Earnings were positive in 2017, but it's a shame about the share price

Tidjane Thiam needs to prove that the new-look Credit Suisse can thrive and not just survive - and he might just do it

Jürg Zeltner inspired UBS to regain its position as the world’s best private bank, and his departure has shocked many in the industry – what will he do next?

Marco Abele, former head of digital for private banking at Credit Suisse, plans to tokenize billionaires’ luxury assets so millionaires can enjoy them too.

Marisa Drew has gone from being one of Credit Suisse’s most senior investment bankers to overseeing the Swiss group’s new global impact finance and advisory division, reporting directly to group chief executive Tidjane Thiam. Clients are curious. Should competitors take note?

In wealth management circles, the shock isn’t so much that Collardi has moved – rather, it’s the rival he has moved to.

A focus on clients with a strong connection to Switzerland allows the bank to forge particularly close relationships and deliver a quality service.

Swift’s global payments innovation (gpi) has received a strong endorsement from multinational Swiss corporates, which have called for greater take up by the banks to solve many of their cash management issues.

Best bank in the Middle East Emirates NBD Best investment bank in the Middle East HSBC Best digital bank in the Middle East Emirates NBD Best bank for financing in the Middle East Citi Best bank for advisory in the Middle East Barclays Best bank for markets in the Middle East National Bank of Abu Dhabi Best bank for transaction services in the Middle East Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Best bank for wealth management in the Middle East Audi Private Bank Best bank for CSR in the Middle East Arab African International Bank Best bank for SMEs Bank of Alexandria Best bank transformation Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait Outstanding contribution to financial services Hisham Ezz Al Arab . Country Awards for Excellence 2016: Middle East Awards for Excellence Middle East press release

Private banking is a business that more and more banks want to be in. It looks easy; go to Geneva and buy one of the banks already operating there. American Express did that, and had the foresight to ensure that the old owner, Edmond Safra, would not compete directly for five years. The five years are up next month, and Safra has a score to settle.

A private banker is a friend, confidant and counsellor to an often idiosyncratic client. It's an intimate relationship, and a lucrative one. The Swiss still lead the field.

By Nicholas Faith and Alison Macleod

By Nicholas Faith