The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion dated December 30, 2011.
1
Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. U563
To the Underlying Supplement dated June 24, 2010,
Product Supplement No. U-I dated October 18, 2010,
Prospectus Supplement dated March 25, 2009 and
Prospectus dated March 25, 2009
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-158199-10
December 30, 2011
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Financial
Products
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$
High/Low Coupon Callable Yield Notes due January 23, 2013 Linked to the Performance of
the Russell 2000® Index, the United States Oil Fund, LP and the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF
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General
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The securities are designed for investors who are mildly bearish, neutral or mildly bullish on the Underlyings. Investors should be willing to lose some or all of their investment if a Knock-In Event occurs with respect to any Underlying. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
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Interest will be paid quarterly in arrears at a rate per annum that will depend on whether a Knock-In Event occurs. If a Knock-In Event does not occur, interest will be paid at an Applicable Rate per annum that is expected to be between 11.0% and 13.0% (to be determined on the Trade Date). If a Knock-In Event occurs during any quarterly Observation Period, interest for that quarterly period and each subsequent quarterly interest period will be paid at an Applicable Rate per annum that is expected to be 1.0% (to be determined on the Trade Date). Interest will be calculated on a 30/360 basis, subject to Early Redemption.
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The Issuer may redeem the securities, in whole but not in part, on any Interest Payment Date scheduled to occur on or after April 23, 2012. No interest will accrue or be payable following an Early Redemption.
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Senior unsecured obligations of Credit Suisse AG, acting through its Nassau Branch, maturing January 23, 2013.†
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•
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Minimum purchase of $1,000. Minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
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The securities are expected to price on or about January 18, 2012 (the “Trade Date”) and are expected to settle on or about January 23, 2012. Delivery of the securities in book-entry form only will be made through The Depository Trust Company.
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Key Terms
Issuer:
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Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”), acting through its Nassau Branch
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Underlyings:
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Each Underlying is identified in the table below, together with its Bloomberg ticker symbol, Initial Level and Knock-In Level:
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Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
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RTY
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United States Oil Fund, LP (“USO”)
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USO UP
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Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (“GDX”)
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GDX UP
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Applicable Rate:
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If a Knock-In Event does not occur, the Applicable Rate is expected to be between 11.0% and 13.0% per annum (to be determined on the Trade Date).
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If a Knock-In Event occurs during any quarterly Observation Period, the Applicable Rate for the corresponding quarterly interest period and each subsequent quarterly interest period is expected to be 1.0% per annum (to be determined on the Trade Date).
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Interest will be calculated on a 30/360 basis.
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Interest Payment Dates:
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Unless redeemed earlier, interest will be paid quarterly in arrears at the Applicable Rate per annum on April 23, 2012, July 23, 2012, October 23, 2012 and the Maturity Date, subject to the modified following business day convention. No interest will accrue or be payable following an Early Redemption.
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Redemption Amount:
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The Redemption Amount you will be entitled to receive will depend on the individual performance of each Underlying and whether a Knock-In Event occurs. If the securities are not subject to Early Redemption, the Redemption Amount will be determined as follows:
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If a Knock-In Event occurs during any Observation Period, the Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount of the securities you hold multiplied by the sum of one plus the Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying. In this case, the maximum Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount of the securities. Therefore, unless the Final Level of each of the Underlyings is greater than or equal to its Initial Level, the Redemption Amount will be less than the principal amount of the securities and you could lose your entire investment.
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If a Knock-In Event does not occur during any Observation Period, the Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount of the securities you hold.
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Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
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Early Redemption:
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Prior to the Maturity Date, the Issuer may redeem the securities in whole, but not in part, on any Interest Payment Date scheduled to occur on or after April 23, 2012, upon notice on or before the relevant Early Redemption Notice Date at 100% of the principal amount of the securities, together with the interest payable on that Interest Payment Date.
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Early Redemption Notice Dates:
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Notice of Early Redemption will be provided prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date on or before April 18, 2012, July 18, 2012 or October 18, 2012, as applicable.
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Knock-In Event:
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A Knock-In Event occurs if the closing level of any Underlying is less than or equal to its Knock-In Level on any trading day for that Underlying during any Observation Period.
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Knock-In Level:
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The Knock-In Level for each Underlying will be approximately 55% of the Initial Level of such Underlying.
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Lowest Performing Underlying:
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The Underlying with the lowest Underlying Return.
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Underlying Return:
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For each Underlying, the Underlying Return will be calculated as follows:
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Final Level − Initial Level
Initial Level
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, subject to a maximum of zero
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Initial Level:*
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For each Underlying, the closing level of such Underlying on the Trade Date.
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Final Level:
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For each Underlying, the closing level of such Underlying on the Valuation Date.
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Observation Periods:
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There are four quarterly Observation Periods. The first quarterly Observation Period will be from but excluding the Trade Date to and including the first Observation Date. Each subsequent quarterly Observation Period will be from but excluding an Observation Date to and including the next following Observation Date.
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Observation Dates:†
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April 18, 2012, July 18, 2012, October 18, 2012 and the Valuation Date.
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Valuation Date:†
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January 17, 2013
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Maturity Date:†
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January 23, 2013
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Listing:
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The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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CUSIP:
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22546TJZ5
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* In the event that the closing level for any Underlying is not available on the Trade Date, the Initial Level for such Underlying will be determined on the immediately following trading day on which a closing level is available.
† The determination of the closing level for each Underlying on each Observation Date, other than the Valuation Date, is subject to postponement if such date is not a trading day for such Underlying or as a result of a market disruption event in respect of such Underlying, as described herein under “Market Disruption Events.” The Valuation Date is subject to postponement in respect of each Underlying if such date is not an underlying business day for such Underlying or as a result of a market disruption event in respect of such Underlying, as described in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Market disruption events”. The Interest Payment Dates including the Maturity Date are subject to postponement, each as described herein, if such date is not a business day or if the determination of the closing level for any Underlying on the corresponding Observation Date or the Valuation Date, as applicable, is postponed because such date is not a trading day or an underlying business day for any Underlying, as applicable, or as a result of a market disruption event in respect of any Underlying.
Investing in the securities involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” in this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-3 of the accompanying product supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this pricing supplement or the accompanying underlying supplement, the product supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Price to Public
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Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1)
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Proceeds to Issuer
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Per security
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$1,000.00
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$
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$
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Total
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$
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$
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$
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(1) We or one of our affiliates may pay varying discounts and commissions of between $20.00 and $22.50 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. In addition, an affiliate of ours may pay referral fees of up to $5.50 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. For more detailed information, please see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on the last page of this pricing supplement.
The agent for this offering, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“CSSU”), is our affiliate. For more information, see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on the last page of this pricing supplement.
The securities are not deposit liabilities and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Switzerland or any other jurisdiction.
Credit Suisse
January , 2012
You may revoke your offer to purchase the securities at any time prior to the time at which we accept such offer on the date the securities are priced. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase the securities prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the securities, we will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.
Additional Terms Specific to the Securities
You should read this pricing supplement together with the underlying supplement dated June 24, 2010, the product supplement dated October 18, 2010, the prospectus supplement dated March 25, 2009 and the prospectus dated March 25, 2009, relating to our Medium-Term Notes of which these securities are a part. You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
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Underlying supplement dated June 24, 2010:
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Product supplement No. U-I dated October 18, 2010:
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Prospectus supplement dated March 25, 2009:
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Prospectus dated March 25, 2009:
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Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1053092. As used in this pricing supplement, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Credit Suisse.
This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed above, contains the terms of the securities and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, fact sheets, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” in the product supplement and “Selected Risk Considerations” in this pricing supplement, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. You should consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before deciding to invest in the securities.
Hypothetical Redemption Amounts and Total Payments on the Securities
The tables and examples below illustrate hypothetical Redemption Amounts payable at maturity and, in the case of the tables, total payments over the term of the securities (which include both payments at maturity and the total interest paid on the securities) on a $1,000 investment in the securities for a range of Underlying Returns of the Lowest Performing Underlying, both in the event a Knock-In Event does not occur and in the event a Knock-In Event does occur. The tables and examples assume that (i) the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, (ii) the Applicable Rate is 12.0% per annum if a Knock-In Event does not occur (the midpoint of the expected range set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement) and 1.0% per annum for the corresponding quarterly interest period and each subsequent quarterly interest period if a Knock-In Event occurs, (iii) the term of the securities is exactly one year and (iv) the Knock-In Level for each Underlying is 55% of the Initial Level of such Underlying. In addition, the examples below assume that the Initial Level is 750 for RTY, $39 for USO and $52 for GDX. The examples are intended to illustrate hypothetical calculations of only the Redemption Amount and do not illustrate the calculation or payment of any individual interest payment. The Redemption Amounts and total payment amounts set forth below are provided for illustration purposes only. The actual Redemption Amounts and total payments applicable to a purchaser of the securities will depend on several variables, including, but not limited to (a) whether the closing level of any Underlying is less than or equal to its Knock-In Level on any trading day for that Underlying during any Observation Period and (b) the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying determined on the Valuation Date. It is not possible to predict whether a Knock-In Event will occur and in the event that there is a Knock-In Event, whether and by how much the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying will decrease in comparison to its Initial Level. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. The numbers appearing in the following tables and examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.
TABLE 1: A Knock-In Event DOES NOT occur during any Observation Period.
Principal
Amount
of Securities
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Percentage Change from the Initial Level to the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying
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Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying
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Redemption
Amount
(Knock-In Event
does not occur)
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Total Interest
Payment on
the Securities
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Total Payment
on the Securities
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$1,000.00
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50.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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40.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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30.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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20.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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10.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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0.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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−10.00%
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−10.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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−20.00%
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−20.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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−30.00%
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−30.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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−40.00%
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−40.00%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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$1,000.00
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−44.99%
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−44.99%
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$1,000.00
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$120.00
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$1,120.00
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TABLE 2: A Knock-In Event OCCURS during the period from the Trade Date to the first Observation Date.
Principal
Amount
of Securities
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Percentage Change from the Initial Level to the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying
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Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying
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Redemption Amount (Knock-In Event occurs during the first Observation Period)
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Total Interest
Payments on
the Securities
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$1,000.00
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50.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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(See table below)
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$1,000.00
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40.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$1,000.00
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30.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$1,000.00
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20.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$1,000.00
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10.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$1,000.00
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0.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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$1,000.00
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−10.00%
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−10.00%
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$900.00
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$1,000.00
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−20.00%
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−20.00%
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$800.00
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$1,000.00
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−30.00%
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−30.00%
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$700.00
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$1,000.00
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−40.00%
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−40.00%
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$600.00
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$1,000.00
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−50.00%
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−50.00%
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$500.00
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Assuming the securities are not redeemed prior to the Maturity Date, expected total interest payments will depend on whether and when a Knock-In Event occurs.
Time of First Knock-In Event
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Total Interest Payment on the Securities
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From Trade Date to first Observation Date
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$10.00
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From first Observation Date to second Observation Date
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$37.50
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From second Observation Date to third Observation Date
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$65.00
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From third Observation Date to Valuation Date
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$92.50
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If a Knock-Out Event occurs during any Observation Period, the total payment on the securities will be equal to the Redemption Amount applicable to an investor plus the applicable total interest payments on the securities.
Examples of Calculation of Redemption Amounts at Maturity
Example 1: A Knock-In Event occurs because the closing level of one Underlying reaches its Knock-In Level during an Observation Period; and the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Level.
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Lowest closing level of the Underlying
during any Observation Period
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Final Level on the
Valuation Date
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RTY
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750
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750.00
(100% of Initial Level)
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825.00
(110% of Initial Level)
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USO
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$39
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$31.20
(80% of Initial Level)
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$31.20
(80% of Initial Level)
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GDX
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$52
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$28.60
(55% of Initial Level)
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$28.60
(55% of Initial Level)
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Since the closing level of RTY reaches its Knock-In Level during an Observation Period, a Knock-In Event occurs. RTY is also the Lowest Performing Underlying.
Therefore, the Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying will equal:
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Final Level of RTY – Initial Level of RTY
Initial Level of RTY
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; subject to a maximum of 0.00
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= ($28.60 – $52) / $52 = −0.45
The Redemption Amount = principal amount of the securities × (1 + Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying)
= $1,000 × (1 – 0.45) = $550
Example 2: A Knock-In Event occurs because the closing level of one Underlying reaches its Knock-In Level during an Observation Period; the Lowest Performing Underlying never reaches or falls below its Knock-In Level during any Observation Period; and the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Level.
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Lowest closing level of the Underlying
during any Observation Period
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Final Level on the
Valuation Date
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RTY
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750
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412.50
(55% of Initial Level)
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825.00
(110% of Initial Level)
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USO
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$39
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$31.20
(80% of Initial Level)
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$39.00
(100% of Initial Level)
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GDX
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$52
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45.24
(87% of Initial Level)
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45.24
(87% of Initial Level)
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Since the closing level of RTY reaches its Knock-In Level during an Observation Period, a Knock-In Event occurs. GDX is the Lowest Performing Underlying, even though its closing level never reaches or falls below its Knock-In Level during an Observation Period.
Therefore, the Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying will equal:
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Final Level of GDX – Initial Level of GDX
Initial Level of GDX
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; subject to a maximum of 0.00
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= ($45.24 – $52) / $52 = −0.13
The Redemption Amount = principal amount of the securities × (1 + Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying)
= $1,000 × (1 – 0.13) = $870
Example 3: A Knock-In Event occurs because the closing level of one Underlying reaches its Knock-In Level during an Observation Period; and the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is greater than its Initial Level.
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Lowest closing level of the Underlying
during any Observation Period
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Final Level on the
Valuation Date
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RTY
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750
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412.50
(55% of Initial Level)
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825.00
(110% of Initial Level)
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USO
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$39
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$31.20
(80% of Initial Level)
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$46.80
(120% of Initial Level)
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GDX
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$52
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$46.80
(90% of Initial Level)
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$62.40
(120% of Initial Level)
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Since the closing level of RTY reaches its Knock-In Level during an Observation Period, a Knock-In Event occurs. RTY is also the Lowest Performing Underlying.
Therefore, the Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying will equal:
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Final Level of RTY – Initial Level of RTY
Initial Level of RTY
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; subject to a maximum of 0.00
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= (825.00 – 750) / 750 = 0.10
BUT 0.10 is greater than the maximum of 0.00, so the Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying is 0.00.
The Redemption Amount = principal amount of the securities × (1 + Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying)
= $1,000 × (1 + 0.00) = $1,000
Example 4: A Knock-In Event does not occur during any Observation Period.
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Lowest closing level of the Underlying
during any Observation Period
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Final Level on the
Valuation Date
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RTY
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750
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652.50
(87% of Initial Level)
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825.00
(110% of Initial Level)
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USO
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$39
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$35.10
(90% of Initial Level)
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$39.00
(100% of Initial Level)
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GDX
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$52
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$45.76
(88% of Initial Level)
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$57.20
(110% of Initial Level)
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Since the closing level of each Underlying did not reach or fall below its Knock-In Level during any Observation Period, a Knock-In Event does not occur.
Therefore, the Redemption Amount equals $1,000.
Selected Risk Considerations
An investment in the securities involves significant risks. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing directly in the Underlyings. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying product supplement.
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YOU MAY RECEIVE LESS THAN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY — You may receive less at maturity than you originally invested in the securities, or you may receive nothing, excluding any accrued or unpaid interest. If a Knock-In Event occurs during any Observation Period and the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Level, you will not receive the maximum amount of interest payable on the securities and you will be fully exposed to any depreciation in the Lowest Performing Underlying. In this case, the Redemption Amount you will be entitled to receive will be less than the principal amount of the securities and you could lose your entire investment. It is not possible to predict whether a Knock-In Event will occur and, in the event that there is a Knock-In Event, whether and by how much the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying will decrease in comparison to its Initial Level. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
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THE SECURITIES WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, PLUS ACCRUED AND UNPAID INTEREST AT THE APPLICABLE RATE, AT MATURITY OR UPON EARLY REDEMPTION — The securities will not pay more than the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest at the Applicable Rate, at maturity or upon early redemption. If the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than its respective Initial Level (regardless of whether a Knock-In Event has occurred), you will not receive the appreciation of any Underlying. Assuming the securities are held to maturity and the term of the securities is exactly one year, the maximum amount payable with respect to the securities is expected to be between $1,110.00 and $1,130.00 (to be determined on the Trade Date) for each $1,000 principal amount of the securities.
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•
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THE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE CREDIT RISK OF CREDIT SUISSE — Although the return on the securities will be based on the performance of the Underlyings, the payment of any amount due on the securities, including any applicable interest payments, early redemption payment or payment at maturity, is subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse. Investors are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the securities and, therefore, investors are subject to our credit risk. In addition, any decline in our credit ratings, any adverse changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness or any increase in our credit spreads is likely to adversely affect the value of the securities prior to maturity.
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•
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IF A KNOCK-IN EVENT OCCURS DURING ANY QUARTERLY OBSERVATION PERIOD, THE APPLICABLE RATE FOR THE CORRESPONDING QUARTERLY INTEREST PERIOD AND EACH SUBSEQUENT INTEREST PERIOD IS EXPECTED TO BE 1.0% PER ANNUM — If a Knock-In Event occurs during any quarterly Observation Period, the Applicable Rate for the corresponding quarterly interest period and each subsequent interest period is expected to be 1.0% per annum (to be determined on the Trade Date). For example, if a Knock-In Event occurs during the period from the Trade Date to the first Observation Date, the Applicable Rate per annum for each interest period is expected to be 1.0% and the maximum amount of interest you will be entitled to receive, assuming the term of the securities is exactly one year, is expected to be $10.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the securities.
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•
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IF A KNOCK-IN EVENT OCCURS, YOUR RETURN WILL BE BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE OF THE LOWEST PERFORMING UNDERLYING — If a Knock-In Event occurs, your return will be based on the individual performance of the Lowest Performing Underlying. This will be true even if the closing level of the Lowest Performing Underlying never reached or fell below its Knock-In Level on any trading day during any Observation Period.
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•
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THE REDEMPTION AMOUNT PAYABLE AT MATURITY WILL BE LESS THAN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SECURITIES EVEN IF A KNOCK-IN EVENT OCCURS WITH RESPECT TO ONLY ONE UNDERLYING AND THE FINAL LEVEL OF ONLY ONE UNDERLYING FALLS BELOW ITS INITIAL LEVEL — Even if the closing level of only one Underlying is less than or equal to its Knock-In Level on any trading day for that Underlying during any Observation Period, a Knock-In Event will have occurred. In this case, the Redemption Amount payable at maturity will be less than the principal amount of the securities if, in addition to the occurrence of a Knock-In Event, the Final Level of just one Underlying is less than its Initial Level. This will be true even if the closing level of the Lowest Performing Underlying was never less than or equal to its Knock-In Level on any trading day for that Underlying during any Observation Period.
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•
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THE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO A POTENTIAL EARLY REDEMPTION, WHICH WOULD LIMIT YOUR ABILITY TO ACCRUE INTEREST OVER THE FULL TERM OF THE SECURITIES —The securities are subject to a potential early redemption. Prior to maturity, the securities may be redeemed on any Interest Payment Date scheduled to occur on or after April 23, 2012, upon notice on or before the relevant Early Redemption Notice Date. If the securities are redeemed prior to the Maturity Date, you will be entitled to receive the principal amount of your securities and any accrued but unpaid interest payable at the Applicable Rate on that Interest Payment Date. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to continue to accrue and be paid interest from the date of Early Redemption to the scheduled Maturity Date. If the securities are redeemed prior to the Maturity Date, you may be unable to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that yield as much interest as the securities.
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SINCE THE SECURITIES ARE LINKED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF MORE THAN ONE UNDERLYING, YOU WILL BE FULLY EXPOSED TO THE RISK OF FLUCTUATIONS IN THE LEVEL OF EACH UNDERLYING — Since the securities are linked to the performance of more than one Underlying, the securities will be linked to the individual performance of each Underlying. Because the securities are not linked to a basket, in which the risk is mitigated and diversified among all of the components of a basket, you will be exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the levels of the Underlyings to the same degree for each Underlying. For example, in the case of securities linked to a basket, the return would depend on the weighted aggregate performance of the basket components as reflected by the basket return. Thus, the depreciation of any basket component could be mitigated by the appreciation of another basket component, to the extent of the weightings of such components in the basket. However, in the case of securities linked to the lowest performing of each of three Underlyings, the individual performance of each Underlying is not combined to calculate your return and the depreciation of any Underlying is not mitigated by the appreciation of any other Underlying. Instead, the Redemption Amount payable at maturity depends on the lowest performing of the three Underlyings to which the securities are linked.
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THERE ARE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNITED STATES OIL FUND, LP AND THE MARKET VECTORS GOLD MINERS ETF — Although shares of the United States Oil Fund, LP and the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (each, a “Reference Fund”) are listed for trading on a national securities exchange and a number of similar products have been traded on various national securities exchanges for varying periods of time, there is no assurance that an active trading market will continue for the shares of each Reference Fund or that there will be liquidity in the trading market. Each Reference Fund is subject to management risk, which is the risk that a fund’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. Pursuant to each Reference Fund’s investment strategy or otherwise, its investment advisor may add, delete or substitute the assets held by such Reference Fund. Any of these actions could adversely affect the price of the shares of each Reference Fund and consequently the value of the securities. For additional information about the United States Oil Fund, LP, see “The United States Oil Fund, LP” herein and for additional information about the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF, see information set forth under “The Reference Funds—The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF” in the accompanying underlying supplement.
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THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UNITED STATES OIL FUND, LP MAY NOT FULLY REPLICATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PRICE OF WTI LIGHT, SWEET CRUDE OIL — United States Commodity Funds, LLC, the general partner of the United States Oil Fund, LP, is responsible for investing the assets of the United States Oil Fund, LP in accordance with the objectives and policies of the United States Oil Fund, LP. The assets of the United States Oil Fund, LP consist primarily of investments in futures contracts for light, sweet crude oil, other types of crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, natural gas, and other petroleum-based fuels that are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange, ICE Futures or other U.S. and foreign exchanges (collectively, “oil futures contracts”) and other oil interests such as cash-settled options on oil futures contracts, forward contracts for oil, and over-the-counter transactions that are based on the price of oil, other petroleum-based fuels, oil futures contracts and indices based on the foregoing (collectively, “other oil interests” and together with oil futures contracts, “oil interests”). The United States Oil Fund, LP seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a mix of oil futures contracts and other oil interests such that changes in the net asset value of the United States Oil Fund, LP will closely track the changes in the price of a specified oil futures contract (the “benchmark oil futures contract”). The United States Oil Fund, LP’s general partner believes that the benchmark oil futures contract historically has exhibited a close correlation with the spot price of light, sweet crude oil. There is no assurance that the general partner of the United States Oil Fund, LP will successfully implement its investment strategy and there is a risk that changes in the price of United States Oil Fund, LP units will not closely track changes in the spot price of WTI light, sweet crude oil. This could happen if the price of the units does not correlate closely with the United States Oil Fund, LP’s net asset value; changes in the United States Oil Fund, LP’s net asset value do not closely correlate with changes in the price of the benchmark oil futures contract; or changes in the price of the benchmark oil futures contract do not closely correlate with changes in the cash or spot price of light, sweet crude oil.
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RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES WITH CONCENTRATION IN ENERGY COMMODITIES — Market prices of the commodities and commodity futures contracts comprising the United States Oil Fund, LP tend to be highly volatile. Commodity market prices are not related to the value of a future income or earnings stream, as tends to be the case with fixed-income and equity investments, but are subject to rapid fluctuations based on numerous factors, including changes in supply and demand relationships, governmental programs and policies, national and international monetary, trade, political and economic events, changes in interest and exchange rates, speculation and trading activities in commodities and related contracts, drought, floods, weather, and agricultural, trade, fiscal and exchange control policies, embargoes and tariffs. The markets for many commodities is also highly cyclical. Demand for refined petroleum products by consumers, as well as the agricultural, manufacturing and transportation industries, affects the price of energy commodities. Sudden disruptions in the supplies of energy commodities, such as those caused by war, natural events, accidents or acts of terrorism, may cause prices of energy commodities futures contracts to become extremely volatile and unpredictable. Also, sudden and dramatic changes in the futures market may occur, for example, upon a cessation of hostilities that may exist in countries producing energy commodities, the introduction of new or previously withheld supplies into the market or the introduction of substitute products or commodities. In particular, supplies of crude oil may increase or decrease depending on, among other factors, production decisions by the Organization of Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and other crude oil producers. Crude oil prices are determined with significant influence by OPEC, which has the capacity to influence oil prices worldwide because its members possess a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. Crude oil prices are generally more volatile and subject to dislocation than prices of other commodities. Demand for energy commodities such as crude oil is generally linked to economic activity, and will tend to reflect general economic conditions.
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These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments than on traditional fixed-income and equity securities. These variables may create additional investment risks that cause the value of the securities to be more volatile than the values of traditional securities. These and other factors may affect the price of the United States Oil Fund, LP, and thus the value of your securities, in unpredictable or unanticipated ways. The high volatility and cyclical nature of commodity markets may render such an investment inappropriate as the focus of an investment portfolio.
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THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MARKET VECTORS GOLD MINERS ETF MAY NOT CORRELATE TO THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS TRACKED INDEX — The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF will generally invest in all of the equity securities included in the index tracked by the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (the “Tracked Index”). There may, however, be instances where the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF’s investment advisor may choose to overweight another stock in the Tracked Index, purchase securities not included in the Tracked Index that the investment advisor believes are appropriate to substitute for a security included in the Tracked Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking to track accurately the Tracked Index. In addition, the performance of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF will reflect additional transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of the Tracked Index. Also, corporate actions with respect to the equity securities (such as mergers and spin-offs) may impact the variance between the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF and the Tracked Index. Finally, because the shares of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF are traded on a national securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market value of one share of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF may differ from the net asset value per share of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF. For these reasons, the performance of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF may not correlate with the performance of the Tracked Index.
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RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES WITH CONCENTRATION IN THE GOLD AND SILVER MINING INDUSTRY — The stocks comprising the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index and that are generally tracked by the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF are stocks of companies primarily engaged in the mining of gold or silver. The shares of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF may be subject to increased price volatility as they are linked to a single industry, market or sector and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that industry, market or sector. Because the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF primarily invests in stocks and ADRs of companies that are involved in the gold mining industry, and to a lesser extent the silver mining industry, the shares of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF are subject to certain risks associated with such companies.
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Gold mining companies are highly dependent on the price of gold and subject to competition pressures that may have a significant effect on their financial condition. Gold prices are subject to volatile price movements over short periods of time and are affected by numerous factors. These include economic factors, including, among other things, the structure of and confidence in the global monetary system, expectations of the future rate of inflation, the relative strength of, and confidence in, the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of gold is generally quoted), interest rates and gold borrowing and lending rates, and global or regional economic, financial, political, regulatory, judicial or other events. Gold prices may also be affected by industry factors such as industrial and jewelry demand, lending, sales and purchases of gold by the official sector, including central banks and other governmental agencies and multilateral institutions which hold gold, levels of gold production and production costs, and short-term changes in supply and demand because of trading activities in the gold market.
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Silver mining companies are highly dependent on the price of silver. Silver prices can fluctuate widely and may be affected by numerous factors. These include general economic trends, technical developments, substitution issues and regulation, as well as specific factors including industrial and jewelry demand, expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of silver is generally quoted) and other currencies, interest rates, central bank sales, forward sales by producers, global or regional political or economic events, and production costs and disruptions in major silver producing countries such as Peru, Mexico and China.
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THE SECURITIES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO REGULATION BY THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION — The proceeds to be received by us from the sale of the securities will not be used to purchase or sell any commodities futures contracts or options on futures contracts for your benefit. An investment in the securities thus does not constitute either an investment in futures contracts, options on futures contracts or in a collective investment vehicle that trades in these futures contracts (i.e., the securities will not constitute a direct or indirect investment by you in the futures contracts), and you will not benefit from the regulatory protections of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, commonly referred to as the “CFTC.” The Issuer is not registered with the CFTC as a
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futures commission merchant and you will not benefit from the CFTC’s or any other non-U.S. regulatory authority’s regulatory protections afforded to persons who trade in futures contracts on a regulated futures exchange through a registered futures commission merchant. Unlike an investment in the securities, an investment in a collective investment vehicle that invests in futures contracts on behalf of its participants may be subject to regulation as a commodity pool and its operator may be required to be registered with and regulated by the CFTC as a commodity pool operator, or qualify for an exemption from the registration requirement. Because the securities will not be interests in a commodity pool, the securities will not be regulated by the CFTC as a commodity pool, we will not be registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator, and you will not benefit from the CFTC’s or any non-U.S. regulatory authority’s regulatory protections afforded to persons who invest in regulated commodity pools.
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CERTAIN BUILT-IN COSTS ARE LIKELY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE SECURITIES PRIOR TO MATURITY — While the payment at maturity described in this pricing supplement is based on the full principal amount of your securities, the original issue price of the securities includes the agent’s commission and the cost of hedging our obligations under the securities through one or more of our affiliates. As a result, the price, if any, at which Credit Suisse (or its affiliates), will be willing to purchase securities from you in secondary market transactions, if at all, will likely be lower than the original issue price, and any sale prior to the Maturity Date could result in a substantial loss to you. The securities are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your securities to maturity.
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NO OWNERSHIP RIGHTS RELATING TO THE UNDERLYINGS — Your return on the securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the shares of the Reference Funds or the assets that comprise the Underlyings. The return on your investment, which is based on the percentage change in the Underlyings, is not the same as the total return you would receive based on the purchase of the shares of the Reference Funds or the assets that comprise the Underlyings.
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NO DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR VOTING RIGHTS — As a holder of the securities, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions or other rights with respect to the Reference Funds and the assets that comprise the Underlyings.
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ANTI-DILUTION PROTECTION IS LIMITED — The calculation agent will make anti-dilution adjustments for certain events affecting the shares of each Reference Fund. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment in response to all events that could affect the shares of each Reference Fund. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to make an adjustment, the value of the securities may be materially and adversely affected. For additional information, see "Description of the Securities—Adjustments—For reference funds" in the accompanying product supplement.
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LACK OF LIQUIDITY — The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Credit Suisse (or its affiliates) intends to offer to purchase the securities in the secondary market but is not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the securities when you wish to do so. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which Credit Suisse (or its affiliates) is willing to buy the securities. If you have to sell your securities prior to maturity, you may not be able to do so or you may have to sell them at a substantial loss.
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POTENTIAL CONFLICTS — We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the securities, including acting as calculation agent and hedging our obligations under the securities. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities.
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MANY ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS WILL AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE SECURITIES — In addition to the levels of the Underlyings on any trading day during any Observation Period, the value of the securities will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, including:
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the expected volatility of the Underlyings;
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the time to maturity of the securities;
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the Early Redemption feature, which would limit the value of the securities;
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interest and yield rates in the market generally;
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global gold and silver supply and demand, which is influenced by such factors as forward selling by gold and silver producers, purchases made by gold and silver producers to unwind gold and silver hedge positions, central bank purchases and sales of gold, and production and cost levels in major gold-producing countries and in major silver-producing countries;
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supply and demand trends for crude oil;
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investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;
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geopolitical conditions and a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the components comprising the Underlyings, or markets generally and which may affect the levels of the Underlyings; and
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our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings.
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Some or all of these factors may influence the price that you will receive if you choose to sell your securities prior to maturity. The impact of any of the factors set forth above may enhance or offset some or all of any change resulting from another factor or factors.
Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging
We intend to use the proceeds of this offering for our general corporate purposes, which may include the refinancing of existing debt outside Switzerland. Some or all of the proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities may be used in connection with hedging our obligations under the securities through one or more of our affiliates. Such hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Trade Date and during the term of the securities (including on the Valuation Date) could adversely affect the value of the Underlyings and, as a result, could decrease the amount you may receive on the securities at maturity. For additional information, see “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement.
The Underlyings
We have derived all information regarding each Underlying contained in this pricing supplement, including, without limitation, their make-up, method of calculation and changes in their components, from publicly available information. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this publicly available information. The information on the Underlyings provided herein is just a summary and should be read together with the additional publicly available information. Information contained in the respective Underlying websites and the Bloomberg pages referenced below is not incorporated by reference herein.
For additional information about the Russell 2000® Index and the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF, see information set forth under “The Reference Indices—The Russell 2000® Index” and “The Reference Funds—The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF” in the accompanying underlying supplement.
United States Oil Fund, LP
The United States Oil Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, is a commodity pool that issues units that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc. The United States Oil Fund, LP was organized as a limited partnership under Delaware law on May 12, 2006. It is managed and controlled by United States Commodity Funds, LLC (the “general partner of the United States Oil Fund, LP”), formerly known as Victoria Bay Asset Management, LLC. The general partner of the United States Oil Fund, LP is a single member limited liability company formed in Delaware on May 10, 2006 that is registered as a commodity pool operator with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is a member of the National Futures Association.
Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the United States Oil Fund, LP pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 can be located by reference to SEC file numbers 333-153310 and 001-32834, respectively, through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The United States Oil Fund, LP is not a mutual fund or any other type of Investment Company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not subject to regulation thereunder.
The investment objective of the United States Oil Fund, LP is for changes in percentage terms of the net asset value of the units of United States Oil Fund, LP to reflect the changes in percentage terms of the spot price of West Texas Intermediate light, sweet crude oil delivered to Cushing, Oklahoma as traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange, less the United States Oil Fund, LP’s expenses.
The units of the United States Oil Fund, LP (which we refer to as “shares of the United States Oil Fund, LP” for purposes of the accompanying product supplement) are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. under the trading symbol “USO.”
Historical Information
The following graphs set forth the historical performance of the Russell 2000® Index based on the closing level of the Russell 2000® Index from January 1, 2006 through December 27, 2011, the historical performance of the United States Oil Fund, LP based on the closing level of one share of such Underlying from May 30, 2006 through December 27, 2011 and the historical performance of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF based on the closing level of one share of such Underlying from May 22, 2006 through December 27, 2011. The closing level of the Russell 2000® Index on December 27, 2011 was 751.31. The closing level of one share of the United States Oil Fund, LP on December 27, 2011 was $39.06. The closing level of one share of the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF on December 27, 2011 was $51.90. We obtained the closing levels below from Bloomberg, without independent verification. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg. You should not take the historical levels of the Underlyings as an indication of future performance of the Underlyings or the securities. The levels of any of the Underlyings may decrease so that a Knock-In Event occurs and at maturity you will receive a Redemption Amount equal to less than the principal amount of the securities. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. We cannot give you any assurance that the closing levels of the Underlyings will remain above their respective Knock-In Levels during any Observation Period. If the closing level of any Underlying is less than or equal to its Knock-In Level on any trading day for that Underlying during any Observation Period, and the closing level of the Lowest Performing Underlying on the Valuation Date is less than its Initial Level, then you will lose money on your investment.
For additional information about the Russell 2000® Index and the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF, see information set forth under “The Reference Indices—The Russell 2000® Index” and “The Reference Funds—The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF” in the accompanying underlying supplement. For additional information about the United States Oil Fund, LP, see the information set forth under “The United States Oil Fund, LP” herein.
Market Disruption Events
If the calculation agent determines that on any Observation Date, other than the Valuation Date, a market disruption event (as defined in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Market disruption events”) exists in respect of any Underlying or if such day is not a trading day (as defined in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Definitions”) for any Underlying, then the determination of the closing level for such Underlying on such Observation Date will be postponed to the first succeeding trading day for such Underlying on which the calculation agent determines that no market disruption event exists in respect of such Underlying, unless the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event exists in respect of such Underlying on each of the five trading days for such Underlying immediately following such Observation Date. In that case, the closing level for such Underlying on such Observation Date will be determined as of the fifth succeeding trading day for such Underlying following such Observation Date (such fifth trading day, the “calculation date”), notwithstanding the market disruption event in respect of such Underlying, and:
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if a market disruption event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Russell 2000® Index (the “Reference Index”), the calculation agent will determine the closing level for the Reference Index on that calculation date in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Reference Index last in effect prior to the commencement of the market disruption event in respect of the Reference Index using exchange traded prices on the relevant exchanges (as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion) or, if trading in any component comprising the Reference Index has been materially suspended or materially limited, its good faith estimate of the prices that would have prevailed on such exchanges (as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion) but for the suspension or limitation, as of the valuation time on that calculation date, of each component comprising the Reference Index (subject to the provisions described under “Description of the Securities—Changes to the calculation of a reference index” in the accompanying product supplement); and
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if a market disruption event has occurred and is continuing with respect to a Reference Fund, the calculation agent will determine the closing level for such Reference Fund on that calculation date using its good faith estimate of the settlement prices that would have prevailed on the relevant exchange for such Reference Fund but for the occurrence of a market disruption event as of the relevant valuation time on that calculation date (subject to the provisions described under “Description of the Securities—Changes to the calculation of a reference fund” in the accompanying product supplement).
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The determination of the closing level for any Underlying not affected by a market disruption event on an Observation Date (other than the Valuation Date) or by an Observation Date (other than the Valuation Date) not being a trading day for such Underlying will occur on such Observation Date. The Valuation Date for any Underlying not affected by a market disruption event will be the scheduled Valuation Date for such Underlying.
If the determination of the closing level for any Underlying on an Observation Date other than the Valuation Date is postponed as a result of a market disruption event as described above to a date on or after the corresponding Interest Payment Date, then such corresponding Interest Payment Date will be postponed to the business day following the latest date to which such determination is so postponed for any Underlying.
If the Valuation Date for any Underlying is postponed as a result of a market disruption event as described in the accompanying product supplement or because the scheduled Valuation Date is not an underlying business day for any Underlying, then the Maturity Date will be postponed to the fifth business day following the latest Valuation Date for any Underlying.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion summarizes material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of securities that may be relevant to holders of securities that acquire their securities from us as part of the original issuance of the securities. This discussion applies only to holders that hold their securities as capital assets within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Further, this discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your individual circumstances or if you are subject to special rules, such as if you are:
· a financial institution,
· a mutual fund,
· a tax-exempt organization,
· a grantor trust,
· certain U.S. expatriates,
· an insurance company,
· a dealer or trader in securities or foreign currencies,
· a person (including traders in securities) using a mark-to-market method of accounting,
· a person who holds securities as a hedge or as part of a straddle with another position, constructive sale,conversion transaction or other integrated transaction, or
· an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The discussion is based upon the Code, law, regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and foreign laws are not addressed herein. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been or will be sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of securities, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS.
You should consult your tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences to you of owning and disposing of securities, including the application of federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax laws based on your particular facts and circumstances.
IRS CIRCULAR 230 REQUIRES THAT WE INFORM YOU THAT ANY TAX STATEMENT HEREIN REGARDING ANY U.S. FEDERAL TAX IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED, BY ANY TAXPAYER FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING ANY PENALTIES. ANY SUCH STATEMENT HEREIN WAS WRITTEN TO SUPPORT THE MARKETING OR PROMOTION OF THE TRANSACTION(S) OR MATTER(S) TO WHICH THE STATEMENT RELATES. A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR (INCLUDING A TAX-EXEMPT INVESTOR) IN THE SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR IN DETERMINING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
Characterization of the Securities
There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of securities with terms that are substantially the same as those of your securities. Thus, the characterization of the securities is not certain. Due to the terms of the securities and the uncertainty of the tax law with respect to characterization of the securities, our special tax counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, is unable to opine on the characterization of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The possible alternative characterizations and risks to investors of such characterizations are discussed below. Based on the advice of our special tax counsel, we intend to treat the securities, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as (1) a put option (the “Put Option”) that requires the holder to cash settle against the value of the Underlyings for an amount equal to the Deposit (as defined below) if any Underlying declines to a defined floor level and ends up equal to or less than its Initial Level and (2) a deposit with us of cash, in an amount equal to the amount paid for a security (the “Deposit”) to secure the holder’s potential obligation to cash settle against the value of the Underlyings. In the absence of an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary, we and, by acceptance of a security, each holder agree to treat the securities as consisting of a
Deposit and a Put Option with respect to the Underlyings for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. The balance of this discussion assumes that the securities will be so treated.
Alternative Characterizations of the Securities
You should be aware that the characterization of the securities as described above is not certain, nor is it binding on the IRS or the courts. Thus, it is possible that the IRS would seek to characterize your securities in a manner that results in tax consequences to you that are different from those described above. For example, the IRS might assert that securities with a term of more than one year constitute debt instruments that are “contingent payment debt instruments” that are subject to special tax rules under the applicable Treasury regulations governing the recognition of income over the term of your securities. If the securities were to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments, you would be required to include in income on an economic accrual basis over the term of the securities an amount of interest that is based upon the yield at which we would issue a non-contingent fixed-rate debt instrument with other terms and conditions similar to your securities, or the comparable yield. The characterization of securities as contingent payment debt instruments under these rules is likely to be adverse. However, if the securities had a term of one year or less, the rules for short-term debt obligations would apply rather than the rules for contingent payment debt instruments. Under Treasury regulations, a short-term debt obligation is treated as issued at a discount equal to the difference between all payments on the obligation and the obligation’s issue price. A cash method U.S. Holder that does not elect to accrue the discount in income currently should include the payments attributable to interest on the security as income upon receipt. Under these rules, any contingent payment would be taxable upon receipt by a cash basis taxpayer as ordinary interest income. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the possible tax consequences of characterization of the securities as contingent payment debt instruments or short-term debt obligations.
It is also possible that the IRS would seek to characterize a security as a notional principal contract (an “NPC”). In general, payments on an NPC are accrued ratably (as ordinary income or deduction, as the case may be) over the period to which they relate income regardless of an investor’s usual method of tax accounting. Payments made to terminate an NPC (other than perhaps a final scheduled payment) are capital in nature. Deductions for NPC payments may be limited in certain cases. Certain payments under an NPC may be treated as U.S. source income. The IRS could also seek to characterize your securities as Code section 1256 contracts in the event that they are listed on a securities exchange. In such case, the securities would be marked-to-market at the end of the year and 40% of any gain or loss would be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, and the remaining 60% of any gain or loss would be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. Alternatively, in the event that the securities have a term of more than one year and reference an equity interest in a “pass-thru entity” within the meaning of Code section 1260 (which includes shares in, among others, an exchange-traded fund, a regulated investment company, a real estate investment trust, a partnership or a trust), the IRS might assert that the securities constitute a “constructive ownership transaction.” If the securities were treated as a constructive ownership transaction, under Code section 1260, all or a portion of your gain, if any, from the securities would be recharacterized as ordinary income, and you would be required to pay additional tax calculated by reference to interest on the tax on such recharacterized income. We are not responsible for any adverse consequences that you may experience as a result of any alternative characterization of the securities for U.S. federal income tax or other tax purposes.
You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of such characterization and any possible alternative characterizations of your securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. Holder,” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, means a beneficial owner of securities that is (1) a citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (3) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (4) a trust, if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) such trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of such partnership and a partner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership, or a partner of a partnership, holding securities, you should consult your tax
advisor regarding the tax consequences to you from the partnership's purchase, ownership, and disposition of the securities.
In accordance with the agreed-upon tax treatment described above, each coupon (a “Coupon”) is comprised of a component that is stated interest on the security, which should be treated as interest on the Deposit of 0.7201%, and the balance of the Coupon should be treated as an installment payment of put premium received by the U.S. Holder in respect of the Put Option to us (the “Put Premium”).
Payment of Redemption Amount and Coupons on the Securities
We will treat the Deposit as a debt obligation issued by us. Accordingly, we will treat each Coupon as consisting of interest of 0.7201% on the Deposit and the balance as an installment payment of Put Premium paid to you. U.S. Holders should therefore include such interest component of each Coupon in income as received or accrued, based on their method of accounting.
If a Knock-In Event has occurred and the security provides for the payment of the Redemption Amount in cash based on the performance of the Lowest Performing Underlying, a U.S. Holder will receive cash equal to the amount described above under “Key Terms — Redemption Amount”. A U.S. Holder will be deemed to receive the Deposit and any accrued but unpaid Coupons. Ordinarily, there should be no gain or loss on the Deposit, and the remainder of this discussion assumes that this will be the case. If the Final Level of any Underlying is less than its Initial Level and a Knock-In Event has occurred, the Put Option should be deemed to have been exercised at the time of redemption. In such a case, the difference between the Deposit and the amount received, less accrued but unpaid interest on the Deposit (which will be taxed as described above) is deemed to have been paid to settle the Put Option. Any loss on the Put Option, calculated as (a) the Deposit, less (b) the Redemption Amount (less accrued but unpaid interest on the Deposit) plus the Put Premium, should be short-term capital loss.
If a Knock-In Event has occurred and the security provides for the payment of the Redemption Amount in physical shares or units of the Underlyings, the U.S. Holder should not recognize any gain or loss with respect to the Put Option (other than with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares or units, as described below). The U.S. Holder should have an adjusted tax basis in all physical shares or units received (including for this purpose any fractional shares or units) equal to the Deposit less the total Put Premium received. The U.S. Holder’s holding period for any reference shares or units received should start on the day after the delivery of the reference shares or units. The U.S. Holder should generally recognize short-term capital gain or loss with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares or units in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of such cash received and the U.S. Holder’s basis in the fractional shares or units, which should be equal to the U.S. Holder’s basis in all of the reference shares or units (including the fractional shares or units), multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the fractional shares or units and the denominator of which is all of the physical shares or units (including fractional shares or units).
If a Knock-In Event has not occurred, or if the securities are subject to Early Redemption, a U.S. Holder will receive cash equal the Deposit plus any accrued but unpaid Coupons. In such a case, the Put Option should be deemed to have expired unexercised and an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid Put Premium should be treated as short-term capital gain. The interest portion of the Coupons will be taxed as described above.
Sale or Exchange of the Securities
Upon a sale or exchange of a security, a U.S. Holder should allocate the sale proceeds received between the Deposit and the Put Option on the basis of their respective fair market values on the date of sale. The U.S. Holder should generally recognize gain or loss with respect to the Deposit in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of the sale proceeds allocable to the Deposit (less accrued but unpaid interest on the Deposit which will be taxed as described above under “Payment of Redemption Amount and Coupons on the Securities”) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Deposit (which will generally equal the issue price of the security). Generally, there should be no gain or loss with respect to the Deposit.
A U.S. Holder should generally recognize gain or loss with respect to the Put Option in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of the sale proceeds allocable to the Put Option and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Put Option. If the value of the total sale proceeds received (minus accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the Deposit) exceeds the Deposit, then the U.S. Holder should recognize short-term capital gain
equal to the amount of remaining sale proceeds allocable to the Put Option. If the value of the Deposit exceeds the total sale proceeds received (minus accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the Deposit), then the U.S. Holder should be treated as having paid the buyer an amount equal to the amount of such excess in exchange for the buyer’s assumption of the U.S. Holder’s rights and obligations under the Put Option (such excess being referred to as “Deemed Payment”). In such a case, the U.S. Holder should recognize short-term capital loss in an amount equal to the Deemed Payment made by the U.S. Holder to the buyer with respect to the assumption of the Put Option.
Legislation Affecting Securities Held Through Foreign Accounts
Under the “Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act” (the “Act”), a 30% withholding tax is imposed on “withholdable payments” and certain “passthru payments” made to foreign financial institutions (and their more than 50% affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees, among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account at the institution (or the institution’s affiliates) and to annually report certain information about such account. “Withholdable payments” include payments of interest (including original issue discount), dividends, and other items of fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits, and income (“FDAP”), in each case, from sources within the United States, as well as gross proceeds from the sale of any property of a type which can produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States. “Passthru payments” generally are certain payments attributable to withholdable payments. The Act also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or certify that they do not have any substantial United States owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. We will treat payments on the securities as withholdable payments for these purposes.
Withholding under the Act will apply to all withholdable payments and certain passthru payments without regard to whether the beneficial owner of the payment is a U.S. person, or would otherwise be entitled to an exemption from the imposition of withholding tax pursuant to an applicable tax treaty with the United States or pursuant to U.S. domestic law. Unless a foreign financial institution is the beneficial owner of a payment, it will be subject to refund or credit in accordance with the same procedures and limitations applicable to other taxes withheld on FDAP payments provided that the beneficial owner of the payment furnishes such information as the IRS determines is necessary to determine whether such beneficial owner is a United States owned foreign entity and the identity of any substantial United States owners of such entity. Generally, the Act’s withholding regime will apply to withholdable payments made after December 31, 2013, and to passthru payments made after December 31, 2014. Thus, if you hold your securities through a foreign financial institution or foreign corporation or trust, a portion of any of your payments made after December 31, 2013 may be subject to 30% withholding.
Non-U.S. Holders Generally
The U.S. withholding tax consequences of any Coupon payment in respect of the securities is uncertain. Given the uncertainty, we will withhold U.S. income tax at a rate of 30% on any Coupon payment. It may be possible for a holder of the securities that is not a U.S. Holder (a “Non-U.S. Holder”) to take the position that some or all of a Coupon payment is exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax or subject to a reduced withholding tax rate under an applicable tax treaty. Any Non-U.S. Holder taking the position that a Coupon payment is exempt from the 30% withholding tax or eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax may seek a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by us by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
In the case of a Non- U.S. Holder that has no connection with the United States other than holding its securities, payment of the Redemption Amount by us in respect to the securities (except to the extent of the Coupons) will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided that such Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements. Any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of the securities by a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless (1) such gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such Non-U.S. Holder or (2) in the case of an individual, such individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met. Any effectively connected gains described in clause (1) above realized by a Non-U.S. Holder that is, or is taxable as, a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the possibility that any portion of the return with respect to the securities could be characterized as dividend income and be subject to U.S. withholding tax.
Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis with respect to their investment in the securities should refer to the discussion above relating to U.S. Holders.
Legislation Affecting Substitute Dividend and Dividend Equivalent Payments
The Act treats a “dividend equivalent” payment as a dividend from sources within the United States. Under the Act, unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty with the United States, such payments generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax. A “dividend equivalent” payment is (i) a substitute dividend payment made pursuant to a securities lending or a sale-repurchase transaction that (directly or indirectly) is contingent upon, or determined by reference to, the payment of a dividend from sources within the United States, (ii) a payment made pursuant to a “specified notional principal contract” that (directly or indirectly) is contingent upon, or determined by reference to, the payment of a dividend from sources within the United States, and (iii) any other payment determined by the IRS to be substantially similar to a payment described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii). In the case of payments made after March 18, 2012, a dividend equivalent payment includes a payment made pursuant to any notional principal contract unless otherwise exempted by the IRS. Where the securities reference an interest in a fixed basket of securities or an index, such fixed basket or index will be treated as a single security. Where the securities reference an interest in a basket of securities or an index that may provide for the payment of dividends from sources within the United States, absent guidance from the IRS, it is uncertain whether the IRS would determine that payments under the securities are substantially similar to a dividend. If the IRS determines that a payment is substantially similar to a dividend, it may be subject to U.S. withholding tax, unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders
The securities may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual Non-U.S. Holder holds the securities at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a Non-U.S. Holder domiciled outside the United States includes only property situated in the United States. Individual Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the securities at death.
IRS Notice on Certain Financial Transactions
On December 7, 2007, the IRS and the Treasury Department issued Notice 2008-2, in which they stated they are considering issuing new regulations or other guidance on whether holders of an instrument such as the securities should be required to accrue income during the term of the instrument. The IRS and Treasury Department also requested taxpayer comments on (1) the appropriate method for accruing income or expense (e.g., a mark-to-market methodology or a method resembling the noncontingent bond method), (2) whether income and gain on such an instrument should be ordinary or capital, and (3) whether foreign holders should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accrual.
Accordingly, it is possible that regulations or other guidance may be issued that require holders of the securities to recognize income in respect of the securities prior to receipt of any payments thereunder or sale thereof. Any regulations or other guidance that may be issued could result in income and gain (either at maturity or upon sale) in respect of the securities being treated as ordinary income. It is also possible that a Non-U.S. Holder of the securities could be subject to U.S. withholding tax in respect of the securities under such regulations or other guidance. It is not possible to determine whether such regulations or other guidance will apply to your securities (possibly on a retroactive basis). You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding Notice 2008-2 and its possible impact on you.
Information Reporting Regarding Specified Foreign Financial Assets
The Act requires individual U.S. Holders (and certain U.S. entities that may be specified in future IRS guidance) with an interest in any “specified foreign financial asset” to file an annual report on new IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the asset, including the maximum value thereof, for any taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets is greater than $50,000 (or such higher dollar amount as prescribed by Treasury regulations). Specified foreign financial assets include any depository or custodial account held at a foreign financial institution; any debt or equity interest in a foreign financial institution if such interest is not regularly traded on an established securities market; and, if not held at a financial institution, (1) any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, (2) any financial instrument or contract held for investment where the issuer or counterparty is a non-U.S. person, and (3) any interest in an entity which is a non-U.S. person. Depending on
the aggregate value of your investment in specified foreign financial assets, you may be obligated to file an IRS Form 8938 under this provision. The IRS has suspended the requirement to file IRS Form 8938 with income tax returns for returns that are filed before the date of release of IRS Form 8938. However, following the release of IRS Form 8938, U.S. Holders for which the filing of IRS Form 8938 has been suspended for a taxable year will be required to attach IRS Form 8938 for each suspended taxable year to their next income tax or information return required to be filed with the IRS. Penalties apply to any failure to file IRS Form 8938. Additionally, in the event a U.S. Holder does not file such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of such U.S. Holder for the related tax year may not close before the date which is three years after the date such information is filed. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the possible application to you of this information reporting requirement and related statute of limitations tolling provision.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
A holder of the securities (whether a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder) may be subject to backup withholding with respect to certain amounts paid to such holder unless it provides a correct taxpayer identification number, complies with certain certification procedures establishing that it is not a U.S. Holder or establishes proof of another applicable exemption, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. You can claim a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability for amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules, and amounts in excess of your liability are refundable if you provide the required information to the IRS in a timely fashion. A holder of the securities may also be subject to information reporting to the IRS with respect to certain amounts paid to such holder unless it (1) is a Non-U.S. Holder and provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8 (or other qualifying documentation) or (2) otherwise establishes a basis for exemption.
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in a distribution agreement dated May 7, 2007, as amended, which we refer to as the distribution agreement, we have agreed to sell the securities to CSSU. The distribution agreement provides that CSSU is obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased.
CSSU proposes to offer the securities at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement and may receive varying underwriting discounts and commissions of between $20.00 and $22.50 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. CSSU may re-allow some or all of the discount on the principal amount per security on sales of such securities by other brokers or dealers. If all of the securities are not sold at the initial offering price, CSSU may change the public offering price and other selling terms.
In addition, Credit Suisse International, an affiliate of Credit Suisse, may pay referral fees of up to $5.50 per $1,000 principal amount of securities in connection with the distribution of the securities. An affiliate of Credit Suisse has paid or may pay in the future a fixed amount to broker dealers in connection with the costs of implementing systems to support these securities.
The agent for this offering, CSSU, is our affiliate. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, CSSU may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used by CSSU or one of its affiliates in connection with hedging our obligations under the securities.
For further information, please refer to “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying product supplement.
Credit Suisse