Credit Suisse Is Losing Mideast Staff Over a Toxic Work Culture

Credit Suisse Is Losing Mideast Staff Over a Toxic Work Culture

(Bloomberg) -- Bruno Daher, Credit Suisse Group AG's top executive in the Middle East, had an unusual message at a May sales meeting: an apology. He was sorry about having said earlier that he’d put a gun to his bankers’ heads if they didn’t shape up. He tends to speak in metaphors, he explained.

The contrition was striking because it contrasted so sharply with his typical approach. Behind the scenes at the operation that tends to fortunes in the region, Daher was better known for fiery displays and direct personal attacks, harangues peppered with expletives. He once tossed a Swiss flag into the trash and wielded threats that have prompted complaints from his staff, according to people who have worked with him.