Pricing Supplement No. U2019 Product Supplement No. I dated May 4, 2015, Prospectus Supplement dated May 4, 2015 and Prospectus dated May 4, 2015 |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) Registration Statement Nos. 333-202913 and 333-180300-03 March 27, 2017 |
Financial Products |
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$12,250,000
7.00% per annum Contingent Coupon Buffered Callable Yield Notes due March 30, 2020
Linked to the Performance of the Lowest Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the EURO STOXX 50® Index
• | The securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity and do not provide for the regular payment of interest. |
• | Subject to Early Redemption, if a Coupon Barrier Event does not occur on an Observation Date, we will pay a contingent coupon on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date at a Contingent Coupon Rate of 7.00% per annum. If a Coupon Barrier Event occurs, no contingent coupon will be paid on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date. Contingent coupons will be calculated on a 30/360 basis from and including the Settlement Date to and excluding the earlier of the Early Redemption Date and the Maturity Date, as applicable. |
• | If the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Level, investors will lose approximately 1.3708% of their principal for every 1% decline in the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying beyond its Buffer Level. You could lose your entire investment, excluding contingent coupons, if any, on the securities. |
• | We may redeem the securities, in whole but not in part, on any Early Redemption Date. No further payments will be made following an Early Redemption. |
• | Investors should be willing to (i) forgo dividends and the potential to participate in any appreciation of any Underlying and (ii) lose some or all of their investment if the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Level. |
• | Senior unsecured obligations of Credit Suisse maturing March 30, 2020. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. |
• | Minimum purchase of $1,000. Minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. |
• | The securities priced on March 27, 2017 (the “Trade Date”) and are expected to settle on March 29, 2017 (the “Settlement Date”). Delivery of the securities in book-entry form only will be made through The Depository Trust Company. |
• | The securities will not be listed on any exchange. |
Investing in the securities involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 7 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.
Price to Public(1) | Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(2) | Proceeds to Issuer | |
Per security | $1,000.00 | $1.00 | $999.00 |
Total | $12,250,000.00 | $12,250.00 | $12,237,750.00 |
(1) Certain fiduciary accounts may pay a purchase price of at least $999.00 per $1,000 principal amount of securities, and CSSU will forgo any fees with respect to such sales.
(2) We or one of our affiliates will pay discounts and commissions of $1.00 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. For more detailed information, please see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in 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)” in this pricing supplement.
Credit Suisse currently estimates the value of each $1,000 principal amount of the securities on the Trade Date is $993.00 (as determined by reference to our pricing models and the rate we are currently paying to borrow funds through issuance of the securities (our “internal funding rate”)). See “Selected Risk Considerations” in 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
March 27, 2017
Key Terms
Issuer: | Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”), acting through its London branch |
Underlyings: | The securities are linked to the performance of the lowest performing of the Underlyings set forth in the table below. For more information on the Underlyings, see “The Reference Indices—The S&P Dow Jones Indices—The S&P 500® Index” and “The Reference Indices—The STOXX Indices—The EURO STOXX 50® Index” in the accompanying underlying supplement. Each Underlying is identified in the table below, together with its Bloomberg ticker symbol, Initial Level, Buffer Level and Coupon Barrier Level: |
Underlying |
Ticker |
Initial Level |
Buffer Level |
Coupon Barrier Level | |
S&P 500® Index | SPX <Index> | 2343.98 | 1709.9334 | 1709.9334 | |
EURO STOXX 50® Index | SX5E <Index> | 3444.15 | 2512.5074 | 2512.5074 |
Contingent Coupon Rate: | Subject to Early Redemption, the Contingent Coupon Rate is 7.00% per annum. If a Coupon Barrier Event occurs, no contingent coupon will be paid on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date. Contingent coupons will be calculated on a 30/360 basis from and including the Settlement Date to and excluding the earlier of the Early Redemption Date and the Maturity Date, as applicable. |
Coupon Barrier Event: | A Coupon Barrier Event will occur if, on an Observation Date, the closing level of any Underlying is less than its Coupon Barrier Level. |
Coupon Barrier Level: | For each Underlying, approximately 72.95% of the Initial Level of such Underlying, as set forth in the table above. |
Contingent Coupon Payment Dates: | Subject to Early Redemption, unless a Coupon Barrier Event occurs, contingent coupons will be paid on April 28, 2017, May 30, 2017, June 29, 2017, July 31, 2017, August 29, 2017, September 29, 2017, October 30, 2017, November 29, 2017, December 29, 2017, January 29, 2018, February 28, 2018, March 29, 2018, April 30, 2018, May 29, 2018, June 29, 2018, July 30, 2018, August 29, 2018, September 28, 2018, October 29, 2018, November 29, 2018, December 31, 2018, January 29, 2019, February 28, 2019, March 29, 2019, April 29, 2019, May 29, 2019, June 28, 2019, July 29, 2019, August 29, 2019, September 30, 2019, October 29, 2019, November 29, 2019, December 30, 2019, January 29, 2020, February 28, 2020 and the Maturity Date, subject to postponement as set forth in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” If any Contingent Coupon Payment Date is not a business day, the contingent coupon will be payable on the first following business day, unless that business day falls in the next calendar month, in which case payment will be made on the first preceding business day. The amount of any contingent coupon will not be adjusted in respect of any postponement of a Contingent Coupon Payment Date and no interest or other payment will be payable hereon because of any such postponement of a Contingent Coupon Payment Date. No contingent coupons will be payable following an Early Redemption. Contingent coupons, if any, will be payable on the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date to the holder of record at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date, provided that the contingent coupon payable on the Early Redemption Date or Maturity Date, as applicable, will be payable to the person to whom the Early Redemption Amount or the Redemption Amount, as applicable, is payable. |
Redemption Amount: | Subject to Early Redemption, at maturity, for each $1,000 principal amount of securities, you will be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount in cash that will equal $1,000 multiplied by the sum of one plus the Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying, calculated as set forth below. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. |
Underlying Return: | For each Underlying, the Underlying Return will be equal to: |
• | If the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Buffer Level, zero. |
You will not participate in any appreciation of any Underlying. |
• | If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level: |
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Downside Participation Rate × | [ | Final Level – Initial Level Initial Level |
+ Buffer Amount ] |
If the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Level, you will be exposed on a leveraged basis to the decline in the Lowest Performing Underlying and will receive less than the principal amount of your securities at maturity. You could lose your entire investment, excluding contingent coupons, if any, on the securities. | ||
Buffer Amount: | 27.05% | |
Buffer Level: | For each Underlying, approximately 72.95% of the Initial Level of such Underlying, as set forth in the table above. | |
Downside Participation Rate: | Approximately 137.08% | |
Early Redemption: | The Issuer may redeem the securities in whole, but not in part, on any Early Redemption Date, upon notice to the trustee on or before the immediately preceding Observation Date, at 100% of the principal amount of the securities (the “Early Redemption Amount”), together with the contingent coupon, if any, payable on that Early Redemption Date. No further payments will be made following an Early Redemption. Payment will be made in respect of such Early Redemption on the Early Redemption Date immediately following the relevant Observation Date. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. | |
Early Redemption Dates: | March 29, 2018, June 29, 2018, September 28, 2018, December 31, 2018, March 29, 2019, June 28, 2019, September 30, 2019 and December 30, 2019, subject to postponement as set forth in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” If any Early Redemption Date is not a business day, the Early Redemption Amount will be payable on the first following business day, unless that business day falls in the next calendar month, in which case payment will be made on the first preceding business day. The Early Redemption Amount will not be adjusted in respect of any postponement of an Early Redemption Date and no interest or other payment will be payable hereon because of any such postponement of an Early Redemption Date. | |
Lowest Performing Underlying: | The Underlying with the lowest Underlying Return. | |
Strike Date: | March 24, 2017 | |
Initial Level: | For each Underlying, the closing level of such Underlying on the Strike Date, as set forth in the table above. | |
Final Level: | For each Underlying, the closing level of such Underlying on the Valuation Date. | |
Observation Dates: | April 26, 2017, May 25, 2017, June 27, 2017, July 27, 2017, August 25, 2017, September 27, 2017, October 26, 2017, November 27, 2017, December 27, 2017, January 25, 2018, February 26, 2018, March 27, 2018, April 26, 2018, May 24, 2018, June 27, 2018, July 26, 2018, August 27, 2018, September 26, 2018, October 25, 2018, November 27, 2018, December 27, 2018, January 25, 2019, February 26, 2019, March 27, 2019, April 25, 2019, May 24, 2019, June 26, 2019, July 25, 2019, August 27, 2019, September 26, 2019, October 25, 2019, November 26, 2019, December 23, 2019, January 27, 2020, February 26, 2020 and the Valuation Date, subject to postponement as set forth in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” | |
Valuation Date: | March 26, 2020, subject to postponement as set forth in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” | |
Maturity Date: | March 30, 2020, subject to postponement as set forth in the accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” | |
CUSIP: | 22548QY82 | |
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Additional Terms Specific to the Securities
You should read this pricing supplement together with the underlying supplement dated December 2, 2016, the product supplement dated May 4, 2015, the prospectus supplement dated May 4, 2015 and the prospectus dated May 4, 2015, 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):
• | Underlying supplement dated December 2, 2016: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010316018406/dp70262_424b2-underlying.htm |
• | Product supplement No. I dated May 4, 2015: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010315003534/dp55815_424b2-psno1.htm |
• | Prospectus supplement and Prospectus dated May 4, 2015: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000104746915004333/a2224570z424b2.htm |
In the event the terms of the securities described in this pricing supplement differ from, or are inconsistent with, the terms described in the underlying supplement, product supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus, the terms described in this pricing supplement will control.
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1053092. As used in this pricing supplement, “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. We may, without the consent of the registered holder of the securities and the owner of any beneficial interest in the securities, amend the securities to conform to its terms as set forth in this pricing supplement and the documents listed above, and the trustee is authorized to enter into any such amendment without any such consent. 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, “Foreign Currency Risks” in the accompanying prospectus, and any risk factors we describe in the combined Annual Report on Form 20-F of Credit Suisse Group AG and us incorporated by reference therein, and any additional risk factors we describe in future filings we make with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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.
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Hypothetical Redemption Amounts and Total Payments on the Securities
The tables and examples below illustrate, for a $1,000 investment in the securities, hypothetical Redemption Amounts payable at maturity for a hypothetical range of Underlying Returns of the Lowest Performing Underlying and, in the case of Table 2, total contingent coupons payable over the term of the securities, which will depend on the number of Coupon Barrier Events that have occurred over the term of the securities. The tables and examples below assume that (i) the Contingent Coupon Rate is 7.00% per annum, (ii) the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, (iii) the term of the securities is exactly three years, (iv) the Buffer Level for each Underlying is 72.95% of the Initial Level of such Underlying and (v) the Buffer Amount is 27.05%. The actual Contingent Coupon Rate, Buffer Levels and Buffer Amount are set forth in “Key Terms” herein. The examples are intended to illustrate hypothetical calculations of only the Redemption Amount and do not illustrate the calculation or payment of any individual contingent coupon.
The hypothetical Redemption Amounts and total contingent coupons set forth below are for illustrative purposes only. The actual Redemption Amount and total contingent coupons applicable to a purchaser of the securities will depend on the number of Coupon Barrier Events that have occurred over the term of the securities and on the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying. It is not possible to predict when and how many Coupon Barrier Events will occur, if any, and the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying. You will not be entitled to participate in any appreciation in the Underlyings. You should consider carefully whether the securities are suitable to your investment goals. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. The numbers appearing in the tables and examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.
TABLE 1: Hypothetical Redemption Amounts
Percentage
Change |
Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying |
Redemption Amount (excluding contingent coupons, if any) |
Total Contingent Coupons |
100.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | (See table below) |
90.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
80.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
70.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
60.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
50.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
40.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
30.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
20.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
10.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
0.00% | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | |
−10.00% | −10.00% | $1,000.00 | |
−20.00% | −20.00% | $1,000.00 | |
−27.05% | −27.05% | $1,000.00 | |
−28.05% | −1.37% | $986.29 | |
−30.00% | −4.04% | $959.56 | |
−40.00% | −17.75% | $822.48 | |
−50.00% | −31.46% | $685.40 | |
−60.00% | −45.17% | $548.32 | |
−70.00% | −58.88% | $411.24 | |
−80.00% | −72.58% | $274.16 | |
−90.00% | −86.29% | $137.08 | |
−100.00% | −100.00% | $0.00 |
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TABLE 2: The expected total contingent coupons will depend on how many Coupon Barrier Events occur.
Number of Coupon Barrier Events |
Total Contingent Coupons |
A Coupon Barrier Event does not occur on any Observation Date | $210.00 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 1 Observation Date | $204.17 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 2 Observation Dates | $198.33 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 3 Observation Dates | $192.50 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 4 Observation Dates | $186.67 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 5 Observation Dates | $180.83 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 6 Observation Dates | $175.00 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 7 Observation Dates | $169.17 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 8 Observation Dates | $163.33 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 9 Observation Dates | $157.50 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 10 Observation Dates | $151.67 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 11 Observation Dates | $145.83 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 12 Observation Dates | $140.00 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 13 Observation Dates | $134.17 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 14 Observation Dates | $128.33 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 15 Observation Dates | $122.50 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 16 Observation Dates | $116.67 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 17 Observation Dates | $110.83 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 18 Observation Dates | $105.00 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 19 Observation Dates | $99.17 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 20 Observation Dates | $93.33 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 21 Observation Dates | $87.50 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 22 Observation Dates | $81.67 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 23 Observation Dates | $75.83 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 24 Observation Dates | $70.00 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 25 Observation Dates | $64.17 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 26 Observation Dates | $58.33 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 27 Observation Dates | $52.50 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 28 Observation Dates | $46.67 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 29 Observation Dates | $40.83 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 30 Observation Dates | $35.00 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 31 Observation Dates | $29.17 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 32 Observation Dates | $23.33 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 33 Observation Dates | $17.50 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 34 Observation Dates | $11.67 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 35 Observation Dates | $5.83 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 36 Observation Dates | $0.00 |
The total payment on the securities will be equal to the Redemption Amount applicable to an investor plus the total contingent coupons payable on the securities.
The following examples illustrate how the Redemption Amount is calculated.
Example 1:
Underlying |
Final Level |
SPX | 105% of Initial Level |
SX5E | 110% of Initial Level |
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Example 1 assumes the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying increases by 5% from its Initial Level to its Final Level. Because the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Buffer Level, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. Even though the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than its respective Initial Level, you will not participate in the appreciation of any Underlying.
Example 2:
Underlying |
Final Level |
SPX | 90% of Initial Level |
SX5E | 105% of Initial Level |
Example 2 assumes the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying decreases by 10% from its Initial Level to its Final Level. Because the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Buffer Level, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.
Example 3:
Underlying |
Final Level |
SPX | 90% of Initial Level |
SX5E | 70% of Initial Level |
Example 3 assumes the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying decreases by 30% from its Initial Level to its Final Level. The determination of the Redemption Amount when the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Level is as follows:
Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying | = | Downside Participation Rate × ([(Final Level - Initial Level) / Initial Level] + Buffer Amount) |
= | 137.08% × [−30% + 27.05%] | |
= | 137.08% × −2.95% | |
= | −4.04% | |
Redemption Amount | = | $1,000 × (1 + Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying) |
= | $1,000 × 0.95956 | |
= | $959.56 | |
In this example, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $959.56 per $1,000 principal amount of securities because the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Level. You will be exposed on a leveraged basis to any depreciation in the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying from its Initial Level to its Final Level beyond its Buffer Level. In this scenario, you will lose 4.04% of the principal amount at maturity; therefore, the securities will provide an effective buffer (which is the difference between the negative performance of the Lowest Performing Underlying and the loss on the securities) of 25.96%.
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Example 4:
Underlying |
Final Level |
SPX | 80% of Initial Level |
SX5E | 30% of Initial Level |
Example 4 assumes the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying decreases by 70% from its Initial Level to its Final Level. The determination of the Redemption Amount when the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Level is as follows:
Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying | = | Downside Participation Rate × ([(Final Level - Initial Level) / Initial Level] + Buffer Amount) |
= | 137.08% × [−70% + 27.05%] | |
= | 137.08% × −42.95% | |
= | −58.88% | |
Redemption Amount | = | $1,000 × (1 + Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying) |
= | $1,000 × 0.41124 | |
= | $411.24 | |
In this example, at maturity you would be entitled to receive
a Redemption Amount equal to $411.24 per $1,000 principal amount of securities because the Final Level of the Lowest Performing
Underlying is less than its Buffer Level. You will be exposed on a leveraged basis to any depreciation in the level of the Lowest
Performing Underlying from its Initial Level to its Final Level beyond its Buffer Level. In this scenario, you will lose 58.88%
of the principal amount at maturity; therefore, the securities will provide an effective buffer (which is the difference between
the negative performance of the Lowest Performing Underlying and the loss on the securities) of 11.12%. A comparison of this example
with the previous example illustrates the diminishing benefit of the effective buffer as the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying
decreases.
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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.
• | 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 contingent coupons, if any. If the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Level, you will be fully exposed to such negative performance on a leveraged basis, which will progressively offset the protection that the Buffer Amount would offer. In such case, the Underlying Return will be calculated as follows: (i) the Downside Participation Rate (approximately 137.08%) multiplied by (ii) the sum of (a) the percentage decline in the Lowest Performing Underlying from its Initial Level to its Final Level and (b) the Buffer Amount. Accordingly, the lower the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying, the less benefit you will receive from the buffer. You could lose your entire investment. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. |
• | REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF ANY PAYMENT YOU RECEIVE ON THE SECURITIES, YOUR ACTUAL YIELD MAY BE DIFFERENT IN REAL VALUE TERMS — Inflation may cause the real value of any payment you receive on the securities to be less at maturity than it is at the time you invest. An investment in the securities also represents a forgone opportunity to invest in an alternative asset that generates a higher real return. You should carefully consider whether an investment that may result in a return that is lower than the return on alternative investments is appropriate for you. |
• | THE SECURITIES DO NOT PROVIDE FOR REGULAR FIXED INTEREST PAYMENTS — Unlike conventional debt securities, the securities do not provide for regular fixed interest payments. The number of contingent coupons you receive over the term of the securities, if any, will depend on the performance of the Underlyings during the term of the securities and the number of Coupon Barrier Events that occur. If a Coupon Barrier Event occurs on an Observation Date, you will not receive a contingent coupon on the Contingent Coupon Payment Date immediately following such Observation Date. Accordingly, if a Coupon Barrier Event occurs on every Observation Date, you will not receive any contingent coupons during the term of the securities. Thus, the securities are not a suitable investment for investors who require regular fixed income payments, since the number of contingent coupons is variable and may be zero. |
In addition, if rates generally increase over the term of the securities, it is more likely that the contingent coupon, if any, could be less than the yield one might receive based on market rates at that time. This would have the further effect of decreasing the value of your securities both nominally in terms of below-market coupons and in real value terms. Furthermore, it is possible that you will not receive some or all of the contingent coupons over the term of the securities, and still lose your principal amount. Even if you do receive some or all of your principal amount at maturity, you will not be compensated for the time value of money. These securities are not short-term investments, so you should carefully consider these risks before investing.
• | MORE FAVORABLE TERMS TO YOU ARE GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH AN UNDERLYING WITH GREATER EXPECTED VOLATILITY AND THEREFORE CAN INDICATE A GREATER RISK OF LOSS — “Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the level of an Underlying. The greater the expected volatility with respect to an Underlying on the Trade Date, the higher the expectation as of the Trade Date that the level of such Underlying could be less than its (i) Coupon Barrier Level on any Observation Date or (ii) Buffer Level on the Valuation Date, indicating a higher expected risk of loss on the securities. This greater expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher Contingent Coupon Rate than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity, or in more favorable terms (such as lower Coupon Barrier Levels or Buffer Levels) than for similar securities linked to the performance of an Underlying with a lower expected volatility as of the Trade Date. You should therefore understand that a relatively higher Contingent Coupon Rate may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, relatively lower Coupon Barrier Levels or Buffer Levels may not necessarily indicate that you will receive a contingent coupon on any Contingent Coupon Payment Date or that the securities have a greater likelihood of a return of principal at maturity. The |
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volatility of any Underlying can change significantly over the term of the securities. The levels of the Underlyings for your securities could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Underlyings and the potential to lose a significant amount of your principal at maturity.
• | AT MATURITY OR UPON EARLY REDEMPTION, THE SECURITIES WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, PLUS THE FINAL CONTINGENT COUPON, IF ANY — At maturity or upon early redemption, The securities will not pay more than the principal amount, plus the final contingent coupon, if any, regardless of the performance of any Underlying. Even if the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than its respective Initial Level, you will not participate in the appreciation of any Underlying. Assuming the securities are held to maturity and the term of the securities is three years, the maximum amount payable with respect to the securities is $1,210 for each $1,000 principal amount of securities. |
• | THE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE CREDIT RISK OF CREDIT SUISSE — Investors are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the securities and, therefore, if we were to default on our obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the securities. 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. |
• | THE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO A POTENTIAL EARLY REDEMPTION, WHICH EXPOSES YOU TO REINVESTMENT RISK — Market events could affect our decision to redeem the securities. For example, it is more likely that Credit Suisse will redeem the securities prior to the Maturity Date at a time when Credit Suisse believes it will be likely to pay contingent coupons over the term of the securities and could issue a comparable debt security with a lower contingent coupon rate. If we redeem the securities prior to maturity, you may not be able to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that offer the same contingent coupon rate as the securities. |
• | AN EARLY REDEMPTION WOULD LIMIT YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE PAID CONTINGENT COUPONS OVER THE FULL TERM OF THE SECURITIES — The securities are subject to a potential Early Redemption on any Early Redemption Date, upon notice to the trustee on or before the immediately preceding Observation Date. If the securities are redeemed prior to the Maturity Date, you will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the principal amount of your securities and any contingent coupon payable, if any, on that Early Redemption Date, and no further payments will be made in respect of the securities. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to continue to be paid contingent coupons from the date of Early Redemption to the scheduled Maturity Date. |
• | YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO RISKS RELATING TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNDERLYINGS — The securities are linked to the individual performance of each Underlying. As such, the securities will perform poorly if only one of the Underlyings performs poorly. For example, if one Underlying appreciates from its Initial Level to its Final Level and the other Underlying depreciates from its Initial Level to its Final Level, you will not benefit from the participation of the first Underlying. Each additional Underlying to which the securities are linked increases the risk that the securities will perform poorly. By investing in the securities, you assume the risk that (i) the Final Level of at least one of the Underlyings will be less than its Buffer Level and (ii) a Coupon Barrier Event occurs with respect to at least one of the Underlyings on one or more Observation Dates, regardless of the performance of any other Underlying. |
It is impossible to predict the relationship between the Underlyings. If the performances of the Underlyings exhibit no relationship to each other, it is more likely that one of the Underlyings will cause the securities to perform poorly. However, if the performances of the equity securities included in each Underlying are related such that the performances of the Underlyings are correlated, then there is less likelihood that only one Underlying will cause the securities to perform poorly. Furthermore, to the extent that each Underlying represents a different market segment or market sector, the risk of one Underlying performing poorly is greater. As a result, you are not only taking market risk on each Underlying, you are also taking a risk relating to the relationship among the Underlyings.
• | THE CLOSING LEVEL OF THE EURO STOXX 50® INDEX WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR CHANGES IN EXCHANGE RATES RELATIVE TO THE U.S. DOLLAR EVEN THOUGH THE |
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EQUITY SECURITIES INCLUDED IN THE EURO STOXX 50® INDEX ARE TRADED IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY AND THE SECURITIES ARE DENOMINATED IN U.S. DOLLARS — The value of your securities will not be adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the equity securities included in the EURO STOXX 50® Index are based. Therefore, if the applicable currencies appreciate or depreciate relative to the U.S. dollar over the term of the securities, you will not receive any additional payment or incur any reduction in your return, if any, at maturity.
• | FOREIGN SECURITIES MARKETS RISK — Some or all of the assets included in the EURO STOXX 50® Index are issued by or linked to the value of foreign companies and trade in foreign securities markets. Investments in the securities therefore involve risks associated with the securities markets in those countries, including risks of volatility in those markets, government intervention in those markets and cross shareholdings in companies in certain countries. Also, non-U.S. foreign companies are generally subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements and securities trading rules different from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies. The equity securities included in the EURO STOXX 50® Index may be more volatile than domestic equity securities and may be subject to different political, market, economic, exchange rate, regulatory and other risks, including changes in foreign governments, economic and fiscal policies, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions. Moreover, the economies of foreign countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the economy of the United States in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency. These factors may adversely affect the values of the equity securities included in the EURO STOXX 50® Index, and therefore the performance of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and the value of the securities. |
• | THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE SECURITIES ON THE TRADE DATE IS LESS THAN THE PRICE TO PUBLIC — The initial
estimated value of your securities on the Trade Date (as determined by reference to our pricing models and our internal funding
rate) is less than the original Price to Public. The Price to Public of the securities includes any discounts or commissions as
well as transaction costs such as expenses incurred to create, document and market the securities and the cost of hedging our risks
as issuer of the securities through one or more of our affiliates (which includes a projected profit). These costs will be effectively
borne by you as an investor in the securities. These amounts will be retained by Credit Suisse or our affiliates in connection
with our structuring and offering of the securities (except to the extent discounts or commissions are reallowed to other broker-dealers
or any costs are paid to third parties). On the Trade Date, we value the components of the securities in accordance with our pricing models. These include a fixed income component valued using our internal funding rate, and individual option components valued using mid-market pricing. As such, the payout on the securities can be replicated using a combination of these components and the value of these components, as determined by us using our pricing models, will impact the terms of the securities at issuance. Our option valuation models are proprietary. Our pricing models take into account factors such as interest rates, volatility and time to maturity of the securities, and they rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. |
Because Credit Suisse’s pricing models may differ from other issuers’ valuation models, and because funding rates taken into account by other issuers may vary materially from the rates used by Credit Suisse (even among issuers with similar creditworthiness), our estimated value at any time may not be comparable to estimated values of similar securities of other issuers.
• | EFFECT OF INTEREST RATE USED IN STRUCTURING THE SECURITIES — The internal funding rate we use in structuring notes such as these securities is typically lower than the interest rate that is reflected in the yield on our conventional debt securities of similar maturity in the secondary market (our “secondary market credit spreads”). If on the Trade Date our internal funding rate is lower than our secondary market credit spreads, we expect that the economic terms of the securities will generally be less favorable to you than they would have been if our secondary market credit spread had been used in structuring the securities. We will also use our internal funding rate to determine the price of the securities if we post a bid to repurchase your securities in secondary market transactions. See “—Secondary Market Prices” below. |
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• | SECONDARY MARKET PRICES — If Credit Suisse (or an affiliate) bids for your securities in secondary market
transactions, which we are not obligated to do, the secondary market price (and the value used for account statements or otherwise)
may be higher or lower than the Price to Public and the estimated value of the securities on the Trade Date. The estimated value
of the securities on the cover of this pricing supplement does not represent a minimum price at which we would be willing to buy
the securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The secondary market price of your securities at any time cannot
be predicted and will reflect the then-current estimated value determined by reference to our pricing models and other factors.
These other factors include our internal funding rate, customary bid and ask spreads and other transaction costs, changes in market
conditions and any deterioration or improvement in our creditworthiness. In circumstances where our internal funding rate is lower
than our secondary market credit spreads, our secondary market bid for your securities could be more favorable than what other
dealers might bid because, assuming all else equal, we use the lower internal funding rate to price the securities and other dealers
might use the higher secondary market credit spread to price them. Furthermore, assuming no change in market conditions from the
Trade Date, the secondary market price of your securities will be lower than the Price to Public because it will not include any
discounts or commissions and hedging and other transaction costs. If you sell your securities to a dealer in a secondary market
transaction, the dealer may impose an additional discount or commission, and as a result the price you receive on your securities
may be lower than the price at which we may repurchase the securities from such dealer. We (or an affiliate) may initially post a bid to repurchase the securities from you at a price that will exceed the then-current estimated value of the securities. That higher price reflects our projected profit and costs that were included in the Price to Public, and that higher price may also be initially used for account statements or otherwise. We (or our affiliate) may offer to pay this higher price, for your benefit, but the amount of any excess over the then-current estimated value will be temporary and is expected to decline over a period of approximately 90 days. The securities are not designed to be short-term trading instruments and any sale prior to maturity could result in a substantial loss to you. You should be willing and able to hold your securities to maturity. |
• | CREDIT SUISSE IS SUBJECT TO SWISS REGULATION — As a Swiss bank, Credit Suisse is subject to regulation by governmental agencies, supervisory authorities and self-regulatory organizations in Switzerland. Such regulation is increasingly more extensive and complex and subjects Credit Suisse to risks. For example, pursuant to Swiss banking laws, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) may open resolution proceedings if there are justified concerns that Credit Suisse is over-indebted, has serious liquidity problems or no longer fulfills capital adequacy requirements. FINMA has broad powers and discretion in the case of resolution proceedings, which include the power to convert debt instruments and other liabilities of Credit Suisse into equity and/or cancel such liabilities in whole or in part. If one or more of these measures were imposed, such measures may adversely affect the terms and market value of the securities and/or the ability of Credit Suisse to make payments thereunder and you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the securities. |
• | 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. |
• | 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 as agent of the issuer for the offering of the securities, hedging our obligations under the securities and determining their estimated value. In performing these duties, the economic interests of us and our affiliates are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities. Further, hedging activities may adversely affect any payment on or the value of the securities. Any profit in connection with such hedging |
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activities will be in addition to any other compensation that we and our affiliates receive for the sale of the securities, which creates an additional incentive to sell the securities to you.
• | UNPREDICTABLE ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS WILL AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE SECURITIES — The payout on the securities can be replicated using a combination of the components described in “The estimated value of the securities on the Trade Date is less than the Price to Public.” Therefore, in addition to the levels of any Underlying, the terms of the securities at issuance and the value of the securities prior to maturity may be influenced by factors that impact the value of fixed income securities and options in general such as: |
o | the expected and actual volatility of the Underlyings; |
o | the expected and actual correlation, if any, between the Underlyings; |
o | the time to maturity of the securities; |
o | the dividend rate on the equity securities included in the Underlyings; |
o | interest and yield rates in the market generally; |
o | investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; |
o | geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the components included in the Underlyings or markets generally and which may affect the levels of the Underlyings; and |
o | our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings. |
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.
• | 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 equity securities that comprise the Underlyings. The return on your investment is not the same as the total return you would receive based on the purchase of the equity securities that comprise the Underlyings. |
• | 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 equity securities that comprise the Underlyings. |
• | THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SECURITIES ARE NOT CERTAIN — There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions addressing the characterization, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of instruments with terms that are substantially the same as those of the securities. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities, and the tax treatment described under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” is not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the securities are not certain. |
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 any calculation 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 “Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Historical Information
The following graphs set forth the historical performance of the Underlyings based on the closing level of each Underlying from January 3, 2012 through March 24, 2017. The closing level of the S&P 500® Index on March 24, 2017 was 2343.98. The closing level of the EURO STOXX 50® Index on March 24, 2017 was 3444.15. We obtained the historical information below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.
You should not take the historical levels of the Underlyings as an indication of future performance of the Underlyings or the securities. Any historical trend in the levels of the Underlyings during any period set forth below is not an indication that the levels of the Underlyings are more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the securities.
For additional information on the S&P 500® Index and the EURO STOXX 50® Index, see “The Reference Indices— The S&P Dow Jones Indices—The S&P 500® Index” and “The Reference Indices—The STOXX Indices—The EURO STOXX 50® Index” in the accompanying underlying supplement.
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion summarizes material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the securities that may be relevant to holders of the 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 the 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 sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the 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 the securities, including the application of federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax laws based on your particular facts and circumstances.
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 the characterization of the securities, our special tax counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, believes that it is reasonable to treat the securities, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as prepaid financial contracts with respect to the Underlyings that are eligible for open transaction treatment in part, but is unable to opine that this characterization is more likely than not to be upheld. In the absence of an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary, we intend to treat the securities and, by acceptance of the securities, you agree to treat the securities for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. The possible alternative characterizations and risks to investors of such characterizations are discussed below. In light of the fact that we agree to treat the securities as prepaid financial contracts, 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 below. For example, the IRS might 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 regardless of an investor’s usual method of tax accounting. Payments made to terminate an NPC (other than perhaps a final
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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 securities are not, and we do not expect that the securities will be, listed on a securities exchange. In the event the securities are listed on a securities exchange and the IRS seeks to characterize your securities as options, the securities would be characterized as Code section 1256 contracts. 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. It is also possible that the IRS would assert that the securities are debt instruments, which may result in adverse tax consequences. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the possible tax consequences of characterization of the securities as debt instruments. 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, a U.S. Holder will treat any coupon payment received in respect of a security as ordinary income includible in such U.S. Holder’s income in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting. If the security provides for the payment of the redemption amount in cash based on the return of the Underlyings, 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. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss in the case of a U.S. Holder that has held the security for more than one year at maturity and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. If 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 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. 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 physical 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. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss in the case of a U.S. Holder that has held the security for more than one year at the time of disposition and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. It is possible that a portion of the amount realized from the sale or taxable disposition of the securities prior to the payment date attributable to an expected coupon could be treated as ordinary income. You should consult your tax advisor regarding this possibility and the consequences of such treatment to you.
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Medicare Tax
Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates, and trusts must pay a 3.8% tax (the “Medicare Tax”) on the lesser of the U.S. Holder’s (1) “net investment income” or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust and (2) the excess of modified adjusted gross income over a certain specified threshold for the taxable year. “Net investment income” generally includes income from interest, dividends, and net gains from the disposition of property (such as the securities) unless such income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that is a passive activity with respect to the taxpayer or a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities). Net investment income may be reduced by allowable deductions properly allocable to such gross income or net gain. Any interest earned or deemed earned on the securities and any gain on sale or other taxable disposition of the securities will be subject to the Medicare Tax. If you are an individual, estate, or trust, you should consult with your tax advisor regarding application of the Medicare Tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the securities.
Securities Held Through Foreign Entities
Under certain provisions of the “Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act,” generally referred to as “FATCA,” and regulations thereunder, a 30% withholding tax is imposed on “withholdable payments” and certain “passthru payments” made to “foreign financial institutions” (as defined in the regulations or an applicable intergovernmental agreement) (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. The term “withholdable payments” generally includes (1) payments 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” means any withholdable payment and any foreign passthru payment. To avoid becoming subject to the 30% withholding tax on payments to it, a financial institution may be required to report information to the IRS regarding the holders of the securities. In the case of holders who (i) fail to provide the relevant information, (ii) are foreign financial institutions who have not agreed to comply with these information reporting requirements, or (iii) hold the securities directly or indirectly through such non-compliant foreign financial institutions, a payor may be required to withhold on a portion of payments under the securities. FATCA 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 U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. If payments on the securities are determined to be from sources within the United States, such payments will be treated as withholdable payments for these purposes.
Withholding under FATCA 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 U.S.-owned foreign entity and the identity of any substantial U.S. owners of such entity. If such withholding applies, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.
Subject to the exceptions described below, FATCA’s withholding regime generally will apply to (i) withholdable payments (other than gross proceeds of the type described above and certain payments made with respect to a “preexisting obligation,” as defined in the regulations), (ii) payments of gross proceeds of the type described above with respect to a sale or disposition occurring after December 31, 2018, and (iii) foreign passthru payments made after the later of December 31, 2018, or the date that final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of FATCA discussed above generally will not apply to (a) with respect to foreign passthru payments, any obligation (other than an instrument that is treated as equity for U.S. tax purposes or that lacks a stated expiration or term) that is issued on or prior to the date that is six months after the date on which final regulations defining foreign passthru payments are published (a “grandfathered obligation”), (b) any obligation that produces withholdable payments solely because the obligation is treated as giving rise to a dividend equivalent pursuant to Code section 871(m) and the regulations thereunder that is outstanding at any point prior to six months after the date on which obligations of its type are first treated as giving rise to dividend equivalents, and (c) any agreement requiring a secured party to make payments with
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respect to collateral securing one or more grandfathered obligations (even if the collateral is not itself a grandfathered obligation). Thus, if you hold your securities through a foreign financial institution or foreign entity, a portion of any of your payments may be subject to 30% withholding.
Information Reporting Regarding Specified Foreign Financial Assets
The Code and regulations thereunder 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 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 exceeds $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. Specified foreign financial assets include, with some limited exceptions, any financial account maintained at a foreign financial institution and any debt or equity interest in a foreign financial institution, including a financial institution organized under the laws of a U.S. possession, and any of the following that are held for investment and not held in an account maintained by a financial institution: (1) any stock or security issued by a person other than a U.S. person (including a person organized in a U.S. possession), (2) any financial instrument or contract that has an issuer or counterparty that is other than a U.S. person (including a person organized in a U.S. possession), and (3) any interest in a foreign entity. Additionally, the regulations provide that specified foreign financial assets include certain retirement and pension accounts and non-retirement savings accounts.
Pursuant to the regulations and subject to certain exceptions, “specified domestic entities” are domestic corporations, domestic partnerships, or certain trusts that are formed or used for the purposes of holding, directly or indirectly, specified foreign financial assets. Generally, specified domestic entities are certain corporations and partnerships, which are closely held by a specified individual and that meet passive income or passive asset tests, and, with certain exceptions, domestic trusts that have one or more specified individuals or specified domestic entities as a current beneficiary.
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 or a specified domestic entity. Penalties apply to any failure to file IRS Form 8938. 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 tax advisor as to the possible application to you of this information reporting requirement and the related statute of limitations tolling provision.
Non-U.S. Holders Generally
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the coupon payments is unclear. Except as provided under “Securities Held Through Foreign Entities” and “Substitute Dividend and Dividend Equivalent Payments,” we currently do not intend to withhold any tax on any coupon payments made to a holder of the securities that is not a U.S. Holder (a “Non-U.S. Holder”) and that has no connection with the United States other than holding its securities, provided that such Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements. However, it is possible that the IRS could assert that such payments are subject to U.S. withholding tax, or that we or another withholding agent may otherwise determine that withholding is required, in which case we or the other withholding agent may withhold up to 30% on such payments (subject to reduction or elimination of such withholding tax pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty). We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding.
Except as provided under “Securities Held Through Foreign Entities” and “Substitute Dividend and Dividend Equivalent Payments,” payment of the redemption amount by us in respect to the securities (except to the extent of the coupons) to a Non-U.S. Holder that has no connection with the United States other than holding its 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
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income tax treaty.
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 Code and regulations thereunder treat a “dividend equivalent” payment as a dividend from sources within the United States. Unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty with the United States, such payments generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30%. A “dividend equivalent” payment is defined under the Code as (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 (a “specified NPC”) 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).
Final regulations provide that a dividend equivalent is any payment that references the payment of (i) a dividend from an underlying security pursuant to a securities lending or sale-repurchase transaction, (ii) a dividend from an underlying security pursuant to a specified NPC, (iii) a dividend from an underlying security pursuant to a specified equity-linked instrument (a “specified ELI”), and (iv) any other substantially similar payment. The regulations provide that a payment includes a dividend equivalent payment whether there is an explicit or implicit reference to a dividend with respect to the underlying security. An underlying security is any interest in an entity if a payment with respect to that interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend pursuant to Treasury regulation section 1.861-3. An NPC is a notional principal contract as defined in Treasury regulation section 1.446-3(c). An equity-linked instrument (“ELI”) is a financial instrument (other than a securities lending or sale-repurchase transaction or an NPC) that references the value of one or more underlying securities, including a futures contract, forward contract, option, debt instrument, or other contractual arrangement. A “section 871(m) transaction” is any securities lending or sale-repurchase transaction, specified NPC, or specified ELI.
For payments made before January 1, 2017, the regulations provide that a specified NPC is any notional principal contract if (a) in connection with entering into the contract, any long party to the contract transfers the underlying security to any short party to the contract, (b) in connection with the termination of the contract, any short party to the contract transfers the underlying security to any long party to the contract, (c) the underlying security is not readily tradable on an established securities market, or (d) in connection with entering into the contract, the underlying security is posted as collateral by any short party to the contract with any long party to the contract. An NPC that is treated as a specified NPC pursuant to the preceding rule will remain a specified NPC on or after January 1, 2017.
Pursuant to Notice 2016-76, for any payment made on or after January 1, 2017 with respect to any transaction issued on or after January 1, 2017, any NPC or ELI that has a delta of one with respect to an underlying security when the NPC or ELI is issued is a specified NPC or specified ELI, respectively. For any payment made on or after January 1, 2018 with respect to any transaction issued on or after January 1, 2018, (a) a “simple” NPC or “simple” ELI that has a delta of 0.8 or greater with respect to an underlying security when the NPC or ELI is issued is a specified NPC or specified ELI, respectively, and (b) a “complex” NPC or “complex” ELI that meets a substantial equivalence test with respect to an underlying security at the time of issuance is a specified NPC or specified ELI, respectively.
Certain events could cause previously issued securities to be deemed to be issued as new securities for purposes of the effective dates provided in Notice 2016-76. For example, it is possible that the IRS could assert that a reconstitution or rebalancing of the underlying is a significant modification of the securities due to an exercise of discretion with respect to such reconstitution or rebalancing and, therefore, a deemed issuance of the securities upon the occurrence of such event. It is also possible that U.S. withholding tax could apply to the securities under these rules if a Non-U.S. Holder enters, or has entered, into certain other transactions in respect of the underlying equity or the securities. A Non-U.S. Holder that enters, or has entered, into other transactions in respect of the underlying or the securities should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of Code section 871(m) to its securities in the context of its other transactions.
Withholding on payments will be based on actual dividends or, if stated in writing on the issue date of the
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securities, on estimated dividends used in pricing the security. If an adjustment is made for the actual dividends, then the true-up payment (in addition to the estimated dividend) is added to the per-share dividend amount. If a transaction is a section 871(m) transaction, information regarding the amount of each dividend equivalent, the delta of the potential 871(m) transaction, the amount of any tax withheld and deposited, the estimated dividend amount and any other information necessary to apply the regulations will be provided, communicated, or made available to Non-U.S. Holders in a manner permitted by the applicable regulations.
In accordance with Notice 2016-76, U.S. tax will be withheld on any portion of a payment or deemed payment (including, if appropriate, the payment of the purchase price) that is a dividend equivalent with respect to any security issued (or deemed issued) on or after January 1, 2017 and prior to January 1, 2018 that has a delta of one unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty and a properly executed IRS Form W-8 (or other qualifying documentation) is provided. Based on the terms of the securities and representations provided by us as of the applicable pricing date, our counsel is of the opinion that a security (exclusive of any other transactions that may be combined with the security as discussed herein) should not be a “delta-one transaction” within the meaning of Notice 2016-76. If withholding applies, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. These final and temporary regulations are extremely complex. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of these final and temporary regulations and whether payments or deemed payments on the securities constitute dividend equivalent payments.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders
A security may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual Non-U.S. Holder holds the security 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.
Potential Changes to the Tax Rules for Financial Instruments
Members of Congress have from time to time proposed legislation relating to financial instruments, including legislation that would require holders to annually mark to market affected financial instruments (potentially including the securities). These or other potential changes in law could adversely affect the tax treatment of the securities and may be applied with retroactive effect. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding how any such potential changes in law could affect you.
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.
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.
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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. If such withholding applies, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.
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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 will offer the securities at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, will receive discounts and commissions of $1.00 per $1,000 principal amount of securities and will forgo fees for sales to fiduciary accounts. 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. We may also sell the securities to CSSU as principal for its own accounts. If a substantial portion of the securities held by CSSU were to be offered for sale in the secondary market, if any, following the offering of the securities, the value of the securities may fall.
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.
We expect to deliver the securities against payment for the securities on the Settlement Date indicated herein, 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.
For further information, please refer to “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Validity of the Securities
In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as United States counsel to Credit Suisse, when the securities offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by Credit Suisse and authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the indenture, and delivered against payment therefor, such securities will be valid and binding obligations of Credit Suisse, enforceable against Credit Suisse in accordance with their terms, subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights and (iii) concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith), provided that such counsel expresses no opinion as to the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above. This opinion is given as of the date of this pricing supplement and is limited to the laws of the State of New York, except that such counsel expresses no opinion as to the application of state securities or Blue Sky laws to the securities. Insofar as this opinion involves matters governed by Swiss law, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has relied, without independent inquiry or investigation, on the opinion of Homburger AG, dated February 14, 2017 and filed by Credit Suisse as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K on February 14, 2017. The opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is subject to the same assumptions, qualifications and limitations with respect to such matters as are contained in the opinion of Homburger AG. In addition, the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is subject to customary assumptions about the establishment of the terms of the securities, the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture and its authentication of the securities, and the validity, binding nature and enforceability of the indenture with respect to the trustee, all as stated in the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP dated February 14, 2017, which was filed by Credit Suisse as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K on February 14, 2017. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP expresses no opinion as to waivers of objections to venue, the subject matter or personal jurisdiction of a United States federal court or the effectiveness of service of process other than in accordance with applicable law. In addition, such counsel notes that the enforceability in the United States of Section 10.08(c) of the indenture is subject to the limitations set forth in the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976.
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Credit Suisse
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