Setbacks in France, spying, or worries over ultra-loose monetary policy were some of the topics on bankers' minds last year. For better or worse, these bankers had a big year in 2019.
1. Tidjane Thiam
The Credit Suisse CEO's world was still intact mid-year: the Swiss bank notched up a flood of new money and a three-year turnaround appeared successful. In September, a massive, ugly spying scandal blew open and is set to occupy the bank's management under CEO Tidjane Thiam for months to come. Credit Suisse is also chewing on the defection of star banker Iqbal Khan (see point 3) and on the role and future of controversial long-time chairman Urs Rohner (see point 9).
2. Andrea Orcel
The other fight set to play out in 2019 and further out is that between former UBS top investment banker Andrea Orcel and Santander. The court case is Orcel's response to an embarrassing reversal by the Spanish bank, which initially picked him as its new CEO but then backed out following massive internal pressure and presumably cold feet about money. The Italian dealmaker's current dilemma? He cannot take a new job without relinquishing considerable vested stock from UBS. The court case in Madrid is meant to at least bring closure to the Santander chapter.
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