424B2 1 dp145159_424b2-f1328.htm FORM 424B2

 

 

January 2021

Pricing Supplement No. F1328

Registration Statement No. 333-238458-02

Dated January 27, 2021

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022

Redemption Amount Subject to the Coupon Barrier, Buffer Level and Physical Delivery Features 

Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities 

Unlike ordinary debt securities, the Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022 based on the performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc. (the “Underlying”), which we refer to as the securities, do not provide for the regular payment of interest or guarantee the return of any principal at maturity. Instead, the securities offer the opportunity for investors to earn a Contingent Coupon (plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates) but only if the closing level of the Underlying on the applicable Observation Date is greater than or equal to approximately 70% of the Initial Level, which we refer to as the Coupon Barrier Level. If the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on any Observation Date, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon for that Contingent Coupon Payment Date. However, if the closing level of the Underlying is at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on any subsequent Observation Date, investors will receive, in addition to the Contingent Coupon for the related period, any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates. As a result, investors must be willing to accept the risk of not receiving any Contingent Coupons during the entire term of the securities. In addition, if the closing level of the Underlying is greater than or equal to the Initial Level on any Observation Date scheduled to occur on or after February 26, 2021 (other than the Valuation Date), the securities will be automatically redeemed for an amount per security equal to the Principal Amount plus the Contingent Coupon payable on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date and any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates. At maturity, if the securities have not previously been automatically redeemed and the Final Level is greater than or equal to approximately 70% of the Initial Level, which we refer to as the Buffer Level, investors will receive the Principal Amount and, because the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level, the Contingent Coupon payable with respect to the Valuation Date plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates. However, if the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity and the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, at maturity investors will receive a number of shares of the Underlying, or at our option the cash value thereof, that will likely be worth less than the stated principal amount and could be worth nothing. Accordingly, investors may lose up to their entire initial investment in the securities. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the Underlying. These securities are for investors who seek an opportunity to earn interest at a potentially above-market rate in exchange for the risk of losing some or all of their principal, the risk of receiving no Contingent Coupons over the entire term of the securities and the risk of an Automatic Redemption of the securities.

All payments or deliveries on the securities, including the repayment of principal, are subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse.

KEY TERMS
Issuer: Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”), acting through its London branch
Reference Share Issuer: The issuer of the Class Z ordinary shares of Bilibili Inc.
Underlying: For more information on the Underlying, see “Bilibili Inc. Summary” herein. The Underlying is identified in the table below, together with its Bloomberg ticker symbol, Initial Level, Coupon Barrier Level, Buffer Level, and Early Redemption Level:
  Underlying Ticker Initial Level Coupon Barrier Level Buffer Level Early Redemption Level
  American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc., each representing one Class Z ordinary share of Bilibili Inc. (the “Bilibili Inc. ADSs”) BILI UW <Equity> $134.27 $93.99 (Approximately 70% of Initial Level) $93.99 (Approximately 70% of Initial Level) $134.27 (100% of Initial Level)
Aggregate Principal Amount: $10,000,000
Principal Amount: $1,000 per security
Price to Public: $1,000 per security (see “Commissions and Price to Public” below)
Trade Date: January 27, 2021
Strike Date: January 25, 2021
Settlement Date: February 1, 2021 (3 business days after the Trade Date). Delivery of the securities in book-entry form only will be made through The Depository Trust Company.
Listing: The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
  Key Terms continued on the following page

Investing in the securities involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 11 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 any accompanying product supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Commissions and Price to Public Price to Public Underwriting Discounts and Commissions Proceeds to Issuer
Per security $1,000 $1(1)  
    $1(2) $998
Total $10,000,000 $20,000 $9,980,000

(1) We or one of our affiliates will pay to MSSB discounts and commissions of $2 per $1,000 principal amount of securities, of which $1 per $1,000 principal amount of securities will be paid as a structuring fee. For more detailed information, please see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in this pricing supplement.

(2) Reflects a structuring fee payable to MSSB by Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“CSSU”) or one of its affiliates of $1 for each security. The agent for this offering, 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 $987.90 (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

 

 

 

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022

Redemption Amount Subject to the Coupon Barrier, Buffer Level and Physical Delivery Features

Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities

Key Terms continued from previous page:
Valuation Date: January 27, 2022, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.”
Maturity Date: February 1, 2022, 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 or delivery will be made on the first preceding business day.
Distributor: Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“MSSB”).  See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution.”
Calculation Agent: Credit Suisse International
Contingent Coupons:

·

Subject to Automatic Redemption, if, on any Observation Date, the closing level of the Underlying on such date is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level, we will pay a Contingent Coupon at an annual rate of 21.50% (corresponding to $17.9167 per period per security) on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date. If a Contingent Coupon is not paid on any Contingent Coupon Payment Date (because the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level) such previously unpaid Contingent Coupon will be paid on a later Contingent Coupon Payment Date but only if the closing level of the Underlying on such later Observation Date is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level; provided, however, in the case of any such payment of a previously unpaid Contingent Coupon, that no additional interest shall accrue or be payable in respect of such previously unpaid Contingent Coupon from and after the end of the original interest period for such unpaid Contingent Coupon. You will not receive such unpaid Contingent Coupons if the level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on each subsequent Observation Date. If the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on each Observation Date, you will not receive any Contingent Coupons for the entire term of the securities.

·

If, on any Observation Date, the closing level of the Underlying on such date is less than the Coupon Barrier Level, no Contingent Coupon will be paid with respect to that Observation Date. It is possible that the closing level of the Underlying could be below the Coupon Barrier Level on most or all of the Observation Dates throughout the entire term of the securities so that you may receive few or no Contingent Coupons during the entire term of the securities.

Redemption Amount: If the securities have not previously been automatically redeemed, on the Maturity Date investors will receive a Redemption Amount determined as follows:
 

·

If the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Buffer Level:

the Principal Amount and, because the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level, the Contingent Coupon with respect to the Valuation Date plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates.
 

·

If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level:

(i) the Physical Delivery Amount plus a (ii) cash amount in respect of any fractional share, subject to our election to pay cash instead as noted below. In this case, you will be exposed on a leveraged basis to the decline in the Underlying beyond the Buffer Level and the value of the Redemption Amount will be less than the principal amount of securities. You could lose your entire investment.
  Any payment or delivery on the securities is subject to our ability to meet our obligations as they become due.
Physical Delivery Amount: The Physical Delivery Amount per $1,000 principal amount of securities is a number of shares of the Underlying rounded down to the nearest whole number and equal to the product of (i) (a) $1,000 divided by (b) the Buffer Level and (ii) the share adjustment factor. The share adjustment factor is initially set equal to 1.0 on the Trade Date, subject to adjustment as described under “Description of the Securities—Adjustments” in the relevant product supplement. In lieu of any fractional shares in respect of the Physical Delivery Amount we will pay a cash amount equal to such fractional share multiplied by the Final Level. If the fractional share amount to be paid in cash is a de minimis amount, as determined by the calculation agent, the holder will not receive such amount. The Physical Delivery Amount (together with any cash amount paid in lieu of fractional shares) will be determined for each $1,000 principal amount of securities you hold. At our election, you may receive cash instead of the Physical Delivery Amount, in an amount equal to the product of (i) (a) $1,000 divided by (b) the Buffer Level and (ii) the Final Level. If we exercise our option to deliver cash, we will give notice of our election at least one business day before the Valuation Date.
Automatic Redemption: If an Early Redemption Event occurs, the securities will be automatically redeemed and you will receive a cash payment equal to the Principal Amount (the “Automatic Redemption Amount”) and the Contingent Coupon payable on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date (the “Automatic Redemption Date”) plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates. No further payments or deliveries will be made in respect of the securities following an Automatic Redemption.
January 2021Page 2
 

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022

Redemption Amount Subject to the Coupon Barrier, Buffer Level and Physical Delivery Features

Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities

  Payment will be made with respect to such Automatic Redemption on the Contingent Coupon Payment Date immediately following the relevant Observation Date. Any payment or delivery on the securities is subject to our ability to meet our obligations as they become due.
Early Redemption Event: An Early Redemption Event will occur on any Observation Date scheduled to occur on or after February 26, 2021 (other than the Valuation Date) if the closing level of the Underlying on such Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Early Redemption Level.
Early Redemption Level: 100% of the Initial Level, as set forth in the table above.
Coupon Barrier Level: Approximately 70% of the Initial Level, as set forth in the table above.
Buffer Level: Approximately 70% of the Initial Level, as set forth in the table above.
Initial Level: The closing level of the Underlying on the Strike Date, as set forth in the table above.
Final Level: The closing level of the Underlying on the Valuation Date.
Observation Dates: February 26, 2021, March 29, 2021, April 27, 2021, May 27, 2021, June 28, 2021, July 27, 2021, August 27, 2021, September 27, 2021, October 27, 2021, November 29, 2021, December 27, 2021 and the Valuation Date, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” We also refer to the Observation Date immediately prior to the Maturity Date as the Valuation Date.
Contingent Coupon Payment Dates: March 3, 2021, April 1, 2021, April 30, 2021, June 2, 2021, July 1, 2021, July 30, 2021, September 1, 2021, September 30, 2021, November 1, 2021, December 2, 2021, December 30, 2021 and the Maturity Date, subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” If any Contingent Coupon Payment Date is not a business day, the Contingent Coupon, if any, will be payable on the first following business day, unless that business day falls in the next calendar month, in which case payment will be made on the first preceding business day. The amount of any Contingent Coupon will not be adjusted in respect of any postponement of a Contingent Coupon Payment Date and no interest or other payment will be payable on the securities because of any such postponement of a Contingent Coupon Payment Date. No Contingent Coupons will be payable following an Automatic Redemption. Contingent Coupons, if any, will be payable on the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date to the holder of record at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date, provided that the Contingent Coupon payable, if any, on the Automatic Redemption Date or Maturity Date, as applicable, will be payable to the person to whom the Automatic Redemption Amount or Redemption Amount, as applicable, is payable.
Events of Default:

With respect to these securities, the first bullet of the first sentence of “Description of Debt Securities—Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

·

a default in payment of the principal or any premium on any debt security of that series when due, and such default continues for 30 days;

CUSIP / ISIN: 22552X6V0 / US22552X6V04
January 2021Page 3
 

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022

Redemption Amount Subject to the Coupon Barrier, Buffer Level and Physical Delivery Features

Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities

Additional Terms Specific to the Securities

 

You should read this pricing supplement together with the product supplement dated June 18, 2020, the prospectus supplement dated June 18, 2020 and the prospectus dated June 18, 2020, 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. I−A dated June 18, 2020:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010320011953/dp130590_424b2-ps1a.htm

 

Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus dated June 18, 2020:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000110465920074474/tm2019510-8_424b2.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.

 

January 2021Page 4
 

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022

Redemption Amount Subject to the Coupon Barrier, Buffer Level and Physical Delivery Features

Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities

Investment Summary

 

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities

 

Principal at Risk Securities

 

The Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022 based on the performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc., which we refer to as the securities, provide an opportunity for investors to earn a Contingent Coupon at an annual rate of 21.50% (corresponding to $17.9167 per period per security) but only if the closing level of the Underlying on the applicable Observation Date is greater than or equal to approximately 70% of the Initial Level, which we refer to as the Coupon Barrier Level. If the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on any Observation Date, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon for that Contingent Coupon Payment Date. However, if the closing level of the Underlying is at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on any subsequent Observation Date, you will receive, in addition to the Contingent Coupon for the related period, any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates. It is possible that the closing level of the Underlying could be below the Coupon Barrier Level on most or all of the Observation Dates throughout the entire term of the securities so that you may receive few or no Contingent Coupons during the entire term of the securities. In addition, if the closing level of the Underlying is greater than or equal to the Initial Level on any Observation Date scheduled to occur on or after February 26, 2021 (other than the Valuation Date), the securities will be automatically redeemed for an amount per security equal to the Principal Amount plus the Contingent Coupon payable on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates.

 

If the securities have not been previously automatically redeemed and the Final Level is greater than or equal to 70% of the Initial Level, which we refer to as the Buffer Level, the Redemption Amount will be the Principal Amount and, because the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level, the Contingent Coupon with respect to the Valuation Date plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates. However, if the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity and the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, at maturity investors will receive a number of shares of the Underlying, or at our option the cash value thereof, that will likely be worth less than the stated principal amount and could be worth nothing. Investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire principal and also the risk of not receiving any Contingent Coupons. In addition, investors will not participate in any appreciation of the Underlying.

 

Maturity: Approximately one year, unless automatically redeemed earlier
Redemption Amount:

If the securities have not previously been automatically redeemed, investors will receive on the Maturity Date a Redemption Amount determined as follows:

 

If the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Buffer Level, investors will receive the Principal Amount and, because the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level, the Contingent Coupon with respect to the Valuation Date plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates.

 

If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, investors will lose 1.4286% of their Principal Amount for every 1% decline in the level of the Underlying beyond the Buffer Level over the term of the securities, and the Redemption Amount will equal the Physical Delivery Amount plus cash, in lieu of any fractional shares, subject to our election to pay cash. Accordingly, investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire initial investment.

Contingent Coupons:

A Contingent Coupon at an annual rate of 21.50% (corresponding to $17.9167 per period per security) will be paid on the securities on each Contingent Coupon Payment Date but only if the closing level of the Underlying is at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on the immediately preceding Observation Date.

 

If a Contingent Coupon is not paid on any Contingent Coupon Payment Date (because the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level), such unpaid Contingent Coupon will be paid on a later Contingent Coupon Payment Date but only if the closing level of the Underlying on such later Observation Date is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level; provided, however, in the case of any such payment of a previously unpaid Contingent Coupon, that no additional interest shall accrue or be payable in respect of such unpaid Contingent Coupon from and after the end of the original interest period for such unpaid Contingent Coupon. You will not receive such unpaid Contingent Coupon if the closing level of the Underlying on each subsequent Observation Date is less than the Coupon Barrier Level. If the closing level of the Underlying on each Observation Date is less than the

January 2021Page 5
 

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022

Redemption Amount Subject to the Coupon Barrier, Buffer Level and Physical Delivery Features

Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities

  Coupon Barrier Level, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon for the entire term of the securities.
Physical Delivery Amount:

The Physical Delivery Amount per $1,000 Principal Amount of securities is a number of shares of the Underlying rounded down to the nearest whole number and equal to the product of (i) (a) $1,000 divided by (b) the Buffer Level and (ii) the share adjustment factor. The share adjustment factor is initially set equal to 1.0 on the Pricing Date.

 

At our election, you may receive cash instead of the Physical Delivery Amount, in an amount equal to the product of (i) (a) $1,000 divided by the (b) Buffer Level and (ii) the Final Level.

Automatic Redemption:

If an Early Redemption Event occurs, the securities will be automatically redeemed and you will receive a cash payment equal to the Principal Amount and the Contingent Coupon payable on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates. No further payments or deliveries will be made in respect of the securities following an Automatic Redemption. Payment will be made in respect of such Automatic Redemption on the Contingent Coupon Payment Date immediately following the relevant Observation Date.

 

An Early Redemption Event will occur on any Observation Date scheduled to occur on or after February 26, 2021 (other than the Valuation Date) if the closing level of the Underlying on such Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Early Redemption Level.

January 2021Page 6
 

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022

Redemption Amount Subject to the Coupon Barrier, Buffer Level and Physical Delivery Features

Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities

Key Investment Rationale

 

The securities do not guarantee any repayment of principal at maturity and offer investors an opportunity to earn a Contingent Coupon of 21.50% per annum (corresponding to $17.9167 per period per security) (plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates) but only if the closing level of the Underlying on the applicable Observation Date is greater than or equal to approximately 70% of the Initial Level, which we refer to as the Coupon Barrier Level. The securities have been designed for investors who seek an opportunity to earn interest at a potentially above-market rate in exchange for the risk of (i) losing some or all of their principal, (ii) receiving no Contingent Coupon on a Contingent Coupon Payment Date if the closing level of the Underlying is below the Coupon Barrier Level on the immediately preceding Observation Date and (iii) an Automatic Redemption of the securities. The following scenarios are for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate how the Contingent Coupon and the Redemption Amount (if the securities have not previously been automatically redeemed) are calculated, and do not attempt to demonstrate every situation that may occur. Accordingly, the securities may or may not be automatically redeemed, the Contingent Coupon may be payable in none of, or some but not all of, the periods during the term of the securities and the Redemption Amount may be substantially less than the Principal Amount of the securities and may be zero.

 

Scenario 1: The securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity.

This scenario assumes that, prior to automatic redemption, the Underlying closes at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on some but not all Observation Dates. Investors receive the Contingent Coupon (plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates) for the Observation Dates on which the closing level of the Underlying is at or above the Coupon Barrier Level, but not for the Observation Dates on which the closing level of the Underlying is below the Coupon Barrier Level.

 

When the Underlying closes at or above the Early Redemption Level on an Observation Date, the securities will be automatically redeemed for the Principal Amount plus the Contingent Coupon otherwise due with respect to the related Observation Date and any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons with respect to any prior Observation Dates. No further payments or deliveries will be made on the securities once they have been automatically redeemed.

Scenario 2: The securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, and investors receive principal back at maturity. This scenario assumes that the Underlying closes at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on some but not all of the Observation Dates and the Underlying closes below the Early Redemption Level on every Observation Date. Consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed, and investors receive the Contingent Coupon (plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates) for the Observation Dates on which the Underlying closes at or above the Coupon Barrier Level, but not for the Observation Dates on which the Underlying closes below the Coupon Barrier Level. On the Valuation Date, the Underlying closes at or above the Buffer Level. Therefore, at maturity, investors will receive the Principal Amount and, because the Final Level is at or above the Coupon Barrier Level, the Contingent Coupon with respect to the Valuation Date and any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons with respect to the prior Observation Dates.
Scenario 3: The securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, and investors suffer a loss of principal at maturity. This scenario assumes that the Underlying closes at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on some Observation Dates but the Underlying closes below the Coupon Barrier Level on the others, and closes below the Early Redemption Level on every Observation Date. Consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed, and investors receive the Contingent Coupon (plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates) for Observation Dates on which the Underlying closes at or above the Coupon Barrier Level, but not with respect to each Observation Date on which the Underlying closes below the Coupon Barrier Level. On the Valuation Date, the Underlying closes below the Coupon Barrier Level and Buffer Level.  Therefore, investors receive an amount equal to the Physical Delivery Amount plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares, subject to our election to pay cash. Under these circumstances, the Redemption Amount will be less than the Principal Amount and could be zero. No coupon will be paid at maturity in this scenario, and investors will not receive payment for any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons.
January 2021Page 7
 

Auto-Callable Contingent Income Securities due February 1, 2022

Redemption Amount Subject to the Coupon Barrier, Buffer Level and Physical Delivery Features

Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities

Hypothetical Examples

 

The following hypothetical examples are for illustrative purposes only. Whether you receive a Contingent Coupon and whether an Early Redemption Event occurs will be determined on each Observation Date. If the securities are not automatically redeemed, the Redemption Amount will be determined by reference to the Final Level. The actual Initial Level, Coupon Barrier Level, Buffer Level and Early Redemption Level are set forth in “Key Terms” herein. All payments or deliveries on the securities are subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse. The numbers in the hypothetical examples may be rounded for ease of analysis. The below examples are based on the following terms:

 

Hypothetical Initial Level: $142.86
Hypothetical Coupon Barrier Level: $100, which is approximately 70% of the hypothetical Initial Level
Hypothetical Buffer Level: $100, which is approximately 70% of the hypothetical Initial Level
Hypothetical Early Redemption Level: $142.86, which is 100% of the hypothetical Initial Level
Contingent Coupons:

21.50% per annum (corresponding to $17.9167 per period per security)

 

A Contingent Coupon plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons with respect to any prior Observation Dates is paid on each Contingent Coupon Payment Date but only if the closing level of the Underlying is at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on the related Observation Date.

Automatic Redemption: If on any Observation Date scheduled to occur on or after February 26, 2021 (other than the Valuation Date) the closing level of the Underlying is greater than or equal to the Initial Level, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an Automatic Redemption Amount equal to the Principal Amount plus the Contingent Coupon payable on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates.
Redemption Amount (if the securities have not been automatically redeemed):

If the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Buffer Level: the Principal Amount and, because the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level, the Contingent Coupon with respect to the Valuation Date plus any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates.

 

If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level: (i) the Physical Delivery Amount plus a (ii) cash amount in respect of any fractional share, subject to our election to pay cash instead.

Physical Delivery Amount:

A number of shares of the Underlying rounded down to the nearest whole number and equal to the product of (i) (a) $1,000 divided by (b) the Buffer Level and (ii) the share adjustment factor.

 

You may receive cash instead of the Physical Delivery Amount, in an amount equal to the product of (i) (a) $1,000 divided by (b) the Buffer Level and (ii) the Final Level.

Principal Amount: $1,000

 

In Example 1, the securities are automatically redeemed on one of the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates, and no further payments are made on the securities after they have been automatically redeemed. In Examples 2, 3, and 4, the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to, and remain outstanding until, maturity.

 

Example 1 — The closing level of the Underlying is at or above the Early Redemption Level on the third Observation Date, but below the Early Redemption Level on each prior Observation Date, so the securities are automatically redeemed on the Contingent Coupon Payment Date immediately following the third Observation Date. The closing level of the Underlying is also at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on each Observation Date prior to (and excluding) the Observation Date immediately preceding the Automatic Redemption. Therefore, you would receive the Contingent Coupons with respect to those prior Observation Dates, totaling $17.9167 × 2 = $35.8334. The closing level of the Underlying is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level on the Observation Date immediately preceding the Automatic Redemption. Upon Automatic Redemption, investors receive the Automatic Redemption Amount calculated as $1,000 + $17.9167 = $1,017.9167.

 

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The total payment over the 3-month term of the securities is $35.8334 + $1,017.9167 = $1,053.7501.

 

Example 2 — The closing level of the Underlying is below the Early Redemption Level on each Observation Date prior to the Valuation Date, so the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity. The closing level of the Underlying is at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on every Observation Date including the Valuation Date, and the Final Level is above the Initial Level. Therefore, you would receive (i) the Contingent Coupons with respect to each Observation Date prior to (and excluding) the Valuation Date, totaling $17.9167 × 11 = $197.0837 and (ii) the Redemption Amount calculated as $1,000 + $17.9167 = $1,017.9167.

 

The total payment over the 1-year term of the securities is $197.0837 + $1,017.9167 = $1,215.0004.

 

This example illustrates the scenario where you receive a Contingent Coupon on every Contingent Coupon Payment Date throughout the term of the securities and receive your principal back at maturity, resulting in a 21.50% per annum interest rate. Despite the fact that the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level, you will not participate in any appreciation of the Underlying. This is therefore the maximum amount payable over the term of the securities. If the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on the Valuation Date, the effective interest rate on the securities will be less than 21.50% per annum and could be zero. If the securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive no more Contingent Coupons, may be forced to invest in a lower interest rate environment and may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns.

 

Example 3 — The closing level of the Underlying is below the Early Redemption Level on each Observation Date prior to the Valuation Date, so the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity. The closing level of the Underlying is at or above the Coupon Barrier Level on the first two Observation Dates and the closing level of the Underlying is below the Coupon Barrier Level on each remaining Observation Date prior to the Valuation Date. The Final Level is above the Buffer Level and the Coupon Barrier Level on the Valuation Date. In this scenario, you receive a Redemption Amount equal to the Principal Amount and the Contingent Coupon with respect to the Valuation Date plus all previously unpaid Contingent Coupons from prior Observation Dates prior to the Valuation Date. Therefore, you would receive (i) the Contingent Coupons with respect to the first two Observation Dates, totaling $17.9167 × 2 = $35.8334, (ii) the previously unpaid Contingent Coupons, totaling $17.9167 x 9 = $161.2503 and (iii) the Redemption Amount calculated as $1,000 + $17.9167 = $1,017.9167.

 

The total payment over the 1-year term of the securities is $35.8334 + $161.2503 + $1,017.9167 = $1,215.0004

 

This example illustrates the scenario where you receive a Contingent Coupon on the first and second Observation Dates and at maturity you receive your Principal Amount plus the final Contingent Coupon and all prior unpaid coupons, resulting in a 21.50% per annum interest rate over the term of the securities. If the closing level of the Underlying is above the Coupon Barrier Level on the Valuation Date, the effective interest rate on the securities will be 21.50% per annum.

 

If a Contingent Coupon is not paid on any Contingent Coupon Payment Date (because the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on the related Observation Date), such unpaid Contingent Coupon will be paid on a later Contingent Coupon Payment Date but only if the closing level of the Underlying on such later Observation Date is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level; provided, however, in the case of any such payment of a previously unpaid Contingent Coupon, that no additional interest shall accrue or be payable in respect of such previously unpaid Contingent Coupon from and after the end of the original interest period for such previously unpaid Contingent Coupon. You will not receive such unpaid Contingent Coupons if the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on each Observation Date. If the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on each Observation Date, you will not receive any Contingent Coupons for the entire term of the securities.

 

Example 4 — The closing level of the Underlying is below the Early Redemption Level on each Observation Date prior to the Valuation Date, so the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity. The closing level of the Underlying is below the Coupon Barrier Level on all of the Observation Dates, and the Final Level of $57.14 represents a 60% decrease from the Initial Level. In this scenario, you receive a Redemption Amount equal to the Physical Delivery Amount, plus a cash amount in lieu of any fractional shares. Therefore, you would receive no Contingent Coupons and the Redemption Amount which is equal to 10 shares of the Underlying. The value of the Redemption Amount on the Valuation Date is calculated as the product of (a) 10 shares of the Underlying times (b) the Final Level, totaling (10 shares of the Underlying x $57.14) = $571.40.

 

The total payment and delivery over the 1-year term of the securities is $0 + 10 shares of the Underlying.

 

Example 5 — The closing level of the Underlying is below the Early Redemption Level on each Observation Date prior to the Valuation Date, so the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity. The closing level of the Underlying is below

 

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the Coupon Barrier Level on all of the Observation Dates, and the Final Level of $42.86 represents a 70% decrease from the Initial Level. In this scenario, you receive a Redemption Amount equal to the Physical Delivery Amount, plus a cash amount in lieu of any fractional shares. Therefore, you would receive no Contingent Coupons and the Redemption Amount which is equal to 10 shares of the Underlying. The value of the Redemption Amount on the Valuation Date is calculated as the product of (a) 10 shares of the Underlying times (b) the Final Level, totaling (10 shares of the Underlying x $42.86) = $428.60.

 

The total payment and delivery over the 1-year term of the securities is $0 + 10 shares of the Underlying.

 

A comparison of Examples 4 and 5 illustrates the diminishing benefit of the effective buffer as the level of the Underlying decreases.

 

If the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, you will lose some or all of your investment in the securities.

 

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Selected Risk Considerations

 

This section describes the material risks relating to the securities. For a complete list of risk factors, please see any accompanying product supplement, prospectus and prospectus supplement. Investors should consult their financial and legal advisers as to the risks entailed by an investment in the securities and the appropriateness of the securities in light of their particular circumstances.

 

Risks Relating to the Securities Generally

 

§The securities do not guarantee the return of any principal. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that the securities do not provide for the regular payment of interest or guarantee the return of any principal at maturity. Instead, if the securities have not automatically been redeemed prior to maturity and the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, you will lose 1.4286% of the Principal Amount for every 1% of the Initial Level that the Underlying declines over the term of the securities beyond the Buffer Level, and the Redemption Amount will equal the Physical Delivery Amount plus cash, in lieu of any fractional shares, subject to our election to pay cash. In this scenario, the value of any such payment or delivery will be less than the Principal Amount of the securities and could be zero. You may lose up to your entire initial investment in the securities. Any payment or delivery on the securities is subject to our ability to meet our obligations as they become due.

 

§Regardless of the amount of any payment or delivery you receive on the securities, your actual yield may be different in real value terms. Inflation may cause the real value of any payment or delivery 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 will not pay more than the Principal Amount plus Contingent Coupons, if any. The securities will not pay more than the Principal Amount plus Contingent Coupons, if any, and all prior unpaid contingent coupons that have not been paid because the closing level of the Underlying was less than the Coupon Barrier Level on the Observation Dates related to such unpaid contingent coupons, if any, regardless of the performance of the Underlying. Even if the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level, you will not participate in the appreciation of the Underlying. Therefore, the maximum amount payable with respect to the securities (excluding Contingent Coupons, if any) is the Principal Amount of the securities. This payment will not be increased to include reimbursement for any discounts or commissions and hedging and other transaction costs, even upon an Automatic Redemption.

 

§The securities do not provide regular fixed interest payments. Unlike conventional debt securities, the securities do not provide for regular fixed interest payments. You will receive a Contingent Coupon with respect to a Contingent Coupon Payment Date but only if the closing level of the Underlying on the related Observation Date is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier Level. If the closing level of the Underlying is lower than the Coupon Barrier Level on the relevant Observation Date, we will pay no coupon on the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date. However, if a Contingent Coupon is not paid on any Contingent Coupon Payment Date because the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on the related Observation Date, such unpaid Contingent Coupon will be paid on a later Contingent Coupon Payment Date but only if the closing level of the Underlying on such later Observation Date is greater than or equal to the Contingent Coupon Barrier Level. Therefore, you will not receive such unpaid Contingent Coupon if the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Contingent Coupon Barrier Level on each subsequent Observation Date. It is possible that the closing level of the Underlying will be less than the Coupon Barrier Level on most or all of the Observation Dates throughout the entire term of the securities so that you will receive few or no Contingent Coupons. Thus, the securities are not a suitable investment for investors who require regular fixed income payments, since the number of Contingent Coupons is variable and may be zero.

 

In addition, if rates generally increase over the term of the securities, it is more likely that the Contingent Coupon, if any, could be less than the yield one might receive based on market rates at that time. This would have the further effect of decreasing the value of your securities both nominally in terms of below-market coupons and in real value terms. Furthermore, it is possible that you will not receive some or all of the Contingent Coupons over the term of the securities, and still lose your Principal Amount. Even if you do receive some or all of your Principal Amount at maturity, you will not be compensated for the time value of money. These securities are not short-term investments, so you should carefully consider these risks before investing.

 

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§Contingent Coupons, if any, are paid on a periodic basis and are based solely on the closing level of the Underlying on the specified Observation Dates. Whether the Contingent Coupon will be paid with respect to an Observation Date will be based on the closing level of the Underlying on such date. As a result, you will not know whether you will receive the Contingent Coupon until near the end of the relevant period. Moreover, because the Contingent Coupon is based solely on the closing level of the Underlying on a specific Observation Date, if the closing level of the Underlying is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on an Observation Date, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon with respect to such Observation Date, even if the closing level of the Underlying was higher on other days during the relevant period.

 

§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 the 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 the closing level of the Underlying could be less than the (i) Coupon Barrier Level on any Observation Date or (ii) Buffer Level on the Valuation Date, indicating a higher expected risk of loss on the securities. This greater expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher Contingent Coupon than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity, or in more favorable terms (such as lower Coupon Barrier Levels or Buffer Levels) than for similar securities linked to the performance of an underlying with a lower expected volatility as of the Trade Date. You should therefore understand that a relatively higher Contingent Coupon may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, relatively lower Coupon Barrier Levels or Buffer Levels may not necessarily indicate that you will receive a Contingent Coupon on any Contingent Coupon Payment Date or that the securities have a greater likelihood of a return of principal at maturity. The volatility of the Underlying can change significantly over the term of the securities. The level of the Underlying for your securities could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Underlying and the potential to lose a significant amount of your principal at maturity.

 

§The securities are subject to a potential Automatic Redemption, which exposes you to reinvestment risk. The securities are subject to a potential Automatic Redemption. If the securities are automatically redeemed prior to the Maturity Date, you may be unable to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that provide you with the opportunity to be paid the same coupons as the securities.

 

§The securities are subject to a potential Automatic Redemption, which would limit your opportunity to be paid Contingent Coupons over the full term of the securities. The securities are subject to a potential Automatic Redemption. If an Early Redemption Event occurs, the securities will be automatically redeemed and you will receive a cash payment equal to the Principal Amount of the securities you hold, the Contingent Coupon payable on the immediately following Contingent Coupon Payment Date and all prior unpaid Contingent Coupons that have not been paid because the closing level of the Underlying was less than the Coupon Barrier Level on the Observation Dates related to such unpaid Contingent Coupons, if any, and no further payments or deliveries will be made with respect to the securities. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to continue to be paid Contingent Coupons from the Automatic Redemption Date to the scheduled Maturity Date.

 

§The value of the Physical Delivery Amount could be less on the Maturity Date than on the Valuation Date. If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, you will receive on the Maturity Date the Physical Delivery Amount, which will consist of a whole number of shares of the Underlying plus an amount in cash corresponding to any fractional share, subject to our election to pay cash instead. The value of the Physical Delivery Amount on the Valuation Date will be less than the Principal Amount of the securities and could fluctuate, possibly decreasing, in the period between the Valuation Date and the Maturity Date. We will make no adjustments to the Physical Delivery Amount to account for any such fluctuation and you will bear the risk of any decrease in the value of the Physical Delivery Amount between the Valuation Date and the Maturity Date. If the Physical Delivery Amount is less than one share, the Payment at Maturity will be paid in cash.

 

§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 described in “United States Federal Tax Considerations” below. If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment, the tax consequences of 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.

 

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Risks Relating to the Underlying

 

§No affiliation with the Reference Share Issuer. We are not affiliated with the Reference Share Issuer. You should make your own investigation into the Underlying and the Reference Share Issuer. 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 Issuer.

 

§There are important differences between the rights of holders of Bilibili Inc. ADSs and the rights of holders of the Class Z ordinary shares of Bilibili Inc. Because the securities are linked to the performance of Bilibili Inc. ADSs, each representing one Class Z ordinary share of Bilibili Inc. (which we refer to as “Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock”), you should be aware that your securities are linked to the levels of Bilibili Inc. ADSs and not the Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock. There are important differences between the rights of holders of Bilibili Inc. ADSs and holders of the Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock. Each Bilibili Inc. ADS is a security evidenced by American Depositary Receipts that represents the Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock. The Bilibili Inc. ADSs are issued under a deposit agreement which sets forth the rights and responsibilities of the Reference Share Issuer, or, as applicable, the relevant ADS Depositary and holders of the Bilibili Inc. ADSs. The rights of holders of the Bilibili Inc. ADSs may be different from the rights of holders of the Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock. Any such differences between the rights of holders of the Bilibili Inc. ADSs and holders of the Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock may be significant and may materially and adversely affect the value of the securities. For example, Bilibili Inc. may make distributions in respect of the Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock that are not passed on to the holders of the Bilibili Inc. ADSs.

 

§Foreign company risk. An investment in the securities is linked to the value of Bilibili Inc. ADSs, which represent interests in the Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock. The Bilibili Inc. 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. The Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock 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 value of the Bilibili Inc. Underlying Stock, and therefore the performance of the Bilibili Inc. ADSs and the value of the securities.

 

§The Bilibili Inc. ADSs have a limited trading history. The Bilibili Inc. ADSs began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 28, 2018 and therefore have a limited historical performance. Past performance should not be considered indicative of future performance.

 

§No ownership rights in the Underlying. Your return on the securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the Underlying. The return on your investment is not the same as the total return based on a purchase of the shares of the Underlying. For example, as a holder of the securities, you will not have any ownership interest or rights in the Underlying, such as voting rights or dividend payments. In addition, the issuer of the Underlying 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 Underlying 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 Underlying. However, an adjustment will not be required in response to all events that could affect the Underlying. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to make an adjustment, or if an adjustment is made but such adjustment does not fully reflect the economics of such event, the value of the securities may be materially and adversely affected. See “Description of the Securities—Adjustments” in the relevant product supplement.

 

Risks Relating to the Issuer

 

§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.

 

§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

 

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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.

 

Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest

 

§Hedging and trading activity. We, any dealer, or any of our or their respective affiliates may carry out hedging activities related to the securities, including in the Underlying or instruments related to the Underlying. We, any dealer, or our or their respective affiliates may also trade in the Underlying or 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 or delivery to you at maturity.

 

§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. For instance, as calculation agent, Credit Suisse International will determine the Initial Level, the Coupon Barrier Level, the Buffer Level and the Early Redemption Level, whether you receive a Contingent Coupon on each Contingent Coupon Payment Date and the Redemption Amount, if any. Moreover, certain determinations made by Credit Suisse International, in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and the selection of a successor underlying or calculation of the closing level in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the Underlying. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity, if any. In addition, hedging activities by us or our affiliates on or prior to the Trade Date could potentially increase the Initial Level, and therefore, could increase the Coupon Barrier Level, which is the level at or above which the Underlying must close in order for you to receive a Contingent Coupon, and the Buffer Level, which is the level at or above which the Underlying must close on the Valuation Date so that you are not exposed to the negative performance of the Underlying. 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 Issuer, including extending loans to, or making equity investments in, the Reference Share Issuer or providing advisory services to the Reference Share Issuer. In addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports or otherwise express opinions with respect to the Reference Share Issuer and these reports may or may not recommend that investors buy or hold shares of the Underlying. As a prospective purchaser of the securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of the Reference Share Issuer that in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment in the securities.

 

Risks Relating to the Estimated Value and Secondary Market Prices of 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 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 Underlying;

 

o       interest and yield rates in the market generally;

 

o       investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;

 

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o       events affecting companies engaged in the industry of the Reference Share Issuer;

 

o       geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory, judicial or other events that affect the Reference Share Issuer 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.

 

§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 proprietary pricing models dependent on inputs such as volatility, correlation, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors, including assumptions about future market events and/or environments. These inputs may be market-observable or may be based on assumptions made by us in our discretionary judgment. 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 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, the related inputs and other factors, including our internal funding rate, customary bid and ask spreads and other transaction costs, changes in market conditions and deterioration or improvement in our creditworthiness. In circumstances where our internal funding rate is higher than our secondary market credit spreads, our secondary market bid for your securities could be less favorable than what other dealers might bid because, assuming all else equal, we use the higher internal funding rate to price the securities and other dealers might use the lower 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

 

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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, which may include discounts and commissions 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.

 

§Lack of liquidity. The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Credit Suisse (or its affiliates) intends to offer to purchase the securities in the secondary market but is not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the securities when you wish to do so. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which Credit Suisse (or its affiliates) is willing to buy the securities. If you have to sell your securities prior to maturity, you may not be able to do so or you may have to sell them at a substantial loss.

 

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Principal at Risk Securities

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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Based on the Performance of the American Depositary Shares of Bilibili Inc.

Principal at Risk Securities

Bilibili Inc. Summary

 

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 Issuer pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number provided below.

 

According to its publicly available filings with the SEC, Bilibili Inc. is an interactive, online entertainment platform that offers videos, live broadcasts, pictures, blogs and mobile games. The Bilibili Inc. ADSs, each representing one Class Z ordinary share of Bilibili Inc., are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Bilibili Inc.’s SEC file number is 001-38429 and can be accessed through www.sec.gov.

 

This pricing supplement relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the Underlying or other securities of the Reference Share Issuer. We have derived all disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Underlying and the Reference Share Issuer from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph. 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 Issuer.

 

Information as of market close on January 25, 2021:

 

Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: BILI UW <Equity>
Current Closing Level: $134.27
52 Weeks Ago (on 1/27/2020): $22.30
52 Week High (on 1/25/2021): $134.27
52 Week Low (on 3/20/2020): $20.19
   

For additional historical information, see “Bilibili Inc. ADSs Historical Performance” below.

 

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Bilibili Inc. ADSs Historical Performance

 

The following graph sets forth the daily closing levels of the Underlying for the period from March 28, 2018 through January 25, 2021. The related table sets forth the published high and low closing levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of the Underlying for each quarter in the same period. The closing level on January 25, 2021 was $134.27. We obtained the information in the table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical values of the Underlying should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the level of the Underlying on any Observation Date. The graph below may have been adjusted to reflect certain corporate actions such as stock splits and reverse stock splits.

 

Bilibili Inc. ADSs Daily Closing Levels

March 28, 2018 to January 25, 2021

* The solid red line in the graph indicates the Coupon Barrier Level and Buffer Level.

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Bilibili Inc. ADSs High Low Period End
2018      
First Quarter (beginning March 28, 2018) $11.24 $11.00 $11.00
Second Quarter $21.28 $9.99 $13.99
Third Quarter $14.43 $10.27 $13.48
Fourth Quarter $16.14 $11.99 $14.59
2019      
First Quarter $20.26 $12.95 $18.95
Second Quarter $18.80 $13.48 $16.27
Third Quarter $16.74 $13.53 $14.12
Fourth Quarter $18.62 $13.44 $18.62
2020      
First Quarter $28.69 $20.19 $23.42
Second Quarter $46.32 $24.06 $46.32
Third Quarter $52.25 $40.10 $41.60
Fourth Quarter $94.35 $41.80 $85.72
2021      
First Quarter (through January 25, 2021) $134.27 $94.74 $134.27
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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 “United States Federal Tax Considerations.”

 

Due to the lack of any controlling legal authority, there is substantial uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities. In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, it is reasonable under current law to treat the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes as prepaid financial contracts with associated coupons that will be treated as gross income to you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. However, our counsel has advised us that it is unable to conclude affirmatively that this treatment is more likely than not to be upheld, and that alternative treatments are possible that could materially affect the timing and character of income or loss you recognize on the securities.

 

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

 

·Any coupons paid on the securities should be taxable as ordinary income to you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

·Upon a sale or other disposition (including retirement for cash) 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. For this purpose, the amount realized does not include any coupon paid on retirement and may not include sale proceeds attributable to an accrued coupon, which may be treated as a coupon payment. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the security for more than one year.

 

·If you receive the underlying shares (and cash in lieu of any fractional shares) at maturity, you should not recognize gain or loss with respect to the underlying shares received. Instead, you should have an aggregate tax basis in the underlying shares received (including any fractional shares deemed received) equal to your tax basis in the securities. Your holding period for any underlying shares received should start on the day after receipt. With respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional share, you should recognize capital loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received in lieu of the fractional share and the portion of your tax basis in the securities that is allocable to the fractional share.

 

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 securities might be determined to be 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, might 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.

 

This discussion does not address the U.S. federal tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of the underlying shares that you may receive at maturity. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the underlying shares.

 

Non-U.S. Holders. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the coupons is unclear. Subject to the discussion below and in the accompanying product supplement under “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” and “United States Federal Tax Considerations—FATCA,” we currently do not intend to treat coupons paid to a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) of the securities as subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements. However, it is possible that the IRS could assert that such payments are subject to U.S. withholding tax, or that we or another withholding agent may otherwise determine that withholding is required, in which case we or the other withholding agent may withhold at a rate of up to 30% on such payments.

 

Moreover, as discussed under “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Dividend Equivalents under Section 871(m) of the Code” in the accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m) of the Internal

 

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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, 2023 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 your other transactions. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the securities.

 

We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to U.S. federal withholding taxes.

 

You should read the section entitled “United States Federal 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

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in a distribution agreement dated May 7, 2007, as amended, which we refer to as the distribution agreement, we have agreed to sell the securities to CSSU. The distribution agreement provides that CSSU is obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased.

 

CSSU will offer the securities at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement and will receive discounts and commissions of $2 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. MSSB and its financial advisors will collectively receive from CSSU discounts and commissions of $2 for each security they sell, of which $1 per $1,000 principal amount of securities reflects a structuring fee. CSSU may re-allow some or all of the discount on the principal amount per security on sales of such securities by other brokers or dealers. If all of the securities are not sold at the initial offering price, CSSU may change the public offering price and other selling terms.

 

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) concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith) and (iii) possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, 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 January 8, 2021 and filed by Credit Suisse as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K on January 8, 2021. 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 January 8, 2021, which was filed by Credit Suisse as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K on January 8, 2021. 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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