Ex-Cazenove Chief Pickering on London's Banking Culture, Executive Pay, and NatWest Sale
Feb 22, 2024
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Former Cazenove CEO reflects on London's banking culture, challenges of executive pay, and the ethical dilemma of NatWest's retail offer. Explore the evolution of London's banking culture, regulatory challenges in the IPO market, comparisons of financial centers post-Brexit, and the importance of inclusive investment opportunities.
Competitive pay and regulations hinder top talent recruitment in London's banking culture.
Ethical dilemmas arise in retail offer decisions like NatWest sale, highlighting industry challenges.
Deep dives
Casenove's Unique Position in London's Financial Landscape
Casenove stood out as one of the last private UK investment banks with a discreet and prestigious image in the city of London. Its refusal to sell out during the Big Bang reforms of 1986 set it apart from other firms that merged to form larger financial institutions. With a male-dominated and exclusive environment, Casenove maintained its independence to provide clients with unbiased advice.
Cultural Shifts in Banking Strategies
The transition from traditional relationship-focused banking to a more modern product-focused approach marked Casenove's evolution during the integration with JP Morgan. The shift in the banking landscape towards global banking practices emphasized product sales and client acquisition over traditional retained relationships. This cultural clash reflected broader changes in the financial sector, highlighting the challenges of adapting to new industry norms.
Challenges and Opportunities for Small Investment Banks Post-Financial Crisis
The impact of deal droughts on small investment banks like Numis underscores the vulnerability of boutique firms to market fluctuations. Regulatory changes and economic factors have shaped the competitive landscape, posing challenges for smaller brokers reliant on domestic deal flow. Despite difficulties, opportunities exist for niche boutique banks that can adapt their business mix and strategic focus to weather industry challenges.
Robert Pickering, once the chief executive of former private British investment bank Cazenove, joins to discuss his book Blue Blood: Cazenove in The Age of Global Banking and reflect on London's banking landscape. He says that competitive pay is a big problem and that “too many regulations” are getting in the way of snaring top talent. Discussing the prospect of NatWest’s retail offer, Pickering says there’s an ethical dilemma at work.