Preparing for the new normal
Ian Cramb
Group COO
Since the beginning of the health crisis, we have been keeping you informed of the measures we have implemented to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. After having activated our BCP (Business Continuity Plan), which involved arranging for almost all the staff to work from home to ensure the Bank could carry on its activities during lockdown, UBP’s sites are gradually going back to their usual set-ups while applying the authorities’ recommendations. We are maintaining heightened hygiene and security measures across the Group and any amendments to our safety protocols are discussed and approved by our Pandemic Task Force and UBP’s management.
Having an established, tried and tested business continuity strategy has enabled us to stay mobilised for our clients throughout the most critical weeks of the health crisis, and the experience and dedication of our teams have ensured that we could maintain the quality of our services. Being prepared and flexible, we were able to adapt the Group’s business quickly to the situation, which is likely to become the new normal.
At this stage the spread of the virus is slowing down in several countries, but in other regions the epidemic has yet to peak. We therefore remain vigilant, our top priority being to protect the health of our employees and their loved ones, as well as that of our partners and clients.
Communication and visits
At this sensitive time, strong and frequent communication with our clients is more critical than ever. Our preferred form of interaction with our clients for the time being is remote contact using audio- and videoconferencing facilities as well as e-banking, for example, a system that offers not only transaction facilities but also highly secure means of communication.
Any unavoidable face-to-face meetings can be organised externally or in-house. We are happy to welcome our clients at our premises again, having put in place strict health and safety measures (which you can read about in our notice ‘Visit UBP safely’). We also continue to keep you up to date on the health crisis and its effects on economies and markets through our usual communication channels.
Travel policy
Business trips are once again allowed under certain conditions and must systematically be approved by the Group COO. As for private travel, the Bank has informed staff of the recommended safety precautions, leaving holiday decisions to their judgement and common sense. Self-isolation requirements may be applied in some cases.
Spokespersons
Bernard Schuster – Head of Group Communications
+41 58 819 36 51
bernard.schuster@ubp.ch
Maude Hug – Head of Media Relations
+41 58 819 75 27
maude.hug@ubp.ch
Investing in an altered world
Michaël Lok
Group CIO
With more and more people immunised against Covid-19 through vaccination, there is a sense of anticipation around the world, and a strong will to get economies working at full capacity again. But this must be done cautiously, taking measures to contain the pockets of infection arising from variants of the virus.
The health crisis has considerably reshaped not only financial markets and economies but also political priorities and societies.
Our investment experts have factored in this paradigm shift and we continue to adapt our portfolio construction strategies to the major societal and environmental challenges we face in this changed landscape.
Read our latest publications providing insight into the new investment approaches to consider as the world emerges from this long trial with a new outlook, including a fresh perspective on the importance of sustainability.