Credit Suisse sets executive board roles in line with new risk strategy

The Swiss bank last month announced its upcoming reorganization into four business divisions—Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank, and Asset Management—operating across four geographic regions: Switzerland; Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); Asia Pacific (APAC); and Americas. The restructure is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Credit Suisse has turned to a familiar face, Francesco De Ferrari, to take over as CEO of Wealth Management, the bank announced Monday. Ferrari, who held senior management positions at Credit Suisse for 17 years before leaving in 2018 to head up the Australian wealth management company AMP, will also join Credit Suisse Group’s executive board and report to CEO Thomas Gottstein. He will serve as interim CEO of the bank’s EMEA operations.

Christian Meissner, CEO of the Investment Bank division, has been appointed CEO of the Americas region. Helman Sitohang and André Helfenstein will lead the APAC and Switzerland regions, respectively.

Credit Suisse lost approximately $5.5 billion when Archegos Capital Management collapsed in March. An independent report ordered by the bank concluded a series of missteps by its risk and compliance function failed to escalate numerous red flags at the U.S. hedge fund. The bank has since exited prime services, the division of its Investment Bank most notably linked to its risk and compliance deficiencies.

Also in March, Credit Suisse had $10 billion in funds exposed when U.K.-based supply chain finance startup Greensill Capital filed for bankruptcy protection. An independent investigation into the Greensill collapse is ongoing.

As part of its response to the two meltdowns, Credit Suisse separated its risk and compliance functions, having recognized executives with too many responsibilities in those areas had led to some of the problems. Rafael Lopez Lorenzo, previously with JPMorgan Chase, was named chief compliance officer as of Oct. 1, and Goldman Sachs veteran David Wildermuth was named chief risk officer.

Credit Suisse noted Monday that Wildermuth, who will also be a member of the executive board, will start Jan. 1, a month earlier than previously announced.

Also announced Monday was the hiring of Mark Hannam as head of internal audit, effective April 1, 2022. Hannam served as a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers for the past two decades. He will report directly to Audit Committee Chair Richard Meddings.

Among further announcements, the bank will dissolve its Sustainability, Research & Investment Solutions (SRI) division, splitting responsibilities between Wealth Management and Investment Bank. Lydie Hudson, who led the SRI division, will step down from the executive board and leave Credit Suisse after a transition period.

“Risk management will be at the core of all our actions, with the board of directors and the executive board together driving a culture that reinforces the importance of accountability and responsibility across the entire bank,” said Credit Suisse Board Chairman António Horta-Osório in a statement.