Credit Suisse Seen Cutting a Third of its China-Based Bankers

 

The Swiss global investment bank Credit Suisse has cut about a third of its banking team in China and nearly half of its research department, sources have said.

The move is part of a global restructuring but also a result of the economic slowdown in its business China, the sources, who declined to be identified, as the information is confidential.

Two sources said that more than 20 China-based investment bankers have been notified about the job cuts at Credit Suisse Securities (China), the bank’s 51%-owned joint venture.

Credit Suisse declined to comments on the layoffs in China. The group’s China annual report shows it had 68 people in its investment banking department at the end of last year.

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US Banks Also Set to Cut Jobs in Asia

Confronted by stringent Covid restrictions and weak growth in the world’s second-largest economy, Wall Street banks have also been preparing to cut China-focused jobs in Asia, sources have said.

There were reports this month that Morgan Stanley was also poised to announce staff cuts worldwide, with teams focusing on China-related business bearing the brunt.

At Credit Suisse’s China venture, about 10 research staff have been let go, the sources said. The department had 24 employees as of the end last year, its annual report shows.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the bank was slashing jobs in Asia, including eight roles based in Southeast Asia.

Last month, Credit Suisse announced a 4 billion Swiss franc ($4.18 billion) capital raising and thousands of job cuts as it plans to scale back its scandal-hit investment bank in a shift towards banking for the wealthy.

The bank’s Asia Pacific CEO Edwin Low said earlier this month that “China and Hong Kong will be the biggest growth market” for Asia Pacific headcount, as it aims to start offering wealth management services in China next year after securing full ownership of its local securities venture.

 

• Reuters with additional editing by Jim Pollard

 

 

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