HSBC Swiss private bank increases staff pay amid executive exits-report

Core Insights - HSBC's Swiss private bank is implementing staff retention measures, including increased compensation, due to a series of executive exits [1][2] - The bank is leveraging leadership from its Middle East business to support its Swiss operations, with Samir Assaf advising the Swiss private bank [2][3] - HSBC's Swiss business is ending relationships with over 1,000 wealthy clients in the Middle Eastern region, including those with assets exceeding $100 million [3] Staff Retention Measures - The Swiss arm has raised pay for certain staff, including relationship managers, to discourage departures [1] - Retention packages are a common strategy to retain key employees during uncertain times, as seen with UBS awarding approximately $500 million in retention packages to Credit Suisse staff [5] Executive Changes - Recent executive exits include interim head John Shipman, who left to join Barclays, and Daniel Calado has been appointed as the interim head of the Swiss private bank [2][4] - Samir Assaf, chairman of HSBC's Middle East business, is spending time in Geneva to assist the Swiss private bank [2] Regulatory Scrutiny - The Swiss private bank is under scrutiny from Swiss regulator Finma for inadequate due diligence on high-risk accounts owned by politically exposed persons [4] - Swiss federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the division [4]