The Blick newspaper showed pictures of activists crowded against the entrances to Credit Suisse and UBS in the Paradeplatz square in the Swiss financial hub
Second-quarter net profit of $2.01 billion, up from $1.23 billion in the same quarter a year ago, far outpaced expectations for $1.34 billion in a poll of 20 analysts compiled by the bank
The domestically focused FTSE 250 index rose 0.1pc, with aero and defence stocks adding 1.7pc. Meggitt gained 3.1pc after UBS upgraded the stock to "neutral" from "sell".
"We know that maintaining your work-life balance is challenging given the demanding deal pipeline and existing remote working environment," Global Banking co-heads Ros Lesperance and Javier Oficialdegui wrote in a memo seen by Reuters and confirmed by UBS.
Mental health issues in investment banking have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and banks have responded by rolling out additional help and measures for employees.
Orcel, former head of investment banking at UBS, started in his new role on Thursday, after narrowly overcoming an investor revolt over an up to 7.5 million euro ($9 million)pay package that makes him one of Europe's best-paid bank executives.
"Getting this right in a time frame that will have a material impact is critical to the success of our business, for the service that we provide for our clients and for our customers," he said.