Financial institution of America has minimize quick a web-based consumer convention on geopolitics and apologised to attendees after some balked at what they noticed as pro-Russian feedback concerning the conflict in Ukraine, in response to three individuals who attended the occasion.

The convention was designed as a two-day occasion starting on Tuesday, however BofA Securities cancelled three periods addressing US sanctions on Russia and Russia-US relations. The transfer got here after some shoppers complained concerning the tone of feedback by audio system from inside and outdoors the financial institution throughout on-line boards on Tuesday.

The financial institution’s head of analysis telephoned shoppers after the occasion to apologise for the content material of Tuesday’s periods, in response to three individuals conversant in the matter.

“I nonetheless don’t get why US banks nonetheless wheel out audio system at occasions for shoppers who so typically roll through Moscow’s speaking factors on the conflict in Ukraine,” Timothy Ash of BlueBay Asset Administration, a Russia specialist who attended the convention, wrote on Twitter.

He advised the Monetary Occasions: “Clearly Moscow is in an info conflict with the west. It has an curiosity in influencing how western banks painting the battle, and banks must be conscious of that.”

Financial institution of America stated the assembly was one among many who embody exterior audio system to assist its shoppers perceive points affecting their funding selections.

It stated in a press release: “All our exterior audio system are unbiased and the varied views expressed are their very own. We’ve apologised to these shoppers who voiced their displeasure at a few of the views expressed.”

Funding banks typically host audio system with controversial views as a part of their efforts to produce a broad vary of opinions to their shoppers. However a few of these current at Tuesday’s occasion stated it was uncommon for such one-sided views to be offered with out there being different viewpoints for steadiness.

“It was extra like Financial institution of Russia than Financial institution of America,” stated a type of current. “The entire occasion was overwhelmingly pro-Russian.”

One other individual described Tuesday’s periods as “relentlessly anti-Ukrainian”.

Two individuals on the decision stated that Daniel Sheehan, BofA Securities’ head of worldwide relations, was essential of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing him as “a grasp manipulator and mimic” about whom there have been “severe issues” within the US administration. A spokesperson for Zelenskyy didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

A BofA spokesperson stated the financial institution disagreed with this interpretation of Sheehan’s remarks.

A kind of current stated they felt one speaker, Nicolai Petro, a professor of political science on the College of Rhode Island, “stated stuff that was completely surprising . . . it was straight out of the international ministry of Russia”.

Nevertheless, Petro has countered that individuals who complained “had their very own agenda” and had “actually not listened” to what he stated.

In his ready speech, which he shared with the FT, Petro’s remarks included: “Below any state of affairs, Ukraine can be the overwhelming loser” within the conflict. Its industrial capability can be “devastated”, partly by its financial coverage of turning into an agricultural superpower “as beneficial by the EU and the USA” and its inhabitants would proceed to shrink as individuals left to search for employment overseas.

“If that is what Russia meant by eradicating Ukraine’s capability to wage conflict in opposition to Russia, then it’s going to arguably have received,” he stated.

He stated the US authorities had no real interest in a ceasefire because it had probably the most to realize from a chronic battle by way of a “dramatic improve in EU vitality and navy dependence on the US”.

After the speak, Ash requested Petro quite a few questions. One attendee stated that Petro’s views have been “not praising [Russian president Vladimir] Putin” and that it appeared that Ash wished to push an agenda.

Ash stated his solely agenda was “to ensure western banks undertake a balanced strategy to the battle and don’t get sucked into simply echoing Moscow’s speaking factors”.

One other individual current stated that, whereas views reminiscent of Petro’s could also be offensive to many within the west, it was vital to listen to them expressed.

“It does convey details about how different individuals assume,” the individual stated. “If that’s how individuals in Russia take into consideration how the battle has advanced, that’s vital to know.”

Extra reporting by Laurence Fletcher