Union Bancaire Privée is replacing the head of its business with U.S. clients, finews.com can reveal. A former UBS banker and associate of Marc Rich is taking over.

The Geneva-based wealth manager is appointing Eva Kathrin Genovese-Delwing as the CEO of a unit licensed for wealthy U.S. clients, according to a memo seen by finews.com on Tuesday. She replaces Deepak Soni, who had run the business since mid-2018.

Soni is leaving the bank by mutual agreement to pursue other opportunities, according to the memo, signed by UBP's operating chief, Ian Cramb, and by Adrian Kuenzi, who oversees its private bank in Europe. Soni couldn't immediately be reached for response.

Commodities Ties

Genovese-Delwing is a heavyweight who UBP hired last year from UBS, where she was a senior managing director. She crafted and developed the wealth giant's vice-chairman's office globally and looked after ultra-high net worth clients and prospects.

Previously Genovese-Delwing was previously a close associate of commodities tycoon Marc Rich, whose Swiss firm she ran as CEO. At UBP, she will report to Kuenzi and «redefine the growth strategy for UBP Investment Advisors,» according to the memo. The unit currently manages $2 billion in client money.