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Pricing Supplement No. T1437/A* Product Supplement No. I-B dated June 30, 2017, |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)/424(b)(8) Registration Statement No. 333-218604-02 October 15, 2018 |
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Financial Products
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 |
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$1,625,000 Autocallable Securities due October
19, 2023 |
| • | Investors will not receive any interest or dividend payments. The securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. |
| • | If a Trigger Event occurs on any Trigger Observation Date, the securities will be automatically redeemed and investors will receive a cash payment equal to the principal amount of securities they hold plus the Automatic Redemption Premium applicable to that Trigger Observation Date, as set forth below. |
| • | If the securities are not automatically redeemed and the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Level, for each $1,000 principal amount of securities investors hold, investors will receive a Redemption Amount of $1,000 plus a return based on the greater of (i) the Contingent Return of 50% and (ii) the percentage change from the Initial Level to the Final Level. |
| • | If the securities have not been automatically redeemed and the Final Level is less than the Initial Level, investors will lose 1% of their principal for each 1% decline in the level of the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level. You could lose your entire investment. |
| • | Senior unsecured obligations of Credit Suisse maturing October 19, 2023. 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 offering price for the securities was determined on October 15, 2018 (the “Trade Date”), and the securities are expected to settle on October 18, 2018 (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 8 of this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-3 of any 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 | $7 | $993 |
| Total | $1,625,000 | $11,375 | $1,613,625 |
(1) Certain fiduciary accounts may pay a purchase price of at least $993 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.
(2) We or one of our affiliates will pay discounts and commissions of $7 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. CSSU or another broker or dealer will forgo some or all discounts and commissions with respect to the sales of securities into certain fiduciary accounts. 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 $978.50 (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
October 15, 2018
Key Terms
| Issuer: | Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”), acting through its London branch | |||
| Underlyings: | The securities are linked to the performance of the Underlying set forth in the table below. For more information on the Underlying, see “The Reference Indices—The STOXX Indices—The EURO STOXX 50® Index” in the accompanying underlying supplement. The Underlying is identified in the table below, together with its Bloomberg ticker symbol, Initial Level and Trigger Level: | |||
| Underlying | Ticker | Initial Level | Trigger Level | |
| EURO STOXX 50® Index | SX5E <Index> | 3210.37 | 3210.37 (100% of Initial Level) | |
| Automatic Redemption: | If a Trigger Event occurs on any Trigger Observation Date, the securities will be automatically redeemed and you will receive a cash payment equal to the principal amount of securities you hold plus the Automatic Redemption Premium applicable to that Trigger Observation Date. Payment will be made in respect of such redemption on the immediately following Automatic Redemption Date, and no further payments will be made on the securities. | |||
| Trigger Event: | A Trigger Event will occur if, on any Trigger Observation Date, the closing level of the Underlying on such Trigger Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Trigger Level. | |||
| Trigger Observation Dates: | October 15, 2019, October 15, 2020, October 15, 2021 and October 17, 2022, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” For the purposes of this pricing supplement, each “Trigger Observation Date” is a calculation date. | |||
| Automatic Redemption Dates: | October 18, 2019, October 20, 2020, October 20, 2021 and October 20, 2022 or the next business day if such day is not a business day, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” | |||
| Automatic Redemption Premium Rate: | 17.50% per annum | |||
| Automatic Redemption Premium: | For each $1,000 principal amount of securities you hold: |
| • $175 if a Trigger Event occurs on the first Trigger Observation Date | |
| • $350 if a Trigger Event occurs on the second Trigger Observation Date | |
| • $525 if a Trigger Event occurs on the third Trigger Observation Date | |
| • $700 if a Trigger Event occurs on the fourth Trigger Observation Date | |
| Redemption Amount: | At maturity, if the securities are not automatically redeemed, for each $1,000 principal amount of securities you will receive a Redemption Amount in cash that will equal $1,000 multiplied by the sum of one 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. |
| Underlying Return: | The Underlying Return is expressed as a percentage and is calculated as follows: |
| If the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Level, the greater of (i) the Contingent Return and (ii) an amount calculated as follows: |
| Final Level – Initial Level Initial Level |
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| If the Final Level is less than the Initial Level, an amount calculated as follows: | |||
| Final Level – Initial Level Initial Level |
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| If the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the Final Level is less than the Initial Level, the Underlying Return will be negative and you will receive less than the principal amount of your securities at maturity. You could lose your entire investment. | |||
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| Contingent Return: | 50% |
| Initial Level: | The closing level of the Underlying on the Trade Date, as set forth in the table above. |
| Final Level: | The closing level of the Underlying on the Valuation Date. |
| Valuation Date: | October 16, 2023, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” If the Maturity Date is not a business day, the 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. |
| Maturity Date: | October 19, 2023, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” |
| CUSIP: | 22551LF62 |
*This amended and restated pricing supplement amends, restates and supersedes Pricing Supplement No. T1437 dated October 15, 2018 in its entirety. This amended and restated pricing supplement revises the Automatic Redemption Premium in respect of the first, second, third and fourth Trigger Observation Dates, respectively, from $171, $342, $513 and $684 to $175, $350, $525 and $700 respectively. We refer to this amended and restated pricing supplement as the “pricing supplement.”
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Additional Terms Specific to the Securities
You should read this pricing supplement together with the underlying supplement dated April 19, 2018, the product supplement dated June 30, 2017, the prospectus supplement dated June 30, 2017 and the prospectus dated June 30, 2017, 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 April 19, 2018: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010318004962/dp89590_424b2-underlying.htm
| • | Product Supplement No. I-B dated June 30, 2017: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010317006316/dp77781_424b2-ib.htm
| • | Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus dated June 30, 2017: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000104746917004364/a2232566z424b2.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, any product supplement, the 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 any 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.
Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors
The securities may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision:
(a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
(i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or
(ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
(iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC; and
(b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities.
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Hypothetical Redemption Amounts
The table and examples below illustrate hypothetical payments upon Automatic Redemption and Redemption Amounts payable at maturity, as applicable, on a $1,000 investment in the securities for a range of scenarios. The tables and examples assume that (i) the Trigger Level is 100% of the Initial Level, (ii) the Automatic Redemption Premiums applicable to the first, second, third and fourth Trigger Observation Dates are $171, $342, $513 and $684, respectively and (iii) the Contingent Return is 50%. The actual Trigger Level, Automatic Redemption Premiums and Contingent Return are set forth in “Key Terms” herein. The examples are intended to illustrate hypothetical calculations of the payment upon Automatic Redemption and the Redemption Amount payable at maturity, as applicable, and are provided for illustration purposes only. The actual payment upon Automatic Redemption or the Redemption Amount payable at maturity, as applicable, that a purchaser of the securities will receive will depend on several variables, including, but not limited to whether the closing level of the Underlying is equal to or greater than the Trigger Level on any Trigger Observation Date and the Final Level. It is not possible to predict whether a Trigger Event will occur, and in the event that the securities are not automatically redeemed, whether and by how much the level of the Underlying has decreased from the Initial Level to the Final Level. 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 following table and the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.
TABLE: Hypothetical Redemption Amounts
|
Percentage
Change |
Underlying |
Redemption
Amount per $1,000 |
| 100% | 100% | $2,000 |
| 90% | 90% | $1,900 |
| 80% | 80% | $1,800 |
| 70% | 70% | $1,700 |
| 60% | 60% | $1,600 |
| 50% | 50% | $1,500 |
| 40% | 50% | $1,500 |
| 30% | 50% | $1,500 |
| 20% | 50% | $1,500 |
| 10% | 50% | $1,500 |
| 0% | 50% | $1,500 |
| −1% | −1% | $990 |
| −10% | −10% | $900 |
| −20% | −20% | $800 |
| −30% | −30% | $700 |
| −40% | −40% | $600 |
| −50% | −50% | $500 |
| −60% | −60% | $400 |
| −70% | −70% | $300 |
| −80% | −80% | $200 |
| −90% | −90% | $100 |
| −100% | −100% | $0 |
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Example 1: The closing level of the Underlying on the first Trigger Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Trigger Level.
|
Underlying |
Closing level on the first Trigger Observation Date |
Final Level |
| SX5E | Greater than or equal to Trigger Level | N/A |
Because the closing level of the Underlying is equal to or greater than the Trigger Level on the first Trigger Observation Date, the securities are automatically redeemed.
Therefore, the cash payment per $1,000 principal amount of securities is equal to $1,000 plus the Automatic Redemption Premium applicable to the first Trigger Observation Date:
= $1,000 + $171 = $1,171
Example 2: The securities are not automatically redeemed on the first Trigger Observation Date and the closing level of the Underlying on the second Trigger Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Trigger Level.
|
Underlying |
Closing level on the first Trigger Observation Date |
Closing Level on the second Trigger Observation Date |
Final Level |
| SX5E | Less than Trigger Level | Greater than or equal to Trigger Level | N/A |
Because the closing level of the Underlying is equal to or greater than the Trigger Level on the second Trigger Observation Date, the securities are automatically redeemed.
Therefore, the cash payment per $1,000 principal amount of securities is equal to $1,000 plus the Automatic Redemption Premium applicable to the second Trigger Observation Date:
= $1,000 + $342 = $1,342
Example 3: The securities are not automatically redeemed on any Trigger Observation Date and the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Level by more than the Contingent Return.
|
Underlying |
Closing level on each Trigger Observation Date |
Final Level |
| SX5E | Various (all less than Trigger Level) | 160% of Initial Level |
Because the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Level, the Redemption Amount is determined as follows:
| Underlying Return | = |
the greater of (i) the Contingent Return and (ii) (Final Level - Initial Level) / Initial Level |
| = | the greater of (i) 50% and (ii) 60% | |
| = | 60% | |
| Redemption Amount | = | $1,000 × (1 + Underlying Return) |
| = | $1,000 × 1.60 | |
| = | $1,600 |
In this example, the Underlying Return is equal to 60% and at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,600 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. Because the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level by more than the Contingent Return, the Underlying Return is equal to the appreciation in the level of the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level.
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Example 4: The securities are not automatically redeemed on any Trigger Observation Date and the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Level by less than the Contingent Return.
|
Underlying |
Closing level on each Trigger Observation Date |
Final Level |
| SX5E | Various (all less than Trigger Level) | 110% of Initial Level |
Because the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Level, the Redemption Amount is determined as follows:
| Underlying Return | = |
the greater of (i) the Contingent Return and (ii) (Final Level - Initial Level) / Initial Level |
| = | the greater of (i) 50% and (ii) 10% | |
| = | 50% | |
| Redemption Amount | = | $1,000 × (1 + Underlying Return) |
| = | $1,000 × 1.50 | |
| = | $1,500 |
In this example, the Underlying Return is equal to 50% and at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,500 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. Because the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level by less than the Contingent Return, the Underlying Return is equal to the Contingent Return. In this scenario you will receive more than the appreciation in the level of the Underlying during the term of the securities.
Example 5: The securities are not automatically redeemed; the Final Level is less than the Initial Level.
|
Underlying |
Closing level on each Trigger Observation Date |
Final Level |
| SX5E | Various (all less than Trigger Level) | 40% of Initial Level |
Because the Final Level is less than the Initial Level, the Redemption Amount is determined as follows:
| Underlying Return | = | (Final Level - Initial Level) / Initial Level |
| = | −60% | |
| Redemption Amount | = | $1,000 × (1 + Underlying Return) |
| = | $1,000 × 0.40 | |
| = | $400 |
In this example, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $400 per $1,000 principal amount of securities because the Final Level is less than the Initial Level. In these circumstances, you will be exposed to the depreciation in the level of the Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level.
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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 Underlying. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of any 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. If the securities are not automatically redeemed and the Final Level is less than the Initial Level, you will be fully exposed to any depreciation in the Underlying. In this case, the Redemption Amount you will receive will be less than the principal amount of the securities, and you will lose your entire investment if the Final Level is zero. It is not possible to predict whether and by how much the level of the Underlying will decrease from the Initial Level to the Final Level. 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. |
| • | 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 the Underlying on the Trade Date, the higher the expectation as of the Trade Date that (i) the closing level of the Underlying could be less than the Trigger Level on a Trigger Observation Date or (ii) the Final Level could be less than the Initial Level, indicating a higher expected risk of loss on the securities. This greater expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher Automatic Redemption Premium or Contingent Return, as applicable, than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity, or in more favorable terms (such as a lower Trigger Level) 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 Automatic Redemption Premium or Contingent Return may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, a relatively lower Trigger Level may not necessarily indicate that you will receive an Automatic Redemption Premium on any Trigger Observation Date or the Contingent Return, or that the securities have a greater likelihood of a return of principal at maturity. The volatility of the Underlying can change significantly over the term of the securities. The level of the Underlying could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Underlying and the potential to lose a significant amount of your principal at maturity. |
| • | 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 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 at maturity is based on the performance of the Underlying. Because the Redemption Amount due at maturity 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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| • | AUTOMATIC REDEMPTION RISK — The securities are subject to a potential Automatic Redemption, which exposes you to reinvestment risk. If the securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you may not be able to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that offer the same return as the securities. |
| • | THE CLOSING LEVEL OF THE UNDERLYING WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR CHANGES IN EXCHANGE RATES RELATIVE TO THE U.S. DOLLAR EVEN THOUGH THE EQUITY SECURITIES INCLUDED IN THE UNDERLYING 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 Underlying 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 Underlying are issued by 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, 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 Underlying 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 Underlying, and therefore the performance of the Underlying and the value of the securities. |
| • | HEDGING AND TRADING ACTIVITY — We or any of our affiliates may carry out hedging activities related to the securities, including in instruments related to the Underlying. We or our affiliates may also trade in instruments related to the Underlying from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Trade Date and during the term of the securities could adversely affect our payment to you at maturity. |
| • | 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
9
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. |
| • | 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 three months. 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. |
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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. |
| • | 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 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 level of the 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 Underlying; |
| o | the time to maturity of the securities; |
| o | the dividend rate on the equity securities included in the Underlying; |
| 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 equity securities included in the Underlying or markets generally and which may affect the level of the Underlying; 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 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 is not the same as the total return based on the purchase of the equity securities that comprise the Underlying. |
| • | 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 Underlying. |
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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 any calculation date, as defined in any accompanying product supplement) 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 additional information, see “Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in any accompanying product supplement.
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Historical Information
The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the Underlying based on the closing levels of the Underlying from January 2, 2013 through October 15, 2018. We obtained the historical information below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.
You should not take the historical levels of the Underlying as an indication of future performance of the Underlying or the securities. Any historical trend in the level of the Underlying during any period set forth below is not an indication that the level of the Underlying is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the securities.
For additional information on the EURO STOXX 50® Index, see “The Reference Indices—The STOXX Indices—The EURO STOXX 50® Index” in the accompanying underlying supplement.
The closing level of the Underlying on October 15, 2018 was 3210.37.
United States Federal Tax Considerations
The amendment may result in tax consequences to you. You should consult your tax advisor.
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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. We may also agree to sell the securities to other agents that are parties to the distribution agreement.
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 and will receive discounts and commissions of $7 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. CSSU may re-allow some or all of the discount on the principal amount per security on sales of such securities by other brokers or dealers. CSSU or another broker or dealer will forgo some or all discounts and commissions with respect to the sales of securities into certain fiduciary accounts. If all of the securities are not sold at the initial offering price, CSSU may change the public offering price and other selling terms.
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.
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 two 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 two business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the Settlement Date is more than two business days after the Trade Date, purchasers who wish to transact in the securities more than two 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 any 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 August 31, 2018 and filed by Credit Suisse as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K on August 31, 2018. 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 August 31, 2018, which was filed by Credit Suisse as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K on August 31, 2018. 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