UBS dress code: how to mix in just like a lender

Swiss financial institution UBS has issued an outfit rule in a booklet that tells personnel how to look like a proper banker. The highly detailed manual tries to leave nothing to chance on how to look like a banker at UBS. After getting beat up in the financial crisis, the UBS dress rule is part of a campaign, some analysts say, to repair frayed consumer relations. It’s uncertain that a dress code policy will enhance their image but it is better to try than just applying for payday cash loans

Brand new outfit code for UBS

There’s a little bit of fashion and beauty advice in the prep school style that comes with the new UBS dress rule. The idea is to mix in to the surroundings with an extreme level of conformity that covers everything from underwear to the lunch menu. The UBS outfit code comes on the heels of an advertising campaign reaching out to clients who were burned by UBS, the world’s largest private financial institution, during the financial crisis. The style manual is being tested in five UBS branches in Switzerland. A change in business, for the good, will make the UBS outfit code permanent. All Swiss UBS branches will be enforced in it.

The way UBS will dress for achievement

Dark suits for men and neutral outfits for women are what the UBS dress code looks like, just like generic bankers ought to. It is not ok to wear short, tight skirts. Neither men or women can wear flashy jewelry. That means male earrings are not going to happen. It is the Swiss though, which we should not forget. That means a wristwatch will still be there. Every four weeks, men will get haircuts while it is not okay for Grecian Formula. Women should use light makeup limited to foundation, mascara and “discreet” lipstick. It’s not okay to wear soft fragrances, have garlic breath, have nail art, have trendy eyewear or even to wear cartoon socks. Washing and ironing your own shirts is unacceptable. It should be done properly.

UBS requires a lot more than that

In 2007, the economic crisis hit. At that time, UBS had to cut 11,000 jobs and wrote about $50 billion in mortgage related assets down. UBS tax evasion within the United States caused a huge investigation to go underway. More losses were reported than any other bank in Europe by UBS during the financial crisis, totaling $57.3 billion. Several of the top executives left the bank. Clients went with them too. UBS CEO Oswald J. Grubel has been pleading with investors personally to keep them from defecting. He states to have been successful. We all know he was likely dressed well. That is probably what did it too.

Articles cited

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019783931381042.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Business Insider

businessinsider.com/ubs-dresscode-clothes-bank-2010-12#

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/02/10/business/global/10ubs.html