UBS is cutting 40 banking jobs in Asia

The staff reductions are split between the Swiss lender's markets and investment teams

Pedestrians pass the UBS Group AG headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. The spying scandal roiling Credit Suisse Group AG has also created a big headache at UBS a stone's throw away in Zurich: What to do about its star hire Iqbal Khan. Photographer: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg
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UBS Group is cutting about 40 jobs in Asia Pacific as part of a global push to trim costs and combine its trading units.

The staff reductions are roughly split between UBS's markets and investment-banking teams with a majority at the level of vice president or below, a source said. The Asian divisions — led by Taichi Takahashi in Hong Kong and David Chin — will see smaller cuts than those planned in Europe because UBS sees the region as a growth driver.

UBS has embarked on a sweeping overhaul of its investment bank, reshuffling senior management and combining trading operations in changes that may ultimately eliminate hundreds of positions. Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and HSBC Holdings are also cutting staff to rein in costs as the industry deals with difficult trading conditions, sputtering economies and the impact of trade tensions on cross-border deals.

Mark Panday, a spokesman at UBS in Hong Kong, declined to comment.

As part of its global restructure, Ros L’Esperance and Javier Oficialdegui are being given charge of the newly-named global banking division, which will house public capital markets, private financing and mergers and acquisitions. A combined global markets operation including equities and foreign exchange, rates and credit will be run by Jason Barron and George Athanasopoulos.

Greg Peirce is taking over as global head of mergers and acquisitions, the first time that role will be based in Hong Kong. The Asian staff reductions have begun, with a fresh round expected later this month.