In an interview published on Thursday by the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, UBS Group CEO Sergio Ermotti reiterated his strong preference for selecting his eventual successor from within the ranks of the bank’s current leadership. Ermotti, who led UBS through the high-profile acquisition and integration of Credit Suisse, stressed that internal candidates possess the institutional knowledge and cultural alignment required to steer the bank through its next phase. He indicated that a decision timeline is under review but suggested that formal succession planning would accelerate over the next 12 to 18 months, ahead of his anticipated departure in April 2027.

Speaking from the sidelines of the UBS Greater China Conference in Shanghai, Thomas Fang, Head of China Global Markets, provided a detailed assessment of China’s economic outlook and investment opportunities. Fang highlighted a projected 5.2% GDP growth rate for China in 2026, driven by state-led infrastructure projects and easing of certain regulatory constraints in the technology sector. He recommended a balanced allocation of 40% to high-yield local government bonds and 60% to equity sectors such as renewable energy and consumer staples, citing resilient domestic demand and ongoing urbanization trends.

According to a Financial Times report on Tuesday, UBS executives Ralph Hamers, CEO of UBS Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Sabine Keller-Busse, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer, are viewed by analysts as the frontrunners to succeed Ermotti. Both have played central roles in the Credit Suisse integration process, with Hamers overseeing risk management consolidation and Keller-Busse leading technology system harmonization. Market observers note that Hamers’ track record of cost-savings initiatives and Keller-Busse’s operational oversight position them as credible internal successors when Ermotti steps down.