Pricing Supplement No. K227
To the Underlying Supplement dated November 19, 2012,
Product Supplement No. AK-I dated March 23, 2012,
Prospectus Supplement dated March 23, 2012 and
Prospectus dated March 23, 2012
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-180300-03
December 17, 2012
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Financial
Products
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Buffered Accelerated Return Equity Securities due June 22, 2015
Linked to the Performance of the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund
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General
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The securities are designed for investors who seek a leveraged return linked to the performance of the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, subject to the Underlying Return Cap of 31.50%. Investors should be willing to forgo interest payments and, if the Underlying declines by more than 15%, be willing to lose up to 85% of their investment. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
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Senior unsecured obligations of Credit Suisse AG, acting through its Nassau Branch, maturing June 22, 2015.†
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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 priced on December 17, 2012 (the “Trade Date”) and are expected to settle on December 20, 2012 (the “Settlement Date”). 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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Underlying:
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The securities are linked to the performance of the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund. For more information on the Underlying, see “The Reference Funds—The iShares® Funds—The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund” in the accompanying underlying supplement. The Underlying is identified in the table below, together with its Bloomberg ticker symbol and Initial Level:
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iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund
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EEM UP
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43.49
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Upside Participation Rate:
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150%
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Redemption Amount:
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At maturity, you will be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount in cash that will equal the principal amount of the securities you hold multiplied by the sum of 1 plus the Underlying Return, calculated as set forth below. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
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Underlying Return:
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If the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Level, the Underlying Return will be the lesser of (i) the Underlying Return Cap and (ii) an amount calculated as follows:
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Upside Participation Rate x
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Final Level – Initial Level
Initial Level
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If the Final Level is less than the Initial Level by not more than the Buffer Amount, the Underlying Return will equal zero.
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If the Final Level is less than the Initial Level by more than the Buffer Amount, the Underlying Return will be calculated as follows:
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Final Level – Initial Level
Initial Level
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+ Buffer Amount
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If the Final Level is less than the Initial Level by more than the Buffer Amount, the Underlying Return will be negative and you will receive less than the principal amount of your securities at maturity. You could lose up to $850 per $1,000 principal amount.
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Underlying Return Cap:
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31.50%
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Buffer Amount:
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15%
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Initial Level:
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As set forth in the table above.
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Final Level:
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The closing level of the Underlying on the Valuation Date.
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Valuation Date:†
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June 17, 2015
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Maturity Date:†
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June 22, 2015
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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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22546TM73
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† The Valuation Date is subject to postponement if such date is not an underlying business day or as a result of a market disruption event and the Maturity Date is subject to postponement if such date is not a business day or if the Valuation Date is postponed, in each case as described in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Market disruption events.”
Investing in the securities involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 4 of 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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$0.00
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$1,000.00
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Total
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$16,122,000.00
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$0.00
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$16,122,000.00
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(1) 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.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities Offered
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Maximum Aggregate Offering Price
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Amount of Registration Fee
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Notes
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$16,122,000.00
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$2,199.04
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Credit Suisse
December 17, 2012
Additional Terms Specific to the Securities
You should read this pricing supplement together with the underlying supplement dated November 19, 2012, the product supplement dated March 23, 2012, the prospectus supplement dated March 23, 2012 and the prospectus dated March 23, 2012, 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 November 19, 2012:
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Product supplement No. AK-I dated March 23, 2012:
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Prospectus supplement and Prospectus dated March 23, 2012:
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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 “Selected Risk Considerations” in this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product 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 at Maturity
The table and examples below illustrate hypothetical Redemption Amounts per $1,000 principal amount of securities for a range of hypothetical examples assuming an Initial Level of 42 and reflecting the Upside Participation Rate of 150% and the Underlying Return Cap of 31.50%. The hypothetical Redemption Amounts set forth below are for illustrative purposes only. The actual Redemption Amount applicable to a purchaser of the securities will be based on the Final Level determined on the Valuation Date. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. The numbers appearing in the table and examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.
Percentage Change
in Underlying Level
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100.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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90.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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80.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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70.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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60.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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50.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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40.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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30.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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21.00%
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31.50%
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$1,315.00
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20.00%
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30.00%
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$1,300.00
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10.00%
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15.00%
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$1,150.00
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0.00%
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0.00%
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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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−15.00%
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0.00%
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$1,000.00
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−20.00%
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−5.00%
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$950.00
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−30.00%
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−15.00%
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$850.00
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−40.00%
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−25.00%
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$750.00
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−50.00%
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−35.00%
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$650.00
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−60.00%
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−45.00%
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$550.00
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−70.00%
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−55.00%
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$450.00
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−80.00%
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−65.00%
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$350.00
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−90.00%
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−75.00%
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$250.00
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−100.00%
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−85.00%
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$150.00
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The following examples illustrate how the Redemption Amount is calculated.
Example 1:
Example 1 assumes the Final Level is 63, an increase of 50% from the Initial Level. The determination of the Redemption Amount when the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level is as follows:
Underlying Return
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the lesser of (i) the Underlying Return Cap and
(ii) Upside Participation Rate x [(Final Level - Initial Level) / Initial Level]
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the lesser of (i) the Underlying Return Cap and
(ii) 150% x [(63 - 42) / 42]
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the lesser of (i) 31.50% and (ii) 75%
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31.50%
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Redemption
Amount
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$1,000 × (1 + Underlying Return)
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$1,000 × 1.3150
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$1,315
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In this example, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,315 per $1,000 principal amount of securities based on a return linked to the appreciation in the level of the Underlying, subject to the Underlying Return Cap.
Example 2:
Example 2 assumes the Final Level is 46.20, an increase of 10% from the Initial Level. The determination of the Redemption Amount when the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level is as follows:
Underlying Return
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the lesser of (i) the Underlying Return Cap and
(ii) Upside Participation Rate x [(Final Level - Initial Level) / Initial Level]
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the lesser of (i) the Underlying Return Cap and
(ii) 150% x [(46.20 - 42) / 42]
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the lesser of (i) 31.50% and (ii) 15.00%
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15.00%
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Redemption
Amount
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$1,000 × (1 + Underlying Return)
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$1,000 × 1.150
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$1,150
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In this example, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,150 per $1,000 principal amount of securities based on a leveraged return linked to the appreciation in the level of the Underlying.
Example 3:
Example 3 assumes the Final Level is 42, equal to the Initial Level. Because the Final Level is equal to the Initial Level, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.
Example 4:
Example 4 assumes the Final Level is 37.80, a decrease of 10% from the Initial Level. Because the Final Level is less than the Initial Level by not more than the Buffer Amount of 15%, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.
Example 5:
Example 5 assumes the Final Level is 33.60, a decrease of 20% from the Initial Level. The determination of the Redemption Amount when the Final Level is less than the Initial Level by more than the Buffer Amount of 15% is as follows:
Underlying Return
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[(Final Level - Initial Level) / Initial Level] + Buffer Amount
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[(33.60 – 42) / 42] + 15%
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−5%
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Redemption
Amount
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$1,000 × (1 + Underlying Return)
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$1,000 × 0.95
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$950
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In this example, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $950 per $1,000 principal amount of securities because the Final Level is less than the Initial Level by more than the Buffer Amount and you will be exposed to any depreciation in the Final Level beyond the Buffer Amount.
Selected Risk Considerations
An investment in the securities involves significant risks. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing directly in the Underlying. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying product supplement.
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YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES MAY RESULT IN A LOSS —If the Final Level is less than the Initial Level by more than the Buffer Amount of 15%, you will lose 1% of your principal for each 1% decline in the Final Level as compared to the Initial Level beyond the Buffer Amount. You could lose up to $850 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
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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 Underlying, the payment of any amount due on the securities 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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THE SECURITIES DO NOT PAY INTEREST — We will not pay interest on the securities. You may receive less at maturity than you could have earned on ordinary interest-bearing debt securities with similar maturities, including other of our debt securities, since the Redemption Amount is based on the performance of the Underlying. Because the Redemption Amount may be less than the amount originally invested in the securities, the return on the securities (the effective yield to maturity) may be negative. Even if it is positive, the return payable on each security may not be enough to compensate you for any loss in value due to inflation and other factors relating to the value of money over time.
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CAPPED APPRECIATION POTENTIAL — If the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level, for each $1,000 principal amount of securities, you will be entitled to receive at maturity $1,000 multiplied by the sum of 1 plus the Underlying Return, subject to the Underlying Return Cap. The Underlying Return will not exceed the Underlying Return Cap of 31.50%, regardless of the appreciation in the level of the Underlying, which may be significant. Accordingly, the maximum Redemption Amount of the securities at maturity will not exceed $1,315 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.
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THERE ARE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERLYING — Although shares of the Underlying are listed for trading on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”) 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 the Underlying or that there will be liquidity in the trading market. The Underlying is subject to management risk, which is the risk that the Underlying’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. Pursuant to the Underlying’s investment strategy or otherwise, the investment advisor for the Underlying may add, delete or substitute the components held by the Underlying. Any of these actions could affect the price of the shares of the Underlying and consequently the value of the securities.
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THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UNDERLYING MAY NOT CORRELATE TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRACKED INDEX — The Underlying will generally invest in all of the equity securities included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the “Tracked Index” for the Underlying. There may, however, be instances where BFA, the Underlying’s investment advisor, may choose to overweight another stock in the Tracked Index, purchase securities not included in the Tracked Index that BFA believes are appropriate to substitute for a security included in the Tracked Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques. In addition, the performance of the Underlying will reflect additional transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of the Tracked Index. Finally, because the shares of the Underlying are traded on the NYSE Arca and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market value of one share of the Underlying may differ from the net asset value per share of the Underlying. For these reasons, the performance of the Underlying may not correlate with the performance of the Tracked Index. For additional information about the variation between the performance of the Underlying and the performance of the Tracked
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Index, see the information set forth under “The Reference Funds—The iShares® Funds—The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund” in the accompanying underlying supplement.
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NON-U.S. SECURITIES MARKETS RISKS — The equity securities held by the Underlying are issued by foreign companies in foreign securities markets. These stocks may be more volatile than domestic stocks and may be subject to different political, market, economic, exchange rate, regulatory and other risks which may have a negative impact on the performance of the securities.
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EMERGING MARKETS RISK — The Underlying and the Tracked Index are exposed to the political and economic risks of emerging market countries. In recent years, some emerging markets have undergone significant political, economic and social upheaval. Such far-reaching changes have resulted in constitutional and social tensions and, in some cases, instability and reaction against market reforms has occurred. With respect to any emerging market nation, there is the possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscation, political changes, government regulation and social instability. There can be no assurance that future political changes will not adversely affect the economic conditions of an emerging market nation. Political or economic instability could have an adverse effect on the performance of the notes.
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CURRENCY EXCHANGE RISK — The securities, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, are subject to currency exchange risk through their exposure to the performance of the Underlying, which measures the performance of certain foreign stocks. Currency markets may be highly volatile, particularly in relation to emerging or developing nations’ currencies and, in certain market conditions, also in relation to developed nations’ currencies. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity and prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time. Foreign currency rate risks include, but are not limited to, convertibility risk and market volatility and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. These factors may adversely affect the values of the component equity securities held by the Underlying, the level of the Underlying and the value of the securities.
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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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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 level of the Underlying on any day, 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 Underlying;
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the time to maturity of the securities;
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the dividend rate on the equity securities held by the Underlying;
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interest and yield rates in the market generally;
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investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;
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the occurrence of certain events to the shares of the Underlying that may or may not require an anti-dilution adjustment;
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geopolitical conditions and a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the equity securities held by the Underlying or markets generally and which may affect the level of the Underlying;
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the exchange rate and the volatility of the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the currencies of the equity securities held by the Underlying and any other currency relevant to the value of the Underlying; 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.
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NO OWNERSHIP RIGHTS RELATING TO THE UNDERLYING — Your return on the securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the equity securities that comprise the Underlying. The return on your investment, which is based on the percentage change in the Underlying, is not the same as the total return based on the purchase of shares of the equity securities that comprise the Underlying.
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NO VOTING RIGHTS OR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS — 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 stocks that comprise the Underlying.
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ANTI-DILUTION PROTECTION IS LIMITED — The calculation agent will make anti-dilution adjustments for certain events affecting the Underlying. However, an adjustment will not be required in response to all events that could affect the Underlying. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to make an adjustment, or if an adjustment is made but such adjustment does not fully reflect the economics of such event, the value of the securities may be materially and adversely affected. See “Description of the Securities—Adjustments for a reference fund” in the accompanying product supplement.
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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 Underlying and, as a result, could decrease the amount you may receive on the securities at maturity. For further information, please refer to “Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement.
Historical Information
The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund based on the closing levels of the Underlying from January 1, 2007 through December 17, 2012. The closing level of the Underlying on December 17, 2012 was 43.49. 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.
The historical levels of the Underlying should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing level of the Underlying on any trading day during the term of the securities, including on the Valuation Date. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Underlying will result in any return of your investment beyond the Buffer Amount. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
For additional information on the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, see “The Reference Funds—The iShares® Funds—The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund” in the accompanying underlying supplement.
Material U.S. 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:
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a financial institution,
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a tax-exempt organization,
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certain U.S. expatriates,
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a dealer or trader in securities or foreign currencies,
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a person (including traders in securities) using a mark-to-market method of accounting,
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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
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an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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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. Our special tax counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, has advised that the securities should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as a prepaid financial contract, with respect to the Underlying that is eligible for open transaction treatment. In the absence of an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary, we and, by acceptance of the securities, you agree to treat your securities for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. In light of the fact that we agree to treat the securities as a prepaid financial contract, the balance of this discussion assumes that the securities will be so treated.
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 the securities 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. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the possible tax consequences of characterization of the securities as contingent payment debt instruments. It is also possible that the IRS would seek to characterize your securities as options, and thus 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. 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 (and subject to the discussion below under “Constructive Ownership Transaction Rules”), if the security provides for the payment of the redemption amount in cash based on the return of the Underlying, upon receipt of the redemption amount of the security from us, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received from us and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the security at that time. For securities with a term of more than one year, such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the security for more than one year at maturity. For securities with a term of one year or less, such gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss. If the security provides for the payment of the redemption amount in physical shares or units of the Underlying, the U.S. Holder should not recognize any gain or loss with respect to the security (other than with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares or units, as described below). A U.S. Holder should have a tax basis in all physical shares or units received (including for this purpose any fractional shares or units) equal to its tax basis in the security (generally its cost). A U.S. Holder’s holding period for any physical shares or units received should start on the day after the delivery of the physical shares or units. A 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).
Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of a security, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other taxable disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the security (generally its cost). For securities with a term of more than one year, such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the security for more than one year at the time of disposition. For securities with a term of one year or less, such gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss.
Constructive Ownership Transaction Rules
Under Code section 1260, all or a portion of gain arising from certain “constructive ownership transactions” may be recharacterized as ordinary income, and certain interest charges may be imposed with respect to any such recharacterized income. These rules by their terms may apply to any gain derived from the securities. Code section 1260 also provides that the U.S. Department of the Treasury is to issue regulations that would exclude from the scope of Code section 1260 certain forward contracts that do not convey “substantially all of the economic return” with respect to the applicable reference asset, which in the case of the securities would be all or a portion of the Underlying. However, no such regulations have been issued despite the fact that Code section 1260 was enacted in 1999, and there can be no assurance that any regulations that may be issued would apply to securities that are issued before such regulations. Thus, although we believe that the securities should not be considered to convey substantially all the economic return with respect to the Underlying, in the absence of regulations, there can be no assurance that the securities would not be so considered or that Code section 1260 would not otherwise apply to the securities. You should consult with your tax advisors regarding the possible application of the constructive ownership transaction rules to the securities
Securities Held Through Foreign Accounts
Under the “Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act” (the “Act”) and recently proposed regulations, 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 (1) 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, and (2) 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 described above 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. Pursuant to the proposed regulations, the Act’s withholding regime generally will apply to (i) withholdable payments (other than gross proceeds of the type described above) made after December 31, 2013, (ii) payments of gross proceeds of the type described above with respect to a sale or disposition occurring after December 31, 2014, and (iii) passthru payments made after December 31, 2016. Additionally, the provisions of the Act discussed above generally will not apply to obligations (other than an instrument that is treated as equity for U.S. tax purposes or that lacks a stated expiration or term) that are outstanding on January 1, 2013. 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
In the case of a holder of the securities that is not a U.S. Holder (a “Non-U.S. Holder”) and has no connection with the United States other than holding its securities, payments made with respect to the securities 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.
Substitute Dividend and Dividend Equivalent Payments
The Act and recently proposed and temporary regulations treat 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). Proposed regulations provide criteria for determining whether a notional principal contract will be a specified notional principal contract, effective for payments made after December 31, 2012.
Proposed regulations address whether a payment is a dividend equivalent. The proposed regulations provide that an equity-linked instrument that provides for a payment that is a substantially similar payment is treated as a notional principal contract for these purposes. An equity-linked instrument is a financial instrument or combination of financial instruments that references one or more underlying securities to determine its value, including a futures contract, forward contract, option, or other contractual arrangement. Although it is not certain, an equity-linked instrument could include instruments treated as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The proposed regulations consider any payment, including the payment of the purchase price or an adjustment to the purchase price, to be a substantially similar payment (and, therefore, a dividend equivalent payment) if made pursuant to an equity-linked instrument that is contingent upon or determined by reference to a dividend (including payments pursuant to a redemption of stock that gives rise to a dividend) from sources within the United States. The rules for equity-linked instruments under the proposed regulations will be effective for payments made after the rules are finalized. Where the securities reference an interest in a fixed basket of securities or a “customized index,” each security or component of such basket or customized index is treated as an underlying security in a separate notional principal contract for purposes of determining whether such notional principal contract is a specified notional principal contract or an amount received is a substantially similar payment.
We will treat any portion of a payment on the securities that is substantially similar to a dividend as a dividend equivalent payment, which will be subject to U.S. withholding tax unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty and a properly executed IRS Form W-8 (or other qualifying documentation) is provided. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding whether payments on the securities constitute dividend equivalent payments.
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
In Notice 2008-2, the IRS and the Treasury Department 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. Additionally, unofficial statements made by IRS officials have indicated that they will soon be addressing
the treatment of prepaid forward contracts in proposed regulations.
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 and temporary and proposed regulations generally require individual U.S. Holders (“specified individuals”) and “specified domestic entities” 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 on the last day of the taxable year or $75,000 at any time during the taxable year. Certain individuals are permitted to have an interest in a higher aggregate value of such assets before being required to file a report. The proposed regulations relating to specified domestic entities apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2011. Under the proposed regulations, “specified domestic entities” are domestic entities that are formed or used for the purposes of holding, directly or indirectly, specified foreign financial assets. Generally, specified domestic entities are certain closely held corporations and partnerships that meet passive income or passive asset tests and, with certain exceptions, domestic trusts that have a specified individual as a current beneficiary and exceed the reporting threshold. 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 if you are an individual U.S. Holder. Specified domestic entities are not required to file Form 8938 until the proposed regulations are final. Penalties apply to any failure to file IRS Form 8938. Additionally, in the event a U.S. Holder (either a specified individual or specified domestic entity) 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 will not receive a commission in connection with the distribution of the securities. If all of the securities are not sold at the initial offering price, CSSU may change the public offering price and other selling terms.
We expect to deliver the securities against payment for the securities on the Settlement Date indicated above, which may be a date that is greater than three business days following the Trade Date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the Settlement Date is more than three business days after the Trade Date, purchasers who wish to transact in the securities more than three business days prior to the Settlement Date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
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.
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