UBS CEO claims Swiss public has been conditioned to focus on the bank's financial stability.

• In June 2023, UBS completed its acquisition of Credit Suisse following a rescue agreement brokered by Swiss authorities to prevent the 167-year-old institution's collapse and safeguard the Swiss economy.
• UBS appointed Ermotti to lead the integration of Credit Suisse's business, which has been successful according to the market.

On Wednesday, UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti stated that individuals with worries about the bank's balance sheet are being influenced by academics and should conduct their own research.

In June 2023, UBS completed its acquisition of Credit Suisse following an emergency bailout deal brokered by Swiss authorities to prevent the collapse of the 167-year-old institution and safeguard the Swiss economy.

UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti was appointed to lead the integration of Credit Suisse's business, which has been successful according to the market. As a result, the bank's share price has increased from below 17 Swiss francs to over 25 Swiss francs as of Wednesday morning.

The combined balance sheet of the new entity is estimated to be approximately twice the size of Switzerland's GDP, raising concerns about the concentration of risk in the Swiss economy.

In an interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Ermotti acknowledged the concerns of some Swiss citizens, who are being influenced daily by academics and are focusing solely on the bank's balance sheet rather than the national GDP.

The new UBS has a very low risk, focused business model when viewed as a percentage of GDP or balance sheet. The risk we have is mainly in Swiss mortgages, Lombard loans, and low-risk assets.

Ermotti argued that the "new UBS," which combines its fallen rival to form a globally competitive, low-risk bank, is a reflection of Switzerland.

Although Switzerland is a small country, it excels in various fields such as food, pharmaceuticals, and innovation. A strong global banking sector is crucial to our economy, as stated by him.

He urged the public to consider both the risks and benefits of the bank's tax contributions, arguing that the focus solely on the risk to the Swiss taxpayer is an incomplete perspective.

Our role is to assist those who are undecided and open to hearing arguments in forming an informed opinion, which we hope will be the correct one. I value diverse opinions, but I expect individuals to conduct thorough research before forming their views.