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Richard Meddings, a well-known British banker who used to run retail lender TSB and now sits on Credit Suisse's board, apparently didn't want Rohner's job either, these people said. Alexander Gut, the son of honorary Chairman Rainer Gut, is said to have fought with Rohner, which led to the younger Gut's sudden exit from the bank earlier this year.

The dearth of candidates leaves Andreas Gottschling, a relatively unknown ex-consultant, as the strongest potential successor to Rohner, these people said. The 53-year-old joined the board three years ago and, thanks to his experience at banks including Deutsche Bank and LGT as well as consulting firm McKinsey, is equipped with enough finance experience as well as an international network to handle the job.

European Network

Gottschling is a specialist in risk, a subject which winds its way through his 23-year career in finance. Like UBS Chairman Axel Weber, Gottschling is German and maintains a vast network in Europe. This would be key for Credit Suisse, which like most banks is diversifying its operations in the bloc due to Brexit.

His unpretentious manner and efficient working style complement the 56-year-old Gottstein, who inherited the job following a major board rupture with ex-CEO Tidjane Thiam.