20-F
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 3, 2014
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number: 001-15244
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Paradeplatz 8, CH 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices)
David R. Mathers
Chief Financial Officer
Paradeplatz 8, CH 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
david.mathers@credit-suisse.com
Telephone: +41 44 333 6607
Fax: +41 44 333 1790
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Commission file number: 001-33434
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Paradeplatz 8, CH 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices)
David R. Mathers
Chief Financial Officer
Paradeplatz 8, CH 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
david.mathers@credit-suisse.com
Telephone: +41 44 333 6607
Fax: +41 44 333 1790
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
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Title of each class of securities |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
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Credit Suisse Group AG |
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American Depositary Shares each representing one Share |
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New York Stock Exchange |
Shares par value CHF 0.04* |
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New York Stock Exchange* |
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Credit Suisse AG |
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Fixed to Floating Rate Tier 1 Capital Notes |
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New York Stock Exchange |
Floating Rate Tier 1 Capital Notes |
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New York Stock Exchange |
Exchange Traded Notes due February 19, 2020 Linked to the Credit Suisse Long/Short Liquid Index (Net) |
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NYSE Arca |
Credit Suisse Equal Weight MLP Index Exchange Traded Notes due April 20, 2020 Linked to the Cushing® 30 MLP Index |
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NYSE Arca |
Exchange Traded Notes due October 6, 2020 Linked to the Credit Suisse Merger Arbitrage Liquid Index (Net) |
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NYSE Arca |
Exchange Traded Notes due March 13, 2031 Linked on a Leveraged Basis to the Credit Suisse Merger Arbitrage Liquid Index (Net) |
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NYSE Arca |
Market Neutral Equity ETN Linked to the HS Market Neutral Index Powered by HOLT™ due September 22, 2031 |
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NYSE Arca |
VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short Term ETN Linked to the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures™ Index due December 4, 2030 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Medium Term ETN Linked to the S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures™ Index due December 4, 2030 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocityShares VIX Short Term ETN Linked to the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures™ Index due December 4, 2030 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocityShares VIX Medium Term ETN Linked to the S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures™ Index due December 4, 2030 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX Short Term ETN Linked to the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures™ Index due December 4, 2030 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX Medium Term ETN Linked to the S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures™ Index due December 4, 2030 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocitySharesTM 3x Long Gold ETN Linked to the S&P GSCI® Gold Index ER due October 14, 2031 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocitySharesTM 3x Long Silver ETN Linked to the S&P GSCI® Silver Index ER due October 14, 2031 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocitySharesTM 3x Inverse Gold ETN Linked to the S&P GSCI® Gold Index ER due October 14, 2031 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocitySharesTM 3x Inverse Silver ETN Linked to the S&P GSCI® Silver Index ER due October 14, 2031 |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
VelocitySharesTM 3x Long Crude Oil ETN Linked to the S&P GSCI® Crude Oil Index ER due February 9, 2032 |
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NYSE Arca |
VelocitySharesTM 3x Long Natural Gas ETN Linked to the S&P GSCI® Natural Gas Index ER due February 9, 2032 |
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NYSE Arca |
VelocitySharesTM 3x Inverse Crude Oil ETN Linked to the S&P GSCI® Crude Oil Index ER due February 9, 2032 |
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NYSE Arca |
VelocitySharesTM 3x Inverse Natural Gas ETN Linked to the S&P GSCI® Natural Gas Index ER due February 9, 2032 |
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NYSE Arca |
Credit Suisse Gold Shares Covered Call Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) due February 2, 2033 Linked to the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS™ 103 Index |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
Credit Suisse Silver Shares Covered Call Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) due April 21, 2033 Linked to the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Silver FLOWS™ 106 Index |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market |
Credit Suisse Commodity Benchmark Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) due June 15, 2033 Linked to the Credit Suisse Commodity Benchmark Total Return Index |
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NYSE Arca |
Credit Suisse Commodity Rotation Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) due June 15, 2033 Linked to the Credit Suisse Commodity Backwardation Total Return Index |
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NYSE Arca |
Credit Suisse FI Enhanced Europe 50 Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) due September 10, 2018 Linked to the STOXX Europe 50® USD (Gross Return) Index |
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NYSE Arca |
Credit Suisse FI Enhanced Big Cap Growth Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) due October 22, 2018 Linked to the Russell 1000® Growth Index Total Return |
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NYSE Arca |
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* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares |
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of
December 31, 2013: 1,590,936,195 shares of Credit Suisse Group AG
Indicate by check mark if the Registrants are well-known seasoned issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the Registrants are not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrants were required to file such reports) and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether Registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (paragraph 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, or non-accelerated filers. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large accelerated filers Accelerated filers Non-accelerated filers
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the Registrants have used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP International Other
Financial Reporting Standards
as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are shell companies
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes No
DefinitionsSourcesCautionary statement regarding forward-looking informationPart I Item 1. Identity of directors, senior management and advisers.Item 2. Offer statistics and expected timetable.Item 3. Key information.Item 4. Information on the company.Item 4A. Unresolved staff comments.Item 5. Operating and financial review and prospects.Item 6. Directors, senior management and employees.Item 7. Major shareholders and related party transactions.Item 8. Financial information.Item 9. The offer and listing.Item 10. Additional information.Item 11. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.Item 12. Description of securities other than equity securities.Part IIItem 13. Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies.Item 14. Material modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds.Item 15. Controls and procedures.Item 16A. Audit committee financial expert.Item 16B. Code of ethics.Item 16C. Principal accountant fees and services.Item 16D. Exemptions from the listing standards for audit committee.Item 16E. Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers.Item 16F. Change in registrants’ certifying accountant.Item 16G. Corporate governance.Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure.Part IIIItem 17. Financial statements.Item 18. Financial statements.Item 19. Exhibits.SIGNATURES
For the purposes of this Form 20-F and the attached Annual Report 2013, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Credit Suisse Group,” “Credit Suisse,” “the Group,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean Credit Suisse Group AG and its consolidated subsidiaries and the term “the Bank” means Credit Suisse AG, the Swiss bank subsidiary of the Group, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The business of the Bank is substantially similar to the Group and, except where noted or the context otherwise requires, information relating to the Group is also relevant to the Bank.
Abbreviations and selected terms are explained in the List of abbreviations and the Glossary in the back of the Annual Report 2013.
Throughout this Form 20-F and the attached Annual Report 2013, we describe the position and ranking of our various businesses in certain industry and geographic markets. The sources for such descriptions come from a variety of conventional publications generally accepted as relevant business indicators by members of the financial services industry. These sources include: Standard & Poor’s, Thomson Financial, Dealogic, the Loan Pricing Corporation, Institutional Investor, Lipper, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information on the inside page of the back cover of the attached Annual Report 2013
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Item 1. Identity of directors, senior management and advisers.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
Item 2. Offer statistics and expected timetable.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
A – Selected financial data.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see Appendix – Selected five-year information – Group on page A-2 and – Bank on page A-3 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, please see IX – Additional information – Other information – Foreign currency translation rates on page 504 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
B – Capitalization and indebtedness.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
C – Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
D – Risk factors.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see I – Information on the company – Risk factors on pages 35 to 42 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Item 4. Information on the company.
A – History and development of the company.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see I – Information on the company – Organizational and regional structure on pages 22 to 23, and IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Overview – Company on pages 147 to 148 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see Note 3 – Business developments, significant shareholders and subsequent events in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on page 226 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and, for the Bank, please see Note 3 – Business developments and subsequent events in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on page 385 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
B – Business overview.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see I – Information on the company on pages 10 to 42 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see Note 5 – Segment information in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 229 to 231 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and, for the Bank, please see Note 5 – Segment information in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on pages 387 to 388 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
C – Organizational structure.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see I – Information on the company – Organizational and regional structure on pages 22 to 23 and II – Operating and financial review – Credit Suisse – Differences between Group and Bank on pages 48 to 50 of the attached Annual Report 2013. For a list of Credit Suisse’s significant subsidiaries, please see Note 39 – Significant subsidiaries and equity method investments in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 337 to 339 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and, for a list of the Bank’s significant subsidiaries, please see Note 37 – Significant subsidiaries and equity method investments in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on pages 456 to 458 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
D – Property, plant and equipment.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IX – Additional information – Other information – Property and equipment on page 503 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Information Required by Industry Guide 3.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IX – Additional information – Statistical information on pages 480 to 498 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for both Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Risk management – Credit risk – Loans – Impaired loans on pages 133 to 134 and – Provision for credit losses on page 133 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Disclosure pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
As stated in the Credit Suisse Annual Report 2012, in 2005 and earlier, Credit Suisse AG, through a business line operating in Switzerland, entered into export finance credit facilities involving Iranian parties, through bilateral contracts and as a member of lending syndicates. Credit Suisse AG loaned funds under these credit facilities for project finance activities in Iran that did not support or facilitate Iran’s nuclear weapons proliferation efforts, its acquisition of other military items, or its support of terrorism. Our participation in these credit facilities was legal under applicable law. The Iranian parties involved in certain of these credit facilities entered into between 2001 and 2005 subsequently were designated Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons pursuant to an Executive Order of the President of the United States, or fall within the US government’s definition of the government of Iran (which includes government-controlled entities). Default on these credit facilities is subject to export financing insurance provided by European governmental export credit agencies.
Credit Suisse AG does not generally calculate gross revenues or net profits from individual export finance credit facilities of this type; however, Credit Suisse AG estimates that it recognized approximately CHF 0.4 million in interest income in 2013 on these credit facilities and believes that it has not earned any related net profit in 2013 and over the life of these credit facilities. While Credit Suisse AG ceased providing funds to any Iranian parties pursuant to any of these credit facilities several years ago, it has continued, where possible, to receive repayment of funds owed to it. In 2013, Credit Suisse AG received insurance payments totaling CHF 12.1 million from the Swiss governmental export credit agency and payments totaling CHF 15.6 million from financial institutions acting as agents of lending syndicates, both in partial payment under certain of these credit facilities. As of December 31, 2013, approximately CHF 4.8 million was owed to Credit Suisse AG under these credit facilities which is not covered by the European governmental export credit agency guarantees, out of a total amount of approximately CHF 103.0 million outstanding. Credit Suisse AG will continue to seek repayment of funds it is owed under these credit facilities pursuant to its contractual rights and applicable law, and will continue to cooperate with the European governmental export credit agencies.
During 2013, Credit Suisse AG processed a small number of de minimis payments related to the operation of Iranian diplomatic missions in Switzerland and to fees for ministerial government functions such as issuing passports and visas. Processing these payments is permitted under Swiss law and is performed with the consent of Swiss authorities, and Credit Suisse AG intends to continue processing such payments. Revenues and profits from these activities are not calculated but would be negligible.
Credit Suisse AG also continues to hold funds from two wire transfers to non-Iranian customers which were blocked pursuant to Swiss sanctions because Iranian government-owned entities have an interest in such transfers. Such funds are maintained in blocked accounts opened in accordance with Swiss sanctions requirements. Credit Suisse AG derives no revenues or profits from maintenance of these blocked accounts.
Item 4A. Unresolved staff comments.
None.
Item 5. Operating and financial review and prospects.
A – Operating results.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see II – Operating and financial review on pages 44 to 92 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for both Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see I – Information on the company – Regulation and supervision on pages 24 to 34 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Capital management – Additional information – Foreign exchange exposure and interest rate management on page 114.
B – Liquidity and capital resources.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Liquidity and funding management and – Capital management on pages 94 to 114 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see Note 24 – Long-term debt in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 250 to 251 and Note 36 – Capital adequacy in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on page 328 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and, for the Bank, please see Note 23 – Long-term debt in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on page 404 and Note 35 – Capital adequacy in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on page 455 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
C – Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.
Not applicable.
D – Trend information.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see Item 5.A of this Form 20-F. In addition, for Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see I – Information on the Company – Our businesses on pages 14 to 21 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
E – Off-balance sheet arrangements.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Balance sheet, off-balance sheet and other contractual obligations on pages 141 to 144 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see Note 31 – Derivatives and hedging activities, Note 32 – Guarantees and commitments and Note 33 – Transfers of financial assets and variable interest entities in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 281 to 300 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and, for the Bank, please see Note 30 – Derivatives and hedging activities, Note 31 – Guarantees and commitments and Note 32 – Transfers of financial assets and variable interest entities in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on pages 423 to 435 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
F – Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Balance sheet, off-balance sheet and other contractual obligations – Contractual obligations and other commercial commitments on page 144 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Item 6. Directors, senior management and employees.
A – Directors and senior management.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Board of Directors, – Board Committees, – Biographies of the Board Members, – Executive Board and – Biographies of the Executive Board Members on pages 153 to 172 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
B – Compensation.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Compensation on pages 178 to 204 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see Note 11 – Compensation and benefits in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on page 234, Note 28 – Employee deferred compensation in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 263 to 269 and Note 30 – Pension and other post-retirement benefits in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 272 to 280, and Note 3 – Compensation to members of the Executive Board and the Board of Directors in VI – Parent company financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 361 to 366 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and, for the Bank, please see Note 11 – Compensation and benefits in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on page 390, Note 27 – Employee deferred compensation in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on pages 412 to 414 and Note 29 – Pension and other post-retirement benefits in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on pages 416 to 422 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
C – Board practices.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance on pages 146 to 175 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
D – Employees.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Overview – Employees on page 148. In addition, for both Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see II – Operating and financial review – Core Results on pages 54 to 60 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
E – Share ownership.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Compensation on pages 178 to 204 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see Note 28 – Employee deferred compensation in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 263 to 269, and Note 3 – Compensation to members of the Executive Board and Board of Directors in VI – Parent company financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 361 to 366 of the attached Annual Report 2013. For the Bank, please see Note 27 – Employee deferred compensation in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on pages 412 to 414 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Item 7. Major shareholders and related party transactions.
A – Major shareholders.
For Credit Suisse, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Shareholders on pages 149 to 152 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see Note 3 – Business developments, significant shareholders and subsequent events in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on page 226, Note 6 – Own shares held by the company and by group companies and Note 7 – Significant shareholders in VI – Parent company financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on page 367 of the attached Annual Report 2013. Credit Suisse’s major shareholders do not have different voting rights. The Bank has 4,399,665,200 shares outstanding and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Credit Suisse. See Note 11 – Major shareholders and groups of shareholders in VIII – Parent company financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on page 474 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
B – Related party transactions.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Compensation on pages 178 to 204 and – Corporate Governance – Banking relationships and related party transactions on pages 158 to 159 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see Note 29 – Related parties in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 270 to 272 and Note 3 – Compensation to members of the Executive Board and the Board of Directors – Board of Directors loans in VI – Parent company financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 361 to 366 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and, for the Bank, please see Note 28 – Related parties in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on page 415 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
C – Interests of experts and counsel.
Not applicable because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
Item 8. Financial information.
A – Consolidated statements and other financial information.
Please see Item 18 of this Form 20-F.
For a description of Credit Suisse’s legal and arbitration proceedings, please see Note 38 – Litigation in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 330 to 336 of the attached Annual Report 2013. For a description of the Bank’s legal and arbitration proceedings, please see Note 36 – Litigation in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on page 456 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
For a description of Credit Suisse’s policy on dividend distributions, please see III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Capital management – Additional information – Dividends and dividend policy on page 114 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
B – Significant changes.
None.
Item 9. The offer and listing.
A – Offer and listing details, C – Markets.
For information regarding the price history of Credit Suisse Group shares and the stock exchanges and other regulated markets on which they are listed or traded, please see IX – Additional information – Other information – Listing details on page 503 of the attached Annual Report 2013. Shares of the Bank are not listed.
B – Plan of distribution, D – Selling shareholders, E – Dilution, F – Expenses of the issue.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
Item 10. Additional information.
A – Share capital.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
B – Memorandum and Articles of Association.
For Credit Suisse, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Overview, – Shareholders and – Board of Directors on pages 146 to 166 and – Additional information – Changes in control and defense measures on page 173 and – Liquidation on page 175 of the attached Annual Report 2013. In addition, for Credit Suisse, please see IX – Additional information – Other information – Exchange controls and – American Depositary Shares on page 499 of the attached Annual Report 2013. Shares of the Bank are not listed.
C – Material contracts.
Neither Credit Suisse nor the Bank has any contract that would constitute a material contract for the two years immediately preceding this Form 20-F.
D – Exchange controls.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IX – Additional information – Other information – Exchange controls on page 499 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
E – Taxation.
For Credit Suisse, please see IX – Additional information – Other information – Taxation on pages 499 to 502 of the attached Annual Report 2013. The Bank does not have any public shareholders.
F – Dividends and paying agents.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
G – Statement by experts.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
H – Documents on display.
Credit Suisse and the Bank file annual reports on Form 20-F and furnish or file quarterly and other reports on Form 6-K and other information with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These materials are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and from the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 (telephone 1-800-SEC-0330). SEC reports are also available for review at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005. Further, our reports on Form 20-F, Form 6-K and certain other materials are available on the Credit Suisse website at www.credit-suisse.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 20-F.
In addition, Credit Suisse’s parent company financial statements, together with the notes thereto, are set forth on pages 355 to 372 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and incorporated by reference herein. The Bank’s parent company financial statements, together with the notes thereto, are set forth on pages 461 to 478 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.
I – Subsidiary information.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Risk management on pages 115 to 140 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Item 12. Description of securities other than equity securities.
A – Debt Securities, B – Warrants and Rights, C – Other Securities.
Not required because this Form 20-F is filed as an annual report.
D – American Depositary Shares.
For Credit Suisse, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Additional information – American Depositary Share fees on page 175 of the attached Annual Report 2013. Shares of the Bank are not listed.
Item 13. Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies.
None.
Item 14. Material modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds.
None.
Item 15. Controls and procedures.
For Credit Suisse’s management report and the related report from the Group’s independent auditors, please see Controls and procedures and Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 353 to 354 of the attached Annual Report 2013. For the Bank’s management report and the related report from the Bank’s independent auditors, please see Controls and procedures and Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on pages 459 to 460 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Item 16A. Audit committee financial expert.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Board of Directors – Board committees – Audit Committee on page 157 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Item 16B. Code of ethics.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Overview – Corporate governance framework on page 147 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Item 16C. Principal accountant fees and services.
For Credit Suisse and the Bank, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Additional Information – Internal and external auditors on pages 173 to 174 of the attached Annual Report 2013.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the listing standards for audit committee.
None.
Item 16E. Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers.
For Credit Suisse, please see III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Capital management – Additional information – Share repurchases on pages 113 to 114 of the attached Annual Report 2013. The Bank does not have any class of equity securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Item 16F. Change in registrants’ certifying accountant.
None.
Item 16G. Corporate governance.
For Credit Suisse, please see IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance – Overview – Complying with rules and regulations on pages 146 to 147 of the attached Annual Report 2013. Shares of the Bank are not listed.
Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure.
None.
Item 17. Financial statements.
Not applicable.
Item 18. Financial statements.
Credit Suisse’s consolidated financial statements, together with the notes thereto and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are set forth on pages 205 to 354 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and incorporated by reference herein. The Bank’s consolidated financial statements, together with the notes thereto (and any notes or portions thereof in the consolidated financial statements of Credit Suisse Group referred to therein) and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are set forth on pages 373 to 460 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.
1.1 Articles of association (Statuten) of Credit Suisse Group AG as of February 5, 2014.
1.2 Articles of association (Statuten) of Credit Suisse AG as of March 21, 2014.
1.3 Organizational Guidelines and Regulations of Credit Suisse Group AG and Credit Suisse AG as of October 17, 2013.
2.1 Pursuant to the requirement of this item, we agree to furnish to the SEC upon request a copy of any instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of us or of our subsidiaries for which consolidated or unconsolidated financial statements are required to be filed.
4.1 Agreement, dated February 13, 2011, among Competrol Establishment, Credit Suisse Group (Guernsey) II Limited and Credit Suisse Group AG (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Credit Suisse Group AG’s and Credit Suisse AG’s current report on Form 6-K filed March 12, 2013).
4.2 Agreement, dated February 13, 2011, among Qatar Holding LLC, Credit Suisse Group (Guernsey) II Limited and Credit Suisse Group AG (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Credit Suisse Group AG’s and Credit Suisse AG’s current report on Form 6-K filed March 12, 2013).
4.3 Amendment Agreement, dated July 18, 2012, among Competrol Establishment, Credit Suisse Group (Guernsey) II Limited, Credit Suisse Group AG and Credit Suisse AG, acting through its Guernsey Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of Credit Suisse Group AG’s and Credit Suisse AG’s current report on Form 6-K filed March 12, 2013).
4.4 Purchase and Underwriting Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2012, between Credit Suisse AG and Competrol Establishment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Credit Suisse Group AG’s and Credit Suisse AG’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 22, 2013).
4.5 Purchase and Underwriting Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012, between Credit Suisse AG and Qatar Holding LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of Credit Suisse Group AG’s and Credit Suisse AG’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 22, 2013).
4.6 Agreement, dated October 10, 2013, among Qatar Holding LLC, Credit Suisse Group (Guernsey) II Limited, Credit Suisse Group AG and Credit Suisse AG, acting through its Guernsey Branch.
7.1 Computations of ratios of earnings to fixed charges of Credit Suisse and of the Bank are set forth under IX – Additional Information – Statistical information – Ratio of earnings to fixed charges – Group and – Ratio of earnings to fixed charges – Bank on page 498 of the attached Annual Report 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.
8.1 Significant subsidiaries of Credit Suisse are set forth in Note 39 – Significant subsidiaries and equity method investments in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group on pages 337 to 339, and significant subsidiaries of the Bank are set forth in Note 37 – Significant subsidiaries and equity method investments in VII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) on pages 456 to 458 in the attached Annual Report 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.
9.1 Consent of KPMG AG, Zurich with respect to Credit Suisse Group AG consolidated financial statements.
9.2 Consent of KPMG AG, Zurich with respect to the Credit Suisse AG consolidated financial statements.
12.1 Rule 13a-14(a) certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse Group AG and Credit Suisse AG, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
12.2 Rule 13a-14(a) certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Credit Suisse Group AG and Credit Suisse AG, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.1 Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Credit Suisse Group AG and Credit Suisse AG.
101.1 Interactive Data Files (XBRL-Related Documents).
Each of the registrants hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP AG
(Registrant)
Date: April 3, 2014
/s/ Brady W. Dougan /s/ David R. Mathers
Name: Brady W. Dougan Name: David R. Mathers
Title: Chief Executive Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer
CREDIT SUISSE AG
(Registrant)
Date: April 3, 2014
/s/ Brady W. Dougan /s/ David R. Mathers
Name: Brady W. Dougan Name: David R. Mathers
Title: Chief Executive Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer
Financial highlights |
|
|
in / end of |
|
% change |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
13 / 12 |
|
12 / 11 |
|
Net income (CHF million) |
Net income attributable to shareholders |
|
2,326 |
|
1,349 |
|
1,953 |
|
72 |
|
(31) |
|
of which from continuing operations |
|
2,181 |
|
1,389 |
|
1,978 |
|
57 |
|
(30) |
|
Earnings per share (CHF) |
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations |
|
1.14 |
|
0.82 |
|
1.34 |
|
39 |
|
(39) |
|
Basic earnings per share |
|
1.22 |
|
0.79 |
|
1.32 |
|
54 |
|
(40) |
|
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations |
|
1.14 |
|
0.82 |
|
1.34 |
|
39 |
|
(39) |
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
1.22 |
|
0.79 |
|
1.32 |
|
54 |
|
(40) |
|
Return on equity (%) |
Return on equity attributable to shareholders |
|
5.7 |
|
3.9 |
|
6.0 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Core Results (CHF million) 1 |
Net revenues |
|
25,217 |
|
23,251 |
|
25,095 |
|
8 |
|
(7) |
|
Provision for credit losses |
|
167 |
|
170 |
|
187 |
|
(2) |
|
(9) |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
21,546 |
|
21,193 |
|
22,149 |
|
2 |
|
(4) |
|
Income from continuing operations before taxes |
|
3,504 |
|
1,888 |
|
2,759 |
|
86 |
|
(32) |
|
Core Results statement of operations metrics (%) 1 |
Cost/income ratio |
|
85.4 |
|
91.1 |
|
88.3 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Pre-tax income margin |
|
13.9 |
|
8.1 |
|
11.0 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
36.4 |
|
24.6 |
|
23.8 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Net income margin 2 |
|
9.2 |
|
5.8 |
|
7.8 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Assets under management and net new assets (CHF billion) |
Assets under management from continuing operations |
|
1,253.4 |
|
1,197.8 |
|
1,133.5 |
|
4.6 |
|
5.7 |
|
Net new assets from continuing operations |
|
36.1 |
|
11.4 |
|
43.7 |
|
216.7 |
|
(73.9) |
|
Balance sheet statistics (CHF million) |
Total assets |
|
872,806 |
|
924,280 |
|
1,049,165 |
|
(6) |
|
(12) |
|
Net loans |
|
247,054 |
|
242,223 |
|
233,413 |
|
2 |
|
4 |
|
Total shareholders' equity |
|
42,164 |
|
35,498 |
|
33,674 |
|
19 |
|
5 |
|
Tangible shareholders' equity 3 |
|
33,955 |
|
26,866 |
|
24,795 |
|
26 |
|
8 |
|
Book value per share outstanding (CHF) |
Total book value per share |
|
26.50 |
|
27.44 |
|
27.59 |
|
(3) |
|
(1) |
|
Tangible book value per share 3 |
|
21.34 |
|
20.77 |
|
20.32 |
|
3 |
|
2 |
|
Shares outstanding (million) |
Common shares issued |
|
1,596.1 |
|
1,320.8 |
|
1,224.3 |
|
21 |
|
8 |
|
Treasury shares |
|
(5.2) |
|
(27.0) |
|
(4.0) |
|
(81) |
|
– |
|
Shares outstanding |
|
1,590.9 |
|
1,293.8 |
|
1,220.3 |
|
23 |
|
6 |
|
Market capitalization |
Market capitalization (CHF million) |
|
43,526 |
|
29,402 |
|
27,021 |
|
48 |
|
9 |
|
Market capitalization (USD million) |
|
49,224 |
|
32,440 |
|
28,747 |
|
52 |
|
13 |
|
BIS statistics (Basel III) 4 |
Risk-weighted assets (CHF million) |
|
273,846 |
|
292,481 |
|
– |
|
(6) |
|
– |
|
CET 1 ratio (%) |
|
15.7 |
|
14.2 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Tier 1 ratio (%) |
|
16.8 |
|
15.2 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Dividend per share (CHF) |
Dividend per share |
|
0.70 |
5 |
0.75 |
6 |
0.75 |
6 |
– |
|
– |
|
Number of employees (full-time equivalents) |
Number of employees |
|
46,000 |
|
47,400 |
|
49,700 |
|
(3) |
|
(5) |
|
1
Refer to "Results overview" in II – Operating and financial review – Core Results for further information on Core Results.
|
2
Based on amounts attributable to shareholders.
|
3
A non-GAAP financial measure. Tangible shareholders' equity is calculated by deducting goodwill and other intangible assets as shown on our balance sheet from total shareholders' equity.
|
4
Basel III became effective as of January 1, 2013.
|
5
Proposal of the Board of Directors to the Annual General Meeting on May 9, 2014; to be paid out of reserves from capital contributions.
|
6
Paid out of reserves from capital contributions.
|
The Annual Report 2013 is a detailed presentation of the Group’s annual financial statements, company structure, corporate governance and compensation practices, treasury and risk management framework and a review of our operating and financial results.
Annual Report – Cover Relationship manager Gianluigi Pezzotta (left) from Credit Suisse’s corporate clients business in Lugano believes that engaging in a personal discussion with clients at their offices is an important part of his work. He is pictured here with Umberto Zardi, President of Casale Group, in the entrance of the company’s premises in Lugano. Casale Group is a global market leader in the production and modernization of nitrogenous fertilizer plants and won the Prix SVC Svizzera italiana in 2013.
The Corporate Responsibility Report 2013 provides a detailed presentation on how the Group assumes its various responsibilities as a bank towards society and the environment.
The Company Profile 2013 is enclosed in the Corporate Responsibility Report and a contains a summary of Credit Suisse’ strategic direction, an overview of its organization and a brief description of its key businesses.
www.credit-suisse.com/responsibility.
Corporate Responsibility Report – Cover Credit Suisse assigns a high level of importance to the promotion of young talent. In 2013, a total of 1,370 young people received support as part of their professional training. HR Consultant Michael Seibold (center) from the Young Talents team is currently overseeing the development of 71 junior employees who are enrolled in a commercial apprenticeship or are participating in the Junior Banking Program for high school graduates. Michael Seibold is pictured here in the Uetlihof 2 office complex in Zurich together with the apprentices Maxime Seiler, Largesa Mena, Louise Brun, Denis Schnell and Fiona Bosshard (from left to right).
Company Profile – Cover On the campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Credit Suisse operates a “branch of the future” where it tests new ideas and concepts in banking. The branch manager, Oliver Kratzer, and his colleagues, Yasmina Garchi and Luana Conticello, ensure that Credit Suisse is an integral part of daily campus life at EPFL.
For the purposes of this report, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Credit Suisse Group”, “Credit Suisse”, “the Group”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Credit Suisse Group AG and its consolidated subsidiaries. The business of Credit Suisse AG, the Swiss bank subsidiary of the Group, is substantially similar to the Group, and we use these terms to refer to both when the subject is the same or substantially similar. We use the term “the Bank” when we are referring only to Credit Suisse AG, the Swiss bank subsidiary of the Group, and its consolidated subsidiaries. Abbreviations and selected >>>terms are explained in the List of abbreviations and the Glossary in the back of this report. Publications referenced in this report, whether via website links or otherwise, are not incorporated into this report. In various tables, use of “–” indicates not meaningful or not applicable.
Urs Rohner (left), Chairman of the Board of Directors and Brady W. Dougan, Chief Executive Officer.
Message from the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer
Dear shareholders, clients and colleagues
Five years after one of the biggest crises that the banking industry has seen, the strategy and evolution of both the industry and Credit Suisse are directly linked to changing regulatory requirements as well as changing market conditions and client needs that emerged from the crisis. As we present our results for the financial year 2013 to you, we think it is important to take a step back and look at how the industry and Credit Suisse have changed since 2008 and what we believe will be some of the future trends, opportunities and challenges for the banking industry, and specifically for Credit Suisse.
Transformation of the banking industry in response to the financial crisis
New and evolving regulatory requirements governing capital, leverage, liquidity and resolution planning, together with the steps banks have taken to adapt to them, have been critical to creating a safer and more resilient financial system. Since the financial crisis, regulators and banks around the world have worked to substantially reduce the probability of taxpayer-funded bank bailouts in the future. While initially there were concerns that distinct and, at times, conflicting requirements of different jurisdictions and regulatory authorities would make it difficult for global banks to operate competitively, there now appears to be a trend toward regulatory convergence. Under the developing requirements, banks around the globe have begun to significantly adapt their business models by increasing capital, reducing risk and taking significant steps to increase productivity and efficiency.
Credit Suisse took early and proactive steps to adapt to the changing environment and today is a markedly different bank than it was in 2008. We actively participated in discussions with regulators and evolved our Investment Banking business model to focus on high-returning and capital-efficient businesses. We strengthened the footprint of our Private Banking & Wealth Management franchise in growth markets, while improving the productivity of its operations. We reduced our total balance sheet assets by 25% from 2008 and reduced our Basel III risk-weighted assets, calculated on a look-through basis, by 28% since the third quarter of 2011 when we first started reporting risk-weighted assets under the Basel III framework. We improved our efficiency by lowering Credit Suisse’s overall expense base by CHF 3.1 billion compared to the adjusted run rate for the first half of 2011. We also further strengthened our capital base in recent years, while striving to balance the interests of our various stakeholders. We continued to allocate capital to targeted growth areas, while returning to proposing a distribution entirely in cash to our shareholders.
Trends, growth opportunities and challenges for the industry
Notwithstanding these far-reaching changes, we remain convinced that there are attractive opportunities for targeted growth in the financial services industry. For example, according to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report 2013, global wealth is expected to increase by nearly 40% over the next five years, reaching USD 334 trillion by 2018, emerging markets are expected to account for around 29% of this growth.
At Credit Suisse, we continue to see significant growth potential for our Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking businesses in Asia and Latin America, as well as in parts of the Middle East and Eastern Europe. We plan to continue to invest in our franchises in those regions, as well as in the ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI) client segment, while leveraging our strong market share position in Switzerland and other mature markets. We are also convinced that our repositioned Asset Management business, which is focused toward more liquid strategies and working closely with our other businesses, will continue to generate attractive returns.
Developments in the financial services industry are also expected to be materially shaped by technological advances. New participants in the form of non-bank financial institutions have entered the market, and we believe that they have the potential to capture market share from traditional banks and challenge established institutions to redefine their value propositions – whether in lending or even in wealth management.
As a bank with a long and rich heritage, Credit Suisse is distinguished from these new competitors given our experience in managing capital and liquidity and our established and extensive network. Credit Suisse has around 2.2 million clients worldwide, who place their trust in us as their financial partner, as well as 46,000 employees who can offer clients customized expertise and advice. One of the key challenges for our bank in the near future will be to implement technological solutions that allow us to make the full capabilities of our network and resources readily available to our clients and ensure that the vast information and expertise available within the bank is delivered to them promptly and efficiently. With this in mind, we are currently developing our integrated digital private banking service, which is expected to deliver intuitive online banking functionality and improve access for our clients.
International tax compliance and resolving legacy tax issues are major concerns for the Swiss banking industry, including Credit Suisse. We believe that all Swiss banks that remain active in cross-border business must comply with foreign tax requirements. Credit Suisse has long pursued a strategy of tax compliance and continues to support measures such as the automatic information exchange which help to ensure that assets deposited in banks around the globe are properly taxed. We are convinced that this strategy – as well as the country’s political and economic stability and its high quality service offering – will help Switzerland to strengthen its leading position among international financial centers in the future. Although the financial services industry has suffered a loss of trust since the crisis, with many stakeholders questioning its values and principles, banks continue to play a pivotal role in the economy and society as a whole. Over the past 50 years, we saw relative prosperity in the developed parts of the world with unprecedented growth in the wealth of the middle class, followed by an increase in wealth in emerging markets driven by globalization. In part, this prosperity was driven by the existence of a properly functioning financial system. We believe that banks, through their intermediary role, will continue to be crucial to fostering economic growth and job creation.
Credit Suisse has been serving corporate clients and financing entrepreneurs since it was founded in 1856 and it has longstanding experience in the wealth management and capital markets businesses. As an employer, purchaser and investor, Credit Suisse makes a substantial contribution to economic output and employment. In 2013, Credit Suisse purchased over CHF 6 billion of goods, services and licenses from over 28,000 suppliers around the globe.
Credit Suisse progress and achievements in 2013
Throughout its history, Credit Suisse has evolved its business model and organizational structure in line with changing client needs, regulation and market conditions. In 2013, we made substantial progress in executing our strategy and building on steps that we have taken since 2008. Since the start of 2013, Credit Suisse has been operating under the Basel III regulatory framework, which was implemented in Switzerland along with the Swiss “Too Big to Fail” legislation. During the year, we once again participated in discussions about national and international regulations, and we made further significant progress in our efforts to address the “Too Big to Fail” topic.
For 2013, we delivered Core pre-tax income of CHF 3,504 million compared to CHF 1,888 million in the prior year. Net income attributable to shareholders was CHF 2,326 million and the return on equity was 6%. Our strategic businesses reported Core pre-tax income of CHF 7,132 million. The return on equity of 13% for our strategic businesses in the full-year 2013 demonstrates the strength of our core franchises within our two divisions. In addition, we showed continued cost discipline with compensation and benefits expense down 9% from 2012 for the Group and down 10% in Investment Banking.
We largely completed our capital plan announced in July 2012 and ended 2013 with a Look-through Basel III CET1 ratio of 10.0%. We further reduced leverage exposure and reported a Swiss leverage ratio of 5.1%, as well as a Look-through Swiss leverage ratio of 3.7% as of the end of 2013. Based on our preliminary assessment, the Basel Committee’s revised guidelines on the calculation of the leverage ratio would increase our year-end 2013 Look-through Swiss leverage ratio to close to 4%, which would meet the Swiss requirement applicable in 2019. We completed the exchange of CHF 3.8 billion of hybrid tier 1 notes into high-trigger capital instruments, successfully issued CHF 6 billion of low-trigger capital notes, and are now just approximately CHF 3 billion away from meeting the Swiss 2019 progressive capital requirement. Furthermore, as part of our 2013 compensation structure, we introduced a similar instrument which aligns compensation incentives to the capital strength of the Group, as well as providing additional tier 1 benefits.
In November 2013, we announced our program to evolve the Group’s legal entity structure, which is designed to both result in a substantially less complex and more efficient operating infrastructure in view of the new regulatory requirements and meet future requirements for global recovery and resolution planning.
Throughout 2013, we continued to manage our legacy legal issues, and we will continue to do so in a responsible manner. With regard to the ongoing investigations by regulatory authorities into whether financial institutions engaged in an effort to manipulate LIBOR and other reference rates, Credit Suisse has seen no evidence to suggest that it is likely to have any material exposure in connection with the LIBOR matter. Furthermore, we are fully cooperating with industry investigations into trading activities and the setting of benchmark rates in foreign exchange markets, which are ongoing and it is too soon to predict the final outcome. Credit Suisse also continues its efforts to resolve legacy private banking cross-border US legal issues. In February 2014, Credit Suisse announced that it reached a settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and agreed to pay USD 196 million for violations of US securities laws that centered on activities between 2002 and 2008. Also, in February, the US Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing to discuss legacy tax issues in the Swiss private banking industry. Four members of Credit Suisse’s Executive Board testified at the hearing and discussed the bank’s efforts to establish tax compliance by US clients. The investigation by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in this matter remains outstanding. Primarily due to an increase in the litigation provision held against this matter, we announced in April 2014 that we incurred an after-tax charge of CHF 468 million in respect of our preliminary fourth-quarter 2013 and full-year 2013
results. In March 2014, we announced that Credit Suisse reached an agreement with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The agreement resolves Credit Suisse’s largest mortgage-related investor litigation, settling claims related to the sale of approximately USD 16.6 billion of residential mortgage-backed securities between 2005 and 2007. Under the terms of the agreement, Credit Suisse will pay USD 885 million to resolve all claims in two pending securities lawsuits filed by the FHFA against Credit Suisse. As a result of this settlement, we incurred an after-tax charge of CHF 275 million in respect of our preliminary fourth-quarter 2013 and full-year 2013 results.
In line with our strategy of shifting resources to focus on growth in high-return businesses − particularly in Private Banking & Wealth Management − we have created non-strategic units within our two divisions and separated non-strategic items in the Corporate Center. This is expected to allow us to further reduce costs, capital and leverage exposures in non-strategic businesses, and it represents an important step toward achieving a more balanced allocation of capital between our two divisions. The progress we have made and our investors’ confidence in our strategy are also reflected in our share price, which increased 20% in 2013.
Progress in Private Banking & Wealth Management
Our global Private Banking & Wealth Management franchise remains at the core of Credit Suisse’s strategy. For 2013, Private Banking & Wealth Management reported pre-tax income of CHF 3,240 million. For its strategic businesses, reported pre-tax income for 2013 increased 7% from 2012 to CHF 3,627 million, mainly driven by the successful restructuring of Asset Management business and growth in emerging markets and in the Wealth Management Clients business.
In 2013, we improved the profitability of our strategic businesses within Private Banking & Wealth Management, also completing the integration of our former Private Banking and Asset Management divisions. With this integrated value chain, we can support our highly scalable business model in Private Banking & Wealth Management, which is suited to the new regulatory environment. The integrated Private Banking & Wealth Management division allows us to better manage the alignment of the products, advice and services that we deliver to our clients and is expected to further enhance the productivity and efficiency of our businesses. Pre-tax income of Asset Management increased 32% from 2012 to 2013, which underscores the strength of the ongoing business and its importance in profit generation within the Private Banking & Wealth Management franchise.
In the area of advisory and expertise, all 4,330 Credit Suisse relationship managers worldwide have successfully completed our mandatory certification program and we are focused on ensuring that their skills are continually updated and deployed to maximum effect. In a further step that reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality investment advice and research insights, we established the Investment Strategy & Research Group in 2013. This group brings together all of Credit Suisse’s investment specialists into a single unit seeking to produce better investment advice and results for our clients in terms of both discretionary and advisory investment views. In 2013, we continued to reallocate resources to growth areas, with a particular focus on emerging markets businesses, our global UHNWI client franchise and on leveraging our strong market position in Switzerland. In 2013, net new assets from Wealth Management Clients were CHF 18.9 billion, with emerging markets growing at 8%, and continued strong growth in the UHNWI client segment. We also recorded CHF 15.0 billion in net new assets from Asset Management, reflecting significant inflows into higher-margin products, and we continued to see strong inflows of CHF 8.8 billion from the Corporate & Institutional Clients business. We believe these strong inflows are indicative of the trust that clients place in Credit Suisse.
In terms of global client coverage, we continued to shift resources to those businesses where we see strong potential. We announced an agreement to acquire parts of a competitor’s wealth management businesses, in order to further accelerate growth momentum in our international markets and in our UHNWI client segment.
In the course of 2013, we continued to adapt our onshore client service model for Western Europe, adjusting capacity to meet client needs, efficiently managing costs across our businesses and improving our overall market position. We announced the sale of our domestic private banking business booked in Germany in December 2013, while at the same time remaining highly committed to serving the German wealth management market on a cross-border basis. As part of our efforts to focus our offshore coverage, we announced plans in 2013 to exit certain smaller markets.
We plan to remain focused on further improving the profitability of our Private Banking & Wealth Management businesses by delivering growth in emerging markets and continuing to adjust our capacity in targeted mature markets to meet client needs.
Progress in Investment Banking
For 2013, Investment Banking reported pre-tax income of CHF 1,719 million. Total compensation and benefit expense was 10% lower in 2013 than in 2012.
Reported pre-tax income for its strategic business for 2013 was CHF 3,853 million, a 12% increase compared to the prior year. Continued sustained market share positions across our high-returning strategic businesses, combined with a reduced cost base and lower leverage and capital usage, helped Investment Banking achieve a return on Basel III allocated capital of 19% for 2013. Since the fourth quarter of 2012, the division reduced Basel III risk-weighted assets by USD 11 billion to USD 176 billion. Business reductions of USD 27 billion in 2013 were partially offset by increases relating to methodology
changes and parameter updates of CHF 10 billion and, in the fourth quarter, an operational risk-related add-on of USD 6 billion.
Our strategy of rebalancing resources toward high market share and high-return businesses has proven effective. Today, 62% of the division’s overall capital is allocated to Securitized Products, Global Credit Products, the Emerging Markets Group, Prime Services and Cash Equities. These are all businesses where we have a top-three market share and generate high returns. Given the increasing focus of regulators on leverage exposures and in view of the fundamental changes in the structure of the Rates market – with a shift towards clearing and electronic trading – we announced the restructuring of our Rates business in October 2013. This step forms part of the evolution of our Investment Banking business model and is expected to provide us with a simplified and more capital-efficient business that is focused on meeting client liquidity needs.
In connection with this measure, we also announced the creation of a cross-asset Global Macro Products Group, combining our Rates, Foreign Exchange and Commodities businesses into a single platform. This approach offers clients a comprehensive approach across the macro asset classes and allows us to focus our resources on those areas and products that matter most to them. We remain fully committed to serving our Fixed Income clients and believe that this cross-asset class model will help us meet their needs more effectively.
We believe that our Investment Banking division, featuring a top-three Equities franchise, a strong and profitable Underwriting & Advisory business and a Fixed Income franchise focused on high-returning yield businesses, is well positioned to continue to serve our clients’ needs and deliver strong returns and profitability in 2014.
Creating value for our clients and shareholders
We are confident that the continued momentum we see in our strategic businesses, combined with the successful execution of the run-off of positions and losses in our non-strategic units, will allow us to achieve our targeted return on equity of 15% through the cycle.
Given the progress we have made in implementing our capital plan and in reducing leverage and risk-weighted assets while, at the same time, improving the operational efficiency of the bank, the Board of Directors at the annual general meeting of Credit Suisse Group on May 9, 2014 will propose a cash distribution of CHF 0.70 per share to be paid out of reserves from capital contributions for the financial year 2013. This is intended to provide a basis for future progression in our dividend payments as we continue to execute our strategy and resolve legacy issues.
We are active in attractive markets and have transformed our integrated bank in recent years to further improve our profitability and returns in the evolving operating environment, while continuing to place our clients’ needs first and maintaining positive market share momentum across targeted businesses. To retain the trust of our clients, shareholders and other stakeholders, we must consistently deliver on our targets – both financial and strategic. And we want to set an example in the marketplace when it comes to compliance and professional standards.
Although the banking sector has already undergone a significant transformation since the crisis began, the industry landscape is expected to continue to evolve. With our integrated Basel III-compliant business model, we are confident that we can continue to adapt to these changes while acting as a strong and reliable partner to our clients, shareholders and employees.
We would like to thank our shareholders and clients for their loyalty to Credit Suisse and for the trust they placed in us in 2013. We also wish to thank all our employees for their ongoing commitment and contribution to the success of our business.
Best regards
Urs Rohner Brady W. Dougan
Chairman of the Chief Executive Officer
Board of Directors
April 2014
Adjusted cost run-rate results are measured against our annualized six-month 2011 expense run rate measured at constant foreign exchange rates and adjusted to exclude business realignment and other significant non-operating expenses and variable compensation expenses.
As of January 1, 2013, Basel III was implemented in Switzerland along with the “Too Big to Fail” legislation and regulations thereunder. Our related disclosures are in accordance with our current interpretation of such requirements, including relevant assumptions. Changes in the interpretation of these requirements in Switzerland or in any of our assumptions or estimates could result in different numbers from those shown herein. Capital and ratio numbers for periods prior to 2013 are based on estimates, which are calculated as if the Basel III framework had been in place in Switzerland during such periods. For Investment Banking’s strategic businesses, return on Basel III allocated capital is calculated using income after tax denominated in US dollars and assumes (i) a tax rate of 28% in 2013; and (ii) that capital is allocated at 10% of average Basel III risk-weighted assets.
Unless otherwise noted, leverage ratio, leverage exposure and total capital amounts included herein are based on the current FINMA framework. The Swiss leverage ratio is calculated as Swiss Total Capital, divided by a three-month average leverage exposure, which consists of balance sheet assets, off-balance sheet exposures, which consist of guarantees and commitments, and regulatory adjustments, which include cash collateral netting reversals and derivative add-ons.
All references to pre-tax income for Core results refer to income from continuing operations before taxes.
Information on the companyCredit Suisse at a glanceStrategyOur businesses Organizational and regional structureRegulation and supervisionRisk factors
Credit Suisse at a glance
Credit Suisse
As one of the world’s leading financial services providers, we are committed to delivering our combined financial experience and expertise to corporate, institutional and government clients, to ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals worldwide, as well as affluent and retail clients in Switzerland. Founded in 1856, today we have a global reach with operations in over 50 countries and 46,000 employees from approximately 150 different nations. Our broad footprint helps us to generate a geographically diverse stream of revenues and net new assets and allows us to capture growth opportunities around the world. We serve our clients through our two divisions, which cooperate closely to provide holistic financial solutions, including innovative products and specially tailored advice.
Private Banking & Wealth Management
Private Banking & Wealth Management offers comprehensive advice and a wide range of financial solutions to private, corporate and institutional clients. The Private Banking & Wealth Management division comprises the Wealth Management Clients, Corporate & Institutional Clients and Asset Management businesses. Our Wealth Management Clients business serves ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals around the globe, as well as affluent and retail clients in Switzerland. Our Corporate & Institutional Clients business serves the needs of corporations and institutional clients, mainly in Switzerland. Asset Management offers a wide range of investment products and solutions across diverse asset classes and investment styles, serving governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide.
Investment Banking
Investment Banking provides a broad range of financial products and services, including global securities sales, trading and execution, prime brokerage and capital raising services, corporate advisory and comprehensive investment research, with a focus on businesses that are client driven, flow-based and capital-efficient. Clients include corporations, governments, institutional investors, including pension funds and hedge funds, and private individuals around the world. Credit Suisse delivers its investment banking capabilities via regional and local teams based in major global financial centers. Strongly anchored in Credit Suisse’s integrated model, Investment Banking works closely with Private Banking & Wealth Management to provide clients with customized financial solutions.
An integrated global bank
We offer our clients in Switzerland and around the world a broad range of traditional and customized banking services and products. We believe that our ability to serve clients globally with solutions tailored to their needs gives us a strong advantage in today’s rapidly changing and highly competitive marketplace.
We operate as an integrated bank, combining our strengths and expertise in our two global divisions, Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking. Our divisions are supported by our Shared Services functions, which provide corporate services and business solutions while ensuring a strong compliance culture. Our global structure comprises four regions: Switzerland; Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA); Americas; and Asia Pacific. With our local presence and global approach, we are well positioned to respond to changing client needs and our operating environment.
In 2013, we continued to make significant progress in executing our client-focused, capital-efficient strategy to meet emerging client needs and regulatory trends while delivering attractive returns to shareholders. We are progressing towards achieving specific goals to reduce our cost base and strengthen our capital position, and we have operated under the >>>Basel III capital framework since January of 2013. We have further optimized our business footprint, continuing to shift resources to focus on growth in high-returning businesses while moving towards a more balanced capital allocation between our Investment Banking and Private Banking & Wealth Management divisions. As a result of this progress, we believe that Credit Suisse today is better positioned to perform in a challenging market environment and compete in our chosen businesses and markets around the world.
Private Banking & Wealth Management
Our Private Banking & Wealth Management division is comprised of our Wealth Management Clients, Corporate & Institutional Clients and Asset Management businesses. In our Wealth Management Clients business our Swiss home market remains a key area of focus and we continued to pursue our international growth strategy, most notably in fast-growing emerging markets and in our >>>ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI) client segment, and we further optimized our market footprint while capturing growth in select profitable onshore markets. In our Corporate & Institutional Clients business in Switzerland, we offer comprehensive solutions to companies and institutional clients and we continued to build out our capabilities in international growth markets. In our Asset Management business, we continued to strengthen our focus on liquid, scalable alternative investment products, emerging markets and multi-asset class solutions, while exiting subscale, non-core or less capital-efficient businesses.
Investment Banking
In the Investment Banking division, we remain committed to offering our key clients a spectrum of equities, fixed income, and investment banking advisory products and services. We are focused on businesses where we have a competitive advantage and where we are able to operate profitably and with an attractive return on capital in the new regulatory environment. While the industry still faces significant adjustments to new regulatory requirements, we have substantially evolved our business model to one that is fully compliant with the Basel III regulatory framework, including exiting certain non-Basel III compliant businesses. We will continue to invest in our market-leading, high-returning businesses while optimizing our >>>risk-weighted assets and cost base to further improve returns.
Introduction of Non-strategic units
In the fourth quarter of 2013, we created non-strategic units within our Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking divisions and separated non-strategic items in the Corporate Center to further accelerate our reduction of capital and costs associated with non-strategic activities and positions and to shift resources to focus on our strategic businesses and growth initiatives.
We decided to retain these non-strategic units within the divisions, rather than establishing a single non-strategic unit, so as to benefit from senior management’s expertise and focus. The non-strategic units have separate management within each division and a clear governance structure through the establishment of a Non-Strategic Oversight Board. As a result, we expect that the establishment of these non-strategic units will drive further reductions in Swiss leverage exposure and risk-weighted assets. It is also expected to free up capital for future growth in Private Banking & Wealth Management, accelerating a move towards a more balanced capital allocation between Investment Banking and Private Banking & Wealth Management, and to allow us to return capital to our shareholders.
> Refer to “Format of presentation and changes in reporting” in II – Operating and financial review – Credit Suisse – Information and developments for further information on non-strategic units in Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking.
Capital and leverage ratio
In 2013, we continued to strengthen our capital position in light of the evolving regulatory environment, which included the implementation of the Basel III framework and regulations under the Swiss >>>“Too Big to Fail” legislation in January 2013. We issued Basel III-compliant contingent capital instruments and reduced risk-weighted assets to achieve a Basel III look-through common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 10.0% as of year-end 2013, exceeding the requirement applicable in 2019. In addition, we have further optimized our balance sheet and leverage exposure, leading to an
improved Swiss look-through leverage ratio of 3.7% as of year-end 2013 compared to the current 4% requirement for 2019. We continue to deploy capital in a disciplined manner based on our economic capital model, assessing our aggregated risk taking in relation to our client needs and our financial resources.
> Refer to “Capital management” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet for further information on capital and leverage ratio trends.
Group cost efficiencies
We continued to adapt our client-focused, capital-efficient strategy to optimize our use of capital and improve our cost structure. We target cost savings of CHF 3.8 billion by the end of 2014 and more than CHF 4.5 billion by the end of 2015. These targets are measured against our annualized six month 2011 expense run rate measured at constant foreign exchange rates and adjusted to exclude business realignment and other significant non-operating expenses and variable compensation expenses.
We expect to incur approximately CHF 1.4 billion of business realignment costs associated with these measures during the course of 2014 to 2015.
We continue to adjust and optimize our footprint across businesses and regions and adapt Shared Services to changing business priorities.
> Refer to “Cost savings and strategy implementation” in II – Operating and financial review – Core Results – Information and developments for further information.
We expect our client-focused, capital-efficient strategy will enable us to benefit from a more constructive market environment while limiting our risk exposure in down markets. We have greater clarity on our future regulatory environment, and we are well advanced on implementation.
We target an after-tax return on equity of 15% across market cycles. To track our progress and benchmark our performance, we have defined a set of key performance indicators for growth, efficiency and performance, and capital to be achieved across market cycles.
>Refer to “Key performance indicators” in II – Operating and financial review – Core Results – Information and developments for further information.
Building on the momentum we have established, we aim to further focus on our most profitable client businesses, gain market share, strengthen our geographic footprint, and drive ongoing efficiency improvements. To achieve our goals, we continue to focus on the following six pillars of our strategy.
Client focus
We put our clients’ needs first. We aspire to be a consistent, reliable, flexible and long-term partner focused on clients with complex and multi-product needs, such as >>>UNHWI, large and mid-sized companies, entrepreneurs, institutional clients, hedge funds and >>>affluent clients in Switzerland. By listening attentively to their needs and offering superior solutions, we empower our clients to make better financial decisions. Against the backdrop of significant changes within our industry, we strive to consistently enable our clients to realize their goals and thrive. We continue to strengthen the coverage of our key clients by dedicated teams of senior executives who can deliver our integrated business model. We have a strong capital position and high levels of client satisfaction and brand recognition, and our strong client momentum is well recognized.
Employees
We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain top talent in order to deliver outstanding financial products and services to our clients. Our candidates go through a rigorous interview process, where we not only look for technical proficiency and intellect, but for people who can thrive in and contribute to our culture. We review our talent and identify the optimal development opportunities based on individual and organizational needs. We strongly promote cross-divisional and cross-regional development, as well as lateral recruiting and mobility. Valuing different perspectives, creating an inclusive environment and showing cross-cultural sensitivity are key to Credit Suisse’s workplace culture. We train our leaders, specialists and client advisors in a wide range of subjects. We take a prudent and constructive approach to compensation, designed to reflect the performance of individuals and the firm and closely align the interests of employees with those of shareholders.
Capital and risk management
We believe prudent risk taking aligned with our strategic priorities is fundamental to our business, and we maintain a conservative framework to manage liquidity and capital. We continue to strengthen our capital base with a focus on additional issuances of contingent capital instruments and decreasing >>>risk-weighted assets and leverage exposures. For the Group, our long-term goal for risk-weighted assets is approximately CHF 250 billion and a Swiss leverage exposure below CHF 1,070 billion, post run-off of exposures in our non-strategic units.
Efficiency
We continue to strive for top-quartile efficiency levels, while being careful not to compromise on growth or reputation. In line with the evolution of our strategy, implemented efficiency measures are generating significant cost savings while helping to build an efficiency culture. We have increased deployment under our Centers of Excellence (CoE) program to almost 15,000 roles, including contractors as well as third party affiliates and vendors working for Credit Suisse. We have established initiatives to further leverage the service capabilities and talent at our CoE sites.
Following efficiency measures implemented during 2013, we adjusted our overall cost savings targets measured against our annualized six month 2011 expense run rate to more than CHF 4.5 billion by the end of 2015, adjusted on the same basis as previously described. We have also updated our cost/income targets to achieve 65% in Private Banking & Wealth Management and 70% in Investment Banking across market cycles.
Collaboration
We are convinced that close collaboration between our divisions and regions is essential to delivering comprehensive solutions to the complex financial needs of our clients. We have established a dedicated governance structure in order to drive, measure and manage collaboration among our businesses. We target collaboration revenues of 18% to 20% of net revenues. In 2013 collaboration revenues represented 18% of net revenues. Since the inception of our collaboration program in 2006, we have built a strong track record of delivering customized value propositions. We believe this is a significant differentiator for Credit Suisse. We have observed increasing momentum in collaboration initiatives, including tailored solutions for entrepreneurs and >>>high-net-worth individual (HNWI) clients by Investment Banking and managed investment products developed by Private Banking & Wealth Management. As we also benefit from our programs for cross-divisional management development and lateral recruiting, collaboration revenues, including cross-selling and client referrals, have proven to be a resilient source of both revenues and assets under management.
Corporate responsibility
We strive to assume our corporate responsibilities in every aspect of our work and we conduct our business based on our broad understanding of our role as a financial services provider, member of society and employer. Our approach also reflects our commitment to protecting the environment. To ensure that we supply the full breadth of information required by our stakeholders, we publish a Corporate Responsibility Report and additional information, which can be found at www.credit-suisse.com/responsibility.
At Credit Suisse, we are convinced that our responsible approach to business is a decisive factor determining our long-term success. We therefore expect all our employees and members of the Board of Directors to observe the professional standards and ethical values set out in our Code of Conduct, including our commitment to complying with all applicable laws, regulations and policies in order to safeguard our reputation for integrity, fair dealing and measured risk-taking. Our Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.credit-suisse.com/code.
Industry trends and competition
For the financial services industry, 2013 was a challenging year, with banks seeking to adapt to new regulatory requirements, changing macroeconomic conditions and evolving client needs. Global banks took significant steps to restructure businesses and decrease costs while also taking measures to increase capital and liquidity ratios. In Switzerland, developments in the cross-border wealth management business continued to be driven by a focus on finding a political basis for operating this business in the future and ongoing efforts to resolve legacy tax matters, particularly with European countries and the US.
> Refer to “Our businesses – Private Banking & Wealth Management” and “Our businesses – Investment Banking” for further information.
Private Banking & Wealth Management
Business profile
Within the Private Banking & Wealth Management division, we offer comprehensive advice and a broad range of financial solutions to private, corporate and institutional clients. The strategic businesses of Private Banking & Wealth Management comprise Wealth Management Clients, Corporate & Institutional Clients and Asset Management.
Our Wealth Management Clients business is one of the largest in the international wealth management industry, serving over two million clients, including >>>UHNWI and >>>HNWI clients around the globe in addition to >>>affluent and retail clients in Switzerland. We offer our clients a distinct value proposition, combining global reach with a structured advisory process and access to a broad range of comprehensive products and services. Our global network includes 3,770 relationship managers in 41 countries with close to 300 offices and 21 >>>booking centers. As of the end of 2013, our Wealth Management Clients business had assets under management of CHF 790.7 billion.
Our Corporate & Institutional Clients business offers expert advice and high-quality services to a wide range of clients, serving the needs of over 100,000 corporations and institutions, mainly in Switzerland, including large corporate clients, small and medium size enterprises (SME), institutional clients, financial institutions, shipping companies and commodity traders. Around 1,600 employees, including 560 relationship managers, serve our clients out of 52 locations. While the Swiss home market remains our main focus, we also continue to build out our capabilities in international growth markets with dedicated teams in Luxembourg, Singapore and Hong Kong. As of the end of 2013, our Corporate & Institutional Clients business reported CHF 353.3 billion of client assets and CHF 62.4 billion of net loans.
Our Asset Management business offers investment solutions and services globally to a wide range of clients, including pension funds, governments, foundations and endowments, corporations and individuals. We invest across a broad range of asset classes with a focus on alternative investment strategies, emerging markets, asset allocation and traditional investment strategies. Our investment professionals deliver access to best-in-class products and holistic client solutions. Our Asset Management business had CHF 352.3 billion of assets under management as of the end of 2013.
We have established a non-strategic unit in Private Banking & Wealth Management to include positions relating to the restructuring of the former Asset Management division, run-off operations relating to our small markets exit initiative and certain legacy cross-border related run-off operations, litigation costs, primarily related to the US tax matter, the impact of restructuring our German onshore operations, other smaller non-strategic positions formerly in our Corporate & Institutional Clients business and the run-off and active reduction of selected products. The non-strategic unit allows management to focus on ongoing businesses and growth initiatives and further accelerates the reduction of capital and costs currently tied up in non-strategic businesses.
Key data – Private Banking & Wealth Management |
|
|
in / end of |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
Key data |
Net revenues (CHF million) |
|
13,442 |
|
13,474 |
|
13,397 |
|
Income before taxes (CHF million) |
|
3,240 |
|
3,775 |
|
2,961 |
|
Assets under management (CHF billion) |
|
1,282.4 |
|
1,250.8 |
|
1,185.2 |
|
Number of employees |
|
26,000 |
|
27,300 |
|
28,100 |
|
Industry trends and competition
We believe the wealth management industry continues to have positive growth prospects. Assets of UHNWI and HNWI globally are projected to grow approximately 7% annually over the next five years. Although wealth creation continues to be at higher growth rates in emerging markets compared to mature markets, the difference in growth compared to mature markets is expected to be less significant than in recent years. Nevertheless, the higher growth rates in emerging markets, especially in Asia Pacific, fueled by entrepreneurial activity and comparatively strong economic development, are expected to keep adding weight to these regions. With around two-thirds of the world’s global wealth still located in the US, Japan and Western Europe, the mature markets continue to be of crucial importance for global wealth managers.
Structurally, the industry continues to undergo significant change. Regulatory requirements for investment advisory services continue to increase, including in the areas of suitability and appropriateness of advice, client information and documentation. Further, new and proposed laws and international treaties are leading to increased regulation of cross-border banking. We believe Credit Suisse is well advanced in adapting to this new environment as we have and are continuing to dedicate significant resources to ensure our business is compliant with regulatory standards.
We believe the market for corporate and institutional banking services continues to offer attractive business opportunities in Switzerland and internationally. However, the competition among financial institutions is intense and the low-interest rate environment as well as negative impacts from the continued weakness of the US dollar versus the Swiss franc remains challenging, resulting in continuous pressure on margins.
The asset management industry overall has returned to growth, with the largest managers continuing to capture the majority of asset flows. Within the asset management industry, allocations to alternative investments and solution-orientated investments have continued to increase due to projected low returns from fixed-income products and shifting investor preferences. Within alternatives, the hedge fund industry experienced
expansion with increased asset flows in 2013, bringing assets under management to record highs. Private equity fundraising rebounded, raising the largest amount of capital since the global financial crisis in 2008 led by fundraising for investment in developed economies. The regulatory environment continued to evolve in 2013 and is expected to continue to trend toward simpler, more regulated fund structures in conjunction with investors seeking better transparency and risk management.
For the wealth and asset management industry in general, revenue levels remain under pressure due to continued low interest rates as well as clients choosing a more conservative asset mix and reducing their overall investment activity in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty, including specific events such as expected changes in US monetary policy and continued focus on the European sovereign debt crisis. Competition and cost pressure in the banking industry remain intense and the industry is affected by new capital and leverage requirements, forcing many competitors to continue to review their business strategies and operating models. Attracting and retaining the best talent continues to be a key factor for success. As a result of these structural industry trends, we expect industry consolidation and restructuring to continue.
We believe Switzerland is well positioned to continue as an attractive financial center in this changing marketplace, offering clients a politically stable and economically diversified investment environment combined with a long-standing heritage in wealth and asset management services. For Swiss institutions, the Swiss franc remains strong historically, even given the actions by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to maintain a minimum exchange rate against the euro. This strength can adversely affect operating performance for Swiss institutions as revenues are based on assets under management that are often denominated in currencies that have weakened against the Swiss franc but a substantial portion of the related expenses are incurred in Swiss francs.
Strategy
Following the decision in late 2012 to integrate our former Private Banking and Asset Management divisions into a single, new Private Banking & Wealth Management division, we retained the operating and reporting structure along the lines of our strategic businesses (i) Wealth Management Clients, (ii) Corporate & Institutional Clients and (iii) Asset Management. The integration of the formerly separate divisions allowed us to implement a more efficient, cost effective operating model that better serves our clients. In particular, our investment views have been further aligned and tailored locally, leading to a simpler product shelf and streamlined delivery. In addition, we have regionalized and focused our product offering to shorten our response time to product needs and improve time-to-market. Finally, we have transitioned our sales & trading capabilities from Investment Banking into Private Banking & Wealth Management, to become more efficient and offer more effective buy-side execution.
We expect to make additional progress by continuing our long-term strategy focused on:
– Advice at the core
– Global growth
– Productivity management
– Regulatory compliance
– Integrated bank
– Best people
Advice at the core: We strive for our clients to benefit from our value-adding services in terms of advice and performance. Our advisory value proposition is a vital part of our wealth management strategy to provide our clients with specific advice around their asset allocation and asset-liability management needs. Our globally consistent advisory process, which is at the center of our wealth management advice, allows us to define an investment strategy in line with each individual client’s risk profile and to deliver tailor-made and comprehensive financial solutions to our clients. To ensure the highest standards in our product offerings, our selection of internal and third-party solutions is based on comprehensive due diligence with regard to the suitability of products and advice. In line with industry trends, we continue to adapt our offering by launching a suite of inducement-free mandates and are planning to introduce a pricing model that more directly links our fee schedules to the level of service and advice provided to our clients.
Global growth: We saw a further expansion of our footprint in emerging markets in the last year with strong net new asset growth of 8%. To further capture the superior growth opportunities of these regions, we are planning to realign the expense base away from non-strategic and mature markets towards faster growing emerging markets. Our Swiss home market remains a key area of focus where we plan to leverage our strong market position and cross-segment collaboration to further increase scale. In mature markets outside Switzerland, we make selective investments to strengthen our profitable onshore franchises.
Productivity management: Key to achieving our productivity enhancements are the efficiency management programs that we announced and began implementing in November 2011 and further expanded with the creation of the combined division in November 2012. We are targeting CHF 950 million of direct expense savings as part of Credit Suisse’s firm-wide cost savings target of CHF 4.5 billion by the end of 2015. The savings are mainly expected to come from the wind-down of non-strategic businesses, the streamlining of the Swiss client coverage model, the rationalization of support functions and increasing automation, and savings from efficiency measures in our Western European and US onshore locations.
Regulatory compliance: We are dedicated to strict compliance with national and international regulations and we proactively develop and implement new business standards to address changes in the regulatory environment.
Integrated bank: The value proposition of our integrated bank remains a key strength in our client offerings. Close collaboration with the Investment Banking division enables us to offer additional customized and innovative solutions to our clients, especially to UHNWI clients, our fastest growing client segment. We
strive to further strengthen our market share by continuing to build out our specific UHNWI product offerings, including the expansion of secured lending.
Best people: Attracting, developing and retaining the industry’s top talent continues to be a vital cornerstone of our strategy. Therefore, while reducing the overall headcount in 2013 in accordance with our efficiency targets, we continued to hire experienced senior relationship managers, who accounted for 63% of our relationship manager hires. We also continued and added to our extensive training and certification programs through which we enhance our existing talent pool.
Wealth Management Clients
In 2013, we continued to make significant progress towards our goal of becoming the leading private bank for UHNWI and HNWI clients globally while efficiently growing our affluent and retail business in our Swiss home market.
In our home market in Switzerland, our clients range from the retail segment up to UHNWI. They benefit from a broad service offering and widespread local presence. Our nation-wide branch network with over 200 locations allows us to stay in close contact with our clients and to identify new business opportunities across client segments. To further enhance efficiencies and improve productivity we have delayered our service model and implemented two focused business areas: First, a dedicated coverage team for UHNWI and External Asset Managers to meet the complex and demanding needs of these clients, which often resemble those of institutional clients. Second, a more effective coverage organization for our clients in Switzerland, ensuring high client proximity and a seamless service offering for our clients ranging from the retail and affluent to the HNWI segment. To expand our already strong position in Switzerland we are continuously adapting our service offering. For instance, to strengthen our position as the market leader in the External Asset Manager business, we have successfully launched eamXchange, an innovative platform that combines business-oriented goals with social media tools.
In emerging markets we continue to make focused investments to capture the attractive growth prospects in these regions. Our clients benefit from our broad global footprint and the services we provide in collaboration with Credit Suisse’s established global Investment Banking presence. The importance of emerging markets for our Wealth Management Clients business has continued to increase, with assets from emerging markets accounting for 37% of our assets under management as of year-end 2013 (compared to 35% at the end of 2011). We are further increasing depth in key markets like Brazil, China, Indonesia, the Middle East and Russia, and continue to enhance our Singapore and Hong Kong on- and offshore offerings. We expect to further accelerate our emerging markets expansion by extending our secured lending offerings and increasing the hiring of experienced relationship managers in these regions. We also plan to invest in our digital client interface to include a wider product range, portfolio analytics, research and transaction services, particularly in Asia. Our achievements in emerging markets are being recognized with private banking and wealth management awards, including recently the Euromoney Private Banking Survey 2014 regional award for “Best Private Bank in Central and Eastern Europe” and the Asian Private Banker Award for Distinction 2013 for “Best Private Bank – Asia”.
In mature markets in Western Europe, North America, Japan and Australia, we are transforming our businesses to accelerate growth, enhance efficiency and adjust to the new regulatory environment. In Western Europe, the announcement of the sale of our domestic private banking business booked in Germany, which is expected to close in 2014, marks an important achievement. We remain fully committed to serving German wealth management clients and will do so on a cross-border basis, leveraging our comprehensive platforms in Switzerland and Luxembourg. We also plan to continue to grow select profitable onshore markets, including those in Italy and Spain. The launch of our advisory branch in Portugal and our agreement to acquire Morgan Stanley’s private wealth management businesses in EMEA, excluding Switzerland, are further evidence of our commitment to successfully grow our presence in mature markets.
In all regions, the UHNWI client segment is an important growth driver for our business. By combining individual and comprehensive advice with dedicated investment ideas we continue to focus on this fast-growing client segment. Our offer is complemented by customized and innovative asset management and investment banking solutions based on our integrated bank approach. We continue to successfully execute our growth strategy, as UHNWI clients represented 45% of our assets under management at year-end 2013, compared to 37% at the end of 2011. We plan to continue to build out our specific product capabilities for UHNWI clients to further capture the segment’s growth potential, including the expansion of our secured lending offering.
To further reduce operational complexity and respond to increasing regulatory scrutiny, primarily in our cross-border business, we decided to fully exit from serving clients domiciled in over 80 small markets, primarily in Eastern EMEA. Similarly, we decided to discontinue servicing lower band wealth client segments in over 60 additional mainly small markets. These decisions, which are largely scheduled to be implemented through 2014, are expected to have a minor impact on our assets under management while creating efficiency and productivity gains by ensuring that our attention and resources are focused on core markets and client segments.
Corporate & Institutional Clients
In 2013, we successfully leveraged our strong market position in Switzerland and cross-segment collaboration, while increasing productivity and profitability.
We maintained and selectively improved our leading position in Switzerland as a trusted and proactive partner particularly in our business with corporates as well as with institutional clients. We increased our margins significantly over the whole business portfolio through active loan management. In order to support these measures, we rolled out a comprehensive Sales Excellence Training to all levels. Internationally, we reinforced our growth strategy
by strengthening our presence in the Asia Pacific region, while we reduced non-core and capital intensive business activities in line with the Group’s goal to further improve capital ratios and focus on core activities.
Also in 2013, we were recognized with several awards, including “Best Trade Finance Bank in Switzerland” by Global Finance magazine, “Best Swiss Global Custodian” and “Best European Global Custodian” by R&M Surveys and “Best Private Bank for Business Jet Finance 2013” by Corporate Jet Investor magazine.
Asset Management
In 2013, we made significant progress in our strategy, executing several business and assets sales while focusing on growth areas in alternative investment strategies and core investments. We reorganized our distribution efforts to expand our client reach through our own teams and third-party distribution channels. With the formation of a single Private Banking & Wealth Management division, we ensure close collaboration between the wealth and asset management businesses. Our clients benefit from the division-wide alignment and focusing of our investment ideas and our UHNWI clients, in particular, from the increased speed in the delivery of individually customized investment solutions. We continue to streamline and simplify our businesses which is resulting in significant headcount and operating expense reductions.
In alternative investments, we are focusing on providing investors with attractive alternatives to equities and traditional fixed income. With CHF 76.4 billion in assets under management, we are one of the leading alternatives managers globally. Our goal is to further increase scale in our main businesses and to seize opportunities in specialized niche areas. Our highly successful raising of capital for our collateralized loan obligation fund and inflows in our Brazilian hedge funds, securitized products and commodities contributed significantly to net asset inflows of CHF 11.1 billion in alternative assets. In 2013, we successfully launched new products in emerging markets, including Aventicum, our joint venture with Qatar Holdings, and NEXT, a venture capital fund. In addition, we successfully raised funds for Peninsula Investimentos SA, which sponsors and manages hedge funds with a focus on Brazilian macroeconomic funds and private equity funds.
With CHF 275.5 billion assets under management, our core investments business is a leader in the Swiss market, offering equity, fixed income, real estate, index and multi-asset class solutions products. Our strategic areas of focus include positioning our core investments business as a European investment manager, expanding our footprint in Asia and launching dedicated solutions and products for UHNWI clients. Our real estate business is a market leader in Switzerland and the second-largest European property fund manager.
During 2013 we completed the sale of our exchange-traded funds business to BlackRock and the sale of Strategic Partners, our dedicated secondary private equity business, to Blackstone. In August 2013, we announced the sale of the Customized Fund Investment Group, our private equity fund of funds and co-investment business, to Grosvenor Capital Management. This transaction was completed in the first quarter of 2014. Further, we announced an agreement to acquire Morgan Stanley’s private wealth management businesses in EMEA, excluding Switzerland; after a first closing in December 2013, we expect to complete this transaction during the course of 2014.
Products and services
The Private Banking & Wealth Management division offers a variety of products and services. They can be broadly divided into those products and services provided by each of our businesses within the division, as described below.
Wealth Management Clients
In Wealth Management Clients, our service offering is based on our structured advisory process, client segment specific value propositions, comprehensive investment services and our multi-shore platform.
– Structured advisory process: We apply a structured approach based on a thorough understanding of our clients’ needs, personal situation, product knowledge, investment objectives and a comprehensive analysis of their financial situation to define individual client risk profiles. On this basis we define together with our clients an individual investment strategy. This strategy is implemented ensuring that portfolio quality standards are adhered to and that all investment instruments are compliant with suitability and appropriateness standards. Responsible for the implementation are either the portfolio managers, in the case of discretionary mandates, or our relationship managers working together with their advisory clients.
– Client segment specific value propositions: We offer a wide range of wealth management solutions tailored to specific client segments. UHNWI and HNWI clients contributed 45% and 42%, respectively, of assets under management in Wealth Management Clients at the end of 2013. For entrepreneurs, we offer solutions for a range of private and corporate wealth management needs, including succession planning, tax advisory, financial planning and investment banking services. Our entrepreneur clients benefit from the advice of Credit Suisse’s corporate finance advisors, access to a network of international investors and professional support in financial transactions. A specialized team, Solutions Partners, offers holistic and tailor-made business and private financial solutions to our UHNWI clients.
– Comprehensive investment services: We offer a comprehensive range of investment advice and discretionary asset management services based on the outcome of our structured advisory process and the guidelines of the Investment Strategy & Research Group and the Credit Suisse Investment Committee. We base our advice and services on the analysis and recommendations of our research teams, which provide a wide range of global research including macroeconomic, equity, bond and foreign-exchange analysis, as well as research on the Swiss economy. Our investment advice covers
a range of services from portfolio consulting to advising on individual investments. We offer our clients portfolio and risk management solutions, including managed investment products. These are products actively managed and structured by our specialists or third parties, providing private investors with access to investment opportunities that otherwise would not be available to them. For clients with more complex requirements, we offer investment portfolio structuring and the implementation of individual strategies, including a wide range of structured products and alternative investments. Discretionary asset management services are available to clients who wish to delegate the responsibility for investment decisions to Credit Suisse. We are an industry leader in alternative investments and, in close collaboration with our Asset Management business and Investment Banking, Wealth Management Clients offers innovative products with limited correlation to equities and bonds, such as hedge funds, private equity, commodities and real estate investments.
– Multi-shore platform: With global operations comprising 20 international booking centers in addition to our operations in Switzerland, we are able to offer our clients booking capabilities locally as well as through our international hubs. Our multi-shore offering is designed to serve clients who are focused on geographical risk diversification, have multiple domiciles, seek access to global execution services or are interested in a wider range of products than are available to them locally. In 2013, CHF 23.6 billion of net new assets in Wealth Management Clients were booked outside of Switzerland, and we expect that international clients will continue to drive our growth in assets under management.
Corporate & Institutional Clients
In Corporate & Institutional Clients, we supply a comprehensive range of financial solutions to companies and institutional clients. Our offering is derived from our clients’ needs and delivered through our integrated franchise and growing international presence. With this foundation, we are able to assist our clients in virtually every stage of their business cycle and cover their banking needs in Switzerland and abroad. For corporate clients we provide a wide range of basic banking products such as traditional and structured lending, payment services, foreign exchange, capital goods leasing as well as investment solutions. Furthermore, together with the Investment Banking division we offer tailor-made services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, syndications and structured finance. For corporations with specific needs for global finance and transaction banking, we provide services in commodity trade finance, export finance as well as trade finance and factoring. For our institutional clients, including pension funds and public sector clients, we offer a wide range of fund solutions and fund-linked services, including fund management and administration, fund design and comprehensive global custody solutions. Our offering also includes ship and aviation finance and a competitive range of services and products for financial institutions such as securities, cash and treasury services.
Asset Management
In Asset Management, we offer institutional and individual clients a range of products, including alternative and core traditional products. We reach our clients through our own distribution teams in Private Banking & Wealth Management, the Investment Banking division and through third-party distribution channels.
Our alternative investment offerings include hedge fund strategies, alternative beta, commodities and credit investments. We offer access to various asset classes and markets through strategic alliances and key joint ventures with external managers and have a strong footprint in emerging markets.
Our core investment products include multi-asset class solutions, which provides clients with innovative strategies and comprehensive management across asset classes to optimize client portfolios with services that range from funds to fully customized solutions. Other core investment strategies include a suite of fixed income, equity and real estate funds, and our indexed solutions business which provides institutions and individual clients access to a wide variety of asset classes in a cost-effective manner. Stressing investment principles such as risk management and asset allocation, we take an active and disciplined approach to investing.
Business profile
Investment Banking provides a broad range of financial products and services, focusing on businesses that are client-driven, >>>flow-based and capital-efficient. Our suite of products and services includes global securities sales, trading and execution, prime brokerage and capital raising and advisory services as well as comprehensive investment research. Our clients include corporations, governments, institutional investors, including pension funds and hedge funds, and private individuals around the world. We deliver our global investment banking capabilities via regional and local teams based in major developed and emerging market centers. Our integrated business model enables us to gain a deeper understanding of our clients and deliver creative, high-value, customized solutions based on expertise from across Credit Suisse.
Key data – Investment Banking |
|
|
in / end of |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
Key data |
Net revenues (CHF million) |
|
12,565 |
|
12,558 |
|
10,460 |
|
Income/(loss) before taxes (CHF million) |
|
1,719 |
|
2,002 |
|
(593) |
|
Number of employees |
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19,700 |
|
19,800 |
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20,700 |
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Industry trends and competition
2013 was a challenging year, particularly in our fixed income sales and trading business, marked by market uncertainty regarding US monetary policy, heightened volatility in emerging markets and the impact of the US government shutdown. As a result of the difficult operating conditions, our fixed income businesses were impacted by subdued corporate and institutional risk appetite and continued low client activity levels. However, the equities sales and trading business benefited from higher client activity, favorable market conditions, increased fund flows and investor rotation into equities throughout the year. In addition, financial institutions across the globe continued to face significant pressure to adapt to the changing regulatory requirements. To this end, we have significantly evolved our business model and were one of the first global banks to be >>>Basel III compliant, beginning in January 2013. Additionally, there has been heightened regulatory focus on leverage and the migration of markets towards cleared and electronic trading across rates businesses. As a result, we expect increased capital and liquidity requirements and derivatives regulation to result in reduced risk-taking and enhanced transparency.
Strategy
We continue to proactively pursue a client-focused, capital-efficient business model. We believe this strategy, coupled with our conservative funding and liquidity position and strong capitalization, has served us well during a period of market volatility and industry change. In November 2011, we announced a refinement to our strategy aimed at adapting our businesses to the new market and regulatory environment. This includes significantly reducing Basel III >>> risk-weighted assets in fixed income, creating greater financial flexibility by reducing our cost base, optimizing our portfolio towards synergies with the Private Banking & Wealth Management division and delivering sustainable, attractive returns in areas where we have competitive advantages.
Over the past two years, we have made considerable progress in improving capital efficiency. We substantially reduced Basel III risk-weighted assets usage for Investment Banking, reducing total risk-weighted assets by USD 66 billion or 27% from 2011 to USD 176 billion in 2013. As of the end of 2013, we reported total assets of USD 565 billion, exceeding our Investment Banking balance sheet target of less than USD 600 billion of assets by year-end 2013. Additionally, we reported Swiss leverage exposure of USD 812 billion, exceeding our target of less than USD 840 billion by year-end 2013.
As part of continuing to advance our business model, we created a non-strategic unit within Investment Banking, with the goal of reducing costs, capital and leverage exposure in the non-strategic portfolio and redeploying resources to growth initiatives in high returning businesses. Non-strategic results for Investment Banking include the fixed income wind-down portfolio, legacy rates business, primarily non-exchange-cleared instruments and capital-intensive structured positions, legacy funding costs associated with non-Basel III compliant debt instruments, as well as certain legacy litigation costs and other small non-strategic positions. In connection with these actions, we are targeting non-strategic Basel III risk-weighted asset reductions of USD 14 billion from year-end 2013 to USD 6 billion by the end of 2015 and non-strategic Swiss leverage exposure reductions of USD 63 billion from year-end 2013 to USD 24 billion by the end of 2015.
In light of recent developments such as heightened regulatory focus on leverage and the migration of markets towards cleared and electronic trading, we have restructured and simplified our rates business model to focus on increasing returns and meeting client liquidity needs. More specifically, as a part of modifying our business model we are focusing on high volume, high liquidity electronic trading in cash products and exchange-cleared products in derivatives and on reducing capital intensive structured rates activity. Additionally, we have combined our rates, foreign exchange and commodities franchises to create the Global Macro Products Group within our fixed income business. This new cross-asset model is designed to offer clients a holistic approach across the macro asset classes and allow us to create scale in our delivery of macro products, resulting in improved capital and cost efficiency.
Another component of our evolved strategy is our focus on cost initiatives, which have been ongoing since the second quarter of 2011. We have significantly improved the operating efficiency of Investment Banking and have delivered most of our targeted CHF 1.9 billion of direct cost savings compared to the annualized six month 2011 run rate, measured at constant foreign exchange rates and adjusted to exclude significant non-operating expenses and variable compensation expenses. Through these initiatives, we are creating significant flexibility in our Investment Banking cost structure, which is permitting us to adapt to the challenging market
environment while taking advantage of favorable market opportunities when they arise.
Looking ahead, we believe our client-focused and cost- and capital-efficient strategy will allow us to deliver strong returns. We continue to refocus resources on opportunities in high-returning businesses such as securitized products, global credit products, cash equities, prime services, and emerging markets, and to reduce the drag from the non-strategic unit.
> Refer to “Regulation and supervision” for further information on regulatory developments.
Significant transactions
We executed a number of noteworthy transactions in 2013, reflecting the breadth and diversity of our Investment Banking franchise:
– Debt capital markets: We arranged key financings for a diverse set of clients, including Verizon Communications (broadband and wireless communications services), Wells Fargo (financial services), Électricité de France Group (electric utilities), Volkswagen Group (German auto maker), and Group R (offshore construction and engineering services).
– Equity capital markets: We executed a rights issue for Barclays Plc (financial services), a follow-on offering for KAR Holdings (vehicle auction services), an initial public offering (IPO) of Cembra Money Bank (a subsidiary of General Electric Capital EMEA), a follow-on offering for Diamondback Energy (independent oil and natural gas), and a follow-on offering of Fibra Uno de Mexico (commercial real estate trust).
– Mergers and acquisitions: We advised on a number of key transactions throughout the year, including the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (international mining) acquisition of Plains Exploration & Production Company and McMoRan Exploration Co (oil & gas exploration, development and production); the sale of Berry Petroleum (crude oil and natural gas exploration and production) to LINN Energy (holding company of oil and natural gas assets) and Linn Co (subsidiary of LINN Energy); the sale of E.I. du Pont Nemours and Company’s (diversified products and services) performance coating business to The Carlyle Group (global alternative asset manager); the sale of Lender Processing Services (loan processing services) to Fidelity National Financial (commercial and residential mortgage and diversified services); and the sale of Neiman Marcus (luxury retail chain) to Ares Management (private investment manager).
Market share momentum
– Remained #1 ranked European prime broker for the fourth consecutive year according to EuroHedge Magazine.
– Advanced to become the second-largest prime broker in Asia, according to the 2013 AsiaHedge Survey.
– Advanced to Top 3 ranking in Americas prime brokerage, according to The Absolute Return 2013 Prime Brokerage Survey in which we were the only prime broker to increase both market share and rank.
– Retained #1 ranking in US Electronic Trading and US Program Trading and maintained a Top 3 ranking in US Equity Trading, according to the 2013 Greenwich Associates Survey.
– Advanced to the #1 rank in overall US Fixed Income by market share according to the 2013 Fixed Income Trading Survey for North America by Greenwich Associates. We also advanced to the #1 rank in US Securitized Products, reflecting significant market share gains and increased or maintained market share in Secondary Investment Grade Credit and Secondary Leveraged Loans.
Products and services
Our comprehensive portfolio of products and services is aimed at the needs of the most sophisticated clients, and we increasingly use integrated platforms to ensure efficiency and transparency. Our activities are organized around two broad functional areas: investment banking and global securities. In investment banking, we work in industry, product and country groups. The industry groups include energy, financial institutions, financial sponsors, industrial and services, healthcare, media and telecom, real estate, and technology. The product groups include mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and financing products. The country groups include Europe, Latin America, North America, Japan, Non-Japan Asia, and Emerging Europe. In global securities, we engage in a broad range of activities across fixed income, currencies, commodities, derivatives and cash equities markets, including sales, structuring, trading, financing, prime brokerage, syndication and origination, with a focus on client-based and flow-based businesses, in line with growing client demand for less complex and more liquid products and structures.
Investment banking
The investment banking industry, product and country groups provide the following services.
Equity and debt underwriting
Equity capital markets originates, syndicates and underwrites equity in IPOs, common and convertible stock issues, acquisition financing and other equity issues. Debt capital markets originates, syndicates and underwrites corporate and sovereign debt.
Advisory services
Advisory services advises clients on all aspects of M&A, corporate sales and restructurings, divestitures and takeover defense strategies. The fund-linked products group is responsible for the structuring, risk management and distribution of structured mutual fund and alternative investment products and develops innovative products to meet the needs of its clients through specially tailored solutions.
Global securities
Global securities provides access to a wide range of debt and equity securities, derivative products and financing opportunities across the capital spectrum to corporate, sovereign and institutional clients. Global securities is structured into the areas outlined below.
Fixed income
– Credit products offers a full range of fixed income products and instruments to clients across investment grade and high yield credits, ranging from standard debt issues and credit research to fund-linked products, derivatives instruments and structured solutions that address specific client needs. We are a leading dealer in flow trading of single-name >>>credit default swap (CDS) on individual credits, credit-linked notes and index swaps. Investment grade trades domestic corporate and sovereign debt, non-convertible preferred stock and short-term securities such as floating rate notes and commercial paper. Leveraged finance provides capital raising and advisory services and core leveraged credit products such as bank loans, bridge loans and high yield debt for non-investment grade corporate and financial sponsor-backed companies.
– Securitized products trades, securitizes, syndicates, underwrites and provides research for various forms of securities, primarily >>>residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. Both the mortgage- and asset-backed securities are based on underlying pools of assets, and include both government- and agency-backed, as well as private label loans.
– Emerging markets offers a full range of fixed income products and instruments, including sovereign and corporate securities, local currency derivative instruments and tailored emerging market investment products.
– Global macro products is a newly formed group combining our existing rates, foreign exchange and commodities businesses, creating a new cross-asset model that offers a holistic approach across asset classes to our key clients. Our rates business is a global market maker in cash and derivatives markets and a primary dealer in multiple jurisdictions including the US, Europe and Japan. This business covers a spectrum of government bonds, interest rate swaps and options, as well as providing liability and liquidity management solutions. Foreign exchange provides market making in products such as spot and options for currencies in developed markets. The foreign exchange product suite also includes proprietary market leading technology to provide clients with electronic trading solutions. Commodities trades oil, gas and other energy products as well as base, precious and minor metals. The commodities product suite also includes benchmark indices developed by Credit Suisse commodities.
Equity
– Cash equities provides a comprehensive suite of offerings; such as (i) research, analytics and other content-driven products and services, to meet the needs of clients including mutual funds, investment advisors, banks, pension funds, hedge funds, insurance companies and other global financial institutions; (ii) sales trading, responsible for managing the order flow between our clients and the marketplace and providing clients with trading ideas and capital commitments, identifying trends and delivering the most effective execution; (iii) trading, which executes client orders and makes markets in listed and >>>over-the-counter (OTC) cash securities, exchange-traded funds and programs, providing liquidity to the market through both capital commitments and risk management; and (iv) Credit Suisse’s >>>advanced execution services (AES®), a sophisticated suite of algorithmic trading strategies, tools and analytics to facilitate global equity trading. By employing algorithms to execute client orders and limit volatility, AES® helps institutions and hedge funds reduce market impact. AES® is a recognized leader in its field and provides access to exchanges in more than 35 countries worldwide via more than 45 leading trading platforms.
– Equity derivatives provides a full range of equity-related products, investment options and financing solutions, as well as sophisticated hedging and risk management expertise and comprehensive execution capabilities to financial institutions, hedge funds, asset managers and corporations.
– Convertibles involves both secondary trading and market making and the trading of credit default and asset swaps and distributing market information and research. The global convertibles business is a leading originator of new issues throughout the world.
– Prime services offers hedge funds and institutional clients execution, financing, clearing and reporting capabilities across various asset classes through prime brokerage, synthetic financing, listed and OTC derivatives and hedge fund administration. In addition, prime services is a leading provider of advisory services across capital services and consulting for both start-ups and existing clients.
Systematic market-making group
The systematic market-making group operates a range of liquidity-providing and market-making strategies in liquid markets.
Other
Other products and activities include lending, certain real estate investments and the distressed asset portfolios. Lending includes senior bank debt in the form of syndicated loans and commitments to extend credit to investment grade and non-investment grade borrowers.
Research and HOLT
Our equity and fixed income businesses are enhanced by the research and HOLT functions. HOLT offers a framework for objectively assessing the performance of 20,000 companies in over 60 countries, with interactive tools and consulting services that clients use to make informed investment decisions.
Equity and fixed income research uses in-depth analytical frameworks, proprietary methodologies and data sources to analyze approximately 3,000 companies worldwide and provide macroeconomic insights into this constantly changing environment.
Organizational and regional structure
We operate in two global divisions and reporting segments – Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking. Consistent with our client-focused, capital-efficient business strategy, we coordinate activities in four market regions: Switzerland, EMEA, Americas and Asia Pacific. In addition, Shared Services provides centralized corporate services and business support, as well as effective and independent controls procedures in the following areas:
– The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) area covers many diverse functions, including Corporate Development, Information Technology, Corporate Real Estate & Services, Efficiency Management, Financial Accounting, Group Insurance, Group Finance, Investor Relations, New Business, Global Operations, Product Control, Tax and Treasury.
– The General Counsel area provides legal and compliance support to help protect the reputation of Credit Suisse. It does so by giving legal and regulatory advice and providing employees with the tools and expertise to comply with applicable internal policies and external laws, rules and regulations.
– The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) area comprises strategic risk management, credit risk management, risk analytics and reporting, and operational risk management, which cooperate closely to maintain a strict risk control environment and to help ensure that our risk capital is deployed wisely.
– The Talent, Branding and Centers of Excellence area comprises human resources, corporate branding and advertising and our CoE. Human Resources strives to attract, retain and develop staff, while also creating a stimulating working environment for all employees. Branding works closely with the businesses to manage our brand as a common touchstone, a differentiator in a competitive market and a motivator of behavior and our promise to clients. Our CoE support our global operations in process optimization by providing services and best practices away from the on-shore locations and are an essential component in the implementation of our strategy.
Other functions providing corporate services include Corporate Communications, One Bank Collaboration and Public Policy. Corporate Communications provides support in media relations, crisis management, executive and employee communications. One Bank Collaboration facilitates cross-divisional collaboration initiatives throughout the Group and measures and controls collaboration revenues. Public Policy promotes and protects the interests of Credit Suisse and its reputation.
The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the divisions and regions report directly to the Group CEO, and, together with the CFO, CRO, General Counsel and Chief Marketing and Talent Officer, they formed the Executive Board of Credit Suisse in 2013.
Our Internal Audit function reports directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Our structure is designed to promote cross-divisional collaboration while leveraging resources and synergies within our four regions. The regions perform a number of essential functions to coordinate and support the global operations of the two divisions. On a strategic level, regions are responsible for corporate development and the establishment of regional business plans, projects and initiatives. They also have an oversight role in monitoring financial performance. Each region is responsible for the regulatory relationships within its boundaries, as well as for regulatory risk management and the resolution of significant issues in the region as a whole or its constituent countries. Other responsibilities include client and people leadership and the coordination of the delivery of Shared Services and business support in the region.
Switzerland
Switzerland, our home market, represents a broad business portfolio. We have 17,900 employees in Switzerland. The Private Banking & Wealth Management division comprises our Wealth Management Clients, Corporate & Institutional Clients and Asset Management businesses. In Wealth Management Clients, we offer our clients a distinct value proposition combining a global reach with a structured advisory process and access to a broad range of sophisticated products and services tailored to different client groups, from private clients to >>>UHNWI. We serve clients in 214 branches. Additionally, we are dedicated experts for our external asset manager business. In Corporate & Institutional Clients, we provide premium advice and solutions within a broad range of banking services, including lending, cash and liquidity management, trade finance, corporate finance, foreign exchange, investment solutions, ship and aviation finance, global custody and asset and liability management. Clients taking advantage of these solutions include SME, global corporations and commodity traders, banks and Swiss pension funds. Our Asset Management business has a market-leading position in the Swiss traditional and alternative investments businesses, and also offers a broad range of multi-asset class solutions. The Investment Banking division offers a full range of financial services to its Swiss client base, holding market-leading positions in the Swiss debt and capital markets as well as in mergers and acquisition advisory.
EMEA
We are active in 29 countries across the EMEA region with 9,600 employees working in 63 offices. Our regional headquarters is in the UK, but we have an onshore presence in every major EMEA country. The EMEA region encompasses both developed markets, such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, and emerging markets, including Russia, Poland, Turkey and the Middle East. We implemented our client-focused integrated strategy at the country level, serving corporate, government, institutional and private clients. Both divisions are strongly represented in the EMEA region, with the Investment Banking division providing a spectrum of financial advisory services with strong market shares across many key products and markets. The Private Banking & Wealth Management division continues to further develop its integrated UHNWI offerings and to focus on the distribution of a variety of investment products, including alternative investments and core investments such as equities, fixed income, real estate, multi-asset class solutions and index solutions.
Americas
We have operations in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with 11,100 employees working in 43 offices spanning 14 countries. In the US, our emphasis is on our core client-focused and high-returning businesses in Investment Banking, and on building on the market share gains we have achieved in a capital-efficient manner. In Private Banking & Wealth Management, we see considerable potential to leverage our cross-divisional capabilities, as we further develop our onshore wealth management platform in the US, Brazil and Mexico. In Latin America, particularly in our key markets of Brazil and Mexico, we continue to focus on providing clients with a full range of cross-divisional services.
Asia Pacific
We are present in 12 Asia Pacific countries with 7,400 employees working in 24 offices, giving us one of the broadest footprints among international banks in the region. Singapore and Hong Kong are key hubs for our Private Banking & Wealth Management business, while Australia and Japan are home to our expanding domestic Private Banking franchises. We serve UHNWI and HNWI, combining global reach with a structured advisory process, offering distinct client segment specific value propositions, as well as access to a broad range of comprehensive and sophisticated products and services. We also deliver innovative and integrated solutions in close collaboration with our Investment Banking division. Our market-leading Investment Banking business operates principally in Hong Kong and Singapore. The strong equity and research platform helps underpin a robust capital markets and Investment Banking franchise. The Investment Banking division is recognized as a leader in the industry, contributing thought leadership through research, conferences and industry commentary.
Regulation and supervision
Our operations are regulated by authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which we have offices, branches and subsidiaries.
Central banks and other bank regulators, financial services agencies, securities agencies and exchanges and self-regulatory organizations are among the regulatory authorities that oversee our businesses. There is coordination among our primary regulators in Switzerland, the US, the EU and the UK.
The supervisory and regulatory regimes of the countries in which we operate determine to some degree our ability to expand into new markets, the services and products that we are able to offer in those markets and how we structure specific operations. We are in compliance with our regulatory requirements in all material respects and in compliance with regulatory capital requirements.
Governments and regulatory authorities around the world have responded to the challenging market conditions beginning in 2007 by proposing and enacting numerous reforms of the regulatory framework for financial services firms such as the Group. In particular, a number of reforms have been proposed and enacted by regulators, including our primary regulators, which could potentially have a material effect on our business. These regulatory developments could result in additional costs or limit or restrict the way we conduct our business. Although we expect regulatory-related costs and capital requirements for all major financial services firms (including the Group) to increase, we cannot predict the likely impact of proposed regulations on our businesses or results. We believe, however, that overall we are well positioned for regulatory reform, as we have reduced risk and maintained strong capital, funding and liquidity.
> Refer to “Risk factors” for further information on risks that may arise relating to regulation.
Recent regulatory developments and proposals
Some of the most significant regulations proposed or enacted during 2013 and early 2014 are discussed below.
Basel framework
Derivative regulation
In September 2013, the >>>Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a final global framework on margin requirements applicable to non-centrally cleared >>>derivatives. If the framework is enacted into law at national jurisdiction-level as currently contemplated, margin requirements would be significantly higher than current market practice, dealing firms such as Credit Suisse would be required to post initial and variation margins and the re-hypothecation of posted initial margin would be limited. These margin requirements could significantly increase the cost of non-centrally cleared derivatives and reduce demand for such derivatives, which could in turn adversely affect our derivatives sales and trading businesses. The framework contemplates that these margin requirements would be phased in beginning December 1, 2015. It is anticipated that regulators in the US, EU and other key BCBS/IOSCO jurisdictions will adopt rules implementing the framework during 2014.
Switzerland
As of January 1, 2013, the >>>Basel III framework was implemented in Switzerland along with the Swiss >>>“Too Big to Fail” legislation and regulations thereunder. Together with the related implementing ordinances, the legislation includes capital, liquidity, leverage and large exposure requirements, and rules for emergency plans designed to maintain systemically relevant functions in the event of threatened insolvency. Certain requirements under the legislation, including those regarding capital, are to be phased in through year-end 2018.
Capital and prudential supervision
On February 13, 2013, the Swiss Federal Council decided to activate the countercyclical capital buffer based on the request of the SNB. This activation of the countercyclical buffer requires banks to hold additional capital in the amount of 1% of their risk-weighted assets pertaining to mortgage loans that finance residential property in Switzerland from September 30, 2013. In January 2014, upon the request of SNB, the Swiss Federal Council further increased the countercyclical buffer from 1% to 2%, effective June 30, 2014.
> Refer to “Liquidity and funding management” and “Capital management” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet for further information regarding our current regulatory framework and expected changes to this framework affecting capital and liquidity standards.
Cross-border cooperation
On August 15, 2013, Switzerland and Germany agreed to increase cross-border cooperation to facilitate the ability of financial institutions in both countries to provide banking services and mutual funds to customers in the other country. The agreement is expected to remain effective under the revised EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), subject to the assessment of the Swiss and German authorities on the compatibility of the agreement with MiFID II. The agreement has been supplemented by two implementation agreements defining the scope of cooperation. These implementation agreements have been finalized by Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority and >>>FINMA and entered into effect on January 1, 2014.
Derivative regulation
On December 13, 2013, the Swiss Federal Council launched a consultation process for a new act to be named Financial Market Infrastructure Act (FMIA). The core purpose of the FMIA is to adjust Swiss regulation of financial market infrastructure and derivatives trading to market developments and international requirements, in particular the EU regulation on >>>OTC Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories (also known as the European Market Infrastructure Regulation, or EMIR).
Executive compensation
On March 3, 2013, Swiss citizens approved the so-called “Minder Initiative” intended to strengthen shareholder rights. The initiative requires legislation to be passed to impose board and executive compensation-related requirements on Swiss public companies, including requiring a binding (rather than advisory) shareholder vote on total board and total executive management compensation and prohibiting severance payments, salary prepayments and payments related to the acquisition or disposal of companies. The initiative also provides that the board members, the board chairperson and the compensation committee members be directly elected by shareholders annually. Further, the initiative calls for criminal sanctions in case of noncompliance. The Swiss Federal Council issued the transitional ordinance on November 20, 2013, which entered into force on January 1, 2014. The Ordinance against Excessive Compensation with respect to Listed Stock Corporations implements the initiative until the final legal implementation is approved by the parliament and entered into force. Specifically, according to the ordinance the board members, board chairperson and the compensation committee members must now be directly elected by shareholders annually, for the first time at the annual general meeting in 2014.
Reimbursement of commissions
The Swiss Federal Supreme Court issued a decision in the fourth quarter of 2012 in a case brought by a client of another bank seeking reimbursement of commissions paid to the client’s bank by providers of investment products. The court ruled that such payments (“retrocessions”) received in the context of a discretionary asset management mandate from issuers of investment products are owed to the client (including payments from intra-group companies) unless a client waiver is in place. FINMA subsequently issued a notice requiring all banks to inform potentially affected clients and we have done so by informing all of our discretionary mandate clients in the second quarter of 2013. Based on our current evaluation, we expect no material exposure from this decision. In line with industry trends, we continue to adapt our offering by launching a suite of inducement-free mandates.
Resolution regime
The consultation process launched by the Swiss Federal Council on December 13, 2013 relating to the FMIA also proposes to amend the Swiss Federal Law on Banks and Savings Banks of November 8, 1934, as amended (Bank Law), seeking to subject parent companies of financial groups or conglomerates and certain unregulated companies of the group domiciled in Switzerland to the Swiss resolution regime that applies to banks. If enacted, Credit Suisse Group would, and certain of its unregulated Swiss-domiciled subsidiaries could, become subject to the Swiss bank resolution regime and the resolution authority of FINMA. The consultation process on FMIA ended on March 31, 2014.
On January 1, 2014, revisions of the Federal Act of 11 April 1889 on Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy entered into effect. The revisions seek to facilitate the restructuring of companies and to strengthen creditors’ rights in provisional or definitive stays. In addition, it introduced certain procedural changes and a special treatment of continuing obligations (i.e., contracts such as leases, rentals or loans that contain a continuing and repeated exchange of money, goods or services), which in case of a provisional or definitive stay, may in the future be terminated at will by the debtor at any time with the permission of the receiver against payment of a compensation if a restructuring would otherwise be defeated.
Tax
On January 1, 2013, the bilateral tax agreements between Switzerland and each of the UK and Austria entered into force, allowing for the regularization of assets in Switzerland of UK and Austrian residents. Past assets are to be regularized through an anonymous one-off payment deducted by paying agents in Switzerland or by a bank client’s voluntary disclosure to Austrian or British authorities, as applicable. Austrian and UK clients have two options to regularize their future investment income and capital gains: they can instruct the Swiss bank to either deduct a withholding tax from relevant income and gains (which will grant client anonymity) or report such income and gains to their home authorities. In December 2012, the bilateral tax agreement between Switzerland and Germany was rejected by the German government.
On February 1, 2013, the Swiss Tax Administrative Assistance Act entered into force. The act governs administrative assistance in double taxation and other international agreements that Switzerland has entered into which provide for the exchange of information relating to tax matters consistent with Article 26 of the OECD Model Tax Convention. Under the act, administrative assistance is no longer prohibited for group requests based on a behavioral pattern, but so-called “fishing expeditions” are expressly prohibited. In August 2013, the Swiss Federal Council announced that it would seek to amend the act to comply with international standards. In March 2014, the Swiss Parliament approved amendments relating to the deferred notification of parties concerned, which will allow in certain cases that the affected taxpayer be informed after the information has been communicated to the authorities of the requesting country, and the establishment of a special procedure for informing parties affected by a group request. It is expected that the revised act will enter into force on January 1, 2015.
The Swiss Federal Supreme Court, in a July 2013 decision concerning a former Credit Suisse client, confirmed that so-called group requests which are not targeting an identified client but instead describe a behavioral pattern are permissible under the
existing 1996 Swiss/US double taxation treaty for the avoidance of double taxation.
On August 29, 2013, Switzerland and the US signed a joint statement which provides a framework for Swiss banks’ cooperation with the US authorities in their investigations focused on tax evasion. The framework applies to all Swiss banks except those banks, including Credit Suisse, which are the target of criminal investigations by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
In September 2013, the Swiss Parliament approved an intergovernmental agreement with the US to implement the reporting and withholding tax provisions of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). FATCA requirements enter into force on July 1, 2014.
On December 18, 2013, the Swiss Federal Council adopted the mandate for negotiations regarding a revision of the taxation of savings agreement between the EU and Switzerland. The envisaged revision should bring the agreement in line with the planned revision of the EU Savings Directive and close current perceived gaps. Switzerland and the EU have officially started negotiations on January 17, 2014. In March 2014, the EC agreed an extension to the EU Savings Directive to cover the automatic information exchange within the EU on all forms of savings income and products that generate interest or equivalent income. The EU is now trying to reach an agreement with third countries such as Switzerland by the end of 2014 regarding amendments to saving taxation agreements implementing the EU Savings Directive. At the global level, in September 2013 the G20 Summit endorsed global automatic information exchange as a new international standard.
US
In July 2010, the US enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), which provides a broad framework for regulatory changes. Although rulemaking in respect of many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act has already taken place, implementation will require further detailed rulemaking over several years by different regulators, including the US Department of the Treasury (US Treasury), the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC).
Capital and prudential supervision
In July 2013, the Fed, the FDIC and the OCC released final capital rules that overhaul the existing US bank regulatory capital rules and implement the Basel III framework and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rules are largely consistent with the Basel III framework published by the BCBS, although they diverge in several important respects due to requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act and do not address other, more recent aspects of the Basel III framework. In October 2013, the Fed, the OCC and the FDIC issued a proposed rule to introduce the Basel III >>>liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) in the US, applicable to certain large US banking organizations. The US LCR proposal is generally consistent with the LCR published by the BCBS in January 2013, but it is stricter in certain respects and would be phased in between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2017. In future separate rulemakings, the Fed may apply the US LCR requirement to the US operations of certain large foreign banking organizations.
The Dodd-Frank Act also provides regulators with tools to impose greater capital, leverage and liquidity requirements and other prudential standards, particularly for financial institutions that pose significant systemic risk. In February 2014, the Fed adopted a rule under the Dodd-Frank Act that creates a new framework for regulation of the US operations of foreign banking organizations. The rule requires Credit Suisse to create a single US intermediate holding company (IHC) to hold all of its US subsidiaries; this will not apply to Credit Suisse AG’s New York branch (New York Branch). The IHC will be subject to local risk-based capital and leverage requirements. In addition, both the IHC itself and the combined US operations of Credit Suisse (including the IHC and the New York Branch) will be subjected to other new prudential requirements, including with respect to liquidity risk management, separate liquidity buffers for each of the IHC and the New York Branch, stress testing, and other prudential standards. The new framework’s prudential requirements generally become effective in July 2016. Under proposals that remain under consideration, the IHC and the combined US operations of Credit Suisse would become subject to limits on credit exposures to any single counterparty, and the combined US operations of Credit Suisse would also become subject to an early remediation regime which could be triggered by capital, leverage, stress tests, liquidity, risk management and market indicators. On April 15, 2013, the Fed and the FDIC released additional guidance requiring certain financial companies, including Credit Suisse, to provide additional analysis and data in future resolution plans, and extended the deadline to submit an updated plan from July 1, 2013 to October 1, 2013. Our initial resolution plan was submitted on July 1, 2012 and our first annual update was submitted by the October 1, 2013 deadline.
> Refer to “Liquidity and funding management” and “Capital management” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet for further information regarding our current regulatory framework and expected changes to this framework affecting capital and liquidity standards.
On December 10, 2013, US regulators released the final version of the so-called “Volcker Rule”, which limits the ability of banking entities to sponsor or invest in certain private equity or hedge funds and to engage in certain types of proprietary trading. The end of the conformance period for the Volcker Rule was extended until July 21, 2015 (with the possibility of extensions under certain circumstances), by which time financial institutions subject to the rule must bring their activities and investments into compliance. We are analyzing the final rule, assessing how it affects our businesses, and re-initiating an implementation program to come into compliance.
Derivative regulation
On July 1, 2013, Credit Suisse Securities Europe Limited (CSSEL), the entity through which we conduct certain of our equity swap trading business, registered with the CFTC as a swap dealer.
On July 12, 2013, the CFTC adopted final cross-border guidance governing the application of CFTC rules to non-US swap dealers, which include Credit Suisse International (CSI) and CSSEL. The guidance adopted by the CFTC permits non-US swap dealers to comply with comparable home country rules in lieu of complying with certain CFTC rules. In this regard, the European Commission (EC) made an application to the CFTC for substituted compliance on behalf of firms based in the EU, including CSI and CSSEL. The CFTC granted this application in part through comparability determinations it issued on December 20, 2013 for the EU and certain other jurisdictions. As a result of these determinations, CSI and CSSEL may comply with local EU rules in lieu of certain CFTC requirements regarding risk management, internal controls, chief compliance officer duties and reports, recordkeeping, swap confirmations, portfolio reconciliation and compression, and swap valuation. In addition, the CFTC issued two no-action letters deferring certain CFTC requirements, most notably with respect to trade reporting for swaps with non-US persons, thereby allowing the CFTC more time to consider the comparability of similar rules in other jurisdictions. If the CFTC does not ultimately grant substituted compliance for reporting of swaps with non-US persons, CSI and CSSEL could incur significant operational costs.
On November 14, 2013, staff of the CFTC published an advisory stating that CFTC “transaction-level” requirements, such as mandatory clearing, mandatory exchange trading, real-time public reporting and external business conduct, apply to a swap between a non-US swap dealer, such as CSI or CSSEL, and another non-US person if the swap is arranged, negotiated or executed by US personnel or agents of the non-US swap dealer. This advisory is currently scheduled to go into effect on September 15, 2014, and the CFTC has requested public comments on it. If this advisory is not rescinded or modified, it could result in some market disruption and impose significant compliance costs on CSI and CSSEL. In light of this advisory, on December 4, 2013, several US financial trade associations filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the advisory and the CFTC’s July 2013 guidance regarding the cross-border application of its swaps rules. The lawsuit asks the court to vacate the July 2013 guidance and enjoin the CFTC from enforcing its rules outside the US. Depending on the outcome of this lawsuit, the extent to which CSI and CSSEL are subject to CFTC rules may differ significantly from the framework currently applicable under the CFTC’s guidance. We are monitoring the progress of the lawsuit and assessing our contingency plans for the different scenarios that could result from it.
On January 16, 22 and 27, 2014, specified types of interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps were deemed “made available to trade” by CFTC-registered swap execution facilities (SEFs). As a result, since February 15, 21 and 26, 2014, those types of swaps have been required to be executed on a SEF or designated contract market, unless an exception or exemption applies. It is possible that certain market participants, including some of our clients or counterparties, will change their trading behavior as a result of these SEF requirements which could negatively affect swap trading revenue.
Tax
On July 12, 2013, the US Treasury published a notice postponing the entry into force of FATCA by six months to July 1, 2014.
On August 29, 2013, Switzerland and the US signed a joint statement which provides a framework for Swiss banks’ cooperation with the US authorities in their investigations focused on tax evasion. The framework applies to all Swiss banks except those banks, including Credit Suisse, which are the target of criminal investigations by the DOJ.
EU
The EU, the UK and other national European jurisdictions have also proposed and enacted a wide range of prudential, securities and governance regulations to address systemic risk and to further regulate financial institutions, products and markets. These proposals are at various stages of the EU pre-legislative, legislative and rule making processes, and their final form and cumulative impact remain uncertain.
Capital and prudential supervision
On June 27, 2013, the final text of the Capital Requirement Directive IV and Capital Requirements Regulation (CRD IV) was published in the Official Journal of the EU. With effect from January 1, 2014, CRD IV has replaced the current CRD with new measures implementing Basel III and other requirements. Compliance with these requirements will include receiving approval by the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) of certain models with respect to regulatory capital requirements of our UK subsidiaries.
On July 22, 2013, the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) entered into effect. The AIFMD establishes a comprehensive regulatory and supervisory framework for alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) managing and/or marketing alternative investment funds (AIFs) in the EU. The AIFMD imposes various substantive requirements to authorized AIFMs, including increased transparency towards investors and regulators, and allows authorized AIFMs to market AIFs to professional investors throughout the EU under an “EU passport”. The EU passport has been made available to authorized EU AIFMs since July 2013 and, subject to European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and European Commission’s positive opinion, is expected to be made available to authorized non-EU AIFMs from late 2015. In the meantime (and until at least 2018), non-EU AIFMs may continue to market within the EU under the private placement regimes of the individual member states subject to complying with certain minimum requirements imposed by the AIFMD and any additional requirements that individual member states may impose. The AIFMD also imposes a new, strict depositary regime affecting the manner in which prime brokers may provide custody services to
fund managers. Although many member states have now implemented the AIFMD, a number of member states did not meet the transposition deadline of July 22, 2013. As clarified by ESMA, for EU AIFMs authorized under the AIFMD in a member state that has transposed the AIFMD, the passport system should be available even in a member state that has not transposed the AIFMD into national law. EU AIFMs established in EU member states that have not yet transposed the AIFMD cannot rely on the marketing and management passport in other member states.
On December 18, 2013, the UK Financial Services Act 2013 (Banking Reform Act) was enacted. Secondary legislation to fully implement the Banking Reform Act is expected to be completed by May 2015. The Banking Reform Act provides for the creation of a “retail ring-fence” that will prohibit large retail deposit banks from carrying out a broad range of investment and other banking activities in the same entity. Banks are expected to be required to comply with the ring-fencing requirements by 2019. However, it is expected that our Private Banking & Wealth Management business in the UK may benefit from the de minimis exemption from the retail ring-fence requirements which is anticipated to exclude certain banks that hold core deposits of below GBP 25 billion. The Banking Reform Act also introduces certain other reforms, including requirements for primary loss absorbing capacity in order to facilitate the use of the new bail-in tool, which is itself introduced by the Banking Reform Act. The Banking Reform Act will also establish a more stringent regulatory regime for certain senior personnel of the bank, as well as create a new criminal offense for reckless mismanagement in the banking industry. The governance rules and the bail-in tool will impact our UK entities, such as CSI and CSSEL.
On January 29, 2014, the EC published a draft Regulation on Structural Measures Improving the Resilience of EU Banks and Transparency of the Financial Sector which, if enacted, would introduce certain structural measures designed to reduce the risk and complexity of large banks in the EU. It is proposed that the measures would apply to EU banks which qualify as global systemically important institutions, or which have for a period of three consecutive years (i) total assets of at least EUR 30 billion, and (ii) trading activities amounting to at least EUR 70 billion or 10% of their total assets. These banks would be prohibited from engaging in proprietary trading in financial instruments and commodities and would become subject to anti-avoidance rules prohibiting certain transactions with the shadow banking sector. In addition, they may be required by their regulator to separate certain trading activities involving increased risks from their deposit-taking, lending and other business activities.
On January 14, 2014, the EC, European Parliament and European Council reached a political agreement on the MiFID II primary legislation and related regulation (MiFIR), which are scheduled to be enacted in the second quarter of 2014. It is expected that the provisions thereof will have to be implemented in the member states and expected to come into effect towards the end of 2016. Although the final text has not yet been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the EC formally announced that an agreement has been reached to introduce an EU harmonized regime for the cross-border provision of investment services to professional and eligible counterparties in the EU. This new regime for granting access to EU markets for financial services providers based in third countries, including Switzerland, would be based on the positive equivalence determination of the prudential and business conduct requirements in place in the relevant third country jurisdiction by the EC and, subject to equivalence being found, allow for an EU wide passport when providing services to EU professional clients and eligible counterparties. Third country financial services providers would be able to continue to provide services and activities to such clients in member states in accordance with national regimes until three years after the adoption by the EC’s of a positive equivalence decision.
Derivative regulation
In March 2013, certain of the requirements of EMIR came into effect while others will be phased in. EMIR requires that certain standardized OTC derivatives contracts be centrally cleared and, where OTC transactions are not subject to central clearing, specified techniques are employed to monitor, measure and mitigate the operational and counterparty risks presented by those transactions. These risk mitigation techniques include trade confirmation, robust portfolio reconciliation and portfolio compression processes, exchange of margin, and the daily mark-to-market valuation of trades. Certain of these risk mitigation obligations came into effect on September 15, 2013. From February 12, 2014, EU counterparties subject to EMIR are required to report any derivative contract to a trade repository that is authorized or recognized under EMIR.
On September 3, 2013, the ESMA published its technical advice to the EC on the equivalence of a number of third-country derivative regimes with EMIR, recommending “conditional equivalence” for all third country regulatory regimes assessed, except for Switzerland and Australia’s rules for central counterparties. The EC is expected to use ESMA advice to make its own assessment and decide whether to adopt an implementing act declaring a third country equivalent with EMIR. EC positive equivalence determination of a third country regime would allow EU counterparties trading with entities established in such third country to meet their EMIR obligations through compliance with the equivalent third country rules. “Conditional” equivalence was proposed by ESMA in relation to certain parts of the CFTC and SEC regimes whereby, subject to the implementation of a number of additional stipulations, adherence to the relevant US regimes would be deemed equivalent to EMIR.
Resolution regime
On December 11, 2013, the European Parliament reached a political agreement with the European Council on a legislative proposal for a directive establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, known as the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive. The framework will give national regulators wide-ranging powers (notably new bail-in
powers) to intervene where an entity is likely to fail in order to avoid adverse effects on wider financial stability. It is anticipated that the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive will enter into force on January 1, 2015 and the bail-in powers will become effective on January 1, 2016 at the latest. Our EU subsidiaries will be affected to varying degrees. The Single Resolution Mechanism regulation, agreed by the European Parliament and the European Council in March 2014, will apply substantially identical recovery and resolution powers as those contained within the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive to institutions located in the eurozone.
On December 19, 2013, the PRA in the UK published updated rules on recovery and resolution plans under the Financial Services Act 2010. Covered entities are required to have recovery plans similar to those proposed by the EC. In addition, they are required to submit certain organizational data in order to allow the PRA and the Bank of England to draw up resolution plans. Credit Suisse provided relevant information to UK regulatory authorities based on existing guidance in 2012.
Tax
In January 2013, a group of eleven EU member states (Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia) proposed to adopt a financial transaction tax (FTT) applicable only for those countries, as a proposed EU-wide FTT was unsuccessful. If approved in the proposed form, the tax would apply to a wide range of financial transactions, including minimum rates of 0.01% for derivative products and 0.1% for other financial instruments. The tax would apply to certain financial transactions where at least one party is a financial institution, and at least one party is established in a participating member state. A financial institution may be, or be deemed to be, “established” in a participating member state in a broad range of circumstances, including (a) by transacting with a person established in a participating member state or (b) where the relevant financial instrument is issued in a participating member state. To become effective, the proposed FTT directive will require unanimous agreement of at least nine participating member states. The FTT proposal remains subject to negotiation among the participating member states and is the subject of legal challenge. It may therefore be altered significantly prior to any implementation, the timing of which remains unclear. Where a participating member state already has a financial transaction tax in place, such as France and Italy, the FTT would be expected to replace those existing national FTT regimes.
The principal regulatory structures that apply to our operations are discussed below.
Switzerland
Banking regulation and supervision
Although Credit Suisse Group is not a bank according to the Bank Law, and its Implementing Ordinance of May 17, 1972, as amended (Implementing Ordinance), the Group is required, pursuant to the provisions on consolidated supervision of financial groups and conglomerates of the Bank Law, to comply with certain requirements for banks. Such requirements include capital adequacy, solvency and risk concentration on a consolidated basis, and certain reporting obligations. Our banks in Switzerland are regulated by >>>FINMA on a legal entity basis and, if applicable, on a consolidated basis.
Our banks in Switzerland operate under banking licenses granted by FINMA pursuant to the Bank Law and the Implementing Ordinance. In addition, certain of these banks hold securities dealer licenses granted by FINMA pursuant to the Swiss Federal Act on Stock Exchanges and Securities Trading (SESTA).
FINMA is the sole bank supervisory authority in Switzerland and is independent from the SNB. Under the Bank Law, FINMA is responsible for the supervision of the Swiss banking system. The SNB is responsible for implementing the government’s monetary policy relating to banks and securities dealers and for ensuring the stability of the financial system. Under the >>>“Too Big to Fail” legislation, the SNB is also responsible for determining which banks in Switzerland are systemically relevant banks and which functions are systemically relevant in Switzerland. The SNB has identified the Group as a systemically relevant bank.
Our banks in Switzerland are subject to close and continuous prudential supervision and direct audits by FINMA. Under the Bank Law, our banks are subject to inspection and supervision by an independent auditing firm recognized by FINMA, which is appointed by the bank’s shareholder meeting and required to perform annual audits of the bank’s financial statements and to assess whether the bank is in compliance with laws and regulations, including the Bank Law, the Implementing Ordinance and FINMA regulations.
Swiss banks are subject to the >>>Basel III framework and the Swiss ”Too Big to Fail” legislation and regulations thereunder, which include capital, liquidity, leverage and large exposure requirements, and rule for emergency plans designed to maintain systemically relevant functions in the event of threatened insolvency.
Swiss banks are also required to maintain a specified liquidity standard pursuant to the Liquidity Ordinance (Liquidity Ordinance), which was adopted by the Swiss Federal Council in November 2012 and implements Basel III liquidity requirements into Swiss law subject, in part, to further rule-making. The Liquidity Ordinance entered into force on January 1, 2013. It requires appropriate management and monitoring of liquidity risks, and applies to all banks, but is tiered according to the type, complexity and degree of risk of a bank’s activities. It also contains supplementary quantitative and qualitative requirements for systemically relevant banks, including us, which are generally consistent with existing FINMA liquidity requirements. In January 2014, the Swiss Federal Council and FINMA proposed revisions to the Liquidity Ordinance to reflect the final Basel III >>>LCR rules. Under the proposal, systemically relevant banks like us will be subject to an initial minimum LCR requirement of 100% beginning in 2015.
Our regulatory capital is calculated on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the US, with certain adjustments required by, or agreed with, FINMA.
> Refer to “Liquidity and funding management” and “Capital management” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet for further information regarding our current regulatory framework and expected changes to this framework affecting capital and liquidity standards.
Under Swiss banking law, banks and securities dealers are required to manage risk concentration within specific limits. Aggregated credit exposure to any single counterparty or a group of related counterparties must bear an adequate relationship to the bank’s core tier 1 capital, taking into account counterparty risks and >>>risk mitigation instruments.
Under the Bank Law and SESTA, Swiss banks and securities dealers are obligated to keep confidential the existence and all aspects of their relationships with customers. These customer confidentiality laws do not, however, provide protection with respect to criminal offenses such as insider trading, money laundering, terrorist financing activities, tax fraud or evasion or prevent the disclosure of information to courts and administrative authorities.
Swiss rules and regulations to combat money laundering and terrorist financing are comprehensive and require banks and other financial intermediaries to thoroughly verify and document customer identity before commencing business. In addition, these rules and regulations include obligations to maintain appropriate policies for dealings with politically exposed persons and procedures and controls to detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing activities, including reporting suspicious activities to authorities.
Since January 1, 2010, compensation design and its implementation and disclosure must comply with standards promulgated by FINMA under its Circular on Remuneration Schemes.
Securities dealer and asset management regulation and supervision
Our securities dealer activities in Switzerland are conducted primarily through the Bank and are subject to regulation under SESTA, which regulates all aspects of the securities dealer business in Switzerland, including regulatory capital, risk concentration, sales and trading practices, record-keeping requirements and procedures and periodic reporting procedures. Securities dealers are supervised by FINMA.
Our asset management activities in Switzerland, which include the establishment and administration of mutual funds registered for public distribution, are conducted under the supervision of FINMA.
Resolution regime
The Banking Insolvency Ordinance-FINMA (the Banking Insolvency Ordinance) governs resolution (i.e., restructuring or liquidation) procedures of Swiss banks and securities dealers, such as Credit Suisse AG. Instead of prescribing a particular resolution concept, the Banking Insolvency Ordinance provides FINMA with a significant amount of authority and discretion in the case of resolution, as well as various restructuring tools from which FINMA may choose.
FINMA may open resolution proceedings if there is justified concern that the relevant Swiss bank is over-indebted, has serious liquidity problems or no longer fulfills capital adequacy requirements. However, the proceedings may only take the form of restructuring (rather than liquidation) proceedings if (i) the recovery of, or the continued provision of individual banking services by, the relevant bank appears likely and (ii) the creditors of the relevant bank are likely better off in restructuring proceedings than in liquidation proceedings. All realizable assets in the relevant bank’s possession will be subject to such proceedings, regardless of where they are located.
If FINMA were to open restructuring proceedings with respect to Credit Suisse AG, it would have discretion to take decisive actions, including (i) transferring the bank’s assets or a portion thereof, together with its debt and other liabilities and contracts, to another entity, (ii) staying (for a maximum of 48 hours) the termination of, and the exercise of rights to terminate relating to, financial contracts to which the bank is a party, (iii) converting the bank’s debt into equity (a “debt-to-equity swap”), and/or (iv) partially or fully writing off the bank’s obligations (a “haircut”).
Prior to any debt-to equity swap or haircut, outstanding equity capital and debt instruments issued by Credit Suisse AG that are part of its regulatory capital (including the bank’s outstanding high trigger capital instruments and low trigger capital instruments) must be converted or written-off (as applicable) and cancelled. Any debt-to-equity swap, (but not any haircut) would have to follow the hierarchy of claims to the extent such debt is not excluded from such conversion by the Banking Insolvency Ordinance. Contingent liabilities of Credit Suisse AG such as guarantees could also be subjected to a debt-to-equity swap or a haircut to the extent amounts are due and payable thereunder at any time during restructuring proceedings. For systemically relevant banks such as Credit Suisse AG, creditors have no right to reject the restructuring plan approved by FINMA.
US
Banking regulation and supervision
Our banking operations are subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision in the US. Our direct US offices are composed of our New York Branch and representative offices in California. Each of these offices is licensed with, and subject to examination and regulation by, the state banking authority in the state in which it is located.
Our New York Branch is licensed by the New York Superintendent of Financial Services (Superintendent), examined by the New York State Department of Financial Services, and subject to laws and regulations applicable to a foreign bank operating a New York branch. Under the New York Banking Law, our New York Branch must maintain eligible assets with banks in the state of New York. The amount of eligible assets required, which is expressed as a percentage of third-party liabilities, would increase if our New York Branch is no longer designated well rated by the Superintendent.
The New York Banking Law authorizes the Superintendent to seize our New York Branch and all of our business and property in New York State (which includes property of our New York Branch, wherever it may be located, and all of our property situated in New York State) under circumstances generally including violations of law, unsafe or unsound practices or insolvency. In liquidating or dealing with our New York Branch’s business after taking possession, the Superintendent would only accept for payment the claims of depositors and other creditors (unaffiliated with us) that arose out of transactions with our New York Branch. After the claims of those creditors were paid out of the business and property of the Bank in New York, the Superintendent would turn over the remaining assets, if any, to us or our liquidator or receiver.
Under New York Banking Law and US federal banking laws, our New York Branch is generally subject to single borrower lending limits expressed as a percentage of the worldwide capital of the Bank. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, lending limits take into account credit exposure arising from derivative transactions, securities borrowing and lending transactions and repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements with counterparties.
Our operations are also subject to reporting and examination requirements under US federal banking laws. Our US non-banking operations are subject to examination by the Fed in its capacity as our US umbrella supervisor. The New York Branch is also subject to examination by the Fed and is subject to Fed requirements and limitations on the acceptance and maintenance of deposits. Because the New York Branch does not engage in retail deposit taking, it is not a member of, and its deposits are not insured by, the FDIC.
US federal banking laws provide that a state-licensed branch (such as the New York Branch) or agency of a foreign bank may not, as a general matter, engage as principal in any type of activity that is not permissible for a federally licensed branch or agency of a foreign bank unless the Fed has determined that such activity is consistent with sound banking practice. In addition, regulations which the FSOC and the Fed may adopt could affect the nature of the activities which the Bank (including the New York Branch) may conduct, and may impose restrictions and limitations on the conduct of such activities.
The Fed may terminate the activities of a US branch or agency of a foreign bank if it finds that the foreign bank: (i) is not subject to comprehensive supervision in its home country; (ii) has violated the law or engaged in an unsafe or unsound banking practice in the US; or (iii) for a foreign bank that presents a risk to the stability of the US financial system, the home country of the foreign bank has not adopted, or made demonstrable progress toward adopting, an appropriate system of financial regulation to mitigate such risk.
A major focus of US policy and regulation relating to financial institutions has been to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. These laws and regulations impose obligations to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing, verify the identity of customers and comply with economic sanctions. Any failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, and violations of such economic sanctions, laws and regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences. We take our obligations to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing in the US and globally very seriously, while appropriately respecting and protecting the confidentiality of clients. We have policies, procedures and training intended to ensure that our employees comply with “know your customer” regulations and understand when a client relationship or business should be evaluated as higher risk for us.
Credit Suisse Group and the Bank became financial holding companies for purposes of US federal banking law in 2000 and, as a result, may engage in a broad range of non-banking activities in the US, including insurance, securities, private equity and other financial activities, in each case subject to regulatory requirements and limitations. Credit Suisse Group is still required to obtain the prior approval of the Fed (and potentially other US banking regulators) before acquiring, directly or indirectly, the ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of voting shares of (or otherwise controlling) any US bank, bank holding company or many other US depositary institutions and their holding companies, and as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, before making certain acquisitions involving large non-bank companies. The New York Branch is also restricted from engaging in certain tying arrangements involving products and services, and in certain transactions with certain of its affiliates. If Credit Suisse Group or the Bank ceases to be well-capitalized or well-managed under applicable Fed rules, or otherwise fails to meet any of the requirements for financial holding company status, it may be required to discontinue certain financial activities or terminate its New York Branch. Credit Suisse Group’s ability to undertake acquisitions permitted by financial holding companies could also be adversely affected.
The Dodd-Frank Act requires issuers with listed securities to establish a claw-back policy to recoup erroneously awarded compensation in the event of an accounting restatement, although it is currently unclear if this requirement will apply to foreign private issuers, like the Group.
Broker-dealer and asset management regulation and supervision
Our US broker-dealers are subject to extensive regulation by US regulatory authorities. The SEC is the federal agency primarily responsible for the regulation of broker-dealers, investment advisers and investment companies. In addition, the US Treasury has the authority to promulgate rules relating to US Treasury and government agency securities, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) has the authority to promulgate rules relating to municipal securities, and the MSRB also promulgates regulations applicable to certain securities credit transactions. In addition, broker-dealers are subject to regulation by securities industry self-regulatory organizations, including the Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA), and by state securities authorities.
Our US broker-dealers are registered with the SEC and our primary US broker-dealer is registered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Our US
registered entities are subject to extensive regulatory requirements that apply to all aspects of their securities, including where applicable: capital requirements; the use and safekeeping of customer funds and securities; the suitability of customer investments; record-keeping and reporting requirements; employee-related matters; limitations on extensions of credit in securities transactions; prevention and detection of money laundering and terrorist financing; procedures relating to research analyst independence; procedures for the clearance and settlement of trades; and communications with the public.
Our US broker-dealers are also subject to the SEC’s net capital rule, which requires broker-dealers to maintain a specified level of minimum net capital in relatively liquid form. Compliance with the net capital rule could limit operations that require intensive use of capital, such as underwriting and trading activities and the financing of customer account balances and also could restrict our ability to withdraw capital from our broker-dealers. Our US broker-dealers are also subject to the net capital requirements of FINRA and, in some cases, other self-regulatory organizations.
Our securities and asset management businesses include legal entities registered and regulated as a broker-dealer and investment adviser by the SEC. The SEC-registered mutual funds that we advise are subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940. For pension fund customers, we are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and similar state statutes.
The Dodd-Frank Act grants the SEC discretionary rule-making authority to impose a new fiduciary standard on brokers, dealers and investment advisers and expands the extraterritorial jurisdiction of US courts over actions brought by the SEC or the US with respect to violations of the antifraud provisions in the Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It also requires broader regulation of hedge funds and private equity funds, as well as credit rating agencies.
Derivative regulation and supervision
The CFTC is the federal agency primarily responsible for the regulation of futures commission merchants, commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors. With the effectiveness of the Dodd-Frank Act, these CFTC registration categories have been expanded to include persons engaging in a relevant activity with respect to swaps, and new registration categories have been added for swap dealers and major swap participants. For futures and swap activities, these CFTC registrants are subject to futures industry self-regulatory organizations such as the National Futures Association (NFA).
Each of CSI and CSSEL is registered with the CFTC as a swap dealer as a result of its swap activities with US persons and is therefore subject to requirements relating to reporting, record-keeping, swap confirmation, swap portfolio reconciliation and compression, mandatory clearing, mandatory exchange-trading, swap trading relationship documentation, external business conduct, risk management, chief compliance officer duties and reports and internal controls. It is anticipated that the CFTC will in 2014 finalize rules related to capital and margin requirements and position limits, as well as potentially expand the scope of its mandatory clearing and exchange-trading requirements to cover certain types of foreign exchange transactions.
One of our US broker-dealers, Credit Suisse Securities USA LLC, is also registered as a futures commission merchant and subject to the capital, segregation and other requirements of the CFTC and the NFA.
Our asset management businesses include legal entities registered and regulated as commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors by the CFTC and the NFA.
In addition, we expect the SEC to finalize its rules implementing the derivatives provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act during 2014. While the SEC’s proposals have largely paralleled many of the CFTC’s rules, significant differences between the final CFTC and SEC rules could materially increase the compliance costs associated with, and hinder the efficiency of, our equity and credit derivatives businesses with US persons. In particular, significant differences between the SEC rules regarding capital, margin and segregation requirements for OTC derivatives and related CFTC rules, as well as the cross-border application of SEC and CFTC rules, could have such effects.
Resolution regime
The Dodd-Frank Act also establishes an “Orderly Liquidation Authority”, a new regime for the orderly liquidation of systemically significant non-bank financial companies, which could potentially apply to certain of our US entities. To finance a resolution under this new regime, the FDIC may borrow funds from the US Treasury, which must be repaid from the proceeds of the resolution. If such proceeds are insufficient to repay the US Treasury in full, the FDIC is required to assess other large financial institutions, including those that have USD 50 billion or more in total consolidated assets, such as us, in an amount sufficient to repay all of the funds borrowed from the US Treasury in connection with the liquidation under the Orderly Liquidation Authority. In addition, in 2011 the Fed and the FDIC approved final rules to implement the resolution plan requirement in the Dodd-Frank Act, which require bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of USD 50 billion or more, such as us, and certain designated non-bank financial firms to submit annually to the Fed and the FDIC resolution plans describing the strategy for rapid and orderly resolution under the US Bankruptcy Code or other applicable insolvency regimes, though such plans may not rely on the Orderly Liquidation Authority.
FATCA
FATCA became law in the US on March 18, 2010. The legislation requires Foreign Financial Institutions (FFIs) (such as Credit Suisse) to enter into an FFI agreement and agree to identify and provide the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with information on accounts held by US persons and certain US-owned foreign entities, or otherwise face 30% withholding tax on withholdable payments. In addition, FFIs that have entered into an FFI agreement will be required to withhold on such payments made to FFIs
that have not entered into an FFI agreement, account holders who fail to provide sufficient information to classify an account as a US or non-US account, and US account holders who do not agree to the FFI reporting their account to the IRS. Switzerland and the US entered into an intergovernmental agreement to implement the reporting and withholding tax provisions of FATCA in February 2013 and the Swiss Parliament ratified it in September 2013. FATCA requirements enter into force on July 1, 2014. The intergovernmental agreement will enable FFIs in Switzerland to comply with FATCA while remaining in compliance with Swiss law. Under the agreement, US authorities may ask Swiss authorities for administrative assistance in connection with group requests where consent to provide information regarding potential US accounts is not provided to the FFI. Complying with the required identification, withholding and reporting obligations requires significant investment in an FFI’s compliance and reporting framework. We are continuing to follow developments regarding FATCA closely and are coordinating with all relevant authorities.
EU
Financial services regulation and supervision
Since it was announced in 1999, the EU’s Financial Services Action Plan has given rise to numerous measures (both directives and regulations) aimed at increasing integration and harmonization in the European market for financial services. While regulations have immediate and direct effect in member states, directives must be implemented through national legislation. As a result, the terms of implementation of directives are not always consistent from country to country. In response to the financial crisis and in order to strengthen European supervisory arrangements, the EU established the European Systemic Risk Board, which has macro-prudential oversight of the financial system. The EU has also established three supervisory authorities responsible for promoting greater harmonization and consistent application of EU legislation by national regulators: the European Banking Authority, the European Securities and Markets Authority and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority.
The CRD IV came into force on January 1, 2014. The CRD IV implemented in various EU countries, including the UK, the Basel III capital framework for banking groups operating in the EU. The CRD IV wholly replaced the current Capital Requirements Directive, which implemented the Basel II capital framework. The CRD IV creates a single harmonized prudential rule book for banks, introduces new corporate governance and certain new remuneration requirements, including a cap on variable remuneration, and enhances the powers of regulators.
The existing Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID I) establishes high-level organizational and business conduct standards that apply to all investment firms. These include standards for managing conflicts of interest, best execution, enhanced investor protection, including client classification, and the requirement to assess suitability and appropriateness in providing investment services to clients. MiFID I sets standards for regulated markets (i.e., exchanges) and multilateral trading facilities, and sets out pre-trade and post-trade price transparency requirements for equity trading. MiFID I also sets standards for the disclosure of fees and other payments received from or paid to third parties in relation to investment advice and services and regulates investment services relating to commodity derivatives. In relation to these and other EU-based investment services and activities, MiFID I introduced a “passport” for investment firms, enabling them to conduct cross-border activities and establish branches throughout the EU on the basis of authorization from their home state regulator. It is anticipated that MiFID I will be significantly reformed by MiFID II, which is expected to be implemented in the member states and come into force during the second half of 2016.
The Single Supervisory Mechanism has entered into force and it empowers the European Central Bank (ECB) as a single supervisor for banks in the 17 eurozone countries and for certain non-eurozone countries which may choose to participate in the Single Supervisory Mechanism. The ECB is expected to assume its prudential supervisory duties on November 4, 2014.
UK
Banking regulation and supervision
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) was the principal statutory regulator of financial services activity in the UK, deriving its powers from the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA). In April 2013, the FSA was replaced by: the PRA, a subsidiary of the Bank of England, which is responsible for the micro-prudential regulation of banks and larger investment firms; and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates markets, the conduct of business of all financial firms, and the prudential regulation of firms not regulated by the PRA. In addition, the Financial Policy Committee of the Bank of England was established as responsible for macro-prudential regulation.
As a member state of the EU, the UK is required to implement EU directives into national law. The regulatory regime for banks operating in the UK conforms to required EU standards including compliance with capital adequacy standards, customer protection requirements, conduct of business rules and anti-money laundering rules. These standards, requirements and rules are similarly implemented, under the same directives, throughout the other member states of the EU in which we operate.
CSI, Credit Suisse (UK) Limited and Credit Suisse AG, London Branch are authorized to take deposits. We also have a number of entities authorized to conduct investment business and asset management activities. In deciding whether to grant authorization, the PRA must first determine whether a firm satisfies the threshold conditions for authorization, which includes suitability and the requirement for the firm to be fit and proper. In addition to regulation by the PRA, certain wholesale money markets activities are subject to the Non-Investment Products Code, a voluntary code of conduct published by the Bank of England which PRA-regulated firms are expected to follow when conducting wholesale money market business.
Our London Branch will be required to continue to comply principally with Swiss home country regulation. However, as a
response to the global financial crisis, the PRA made changes to its prudential supervision rules in its Handbook of Rules and Guidance, applying a principle of “self-sufficiency”, such that CSI, CSSEL and Credit Suisse (UK) Limited are required to maintain adequate liquidity resources, under the day-to-day supervision of the entity’s senior management, held in a custodian account in the name of the entity, unencumbered and attributed to the entity balance sheet. In addition, the PRA requires CSI, CSSEL and Credit Suisse (UK) Limited to maintain a minimum capital ratio and to monitor and report large exposures in accordance with the rules implementing the CRD.
The PRA has implemented the requirements of CRD IV, which replaced the current CRD as a whole, and imposed a 1:1 cap on variable remuneration which can rise to 1:2 with explicit shareholder approval.
Broker-dealer and asset management regulation and supervision
Our London bank and broker-dealer subsidiaries are authorized under the FSMA and are subject to regulation by the PRA and FCA. In addition, our asset management companies are authorized under the FSMA and are subject to regulation by the FCA. In deciding whether to authorize an investment firm in the UK, the PRA and FCA will consider the threshold conditions, which includes suitability and the general requirement for a firm to be fit and proper. The PRA and FCA are responsible for regulating most aspects of an investment firm’s business, including its regulatory capital, sales and trading practices, use and safekeeping of customer funds and securities, record-keeping, margin practices and procedures, registration standards for individuals carrying on certain functions, anti-money laundering systems and periodic reporting and settlement procedures.
Tax
Since January 1, 2011, there has been a levy attributable to the UK operations of large banks on certain funding came into effect. During 2013, the levy was 13 basis points for short-term liabilities and 6.5 basis points for long-term equity and liabilities. The levy increased with effect from January 1, 2014 to 15.6 basis points and 7.8 basis points, respectively. The UK government has announced that it will introduce changes to the scope of the levy during 2014 which may have the effect of broadening the base upon which the levy is imposed.
Our businesses are exposed to a variety of risks that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, including, among others, those described below.
Liquidity, or ready access to funds, is essential to our businesses, particularly our Investment Banking business. We maintain available liquidity to meet our obligations in a stressed liquidity environment.
> Refer to “Liquidity and funding management” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet for information on our liquidity management.
Our liquidity could be impaired if we were unable to access the capital markets or sell our assets, and we expect our liquidity costs to increase
Our ability to borrow on a secured or unsecured basis and the cost of doing so can be affected by increases in interest rates or credit spreads, the availability of credit, regulatory requirements relating to liquidity or the market perceptions of risk relating to us or the banking sector, including our perceived or actual creditworthiness. An inability to obtain financing in the unsecured long-term or short-term debt capital markets, or to access the secured lending markets, could have a substantial adverse effect on our liquidity. In challenging credit markets, our funding costs may increase or we may be unable to raise funds to support or expand our businesses, adversely affecting our results of operations. Following the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, our costs of liquidity have been significant and we expect to incur additional costs as a result of regulatory requirements for increased liquidity and the challenging economic environment in Europe, the US and elsewhere.
If we are unable to raise needed funds in the capital markets, we may need to liquidate unencumbered assets to meet our liabilities. In a time of reduced liquidity, we may be unable to sell some of our assets, or we may need to sell assets at depressed prices, which in either case could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Our businesses rely significantly on our deposit base for funding
Our businesses benefit from short-term funding sources, including primarily demand deposits, inter-bank loans, time deposits and cash bonds. Although deposits have been, over time, a stable source of funding, this may not continue. In that case, our liquidity position could be adversely affected and we might be unable to meet deposit withdrawals on demand or at their contractual maturity, to repay borrowings as they mature or to fund new loans, investments and businesses.
Changes in our ratings may adversely affect our business
Ratings are assigned by rating agencies. They may lower, indicate their intention to lower or withdraw their ratings at any time. The major rating agencies remain focused on the financial services industry, particularly on uncertainties as to whether firms that pose systemic risk would receive government or central bank support in a financial or credit crisis, and on such firms’ potential vulnerability to market sentiment and confidence, particularly during periods of severe economic stress. For example, in July 2013, Standard & Poor’s lowered its long-term counterparty credit ratings of several European banks, including us, by one notch. Further downgrades in our assigned ratings, including in particular our credit ratings, could increase our borrowing costs, limit our access to capital markets, increase our cost of capital and adversely affect the ability of our businesses to sell or market their products, engage in business transactions – particularly longer-term and derivatives transactions – and retain our clients.
We may incur significant losses on our trading and investment activities due to market fluctuations and volatility
Although we continued to reduce our balance sheet and accelerated the implementation of our client-focused, capital-efficient strategy in 2013, we continue to maintain large trading and investment positions and hedges in the debt, currency and equity markets, and in private equity, hedge funds, real estate and other assets. These positions could be adversely affected by volatility in financial and other markets, that is, the degree to which prices fluctuate over a particular period in a particular market, regardless of market levels. To the extent that we own assets, or have net long positions, in any of those markets, a downturn in those markets could result in losses from a decline in the value of our net long positions. Conversely, to the extent that we have sold assets that we do not own or have net short positions in any of those markets, an upturn in those markets could expose us to potentially significant losses as we attempt to cover our net short positions by acquiring assets in a rising market. Market fluctuations, downturns and volatility can adversely affect the >>>fair value of our positions and our results of operations. Adverse market or economic conditions or trends have caused, and in the future may cause, a significant decline in our net revenues and profitability.
Our businesses are subject to the risk of loss from adverse market conditions and unfavorable economic, monetary, political, legal and other developments in the countries we operate in around the world
As a global financial services company, our businesses are materially affected by conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally in Europe, the US and elsewhere around the
world. The recovery from the economic crisis of 2008 and 2009 continues to be sluggish in several key developed markets. Additionally, the European sovereign debt crisis, as well as concerns over US debt levels and the federal budget process that led to the downgrade of US sovereign debt in 2011 and the temporary shutdown of many federal governmental operations in October 2013, have not been permanently resolved. Our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected if these conditions do not improve, or if they stagnate or worsen. Further, various countries in which we operate or invest have experienced severe economic disruptions particular to that country or region, including extreme currency fluctuations, high inflation, or low or negative growth, among other negative conditions. In 2013, concerns about weaknesses in the economic and fiscal condition of certain European countries, including Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, continued, especially with regard to how such weaknesses might affect other economies as well as financial institutions (including us) which lent funds to or did business with or in those countries. Continued concern about the European sovereign debt crisis could cause disruptions in market conditions in Europe and around the world. Economic disruption in other countries, even in countries in which we do not currently conduct business or have operations, could adversely affect our businesses and results.
Adverse market and economic conditions continue to create a challenging operating environment for financial services companies. In particular, the impact of interest and currency exchange rates, the risk of geopolitical events, fluctuations in commodity prices, the European sovereign debt crisis and the US federal debt crisis have affected financial markets and the economy. In recent years, the low interest rate environment has adversely affected our net interest income and the value of our trading and non-trading fixed income portfolios. In addition, movements in equity markets have affected the value of our trading and non-trading equity portfolios, while the strength of the Swiss franc has adversely affected our revenues and net income.
Such adverse market or economic conditions may reduce the number and size of investment banking transactions in which we provide underwriting, mergers and acquisitions advice or other services and, therefore, may adversely affect our financial advisory and underwriting fees. Such conditions may adversely affect the types and volumes of securities trades that we execute for customers and may adversely affect the net revenues we receive from commissions and spreads. In addition, several of our businesses engage in transactions with, or trade in obligations of, governmental entities, including super-national, national, state, provincial, municipal and local authorities. These activities can expose us to enhanced sovereign, credit-related, operational and reputational risks, including the risks that a governmental entity may default on or restructure its obligations or may claim that actions taken by government officials were beyond the legal authority of those officials, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Unfavorable market or economic conditions have affected our businesses over the last few years, including the low interest rate environment, continued cautious investor behavior and subdued mergers and acquisitions activity. These negative factors have been reflected in lower commissions and fees from our client-flow sales and trading and asset management activities, including commissions and fees that are based on the value of our clients’ portfolios. Investment performance that is below that of competitors or asset management benchmarks could result in a decline in assets under management and related fees and make it harder to attract new clients. There has been a fundamental shift in client demand away from more complex products and significant client deleveraging, and our Private Banking & Wealth Management division’s results of operations have been and could continue to be adversely affected as long as this continues.
Adverse market or economic conditions have also negatively affected our private equity investments since, if a private equity investment substantially declines in value, we may not receive any increased share of the income and gains from such investment (to which we are entitled in certain cases when the return on such investment exceeds certain threshold returns), may be obligated to return to investors previously received excess carried interest payments and may lose our pro rata share of the capital invested. In addition, it could become more difficult to dispose of the investment, as even investments that are performing well may prove difficult to exit.
In addition to the macroeconomic factors discussed above, other events beyond our control, including terrorist attacks, military conflicts, economic or political sanctions, disease pandemics, political unrest or natural disasters could have a material adverse effect on economic and market conditions, market volatility and financial activity, with a potential related effect on our businesses and results.
We may incur significant losses in the real estate sector
We finance and acquire principal positions in a number of real estate and real estate-related products, primarily for clients, and originate loans secured by commercial and residential properties. As of December 31, 2013, our real estate loans (as reported to the SNB) totaled approximately CHF 137 billion. We also securitize and trade in commercial and residential real estate and real estate-related whole loans, mortgages, and other real estate and commercial assets and products, including >>>commercial and >>>residential mortgage-backed securities. Our real estate-related businesses and risk exposures could continue to be adversely affected by any downturn in real estate markets, other sectors and the economy as a whole. In particular, the risk of potential price corrections in the real estate market in certain areas of Switzerland could have a material adverse effect on our real estate-related businesses.
Holding large and concentrated positions may expose us to large losses
Concentrations of risk could increase losses, given that we have sizeable loans to, and securities holdings in, certain customers, industries or countries. Decreasing economic growth in any sector in which we make significant commitments, for example, through underwriting, lending or advisory services, could also negatively affect our net revenues.
We have significant risk concentration in the financial services industry as a result of the large volume of transactions we routinely conduct with broker-dealers, banks, funds and other financial institutions, and in the ordinary conduct of our business we may be subject to risk concentration with a particular counterparty. We, like other financial institutions, continue to adapt our practices and operations in consultation with our regulators to better address an evolving understanding of our exposure to, and management of, systemic risk and risk concentration to financial institutions. Regulators continue to focus on these risks, and there are numerous new regulations and government proposals, and significant ongoing regulatory uncertainty, about how best to address them. There can be no assurance that the changes in our industry, operations, practices and regulation will be effective in managing this risk.
> Refer to “Regulation and supervision” for further information.
Risk concentration may cause us to suffer losses even when economic and market conditions are generally favorable for others in our industry.
Our hedging strategies may not prevent losses
If any of the variety of instruments and strategies we use to hedge our exposure to various types of risk in our businesses is not effective, we may incur losses. We may be unable to purchase hedges or be only partially hedged, or our hedging strategies may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk.
Market risk may increase the other risks that we face
In addition to the potentially adverse effects on our businesses described above, market risk could exacerbate the other risks that we face. For example, if we were to incur substantial trading losses, our need for liquidity could rise sharply while our access to liquidity could be impaired. In conjunction with another market downturn, our customers and counterparties could also incur substantial losses of their own, thereby weakening their financial condition and increasing our credit and counterparty risk exposure to them.
We may suffer significant losses from our credit exposures
Our businesses are subject to the fundamental risk that borrowers and other counterparties will be unable to perform their obligations. Our credit exposures exist across a wide range of transactions that we engage in with a large number of clients and counterparties, including lending relationships, commitments and letters of credit, as well as derivative, currency exchange and other transactions. Our exposure to credit risk can be exacerbated by adverse economic or market trends, as well as increased volatility in relevant markets or instruments. In addition, disruptions in the liquidity or transparency of the financial markets may result in our inability to sell, syndicate or realize the value of our positions, thereby leading to increased concentrations. Any inability to reduce these positions may not only increase the market and credit risks associated with such positions, but also increase the level of >>>risk-weighted assets on our balance sheet, thereby increasing our capital requirements, all of which could adversely affect our businesses.
> Refer to “Credit risk” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Risk management for information on management of credit risk.
Our regular review of the creditworthiness of clients and counterparties for credit losses does not depend on the accounting treatment of the asset or commitment. Changes in creditworthiness of loans and loan commitments that are >>>fair valued are reflected in trading revenues.
Management’s determination of the provision for loan losses is subject to significant judgment. Our banking businesses may need to increase their provisions for loan losses or may record losses in excess of the previously determined provisions if our original estimates of loss prove inadequate, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
> Refer to “Credit risk” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Risk management and “Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies”, “Note 10 – Provision for credit losses” and “Note 18 – Loans, allowance for loan losses and credit quality” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for information on provisions for loan losses and related risk mitigation.
We have experienced in the past, and may in the future experience, competitive pressure to assume longer-term credit risk, extend credit against less liquid collateral and price derivative instruments more aggressively based on the credit risks that we take. We expect our capital and liquidity requirements, and those of the financial services industry, to increase as a result of these risks.
Defaults by a large financial institution could adversely affect financial markets generally and us specifically
Concerns or even rumors about or a default by one institution could lead to significant liquidity problems, losses or defaults by other institutions because the commercial soundness of many financial institutions may be closely related as a result of credit, trading, clearing or other relationships between institutions. This risk is sometimes referred to as systemic risk. Concerns about defaults by and failures of many financial institutions, particularly those with significant exposure to the eurozone, continued in 2013 and could continue to lead to losses or defaults by financial institutions and financial intermediaries with which we interact on a daily basis, such as clearing agencies, clearing houses, banks, securities firms and exchanges. Our credit risk exposure will also increase if the
collateral we hold cannot be realized upon or can only be liquidated at prices insufficient to cover the full amount of exposure.
The information that we use to manage our credit risk may be inaccurate or incomplete
Although we regularly review our credit exposure to specific clients and counterparties and to specific industries, countries and regions that we believe may present credit concerns, default risk may arise from events or circumstances that are difficult to foresee or detect, such as fraud. We may also fail to receive full information with respect to the credit or trading risks of a counterparty.
Risks from estimates and valuations
We make estimates and valuations that affect our reported results, including measuring the >>>fair value of certain assets and liabilities, establishing provisions for contingencies and losses for loans, litigation and regulatory proceedings, accounting for goodwill and intangible asset impairments, evaluating our ability to realize deferred tax assets, valuing equity-based compensation awards, modeling our risk exposure and calculating expenses and liabilities associated with our pension plans. These estimates are based upon judgment and available information, and our actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
> Refer to “Critical accounting estimates” in II – Operating and financial review and “Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for information on these estimates and valuations.
Our estimates and valuations rely on models and processes to predict economic conditions and market or other events that might affect the ability of counterparties to perform their obligations to us or impact the value of assets. To the extent our models and processes become less predictive due to unforeseen market conditions, illiquidity or volatility, our ability to make accurate estimates and valuations could be adversely affected.
Risks relating to off-balance sheet entities
We enter into transactions with special purpose entities (SPEs) in our normal course of business, and certain SPEs with which we transact business are not consolidated and their assets and liabilities are off-balance sheet. We may have to exercise significant management judgment in applying relevant accounting consolidation standards, either initially or after the occurrence of certain events that may require us to reassess whether consolidation is required. Accounting standards relating to consolidation, and their interpretation, have changed and may continue to change. If we are required to consolidate an SPE, its assets and liabilities would be recorded on our consolidated balance sheets and we would recognize related gains and losses in our consolidated statements of operations, and this could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and capital and leverage ratios.
> Refer to “Off-balance sheet” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Balance sheet, off-balance sheet and contractual obligations for information on our transactions with and commitments to SPEs.
Cross-border and CURRENCY exchange risk
Cross-border risks may increase market and credit risks we face
Country, regional and political risks are components of market and credit risk. Financial markets and economic conditions generally have been and may in the future be materially affected by such risks. Economic or political pressures in a country or region, including those arising from local market disruptions, currency crises, monetary controls or other factors, may adversely affect the ability of clients or counterparties located in that country or region to obtain foreign currency or credit and, therefore, to perform their obligations to us, which in turn may have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
We may face significant losses in emerging markets
As a global financial services company doing business in emerging markets, we are exposed to economic instability in emerging market countries. We monitor these risks, seek diversity in the sectors in which we invest and emphasize client-driven business. Our efforts at limiting emerging market risk, however, may not always succeed.
Currency fluctuations may adversely affect our results of operations
We are exposed to risk from fluctuations in exchange rates for currencies, particularly the US dollar. In particular, a substantial portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than the Swiss franc, which is the primary currency of our financial reporting. Our capital is also stated in Swiss francs and we do not fully hedge our capital position against changes in currency exchange rates. The Swiss franc remained strong against the US dollar and euro in 2013. The appreciation of the Swiss franc in particular and exchange rate volatility in general have had an adverse impact on our results of operations and capital position in recent years and may have such an effect in the future.
We are exposed to a wide variety of operational risks, including information technology risk
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events. In general, although we have business continuity plans, our businesses face a wide variety of operational risks, including technology risk that stems from dependencies on information technology, third-party suppliers and the telecommunications infrastructure. As a global financial services company, we rely heavily on our financial, accounting and other data processing systems, which are varied and complex. Our business depends on our ability to process a large volume of diverse and complex transactions, including derivatives transactions, which have increased in volume and complexity. We are exposed to operational risk arising from errors made in the execution, confirmation or settlement of transactions or in transactions not being properly recorded or accounted
for. Regulatory requirements in this area have increased and are expected to increase further.
Information security, data confidentiality and integrity are of critical importance to our businesses. Despite our wide array of security measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our systems and information, it is not always possible to anticipate the evolving threat landscape and mitigate all risks to our systems and information. We could also be affected by risks to the systems and information of clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties.
If any of our systems do not operate properly or are compromised as a result of cyber-attacks, security breaches, unauthorized access, loss or destruction of data, unavailability of service, computer viruses or other events that could have an adverse security impact, we could be subject to litigation or suffer financial loss not covered by insurance, a disruption of our businesses, liability to our clients, regulatory intervention or reputational damage. Any such event could also require us to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures.
We may suffer losses due to employee misconduct
Our businesses are exposed to risk from potential non-compliance with policies, employee misconduct or negligence and fraud, which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious reputational or financial harm. In recent years, a number of multinational financial institutions have suffered material losses due to the actions of “rogue traders” or other employees. It is not always possible to deter employee misconduct and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not always be effective.
We have risk management procedures and policies designed to manage our risk. These techniques and policies, however, may not always be effective, particularly in highly volatile markets. We continue to adapt our risk management techniques, in particular >>>value-at-risk and economic capital, which rely on historical data, to reflect changes in the financial and credit markets. No risk management procedures can anticipate every market development or event, and our risk management procedures and hedging strategies, and the judgments behind them, may not fully mitigate our risk exposure in all markets or against all types of risk.
> Refer to “Risk management” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet for information on our risk management.
Legal and regulatory risks
Our exposure to legal liability is significant
We face significant legal risks in our businesses, and the volume and amount of damages claimed in litigation, regulatory proceedings and other adversarial proceedings against financial services firms are increasing.
We and our subsidiaries are subject to a number of material legal proceedings, regulatory actions and investigations, and an adverse result in one or more of these proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon our results for such period.
> Refer to “Note 38 – Litigation” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for information relating to these and other legal and regulatory proceedings involving our Investment Banking and other businesses.
It is inherently difficult to predict the outcome of many of the legal, regulatory and other adversarial proceedings involving our businesses, particularly those cases in which the matters are brought on behalf of various classes of claimants, seek damages of unspecified or indeterminate amounts or involve novel legal claims. Management is required to establish, increase or release reserves for losses that are probable and reasonably estimable in connection with these matters.
> Refer to “Critical accounting estimates” in II – Operating and financial review and “Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for more information.
Regulatory changes may adversely affect our business and ability to execute our strategic plans
As a participant in the financial services industry, we are subject to extensive regulation by governmental agencies, supervisory authorities and self-regulatory organizations in Switzerland, the EU, the UK, the US and other jurisdictions in which we operate around the world. Such regulation is increasingly more extensive and complex and, in recent years, costs related to our compliance with these requirements and the penalties and fines sought and imposed on the financial services industry by regulatory authorities have all increased significantly and may increase further. These regulations often serve to limit our activities, including through the application of increased capital, leverage and liquidity requirements, customer protection and market conduct regulations and direct or indirect restrictions on the businesses in which we may operate or invest. Such limitations can have a negative effect on our business and our ability to implement strategic initiatives. To the extent we are required to divest certain businesses, we could incur losses, as we may be forced to sell such businesses at a discount, which in certain instances could be substantial, as a result of both the constrained timing of such sales and the possibility that other financial institutions are liquidating similar investments at the same time.
Since 2008, regulators and governments have focused on the reform of the financial services industry, including enhanced capital, leverage and liquidity requirements, changes in compensation practices (including tax levies) and measures to address systemic risk, including potentially ring-fencing certain activities and operations within specific legal entities. We are already subject to extensive regulation in many areas of our business and expect to face increased regulation and regulatory scrutiny and enforcement. We expect such increased regulation to continue to increase our costs, including, but not limited to, costs related to compliance, systems and operations, as well as affecting our ability to conduct certain businesses, which could adversely affect our profitability and competitive position. Variations in the details and
implementation of such regulations may further negatively affect us, as certain requirements currently are not expected to apply equally to all of our competitors or to be implemented uniformly across jurisdictions.
For example, the additional requirements related to minimum regulatory capital, leverage ratios and liquidity measures imposed by >>>Basel III, together with more stringent requirements imposed by the Swiss >>>“Too Big To Fail” legislation and its implementing ordinances and related actions by our regulators, have contributed to our decision to reduce >>>risk-weighted assets and the size of our balance sheet, and could potentially impact our access to capital markets and increase our funding costs. In addition, the ongoing implementation in the US of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, including the “Volcker Rule”, derivatives regulation, and other regulatory developments described in “Regulation and supervision”, have imposed, and will continue to impose, new regulatory burdens on certain of our operations. These requirements have contributed to our decision to exit certain businesses (including a number of our private equity businesses) and may lead us to exit other businesses. New CFTC and SEC rules could materially increase the operating costs, including compliance, information technology and related costs, associated with our derivatives businesses with US persons, while at the same time making it more difficult for us to transact derivatives business outside the US. Further, in February 2014, the Fed enacted a final rule under the Dodd-Frank Act that created a new framework for regulation of the US operations of foreign banking organizations such as ours. Although the final impact of the new rule cannot be fully predicted at this time, it is expected to result in our incurring additional costs and to affect the way we conduct our business in the US, including by requiring us to create a single US intermediate holding company. Similarly, recently enacted and possible future cross-border tax regulation with extraterritorial effect, such as the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, and bilateral tax treaties, such as Switzerland’s treaties with the UK and Austria, impose detailed reporting obligations and increased compliance and systems-related costs on our businesses. Finally, implementation of EMIR, CRD IV and the proposed revisions to MiFID II may negatively affect our business activities. If Switzerland does not pass legislation that is deemed equivalent to EMIR and MiFID II in a timely manner, Swiss banks, including us, may be limited from participating in businesses regulated by such laws.
We expect the financial services industry, including us, to continue to be affected by the significant uncertainty over the scope and content of regulatory reform in 2014 and beyond. Changes in laws, rules or regulations, or in their interpretation or enforcement, or the implementation of new laws, rules or regulations, may adversely affect our results of operations.
Despite our best efforts to comply with applicable regulations, a number of risks remain, particularly in areas where applicable regulations may be unclear or inconsistent among jurisdictions or where regulators revise their previous guidance or courts overturn previous rulings. Authorities in many jurisdictions have the power to bring administrative or judicial proceedings against us, which could result in, among other things, suspension or revocation of our licenses, cease and desist orders, fines, civil penalties, criminal penalties or other disciplinary action which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and seriously harm our reputation.
> Refer to “Regulation and supervision” for a description of our regulatory regime and a summary of some of the significant regulatory and government reform proposals affecting the financial services industry as well as to “Liquidity and funding management” and “Capital management” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet for information regarding our current regulatory framework and expected changes to this framework affecting capital and liquidity standards.
Swiss resolution proceedings may affect our shareholders and creditors
Pursuant to Swiss banking laws, >>>FINMA has broad powers and discretion in the case of resolution proceedings with respect to a Swiss bank, such as Credit Suisse AG. These broad powers include the power to cancel Credit Suisse AG’s outstanding equity (which currently is Credit Suisse Group AG’s primary asset), convert debt instruments and other liabilities of Credit Suisse AG into equity and cancel such liabilities in whole or in part. As of the date hereof, FINMA’s broad resolution powers apply only to duly licensed banks in Switzerland such as Credit Suisse AG, and not to a parent company of a financial group such as Credit Suisse Group AG. However, a consultation process was recently launched regarding a proposed amendment to the Bank Law that would extend the scope of the Swiss bank resolution regime thereunder to Swiss parent companies of financial groups and certain other unregulated Swiss-domiciled companies belonging to a financial group. It is not possible to predict whether or when any such amendment will be enacted, what final form it would take and what effect it could have on shareholders or creditors of Credit Suisse Group AG or Credit Suisse Group AG generally. However, if the Bank Law were amended so that the same resolution regime that currently applies to Credit Suisse AG were to apply to Credit Suisse Group AG, FINMA would be able to exercise its resolution powers thereunder to, among other things, cancel Credit Suisse Group AG’s outstanding equity, convert debt instruments and other liabilities of Credit Suisse Group AG into equity and cancel such liabilities in whole or in part in restructuring proceedings.
> Refer to “Recent regulatory developments and proposals – Switzerland” and “Regulatory framework – Switzerland – Resolution regime” in Regulation and supervision for a description of the current resolution regime under Swiss banking laws as it applies to Credit Suisse AG.
Changes in monetary policy are beyond our control and difficult to predict
We are affected by the monetary policies adopted by the central banks and regulatory authorities of Switzerland, the US and other countries. The actions of the SNB and other central banking authorities directly impact our cost of funds for lending, capital raising and investment activities and may impact the value of financial instruments we hold and the competitive and operating environment for the financial services industry. Many central banks
have implemented significant changes to their monetary policy. We cannot predict whether these changes will have a material adverse effect on us or our operations. In addition, changes in monetary policy may affect the credit quality of our customers. Any changes in monetary policy are beyond our control and difficult to predict.
Legal restrictions on our clients may reduce the demand for our services
We may be materially affected not only by regulations applicable to us as a financial services company, but also by regulations and changes in enforcement practices applicable to our clients. Our business could be affected by, among other things, existing and proposed tax legislation, antitrust and competition policies, corporate governance initiatives and other governmental regulations and policies, and changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules that affect business and the financial markets. For example, focus on tax compliance and changes in enforcement practices could lead to asset outflows (primarily from customers in mature Western European markets) from our Wealth Management Clients business in Switzerland.
Any conversion of our convertible capital instruments will dilute the ownership interests of existing shareholders
Under Swiss regulatory capital rules, we are required to issue a significant amount of contingent capital instruments, certain of which will convert into common equity upon the occurrence of specified triggering events, including our Basel III CET1 ratio falling below prescribed thresholds, or a determination by FINMA that conversion is necessary, or that we require public sector capital support, to prevent us from becoming insolvent. We have already issued in the aggregate an equivalent of CHF 8.1 billion in principal amount of such convertible contingent capital, and we may issue more such convertible contingent capital in the future. The conversion of some or all of our convertible contingent capital due to the occurrence of a triggering event will result in the dilution of the ownership interests of our then existing shareholders, which dilution could be substantial. Additionally, any conversion, or the anticipation of the possibility of a conversion, could depress the market price of our ordinary shares.
> Refer to “Banking relationships and related party transactions” in IV – Corporate Governance and Compensation – Corporate Governance for more information on the triggering events related to our convertible contingent capital instruments.
We face intense competition
We face intense competition in all financial services markets and for the products and services we offer. Consolidation through mergers, acquisitions, alliances and cooperation, including as a result of financial distress, has increased competitive pressures. Competition is based on many factors, including the products and services offered, pricing, distribution systems, customer service, brand recognition, perceived financial strength and the willingness to use capital to serve client needs. Consolidation has created a number of firms that, like us, have the ability to offer a wide range of products, from loans and deposit-taking to brokerage, investment banking and asset management services. Some of these firms may be able to offer a broader range of products than we do, or offer such products at more competitive prices. Current market conditions have resulted in significant changes in the competitive landscape in our industry as many institutions have merged, altered the scope of their business, declared bankruptcy, received government assistance or changed their regulatory status, which will affect how they conduct their business. In addition, current market conditions have had a fundamental impact on client demand for products and services. Although we expect the increasing consolidation and changes in our industry to offer opportunities, we can give no assurance that our results of operations will not be adversely affected.
Our competitive position could be harmed if our reputation is damaged
In the highly competitive environment arising from globalization and convergence in the financial services industry, a reputation for financial strength and integrity is critical to our performance, including our ability to attract and maintain clients and employees. Our reputation could be harmed if our comprehensive procedures and controls fail, or appear to fail, to address conflicts of interest, prevent employee misconduct, produce materially accurate and complete financial and other information or prevent adverse legal or regulatory actions.
> Refer to “Reputational risk” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Risk management for more information.
We must recruit and retain highly skilled employees
Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. Competition for qualified employees is intense. We have devoted considerable resources to recruiting, training and compensating employees. Our continued ability to compete effectively in our businesses depends on our ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate our existing employees. The continued public focus on compensation practices in the financial services industry, and related regulatory changes, may have an adverse impact on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees. In particular, new limits on the amount and form of executive compensation imposed by recent regulatory initiatives, including the Ordinance Against Excessive Compensation in Switzerland and the implementation of CRD IV in the UK, could potentially have an adverse impact on our ability to retain certain of our most highly skilled employees and hire new qualified employees in certain businesses.
We face competition from new trading technologies
Our businesses face competitive challenges from new trading technologies, which may adversely affect our commission and trading revenues, exclude our businesses from certain transaction flows, reduce our participation in the trading markets and the associated access to market information and lead to the creation
of new and stronger competitors. We have made, and may continue to be required to make, significant additional expenditures to develop and support new trading systems or otherwise invest in technology to maintain our competitive position.
Risks relating to our strategy
We may not achieve all of the expected benefits of our strategic initiatives
In light of increasing regulatory and capital requirements and continued challenging market and economic conditions, to optimize our use of capital and improve our cost structure we have continued to adapt our client-focused, capital-efficient strategy and have implemented new cost-savings measures while decreasing the size of our balance sheet and reducing our >>>risk-weighted assets. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we created non-strategic units within our Investment Banking and Private Banking & Wealth Management divisions and separated non-strategic items in the Corporate Center to further accelerate our reduction of capital and costs associated with non-strategic activities and positions and to shift resources to focus on our strategic businesses and growth initiatives. Factors beyond our control, including but not limited to the market and economic conditions, changes in laws, rules or regulations and other challenges discussed in this report, could limit our ability to achieve some or all of the expected benefits of these initiatives.
In addition, acquisitions and other similar transactions we undertake as part of our strategy subject us to certain risks. Even though we review the records of companies we plan to acquire, it is generally not feasible for us to review all such records in detail. Even an in-depth review of records may not reveal existing or potential problems or permit us to become familiar enough with a business to assess fully its capabilities and deficiencies. As a result, we may assume unanticipated liabilities (including legal and compliance issues), or an acquired business may not perform as well as expected. We also face the risk that we will not be able to integrate acquisitions into our existing operations effectively as a result of, among other things, differing procedures, business practices and technology systems, as well as difficulties in adapting an acquired company into our organizational structure. We face the risk that the returns on acquisitions will not support the expenditures or indebtedness incurred to acquire such businesses or the capital expenditures needed to develop such businesses.
We may also seek to engage in new joint ventures and strategic alliances. Although we endeavor to identify appropriate partners, our joint venture efforts may prove unsuccessful or may not justify our investment and other commitments.
We have announced a program to evolve our legal entity structure and cannot predict its final form or potential effects
In November 2013, we announced key components of our program to evolve our legal entity structure. The program is designed to meet developing and future regulatory requirements. Subject to further analysis and approval by >>>FINMA, implementation of the program is underway, with a number of key components expected to be implemented from mid-2015. This program remains subject to a number of uncertainties that may affect its feasibility, scope and timing. In addition, significant legal and regulatory changes affecting us and our operations may require us to make further changes in our legal structure. The implementation of these changes will require significant time and resources and may potentially increase operational, capital, funding and tax costs as well as our counterparties’ credit risk.
> Refer to “Evolution of legal entity structure” in II – Operating and financial review – Credit Suisse – Information and developments for further information on our legal entity structure.
Operating and financial reviewOperating environmentCredit Suisse Core ResultsPrivate Banking & Wealth ManagementInvestment BankingCorporate CenterAssets under managementCritical accounting estimates
Economic conditions improved in 2013, first in the US and then in Europe. Growth in emerging markets slowed, with China showing signs of stabilization. Equity markets ended the year higher. Interest rates remained low despite government bond yields rising over the course of the year. The performance of the US dollar against most major currencies was mixed.
Global gross domestic product growth improved in 2013 as economic indicators showed solid improvement and the risks of a renewed eurozone crisis waned. In the US, the unemployment rate fell to 6.7% by the end of the year, a five year low, and the housing market continued to improve. The eurozone economy began its recovery in the second half of the year and economic indicators remained consistent with ongoing expansion. The overall growth trend in emerging markets decelerated, and China showed signs of stabilization. Inflation fell in most developed countries; however, there was continued inflationary pressure in emerging markets.
The US Federal Reserve (Fed) announced after its June 2013 meeting that it might reduce the pace of its monthly financial asset purchases associated with its quantitative easing program later in the year, but it continued to signal its intent to keep rates low for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, both the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England committed to keep interest rates low for a prolonged period. The ECB cut its main refinancing rate in two steps by 0.5%. Central banks in Brazil and Indonesia, on the other hand, increased interest rates in reaction to declining exchange rates and increasing inflationary pressure. The Bank of Japan announced a massive monetary stimulus program in April in order to achieve a 2% inflation target within two years. As part of the program the monetary base is targeted to almost double by year-end 2014.
Early in the year, equity markets benefited from easy monetary conditions and generally improved corporate earnings as well as moderately increased mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. However, renewed uncertainties over the election outcome in Italy combined with the Cyprus bail-out slowed momentum. By mid-year, fears of slowing economic growth, less monetary easing by the Fed and rising interest rates had contributed to underperformance in cyclical stocks, such as materials and energy company shares, and emerging markets. US markets and most European markets were resilient overall. Through the rest of the year, global equity markets had a strong performance, with most regions and all sectors posting solid gains. Equity market volatility, as indicated by the Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index (VIX), started to increase in June, but then decreased through year-end despite a temporary spike at the end of August (refer to the charts “Equity markets”). The Credit Suisse Hedge Fund Index increased 9.7% in 2013.
In fixed income, major benchmark government bond yields were volatile, increasing significantly until the beginning of September. Following the Fed’s mid-September announcement to maintain its pace of monthly asset purchases at USD 85 billion, yields declined and started to increase again through the end of the year when the Fed announced in mid-December its decision to reduce the pace of its monthly asset purchases to USD 75 billion. The fixed income market also reflected forward guidance from other central banks for low interest rates (refer to the charts “Yield curves”). High yield spreads tightened from their highs reached in June and posted a positive performance in 2013 (refer to the chart “Credit spreads”). Emerging market sovereign spreads were volatile, especially as exchange rate volatility affected those in local currency. Overall, emerging market hard currency and local currency bonds posted modest losses in 2013.
The US dollar had a mixed performance against most major currencies in 2013. The euro, Swiss franc and British pound appreciated versus the US dollar. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) maintained its minimum exchange rate for the euro against the Swiss franc at 1.20. Commodity currencies, such as the Australian and Canadian dollars, weakened versus the US dollar on lower growth and accommodative central bank policy. Emerging market economies, such as Brazil, India, South Africa and Turkey, experienced pressure on their foreign exchange rates as US yields increased. The Japanese yen continued to weaken against the US dollar in 2013.
With US yields rising and Chinese growth stabilizing, the environment for commodities has been challenging. Commodity markets generally benefited from stronger growth and suffered from rising bond yields. In 2013, the overall commodity index as measured by the Credit Suisse Commodity Benchmark finished the year 1.8% lower. Energy prices ended the year higher with the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate oil price gaining 5.6%. Gold was among the worst performing commodities during the year, with prices falling more than 28% to almost USD 1,200.
Market volumes (growth in % year on year) |
2013 |
|
Global |
|
Europe |
|
Equity trading volume 1 |
|
(3) |
|
– |
|
Announced mergers and acquisitions 2 |
|
8 |
|
3 |
|
Completed mergers and acquisitions 2 |
|
2 |
|
23 |
|
Equity underwriting 2 |
|
32 |
|
41 |
|
Debt underwriting 2 |
|
1 |
|
10 |
|
Syndicated lending - investment-grade 2 |
|
14 |
|
– |
|
1
London Stock Exchange, Borsa Italiana, Deutsche Börse, BME and Euronext. Global also includes New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
|
|
The banking sector benefited from central bank measures while it continued to transition to new regulatory requirements. Global banks took significant steps to restructure businesses and decrease costs while also taking measures to increase capital and liquidity ratios. North American bank stocks performed in-line with global equity indices and ended the year 25% higher. European bank stocks finished the year 21% higher (refer to the charts “Equity markets”).
Private banking clients maintained a cautious investment stance amid prevailing market uncertainty, with cash deposits remaining high despite low interest rates. Equity funds witnessed strong net inflows in 2013. In contrast, fixed income funds saw large withdrawals especially in the second half of the year. In Switzerland, concerns about the real estate market overheating in certain areas remained pronounced, with the SNB reiterating concerns about the buildup of imbalances in mortgage and real estate markets. The wealth management sector continued to adapt to further industry-specific regulatory changes.
In investment banking, equity trading volume was comparable to 2012. Trading volumes in Europe were generally higher, while volumes in the US decreased. US fixed income volumes were slightly lower compared to 2012, with weaker federal agency and mortgage backed volumes being partially offset by higher treasuries and corporate volumes. Compared to 2012, activity from global completed M&A volumes increased slightly and global announced M&A volumes rose 8%. Global equity underwriting volumes increased significantly and global debt underwriting volumes remained stable, both compared to 2012.
In 2013, we recorded net income attributable to shareholders of CHF 2,326 million. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were CHF 1.14 and return on equity attributable to shareholders was 5.7%.
As of the end of 2013, our CET1 ratio under Basel III was 15.7% and 10.0% on a look-through basis. Our risk-weighted assets decreased 6% compared to 2012 to CHF 273.8 billion.
Results |
|
|
in / end of |
|
% change |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
13 / 12 |
|
12 / 11 |
|
Statements of operations (CHF million) |
Net interest income |
|
8,115 |
|
7,143 |
|
6,426 |
|
14 |
|
11 |
|
Commissions and fees |
|
13,226 |
|
12,724 |
|
12,638 |
|
4 |
|
1 |
|
Trading revenues |
|
2,739 |
|
1,196 |
|
5,021 |
|
129 |
|
(76) |
|
Other revenues |
|
1,776 |
|
2,548 |
|
1,806 |
|
(30) |
|
41 |
|
Net revenues |
|
25,856 |
|
23,611 |
|
25,891 |
|
10 |
|
(9) |
|
Provision for credit losses |
|
167 |
|
170 |
|
187 |
|
(2) |
|
(9) |
|
Compensation and benefits |
|
11,256 |
|
12,303 |
|
13,001 |
|
(9) |
|
(5) |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
8,599 |
|
7,246 |
|
7,293 |
|
19 |
|
(1) |
|
Commission expenses |
|
1,738 |
|
1,702 |
|
1,939 |
|
2 |
|
(12) |
|
Total other operating expenses |
|
10,337 |
|
8,948 |
|
9,232 |
|
16 |
|
(3) |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
21,593 |
|
21,251 |
|
22,233 |
|
2 |
|
(4) |
|
Income from continuing operations before taxes |
|
4,096 |
|
2,190 |
|
3,471 |
|
87 |
|
(37) |
|
Income tax expense |
|
1,276 |
|
465 |
|
656 |
|
174 |
|
(29) |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
2,820 |
|
1,725 |
|
2,815 |
|
63 |
|
(39) |
|
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
– |
|
60 |
|
Net income |
|
2,965 |
|
1,685 |
|
2,790 |
|
76 |
|
(40) |
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
639 |
|
336 |
|
837 |
|
90 |
|
(60) |
|
Net income/(loss) attributable to shareholders |
|
2,326 |
|
1,349 |
|
1,953 |
|
72 |
|
(31) |
|
of which from continuing operations |
|
2,181 |
|
1,389 |
|
1,978 |
|
57 |
|
(30) |
|
of which from discontinued operations |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
– |
|
60 |
|
Earnings per share (CHF) |
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations |
|
1.14 |
|
0.82 |
|
1.34 |
|
39 |
|
(39) |
|
Basic earnings per share |
|
1.22 |
|
0.79 |
|
1.32 |
|
54 |
|
(40) |
|
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations |
|
1.14 |
|
0.82 |
|
1.34 |
|
39 |
|
(39) |
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
1.22 |
|
0.79 |
|
1.32 |
|
54 |
|
(40) |
|
Return on equity (%) |
Return on equity attributable to shareholders |
|
5.7 |
|
3.9 |
|
6.0 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Return on tangible equity attributable to shareholders 1 |
|
7.2 |
|
5.2 |
|
8.1 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Number of employees (full-time equivalents) |
Number of employees |
|
46,000 |
|
47,400 |
|
49,700 |
|
(3) |
|
(5) |
|
1
Based on tangible shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders, a non-GAAP financial measure, which is calculated by deducting goodwill and other intangible assets from total shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders. Management believes that the return on tangible shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders is meaningful as it allows consistent measurement of the performance of businesses without regard to whether the businesses were acquired.
|
Credit Suisse and Core Results |
|
|
Core Results |
|
Noncontrolling interests without SEI |
|
Credit Suisse |
|
in |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
Statements of operations (CHF million) |
Net revenues |
|
25,217 |
|
23,251 |
|
25,095 |
|
639 |
|
360 |
|
796 |
|
25,856 |
|
23,611 |
|
25,891 |
|
Provision for credit losses |
|
167 |
|
170 |
|
187 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
167 |
|
170 |
|
187 |
|
Compensation and benefits |
|
11,221 |
|
12,267 |
|
12,939 |
|
35 |
|
36 |
|
62 |
|
11,256 |
|
12,303 |
|
13,001 |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
8,587 |
|
7,224 |
|
7,271 |
|
12 |
|
22 |
|
22 |
|
8,599 |
|
7,246 |
|
7,293 |
|
Commission expenses |
|
1,738 |
|
1,702 |
|
1,939 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
1,738 |
|
1,702 |
|
1,939 |
|
Total other operating expenses |
|
10,325 |
|
8,926 |
|
9,210 |
|
12 |
|
22 |
|
22 |
|
10,337 |
|
8,948 |
|
9,232 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
21,546 |
|
21,193 |
|
22,149 |
|
47 |
|
58 |
|
84 |
|
21,593 |
|
21,251 |
|
22,233 |
|
Income from continuing operations before taxes |
|
3,504 |
|
1,888 |
|
2,759 |
|
592 |
|
302 |
|
712 |
|
4,096 |
|
2,190 |
|
3,471 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
1,276 |
|
465 |
|
656 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
1,276 |
|
465 |
|
656 |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
2,228 |
|
1,423 |
|
2,103 |
|
592 |
|
302 |
|
712 |
|
2,820 |
|
1,725 |
|
2,815 |
|
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
Net income |
|
2,373 |
|
1,383 |
|
2,078 |
|
592 |
|
302 |
|
712 |
|
2,965 |
|
1,685 |
|
2,790 |
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
47 |
|
34 |
|
125 |
|
592 |
|
302 |
|
712 |
|
639 |
|
336 |
|
837 |
|
Net income attributable to shareholders |
|
2,326 |
|
1,349 |
|
1,953 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
2,326 |
|
1,349 |
|
1,953 |
|
Statement of operations metrics (%) |
Cost/income ratio |
|
85.4 |
|
91.1 |
|
88.3 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
– |
|
83.5 |
|
90.0 |
|
85.9 |
|
Pre-tax income margin |
|
13.9 |
|
8.1 |
|
11.0 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
– |
|
15.8 |
|
9.3 |
|
13.4 |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
36.4 |
|
24.6 |
|
23.8 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
– |
|
31.2 |
|
21.2 |
|
18.9 |
|
Net income margin 1 |
|
9.2 |
|
5.8 |
|
7.8 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
– |
|
9.0 |
|
5.7 |
|
7.5 |
|
1
Based on amounts attributable to shareholders.
|
Differences between Group and Bank
Except where noted, the business of the Bank is substantially the same as the business of Credit Suisse Group, and substantially all of the Bank’s operations are conducted through the Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking segments. These segment results are included in Core Results. Certain other assets, liabilities and results of operations are managed as part of the activities of the two segments. However, since they are legally owned by the Group, they are not included in the Bank’s consolidated financial statements. These relate principally to the activities of Neue Aargauer Bank and BANK-now, which are managed as part of Private Banking & Wealth Management, and hedging activities relating to share-based compensation awards. Core Results also includes certain Corporate Center activities of the Group that are not applicable to the Bank.
These operations and activities vary from period to period and give rise to differences between the Bank’s assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, including pensions and taxes, and those of the Group.
> Refer to “Note 40 – Subsidiary guarantee information” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for further information on the Bank.
Differences between Group and Bank businesses |
Entity |
|
Principal business activity |
|
Neue Aargauer Bank |
|
Banking (in the Swiss canton of Aargau) |
|
BANK-now |
|
Private credit and car leasing (in Switzerland) |
|
Financing vehicles of the Group |
|
Special purpose vehicles for various funding activities of the Group, including for purposes of raising capital |
|
Comparison of consolidated statements of operations |
|
|
Group |
|
Bank |
|
in |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
Statements of operations (CHF million) |
Net revenues |
|
25,856 |
|
23,611 |
|
25,891 |
|
25,330 |
|
23,178 |
|
24,853 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
21,593 |
|
21,251 |
|
22,233 |
|
21,567 |
|
21,108 |
|
22,219 |
|
Income from continuing operations before taxes |
|
4,096 |
|
2,190 |
|
3,471 |
|
3,670 |
|
1,982 |
|
2,511 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
1,276 |
|
465 |
|
656 |
|
1,177 |
|
447 |
|
444 |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
2,820 |
|
1,725 |
|
2,815 |
|
2,493 |
|
1,535 |
|
2,067 |
|
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
Net income |
|
2,965 |
|
1,685 |
|
2,790 |
|
2,638 |
|
1,495 |
|
2,042 |
|
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
639 |
|
336 |
|
837 |
|
860 |
|
(600) |
|
901 |
|
Net income attributable to shareholders |
|
2,326 |
|
1,349 |
|
1,953 |
|
1,778 |
|
2,095 |
|
1,141 |
|
Comparison of consolidated balance sheets |
|
|
Group |
|
Bank |
|
end of |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
Balance sheet statistics (CHF million) |
Total assets |
|
872,806 |
|
924,280 |
|
854,412 |
|
908,160 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
825,640 |
|
881,996 |
|
810,849 |
|
865,999 |
|
Capitalization and indebtedness |
|
|
Group |
|
Bank |
|
end of |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
Capitalization and indebtedness (CHF million) |
Due to banks |
|
23,108 |
|
31,014 |
|
23,147 |
|
30,574 |
|
Customer deposits |
|
333,089 |
|
308,312 |
|
321,851 |
|
297,690 |
|
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions |
|
94,032 |
|
132,721 |
|
94,032 |
|
132,721 |
|
Long-term debt |
|
130,042 |
|
148,134 |
|
126,641 |
|
146,997 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
245,369 |
|
261,815 |
|
245,178 |
|
258,017 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
825,640 |
|
881,996 |
|
810,849 |
|
865,999 |
|
Total equity |
|
47,166 |
|
42,284 |
|
43,563 |
|
42,161 |
|
Total capitalization and indebtedness |
|
872,806 |
|
924,280 |
|
854,412 |
|
908,160 |
|
Capital adequacy – Basel III |
|
|
Group |
|
Bank |
|
end of |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
Eligible capital (CHF million) |
Common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital |
|
42,989 |
|
41,500 |
|
38,028 |
|
36,717 |
|
Total tier 1 capital |
|
46,061 |
|
44,357 |
|
41,105 |
|
40,477 |
|
Total eligible capital |
|
56,288 |
|
51,519 |
|
52,066 |
|
49,306 |
|
Capital ratios (%) |
CET1 ratio |
|
15.7 |
|
14.2 |
|
14.4 |
|
13.0 |
|
Tier 1 ratio |
|
16.8 |
|
15.2 |
|
15.6 |
|
14.3 |
|
Total capital ratio |
|
20.6 |
|
17.6 |
|
19.7 |
|
17.5 |
|
Dividends of the Bank to the Group |
end of |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
Per share issued (CHF) |
Dividend 1, 2 |
|
0.00 |
3 |
0.23 |
|
The Bank’s total share capital is fully paid and consisted of 4,399,665,200 and 43,996,652 registered shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in number of shares reflects the split of the par value per share from CHF 100 to CHF 1 effective November 19, 2013.
|
1
Dividends are determined in accordance with Swiss law and the Bank's articles of incorporation.
|
2
In 2011, 2010 and 2009, dividends per share issued were CHF 0.23, CHF 0.23 and CHF 68.19, respectively.
|
3
Proposal of the Board of Directors to the annual general meeting of the Bank for a dividend of CHF 10 million.
|
Information and developments
Format of presentation and changes in reporting
In managing the business, revenues are evaluated in the aggregate, including an assessment of trading gains and losses and the related interest income and expense from financing and hedging positions. For this reason, individual revenue categories may not be indicative of performance.
As of January 1, 2013, the >>>Basel Committee on Banking Supervision >>>Basel III framework was implemented in Switzerland along with the Swiss >>>“Too Big to Fail” legislation and regulations thereunder. Our related disclosures are in accordance with our current interpretation of such requirements, including relevant assumptions. Changes in the interpretation of these requirements in Switzerland or in any of our assumptions or estimates could result in different numbers from those shown in this report. Our calculations of year-end 2012 capital and ratio amounts, which are presented in order to show meaningful comparative information, use estimates as of December 31, 2012, as if the Basel III framework had been implemented in Switzerland as of such date.
References to Swiss leverage exposure refer to the aggregate of balance sheet assets, off-balance sheet exposures, consisting of guarantees and commitments, and regulatory adjustments, including cash collateral netting reversals and derivative add-ons.
> Refer to “Swiss leverage ratios” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet – Capital management – Capital metrics under Swiss requirements for further information.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2013, assets within the Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking segments exclude intra-Group balances between the segments. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Introduction of non-strategic units
In the fourth quarter of 2013, we created non-strategic units within our Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking divisions and separated non-strategic items in the Corporate Center to further accelerate our reduction of capital and costs associated with non-strategic activities and positions and to shift resources to focus on our strategic businesses and growth initiatives. The results are disclosed separately within the divisional results and we have implemented a governance structure to accelerate position and expense reductions. We believe this new reporting structure, which clearly delineates between strategic and non-strategic results, enhances the transparency of our financial disclosures while providing increased focus on our strategic businesses within the business divisions and on the Group level. Prior periods have been restated to conform to the current presentation.
We decided to retain these non-strategic units within the divisions, rather than establishing a single non-strategic unit, so as to benefit from senior management’s expertise and focus. The non-strategic units have separate management within each division and a clear governance structure through the establishment of a Non-Strategic Oversight Board. As a result, we expect that the establishment of these non-strategic units will drive further reductions in Swiss leverage exposure and >>>risk-weighted assets. It is also expected to free up capital for future growth in Private Banking & Wealth Management, accelerating a move towards a more balanced capital allocation between Investment Banking and Private Banking & Wealth Management, and to allow us to return capital to our shareholders.
Non-strategic activities and positions are defined as:
– activities with significant capital absorption under new regulations and returns below expectations;
– activities with significant leverage exposures identified for de-risking;
– activities no longer feasible or economically attractive under emerging regulatory frameworks;
– assets and liabilities of business activities we are winding down;
– infrastructure associated with activities deemed non-strategic or redundant; and
– other items reported in the Corporate Center, which we do not consider representative of our core performance.
In Private Banking & Wealth Management, we established a non-strategic unit which includes positions relating to the restructuring of the former Asset Management division, run-off operations relating to our small markets exit initiative and certain legacy cross-border related run-off operations, litigation costs, primarily related to the US tax matter, the impact of restructuring our German onshore operations, other smaller non-strategic positions formerly in our Corporate & Institutional Clients business and the run-off and active reduction of selected products.
In Investment Banking, we transferred into the divisional non-strategic unit our fixed income wind-down portfolio, legacy rates business, primarily non-exchange-cleared instruments and capital-intensive structured positions, legacy funding costs associated with non-Basel III compliant debt instruments, as well as certain legacy litigation costs and other small non-strategic positions.
In the Corporate Center, we separately present non-strategic items, which we do not consider representative of our core performance. Such items include the valuation impacts from movements in credit spreads on our own liabilities carried at >>>fair value, certain business realignment costs and IT architecture simplification expenses, certain litigation provisions, business wind-down costs and impairments not included in the divisional non-strategic units and legacy funding costs associated with non-Basel III compliant debt instruments not included in the results of the Investment Banking non-strategic unit. Corporate Center items previously disclosed as adjustments from our reported to underlying results are now presented as non-strategic items, with the exception of business divisions’ non-strategic realignment costs, which beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013 are reported directly in the relevant divisional non-strategic unit. Strategic business division realignment costs will continue to be reported in the Corporate Center.
Discontinued operations
In the third quarter of 2013, the Private Banking & Wealth Management division completed the sales of its exchange-traded funds (ETF) business and Strategic Partners, and announced the sale of Customized Fund Investment Group (CFIG), which was completed in January 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the division announced the sale of its domestic private banking business booked in Germany to ABN AMRO, which is expected to close in 2014. These transactions qualify for discontinued operations treatment under accounting principles generally accepted in the US (US GAAP), and revenues and expenses of these businesses and the relevant gains on disposal are classified as discontinued operations in the Group’s consolidated statements of operations. In the Private Banking & Wealth Management segment, the gains and expenses related to the business disposals are included in the segment’s non-strategic results. The reclassification of the revenues and expenses from the segment results to discontinued operations for reporting at the Group level is effected through the Corporate Center. Prior periods for the Group’s results have been restated to conform to the current presentation.
Significant litigation matters in 2013
On March 21, 2014, we entered into an agreement with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to settle litigation claims related to the sale of approximately USD 16.6 billion of residential mortgage-backed securities between 2005 and 2007. Under the terms of the agreement, we will pay USD 885 million to resolve all claims in two pending securities lawsuits filed by the FHFA against us.
For 2013, we recorded litigation provisions of CHF 600 million in our Private Banking & Wealth Management division in connection with the US tax matter, where we continue to work towards a resolution, including CHF 175 million in connection with the settlement with the SEC in February 2014.
> Refer to “Note 38 – Litigation” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for further information on litigation.
Board of Directors and management changes
At our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in April 2013, shareholders elected Kai S. Nargolwala as a new member to the Board of Directors, and re-elected Noreen Doyle and Jassim Bin Hamad J.J. Al Thani, each for a term of three years. Robert H. Benmosche, Aziz R.D. Syriani and David W. Syz retired from the Board of Directors at the 2013 AGM.
As of December 31, 2013, Tobias Guldimann stepped down from the Executive Board and his position as Chief Risk Officer. Effective January 1, 2014, Joachim Oechslin assumed the role of Chief Risk Officer and joined the Executive Board.
Capital distribution proposal
At the AGM on May 9, 2014, the Board of Directors will propose a cash distribution of CHF 0.70 per share to be paid out of reserves from capital contributions for the financial year 2013. The distribution out of reserves from capital contributions will be free of Swiss withholding tax and will not be subject to income tax for Swiss resident individuals holding the shares as a private investment.
Share issuances
In the second quarter of 2013, we issued 200.0 million Group shares out of conditional, conversion and authorized capital in connection with the conversion of mandatory and contingent convertible securities (MACCS). The shares were delivered on April 8, 2013.
At the 2013 AGM, shareholders approved a distribution in the form of CHF 0.10 per registered share in cash and in the form of new shares with an equivalent value of approximately CHF 0.65 per registered share for the 2012 financial year. As a result, we issued 37.6 million new Group shares out of authorized capital in May 2013.
We also issued 37.8 million new Group shares in connection with share-based compensation awards in 2013.
> Refer to “Additional share information” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group – Note 25 – Accumulated other comprehensive income and additional share information for further information on share issuances.
Evolution of legal entity structure
Since 2012, we have been developing a program to evolve the Group’s legal entity structure to meet developing and future regulatory requirements. This has been prepared in discussion with our primary regulator >>>Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA) and will address regulations in Switzerland, the US and the UK with respect to future requirements for global recovery and resolution planning by systemically important banks such as Credit Suisse that will facilitate resolution of an institution in the event of a failure. We expect these changes will result in a substantially less complex and more efficient operating infrastructure for the Group. Furthermore, Swiss banking law provides for the possibility of a limited reduction in capital requirements in the event of an improvement in resolvability which this program intends to deliver.
The key components of the program are:
– in Switzerland we plan to create a subsidiary for our Swiss-booked business (primarily wealth management, retail and corporate and institutional clients as well as the product and sales hub in Switzerland);
– our UK operations will remain the hub of our European investment banking business and we are planning that our two principal UK operating subsidiaries will be consolidated into a single subsidiary. The program will look to align non-European business to the appropriate entities in the Americas and in Asia Pacific;
– in the US, our existing broker-dealer subsidiary is planned to remain a subsidiary of our existing US holding company. The holding company will hold its US-based operating businesses and be subject to the Fed final rules for supervision of foreign banking operations in the US. Additionally, subject to US regulatory approvals, our US derivatives business, currently booked in one of the above noted UK operating subsidiaries, is anticipated to be transferred to the existing US broker-dealer;
– we intend to create a separately capitalized global infrastructure legal entity in Switzerland and a US subsidiary of the above noted US holding company. In principle, these will include all Shared Services functions; and
– once the legal framework is finalized, we plan to issue bail-in eligible debt out of the existing Group holding company to enable a single point of entry bail-in resolution strategy.
The program has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Group, but is subject to final approval by FINMA. Implementation of the program is underway, with a number of key components expected to be implemented from mid-2015.
Risk trends
The prudent taking of risk in line with our strategic priorities is fundamental to our business as a leading global bank and continued to be a key focus area in 2013. During the year, we took additional steps to adapt our businesses and our risk management approaches and methodologies to the new regulatory requirements. In 2013, overall >>>position risk increased 7%, utilized economic capital increased 4%, average risk management >>>value-at-risk in US dollars for our trading books decreased 27% and our impaired loans decreased 14% to CHF 1.5 billion.
> Refer to “Risk management” in III – Treasury, Risk, Balance sheet and Off-balance sheet for further information on risk trends.
Allocations and funding
Revenue sharing and cost allocation
Responsibility for each product is allocated to a segment, which records all related revenues and expenses. Revenue-sharing and service level agreements govern the compensation received by one segment for generating revenue or providing services on behalf of another. These agreements are negotiated periodically by the relevant segments on a product-by-product basis.
The aim of revenue-sharing and service level agreements is to reflect the pricing structure of unrelated third-party transactions.
Corporate services and business support in finance, operations, including human resources, legal and compliance, risk management and IT are provided by the Shared Services area. Shared Services costs are allocated to the segments and Corporate Center based on their requirements and other relevant measures.
Funding
We centrally manage our funding activities. New securities for funding and capital purposes are issued primarily by the Bank.
> Refer to “Funding” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group – Note 5 – Segment information for further information.
Fair valuations
>>>Fair value can be a relevant measurement for financial instruments when it aligns the accounting for these instruments with how we manage our business. The levels of the fair value hierarchy as defined by the relevant accounting guidance are not a measurement of economic risk, but rather an indication of the observability of prices or valuation inputs.
> Refer to “Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies” and “Note 34 – Financial instruments” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for further information.
The fair value of the majority of the Group’s financial instruments is based on quoted prices in active markets (level 1) or observable inputs (level 2). These instruments include government and agency securities, certain >>>commercial paper, most investment grade corporate debt, certain high yield debt securities, exchange-traded and certain >>>over-the-counter (OTC) derivative instruments and most listed equity securities.
In addition, the Group holds financial instruments for which no prices are available and which have little or no observable inputs (level 3). For these instruments, the determination of fair value requires subjective assessment and judgment depending on liquidity, pricing assumptions, the current economic and competitive environment and the risks affecting the specific instrument. In such circumstances, valuation is determined based on management’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). These instruments include certain OTC derivatives, including equity and credit derivatives, certain corporate equity-linked securities, mortgage-related and >>>collateralized debt obligation securities, private equity investments, certain loans and credit products, including leveraged finance, certain syndicated loans and certain high yield bonds, and life finance instruments.
Models were used to value these products. Models are developed internally and are reviewed by functions independent of the front office to ensure they are appropriate for current market conditions. The models require subjective assessment and varying degrees of judgment depending on liquidity, concentration, pricing assumptions and risks affecting the specific instrument. The models consider observable and unobservable parameters in calculating the value of these products, including certain indices relating to these products. Consideration of these indices is more significant in periods of lower market activity.
As of the end of 2013, 47% and 33% of our total assets and total liabilities, respectively, were measured at fair value.
While the majority of our level 3 assets are recorded in Investment Banking, some are recorded in Private Banking & Wealth Management’s Asset Management business, specifically certain private equity investments. Total assets recorded as level 3 declined by CHF 0.6 billion during 2013, primarily reflecting decreases in trading assets and other investments, partially offset by increases in loans and loans held-for-sale. The decrease in trading assets primarily reflected net transfers out of level 3 due to improved observability of pricing data and net settlements, partially offset by realized and unrealized gains. The decrease in other investments primarily reflected net sales, partially offset by realized and unrealized gains. The increase in loans primarily reflected net issuances, partially offset by net transfers out of level 3 due to improved observability of pricing data and net sales. The increase in loans held-for-sale primarily reflected net transfers into level 3 due to limited observability of pricing data and net purchases.
Our level 3 assets, excluding noncontrolling interests and assets of consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) that are not risk-weighted assets under the Basel framework, were CHF 29.8 billion, compared to CHF 29.7 billion as of the end of 2012. As of the end of 2013, these assets comprised 4% of total assets and 8% of total assets measured at fair value, both adjusted on the same basis, compared to 3% and 7% as of the end of 2012, respectively.
We believe that the range of any valuation uncertainty, in the aggregate, would not be material to our financial condition, however, it may be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
Regulatory developments and proposals
Government leaders and regulators continued to focus on reform of the financial services industry, including enhanced capital, leverage and liquidity requirements, changes in compensation practices and measures designed to reduce systemic risk.
> Refer to “Regulation and supervision” in I – Information on the company for further information.
For 2013, net income attributable to shareholders was CHF 2,326 million. Net revenues were CHF 25,217 million and total operating expenses were CHF 21,546 million.
In our strategic businesses, we reported income from continuing operations before taxes of CHF 7,132 million and in our non-strategic businesses we reported a loss from continuing operations before taxes of CHF 3,628 million in 2013.
Results |
|
|
in / end of |
|
% change |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
13 / 12 |
|
12 / 11 |
|
Statements of operations (CHF million) |
Net interest income |
|
8,100 |
|
7,126 |
|
6,398 |
|
14 |
|
11 |
|
Commissions and fees |
|
13,249 |
|
12,751 |
|
12,670 |
|
4 |
|
1 |
|
Trading revenues |
|
2,750 |
|
1,162 |
|
4,922 |
|
137 |
|
(76) |
|
Other revenues |
|
1,118 |
|
2,212 |
|
1,105 |
|
(49) |
|
100 |
|
Net revenues |
|
25,217 |
|
23,251 |
|
25,095 |
|
8 |
|
(7) |
|
of which strategic results |
|
25,543 |
|
25,493 |
|
23,454 |
|
– |
|
9 |
|
of which non-strategic results |
|
(326) |
|
(2,242) |
|
1,641 |
|
(85) |
|
– |
|
Provision for credit losses |
|
167 |
|
170 |
|
187 |
|
(2) |
|
(9) |
|
Compensation and benefits |
|
11,221 |
|
12,267 |
|
12,939 |
|
(9) |
|
(5) |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
8,587 |
|
7,224 |
|
7,271 |
|
19 |
|
(1) |
|
Commission expenses |
|
1,738 |
|
1,702 |
|
1,939 |
|
2 |
|
(12) |
|
Total other operating expenses |
|
10,325 |
|
8,926 |
|
9,210 |
|
16 |
|
(3) |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
21,546 |
|
21,193 |
|
22,149 |
|
2 |
|
(4) |
|
of which strategic results |
|
18,316 |
|
19,099 |
|
19,961 |
|
(4) |
|
(4) |
|
of which non-strategic results |
|
3,230 |
|
2,094 |
|
2,188 |
|
54 |
|
(4) |
|
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before taxes |
|
3,504 |
|
1,888 |
|
2,759 |
|
86 |
|
(32) |
|
of which strategic results |
|
7,132 |
|
6,267 |
|
3,388 |
|
14 |
|
85 |
|
of which non-strategic results |
|
(3,628) |
|
(4,379) |
|
(629) |
|
(17) |
|
– |
|
Income tax expense |
|
1,276 |
|
465 |
|
656 |
|
174 |
|
(29) |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
2,228 |
|
1,423 |
|
2,103 |
|
57 |
|
(32) |
|
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
– |
|
60 |
|
Net income |
|
2,373 |
|
1,383 |
|
2,078 |
|
72 |
|
(33) |
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
47 |
|
34 |
|
125 |
|
38 |
|
(73) |
|
Net income/(loss) attributable to shareholders |
|
2,326 |
|
1,349 |
|
1,953 |
|
72 |
|
(31) |
|
of which strategic results |
|
5,065 |
|
4,796 |
|
2,676 |
|
6 |
|
79 |
|
of which non-strategic results |
|
(2,739) |
|
(3,447) |
|
(723) |
|
(21) |
|
377 |
|
Statement of operations metrics (%) |
Return on Basel III capital 1 |
|
9.2 |
|
4.6 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Cost/income ratio |
|
85.4 |
|
91.1 |
|
88.3 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Pre-tax income margin |
|
13.9 |
|
8.1 |
|
11.0 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
36.4 |
|
24.6 |
|
23.8 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Net income margin 2 |
|
9.2 |
|
5.8 |
|
7.8 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
Number of employees (full-time equivalents) |
Number of employees |
|
46,000 |
|
47,400 |
|
49,700 |
|
(3) |
|
(5) |
|
1
Calculated using income after tax denominated in CHF; assumes tax rate of 27% in 2013, 25% in 2012 and capital allocated at 10% of average risk-weighted assets.
|
2
Based on amounts attributable to shareholders.
|
Strategic and non-strategic results |
|
|
Strategic results |
|
Non-strategic results |
|
Core Results |
|
in / end of |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
Statements of operations (CHF million) |
Net revenues |
|
25,543 |
|
25,493 |
|
23,454 |
|
(326) |
|
(2,242) |
|
1,641 |
|
25,217 |
|
23,251 |
|
25,095 |
|
Provision for credit losses |
|
95 |
|
127 |
|
105 |
|
72 |
|
43 |
|
82 |
|
167 |
|
170 |
|
187 |
|
Compensation and benefits |
|
10,506 |
|
11,215 |
|
11,744 |
|
715 |
|
1,052 |
|
1,195 |
|
11,221 |
|
12,267 |
|
12,939 |
|
Total other operating expenses |
|
7,810 |
|
7,884 |
|
8,217 |
|
2,515 |
|
1,042 |
|
993 |
|
10,325 |
|
8,926 |
|
9,210 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
18,316 |
|
19,099 |
|
19,961 |
|
3,230 |
|
2,094 |
|
2,188 |
|
21,546 |
|
21,193 |
|
22,149 |
|
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before taxes |
|
7,132 |
|
6,267 |
|
3,388 |
|
(3,628) |
|
(4,379) |
|
(629) |
|
3,504 |
|
1,888 |
|
2,759 |
|
Income tax expense/(benefit) |
|
2,020 |
|
1,437 |
|
587 |
|
(744) |
|
(972) |
|
69 |
|
1,276 |
|
465 |
|
656 |
|
Income/(loss) from continuing operations |
|
5,112 |
|
4,830 |
|
2,801 |
|
(2,884) |
|
(3,407) |
|
(698) |
|
2,228 |
|
1,423 |
|
2,103 |
|
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
145 |
|
(40) |
|
(25) |
|
Net income/(loss) |
|
5,112 |
|
4,830 |
|
2,801 |
|
(2,739) |
|
(3,447) |
|
(723) |
|
2,373 |
|
1,383 |
|
2,078 |
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
47 |
|
34 |
|
125 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
47 |
|
34 |
|
125 |
|
Net income/(loss) attributable to shareholders |
|
5,065 |
|
4,796 |
|
2,676 |
|
(2,739) |
|
(3,447) |
|
(723) |
|
2,326 |
|
1,349 |
|
1,953 |
|
Balance sheet statistics (CHF billion) |
Risk-weighted assets – Basel III 1 |
|
242,475 |
|
255,130 |
|
– |
|
23,628 |
|
28,980 |
|
– |
|
266,103 |
|
284,110 |
|
– |
|
Total assets |
|
821,207 |
|
862,101 |
|
978,142 |
|
47,975 |
|
58,073 |
|
66,274 |
|
869,182 |
|
920,174 |
|
1,044,416 |
|
Swiss leverage exposure |
|
1,031,316 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
99,289 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
1,130,605 |
|
– |
|
– |
|
1
Represents risk-weighted assets on a fully phased-in "look-through" basis.
|
Core Results include the results of our two segments, the Corporate Center and discontinued operations. Core Results exclude revenues and expenses in respect of noncontrolling interests in which we do not have significant economic interest (SEI).
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current presentation.
> Refer to “Format of presentation and changes in reporting” in Credit Suisse – Information and developments for further information.
2013 versus 2012
In 2013, Core Results net income attributable to shareholders was CHF 2,326 million, up 72% compared to 2012, and net revenues of CHF 25,217 million increased 8% compared to 2012.
Strategic net revenues were stable at CHF 25,543 million compared to 2012, with stable net revenues for Private Banking & Wealth Management, reflecting higher transaction- and performance-based revenues and higher recurring commissions and fees offset by lower net interest income and other revenues. Strategic net revenues for Investment Banking were slightly lower, reflecting decreased revenues in fixed income sales and trading and advisory revenues, partially offset by increased revenues in equity sales and trading and debt and equity underwriting.
In our non-strategic businesses, net revenue losses of CHF 326 million in 2013 improved from net revenue losses of CHF 2,242 million in 2012. An improvement in Corporate Center mainly reflected fair value losses of CHF 315 million from movements in own credit spreads in 2013 compared to fair value losses from movements in own credit spreads of CHF 2,939 million in 2012. Improved results in Investment Banking were driven by portfolio valuation gains and lower funding costs, while a decrease in Private Banking & Wealth Management reflected lower gains on sales of businesses and lower fee-based revenues resulting from those sales.
Provision for credit losses of CHF 167 million reflected net provisions of CHF 152 million in Private Banking & Wealth Management and CHF 13 million in Investment Banking.
Total operating expenses of CHF 21,546 million increased 2% compared to 2012, primarily reflecting 19% higher general and administrative expenses, partially offset by 9% lower compensation and benefits. In strategic businesses, total operating expenses of CHF 18,316 million decreased 4% from 2012, mainly reflecting lower compensation and benefits, driven by lower deferred compensation expense from prior-year awards and lower salary expenses, reflecting lower headcount. In non-strategic businesses, total operating expenses of CHF 3,230 million increased 54% from 2012, primarily reflecting higher general and administrative expenses, partially offset by a decrease in compensation and benefits. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to substantially higher litigation provisions in Investment Banking and Private Banking & Wealth Management. In 2013, we recorded provisions of CHF 1,117 million in connection with mortgage-related matters, including in connection with the agreement with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on March 21, 2014 to settle certain litigation relating to mortgage-backed securities, and CHF 600 million in connection with the US tax matter, including CHF 175 million in connection with the settlement with the SEC in February 2014.
> Refer to “Note 38 – Litigation” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for further information on litigation.
The Core Results effective tax rate was 36.4% in 2013, compared to 24.6% in 2012. The effective tax rate for full-year 2013 was mainly impacted by the geographical mix of results, an increase and a re-assessment in deferred tax balances in Switzerland and also reflected changes in valuation allowances against deferred tax assets mainly in the UK. In addition, the tax charge was negatively affected by the impact of the change in UK corporation tax from 23% to 20%. Overall, net deferred tax assets decreased CHF 1,181 million to CHF 5,791 million during 2013.
> Refer to “Note 27 – Tax” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for further information.
2012 versus 2011
In 2012, Core Results net income attributable to shareholders was CHF 1,349 million, down 31% compared to 2011, and net revenues of CHF 23,251 million in 2012 decreased 7% compared to 2011.
Strategic net revenues increased 9% to CHF 25,493 million compared to 2011. An increase in Investment Banking was primarily driven by substantially improved performance in our fixed income sales and trading business and higher revenues in our underwriting and advisory franchises. Strategic net revenues for Private Banking & Wealth Management were stable, reflecting lower recurring commissions and fees offset by slightly higher transaction- and performance-based revenues and higher other revenues.
In our non-strategic businesses, net revenues decreased from CHF 1,641 million in 2011 to net revenue losses of CHF 2,242 million in 2012. A decrease in Corporate Center mainly reflected fair value losses of CHF 2,939 million from movements in own credit spreads in 2012 compared to fair value gains from movements in own credit spreads of CHF 1,616 million in 2011. A decrease in Investment Banking was driven by increased losses from the fixed income wind-down portfolio and higher funding costs. An increase in Private Banking & Wealth Management was primarily due to the gain of CHF 384 million in 2012 on the sale of our ownership interest in Aberdeen Asset Management (Aberdeen).
Provision for credit losses of CHF 170 million reflected net provisions of CHF 182 million in Private Banking & Wealth Management and releases of CHF 12 million in Investment Banking in 2012.
Total operating expenses of CHF 21,193 million were down 4% compared to 2011, primarily reflecting 5% lower compensation and benefits and 12% lower commission expenses. In strategic businesses, total operating expenses of CHF 19,099 million decreased 4% from 2011, mainly reflecting lower compensation and benefits, driven by lower deferred compensation expense from prior-year awards, lower salary expenses, reflecting lower headcount, and lower discretionary performance-related compensation expense. In non-strategic businesses, total operating expenses of CHF 2,094 million decreased 4% from 2011, primarily due to lower compensation and benefits.
The Core Results effective tax rate was 24.6% in 2012, compared to 23.8% in 2011. The effective tax rate for full-year 2012 was mainly impacted by the geographical mix of results, an increase and a re-assessment in deferred tax balances in Switzerland and the release of tax contingency accruals. The effective tax rate also reflected changes in valuation allowances against deferred tax assets in the US, the UK and Asia. In addition, the tax charge was negatively influenced by the impact of the change in UK corporation tax from 25% to 23%. Overall, net deferred tax assets decreased CHF 1,538 million to CHF 6,972 million during 2012.
> Refer to “Note 27 – Tax” in V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse Group for further information.
Core Results reporting by region |
|
|
in |
|
% change |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
13 / 12 |
|
12 / 11 |
|
Net revenues (CHF million) |
Switzerland |
|
7,224 |
|
7,400 |
|
7,539 |
|
(2) |
|
(2) |
|
EMEA |
|
6,180 |
|
6,737 |
|
6,520 |
|
(8) |
|
3 |
|
Americas |
|
9,567 |
|
9,507 |
|
7,272 |
|
1 |
|
31 |
|
Asia Pacific |
|
3,036 |
|
2,388 |
|
2,526 |
|
27 |
|
(5) |
|
Corporate Center |
|
(790) |
|
(2,781) |
|
1,238 |
|
(72) |
|
– |
|
Net revenues |
|
25,217 |
|
23,251 |
|
25,095 |
|
8 |
|
(7) |
|
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before taxes (CHF million) |
Switzerland |
|
2,463 |
|
2,544 |
|
2,407 |
|
(3) |
|
6 |
|
EMEA |
|
641 |
|
872 |
|
44 |
|
(26) |
|
– |
|
Americas |
|
1,085 |
|
2,512 |
|
6 |
|
(57) |
|
– |
|
Asia Pacific |
|
770 |
|
(151) |
|
(89) |
|
– |
|
70 |
|
Corporate Center |
|
(1,455) |
|
(3,889) |
|
391 |
|
(63) |
|
– |
|
Income from continuing operations before taxes |
|
3,504 |
|
1,888 |
|
2,759 |
|
86 |
|
(32) |
|
A significant portion of our business requires inter-regional coordination in order to facilitate the needs of our clients. The methodology for allocating our results by region is dependent on management judgment. For Wealth Management Clients and Corporate & Institutional Clients, results are allocated based on the management reporting structure of our relationship managers and the region where the transaction is recorded. For Asset Management, results are allocated based on the location of the investment advisors and sales teams. For Investment Banking, trading results are allocated based on where the risk is primarily managed and fee-based results are allocated where the client is domiciled.
|
Information and developments
Key performance indicators
Our historical key performance indicators (KPIs) are provided in the table below. We assess our KPIs as part of our normal planning process and, beginning in the first quarter of 2013, we adjusted our KPIs for the Group and for our Private Banking & Wealth Management and Investment Banking divisions to reflect our strategic plan, the regulatory environment and the market cycle.
For the Group, we replaced the previous Core Results pre-tax income margin KPI with a Core Results cost/income ratio target of below 70%, and maintained a return on equity attributable to shareholders target of above 15%. Our capital measures continue to be based on compliance with Swiss >>>“Too Big to Fail” and >>>Basel III capital standards, and we target a Look-through Swiss Core Capital ratio above 10%. Our KPIs for collaboration revenues and total shareholder return are unchanged.
In our Private Banking & Wealth Management division, the KPI for net new asset growth of 6% is now measured at both the Wealth Management Clients and the Asset Management business levels instead of solely at the division level. For the division we replaced the pre-tax income margin KPI with a cost/income ratio of 65%.
In our Investment Banking division, we replaced the pre-tax income margin KPI with a cost/income ratio target of 70%.
From the first quarter of 2013 to the third quarter of 2013, income statement-based KPIs were measured in the related quarterly reports on underlying results, which are non-GAAP financial measures that excluded valuation impacts from movements in own credit spreads and certain other significant items. With the revised presentation of strategic and non-strategic results for the Group introduced in the fourth quarter of 2013, our stated KPIs are measured on the basis of reported results as they were in 2012. We believe the execution of our strategic initiatives, including the run-off of non-strategic operations, will enable us to achieve our targets over a three to five year period across market cycles. Prior periods have been restated to conform to the current presentation.
Collaboration revenues
Beginning in the second quarter of 2013, collaboration revenues are calculated as the percentage of the Group’s net revenues represented by the aggregate collaboration revenues arising when more than one of the Group’s divisions participate in a transaction.
Additionally, within the Private Banking & Wealth Management division, collaboration revenues include revenues arising from cross-selling and client referral activities between the Wealth Management Clients and Corporate & Institutional Clients businesses on the one hand and the Asset Management and the securities trading and sales businesses on the other hand. Prior period measures of collaboration revenues were not materially impacted by this change and have not been restated. Collaboration revenues are measured by a dedicated governance structure and implemented through an internal revenue sharing structure. Only the net revenues generated by a transaction are considered. >>>Position risk related to trading revenues, private equity and other investment-related gains, valuation adjustments and centrally managed treasury revenues are not included in collaboration revenues.
Key performance indicators
Our KPIs are targets to be achieved over a three to five year period across market cycles. Our KPIs are assessed annually as part of our normal planning process and may be revised to reflect our strategic plan, the regulatory environment and market and industry trends.
in / end of |
|
Target |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
Growth (%) |
Collaboration revenues |
|
18–20% of net revenues |
|
17.7 |
|
18.6 |
|
16.8 |
|
Efficiency and performance (%) |
Total shareholder return (Credit Suisse) 1 |
|
Superior return vs peer group |
|
26.0 |
|