UBS CEO says UBS is not benefiting from the various crises at its competitor. 

A series of problems at Credit Suisse is not something that UBS is profiting from, Ralph Hamers tells the «Aargauer Zeitung» (in German) in a recent interview.

«Bank customers are very loyal,» Hamers says and «it’s never a good thing when a competitor has problems,» because the reputation of all banks suffers as a result.

Moreover, since many Swiss companies are engaged internationally, their first steps abroad are in conjunction with a bank. It is helpful if there are several banks that are active internationally, which is in turn good for the local economy, Hamers says.

Digitization and Headcount

Hamers said even as digitization increases, the current headcount of 75,000 is likely to stay about the same, but what will change are the types of people the company employs. This means more people in advisory services and fewer in areas being digitized.

«Changes are taking place gradually, and we are retraining our staff. Additionally, we can cushion the restructuring with natural fluctuation. People will retire, others will leave on their own,» he said.

 UBS declined to comment to finews.com how maintaining headcount at 75,000 accounted for previously reported job cuts