Credit Suisse: Board of Directors statement on the findings of the investigation into the observation of Iqbal Khan Dienstag, 01. Oktober 2019 - 06:33
The Board of Directors of Credit Suisse Group AG took note of the results of the investigation, which Homburger, attorneys-at-law, conducted on behalf of the Board of Directors. A summary of the scope and key findings of the investigation is attached in Annex 1.
The key findings of this investigation are the following:
- On August 29, 2019, when UBS announced the employment of Iqbal Khan, Credit Suisse’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) ordered the Credit Suisse Head of Global Security Services to initiate the observation of Iqbal Khan.
- During the Homburger investigation, the COO said that he alone, in order to protect the interests of the bank, decided to initiate the observation of Iqbal Khan, and that he did not discuss it with Credit Suisse’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), any other member of Credit Suisse’s Executive Board, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse or the Chairman of its Audit Committee.
- The Homburger investigation did not identify any indication that the CEO had approved the observation of Iqbal Khan nor that he was aware of it prior to September 18, 2019, after the observation had been aborted.
- Neither the Homburger investigation nor the observation of Iqbal Khan identified any evidence that Iqbal Khan had attempted to poach employees or clients away from Credit Suisse, contrary to his contractual obligations.
The Board of Directors appreciates taking appropriate measures to protect the company’s interests, including when senior employees leave the company. However, the Board of Directors considers that the mandate for the observation of Iqbal Khan was wrong and disproportionate and has resulted in severe reputational damage to the bank.
The COO assumed responsibility for this matter and submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors, which has been accepted with immediate effect. The bank has also accepted the resignation with immediate effect of the Head of Global Security Services.
James B. Walker appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Credit Suisse
Following the resignation of the COO, Pierre-Olivier Bouée, and his consequential stepping down from the Executive Board, the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse has decided to appoint James B. Walker as Chief Operating Officer and member of the Executive Board of Credit Suisse with immediate effect. James B. Walker currently holds several senior roles in the bank’s finance organization, including Chief Financial Officer of our key US subsidiaries and Head of Product Control. James has a long and excellent track record at Credit Suisse and the Board of Directors looks forward to working with him in his new role. Please find the CV of James B. Walker attached in Annex 2.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Urs Rohner, and the Chairman of the Audit Committee, John Tiner, will provide further explanation on these decisions at the media conference.
Media Conference – Tuesday, October 1, 2019A media conference will take place today, October 1, 2019, 8:00am CEST at Forum St. Peter, Zurich. Participation via webcast or telephone conference is also possible on a listen only basis.
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Credit Suisse AG
Credit Suisse AG is one of the world's leading financial services providers and is part of the Credit Suisse group of companies (referred to here as 'Credit Suisse'). Our strategy builds on Credit Suisse's core strengths: its position as a leading wealth manager, its specialist investment banking capabilities and its strong presence in our home market of Switzerland. We seek to follow a balanced approach to wealth management, aiming to capitalize on both the large pool of wealth within mature markets as well as the significant growth in wealth in Asia Pacific and other emerging markets, while also serving key developed markets with an emphasis on Switzerland. Credit Suisse employs approximately 46,360 people. The registered shares (CSGN) of Credit Suisse AG's parent company, Credit Suisse Group AG, are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.
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This document was produced by and the opinions expressed are those of Credit Suisse as of the date of writing and are subject to change. It has been prepared solely for information purposes and for the use of the recipient. It does not constitute an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of Credit Suisse to any person to buy or sell any security. Any reference to past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. The information and analysis contained in this publication have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable but Credit Suisse does not make any representation as to their accuracy or completeness and does not accept liability for any loss arising from the use hereof.
