Financial institution of America has lower brief a web based shopper convention on geopolitics and apologised to attendees after some balked at what they noticed as pro-Russian feedback in regards to the warfare in Ukraine, in line with three individuals who attended the occasion.

The convention was designed as a two-day occasion starting on Tuesday, however BofA Securities cancelled three classes addressing US sanctions on Russia and Russia-US relations. The transfer got here after some purchasers complained in regards to 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 purchasers after the occasion to apologise for the content material of Tuesday’s classes, in line with three individuals conversant in the matter.

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

He instructed the Monetary Instances: “Clearly Moscow is in an info warfare with the west. It has an curiosity in influencing how western banks painting the battle, and banks must be aware of that.”

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

It mentioned in an announcement: “All our exterior audio system are unbiased and the various views expressed are their very own. We have now apologised to these purchasers who voiced their displeasure at among the views expressed.”

Funding banks usually host audio system with controversial views as a part of their efforts to produce a broad vary of opinions to their purchasers. However a few of these current at Tuesday’s occasion mentioned 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,” mentioned a kind of current. “The entire occasion was overwhelmingly pro-Russian.”

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

Two individuals on the decision mentioned 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 “critical issues” within the US administration. A spokesperson for Zelenskyy didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

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

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

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

In his ready speech, which he shared with the FT, Petro’s remarks included: “Below any situation, Ukraine could be the overwhelming loser” within the warfare. Its industrial capability could be “devastated”, partly by its financial coverage of changing into an agricultural superpower “as beneficial by the EU and the US” 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 warfare in opposition to Russia, then it is going to arguably have received,” he mentioned.

He mentioned the US authorities had no real interest in a ceasefire because it had essentially the most to achieve from a chronic battle by a “dramatic improve in EU power and navy dependence on the US”.

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

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

One other individual current mentioned that, whereas views akin to 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 suppose,” the individual mentioned. “If that’s how individuals in Russia take into consideration how the battle has developed, that’s vital to know.”

Extra reporting by Laurence Fletcher