Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Scandal-hit Raiffeisen bank loses another top boss

Raiffeisen logo
The Swiss Raiffeisen banking group has been hit by scandals in recent years. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

Guy Lachappelle, chairman of the Swiss Raiffeisen banking group, has become the latest high-ranking executive to lose his job at the company as a result of a scandal.

A tearful Lachappelle announced his resignation on Thursday evening, admitting that he had leaked confidential documents while at a previous job as boss of Basel Cantonal Bank (BCB).

Swiss media report that the offence, dating back to 2017, is linked to a now-ended extra-marital affair, during which Lachappelle allegedly sent an email to his lover containing top-secret details of BCB’s proposed digital upgrade. The Basel prosecutor’s office is now investigating the allegations.

While the offence did not take place during his time at Raiffeisen, the mistake has nevertheless made Lachappelle’s current position untenable. He will be replaced as Raiffeisen group chairmanExternal link by Pascal Gantenbein.

Vincenz affair

It is the latest in a string of scandals to hit Raiffeisen in Switzerland. The most serious case involves former CEO Pierin Vincenz, who awaits trial next year accused of fraud, embezzlement and bribery.

That scandal also resulted in his successor, Patrik Gisel, having to step down because he was too closely linked with Vincenz.

Other casualties of the Vincenz affair include former chairman Johannes Rüegg-Stürm, who resigned for failing to control his CEO’s actions. Other board members were also told to leave the banking group.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Children's books

More

Swiss to cut staff caring for underage asylum-seekers

This content was published on The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is reducing its support staff for unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers. It will cut 120 full-time positions at national level.

Read more: Swiss to cut staff caring for underage asylum-seekers
Almost 3000 people demonstrate for Palestine in Geneva

More

Almost 3,000 people demonstrate for Palestine in Geneva

This content was published on Almost 3,000 people took part in a solidarity rally for Palestine in Geneva on Saturday. The rally was organised by the BDS movement (Boycott - Divestment - Sanctions).

Read more: Almost 3,000 people demonstrate for Palestine in Geneva
100 percent of Swiss companies with a climate strategy

More

All Swiss listed companies have a climate strategy

This content was published on All major listed Swiss companies have a climate strategy. This puts Switzerland ahead of neighbouring Germany and Austria, says a study by Kirchhoff Consult and BDO.

Read more: All Swiss listed companies have a climate strategy
Local birds are the stars of this year's Bern Light Show

More

Local birds are stars of this year’s Bern light show

This content was published on The Rendez-vous Bundesplatz light show enters a new round on Saturday. This year, birds will be chirping, squawking and fluttering all over the façade of the federal parliament.

Read more: Local birds are stars of this year’s Bern light show

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR