Why Credit Suisse Was a Magnet for Scandals

In 2023, Credit Suisse collapsed, shaking the foundations of the global banking establishment. But for onlookers who were aware of the lender’s numerous afflictions, it’s sudden demise was no surprise at all. From one perspective, the bank’s succession of scandals arguably started as early as its founding some 167 years ago. One of those observers who saw it coming was Bloomberg editor Duncan Mavin, author of Meltdown: Greed, Scandal, and the Collapse of Credit Suisse. Mavin has covered banking malfeasance for more than a decade, which in Europe necessarily involved Credit Suisse on an almost regular basis. In this episode of In The City, Mavin sits down with hosts Francine Lacqua and David Merritt to discuss his book and some of the lesser-known crises at the Swiss bank that led to its downfall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When UBS agreed to buy Credit Suisse in March 2023, it was a pivotal moment for European banking. The government-brokered deal was considered historic and its success was instrumental in containing a crisis that had started to spread across global financial markets. At the center of its success has been Beatriz Martin, head of non-core and legacy operations. Her role is key to this massive restructuring as she sifts through Credit Suisse’s assets and decides which ones to keep and which to wind down. On this week’s episode of In the City, Martin sits down with hosts Francine Lacqua and David Merritt to discuss the process, strategy and progress so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EMEA News Director Rosalind Mathieson and editor Jennifer Surane join Francine to unpack the headlines from Bloomberg’s inaugural Women, Money & Power event that took place in London this week. Key topics include the outlook for private markets, what another term in the US for Donald Trump means for markets, policy and economies, and the outlook for Europe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute of International Economics, joins David Merritt and Allegra Stratton to discuss the economic fallout of France's political crisis, the economic effects of Donald Trump's plan for tariffs, and the challenges facing the budget put forth by UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s In the City, Nat Benjamin, executive director for financial stability strategy and risk and a member of the Financial Policy Committee at the Bank of England, joins hosts Francine Lacqua and Allegra Stratton to discuss the central bank’s latest financial stability report.  “The value of this exercise is to put the spotlight on these things in peacetime,” Benjamin explains. “So everyone gets prepared for when shocks happen.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of In the City, we discuss whether female leaders are taken less seriously than their male counterparts, and what businesses can do about it. Mary Ann Sieghart, author of "The Authority Gap" and visiting professor at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, joins hosts Francine Lacqua, David Merritt and Allegra Stratton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this limited series, Odd Lots explains some of the thorniest issues facing the US economy through the medium of … chicken. Chicken occupies a unique position in the US diet, but issues facing the poultry industry illustrate wider points about the development of the US economy and the decisions being made about how it's structured and who benefits from it. So why has the chicken industry evolved in the way that it has? What’s been driving the price increases in eggs and meat? And what does it all say about things like inflation, the labor market and the nature of American capitalism? Check out Beak Capitalism on Odd Lots wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of In the City, Bloomberg reporter Ben Stupples, who reports on the world of ultra-wealth, joins hosts Francine Lacqua and David Merritt to talk about the global wealth hubs that are stepping up their charm offensive to lure away UK non-doms. Become a Bloomberg.com subscriber using our special intro offer at bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. You’ll unlock deep reporting, data and analysis from reporters around the world, plus access to a suite of subscriber-only newsletters.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this live recording of In the City, Raspberry Pi founder and Chief Executive Officer Eben Upton and board member Sherry Coutu discuss how the computer maker’s public debut became a bright star in an otherwise gloomy London listings landscape, and they discuss what future shocks the company may have to tackle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alastair King became London's 696th lord mayor last weekend. He joins Francine and Allegra to share his plan for his year in the job. King says his priorities include regulatory reform, investing in and adopting new technologies, and leveraging the diversity of London's communities. He also discusses his plans for a global tour showcasing the capital's financial industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.