Lukas Gaehwiler seems a perfect fit to become president of the Swiss Bankers Organisation: renowned as a banker, politically well-connected, untainted by the numerous scandals to hit Swiss banking in recent years – and he has time on his hands after stepping aside as UBS head of Switzerland.

No wonder then that his name is circulating in financial circles as a potential replacement for Patrick Odier, who isn't seeking reelection. Gaewhiler told «Aargauer Zeitung» that «I’m not looking for another job. I already have a good one,» when asked about the lobby group.

No Contact Yet

So that’s a «no» from Gaehwiler then? Not necessarily. The question was an open one, and Gaewhiler also left it open how he would respond if asked to take on the lobby group. According tofinews.ch sources, he hasn’t officially been asked to do so.

The SBA is expected to put together a short-list of potential candidate in coming weeks. None of the bankers who have been circulating as potential successors to Odier – Pierino Vincenz, Boris Collardi, Barend Fruithof, Alexandre Zeller or Gaehwiler – have officially been contacted by the SBA.

Strong Candidate

Gaehwiler was named as a candidate by «L’Agefi», and he would be a good fit, as finews.ch has reported previously: the lobby would gain a proven manager with a strong interest in domestic politics.

He is head of UBS in Switzerland until the end of August, when former Commerzbank head Martin Blessing takes over. Gaehwiler is due to become chairman of Switzerland with strategic tasks.

He will reduce his hours at UBS by roughly 50 percent, Gaehwiler told «Aargauer Zeitung». In principle, this would be exactly the time needed for the SBA presidency, though at least one influential politician has argued to make the position a full-time one.

More Family Time

Gaehwiler’s decision to give up his job as Swiss head was apparently motivated by his desire to spend more time with his family and to «do something else».

He is about to reach that point, but Gaehwiler wouldn't be the first banker to turn down an interesting and challenging job like running the lobby.