UBS Group AG has determined that at least four countries, including South Korea and India, are “too slow” in granting the regulatory approvals it needs to complete its acquisition of Credit Suisse, according to an internal document reviewed by Reuters.
UBS has also identified Ireland and Saudi Arabia as “slow jurisdictions” in granting licenses, according to the document, dated Sept. 6 and distributed to global employees, the contents of which have not previously been reported.
The document, drawn up after a global review to assess the timeline for regulatory approvals needed to complete the integration, said uncooperative regulators could jeopardize transactions such as the Swiss bank merger.
The uncertainties in securing regulatory approval could also result in trades being unwound and assets sold if UBS faces “difficult jurisdictions or regulators,” the bank said in the document.
Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s second-largest bank, suffered years of scandals and losses before it had to be rescued by a government takeover by former rival UBS in March this year.
UBS completed its takeover of Credit Suisse in June. The legal completion of the deal, which resulted in the first rescue of a global bank since the 2008 financial crisis, still requires approval from regulators in the markets where both banks operate.
UBS and Credit Suisse did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Spokespeople for central banks in South Korea, India, Ireland and Saudi Arabia also did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
