We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
UBS Group AG (UBS) Stands Trial for Tax Evasion in France
Read MoreHide Full Article
On Monday, the very first day of a trial in France, Swiss bank, UBS Group AG (UBS - Free Report) , its French unit, and six executives were charged of tax fraud and money laundering against allegations that the bank helped its clients in the country to evade taxes, per Reuters.
Notably, following a seven-year probe into such allegations and abandoned settlement negotiations, the bank is liable to counter allegations of illegally soliciting clients in France. Precisely, the bank is expected to be penalized with around 5 billion euros ($5.76 billion), along with damages to be paid to the French regulators of around 1.6 billion euros.
On the first day of the hearing, lawyers for UBS Group AG argued on the part of dropping the money-laundering charges and proceeds with the tax fraud to decrease penalties. Per Swiss bank’s lawyer Jean Veil, the amount demanded as damages by the French state damages is extreme. "They are asking crazy amounts," he told the court.
Defending its position, "After more than six years of legal proceedings, we will finally have the opportunity to respond to the often unfounded allegations that were frequently leaked to the media, in clear violation of the presumption of innocence and the legal confidentiality of the process," UBS noted in a statement prior to the trial.
Notably, the case is scheduled to continue till Nov 15.
Background
UBS has been under investigation by the French authorities on potential charges of illegally soliciting clients in France to open Swiss accounts for hiding undisclosed wealth during the period between 2004 and 2012. Later, the investigation included money-laundering charges against the bank.
Following the failure of settlement talks on account of UBS’ refusal to plead guilty, the bank was ordered to pay a €1.1 billion bail amount in July 2014. Apprehending adverse impact on its business, UBS restrained from pleading guilty. The bank appealed against the verdict citing that the bail amount as "unprecedented and unwarranted." Notably, UBS pressed for the figure equivalent to €300 million, which the bank paid as settlement in 2014, to German authorities related to a similar probe into whether or not the banking giant helped clients in the country evade taxes.
However, after losing an initial appeal against the €1.1-billion bail payment in September 2014, the bank’s appeal was rejected again in December 2014 by France’s apex appeals court, Cour de Cassation. Disappointed with the ruling, UBS had proposed to contest the court’s decision, including the right to a fair trial, at the European Court of Human Rights.
In March 2017, according to a French judicial official, the investigating panel from PNF — the national financial prosecutor office — has claimed the charges against the bank as valid and ordered the case to be sent to trial at a later date.
According to the PNF, UBS holds fraudulent money worth around €9.76 billion on behalf of French individuals. On losing the trial, the fine may amount to 50% of the value or funds which were related to laundering operations, per the French Criminal Code.
Nonetheless, UBS disagreed with the allegations and legal analysis, strongly defending itself and looking forward to a fair proceeding.
Similar Cases
Notably, in 2009 the Swiss bank had paid $780 million to regulators as settlement related to U.S. criminal and civil investigation, and admitted that it had helped clients evade taxes. UBS is not the only Swiss bank to be involved in such issues. In May 2014, Credit Suisse Group AG pleaded guilty to criminal charges of assisting its U.S. clients to evade taxes and agreed to shell out $2.8 billion as settlement charges to the U.S. authorities.
Conclusion
We believe the ongoing investigations on banks will be a step ahead toward reducing the huge losses incurred due to offshore tax evasion. Regulatory authorities are investigating scandals and are determined to put forward a landmark judgment to curb such shrewd practices.
Shares of UBS have lost around 13.3% in the past year compared with the 11.6% decline recorded by the industry.
UBS Group AG currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
National Bank of Canada (NTIOF - Free Report) has been witnessing upward estimate revisions for the last 60 days. Also, the company’s shares have risen nearly 3.8% over the past six months. It currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
Image: Bigstock
UBS Group AG (UBS) Stands Trial for Tax Evasion in France
On Monday, the very first day of a trial in France, Swiss bank, UBS Group AG (UBS - Free Report) , its French unit, and six executives were charged of tax fraud and money laundering against allegations that the bank helped its clients in the country to evade taxes, per Reuters.
Notably, following a seven-year probe into such allegations and abandoned settlement negotiations, the bank is liable to counter allegations of illegally soliciting clients in France. Precisely, the bank is expected to be penalized with around 5 billion euros ($5.76 billion), along with damages to be paid to the French regulators of around 1.6 billion euros.
On the first day of the hearing, lawyers for UBS Group AG argued on the part of dropping the money-laundering charges and proceeds with the tax fraud to decrease penalties. Per Swiss bank’s lawyer Jean Veil, the amount demanded as damages by the French state damages is extreme. "They are asking crazy amounts," he told the court.
Defending its position, "After more than six years of legal proceedings, we will finally have the opportunity to respond to the often unfounded allegations that were frequently leaked to the media, in clear violation of the presumption of innocence and the legal confidentiality of the process," UBS noted in a statement prior to the trial.
Notably, the case is scheduled to continue till Nov 15.
Background
UBS has been under investigation by the French authorities on potential charges of illegally soliciting clients in France to open Swiss accounts for hiding undisclosed wealth during the period between 2004 and 2012. Later, the investigation included money-laundering charges against the bank.
Following the failure of settlement talks on account of UBS’ refusal to plead guilty, the bank was ordered to pay a €1.1 billion bail amount in July 2014. Apprehending adverse impact on its business, UBS restrained from pleading guilty. The bank appealed against the verdict citing that the bail amount as "unprecedented and unwarranted." Notably, UBS pressed for the figure equivalent to €300 million, which the bank paid as settlement in 2014, to German authorities related to a similar probe into whether or not the banking giant helped clients in the country evade taxes.
However, after losing an initial appeal against the €1.1-billion bail payment in September 2014, the bank’s appeal was rejected again in December 2014 by France’s apex appeals court, Cour de Cassation. Disappointed with the ruling, UBS had proposed to contest the court’s decision, including the right to a fair trial, at the European Court of Human Rights.
In March 2017, according to a French judicial official, the investigating panel from PNF — the national financial prosecutor office — has claimed the charges against the bank as valid and ordered the case to be sent to trial at a later date.
According to the PNF, UBS holds fraudulent money worth around €9.76 billion on behalf of French individuals. On losing the trial, the fine may amount to 50% of the value or funds which were related to laundering operations, per the French Criminal Code.
Nonetheless, UBS disagreed with the allegations and legal analysis, strongly defending itself and looking forward to a fair proceeding.
Similar Cases
Notably, in 2009 the Swiss bank had paid $780 million to regulators as settlement related to U.S. criminal and civil investigation, and admitted that it had helped clients evade taxes. UBS is not the only Swiss bank to be involved in such issues. In May 2014, Credit Suisse Group AG pleaded guilty to criminal charges of assisting its U.S. clients to evade taxes and agreed to shell out $2.8 billion as settlement charges to the U.S. authorities.
Conclusion
We believe the ongoing investigations on banks will be a step ahead toward reducing the huge losses incurred due to offshore tax evasion. Regulatory authorities are investigating scandals and are determined to put forward a landmark judgment to curb such shrewd practices.
Shares of UBS have lost around 13.3% in the past year compared with the 11.6% decline recorded by the industry.
UBS Group AG currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Stocks to Consider
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD - Free Report) has been witnessing upward estimate revisions for the last 60 days. Further, the stock gained over 1% year to date. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
National Bank of Canada (NTIOF - Free Report) has been witnessing upward estimate revisions for the last 60 days. Also, the company’s shares have risen nearly 3.8% over the past six months. It currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>