9. Kuno Kennel – End of Discussion

The departure of Barclays' top Swiss investment banker Kuno Kennel (pictured above) to preside the cantonal bank of Schwyz in 2012 was a huge surprise. The capital markets veteran later told «NZZ Folio» (in German) that he was reformed and wanted to return to his roots (he was brought up in the canton).

Seven years on, Kennel stumbled on an advisory mandate for Nova Vorsorge: he failed to disclose his side job when the cantonal bank bought the pension firm. The problem was a $10 million write-down on the stake. Kennel is also embroiled in a legal spat with Nova's founder.

The Swiss banker was exonerated in an outside investigation by Deloitte, but nevertheless stepped down in October – in order to «take the bank out of the firing line,» he told regional newspaper «Luzerner Zeitung» (in German). «I need a break before I start making plans again,» he noted.