Credit Suisse Group reports 2009 net income of CHF 6.7 billion, return on equity of 18.3%, net new assets of CHF 44.2 billion, tier 1 ratio of 16.3%
. Cash dividend of CHF 2.00 per share to be proposed for 2009
. 4Q09 net income of CHF 0.8 billion, return on equity of 8.3%, net new assets of CHF 12.5 billion
2009

Strong performance overall
- Net income of CHF 6.7 billion, a return on equity of 18.3%, net new assets of CHF 44.2 billion, tier 1 ratio of 16.3% as of year-end
- Collaboration revenues from the integrated bank of CHF 5.2 billion

Strong performance in Private Banking
- Pre-tax income of CHF 3.7 billion, net revenues of CHF 11.7 billion, net new assets of CHF 41.6 billion
- Gross margin in the Wealth Management Clients business of 131 basis points

Record results in Investment Banking
- Pre-tax income and net revenues at record levels at CHF 6.8 billion and CHF 20.5 billion respectively; pre-tax return on economic capital of 33.5%

Solid improvement in Asset Management
- Pre-tax income of CHF 35 million, net revenues of CHF 1.8 billion

4Q09

Resilient performance overall
- Net income of CHF 0.8 billion, a return on equity of 8.3%, net new assets of CHF 12.5 billion
- Results include net fair value charges on Credit Suisse debt of CHF 0.3 billion (before tax) resulting from tightening credit spreads, and the additional CHF 0.5 billion (before tax) charge for the settlement with the US authorities relating to an investigation into US dollar payments and other practices involving parties that are subject to US economic sanctions. Excluding these items, after-tax net income would have been CHF 1.4 billion and the return on equity would have been 14.6%
- Collaboration revenues from the integrated bank at a record CHF 1.6 billion

Strong performance in Private Banking
- Pre-tax income of CHF 0.9 billion
- Net inflows were strong across most businesses and amounted to CHF 12.0 billion excluding net client outflows of CHF 5.6 billion relating to a tax amnesty in Italy; this resulted in net new assets of CHF 6.4 billion
- Gross margin in the Wealth Management Clients business of 130 basis points

Resilient performance in Investment Banking
- Pre-tax income of CHF 1.0 billion
- Strong results in underwriting and advisory businesses and solid results in cash equities and prime services
- Market share maintained or increased across most products and regions
- Fixed income and equity trading revenues impacted by weaker volumes, a marked slowdown in client activity in November and December and lower volatility

Improved operating performance in Asset Management vs. 3Q09 on solid net revenues
- Pre-tax income of CHF 0.2 billion
- Net new assets of CHF 4.1 billion

Responsible approach to compensation

- Members of the Executive Board at December 31, 2009 received no variable cash compensation for 2009; all variable compensation they received for 2009 was in the form of deferred awards and subject to performance criteria, which may result in future negative adjustments
- Total variable compensation for 2009 was down 21% vs. 2007; average variable compensation for 2009 was CHF 144,000, down from CHF 180,000 for 2007
- 40% of the total variable compensation awarded across Credit Suisse for 2009 was in the form of deferred awards and subject to performance criteria, which may result in future negative adjustments
- Close to 60% of the variable compensation awarded to managing directors for 2009 was in the form of deferred awards and subject to performance criteria, which may result in future negative adjustments
- Reversal of previously accrued performance-related compensation in Investment Banking led to a negative accrual in 4Q09; full year 2009 compensation to revenue ratio in Investment Banking was at the historically low level of 41%

Credit Suisse positioned to perform well in the new regulatory environment

- Introduced a client-focused, capital-efficient strategy in 2008, at an early stage
- Exited most proprietary trading businesses in 4Q08
- Established a very strong capital base meeting Swiss regulator FINMA’s requirements for capital and leverage, which are scheduled to take effect in 2013
- Demonstrated effective liquidity management – net provider of liquidity during the crisis

Zurich, February 11, 2010 Credit Suisse Group reported net income attributable to shareholders of CHF 0.8 billion in 4Q09 and core net revenues of CHF 6.5 billion. The return on equity attributable to shareholders was 8.3% in 4Q09 and diluted earnings per share were CHF 0.56. As of the end of 4Q09, the tier 1 ratio was 16.3%.

Results in 4Q09 include net fair value charges on Credit Suisse debt of CHF 0.3 billion (before tax) resulting from tightening credit spreads, and the additional CHF 0.5 billion (before tax) charge for the settlement with the US authorities relating to an investigation into US dollar payments and other practices involving parties that are subject to US economic sanctions. Excluding these items, after-tax net income in 4Q09 would have been CHF 1.4 billion and the return on equity would have been 14.6%.

Brady W. Dougan, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our environment and the way we do business have changed fundamentally over the past two years. Credit Suisse responded swiftly and responsibly to these changes with the implementation of a client-focused, capital-efficient strategy and a business model that enables us to generate less volatile earnings. As a result, we were able to achieve a strong performance in 2009, with net income of CHF 6.7 billion, a return on equity of 18.3% and net new assets of over CHF 44 billion. We also gained significant market share and maintained our industry-leading capital position. Our business was resilient in the fourth quarter despite lower client trading activity in November and December.”

He added: “We have had a strong start to the quarter with strong client activity. Our transaction pipelines and net new asset inflows are the best we have seen since the crisis. We are confident about our prospects for 2010 given the strength of our business model, our competitive position and our ability to generate capital. The Board of Directors will propose a cash dividend of CHF 2.00 per share for 2009.”

Commenting on Private Banking, he said: “In a market that is undergoing significant structural changes, our Private Banking business has outperformed. Net inflows were strong across most businesses and amounted to CHF 12.0 billion excluding net client outflows of CHF 5.6 billion relating to a tax amnesty in Italy. This resulted in net new assets of CHF 6.4 billion in Private Banking in the fourth quarter. In our Wealth Management Clients business we recorded a strong gross margin of 130 basis points in the fourth quarter. Wealth management remains a very attractive growth market. Having invested in our Private Banking business throughout the financial crisis, we now have the operating leverage to further improve our profitability when markets and the demand for comprehensive solutions recover. Furthermore, our international presence and our integrated business model put us in a very good position to grow our business and to gain further market share.”

Commenting on Investment Banking, he said: “We continue to benefit from the action we took at the end of 2008 to reposition the business in a changed financial services sector. We achieved strong results in our underwriting and advisory businesses and solid results in cash equities and prime services in the fourth quarter of 2009. We also maintained or increased our market share across most products and regions. We are pleased with our record full-year pre-tax income and net revenues.”

Commenting on Asset Management, he said: “Our strategic measures in this business have put us on the right track. We are particularly encouraged by our good net new assets, improved operating performance and solid net revenues in the fourth quarter.”

Commenting on Credit Suisse’s home market, he said: “Our business in Switzerland continues to make a strong and stable contribution to our overall result. It accounted for CHF 11.8 billion of the CHF 41.6 billion in net new assets we generated in Private Banking in 2009. We will continue to invest in our home market as well as in our international expansion. As part of our commitment to play a responsible role in supporting an economic recovery, we have helped clients to invest in growth and to successfully manage difficult restructuring and liquidity situations. We are an important and committed lender to clients, demonstrated by the fact that we have maintained our lending in Switzerland at CHF 136.7 billion.”

Commenting on compensation, he said: “We recognize the need for institutions in our industry to change the way people are rewarded and incentivized. We have been using deferred, share-based compensation instruments for many years and in 2009 we were the first institution to announce the adoption of the guidelines for best practice that followed the G-20 summit. We implemented a new compensation structure that reaffirms Credit Suisse’s commitment to fair, balanced and performance-oriented compensation policies.”

He added: “In line with this approach, members of the Executive Board at December 31, 2009 received no variable cash compensation for 2009 and all variable compensation they received for 2009 was in the form of deferred awards and subject to performance criteria, which may result in future negative adjustments. Total variable compensation for 2009 was down 21% compared to 2007 and average variable compensation was CHF 144,000, down from CHF 180,000 for 2007. Of the total variable compensation awarded across Credit Suisse for 2009, 40% was in the form of deferred awards and subject to performance criteria, which may result in future negative adjustments. Furthermore, close to 60% of the variable compensation awarded to managing directors for 2009 was in the form of deferred awards and subject to performance criteria, which may result in future negative adjustments. In Investment Banking, our compensation to revenue ratio in the full year 2009 was at the historically low level of 41%. Overall, we have tried to strike the right balance between paying our employees competitively, doing what is right for our shareholders and responding appropriately to regulatory initiatives as well as political and public concerns. We will continue to take a responsible approach to compensation.”

He concluded: “We began at a very early stage to equip our business for the challenges of the new environment. During the last 18 months, in addition to successfully implementing a client-focused, capital-efficient strategy, we exited most of our proprietary trading businesses and took decisive action to meet regulatory requirements for capital and leverage. Thanks to our forward-looking approach, we entered this period of unprecedented industry change already in a robust position, having made considerable progress on our plans. We believe that Credit Suisse is well positioned to succeed in the face of the regulatory initiatives that are currently being discussed.”

Segment Results

Private Banking
Private Banking, which comprises the Wealth Management Clients and Corporate & Institutional Clients businesses, reported income before taxes of CHF 857 million in 4Q09, stable compared to 3Q09, as a solid 6% increase in net revenues to CHF 3,000 million was offset by a 10% increase in total operating expenses. The rise in total operating expenses was due to higher general and administrative expenses and higher compensation and benefits. General and administrative expenses increased as a result of higher IT investment costs, mainly driven by investments in international growth platforms and in applications related to investment advisory and client solutions, as well as seasonally higher sales and marketing expenses.

The Wealth Management Clients business reported income before taxes of CHF 692 million in 4Q09, down 4% compared to 3Q09, as a 6% improvement in net revenues, which reflected higher recurring as well as transaction-based revenues, was more than offset by a 9% increase in total operating expenses. The growth in recurring revenues compared to 3Q09 reflected an increase in net interest income, driven by higher margins on stable average deposit volumes and higher recurring commissions and fees, while the growth in transaction-based revenues was mainly driven by increases in foreign exchange income from client transactions, in integrated solutions revenues and in product issuing fees. The gross margin was 130 basis points in 4Q09, up 5 basis points compared to 3Q09.

The Corporate & Institutional Clients business reported income before taxes of CHF 165 million in 4Q09, up 15% compared to 3Q09. The performance was driven by a 6% increase in net revenues, mainly due to lower fair value losses related to Clock Finance, a synthetic collateralized loan portfolio, compared to 3Q09. Net provision for credit losses was CHF 17 million in 4Q09 compared to CHF 40 million in 3Q09.

Investment Banking
Investment Banking continued to execute its client-focused, capital-efficient strategy in 4Q09 and maintained or increased its market share across most products and regions. Income before taxes was CHF 1,030 million, benefiting from strong results in the underwriting and advisory businesses as well as solid results in cash equities and prime services. Income before taxes was 41% lower than in 3Q09, reflecting a significant decline in net revenues to CHF 3,038 million in 4Q09 from CHF 5,046 million in 3Q09. Net revenues were affected by lower fixed income and equity trading revenues, which were impacted by weaker volumes, a marked slowdown in client activity in November and December and lower volatility. Investment Banking’s results also reflected net fair value losses on Credit Suisse debt of CHF 243 million compared to net fair value losses of CHF 251 million in 3Q09. The pre-tax income margin was 33.9% in 4Q09 compared to 34.6% in 3Q09. The pre-tax return on economic capital was 21.9% in 4Q09, compared to 35.1% in 3Q09.

Investment Banking maintained its focus on expense discipline and efficiency improvement. Compensation expenses were CHF 870 million in 4Q09, down 59% compared to 3Q09, reflecting the reversal of previously accrued performance-related compensation. Total other operating expenses increased 6% compared to 3Q09 (excluding litigation charges of CHF 31 million in 4Q09 and CHF 47 million in 3Q09), due to higher IT investment, travel and entertainment and events expenses.

Risk-weighted assets were USD 140 billion, up slightly from the end of 3Q09, as Investment Banking grew its client-focused businesses. Average one-day, 99% Value-at-Risk increased 21% from 3Q09 to CHF 114 million.

Despite a subdued 4Q09, income before taxes and net revenues in 2009 reached record levels at CHF 6,845 million and CHF 20,537 million respectively, and the pre-tax return on economic capital improved to 33.5%.

Asset Management
Asset Management reported income before taxes of CHF 159 million in 4Q09, benefiting from an improvement in performance, placement and asset management fees compared to 3Q09. The results included, in particular, strong performance fees from Hedging-Griffo, Credit Suisse’s asset management business in Brazil, and gains from the sale of two joint ventures. Investment-related losses were CHF 47 million in 4Q09, primarily in private equity investments.

Net revenues were CHF 637 million, down 17% or CHF 128 million compared to 3Q09. However, excluding investment-related valuation effects and the gain of CHF 207 million in 3Q09 relating to the sale of part of Credit Suisse’s traditional investment strategies business to Aberdeen Asset Management, underlying revenues increased CHF 223 million.

Total operating expenses rose 5% compared to 3Q09, as an increase in general and administrative expenses was partially offset by lower performance-related compensation. As of the end of 4Q09, the fair value of the balance sheet exposure to securities purchased from Credit Suisse’s money market funds was CHF 260 million, up CHF 8 million compared to 3Q09, and gains were CHF 47 million.

Net New Assets
In Private Banking, net inflows were strong across most businesses and amounted to CHF 12.0 billion excluding net client outflows of CHF 5.6 billion relating to a tax amnesty in Italy that negatively impacted net new assets in Europe, Middle East and Africa and Switzerland. This resulted in net new assets of CHF 6.4 billion in Private Banking in 4Q09, of which CHF 5.4 billion were generated in the Wealth Management Clients business. The annualized quarterly growth rate in Wealth Management Clients was 2.7% in 4Q09.

Asset Management reported net new assets of CHF 4.1 billion in 4Q09, including inflows of CHF 6.6 billion in targeted investment strategies, mainly in real estate and exchange traded funds, and CHF 0.8 billion in Swiss advisory, partially offset by outflows of CHF 3.6 billion in multi-asset class solutions, which included the impact of a tax amnesty in Italy.

Credit Suisse Group’s total assets under management from continuing operations were CHF 1,229.0 billion as of the end of 4Q09, up CHF 3.7 billion or 0.3% from the end of 3Q09 and up CHF 122.9 billion or 11.1% from the end of 4Q08.

Benefits of the integrated bank
Credit Suisse generated a record CHF 1.6 billion in collaboration revenues from the integrated bank in 4Q09, up from CHF 1.1 billion in 3Q09, bringing the total in 2009 to CHF 5.2 billion.

Capital position
Credit Suisse’s capital position remains very strong. The tier 1 ratio was 16.3% as of the end of 4Q09, compared to 16.4% as of the end of 3Q09 and 13.3% as of the end of 4Q08.

Dividend proposal
The Board of Directors will propose a cash dividend of CHF 2.00 per share for 2009 to the Annual General Meeting on April 30, 2010, compared to a cash dividend of CHF 0.10 per share for 2008.

Long-term initiatives
As one of Switzerland’s largest employers and providers of training, Credit Suisse has a duty to enhance the country’s position as a center of expertise and to promote entrepreneurship and is taking long-term initiatives with this in mind:
- Credit Suisse plans to create a further 150 apprenticeships in Switzerland and invest CHF 30 million over the next five years in training programs run by non-profit organizations that help young people to find an apprenticeship and enter the job market.
- In conjunction with the Swiss Venture Club, Credit Suisse will provide up to CHF 100 million of risk capital to small and medium-sized enterprises and young entrepreneurs, primarily to promote the creation of jobs in Switzerland.
- As part of a program launched by the Swiss IT and communication technology umbrella association, Credit Suisse plans to invest up to CHF 10 million in promoting professional education in the IT sector. The program aims to create over 1,000 new IT apprenticeships in Switzerland by 2015.