Tax deals may cost Swiss 248 bln Sfr assets -study

* Western European assets seen down at 623 bln Sfr by 2014

* Switzerland to remain world's biggest offshore centre, for now

* Singapore, Hong Kong could overtake Swiss in 15-20 years

* Banks need to cut 15,500 jobs to stay profitable

By Emma Thomasson

ZURICH, May 31 (Reuters) - Swiss banks could see assets from western European clients fall 28 percent because of deals to tax undeclared accounts, potentially forcing the industry to cut up to 15,500 jobs to stay profitable, the Boston Consulting Group said.

The BCG predicted in its annual global wealth report on Thursday that western European assets booked in Switzerland could fall 248 billion Swiss francs ($256 billion) to 623 billion by 2014.

"We see a shock in terms of assets from western Europe," Matthias Naumann, BCG Switzerland chief executive, told a news conference. "The Swiss banking landscape is facing its biggest transformation in 250 years."

After mounting criticism of its tradition of bank secrecy, Switzerland has agreed to clamp down on foreign tax evaders who have stashed their wealth in Swiss accounts.

It has signed deals with Austria, Britain and Germany, to levy punitive taxes on undeclared assets held in its banks and a withholding tax on future client income that are due to come into force in 2013. Similar agreements with Greece, Italy and other European countries could follow.

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Tax deals may cost Swiss 248 bln Sfr assets -study

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