So companies are still wrestling with how to handle old loans and whether the "cashless exercise" of executive stock grants is an illegal loan.

FORBES: The Lending Game

Some clients did a "cashless exercise" of nonqualified options, borrowing from a broker all the funds needed to exercise and to cover the withholding taxes on exercise.

FORBES: Advocate Or Promoter?

The employee can pay cash up front to exercise them, or they can be exercised in a cashless transaction or by using a stock swap.

FORBES: Introduction To Incentive Stock Options