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UBS Group to Miss Workforce Reduction Goal Post CS Takeover
UBSUBS(US:UBS) ZACKSยท2025-08-18 15:55

Core Insights - UBS Group AG is falling behind its workforce reduction target of 85,000 employees by the end of the Credit Suisse integration in 2026 [1] - The bank has only cut 1,300 jobs per quarter since early 2024, resulting in over 105,000 employees as of June 30, 2025 [2] - UBS has reduced nearly 14,000 positions since acquiring Credit Suisse in March 2023, but the pace of cuts has slowed [2] Workforce Reduction Challenges - A decline in voluntary attrition, which typically sees around 7% of staff leave annually, has made it difficult for UBS to reduce headcount without large-scale layoffs [3] - The ongoing integration of Credit Suisse, including migrating over 1 million retail clients, is delaying deeper cuts until the process is expected to complete by March 2026 [4] - Workforce reductions are anticipated to occur gradually through natural attrition, early retirement schemes, and absorption of external roles into existing teams [5] Cost-Cutting Efforts - UBS continues to advance on broader cost-cutting targets, aiming to wind down its non-core and legacy portfolio, releasing over $6 billion of capital by the end of 2026 [6] - The non-core and legacy business divisions have achieved a 62% reduction in risk-weighted assets (RWA) by the second quarter, ahead of the original plan [6] - The company aims to reduce non-core and legacy RWA to below $8 billion by the end of 2025 and $1.6 billion by the end of 2026, with $9.1 billion in cost savings achieved since the end of 2022, representing around 70% of its $13 billion target by 2026 [7] Overall Assessment - Despite lagging in headcount reduction, UBS's steady progress on cost savings and balance sheet efficiency indicates it remains on track to achieve broader integration goals [8] - The cautious approach prioritizes stability during the Credit Suisse migration, with the potential for more aggressive measures post-integration [8] Market Performance - UBS shares have gained 18.1% in the past six months, compared to a 26% rise in the industry [9]