Finance
Exclusive-UBS Veteran Banker L’Esperance to Leave Investment Bank, Memo Says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 27, 2026
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Ros L’Esperance, executive vice chair of UBS’s Investment Bank, will depart the bank at the end of March to pursue outside opportunities, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.
Ros L’Esperance, Senior UBS Banker, to Depart Investment Bank This Month
Ros L’Esperance’s Departure from UBS Investment Bank
By Echo Wang
Announcement of Departure
NEW YORK, March 27 (Reuters) - Ros L’Esperance, one of UBS’s most senior investment bankers, is leaving the Swiss bank at the end of the month, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.
Reason for Leaving and Leadership Changes
L’Esperance, who served as executive vice chair of UBS’s Investment Bank, is departing to pursue outside opportunities, according to the memo from Marco Valla, co-president of UBS’s Investment Bank and head of global banking. Valla succeeded L’Esperance in the top banking role in 2023.When Valla joined UBS from Barclays in 2023, L’Esperance stepped back from her role as co-head of global banking to focus on strategy and build a new advisory group for the firm’s most senior client-facing bankers.
Career Highlights and Background
Previous Roles at Lehman Brothers and Barclays
L’Esperance first joined UBS in 2014, having previously served as head of global corporate finance at Lehman Brothers and later at Barclays following its acquisition of Lehman's North American investment banking and capital markets businesses during the 2008 financial crisis.
Recognition and Influence in the Industry
In the memo, Valla praised her as one of the most influential bankers on Wall Street, saying she played a major role in developing the global banking franchise into what it is today, and highlighted her mentorship of colleagues throughout her career.
Barron's named L'Esperance one of the "100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance".
Official Responses
UBS declined to comment. L’Esperance could not immediately be reached.
(Reporting by Echo Wang in New York; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Key Takeaways
- •L’Esperance helped shape UBS’s global banking franchise since joining in 2014, after tenures at Lehman Brothers and Barclays.
- •Her move follows a strategic shift in 2023 when Marco Valla succeeded her as head of global banking while she focused on advisory strategy.
- •Barron’s has recognized her among the top influential women in U.S. finance, underscoring her prominence on Wall Street.
Frequently Asked Questions about Exclusive-UBS veteran banker L’Esperance to leave investment bank, memo says
1Who is Ros L’Esperance?
Ros L’Esperance is a senior investment banker who served as executive vice chair of UBS’s Investment Bank and has had significant roles at Lehman Brothers and Barclays.
2Why is Ros L’Esperance leaving UBS?
According to an internal memo, Ros L’Esperance is leaving UBS at the end of the month to pursue outside opportunities.
3What roles did Ros L’Esperance hold at UBS?
Ros L’Esperance served as executive vice chair of UBS’s Investment Bank, previously co-head of global banking, and focused on strategy and senior client advisory.
4How long has Ros L’Esperance been with UBS?
Ros L’Esperance joined UBS in 2014 after previous positions at Lehman Brothers and Barclays.
5Who will succeed Ros L’Esperance in her role?
Marco Valla, who joined UBS from Barclays in 2023, succeeded L’Esperance in the top banking role.
