Herbert J. Scheidt elected new Chairman of the Swiss Bankers Association

At its meeting today, the Board of Directors of the SBA unanimously elected Herbert J. Scheidt as its new Chairman. Subject to his re-election as member of the SBA’s Board of Directors on the next Bankers’ Day on 15 September 2016, Herbert J. Scheidt will take office as the SBA’s Chairman on 16 September 2016. Herbert J. Scheidt has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vontobel Holding AG since 2011. From 2002 until 2011, he was CEO of Bank Vontobel. Patrick Odier, who will remain Chairman of the SBA until the next Bankers Day, commented the election saying: “I am very grateful that with Herbert J. Scheidt, a Chairman has been elected who has an excellent track record as a banker. I am convinced that Herbert J. Scheidt will lead the Association into the future both successfully and in a unified manner.”

Clearly defined job specifications

In the view of the Selection Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the SBA, a candidate had to be put forward who has experience in the banking business from the perspective of small, medium, and large banks, as well as banks with national and international operations. It was also felt that the person should be familiar with all facets and developments in the banking business in order to be able to represent the entire financial sector. In addition to strong links at home, Swiss banks also require a strong diplomatic voice in Switzerland and abroad in light of the increasing internationalisation of regulation. From the perspective of the Selection Committee, it is necessary to further strengthen the dialogue with governments at the national, European and international levels as well as with other banking associations. Further to this, the specifications for the role required a person who, as a result of their current position in the banking business, has the necessary flexibility for this challenging task and at the same time plays an active role in the banking business in order to competently and credibly represent the Swiss banks in Switzerland and abroad.   

Future challenges

“During his tenure, Patrick Odier successfully led the financial centre through a challenging period of realignment. Beginning this autumn, I look forward to carrying this re-positioning forward as a team, together with the members of the Board of Directors and staff at our office, under the leadership of Claude-Alain Margelisch. We must address the interests of all the banks in Switzerland, be they in the area asset management, retail banking, wealth management or the capital markets business. In the coming years, we must also focus on further opening the financial centre for new digital business models”, says Herbert J. Scheidt.

The Board of Directors of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) appreciates the transparent and prudent work conducted by the Selection Committee, whose members included board members Yves Mirabaud and Martin Scholl, and which was chaired by Urs Rohner. Urs Rohner emphasises: “The strength of the SBA was and remains that it represents all the banks in Switzerland. As a longstanding board member of the SBA, Herbert J. Scheidt is well-acquainted with the challenges faced by the financial centre and will address these with the highest level of commitment.”