424B2 1 dp116068_424b2-a329.htm FORM 424B2

Pricing Supplement No. A329
To Product Supplement No. I−A dated June 30, 2017,

Prospectus Supplement dated June 30, 2017 and

Prospectus dated June 30, 2017

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration Statement No. 333-218604-02

November 15, 2019

Financial

Products

$1,020,000
Accelerated Return Equity Securities (ARES®) due December 22, 2020

Linked to the Performance of an Equally Weighted Basket Consisting of Ten Underlyings

Investors will not receive any interest or dividend payments. The securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity.
If the Final Basket Level is greater than the Initial Basket Level, investors will receive the principal amount of their investment plus a return based on the leveraged upside performance of an equally weighted basket consisting of ten stocks, subject to the Maximum Return. If the Final Basket Level is equal to the Initial Basket Level, investors will receive the principal amount of their investment.
If the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level, investors will lose 1% of their principal for each 1% decline in the level of the Basket from the Initial Basket Level to the Final Basket Level. You could lose your entire investment.
Investors should be willing to accept the risks of owning equities in general and the Basket Components in particular.
Senior unsecured obligations of Credit Suisse maturing December 22, 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 offering price for the securities was determined on November 15, 2019 (the “Trade Date”) and the securities are expected to settle on November 22, 2019 (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 4 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, any product supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

  Price to Public Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1) Proceeds to Issuer
Per security $1,000 $12.50 $987.50
Total $1,020,000 $12,750 $1,007,250

(1) Certain fiduciary accounts may pay a purchase price of at least $985 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.

(2) We or one of our affiliates will pay discounts and commissions of $12.50 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. CSSU, the Agent for this offering, or another broker or dealer will forgo some or all discounts and commissions with respect to the sales of securities into certain fiduciary accounts. The Agent through whom we distribute securities may enter into arrangements with other institutions with respect to the distribution of the securities, and those institutions may share in the commissions, discounts or other compensation received by the Agent, may be compensated separately and may also receive commissions from purchasers for whom they may act as agents. CSSU will also pay certain institutions or service providers a fee of $2.50 per security on securities not sold to certain fiduciary accounts in consideration for providing education, structuring or other services with respect to the distribution of the securities. In addition, an affiliate of ours will pay referral fees of $1.50 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” or the “Agent”), 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 $973.90 (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

November 15, 2019

 

 

Key Terms

 

Issuer: Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”), acting through its London branch
Reference Share Issuer: For the American Depositary Shares of Sony Corporation, the issuer of the common stock of Sony Corporation, and for each of the common stock of Apple Inc., the common stock of Alaska Air Group, Inc., the common stock of Delta Air Lines Group, Inc., the Class A common stock of Facebook, Inc., the common stock of Healthequity, Inc., the common stock of Lockheed Martin Corporation, the common stock of MGM Resorts International, the common stock of The Progressive Corporation and the common stock of Tesla, Inc., the issuer of such Underlying.
Basket: The securities are linked to the performance of an equally weighted basket consisting of the underlyings set forth in the table below (each a “Basket Component,” and together, the “Basket Components”).  For more information on the Basket Components, see “The Basket Components” herein. Each Basket Component is identified in the table below, together with its Bloomberg ticker symbol, Initial Level and Component Weighting:
 

Basket Component

Ticker

Initial Level

Component Weighting

  Common stock of Apple Inc. AAPL UW <Equity> $265.76 10/100
  Common stock of Alaska Air Group, Inc. ALK UN <Equity> $70.38 10/100
  Common stock of Delta Air Lines Inc. DAL UN <Equity> $56.85 10/100
  Class A Common stock of Facebook, Inc. FB UW <Equity> $195.10 10/100
  Common stock of Healthequity, Inc. HQY UW <Equity> $63.80 10/100
  Common stock of Lockheed Martin Corporation LMT UN <Equity> $393.55 10/100
  Common stock of MGM Resorts International MGM UN <Equity> $31.18 10/100
  Common stock of The Progressive Corporation PGR UN <Equity> $72.90 10/100
  American Depositary Shares of Sony Corporation, each representing one share of common stock SNE UN <Equity> $62.06 10/100
  Common stock of Tesla, Inc.

TSLA UW<Equity>

$352.17 10/100
Upside Participation Rate: 300%
Redemption Amount: At maturity, 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 Security Performance Factor, calculated as set forth below. Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
Security Performance Factor The Security Performance Factor is expressed as a percentage and is calculated as follows:
  If the Final Basket Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Basket Level, the Security Performance Factor will equal the lesser of (i) the Maximum Return and (ii) the product of (a) the Basket Return and (b) the Upside Participation Rate.
    The maximum Redemption Amount is $1,212 per $1,000 principal amount.
  If the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level, the Security Performance Factor will equal the Basket Return.
    If the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level, the Basket Return will be negative and you will receive less than the principal amount of your securities at maturity. You could lose your entire investment.

 

 

Basket Return:   Final Basket Level – Initial Basket Level
Initial Basket Level
  The Basket Return will be negative if the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level
Maximum Return: 21.20%
Initial Level: For each Basket Component, the closing level of such Basket Component on the Trade Date, as set forth in the table above.
Final Level: For each Basket Component, the closing level of such Basket Component on the Valuation Date.
Component Return: With respect to each Basket Component, the Component Return will be calculated as follows:
  Final Level – Initial Level
Initial Level
Initial Basket Level:

Set equal to 100 on the Trade Date.

 

Final Basket Level: The level of the Basket on the Valuation Date, calculated as follows:
  100 × [1 + the sum of the products of [(a) the Component Return for each Basket Component and (b) the Component Weighting for such Basket Component] ]
Valuation Date: December 15, 2020, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.”
Maturity Date: December 22, 2020, 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.
CUSIP: 22551NAK2

  

 

 

 

Additional Terms Specific to the Securities

 

You should read this pricing supplement together with 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):

 

Product Supplement No. IA dated June 30, 2017:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010317006315/dp77780_424b2-ia.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 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.

 

1 

 

Hypothetical Redemption Amounts at Maturity

 

The table and examples below illustrate hypothetical Redemption Amounts payable at maturity on a $1,000 investment in the securities for a hypothetical range of performance of the Basket. The table and examples below assume an Upside Participation Rate of 300% and a Maximum Return of 21.20%. The actual Upside Participation Rate and Maximum Return are set forth in “Key Terms” herein. The hypothetical Redemption Amounts set forth below are for illustrative purposes only. The actual Redemption Amount applicable to a purchaser of the securities will depend on the Final Basket Level. It is not possible to predict whether or by how much the Final Basket Level will be less than the Initial Basket Level. You should consider carefully whether the securities are suited 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 table and examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

TABLE: Hypothetical Redemption Amounts

 

Percentage Change
from the Initial Basket Level to the Final Basket Level

Basket Return

Redemption Amount per $1,000 Principal Amount of Securities

100% 21.20% $1,212
90% 21.20% $1,212
80% 21.20% $1,212
70% 21.20% $1,212
60% 21.20% $1,212
50% 21.20% $1,212
40% 21.20% $1,212
30% 21.20% $1,212
20% 21.20% $1,212
7.07% 21.20% $1,212
5% 15% $1,150
0% 0% $1,000
−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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EXAMPLES:

 

The following examples illustrate how the Redemption Amount is calculated.

 

Example 1: The level of the Basket increases by 50% from the Initial Basket Level to the Final Basket Level. The determination of the Redemption Amount when the Final Basket Level is greater than the Initial Basket Level is as follows:

 

Basket Return =

the lesser of (i) Maximum Return and  

(ii) Upside Participation Rate × [(Final Basket Level - Initial Basket Level) / Initial Basket Level] 

  = the lesser of (i) 21.20% and (ii) 300% × 50%
  = the lesser of (i) 21.20% and (ii) 150%
  = 21.20%
Redemption Amount = $1,000 × (1 + Basket Return)
  = $1,000 × 1.212
  = $1,212

 

In this example, at maturity you would receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,212 per $1,000 principal amount of securities based on a return linked to the appreciation in the level of the Basket, subject to the Maximum Return. Regardless of the appreciation of the Basket, the Basket Return will not exceed the Maximum Return.

 

Example 2: The level of the Basket increases by 5% from the Initial Basket Level to the Final Basket Level. The determination of the Redemption Amount when the Final Basket Level is greater than the Initial Basket Level is as follows:

 

Basket Return =

the lesser of (i) Maximum Return and

(ii) Upside Participation Rate × [(Final Basket Level - Initial Basket Level) / Initial Basket Level] 

  = the lesser of (i) 21.20% and (ii) 300% × 5%
  = the lesser of (i) 21.20% and (ii) 15%
  = 15%
Redemption Amount = $1,000 × (1 + Basket Return)
  = $1,000 × 1.15
  = $1,150

 

In this example, at maturity you would receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,150 per $1,000 principal amount of securities based on a leveraged return linked to the appreciation in the level of the Basket.

 

Example 3: The Final Basket Level is equal to the Initial Basket Level. Because the Final Basket Level is equal to the Initial Basket Level, at maturity you would receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.

 

Example 4: The level of the Basket decreases by 20% from the Initial Basket Level to the Final Basket Level. The determination of the Redemption Amount when the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level is as follows:

 

Basket Return =  [(Final Basket Level - Initial Basket Level) / Initial Basket Level]
  = −20%
Redemption Amount = $1,000 × (1 + Basket Return)
  = $1,000 × 0.80
  = $800

 

In this example, at maturity you would receive a Redemption Amount equal to $800 per $1,000 principal amount of securities because the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level. You will be fully exposed to the depreciation in the level of the Basket from the Initial Basket Level to the Final Basket 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 Basket or in any of the Basket Components. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of any accompanying product supplement.

 

YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES MAY RESULT IN A LOSS — The securities do not guarantee any return of your principal amount. You could lose up to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. If the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level, you will lose 1% of your principal for each 1% decline in the level of the Basket from the Initial Basket Level to the Final Basket 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.

 

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 Basket. 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.

 

THE PROBABILITY THAT THE FINAL BASKET LEVEL WILL BE LESS THAN THE INITIAL BASKET LEVEL WILL DEPEND ON THE VOLATILITY OF THE BASKET COMPONENTS — “Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the levels of the Basket Components. The greater the expected volatility with respect to the Basket Components on the Trade Date, the higher the expectation as of the Trade Date that the Final Basket Level could be less than the Initial Basket Level, indicating a higher expected risk of loss on the securities. The terms of the securities are set, in part, based on expectations about the volatility of the Basket Components as of the Trade Date. The volatility of the Basket can change significantly over the term of the securities. The levels of the Basket Components could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Basket Components and the potential to lose a significant amount of your principal at maturity.

 

LIMITED APPRECIATION POTENTIAL — If the Final Basket Level is greater than the Initial Basket Level, for each $1,000 principal amount of securities, you will receive at maturity $1,000 multiplied by the sum of one plus the Basket Return, which will equal the lesser of (i) the Maximum Return and (ii) the product of the Upside Participation Rate and the percentage change of the Basket from the Initial Basket Level to the Final Basket Level. The Basket Return will not exceed the Maximum Return, regardless of the appreciation in the level of the Basket, which may be significant. Accordingly, the maximum Redemption Amount of the securities at maturity for each $1,000 principal amount of securities is $1,000 multiplied by the sum of one plus the Maximum Return.

 

4 

 

CHANGES IN THE VALUES OF THE BASKET COMPONENTS MAY OFFSET EACH OTHER — Movements in the level of the Basket Components may not correlate with each other. At a time when the value of one or more of the Basket Components increases, the level of one or more of the other Basket Components may not increase as much or may even decline. Therefore, in calculating the Basket Return, increases in the level of one or more of the Basket Components may be moderated, or more than offset, by lesser increases or declines in the level of the other Basket Components.

 

THERE ARE IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SONY CORPORATION ADSs AND THE RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF THE COMMON STOCK OF SONY CORPORATION — Because the securities are linked to the performance of the Sony Corporation ADSs, each representing one share of common stock of Sony Corporation (which we refer to as “Sony Corporation Underlying Stock”), you should be aware that your securities are linked to the levels of the Sony Corporation ADSs and not the Sony Corporation Underlying Stock. There are important differences between the rights of holders of Sony Corporation ADSs and holders of the Sony Corporation Underlying Stock. The Sony Corporation ADS is a security evidenced by American Depositary Receipts that represents the Sony Corporation Underlying Stock. The Sony Corporation ADSs are issued under a deposit agreement which sets forth the rights and responsibilities of the applicable Reference Share Issuer or, as applicable, the ADS depositary and holders of the Sony Corporation ADSs. The rights of holders of the Sony Corporation ADSs may be different from the rights of holders of the Sony Corporation Underlying Stock. Any such differences between the rights of holders of the Sony Corporation ADSs and holders of the Sony Corporation Underlying Stock may be significant and may materially and adversely affect the value of the securities. For example, Sony Corporation may make distributions in respect of the Sony Corporation Underlying Stock that are not passed on to the holders of the Sony Corporation ADSs.

 

FOREIGN COMPANY RISK — The Sony Corporation Underlying Stock is issued by a foreign company. 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. Foreign companies may be subject to different political, market, economic, regulatory and other risks than those applicable to domestic companies, 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 performance of the Underlying and the value of the securities.

 

NO AFFILIATION WITH THE REFERENCE SHARE ISSUERS — We are not affiliated with the Reference Share Issuers. You should make your own investigation into the Basket Components and the Reference Share Issuers. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor our affiliates have participated in the preparation of any publicly available documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Reference Share Issuers.

 

HEDGING AND TRADING ACTIVITY — We or any of our affiliates may carry out hedging activities related to the securities, including in the Basket Components or instruments related to the Basket Components. We or our affiliates may also trade in the Basket Components or instruments related to the Basket Components from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities as of 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).


 

5 

 

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.

 

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

 

6 

 

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 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. We and/or our affiliates may also currently or from time to time engage in business with the Reference Share Issuers, including extending loans to, or making equity investments in, the Reference Share Issuers or providing advisory services to the Reference Share Issuers. In addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports or otherwise express opinions with respect to the Reference Share Issuers and these reports may or may not recommend that investors buy or hold shares of the Basket Components. As a prospective purchaser of the securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of the Reference Share Issuers that in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment in the securities.

 

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 Basket Component, 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:

 

othe expected and actual volatility of the Basket and the Basket Components;

 

othe time to maturity of the securities;

 

othe dividend rate on the Basket Components;

 

ointerest and yield rates in the market generally;

 

oinvestors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;

 

oevents affecting companies engaged in the industries of the Reference Share Issuers;

 

ogeopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the Reference Share Issuers or markets generally and which may affect the levels of the Basket Components; and

 

7 

 

oour 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 BASKET COMPONENTS — Your return on the securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the Basket Components. The return on your investment is not the same as the total return based on the purchase of the Basket Components.

 

NO DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR VOTING RIGHTS — As a holder of the securities, you will not have any ownership interest or rights in the Basket Components, such as voting rights or dividend payments. In addition, the issuer of the Basket Components will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the securities in taking any corporate action that might affect the value of the Basket Components and therefore, the value of the securities.

 

ANTI-DILUTION PROTECTION IS LIMITED — The calculation agent will make anti-dilution adjustments for certain events affecting the Basket Components. However, an adjustment will not be required in response to all events that could affect the Basket Components. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to make an adjustment, or if an adjustment is made but such adjustment does not fully reflect the economics of such event, the value of the securities may be materially and adversely affected. See “Description of the Securities—Adjustments” in the relevant product supplement.

 

THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES ARE UNCLEAR — There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the treatment of the securities as prepaid financial contracts that are treated as “open transactions.” If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment of the securities, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities, including the timing and character of income recognized by U.S. investors and the withholding tax consequences to non-U.S. investors, might be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, future legislation, Treasury regulations or IRS guidance could adversely affect the U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities, possibly retroactively.

 

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 Basket 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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The Basket Components

 

Companies with securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) are required to periodically file certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the Reference Share Issuers pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file numbers provided below.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Apple Inc. designs, manufactures and markets mobile communication and media devices and personal computers, and sells a variety of related software, services, accessories, networking solutions and third-party digital content and applications. The common stock of Apple Inc. is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Apple Inc.’s SEC file number is 001-36743 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Alaska Air Group, Inc. operates two airlines, Alaska and Horizon. The common stock of Alaska Air Group, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Alaska Air Group, Inc.’s SEC file number is 000-08957 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a passenger airline that provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo. The common stock of Delta Air Lines, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Delta Air Lines, Inc.’s SEC file number is 001-05424 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Facebook, Inc. builds products that enable people to connect and share through mobile devices, personal computers and other surfaces. The Class A common stock of Facebook, Inc. is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Facebook, Inc.’s SEC file number is 001-35551 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Healthequity, Inc. operates within technology-enabled services platforms to enable consumers to make healthcare savings and spending decisions. The common stock of Healthequity, Inc. is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Healthequity, Inc.’s SEC file number is 001-36568 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a security and aerospace company principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The common stock of Lockheed Martin Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Lockheed Martin Corporation’s SEC file number is 001-11437 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, MGM Resorts International is a holding company that owns and operates casino, hotel, and entertainment resorts across the United States and in Macau. The common stock of MGM Resorts International is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. MGM Resorts International’s SEC file number is 001-10362 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, The Progressive Corporation is an insurance holding company with insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries and affiliates. The common stock of The Progressive Corporation are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Progressive Corporation’s SEC file number is 001-09518 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Sony Corporation is engaged in the development, design, production, manufacture, offer and sale of various kinds of electronic equipment, recorded music, motion pictures, instruments and devices for consumers in professional and industrial markets. The American Depositary Shares of Sony Corporation are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Sony Corporation’s SEC file number is 001-06439 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Tesla, Inc. is a designer, developer, manufacturer and retailer of electric vehicles and energy generation and storage systems. The common stock of Tesla, Inc. is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Tesla, Inc.’s SEC file number is 001-34756 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

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This pricing supplement relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the Underlyings or other securities of the Reference Share Issuers. We have derived all disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Underlyings and the Reference Share Issuers from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraphs. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor our affiliates have participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Reference Share Issuers.

 

10 

 

Historical Information

 

The following graphs set forth the historical performance of the Basket Components, as well as the Basket as a whole, based on the closing levels of the Basket Components. The graph of the historical Basket performance assumes the Basket Level on November 15, 2019 was 100 and the Component Weightings were as specified on the cover of this pricing supplement. The Basket Component graphs set forth the historical performance of the Basket Components from July 31, 2014 through November 15, 2019. We obtained the historical information below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.

 

You should not take the historical levels of the Basket Components as an indication of future performance of the Basket or the securities. Any historical trend in the levels of the Basket Components during any period set forth below is not an indication that the levels of the Basket Components are more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the securities.

 

For additional information on the Basket Components, see “The Basket Components” herein.

 

The Basket graph sets forth the historical performance of the Basket from July 31, 2014 through November 15, 2019.

 

 

Source: Credit Suisse

 

11 

 

The closing level of the common stock of Apple, Inc. on November 15, 2019 was $ 265.76.

 

 

The closing level of the common stock of Alaska Air Group, Inc. on November 15, 2019 was $70.38.

 

 

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The closing level of the common stock of Delta Air Lines, Inc. on November 12, 2019 was $56.85.

 

 

The closing level of the Class A common stock of Facebook, Inc. on November 15, 2019 was $195.10.

 

 

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The closing level of the common stock of Healthequity, Inc. on November 15, 2019 was $63.80.

 

 

The closing level of the common stock of Lockheed Martin Corporation on November 15, 2019 was $393.55.

 

 

  

 

14 

 

The closing level of the common stock of MGM Resorts International on November 15, 2019 was $31.18.

 

 

The closing level of the common stock of The Progressive Corporation on November 15, 2019 was $72.90.

 

 

15 

 

The closing level of the Sony Corporation ADSs on November 15, 2019 was $62.06.

 

 

The closing level of the common stock of Tesla, Inc. on November 15, 2019 was $352.17.

 

 

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United States Federal Tax Considerations

 

This discussion supplements and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, supersedes the discussion in the accompanying product supplement under “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

There are no statutory, judicial or administrative authorities that address the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the securities or instruments that are similar to the securities. In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, which is based on current market conditions, a security should be treated as a prepaid financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, there is uncertainty regarding this treatment.

 

Assuming this treatment of the securities is respected and subject to the discussion in “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result:

 

·You should not recognize taxable income over the term of the securities prior to maturity, other than pursuant to a sale or other disposition.

 

·Upon a sale or other disposition (including retirement) of a security, you should recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in the security. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the security for more than one year.

 

We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the treatment of the securities, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the treatment described herein. In particular, the IRS could treat the securities as contingent payment debt instruments, in which case the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities, including the timing and character of income recognized, could be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject of future regulations or other guidance. In addition, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of derivative contracts. Any legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. You should consult your tax advisor regarding possible alternative tax treatments of the securities and potential changes in applicable law.

 

Non-U.S. Holders. Subject to the discussions in the next paragraph and in “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, if you are a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) of the securities, you generally should not be subject to U.S. federal withholding or income tax in respect of any amount paid to you with respect to the securities, provided that (i) income in respect of the securities is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and (ii) you comply with the applicable certification requirements.

 

As discussed under “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Non-U.S. Holders Generally—Substitute Dividend and Dividend Equivalent Payments” in the accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities. Treasury regulations under Section 871(m), as modified by an IRS notice, exclude from their scope financial instruments issued prior to January 1, 2021 that do not have a “delta” of one with respect to any U.S. equity. Based on the terms of the securities and representations provided by us, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be treated as transactions that have a “delta” of one within the meaning of the regulations with respect to any U.S. equity and, therefore, should not be subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m).

 

A determination that the securities are not subject to Section 871(m) is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Moreover, Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances, including whether you enter into other transactions with respect to a U.S. equity to which the securities relate. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the securities.

 

If withholding tax applies to the securities, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.

 

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FATCA.  You should review the section entitled "Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Securities Held Through Foreign Entities" in the accompanying product supplement regarding withholding rules under the “FATCA” regime. The discussion in that section is hereby modified to reflect regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department indicating an intent to eliminate the requirement under FATCA of withholding on gross proceeds of the disposition of affected financial instruments. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization.

 

You should read the section entitled “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement. The preceding discussion, when read in combination with that section, constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of owning and disposing of the securities.

 

You should also consult your tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

 

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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 the Agent 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 $12.50 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. The Agent through whom we distribute securities may enter into arrangements with other institutions with respect to the distribution of the securities, and those institutions may share in the commissions, discounts or other compensation received by the Agent, may be compensated separately and may also receive commissions from purchasers for whom they may act as agents. CSSU will also pay certain institutions or service providers a fee of $2.50 per security on securities not sold to certain fiduciary accounts in consideration for providing education, structuring or other services with respect to the distribution of the securities. In addition, an affiliate of ours will pay referral fees of $1.50 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. The Agent 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, the Agent 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 23, 2019 and filed by Credit Suisse as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K on August 23, 2019. 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 23, 2019, which was filed by Credit Suisse as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K on August 23, 2019. 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