UBS names Sergio Ermotti as new Group CEO, following the acquisition of Credit Suisse

UBS named Sergio Ermotti as its new Group CEO on Wednesday, following the recent acquisition of Credit Suisse.

The move will be effective April 5, UBS said in a statement.

Ermotti — who was group CEO at UBS for nine years, from November 2011 to October 2020 — will replace current CEO Ralph Hamers. He is currently chairman of insurance company Swiss Re.

Hamers is set to remain at UBS to advise the bank during the transition period to “ensure a successful closure of the transaction and a smooth hand-over,” the company said.

On March 19, Switzerland’s largest bank UBS agreed to buy its embattled rival Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.2 billion). Swiss regulators played a key part in the deal as governments looked to stem a contagion threatening the global banking system.

The leadership change comes “in light of the new challenges and priorities facing UBS after the announcement of the acquisition,” UBS said in the announcement.

In the statement, UBS said Ermotti “successfully repositioned” the bank following the 2008 global financial crisis, and “achieved a profound culture change within the bank.”

This allowed UBS to “regain the trust of clients and other stakeholders, while restoring people’s pride in working for UBS.”

Hamers reportedly told employees of the government-orchestrated takeover that UBS “did not buy Credit Suisse only to close it,” Reuters reported.

In the announcement, UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher called Hamers an “outstanding” CEO who led UBS to “unprecedented success despite a challenging environment.”

While the acquisition of Credit Suisse supports UBS’ existing strategy, it imposes new priorities on the group, he said.

“With his unique experience, I am very confident that Sergio will deliver the successful integration that is so essential for both banks’ clients, employees and investors, and for Switzerland,” Kelleher said.

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