Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Home Page / UBS chairman Peter Kurer steps down
BackBack

UBS chairman Peter Kurer steps down

UBS chairman Peter Kurer steps down

Premium

Zurich: UBS chairman Peter Kurer will not stand for re-election, and the board will nominate Kaspar Villiger, a former Swiss finance minister, as a replacement, the Swiss bank said on Wednesday.

Kurer’s departure comes after just under a year in the job, during which time UBS shares lost 68% of their value, the bank wrote down more toxic assets than any other in Europe and became embroiled in a US tax probe that threatens to undermine Swiss banking secrecy.

UBS, the world’s largest wealth manager in terms of assets, last week announced former Credit Suisse head Oswald Gruebel would replace Marcel Rohner as chief executive.

UBS shares were indicated to open 2.9% higher, according to pre-market data from Clariden Leu, as investors welcomed a safe pair of hands. The stock had gained more than 15% after news of Gruebel’s appointment.

“That is a step in the right direction," a trader said.

“With Kurer’s departure, that is the last one of those responsible who is connected to the one-time clique of (former chairman) Marcel Ospel and the financial crisis."

Villiger “brings substantial experience as a businessman and as a member of boards of multinational corporations," Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler, chairman of the governance and nominating committee of the board, said in a statement.

The 68-year-old Villiger was born in central Switzerland and was a member of Switzerland’s governing Federal Council for 15 years, serving in the largely ceremonial role of president twice.

Villiger was finance minister when UBS was formed through the merger of UBS Union Bank of Switzerland and Swiss Bank Corporation (SBC).

He is a member of the boards of the world’s largest food group Nestle and reinsurer Swiss Re and will resign all other corporate positions if elected chairman, UBS said.

UBS said it would hold a press conference at 0930 GMT with Kurer, Villiger and other executives, including vice chairman Sergio Marchionne, who is also chief executive of Fiat.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 04 Mar 2009, 01:14 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App