Heinz Huber, the chair of the executive board at Raiffeisen Switzerland, is set to make headlines as he transitions to become the president of Graubündner Kantonalbank (GKB) starting on July 1, 2025. This unexpected move has drawn attention, especially since Huber will depart Raiffeisen at the end of this month, marking the conclusion of nearly six impactful years at the helm.
Under Huber's leadership, Raiffeisen has navigated through turbulent times. His resignation on December 31, 2024, takes many by surprise, especially since, as recently as August, he expressed enthusiasm for his role at Raiffeisen, claiming, “A resignation is not on my agenda. I enjoy working at Raiffeisen and look forward to advancing the development of this banking group with our employees” (Original quote in German: "Ein Rücktritt ist für mich kein Thema. Ich arbeite sehr gern bei Raiffeisen und habe Freude daran, die Entwicklung dieser Bankengruppe gemeinsam mit den Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern voranzutreiben.").
Christian Poerschke, currently the deputy chair of Raiffeisen's executive board and head of the finance and services department, will serve as interim chair following Huber's exit. Having dedicated 18 years to Raiffeisen, Poerschke's experience will be invaluable during this transition, allowing the bank to maintain stability as it prepares for new leadership.
This change at Raiffeisen occurs as the bank enjoys notable financial success. Under Huber’s stewardship, Raiffeisen has expanded across all business areas with earnings reported at 4.1 billion Swiss Francs—a 15% increase year-over-year. Profit for the last year leaped to 1.39 billion Francs, which is 17.7% higher than the previous year. Chairman Thomas Müller praised Huber's prudence and steady hands during challenging times, underscoring the significant impact Huber had on the organization's current success.
Huber took over leadership at Raiffeisen on January 7, 2019, at a tumultuous time strategically, following the Vincenz scandal, which saw the former CEO embroiled in fraud allegations. The year before Huber’s arrival had been defined by grappling with severe financial losses resulting from poor investments made under the previous management. Yet, through his efforts, Huber ushered Raiffeisen back to profitability and set the stage for future successes, leading the organization confidently forward.
His forthcoming role at GKB follows the announcement of Peter Fanconi's retirement, which is noteworthy as Fanconi had only been expected to serve until March 2026. Fanconi came under scrutiny due to GKB's involvement with the bankrupt Austrian real estate group Signa, owned by investor René Benko. Following the commission of a report to investigate this situation, it was confirmed Fanconi faced no wrongdoing, leaving behind mixed sentiments as he steps down.
Looking forward to his new tenure, Huber has expressed excitement for the opportunity at GKB, where he also holds personal ties, having maintained a second residence in the region of Graubünden. The GKB board has already set strategies to ease Huber's transition, allowing Fanconi to remain until Huber’s start date, ensuring continuity and momentum as the new president takes the reins.
The GKB shares remained stable at 1,760.00 Francs on the SIX exchange, reflecting confidence amid these leadership changes. Huber will assume his role officially following his departure from Raiffeisen, where lasting decisions and strategic directions have set the bank on solid ground.
While many applaud Huber's history as the leader of Raiffeisen, his upcoming position at GKB carries high expectations for innovative banking practices and continued growth strategies. The banking community will be watching closely as he embarks on this next chapter, hoping for his proven leadership to propel GKB to new heights.
