assets and Liabilities—Lazard categorizes its investments and certain other assets and liabilities recorded at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level 1.

Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that Lazard has the ability to access.

Level 2.

Assets and liabilities whose values are based on (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, or (ii) inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable or derived principally from, or corroborated by, market data.

Level 3.

Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. Items included in Level 3 include securities or other financial assets whose trading volume and level of activity have significantly decreased when compared with normal market activity and there is no longer sufficient frequency or volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

The fair value of debt is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.

The fair value of equities is classified as Level 1 or Level 3 as follows: marketable equity securities are classified as Level 1 and are valued based on the last trade price on the primary exchange for that security as provided by external pricing services; equity interests in private companies are generally classified as Level 3.

The fair value of investments in alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are based on the publicly reported closing price for the fund.

The fair value of investments in certain private equity funds is classified as Level 3 for (i) certain investments that are valued based on the potential transaction value and (ii) when the acquisition price is considered the best measure of fair value.

The fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased, is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.

The fair value of derivatives entered into by the Company and classified as Level 1 is based on the listed market price of such instruments. The fair value of derivatives entered into by the Company and classified as Level 2 is based on the values of the related underlying assets, indices or reference rates as follows: the fair value of forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts is a function of the spot rate and the interest rate differential of the two currencies from the trade date to settlement date; the fair value of total return swaps is based on the change in fair value of the related underlying equity security, financial instrument or index and a specified notional holding; the fair value of interest rate swaps is based on the interest rate yield curve; and the fair value of derivative liabilities related to LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for forfeitures. The fair value of derivatives entered into by the Company and classified as Level 3 is based on a Black-Scholes valuation model that utilizes both observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs include model adjustments for valuation uncertainty. See Note 7.

Investments Measured at Net Asset Value (“NAV”)—As a practical expedient, the Company uses NAV or its equivalent to measure the fair value of certain investments. NAV is primarily determined based on information provided by external fund administrators. The Company’s investments valued at NAV as a practical expedient in (i) alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds are redeemable in the near term, and (ii) private equity funds are not redeemable in the near term as a result of redemption restrictions.