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It is the first major lawsuit in the public domain to be filed over the Swiss decision to wipe out around $18 billion of Credit Suisse's Additional Tier 1 (AT1) debt during the 3 billion Swiss franc all-share rescue deal last month, which stunned markets and alerted litigators. The appeal against FINMA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority that ordered the writedown, was filed on April 18 in the Federal Administrative Court in St Gallen, north east Switzerland. "FINMA's decision undermines international confidence in the legal certainty and reliability of the Swiss financial center," said Thomas Werlen, Quinn Emanuel's Swiss managing partner. FINMA declined to comment and Credit Suisse did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. ($1 = 0.8941 Swiss francs)Reporting by Jahnavi Nidumolu in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'SouzaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan's SMFG is first global bank to sell AT1 bonds since C.Suisse wipeout
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Junko Fujita | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AT1 bonds - the riskiest tranche of a bank's bonds also known as "contingent convertibles" or "CoCo" bonds - can be converted into equity or written off if a bank's capital level falls below a certain threshold. SMFG sold the bonds in two tranches, in 89 billion yen ($662.50 million) five-year notes, and 51 billion yen 10-year bonds. The 89 billion yen issuance carries a coupon rate of 1.879% for the initial five years and two-month period, a regulatory filing showed. "In Japan, where spreads over corporate bonds are thin, the terms for these AT1 bonds were reasonably good, provided that the banking sector is credible," said Pictet's Otsuki. Japanese banks' AT1 bonds had been configured in a way the value is secured even if the government is involved in restructuring, and SMFG's new issues are seen to have the same features, she said.

☆ SMFG becomes first big Japan bank to sell AT1 bonds since Credit Suisse's debt wipeout
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Junko Fujita | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SMFG priced the bonds in two tranches, in 89 billion yen ($662.50 million) five-year notes, and 51 billion yen 10-year bonds, whose terms market players said were attractive. "In Japan, where spreads over corporate bonds are thin, the terms for these AT1 bonds were reasonably good, provided that the banking sector is credible," said Nana Otsuki, senior fellow at Pictet Japan. Swiss regulator FINMA determined that Credit Suisse's AT1 bonds would be wiped out, a decision that rocked global credit markets. AT1 bonds - known as "contingent convertibles" or "CoCo" bonds - can be converted into equity or written off if a bank's capital level falls below a certain threshold. The 51 billion yen one would yield 2.180% for the first 10 years and two months.

☆ JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon says recession risks have increased after the bank crisis and there are more storm clouds ahead for the US economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Jamie Dimon sees higher recession odds after March's banking turmoil. Dimon broke down why markets are better positioned than during the Great Financial Crisis. The current banking crisis is not over yet, Dimon says, adding that the industry will feel repercussions for years to come. Still, Dimon says the current situation is very different from the Great Financial Crisis and not nearly as severe. A handful of specialists banks failed in March, sending shockwaves through financial markets.

☆ The global economy will grow at the slowest pace in 3 decades as higher interest rates bite, IMF chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The global economy is looking at its slowest growth in three decades over the next 5 years, the IMF head said Thursday. Higher interest rates as central banks battle hot inflation are weighing on demand in advanced economies. The Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are among the central banks that have jacked up interest rates to combat decades-high inflation in their respective economies. While higher interest rates are slicing into demand, central banks must continue fighting inflation and safeguarding financial stability, said Georgieva. The shakeups were reminders that it's difficult to rapidly switch from a prolonged period of low-interest rates and ample liquidity to much higher rates and scarcer liquidity, the IMF chief said.

☆ Crisis jolts Wall Street bankers already resigned to tough job market
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Tatiana Bautzer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street bankers face an increasingly gloomy job market after last month’s banking crisis worsened an already bleak outlook for pay and staffing. One likely consequence of the turmoil is that banks tighten their lending standards, which could further hinder dealmaking - making the prospects for jobs and compensation on Wall Street more gloomy. Now, financial industry workers are fretting not only about pay, but job security. The Wall Street giant typically cuts about 5% of its lowest-performing staff as part of the process. While there are plenty of reasons to be glum, Wall Street workers are enjoying one silver lining after the pandemic: greater flexibility in structuring their workday.

☆ Swiss regulator deflects blame for Credit Suisse debacle
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( John O'Donnell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BERN, April 5 (Reuters) - Switzerland's financial regulator deflected blame for the collapse of the country's second-biggest bank, Credit Suisse, saying it had been quick to respond, calling instead for more powers to take lenders to task. Axel Lehman had told shareholders he was 'truly sorry" for taking Swiss bank to the brink of bankruptcy. "Our instruments hit their limits ... as seen in the case of Credit Suisse," said Amstad, making a rare public appeal for more power. But, as we have seen, Credit Suisse paid billions in fines and that didn't change its catastrophic business strategy," said Dominik Gross of the Swiss Alliance of Development Organisations. While the takeover of Credit Suisse has been agreed, many hurdles, such as winning regulatory approval from countries around the world, lie ahead.

☆ Switzerland faced a full-scale bank run if Credit Suisse went bankrupt, Swiss regulator argues
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

It would have erased the holding company Credit Suisse Group, along with the parent bank Credit Suisse AG and its branches, while retaining the Credit Suisse (Schewiz) AG entity because of its "systemic importance." "The parent bank Credit Suisse AG would have gone under – a Swiss bank with total assets of over CHF 350 billion and ongoing business also running into many billions," Angehrn warned. Many other Swiss banks would probably have faced a run on deposits, as Credit Suisse itself did in the fourth quarter of 2022." Angehrn said the regulator has been in recent dialogue with the U.S., but did not experience international pressure in its supervision of Credit Suisse. The authorities would have risked not stopping a looming financial crisis by using the tool of resolution, but rather triggering such a financial crisis."

☆ Jamie Dimon says the banking crisis is not over and will cause ‘repercussions for years to come’
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Here's what comes next "But importantly, recent events are nothing like what occurred during the 2008 global financial crisis," he added. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon JPMorgan Chase, 1-year"Any crisis that damages Americans' trust in their banks damages all banks – a fact that was known even before this crisis. Risks are abundant, and managing those risks requires constant and vigilant scrutiny as the world evolves," Dimon wrote. The JPMorgan CEO instead called for more forward-looking regulation. All of these colliding factors became critically important when the marketplace, rating agencies and depositors focused on them," Dimon wrote.

☆ Credit Suisse AT1 bondholders hire law firm for possible litigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, April 3 (Reuters) - Some holders of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds wiped out by the bank's planned merger with UBS have instructed law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan to represent them for discussions with Swiss authorities and possible litigation to recover losses. The bondholder group holds a "significant percentage of the total notional value" of the AT1 bonds, the law firm said in a statement on Monday. AT1 bonds are the riskiest type of debt banks can issue, ranking immediately after equity in the event of losses. Banks' AT1 bonds fell after the Swiss decision highlighted the risks of investing in these securities. Meanwhile, Switzerland's Federal Prosecutor has opened an investigation into the state-backed takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS Group, the office of the attorney general said on Sunday.

☆ Italy's ski industry fires cannon against climate change
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Stefano Bernabei | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

[1/7] Skiers pass on an artificial snow slope as end of the ski season nears, in Monte Cimone, Italy, March 31, 2023. "The ski-lifts were closed, the ski instructors and seasonal workers had nothing to do and we lost 40% of our revenue for the whole season," said Luciano Magnani, head of the local consortium of ski tourism operators. Some 90% of Italy's pistes rely on artificial snow, compared with 70% in Austria, 50% in Switzerland and 39% in France, according to data from Italian Green lobby Legambiente. Italy's ski sector directly or indirectly employs 400,000 people and generates turnover of 11 billion euros ($11.92 billion), according to Anef data, equal to about 0.5% of national output. Some economists and climatologists argue that trying to keep low-altitude ski resorts in business is destined to fail, and snow-making merely delays the inevitable.

☆ Mitsubishi UFJ to postpone AT1 bond issuance in Credit Suisse fallout
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, April 3 (Reuters) - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (8306.T) will postpone the issuance of Additional Tier-1 (AT1) bonds to mid-May or later from late April, a spokesperson said on Monday, after the Swiss decision to wipe out Credit Suisse bonds rattled the market. Mitsubishi UFJ decided on the postponement taking into account investor appetite and market conditions, the spokesperson said. Sources have said Mitsubishi UFJ and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (8316.T), may put April issuance on hold amid the volatility. As part of the rescue of Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) by its rival UBS (UBSG.S), Swiss regulator FINMA determined that Credit Suisse's AT1 bonds with a notional value of 16 billion francs ($17.35 billion) would be wiped out, a decision that stunned global credit markets and angered many holders. Reporting by Ritsuko Shimizu and Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Varun H KOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Four bankers who helped Putin’s friend set up Swiss bank account convicted
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Four bankers who helped a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin move millions of dollars through Swiss bank accounts have been convicted of failing to perform due diligence in financial transactions. The executives — three Russians and one Swiss — helped Roldugin, who is godfather to Putin’s eldest daughter, Maria, deposit millions of francs in Swiss bank accounts between 2014 and 2016. The men, who cannot be identified under Swiss reporting restrictions, were found guilty at a hearing at Zurich District Court and were given fines totaling 741,000 Swiss francs ($809,000). Red flagsFurther investigations should have been conducted because of the amount of assets involved, which was more than 10 million Swiss francs ($11 million), the judge said. Sums of around 30 million Swiss francs ($31.84 million) were involved in the case, Hoffmann told an earlier hearing.

☆ EU regulators distance themselves from Credit Suisse bond writedowns
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Switzerland's second largest bank Credit Suisse is seen here next to a Swiss flag in downtown Geneva. BRUSSELS — European regulators distanced themselves from the Swiss decision to wipe out $17 billion of Credit Suisse 's bonds in the wake of the bank's rescue, saying they would write down shareholders' investments first. Dominique Laboureix, chair of the EU's Single Resolution Board, had a clear message for investors in an exclusive interview with CNBC. The Swiss decision has led some Credit Suisse AT1 bondholders to consider legal action, and it sparked uncertainty for bondholders around the world. The Single Resolution Board became operational in 2015 in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis and sovereign debt crisis.

☆ Four bankers who helped Putin's friend set up Swiss bank account convicted
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ZURICH, March 30 (Reuters) - Four bankers who helped a close friend of Vladimir Putin move millions of francs through Swiss bank accounts have been convicted of lacking diligence in financial transactions. The four were found guilty on Thursday of helping Sergey Roldugin, a concert cellist who has been dubbed "Putin's wallet" by the Swiss government. The executives - three Russians and one Swiss - helped Roldugin, who is godfather to Putin's eldest daughter Maria, deposit millions of francs in Swiss bank accounts between 2014 and 2016. The men, who cannot be identified under Swiss reporting restrictions, were found guilty at a hearing at Zurich District Court and were given suspended fines. Reporting by John Revill Editing by Tomasz JanowskiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] Dressmaker Faieza Caswell from Mitchells Plain sews under candlelight in her workplace, on the Cape Flats due to South Africa's struggling power utility company Eskom, implementing regular power cuts - called 'load-shedding', in Cape Town, South Africa February 11, 2023. South Africa's relatively wealthy, developed economy and nearly three decades of political stability helped drive industry growth and draw in reinsurers. And they are now tightening the conditions of their agreements with insurance companies. Reinsurers are also pushing insurance companies to include so-called "named perils" in policies rather than offering blanket cover for catastrophes. Grid failure would plunge South Africa into a nationwide blackout that could last weeks.

REUTERS/Kevin LamarqueMarch 29 (Reuters) - The scope of blame for Silicon Valley Bank's failure stretches across bank executives, Federal Reserve supervisors and other regulators, the banking system's top cop on Wednesday told U.S. lawmakers demanding answers for the lender's swift collapse. "I think that any time you have a bank failure like this, bank management clearly failed, supervisors failed and our regulatory system failed," Michael Barr, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision, told Congress. 'SOME REAL FLAWS'Barr told the House Financial Services Committee that he first became aware of stress at Silicon Valley Bank on the afternoon of March 9, but that the bank reported to supervisors that morning that deposits were stable. The Fed was in discussions with Silicon Valley Bank the day before its collapse to move pledgable collateral to the discount window, a key facility long associated with providing emergency loans to banks, Barr said on Wednesday. "(Fed) staff were working with Silicon Valley Bank basically all afternoon and evening and through the morning the next day to pledge as much collateral as humanly possible to the discount (window) on Friday," Barr said.

☆ Sergio Ermotti returns as UBS CEO to steer Credit Suisse takeover
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( John Revill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Sergio Ermotti, newly rehired CEO of UBS Group AG attends a news conference in Zurich, Switzerland March 29, 2023. "Sergio has already reduced risk and made the investment bank serve its clients and not its investment bankers as Credit Suisse did. Reuters GraphicsErmotti had earlier described the task of integrating UBS and Credit Suisse as "urgent and challenging". The Dutch executive was a notable absentee from the announcement of UBS's takeover of Credit Suisse on March 19. The next day, Hamers looked bleary eyed as he described the end of Credit Suisse as a "sad day" that nobody wanted.

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☆ Ermotti returns to UBS to steer Credit Suisse takeover
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( John Revill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

He takes charge weeks after UBS bought rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse in a shotgun merger engineered by Swiss authorities to stem turmoil after Credit Suisse ran aground. "Sergio has already reduced risk and made the investment bank serve its clients and not its investment bankers as Credit Suisse did. HAMERS HANDS OVER REINSErmotti said he was looking forward to integrating UBS and Credit Suisse. He was a notable absentee from the announcement of UBS's takeover of Credit Suisse on March 19. The next day, Hamers looked bleary eyed as he described the end of Credit Suisse as a "sad day" that nobody wanted.

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☆ UBS rehires Ermotti as CEO to steer Credit Suisse takeover
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( John Revill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ZURICH, March 29 (Reuters) - UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) has rehired Sergio Ermotti as CEO to steer its massive takeover of neighbour Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) - a surprise move that seeks to take advantage of his experience in rebuilding the bank after the global financial crisis. He takes charge weeks after UBS bought rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse in a shotgun merger engineered by Swiss authorities to stem turmoil after Credit Suisse ran aground. The next day, Hamers looked bleary eyed as he described the end of Credit Suisse as a "sad day" that nobody wanted. "The board took the decision in light of the new challenges and priorities facing UBS after the announcement of the acquisition," UBS added. Ermotti said he was looking forward to integrating UBS and Credit Suisse.

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☆ Boomerang UBS boss ticks several important boxes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Liam Proud | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

That’s the best explanation for why Chair Colm Kelleher on Wednesday said the Swiss bank was replacing CEO Ralph Hamers with erstwhile boss Sergio Ermotti. Though the move violates several corporate-governance red lines, it improves the group’s chances of successfully absorbing stricken rival Credit Suisse (CSGN.S). Nor was his hesitant delivery in a call with analysts after announcing the Credit Suisse deal. During his previous spell in charge, UBS held talks with Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) and discussed a merger with Credit Suisse. Ermotti, a Swiss national, led the Swiss bank for nine years, departing in late 2020, and is currently chair of Swiss Re.

☆ 'Call of duty': With Sergio Ermotti, Switzerland gets a cost-cutting local to restore its reputation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

UBS announced on Wednesday that the former CEO would replace Ralph Hamers from April 5, as the Swiss bank undertakes the mammoth task of integrating fallen rival Credit Suisse into its business. Incoming UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti on Wednesday said his return to the helm was "a call of duty," as the Swiss veteran takes on the task of restoring order to the country's battered financial reputation . Kelleher emphasized that Ermotti's task — the successful integration of Credit Suisse into UBS — was "essential for both banks' clients, people and investors, for Switzerland and for the global financial system in general." Asked by CNBC during Wednesday's press conference about his motivation for returning to UBS, Ermotti said there was "a call of duty aspect" to his decision. "I'm fully aware that we need to work very hard here to avoid any consequence for the taxpayers in Switzerland.

"I think that any time you have a bank failure like this, bank management clearly failed, supervisors failed and our regulatory system failed," Michael Barr, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision, told Congress. REPORTS DUE MAY 1Both the Fed and FDIC are is expected to produce reports on the failure of Silicon Valley Bank by May 1. Barr told the House Financial Services Committee that he first became aware of stress at Silicon Valley Bank on the afternoon of March 9, but that the bank reported to supervisors that morning that deposits were stable. Gruenberg of the FDIC told lawmakers he also became aware of SVB's stress that Thursday evening. "(Fed) staff were working with Silicon Valley Bank basically all afternoon and evening and through the morning the next day to pledge as much collateral as humanly possible to the discount (window) on Friday," Barr said.

☆ UBS names Sergio Ermotti as new CEO and president
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

March 29 (Reuters) - UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) named Sergio Ermotti as its next chief executive officer and president on Wednesday, the bank said in a statement. Ermotti, the current chairman of Swiss Re (SRENH.S), is returning to the bank where he was CEO from 2011 to 2020 after its takeover of Credit Suisse (CSGN.S). He will replace current UBS CEO Ralph Hamers from April 5, UBS said. Reporting by Akriti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ CNBC Daily Open: SVB deposits and loans find a buyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. By all appearances, First Citizens Bank is a willing buyer of SVB — unlike UBS' forced marriage with Credit Suisse, orchestrated by Swiss regulators. Deutsche Bank is not another Credit Suisse in two key aspects. Deutsche Bank reported a 1.8-billion-euro ($1.98 billion) net profit, giving it an annual net income for 2022 of 5 billion euros. By contrast, Credit Suisse had a fourth-quarter loss of 1.4 billion Swiss francs ($1.51 billion), bringing it to a full-year loss of 7.3 billion Swiss francs.

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