Activist hedge fund RBR is urging Tidjane Thiam to abandon his strategy for Credit Suisse and to split the Swiss bank into three parts. The two may soon meet face-to-face.

Credit Suisse boss Tidjane Thiam is up for listening to all his investors – even the opposition ones. An opposition shareholder, RBR Capital Advisors, wants to split up Switzerland's second-largest bank. 

Thiam used Thursday's quarterly results to hammer home to media that «the strategy is working,» but to strike a conciliatory note.

«I listen and respect the views of all my shareholders and given he's bought some shares, I'll see him as I see an investor,» the CEO said of RBR head Rudolf Bohli (pictured below).

Bohli 500

The opposition shareholder believes Credit Suisse's private bank will be worth more when it is split from investment banking as well as asset management than their value as a whole – 41.9 billion Swiss francs.

Bohli launched his campaign last month at a J.P. Morgan conference, but hasn't yet met with Thiam. The CEO told financial broadcaster «CNBC» that he is prepared to meet the activist next week.

Hedge Fund Wins, Either Way

After consistently showing showing that his restructuring is taking root, the CEO has the upper hand if it comes to a face-to-face meeting with Bohli. The Swiss bank's shares surged 4.5 percent following the most recent quarterly profit statement – the third most lucrative period for Credit Suisse since Thiam took over more nearly two and a half years ago.

This is the best method for the CEO to take the wind out of the activist's sails. As finews.com has previously noted, the hedge fund wins either way – it can ride what is expected to be a share climb in coming months as Thiam's revamp efforts bear fruit.