Finma, the Swiss financial market supervisory authority, said yesterday it had concluded a probe it began last month into possible legal violations over remarks made by Lehmann in December during the final days of the bank’s capital raise.
«After completing its investigations, it sees no sufficient grounds to open supervisory proceedings,» the regulator said. But when Credit Suisse reported its results for the fourth quarter last month, the bank revealed that outflows had continued throughout December and into January, though at a far slower pace.
This prompted Finma to look into the accuracy of Lehmann’s comments. Credit Suisse senior managers had also looked into the matter, said people familiar with the situation.
Customers withdrew SFr111bn from the group in the final three months of 2022, with two-thirds of the outflows coming in October when rumours hit the bank on social media about its financial health.
The bank’s shares hit an all-time low of SFr2.70 the day before Lehmann’s first interview with the FT on December 1.
At least two US law firms said they were preparing class actions against Credit Suisse following Finma’s probe.
Since December, shares in Credit Suisse had fallen further, hitting SFr2.63 yesterday, the day after the bank was forced to delay publication of its annual report when the SEC made a call over cash flow statements dating back to 2019.
I was expecting them to do something about this and fine Lehmann or punish him in some way for what he said. It is clear he didn't present the whole truth.
ReplyDeleteFinma probably knew he was lying but if they didn't find enough proof then they can't do much about it. It's disappointing but it is what it is.
Delete