The Swiss bank now has a dress code.

Apparently a memo went out this morning to equity sales at UBS informing the team that “suits are now mandatory” at the office (“swaps and the quant desk already went to suits and equity trading is switching over in two weeks”). The reason for the rule (which “is coming from Switzerland”)? To “re-establish credibility and a sense of professionalism.”

Comments (57)

  1. Posted by Jos A. Bank | June 15, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    UBS rocks!

  2. Posted by Angry_Analyst | June 15, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    I predict a run on Men’s Warehouse.

    Wait for it, wait for it…

  3. Posted by Image Over Substance | June 15, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    All pigs will also be required to wear lipstick.

  4. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Lipstick…pig…you get my drift?

  5. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    excuse you?

    - Ben “Jos. A Bank” Bernanke

  6. Posted by guest | June 15, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    it is so nice of UBS upper management to have the future of their workers careers in mind, fancy restaurants also require suit and ties for their waiters

  7. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Was any of this discussed with a first-year analyst beforehand?  If not, I think I’m going to just stick to Bonobos and Vineyard Vines, thank you very much.

  8. Posted by Wire | June 15, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    No guidance on the size of the tie knot?

  9. Posted by UBS MD | June 15, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    It’s spelled WEARhouse

  10. Posted by Azzy | June 15, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    UBS had credibility?

    - Confused in CT

  11. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Wait, the tie has to be tied?

    - J. Simons

  12. Posted by Guest_CFA | June 15, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    The real reason: The number of people changing into a suit in the locker room before leaving for an interview was becoming embarrassing.

  13. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    had. they’re trying to get it back.

  14. Posted by New Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    UBS sucks

  15. Posted by Get it? Get it? | June 15, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    I’m assuming the suit of chocie will be the UBS SeerSUCKer ?

  16. Posted by 2-10-30 | June 15, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Not if you’re the king.
    -B, Gross

  17. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Are pants still optional?

  18. Posted by Hamilton | June 15, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    By Suit and Tie, we mean this

    - The Circus HR

  19. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    If you can’t act the part, at least you can dress the part.

  20. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    I say they beat Citi at its game and hire the debralee banker girl who dresses too hot for banking.

  21. Posted by guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    Apparently “credibility and a sense of professionalism” > “profitability”

  22. Posted by Guesty | June 15, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Chung?

  23. Posted by Ooooo Yeah | June 15, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    The only way this can be successful is if you wear 2 ties around your neck and 1 tie around your head.

    Chaz the Goddess

  24. Posted by Need legal advice | June 15, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    … does it constitute insider trading if I go long jcpenney?

    - UBS Analyst

  25. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    As I recall, Lehman Brothers thought that wearing suits would improve their professionalism.

  26. Posted by ih8edjfkjr | June 15, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Nothing short of a powdered wig can restore their credibility now.

  27. Posted by UBSed | June 15, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Nothing about skin-colored underwear, wearing wristwatches and not eating garlic? Or that’s Phase II? 

  28. Posted by NakedShort | June 15, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    You WONT show up wearing a bolo tie.

    No balls.

  29. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    was thinking the same thing…

  30. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    ticker MW here we go!!

  31. Posted by InfiniteGuest | June 15, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    Too soon.

  32. Posted by In the Know | June 15, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Yes, it is clearly insider trading when you are using non-material public information.

    -former AIGFP Quant

  33. Posted by Shorestyle | June 15, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Did “Switzerland” really just use the words “credibility” and “professionalism” in the same sentence as “UBS”  ???  Really ??

  34. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    I don’t know of a jcpenny that displays their suits outside.
    -BSC Retail Quant

  35. Posted by Gentleman Trader | June 15, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    If UBS really wanted to ”re-establish credibility and profesionalism” they should focus on not sucking. 

  36. Posted by "What are Outs??" | June 15, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Upgrading from Ringling Brothers to Brooks Brothers is the NKI

  37. Posted by Anonymous | June 15, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Well, considering they don’t get paid, MW may be aiming a bit high.  Perhaps a “Dress For Success” affiliate center?

  38. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    How am i to buy a suit when i get a zero (or near zero) bonus every year.  i am to puggy to find the right suit at a consignment shop…UBS MD

    Seriously, these guys are so bad i would suggest the equities team not wear a suit, get fired for cause and then sue and actually get paid some money….good luck to the “top 5 foreign firm in the US”….code for number 11 in the US.

  39. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    Between their new dress code and moving back to NYC, I really think UBS is turning the corner.

    -Former LEH quant who used to work in NYC and wear a suit

  40. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    “During the American Great Depression, men’s suits received a noticeable
    revival as men wore suits to remove any doubts of financial instability
    and remain positive about the future. In the 21st century, the return of
    wearing formal men’s suits to work is now mandatory work attire for
    workers of prestigious Wall Street Firms such as Lehman Brothers and
    Bear Stearns. As stock prices rise and fall, these legendary brokerage
    firms use conservative men’s suit to reassure their customers and media
    analysts that their personnel are prepared, professional and competent.”

  41. Posted by Anonymous | June 15, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Deckchairs, Titanic…

  42. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Nominated for best of the year.

  43. Posted by in love with pmco avatar | June 15, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    its pathetic, it is not what you wear, but who is wearing it

  44. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Fuck Oswald Grübel. Oswald’s polishing the brass on the Titanic.
    -Tyler D.

  45. Posted by Liza Marie Falcone | June 15, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    It’s both.

  46. Posted by Kb6 | June 15, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Do orange jumpsuits count?

  47. Posted by Anonymous | June 15, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    UBS. The proud sponser of 2012 NY Fashion Week.
     
    Take your clown suits and shove it, Herr Pavia.
     
    - Switzerland

  48. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    funny guy…

  49. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    think Brooks Brothers has a size 56 large for our NA President – Sir wolf?

  50. Posted by Anonymous | June 15, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    Lunatics, asylum

  51. Posted by Guest | June 15, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Are you suggesting tuxedos should be the preferred daily uniform?

  52. Posted by Anonymous | June 15, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Finally! – I thought we were never going to get there

  53. Posted by guest | June 16, 2011 at 1:40 AM

    only one flaw in this argument, who the hell gives interviews to anyone with UBS on their resume?

  54. Posted by Anonymous | June 16, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    UBS sucks Dick

  55. Posted by Blitzinger987 | June 16, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    You know what else instills a degree of professionalism? Making deals. Maybe UBS, instead of having its employees follow their model of pissing away money, should try that form of professionalism. 

  56. Posted by UBS_Intern | June 16, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Clip-on ties count?  Right?

  57. Posted by StatementNotReached | June 18, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    The funny thing is how the new dress code was communicated internally. A lot of techs got it late on Friday, in the form of an email forwarded many times over (“FW: FW: FW: FW …).
    It seems that the mid-level managers simply feared the likely derisive reactions from staff and chose to only release the decree at the last minute.
    The aforementioned implies that come Monday, credibility and professionalism may not be fully restored, because hundreds of people still may not know about. I will keep this esteemed forum abreast of future developments in this matter.

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