UBS Group AG is letting go of half a dozen mainland China-focused employees in Hong Kong, as turmoil in the world’s second-largest economy hammers dealmaking, prompting global banks to rein in their presence in the once lucrative market.
The Swiss bank has trimmed bankers in businesses including debt capital markets, investment banking and real estate, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private information. A UBS spokesman declined to comment.
Investment banking revenue for UBS in China has plunged by about half, although gains in Japan and Australia helped prop up its overall Asia business, people familiar said.
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New issuance in debt and equity markets has slowed this year following sweeping policy changes in China and slowing economic growth, denting revenue at banks that had ambitious expansion plans for the country.
Rival Credit Suisse Group AG, saddled by major losses, is also preparing large cuts to its investment banking unit and is questioning its long-term plans for China amid slowing growth and geopolitical tension.
Global investment banking revenue at UBS tumbled 57 percent in the second quarter during what chief executive officer Ralph Hamers said was one of the most difficult periods for investors in a decade.
In Asia, UBS has been focused on the sale of Chinese junk bonds to wealthy clients, a business that has almost evaporated as Chinese property developers remain largely shut out of the market amid a deepening property crisis.
Investment banks had been going full steam into China as Beijing opened the door to full ownership of their ventures in the country, counting on reaping billions in profits. UBS boosted its stake in its China securities venture to 67 percent in March after its mainland China revenue had more than doubled to almost US$1 billion last year from 2019.
Now they are facing rougher markets. Offshore bond sales by Chinese firms have slid 44 percent this year to US$63.9 billion, data compiled by Bloomberg showed.
Defaults by property firms including giants in the offshore market such as China Evergrande Group (恆大集團) and Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd (佳兆業集團) have dented investor appetite.
UBS has plunged in the league tables of dealmakers in China offshore bonds, falling 24 places to rank 42nd. The Swiss bank is ranked 45th for Asia high-yield bonds denominated in US dollars, euro and yen, slumping 38 places so far this year, the data showed.
The job cuts at UBS also come as China steps up scrutiny of companies seeking to sell debt abroad as defaults worsen to record levels.
Borrowers, including financial firms, need approval from the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission for issuance of debt with maturities longer than one year, a draft for comments revealed on Friday last week showed. The consultation period runs until Sept. 26.
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