"We've set aggressive cost cutting targets and past cost cutting is a big benefit to us coming into 2013. But we think there are additional ways in which we can continue to do that and the environment will continue to present challenge," Dougan said.
The Zurich-based bank said it will slash spending by 4.4 billion swiss francs ($4.83 billion) by the end of 2015, an increase of 400 million after earlier posting a lower-than-expected fourth quarter net profit of 397 million francs ($537.2 million) missing analyst forecasts.
Dougan insisted despite the prevailing economic headwinds the bank had put in a good performance.
"It was a good performance in a challenging quarter and towards the end of the fourth quarter we tend to see a slowdown in client activity and we saw that again this period. But it was a solid result. Our returns were best in class in terms of Basel III compliant business and we're best in class," Dougan said.
"This year has started off like most years with good activity but we don't want to make too much of that, as it's only five weeks into the year. We have completely transformed our business in the course of 2012. Our cost base is lower, our risk is lower. We've built up our capital so we feel whatever comes this year we're going to take better advantage of it," Dougan added.
He said that while the tentative recovery was good it remained fragile and macro-economic concerns could rear up to destabilize market confidence.
"People are being more opportunistic but as we've seen in previous years that can be fragile and clients are feeling more confident. Some of the broader issues such as euro zone issue and in the U.S. issues on the fiscal front [are risks] as well as growth around the world. I am sure there'll be ups and downs this year," he said.
The banks shares opened flat at the start of trading Thursday.
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