Being on the Board of Directors is not an easy job (or should not be). They are assuming a lot of risk and responsibility. At least at our FI, they do a lot more than just show up to a meeting once a month, and they are all also shareholders with a vested interest in being sure that our bank is in compliance and profitable. It may seem like a lot of money, but it's a definite commitment and the bank is paying the directors for that commitment. Now, as for the director who missed 9 meetings, his/her contract may specify paid whether attending each meeting or not. Or maybe they aren't present in the bank but they attend remotely on conference call or something, or they may have a health issue preventing them from attending and the bank has decided to continue paying their stipend. I don't know the circumstances, so it's best not to judge/speak to that.