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Term Sheet No. G12
To the Underlying Supplement dated September 14, 2009,
Product Supplement No. G-I dated March 25, 2009,
Prospectus Supplement dated March 25, 2009 and
Prospectus dated March 25, 2009
  Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-158199-10
September 30, 2009

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$                
Principal Protected ProNotes® due October 30, 2014
Linked to the Performance of a Basket Consisting of the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index, the FTSE 100 Index and the Nikkei 225 Index

General


The securities are 100% principal protected at maturity, subject to the credit of the Issuer, and are designed for investors who seek a return linked to the average annual performance of a basket of international indices consisting of the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index, the FTSE 100 Index and the Nikkei 225 Index. Investors should be willing to forgo interest and dividend payments.

Senior unsecured obligations of Credit Suisse, acting through its Nassau Branch, maturing October 30, 2014.†.

Minimum purchase of $1,000. Minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples in excess thereof.

The securities are expected to price on or about October 27, 2009 (the "Trade Date") and are expected to settle on or about October 30, 2009. Delivery of the securities in book-entry form only will be made through The Depository Trust Company.

Key Terms

Issuer:   Credit Suisse, acting through its Nassau Branch

Basket:

 

The securities are linked to a weighted basket consisting of the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index, the FTSE 100 Index and the Nikkei 225 Index (each a "Basket Component," and together, the "Basket Components"). Each Basket Component is identified in the table below, together with its Initial Level and Component Weighting:

 

 

Basket Component 

 

Ticker
 

 

Initial Level*
 

 

Component Weighting
 

 

 

Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index

 

SX5E <EQUITY>

 

 

 

1/3

 

 

FTSE 100 Index

 

UKX <EQUITY>

 

 

 

1/3

 

 

Nikkei 225 Index

 

NKY <EQUITY>

 

 

 

1/3

 

 

*

 

The Initial Level of each Basket Component will be the closing level of such Basket Component on the Trade Date.

Component Return:

 

With respect to each Basket Component, the Component Return on any Valuation Date will be calculated as follows using the Final Level on such Valuation Date and the Initial Level:

 

 

Final Level – Initial Level
Initial Level

Final Level:

 

For each Basket Component on each Valuation Date, the closing level of such Basket Component on such Valuation Date.

Redemption Amount:

 

At maturity, you will be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount in cash that will equal the principal amount of the securities you hold multiplied by the sum of 1 plus the Basket Return, calculated as set forth below.

Basket Return:

 


 

If the Final Basket Level is greater than the Initial Basket Level, the Basket Return will be calculated as follows:

 

 

Final Basket Level – Initial Basket Level
Initial Basket Level

 

 


 

If the Final Basket Level is less than or equal to the Initial Basket Level, the Basket Return will equal zero.

 

 

Accordingly, if the Final Basket Level is less than or equal to the Initial Basket Level, you will be entitled to receive only your principal amount at maturity. Any payment at maturity is subject to the credit of the Issuer.

Initial Basket Level:

 

Set equal to 100 on the Trade Date.

Final Basket Level:

 

The arithmetic average of the Basket Levels on the Valuation Dates.

Basket Level:

 

On any Valuation Date, the level of the Basket calculated as follows:

 

 

100 × [1 + (SX5E Return × 1/3) + (UKX Return × 1/3) +  (NKY Return × 1/3)]

 

 

where the SX5E Return, the UKX Return and the NKY Return are the Component Returns of the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index, the FTSE 100 Index and the Nikkei 225 Index, respectively, on such Valuation Date.

Valuation Dates†:

 

The 27th day of each October beginning on October 27, 2010 and ending on October 27, 2014.

Maturity Date†:

 

October 30, 2014

Listing:

 

The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

CUSIP:

 

22546EMR2

†    Subject to postponement in the event of a market disruption event or if a scheduled Valuation Date does not fall on an underlying business day, as described under "Description of the Securities—Market disruption events" and "Description of the Securities—Redemption Amount", respectively, in the accompanying product supplement.

Investing in the securities involves a number of risks. See "Selected Risk Considerations" beginning on page 4 of this term sheet and "Risk Factors" beginning on page PS-2 of the accompanying product supplement.

Credit Suisse has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and the other documents relating to this offering that Credit Suisse has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Credit Suisse and this offering. You may obtain these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Credit Suisse or any agent or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you this term sheet, underlying supplement, product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus if you so request by calling 1-800-221-1037.

You may revoke your offer to purchase the securities at any time prior to the time at which we accept such offer on the date the securities are priced. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase the securities prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the securities, we will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.

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 term sheet or the accompanying underlying supplement, the product supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

Price to Public


 

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1)


 

Proceeds to Issuer

 

Per security

  $1,000.00   $                  $               
 

Total

  $                   $                   $                
 

(1) We or one of our affiliates may pay discounts and commissions of between 3.00% and 3.25% per $1,000 principal amount of securities in connection with the securities. For more detailed information, please see "Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" on the last page of this term sheet.

The agent for this offering, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC ("CSSU"), is our affiliate. For more information, see "Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" on the last page of this term sheet.

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. In addition, the securities are not guaranteed under the FDIC's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.

Credit Suisse

September 30, 2009


Additional Terms Specific to the Securities

You should read this term sheet together with the underlying supplement dated September 14, 2009, the product supplement dated March 25, 2009, the prospectus supplement dated March 25, 2009 and the prospectus dated March 25, 2009, relating to our Medium-Term Notes of which these securities are a part. You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):

    Underlying supplement dated September 14, 2009:

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1053092. As used in this term sheet, the "Company," "we," "us," or "our" refers to Credit Suisse.

This term sheet, together with the documents listed above, contains the terms of the securities and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, fact sheets, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in "Selected Risk Considerations" in this term sheet and "Risk Factors" in the accompanying product supplement, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. You should consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before deciding to invest in the securities.

1


Hypothetical Redemption Amounts at Maturity for Each $1,000 Principal Amount

The table below illustrates the hypothetical Redemption Amounts at maturity for a $1,000 security for a hypothetical range of performance of the Basket from +100% to -100%. The hypothetical Redemption Amounts set forth below assume an Initial Basket Level of 100. The hypothetical Redemption Amounts set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual returns applicable to a purchaser of the securities. The numbers appearing in the table and the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.

Final Basket Level   Percentage Change
in Basket Level
  Basket
Return
  Redemption
Amount
200.00   100.00%   100.00%   $2,000.00
190.00   90.00%   90.00%   $1,900.00
180.00   80.00%   80.00%   $1,800.00
170.00   70.00%   70.00%   $1,700.00
160.00   60.00%   60.00%   $1,600.00
150.00   50.00%   50.00%   $1,500.00
140.00   40.00%   40.00%   $1,400.00
130.00   30.00%   30.00%   $1,300.00
120.00   20.00%   20.00%   $1,200.00
115.00   15.00%   15.00%   $1,150.00
110.00   10.00%   10.00%   $1,100.00
105.00   5.00%   5.00%   $1,050.00
100.00   0.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
95.00   -5.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
90.00   -10.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
85.00   -15.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
80.00   -20.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
70.00   -30.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
60.00   -40.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
50.00   -50.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
40.00   -60.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
30.00   -70.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
20.00   -80.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
10.00   -90.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00
0.00   -100.00%   0.00%   $1,000.00

2


Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity

The following examples illustrate how the Redemption Amounts set forth in the table above are calculated.

Example 1: The Final Basket Level is 130, an increase of 30% from the Initial Basket Level. The Redemption Amount is calculated as follows when the Final Basket Level is greater than the Initial Basket Level:

    Basket Return = [(130 - 100)/100] = 30%
    Redemption Amount = Principal × (1 + Basket Return)
    Redemption Amount = $1,000 × 1.30
    Redemption Amount = $1,300

In this example, at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,300 per $1,000 principal amount of securities based on a return linked to the appreciation in the level of the Basket.

Example 2: The Final Basket Level is 100, equal to the Initial Basket Level. Because the Final Basket Level is equal to the Initial Basket Level, the Basket Return is equal to zero and at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.

Example 3: The Final Basket Level is 70, a decrease of 30% from the Initial Basket Level. Because the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level, the Basket Return is equal to zero and at maturity you would be entitled to receive a Redemption Amount equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of securities even though there has been a decline in the level of the Basket.

3


Selected Risk Considerations

An investment in the securities involves significant risks. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing directly in the Basket Components. These risks are explained in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the accompanying product supplement.

    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 average annual performance of the Basket. If the Final Basket Level is less than the Initial Basket Level, you will receive only your principal amount of securities at maturity, subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. The return on the securities 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 SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE CREDIT RISK OF CREDIT SUISSE – Although the return on the securities will be based on the performance of the Basket, the payment of any amount due on the securities is subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse. Investors are dependant on our ability to pay all amounts due on the securities, and therefore investors are subject to our credit risk. In addition, any decline in our credit ratings, any adverse changes in the market's view of our creditworthiness or any increase in our credit spreads is likely to adversely affect the market value of the securities prior to maturity.

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

    NON-U.S. SECURITIES MARKETS RISKS – The stocks comprising the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index, the FTSE 100 Index and the Nikkei 225 Index are issued by foreign companies in foreign securities markets. These stocks may be more volatile than domestic stocks and may be subject to different political, market, economic, exchange rate, regulatory and other risks which may have a negative impact on the performance of the securities.

    THE FINAL BASKET LEVEL MAY BE LESS THAN THE LEVEL OF THE BASKET AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING THE TERM OF THE SECURITIES – Because the Final Basket Level used to calculate the Basket Return will equal the arithmetic average of Basket Levels on each of the five annual Valuation Dates, the level of the Basket at various times during the term of the securities, including on the final Valuation Date, could be higher than the Final Basket Level. This difference could be particularly large if there is a significant increase in the level of the Basket during the latter portion of the term of the securities or there is significant volatility in the levels of the Basket during the term of the securities. For example, if the level of the Basket initially declines or remains relatively constant and then significantly increases above the Initial Basket Level in the year prior to maturity, the Final Basket Level will be significantly lower than the actual closing level of the Basket on the final Valuation Date. This is because the Final Basket Level will be based on the levels of the Basket on each of the annual Valuation Dates. Similarly, if the level of the Basket steadily increases and then steadily decreases back to its initial level by the final Valuation Date, the Final Basket Level will be significantly less than the level of the Basket at its peak. An increase in the level of the Basket compared to the Initial Basket Level on one or more Valuation Dates, including the final Valuation Date, may be substantially or entirely offset by a decrease in the level of the Basket on one or more other Valuation Dates.

4


    CERTAIN BUILT-IN COSTS ARE LIKELY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE SECURITIES PRIOR TO MATURITY – While the payment at maturity described in this term sheet is based on the full principal amount of your securities, the original issue price of the securities includes the agent's commission and the cost of hedging our obligations under the securities through one or more of our affiliates. As a result, the price, if any, at which Credit Suisse (or its affiliates), will be willing to purchase securities from you in secondary market transactions, if at all, will likely be lower than the original issue price, and any sale prior to the Maturity Date could result in a substantial loss to you. The securities are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your securities to maturity.

    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 easily. 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 hedging our obligations under the securities. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities.

    MANY ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS WILL IMPACT THE VALUE OF THE SECURITIES – In addition to the level of the Basket on any day, the value of the securities will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, including:

      o
      the time to maturity of the securities;

      o
      the expected volatility of the Basket Components

      o
      interest and yield rates in the market generally as well as in the United States and in each of the countries where the Basket Components are traded;

      o
      geopolitical conditions and a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the stocks comprising the Basket Components or stock markets generally and which may affect the levels of the Basket Components; 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.

5


Use of Proceeds and Hedging

We intend to use the proceeds of this offering for our general corporate purposes, which may include the refinancing of existing debt outside Switzerland. Some or all of the proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities may be used in connection with hedging our obligations under the securities through one or more of our affiliates. Such hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Trade Date and during the term of the securities (including on the Valuation Date) could adversely affect the value of the Basket and, as a result, could decrease the amount you may receive on the securities at maturity. For further information, please refer to "Use of Proceeds and Hedging" in the accompanying product supplement.

6


Historical Information

The following graphs set forth the historical performance of each Basket Component from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2009. The closing level of the SX5E on September 28, 2009 was 2899.12. The closing level of the UKX on September 28, 2009 was 5165.70. The closing level of the NKY on September 28, 2009 was 10009.52. We obtained the closing levels for the Basket Components from Bloomberg, without independent verification. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg.

The historical closing levels of the Basket Components should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing levels of the Basket Components on the Valuation Dates. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Basket Components will result in any return in excess of your initial investment.

For further information on the SX5E, UKX and NKY, see "The Indices—The Dow Jones Indices—The Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index," "The Indices—The FTSE Indices—The FTSE™ 100 Index" and "The Indices—Nikkei 225 Index" in the accompanying underlying supplement.

Historical Performance of the Dow Jones EURO
STOXX 50® Index

GRAPHIC

7


Historical Performance of the FTSE™ 100 Index

GRAPHIC

Historical Performance of the Nikkei 225 Index

GRAPHIC

8


Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of securities that may be relevant to holders of securities that acquire their securities from us as part of the original issuance of the securities. This discussion applies only to holders that hold their securities as capital assets within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and who purchase the securities at the "issue price" of the securities (as described below). Further, this discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your individual circumstances or if you are subject to special rules, such as if you are:

    a financial institution,

    a mutual fund,

    a tax-exempt organization,

    a grantor trust,

    certain U.S. expatriates,

    an insurance company,

    a dealer or trader in securities or foreign currencies,

    a person (including traders in securities) using a mark-to-market method of accounting,

    a person who holds securities as a hedge or as part of a straddle with another position, constructive sale, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction, or

    an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The discussion is based upon the Code, law, regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and foreign laws are not addressed herein. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") has been or will be sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of securities, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS.

You should consult your tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences to you of owning and disposing of securities, including the application of federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax laws based on your particular facts and circumstances.

IRS CIRCULAR 230 REQUIRES THAT WE INFORM YOU THAT ANY TAX STATEMENT HEREIN REGARDING ANY U.S. FEDERAL TAX IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED, BY ANY TAXPAYER FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING ANY PENALTIES. ANY SUCH STATEMENT HEREIN WAS WRITTEN TO SUPPORT THE MARKETING OR PROMOTION OF THE TRANSACTION(S) OR MATTER(S) TO WHICH THE STATEMENT RELATES. A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR (INCLUDING A TAX-EXEMPT INVESTOR) IN THE SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR IN DETERMINING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

9


Characterization of the Securities

We will treat the securities as indebtedness that is subject to the regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments (the "Contingent Debt Obligations") in the manner described below. In the absence of an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary, we and, by acceptance of the securities, you, agree to treat your securities for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization, and the balance of this discussion assumes that the securities will be so treated and does not address any possible differing treatments of the securities. However, no rulings have been sought from the IRS or a court with respect to any of the tax consequences discussed below. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court will agree with the treatment described herein. Any differing treatment could affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or loss in respect of an investment in the securities. Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax treatment of holding the securities.

U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, the term "U.S. Holder," for U.S. federal income tax purposes, means a beneficial owner of securities that is (1) a citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (3) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (4) a trust, if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) such trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of such partnership and a partner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership, or a partner of a partnership, holding securities, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to you from the partnership's purchase, ownership and disposition of the securities.

Under the Contingent Debt Regulations, actual cash payments on the securities, if any, will not be reported separately as taxable income, but will be taken into account under such regulations. As discussed more fully below, the effect of these Contingent Debt Regulations will be to:

    require you, regardless of your usual method of tax accounting, to use the accrual method with respect to the securities;

    require you to accrue original issue discount at the comparable yield (as described below); and

    generally result in ordinary rather than capital treatment of any gain and to some extent loss, on the sale, exchange, repurchase, or redemption of the securities.

You will be required to accrue an amount of original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for each accrual period prior to and including the Maturity Date of the securities, that equals:

    the product of (i) the adjusted issue price (as defined below) of the securities as of the beginning of the accrual period and (ii) the comparable yield to maturity (as defined below) of the securities, adjusted for the length of the accrual period;

    divided by the number of days in the accrual period; and

    multiplied by the number of days during the accrual period that you held the securities.

10


The "issue price" of a security will be the first price at which a substantial amount of the securities is sold to the public, excluding bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers. The adjusted issue price of a security will be its issue price increased by any original issue discount previously accrued, determined without regard to any adjustments to original issue discount accruals described below and decreased by the projected amounts of any payments previously made with respect to the securities (although, as indicated below, no amount is (for federal income tax purposes) projected to be paid prior to the Maturity Date).

Under the Contingent Debt Regulations, you will be required to include original issue discount in income each year, regardless of your usual method of tax accounting, based on the comparable yield of the securities. We have determined the comparable yield of the securities based on the rate, as of the initial issue date, at which we would issue a fixed rate debt instrument with no contingent payments but with terms and conditions similar to the securities. Accordingly, we have determined that the comparable yield is an annual rate of 3.686%, compounded semi-annually.

We are required to furnish to you the comparable yield and solely for tax purposes, a projected payment schedule that estimates the amount and timing of contingent interest payments (generally the redemption amount in excess of par paid upon the Maturity Date). For purposes of this determination—and only for purposes of this determination, which is required for federal income tax purposes—we have assumed that the securities will not be called and will be held until the Maturity Date. Accordingly, the projected payment schedule attached as Exhibit A indicates that you will receive no interest until the Maturity Date, at which time the projected payment amount includes $                          of interest on the aggregate principal amount. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you must use the comparable yield and the schedule of projected payments in determining your original issue discount accruals (and the adjustments thereto described below) in respect of the securities, unless you timely disclose and justify the use of a different comparable yield and projected payment schedule to the IRS.

The comparable yield and the projected payment schedule are provided solely for the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the securities and do not constitute a projection or representation regarding the actual amount of the payments on a security.

If the actual contingent payment received on the Maturity Date differs from the projected payment, adjustments will be made for the difference. If such payment exceeds the projected payment, you will incur a positive adjustment equal to the amount of such excess. Such positive adjustment will be treated as additional original issue discount in such taxable year. If, however, such payment is less than the amount of the projected payment, you will incur a negative adjustment equal to the amount of such deficit. A negative adjustment will:

    first, reduce the amount of original issue discount required to be accrued in the current year;

    second, any negative adjustment that exceeds the amount of original issue discount accrued in the current year will be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of your total prior original issue discount inclusions with respect to the securities; and

    third, any excess negative adjustment will reduce the amount realized on a sale, exchange, or redemption of the securities.

A net negative adjustment is not subject to the two percent floor limitation imposed on miscellaneous itemized deductions under Section 67 of the Code.

11


Upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of a security, you will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between your amount realized and your adjusted tax basis in the security. Any gain on a security generally will be treated as ordinary income. Loss from the disposition of a security will be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of your prior net original issue discount inclusions with respect to the securities. Any loss in excess of that amount will be treated as capital loss, which generally will be long-term if the securities were held for more than one year. The deductibility of net capital losses by individuals and corporations are subject to limitations.

Special rules apply in determining the tax basis of a security. Your basis in a security is generally your original purchase price for the security increased by original issue discount (before taking into account any adjustments) you previously accrued on the securities and reduced by the projected amount of any payments previously scheduled to be made (without regard to the actual amount paid).

Non-U.S. Holders Generally

In the case of a holder of the securities that is not a U.S. Holder and has no connection with the United States other than holding its securities (a "Non-U.S. Holder"), payments made with respect to the securities will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided that such Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements. Any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of the securities by a Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such Non-U.S. Holder or (ii) in the case of an individual, such individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met.

Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis with respect to their investment in the securities should refer to the discussion above relating to U.S. Holders.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders

The securities may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual Non-U.S. Holder holds the securities at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a Non-U.S. Holder domiciled outside the United States includes only property situated in the United States. Individual Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the securities at death.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

A holder of the securities (whether a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder) may be subject to information reporting requirements and to backup withholding with respect to certain amounts paid to such holder unless it provides a correct taxpayer identification number, complies with certain certification procedures establishing that it is not a U.S. Holder or establishes proof of another applicable exemption, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

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Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in a distribution agreement dated May 7, 2007, as amended, which we refer to as the distribution agreement, we have agreed to sell the securities to CSSU.

The distribution agreement provides that CSSU is obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased.

CSSU proposes to offer the securities at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this term sheet and will receive underwriting discounts and commissions of between 3.00% and 3.25% or between $30.00 and $32.50 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. If all of the securities are not sold at the initial offering price, CSSU may change the public offering price and other selling terms.

The agent for this offering, CSSU, is our affiliate. In accordance with NASD Rule 2720, CSSU may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account 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" in the accompanying product supplement.

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