UBS inches toward historic move to leave Switzerland — as it's wooed by Trump administration: sources

Core Viewpoint - UBS is considering moving its headquarters to the US due to regulatory burdens in Switzerland and favorable conditions offered by the Trump administration [1][5][12] Group 1: Regulatory Environment - UBS applied for a US national bank charter, indicating a significant shift in its operational strategy [2] - New Swiss capital requirements would force UBS to increase its loss cushion by $26 billion, which the bank believes hampers its global competitiveness [7] - UBS faces additional costs related to the acquisition of Credit Suisse, including a recent court ruling that deemed a writedown of $16 billion in Credit Suisse bonds illegal [10][11] Group 2: Strategic Moves - UBS executives are exploring options to expand in the US, including potential acquisitions or mergers with US banks [5][15] - The Trump administration has been actively encouraging UBS to relocate, presenting the US as a more business-friendly environment [12][15] - UBS's current US operations are relatively small, with under $100 billion in deposits, allowing for potential partnerships without facing deposit cap restrictions [15][17] Group 3: Market Position - UBS is viewed as a "too big to fail" bank in Switzerland, similar to major US banks like JPMorgan Chase, which influences its operational decisions [8] - The bank's market value stands at $121 billion, providing it with opportunities to collaborate with midsized banks in the US [15]