Prior to the financial crisis, UBS was a highly profitable, if not tax-evading, bank. It was self-assured and knew its self-worth. The last few years, however, have taken a serious toll on the firm's confidence and you know what's not helping at all? Places like London fucking with UBS's head re: how the government feels about it. In private, when they're alone, UK officials are all, "We love you, you're the one for us" and then in public it's all, "Banks are evil! Down with banks! Sorry, whose number is this?" UBS Chief executive Oswald Grubel tried to play it cool for a while, acting like he didn't care, but he's officially hit his breaking point.

Oswald Grübel, the veteran banker who has led the Swiss bank back from the brink of collapse over the past two years, said: “The government is so quiet about [the City]. Only behind closed doors do they pay lip service to wanting to keep the City. If it is abandoned by the government one day, God help you.”

Enough is enough! Do you want UBS et al in your life or not? Grubel wants a commitment now. Not tomorrow, not in five years, now, today.

“Companies like us, who have 7,000 people in the City, have to make commitments, not from today to tomorrow, we have to make 15-year lease commitments. We would like to know where the City is going in the next few years.”

Okay so, just be straight with Os about your intentions. The guilt over stringing him along must be killing you, anyway, and, not making threats but just saying, it'd be a shame if someone had to "accidentally" pull the goalie to get you to force your hand.

UBS Chief Attacks UK On Neglect Of Banks [FT]