Rumors had it that the ex-CEO of Julius Baer was to blame for the exodus of top bankers at his former employer. Boris Collardi has now resorted to plain text to put things right.
The man doesn't lack in self-confidence for sure. Of course, Boris Collardi is subject to collective decision making together with the group of partners at Geneva-based Pictet. But the erstwhile CEO of Julius Baer hasn't lost his appetite for a brash soundbite since moving side, an interview with Swiss business magazine «Bilanz» showed (only in German).
Asked whether he was behind the string of moves of Julius Baer bankers to Pictet, the manager said he had not contacted a single person either at Julius Baer or at any other bank. He didn't need to, Collardi said: «There were a hundred unsolicited inquiries – from Julius Baer and other banks.» Why? «Good bankers hear that things are on the move at Pictet – and get in touch.»
Pretenders
Previously, senior partner Nicolas Pictet had come out to deny that the bank was approaching bankers at rival firms, adding that his bank wasn't keen on picking a fight with Julius Baer. At the time, a whole team working the Middle East had moved to Pictet. In March, a South America team followed suit.
Anyway, a letter sent to Pictet alone sufficed to get a promotion at any bank, Collardi added in the magazine. «We noticed that a number of interested bankers sent their file and suddenly received a promotion at their old employer.» He added that some of them perhaps had pretended to have been offered a position at Pictet even if this wasn't the case.
