The recent PUK report on Credit Suisse highlights the urgent need for competent leadership in Swiss banking, emphasizing that past failures stemmed from greed and lack of integrity among managers. Recommendations include stricter equity requirements for UBS and a review of bonus systems, as well as easier penalties for non-compliance. The report warns that without significant reforms, future banking crises could have devastating impacts on Switzerland's economy.
In December 2022, Ueli Maurer misled the public about the stability of Credit Suisse, despite knowing the bank was in crisis. Following a significant liquidity outflow, he and CS Chairman Axel Lehmann falsely assured the public of a stabilized situation, while internal discussions revealed growing concerns about the bank's viability. By late December, CS's liquidity had drastically diminished, leading to its eventual downfall just months later.
The PUK report on the Credit Suisse debacle fails to address the critical issue of character, attributing the bank's downfall more to a toxic mindset than to insufficient capital. Key figures, including Chairman Urs Rohner, exemplified a culture of greed and recklessness, leading to disastrous consequences. The report highlights systemic failures by regulatory bodies but overlooks the profound impact of leadership on the bank's fate.
On December 20, 2024, Switzerland's Federal Council approved a framework agreement with the EU without fully understanding its content, raising concerns about a significant imbalance in rights and obligations. The treaty requires Switzerland to adopt EU law continuously and pay CHF 350 million annually, while Swiss industries face limited access to the internal market. Critics argue this submission to EU oversight reflects a troubling trend of semi-colonization, exacerbated by a history of misinformation from Swiss officials regarding the EU's legal authority.
The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the UBS case reveals significant failures in the handling of Credit Suisse, highlighting a lack of lessons learned from the 2008 UBS crisis. Key issues include ineffective regulatory oversight, excessive bonus payouts amid losses, and a negligent response from Swiss authorities, culminating in a questionable sale to UBS without a viable strategy for future banking crises. The report fails to provide solutions for preventing another financial disaster, leaving taxpayers vulnerable.
Donald Trump demands NATO countries increase military spending to 5% of GDP, while the EU faces rising debt and discontent among its member states. Switzerland, thriving through various industries, resists EU integration, with political leaders struggling to gain public support for a contentious treaty that may face significant opposition in upcoming elections.
Yvan Lengwiler, a banking regulation expert and former Finma board member, critiques the recent strengthening of UBS's capital base, arguing it fails to address underlying issues. Following the CEP report on Credit Suisse, he warns that the weaknesses of Switzerland's financial watchdog may lead to overlooked resolutions.
Switzerland's banking history is marred by crises, from the 90s real estate bubble to UBS's near-collapse in 2008. Strengthening Finma's powers and clarifying supervisory roles are crucial, yet past political complacency raises concerns about future vigilance and the risk of self-regulation returning. The Confederation must adopt a proactive stance to prevent existential financial crises, particularly regarding UBS's perceived threat.
The current Chairman of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), Martin Schlegel, expressed a preference for nationalizing Credit Suisse rather than selling it to UBS, contrasting with the views of his predecessor Thomas Jordan and Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter. This disagreement was revealed by a parliamentary commission of inquiry. Schlegel has held the SNB presidency since October 2024.
In March 2023, the Federal Council managed the crisis surrounding Credit Suisse's downfall through urgent communications on the encrypted messaging app Threema. As UBS prepared to take over, Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter emphasized the stakes for the country, urging CS's leadership to accept the deal. The use of Threema allowed for rapid coordination amid the chaos, despite guidelines restricting cell phone use in sensitive discussions.
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