EX-99 2 exhibit991.htm exhibit991 V – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Controls and procedures
103

1 Summary of significant accounting policies
2 Recently issued accounting standards
3 Business developments and subsequent events
4 Segment information
5 Net interest income
6 Commissions and fees
7 Trading revenues
8 Other revenues
9 Provision for credit losses
10 Compensation and benefits
11 General and administrative expenses
12 Restructuring expenses
13 Revenue from contracts with customers
14 Securities borrowed, lent and subject to repurchase agreements
15 Investment securities
16 Other investments
17 Loans
18 Financial instruments measured at amortized cost and credit losses
19 Goodwill
20 Other intangible assets
21 Other assets and other liabilities
22 Leases
23 Deposits
24 Long-term debt
25 Accumulated other comprehensive income
26 Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities
27 Tax
28 Employee deferred compensation
29 Related parties
30 Pension and other post-retirement benefits
31 Derivatives and hedging activities
32 Guarantees and commitments
33 Transfers of financial assets and variable interest entities
34 Financial instruments
35 Assets pledged and collateral
36 Capital adequacy
37 Assets under management
38 Litigation
39 Significant subsidiaries and equity method investments
40 Significant valuation and income recognition differences between US GAAP and Swiss GAAP banking law (true and fair view)
104
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Zurich, Switzerland, PCAOB ID 1358
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and shareholder of Credit Suisse AG
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Credit Suisse AG and its subsidiaries (the “Bank”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Bank as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Bank’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Bank’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Bank in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Bank is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Bank's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Fair Value of Certain Level 3 Financial Instruments
As described in Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank carried CHF 7,481 million of its assets and CHF 6,832 million of its liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis that are categorized as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2023. For these financial instruments, for which no prices are available and which have significant unobservable inputs, the determination of fair value may require the use of either industry standard models or internally developed proprietary models, as well as subjective assessment and judgment, depending on liquidity, pricing assumptions, the current economic and competitive environment and the risks affecting the specific instrument. The significant unobservable inputs used by management to determine the fair value of certain of these level 3 financial instruments included (i) correlation, (ii) market implied life expectancy, in years, (iii) UK mortality, (iv) price, (v) volatility, and (vi) credit spread.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the fair value of certain level 3 financial instruments is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management in determining the fair value of these financial instruments, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence related to the fair value of these financial instruments, and (ii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the fair value of financial instruments, including controls over the Bank’s models, inputs, and data. These procedures also included, among others, for a sample of financial instruments, the involvement of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in (i) developing an independent estimate of fair value or (ii) testing management’s process to determine the fair value of these financial instruments. Developing an independent estimate involved (i) testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management, (ii) evaluating and utilizing management’s significant unobservable inputs or developing independent significant unobservable inputs, and (iii) comparing management’s estimate to the independently developed estimate of fair value. Testing management’s process to determine the fair value involved (i) evaluating the reasonableness of management’s significant unobservable inputs, (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the techniques used, and (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of data used by management to determine the fair value of these instruments.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Certain Collectively Evaluated Corporate and Institutional Loans
As described in Notes 1 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank’s allowance for credit losses on collectively evaluated corporate and institutional loans was CHF 352 million on corporate and institutional loans held at amortized cost of CHF 82,169 million as of December 31, 2023. The credit loss amounts were based on a forward-looking, lifetime current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model by incorporating reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions available at the reporting date. The Bank’s estimation of CECL on certain corporate and institutional loans portfolios considered three future macroeconomic scenarios: a baseline scenario, a mild downside scenario and a severe downside scenario. The estimation and application of forward-looking information required a combination of expert judgment and quantitative analysis. The scenarios were probability-weighted according to management’s best estimate of their relative likelihood based on historical frequency, an assessment of the current business and credit cycles as well as the macroeconomic factor trends.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the allowance for credit losses on certain collectively evaluated corporate and institutional loans is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment and estimation by management in developing future macroeconomic scenarios and related probability weights, (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence obtained, and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s expected credit loss process, including controls over the Bank’s models, data, macroeconomic scenarios and related probability weights. The procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for estimating expected credit losses, which included (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the model methodologies used to determine the allowance for credit losses, (ii) testing the completeness and accuracy of data used in the estimate, (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of certain macroeconomic factors, (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of management’s probability weighting of macroeconomic scenarios, and (v) for a sample, evaluating the reasonableness of management’s model overlays. The procedures included the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the appropriateness of model methodologies and assist in evaluating the audit evidence.
Litigation provisions
As described in Note 38 to the consolidated financial statements, the Bank is involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of its businesses. The Bank’s aggregate litigation provisions include estimates of losses, additional losses or ranges of loss for proceedings for which such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank has recorded litigation provisions of CHF 1,510 million. Management’s estimate of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses that are not covered by existing provisions for which management believes an estimate is possible is zero to CHF 3.2 billion.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the litigation provisions is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment by management when assessing the likelihood of a loss being incurred and when determining whether a reasonable estimate of the loss or ranges of loss for certain matters can be made, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in evaluating management’s assessment of certain litigation provisions and related disclosures.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s estimation of the litigation provisions, including controls over determining whether a loss is probable and whether the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, as well as controls over the related financial statement disclosures. These procedures also included, among others, obtaining and evaluating the letters of audit inquiry with internal and external legal counsel, targeted inquiries with external counsel, evaluating the reasonableness of management’s assessment regarding whether an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible or probable and reasonably estimable, and evaluating the sufficiency of the Bank’s litigation provisions and related disclosures.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers AG
March 28, 2024
We have served as the Bank’s auditor since 2020.
105
106
106-I
[this page intentionally left blank]
106-II
Consolidated financial statements
Consolidated statements of operations
in Note 2023 2022 2021
Consolidated statements of operations (CHF million)  
Interest and dividend income 5 17,043 12,265 9,593
Interest expense 5 (13,632) (6,868) (3,668)
Net interest income 5 3,411 5,397 5,925
Commissions and fees 6 5,356 8,861 13,180
Trading revenues 7 (2,116) (525) 2,371
Other revenues 8 13,239 1,480 1,566
Net revenues  19,890 15,213 23,042
Provision for credit losses  9 1,028 15 4,209
Compensation and benefits 10 7,882 7,689 8,011
General and administrative expenses 11 10,808 9,338 8,581
Commission expenses 693 1,012 1,243
Goodwill impairment 19 2,346 23 976
Restructuring expenses 12 393 467 113
Total other operating expenses 14,240 10,840 10,913
Total operating expenses  22,122 18,529 18,924
Income/(loss) before taxes  (3,260) (3,331) (91)
Income tax expense 27 854 3,973 938
Net income/(loss)  (4,114) (7,304) (1,029)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (73) (31) (100)
Net income/(loss) attributable to shareholders  (4,041) (7,273) (929)
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
in 2023 2022 2021
Comprehensive income/(loss) (CHF million)  
Net income/(loss) (4,114) (7,304) (1,029)
   Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges  651 (1,222) (300)
   Foreign currency translation  (880) (263) 786
   Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities  18 (26) 0
   Actuarial gains/(losses)  (26) (158) 30
   Net prior service credit/(cost)  1 (3) 5
   Gains/(losses) on liabilities related to credit risk  (4,784) 5,956 387
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax (5,020) 4,284 908
Comprehensive income/(loss)  (9,134) (3,020) (121)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (121) (39) (72)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to shareholders  (9,013) (2,981) (49)
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
107
Consolidated balance sheets
end of Note 2023 2022
Assets (CHF million)  
Cash and due from banks 124,966 67,746
   of which reported at fair value  128 198
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  161 229
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 383 387
   of which reported at fair value  0 14
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 14 47,213 58,798
   of which reported at fair value  26,237 40,793
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  1 0
Securities received as collateral, at fair value 2,222 2,978
   of which encumbered  1,888 2,220
Trading assets, at fair value 34 21,727 65,955
   of which encumbered  5,271 21,874
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  1,115 2,588
Investment securities 15 1,421 1,717
   of which reported at fair value  4 796
   of which encumbered  1,248 1,248
Other investments 16 4,017 5,463
   of which reported at fair value  2,368 3,730
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  478 781
Net loans 17 216,741 268,104
   of which reported at fair value  2,458 7,358
   of which encumbered  23 103
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  161 3,410
   allowance for credit losses  (1,680) (1,362)
Goodwill 19 456 2,868
Other intangible assets 20 322 452
   of which reported at fair value  305 403
Brokerage receivables 2,216 13,818
   allowance for credit losses  0 (4,081)
Other assets 21 30,823 41,753
   of which reported at fair value  3,758 8,947
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  1,412 4,594
   of which loans held-for-sale (amortized cost base)  10,937 8,378
   allowance for credit losses - other assets held at amortized cost  (53) (37)
Total assets  452,507 530,039
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
108
Consolidated balance sheets (continued)
end of Note 2023 2022
Liabilities and equity (CHF million)  
Due to banks 23 6,952 11,905
   of which reported at fair value  100 490
Customer deposits 23 203,427 234,554
   of which reported at fair value  1,655 2,464
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions 14 955 20,371
   of which reported at fair value  356 14,133
Obligation to return securities received as collateral, at fair value 2,222 2,978
Trading liabilities, at fair value 34 8,832 18,337
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  3 1,063
Short-term borrowings 47,637 14,489
   of which reported at fair value  4,012 6,783
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  10 3,137
Long-term debt 24 128,484 150,661
   of which reported at fair value  32,874 57,919
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  1,492 2,096
Brokerage payables 1,144 11,442
Other liabilities 21 14,738 16,826
   of which reported at fair value  1,500 2,286
   of which reported from consolidated VIEs  127 189
Total liabilities  414,391 481,563
Common shares 4,400 4,400
Additional paid-in capital 51,232 50,879
Retained earnings 2,062 7,659
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) 25 (20,039) (15,067)
Total shareholders' equity  37,655 47,871
Noncontrolling interests 461 605
Total equity  38,116 48,476
Total liabilities and equity  452,507 530,039
> Refer to “Note 32 – Guarantees and commitments” and “Note 38 – Litigation” for information on commitments and contingencies.
end of 2023 2022
Additional share information  
Par value (CHF) 1.00 1.00
Issued shares 4,399,680,200 4,399,680,200
Shares outstanding 4,399,680,200 4,399,680,200
The Bank's total share capital is fully paid and consists of 4,399,680,200 registered shares as of December 31, 2023. Each share is entitled to one vote. The Bank has no warrants on its own shares outstanding.
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
109
Consolidated statements of changes in equity
   Attributable to shareholders


Common
shares

Additional
paid-in
capital


Retained
earnings



AOCI
Total
share-
holders'
equity

Non-
controlling
interests


Total
equity
2023 (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  4,400 50,879 7,659 (15,067) 47,871 605 48,476
Purchase of subsidiary shares from non- controlling interests, not changing ownership 1, 2 (23) (23)
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests, not changing ownership 2 26 26
Net income/(loss) (4,041) (4,041) (73) (4,114)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax (5) (5) (5)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax (4,972) (4,972) (48) (5,020)
Share-based compensation, net of tax 345 345 345
Dividends on share-based compensation, net of tax 10 10 10
Dividends paid (3) (3)
Changes in scope of consolidation, net (4) (4)
Other (2) (1,551) 3 (1,553) (19) (1,572)
Balance at end of period  4,400 51,232 2,062 (20,039) 37,655 461 38,116
2022 (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  4,400 47,417 14,932 (19,359) 47,390 697 48,087
Purchase of subsidiary shares from non- controlling interests, not changing ownership (64) (64)
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests, not changing ownership 79 79
Net income/(loss) (7,273) (7,273) (31) (7,304)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax 4,292 4,292 (8) 4,284
Share-based compensation, net of tax 195 195 195
Dividends on share-based compensation, net of tax (14) (14) (14)
Dividends paid (570) (570) (1) (571)
Changes in scope of consolidation, net (66) (66)
Other 3,851 3,851 (1) 3,850
Balance at end of period  4,400 50,879 7,659 (15,067) 47,871 605 48,476
1
Distributions to owners in funds include the return of original capital invested and any related dividends.
2
Transactions with and without ownership changes related to fund activity are all displayed under "not changing ownership".
3
Includes a prior cumulative translation adjustments of CHF 1,530 million relating to Credit Suisse AG, Luxembourg Branch. The direct reclassification within equity to retained earnings was the result of the transfer of the operations of Credit Suisse AG, Luxembourg Branch to UBS AG, Zurich, which qualified as a common control transaction.
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
110
Consolidated statements of changes in equity (continued)
   Attributable to shareholders
Common
shares/
participa-
tion secu-
rities


Additional
paid-in
capital



Retained
earnings




AOCI

Total
share-
holders'
equity


Non-
controlling
interests



Total
equity
2021 (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  4,400 46,232 15,871 (20,239) 46,264 795 47,059
Purchase of subsidiary shares from non- controlling interests, not changing ownership (46) (46)
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests, not changing ownership 27 27
Net income/(loss) (929) (929) (100) (1,029)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax 880 880 28 908
Share-based compensation, net of tax 125 125 125
Dividends on share-based compensation, net of tax (9) (9) (9)
Dividends paid (10) (10) (1) (11)
Changes in scope of consolidation, net (3) (3)
Other 1,069 1,069 (3) 1,066
Balance at end of period  4,400 47,417 14,932 (19,359) 47,390 697 48,087
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
111
Consolidated statements of cash flows
in 2023 2022 2021
Operating activities (CHF million)  
Net income/(loss)  (4,114) (7,304) (1,029)
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities (CHF million)   
Impairment, depreciation and amortization 5,520 1,540 2,227
Provision for credit losses 1,028 15 4,209
Deferred tax provision/(benefit) 280 3,772 164
Share-based compensation 431 745 886
Valuation adjustments relating to long-term debt 5,448 (14,434) 1,140
Share of net income/(loss) from equity method investments 132 (109) (181)
Trading assets and liabilities, net 29,229 35,806 27,302
(Increase)/decrease in other assets 18,816 1,750 16,082
Increase/(decrease) in other liabilities (10,393) (7,316) (13,453)
Debt extinguishment (14,113) 0 0
Other, net (250) (106) (454)
Total adjustments 36,128 21,663 37,922
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities  32,014 14,359 36,893
Investing activities (CHF million)  
(Increase)/decrease in interest-bearing deposits with banks (31) 885 (6)
(Increase)/decrease in central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions (2,370) 38,854 (8,895)
Purchase of investment securities (718) (1,230) (630)
Proceeds from sale of investment securities 845 44 0
Maturities of investment securities 33 229 184
Investments in subsidiaries and other investments (165) (286) (2,049)
Proceeds from sale of other investments 464 509 615
(Increase)/decrease in loans 39,114 19,303 (3,935)
Proceeds from sales of loans 5,008 2,754 5,371
Capital expenditures for premises and equipment and other intangible assets (301) (1,254) (1,254)
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment and other intangible assets 0 0 3
Disposal of business 9,236 0 0
Other, net 182 590 457
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities  51,297 60,398 (10,139)
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
112
Consolidated statements of cash flows (continued)
in 2023 2022 2021
Financing activities (CHF million)  
Increase/(decrease) in due to banks and customer deposits (26,496) (166,262) 1,111
Increase/(decrease) in short-term borrowings 33,728 (11,329) 3,437
Increase/(decrease) in central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions (18,570) (7,493) (2,998)
Issuances of long-term debt 32,369 62,694 51,254
Repayments of long-term debt (41,071) (49,644) (52,964)
Dividends paid (3) (571) (11)
Other, net (143) 3,333 350
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities  (20,186) (169,272) 179
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and due from banks (CHF million)  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and due from banks  (5,905) (1,765) (1,114)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and due from banks (CHF million)  
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and due from banks  57,220 (96,280) 25,819
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period 1 67,746 164,026 138,207
Cash and due from banks at end of period 1 124,966 67,746 164,026
1
Includes restricted cash.
Supplemental cash flow information
in 2023 2022 2021
Cash paid for income taxes and interest (CHF million)  
Cash paid for income taxes 512 653 797
Cash paid for interest 13,285 7,566 5,518
> Refer to “Note 3 – Business developments and subsequent events”, “Note 18 – Financial instruments measured at amortized cost and credit losses”, “Note 22 – Leases”, Note 25 – Accumulated other comprehensive income” and “Note 33 – Transfers of financial assets and variable interest entities” for information on non-cash transactions.
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
113
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
1 Summary of significant accounting policies
Overview
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Credit Suisse AG (the Bank) are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US (US GAAP) and are stated in Swiss francs (CHF). The financial year for the Bank ends on December 31. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current presentation which had no impact on net income/(loss) or total shareholders’ equity.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the fair value measurements of certain financial assets and liabilities, the allowance for loan losses, the evaluation of variable interest entities (VIEs), the impairment of assets other than loans, recognition of deferred tax assets, tax uncertainties, pension liabilities and various contingencies. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis, actual results could differ materially from management’s estimates. Market conditions may increase the risk and complexity of the judgments applied in these estimates.
Certain accounting changes
As noted in our 2021 Annual Report, the Bank identified an accounting issue that was not material to the prior period financial statements. The Bank identified this accounting issue with respect to the net balance sheet treatment relating to the presentation of a limited population of certain securities lending and borrowing activities. As a result, balance sheet and cash flow positions for both assets and liabilities relating to these activities were presented on a gross basis and prior periods were revised in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes.
Beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2022, the Bank has presented these securities lending and borrowing transactions as a single unit of account and as a result these transactions will no longer be presented on a gross basis. The Bank did not adjust prior period financial information, which continue to reflect a presentation on a gross basis.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Bank and its subsidiaries. The Bank’s subsidiaries are entities in which it holds, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting rights or where it exercises control. The Bank consolidates limited partnerships in cases where it is the general partner and the limited partners do not have either substantive kick-out rights and/or substantive participating rights or is a limited partner with substantive rights to kick out the general partner or dissolve the partnership and participate in significant decisions made in the ordinary course of business. The Bank also consolidates VIEs if the Bank is the primary beneficiary in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810 – Consolidation. The effects of material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Where a Bank subsidiary is determined to be an investment company as defined by ASC Topic 946 – Financial Services – Investment Companies, interests in other entities held by this Bank subsidiary are not consolidated and are carried at fair value.
Bank entities that qualify as broker-dealer entities as defined by ASC Topic 940 – Financial Services – Brokers and Dealers do not consolidate investments in voting interest entities that would otherwise qualify for consolidation when the investment is held on a temporary basis for trading purposes. In addition, subsidiaries that are strategic components of a broker-dealer’s operations are consolidated regardless of holding intent.
Foreign currency translation
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the related entity are recorded by remeasuring them in the functional currency of the related entity using the foreign exchange (FX) rate on the date of the transaction. As of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets, monetary assets and liabilities are reported using the year-end spot foreign exchange rates. Foreign exchange rate differences are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are recorded using the historic exchange rate.
For the purpose of consolidation, the assets and liabilities of Bank companies with functional currencies other than the Swiss franc are translated into Swiss franc equivalents using year-end spot foreign exchange rates, whereas revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average foreign exchange rates for the period. Translation adjustments arising from consolidation are included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (AOCI) within total shareholders’ equity. Cumulative translation adjustments are released from AOCI and recorded in the consolidated statements of operations when the Bank loses control of a consolidated foreign subsidiary.
Fair value measurement and option
The fair value measurement guidance establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value and sets out a framework for measuring fair value. The fair value option creates an alternative measurement treatment for certain financial assets and financial liabilities. The fair value option can be elected at initial recognition of the eligible item or at the date when the Bank enters into an agreement which gives rise to an eligible item (e.g., a firm commitment or a written loan commitment). If not elected at
114
initial recognition, the fair value option can be applied to an item upon certain triggering events that give rise to a new basis of accounting for that item. The application of the fair value option to a financial asset or a financial liability does not change its classification on the balance sheet and the election is irrevocable. Changes in fair value resulting from the election are recorded in trading revenues.
> Refer to “Fair value option” in Note 34 – Financial instruments for further information.
Cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks consists of currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or other financial institutions and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less, which are held for cash management purposes. Restricted cash is any cash or cash equivalent recorded in cash and due from banks subject to restrictions imposed by a governmental or other regulatory agency that require the Bank to set aside specified amounts of cash as reserves against transactions and time deposits.
Reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements
Purchases of securities under agreements to resell (reverse repurchase agreements) and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements) do not constitute economic sales; therefore, they are treated as collateralized financing transactions, which are carried in the consolidated balance sheet at the amount of cash disbursed or received, respectively. Reverse repurchase agreements are recorded as collateralized assets while repurchase agreements are recorded as liabilities. The underlying securities sold continue to be recognized in trading assets or investment securities. The fair value of securities to be repurchased and resold is monitored on a daily basis, and additional collateral is obtained as needed to protect against credit exposure.
Assets and liabilities recorded under these agreements are accounted for on one of two bases, the accrual basis or the fair value basis. Under the accrual basis, interest earned on reverse repurchase agreements and interest incurred on repurchase agreements are reported in interest and dividend income and interest expense, respectively. The Bank elects to apply the fair value option to selected agreements pursuant to ASC Topic 825 – Financial Instruments. Under such circumstances, the change in fair value is reported in trading revenues. Accrued interest income and expense are recorded in the same manner as under the accrual method.
Reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements may be netted if they are with the same counterparty, have the same maturity date, settle through the same qualifying clearing institution and are subject to a right of offset allowed by a legally enforceable master netting agreement or a central counterparty’s clearing rules.
Securities lending and borrowing transactions
Securities borrowed and securities loaned that are cash-collateralized are included in the consolidated balance sheet at amounts equal to the cash advanced or received. If securities received as collateral in a securities lending and borrowing transaction may be sold or repledged, they are recorded as securities received as collateral in the consolidated balance sheet and a corresponding liability to return the security is recorded. Securities lending transactions against non-cash collateral in which the Bank has the right to resell or repledge the collateral received are recorded at the fair value of the collateral initially received. For securities lending transactions, the Bank receives cash or securities collateral in an amount generally in excess of the market value of securities lent. The Bank monitors the fair value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained as necessary.
Securities lending and borrowing fees and interest received or paid are recorded in interest and dividend income and interest expense, respectively, on an accrual basis. If the fair value basis of accounting is elected, any resulting change in fair value is reported in trading revenues. Accrued interest income and expense are recorded in the same manner as under the accrual method.
Transfers of financial assets
Transfers of financial assets may involve the sale of these assets to special purpose entities (SPEs), which in turn issue securities to investors. The Bank values its beneficial interests in such SPEs at fair value using quoted market prices, if such positions are traded on an active exchange, or financial models that incorporate observable and unobservable inputs, if such positions are not traded on an active exchange.
> Refer to “Note 33 – Transfers of financial assets and variable interest entities” for further information on the Bank’s transfer activities.
Trading assets and liabilities
Trading assets and liabilities include debt securities, marketable equity instruments, derivative instruments, certain loans held in broker-dealer entities, commodities and precious metals. Items included in the trading portfolio are carried at fair value. Regular-way security transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. Unrealized and realized gains and losses on trading positions are recorded in trading revenues.
Derivatives
Freestanding derivative contracts are carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets regardless of whether these instruments are held for trading or risk management purposes. Commitments to originate mortgage loans that will be held for sale are considered derivatives for accounting purposes. When derivative features embedded in certain contracts that meet the definition of a derivative are not considered clearly and closely related to the host contract, either the embedded feature is accounted for separately at fair value or the entire contract, including the embedded
115
feature, is accounted for at fair value. In both cases, changes in fair value are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. If separated for measurement purposes, the derivative is recorded in the same line item in the consolidated balance sheets as the host contract.
Derivatives classified as trading assets and liabilities include those held for trading purposes and those used for risk management purposes that do not qualify for hedge accounting. Derivatives held for trading purposes arise from proprietary trading activity and from customer-based activity. Realized gains and losses, changes in unrealized gains and losses and interest flows are included in trading revenues. Derivative contracts designated and qualifying as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or net investment hedges are reported as other assets or other liabilities.
The fair value of exchange-traded derivatives is typically derived from observable market prices and/or observable market parameters. Fair values for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives are determined on the basis of proprietary models using various input parameters. Derivative contracts are recorded on a net basis per counterparty where a right to offset exists under an enforceable master netting agreement or a central counterparty’s clearing rules. Where no such rights exist, fair values are recorded on a gross basis.
Where hedge accounting is applied, the Bank formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, including the risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions. At inception of a hedge and on an ongoing basis, the hedge relationship is formally assessed to determine whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items attributable to the hedged risk. The Bank discontinues hedge accounting prospectively in the following circumstances:
(i) the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted transactions);
(ii) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised;
(iii) the derivative is no longer designated as a hedging instrument because it is unlikely that the forecasted transaction will occur; or
(iv) the designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is otherwise no longer appropriate.
For derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the carrying values of the underlying hedged items are adjusted to fair value for the risk being hedged. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recorded in the same line item of the consolidated statements of operations used to present the changes in the fair value of the hedged item.
When the Bank discontinues fair value hedge accounting because it determines that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative will continue to be carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its fair value, and the hedged asset or liability will no longer be adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the hedged risk. Interest-related fair value adjustments made to the underlying hedged items will be amortized to the consolidated statements of operations over the remaining life of the hedged item. Any unamortized interest-related fair value adjustment is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations upon sale or extinguishment of the hedged asset or liability, respectively. Any other fair value hedge adjustments remain part of the carrying amount of the hedged asset or liability and are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations upon disposition of the hedged item as part of the gain or loss on disposition.
For hedges of the variability of cash flows from forecasted transactions and floating rate assets or liabilities, the change in the fair value of a designated derivative is recorded in AOCI. These amounts are reclassified into the line item in the consolidated statements of operations in which the hedged item is recorded when the variable cash flow from the hedged item impacts earnings (for example, when periodic settlements on a variable rate asset or liability are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations or when the hedged item is disposed of).
When hedge accounting is discontinued on a cash flow hedge, the net gain or loss will remain in AOCI and be reclassified into the consolidated statements of operations in the same period or periods during which the formerly hedged transaction is reported in the consolidated statements of operations. When the Bank discontinues hedge accounting because it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur within the specified date or period plus two months, the derivative will continue to be carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its fair value, and gains and losses that were previously recorded in AOCI will be recognized immediately in the consolidated statements of operations.
For hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation, the change in the fair value of the hedging derivative is recorded in AOCI. The Bank uses the forward method of determining effectiveness for net investment hedges, which results in the time value portion of a foreign currency forward being reported in AOCI.
Investment securities
Investment securities include debt securities classified as held-to-maturity and debt securities classified as available-for-sale. Regular-way security transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis.
Debt securities where the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold such securities to maturity are classified as such and are carried at amortized cost, net of any unamortized premium or discount. Debt securities classified as held-to-maturity require an assessment of the current expected credit loss (CECL) at the reporting date.
Debt securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, which represent the difference between fair value and amortized cost, are recorded in AOCI. Amounts reported in AOCI are net of income taxes.
116
Debt securities classified as available-for-sale are impaired if there is a decline in fair value below amortized cost basis. If the Bank intends to sell an impaired security or more likely than not will be required to sell such a security before recovering its amortized cost basis, the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value is recognized as a credit loss. However, if the Bank does not intend to sell and is not likely to be required to sell, an assessment is made if a decline in fair value of the security is due to credit-related factors or non-credit-related factors. Credit-related impairment is recognized in earnings by recording an allowance for credit losses. Any portion of the unrealized loss that relates to non-credit-related factors is recognized in AOCI, net of income taxes.
Amortization of premiums or discounts for debt securities is recorded in interest and dividend income using the effective yield method through the maturity date of the security.
Other investments
Other investments include equity method investments, equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, such as hedge funds, private equity securities and certain investments in non-marketable mutual funds for which the Bank has neither significant influence nor control over the investee, and real estate held-for-investment.
Equity method investments are investments for which the Bank has the ability to significantly influence the operating and financial policies. Significant influence is typically characterized by ownership of 20% to 50% of the voting stock or in-substance common stock of a corporation or 3% to 5% or more of limited partnership interests. Equity method investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting or the fair value option, which the Bank has elected to apply for selected equity method investments. Under the equity method of accounting, the Bank’s proportionate share of the profit or loss, and any impairment on the investee, if applicable, is reported in other revenues. Under the fair value option, changes in fair value are reported in other revenues.
Equity securities without a readily determinable fair value are carried at fair value, net asset value practical expedient to estimate fair value or at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes (measurement alternative). Memberships in exchanges are reported at cost, less impairment. Equity securities without a readily determinable fair value held by the Bank’s subsidiaries that are determined to be investment companies as defined by ASC Topic 946 –Financial Services – Investment Companies are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in other revenues.
Equity method investments and equity securities without a readily determinable fair value held by subsidiaries that are within the scope of ASC Topic 940 – Financial Services – Brokers and Dealers are measured at fair value and reported in trading assets when the intent of the broker-dealer entity is to hold the asset temporarily for trading purposes. Changes in fair value are reported in trading revenues. Equity securities without a readily determinable fair value include investments in entities that regularly calculate net asset value per share or its equivalent, with changes in fair value recorded in other revenue.
Loans
Loans held at amortized cost
Loans which the Bank intends to hold until maturity are carried at outstanding principal balances, net of the following items: unamortized premiums, discounts on purchased loans, deferred loan origination fees and direct loan origination costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance and net deferred premiums/discounts and fees/costs are amortized as an adjustment to the loan yield over the term of the related loans.
A loan is classified as non-performing and thus considered credit impaired no later than when the contractual payments of principal and/or interest are more than 90 days past due except for subprime residential loans which are classified as non-performing no later than when the contractual payments of principal and/or interest are more than 120 days past due. The additional 30 days ensure that these loans are not incorrectly assessed as non-performing during the time when servicing of them typically is being transferred. However, management may determine that a loan should be classified as non-performing notwithstanding that contractual payments of principal and/or interest are less than 90 days past due or, in the case of subprime residential loans, 120 days past due. In addition, the Bank continues to add accrued interest receivable to the loan’s balance for collection purposes; however, a credit provision is recorded, resulting in no interest income recognition.
A loan can be further downgraded to non-interest-earning when the collection of interest is considered so doubtful that further accrual of interest is deemed inappropriate.
Generally, non-performing loans and non-interest-earning loans may be restored to performing status only when delinquent principal and interest are brought up to date in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and when certain performance criteria are met.
Interest collected on non-performing loans and non-interest-earning loans is accounted for using the cash basis or the cost recovery method or a combination of both.
Amortization of deferred fees and premiums and discounts ceases while a loan is deemed to be non-performing or non-interest-earning.
Potential problem loans are credit-impaired loans where contractual payments have been received according to schedule, but where doubt exists as to the collection of future contractual payments. Potential problem loans continue to accrue interest.
> Refer to “Note 17 – Loans” for further information.
117
Credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost
The credit loss requirements apply to financial assets measured at amortized cost including loans held at amortized cost, net investments in leases as a lessor as well as off-balance sheet credit exposures, such as irrevocable loan commitments, and credit guarantees. The credit loss amounts are based on a forward-looking, lifetime CECL model by incorporating reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions available at the reporting date. The CECL amounts are estimated over the contractual term of the financial assets taking into account the effect of prepayments. This requires considerable judgment over how changes in macroeconomic factors as well as changes in forward-looking borrower-specific characteristics will affect the CECL amounts.
The Bank measures expected credit losses of financial assets on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. For financial assets that do not share similar risk characteristics, expected credit losses are evaluated on an individual basis. CECL amounts are probability-weighted estimates of potential credit losses based on historical frequency, current trends and conditions as well as forecasted macroeconomic factors, such as gross domestic product, unemployment rates and interest rates.
For financial assets that are performing at the reporting date, the allowance for credit losses is generally measured using a probability of default/loss given default approach under which both probability of default (PD), loss given default (LGD) and exposure at default (EAD) are estimated. For financial assets that are credit-impaired at the reporting date, the Bank generally applies a discounted cash flow approach to determine the difference between the gross carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows.
An allowance for credit losses is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in provision for credit losses or, if related to provisions on past due interest, in net interest income.
For undrawn irrevocable loan commitments, the present value is calculated based on the difference between the contractual cash flows that are due to the Bank if the commitment is drawn and the cash flows that the Bank expects to receive, in order to estimate the provision for expected credit losses. For credit guarantees, expected credit losses are recognized for the contingency of the credit guarantee. Provisions for off-balance sheet credit exposures are recognized as a provision in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Write-off of a financial asset occurs when it is considered certain that there is no possibility of recovering the outstanding principal. If the amount of loss on write-off is greater than the accumulated allowance for credit losses, the difference results in an additional credit loss. The additional credit loss is first recognized as an addition to the allowance; the allowance is then applied against the gross carrying amount. Any repossessed collateral is initially measured at fair value. The subsequent measurement depends on the nature of the collateral. Any uncollectible accrued interest receivable is written off by reversing the related interest income.
Expected recoveries on financial assets previously written off or assessed/planned to be written off have to be reflected in the allowance for credit losses; for this purpose, the amount of expected recoveries cannot exceed the aggregate amounts previously written off or assessed/planned to be written off. Accordingly, expected recoveries from financial assets previously written off may result in an overall negative allowance for credit loss balance.
> Refer to “Note 18 – Financial instruments measured at amortized cost and credit losses” for further information.
Loans held-for-sale
Loans which the Bank intends to sell in the foreseeable future are considered held-for-sale and are carried at the lower of amortized cost or market value determined on either an individual method basis, or in the aggregate for pools of similar loans if sold or securitized as a pool. When the initial intent for holding a loan until maturity or the foreseeable future has changed from held at amortized cost to held-for-sale, the loan is reclassified from held at amortized cost to held-for-sale and remeasured to the lower of amortized cost or market. Loans held-for-sale are included in other assets. Consequential adjustments to the lower of amortized cost basis or fair value are presented as a valuation allowance and recorded in other revenue. If, subsequently, the intent is changed to holding until maturity or the foreseeable future, any previously recorded valuation allowance is reversed in earnings and the loan is reclassified to held at amortized cost at its amortized cost basis.
Purchased loans with credit deterioration
A purchased loan measured at amortized cost is considered a purchased loan with credit deterioration if it has experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. At the date of acquisition, the allowance for credit is added to the purchase price of the loan to establish the initial amortized cost basis. Any difference between the amortized cost and the unpaid principal amount is recognized in interest income using the effective interest method. After the purchase date, the allowance for credit losses is adjusted for subsequent changes in estimates of current expected credit losses.
Loans held at fair value under the fair value option
Loans and loan commitments for which the fair value option is elected are reported at fair value with changes in fair value reported in trading revenues. The application of the fair value option does not change the loan’s classification. Loan commitments carried at fair value are recorded in other assets or other liabilities, respectively.
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill arises on the acquisition of subsidiaries or additional ownership of equity method investments. It is measured as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the
118
fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquired subsidiary, over the net of the acquisition-date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized. Instead, it is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is allocated to the Bank’s reporting units for the purposes of the impairment test.
Other intangible assets may be acquired individually or as part of a group of assets assumed in a business combination. Other intangible assets include but are not limited to: patents, licenses, copyrights, trademarks, branch networks, mortgage servicing rights, customer base and deposit relationships. Acquired intangible assets are initially measured at the amount of cash disbursed or the fair value of other assets distributed. Other intangible assets that have a finite useful life are amortized over that period. Other intangible assets acquired after January 1, 2002 that are determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized; instead they are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the indefinite intangible asset may be impaired. Mortgage servicing rights are included in non-amortizing other intangible assets and are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized through earnings in the period in which they occur. Mortgage servicing rights represent the right to perform specified mortgage servicing activities on behalf of third parties. Mortgage servicing rights are either purchased from third parties or retained upon sale of acquired or originated loans.
Income taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated balance sheets and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed using currently enacted tax rates and are recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively. Income tax expense or benefit is recorded in income tax expense/(benefit), except to the extent the tax effect relates to transactions recorded directly in total shareholders’ equity. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, if necessary, to the amount that management believes will more likely than not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effect of changes in tax laws and rates in the period in which changes are approved by the relevant authority. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented on a net basis for the same tax-paying component within the same tax jurisdiction.
The Bank follows the guidance in ASC Topic 740 – Income Taxes, which sets out a consistent framework to determine the appropriate level of tax reserves to maintain for uncertain tax positions. The Bank determines whether it is more likely than not that an income tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. Sustainable income tax positions are then measured to determine the amount of benefit eligible for recognition in the consolidated financial statements. Each such sustainable income tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement.
Brokerage receivables and brokerage payables
The Bank recognizes receivables and payables from transactions in financial instruments purchased from and sold to customers, banks and broker-dealers. The Bank is exposed to risk of loss resulting from the inability of counterparties to pay for or deliver financial instruments purchased or sold, in which case the Bank would have to sell or purchase, respectively, these financial instruments at prevailing market prices. To the extent an exchange or clearing organization acts as counterparty to a transaction, credit risk is generally considered to be limited. The Bank establishes credit limits for each customer and requires them to maintain margin collateral in compliance with applicable regulatory and internal guidelines. In order to conduct trades with an exchange or a third-party bank, the Bank is required to maintain a margin. This is usually in the form of cash and deposited in a separate margin account with the exchange or broker. Brokerage receivables are assessed for impairment applying the CECL model. Write-offs of brokerage receivables occur if the outstanding amounts are considered uncollectible.
Premises and equipment
Premises and equipment (including equipment under operating leases where the Bank is the lessor), with the exception of land, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Buildings are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally 40 to 67 years, and building improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally not exceeding five to ten years. Land is carried at historical cost and is not depreciated. Leasehold improvements, such as alterations and improvements to rented premises, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life, which generally does not exceed ten years. Equipment, such as computers, machinery, furnishings, vehicles and other tangible non-financial assets, is depreciated using the straight-line method over its estimated useful lives, generally three to ten years. Certain leasehold improvements and equipment, such as data center power generators, may have estimated useful lives greater than ten years.
The Bank capitalizes costs relating to the acquisition, installation and development of software with a measurable economic benefit, but only if such costs are identifiable and can be reliably measured. The Bank depreciates capitalized software costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not exceeding seven years, taking into consideration the effects of obsolescence, technology, competition and other economic factors.
Leases
For lessee arrangements, the Bank recognizes lease liabilities, which are reported as other liabilities or long-term debt, and
119
right-of-use assets, which are reported as other assets. Lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of future lease payments over the lease term. Right-of-use assets are initially measured based on the lease liability, adjusted for any initial direct costs, any lease payments made prior to lease commencement and for any lease incentives.
> Refer to “Note 21 – Other assets and other liabilities”, “Note 22 – Leases” and “Note 24 – Long-term debt” for further information.
Periods covered by options that permit the Bank to extend or terminate a lease are only included in the measurement of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities when it is reasonably certain that the Bank would exercise the extension option or would not exercise the termination option. Lease payments which depend on an index or a referenced rate are considered unavoidable and are included in the lease liabilities using the index or rate as of the lease commencement date. Other variable lease payments, as well as subsequent changes in an index or referenced rate, are excluded from the lease liabilities. The Bank’s incremental borrowing rate, which is used in determining the present value of lease payments, is derived from information available at the lease commencement date.
Operating lease costs, which include amortization and an interest component, are recognized over the remaining lease term on a straight-line basis. Operating and variable lease costs are recognized in general and administrative expenses.
For sales-type and direct financing leases under lessor arrangements, which are classified as loans, the Bank de-recognizes the underlying assets and recognizes a net investment in the lease. The net investment in the lease is calculated as the lease receivable plus the unguaranteed portion of the estimated residual value. The lease receivable is initially measured at the present value of the sum of the future lease payments receivable over the lease term and any portion of the estimated residual value at the end of the lease term that is guaranteed by either the lessee or an unrelated third party. Lease terms may include options that permit the lessee to extend or renew these leases. Such options are only included in the measurement of lease receivables for sales-type and direct financing leases when it is reasonably certain that the lessee would exercise these options. Subsequently, unearned income is amortized to interest income over the lease term using the effective interest method.
> Refer to “Note 17 – Loans”, “Note 18 – Financial instruments measured at amortized cost and credit losses” and “Note 22 – Leases” for further information.
For operating leases under lessor arrangements, the Bank continues to recognize the underlying asset and depreciates the asset over its estimated useful life. Lease income is recognized in other income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Recognition of an impairment on non-financial assets
The Bank evaluates premises, equipment, right-of-use assets and finite intangible assets for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The impairment assessment is performed for a group of assets for which largely separate cash flows can be identified. Where the carrying amount for the group of assets exceeds the fair value, the group of assets is considered impaired and an impairment is recorded in general and administrative expenses. Recognition of an impairment on such assets establishes a new cost base, which is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in value.
Customer deposits
Customer deposits represent funds held from customers (both retail and commercial) and banks and consist of interest-bearing demand deposits, savings deposits and time deposits. Interest is accrued based on the contractual provisions of the deposit contract.
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt is composed of debt issuances that do not contain derivative features as well as hybrid debt. Hybrid debt includes capital instruments as well as those issued as part of the Bank’s structured product activities. Long-term debt includes both Swiss franc and foreign currency denominated fixed- and variable-rate bonds.
The Bank actively manages interest rate risk and foreign currency risk on vanilla debt through the use of derivative contracts, primarily interest rate and currency swaps. In particular, fixed-rate debt is hedged with receive-fixed, pay-floating interest rate swaps, and the Bank applies hedge accounting per the guidance of ASC Topic 815 – Derivatives and Hedging.
The Bank’s long-term debt includes various equity-linked and other indexed instruments with embedded derivative features, for which payments and redemption values are linked to commodities, stocks, indices, currencies or other assets. The Bank elected to account for substantially all of these instruments at fair value.
Changes in the fair value of fair-value option elected instruments are recognized as a component of trading revenues, except for changes in fair value attributed to own credit risk, which is recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI), net of tax, and recycled to trading revenue when the debt is de-recognized.
120
Guarantees
In cases where the Bank acts as a guarantor, the Bank recognizes in other liabilities, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligations undertaken in issuing such a guarantee, including its ongoing obligation to perform over the term of the guarantee in the event that certain events or conditions occur. Contingent obligations under issued guarantees not related to a financial obligation such as performance guarantees and non-financial standby letters of credit are assessed for the probability of loss on an ongoing basis. Contingent obligations under issued guarantees related to a financial obligation such as credit guarantees and financial standby letters of credit are assessed for CECL at reporting date.
Pension and other post-retirement benefits
Credit Suisse offers defined benefit pension plans that covers eligible employees of the Bank domiciled in Switzerland.
For the Bank’s participation in these plans, no retirement benefit obligation is recognized in the consolidated balance sheets of the Bank as defined contribution accounting is applied.
The Bank also has single-employer defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension plans in other countries around the world.
For single-employer defined benefit plans, the Bank uses the projected unit credit actuarial method to determine the present value of its projected benefit obligations (PBO) and the current and past service costs or credits related to its defined benefit and other post-retirement benefit plans. The measurement date used to perform the actuarial valuation is December 31 and is performed by independent qualified actuaries.
Share-based compensation
For all share-based awards granted to employees, compensation expense is measured at grant date or modification date based on the fair value of the number of awards for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered and is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations over the required service period.
The incremental tax effects of the difference between the compensation expense recorded in the US GAAP accounts and the tax deduction received, are recorded in the income statement at the point in time the deduction for tax purposes is recorded.
Compensation expense for share-based awards that vest in their entirety at the end of the vesting period (cliff vesting) and awards that vest in annual installments (graded vesting), which only contain a service condition that affects vesting, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award. However, if awards with graded vesting contain a performance condition, then each installment is expensed as if it were a separate award (“front-loaded” expense recognition). Furthermore, recognition of compensation expense is accelerated to the date an employee becomes eligible for retirement.
Certain share awards contain performance conditions. The amount of compensation expense recorded takes into account the impact of the applicable performance conditions. For each reporting period after the grant date, the expected number of shares to be ultimately delivered upon vesting is reassessed and reflected as an adjustment to the cumulative compensation expense recorded in the income statement.
Certain employees own equity interests in the form of carried interests in certain funds managed by the Bank. Expenses recognized under these ownership interests are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations in compensation and benefits.
Own shares, own bonds and financial instruments on UBS shares
The Bank’s shares are wholly owned by UBS Group AG (UBS) and are not subject to trading. The Bank may buy and sell UBS Group shares and bonds, own bonds and financial instruments on UBS Group shares within its normal trading and market-making activities. UBS Group shares are reported as trading assets. Financial instruments on UBS Group shares are recorded as assets or liabilities and carried at fair value. Purchases of bonds originally issued by the Bank are recorded as an extinguishment of debt.
Net interest income
Interest income and interest expense arising from interest-bearing assets and liabilities other than those carried at fair value or the lower of cost or market are accrued, and any related net deferred premiums, discounts, origination fees or costs are amortized as an adjustment to the yield over the life of the related asset and liability. Interest from debt securities and dividends on equity securities carried as trading assets and trading liabilities are recorded in interest and dividend income.
> Refer to “Loans” for further information on interest on loans.
Commissions and fees
Commissions and fees include revenue from contracts with customers. The Bank recognizes revenue when it satisfies a contractual performance obligation. The Bank satisfies a performance obligation when control of the underlying good or services related to the performance obligation is transferred to the customer. Control is the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, the good or service. The Bank must determine whether control of a good or service is transferred over time. If so, the related revenue is recognized over time as the good or service is transferred to the customer. If not, control of the good or service is transferred at a point in time. The performance obligations are typically satisfied as the services in the contract are rendered. Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer, and excludes
121
any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The transaction price can be a fixed amount or can vary because of performance bonuses or other similar items. Variable consideration is only included in the transaction price once it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the amount of variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Generally, no significant judgement is required with respect to recording variable consideration.
When another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, the Bank must determine whether the nature of its promise is a performance obligation to provide the specified goods or services itself (that is, the Bank is a principal) or to arrange for those goods or services to be provided by the other party (that is, the Bank is an agent). The Bank determines whether it is a principal or an agent for each specified good or service promised to the customer. Gross presentation (revenue on the revenue line and expense on the expense line) is appropriate when the Bank acts as principal in a transaction. Conversely, net presentation (revenue and expenses reported net) is appropriate when the Bank acts as an agent in the transaction.
Transaction-related expenses are expensed as incurred. Underwriting expenses are deferred and recognized along with the underwriting revenue.
> Refer to “Note 13 – Revenue from contracts with customers” for further information.
2 Recently issued accounting standards
Recently adopted accounting standards
ASC Topic 326 – Financial Instruments – Credit Losses
In March 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2022-02, “Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures” (ASU 2022-02), an update to ASC Topic 326 – Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The amendments in ASU 2022-02 eliminate the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings by creditors. The loan refinancing and restructuring guidance in ASC Topic 310 – Receivables will be applied to determine whether a modification resulted in a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments enhance disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings when a borrower was experiencing financial difficulty and required disclosure of current period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases.
The amendments were effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022 and for the interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption was permitted, including in an interim period. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023, applying the modified retrospective approach did not have a material impact on the Bank’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Standards to be adopted in future periods
ASC Topic 820 – Fair Value Measurement
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions” (ASU 2022-03), an update to ASC Topic 820 – Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in ASU 2022-03 clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. The amendments require new disclosures related to equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions, including the fair value of such equity securities, the nature and remaining duration of the corresponding restrictions and any circumstances that could cause a lapse in the restrictions.
The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023 and for the interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period. The adoption of ASU 2022-03 on January 1, 2024 did not have a material impact on the Bank’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
122
3 Business developments and subsequent events
Business developments
Acquisition by UBS and related developments
On June 12, 2023, the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG (the former parent company of Credit Suisse AG) by UBS Group AG (UBS) was consummated. The acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG resulted in changes that had significant impacts on Credit Suisse’s US GAAP results in 2023. These acquisition-related effects included fair valuation adjustments, impairments of internally developed software, integration costs, acquisition-related compensation expenses, the write-down of intangible assets and other acquisition-related adjustments.
The acquisition resulted in changes in exit strategies and principal markets as well as changes of intent in connection with UBS’s plans for underlying positions or portfolios. The effect of these changes were fair valuation adjustments of CHF 3.9 billion in 2023, including from asset reclassifications to held-for-sale and certain specific equity impairments.
As a result of the acquisition, a detailed review of internally developed software applications and an assessment of their fair value have been performed reflecting the usability and useful life for UBS. Following this assessment, which included a number of applications that were found to be overlapping with UBS systems, an impairment of CHF 1.8 billion was recorded in 2023.
2023 was further impacted by certain compensation-related developments in connection with the acquisition. Total operating expenses included amounts identified by Credit Suisse as integration costs, which were defined as expenses that were temporary, incremental and directly related to the integration of UBS and Credit Suisse, of CHF 2.3 billion. The integration costs primarily related to compensation costs of internal staff and contractors substantially dedicated to integration activities and certain retention awards granted during the period as well as costs relating to the termination of certain real estate leases. As a result of the alignment of certain Credit Suisse processes to those of UBS, including the variable incentive framework, acquisition-related compensation expenses were CHF 0.2 billion.
In the third quarter of 2023, UBS established a Non-core and Legacy business division, which includes Credit Suisse positions and businesses not aligned with UBS’s strategy and policies. UBS is actively reducing the assets and liabilities of its Non-core and Legacy business division in order to reduce operating costs and financial resource consumption. Incremental costs or losses may arise in connection with the reduction of such assets and liabilities. UBS aims to substantially complete the integration of Credit Suisse into UBS by the end of 2026. Also, as part of the integration of Credit Suisse, UBS plans to simplify the legal structure, including planned mergers of Credit Suisse AG with UBS AG and Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG with UBS Switzerland AG.
In December 2023, the Board of Directors of UBS Group AG approved the merger of UBS AG and Credit Suisse AG. Following approvals from their respective Boards, both entities entered into a definitive merger agreement. The completion of the legal merger is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to occur by the end of the second quarter of 2024. UBS also expects to complete the transition to a single US intermediate holding company in the second quarter of 2024 and the planned merger of UBS Switzerland AG and Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG in the third quarter of 2024.
Litigation provisions
In 2023, net litigation provisions of CHF 1.4 billion were recorded, mainly related to developments including settlements and new information in a number of previously disclosed legal matters.
> Refer to “Note 38 - Litigation” for further information.
Goodwill impairment
Credit Suisse reported goodwill impairment charges of CHF 2.3 billion in 2023, mostly recognized in Wealth Management and in Asset Management.
> Refer to “Note 19 - Goodwill” for further information.
Compensation
On April 5, 2023, the Swiss Federal Council instructed the Swiss Federal Department of Finance to cancel or reduce the outstanding variable remuneration for the top three levels of management at Credit Suisse. Under US GAAP accounting guidance, the nature of such a cancellation of deferred compensation required an acceleration of deferred compensation expense in 2023 for the outstanding share-based portion of the compensation awards, with a corresponding credit to shareholders’ equity, and for the smaller impact from the cancellation of cash-based awards, a credit to the income statement for previously accrued expenses. The net impact of these cancellations and reductions of variable remuneration on Credit Suisse’s compensation expenses in 2023 was CHF 90 million.
Furthermore, 2023 included the cancellation of the prior-year contingent capital awards (CCA), resulting in a credit of CHF 408 million recognized in deferred compensation.
Write-down of additional tier 1 capital notes
In March 2023, FINMA ordered that former Credit Suisse Group’s outstanding amount of additional tier 1 capital notes of nominal value of approximately CHF 16 billion and a fair value of approximately CHF 15 billion be written down to zero. Subsequently, the Bank recorded a gain of approximately CHF 14.1 billion from the write-down of such additional tier 1 capital notes, which was recognized in other revenues.
123
Liquidity developments
Following the legal close of the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS, Credit Suisse became part of the overall UBS liquidity and funding management. Credit Suisse now leverages the market access of UBS and engages in secured and unsecured intercompany transactions to facilitate funding between entities.
The SNB granted Credit Suisse access to liquidity facilities, including Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA), Emergency Liquidity Assistance Plus (ELA+) and the Public Liquidity Backstop (PLB), which has provided liquidity support to Credit Suisse, a portion of which was supported by default guarantees provided by the Swiss government. The improved liquidity situation and the ability to transfer funding between the UBS and Credit Suisse entities have allowed Credit Suisse to continue to repay the various liquidity facilities. All loans under the PLB were fully repaid by Credit Suisse Group AG as of the end of May 2023. Credit Suisse AG fully repaid the ELA+ loans as of August 10, 2023. Following a comprehensive review with UBS of the funding situation, Credit Suisse voluntarily terminated the PLB agreement with the SNB and the Federal Department of Finance as of August 11, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG had a total of CHF 38 billion outstanding under the ELA facility, which is fully collateralized by Swiss mortgages.
Credit Suisse is reliant on funding from UBS, which has provided a letter of support that confirms its intent to keep Credit Suisse AG in good standing and in compliance with its regulatory capital, liquidity requirements as well as debt covenants and to fully support its operating, investing and financing activities through at least March 28, 2025, or a merger with UBS AG, if earlier.
Outflows in assets under management
At the Credit Suisse level, net asset outflows in 2023 were CHF 107 billion or 8% of assets under management as of the end of 2022.
Securitized Products Group
In 2023, Credit Suisse completed the sale of a significant part of the Securitized Products Group (SPG) (Apollo transaction) to entities and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management (collectively, Apollo). In connection with the initial closing of this transaction, Credit Suisse and Apollo entered into various ancillary agreements related to the transaction, including an investment management agreement, certain financing arrangements and a transition services agreement. In the first quarter of 2023, Credit Suisse recognized a pre-tax gain of USD 0.8 billion as a result of the Apollo transaction.
> Refer to “Subsequent events” for further information.
CS First Boston
In April 2023, Credit Suisse Group AG and M. Klein & Co LLC mutually agreed to terminate the acquisition of The Klein Group, LLC (i.e., the investment banking business of M. Klein & Co. LLC) by Credit Suisse Group AG considering UBS’s acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG.
Subsequent events
On March 22, 2024, following a comprehensive review with UBS of the funding situation, Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG repaid loans drawn under the ELA facility, reducing the amount of loans outstanding under the ELA from CHF 38 billion to CHF 19 billion as of that date.
In March 2024, Credit Suisse has entered into agreements with Apollo to conclude the investment management agreement under which Atlas SP Partners (Atlas) has managed Credit Suisse’s retained portfolio of assets of the former SPG. Following this agreement, the assets previously managed by Atlas will be managed in UBS’s Non-core and Legacy. The parties have also agreed to conclude the transition services agreement under which Credit Suisse has provided services to Atlas. In addition, Credit Suisse AG has entered into an agreement to transfer to Apollo approximately USD 8 billion of senior secured asset-based financing. As part of the loan transfer, Credit Suisse AG will extend a one-year USD 750 million swingline facility to the borrowers under the transferred financing facilities. Credit Suisse AG is expected to recognize a net loss of around USD 0.9 billion from the conclusion of the investment management agreement and assignment of the loan facilities.
124
4 Segment information
The Bank is a global financial services company domiciled in Switzerland and is organized into four divisions – Wealth Management, Swiss Bank, Asset Management and Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) - and the Corporate Center. Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) includes positions and businesses not aligned with UBS’s strategy and policies, including the assets and liabilities of the former Capital Release Unit and certain assets and liabilities of Wealth Management, Swiss Bank, Asset Management and the Corporate Center. This division also includes all assets and liabilities of the former Investment Bank division, including positions and businesses not aligned with UBS’s strategy and policies as well as, for reporting purposes, those positions and businesses that are being transitioned to the UBS Investment Bank. Prior periods were restated to conform to the current presentation.
The segment information reflects the Bank’s reportable segments and the Corporate Center, which are managed and reported on a pre-tax basis, as follows:
Wealth Management offers comprehensive wealth management and investment solutions and tailored financing and advisory services to ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) and high-net-worth (HNW) individuals and external asset managers. We serve our clients along a client-centric and needs-based delivery model, utilizing the broad spectrum of our global capabilities through geographic and client segment-specific coverage business areas.
Swiss Bank offers comprehensive advice and a wide range of financial solutions to private, corporate and institutional clients primarily domiciled in our home market of Switzerland. Our private clients business has a leading franchise in Switzerland, including HNW, affluent, retail and small business clients. In addition, we provide consumer finance services through our subsidiary BANK-now and the leading credit card brands through our investment in Swisscard AECS GmbH. Our corporate and institutional clients business serves large corporate clients, small and medium-sized enterprises, institutional clients, financial institutions and commodity traders.
Asset Management offers investment solutions and services globally to a broad range of clients, including pension funds, governments, foundations and endowments, corporations, wholesalers and UHNW individuals, with a strong presence in our Swiss home market. Backed by a global presence, Asset Management offers active and passive solutions in traditional investments as well as alternative investments.
Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) includes positions and businesses not aligned with UBS’s strategy and policies, including the assets and liabilities of the former Capital Release Unit and certain assets and liabilities of Wealth Management, Swiss Bank, Asset Management and the Corporate Center. This division also includes all assets and liabilities of the former Investment Bank division, including positions and businesses not aligned with UBS’s strategy and policies as well as, for reporting purposes, those positions and businesses that are being transitioned to the UBS Investment Bank.
Corporate Center includes parent company operations such as bank financing, expenses for projects sponsored by the Bank and certain expenses and revenues that had not been allocated to the segments. In addition, the Corporate Center includes consolidation and elimination adjustments required to eliminate intercompany revenues and expenses.
Revenue sharing and cost allocation
Responsibility for each product is allocated to a specific segment, which records all related revenues and expenses. Revenue-sharing and service level agreements govern the compensation received by one segment for generating revenue or providing services on behalf of another. These agreements are negotiated periodically by the relevant segments on a product-by-product basis. The aim of revenue-sharing and service level agreements is to reflect the pricing structure of unrelated third-party transactions.
Corporate services and business support in finance, operations, human resources, legal, compliance, risk management and IT are provided by corporate functions, and the related costs are allocated to the segments and Corporate Center based on their requirements and other relevant measures.
Funding
The Bank centrally manages its funding activities. The Bank lends funds to its operating subsidiaries and affiliates on both a senior and subordinated basis, as needed, the latter typically to meet capital requirements, or as desired by management to capitalize on opportunities. Capital is distributed to the segments considering factors such as regulatory capital requirements, utilized economic capital and the historic and future potential return on capital.
Transfer pricing, using market rates, is used to record net revenues and expenses in each of the segments for this capital and funding. The Bank’s funds transfer pricing system is designed to allocate funding costs to its businesses in a way that incentivizes their efficient use of funding. The Bank’s funds transfer pricing system is an essential tool that allocates to the businesses the short-term and long-term costs of funding their balance sheet usages and off-balance sheet contingencies. The funds transfer pricing framework ensures the full funding costs allocation under normal business conditions, but it is of even greater importance in a stressed capital markets environment where raising funds is more challenging and expensive. Under this framework, the Bank’s businesses are also credited to the extent they provide long-term stable funding.
125
Net revenues and income/(loss) before taxes
in 2023 2022 2021
Net revenues (CHF million)  
Wealth Management 3,058 4,904 5,549
Swiss Bank 3,515 4,228 4,457
Asset Management 659 1,214 1,352
Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) (1,185) 4,635 11,347
Corporate Center 14,586 (61) (9)
Adjustments 1 (743) 2 293 346
Net revenues  19,890 15,213 23,042
Income/(loss) before taxes (CHF million)  
Wealth Management (3,206) 427 1,513
Swiss Bank 180 1,579 1,981
Asset Management (1,432) 202 372
Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) (11,855) (5,323) (4,249)
Corporate Center 14,075 (144) (218)
Adjustments 1 (1,022) 2 (72) 510
Income/(loss) before taxes  (3,260) (3,331) (91)
1
Adjustments represent certain consolidating entries, including those relating to entities that are managed but are not owned or wholly owned by the Bank.
2
Includes a gain of CHF 894 million from the write-down of additional tier 1 capital notes relating to Credit Suisse Group AG.
Total assets
end of 2023 2022
Total assets (CHF million)  
Wealth Management 86,484 120,524
Swiss Bank 183,724 197,303
Asset Management 1,626 3,091
Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) 108,837 184,951
Corporate Center 74,190 25,488
Adjustments 1 (2,354) (1,318)
Total assets  452,507 530,039
1
Adjustments represent certain consolidating entries, including those relating to entities that are managed but are not owned or wholly owned by the Bank.
Net revenues and income/(loss) before taxes by geographical location
in 2023 2022 2021
Net revenues (CHF million)  
Switzerland 17,210 7,154 8,382
EMEA (1,488) 523 2,916
Americas 4,270 6,134 8,896
Asia Pacific (102) 1,402 2,848
Net revenues  19,890 15,213 23,042
Income/(loss) before taxes (CHF million)  
Switzerland 6,689 543 1,659
EMEA (5,891) (2,907) (5,554)
Americas (1,312) 374 3,574
Asia Pacific (2,746) (1,341) 230
Income/(loss) before taxes  (3,260) (3,331) (91)
The designation of net revenues and income/(loss) before taxes is based on the location of the office recording the transactions. This presentation does not reflect the way the Bank is managed.
Total assets by geographical location
end of 2023 2022
Total assets (CHF million)  
Switzerland 218,948 201,752
EMEA 74,240 93,767
Americas 123,327 181,228
Asia Pacific 35,992 53,292
Total assets  452,507 530,039
The designation of total assets by region is based upon customer domicile.
126
5 Net interest income
in 2023 2022 2021
Net interest income (CHF million)  
Loans 8,225 5,900 4,993
Investment securities 74 14 1
Trading assets, net of trading liabilities 1 1,241 2,540 2,839
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 2,803 2,135 1,172
Other 4,700 1,676 588
Interest and dividend income 17,043 12,265 9,593
Deposits (3,880) (1,749) (151)
Short-term borrowings (2,140) (227) 3
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions (648) (769) (812)
Long-term debt (6,136) (3,438) (2,437)
Other (828) (685) (271)
Interest expense (13,632) (6,868) (3,668)
Net interest income  3,411 5,397 5,925
1
Interest and dividend income is presented on a net basis to align with the presentation of trading revenues for trading assets and liabilities.
6 Commissions and fees
in 2023 2022 2021
Commissions and fees (CHF million)  
Lending business 663 1,431 1,870
Investment and portfolio management 2,478 3,028 3,401
Other securities business 67 61 59
Fiduciary business 2,545 3,089 3,460
Underwriting 90 560 2,560
Brokerage 1,281 2,265 3,088
Underwriting and brokerage 1,371 2,825 5,648
Other services 777 1,516 2,202
Commissions and fees  5,356 8,861 13,180
7 Trading revenues
in 2023 2022 2021
Trading revenues (CHF million)  1
Interest rate products (1,734) (1,367) 1,081
Foreign exchange products 851 521 1,133
Equity/index-related products (356) 427 1,589
Credit products (565) 540 (1,416)
Commodity and energy products (29) 8 (6)
Other products (283) (654) (10)
Trading revenues  (2,116) (525) 2,371
1
The classification of certain product types has been revised, prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Trading revenues include revenues from trading financial assets and liabilities as follows:
Equities;
Commodities;
Listed and OTC derivatives;
Derivatives linked to funds of hedge funds and providing financing facilities to funds of hedge funds;
Market making in the government bond and associated OTC derivative swap markets;
Domestic, corporate and sovereign debt, convertible and non-convertible preferred stock and short-term securities such as floating rate notes and commercial paper (CP);
Market making and positioning in foreign exchange products;
Credit derivatives on investment grade and high yield credits;
Trading and securitizing all forms of securities that are based on underlying pools of assets; and
Life settlement contracts.
Trading revenues also include changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities elected to fair value under US GAAP. The main components include certain instruments from the following categories:
Central bank funds purchased/sold;
Securities purchased/sold under resale/repurchase agreements;
Securities borrowing/lending transactions;
Loans and loan commitments; and
Customer deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term debt.
127
Managing the risks
As a result of the Bank’s broad involvement in financial products and markets, its trading strategies are correspondingly diverse and exposures are generally spread across a diversified range of risk factors and locations. The Bank uses an economic capital limit structure to limit overall risk taking. The level of risk incurred by its divisions is further managed by a variety of factors and specific risk constraints, including consolidated controls over trading exposures. Also, as part of its overall risk management, the Bank holds a portfolio of economic hedges. Hedges are impacted by market movements, similar to trading securities, and may result in gains or losses on the hedges which offset losses or gains on the portfolios they were designed to economically hedge. The Bank manages its trading risk with regard to both market and credit risk. The Bank uses market risk measurement and management methods capable of calculating comparable exposures across its many activities and employs focused tools that can model unique characteristics of certain instruments or portfolios.
The principal risk measurement methodology for trading book exposures is value-at-risk. Macroeconomic and specific hedging strategies are in place to manage and mitigate the market and credit risk in the trading book.
8 Other revenues
in 2023 2022 2021
Other revenues (CHF million)  
Loans held-for-sale (1,675) (133) (90)
Long-lived assets held-for-sale 0 355 232
Equity method investments (138) 167 60
Other investments (660) (38) 256
Other 15,712 1 1,129 1,108
Other revenues  13,239 1,480 1,566
1
Includes the write-down of additional tier 1 capital notes. Refer to "Note 3 – Business developments and subsequent events" for further information.
9 Provision for credit losses
in 2023 2022 2021
Provision for credit losses (CHF million)  
Loans held at amortized cost 895 190 (23)
Other financial assets held at amortized cost 127 (135) 1 4,295 1
Off-balance sheet credit exposures 6 (40) (63)
Provision for credit losses  1,028 15 4,209
1
Primarily reflected a provision/(release of provision) for credit losses of CHF (155) million and CHF 4,307 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to Archegos.
10 Compensation and benefits
in 2023 2022 2021
Compensation and benefits (CHF million)  
Salaries and variable compensation 6,696 6,376 6,730
Social security 501 508 530
Other 1 685 805 751
Compensation and benefits  7,882 7,689 8,011
1
Included pension-related expenses of CHF 427 million, CHF 440 million and CHF 497 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, relating to service costs for defined benefit pension plans and employer contributions for defined contribution pension plans.
11 General and administrative expenses
in 2023 2022 2021
General and administrative expenses (CHF million)  
Occupancy expenses 1,458 889 893
IT, machinery and equipment 2,775 1,591 1,218
Provisions and losses 1,389 1,529 1,489
Travel and entertainment 157 206 127
Professional services 4,121 3,985 3,625
Communication and market data services 423 473 458
Amortization and impairment of other intangible assets 31 4 8
Other 1 454 661 763
General and administrative expenses  10,808 9,338 8,581
1
Included pension-related expenses/(credits) of CHF (33) million, CHF 16 million and CHF (10) million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, relating to certain components of net periodic benefit costs for defined benefit plans.
128
12 Restructuring expenses
In June 2023, the Bank terminated certain strategic actions announced on October 27, 2022, due to the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS. Further, the Bank completed the restructuring program announced on November 4, 2021, at the end of September 2022 and the restructuring program announced in July 2020 closed at the end of June 2021. The Bank recorded restructuring expenses of CHF 393 million, CHF 467 million and CHF 113 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Restructuring expenses may include severance expenses, other personnel-related charges, pension expenses and contract termination costs.
Restructuring expenses by segment
in 2023 2022 2021
Restructuring expenses by segment (CHF million)  
Wealth Management 46 96 16
Swiss Bank 36 22 11
Asset Management 6 16 3
Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) 288 350 75
Corporate Center 48 49 (2)
Adjustments 1 (31) (66) 10
Total restructuring expenses  393 467 113
1
Adjustments represent certain consolidating entries, including those relating to entities that are managed but are not owned or wholly owned by the Bank.
Restructuring expenses by type
in 2023 2022 2021
Restructuring expenses by type (CHF million)  
Compensation and benefits-related expenses 161 350 45
   of which severance expenses  88 150 26
   of which accelerated deferred compensation  66 191 19
General and administrative-related expenses 232 117 68
   of which pension expenses  15 8 4
Total restructuring expenses  393 467 113
Restructuring liabilities
   2023 2022 2021

in
Compen-
sation and
benefits
General and
administrative
expenses


Total
Compen-
sation and
benefits
General and
administrative
expenses


Total
Compen-
sation and
benefits
General and
administrative
expenses


Total
Restructuring liabilities (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  114 0 114 19 0 19 47 2 49
Net additional charges 1 88 119 207 150 73 223 26 32 58
Reclassifications (22) (3) (25) 2
Utilization (187) (119) (306) (55) (73) (128) (32) (31) (63)
Balance at end of period  15 0 15 114 0 114 19 0 19
1
The following items for which expense accretion was accelerated in 2023, 2022 and 2021 due to the restructuring of the Bank were not included in the restructuring liabilities: unsettled share-based compensation of CHF 11 million, CHF 94 million and CHF 13 million, respectively, which remained classified as a component of total shareholders' equity; other personnel-related charges of CHF 63 million, CHF 106 million and CHF 7 million, respectively, which remained classified as compensation liabilities; unsettled pension obligations of CHF 15 million, CHF 8 million and CHF 4 million, respectively, which remained classified as pension liabilities; and accelerated accumulated depreciation and impairment of CHF 97 million, CHF 36 million and CHF 31 million, respectively, which remained classified as premises and equipment. The settlement date for the unsettled share-based compensation remained unchanged at three years.
2
Reclassified within other liabilities.
129
13 Revenue from contracts with customers
Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer, and excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are collected by the Bank from a customer and both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction are excluded from revenue. The Bank recognizes revenue when it satisfies a contractual performance obligation. Variable consideration is only included in the transaction price once it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the amount of variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Generally no significant judgement is required with respect to recording variable consideration.
If a fee is a fixed percentage of a variable account value at contract inception, recognition of the fee revenue is constrained as the contractual consideration is highly susceptible to change due to factors outside of the Bank’s influence. However, at each performance measurement period end (e.g., end-of-day, end-of-month, end-of-quarter), recognition of the cumulative amount of the consideration to which the Bank is entitled is no longer constrained because it is calculated based on a known account value and the fee revenue is no longer variable.
Nature of services
The following is a description of the principal activities from which the Bank generates its revenues from contracts with customers.
The performance obligations are typically satisfied as the services in the contract are rendered. The contract terms are generally such that they do not result in any contract assets. The contracts generally do not include a significant financing component or obligations for refunds or other similar obligations. Any variable consideration included in the transaction price is only recognized when the uncertainty of the amount is resolved and it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur.
Credit Suisse’s wealth management businesses provide investment services and solutions for clients, including asset management, investment advisory and investment management, wealth planning, and origination and structuring of sophisticated financing transactions. The Bank receives for these services investment advisory and investment management fees which are generally reflected in the line item “Investment and portfolio management” in the table “Contracts with customers and disaggregation of revenues” below. Generally, the fee for the service provided is recognized over the period of time the service is provided.
The wealth management businesses also provide comprehensive advisory services and tailored investment and financing solutions to private, corporate and institutional clients. The nature of the services range from investment and wealth management activities, which are services rendered over a period of time according to the contract with the customer, to more transaction-specific services such as brokerage and sales and trading services and the offer of client-tailored financing products. The services are provided as requested by Credit Suisse’s clients, and the fee for the service requested is recognized once the service is provided.
The Bank’s asset management businesses offer investment solutions and services globally to a broad range of clients, including pension funds, governments, foundations and endowments, corporations and individuals. Fund managers typically enter into a variety of contracts to provide investment management and other services. A fund manager may satisfy its performance obligation independently or may engage a third party to satisfy some or all of a performance obligation on the fund manager’s behalf. Although the fund manager may have engaged a third party to provide inputs to the overall investment management services, the contractual obligation to provide investment management services to a customer remains the primary responsibility of the fund manager. As such, the fund manager is acting as a principal in the transaction. As a fund manager, the Bank typically receives base management fees and may additionally receive performance-based management fees which are both recognized as “Investment and portfolio management” revenues in the table “Contracts with customers and disaggregation of revenues” below. Base management fees are generally calculated based on the NAV of the customer’s investment, which can change during the performance period. Performance-based management fees are variable consideration received by the Bank depending on the financial performance of the underlying fund. As both the base management fees and performance-based management fees are variable, the Bank recognizes the fees once it is probable that a significant reversal of the revenue recognized will not occur and when the uncertainty of the amount is resolved. The estimate of these variable fees is constrained until the end of the performance measurement period. Generally, the uncertainty is resolved at the end of the performance measurement period and therefore no significant judgement is necessary when recording variable consideration. Under a clawback obligation provision, a fund manager may be required to return certain distributions received from a fund if a specific performance threshold, i.e., benchmark, is not achieved at the end of the lifetime of the fund. The contractual clawback obligation is an additional factor of uncertainty which is considered in the constraint assessment. If the performance-based management fee is earned but the clawback provision has not lapsed, the clawback obligation is accounted for as a refund liability.
The Bank’s capital markets businesses underwrite and sell securities on behalf of customers. Typically, the fees in these businesses are recognized at a single point in time once the transaction is complete, i.e., when the securities have been placed with investors, and recognized as underwriting revenue. All expenses incurred in satisfying the performance obligation are deferred and recognized once the transaction is complete. Generally Credit Suisse and other banks form a syndicate group to underwrite and place the securities for a customer. The Bank may act as the lead or a participating member in the syndicate group. Each member of the syndicate group, including the lead and participating
130
underwriters, is acting as principal for their proportionate share of the syndication. As a result, the individual underwriters reflect their proportionate share of underwriting revenue and underwriting costs on a gross basis.
For the services provided, such as the execution of client trades in securities or derivatives, the Bank typically earns a brokerage commission when the trade is executed. The Bank generally acts as an agent when buying or selling exchange-traded cash securities, exchange-traded derivatives or centrally cleared OTC derivatives on behalf of clients. The Bank also provides services that include advisory services to clients in connection with corporate finance activities. The term “advisory” includes any type of service the Bank provides in an advisory capacity. For these types of services, the Bank typically receives a non-refundable retainer fee and/or a success fee which usually represents a percentage of the transaction proceeds if and when the corporate finance activity is completed. Additionally, the contract may contain a milestone fee such as an “announcement fee” that is payable upon the public announcement of the corporate finance activity. Typically, the fees are recognized at a specific point in time once it is determined that the performance obligation related to the transaction has been completed. A contract liability will be recorded if the Bank receives a payment such as a retainer fee or announcement fee for an advisory service prior to satisfying the performance obligation. Advisory fees are recognized ratably over time in scenarios where the contracted service of the Bank is to act as an advisor over a specified period not related to or dependent on the successful completion of a transaction. Revenues recognized from these services are reflected in the line item “Other Services” in the table below.
Contracts with customers and disaggregation of revenues
in 2023 2022 2021
Contracts with customers (CHF million)
Investment and portfolio management 2,478 3,028 3,401
Other securities business 67 61 61
Underwriting 90 560 2,560
Brokerage 1,280 2,264 3,087
Other services 775 1,566 2,244
Total revenues from contracts with customers  4,690 7,479 11,353
The table above differs from “Note 6 – Commissions and fees” as it includes only those contracts with customers that are in scope of ASC Topic 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Contract balances
end of 2023 2022
Contract balances (CHF million)
Contract receivables 457 686
Contract liabilities 47 54
Contract balances
in 4Q23 3Q23 2Q23 1Q23
Revenue recognized (CHF million)
Revenue recognized in the reporting period included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of period 29 (17) 7 10
The Bank did not recognize any revenues in the reporting period from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.
There were no material net impairment losses on contract receivables in 2023, 2022 or 2021. The Bank did not recognize any contract assets during 2023, 2022 or 2021.
Capitalized costs
The Bank has not incurred costs to obtain a contract nor costs to fulfill a contract that are eligible for capitalization.
Remaining performance obligations
ASC Topic 606’s practical expedient allows the Bank to exclude from its remaining performance obligations disclosure any performance obligations which are part of a contract with an original expected duration of one year or less. Additionally, any variable consideration, for which it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved, is not subject to the remaining performance obligations disclosure because such variable consideration is not included in the transaction price (e.g., investment management fees). Upon review, the Bank determined that no material remaining performance obligations are in scope of the remaining performance obligations disclosure.
131
14 Securities borrowed, lent and subject to repurchase agreements
end of 2023 2022
Securities borrowed or purchased under agreements to resell (CHF million)  
Central bank funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements 46,813 42,256
Deposits paid for securities borrowed 400 16,542
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions  47,213 58,798
Securities lent or sold under agreements to repurchase (CHF million)  
Central bank funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements 821 19,421
Deposits received for securities lent 134 950
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions  955 20,371
Amounts shown are after counterparty and cash collateral netting.
Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements represent collateralized financing transactions used to earn net interest income, increase liquidity or facilitate trading activity. These instruments are collateralized principally by government securities and corporate bonds and have terms ranging from overnight to a longer or unspecified period of time.
In the event of counterparty default, the reverse repurchase agreement or securities lending agreement provides the Bank with the right to liquidate the collateral held. In the Bank’s normal course of business, a significant portion of the collateral received that may be sold or repledged has been sold or repledged as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
15 Investment securities
end of 2023 2022
Investment securities (CHF million)  
Debt securities held-to-maturity 1,417 921
Debt securities available-for-sale 4 796
Total investment securities  1,421 1,717
Investment securities by type
   2023 2022

end of

Amortized
cost
Allowance
for credit
losses
Gross
unrealized
gains
Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Amortized
cost
Allowance
for credit
losses
Gross
unrealized
gains
Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value
Investment securities by type (CHF million)  
Foreign governments 1,259 0 0 110 1,149 921 0 0 40 881
Corporate debt securities 158 0 0 7 151 0 0 0 0 0
Debt securities held-to-maturity  1,417 1 0 0 117 1,300 921 1 0 0 40 881
Corporate debt securities 4 0 0 0 4 952 0 0 156 796
Debt securities available-for-sale  4 2 0 0 0 4 952 2 0 0 156 796
1
Excludes accrued interest on debt securities held-to-maturity of CHF 19 million and CHF 10 million as of the end of 2023 and 2022, respectively, with no related allowance for credit losses. Accrued interest is reported in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
2
Excludes accrued interest on debt securities available-for-sale of CHF 0 million and CHF 1 million as of the end of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Accrued interest is reported in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
> Refer to “Note 18 – Financial instruments measured at amortized cost and credit losses” for further information on debt securities held-to-maturity.
132
Gross unrealized losses on debt securities and the related fair value
   Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total

end of

Fair
value
Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value
Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value
Gross
unrealized
losses
2022 (CHF million)  
Corporate debt securities 374 58 404 98 778 156
Debt securities available-for-sale  374 58 404 98 778 156
Proceeds from sales, realized gains and realized losses from debt securities available-for-sale
in 2023 2022 2021
Sales of debt securities available-for-sale (CHF million)  
Proceeds from sales 845 44 0
Realized losses (4) (6) 0
Amortized cost, fair value and average yield of debt securities
    Debt securities
held-to-maturity
Debt securities
available-for-sale

end of

Amortized
cost

Fair
value
Average
yield
(in %)

Amortized
cost

Fair
value
Average
yield
(in %)
2023 (CHF million)  
Due within 1 year 0 0 0.00 4 4 33.55
Due from 1 to 5 years 1,417 1,300 3.66 0 0 0.00
Total debt securities  1,417 1 1,300 3.66 4 2 4 33.55
1
Excluded accrued interest on debt securities held-to-maturity of CHF 19 million.
2
Excluded accrued interest on debt securities available-for-sale of CHF 0 million.
Allowance for credit losses on debt securities available-for-sale
A credit loss exists if there is a decline in fair value of the security below the amortized cost as a result of the non-collectability of the amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms.
An allowance for expected credit losses is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in provision for credit losses and the non-credit-related losses are recorded in AOCI. Subsequent improvements in the estimated credit losses are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as a reduction in provision for credit losses. A security is written off when a determination is made that the security is uncollectible. As of the end of 2022, the Bank had no allowance for credit losses on debt securities available-for-sale.
133
16 Other investments
end of 2023 2022
Other investments (CHF million)  
Equity method investments 1,856 1,618
Equity securities (without a readily determinable fair value) 1 1,691 3,212
   of which at net asset value  101 72
   of which at measurement alternative  49 366
   of which at fair value  1,503 2,727
   of which at cost less impairment  38 47
Real estate held-for-investment 2 31 46
Life finance instruments 3 439 587
Total other investments  4,017 5,463
1
Includes private equity, hedge funds and restricted stock investments as well as certain investments in non-marketable mutual funds for which the Bank has neither significant influence nor control over the investee.
2
As of the end of 2023 and 2022, real estate held-for-investment included foreclosed or repossessed real estate of CHF 6 million and CHF 20 million, respectively, of which CHF 6 million and CHF 20 million, respectively, were related to residential real estate.
3
Includes single premium immediate annuity contracts.
Accumulated depreciation related to real estate held-for-investment amounted to CHF 25 million, CHF 24 million and CHF 28 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
No impairments were recorded on real estate held-for-investment in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Equity securities at measurement alternative
in / end of 2023 Cumulative 2022
Impairments and adjustments (CHF million)  
Impairments and downward adjustments (14) (66) (12)
Upward adjustments 0 147 9
> Refer to “Note 34 – Financial instruments” for further information on such investments.
17 Loans
The Bank’s loan portfolio is classified into two portfolio segments, consumer loans and corporate & institutional loans. Consumer loans are disaggregated into the classes of mortgages, loans collateralized by securities and consumer finance. Corporate & institutional loans are disaggregated into the classes of real estate, commercial and industrial loans, financial institutions, and governments and public institutions.
Loans
end of 2023 2022
Loans (CHF million)  
Mortgages 100,606 107,484
Loans collateralized by securities 26,380 37,639
Consumer finance 5,608 5,701
Consumer 132,594 150,824
Real estate 21,201 25,463
Commercial and industrial loans 48,351 62,740
Financial institutions 14,693 27,955
Governments and public institutions 1,616 2,555
Corporate & institutional 85,861 118,713
Gross loans  218,455 269,537
   of which held at amortized cost  215,997 262,179
   of which held at fair value  2,458 7,358
Net (unearned income)/deferred expenses (34) (71)
Allowance for credit losses (1,680) (1,362)
Net loans  216,741 268,104
Gross loans by location  
Switzerland 151,681 166,982
Foreign 66,774 102,555
Gross loans  218,455 269,537
Impaired loans  
Non-performing loans 1,618 1,614
Non-interest-earning loans 308 338
Non-accrual loans 1,926 1,952
Restructured loans 1 484
Potential problem loans 1,349 977
Other impaired loans 1,349 1,461
Gross impaired loans 2 3,275 3,413
1
In connection with the adoption of new accounting guidance for loan modifications on January 1, 2023, the previous accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings was superseded, with disclosures under the new accounting guidance applied prospectively. Accordingly, restructured loans were reclassified to either potential problem loans or non-impaired loans and are no longer presented as their own impaired loan category.
2
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, CHF 110 million and CHF 130 million, respectively, were related to consumer mortgages secured by residential real estate for which formal foreclosure proceedings according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction were in process.
> Refer to “Loans” in Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies for further information on loans and categories of impaired loans.
> Refer to “Note 18 – Financial instruments measured at amortized cost and credit losses” for further information on loans held at amortized cost.
134
18 Financial instruments measured at amortized cost and credit losses
This disclosure provides an overview of the Bank’s balance sheet positions that include financial assets carried at amortized cost which are subject to the CECL accounting guidance. It includes the following sections:
Allowance for credit losses (including the methodology for estimating expected credit losses in non-impaired and impaired financial assets and current-period estimates);
Credit quality information (including monitoring of credit quality and internal ratings);
Past due financial assets;
Non-accrual financial assets;
Collateral-dependent financial assets;
Off-balance sheet credit exposure; and
Loan modifications.
As of December 31, 2023, the Bank had no purchased financial assets with more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination.
> Refer to “Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies” for further information on the accounting of financial assets and off-balance sheet credit exposure subject to the CECL accounting guidance.
Overview of financial instruments measured at amortized cost – by balance sheet position
   2023 2022

end of

Amortized
cost basis
1 Allowance
for credit
losses
Net
carrying
value

Amortized
cost basis
1 Allowance
for credit
losses
Net
carrying
value
CHF million  
Cash and due from banks 124,946 (108) 124,838 67,548 0 67,548
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 383 2 0 383 373 4 0 373
Securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 20,976 2 0 20,976 18,005 4 0 18,005
Debt securities held-to-maturity 1,417 2 0 1,417 921 4 0 921
Loans 215,963 2,3 (1,680) 214,283 262,108 4,5 (1,362) 260,746
Brokerage receivables 2,216 0 2,216 17,899 (4,081) 13,818
Other assets 22,991 (53) 22,938 23,521 (37) 23,484
Total  388,892 (1,841) 387,051 390,375 (5,480) 384,895
1
Net of unearned income/deferred expenses, as applicable.
2
Excluded accrued interest in the total amount of CHF 465 million, with no related allowance for credit losses. Of the accrued interest balance, CHF 1 million related to interest-bearing deposits with banks, CHF 3 million to securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions, CHF 19 million to debt securities held-to-maturity and CHF 442 million to loans. These accrued interest balances are reported in other assets.
3
Included interest of CHF 88 million on non-accrual loans which were reported as part of the loans' amortized cost balance.
4
Excluded accrued interest in the total amount of CHF 549 million, with no related allowance for credit losses. Of the accrued interest balance, CHF 1 million related to interest-bearing deposits with banks, CHF 4 million to securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions, CHF 10 million to debt securities held-to-maturity and CHF 534 million to loans. These accrued interest balances are reported in other assets.
5
Included interest of CHF 102 million on non-accrual loans which were reported as part of the loans' amortized cost balance.
Allowance for credit losses
Estimating expected credit losses – overview
The following key elements and processes of estimating expected credit losses apply to the Bank’s major classes of financial assets held at amortized cost.
Expected credit losses on non-impaired credit exposures
Expected credit loss models for non-impaired credit exposures have three main inputs: (i) PD, (ii) LGD and (iii) EAD. These parameters are derived from internally developed statistical models, which are based on historical data and leverage regulatory models under the advanced internal rating-based (A-IRB) approach. Expected credit loss models use forward-looking information to derive point-in-time estimates of forward-looking term structures.
PD estimates are based on statistical rating models and tailored to various categories of counterparties and exposures. These statistical rating models are based on internally and externally compiled data comprising both quantitative and qualitative factors. A migration of a counterparty or exposure between rating classes generally leads to a change in the estimate of the associated PD. Lifetime PDs are estimated considering the expected macroeconomic environment and the contractual maturities of exposures, adjusted for estimated prepayment rates where applicable. Internal credit ratings form a significant input to the model-derived CECL PDs. For the majority of counterparties, internal credit ratings are determined via statistical rating models, which are developed under the A-IRB approach of the Basel framework. The models are tailored to the specific business of the respective obligor and are intended to reflect the risk of default over a one-year period of each counterparty. The Bank has received approval from its primary regulator to use, and has fully implemented, the A-IRB approach.
135
LGD estimates the size of the expected loss that may arise on a credit exposure in the event of a default. The Bank estimates LGD based on the history of recovery rates of claims against defaulted counterparties, considering, as appropriate, factors such as differences in product structure, collateral type, seniority of the claim, counterparty industry and recovery costs of any collateral that is integral to the financial asset. Certain LGD values are also calibrated to reflect the expected macroeconomic environment.
EAD represents the expected amount of credit exposure in the event of a default. It reflects the current drawn exposure with a counterparty and an expectation regarding the future evolution of the credit exposure under the contract or facility, including amortization and prepayments. The EAD of a financial asset is the gross carrying amount at default, which is modeled based on historical data by applying a term structure and considering portfolio-specific factors such as the drawn amount as of the reporting date, the facility limit, amortization schedules, financial collateral and product type. For certain financial assets, the Bank determines EAD by modeling the range of possible exposure outcomes at various points in time using scenario and statistical techniques.
Where a relationship to macroeconomic indicators is statistically sound and in line with economic expectations, the parameters are modeled accordingly, incorporating the Bank’s forward-looking forecasts and applying regional segmentations where appropriate.
The ability to forecast credit losses over the reasonable and supportable period is based on the ability to forecast economic activity over a reasonable and supportable time window. The Bank’s macroeconomic and market variable forecasts for the CECL scenarios cover a five-year time horizon. For periods beyond that reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Bank immediately reverts to average economic environment variables as model input factors. In the downside and upside scenarios, mean reversion to the base case projected paths will commence in year three, with full convergence occurring in years four and five for certain macroeconomic factors.
Alternative qualitative estimation approaches are used for certain products. For lombard loans (including share-backed loans), the PD/LGD approach used does not consider the Bank’s forward-looking forecasts as these are not meaningful for the estimate of expected credit losses in light of the short timeframe considered for closing out positions under daily margining arrangements. For international private residential mortgages and securitizations, the Bank applies qualitative approaches where credit specialists follow a structured process and use their expertise and judgment to determine the amounts of expected credit losses.
The Bank measures expected credit losses considering the risk of default over the maximum contractual period (including any borrower’s extension options) during which it is exposed to credit risk, even if the Bank considers a longer period for risk management purposes. The maximum contractual period extends to the date at which the Bank has the right to require repayment of an advance or terminate an irrevocable loan commitment or a credit guarantee.
Expected credit losses on impaired credit exposures
Expected credit losses for individually impaired credit exposures are measured by performing an in-depth review and analysis of these exposures, considering factors such as recovery and exit options as well as collateral and the risk profile of the borrower. The individual measurement of expected credit losses for impaired financial assets also considers reasonable and supportable forward-looking information that is relevant to the individual counterparty (idiosyncratic information) and reflective of the macroeconomic environment that the borrower is exposed to, apart from any historical loss information and current conditions. If there are different scenarios relevant for the individual expected credit loss measurement, they are considered on a probability-weighted basis. The related allowance for credit losses is revalued by the recovery management function, at least annually or more frequently, depending on the risk profile of the borrower or credit-relevant events.
For credit-impaired financial assets, the expected credit loss is measured using (i) the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the contractual interest rate of the loan and (ii) the fair market value of collateral where the loan is collateral-dependent. The impaired credit exposures and related allowance are revalued to reflect the passage of time.
For all classes of financial assets, the trigger to detect an impaired credit exposure is non-payment of interest, principal amounts or other contractual payment obligations, or when, for example, the Bank may become aware of specific adverse information relating to a counterparty’s ability to meet its contractual obligations, despite the current repayment status of its particular credit facility. For credit exposures where repayment is dependent on collateral, a decrease in collateral values can be an additional trigger to detect an impairment. Additional procedures may apply to specific classes of financial assets as described further below.
136
Macroeconomic scenarios
The estimation and application of forward-looking information requires a combination of expert judgment and quantitative analysis. Since the acquisition by UBS, this estimation process and related analysis and procedures have been embedded in a group-wide process. As part of this group-wide process, the Bank has aligned its macroeconomic scenarios, related macroeconomic factor forecasts and scenario weightings to those used by UBS. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank’s estimation of expected credit losses was based on a discounted probability-weighted estimate that considers three future macroeconomic scenarios: a baseline scenario, a mild downside scenario (mild debt crisis) and a severe downside scenario (stagflationary geopolitical crisis). The baseline scenario represents the most likely outcome. The other scenarios represent more pessimistic outcomes. The scenarios are probability-weighted according to the Bank’s best estimate of their relative likelihood based on historical frequency, an assessment of the current business and credit cycles as well as the macroeconomic factor trends.
> Refer to “Note 19 – Financial instruments measured at amortized cost and credit losses” in VIII – Consolidated financial statements – Credit Suisse (Bank) in the Credit Suisse Annual Report 2022 for further information on macroeconomic scenarios applied by the Bank prior to the acquisition by UBS.
Current-period estimate of expected credit losses on non-impaired credit exposures
One of the most significant judgments involved in estimating the Bank’s allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the forecast period, with modeled credit losses being driven primarily by a set of 38 MEFs. The key MEFs used in each of the macroeconomic scenarios for the calculation of the expected credit losses include, but are not limited to, GDP growth rates and average ship earnings. These MEFs are used in the portfolio- and region-specific CECL models and have been selected based on statistical criteria and expert judgment to explain expected credit losses. The table “Selected macroeconomic factors” includes the Bank’s forecast of selected MEFs for 2024 and 2025, as estimated as of December 31, 2023. The comparative information includes the forecast of MEFs selected and estimated as of December 31, 2022. These MEFs forecasts are recalibrated on a quarterly basis. While GDP growth rates and average ship earnings are significant inputs to the forecast models, a range of other inputs are also incorporated for all three scenarios to provide projections for future economic and market conditions. Given the complex nature of the forecasting process, no single economic variable is viewed in isolation or independently of other inputs.
As of December 31, 2023, the forecast macroeconomic scenarios were weighted 60% for the baseline, 15% for the mild debt crisis and 25% for the stagflationary geopolitical crisis scenario. As of December 31, 2022, for the previously applied scenarios, the forecast macroeconomic scenarios were weighted 50% for the baseline, 40% for the downside and 10% for the upside scenario.
Selected macroeconomic factors

end of 2023
Forecast
2024
Forecast
2025
EU nominal GDP growth rate (%)
Baseline 3.9 3.2
Mild debt crisis (1.0) 0.4
Stagflationary geopolitical crisis 3.3 2.1
US real GDP growth rate (%)
Baseline 0.7 2.4
Mild debt crisis (0.6) 0.3
Stagflationary geopolitical crisis (3.3) (1.2)
Swiss nominal GDP growth rate (%)
Baseline 2.7 3.2
Mild debt crisis (1.0) 0.0
Stagflationary geopolitical crisis 0.7 2.0
China real GDP growth rate (%)
Baseline 4.1 4.8
Mild debt crisis 2.2 3.3
Stagflationary geopolitical crisis (1.5) 1.4
Average earnings of bulk carriers (USD per day)
Baseline 12,552 12,346
Mild debt crisis 10,096 10,930
Stagflationary geopolitical crisis 8,614 10,391
Average earnings of tankers (USD per day)
Baseline 49,865 53,895
Mild debt crisis 42,458 38,392
Stagflationary geopolitical crisis 31,758 25,269

end of 2022
Forecast
2023
Forecast
2024
US real GDP growth rate (%)
Downside (1.7) 0.5
Baseline 0.9 1.5
Upside 1.2 2.0
World industrial production (%)
Downside (6.8) 0.4
Baseline 1.2 1.9
Upside 3.9 3.9
China real GDP growth rate (%)
Downside (0.9) 2.1
Baseline 4.5 4.9
Upside 6.2 5.8
EU nominal GDP growth rate (%)
Downside 3.4 2.3
Baseline 5.2 4.1
Upside 5.5 3.8
Swiss nominal GDP growth rate (%)
Downside 0.0 1.0
Baseline 2.7 2.0
Upside 3.2 2.1
Forecasts for GDP rates represent average annual growth rates while forecasts for average ship earnings represent levels at the end of the forcast period.
137
Expected credit losses are not solely derived from MEF projections. Model overlays based on expert judgment are also applied, considering historical loss experience, industry, portfolio and counterparty reviews. Overlays are primarily impacting certain corporate and institutional loan portfolios. Certain overlays are designed to address circumstances where in management’s judgment the CECL model outputs are overly sensitive to the effect of economic inputs that exhibit significant deviation from their long-term historical averages. The Bank’s non-specific allowance for expected credit losses on balance sheet and off-balance sheet credit exposures as of December 31, 2023 decreased compared to December 31, 2022. In 2023, the probability of default models for large corporates and financial institutions were enhanced and the related overlays were decommissioned.
Interest income attributable to passage of time
For financial assets held at amortized cost for which the Bank measures expected credit losses based on the discounted cash flow methodology, the entire change in present value is reported in the provision for credit losses.
Methodology changes
The probability of default models for large corporates and financial institutions were updated during the reporting period. The main changes include (i) updates to macroeconomic factors based on expert feedback, (ii) re-calibration of sensitivity to macroeconomic inputs, (iii) re-calibration of average default probabilities, and (iv) additional granularity of region and industry segmentations. The overall impact of this model change is reflected in the table “Allowance for credit losses – loans held at amortized cost”. The model adjustments were applied with a simultaneous release of model overlays. The model overlays were in place mainly to address overly sensitive outputs of former models.
Loans held at amortized cost
The Bank’s loan portfolio is classified into two portfolio segments, consumer loans and corporate & institutional loans. The main risk characteristics are described by individual class of financing receivable for each of these portfolio segments:
Consumer loans:
Mortgages: includes lending instruments secured by residential real estate; such credit exposure is sensitive to the level of interest rates and unemployment as well as real estate valuation.
Loans collateralized by securities: primarily includes lending secured by marketable financial collateral (e.g., equities, bonds, investment funds and precious metals); such credit exposure is sensitive to market prices for securities which impact the value of financial collateral.
Consumer finance: includes lending to private individuals such as credit cards, personal loans and leases; such credit exposure is sensitive to MEFs including economic growth, unemployment and interest rates.
Corporate & institutional loans:
Real estate: includes lending backed by commercial or income-producing real estate; such credit exposure is sensitive to MEFs including economic growth, unemployment, interest rates and industrial production as well as real estate valuation.
Commercial and industrial loans: includes lending to corporate clients including small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporates and multinational clients; such credit exposure is sensitive to MEFs including economic growth, unemployment and industrial production.
Financial institutions: includes lending to financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies; such credit exposure is sensitive to MEFs including economic growth.
Governments and public institutions: includes lending to central government and state-owned enterprises; such credit exposure is sensitive to MEFs including economic growth.
Expected credit losses on impaired loans
In addition to the triggers described further above, loans managed on the Swiss platform are reviewed depending on event-driven developments. All corporate and institutional loans are reviewed at least annually based on the borrower’s financial statements and any indications of difficulties they may experience. Loans that are not impaired, but which are of special concern due to changes in covenants, downgrades, negative financial news and other adverse developments, are either transferred to recovery management or included on a watchlist. All loans on the watchlist are reviewed at least quarterly to determine whether they should be released, remain on the watchlist or be moved to recovery management. For loans in recovery management from the Swiss platform, larger positions are reviewed on a quarterly basis for any event-driven changes. Otherwise, these loans are reviewed at least annually. All loans in recovery management on international platforms are reviewed on at least a monthly basis.
138
Allowance for credit losses – loans held at amortized cost
   2023 2022 2021

Consumer
Corporate &
institutional

Total

Consumer
Corporate &
institutional

Total

Consumer
Corporate &
institutional

Total
Allowance for credit losses (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  359 1,007 1,366 1 357 939 1,296 318 1,217 1,535
Current-period provision for expected credit losses 180 833 1,013 57 184 241 78 (53) 25
   of which methodology changes  0 5 5 0 0 0 0 (1) (1)
   of which provisions for interest 2 60 58 118 22 29 51 25 23 48
Gross write-offs (58) (542) (600) (65) (116) (181) (55) (242) (297)
Recoveries 10 1 11 12 3 15 9 5 14
Net write-offs (48) (541) (589) (53) (113) (166) (46) (237) (283)
Foreign currency translation impact and other adjustments, net (26) (84) (110) (2) (7) (9) 7 12 19
Balance at end of period  465 1,215 1,680 359 1,003 1,362 357 939 1,296
   of which individually evaluated  311 863 1,174 273 572 845 273 512 785
   of which collectively evaluated  154 352 506 86 431 517 84 427 511
1
Included a net impact of CHF 4 million from the adoption of new accounting guidance for loan modifications on January 1, 2023, all of which were reflected in corporate & institutional loans.
2
Represents the current-period net provision for accrued interest on non-accrual loans and lease financing transactions which is recognized as a reversal of interest income.
Gross write-offs of CHF 600 million in 2023 compared to gross write-offs of CHF 181 million in 2022. In 2023, gross write-offs in corporate & institutional loans mainly included write-offs taken on loans in Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) in connection with their reclassification to held-for-sale, several positions in small and medium-sized enterprises as well as individual positions in corporate loans, ship finance and aviation finance. Write-offs in consumer loans included primarily Swiss consumer finance loans and a write-off in Swiss mortgages. In 2022, gross write-offs in corporate & institutional loans reflected the sale of a facility relating to a coal mining company and write-offs of a loan to a consulting services company, an exposure to a financial institution impacted by sanctions imposed in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and individual positions in small and medium-sized enterprises, Swiss large corporates and ship finance. Write-offs in consumer loans were mainly related to Swiss consumer finance loans and a European mortgage.
Purchases, reclassifications and sales – loans held at amortized cost
   2023 2022 2021

in

Consumer
Corporate &
institutional

Total

Consumer
Corporate &
institutional

Total

Consumer
Corporate &
institutional

Total
CHF million  
Purchases 1 69 4,714 4,783 17 4,603 4,620 22 4,361 4,383
Reclassifications from loans held-for-sale 2 0 30 30 0 95 95 0 133 133
Reclassifications to loans held-for-sale 3 0 10,824 10,824 0 9,516 9,516 0 4,780 4,780
Sales 3 0 2,454 2,454 0 2,485 2,485 0 4,442 4,442
Reclassifications from loans held-for-sale and reclassifications to loans held-for-sale represent non-cash transactions.
1
Includes drawdowns under purchased loan commitments.
2
Reflects loans previously reclassified to held-for-sale that were not sold and were reclassified back to loans held at amortized cost.
3
All loans held at amortized cost which are sold are reclassified to loans held-for-sale on or prior to the date of the sale.
139
Debt securities held-to-maturity
In 2023 and 2022, the Bank purchased foreign government debt securities held-to-maturity amounting to CHF 463 million and CHF 971 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank’s foreign government debt securities held-to-maturity had a carrying value of CHF 1,259 million and CHF 921 million, respectively, and represented a portfolio of US Treasury securities, all rated “AAA” based on the Bank’s internal counterparty rating. US Treasury securities have a history of no credit losses and market price movements mainly reflect changes in market interest rates. Based on this history of no credit losses and the Bank’s view of the current and forecasted economic environment, the Bank expects the risk of non-payment for US Treasuries to be zero and does not have an allowance for credit losses for these securities. The credit quality of these securities is monitored on a regular basis and the Bank’s zero-loss expectation is validated on at least a quarterly basis through the Bank’s governance structure involving the Risk and Treasury functions.
In 2023, the Bank purchased corporate debt securities held-to-maturity amounting to CHF 168 million. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank’s corporate debt securities held-to-maturity had a carrying value of CHF 158 million and represented a limited number of euro-denominated covered bonds qualifying as HQLA, all rated “AAA” based on the Bank’s internal rating. These covered bonds relate to prime French residential home loans originated by French commercial networks. Market price movements of these covered bonds mainly reflect changes in interest rates and the issuer credit ratings, with the Bank’s exposure mitigated by interest rate swap hedge transactions and the overcollateralization of covered bonds. These securities are valued on a daily basis by the front office.
> Refer to “Note 15 – Investment securities” for further information.
Other financial assets
The Bank’s other financial assets include certain balance sheet positions held at amortized cost, each representing its own portfolio segment. They have the following risk characteristics:
Cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits with banks: includes balances held with banks, primarily cash balances with central banks and nostro accounts; such credit exposure is sensitive to the credit rating and profile of the bank or central bank. Cash and due from banks also includes short-term, highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less, which are held for cash management purposes; such credit exposure is sensitive to the credit rating and profile of the issuer of the related instrument.
Reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowing transactions: includes lending and borrowing of securities against cash or other financial collateral; such credit exposure is sensitive to the credit rating and profile of the counterparty and relative changes in the valuation of securities and financial collateral.
Brokerage receivables: includes mainly settlement accounts with brokers and margin accounts; such credit exposure is sensitive to the credit rating and profile of the counterparty.
Other assets: includes mainly cash collateral, accrued interest, fees receivable, mortgage servicing advances and failed purchases; such credit exposure is sensitive to the credit rating and profile of the related counterparty.
Allowance for credit losses – other financial assets held at amortized cost
2023 2022 2021
Allowance for credit losses (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  4,118 4,214 48
Current-period provision for expected credit losses 127 (135) 4,295
   of which methodology changes  3 0 0
Gross write-offs (4,035) (7) (8)
Recoveries 2 0 0
Net write-offs (4,033) (7) (8)
Foreign currency translation impact and other adjustments, net (51) 46 (121)
Balance at end of period  161 4,118 4,214
   of which individually evaluated  129 4,096 4,200
   of which collectively evaluated  32 22 14
In 2023, gross write-offs of other financial assets of CHF 4,035 million primarily included brokerage receivables related to Archegos.
In 2022 and 2021, the Bank purchased other financial assets held at amortized cost amounting to CHF 931 million and CHF 196 million, respectively, primarily related to mortgage servicing advances.
140
Credit quality information
Monitoring of credit quality and internal ratings – overview
The Bank monitors the credit quality of financial assets held at amortized cost through its credit risk management framework, which provides for the consistent evaluation, measurement and management of credit risk across the Bank. Assessments of credit risk exposures for internal risk estimates and risk-weighted assets are calculated based on PD, LGD and EAD models.
> Refer to “Expected credit losses on non-impaired credit exposures” for further information on PD, LGD and EAD.
The credit risk management framework incorporates the following core elements:
counterparty and transaction assessments: application of internal credit ratings (using PD), assignment of LGD and EAD values in relation to counterparties and transactions;
credit limits: establishment of credit limits, including limits based on notional exposure, potential future exposure and stress exposure, subject to approval by delegated authority holders, to serve as primary risk controls on exposures and to prevent undue risk concentrations;
credit monitoring, impairments and provisions: processes to support the ongoing monitoring and management of credit exposures, supporting the early identification of deterioration and any subsequent impact; and
risk mitigation: active management of credit exposures through the use of cash sales, participations, collateral, guarantees, single name and portfolio insurance or hedging instruments.
In addition to traditional credit exposure measurement, monitoring and management using current and potential future exposure metrics, the Risk function performs counterparty and portfolio credit risk assessments of the impact of various internal stress test scenarios. The Risk function assesses the impact to credit risk exposures arising from market movements in accordance with the scenario narrative, which can further support the identification of concentration or tail risks. The scenario suite includes historical scenarios as well as forward-looking scenarios.
Credit officers evaluate and assess counterparties and clients to whom the Bank has credit exposures, primarily using internal rating models. These models are used to determine internal credit ratings which are intended to reflect the PD of each counterparty.
For a majority of counterparties and clients, internal ratings are based on internally developed statistical models that have been backtested against internal experience and validated by a function independent of model development. Findings from backtesting serve as a key input for any future rating model developments. The Bank’s internally developed statistical rating models are based on a combination of quantitative factors (e.g., financial fundamentals, such as balance sheet information for corporates and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and the borrower’s income level for mortgage lending, and market data) and qualitative factors (e.g., credit histories from credit reporting bureaus and economic trends).
For the remaining counterparties where statistical rating models are not used, internal credit ratings are assigned on the basis of a structured expert approach using a variety of inputs, such as peer analyses, industry comparisons, external ratings and research as well as the judgment of senior credit officers.
In addition to counterparty ratings, the Risk function also assesses the risk profile of individual transactions and assigns transaction ratings which reflect specific contractual terms such as seniority, security and collateral.
Internal credit ratings may differ from external credit ratings, where available, and are subject to periodic review depending on exposure type, client segment, collateral or event-driven developments. The Bank’s internal ratings are mapped to a PD band associated with each rating which is calibrated to historical default experience using internal data and external data sources. The Bank’s internal rating bands are reviewed on an annual basis with reference to extended historical default data and are therefore based on stable long-run averages. Adjustments to PD bands are only made where significant deviations to existing values are detected. The last update was made in 2012 and since then no significant changes to the robust long-run averages have been detected.
For the purpose of the credit quality disclosures included in these financial statements, an equivalent rating based on the Standard & Poor’s rating scale is assigned to the Bank’s internal ratings based on the PD band associated with each rating. These internal ratings are used consistently across all classes of financial assets and are aggregated to the credit quality indicators “investment grade” and “non-investment grade”.
The Bank uses internal rating methodologies consistently for the purposes of approval, establishment and monitoring of credit limits and credit portfolio management, credit policy, management reporting, risk-adjusted performance measurement, economic risk capital measurement and allocation and financial accounting.
A credit quality monitoring process is performed to provide for early identification of possible changes in the creditworthiness of clients and includes regular asset and collateral quality reviews, business and financial statement analysis and relevant economic and industry studies. The Risk function maintains regularly updated watchlists to review and re-assess counterparties that could be subject to adverse changes in creditworthiness. The review of the credit quality of clients and counterparties does not depend on the accounting treatment of the asset or commitment.
> Refer to “Expected credit losses on impaired credit exposures” for further information on credit monitoring.
141
Credit quality of loans held at amortized cost
The following table presents the Bank’s carrying value of loans held at amortized cost by aggregated internal counterparty credit ratings “investment grade” and “non-investment grade” that are used as credit quality indicators for the purpose of this disclosure, by year of origination. Within the line items relating to the origination year, the first year represents the origination year of the current reporting period and the second year represents the origination year of the comparative reporting period.
Consumer loans held at amortized cost by internal counterparty rating
   2023 2022
    
Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade
Gross
write-offs
(YTD)

Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade
end of AAA to BBB BB to C D Total AAA to BBB BB to C D Total
CHF million  
Mortgages 
2023 / 2022 10,953 687 5 11,645 0 12,501 1,540 8 14,049
2022 / 2021 10,154 1,220 30 11,404 0 21,627 1,396 45 23,068
2021 / 2020 17,263 977 76 18,316 0 12,869 1,111 19 13,999
2020 / 2019 11,009 835 86 11,930 0 10,029 1,271 67 11,367
2019 / 2018 9,096 1,161 89 10,346 0 6,609 650 36 7,295
Prior years 34,366 1,632 172 36,170 9 34,525 1,931 210 36,666
Total term loans 92,841 6,512 458 99,811 9 98,160 7,899 385 106,444
Revolving loans 635 160 0 795 0 229 807 4 1,040
Total  93,476 6,672 458 100,606 9 98,389 8,706 389 107,484
Loans collateralized by securities 
2023 / 2022 404 398 0 802 0 562 552 0 1,114
2022 / 2021 98 17 0 115 0 1,496 381 0 1,877
2021 / 2020 1,197 253 0 1,450 0 307 721 0 1,028
2020 / 2019 87 0 0 87 0 35 143 0 178
2019 / 2018 0 97 0 97 0 16 25 0 41
Prior years 658 236 0 894 0 803 188 0 991
Total term loans 2,444 1,001 0 3,445 0 3,219 2,010 0 5,229
Revolving loans 1 20,928 1,731 276 22,935 0 30,023 2,124 263 32,410
Total  23,372 2,732 276 26,380 0 33,242 4,134 263 37,639
Consumer finance 
2023 / 2022 2,149 842 17 3,008 1 2,135 1,005 8 3,148
2022 / 2021 686 428 21 1,135 6 650 334 15 999
2021 / 2020 373 251 19 643 5 307 200 15 522
2020 / 2019 119 178 16 313 5 120 183 18 321
2019 / 2018 34 96 16 146 5 26 87 15 128
Prior years 19 91 48 158 26 14 80 44 138
Total term loans 3,380 1,886 137 5,403 48 3,252 1,889 115 5,256
Revolving loans 69 50 69 188 1 318 42 69 429
Total  3,449 1,936 206 5,591 49 3,570 1,931 184 5,685
Consumer – total 
2023 / 2022 13,506 1,927 22 15,455 1 15,198 3,097 16 18,311
2022 / 2021 10,938 1,665 51 12,654 6 23,773 2,111 60 25,944
2021 / 2020 18,833 1,481 95 20,409 5 13,483 2,032 34 15,549
2020 / 2019 11,215 1,013 102 12,330 5 10,184 1,597 85 11,866
2019 / 2018 9,130 1,354 105 10,589 5 6,651 762 51 7,464
Prior years 35,043 1,959 220 37,222 35 35,342 2,199 254 37,795
Total term loans 98,665 9,399 595 108,659 57 104,631 11,798 500 116,929
Revolving loans 21,632 1,941 345 23,918 1 30,570 2,973 336 33,879
Total  120,297 11,340 940 132,577 58 135,201 14,771 836 150,808
1
Lombard loans are generally classified as revolving loans.
142
Corporate & institutional loans held at amortized cost by internal counterparty rating
   2023 2022
    
Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade
Gross
write-offs
(YTD)

Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade
end of AAA to BBB BB to C D Total AAA to BBB BB to C D Total
CHF million  
Real estate 
2023 / 2022 2,663 1,907 35 4,605 24 3,601 2,499 5 6,105
2022 / 2021 1,926 1,007 129 3,062 0 7,001 2,441 0 9,442
2021 / 2020 4,431 1,283 164 5,878 0 3,071 855 4 3,930
2020 / 2019 2,402 725 10 3,137 0 959 297 56 1,312
2019 / 2018 818 230 31 1,079 0 698 219 1 918
Prior years 2,298 304 23 2,625 0 2,109 217 24 2,350
Total term loans 14,538 5,456 392 20,386 24 17,439 6,528 90 24,057
Revolving loans 300 279 136 715 0 694 281 125 1,100
Total  14,838 5,735 528 21,101 24 18,133 6,809 215 25,157
Commercial and industrial loans 
2023 / 2022 6,599 8,126 422 15,147 26 7,858 11,181 263 19,302
2022 / 2021 2,635 3,237 81 5,953 11 3,576 4,204 212 7,992
2021 / 2020 2,121 2,394 94 4,609 22 1,810 2,251 178 4,239
2020 / 2019 1,360 1,259 124 2,743 7 1,566 2,359 130 4,055
2019 / 2018 959 1,440 57 2,456 1 742 1,343 161 2,246
Prior years 1,714 1,838 192 3,744 10 1,619 2,355 204 4,178
Total term loans 15,388 18,294 970 34,652 77 17,171 23,693 1,148 42,012
Revolving loans 7,607 4,015 245 11,867 117 10,277 6,799 278 17,354
Total  22,995 22,309 1,215 46,519 194 27,448 30,492 1,426 59,366
Financial institutions 
2023 / 2022 5,281 770 41 6,092 0 4,480 1,026 90 5,596
2022 / 2021 759 166 0 925 0 2,850 856 0 3,706
2021 / 2020 656 307 0 963 0 1,034 67 0 1,101
2020 / 2019 556 132 0 688 0 602 7 0 609
2019 / 2018 239 4 0 243 0 521 2 1 524
Prior years 632 31 1 664 0 (940) 71 1 (868)
Total term loans 8,123 1,410 42 9,575 0 8,547 2,029 92 10,668
Revolving loans 3,592 351 1 3,944 324 10,111 822 110 11,043
Total  11,715 1,761 43 13,519 324 18,658 2,851 202 21,711
Governments and public institutions 
2023 / 2022 121 23 4 148 0 147 22 0 169
2022 / 2021 371 4 0 375 0 458 35 0 493
2021 / 2020 75 26 0 101 0 126 40 0 166
2020 / 2019 123 26 0 149 0 97 1 10 108
2019 / 2018 93 1 1 95 0 55 0 0 55
Prior years 141 7 1 149 0 171 15 1 187
Total term loans 924 87 6 1,017 0 1,054 113 11 1,178
Revolving loans 9 4 0 13 0 9 0 0 9
Total  933 91 6 1,030 0 1,063 113 11 1,187
Corporate & institutional – total 
2023 / 2022 14,664 10,826 502 25,992 50 16,086 14,728 358 31,172
2022 / 2021 5,691 4,414 210 10,315 11 13,885 7,536 212 21,633
2021 / 2020 7,283 4,010 258 11,551 22 6,041 3,213 182 9,436
2020 / 2019 4,441 2,142 134 6,717 7 3,224 2,664 196 6,084
2019 / 2018 2,109 1,675 89 3,873 1 2,016 1,564 163 3,743
Prior years 4,785 2,180 217 7,182 10 2,959 2,658 230 5,847
Total term loans 38,973 25,247 1,410 65,630 101 44,211 32,363 1,341 77,915
Revolving loans 11,508 4,649 382 16,539 441 21,091 7,902 513 29,506
Total  50,481 29,896 1,792 82,169 542 65,302 40,265 1,854 107,421
143
Total loans held at amortized cost by internal counterparty rating
   2023 2022
    
Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade
Gross
write-offs
(YTD)

Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade
end of AAA to BBB BB to C D Total AAA to BBB BB to C D Total
CHF million  
Loans held at amortized cost – total 
2023 / 2022 28,170 12,753 524 41,447 51 31,284 17,825 374 49,483
2022 / 2021 16,629 6,079 261 22,969 17 37,658 9,647 272 47,577
2021 / 2020 26,116 5,491 353 31,960 27 19,524 5,245 216 24,985
2020 / 2019 15,656 3,155 236 19,047 12 13,408 4,261 281 17,950
2019 / 2018 11,239 3,029 194 14,462 6 8,667 2,326 214 11,207
Prior years 39,828 4,139 437 44,404 45 38,301 4,857 484 43,642
Total term loans 137,638 34,646 2,005 174,289 158 148,842 44,161 1,841 194,844
Revolving loans 33,140 6,590 727 40,457 442 51,661 10,875 849 63,385
Total loans to third parties  170,778 41,236 2,732 214,746 600 200,503 55,036 2,690 258,229
Total loans to entities under common control 1,251 0 0 1,251 0 3,920 30 0 3,950
Total  172,029 41,236 2,732 215,997 1 600 204,423 55,066 2,690 262,179 1
1
Excluded accrued interest on loans held at amortized cost of CHF 442 million and CHF 534 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Credit quality of other financial assets held at amortized cost
The following table presents the Bank’s carrying value of other financial assets held at amortized cost by aggregated internal counterparty credit ratings “investment grade” and “non-investment grade”, by year of origination. Within the line items relating to the origination year, the first year represents the origination year of the current reporting period and the second year represents the origination year of the comparative reporting period.
Other financial assets held at amortized cost by internal counterparty rating
   2023 2022
    
Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade
Gross
write-offs
(YTD)

Investment
grade

Non-investment
grade
end of AAA to BBB BB to C D Total AAA to BBB BB to C D Total
CHF million  
Other financial assets held at amortized cost 
2023 / 2022 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 / 2021 0 7 0 7 0 0 7 0 7
2021 / 2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 / 2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 / 2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 47 0 47
Prior years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total term positions 0 7 0 7 0 0 54 0 54
Revolving positions 0 1,264 0 1,264 0 0 1,711 0 1,711
Total  0 1,271 0 1,271 0 0 1,765 0 1,765
Includes primarily mortgage servicing advances and failed purchases.
144
Past due financial assets
Generally, a financial asset is deemed past due if the principal and/or interest payment has not been received on its due date.
Loans held at amortized cost – past due
   Current Past due

end of

Up to
30 days
31–60
days
61–90
days
More than
90 days

Total

Total
2023 (CHF million)  
Mortgages 100,160 86 42 10 308 446 100,606
Loans collateralized by securities 26,089 1 0 0 290 291 26,380
Consumer finance 5,008 268 80 63 172 583 5,591
Consumer 131,257 355 122 73 770 1,320 132,577
Real estate 20,705 36 28 0 332 396 21,101
Commercial and industrial loans 45,677 192 225 16 409 842 46,519
Financial institutions 13,347 126 7 37 2 172 13,519
Governments and public institutions 1,020 8 0 0 2 10 1,030
Corporate & institutional 80,749 362 260 53 745 1,420 82,169
Total loans to third parties  212,006 717 382 126 1,515 2,740 214,746
Total loans to entities under common control 1,251 0 0 0 0 0 1,251
Total loans held at amortized cost  213,257 717 382 126 1,515 2,740 215,997 1
2022 (CHF million)  
Mortgages 107,033 66 43 8 334 451 107,484
Loans collateralized by securities 37,308 43 4 3 281 331 37,639
Consumer finance 5,147 248 82 63 145 538 5,685
Consumer 149,488 357 129 74 760 1,320 150,808
Real estate 24,946 35 49 0 127 211 25,157
Commercial and industrial loans 58,267 320 42 24 713 1,099 59,366
Financial institutions 21,480 72 0 0 159 231 21,711
Governments and public institutions 1,171 5 0 0 11 16 1,187
Corporate & institutional 105,864 432 91 24 1,010 1,557 107,421
Total loans to third parties  255,352 789 220 98 1,770 2,877 258,229
Total loans to entities under common control 3,950 0 0 0 0 0 3,950
Total loans held at amortized cost  259,302 789 220 98 1,770 2,877 262,179 1
1
Excluded accrued interest on loans held at amortized cost of CHF 442 million and CHF 534 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank did not have any loans that were more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest. Also, the Bank did not have any debt securities held-to-maturity or other financial assets held at amortized cost that were past due.
Non-accrual financial assets
Generally, a financial asset is deemed non-accrual and recognition of any interest in the statement of operations is discontinued when the contractual payments of principal and/or interest are more than 90 days past due.
> Refer to “Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies” for information on the recognition of write-offs of financial assets and related recoveries.
For loans held at amortized cost, non-accrual loans are comprised of non-performing loans and non-interest-earning loans.
145
Non-accrual loans held at amortized cost
   2023 2022



Amortized
cost of
non-accrual
assets at
beginning
of period



Amortized
cost of
non-accrual
assets at
end
of period






Interest
income
recognized
Amortized
cost of
non-accrual
assets
with no
specific
allowance
at end of
period



Amortized
cost of
non-accrual
assets at
beginning
of period



Amortized
cost of
non-accrual
assets at
end
of period






Interest
income
recognized
Amortized
cost of
non-accrual
assets
with no
specific
allowance
at end of
period
CHF million  
Mortgages 383 462 8 51 572 383 4 64
Loans collateralized by securities 283 291 0 0 262 283 4 2
Consumer finance 188 210 4 0 205 188 3 8
Consumer 854 963 12 51 1,039 854 11 74
Real estate 127 355 8 7 167 127 1 1
Commercial and industrial loans 801 520 12 48 686 801 9 30
Financial institutions 159 77 0 0 41 159 7 0
Governments and public institutions 11 11 0 1 19 11 1 0
Corporate & institutional 1,098 963 20 56 913 1,098 18 31
Total loans held at amortized cost  1,952 1,926 32 107 1,952 1,952 29 105
In the Bank’s recovery management function covering Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank), once the credit provision is greater than 90% of the loan’s notional amount, a position may be written down to its net carrying value in the subsequent quarter if all recovery options are exhausted. In the Bank’s recovery management functions for the Swiss Bank and Wealth Management, write-offs are made based on an individual counterparty assessment. An evaluation is performed on the need for write-offs on impaired loans individually and on a regular basis if it is likely that parts of a loan or the entire loan will not be recoverable. Write-offs of residual loan balances are executed once available debt enforcement procedures are exhausted or, in certain cases, upon a restructuring.
Collateral-dependent financial assets
The Bank’s collateral-dependent financial assets are managed by divisionally aligned recovery management functions which cover Wealth Management, Swiss Bank and Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank).
Collateral-dependent financial assets managed by the recovery management function for Wealth Management mainly include residential mortgages, lombard loans, commercial loans, aviation and yacht finance exposures and ship finance exposures. Residential mortgages are secured by mortgage notes on residential real estate, life insurance policies as well as cash balances, securities deposits or other assets held with the Bank. Lombard loans are collateralized by pledged financial assets mainly in the form of cash, shares, bonds, investment fund units and money market instruments as well as life insurance policies and bank guarantees. Collateral held against commercial loans include primarily guarantees issued by export credit agencies, other guarantees, private risk insurance, asset pledges and assets held with the Bank (e.g., cash, securities deposits and others). Aviation and yacht finance exposures are collateralized by aircraft mortgages of business jets and vessel mortgages on yachts, respectively, as well as corporate and/or personal guarantees, cash balances, securities deposits or other assets held with the Bank. Ship finance exposures are collateralized by vessel mortgages, corporate guarantees, insurance assignments as well as cash balances, securities deposits or other assets held with the Bank. Collateral-dependent loans decreased in 2023, mainly driven by decreases in commercial loans, yacht finance, ship finance and aviation finance, partially offset by an increase in residential mortgages. The overall collateral coverage increased from 92% as of December 31, 2022 to 93% as of December 31, 2023, mainly driven by increases in higher collateralized exposures.
Collateral-dependent financial assets managed by the recovery management function for the Swiss Bank mainly include residential mortgages and commercial mortgages. Collateral held against residential mortgages includes mainly mortgage notes on residential real estate, pledged capital awards in retirement plans and life insurance policies. For commercial mortgages, collateral held includes primarily mortgage notes on commercial real estate and cash balances, securities deposits or other assets held with the Bank. The overall collateral coverage ratio in relation to the collateral-dependent financial assets decreased from 88% as of December 31, 2022 to 84% as of December 31, 2023 for residential and commercial mortgages, mainly reflecting lower collateralized new commercial mortgage exposures and reduced collateral valuations for existing loans.
Collateral-dependent financial assets managed by the recovery management function covering Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) mainly include mortgages, term loans and revolving corporate loans, securities borrowing and lombard loans. For mortgages, property is the main collateral type. Term loans, revolving corporate loans and securities borrowing exposures are mainly secured by pledged shares, bonds, investment fund units and money market instruments. For lombard loans, the Bank
146
holds collateral in the form of cash and term deposits. The overall collateral coverage ratio increased from 94% as of December 31, 2022 to 98% as of December 31, 2023, mainly driven by an improved coverage ratio in property-backed and securities-backed loans, partially offset by exposure reductions in fully collateralized loans, particularly in aircraft mortgages and cash-collateralized loans.
Off-balance sheet credit exposures
The Bank portfolio comprises off-balance sheet exposures with credit risk in the form of irrevocable commitments, guarantees and similar instruments which are subject to the CECL accounting guidance. The main risk characteristics are as follows:
Irrevocable commitments are primarily commitments made to corporate and institutional borrowers to provide loans under approved, but undrawn, credit facilities. In addition, the Bank has irrevocable commitments under documentary credits for corporate and institutional clients that facilitate international trade. The related credit risk exposure is to corporate clients, including small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporates and multinational clients that are impacted by macroeconomic and industry-specific factors such as economic growth, unemployment and industrial production.
Guarantees are provided to third parties which contingently obligate the Bank to make payments in the event that the underlying counterparty fails to fulfill its obligation under a borrowing or other contractual arrangement. The credit risk associated with guarantees is primarily to corporate and institutional clients and financial institutions, which are sensitive to MEFs including economic growth and interest rates.
For off-balance sheet credit exposures, methodology, scenarios and MEFs used to estimate the provision for expected credit losses are the same as those used to estimate the allowance for credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. For the EAD models, a credit conversion factor or similar methodology is applied to off-balance sheet credit exposures in order to project the additional drawn amount between current utilization and the committed facility amount.
> Refer to “Allowance for credit losses” for further information on the methodology, scenarios and MEFs used to estimate expected credit losses.
Loan modifications in 2023
On January 1, 2023, the Bank adopted ASU 2022-02, applying the modified retrospective approach. Under the new accounting guidance, enhanced disclosures for certain loan refinancings and restructurings are required when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. For 2023, these additional disclosures are presented in the tables below. Prior period disclosures are presented under the previous accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings.
For the Bank’s loan modifications executed during 2023, the following table presents the amortized cost base of these modified loans as of the end of 2023, by major type of loan modification (and any combination thereof), as well as the balances of these modified loans in relation to the overall balance of the respective class of financing receivables.
Loan modifications by type
   2023

in

Period-end
amortized
cost
(CHF million)
In percent
of class of
financing
receivables
(%)
Principal forgiveness (PF)  
Mortgages 0.6 0.00
Commercial and industrial loans 0.4 0.00
Total 1.0
Interest rate reduction (IRR)  
Mortgages 3.9 0.00
Loans collateralized by securities 15.1 0.06
Consumer finance 0.0 0.00
Real estate 1.2 0.01
Commercial and industrial loans 58.2 0.13
Financial institutions 0.8 0.01
Total 79.2
Term extension (TE)  
Mortgages 45.7 0.05
Real estate 63.9 0.30
Commercial and industrial loans 108.5 0.23
Financial institutions 1.2 0.01
Total 219.3
Other than insignificant payment delay (OtIPD)  
Commercial and industrial loans 28.0 0.06
Combination of IRR and TE  
Commercial and industrial loans 13.2 0.03
Combination of IRR and OtIPD  
Commercial and industrial loans 0.5 0.00
Combination of TE and OtIPD  
Commercial and industrial loans 37.6 0.08
Total loan modifications  
Mortgages 50.2 0.05
Loans collateralized by securities 15.1 0.06
Real estate 65.1 0.31
Commercial and industrial loans 246.4 0.53
Financial institutions 2.0 0.02
Total  378.8 0.18
PF = Principal forgiveness; IRR = Interest rate reduction; TE = Term extension; OtIPD = Other than insignificant payment delay.
The following table presents the modification effect of the Bank’s loan modifications executed in 2023, by type of loan modification (and any combination thereof).
147
Loan modifications – modification effects
in 2023
Principal forgiveness (PF) (CHF million)  
Mortgages 11.7
Commercial and industrial loans 7.2
Total 18.9
Interest rate reduction (IRR) (WAIRR in %)  
Mortgages 1.33
Loans collateralized by securities 0.72
Consumer finance 2.71
Real estate 1.50
Commercial and industrial loans 0.94
Financial institutions 2.00
Total 0.94
Term extension (TE) (WATE in years)  
Mortgages 0.09
Real estate 1.25
Commercial and industrial loans 1.14
Financial institutions 0.58
Total 0.95
Other than insignificant payment delay (OtIPD) (CHF million)  
Commercial and industrial loans 7.8
Combination of IRR and TE  
Commercial and industrial loans
   Interest rate reduction (%)  0.29
   Term extension (Years)  1.44
Combination of IRR and OtIPD  
Commercial and industrial loans
   Interest rate reduction (%)  0.90
   Payment delay (CHF million)  0.4
Combination of TE and OtIPD  
Commercial and industrial loans
   Term extension (Years)  2.72
   Payment delay (CHF million)  22.0
PF = Principal forgiveness; IRR = Interest rate reduction; TE = Term extension; OtIPD = Other than insignificant payment delay; WAIRR = Weighted average interest rate reduction; WATE = Weighted average term extension.
As of December 31, 2023, none of the loans that had been modified during 2023 were past due. Furthermore, none of the loans that had been modified in 2023 defaulted again during the reporting period.
Expected credit losses on modified loans that are considered impaired are individually assessed. The performance of such loans following the modification, including any subsequent defaults, is taken into account for the measurement of the respective allowance for expected credit losses.
Expected credit losses on modified loans that are considered non-impaired are collectively assessed. The performance of collectively assessed loans is reflected in the probability of default of these loans, which is one of the three main inputs for the Bank’s model-based estimates of the allowance for credit losses on non-impaired loans.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose loan terms had been modified.
Troubled debt restructurings in 2022 and 2021
Restructured financing receivables held at amortized cost
   2022 2021

in


Number of
contracts
Recorded
investment –
pre-
modification
Recorded
investment –
post-
modification


Number of
contracts
Recorded
investment –
pre-
modification
Recorded
investment –
post-
modification
CHF million, except where indicated  
Loans collateralized by securities 0 0 0 1 33 25
Real estate 1 102 82 1 2 2
Commercial and industrial loans 15 204 182 18 402 394
Financial institutions 0 0 0 1 44 44
Total loans  16 306 264 21 481 465
148
Restructured financing receivables held at amortized cost that defaulted within 12 months from restructuring
   2022 2021

in
Number of
contracts
Recorded
investment
Number of
contracts
Recorded
investment
CHF million, except where indicated  
Loans collateralized by securities 0 0 3 156
Commercial and industrial loans 0 0 1 14
Total loans  0 0 4 170
19 Goodwill

2023
Wealth
Management
Swiss
Bank
Asset
Management
Non-core
and Legacy

Bank
1
Gross amount of goodwill (CHF million)
Balance at beginning of period  1,281 481 1,106 4,890 7,758
Foreign currency translation impact (10) (25) (31) 0 (66)
Other 0 0 (30) 30 0
Balance at end of period  1,271 456 1,045 4,920 7,692
Accumulated impairment (CHF million)
Balance at beginning of period  0 0 0 4,890 4,890
Impairment losses 1,271 2 0 1,045 2 30 2,346
Balance at end of period  1,271 0 1,045 4,920 7,236
Net book value (CHF million)
Net book value  0 456 0 0 456
2022
Gross amount of goodwill (CHF million)
Balance at beginning of period  1,300 480 1,101 4,867 7,748
Foreign currency translation impact 4 1 5 0 10
Other (23) 0 0 23 0
Balance at end of period  1,281 481 1,106 4,890 7,758
Accumulated impairment (CHF million)
Balance at beginning of period  0 0 0 4,867 4,867
Impairment losses 0 0 0 23 23
Balance at end of period  0 0 0 4,890 4,890
Net book value (CHF million)
Net book value  1,281 481 1,106 0 2,868
Segments are shown net of adjustments regarding certain consolidating entities, including those relating to entities that are managed but are not owned or fully owned by Credit Suisse.
1
Gross amount of goodwill and accumulated impairment included CHF 12 million related to legacy business transferred to the former Strategic Resolution Unit in 4Q15 and fully written off at the time of transfer, in addition to the divisions disclosed.
2
Includes adjustments regarding certain consolidating entities of CHF 23 million for Wealth Management and CHF 6 million for Asset Management.
149
In accordance with US GAAP, the Bank continually assesses whether or not there has been a triggering event requiring a review of goodwill.
Effective January 1, 2023, the Bank was organized into five reporting units – Wealth Management, Swiss Bank, Asset Management, Investment Bank and the Capital Release Unit.
As a result of the announced strategy and organizational changes, the Private Fund Group business in the Asset Management reporting unit was transferred to the Investment Bank reporting unit effective January 1, 2023, resulting in a transfer of CHF 30 million of goodwill between the reporting units. The Bank fully impaired this goodwill in the first quarter of 2023.
Following a review of the Bank’s financial plans to reflect the deposit and assets under management outflows in the first quarter of 2023, the Bank concluded that the estimated fair value of the Wealth Management reporting unit was below its related carrying value and as a result a goodwill impairment charge of CHF 1.3 billion was recorded for the quarter, resulting in a goodwill balance of zero for that reporting unit. The fair value of the remaining reporting units with goodwill (Swiss Bank and Asset Management) exceeded their related carrying values and no further impairments were necessary as of March 31, 2023.
Due to the asset under management outflows and the projected impact on the profitability of the Asset Management reporting unit, the Bank concluded that the estimated fair value of the Asset Management reporting unit was below its related carrying value and, as a result, a goodwill impairment charge of CHF 1.0 billion was recorded in the second quarter of 2023, resulting in a goodwill balance of zero for that reporting unit.
On August 31, 2023, UBS Group announced its update on strategy and the integration of Credit Suisse, which included the decision to integrate Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG with UBS Switzerland AG. The announcement represented a triggering event for the third quarter of 2023 for goodwill impairment testing purposes. Based on the goodwill impairment assessment for the third quarter of 2023, the Bank concluded that the estimated fair value of the Swiss Bank reporting unit supported its carrying value although at a reduced margin.
On August 31, 2023, UBS also announced the creation of a Non-core and Legacy business division, which includes Credit Suisse positions and businesses not aligned with UBS’s strategy and policies.
The Bank’s reporting units under the new structure are defined as follows: Wealth Management, Swiss Bank, Asset Management and Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank).
The only reporting unit with any remaining goodwill balance as of December 31, 2023 was the Swiss Bank. The Bank concluded that the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its related carrying value and no further impairment was necessary as of December 31, 2023.
The carrying value of each reporting unit for the purpose of the goodwill impairment test is determined by considering the reporting units’ risk-weighted assets usage, leverage ratio exposure, deferred tax assets, goodwill, intangible assets and other common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital relevant adjustments. The residual value between the total of these elements and the Bank’s shareholders’ equity is allocated to the carrying value of the reporting units on a pro-rata basis.
In estimating the fair value of its reporting units, the Bank applied a combination of the market approach and the income approach. Under the market approach, consideration is generally given to price-to-projected-earnings multiples and price-to-book-value multiples for similarly traded companies and prices paid in recent transactions that have occurred in its industry or in related industries. Under the income approach, a discount rate is applied that reflects the risk and uncertainty related to the reporting unit’s projected cash flows, which were determined from the Bank’s financial plan.
In determining the estimated fair value, the Bank relied upon its latest three-year financial plan, which included significant management assumptions and estimates based on its view of current and future economic conditions and regulatory changes.
Estimates of the Bank’s future earnings potential, and that of the reporting units, involve considerable judgment, including management’s view on future changes in market cycles, the regulatory environment and the anticipated result of the implementation of business strategies, competitive factors and assumptions concerning the retention of key employees.
The results of the impairment evaluation would be significantly impacted by adverse changes in the underlying parameters used in the valuation process. If actual outcomes or the future outlook adversely differ from management’s best estimates of the key economic assumptions and associated cash flows applied in the valuation of the reporting unit, the Bank could potentially incur material impairment charges in the future.
150
20 Other intangible assets
   2023 2022

end of

Gross
carrying
amount
Accumu-
lated
amorti-
zation

Net
carrying
amount

Gross
carrying
amount
Accumu-
lated
amorti-
zation

Net
carrying
amount
Other intangible assets (CHF million)  
Trade names/trademarks 27 (23) 4 25 (25) 0
Client relationships 19 (2) 17 29 (9) 20
Other 6 (3) 3 5 (3) 2
Total amortizing other intangible assets  52 (28) 24 59 (37) 22
Non-amortizing other intangible assets 298 298 430 430
   of which mortgage servicing rights, at fair value  305 305 403 403
Total other intangible assets  350 (28) 322 489 (37) 452
Additional information
in 2023 2022 2021
Aggregate amortization and impairment (CHF million)  
Aggregate amortization 3 4 8
Impairment 28 0 0
Estimated amortization
Estimated amortization (CHF million)  
2024 1
2025 1
2026 1
2027 1
2028 2
21 Other assets and other liabilities
end of 2023 2022
Other assets (CHF million)  
Cash collateral on derivative instruments 6,718 7,723
Cash collateral on non-derivative transactions 289 647
Derivative instruments used for hedging 1 3 0
Assets held-for-sale 12,992 16,112
   of which loans 2 12,929 16,090
      allowance for loans held-for-sale  (1,154) (101)
   of which real estate 3 62 22
   of which long-lived assets  1 0
Premises and equipment, net and right-of-use assets 2,674 5,799
Assets held for separate accounts 59 64
Interest and fees receivable 2,197 2,609
Deferred tax assets 71 259
Prepaid expenses 404 812
   of which cloud computing arrangement implementation costs  10 65
Failed purchases 324 801
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plan assets 519 560
Other 4,573 6,367
   of which digital asset safeguarding assets  127 102
Other assets  30,823 41,753
1
Amounts shown after counterparty and cash collateral netting.
2
Included as of the end of 2023 and 2022 were CHF 99 million and CHF 458 million, respectively, in restricted loans, which represented collateral on secured borrowings.
3
As of the end of 2023 and 2022, real estate held-for-sale included foreclosed or repossessed real estate of CHF 46 million and CHF 21 million, respectively, of which CHF 46 million and CHF 21 million, respectively, were related to residential real estate.
end of 2023 2022
Other liabilities (CHF million)  
Cash collateral on derivative instruments 677 2,079
Cash collateral on non-derivative transactions 392 431
Derivative instruments used for hedging 1 447 154
Operating leases liabilities 1,420 1,749
Provisions 2,611 1,494
   of which expected credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures  185 217
Restructuring liabilities 15 114
Liabilities held for separate accounts 59 64
Interest and fees payable 4,231 3,779
Current tax liabilities 429 524
Deferred tax liabilities 113 670
Failed sales 402 1,471
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plan liabilities 227 258
Other 3,715 4,039
   of which digital asset safeguarding liabilities  364 102
Other liabilities  14,738 16,826
151
Premises, equipment and right-of-use assets
end of 2023 2022
Premises and equipment (CHF million)
Buildings and improvements 863 839
Land 213 215
Leasehold improvements 1,238 1,438
Software 1,074 8,261
Equipment 859 990
Premises and equipment  4,247 11,743
Accumulated depreciation (2,666) (7,637)
Total premises and equipment, net  1,581 4,106
Right-of-use assets (CHF million)
Right-of-use assets  1,093 1,693
Total premises and equipment, net and right-of-use assets  2,674 5,799
Depreciation, amortization and impairment
end of 2023 2022 2021
CHF million  
Depreciation on premises and equipment 805 997 903
Impairment on premises and equipment 1,798 250 20
Amortization and impairment on right-of-use assets 529 256 313
> Refer to “Note 22 – Leases” for further information on right-of-use assets.
22 Leases
The Bank enters into both lessee and lessor arrangements.
> Refer to “Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies” and “Note 21 – Other assets and other liabilities” for further information.
Lessee arrangements
The Bank primarily enters into operating leases. When a real estate lease has both lease and non-lease components, the Bank allocates the consideration in the contract based on the relative standalone selling price. For all leases other than real estate leases, the Bank does not separate lease and non-lease components. The Bank’s finance leases are not material.
The Bank has entered into leases for real estate, equipment and vehicles.
Certain equipment and real estate have subsequently been subleased. Sublease income is recognized in other revenues.
Lease costs
end of 2023 2022 2021
Lease costs (CHF million)    
Operating lease costs 370 279 293
Variable lease costs 42 46 50
Sublease income (51) (65) (75)
Total lease costs  361 260 268
From time to time, the Bank enters into sale-leaseback transactions in which an asset is sold and immediately leased back. If specific criteria are met, the asset is derecognized from the balance sheet and an operating lease is recognized.
During 2023, the Bank had no sale-leaseback transactions. During 2022, the Bank entered into 12 sale-leaseback transactions with lease terms ranging from 5 to 10 years. During 2021, the Bank entered into 13 sale-leaseback transaction with lease terms ranging from 3 to 10 years.
Other information
end of 2023 2022 2021
Other information (CHF million)
Gains/(losses) on sale-leaseback transactions 0 336 225
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities recorded in operating cash flows (344) (336) (334)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 1 35 165 107
Changes to right-of-use assets due to lease modifications for operating leases (1) 74 29
1
Represents non-cash transactions and includes right-of-use assets relating to changes in classification of scope of variable interest entities.
The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates are based on all outstanding operating leases as well as their respective lease terms and remaining lease obligations.
Weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate
end of 2023 2022
Operating leases  
Remaining lease term (years) 8.7 9.2
Discount rate (%) 3.3 3.0
The following table reflects the undiscounted cash flows from leases for the next five years and thereafter, based on the expected lease term.
152
Maturities relating to operating lease arrangements
end of 2023 2022
Maturity (CHF million)
Due within 1 year 247 312
Due between 1 and 2 years 236 260
Due between 2 and 3 years 215 236
Due between 3 and 4 years 171 219
Due between 4 and 5 years 139 186
Thereafter 638 811
Operating lease obligations  1,646 2,024
Future interest payable (226) (275)
Operating lease liabilities  1,420 1,749
Lessor arrangements
The Bank enters into sales-type, direct financing and operating leases for real estate, equipment and vehicles. When a real estate lease has both lease and non-lease components, the Bank allocates the consideration in the contract based on the relative standalone selling price. For all leases other than real estate leases, the Bank does not separate lease and non-lease components.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank had approximately CHF 1.5 billion and CHF 1.3 billion, respectively, of residual value guarantees associated with lessor arrangements.
The Bank’s risk of loss relating to the residual value of leased assets is mitigated through contractual arrangements with manufactures or suppliers. Leased assets are also monitored through projections of the residual values at lease origination and periodic reviews of residual values.
Net investments
   2023 2022

end of
Sales-
type
leases
Direct
financing
leases
Sales-
type
leases
Direct
financing
leases
Net investments (CHF million)  
Lease receivables 1,461 2,530 1,324 2,473
Unguaranteed residual assets 125 4 129 25
Valuation allowances (10) (21) (10) (20)
Total net investments  1,576 2,513 1,443 2,478
Maturities relating to lessor arrangements
   2023 2022

end of
Sales-
type
leases
Direct
financing
leases

Operating
leases
Sales-
type
leases
Direct
financing
leases

Operating
leases
Maturity (CHF million)  
Due within 1 year 618 782 48 550 738 57
Due between 1 and 2 years 352 741 47 317 694 58
Due between 2 and 3 years 262 634 45 224 627 55
Due between 3 and 4 years 175 449 37 149 460 53
Due between 4 and 5 years 84 103 19 88 115 44
Thereafter 96 12 116 93 19 136
Total  1,587 2,721 312 1,421 2,653 403
Future interest receivable (126) (191) (97) (180)
Lease receivables  1,461 2,530 1,324 2,473
The Bank elected the practical expedient to not evaluate whether certain sales taxes and other similar taxes are lessor cost or lessee cost and excludes these costs from being reported as lease income with an associated expense.
The Bank enters into leases with fixed or variable lease payments, or with lease payments that depend on an index or a referenced rate which are included in the net investment in the lease at lease commencement, as such payments are considered unavoidable. Other variable lease payments, as well as subsequent changes in an index or referenced rate, are excluded from the net investment in the lease. Lease payments are recorded when due and payable by the lessee.
Lease income
end of 2023 2022 2021
Lease income (CHF million)  
Interest income on sales-type leases 44 33 25
Interest income on direct financing leases 81 70 68
Lease income from operating leases 65 80 93
Variable lease income 1 3 1
Total lease income  191 186 187
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank had CHF 185 million and CHF 188 million, respectively, of related party operating leases.
153
Certain leases include i) termination options that allow lessees to terminate the leases within three months of the commencement date, with a notice period of 30 days; ii) termination options that allow the Bank to terminate the lease but do not provide the lessee with the same option; iii) termination penalties; iv) options to prepay the payments for the remaining lease term; or v) options that permit the lessee to purchase the leased asset at market value or at the greater of market value and the net present value of the remaining payments.
The Bank may enter into vehicle leases as a lessor with members of the Board of Directors or the Executive Board. The terms of such leases with members of the Board of Directors are similar to those with third parties and the terms of such leases with members of the Executive Board reflect standard employee conditions.
23 Deposits
   2023 2022

end of
Switzer-
land

Foreign

Total
Switzer-
land

Foreign

Total
Deposits (CHF million)  
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits 1,276 786 2,062 2,589 1,502 4,091
Interest-bearing demand deposits 77,344 10,004 87,348 102,948 16,295 119,243
Savings deposits 28,105 11 28,116 42,437 1,459 43,896
Time deposits 29,222 63,631 92,853 1 18,695 60,534 79,229 1
Total deposits  135,947 74,432 210,379 2 166,669 79,790 246,459 2
   of which due to banks  6,952 11,905
   of which customer deposits  203,427 234,554
The designation of deposits in Switzerland versus foreign deposits is based upon the location of the office where the deposit is recorded.
1
Included uninsured time deposits of CHF 91,274 million and CHF 75,123 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which were in excess of any country-specific insurance limit or which are not covered by an insurance regime.
2
Not included as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were CHF 40 million and CHF 55 million, respectively, of overdrawn deposits reclassified as loans.
154
24 Long-term debt
end of 2023 2022
Long-term debt (CHF million)  
Senior 86,328 89,187
Subordinated 40,664 59,378
Non-recourse liabilities from consolidated VIEs 1,492 2,096
Long-term debt  128,484 150,661
   of which reported at fair value  32,874 57,919
   of which structured notes  26,336 38,925
end of 2023 2022
Structured notes by product (CHF million)  
Equity 11,064 21,437
Fixed income 12,596 14,407
Credit 2,518 2,815
Other 158 266
Total structured notes  26,336 38,925
Total long-term debt includes debt issuances managed by Treasury that do not contain derivative features (vanilla debt), as well as hybrid debt instruments with embedded derivatives, which are issued as part of the Bank’s structured product activities. Long-term debt includes both Swiss franc and foreign exchange denominated fixed and variable rate bonds.
The interest rate ranges presented in the table below are based on the contractual terms of the Bank’s vanilla debt. Interest rate ranges for future coupon payments on structured products for which fair value has been elected are not included in the table below as these coupons are dependent upon the embedded derivative and prevailing market conditions at the time each coupon is paid. In addition, the effects of derivatives used for hedging are not included in the interest rate ranges on the associated debt.
Long-term debt by maturities
end of 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Thereafter Total
Long-term debt (CHF million)
Senior debt 
   Fixed rate  6,486 7,744 6,444 2,169 4,676 12,448 39,967
   Variable rate  10,671 17,829 4,262 2,917 1,780 8,902 46,361
   Interest rates (range in %) 1 0.0 7.0 0.0 8.0 0.0 7.9 0.0 5.0 0.0 7.9 0.0 7.1
Subordinated debt 
   Fixed rate  1,658 5,833 2,932 3,808 109 4,362 18,702
   Variable rate  3,835 3,021 49 1,422 4,439 9,196 21,962
   Interest rates (range in %) 1 0.4 6.6 0.0 6.4 0.9 5.9 0.7 6.4 1.1 7.8 0.7 9.0
Non-recourse liabilities from consolidated VIEs 
   Fixed rate  0 206 0 0 0 0 206
   Variable rate  602 101 0 19 2 3 2 561 1,286
   Interest rates (range in %) 1 0.0 7.7 0.0 1.9 0.0 6.3
Total long-term debt  23,252 34,734 13,687 10,335 11,007 35,469 128,484
   of which structured notes  6,401 4,599 2,775 2,639 1,201 8,721 26,336
The maturity of perpetual debt is based on the earliest callable date. The maturity of all other debt is based on contractual maturity and includes certain structured notes that have mandatory early redemption features based on stipulated movements in markets or the occurrence of a market event. Within this population there are approximately CHF 0.8 billion of such notes with a contractual maturity of greater than one year that have an observable likelihood of redemption occurring within one year based on a modeling assessment.
1
Excludes structured notes for which fair value has been elected as the related coupons are dependent upon the embedded derivatives and prevailing market conditions at the time each coupon is paid.
2
Reflects equity linked notes, where the payout is not fixed.
The Bank maintains a shelf registration statement with the SEC, which allows the Bank to issue, from time to time, senior and subordinated debt securities and warrants.
155
25 Accumulated other comprehensive income

Gains/
(losses)
on cash
flow hedges


Cumulative
translation
adjustments

Unrealized
gains/
(losses) on
securities
1

Actuarial
gains/
(losses)

Net prior
service
credit/
(cost)
Gains/
(losses) on
liabilities
relating to
credit risk




AOCI
2023 (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  (1,317) (17,020) (13) (582) (9) 3,874 (15,067)
Increase/(decrease) 413 (2,421) (1) (37) 0 2,937 891
Reclassification adjustments, included in net income/(loss) 238 58 0 12 1 (7,721) 2 (7,412)
Reclassification adjustments, included in retained earnings 0 1,530 3 19 0 0 0 1,549
Total increase/(decrease) 651 (833) 18 (25) 1 (4,784) (4,972)
Balance at end of period  (666) (17,853) 5 (607) (8) (910) (20,039)
2022 (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  (95) (16,760) 13 (429) (6) (2,082) (19,359)
Increase/(decrease) (454) (260) (21) (170) (4) 5,987 5,078
Reclassification adjustments, included in net income/(loss) (768) 0 (5) 17 1 (31) (786)
Total increase/(decrease) (1,222) (260) (26) (153) (3) 5,956 4,292
Balance at end of period  (1,317) (17,020) (13) (582) (9) 3,874 (15,067)
2021 (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  205 (17,517) 13 (460) (11) (2,469) (20,239)
Increase/(decrease) (259) 751 0 12 4 284 792
Reclassification adjustments, included in net income/(loss) (41) 6 0 19 1 103 88
Total increase/(decrease) (300) 757 0 31 5 387 880
Balance at end of period  (95) (16,760) 13 (429) (6) (2,082) (19,359)
1
No impairments on available-for-sale debt securities were recognized in net income/(loss) in 2023, 2022 and 2021.
2
Included the impact of the additional tier 1 capital notes write-down of CHF 9,048 million and the related tax impact of CHF 1,440 million which represented non-cash transactions.
3
Represented prior cumulative translation adjustments relating to Credit Suisse AG, Luxembourg Branch. The direct reclassification within equity to retained earnings was the result of the transfer of the operations of Credit Suisse AG, Luxembourg Branch to UBS AG, Zurich, which qualified as a common control transaction.
> Refer to “Note 27 – Tax” and “Note 30 – Pension and other post-retirement benefits” for income tax expense/(benefit) on the movements of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).
Details of significant reclassification adjustments
in 2023 2022 2021
Reclassification adjustments, included in retained earnings (CHF million)  
Cumulative translation adjustments 
   Reclassification adjustments  1,530 1 0 0
Reclassification adjustments, included in net income/(loss) (CHF million)  
Cumulative translation adjustments 
   Reclassification adjustments  58 2 0 6
Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges 
   Gross gains/(losses) 3 296 (959) (40)
   Tax expense/(benefit)  (58) 191 (1)
   Net of tax  238 (768) (41)
Actuarial gains/(losses) 
   Amortization of recognized actuarial losses 4 10 21 23
   Tax expense/(benefit)  2 (4) (4)
   Net of tax  12 17 19
Gains/(losses) on liabilities relating to credit risk 
   Reclassification adjustments 5 (9,161) (31) 103
   Tax expense/(benefit)  1,440 0 0
   Net of tax  (7,721) (31) 103
1
Represented prior cumulative translation adjustments relating to Credit Suisse AG, Luxembourg Branch. The direct reclassification within equity to retained earnings was the result of the transfer of the operations of Credit Suisse AG, Luxembourg Branch to UBS AG, Zurich, which qualified as a common control transaction.
2
Included net releases of CHF 58 million on the sale of Holding Verde Empreendimentos e Participações S.A. These were reclassified from cumulative translation adjustments and included in net income in other revenues.
3
Included in interest and dividend income as well as operating expenses. Refer to "Note 31 - Derivatives and hedging activities" for further information.
4
These components are included in the computation of total benefit costs. Refer to "Note 30 – Pension and other post-retirement benefits" for further information.
5
Included in other revenues.
156
26 Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities
The disclosures set out in the tables below include derivatives, reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements, and securities lending and borrowing transactions that:
are offset in the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets; or
are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement (enforceable master netting agreements), irrespective of whether they are offset in the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets.
Similar agreements include derivative clearing agreements, global master repurchase agreements and global master securities lending agreements.
The Bank uses master netting agreements to mitigate counterparty credit risk in certain transactions, including derivative contracts and securities borrowed, lent and subject to repurchase agreements.
Derivatives
The Bank transacts bilateral OTC derivatives (OTC derivatives) mainly under International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreements and Swiss Master Agreements for OTC derivative instruments. These agreements provide for the net settlement of all transactions under the agreement through a single payment in the event of default or termination under the agreement. They allow the Bank to offset balances from derivative assets and liabilities as well as the receivables and payables to related cash collateral transacted with the same counterparty. Collateral for OTC derivatives is received and provided in the form of cash and marketable securities. Such collateral may be subject to the standard industry terms of an ISDA Credit Support Annex. The terms of an ISDA Credit Support Annex provide that securities received or provided as collateral may be pledged or sold during the term of the transactions and must be returned upon maturity of the transaction. These terms also give each counterparty the right to terminate the related transactions upon the other counterparty’s failure to post collateral. Financial collateral received or pledged for OTC derivatives may also be subject to collateral agreements which restrict the use of financial collateral.
For derivatives transacted with exchanges (exchange-traded derivatives) and central clearing counterparties (OTC-cleared derivatives), positive and negative replacement values (PRV/NRV) and related cash collateral may be offset if the terms of the rules and regulations governing these exchanges and central clearing counterparties permit such netting and offset.
Where no such agreements or terms exist, fair values are recorded on a gross basis.
Exchange-traded derivatives or OTC-cleared derivatives, which are fully margined and for which the daily margin payments constitute settlement of the outstanding exposure, are not included in the offsetting disclosures because they are not subject to offsetting due to the daily settlement. The daily margin payments, which are not settled until the next settlement cycle is conducted, are presented in brokerage receivables or brokerage payables. The notional amount for these daily settled derivatives is included in the fair value of derivative instruments table in “Note 31 – Derivatives and hedging activities”.
Under US GAAP, the Bank elected to account for substantially all financial instruments with an embedded derivative that is not considered clearly and closely related to the host contract at fair value. There is an exception for certain bifurcatable hybrid debt instruments which the Bank did not elect to account for at fair value. However, these bifurcated embedded derivatives are generally not subject to enforceable master netting agreements and are not recorded as derivative instruments under trading assets and liabilities or other assets and other liabilities. Information on bifurcated embedded derivatives has therefore not been included in the offsetting disclosures.
The following table presents the gross amount of derivatives subject to enforceable master netting agreements by contract and transaction type, the amount of offsetting, the amount of derivatives not subject to enforceable master netting agreements and the net amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets.
157
Offsetting of derivatives
   2023 2022

end of
Derivative
assets
Derivative
liabilities
Derivative
assets
Derivative
liabilities
Gross derivatives subject to enforceable master netting agreements (CHF billion)  
OTC-cleared 2.6 2.1 8.6 9.8
OTC 15.3 15.3 25.1 23.5
Interest rate products  17.9 17.4 33.7 33.3
OTC-cleared 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3
OTC 13.8 17.6 24.9 25.5
Exchange-traded 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Foreign exchange products  13.9 17.7 25.2 25.9
OTC-cleared 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0
OTC 2.3 3.1 4.3 7.1
Exchange-traded 5.7 5.1 18.6 18.3
Equity/index-related products  8.2 8.3 22.9 25.4
OTC-cleared 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.6
OTC 1.0 1.4 2.4 2.6
Credit derivatives  1.0 1.4 3.0 3.2
OTC-cleared 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
OTC 0.6 0.2 0.9 0.4
Exchange-traded 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other products 1 0.7 0.2 1.0 0.5
OTC-cleared 2.9 2.3 9.6 10.8
OTC 33.0 37.6 57.6 59.1
Exchange-traded 5.8 5.1 18.6 18.4
Total gross derivatives subject to enforceable master netting agreements  41.7 45.0 85.8 88.3
Offsetting (CHF billion)  
OTC-cleared (2.7) (2.3) (9.5) (10.7)
OTC (30.2) (32.7) (50.5) (52.9)
Exchange-traded (5.0) (5.0) (18.0) (18.2)
Offsetting  (37.9) (40.0) (78.0) (81.8)
   of which counterparty netting  (32.1) (32.1) (68.3) (68.3)
   of which cash collateral netting  (5.8) (7.9) 2 (9.7) (13.5) 2
Net derivatives presented in the consolidated balance sheets (CHF billion)  
OTC-cleared 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1
OTC 2.8 4.9 7.1 6.2
Exchange-traded 0.8 0.1 0.6 0.2
Total net derivatives subject to enforceable master netting agreements  3.8 5.0 7.8 6.5
Total derivatives not subject to enforceable master netting agreements 3 1.3 1.2 3.3 2.6
Total net derivatives presented in the consolidated balance sheets  5.1 6.2 11.1 9.1
   of which recorded in trading assets and trading liabilities  5.1 5.8 11.1 8.9
   of which recorded in other assets and other liabilities  0.0 0.4 0.0 0.2
1
Primarily precious metals, commodity and energy products.
2
Includes CHF 7,909 million and CHF 11,924 million as of the end of 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to trading derivatives.
3
Represents derivatives where a legal opinion supporting the enforceability of netting in the event of default or termination under the agreement is not in place.
158
Reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements and securities lending and borrowing transactions
Reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements are generally covered by master repurchase agreements. In certain situations, for example, in the event of default, all contracts under the agreements are terminated and are settled net in one single payment. Master repurchase agreements also include payment or settlement netting provisions in the normal course of business that state that all amounts in the same currency payable by each party to the other under any transaction or otherwise under the master repurchase agreement on the same date shall be set off.
As permitted by US GAAP the Bank has elected to net transactions under such agreements in the consolidated balance sheet when specific conditions are met. Transactions are netted if, among other conditions, they are executed with the same counterparty, have the same explicit settlement date specified at the inception of the transactions, are settled through the same securities transfer system and are subject to the same enforceable master netting agreement. The amounts offset are measured on the same basis as the underlying transaction (i.e., on an accrual basis or fair value basis).
Securities lending and borrowing transactions are generally executed under master securities lending agreements with netting terms similar to ISDA Master Agreements. In certain situations, for example in the event of default, all contracts under the agreement are terminated and are settled net in one single payment. Transactions under these agreements are netted in the consolidated balance sheets if they meet the same right of offset criteria as for reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements. In general, most securities lending and borrowing transactions do not meet the criterion of having the same settlement date specified at inception of the transaction, and therefore they are not eligible for netting in the consolidated balance sheets. However, securities lending and borrowing transactions with explicit maturity dates may be eligible for netting in the consolidated balance sheets.
Reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements are collateralized principally by government securities and corporate bonds and have terms ranging from overnight to a longer or unspecified period of time. In the event of counterparty default, the reverse repurchase agreement or securities lending agreement provides the Bank with the right to liquidate the collateral held. As is the case in the Bank’s normal course of business, a significant portion of the collateral received that may be sold or repledged was sold or repledged as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022. In certain circumstances, financial collateral received may be restricted during the term of the agreement (e.g., in tri-party arrangements).
The following table presents the gross amount of securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements, the amount of offsetting, the amount of securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions not subject to enforceable master netting agreements and the net amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets.
Offsetting of securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions
   2023 2022

end of

Gross

Offsetting
Net
book value

Gross

Offsetting
Net
book value
Securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions (CHF billion)   
Securities purchased under resale agreements 48.7 (2.9) 45.8 47.9 (10.7) 37.2
Securities borrowing transactions 0.2 0.0 0.2 4.5 0.0 4.5
Total subject to enforceable master netting agreements  48.9 (2.9) 46.0 52.4 (10.7) 41.7
Total not subject to enforceable master netting agreements 1 1.2 1.2 17.1 17.1
Total  50.1 (2.9) 47.2 2 69.5 (10.7) 58.8 2
1
Represents securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions where a legal opinion supporting the enforceability of netting in the event of default or termination under the agreement is not in place.
2
CHF 26,237 million and CHF 40,793 million of the total net amount as of the end of 2023 and 2022, respectively, were reported at fair value.
The following table presents the gross amount of securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements, the amount of offsetting, the amount of securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions not subject to enforceable master netting agreements and the net amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets.
159
Offsetting of securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions
   2023 2022

end of

Gross

Offsetting
Net
book value

Gross

Offsetting
Net
book value
Securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions (CHF billion)   
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 3.8 (2.9) 0.9 27.8 (10.7) 17.1
Securities lending transactions 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.9 0.0 0.9
Obligation to return securities received as collateral, at fair value 2.2 0.0 2.2 2.9 0.0 2.9
Total subject to enforceable master netting agreements  6.1 (2.9) 3.2 31.6 (10.7) 20.9
Total not subject to enforceable master netting agreements 1 0.0 0.0 2.5 2.5
Total  6.1 (2.9) 3.2 34.1 (10.7) 23.4
   of which securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions  3.9 (2.9) 1.0 2 31.1 (10.7) 20.4 2
   of which obligation to return securities received as collateral, at fair value  2.2 0.0 2.2 3.0 0.0 3.0
1
Represents securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions where a legal opinion supporting the enforceability of netting in the event of default or termination under the agreement is not in place.
2
CHF 356 million and CHF 14,133 million of the total net amount as of the end of 2023 and 2022, respectively, were reported at fair value.
The following table presents the net amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets of financial assets and liabilities subject to enforceable master netting agreements and the gross amount of financial instruments and cash collateral not offset in the consolidated balance sheets. The table excludes derivatives, reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements and securities lending and borrowing transactions not subject to enforceable master netting agreements where a legal opinion supporting the enforceability of netting in the event of default or termination under the agreement is not in place. Net exposure reflects risk mitigation in the form of collateral.
Amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
   2023 2022

end of



Net


Financial
instruments
1 Cash
collateral
received/
pledged
1

Net
exposure



Net


Financial
instruments
1 Cash
collateral
received/
pledged
1

Net
exposure
Financial assets subject to enforceable master netting agreements (CHF billion)   
Derivatives 3.8 1.4 0.0 2.4 7.8 3.2 0.0 4.6
Securities purchased under resale agreements 45.8 45.8 0.0 0.0 37.2 37.1 0.1 0.0
Securities borrowing transactions 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 4.5 4.3 0.0 0.2
Total financial assets subject to enforceable master netting agreements  49.8 47.4 0.0 2.4 49.5 44.6 0.1 4.8
Financial liabilities subject to enforceable master netting agreements (CHF billion)   
Derivatives 5.0 0.9 0.0 4.1 6.5 1.2 0.0 5.3
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 0.9 0.8 0.0 0.1 17.1 17.1 0.0 0.0
Securities lending transactions 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.8 0.0 0.1
Obligation to return securities received as collateral, at fair value 2.2 2.1 0.0 0.1 2.9 2.7 0.0 0.2
Total financial liabilities subject to enforceable master netting agreements  8.2 3.9 0.0 4.3 27.4 21.8 0.0 5.6
1
The total amount reported in financial instruments (recognized financial assets and financial liabilities and non-cash financial collateral) and cash collateral is limited to the amount of the related instruments presented in the consolidated balance sheets and therefore any over-collateralization of these positions is not included.
Net exposure is subject to further credit mitigation through the transfer of the exposure to other market counterparties by the use of credit default swaps (CDS) and credit insurance contracts. Therefore the net exposure presented in the table above is not representative of the Bank’s counterparty exposure.
160
27 Tax
Details of current and deferred taxes
in 2023 2022 2021
Current and deferred taxes (CHF million)  
Switzerland 123 296 302
Foreign 451 (95) 472
Current income tax expense  574 201 774
Switzerland 37 73 156
Foreign 243 3,699 8
Deferred income tax expense  280 3,772 164
Income tax expense  854 3,973 938
Income tax expense/(benefit) reported in shareholders' equity related to:
   Gains/(losses) on own credit  (675) 876 12
   Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges  66 (266) (62)
   Cumulative translation adjustment  1 (7) 4
   Unrealized gains/(losses) on debt securities  6 (9) (4)
   Actuarial gains/(losses)  (30) (84) 0
Reconciliation of taxes computed at the Swiss statutory rate
in 2023 2022 2021
Income/(loss) before taxes (CHF million)  
Switzerland 6,689 543 1,659
Foreign (9,949) (3,874) (1,750)
Income/(loss) before taxes  (3,260) (3,331) (91)
Reconciliation of taxes computed at the Swiss statutory rate (CHF million)   
Income tax expense/(benefit) computed at the statutory tax rate 1 (603) (616) (17)
Increase/(decrease) in income taxes resulting from
   Foreign tax rate differential  (701) (127) 92
   Non-deductible amortization of other intangible assets and goodwill impairment    12 0 (181)
   Other non-deductible expenses  1,109 303 369
   Additional taxable income  1,322 5 15
   Lower taxed income  (108) (144) (129)
   (Income)/loss taxable to noncontrolling interests  1 11 12
   Changes in tax law and rates  44 24 (29)
   Changes in deferred tax valuation allowance  (528) 4,512 612
   Change in recognition of outside basis difference  41 (2) 3
   (Windfall tax benefits)/shortfall tax charges on share-based compensation    65 82 37
   Other  200 (75) 154
Income tax expense  854 3,973 938
1
The statutory tax rate was 18.5%.
2023
Foreign tax rate differential of CHF 701 million reflected a foreign tax benefit, primarily driven by profits in lower tax jurisdictions, mainly in Guernsey, losses in higher tax jurisdictions, mainly in the US, the UK, Japan and Korea, partially offset by losses in lower tax jurisdictions, mainly in Singapore. The foreign tax rate expense of CHF 694 million comprised not only the foreign tax expense based on statutory tax rates but also the tax impacts related to the following reconciling items.
Other non-deductible expenses of CHF 1,109 million included the impact of CHF 844 million relating to non-deductible interest expenses and non-deductible funding costs, CHF 136 million relating to other non-deductible expenses, CHF 107 million relating to non-deductible legacy litigation provisions and penalties, CHF 6 million relating to non-deductible UK bank levy costs and various smaller items.
Additional taxable income of CHF 1,322 million reflected the impact of CHF 705 million relating to the recognition of the legacy deferred intercompany gain in one of the Bank’s operating entities in the US and CHF 617 million related to the impact of the surrender of non-taxable life insurance policies, in order to utilize previously unrecognized tax losses, as part of the pre-acquisition reassessments.
Lower taxed income of CHF 108 million included a tax benefit of CHF 63 million relating to non-taxable gain on the liquidation of a subsidiary in one of the Bank’s operating entities in the US and CHF 44 million relating to non-taxable dividend income and various smaller items.
Changes in deferred tax valuation allowances of CHF 528 million included a tax benefit from the release in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets of CHF 2,267 million related to current year results, mainly in respect of one of the Bank’s operating entities in Switzerland and one of the Bank’s operating entities in the US. The net impact also included an increase in the valuation allowance of CHF 1,535 million on deferred tax assets, mainly in respect of three of the Bank’s operating entities in the UK, one of the Bank’s operating entities in the US and one of the Bank’s operating entities in Singapore, Korea, Spain, Japan and Hong Kong. This also included an increase in the valuation allowance of CHF 204 million relating to additional reassessments of deferred tax assets impacted by the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS.
Other of CHF 200 million included an income tax charge of CHF 165 million relating to the reassessments of the 2021 US filing position and US base erosion and anti-abuse tax (BEAT) adjustments in previous years’ tax returns, CHF 62 million relating to the increase of tax contingency accruals, CHF 39 million relating to the revaluations of the equity investments in the SIX Group
161
AG and Pfandbriefbank in Switzerland, CHF 15 million relating to the impact of the gain from the write-down of additional tier 1 capital notes, on which Credit Suisse utilized unvalued tax losses from prior years. These tax charges were partially offset by CHF 46 million relating to return-to-provision adjustments, CHF 34 million relating to reassessment of Credit Suisse’s deferred tax assets/(liabilities) impacted by the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS and CHF 29 million relating to tax credits. The remaining balance included various smaller items.
2022
Foreign tax rate differential of CHF 127 million reflected a foreign tax benefit, primarily driven by losses in higher tax jurisdictions, mainly in the US and the UK, partially offset by profits made in higher tax jurisdictions, mainly in Brazil. The foreign tax rate expense of CHF 3,604 million comprised not only the foreign tax expense based on statutory tax rates but also the tax impacts related to the following reconciling items.
Other non-deductible expenses of CHF 303 million included the impact of CHF 196 million relating to non-deductible interest expenses and non-deductible funding costs, CHF 154 million relating to non-deductible legacy litigation provisions, CHF 74 million relating to other non-deductible expenses, CHF 8 million relating to non-deductible UK bank levy costs and various other small items. These expenses were partially offset by the net benefit of CHF 138 million for the reassessment of the interest cost deductibility relating to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits of non-deductible funding.
Lower taxed income of CHF 144 million included a tax benefit of CHF 65 million related to non-taxable life insurance income, CHF 39 million related to non-taxable dividend income, CHF 36 million related to concessionary and lower taxed income and various smaller items.
Changes in deferred tax valuation allowances of CHF 4,512 million primarily related to the reassessment of deferred tax assets as a result of the comprehensive strategic review announced on October 27, 2022, primarily due to the limited future taxable income against which deferred tax assets could be utilized. Management considered both positive and negative evidence and concluded that it is more likely than not that a significant portion of the Bank’s deferred tax assets will not be realized. This resulted in an increase in the valuation allowance of CHF 3,655 million, mainly in respect of two of the Bank’s operating entities in the US. The net impact also included valuation allowances on deferred tax assets of CHF 817 million related to the current year results, mainly in respect of one of the Bank’s operating entities in Switzerland, three of the Bank’s operating entities in the US and two of the Bank’s operating entities in the UK. This also included an increase in the valuation allowance of CHF 40 million relating to year-end reassessments of deferred tax assets.
Other of CHF 75 million included an income tax benefit of CHF 172 million relating to return-to-provision adjustments and CHF 24 million relating to tax credits. These benefits were partially offset by CHF 57 million relating to the current year BEAT provision, CHF 45 million relating to the tax impact of an accounting standard implementation transition adjustment for own credit movements and CHF 24 million relating to unrealized mark-to-market results on share-based compensation. The remaining balance included various smaller items.
2021
Foreign tax rate differential of CHF 92 million reflected a foreign tax charge primarily driven by losses in higher tax jurisdictions, mainly in the UK, partially offset by profits made in higher tax jurisdictions, such as the US. The foreign tax rate expense of CHF 480 million comprised not only the foreign tax expense based on statutory tax rates but also the tax impacts related to the following reconciling items.
Other non-deductible expenses of CHF 369 million included the impact of CHF 200 million relating to non-deductible interest expenses and non-deductible costs related to funding and capital (including a contingency accrual of CHF 11 million), CHF 93 million relating to non-deductible legacy litigation provisions, including amounts relating to the Mozambique matter, CHF 39 million relating to non-deductible UK bank levy costs and other non-deductible compensation expenses and management costs, CHF 28 million relating to other non-deductible expenses and various other small items.
Lower taxed income of CHF 129 million included a tax benefit of CHF 77 million related to non-taxable life insurance income, CHF 41 million related to non-taxable dividend income, CHF 5 million related to concessionary and lower taxed income, CHF 5 million related to exempt income and various smaller items.
Changes in deferred tax valuation allowances of CHF 612 million included a tax charge from the increase in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets of CHF 771 million, mainly in respect of two of the Bank’s operating entities in the UK. This mainly reflected the impact of the loss related to Archegos attributable to the UK operations. Also included was the net impact of the release of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets of CHF 159 million, mainly in respect of one of the Bank’s operating entities in Switzerland and another of the Bank’s operating entities in Hong Kong.
Other of CHF 154 million included an income tax charge of CHF 100 million relating to withholding taxes, CHF 51 million relating to the tax impact of an accounting standard implementation transition adjustment for own credit movements and CHF 29 million relating to the current year BEAT provision. These charges were partially offset by CHF 30 million relating to prior years’ adjustments. The remaining balance included various smaller items.
162
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
end of 2023 2022
Deferred tax assets and liabilities (CHF million)  
Compensation and benefits 359 638
Loans 749 209
Investment securities 569 992
Provisions 132 641
Leases 213 229
Derivatives 24 38
Real estate 295 229
Net operating loss carry-forwards 7,796 7,720
Goodwill and intangible assets 14 67
Other 247 418
Gross deferred tax assets before valuation allowance  10,398 11,181
Less valuation allowance (9,643) (8,488)
Gross deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance  755 2,693
Compensation and benefits (173) (202)
Loans (34) (1,190)
Investment securities (217) (744)
Provisions (38) (282)
Leases (164) (219)
Derivatives (92) (286)
Real estate (14) (43)
Other (65) (138)
Gross deferred tax liabilities  (797) (3,104)
Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)  (42) (411)
   of which deferred tax assets  71 259
      of which net operating losses  29 138
      of which deductible temporary differences  42 121
   of which deferred tax liabilities  (113) (670)
Net deferred tax liabilities of CHF 42 million as of December 31, 2023 decreased CHF 369 million compared to net deferred tax liabilities of CHF 411 million as of December 31, 2022, primarily driven by a reduction in the deferred tax liability associated with the write-down of additional tier 1 capital notes, partially offset by the reassessment of the deferred tax assets.
The Bank’s valuation allowance against gross deferred tax assets was CHF 9.6 billion as of December 31, 2023, compared to CHF 8.5 billion as of December 31, 2022. This movement was due to an increase relating to current year losses and additional reassessments of deferred tax assets, which were impacted by the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS, offset by the impact relating to foreign exchange translation losses, which were included within the currency translation adjustments. This also included an increase due to valuation allowance adjustments recorded in other comprehensive income, mainly related to own credit movement.
Previously, the Bank recorded no deferred tax liability in respect of accumulated undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries as these earnings were considered indefinitely reinvested. Following the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS and the reassessment performed based on the new information available, the Bank concluded that no regulatory restriction should apply to repatriate earnings upon the liquidation of the Credit Suisse subsidiaries, thus there is control over the reversal of the associated taxable temporary difference. As of December 31, 2023, this resulted in CHF 28 million deferred tax liability that was recorded in respect of the undistributed foreign earnings. As it is not practicable to estimate the amount of deferred tax liabilities based on these undistributed foreign earnings, the Bank compared the tax value and the net asset value of the subsidiaries, applying the relevant withholding tax rates on the difference to determine the deferred tax liability.
Amounts and expiration dates of net operating loss carry-forwards
end of 2023 Total
Net operating loss carry-forwards (CHF million)  
Due to expire within 1 year 28
Due to expire within 2 to 5 years 247
Due to expire within 6 to 10 years 3,465
Due to expire within 11 to 20 years 5,768
Amount due to expire  9,508
Amount not due to expire 26,219
Total net operating loss carry-forwards  35,727
Movements in the valuation allowance
in 2023 2022 2021
Movements (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  8,488 5,338 4,323
Net changes 1,155 3,150 1,015
Balance at end of period  9,643 8,488 5,338
As part of its normal practice, the Bank conducted a detailed evaluation of its expected future results. This evaluation was dependent on management estimates and assumptions in developing the expected future results, which were based on a strategic business planning process influenced by current economic conditions and assumptions of future economic conditions that are subject to change. This evaluation took into account both positive and negative evidence related to expected future taxable income and also considered stress scenarios.
This evaluation has indicated the expected future results that are likely to be earned in jurisdictions where the Bank has significant gross deferred tax assets, primarily in the UK, the US and Switzerland. The Bank then compared those expected future results with the applicable law governing the utilization of deferred tax assets.
163
Based on the expected future results in one of the Bank’s operating entities in Switzerland and given that the Swiss tax law allows for a seven-year carry-forward period for net operating losses (NOLs), a valuation allowance is still required on the deferred tax assets of this entity.
UK tax law allows for an unlimited carry-forward for NOLs, while US tax law allows for a 20-year carry-forward period for NOLs arising prior to 2018, federal NOLs generated in tax years from 2018, 2019 and 2020 to be carried back for five years and no expiry limitations for NOLs that arose in 2018 and subsequent years. However, unlimited and long expiry limitations for NOLs are not expected to have a material impact on the recoverability of the net deferred tax assets against future taxable income as management concluded that there was limited recoverability of the net deferred tax assets in the US and the UK due to the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS and business uncertainty related to the previously disclosed issues affecting Credit Suisse.
Tax benefits associated with share-based compensation
in 2023 2022 2021
Tax benefits (CHF million)  
Tax benefits recorded in the consolidated statements of operations 1 269 213 227
1
Calculated at the statutory tax rate before valuation allowance considerations.
> Refer to “Note 28 – Employee deferred compensation” for further information on share-based compensation.
If, upon settlement of share-based compensation, the tax deduction exceeds the cumulative compensation cost that the Bank has recognized in the consolidated financial statements, the utilized tax benefit associated with any excess deduction is considered a “windfall” and recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and reflected as an operating cash inflow in the consolidated statements of cash flows. If, upon settlement, the tax deduction is lower than the cumulative compensation cost that the Bank has recognized in the consolidated financial statements, the tax charge associated with the lower deduction is considered a “shortfall”. Tax charges arising on shortfalls are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
Uncertain tax positions
US GAAP requires a two-step process in evaluating uncertain income tax positions. In the first step, an enterprise determines whether it is more likely than not that an income tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Income tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are then measured to determine the amount of benefit eligible for recognition in the consolidated financial statements. Each income tax position is measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement.
Reconciliation of gross unrecognized tax benefits
in 2023 2022 2021
Movements in gross unrecognized tax benefits (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  227 425 382
Increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period 332 239 23
Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period (226) (434) (35)
Increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during the current period 8 46 54
Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during the current period (1) (41) 0
Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits relating to settlements with tax authorities (10) (4) 0
Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (6) (15) (6)
Other (including foreign currency translation) (25) 11 7
Balance at end of period  299 227 425
   of which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate  299 227 425
Interest and penalties
in 2023 2022 2021
Interest and penalties (CHF million)  
Interest and penalties recognized in the consolidated statements of operations 1 (5) 3
Interest and penalties recognized in the consolidated balance sheets 59 59 64
Interest and penalties are reported as tax expense. The Bank is currently subject to ongoing tax audits, inquiries and litigation with the tax authorities in a number of jurisdictions, including Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Although the timing of completion is uncertain, it is reasonably possible that some of these will be resolved within 12 months of the reporting date. It is reasonably possible that there will be a decrease of between zero and CHF 16 million in unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months of the reporting date.
The Bank remains open to examination from federal, state, provincial or similar local jurisdictions from the following years onward in these major countries: Switzerland – 2020 (federal and Zurich cantonal level); Brazil – 2019; the UK – 2012; and the US – 2010.
164
28 Employee deferred compensation
Following the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS Group AG on June 12, 2023, the deferred share-based obligation was converted into UBS deferred share awards at the ratio of one UBS share to 22.48 for each Credit Suisse deferred share award. The Bank’s terms and conditions for existing awards granted prior to the merger were reviewed and aligned to UBS performance conditions. The compensation expense recognized for share-based awards continues to be at the original grant date fair value, in accordance with US GAAP accounting guidance.
Prior to the acquisition on April 5, 2023, the Swiss Federal Council instructed the Swiss Federal Department of Finance to cancel or reduce the outstanding variable remuneration for the top three levels of management at Credit Suisse. In accordance with US GAAP accounting guidance, the cancellation of deferred compensation of this nature required an acceleration of deferred compensation expense in 2023 for the outstanding share-based portion of the compensation awards, with a corresponding credit to shareholders’ equity, and for the smaller impact from the cancellation of cash-based awards, a credit to the income statement for previously accrued expenses. The net impact of these cancellations and reductions of variable remuneration on Credit Suisse’s compensation expenses in 2023 was CHF 90 million. Furthermore, all outstanding Contingent Capital Awards (CCA) were cancelled in 2023 as instructed by FINMA, resulting in a credit of CHF 0.4 billion recognized in deferred compensation.
Granting of deferred compensation to employees is determined by the nature of the business, role, location, performance of the employee and regulatory obligations. Unless there is a contractual or regulatory obligation, granting deferred compensation is solely at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and senior management. Replacement awards granted as part of a contractual obligation are typically used to compensate newly hired senior employees for forfeited awards from previous employers upon joining the Bank. It is the Bank’s policy not to make multi-year guarantees. The Bank fully covered its share delivery obligations through market purchases in 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of operations for share-based and other awards that were granted as deferred compensation is recognized in accordance with the specific terms and conditions of each respective award and is primarily recognized over the future requisite service and vesting period, which is determined by the plan, retirement eligibility of employees and certain other terms. All deferred compensation plans are subject to restrictive covenants, which generally include non-compete and non-solicit provisions. Compensation expense for share-based and other awards that were granted as deferred compensation also includes the current estimated outcome of applicable performance criteria, estimated future forfeitures and mark-to-market adjustments for certain cash awards that are still outstanding. In 2023, deferred compensation was awarded to employees with total compensation for the performance year 2022 greater than or equal to CHF/USD 250,000 or the local currency equivalent or higher. With the alignment of compensation to UBS’s compensation policies, the mandatory deferral approach applies to all employees with regulatory-driven deferral requirements or total compensation for the performance year 2023 greater than CHF/USD 300,000. Certain regulated employees, such as senior management functions (SMFs) and material risk takers (MRTs), are subject to additional requirements (e.g., more stringent deferral requirements and additional blocking periods). In addition, SMFs and MRTs receive 50% of their cash portion in the form of immediately vested shares, which are blocked for 12 months after grant.
Deferred compensation expense
The following tables show the compensation expense for deferred compensation awards granted in 2023 and prior years that was recognized in the consolidated statements of operations during 2023, 2022 and 2021, the total shares delivered, the estimated unrecognized compensation expense for deferred compensation awards granted in 2023 and prior years outstanding as of December 31, 2023, and the remaining requisite service period over which the estimated unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized. Not included in the table is an expense of CHF 123 million for awards relating to performance year 2023 for employees who have met certain age and length-of-service criteria. Service is presumed to have been received, and compensation expense is recognized over the performance year.
Deferred compensation expense
in 2023 2022 2021
Deferred compensation expense (CHF million)  
Share awards 275 293 466
Performance share awards 6 1 1 1 281
Strategic Delivery Plan 80 235
Contingent Capital Awards (299) 2 (4) 194
Transformation Awards 65
Cash awards 659 623 370
Retention awards 368 170 123
Total deferred compensation expense  1,154 1,318 1,434
Total shares delivered (million)  
Total shares delivered 15.8 56.7 55.7
1
Included downward adjustment applied to outstanding performance share awards.
2
CCA cancelled in 2023, resulting in a credit of CHF 0.4 billion.
The estimated unrecognized compensation expense was based on the fair value of each award on the grant date and included the current estimated outcome of relevant performance criteria and estimated future forfeitures but no estimate for future mark-to-market adjustments.
165
Estimated unrecognized deferred compensation
end of 2023
Estimated unrecognized compensation expense (CHF million)  
Share awards 100
Performance share awards 4
Strategic Delivery Plan 23
Transformation Awards 45
Cash awards 215
Retention awards 125
Total  512
Aggregate remaining weighted-average requisite service period (years)  
Aggregate remaining weighted-average requisite service period 1.3
Share awards
Each share award granted entitles the holder of the award to receive one UBS Group AG share, subject to service conditions. Existing share awards granted prior to the merger typically vest over three years with one third of the share awards vesting on each of the three anniversaries of the grant date (ratable vesting), with the exception of awards granted to certain individuals classified as MRTs, risk manager MRTs or senior managers or equivalents under the requirements of EU Capital Requirements Directive V and UK Investment Firms Prudential Regime, where a longer vesting period applies. Share awards are expensed over the service period of the awards. The value of the share awards is solely dependent on the UBS Group AG share price at the time of delivery.
The Bank’s share awards include other awards, such as blocked shares and special awards, which may be granted to new employees. Other share awards entitle the holder to receive one UBS Group AG share and are generally subject to continued employment with the Bank, contain restrictive covenants and cancellation provisions and generally vest between zero and five years.
In order to comply with the requirements of EU Capital Requirements Directive V and UK Investment Firms Prudential Regime and other applicable remuneration regulations, employees who hold key roles in respect of certain Bank subsidiaries receive shares that are subject to transfer restrictions for 50% of the amount that would have been paid to them in cash. These shares are vested at the time of grant but remain blocked, that is, subject to transfer restrictions, for either six months or one year from the date of grant, depending on the location.
Share award activities
   2023 2022 2021

Number of
share
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF

Number of
share
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF

Number of
share
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF
Share awards  
Balance at beginning of period  139.8 8.59 135.3 11.22 115.2 11.82
Granted pre-acquisition 93.4 1 1.92 1 76.1 2 6.21 85.7 11.19
Settled pre-acquisition (9.3) 8.05 (57.8) 11.26 (50.1) 12.44
Forfeited pre-acquisition (19.6) 7.46 (13.8) 10.13 (15.5) 11.52
Balance pre-acquisition  204.3 5.67 139.8 8.59 135.3 11.22
Conversion impact: 22.48 CS shares to one UBS share  195.2
Balance post-acquisition  9.1
Granted post-acquisition 10.9
Settled post-acquisition (1.9)
Forfeited post-acquisition (2.5)
Balance at end of period  15.6
   of which vested  2.1 24.1 11.8
   of which unvested  13.5 115.7 123.5
1
Included cancellation of awards as instructed by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance.
2
Included an adjustment for share awards granted in the fourth quarter of 2022 to compensate for the proportionate dilution of Credit Suisse Group AG shares resulting from the rights offering approved on November 28, 2022. The number of deferred share-based awards held by each individual was increased by 5.64%. The terms and conditions of the adjusted shares were the same as the existing share-based awards, thereby ensuring that holders of the awards were neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by the additional shares granted.
166
Performance share awards
Performance share awards are no longer used as a form of deferred compensation. Prior to 2023, managing directors and all MRTs and controllers (employees whose activities are considered to have a potentially material impact on the Bank’s risk profile) were awarded a portion of their deferred variable compensation in the form of performance share awards. Performance share awards are similar to share awards, except that the full balance of outstanding performance share awards is subject to performance-based malus provisions.
The conditions for the outstanding performance share awards granted for prior years are subject to a downward adjustment in the event that UBS Group AG has a negative reported return on common equity tier 1 capital (RoCET1).
Performance share award activities
   2023 2022 2021
Number of
performance
share
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF
Number of
performance
share
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF
Number of
performance
share
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF
Performance share awards  
Balance at beginning of period  42.1 9.93 73.8 11.67 88.0 11.67
Granted pre-acquisition (5.9) 1 8.45 1 2.9 2,3 (14.47) 3 27.4 12.71
Settled pre-acquisition (4.2) 10.67 (29.7) 11.70 (33.2) 12.50
Forfeited pre-acquisition (2.8) 10.18 (4.9) 11.00 (8.4) 11.78
Balance pre-acquisition  29.2 10.11 42.1 9.93 73.8 11.67
Conversion impact: 22.48 CS shares to one UBS share  27.9
Balance post-acquisition  1.3
Settled post-acquisition (0.4)
Forfeited post-acquisition (0.2)
Balance at end of period  0.7
   of which vested  0.3 13.5 10.4
   of which unvested  0.4 28.6 63.4
1
Included cancellation of awards as instructed by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance.
2
Included an adjustment for performance share awards granted in the fourth quarter of 2022 to compensate for the proportionate dilution of Credit Suisse Group AG shares resulting from the rights offering approved on November 28, 2022. The number of deferred share-based awards held by each individual was increased by 5.64%. The terms and conditions of the adjusted shares were the same as the existing share-based awards, thereby ensuring that holders of the awards were neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by the additional performance shares granted.
3
Included downward adjustment applied to outstanding performance share awards.
Strategic Delivery Plan
The Strategic Delivery Plan (SDP) was a one-time share-based award that was granted in February 2022 to certain managing directors and directors. SDP awards are subject to service conditions and performance-based metrics over the course of 2022-2024. SDP awards are scheduled to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, with the exception of awards granted to certain individuals classified as MRTs, risk manager MRTs or senior managers or equivalents under the requirements of EU Capital Requirements Directive V and UK Investment Firms Prudential Regime, where a longer vesting period applies. Prior to settlement, the principal amount of the SDP awards will be written down to zero and forfeited if UBS Group’s reported CET1 ratio is less than 7% on December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2024.
167
Strategic Delivery Plan activities
   2023 2022
Number of
Strategic
Delivery Plan
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF
Number of
Strategic
Delivery Plan
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF
Strategic Delivery Plan  
Balance at beginning of period  58.8 8.10
Granted pre-acquisition (6.2) 1 8.09 1 62.6 2 8.12
Settled pre-acquisition 0.0 8.20 0.0 0.00
Forfeited pre-acquisition (4.6) 8.13 (3.8) 8.42
Balance pre-acquisition  48.0 8.09 58.8 8.10
Conversion impact: 22.48 CS shares to one UBS share  45.9
Balance post-acquisition  2.1
Forfeited post-acquisition (0.3)
Balance at end of period  1.8
   of which vested  0.6 6.8
   of which unvested  1.2 52.0
1
Included cancellation of awards as instructed by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance.
2
Included an adjustment for Strategic Delivery Plan awards granted in the fourth quarter of 2022 to compensate for the proportionate dilution of Credit Suisse Group AG shares resulting from the rights offering approved on November 28, 2022. The number of deferred share-based awards held by each individual was increased by 5.64%. The terms and conditions of the adjusted shares were the same as the existing share-based awards, thereby ensuring that holders of the awards were neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by the additional Strategic Delivery Plan shares granted.
Transformation Awards
In 2023, the Bank granted Transformation Awards, with a total award value of CHF 259 million, to employees identified as being critical to the delivery of the Bank’s transformation strategy announced in October 2022. The Transformation Award was granted to select employees in the form of both a deferred cash award and a deferred share award subject to performance conditions. These awards were not granted to members of the Executive Board. Transformation Awards are expensed over the service period of the award.
Transformation cash awards vest over two years with one half of the cash awards vesting on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date (ratable vesting), with the exception of awards granted to certain individuals classified as MRTs, risk manager MRTs or senior managers or equivalents under the requirements of EU Capital Requirements Directive V and UK Investment Firms Prudential Regime, where a longer vesting period applies.
Transformation share awards vest on the third anniversary of grant and are subject to a share price condition and performance conditions, with the exception of awards granted to certain individuals classified as MRTs, risk manager MRTs or senior managers or equivalents under the requirements of EU Capital Requirements Directive V and UK Investment Firms Prudential Regime, where a longer vesting period applies. The share price condition and performance conditions were revised. No payment will be made unless the UBS Group AG share price is at CHF 85.87 or higher on December 31, 2025. If the share price condition is achieved, the amount payable is based on the underlying UBS Group RoCET1 for calendar year 2025, with 100% of the transformation share award due if an underlying UBS Group RoCET1 of 8% or higher is achieved.
Transformation Awards activities
   2023

Number of
Transformation
awards
in million
Weighted-
average
grant-date
fair value
in CHF
Transformation Awards  
Balance at beginning of period 
Granted pre-acquisition 30.3 1 1.91 1
Forfeited pre-acquisition 0.2 1.91
Balance pre-acquisition  30.5 1.91
Conversion impact: 22.48 CS shares to one UBS share  29.1
Balance post-acquisition  1.4
Forfeited post-acquisition (0.3)
Balance at end of period  1.1
   of which vested  0.2
   of which unvested  0.9
1
Included cancellation of awards as instructed by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance.
168
Contingent Capital Awards
Contingent Capital Awards (CCA), as referenced to capital instruments issued by Credit Suisse, are no longer used as a form of deferred compensation. All outstanding CCA were canceled in 2023, resulting in a credit of CHF 0.4 billion recognized in deferred compensation.
Cash awards
Cash awards include certain special awards as well as voluntary deferred compensation plans and employee investment plans. For certain special awards, compensation expense was primarily driven by their vesting schedule; for other cash awards, compensation expense was driven by mark-to-market and performance adjustments, as the majority of the awards are fully vested.
Deferred fixed cash awards
The Bank granted deferred fixed cash compensation of CHF 151 million, CHF 294 million and CHF 259 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This compensation has been expensed over a three-year vesting period from the grant date. Amortization of this compensation in 2023 totaled CHF 167 million, of which CHF 109 million was related to awards granted in 2023.
Upfront cash awards
The Bank granted upfront cash awards (UCA) of CHF 321 million, CHF 797 million and CHF 59 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These awards are subject to repayment (clawback) by the employee in the event of voluntary resignation, termination for cause or in connection with other specified events or conditions within three years of the award grant. The amount subject to repayment is reduced in equal monthly installments during the three-year period following the grant date. The expense recognition will occur over the three-year vesting period, subject to service conditions. Amortization of this compensation in 2023 totaled CHF 272 million, of which CHF 105 million was related to awards granted in 2023.
Retention awards
The Bank granted deferred cash and share retention awards of CHF 447 million, CHF 355 million and CHF 395 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These awards are expensed over the applicable vesting period from the grant date. Amortization of these awards in 2023 totaled CHF 368 million, of which CHF 279 million was related to awards granted in 2023.
Awards granted for the compensation year 2023
Following the acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG by UBS Group AG on June 12, awards granted for the compensation year 2023 were aligned to UBS plans. UBS Group has several share-based and other deferred compensation plans that align the interests of senior management and other employees with the interests of investors. Share-based awards are granted in the form of notional shares and, where permitted, carry a dividend equivalent that may be paid in notional shares or cash. Awards are settled by delivering UBS shares at vesting, except in jurisdictions where this is not permitted for legal or tax reasons. Deferred compensation awards are generally forfeitable upon, among other circumstances, voluntary termination of employment with UBS. These compensation plans are also designed to meet regulatory requirements and include special provisions for regulated employees. The most significant deferred compensation plans are described below.
Mandatory deferred compensation plans
Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) is a mandatory deferred share-based compensation plan for the senior leaders of the UBS Group. The number of notional shares delivered at vesting depends on two equally weighted performance metrics over a three-year performance period: return on common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital and relative total shareholder return, which compares the total shareholder return (TSR) of UBS with the TSR of an index consisting of listed Global Systemically Important Banks as determined by the Financial Stability Board (excluding UBS). The final number of shares vest in the year following the performance period.
Equity Ownership Plan / Fund Ownership Plan
The Equity Ownership Plan (EOP) is the deferred share-based compensation plan for employees that are subject to deferral requirements. EOP awards generally vest over three years. Certain Asset Management employees receive some or all of their EOP in the form of notional funds (Fund Ownership Plan or FOP). This plan is generally delivered in cash and vests over three years. The amount delivered depends on the value of the underlying investment funds at the time of vesting.
Deferred Contingent Capital Plan
The Deferred Contingent Capital Plan (DCCP) is a deferred compensation plan for all employees who are subject to deferral requirements. Such employees are awarded notional additional tier 1 (AT1) capital instruments, which, at the discretion of UBS, can be settled in cash or a perpetual, marketable AT1 capital instrument. DCCP awards generally bear notional interest paid annually (except for certain regulated employees) and vest in full after five years. Awards are forfeited if a viability event occurs (i.e., if FINMA notifies the firm that the DCCP awards must be written down to mitigate the risk of insolvency, bankruptcy or failure of UBS) or if the firm receives a commitment of extraordinary support from the public sector that is necessary to prevent such an event. DCCP awards are also written down if the UBS Group’s CET1 capital ratio falls below a defined threshold.
169
29 Related parties
Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial or operational decisions, or if another party controls both. The Bank’s related parties include key management personnel, close family members of key management personnel and entities that are controlled, significantly influenced, or for which significant voting power is held, by key management personnel or their close family members. Key management personnel are those individuals having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Bank, that is, members of the Executive Board and the Board of Directors.
UBS Group owns all of the Bank’s outstanding voting registered shares. The Bank is involved in significant financing and other transactions with subsidiaries of UBS. The Bank generally enters into these transactions in the ordinary course of business and believes that these transactions are generally on market terms that could be obtained from unrelated third parties.
Banking relationships
The Bank is a global financial services provider. Many of the members of the Executive Board and the Board of Directors, their close family members or companies associated with them maintain banking relationships with the Bank. The Bank or any of its banking subsidiaries may from time to time enter into financing and other banking agreements with companies in which current members of the Executive Board or the Board of Directors have a significant influence as defined by the SEC, such as holding executive and/or board level roles in these companies. With the exception of the transactions described below, relationships with members of the Executive Board or the Board of Directors and such companies were in the ordinary course of business and are entered into at prevailing market conditions. Also, unless otherwise noted, all loans to members of the Executive Board, members of the Board of Directors, their close family members or companies associated with them were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, there were no loan exposures to such related parties that were not made in the ordinary course of business and at prevailing market conditions.
CS First Boston
In April 2023, Credit Suisse Group AG and M. Klein & Co. LLC, a private company co-owned by former Credit Suisse Group AG Board of Directors member Michael Klein, mutually agreed to terminate the acquisition of The Klein Group, LLC (i.e., the investment banking business of M. Klein & Co. LLC) by Credit Suisse Group AG considering UBS’s acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG. Michael Klein stepped down from the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse Group AG effective October 27, 2022.
Related party loans
The majority of loans outstanding to members of the Executive Board and the Board of Directors are mortgages or loans against securities.
All mortgage loans to members of the Executive Board are granted either with variable or fixed interest rates over a certain period. Typically, mortgages are granted for periods of up to ten years. Interest rates applied are based on refinancing costs plus a margin, and interest rates and other terms are consistent with those applicable to other employees. Loans against securities are granted at interest rates and on terms applicable to such loans granted to other employees. The same credit approval and risk assessment procedures apply to members of the Executive Board as for other employees.
Loans to members of the Board of Directors are made on the same terms available to third-party clients. Members of the Board of Directors with loans do not benefit from employee conditions but are subject to conditions applied to clients with a comparable credit standing.
Unless otherwise noted, all loans to members of the Executive Board and Board of Directors are made in the ordinary course of business and substantially on the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and, for Executive Board members, in consideration of the terms which apply to all employees. Such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
170
Executive Board and Board of Directors loans
2023 2022 2021
Executive Board loans (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  6 1 18 13
Additions 1 1 10
Reductions (1) (13) (5)
Balance at end of period  6 1 6 18
Board of Directors loans (CHF million)  
Balance at beginning of period  4 2 7 9
Additions 0 0 2
Reductions (1) (3) (4)
Balance at end of period  3 2 4 7
1
The number of individuals with outstanding loans was four at the beginning of the year and three at the end of the year.
2
The number of individuals with outstanding loans was two at the beginning of the year and one at the end of the year.
Related party transactions
Related party assets and liabilities
end of 2023 2022
Assets (CHF million)  
Cash and due from banks 418 0
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 376 0
Trading assets 111 42
Net loans 1,251 3,949
All other assets 796 86
Total assets  2,952 4,077
Liabilities (CHF million)  
Due to banks/customer deposits 1,020 1,320
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions 343 91
Trading liabilities 67 0
Short-term borrowings 4,000 2,075
Long-term debt 48,843 56,822
All other liabilities 1,865 1,284
Total liabilities  56,138 61,592
Related party revenues and expenses
in 2023 2022 2021
Revenues (CHF million)  
Interest and dividend income 114 13 (56)
Interest expense (3,927) (2,506) (1,673)
Net interest income  (3,813) (2,493) (1,729)
Commissions and fees 17 82 102
Other revenues 14,354 246 212
Net revenues  10,558 (2,165) (1,415)
Expenses (CHF million)  
Total operating expenses  2,497 2,326 2,089
Related party guarantees and commitments
end of 2023 2022
Guarantees and commitments (CHF million)  
Credit guarantees and similar instruments 0 4
Revocable loan commitments 32 59
Liabilities due to own pension plans
Liabilities due to the Bank’s own defined benefit pension plans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 of CHF 511 million and CHF 254 million, respectively, were reflected in various liability accounts in the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets.
171
30 Pension and other post-retirement benefits
The Bank provides pension and other post-retirement benefits for its employees through participation in various defined contribution and defined benefit plans.
Defined contribution pension plans
The Bank covers pension requirements for its employees in Switzerland through participation in the Pension Fund of Credit Suisse Group (Switzerland) and the Pension Fund 2 of Credit Suisse Group (Switzerland), which are set up as foundations domiciled in Zurich. The Bank accounts for both plans on a defined contribution basis whereby it only recognizes the amounts required to be contributed to these plans during the period as expense and only recognizes a liability for any contributions due and unpaid. No other expense or balance sheet amounts related to these plans are recognized by the Bank.
In December 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Pension Fund of Credit Suisse Group (Switzerland) decided to align its Swiss pension scheme to that of the Pension Fund of UBS, effective as of January 1, 2027. On that date, the Swiss pension plan of the Pension Fund of Credit Suisse Group (Switzerland) will adopt the plan rules of the UBS Pension Fund. The retirement capital savings plan under the Pension Fund 2 of Credit Suisse Group (Switzerland) will remain in place as of this date but will be closed for further contributions. These changes had no accounting implications under US GAAP for Credit Suisse in 2023.
Outside of Switzerland, the Bank contributes to various defined contribution pension plans, primarily in the US and the UK, as well as other countries throughout the world.
During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Bank contributed to these plans and recognized as expense CHF 415 million, CHF 426 million and CHF 483 million, respectively.
Defined benefit pension and other post-retirement defined benefit plans
Defined benefit pension plans
Various defined benefit pension plans cover the Bank’s employees outside Switzerland. These plans provide benefits in the event of retirement, death, disability or termination of employment. Retirement benefits under the plans depend on age, contributions and salary. The Bank’s principal defined benefit pension plans outside Switzerland are located in the US and the UK. Both plans are funded, closed to new participants and have ceased accruing new benefits. Smaller defined benefit pension plans, both funded and unfunded, are operated in other locations.
Other post-retirement defined benefit plan
In the US, the Bank has a defined benefit plan that provides post-retirement benefits other than pension benefits that primarily focus on health and welfare benefits for certain retired employees. In exchange for the current services provided by the employee, the Bank promises to provide health and welfare benefits after the employee retires. The Bank’s obligation for that compensation is incurred as employees render the services necessary to earn their post-retirement benefits.
Components of net periodic benefit costs
    International single-employer
defined benefit pension plans
Other post-retirement
defined benefit plan
in 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021
Net periodic benefit costs (CHF million)  
Service costs on benefit obligation 12 14 14 0 0 0
Interest costs on benefit obligation 86 58 49 5 3 2
Expected return on plan assets (135) (67) (65) 0 0 0
Amortization of recognized prior service cost/(credit) 1 1 1 0 0 0
Amortization of recognized actuarial losses/(gains) (4) 9 14 0 1 1
Settlement losses/(gains) 14 11 8 0 0 0
Net periodic benefit costs/(credits)  (26) 26 21 5 4 3
Service costs on benefit obligation are reflected in compensation and benefits. Other components of net periodic benefit costs are reflected in general and administrative expenses.
The following table shows the changes in the PBO, the accumulated benefit obligation (ABO), the fair value of plan assets and the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets for the defined benefit pension and other post-retirement defined benefit plans.
172
Obligations and funded status of the plans
      International
single-employer
defined benefit
pension plans


Other post-retirement
defined benefit plan
in / end of 2023 2022 2023 2022
PBO (CHF million)  1
Beginning of the measurement period  1,897 3,022 107 140
Service cost 12 14 0 0
Interest cost 86 58 5 3
Plan amendments 0 4 0 0
Settlements (59) (37) 0 0
Curtailments (1) 0 0 0
Actuarial losses/(gains) 20 (908) 2 (27)
Benefit payments (67) (71) (12) (11)
Exchange rate losses/(gains) (120) (185) (8) 2
End of the measurement period  1,768 1,897 94 107
Fair value of plan assets (CHF million)  
Beginning of the measurement period  2,316 3,802 0 0
Actual return on plan assets 92 (1,132) 0 0
Employer contributions 10 16 12 11
Settlements (59) (37) 0 0
Benefit payments (67) (71) (12) (11)
Exchange rate gains/(losses) (126) (262) 0 0
End of the measurement period  2,166 2,316 0 0
Total funded status recognized (CHF million)  
Funded status of the plan – over/(underfunded) 398 419 (94) (107)
Funded status recognized in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31  398 419 (94) (107)
Total amount recognized (CHF million)
Noncurrent assets 520 559 0 0
Current liabilities (11) (7) (7) (10)
Noncurrent liabilities (111) (133) (87) (97)
Net amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31  398 419 (94) (107)
ABO (CHF million)  2
End of the measurement period  1,758 1,880 94 107
1
Including estimated future salary increases.
2
Excluding estimated future salary increases.
The remeasurement loss on the international pension plans recorded as of December 31, 2023 consisted of losses on the asset portfolio of CHF 43 million and losses on the PBO of CHF 20 million due to changes in financial and demographic assumptions, primarily a decrease in the discount rate and updates on the membership data. The remeasurement loss on the international pension plans recorded as of December 31, 2022 consisted of losses on the asset portfolio of CHF 1,199 million, partially offset by gains on the PBO of CHF 908 million due to changes in financial and demographic assumptions, primarily an increase in the discount rate and updates on the membership data.
In 2024, the Bank expects to contribute CHF 14 million to the international defined benefit pension plans and CHF 7 million to other post-retirement defined benefit plans.
PBO or ABO in excess of plan assets
The following table shows the aggregate PBO and ABO, as well as the aggregate fair value of plan assets for those plans with PBO in excess of plan assets and those plans with ABO in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Defined benefit pension plans in which PBO or ABO exceeded plan assets
    PBO exceeds fair value
of plan assets
ABO exceeds fair value
of plan assets
December 31 2023 2022 2023 2022
PBO/ABO exceeded plan assets (CHF million)  
PBO 127 809 127 146
ABO 120 797 120 135
Fair value of plan assets 5 669 5 6
173
Amounts recognized in AOCI and OCI
The following table shows the actuarial gains/(losses) and the prior service credits/(costs), which were recorded in AOCI and subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs.
Amounts recognized in AOCI, net of tax
      International
single-employer
defined benefit
pension plans


Other post-retirement
defined benefit plan



Total
end of 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
Amounts recognized in AOCI (CHF million)  
Actuarial gains/(losses) (599) (576) (8) (6) (607) (582)
Prior service credits/(costs) (11) (12) 3 3 (8) (9)
Total  (610) (588) (5) (3) (615) (591)
The following table shows the changes in OCI due to actuarial gains/(losses), the prior service credits/(costs) recognized in AOCI during 2023 and 2022 as well as the amortization of the aforementioned items as components of net periodic benefit costs for these periods.
Amounts recognized in OCI
    International single-employer
defined benefit pension plans
Other post-retirement
defined benefit plan
in Gross Tax Net Gross Tax Net Total net
2023 (CHF million)  
Actuarial gains/(losses) (63) 28 (35) (2) 0 (2) (37)
Amortization of actuarial losses/(gains) (4) 2 (2) 0 0 0 (2)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits) 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Immediate recognition due to curtailment/settlement 14 0 14 0 0 0 14
Total  (52) 30 (22) (2) 0 (2) (24)
2022 (CHF million)  
Actuarial gains/(losses) (284) 94 (190) 27 (7) 20 (170)
Prior service credits/(costs) (4) 0 (4) 0 0 0 (4)
Amortization of actuarial losses/(gains) 9 (1) 8 1 0 1 9
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits) 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Immediate recognition due to curtailment/settlement 11 (3) 8 0 0 0 8
Total  (267) 90 (177) 28 (7) 21 (156)
Assumptions
The measurement of both the net periodic benefit costs and the benefit obligation is determined using explicit assumptions, each of which individually represents the best estimate of a particular future event.
Net periodic benefit cost and benefit obligation assumptions
The assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation as of the measurement date are also used to calculate the net periodic benefit costs for the 12-month period following this date.
The discount rates are determined based on yield curves constructed from high-quality corporate bonds currently available and observable in the market and are expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefits. The assumption pertaining to salary increases is used to calculate the PBO, which is measured using an assumption as to future compensation levels. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is applied to the market-related value of assets to calculate the expected return on plan assets as a component of the net periodic benefit costs. It is based on long-term expected returns, inflation, interest rates, risk premiums and the pension plan’s asset allocation. The estimates take into consideration historical asset category returns.
174
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs and benefit obligation
    International single-employer
defined benefit pension plans
Other post-retirement
defined benefit plan
December 31 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021
Net periodic benefit cost (%)
Discount rate - service cost 4.60 2.90 2.64
Discount rate - interest cost 5.03 2.10 1.56 5.02 2.23 1.74
Salary increases 3.20 3.32 2.97
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 4.35 2.01 1.79
Benefit obligation (%)  
Discount rate 4.69 4.75 2.13 4.83 5.18 2.89
Salary increases 3.25 3.18 3.32
Mortality tables and life expectancies for major plans
        Life expectancy at age 65
for a male member currently
Life expectancy at age 65
for a female member currently
      aged 65 aged 45 aged 65 aged 45
December 31 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
Life expectancy (years)  
UK SAPS S3 light tables 1 23.1 23.5 24.3 24.8 24.7 25.1 26.1 26.5
US Pri-2012 mortality tables 2 22.0 20.7 23.4 21.9 23.5 22.6 24.8 23.7
1
102% of Self-Administered Pension Scheme (SAPS) S3 light tables were used, which included CMI projections, with a long-term rate of improvement of 1.25% per annum.
2
The Private retirement plan 2012 (Pri-2012) mortality tables were used, with projections based on the Social Security Administration's intermediate improvement scale.
Mortality assumptions are based on standard mortality tables and standard models and methodologies for projecting future improvements to mortality as developed and published by external independent actuarial societies and actuarial organizations.
Health care cost assumptions
The health care cost trend is used to determine the appropriate other post-retirement defined benefit costs. In determining those costs, an annual weighted-average rate is assumed in the cost of covered health care benefits.
The following table provides an overview of the assumed health care cost trend rates.
Health care cost trend rates
in / end of 2023 2022 2021
Health care cost trend rate (%)  
Annual weighted-average health care cost trend rate 1 8.3 6.3 6.5
1
The annual health care cost trend rate is assumed to decrease gradually to achieve the long-term health care cost trend rate of 4.5% by 2034.
The annual health care cost trend rate used to determine the net periodic defined benefit costs for 2024 is 8.3%.
Plan assets and investment strategy
Plan assets, which are assets that have been segregated and restricted to provide for plan benefits, are measured at their fair value as of the measurement date.
The main defined benefit plans in the UK and the US employ asset liability matching strategies, where the portfolios are mostly invested in debt securities with maturity profiles similar to that of the pension plans’ expected future cash flows, with the aim of minimizing interest rate and inflation risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial conditions. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through periodic asset/liability studies and investment portfolio reviews.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, no material UBS debt or equity securities were included in plan assets for the international single-employer defined benefit pension plans.
Fair value hierarchy of plan assets
> Refer to “Fair value measurement” in Note 34 – Financial instruments for discussion of the fair value hierarchy.
Fair value of plan assets
The following tables present the plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 for the Bank’s defined benefit pension plans.
175
Plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
   2023 2022

end of




Level 1




Level 2




Level 3
Assets
measured
at net asset
value
per share




Total




Level 1




Level 2




Level 3
Assets
measured
at net asset
value
per share




Total
Plan assets at fair value (CHF million)  
Cash and cash equivalents 46 199 0 0 245 28 90 0 0 118
Debt securities 1,030 457 0 300 1,787 1,222 522 0 326 2,070
   of which governments  1,030 0 0 0 1,030 1,222 44 0 0 1,266
   of which corporates  0 457 0 300 757 0 478 0 326 804
Equity securities 0 54 0 16 70 0 61 0 45 106
Alternative investments 0 (10) 0 0 (10) 0 (59) 0 0 (59)
   of which other  0 (10) 1 0 0 (10) 0 (59) 1 0 0 (59)
Other investments 0 74 0 0 74 0 81 0 0 81
Total plan assets at fair value  1,076 774 0 316 2,166 1,250 695 0 371 2,316
1
Primarily related to derivative instruments.
Qualitative disclosures of valuation techniques used to measure fair value
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include money market instruments such as bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, CP, book claims, treasury bills, other rights and commingled funds. Valuations of money market instruments and commingled funds are generally based on observable inputs.
Debt securities
Debt securities include government and corporate bonds which are generally quoted in active markets or as units in mutual funds. Debt securities for which market prices are not available are valued based on yields reflecting the perceived risk of the issuer and the maturity of the security, recent disposals in the market or other modeling techniques, which may involve judgment. Units in mutual funds which are not directly quoted on a public stock exchange and/or for which a fair value is not readily determinable are measured at fair value using NAV.
Equity securities
Equity securities held include common equity shares, convertible bonds and shares in investment companies and units in mutual funds. The common equity shares are generally traded on public stock exchanges for which quoted prices are regularly available. Convertible bonds are generally valued using observable pricing sources. Shares in investment companies and units in mutual funds which are not directly quoted on a public stock exchange and/or for which a fair value is not readily determinable are measured at fair value using NAV.
Derivatives
Derivatives include both OTC and exchange-traded derivatives. The fair value of OTC derivatives is determined on the basis of inputs that include those characteristics of the derivative that have a bearing on the economics of the instrument. The determination of the fair value of many derivatives involves only a limited degree of subjectivity since the required inputs are generally observable in the marketplace. Other more complex derivatives may use unobservable inputs. Such inputs include long-dated volatility assumptions on OTC option transactions and recovery rate assumptions for credit derivative transactions. The fair value of exchange-traded derivatives is typically derived from the observable exchange prices and/or observable inputs.
Plan asset allocation
The following table shows the plan asset allocation as of the measurement date calculated based on the fair value at that date.
Plan asset allocation
December 31 2023 2022
Weighted-average (%)  
Cash and cash equivalents 11.4 5.1
Debt securities 82.5 89.4
Equity securities 3.2 4.5
Alternative investments (0.5) (2.5)
Insurance 3.4 3.5
Total  100.0 100.0
176
The following table shows the target plan asset allocation for 2024 in accordance with the Bank’s investment strategy.
2024 target plan asset allocation
Weighted-average (%)
Cash and cash equivalents 1.5
Debt securities 91.4
Equity securities 3.7
Insurance 3.4
Total  100.0
Estimated future benefit payments
The following table shows the estimated future benefit payments for defined benefit pension and other post-retirement defined benefit plans.
Estimated future benefit payments
International
single-employer
defined benefit
pension plans


Other post-retirement
defined benefit plan
Payments (CHF million)  
2024 111 7
2025 108 9
2026 112 8
2027 107 8
2028 103 7
For five years thereafter 572 31
177
31 Derivatives and hedging activities
Derivatives are generally either privately negotiated OTC contracts or standard contracts transacted through regulated exchanges. The Bank’s most frequently used freestanding derivative products, entered into for trading and risk management purposes, include interest rate, credit default and cross-currency swaps, interest rate and foreign exchange options, interest rate and foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign exchange and interest rate futures.
The Bank also enters into contracts that are not considered derivatives in their entirety but include embedded derivative features. Such transactions primarily include issued and purchased structured debt instruments where the return may be calculated by reference to an equity security, index or third-party credit risk, or that have non-standard interest or foreign exchange terms.
On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Bank designates it as belonging to one of the following categories:
trading activities;
a risk management transaction that does not qualify as a hedge under accounting standards (referred to as an economic hedge);
a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability;
a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid relating to a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction; or
a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.
Trading activities
The Bank is active in most of the principal trading markets and transacts in many trading and hedging products. As noted above, this includes the use of swaps, futures, options and structured products, such as custom transactions using combinations of derivatives, in connection with its sales and trading activities. Trading activities include market-making, positioning and arbitrage activities. The majority of the Bank’s derivatives were used for trading activities.
Economic hedges
Economic hedges arise when the Bank enters into derivative contracts for its own risk management purposes, but the contracts entered into do not qualify for hedge accounting under US GAAP. These economic hedges include the following types:
interest rate derivatives to manage net interest rate risk on certain core banking business assets and liabilities;
foreign exchange derivatives to manage foreign exchange risk on certain core banking business revenue and expense items, as well as on core banking business assets and liabilities;
credit derivatives to manage credit risk on certain loan portfolios;
futures to manage risk on equity positions including convertible bonds; and
equity derivatives to manage equity/index risks on certain structured products.
Derivatives used in economic hedges are included as trading assets or trading liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Hedge accounting
Fair value hedges
The Bank designates fair value hedges as part of an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility. The Bank uses derivatives to hedge for changes in fair value as a result of the interest rate risk associated with loans, debt securities held as available-for-sale and long-term debt instruments.
Cash flow hedges
The Bank hedges the variability in interest cash flows mainly on mortgages, loans and reverse repurchase agreements by using interest rate swaps to convert variable rate assets to fixed rates. Further, the Bank uses foreign currency forwards to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with certain forecasted transactions. As of the end of 2023, the maximum length of time over which the Bank hedged its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding those forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments, was 12 months.
Net investment hedges
The Bank designates net investment hedges as part of its strategy to hedge selected net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in foreign exchange rates, typically using forward foreign exchange contracts.
Hedge effectiveness assessment
The Bank assesses the effectiveness of hedging relationships both prospectively and retrospectively. The prospective assessment is made both at the inception of a hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis, and requires the Bank to justify its expectation that the relationship will be highly effective over future periods. The retrospective assessment is also performed on an ongoing basis and requires the Bank to determine whether or not the hedging relationship has actually been effective.
178
Fair value of derivative instruments
The tables below present gross derivative replacement values by type of contract and whether the derivative is used for trading purposes or in a qualifying hedging relationship. Notional amounts have also been provided as an indication of the volume of derivative activity within the Bank.
Information on bifurcated embedded derivatives has not been included in these tables. Under US GAAP, the Bank elected to account for substantially all financial instruments with an embedded derivative that is not considered clearly and closely related to the host contract at fair value.
> Refer to “Note 34 – Financial instruments” for further information.
Fair value of derivative instruments
   Trading Hedging 1

end of 2023

Notional
amount
Positive
replacement
value (PRV)
Negative
replacement
value (NRV)

Notional
amount
Positive
replacement
value (PRV)
Negative
replacement
value (NRV)
Derivative instruments (CHF billion)  
Forwards and forward rate agreements 1,238.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Swaps 4,321.1 13.2 12.4 118.4 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (OTC) 446.9 5.0 5.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
Futures 86.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (exchange-traded) 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Interest rate products  6,096.0 18.2 17.6 118.4 0.0 0.0
Forwards 278.6 3.3 4.9 22.6 0.2 0.6
Swaps 287.3 9.3 11.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (OTC) 49.8 1.3 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
Futures 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (exchange-traded) 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Foreign exchange products  617.5 13.9 17.3 22.6 0.2 0.6
Forwards 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Swaps 10.2 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (OTC) 70.1 2.6 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.0
Futures 7.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (exchange-traded) 122.5 5.7 5.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Equity/index-related products  210.6 8.9 8.9 0.0 0.0 0.0
Credit derivatives 2 156.4 1.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
Forwards 3.7 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Swaps 4.8 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (OTC) 4.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Futures 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (exchange-traded) 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other products 3 14.3 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0
Total derivative instruments  7,094.8 42.8 45.6 141.0 0.2 0.6
The notional amount, PRV and NRV (trading and hedging) was CHF 7,235.8 billion, CHF 43.0 billion and CHF 46.2 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2024.
1
Relates to derivative contracts that qualify for hedge accounting under US GAAP.
2
Primarily credit default swaps.
3
Primarily precious metals, commodity and energy products.
179
Fair value of derivative instruments (continued)
   Trading Hedging 1

end of 2022

Notional
amount
Positive
replacement
value (PRV)
Negative
replacement
value (NRV)

Notional
amount
Positive
replacement
value (PRV)
Negative
replacement
value (NRV)
Derivative instruments (CHF billion)  
Forwards and forward rate agreements 2,088.2 1.7 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0
Swaps 9,140.3 24.3 21.7 130.1 0.1 1.8
Options bought and sold (OTC) 644.4 8.2 8.6 0.0 0.0 0.0
Futures 144.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (exchange-traded) 35.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Interest rate products  12,053.7 34.2 32.0 130.1 0.1 1.8
Forwards 701.4 8.7 10.0 17.7 0.1 0.2
Swaps 353.5 14.3 13.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (OTC) 167.5 2.5 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0
Futures 4.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (exchange-traded) 2.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Foreign exchange products  1,229.3 25.5 26.2 17.7 0.1 0.2
Forwards 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Swaps 22.8 0.9 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (OTC) 181.4 5.2 7.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
Futures 42.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (exchange-traded) 469.3 18.9 18.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
Equity/index-related products  715.8 25.0 26.7 0.0 0.0 0.0
Credit derivatives 2 352.0 3.2 3.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
Forwards 6.9 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Swaps 9.5 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (OTC) 8.8 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Futures 12.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Options bought and sold (exchange-traded) 2.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other products 3 40.5 1.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0
Total derivative instruments  14,391.3 88.9 88.9 147.8 0.2 2.0
The notional amount, PRV and NRV (trading and hedging) was CHF 14,539.1 billion, CHF 89.1 billion and CHF 90.9 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2022.
1
Relates to derivative contracts that qualify for hedge accounting under US GAAP.
2
Primarily credit default swaps.
3
Primarily precious metals, commodity and energy products.
Gains or (losses) on fair value hedges
in 2023 2022 2021
Interest rate products (CHF million)  
Hedged items 1 485 4,677 1,523
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 1 (557) (4,355) (1,448)
The accrued interest on fair value hedges is recorded in net interest income and is excluded from this table.
1
Included in net interest income.
180
Hedged items in fair value hedges
   2023 2022
   Hedged items Hedged items

end of
Carrying
amount
Hedging
adjustments
1 Discontinued
hedges
2 Carrying
amount
Hedging
adjustments
1 Discontinued
hedges
2
Assets (CHF billion)  
Investment securities 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 (0.1) 0.0
Net loans 40.8 0.8 (1.6) 29.0 (1.3) (0.7)
Liabilities (CHF billion)  
Long-term debt 64.1 0.6 (3.7) 72.0 (1.0) (4.4)
1
Relates to the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments included in the carrying amount.
2
Relates to the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments remaining for any hedged items for which hedge accounting has been discontinued.
Cash flow hedges
in 2023 2022 2021
Interest rate products (CHF million)  
Gains/(losses) recognized in AOCI on derivatives 407 (474) (314)
Gains/(losses) reclassified from AOCI into interest and dividend income (299) 1,018 7
Foreign exchange products (CHF million)
Gains/(losses) recognized in AOCI on derivatives 14 (56) (9)
Total other operating expenses 3 (60) 34
Gains/(losses) reclassified from AOCI into income 3 (60) 34
The net loss associated with cash flow hedges expected to be reclassified from AOCI within the next 12 months was CHF 347 million.
Net investment hedges
in 2023 2022 2021
Foreign exchange products (CHF million)  
Gains/(losses) recognized in the cumulative translation adjustments section of AOCI (497) (15) 51
Gains/(losses) reclassified from the cumulative translation adjustments section of AOCI into other revenues 4 0 0
The Bank includes all derivative instruments not included in hedge accounting relationships in its trading activities.
> Refer to “Note 7 – Trading revenues” for gains and losses on trading activities by product type.
Disclosures relating to contingent credit risk
Certain of the Bank’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require the maintenance of contractually specified credit ratings from each of the major credit rating agencies. If the ratings fall below the level specified in the contract, the counterparties to the agreement could request payment of additional collateral on those derivative instruments that are in a net liability position. Certain of the derivative contracts also provide for termination of the contract, generally upon a downgrade of the contractually specified credit ratings. Such derivative contracts are reflected at close-out costs.
The following table provides the Bank’s current net exposure from contingent credit risk relating to derivative contracts with bilateral counterparties and SPEs that include credit support agreements, the related collateral posted and the additional collateral that could be called by counterparties in the event of a one, two or three-notch downgrade in the contractually specified credit ratings. The table also includes derivative contracts with contingent credit risk features without credit support agreements that have accelerated termination event conditions. The current net exposure for derivative contracts with bilateral counterparties and contracts with accelerated termination event conditions is the aggregate fair value of derivative instruments that were in a net liability position. For SPEs, the current net exposure is the contractual amount that is used to determine the collateral payable in the event of a downgrade. The contractual amount could include both the NRV and a percentage of the notional value of the derivative.
181
Contingent credit risk
   2023 2022

end of

Bilateral
counterparties
Special
purpose
entities

Accelerated
terminations


Total

Bilateral
counterparties
Special
purpose
entities

Accelerated
terminations


Total
Contingent credit risk (CHF billion)  
Current net exposure 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.5 1.2 0.1 0.1 1.4
Collateral posted 0.3 0.1 0.4 1.0 0.1 1.1
Impact of a one-notch downgrade event 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.5
Impact of a two-notch downgrade event 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.8
Impact of a three-notch downgrade event 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.8
The impact of a downgrade event reflects the amount of additional collateral required for bilateral counterparties and special purpose entities and the amount of additional termination expenses for accelerated terminations, respectively.
Credit derivatives
Credit derivatives are contractual agreements in which the buyer generally pays a fee in exchange for a contingent payment by the seller if there is a credit event on the underlying referenced entity or asset. They are generally privately negotiated OTC contracts, with numerous settlement and payment terms, and most are structured so that they specify the occurrence of an identifiable credit event, which can include bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, material adverse restructuring of debt or failure to meet obligations when due.
The Bank enters into credit derivative contracts in the normal course of business, buying and selling protection to facilitate client transactions and as a market maker. This includes providing structured credit products for its clients to enable them to hedge their credit risk. The referenced instruments of these structured credit products are both investment grade and non-investment grade and could include corporate bonds, sovereign debt, asset-backed securities (ABS) and loans. These instruments can be formed as single items (single-named instruments) or combined on a portfolio basis (multi-named instruments). The Bank purchases protection to economically hedge various forms of credit exposure, for example, the economic hedging of loan portfolios or other cash positions. Finally, the Bank also takes proprietary positions which can take the form of either purchased or sold protection.
The credit derivatives most commonly transacted by the Bank are CDS and credit swaptions. CDSs are contractual agreements in which the buyer of the swap pays an upfront and/or a periodic fee in return for a contingent payment by the seller of the swap following a credit event of the referenced entity or asset. Credit swaptions are options with a specified maturity to buy or sell protection under a CDS on a specific referenced credit event.
In addition, to reduce its credit risk, the Bank enters into legally enforceable netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. Collateral on these derivative contracts is usually posted on a net counterparty basis and cannot be allocated to a particular derivative contract.
> Refer to “Note 26 – Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities” for further information on netting.
Credit protection sold
Credit protection sold is the maximum potential payout, which is based on the notional value of derivatives and represents the amount of future payments that the Bank would be required to make as a result of credit risk-related events. The Bank believes that the maximum potential payout is not representative of the actual loss exposure based on historical experience. This amount has not been reduced by the Bank’s rights to the underlying assets and the related cash flows. In accordance with most credit derivative contracts, should a credit event (or settlement trigger) occur, the Bank is usually liable for the difference between the credit protection sold and the recourse it holds in the value of the underlying assets. The maximum potential amount of future payments has not been reduced for any cash collateral paid to a given counterparty as such payments would be calculated after netting all derivative exposures, including any credit derivatives with that counterparty in accordance with a related master netting agreement. Due to such netting processes, determining the amount of collateral that corresponds to credit derivative exposures only is not possible.
To reflect the quality of the payment risk on credit protection sold, the Bank assigns an internally generated rating to those instruments referenced in the contracts. Internal ratings are assigned by experienced credit analysts based on expert judgment that incorporates analysis and evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative factors. The specific factors analyzed, and their relative importance, are dependent on the type of counterparty. The analysis emphasizes a forward-looking approach, concentrating on economic trends and financial fundamentals, and making use of peer analysis, industry comparisons and other quantitative tools. External ratings and market information are also used in the analysis process where available.
182
Credit protection purchased
Credit protection purchased represents those instruments where the underlying reference instrument is identical to the reference instrument of the credit protection sold. The maximum potential payout amount of credit protection purchased for each individual identical underlying reference instrument may be greater or lower than the notional amount of protection sold.
The Bank also considers estimated recoveries that it would receive if the specified credit event occurred, including both the anticipated value of the underlying referenced asset that would, in most instances, be transferred to the Bank and the impact of any purchased protection with an identical reference instrument and product type.
Other protection purchased
In the normal course of business, the Bank purchases protection to offset the risk of credit protection sold that may have similar, but not identical, reference instruments, and may use similar, but not identical, products, which reduces the total credit derivative exposure. Other protection purchased is based on the notional value of the instruments.
The Bank purchases its protection from banks and broker dealers, other financial institutions and other counterparties.
Fair value of credit protection sold
The fair values of the credit protection sold give an indication of the amount of payment risk, as the negative fair values increase when the potential payment under the derivative contracts becomes more probable.
Credit protection sold/purchased
The following tables do not include all credit derivatives and differ from the credit derivatives in the “Fair value of derivative instruments” table. This is due to the exclusion of certain credit derivative instruments under US GAAP, which defines a credit derivative as a derivative instrument (a) in which one or more of its underlyings are related to the credit risk of a specified entity (or a group of entities) or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities and (b) that exposes the seller to potential loss from credit risk-related events specified in the contract.
Total return swaps (TRS) of CHF 2.5 billion and CHF 5.9 billion as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, were also excluded because a TRS does not expose the seller to potential loss from credit risk-related events specified in the contract. A TRS only provides protection against a loss in asset value and not against additional amounts as a result of specific credit events.
Credit protection sold/purchased
   2023 2022

end of

Credit
protection
sold

Credit
protection
purchased
1 Net credit
protection
(sold)/
purchased

Other
protection
purchased
Fair value
of credit
protection
sold

Credit
protection
sold

Credit
protection
purchased
1 Net credit
protection
(sold)/
purchased

Other
protection
purchased
Fair value
of credit
protection
sold
Single-name instruments (CHF billion)  
Investment grade 2 (18.0) 15.4 (2.6) 6.3 0.0 (52.8) 48.6 (4.2) 10.6 0.2
Non-investment grade (6.6) 5.0 (1.6) 2.1 0.1 (22.3) 20.7 (1.6) 4.9 (0.2)
Total single-name instruments  (24.6) 20.4 (4.2) 8.4 0.1 (75.1) 69.3 (5.8) 15.5 0.0
   of which sovereign  (4.1) 3.0 (1.1) 2.7 0.0 (12.8) 11.3 (1.5) 4.4 (0.1)
   of which non-sovereign  (20.5) 17.4 (3.1) 5.7 0.1 (62.3) 58.0 (4.3) 11.1 0.1
Multi-name instruments (CHF billion)  
Investment grade 2 (36.4) 35.1 (1.3) 2.0 0.1 (54.3) 50.8 (3.5) 8.9 0.1
Non-investment grade (11.5) 10.6 (0.9) 3.2 3 (0.3) (30.9) 28.4 (2.5) 9.5 3 (0.6)
Total multi-name instruments  (47.9) 45.7 (2.2) 5.2 (0.2) (85.2) 79.2 (6.0) 18.4 (0.5)
   of which non-sovereign  (47.9) 45.7 (2.2) 5.2 (0.2) (85.2) 79.2 (6.0) 18.4 (0.5)
Total instruments (CHF billion)  
Investment grade 2 (54.4) 50.5 (3.9) 8.3 0.1 (107.1) 99.4 (7.7) 19.5 0.3
Non-investment grade (18.1) 15.6 (2.5) 5.3 (0.2) (53.2) 49.1 (4.1) 14.4 (0.8)
Total instruments  (72.5) 66.1 (6.4) 13.6 (0.1) (160.3) 148.5 (11.8) 33.9 (0.5)
   of which sovereign  (4.1) 3.0 (1.1) 2.7 0.0 (12.8) 11.3 (1.5) 4.4 (0.1)
   of which non-sovereign  (68.4) 63.1 (5.3) 10.9 (0.1) (147.5) 137.2 (10.3) 29.5 (0.4)
1
Represents credit protection purchased with identical underlyings and recoveries.
2
Based on internal ratings of BBB and above.
3
Includes synthetic securitized loan portfolios.
183
The following table reconciles the notional amount of credit derivatives included in the table “Fair value of derivative instruments” to the table “Credit protection sold/purchased”.
Credit derivatives
end of 2023 2022
Credit derivatives (CHF billion)  
Credit protection sold 72.5 160.3
Credit protection purchased 66.1 148.5
Other protection purchased 13.6 33.9
Other instruments 1 4.2 9.3
Total credit derivatives  156.4 352.0
1
Consists of total return swaps and other derivative instruments.
The segregation of the future payments by maturity range and underlying risk gives an indication of the current status of the potential for performance under the derivative contracts.
Maturity of credit protection sold

end of
Maturity
less
than
1 year
Maturity
between
1 to 5
years
Maturity
greater
than
5 years



Total
2023 (CHF billion)  
Single-name instruments 4.3 19.2 1.1 24.6
Multi-name instruments 10.3 33.1 4.5 47.9
Total instruments  14.6 52.3 5.6 72.5
2022 (CHF billion)  
Single-name instruments 10.0 61.8 3.3 75.1
Multi-name instruments 6.5 71.5 7.2 85.2
Total instruments  16.5 133.3 10.5 160.3
32 Guarantees and commitments
Guarantees
In the ordinary course of business, guarantees are provided that contingently obligate the Bank to make payments to third parties if the counterparty fails to fulfill its obligation under a borrowing or other contractual arrangement. The total gross amount disclosed within the Guarantees table reflects the maximum potential payment under the guarantees. The carrying value represents the higher of the initial fair value (generally the related fee received or receivable) less cumulative amortization and the Bank’s current best estimate of payments that will be required under existing guarantee arrangements.
Guarantees provided by the Bank are classified as follows: credit guarantees and similar instruments, performance guarantees and similar instruments, derivatives and other guarantees.
Guarantees

end of
Maturity
less
than
1 year
Maturity
between
1 to 3
years
Maturity
between
3 to 5
years
Maturity
greater
than
5 years

Total
gross
amount

Total
net
amount
1

Carrying
value


Collateral
received
2023 (CHF million)  
Credit guarantees and similar instruments 1,716 859 33 368 2,976 2,932 14 2,244
Performance guarantees and similar instruments 2,383 1,329 778 340 4,830 4,377 45 2,340
Derivatives 2 894 33 16 6 949 949 40
Other guarantees 3,329 625 141 1,105 5,200 5,200 59 2,413
Total guarantees  8,322 2,846 968 1,819 13,955 13,458 158 6,997
2022 (CHF million)  
Credit guarantees and similar instruments 2,261 451 127 471 3,310 3,197 22 2,068
Performance guarantees and similar instruments 4,280 1,750 729 513 7,272 6,527 61 3,778
Derivatives 2 2,646 1,702 520 374 5,242 5,242 101
Other guarantees 4,455 859 182 1,172 6,668 6,668 56 3,292
Total guarantees  13,642 4,762 1,558 2,530 22,492 21,634 240 9,138
1
Total net amount is computed as the gross amount less any participations.
2
Excludes derivative contracts with certain active commercial and investment banks and certain other counterparties, as such contracts can be cash settled and the Bank had no basis to conclude it was probable that the counterparties held, at inception, the underlying instruments.
184
Credit guarantees and similar instruments
Credit guarantees and similar instruments are contracts that require the Bank to make payments should a third party fail to do so under a specified existing credit obligation. The position includes standby letters of credit, commercial and residential mortgage guarantees, credit guarantees to clearing and settlement networks and exchanges, and other guarantees associated with VIEs.
Standby letters of credit are made in connection with the corporate lending business and other corporate activities, where the Bank provides guarantees to counterparties in the form of standby letters of credit, which represent obligations to make payments to third parties if the counterparties fail to fulfill their obligations under a borrowing arrangement or other contractual obligation.
Commercial and residential mortgage guarantees are made in connection with the Bank’s commercial mortgage activities in the US, where the Bank sells certain commercial and residential mortgages to Fannie Mae and agrees to bear a percentage of the losses triggered by the borrowers failing to perform on the mortgage. The Bank also issues guarantees that require it to reimburse Fannie Mae for losses on certain whole loans underlying mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae, which are triggered by borrowers failing to perform on the underlying mortgages.
The Bank also provides guarantees to VIEs and other counterparties under which it may be required to buy assets from such entities upon the occurrence of certain triggering events such as rating downgrades and/or substantial decreases in the fair value of those assets.
Performance guarantees and similar instruments
Performance guarantees and similar instruments are arrangements that require contingent payments to be made when certain performance-related targets or covenants are not met. Such covenants may include a customer’s obligation to deliver certain products and services or to perform under a construction contract. Performance guarantees are frequently executed as part of project finance transactions. The position includes private equity fund guarantees and guarantees related to residential mortgage securitization activities.
For private equity fund guarantees, the Bank has provided investors in private equity funds sponsored by a Bank entity guarantees on potential obligations of certain general partners to return amounts previously paid as carried interest to those general partners if the performance of the remaining investments declines. To manage its exposure, the Bank generally withholds a portion of carried interest distributions to cover any repayment obligations. In addition, pursuant to certain contractual arrangements, the Bank is obligated to make cash payments to certain investors in certain private equity funds if specified performance thresholds are not met.
Further, as part of the Bank’s residential mortgage securitization activities in the US, the Bank may guarantee the collection by the servicer and remittance to the securitization trust of prepayment penalties. The Bank will have to perform under these guarantees in the event the servicer fails to remit the prepayment penalties.
Derivatives
Derivatives which may also have the characteristics of a guarantee are issued in the ordinary course of business, generally in the form of written put options. Such derivative contracts do not meet the characteristics of a guarantee if they are cash settled and the Bank has no basis to conclude it is probable that the counterparties held, at inception, the underlying instruments related to the derivative contracts. The Bank has concluded that these conditions were met for certain active commercial and investment banks and certain other counterparties, and accordingly, the Bank has reported such contracts as derivatives only.
The Bank manages its exposure to these derivatives by engaging in various hedging strategies to reduce its exposure. For some contracts, such as written interest rate caps or foreign exchange options, the maximum payout is not determinable as interest rates or exchange rates could theoretically rise without limit. For these contracts, notional amounts were disclosed in the table above in order to provide an indication of the underlying exposure. In addition, the Bank carries all derivatives at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets and has considered the performance triggers and probabilities of payment when determining those fair values. It is more likely than not that written put options that are in-the-money to the counterparty will be exercised, for which the Bank’s exposure was limited to the carrying value reflected in the table.
Other guarantees
Other guarantees include bankers’ acceptances, residual value guarantees, deposit insurance, contingent considerations in business combinations, the minimum value of an investment in mutual funds or private equity funds and all other guarantees that were not allocated to one of the categories above.
Deposit-taking banks and securities dealers in Switzerland and certain other European countries are required to ensure the payout of protected deposits in case of specified restrictions or the forced liquidation of a deposit-taking bank. In Switzerland, under the amended Swiss deposit insurance guarantee program, the jointly guaranteed amount is determined as the higher of CHF 6 billion or 1.6% of all protected deposits. As per notifications from the administrator of the Swiss deposit insurance program to the Bank and its Swiss bank subsidiaries, the Bank’s respective share was CHF 0.6 billion for the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Amounts guaranteed under deposit insurance guarantee programs were reflected in other guarantees.
185
Representations and warranties on residential mortgage loans sold
In connection with the Investment Bank division’s sale of US residential mortgage loans, the Bank has provided certain representations and warranties relating to the loans sold. The Bank has provided these representations and warranties relating to sales of loans to institutional investors, primarily banks, and non-agency, or private label, securitizations. The loans sold are primarily loans that the Bank has purchased from other parties. The scope of representations and warranties, if any, depends on the transaction, but can include: ownership of the mortgage loans and legal capacity to sell the loans; loan-to-value ratios and other characteristics of the property, the borrower and the loan; validity of the liens securing the loans and the absence of delinquent taxes or related liens; conformity to underwriting standards and completeness of documentation; and origination in compliance with law. If it is determined that representations and warranties were breached, the Bank may be required to repurchase the related loans or indemnify the investors to make them whole for losses. Whether the Bank will incur a loss in connection with repurchases and make whole payments depends on: the extent to which claims are made; the validity of such claims made within the statute of limitations (including the likelihood and ability to enforce claims); whether the Bank can successfully claim against parties that sold loans to the Bank and made representations and warranties to the Bank; the residential real estate market, including the number of defaults; and whether the obligations of the securitization vehicles were guaranteed or insured by third parties.
Repurchase claims on residential mortgage loans sold that are subject to arbitration or litigation proceedings, or become so during the reporting period, are not included in this Guarantees and commitments disclosure but are addressed in litigation and related loss contingencies and provisions. The Bank is involved in litigation relating to representations and warranties on residential mortgages sold.
> Refer to “Note 38 – Litigation” for further information.
Disposal-related contingencies and other indemnifications
The Bank has certain guarantees for which its maximum contingent liability cannot be quantified. These guarantees are not reflected in the “Guarantees” table and are discussed below.
Disposal-related contingencies
In connection with the sale of assets or businesses, the Bank sometimes provides the acquirer with certain indemnification provisions. These indemnification provisions vary by counterparty in scope and duration and depend upon the type of assets or businesses sold. They are designed to transfer the potential risk of certain unquantifiable and unknowable loss contingencies, such as litigation, tax and intellectual property matters, from the acquirer to the seller. The Bank monitors claims received in connection with such indemnification provisions to ensure that these are adequately provided for in the Bank’s consolidated financial statements.
Other indemnifications
The Bank provides indemnifications to certain counterparties in connection with its normal operating activities for which it is not possible to estimate the maximum amount that it could be obligated to pay. As a normal part of issuing its own securities, the Bank typically agrees to reimburse holders for additional tax withholding charges or assessments resulting from changes in applicable tax laws or the interpretation of those laws. Securities that include these agreements to pay additional amounts generally also include a related redemption or call provision if the obligation to pay the additional amounts results from a change in law or its interpretation and the obligation cannot be avoided by the issuer taking reasonable steps to avoid the payment of additional amounts. Since such potential obligations are dependent on future changes in tax laws, the related liabilities the Bank may incur as a result of such changes cannot be reasonably estimated. In light of the related call provisions typically included, the Bank does not expect any potential liabilities in respect of tax gross-ups to be material.
The Bank is a member of numerous securities exchanges and clearing houses and may, as a result of its membership arrangements, be required to perform if another member defaults and available amounts as defined in the relevant exchange’s or clearing house’s default waterfalls are not sufficient to cover losses from another member’s default. The exchange’s or clearing house’s default management procedures may provide for cash calls to non-defaulting members, which may be limited to the amount (or a multiple of the amount) of the Bank’s contribution to the guarantee fund. However, if these cash calls are not sufficient to cover losses, the default waterfall and default management procedures may foresee further loss allocation. Furthermore, some clearing house arrangements require members to assume a proportionate share of non-default losses, if such losses exceed the specified resources allocated for such purpose by the clearing house. Non-default losses result from the clearing house’s investment of guarantee fund contributions and initial margin or are other losses unrelated to the default of a clearing member. The Bank has determined that it is not possible to reasonably estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments due under the membership arrangements. In addition, the Bank believes that any potential requirement to make payments under these membership arrangements is remote.
186
Other commitments
Irrevocable commitments under documentary credits
Irrevocable commitments under documentary credits include exposures from trade finance related to commercial letters of credit under which the Bank guarantees payments to exporters against presentation of shipping and other documents.
Irrevocable loan commitments
Irrevocable loan commitments are irrevocable credit facilities extended to clients and include fully or partially undrawn commitments that are legally binding and cannot be unconditionally cancelled by the Bank. Commitments to originate mortgage loans that will be held for sale are considered derivatives for accounting purposes and are not included in this disclosure. Such commitments are reflected as derivatives in the consolidated balance sheets.
Forward reverse repurchase agreements
Forward reverse repurchase agreements represent transactions in which the initial cash exchange of the reverse repurchase transactions takes place on specified future dates. The Bank enters into forward reverse repurchase agreements with counterparties that may have existing funded reverse repurchase agreements. Depending on the details of the counterparty contract with Credit Suisse, both a counterparty’s existing funded reverse repurchase agreement and any forward reverse repurchase agreements under contract with the same counterparty are considered.
Other commitments
Other commitments include contracts that require the Bank to make payments should a third party fail to do so under a specified future credit obligation, such as commitments arising from deferred payment letters of credit, e.g., with re-insurance clients. Other commitments also include private equity commitments, firm commitments in underwriting securities as well as commitments from acceptances in circulation and liabilities for call and put options on shares and other equity instruments.
Other commitments

end of
Maturity
less
than
1 year
Maturity
between
1 to 3
years
Maturity
between
3 to 5
years
Maturity
greater
than
5 years

Total
gross
amount

Total
net
amount
1
2023 (CHF million)  
Irrevocable commitments under documentary credits 2,195 28 0 0 2,223 2,159
Irrevocable loan commitments 2 11,471 22,514 22,980 4,615 61,580 58,361
Forward reverse repurchase agreements 147 0 0 0 147 147
Other commitments 274 6 1 202 483 482
Total other commitments  14,087 22,548 22,981 4,817 64,433 61,149
2022 (CHF million)  
Irrevocable commitments under documentary credits 3,378 41 0 1 3,420 3,233
Irrevocable loan commitments 2 19,272 33,512 44,563 14,782 112,129 108,118
Forward reverse repurchase agreements 1,021 0 0 0 1,021 1,021
Other commitments 212 16 2 268 498 498
Total other commitments  23,883 33,569 44,565 15,051 117,068 112,870
1
Total net amount is computed as the gross amount less any participations.
2
Irrevocable loan commitments did not include a total gross amount of CHF 98,850 million and CHF 129,224 million of unused credit limits as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which were revocable at the Bank's sole discretion upon notice to the client.
187
33 Transfers of financial assets and variable interest entities
In the normal course of business, the Bank enters into transactions with, and makes use of, SPEs. An SPE is an entity in the form of a trust or other legal structure designed to fulfill a specific limited need of the company that organized it and is generally structured to isolate the SPE’s assets from creditors of other entities, including the Bank. The principal uses of SPEs are to assist the Bank and its clients in securitizing financial assets and creating investment products. The Bank also uses SPEs for other client-driven activity, such as to facilitate financings, and for Bank tax or regulatory purposes.
Transfers of financial assets
Securitizations and asset-backed financings
The majority of the Bank’s securitization activities involve mortgages and mortgage-related securities and are predominantly transacted using SPEs. In a typical securitization, the SPE purchases assets financed by proceeds received from the SPE’s issuance of debt and equity instruments, certificates, CP and other notes of indebtedness. These assets and liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet of the SPE and not reflected on the Bank’s consolidated balance sheet, unless either the Bank sold the assets to the entity and the accounting requirements for sale were not met or the Bank consolidates the SPE.
The Bank purchases commercial and residential mortgages for the purpose of securitization and sells these mortgage loans to SPEs. These SPEs issue commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and ABS that are collateralized by the assets transferred to the SPE and that pay a return based on the returns on those assets. Investors in these mortgage-backed securities or ABS typically have recourse to the assets in the SPEs. Third-party guarantees may further enhance the creditworthiness of the assets. The investors and the SPEs have no recourse to the Bank’s assets. The Bank is typically an underwriter of, and makes a market in, these securities.
The Bank also transacts in re-securitizations of previously issued RMBS securities. Typically, certificates issued out of an existing securitization vehicle are sold into a newly created and separate securitization vehicle. Often, these re-securitizations are initiated in order to re-securitize an existing security to give the investor an investment with different risk ratings or characteristics.
The Bank also uses SPEs for other asset-backed financings relating to client-driven activity and for Bank tax or regulatory purposes. Types of structures included in this category include managed collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), CLOs, leveraged finance, repack and other types of transactions, including life insurance structures, emerging market structures set up for financing, loan participation or loan origination purposes, and other alternative structures created for the purpose of investing in venture capital-like investments. CLOs are collateralized by loans transferred to the CLO vehicle and pay a return based on the returns on the loans. Leveraged finance structures are used to assist in the syndication of certain loans held by the Bank, while repack structures are designed to give a client collateralized exposure to specific cash flows or credit risk backed by collateral purchased from the Bank. In these asset-backed financing structures, investors typically only have recourse to the collateral of the SPE and do not have recourse to the Bank’s assets.
When the Bank transfers assets into an SPE, it must assess whether that transfer is accounted for as a sale of the assets. Transfers of assets may not meet sale requirements if the assets have not been legally isolated from the Bank and/or if the Bank’s continuing involvement is deemed to give it effective control over the assets. If the transfer is not deemed a sale, it is instead accounted for as a secured borrowing, with the transferred assets as collateral.
Gains and losses on securitization transactions depend, in part, on the carrying values of mortgages and loans involved in the transfer and are allocated between the assets sold and any beneficial interests retained according to the relative fair values at the date of sale. Since the Bank generally accounts for assets pending transfer, i.e., prior to securitization, at fair value, the Bank does not typically recognize significant gains or losses upon the transfer of assets.
The Bank does not retain material servicing responsibilities from securitization activities.
The following table provides the gains or losses and proceeds from the transfer of assets relating to 2023, 2022 and 2021 securitizations of financial assets or asset-backed financings that qualify for sale accounting and subsequent derecognition, along with the cash flows between the Bank and the SPEs used in any securitizations in which the Bank still has continuing involvement, regardless of when the securitization or asset-backed financing occurred.
188
Securitizations and asset-backed financings
in 2023 2022 2021
Gains/(losses) and cash flows (CHF million)  
CMBS 
Net gain/(loss) 1 0 6 (7)
Proceeds from transfer of assets 2 0 3,401 3,525
Cash received on interests that continue to be held 18 49 42
RMBS 
Net gain/(loss) 1 0 (2) 70
Proceeds from transfer of assets 3 0 7,534 37,048
Purchases of previously transferred financial assets or its underlying collateral 0 0 (1,604)
Servicing fees 12 24 2
Cash received on interests that continue to be held 51 675 1,088
Other asset-backed financings 
Net gain 1 7 16 65
Proceeds from transfer of assets 4 7,008 6,740 12,129
Purchases of previously transferred financial assets or its underlying collateral (232) (1,479) (1,323)
Fees 5 217 192 165
Cash received on interests that continue to be held 301 153 14
1
Includes primarily underwriting revenues, deferred origination fees and gains or losses on the sale of newly issued securities to third parties, but excludes net interest income on assets prior to the securitization.
2
Included the receipt of non-cash beneficial interests (including risk retention securities) of CHF 0 million, CHF 512 million and CHF 180 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
3
Included the receipt of non-cash beneficial interests (including risk retention securities) of CHF 0 million, CHF 1,081 million and CHF 3,072 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
4
Included the receipt of non-cash beneficial interests (including risk retention securities) and seller financing of CHF 4,186 million, CHF 168 million and CHF 54 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
5
Represents primarily management fees and performance fees earned for investment management services provided to managed CLOs.
In 2023, Credit Suisse completed the Apollo transaction. In connection with the initial closing of this transaction, Credit Suisse and Apollo entered into various ancillary agreements related to the transaction, including an investment management agreement, certain financing arrangements and a transition services agreement. The sale of Bank assets to certain entities of Apollo and related financing arrangements provided by the Bank to these entities represented asset-backed financings where the Bank has continuing involvement.
> Refer to “Subsequent events” in Note 3 – Business developments and subsequent events for further information.
Continuing involvement in transferred financial assets
The Bank may have continuing involvement in the financial assets that are transferred to an SPE, which may take several forms, including, but not limited to, servicing, recourse and guarantee arrangements, agreements to purchase or redeem transferred assets, derivative instruments, pledges of collateral and beneficial interests in the transferred assets. Beneficial interests, which are valued at fair value, include rights to receive all or portions of specified cash inflows received by an SPE, including, but not limited to, senior and subordinated shares of interest, principal, or other cash inflows to be “passed through” or “paid through”, premiums due to guarantors, CP obligations, and residual interests, whether in the form of debt or equity.
The Bank’s exposure resulting from continuing involvement in transferred financial assets is generally limited to beneficial interests typically held by the Bank in the form of instruments issued by SPEs that are senior, subordinated or residual tranches. These instruments are held by the Bank typically in connection with its underwriting and market-making activities, primarily reflecting risk retention requirements applicable to certain securitization activities, and are included in trading assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Any changes in the fair value of these beneficial interests are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
Investors usually have recourse to the assets in the SPE and often benefit from other credit enhancements, such as collateral accounts, or from liquidity facilities, such as lines of credit or liquidity put option of asset purchase agreements. The SPE may also enter into a derivative contract in order to convert the yield or currency of the underlying assets to match the needs of the SPE investors, or to limit or change the credit risk of the SPE. The Bank may be the provider of certain credit enhancements as well as the counterparty to any related derivative contract.
The following table provides the outstanding principal balance of assets to which the Bank continued to be exposed after the transfer of the financial assets to SPEs and the total assets of the SPEs as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, regardless of when the transfer of assets occurred.
Principal amounts outstanding and total assets of SPEs resulting from continuing involvement
end of 2023 2022
CHF million  
CMBS 4,195 17,193
RMBS 22,169 41,552
Other asset-backed financings 20,154 21,939
Principal amount outstanding relates to assets transferred from the Bank and does not include principal amounts for assets transferred from third parties.
Fair value of beneficial interests
The fair value measurement of the beneficial interests held at the time of transfer and as of the reporting date that result from any continuing involvement is determined using fair value estimation techniques, such as the present value of estimated future cash flows that incorporate assumptions that market participants customarily use in these valuation techniques. The fair value of the assets or liabilities that result from any continuing involvement does not include any benefits from financial instruments that the Bank may utilize to hedge the inherent risks.
In 2023, there was no transfer of financial assets where the Bank retained any beneficial interests.
189
Key economic assumptions used in measuring fair value of beneficial interests at time of transfer
   2022 2021
at time of transfer, in CMBS RMBS CMBS RMBS
CHF million, except where indicated
Fair value of beneficial interests 486 847 196 2,594
   of which level 2  415 762 170 2,126
   of which level 3  71 85 26 468
Weighted-average life, in years 4.1 9.5 5.2 5.3
Prepayment speed assumption (rate per annum), in % 1 2 5.0 22.2 2 3.0 37.7
Cash flow discount rate (rate per annum), in % 3 3.5 15.7 2.8 53.8 1.8 5.0 1.0 33.4
Expected credit losses (rate per annum), in % 4 2.7 5.6 1.3 49.8 0.9 4.3 0.1 32.5
Transfers of assets in which the Bank does not have beneficial interests are not included in this table.
1
Prepayment speed assumption (PSA) is an industry standard prepayment speed metric used for projecting prepayments over the life of a residential mortgage loan. PSA utilizes the constant prepayment rate (CPR) assumptions. A 100% prepayment assumption assumes a prepayment rate of 0.2% per annum of the outstanding principal balance of mortgage loans in the first month. This increases by 0.2 percentage points thereafter during the term of the mortgage loan, leveling off to a CPR of 6% per annum beginning in the 30th month and each month thereafter during the term of the mortgage loan. 100 PSA equals 6 CPR.
2
To deter prepayment, commercial mortgage loans typically have prepayment protection in the form of prepayment lockouts and yield maintenances.
3
The rate was based on the weighted-average yield on the beneficial interests.
4
The range of expected credit losses only reflects instruments with an expected credit loss greater than zero unless all of the instruments have an expected credit loss of zero.
Key economic assumptions at the time of transfer
> Refer to “Fair value measurement” in Note 34 – Financial instruments for further information on the fair value hierarchy.
Key economic assumptions as of the reporting date
The following table provides the sensitivity analysis of key economic assumptions used in measuring the fair value of beneficial interests held in SPEs as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Key economic assumptions used in measuring fair value of beneficial interests held in SPEs
   2023 2022

end of



CMBS
1


RMBS
Other asset-
backed
financing
activities
2


CMBS
1


RMBS
Other asset-
backed
financing
activities
2
CHF million, except where indicated
Fair value of beneficial interests 69 273 359 517 1,050 519
   of which non-investment grade  27 91 15 111 137 34
Weighted-average life, in years 0.6 8.1 4.5 2.8 9.0 5.1
Prepayment speed assumption (rate per annum), in % 3 4.1 20.4 2.4 21.4
Impact on fair value from 10% adverse change (2.2) (16.5)
Impact on fair value from 20% adverse change (4.6) (32.7)
Cash flow discount rate (rate per annum), in % 4 27.8 40.8 6.5 28.1 3.2 39.6 5.4 42.1 4.4 29.6 4.1 41.9
Impact on fair value from 10% adverse change (0.4) (10.4) (7.5) (8.2) (41.6) (10.5)
Impact on fair value from 20% adverse change (0.8) (20.1) (14.6) (16.1) (79.6) (20.5)
Expected credit losses (rate per annum), in % 5 21.7 35.3 2.6 24.2 0.7 35.8 1.1 29.2 1.5 25.5 0.5 37.9
Impact on fair value from 10% adverse change (0.4) (5.3) (4.3) (4.6) (19.7) (5.7)
Impact on fair value from 20% adverse change (0.7) (10.3) (8.3) (9.1) (38.2) (11.1)
1
To deter prepayment, commercial mortgage loans typically have prepayment protection in the form of prepayment lockouts and yield maintenances.
2
CDOs within this category are generally structured to be protected from prepayment risk.
3
PSA is an industry standard prepayment speed metric used for projecting prepayments over the life of a residential mortgage loan. PSA utilizes the CPR assumptions. A 100% prepayment assumption assumes a prepayment rate of 0.2% per annum of the outstanding principal balance of mortgage loans in the first month. This increases by 0.2 percentage points thereafter during the term of the mortgage loan, leveling off to a CPR of 6% per annum beginning in the 30th month and each month thereafter during the term of the mortgage loan. 100 PSA equals 6 CPR.
4
The rate was based on the weighted-average yield on the beneficial interests.
5
The range of expected credit losses only reflects instruments with an expected credit loss greater than zero unless all of the instruments have an expected credit loss of zero.
190
These sensitivities are hypothetical and do not reflect economic hedging activities. Changes in fair value based on a 10% or 20% variation in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also, the effect of a variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of the beneficial interests is calculated without changing any other assumption. In practice, changes in one assumption may result in changes in other assumptions (for example, increases in market interest rates may result in lower prepayments and increased credit losses), which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities.
Transfers of financial assets where sale treatment was not achieved
The following table provides the carrying amounts of transferred financial assets and the related liabilities where sale treatment was not achieved as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
> Refer to “Note 35 – Assets pledged and collateral” for further information.
Carrying amounts of transferred financial assets and liabilities where sale treatment was not achieved
end of 2023 2022
CHF million  
Other asset-backed financings 
Trading assets 36 366
Other assets 178 154
Liability to SPEs, included in other liabilities (214) (520)
Securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings
For securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, US GAAP requires the disclosure of the collateral pledged and the associated risks to which a transferor continues to be exposed after the transfer. This provides an understanding of the nature and risks of short-term collateralized financing obtained through these types of transactions.
Securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions represent collateralized financing transactions used to earn net interest income, increase liquidity or facilitate trading activities. These transactions are collateralized principally by government debt securities, corporate debt securities, asset-backed securities, equity securities and other collateral and have terms ranging from on demand to a longer period of time.
In the event of the Bank’s default or a decline in fair value of collateral pledged, the repurchase agreement provides the counterparty with the right to liquidate the collateral held or request additional collateral. Similarly, in the event of the Bank’s default, the securities lending transaction provides the counterparty the right to liquidate the securities borrowed.
The following tables provide the gross obligation relating to securities sold under repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and obligation to return securities received as collateral by the class of collateral pledged and by remaining contractual maturity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Securities sold under repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and obligation to return securities received as collateral – by class of collateral pledged
end of 2023 2022
CHF billion  
Government debt securities 2.8 17.1
Corporate debt securities 1.0 6.9
Asset-backed securities 0.0 0.9
Equity securities 0.0 0.2
Other 0.0 5.1
Securities sold under repurchase agreements  3.8 30.2
Government debt securities 0.0 0.2
Corporate debt securities 0.0 0.3
Asset-backed securities 0.0 0.2
Equity securities 0.1 0.1
Other 0.0 0.1
Securities lending transactions  0.1 0.9
Government debt securities 1.0 1.2
Corporate debt securities 0.1 0.4
Asset-backed securities 0.1 0.1
Equity securities 1.0 1.3
Other 0.0 0.0
Obligation to return securities received as collateral, at fair value  2.2 3.0
Total  6.1 34.1
191
Securities sold under repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and obligation to return securities received as collateral – by remaining contractual maturity
   Remaining contractual maturities

end of
No stated
maturity
Up to
30 days
1 31-90
days
More than
90 days

Total
2023 (CHF billion)  
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 0.4 2.5 0.3 0.6 3.8
Securities lending transactions 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Obligation to return securities received as collateral, at fair value 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2
Total  2.7 2.5 0.3 0.6 6.1
2022 (CHF billion)  
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 4.1 12.8 5.9 7.4 30.2
Securities lending transactions 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.9
Obligation to return securities received as collateral, at fair value 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.0
Total  7.6 13.0 5.9 7.6 34.1
1
Includes overnight transactions.
> Refer to “Note 26 – Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities” for further information on the gross amount of securities sold under repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and obligation to return securities received as collateral and the net amounts disclosed in the consolidated balance sheets.
Variable interest entities
As a normal part of its business, the Bank engages in various transactions that include entities that are considered VIEs and are grouped into three primary categories: collateralized debt obligations (CDOs)/CLOs, CP conduits and financial intermediation. VIEs are SPEs that typically either lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional subordinated financial support or are structured such that the holders of the voting rights do not substantively participate in the gains and losses of the entity. VIEs may be sponsored by the Bank or third parties. Such entities are required to be assessed for consolidation, compelling the primary beneficiary to consolidate the VIE. The consolidation assessment requires an entity to determine whether it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economics of the VIE as well as whether the reporting entity has potentially significant benefits or losses in the VIE. The primary beneficiary assessment must be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Application of the requirements for consolidation of VIEs may require the exercise of significant judgment. In the event consolidation of a VIE is required, the exposure to the Bank is limited to that portion of the VIE’s assets attributable to any variable interest held by the Bank prior to any risk management activities to hedge the Bank’s net exposure. Any interests held in the VIE by third parties, even though consolidated by the Bank, will not typically impact its results of operations.
Transactions with VIEs are generally executed to facilitate securitization activities or to meet specific client needs, such as providing liquidity or investing opportunities, and, as part of these activities, the Bank may hold interests in the VIEs. Securitization-related transactions with VIEs involve selling or purchasing assets as well as possibly entering into related derivatives with those VIEs, providing liquidity, credit or other support. Other transactions with VIEs include derivative transactions in the Bank’s capacity as the prime broker. The Bank also enters into lending arrangements with VIEs for the purpose of financing projects or the acquisition of assets. Typically, the VIE’s assets are restricted in nature in that they are held primarily to satisfy the obligations of the entity. Further, the Bank is involved with VIEs which were formed for the purpose of offering alternative investment solutions to clients. Such VIEs relate primarily to private equity investments, fund-linked vehicles or funds of funds, where the Bank acts as structurer, manager, distributor, broker, market maker or liquidity provider.
As a consequence of these activities, the Bank holds variable interests in VIEs. Such variable interests consist of financial instruments issued by VIEs and which are held by the Bank, certain derivatives with VIEs or loans to VIEs. Guarantees issued by the Bank to or on behalf of VIEs may also qualify as variable interests. For such guarantees, including derivatives that act as guarantees, the notional amount of the respective guarantees is presented to represent the exposure. In general, investors in consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Bank in the event of a default, except where a guarantee was provided to the investors or where the Bank is the counterparty to a derivative transaction involving VIEs.
Total assets of consolidated and non-consolidated VIEs for which the Bank has involvement represent the total assets of the VIEs even though the Bank’s involvement may be significantly less due to interests held by third-party investors. The asset balances for non-consolidated VIEs where the Bank has significant involvement represent the most current information available to the Bank regarding the remaining principal balance of assets owned. In most cases, the asset balances represent an amortized cost basis without regards to impairments in fair value, unless fair value information is readily available.
192
The Bank’s maximum exposure to loss is different from the carrying value of the assets of the VIE. This maximum exposure to loss consists of the carrying value of the Bank variable interests held as trading assets, derivatives and loans, the notional amount of guarantees and off-balance sheet commitments to VIEs, rather than the amount of total assets of the VIEs. The maximum exposure to loss does not reflect the Bank’s risk management activities, including effects from financial instruments that the Bank may utilize to economically hedge the risks inherent in these VIEs. The economic risks associated with VIE exposures held by the Bank, together with all relevant risk mitigation initiatives, are included in the Bank’s risk management framework.
The Bank has not provided financial or other support to consolidated or non-consolidated VIEs that it was not contractually required to provide.
Collateralized debt and loan obligations
The Bank engages in CDO/CLO transactions to meet client and investor needs, earn fees and sell financial assets and, for CLOs, loans. The Bank may act as underwriter, placement agent or asset manager and may warehouse assets prior to the closing of a transaction. As part of its structured finance business, the Bank purchases loans and other debt obligations from and on behalf of clients for the purpose of securitization. The loans and other debt obligations are sold to VIEs, which in turn issue CDO/CLOs to fund the purchase of assets such as investment grade and high yield corporate debt instruments.
Typically, the collateral manager in a managed CDO/CLO is deemed to be the entity that has the power to direct the activities that most affect the economics of the entity. In a static CDO/CLO this “power” role is more difficult to analyze and may be the sponsor of the entity or the CDS counterparty.
CDO/CLOs provide credit risk exposure to a portfolio of ABS or loans (cash CDO/CLOs) or a reference portfolio of securities or loans (synthetic CDO/CLOs). Cash CDO/CLO transactions hold actual securities or loans whereas synthetic CDO/CLO transactions use CDS to exchange the underlying credit risk instead of using cash assets. The Bank may also act as a derivative counterparty to the VIEs, which are typically not variable interests, and may invest in portions of the notes or equity issued by the VIEs. The CDO/CLO entities may have actively managed portfolios or static portfolios.
The securities issued by these VIEs are payable solely from the cash flows of the related collateral, and third-party creditors of these VIEs do not have recourse to the Bank in the event of default.
The Bank’s exposure in CDO/CLO transactions is typically limited to interests retained in connection with its underwriting or market-making activities. Unless the Bank has been deemed to have “power” over the entity and these interests are potentially significant, the Bank is not the primary beneficiary of the vehicle and does not consolidate the entity. The Bank’s maximum exposure to loss does not include any effects from financial instruments used to economically hedge the risks of the VIEs.
Commercial paper conduit
The Bank acts as the administrator for Alpine Securitization Ltd (Alpine), a multi-seller asset-backed CP conduit which was used for client and Bank financing purposes. This CP conduit purchased assets such as loans and receivables or entered into reverse repurchase agreements and financed such activities through the issuance of CP backed by these assets. As provider of liquidity and credit enhancement facilities, the Bank (including Alpine) entered into liquidity facilities with third-party entities pursuant to which it may have been required to purchase assets from these entities to provide them with liquidity and credit support. The financing transactions were structured to provide credit support in the form of over-collateralization and other asset-specific enhancements. Alpine is a separate legal entity that is wholly owned by the Bank. However, its assets were available to satisfy only the claims of its creditors. In addition, the Bank, as administrator and liquidity facility provider, had significant exposure to and continues to have power over the activities of Alpine. Alpine is considered a VIE for accounting purposes and the Bank is deemed the primary beneficiary and consolidates this entity.
At the end of 2023, Alpine terminated its business activities as a multi-seller asset-backed CP conduit. Alpine had no CP outstanding and Alpine has no plans to issue new CP.
Financial intermediation
The Bank has significant involvement with VIEs in its role as a financial intermediary on behalf of clients.
The Bank considers the likelihood of incurring a loss equal to the maximum exposure to be remote because of the Bank’s risk mitigation efforts, including, but not limited to, economic hedging strategies and collateral arrangements. The Bank’s economic risks associated with consolidated and non-consolidated VIE exposures arising from financial intermediation, together with all relevant risk mitigation initiatives, are included in the Bank’s risk management framework.
Financial intermediation consists of securitizations, funds, loans, and other vehicles.
Securitizations
Securitizations are primarily CMBS, RMBS and ABS vehicles. The Bank acts as an underwriter, market maker, liquidity provider, derivative counterparty and/or provider of credit enhancements to VIEs related to certain securitization transactions.
The maximum exposure to loss is the carrying value of the loan securities and derivative positions that are variable interests, if any, plus the exposure arising from any credit enhancements the Bank provided. The Bank’s maximum exposure to loss does not
193
include any effects from financial instruments used to economically hedge the risks of the VIEs.
The activities that have the most significant impact on the securitization vehicle are the decisions relating to defaulted loans, which are controlled by the servicer. The party that controls the servicing has the ability to make decisions that significantly affect the result of the activities of the securitization vehicle. If a securitization vehicle has multiple parties that control servicing over specific assets, the Bank determines it has power when it has control over the servicing of greater than 50% of the assets in the securitization vehicle. When a servicer or its related party also has an economic interest that has the potential to absorb a significant portion of the gains and/or losses, it will be deemed the primary beneficiary and consolidate the vehicle. If the Bank determines that it controls the relevant servicing, it then determines if it has the obligation to absorb losses from, or the right to receive benefits of, the securitization vehicle that could potentially be significant to the vehicle, primarily by evaluating the amount and nature of securities issued by the vehicle that it holds. Factors considered in this analysis include the level of subordination of the securities held as well as the size of the position, based on the percentage of the class of securities and the total deal classes of securities issued. The more subordinated the level of securities held, the more likely it is that the Bank will be the primary beneficiary. This consolidation analysis is performed each reporting period based on changes in inventory and the levels of assets remaining in the securitization. The Bank typically consolidates securitization vehicles when it is the servicer and has holdings stemming from its role as underwriter. Short-term market-making holdings in vehicles are not typically considered to be potentially significant for the purposes of this assessment.
In the case of re-securitizations of previously issued RMBS securities, the re-securitization vehicles are passive in nature and do not have any significant ongoing activities that require management, and decisions relating to the design of the securitization transaction at its inception are the key power relating to the vehicle. Activities at inception include selecting the assets and determining the capital structure. The power over a re-securitization vehicle is typically shared between the Bank and the investor(s) involved in the design and creation of the vehicle. The Bank concludes that it is the primary beneficiary of a re-securitization vehicle when it owns substantially all of the bonds issued from the vehicle.
Funds
Funds include investment structures such as mutual funds, funds of funds, private equity funds and fund-linked products where the investors’ interest is typically in the form of debt rather than equity, thereby making them VIEs. The Bank may have various relationships with such VIEs in the form of structurer, investment advisor, investment manager, administrator, custodian, underwriter, placement agent, market maker and/or as prime broker. These activities include the use of VIEs in structuring fund-linked products, hedge funds of funds or private equity investments to provide clients with investment opportunities in alternative investments. In such transactions, a VIE holds underlying investments and issues securities that provide the investors with a return based on the performance of those investments.
The maximum exposure to loss consists of the fair value of instruments issued by such structures that are held by the Bank as a result of underwriting or market-making activities, financing provided to the vehicles and the Bank’s exposure resulting from principal protection and redemptions features. The investors typically retain the risk of loss on such transactions, but for certain fund types, the Bank may provide principal protection on the securities to limit the investors’ exposure to downside market risk. The Bank’s maximum exposure to loss does not include any effects from financial instruments used to economically hedge the risk of the VIEs.
Another model is used to assess funds for consolidation under US GAAP. Rather than the consolidation model which incorporates power and the potential to absorb significant risk and rewards, a previous consolidation model is used which results in the Bank being the primary beneficiary and consolidating the funds if it holds more than 50% of their outstanding issuances.
Loans
The Bank provides loans to financing vehicles owned or sponsored by clients or third-parties. These tailored lending arrangements are established to purchase, lease or otherwise finance and manage clients’ assets and include financing of specified client assets, of an individual single-asset used by the client or business ventures. The respective owner of the assets or manager of the businesses provides the equity in the vehicle.
The maximum exposure to loss is the carrying value of the Bank’s loan exposure, which is subject to the same credit risk management procedures as loans issued directly to clients. The clients’ creditworthiness is carefully reviewed, loan-to-value ratios are strictly set and, in addition, clients provide equity, additional collateral or guarantees, all of which significantly reduce the Bank’s exposure. The Bank considers the likelihood of incurring a loss equal to the maximum exposure to be remote because of the Bank’s risk mitigation efforts, which includes over-collateralization and effective monitoring to ensure that a sufficient loan-to-value ratio is maintained.
The third-party sponsor of the VIE will typically have control over the assets during the life of the structure and have the potential to absorb significant gains and losses; the Bank is typically not the primary beneficiary of these structures and will not have to consolidate them. However, a change in the structure, such as a default of the sponsor, may result in the Bank gaining control over the assets. If the Bank’s lending is significant, it may then be required to consolidate the entity.
194
Other
Other includes additional vehicles where the Bank provides financing and trust preferred issuance vehicles. Trust preferred issuance vehicles are utilized to assist the Bank in raising capital-efficient financing. The VIE issues preference shares which are guaranteed by the Bank and uses the proceeds to purchase the debt of the Bank. The Bank’s guarantee of its own debt is not considered a variable interest and, as it has no holdings in these vehicles, the Bank has no maximum exposure to loss. Non-consolidated VIEs include only the total assets of trust preferred issuance vehicles, as the Bank has no variable interests with these entities.
Consolidated VIEs
The Bank has significant involvement with VIEs in its role as a financial intermediary on behalf of clients. The Bank consolidates all VIEs related to financial intermediation for which it is the primary beneficiary.
The consolidated VIEs table provides the carrying amounts and classifications of the assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Consolidated VIEs in which the Bank was the primary beneficiary
   Financial intermediation

end of
CDO/
CLO
CP
Conduit
Securi-
tizations

Funds

Loans

Other

Total
2023 (CHF million)  
Cash and due from banks 0 40 79 8 25 9 161
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Trading assets 0 0 723 20 372 0 1,115
Other investments 0 0 0 39 439 0 478
Net loans 0 0 0 0 15 146 161
Other assets 0 22 1,113 34 105 138 1,412
   of which loans held-for-sale  0 21 78 21 0 0 120
   of which premises and equipment  0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total assets of consolidated VIEs  0 62 1,915 102 956 293 3,328
Trading liabilities 0 0 0 0 3 0 3
Short-term borrowings 0 0 0 10 0 0 10
Long-term debt 0 0 1,392 0 0 100 1,492
Other liabilities 0 3 2 12 38 72 127
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs  0 3 1,394 22 41 172 1,632
2022 (CHF million)  
Cash and due from banks 15 94 68 17 24 11 229
Trading assets 0 954 1,154 23 457 0 2,588
Other investments 0 0 0 58 587 136 781
Net loans 0 3,260 0 0 16 134 3,410
Other assets 281 2,466 1,349 39 42 417 4,594
   of which loans held-for-sale  279 2,445 119 21 0 0 2,864
Total assets of consolidated VIEs  296 6,774 2,571 137 1,126 698 11,602
Trading liabilities 0 1,057 0 0 6 0 1,063
Short-term borrowings 0 3,124 0 13 0 0 3,137
Long-term debt 84 0 1,860 0 0 152 2,096
Other liabilities 0 49 2 19 49 70 189
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs  84 4,230 1,862 32 55 222 6,485
195
Non-consolidated VIEs
The non-consolidated VIEs table provides the carrying amounts and classification of the assets of variable interests recorded in the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets, maximum exposure to loss and total assets of the non-consolidated VIEs.
Total variable interest assets for which the company has involvement represent the carrying value of the variable interests in non-consolidated VIEs that are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet of the Bank (for example, direct holdings in investment funds, loans and other receivables).
Maximum exposure to loss represents the carrying value of total variable interest assets in non-consolidated VIEs of the Bank and the notional amounts of guarantees and off-balance sheet commitments which are variable interests that have been extended to non-consolidated VIEs. Such amounts, particularly notional amounts of derivatives, guarantees and off-balance sheet commitments, do not represent the anticipated losses in connection with these transactions as they do not take into consideration the effect of collateral, recoveries or the probability of loss. In addition, they exclude the effect of offsetting financial instruments that are held to mitigate these risks and have not been reduced by unrealized losses previously recorded by the Bank in connection with guarantees, off-balance sheet commitments or derivatives.
Total assets of non-consolidated VIEs are the assets of the non-consolidated VIEs themselves and are typically unrelated to the exposures the Bank has with these entities due to variable interests held by third-party investors. Accordingly, these amounts are not considered for risk management purposes.
Certain VIEs have not been included in the following table, including VIEs structured by third parties in which the Bank’s interest is in the form of securities held in the Bank’s inventory, certain repurchase financings to funds and single-asset financing vehicles not sponsored by the Bank to which the Bank provides financing but has very little risk of loss due to over-collateralization and/or guarantees, failed sales where the Bank does not have any other holdings and other entities out of scope.
Non-consolidated VIEs
   Financial intermediation

end of
CDO/
CLO
CP
Conduit
1 Securi-
tizations

Funds

Loans

Other

Total
2023 (CHF million)  
Trading assets 222 0 1,823 549 8 865 3,467
Net loans 1 24 1,895 1,108 8,926 749 12,703
Other assets 8 0 2 97 67 291 465
Total variable interest assets  231 24 3,720 1,754 9,001 1,905 16,635
Maximum exposure to loss  233 48 3,864 1,754 11,097 2,082 19,078
Total assets of non-consolidated VIEs  8,184 162 35,637 96,260 28,055 4,225 172,523
2022 (CHF million)  
Trading assets 214 0 3,877 750 7 1,816 6,664
Net loans 314 1,440 2,521 1,934 7,617 2,201 16,027
Other assets 6 0 3 122 4 884 1,019
Total variable interest assets  534 1,440 6,401 2,806 7,628 4,901 23,710
Maximum exposure to loss  547 4,374 9,514 2,806 9,999 5,490 32,730
Total assets of non-consolidated VIEs  9,713 7,297 79,322 115,900 38,632 14,620 265,484
1
Includes liquidity facilities provided to third-party CP conduits through Alpine.
196
34 Financial instruments
The disclosure of the Bank’s financial instruments includes the following sections:
Concentration of credit risk;
Fair value measurement (including fair value hierarchy, level 3 reconciliation; transfers in and out of level 3; qualitative and quantitative disclosures of valuation techniques; qualitative discussion of the range of significant unobservable inputs; and investment funds measured at net asset value per share);
Fair value option; and
Financial instruments not carried at fair value.
Concentration of credit risk
Credit risk concentrations arise when a number of counterparties are engaged in similar business activities, are located in the same geographic region or when there are similar economic features that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly impacted by changes in economic conditions.
The Bank has in place a credit risk appetite framework which provides for the oversight and control of concentrations of credit exposures by single name, product, industry and country. The Bank Credit Portfolio Management function under the Global Chief Credit Officer is responsible for monitoring the portfolio and assessing compliance with the framework and the portfolio limits and controls in place. Credit risk concentrations are identified and measured using a range of quantitative tools and metrics and are reported to the Credit Risk Appetite Committee on a monthly basis. The Bank Credit Portfolio Management function performs portfolio reviews and detailed analyses of selected segments of the portfolio, which are presented to the Credit Risk Appetite Committee and to other governance forums, including the Executive Board Risk Management Committee and the Board’s Risk Committee, where appropriate.
From an industry point of view, the combined credit exposure of the Bank is diversified. A substantial portion of the credit exposure is with individual clients, particularly through residential mortgages in Switzerland, corporate credit exposures and lombard lending arrangements, or relates to derivative and other financial transactions with financial institutions. In both cases, the customer base is extensive and the number and variety of transactions are broad. For transactions with financial institutions and corporations, the business is also geographically diverse, with operations focused in the Americas, Europe and, to a lesser extent, Asia Pacific.
Fair value measurement
A significant portion of the Bank’s financial instruments is carried at fair value. Deterioration of financial markets could significantly impact the fair value of these financial instruments and the results of operations.
The fair value of the majority of the Bank’s financial instruments is based on quoted prices in active markets or observable inputs. These instruments include government and agency securities, certain short-term borrowings, most investment-grade corporate debt, certain high-yield debt securities, exchange-traded and certain OTC derivatives and most listed equity securities.
In addition, the Bank holds financial instruments for which no prices are available and which have significant unobservable inputs. For these instruments, the determination of fair value requires subjective assessment and judgment, depending on liquidity, pricing assumptions, the current economic and competitive environment and the risks affecting the specific instrument. In such circumstances, valuation is determined based on management’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. These instruments include certain OTC derivatives, including interest rate, foreign exchange, equity and credit derivatives, certain corporate equity-linked securities, mortgage-related securities, private equity investments and certain loans and credit products, including leveraged finance, certain syndicated loans and certain high-yield bonds, and life finance instruments. The fair value measurement disclosures exclude derivative transactions that are settled daily.
The fair value of financial instruments is impacted by factors such as benchmark interest rates, prices of financial instruments issued by third parties, commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and index prices or rates. In addition, valuation adjustments are an integral part of the valuation process when market prices are not indicative of the credit quality of a counterparty and are applied to both OTC derivatives and debt instruments. The impact of changes in a counterparty’s credit spreads (known as credit valuation adjustments) is considered when measuring the fair value of assets, and the impact of changes in the Bank’s own credit spreads (known as debit valuation adjustments) is considered when measuring the fair value of its liabilities. For OTC derivatives, the impact of changes in both the Bank’s and the counterparty’s credit standing is considered when measuring their fair value, based on current CDS prices. The adjustments also take into account contractual factors designed to reduce the Bank’s credit exposure to a counterparty, such as collateral held and master netting agreements. For hybrid debt instruments with embedded derivative features, the impact of changes in the Bank’s credit standing is considered when measuring their fair value, based on current funded debt spreads.
US GAAP permits a reporting entity to measure the fair value of a group of financial assets and financial liabilities on the basis of the price that would be received to sell a net long position or paid to transfer a net short position for a particular risk exposure in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date via the relevant principal market. As such, the Bank continues to apply bid and offer adjustments to net portfolios of cash securities and/or derivative instruments to adjust the value of
197
the net position from a mid-market price to the appropriate bid or offer level that would be realized under the relevant principal market for the net long or net short position for a specific market risk. In addition, the Bank reflects the net exposure to credit risk for its derivative instruments where the Bank has legally enforceable agreements with its counterparties that mitigate credit risk exposure in the event of default.
Valuation adjustments are recorded in a reasonable and consistent manner that results in an allocation to the relevant disclosures in the notes to the financial statements as if the valuation adjustment had been allocated to the individual unit of account.
Fair value hierarchy
The levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Bank has the ability to access. This level of the fair value hierarchy provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and is used to measure fair value whenever available.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include: (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, that is, markets in which there are few transactions for the asset or liability, the prices are not current or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers, or in which little information is publicly available; (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect the Bank’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). These inputs are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which include the Bank’s own data. The Bank’s own data used to develop unobservable inputs is adjusted if information indicates that market participants would use different assumptions.
Qualitative disclosures of valuation techniques
Overview
The Bank has implemented and maintains a valuation control framework, which is supported by policies and procedures that define the principles for controlling the valuation of the Bank’s financial instruments. Control functions such as Product Control and Risk Management review and approve significant valuation policies and procedures. The framework includes three main internal processes: (i) valuation governance; (ii) independent price verification and a significant unobservable inputs review; and (iii) a cross-functional pricing model review. Through this framework, the Bank determines the reasonableness of the fair value of its financial instruments.
On a monthly basis, meetings are held for each business line with senior representatives of the Front Office and Product Control to discuss independent price verification results, valuation adjustments and other significant valuation issues. On a quarterly basis, a review of significant changes in the fair value of financial instruments is undertaken by Product Control and conclusions are reached regarding the reasonableness of those changes. Additionally, on a quarterly basis, meetings are held for each business line with senior representatives of the Front Office and control functions such as Product Control and Risk Management to discuss independent price verification results, valuation issues, business and market updates, as well as a review of significant changes in fair value from the prior quarter, significant unobservable inputs and prices used in valuation techniques, and valuation adjustments.
The valuation results are aggregated for reporting to the Valuation Risk Management Committee (VARMC) and the Audit Committee. The VARMC, which is comprised of Executive Board members and the heads of the business and control functions, meets to review and ratify valuation review conclusions, and to resolve significant valuation issues for the Bank. Oversight of the valuation control framework is through specific and regular reporting on valuation directly to the Bank’s Executive Board through the VARMC.
One of the key components of the governance process is the segregation of duties between the Front Office and Product Control. The Front Office is responsible for measuring inventory at fair value on a daily basis, while Product Control is responsible for independently reviewing and validating those valuations on a periodic basis. The Front Office values the inventory using, wherever possible, observable market data, which may include executed transactions, dealer quotes or broker quotes for the same or similar instruments. Product Control validates this inventory using independently sourced data that also includes executed transactions, dealer quotes and broker quotes.
In general, Product Control utilizes independent pricing service data as part of its review process. Independent pricing service data is analyzed to ensure that it is representative of fair value, including confirming that the data corresponds to executed transactions or executable broker quotes, reviewing and assessing contributors to ensure they are active market participants and reviewing statistical data and utilization of pricing challenges. The analysis also includes understanding the sources of the pricing service data and any models or assumptions used in determining the results. The purpose of the review is to judge the quality and reliability of the data for fair value measurement purposes and its appropriate level of usage within the Product Control independent valuation review.
For certain financial instruments the fair value is estimated in full or in part using valuation techniques based on assumptions that are not supported by market observable prices, rates or other inputs. In addition, there may be uncertainty about a valuation resulting from the choice of valuation technique or model used,
198
the assumptions embedded in those models, the extent to which inputs are not market observable, or as a consequence of other elements affecting the valuation technique or model. Model calibration is performed when significant new market information becomes available or at a minimum on a quarterly basis as part of the business review of significant unobservable inputs for level 3 instruments. For models that have been deemed to be significant to the overall fair value of the financial instrument, model validation is performed as part of the periodic review of the related model.
The following information on the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs of the various financial instruments and the section “Uncertainty of fair value measurements at the reporting date from the use of significant unobservable inputs” should be read in conjunction with the tables “Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis”, “Quantitative information about level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis” and “Quantitative information about level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis”.
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions
Securities purchased under resale agreements and securities sold under repurchase agreements are measured at fair value using discounted cash flow analysis. Future cash flows are discounted using observable market interest rate repurchase/resale curves for the applicable maturity and underlying collateral of the instruments. As such, the significant majority of both securities purchased under resale agreements and securities sold under repurchase agreements are included in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Structured resale and repurchase agreements include embedded derivatives, which are measured using the same techniques as described below for stand-alone derivative contracts held for trading purposes or used in hedge accounting relationships. If the value of the embedded derivative is determined using significant unobservable inputs, those structured resale and repurchase agreements included are classified as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The significant unobservable input is funding spread.
Securities purchased under resale agreements are usually fully collateralized or over-collateralized by government securities, money market instruments, corporate bonds or other debt instruments. In the event of counterparty default, the collateral service agreement provides the Bank with the right to liquidate the collateral held.
Debt securities
Foreign governments
Foreign government debt securities typically have quoted prices in active markets and are mainly categorized as level 1 instruments. Valuations of foreign government debt securities for which market prices are not available are based on yields reflecting credit rating, historical performance, delinquencies, loss severity, the maturity of the security, recent transactions in the market or other modeling techniques, which may involve judgment. Those securities where the price or model inputs are observable in the market are categorized as level 2 instruments, while those securities where prices are not observable and significant model inputs are unobservable are categorized as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Corporates
Corporate bonds are priced to reflect current market levels either through recent market transactions or broker or dealer quotes. Where a market price for the particular security is not directly available, valuations are based on yields reflected by other instruments in the specific or similar entity’s capital structure and adjusting for differences in seniority and maturity, benchmarking to a comparable security where market data is available (taking into consideration differences in credit, liquidity and maturity) or through the application of cash flow modeling techniques utilizing observable inputs, such as current interest rate curves and observable CDS spreads. Significant unobservable inputs may include correlation and price. For securities using market comparable price, the differentiation between level 2 and level 3 is based upon the relative significance of any yield adjustments as well as the accuracy of the comparison characteristics (i.e., the observable comparable security may be in the same country but a different industry and may have a different seniority level – the lower the comparability the more likely it is that the security will be level 3).
RMBS, CMBS and CDO securities
Fair values of RMBS, CMBS and CDO securities may be available through quoted prices, which are often based on the prices at which similarly structured and collateralized securities trade between dealers and to and from customers. Fair values of RMBS, CMBS and CDO securities for which there are significant unobservable inputs are valued using capitalization rate and discount rate. Prices may not be observable for fair value measurement purposes for many reasons, such as the length of time since the last executed transaction for the related security, the use of a price from a similar instrument, or the use of a price from an indicative quote. Fair values determined by market comparable price may include discounted cash flow models using the inputs credit spread, default rate, discount rate, prepayment rate and loss severity. Prices from similar observable instruments are used to calculate implied inputs, which are then used to value unobservable instruments using discounted cash flow. The discounted cash flow price is then compared to the unobservable prices and assessed for reasonableness.
For most structured debt securities, determination of fair value requires subjective assessment depending on liquidity, ownership concentration, and the current economic and competitive environment. Valuation is determined based on the Front Office’s own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset. Collateralized bond and loan obligations are split into various structured tranches and each tranche is valued based upon its individual rating and the underlying collateral supporting the structure. Valuation models are used to value both cash and synthetic CDOs.
199
Equity securities
The majority of the Bank’s positions in equity securities are traded on public stock exchanges for which quoted prices are readily and regularly available and are therefore categorized as level 1 instruments. Level 2 and level 3 equities include fund-linked products, convertible bonds or equity securities with restrictions that are not traded in active markets. Significant unobservable inputs may include earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) multiple and market comparable price.
Derivatives
Derivatives held for trading purposes or used in hedge accounting relationships include both OTC and exchange-traded derivatives. The fair values of exchange-traded derivatives measured using observable exchange prices are included in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For exchange-traded derivatives where the volume of trading is low, the observable exchange prices may not be considered executable at the reporting date. These derivatives are valued in the same manner as similar OTC derivatives with observable inputs to valuation and are included in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. If the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the similar OTC derivative are not observable, the exchange-traded derivative is included in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The fair values of OTC derivatives are determined on the basis of either industry standard models or internally developed proprietary models. Both model types use various observable and unobservable inputs in order to determine fair value. The inputs include those characteristics of the derivative that have a bearing on the economics of the instrument. The determination of the fair value of many derivatives involves only a limited degree of subjectivity, because the required inputs are observable in the marketplace, while more complex derivatives may use unobservable inputs that rely on specific proprietary modeling assumptions. Where observable inputs (prices from exchanges, dealers, brokers or market consensus data providers) are not available, attempts are made to infer values from observable prices through model calibration (spot and forward rates, mean reversion, benchmark interest rate curves and volatility inputs for commonly traded option products). For inputs that cannot be derived from other sources, estimates from historical data may be made. OTC derivatives where the majority of the value is derived from market observable inputs are categorized as level 2 instruments, while those where the majority of the value is derived from unobservable inputs are categorized as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The valuation of derivatives includes an adjustment for the cost of funding uncollateralized OTC derivatives.
Interest rate derivatives
OTC vanilla interest rate products, such as interest rate swaps, swaptions and caps and floors are valued by discounting the anticipated future cash flows. The future cash flows and discounting are derived from market standard yield curves and industry standard volatility inputs. Where applicable, exchange-traded prices are also used to value exchange-traded futures and options and can be used in yield curve construction. For more complex products, inputs include, but are not limited to basis spread, correlation, credit spread, prepayment rate and volatility skew.
Foreign exchange derivatives
Foreign exchange derivatives include vanilla products such as spot, forward and option contracts, where the anticipated discounted future cash flows are determined from foreign exchange forward curves and industry standard optionality modeling techniques. Where applicable, exchange-traded prices are also used for futures and option prices. For more complex products, inputs include, but are not limited to, contingent probability, correlation and prepayment rate.
Equity and index-related derivatives
Equity derivatives include a variety of products ranging from vanilla options and swaps to exotic structures with bespoke payoff profiles. The main inputs in the valuation of equity derivatives may include buyback probability, correlation, gap risk, price and volatility.
Generally, the interrelationship between the correlation and volatility is positively correlated.
Credit derivatives
Credit derivatives include index, single-name and multi-name CDS in addition to more complex structured credit products. Vanilla products are valued using industry standard models and inputs that are generally market observable including credit spread and recovery rate.
Complex structured credit derivatives are valued using proprietary models requiring inputs such as correlation, credit spread, funding spread, loss severity, prepayment rate and recovery rate. These inputs are generally implied from available market observable data.
Other trading assets
Other trading assets primarily include life settlement and premium finance instruments and RMBS loans. Life settlement and premium finance instruments are valued using proprietary models with several inputs. The significant unobservable inputs of the fair value for life settlement and premium finance instruments are the estimate of market implied life expectancy, while for RMBS loans it is market comparable price.
For life settlement and premium finance instruments, individual life expectancy rates are typically obtained by multiplying a base mortality curve for the general insured population provided by a professional actuarial organization together with an individual-specific multiplier. Individual-specific multipliers are determined based on data from third-party life expectancy data providers, which examine the insured individual’s medical conditions, family history and other factors to arrive at a life expectancy estimate.
200
For RMBS loans, the use of market comparable price varies depending upon each specific loan. For some loans, similar to unobservable RMBS securities, prices from similar observable instruments are used to calculate implied inputs which are then used to value unobservable instruments using discounted cash flow. The discounted cash flow price is then compared to the unobservable prices and assessed for reasonableness. For other RMBS loans, the loans are categorized by specific characteristics, such as loan-to-value ratio, average account balance, loan type (single or multi-family), lien, seasoning, coupon, FICO score, locality, delinquency status, cash flow velocity, roll rates, loan purpose, occupancy, servicer advance agreement type, modification status, Federal Housing Administration insurance, property value and documentation quality. Loans with unobservable prices are put into consistent buckets, which are then compared to market observable comparable prices in order to assess the reasonableness of those unobservable prices.
Other investments
Private equity funds, hedge funds and equity method investment funds
Equity method investment funds principally include equity investments in the form of a) direct investments in third-party hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds, b) equity method investments where the Bank has the ability to significantly influence the operating and financial policies of the investee, and c) direct investments in non-marketable equity securities.
Direct investments in third-party hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds are measured at fair value based on their published NAVs as permitted by ASC Topic 820 – Fair Value Measurement. In some cases, NAVs may be adjusted where there is sufficient evidence that the NAV published by the investment manager is not in line with the fund’s observable market data, it is probable that the investment will be sold for an amount other than NAV, or other circumstances exist that would require an adjustment to the published NAV. Although rarely adjusted, significant judgment is involved in making any adjustments to the published NAVs. The investments for which the fair value is measured using the NAV practical expedient are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy.
Direct investments in non-marketable equity securities consist of both real estate investments and non-real estate investments. Equity-method investments and direct investments in non-marketable equity securities are initially measured at their transaction price, as this is the best estimate of fair value. Thereafter, these investments are individually measured at fair value based upon a number of factors that include any recent rounds of financing involving third-party investors, comparable company transactions, multiple analyses of cash flows or book values, or discounted cash flow analyses. The availability of information used in these modeling techniques is often limited and involves significant judgment in evaluating these different factors over time. As a result, these investments are included in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Life finance instruments
Life finance instruments include single premium immediate annuities (SPIA) and other premium finance instruments. Life finance instruments are valued in a similar manner as described for life settlement and premium finance instruments under the other trading assets section above.
Loans
The Bank’s loan portfolio, which is measured at fair value, primarily consists of commercial and industrial loans and loans to financial institutions. Within these categories, loans measured at fair value include commercial loans, real estate loans, corporate loans, leverage finance loans and emerging market loans. Fair value is based on recent transactions and quoted prices, where available. Where recent transactions and quoted prices are not available, the fair value may be determined by relative value benchmarking (which includes pricing based upon another position in the same capital structure, other comparable loan issues, generic industry credit spreads, implied credit spreads derived from CDS for the specific borrower and enterprise valuations) or may be calculated based on the exit price of the collateral or on current market conditions.
Both the funded and unfunded portion of revolving credit lines on the corporate lending portfolio are valued using a loan pricing model, which requires estimates of significant inputs including credit conversion factors, credit spreads, recovery rates and weighted average life of the loan. Significant unobservable inputs may include credit spread and price.
The Bank’s other assets and liabilities include mortgage loans held in conjunction with securitization activities and assets and liabilities of VIEs and mortgage securitizations that do not meet the criteria for sale treatment under US GAAP. The fair value of mortgage loans held in conjunction with securitization activities is determined on a whole-loan basis and is consistent with the valuation of RMBS loans discussed in “Other trading assets” above. Whole-loan valuations are calculated based on the exit price reflecting the current market conditions. The fair value of assets and liabilities of VIEs and mortgage securitizations that do not meet the criteria for sale treatment under US GAAP are determined based on the quoted prices for securitized bonds, where available, or on cash flow analyses for securitized bonds when quoted prices are not available. The fair value of the consolidated financial assets of RMBS and CMBS securitization vehicles, which qualify as collateralized financing entities, are measured on the basis of the more observable fair value of the VIEs’ financial liabilities.
Short-term borrowings and long-term debt
The Bank’s short-term borrowings and long-term debt include structured notes (hybrid financial instruments that are both bifurcatable and non-bifurcatable) and vanilla debt. The fair value of structured notes is based on quoted prices, where available. When quoted prices are not available, fair value is determined by using a discounted cash flow model incorporating the Bank’s credit spreads, the value of derivatives embedded in the debt and
201
the residual term of the issuance based on call options. Derivatives structured into the issued debt are valued consistently with the Bank’s stand-alone derivative contracts held for trading purposes or used in hedge accounting relationships as discussed above. The fair value of structured debt is heavily influenced by the combined call options and performance of the underlying derivative returns. Significant unobservable inputs for short-term borrowings and long-term debt include buyback probability, correlation, credit spread, gap risk, mean reversion, price, recovery rate and volatility.
Generally, the interrelationships between correlation, credit spread, gap risk and volatility inputs are positively correlated.
Other liabilities
Failed sales
These liabilities represent the financing of assets that did not achieve sale accounting treatment under US GAAP. Failed sales are valued in a manner consistent with the related underlying financial instruments.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

end of 2023




Level 1




Level 2




Level 3



Netting
impact
1 Assets
measured
at net
asset value
per share
2



Total
Assets (CHF million)  
Cash and due from banks 0 128 0 128
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 0 26,237 0 26,237
Securities received as collateral 1,778 444 0 2,222
Trading assets 8,474 48,262 2,508 (37,692) 175 21,727
   of which debt securities  2,520 7,253 718 34 10,525
      of which foreign governments  2,496 5,349 38 7,883
      of which corporates  10 620 515 1,145
      of which RMBS  0 936 57 993
   of which equity securities  3,390 677 100 141 4,308
   of which derivatives  1,298 40,305 1,179 (37,692) 5,090
      of which interest rate products  7 18,143 47
      of which foreign exchange products  7 13,868 33
      of which equity/index-related products  1,281 7,144 484
      of which other derivatives  3 75 499
   of which other trading assets  1,266 27 511 1,804
Investment securities 0 4 0 4
Other investments 0 14 1,943 411 2,368
   of which other equity investments  0 14 1,493 310 1,817
   of which life finance instruments  0 0 439 439
Loans 0 1,578 880 2,458
   of which commercial and industrial loans  0 658 535 1,193
   of which financial institutions  0 466 97 563
   of which government and public institutions  0 453 133 586
Other intangible assets (mortgage servicing rights) 0 0 305 305
Other assets 50 2,073 1,845 (210) 3,758
   of which failed purchases  40 239 49 328
   of which loans held-for-sale  0 1,450 1,712 3,162
Total assets at fair value  10,302 78,740 7,481 (37,902) 586 59,207
1
Derivative contracts are reported on a gross basis by level. The impact of netting represents legally enforceable master netting agreements.
2
In accordance with US GAAP, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value
hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit a reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet.
202
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (continued)

end of 2023




Level 1




Level 2




Level 3



Netting
impact
1 Liabilities
measured
at net
asset value
per share
2



Total
Liabilities (CHF million)  
Due to banks 0 100 0 100
Customer deposits 0 1,366 289 1,655
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions 0 356 0 356
Obligation to return securities received as collateral 1,778 444 0 2,222
Trading liabilities 3,734 43,710 1,202 (39,814) 8,832
   of which short positions  2,606 102 5 2,713
      of which debt securities 256 99 0 355
         of which foreign governments 256 34 0 290
         of which corporates 0 65 0 65
      of which equity securities 2,350 3 5 2,358
   of which derivatives 1,128 43,607 856 (39,814) 5,777
      of which interest rate products 1 17,393 94
      of which foreign exchange products 13 17,276 2
      of which equity/index-related products 1,110 7,450 362
      of which credit derivatives 0 1,327 196
      of which other derivatives 4 20 202
   of which other trading liabilities 0 1 341 342
Short-term borrowings 0 3,941 71 4,012
Long-term debt 0 27,903 4,971 32,874
   of which structured notes over one year and up to two years 0 4,027 147 4,174
   of which structured notes over two years 0 18,603 3,489 22,092
   of which other debt instruments over two years 0 2,127 1,288 3,415
Other liabilities 37 1,405 299 (241) 1,500
Total liabilities at fair value 5,549 79,225 6,832 (40,055) 51,551
1
Derivative contracts are reported on a gross basis by level. The impact of netting represents legally enforceable master netting agreements.
2
In accordance with US GAAP, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value
hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit a reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet.
203
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (continued)

end of 2022




Level 1




Level 2




Level 3



Netting
impact
1 Assets
measured
at net
asset value
per share
2



Total
Assets (CHF million)  
Cash and due from banks 0 198 0 198
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 0 14 0 14
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 100 40,693 0 40,793
Securities received as collateral 2,318 660 0 2,978
Trading assets 33,724 105,555 3,828 (77,695) 543 65,955
   of which debt securities  13,084 23,288 1,211 31 37,614
      of which foreign governments  10,117 5,597 86 15,800
      of which corporates  2,718 4,998 413 31 8,160
      of which RMBS  5 10,417 444 10,866
      of which CDO  197 941 216 1,354
   of which equity securities  11,772 676 222 512 13,182
   of which derivatives  7,571 79,606 1,661 (77,695) 11,143
      of which interest rate products  1,617 31,900 671
      of which foreign exchange products  24 25,512 17
      of which equity/index-related products  5,927 18,669 295
      of which credit derivatives  0 3,059 130
      of which other derivatives  0 197 548
   of which other trading assets  1,297 1,985 734 4,016
Investment securities 0 796 0 796
Other investments 0 17 3,313 400 3,730
   of which other equity investments  0 17 2,725 328 3,070
   of which life finance instruments  0 0 587 587
Loans 0 6,318 1,040 7,358
   of which commercial and industrial loans  0 2,381 300 2,681
   of which financial institutions  0 2,591 398 2,989
   of which government and public institutions  0 1,112 254 1,366
Other intangible assets (mortgage servicing rights) 0 44 359 403
Other assets 78 8,316 773 (220) 8,947
   of which failed purchases  54 664 12 730
   of which loans held-for-sale  0 7,165 648 7,813
Total assets at fair value  36,220 162,611 9,313 (77,915) 943 131,172
1
Derivative contracts are reported on a gross basis by level. The impact of netting represents legally enforceable master netting agreements.
2
In accordance with US GAAP, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value
hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit a reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet.
204
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (continued)

end of 2022




Level 1




Level 2




Level 3



Netting
impact
1 Liabilities
measured
at net
asset value
per share
2



Total
Liabilities (CHF million)  
Due to banks 0 490 0 490
Customer deposits 0 2,212 252 2,464
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions 0 14,133 0 14,133
Obligation to return securities received as collateral 2,318 660 0 2,978
Trading liabilities 13,131 83,351 1,881 (80,026) 18,337
   of which short positions  6,556 2,595 16 9,167
      of which debt securities 3,228 2,232 1 5,461
         of which foreign governments  3,150 272 0 3,422
         of which corporates  53 1,957 1 2,011
      of which equity securities 3,328 363 15 3,706
   of which derivatives 6,575 80,756 1,640 (80,026) 8,945
      of which interest rate products  1,566 30,288 118
      of which foreign exchange products  20 26,180 1
      of which equity/index-related products 4,981 20,731 1,083
      of which credit derivatives 0 3,157 242
      of which other derivatives 5 210 196
   of which other trading liabilities 0 0 225 225
Short-term borrowings 0 6,330 453 6,783
Long-term debt 0 51,185 6,734 57,919
   of which structured notes over one year and up to two years 0 10,697 439 11,136
   of which structured notes over two years 0 23,409 4,307 27,716
   of which other debt instruments over two years 0 2,961 1,728 4,689
   of which high-trigger instruments 0 7,484 28 7,512
Other liabilities 133 3,794 203 (1,844) 2,286
Total liabilities at fair value 15,582 162,155 9,523 (81,870) 105,390
1
Derivative contracts are reported on a gross basis by level. The impact of netting represents legally enforceable master netting agreements.
2
In accordance with US GAAP, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value
hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit a reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet.
205
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for level 3
   
Trading revenues

Other revenues
Accumulated other
comprehensive income

2023

Balance at
beginning
of period


Transfers
in


Transfers
out



Purchases



Sales



Issuances



Settlements

On
transfers
out


On all
other

On
transfers
out


On all
other

On
transfers
out


On all
other
Foreign
currency
translation
impact

Balance
at end
of period

Changes in
unrealized
gains/losses
1
Assets (CHF million)  
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 0 13 0 0 (13) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trading assets 3,828 997 (765) 1,021 (1,660) 575 (658) 18 (570) 0 8 0 0 (286) 2,508 (583)
   of which debt securities  1,211 647 (367) 829 (1,247) 0 (28) (21) (229) 0 8 0 0 (85) 718 (60)
      of which corporates  413 334 (104) 783 (724) 0 0 (15) (124) 0 0 0 0 (48) 515 21
      of which RMBS  444 138 (204) 18 (309) 0 (7) (5) 4 0 0 0 0 (22) 57 6
   of which derivatives  1,661 258 (297) 0 0 575 (558) 40 (366) 0 0 0 0 (134) 1,179 (344)
      of which equity/index-related products  295 70 (171) 0 0 254 (111) 32 146 0 0 0 0 (31) 484 212
      of which other derivatives  548 1 0 0 0 206 (217) 0 13 0 0 0 0 (52) 499 15
   of which other trading assets  734 70 (87) 182 (312) 0 (72) 1 51 0 0 0 0 (56) 511 (78)
Other investments 3,313 321 (920) 27 (281) 0 0 0 (267) 1 (75) 0 0 (176) 1,943 (276)
   of which other equity investments  2,725 312 (920) 5 (148) 0 0 0 (277) 1 (75) 0 0 (130) 1,493 (306)
   of which life finance instruments  587 0 0 21 (133) 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 (46) 439 42
Loans 1,040 694 (86) 1 (33) 91 (714) 0 (73) 0 0 0 0 (40) 880 (125)
   of which commercial and industrial loans  300 503 (75) 0 (33) 80 (267) 0 37 0 0 0 0 (10) 535 (94)
   of which financial institutions  398 3 0 0 0 11 (288) 1 (10) 0 0 0 0 (18) 97 (6)
   of which government and public institutions  254 124 (11) 0 0 0 (144) (1) (84) 0 0 0 0 (5) 133 2
Other intangible assets (mortgage servicing rights) 359 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 (66) 0 0 0 0 (28) 305 (66)
Other assets 773 1,752 (256) 229 (332) 79 (224) 41 (193) 0 0 0 0 (24) 1,845 (107)
   of which loans held-for-sale  648 1,715 (250) 193 (306) 78 (223) 41 (171) 0 0 0 0 (13) 1,712 (109)
Total assets at fair value  9,313 3,817 (2,027) 1,278 (2,319) 745 (1,596) 59 (1,169) 1 (67) 0 0 (554) 7,481 (1,157)
Liabilities (CHF million)  
Customer deposits 252 0 0 0 0 302 (57) 0 (144) 0 0 0 (32) (32) 289 3
Trading liabilities 1,881 451 (637) 81 (112) 567 (1,407) 125 391 0 0 0 0 (138) 1,202 316
   of which derivatives  1,640 451 (637) 0 0 567 (1,408) 125 223 0 0 0 0 (105) 856 244
      of which equity/index-related products  1,083 225 (555) 0 0 414 (862) 108 17 0 0 0 0 (68) 362 57
      of which credit derivatives  242 194 (56) 0 0 28 (261) 6 54 0 0 0 0 (11) 196 (3)
      of which other derivatives  196 1 0 0 0 92 (176) 1 105 0 0 0 0 (17) 202 147
   of which other trading liabilities  225 (1) 0 80 (59) 0 1 0 128 0 0 0 0 (33) 341 89
Short-term borrowings 453 163 (205) 0 0 173 (450) (79) 34 0 0 0 0 (18) 71 (47)
Long-term debt 6,734 2,938 (3,222) 0 0 1,662 (2,958) 200 (116) 0 (28) 35 289 (563) 4,971 135
   of which structured notes over two years  4,307 2,202 (2,423) 0 0 1,491 (2,173) 151 7 0 0 33 284 (390) 3,489 308
   of which other debt instruments over two years  1,728 92 (138) 0 0 0 (184) 46 (116) 0 0 0 0 (140) 1,288 (184)
Other liabilities 203 327 (2) 9 (53) 103 (113) 1 26 0 (197) 0 0 (5) 299 64
Total liabilities at fair value  9,523 3,879 (4,066) 90 (165) 2,807 (4,985) 247 191 0 (225) 35 257 (756) 6,832 471
Net assets/(liabilities) at fair value  (210) (62) 2,039 1,188 (2,154) (2,062) 3,389 (188) (1,360) 1 158 (35) (257) 202 649 (1,628)
1
Changes in unrealized gains/(losses) on total assets at fair value and changes in unrealized (gains)/losses on total liabilities at fair value relating to assets and liabilities held at period end are included in net revenues or accumulated other comprehensive income. As of 2023, changes in net unrealized gains/(losses) of CHF (1,047) million and CHF (318) million were recorded in trading revenues and other revenues, respectively, and changes in unrealized (gains)/losses of CHF (263) million were recorded in gains/(losses) on liabilities relating to credit risk in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).
206 / 207
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for level 3 (continued)
   
Trading revenues

Other revenues
Accumulated other
comprehensive income

2022

Balance at
beginning
of period


Transfers
in


Transfers
out



Purchases



Sales



Issuances



Settlements

On
transfers
out


On all
other

On
transfers
out


On all
other

On
transfers
out


On all
other
Foreign
currency
translation
impact

Balance
at end
of period

Changes in
unrealized
gains/losses
1
Assets (CHF million)  
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 0 0 0 0 0 3 (3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Securities received as collateral 14 0 0 0 (14) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trading assets 4,503 1,818 (2,057) 5,563 (5,184) 967 (1,076) 83 (847) 0 (9) 0 0 67 3,828 (193)
   of which debt securities  1,225 1,206 (1,090) 4,622 (4,185) 0 0 (106) (499) 0 (9) 0 0 47 1,211 215
      of which corporates  478 452 (582) 3,933 (3,342) 0 0 (97) (464) 0 0 0 0 35 413 226
      of which RMBS  424 312 (179) 306 (564) 0 0 3 133 0 0 0 0 9 444 4
      of which CDO  245 201 (138) 103 (148) 0 0 (5) (39) 0 (9) 0 0 6 216 (6)
   of which derivatives  2,187 406 (824) 0 0 967 (918) 144 (301) 0 0 0 0 0 1,661 (328)
      of which interest rate products  624 11 (182) 0 0 89 (66) (5) 229 0 0 0 0 (29) 671 166
      of which equity/index-related products  212 262 (416) 0 0 473 (284) 106 (55) 0 0 0 0 (3) 295 2
      of which credit derivatives  264 115 (189) 0 0 65 (142) 31 (19) 0 0 0 0 5 130 1
      of which other derivatives  1,034 9 (4) 0 0 330 (317) 4 (537) 0 0 0 0 29 548 (489)
   of which other trading assets  896 27 (51) 827 (923) 0 (158) 6 94 0 0 0 0 16 734 (123)
Other investments 3,666 69 (13) 65 (206) 0 0 0 (253) 0 (57) 0 0 42 3,313 (95)
   of which other equity investments  2,863 69 0 37 (16) 0 0 0 (190) 0 (65) 0 0 27 2,725 (50)
   of which life finance instruments  789 0 0 28 (182) 0 0 0 (63) 0 0 0 0 15 587 (45)
Loans 1,534 566 (470) 16 (45) 63 (667) 39 (46) 0 (6) 0 0 56 1,040 (92)
   of which commercial and industrial loans  717 163 (327) 0 (18) 4 (218) 12 (50) 0 (6) 0 0 23 300 (74)
   of which financial institutions  465 141 (41) 15 (15) 58 (293) 16 29 0 0 0 0 23 398 9
   of which government and public institutions  289 91 (39) 1 0 1 (72) 1 (24) 0 0 0 0 6 254 (25)
Other intangible assets (mortgage servicing rights) 167 187 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 359 4
Other assets 694 452 (289) 743 (593) 157 (417) 46 (49) 0 3 0 0 26 773 (31)
   of which loans held-for-sale  562 379 (232) 724 (591) 157 (415) 15 26 0 0 0 0 23 648 (15)
Total assets at fair value  10,578 3,092 (2,829) 6,387 (6,042) 1,190 (2,163) 168 (1,191) 0 (69) 0 0 192 9,313 (407)
Liabilities (CHF million)  
Customer deposits 394 0 0 0 0 0 (18) 0 (49) 0 0 0 (57) (18) 252 (120)
Obligation to return securities received as collateral 14 0 0 0 (14) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trading liabilities 2,809 1,784 (1,381) 33 (106) 844 (2,066) 52 (165) 0 0 0 0 77 1,881 224
   of which derivatives  2,542 1,651 (1,353) 0 0 844 (2,066) 51 (98) 0 0 0 0 69 1,640 216
      of which equity/index-related products  1,787 615 (1,027) 0 0 476 (520) (5) (273) 0 0 0 0 30 1,083 (38)
      of which credit derivatives  374 991 (201) 0 0 176 (1,329) 26 172 0 0 0 0 33 242 152
      of which other derivatives  298 0 (5) 0 0 143 (174) 3 (79) 0 0 0 0 10 196 (5)
Short-term borrowings 1,032 204 (684) 0 0 785 (815) (75) (8) 0 0 0 0 14 453 9
Long-term debt 9,676 3,116 (6,609) 0 0 7,730 (5,575) (557) (785) 0 0 (51) (350) 139 6,734 (422)
   of which structured notes over two years  6,318 2,502 (4,930) 0 0 6,589 (4,729) (418) (737) 0 0 (49) (344) 105 4,307 (487)
   of which other debt instruments over two years  1,854 0 0 0 0 166 (279) 0 (38) 0 0 0 0 25 1,728 83
Other liabilities 517 126 (305) 22 (89) 110 (136) 82 (90) (46) 1 0 0 11 203 11
Total liabilities at fair value  14,442 5,230 (8,979) 55 (209) 9,469 (8,610) (498) (1,097) (46) 1 (51) (407) 223 9,523 (298)
Net assets/(liabilities) at fair value  (3,864) (2,138) 6,150 6,332 (5,833) (8,279) 6,447 666 (94) 46 (70) 51 407 (31) (210) (109)
1
Changes in unrealized gains/(losses) on total assets at fair value and changes in unrealized (gains)/losses on total liabilities at fair value relating to assets and liabilities held at period end are included in net revenues or accumulated other comprehensive income. As of 2022, changes in net unrealized gains/(losses) of CHF (472) million and CHF (50) million were recorded in trading revenues and other revenues, respectively, and changes in unrealized (gains)/losses of CHF 413 million were recorded in gains/(losses) on liabilities relating to credit risk in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).
208 / 209
Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions that have been classified within level 3. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses for assets and liabilities within level 3 presented in the table above may include changes in fair value that were attributable to both observable and unobservable inputs.
The Bank employs various economic hedging techniques in order to manage risks, including risks in level 3 positions. Such techniques may include the purchase or sale of financial instruments that are classified in levels 1 and/or 2. The realized and unrealized gains and losses for assets and liabilities in level 3 presented in the table above do not reflect the related realized or unrealized gains and losses arising on economic hedging instruments classified in levels 1 and/or 2.
The Bank typically uses nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in a manner that reflects their highest and best use.
Transfers in and out of level 3
Transfers into level 3 assets during 2023 were CHF 3,817 million, primarily from loans held-for-sale, trading assets and loans. The transfers were primarily in Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank), due to a limited observability of pricing data and reduced pricing information from external providers. Transfers out of level 3 assets during 2023 were CHF 2,027 million, primarily in other investments and trading assets. These transfers were mainly from the equity investment in SIX due to a change in accounting treatment from fair value to the equity method reflecting the increase in the combined stake as a result of the acquisition of Credit Suisse by UBS. Transfers were also from Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank), due to improved observability of pricing data and increased availability of pricing information from external providers.
Transfers into level 3 liabilities during 2023 were CHF 3,879 million, primarily from long-term debt and trading liabilities. These transfers were primarily in structured notes over two years and derivatives arising from a change in the observability of pricing data. Transfers out of level 3 liabilities of CHF 4,066 million in 2023 were primarily from long-term debt and trading liabilities. These transfers were primarily in structured notes over two years and derivatives arising from a change in the observability of pricing data.
Transfers into level 3 assets during 2022 were CHF 3,092 million, primarily from trading assets, loans and loans held-for-sale. The transfers were primarily in Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) and APAC Financing Bank businesses due to limited observability of pricing data and reduced pricing information from external providers. Transfers out of level 3 assets during 2022 were CHF 2,829 million, primarily in trading assets, loans and loans held-for-sale. The transfers out of level 3 assets were primarily in Non-core and Legacy (including Investment Bank) due to improved observability of pricing data and increased availability of pricing information from external providers.
Transfers into level 3 liabilities during 2022 were CHF 5,230 million, primarily from long-term debt and trading liabilities. These transfers were primarily in structured notes over two years and derivatives arising from a change in the observability of pricing data. Transfers out of level 3 liabilities of CHF 8,979 million in 2022 were primarily from long-term debt and trading liabilities. These transfers were primarily in structured notes over two years and derivatives arising from a change in the observability of pricing data.
Uncertainty of fair value measurements at the reporting date from the use of significant unobservable inputs
For level 3 assets with a significant unobservable input of mortality rate, price, recovery rate, UK mortality and unadjusted NAV, in general, an increase in the significant unobservable input would increase the fair value. For level 3 assets with a significant unobservable input of correlation, credit spread, default rate, discount rate, fund gap risk, gap risk, market implied life expectancy (for life settlement and premium finance instruments), mean reversion, prepayment rate and volatility, in general, an increase in the significant unobservable input would decrease the fair value.
For level 3 liabilities, in general, an increase in the related significant unobservable inputs would have the inverse impact on fair value. An increase in the significant unobservable input of fund gap risk, market implied life expectancy (for life settlement and premium finance instruments), mortality rate and price would increase the fair value. An increase in the significant unobservable input of correlation, credit spread, discount rate, mean reversion, prepayment rate, recovery rate, UK mortality, unadjusted NAV and volatility would decrease the fair value.
Interrelationships between significant unobservable inputs
Except as noted above, there are no material interrelationships between the significant unobservable inputs for the financial instruments. As the significant unobservable inputs move independently, an increase or decrease in one significant unobservable input will generally have no impact on the other significant unobservable inputs.
Quantitative disclosures of valuation techniques
The following tables provide the representative range of minimum and maximum values and the associated weighted averages of each significant unobservable input for level 3 assets and liabilities by the related valuation technique most significant to the related financial instrument.
210
Quantitative information about level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

end of 2023

Fair value
Valuation
technique
Unobservable
input
Minimum
value
Maximum
value
Weighted
average
1
CHF million, except where indicated
Trading assets 2,508
   of which debt securities  718
      of which corporates  515
         of which  82 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 35 668 585
         of which  5 Market comparable Price, in % 0 101 13
         of which  1 Option model Correlation, in % (50) 100 69
  Credit spread, in bp 30 148 0
  Mean reversion, in % 7 25 0
  Price, in % 30 100 38
  Volatility, in % 5 142 40
         of which  411 Price Price, in % 76 126 102
      of which RMBS  57 Discounted cash flow Discount rate, in % 8 19 16
   of which derivatives  1,179
      of which equity/index-related products  484
         of which  356 Option model Correlation, in % (50) 100 69
  Mean reversion, in % 3 7 25 16
  Volatility, in % 5 142 37
         of which  90 Price Price, in % 95 95 95
   of which other derivatives  499 Discounted cash flow Market implied life expectancy, in years 2 12 6
  UK mortality, in % 75 141 100
   of which other trading assets  511
      of which  372 Discounted cash flow Market implied life expectancy, in years 3 12 6
         of which  127 Market comparable Price, in % 0 105 8
         of which  11 Option model Mortality rate, in % 0 70 6
Other investments 1,943
   of which other equity investments  1,493
      of which  1,065 Market comparable Price, in actuals 0 100 7
      of which  1 Option model Price, in actuals 98 693 396
      of which  417 Price Price, in actuals 0 9,271 1,050
of which life finance instruments  439 Discounted cash flow Market implied life expectancy, in years 2 14 6
Loans 880
   of which commercial and industrial loans  535
      of which  435 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 19 444 41
      of which  11 Market comparable Price, in % 76 76 76
      of which  90 Price Price, in % 11 97 58
   of which financial institutions  97
      of which  33 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 159 506 217
      of which  62 Price Price, in % 23 75 43
   of which government and public institutions  133
      of which  126 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 154 1,217 864
      of which  6 Price Price, in % 56 56 56
Other assets 1,845
   of which loans held-for-sale  1,712
      of which  229 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 315 380 316
  Recovery rate, in % 65 65 65
      of which  1,314 Market comparable Price, in % 0 120 70
      of which  144 Price Price, in % 0 91 85
1
Weighted average is calculated based on the fair value of the instruments.
2
Estimate of probability of structured notes being put back to the Bank at the option of the investor over the remaining life of the financial instruments.
3
Risk of unexpected large declines in the underlying values occurring between collateral settlement dates.
211
Quantitative information about level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (continued)

end of 2022

Fair value
Valuation
technique
Unobservable
input
Minimum
value
Maximum
value
Weighted
average
1
CHF million, except where indicated
Trading assets 3,828
   of which debt securities  1,211
      of which corporates  413
         of which  118 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 10 7,589 620
  Price, in % 0 101 53
         of which  75 Market comparable Price, in % 0 101 51
  Price, in actuals 1 218 29
         of which  216 Price Price, in % 30 126 87
  Price, in actuals 0 11,640 2,203
      of which RMBS  444 Discounted cash flow Discount rate, in % 3 33 12
   of which derivatives  1,661
      of which interest rate products  671
         of which  1 Discounted cash flow Volatility, in % 95 110 103
         of which  662 Option model Contingent probability, in % 95 95 95
  Mean reversion, in % 2 25 25 25
  Prepayment rate, in % 14 19 17
  Volatility, in % (3) 1 (1)
   of which other derivatives  548 Discounted cash flow Market implied life expectancy, in years 2 13 6
  UK mortality, in % 74 139 99
   of which other trading assets  734
   of which  458 Discounted cash flow Market implied life expectancy, in years 3 13 6
  Tax swap rate, in % 30 30 30
      of which  251 Market comparable Price, in % 0 109 27
      of which  25 Option model Mortality rate, in % 0 70 6
Other investments 3,313
   of which other equity investments  2,725
      of which  2,443 Market comparable Price, in actuals 0 275 109
      of which  174 Price Price, in actuals 1 15 13
      of which  46 Discounted cash flow Discount rate, in % 8 8 8
of which life finance instruments  587 Discounted cash flow Market implied life expectancy, in years 2 15 6
Loans 1,040
   of which commercial and industrial loans  300
      of which  124 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 280 2,596 756
      of which  22 Market comparable Price, in % 74 74 74
      of which  153 Price Price, in % 6 100 53
   of which financial institutions  398
      of which  282 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 242 1,278 497
      of which  115 Price Price, in % 22 72 66
   of which government and public institutions  254
      of which  158 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 534 1,339 680
      of which  96 Price Price, in % 35 42 36
Other assets 773
   of which loans held-for-sale  648
      of which  258 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 299 594 368
  Recovery rate, in % 55 55 55
      of which  363 Market comparable Price, in % 0 145 78
      of which  14 Price Price, in % 0 79 59
1
Weighted average is calculated based on the fair value of the instruments.
2
Management's best estimate of the speed at which interest rates will revert to the long-term average.
212
Quantitative information about level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

end of 2023

Fair value
Valuation
technique
Unobservable
input
Minimum
value
Maximum
value
Weighted
average
1
CHF million, except where indicated  
Trading liabilities 1,202
   of which derivatives  856
      of which equity/index-related products  362
         of which  338 Option model Correlation, in % (50) 100 69
  Volatility, in % 5 142 37
         of which  22 Price Price, in actuals 0 119 17
      of which credit derivatives  196
         of which  87 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 3 2,002 309
  Discount rate, in % 10 10 10
  Recovery rate, in % 14 100 77
         of which  106 Price Price, in % 100 403 106
   of which other derivatives  202 Discounted cash flow Market implied life expectancy, in years 2 12 5
  UK mortality, in % 75 102 97
   of which other trading liabilities  341 Option model Mortality rate, in % 0 70 6
Short-term borrowings 71
   of which  48 Option model Correlation, in % (50) 100 69
  Volatility, in % 5 142 40
   of which  2 Price Price, in % 11 11 11
Long-term debt 4,971
   of which structured notes over two years  3,489
      of which  425 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 3 255 79
      of which  3,062 Option model Correlation, in % (50) 100 69
  Credit spread, in bp 30 148 132
  Mean reversion, in % 4 7 25 16
  Unadjusted NAV, in actuals 16 12,069 218
  Volatility, in % 0 142 37
   of which other debt instruments over two years  1,288
      of which  281 Option model Credit spread, in bp 34 2,159 313
      of which  1,007 Price Price, in actuals 7 7 7
1
Weighted average is calculated based on the fair value of the instruments.
2
Estimate of probability of structured notes being put back to the Bank at the option of the investor over the remaining life of the financial instruments.
3
Risk of unexpected large declines in the underlying values occurring between collateral settlement dates.
4
Management's best estimate of the speed at which interest rates will revert to the long-term average.
213
Quantitative information about level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (continued)

end of 2022

Fair value
Valuation
technique
Unobservable
input
Minimum
value
Maximum
value
Weighted
average
1
CHF million, except where indicated  
Trading liabilities 1,881
   of which derivatives  1,640
      of which equity/index-related products  1,083
         of which  1,040 Option model Correlation, in % (50) 100 71
  Dividend yield, in % 0 13 5
  Fund gap risk, in % 2 0 2 0
  Volatility, in % 5 148 29
         of which  31 Price Price, in actuals 0 1,197 34
      of which credit derivatives  242
         of which  162 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 3 2,149 341
  Discount rate, in % 6 17 11
  Recovery rate, in % 10 100 69
         of which  9 Market comparable Price, in % 71 101 86
         of which  10 Option model Credit spread, in bp 47 1,528 194
         of which  3 Price Price, in % 74 102 101
   of which other derivatives  196 Discounted cash flow Market implied life expectancy, in years 2 18 6
  UK mortality, in % 74 103 97
Short-term borrowings 453
   of which  8 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 142 276 267
   of which  338 Option model Correlation, in % (50) 100 75
  Buyback probability, in % 3 50 100 76
  Volatility, in % 5 148 27
   of which  94 Price Price, in % 20 20 20
  Price, in actuals 1,296 1,296 1,296
Long-term debt 6,734
   of which structured notes over two years  4,307
      of which  508 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 10 430 142
      of which  3,793 Option model Buyback probability, in % 3 50 100 76
  Correlation, in % (50) 100 75
  Credit spread, in bp 27 358 326
  Fund gap risk, in % 2 0 2 0
  Mean reversion, in % 4 25 25 25
  Unadjusted NAV, in actuals 389 416 412
  Volatility, in % 0 148 27
      of which  6 Price Price, in % 17 17 17
   of which other debt instruments over two years  1,728
      of which  358 Option model Buyback probability, in % 3 50 100 76
  Credit spread, in bp 50 770 317
  Price, in actuals 8 8 8
      of which  1,370 Price Price, in actuals 8 8 8
1
Weighted average is calculated based on the fair value of the instruments.
2
Risk of unexpected large declines in the underlying values occurring between collateral settlement dates.
3
Estimate of probability of structured notes being put back to the Bank at the option of the investor over the remaining life of the financial instruments.
4
Management's best estimate of the speed at which interest rates will revert to the long-term average.
214
Qualitative discussion of the ranges of significant unobservable inputs
The following sections provide further information about the ranges of significant unobservable inputs included in the tables above. The level of aggregation and diversity within the financial instruments disclosed in the tables above results in certain ranges of significant inputs being wide and unevenly distributed across asset and liability categories.
Basis spread
Basis spread is the primary significant unobservable input for non-callable constant maturity swap (CMS) products and is used to determine interest rate risk as a result of differing lending and borrowing rates.
Buyback probability
Buyback probability is the probability assigned to structured notes being unwound prior to their legal maturity.
CDS scale
CDS scale is a valuation parameter which scales the referenced credit curve (base currency) to reflect a new credit curve representing the currency of the trade.
Contingent probability
Contingent probability is the primary significant unobservable input for contingent foreign exchange forward trades, where the delivery or exercise and the premium payment are contingent on an event such as the completion of an M&A deal or the regulatory approval for a product.
Correlation
There are many different types of correlation inputs, including credit correlation, cross-asset correlation (such as equity-interest rate correlation) and same-asset correlation (such as interest rate-interest rate correlation). Correlation inputs are generally used to value hybrid and exotic instruments. Due to the complex and unique nature of these instruments, the ranges for correlation inputs can vary widely across portfolios.
Credit spread and recovery rate
For financial instruments where credit spread is the significant unobservable input, the wide range represents positions with varying levels of risk. The lower end of the credit spread range typically represents shorter-dated instruments and/or those with better perceived credit risk. The higher end of the range typically comprises longer-dated financial instruments or those referencing non-performing, distressed or impaired reference credits. Similarly, the spread between the reference credit and an index can vary significantly based on the risk of the instrument. The spread will be positive for instruments that have a higher risk of default than the index (which is based on a weighted average of its components) and negative for instruments that have a lower risk of default than the index.
Similarly, recovery rates can vary significantly depending upon the specific assets and terms of each transaction. Transactions with higher seniority or more valuable collateral will have higher recovery rates, while those transactions that are more subordinated or with less valuable collateral will have lower recovery rates.
Default rate and loss severity
For financial instruments backed by residential real estate or other assets, diversity in the portfolio is reflected in a wide range for loss severity due to varying levels of default. The lower end of the range represents high-performing or government-guaranteed collateral with a low PD or a guaranteed timely payment of principal and interest, while the higher end of the range relates to collateral with a greater risk of default.
Discount rate
Discount rate is the rate of interest used to calculate the present value of the expected cash flows of a financial instrument. There are multiple factors that will impact the discount rate for any given financial instrument, including the coupon on the instrument, the term and the underlying risk of the expected cash flows. Two instruments with similar terms and expected cash flows may have significantly different discount rates, because the coupons on the instruments are different.
Dividend yield
An equity forward price is a material component for measuring the fair value of a contract using forward, swap or option pricing models. The forward is generally constructed from expected future dividend payments and their timing, as well as the relevant funding rate for the given asset. Dividend yields are generally quoted as annualized percentages.
EBITDA multiple
EBITDA multiple is a primary significant unobservable input for some equity deals that are benchmarked using industry comparables. The EBITDA multiple may be preferred over other measures, because it is normalized for differences between the accounting policies of similar companies.
Funding gap risk and gap risk
Gap risk is a significant unobservable input for structures that exhibit market risk to jumps in a reference asset, generally related to certain financing or principal protection trade features.
Funding spread
Funding spread is the primary significant unobservable input for special purpose vehicle funding facilities. Synthetic funding curves which represent the assets pledged as collateral are used to value structured financing transactions. The curves provide an estimate of where secured funding can be sourced and are expressed as a basis point spread in relation to the referenced benchmark rate.
215
Market implied life expectancy
Market implied life expectancy is the primary significant unobservable input on such products as life settlement, premium finance and SPIA, and represents the estimated mortality rate for the underlying insured for each contract. This estimate may vary depending upon multiple factors, including the age and specific health characteristics of the insured.
Market price of risk
Market price of risk (MPR) is a significant unobservable input for synthetic credit products where the trades are valued using the rating-based historical default probabilities. MPR is an exponent applied to the historic default probabilities in order to bring the initial swap valuation to zero.
Mean reversion
Mean reversion is the primary significant unobservable input for callable CMS spread exotics and represents the idea that prices and returns eventually move back toward the historical average.
Mortality rate
Mortality rate is the primary significant unobservable input for pension swaps. The expected present value of the future cash flow of the trades depends on the mortality of individuals in the pension fund who are grouped into categories such as gender, age, pension amount and other factors. In some cases, mortality rates include a “scaler” (also referred to as a loading or multiplier), which aligns mortality projections with historical experience and calibrates to an exit level.
Pre-IPO intrinsic option
Pre-initial public offering (IPO) intrinsic option represents the share price of a company in advance of its listing on a public exchange. It is typically a discounted price from the IPO price.
Prepayment rate
Prepayment rates may vary from collateral pool to collateral pool and are driven by a variety of collateral-specific factors, including the type and location of the underlying borrower, the remaining tenor of the obligation and the level and type (e.g., fixed or floating) of interest rate being paid by the borrower.
Price
Bond equivalent price is a primary significant unobservable input for multiple products. Where market prices are not available for an instrument, benchmarking may be utilized to identify comparable issues (same industry and similar product mixes), while adjustments are considered for differences in deal terms and performance.
Settlement lag extension
For synthetic ABS CDO single tranche trades, settlement lag extension is an unobservable input that represents the delay that may occur between the protection buyer calling a credit event and physically receiving the settlement cash from the swap counterparty.
Tax swap rate
The tax swap rate parameter is the interest rate applicable to tax refunds from the Italian tax office, determined annually by the Italian tax authorities and payable to the claimant when a refund is made.
Terminal growth rate
The terminal growth rate is the rate at which free cash flows are expected to grow in perpetuity as part of an overall firm valuation process. The terminal growth rate typically parallels the historical inflation rate (2-3%) and is applied to the discounted cash flow model to represent mature stage company valuation.
UK mortality
UK mortality is fair valued using day-one mortality improvements, mortality base tables and mortality floors, calibrated to the reinsurance exit present value by a set of multipliers. UK mortality is updated annually, based on changes to the “multipliers”, calibrated to the actual versus expected pensioner maturities observed for the respective pension scheme.
Unadjusted NAV
NAV values are used to price fund units and as an input into fund derivatives. They are considered unobservable when based on NAV statements or estimates received directly from the fund, as opposed to published on a broad market platform, or with a lag to the reporting date.
Volatility and volatility skew
Volatility and its skew are both impacted by the underlying risk, term and strike price of the derivative. In the case of interest rate derivatives, volatility may vary significantly between different underlying currencies and expiration dates on the options. Similarly, in the case of equity derivatives, the volatility attributed to a structure may vary depending upon the underlying reference name on the derivative.
216
Investment funds measured at net asset value per share
Investments in funds held in trading assets and trading liabilities primarily include positions held in equity funds of funds as an economic hedge for structured notes and derivatives issued to clients that reference the same underlying risk and liquidity terms of the fund. A majority of these funds have limitations imposed on the amount of withdrawals from the fund during the redemption period due to the illiquidity of the investments. In other instances, the withdrawal amounts may vary depending on the redemption notice period and are usually larger for the longer redemption notice periods. In addition, penalties may apply if the redemption takes place within a certain time period from the initial investment.
Investments in funds held in other investments principally involve private equity securities and, to a lesser extent, publicly traded securities and fund of funds. Several of these investments have redemption restrictions subject to the discretion of the board of directors of the fund and/or redemption is permitted without restriction, but is limited to a certain percentage of total assets or only after a certain date.
The following table pertains to investments in certain entities that calculate NAV per share or its equivalent, primarily private equity and hedge funds. These investments do not have a readily determinable fair value and are measured at fair value using NAV.
Fair value, unfunded commitments and term of redemption conditions of investment funds measured at NAV per share
   2023 2022

end of

Non-
redeemable


Redeemable

Total
fair value
Unfunded
commit-
ments

Non-
redeemable


Redeemable

Total
fair value
Unfunded
commit-
ments
Fair value of investment funds and unfunded commitments (CHF million)  
Funds held in trading assets and trading liabilities  80 95 175 0 128 415 543 14
Private equity funds 88 0 88 52 58 0 58 48
Hedge funds 13 0 13 1 13 1 14 1
Equity method investment funds 299 11 310 82 315 13 328 114
Funds held in other investments  400 11 411 135 386 14 400 163
Total fair value of investment funds and unfunded commitments  480 1 106 2 586 135 514 3 429 4 943 177
1
CHF 290 million of the underlying assets had known liquidation periods and for CHF 190 million, the timing of liquidation was unknown.
2
CHF 63 million was redeemable on demand with a notice period of primarily less than 30 days.
3
CHF 276 million of the underlying assets had known liquidation periods and for CHF 238 million, the timing of liquidation was unknown.
4
CHF 234 million was redeemable on demand with a notice period of primarily less than 30 days.
217
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. Nonrecurring measurements reported are as of the end of the period, unless otherwise stated. The market value for loans held-for-sale and commitments held-for-sale is determined by benchmarking to comparable instruments.
The following table provides the fair value and the fair value hierarchy of all assets and liabilities that were held as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, for which a nonrecurring fair value measurement was recorded.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
end of 2023 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets (CHF million)  
Other investments 0 0 1,206 1,206
   of which equity method investments  0 0 1,200 1,200
Net loans 0 0 13 13
Other assets 0 728 8,903 9,631
   of which loans held-for-sale  0 728 8,189 8,917
Total assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis  0 728 10,122 10,850
Liabilities (CHF million)  
Other liabilities 0 203 529 732
   of which commitments held-for-sale  0 203 529 732
Total liabilities recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis  0 203 529 732
end of 2022
Assets (CHF million)  
Other investments 0 259 106 365
   of which equity method investments  0 0 78 78
   of which equity securities (without a readily determinable fair value)  0 259 28 287
Net loans 0 14 1 15
Other assets 0 39 44 83
   of which loans held-for-sale  0 39 32 71
   of which real estate held-for-sale  0 0 12 12
Total assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis  0 312 151 463
Liabilities (CHF million)  
Other liabilities 0 2 21 23
   of which commitments held-for-sale  0 2 21 23
Total liabilities recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis  0 2 21 23
218
The following table provides the representative range of minimum and maximum values and the associated weighted averages of each significant unobservable input for level 3 assets and liabilities by the related valuation technique most significant to the related financial instrument that were held as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, for which a nonrecurring fair value measurement was recorded.
Quantitative information about level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

end of 2023

Fair value
Valuation
technique
Unobservable
input
Minimum
value
Maximum
value
Weighted
average
1
Assets (CHF million, except where indicated)
Other investments 1,206
   of which equity method investments  1,200
      of which  1,062 Market comparable Price, in actuals 1 2,095 138
      of which  138 Discounted cash flow Discount rate, in % 8 10 8
Other assets 8,903
   of which loans held-for-sale  8,189
      of which  6,966 Market comparable Price, in actuals 82 8,988 84
      of which  673 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 6 2,471 614
      of which  480 Market comparable Price, in % 0 98 93
      of which  71 Discounted cash flow Discount rate, in % 9 10 9
Liabilities (CHF million, except where indicated)
Other liabilities 529
   of which commitments held-for-sale  529
      of which  527 Market comparable Price, in % 0 100 83
      of which  2 Discounted cash flow Credit spread, in bp 226 549 236
end of 2022
Assets (CHF million, except where indicated)
Other investments 106
   of which equity method investments  78 Discounted cash flow Discount rate, in % 8 18 15
   of which equity securities (without a readily determinable fair value)  28
      of which  13 Discounted cash flow Discount rate, in % 12 16 14
      of which  13 Market comparable Price, in actuals 3 6,181 1,310
Other assets 44
   of which loans held-for-sale  32 Market comparable Price, in % 90 90 90
   of which real estate held-for-sale  12 Market comparable Price, in actuals 0 144 55
Liabilities (CHF million, except where indicated)
Other liabilities 21
   of which commitments held-for-sale  21 Market comparable Price, in % 87 96 90
1
Weighted average is calculated based on the fair value of the instruments.
Fair value option
The Bank has availed itself of the simplification in accounting offered under the fair value option. This has generally been accomplished by electing the fair value option, both at initial adoption and for subsequent transactions, on items impacted by the hedge accounting requirements of US GAAP. For instruments for which hedge accounting could not be achieved but for which the Bank is economically hedged, the Bank has generally elected the fair value option. Where the Bank manages an activity on a fair value basis but previously has been unable to achieve fair value accounting, the Bank has generally utilized the fair value option to align its financial accounting to its risk management reporting.
The Bank elected the fair value option for certain of its financial statement captions as follows:
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions
The Bank has elected to account for structured resale agreements and most matched book resale agreements at fair value. These activities are managed on a fair value basis; thus, fair value accounting is deemed more appropriate for reporting purposes. The Bank did not elect the fair value option for firm financing resale agreements, as these agreements are generally overnight agreements which approximate fair value, but are not managed on a fair value basis.
219
Other investments
The Bank has elected to account for certain equity method investments at fair value. These activities are managed on a fair value basis; thus, fair value accounting is deemed more appropriate for reporting purposes.
Loans
The Bank has elected to account for substantially all commercial loans and loan commitments from the investment banking businesses and certain emerging market loans from the investment banking businesses at fair value. These activities are managed on a fair value basis, and fair value accounting was deemed more appropriate for reporting purposes. Additionally, recognition on a fair value basis eliminates the mismatch that existed due to the economic hedging the Bank employs to manage these loans. Certain similar loans, such as project finance, lease finance, cash collateralized and some bridge loans, which were eligible for the fair value option, were not elected due to the lack of currently available infrastructure in order to fair value such loans and/or the inability to economically hedge such loans. Additionally, the Bank elected not to account for loans granted by its private, corporate and institutional banking businesses at fair value, such as domestic consumer lending, mortgages and corporate loans, as these loans are not managed on a fair value basis.
Other assets
The Bank elected the fair value option for certain loans held-for-sale, due to the short period over which such loans are held and the intention to sell such loans in the near term. Other assets also include assets of VIEs and mortgage securitizations, which do not meet the criteria for sale treatment under US GAAP. The Bank elected the fair value option for these types of transactions.
Due to banks and customer deposits
The Bank elected the fair value option for certain time deposits associated with its emerging markets activities. The Bank’s customer deposits include fund-linked deposits. The Bank elected the fair value option for these fund-linked deposits. Fund-linked products are managed on a fair value basis, and fair value accounting was deemed more appropriate for reporting purposes.
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions
The Bank has elected to account for structured repurchase agreements and most matched book repurchase agreements at fair value. These activities are managed on a fair value basis, and fair value accounting was deemed more appropriate for reporting purposes. The Bank did not elect the fair value option for firm financing repurchase agreements, as these agreements are generally overnight agreements which approximate fair value, but which are not managed on a fair value basis.
Short-term borrowings
The Bank’s short-term borrowings include hybrid debt instruments with embedded derivative features. Some of these embedded derivative features create bifurcatable debt instruments. The Bank elected the fair value option for some of these instruments as of January 1, 2006, in accordance with the provisions of US GAAP. New bifurcatable debt instruments which were entered into in 2006 are carried at fair value. Some hybrid debt instruments do not result in bifurcatable debt instruments. US GAAP permits the Bank to elect fair value accounting for non-bifurcatable hybrid debt instruments. With the exception of certain bifurcatable hybrid debt instruments which the Bank did not elect to account for at fair value, the Bank has elected to account for all hybrid debt instruments held as of January 1, 2007, and hybrid debt instruments originated after January 1, 2007, at fair value. These activities are managed on a fair value basis, and fair value accounting was deemed appropriate for reporting purposes. There are two main populations of similar instruments for which fair value accounting was not elected. The first relates to the lending business transacted by the Bank’s private, corporate and institutional banking businesses, which includes structured deposits and similar investment products. These are managed on a bifurcated or accrual basis, and fair value accounting was not considered appropriate. The second is where the instruments were or will be maturing in the near term, and their fair value will be realized at that time.
Long-term debt
The Bank’s long-term debt includes hybrid debt instruments with embedded derivative features as described above in short-term borrowings. The Bank’s long-term debt also includes debt issuances managed by the Treasury department that do not contain derivative features (vanilla debt). The Bank actively manages the interest rate risk on these instruments with derivatives. In particular, fixed-rate debt is hedged with receive-fixed, pay-floating interest rate swaps. The Bank elected to fair value fixed-rate debt upon implementation of the fair value option on January 1, 2007, with changes in fair value recognized as a component of trading revenues. The Bank did not elect to apply the fair value option to fixed-rate debt issued by the Bank since January 1, 2008, but instead applies hedge accounting.
Other liabilities
Other liabilities include liabilities of VIEs and mortgage securitizations that do not meet the criteria for sale treatment under US GAAP. The Bank elected the fair value option for these types of transactions.
220
Difference between the aggregate fair value and unpaid principal balances of fair value option-elected financial instruments
   2023 2022

end of
Aggregate
fair
value
Aggregate
unpaid
principal


Difference
Aggregate
fair
value
Aggregate
unpaid
principal


Difference
Financial instruments (CHF million)  
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 26,237 26,045 192 40,793 40,665 128
Loans 2,458 3,097 (639) 7,358 8,241 (883)
Other assets 1 3,490 5,132 (1,642) 8,544 10,937 (2,393)
Due to banks and customer deposits (331) (371) 40 (458) (562) 104
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions (356) (357) 1 (14,133) (14,024) (109)
Short-term borrowings (4,012) (3,988) (24) (6,783) (6,892) 109
Long-term debt 2 (32,874) (36,723) 3,849 (57,919) (71,891) 13,972
Other liabilities (218) (334) 116 (888) (1,043) 155
Non-accrual loans 3,4 511 1,352 (841) 733 2,213 (1,480)
1
Primarily loans held-for-sale.
2
Long-term debt includes both principal-protected and non-principal protected instruments. For non-principal-protected instruments, the original notional amount has been reported in the aggregate unpaid principal.
3
Generally, a loan is deemed non-accrual when the contractual payments of principal and/or interest are more than 90 days past due.
4
Included in loans or other assets.
Gains and losses on financial instruments
   2023 2022 2021

in
Net
gains/
(losses)
Net
gains/
(losses)
Net
gains/
(losses)
Financial instruments (CHF million)  
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 1,718 1 1,450 1 638 1
Other investments (199) 2 (51) 3 304 3
   of which related to credit risk  0 (3) 2
Loans 308 1 163 1 443 1
   of which related to credit risk  89 (239) (13)
Other assets 37 1 246 1 519 1
   of which related to credit risk  (312) (202) 133
Due to banks and customer deposits (71) 2 (44) 2 (22) 3
   of which related to credit risk  (3) (1) 0
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions (151) 1 (156) 1 (43) 1
Short-term borrowings (495) 2 1,916 2 98 2
   of which related to credit risk  2 1 2
Long-term debt 9,414 3 6,767 2 (2,644) 2
   of which related to credit risk  4 3 0
Other liabilities (88) 2 54 2 171 2
   of which related to credit risk  (207) (164) 71
1
Primarily recognized in net interest income.
2
Primarily recognized in trading revenues.
3
Primarily recognized in other revenues.
221
The impact of credit risk on assets presented in the table above has been calculated as the component of the total change in fair value, excluding the impact of changes in base or risk-free interest rates. The impact of changes in own credit risk on liabilities presented in the table above has been calculated as the difference between the fair values of those instruments as of the reporting date and the theoretical fair values of those instruments calculated by using the yield curve prevailing at the end of the reporting period, adjusted up or down for changes in the Bank’s own credit spreads from the transition date to the reporting date.
Interest income and expense, which are calculated based on contractual rates specified in the transactions, are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations depending on the nature of the instrument and its related market convention. When interest is included as a component of the change in the instrument’s fair value, it is included in trading revenues. Otherwise, it is included in interest and dividend income or interest expense. Interest and dividend income is recognized separately from trading revenues.
Gains and losses attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk on fair value option elected liabilities
The following table provides additional information regarding the gains and losses attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk on fair value option elected liabilities, which have been recorded in AOCI. The table includes both the amount of change during the period and the cumulative amount that were attributable to the changes in instrument-specific credit risk. In addition, the table includes the gains and losses related to instrument-specific credit risk, which were previously recorded in AOCI but have been transferred to net income during the period.
Gains/(losses) attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk
    

Gains/(losses) recorded into AOCI
1 Gains/(losses) recorded
in AOCI transferred
to net income
1
in 2023 Cumulative 2022 2023 2022
Financial instruments (CHF million)  
Customer deposits (32) (31) 57 0 0
Short-term borrowings (21) (47) 19 1 0
Long-term debt 3,753 (750) 6,787 (9,162) (31)
   of which treasury debt over two years  6,406 3 3,522 (9,025) 0
   of which structured notes over two years  (2,094) (672) 2,667 (137) (31)
Total  3,700 (828) 6,863 (9,161) (31)
1
Amounts are reflected gross of tax.
222
Financial instruments not carried at fair value
The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of financial instruments, which are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet. The disclosure excludes all non-financial instruments such as lease transactions, real estate, premises and equipment, equity method investments and pension and benefit obligations.
Carrying value and fair value of financial instruments not carried at fair value
    Carrying
value

Fair value
end of Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
2023 (CHF million)
Financial assets 
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 20,977 0 20,977 0 20,977
Investment securities 1,416 1,246 161 0 1,407
Loans 1 210,132 0 66,697 140,132 206,829
Other financial assets 2 148,197 125,252 12,571 10,433 148,256
Financial liabilities 
Due to banks and customer deposits 208,624 108,417 100,146 0 208,563
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions 598 0 598 0 598
Short-term borrowings 43,625 0 43,625 0 43,625
Long-term debt 95,610 0 94,343 3,092 97,435
Other financial liabilities 3 7,470 0 7,269 206 7,475
2022 (CHF million)
Financial assets 
Central bank funds sold, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions 18,005 0 18,005 0 18,005
Investment securities 921 911 0 0 911
Loans 256,825 0 107,101 4 146,677 4 253,778
Other financial assets 2 91,451 68,104 20,246 2,922 91,272
Financial liabilities 
Due to banks and customer deposits 243,506 149,696 93,714 0 243,410
Central bank funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions 6,238 0 6,238 0 6,238
Short-term borrowings 7,705 0 7,703 0 7,703
Long-term debt 92,742 0 73,596 13,366 86,962
Other financial liabilities 3 8,551 0 7,984 523 8,507
1
As a result of the acquisition, Credit Suisse has applied a change in estimate to align the discount rate for the fair value determination of the Swiss accrual loan book to that of UBS.
2
Primarily includes cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks, loans held-for-sale, cash collateral on derivative instruments, interest and fee receivables and non-marketable equity securities.
3
Primarily includes cash collateral on derivative instruments and interest and fees payable.
4
Credit Suisse has aligned the fair value levelling of the Swiss accrual loan book to that of UBS, resulting in a reclassification of CHF 133.9 billion from level 2 to level 3.
223
35 Assets pledged and collateral
Assets pledged
The Bank pledges assets mainly for repurchase agreements and other securities financing. Certain pledged assets may be encumbered, meaning they have the right to be sold or repledged. The encumbered assets are disclosed on the consolidated balance sheet.
Assets pledged
end of 2023 2022
CHF million  
Total assets pledged or assigned as collateral 105,835 1 63,111
   of which encumbered  8,430 25,445
1
Includes Swiss mortgages pledged to SNB in connection with the Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) facility.
Collateral
The Bank receives cash and securities in connection with resale agreements, securities borrowing and loans, derivative transactions and margined broker loans. A significant portion of the collateral and securities received by the Bank was sold or repledged in connection with repurchase agreements, securities sold not yet purchased, securities borrowings and loans, pledges to clearing organizations, segregation requirements under securities laws and regulations, derivative transactions and bank loans.
Collateral
end of 2023 2022
CHF million  
Fair value of collateral received with the right to sell or repledge 74,354 150,198
   of which sold or repledged  23,374 75,819
Other information
end of 2023 2022
CHF million  
Swiss National Bank required minimum liquidity reserves 2,041 2,258
Other restricted cash, securities and receivables 1 424 812
1
Includes cash, securities and receivables recorded on the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets and restricted under Swiss or foreign regulations for financial institutions; excludes restricted cash, securities and receivables held on behalf of clients which are not recorded on the Bank’s consolidated balance sheet.
36 Capital adequacy
The Bank is subject to the Basel framework, as implemented in Switzerland, as well as Swiss legislation and regulations for systemically relevant banks (SRBs), which include capital, liquidity, leverage and large exposure requirements and rules for emergency plans designed to maintain systemically relevant functions in the event of threatened insolvency. The legislation implementing the Basel framework in Switzerland in respect of capital requirements for SRBs, including Credit Suisse, goes beyond the Basel minimum standards for SRBs. The Bank, which is subject to regulation by FINMA, has based its capital adequacy calculations on US GAAP financial statements, as permitted by FINMA Circular 2013/1.
Under the Capital Adequacy Ordinance (CAO), Swiss banks classified as SRBs internationally, such as Credit Suisse, are subject to two different minimum requirements for loss-absorbing capacity: such banks must hold sufficient capital that absorbs losses to ensure continuity of service (going concern requirement) and they must issue sufficient debt instruments to fund an orderly resolution without recourse to public resources (gone concern requirement).
Going concern capital and gone concern capital together form the Bank’s total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC). TLAC encompasses regulatory capital, such as common equity tier 1 (CET1), loss-absorbing additional tier 1 and tier 2 capital instruments, and liabilities that can be written down or converted into equity in case of resolution or for the purpose of restructuring measures. Under the CAO’s grandfathering provisions, additional tier 1 capital instruments with a low trigger qualify as going concern capital until their first call date.
There are FINMA decrees that apply to Credit Suisse as an SRB operating internationally, including capital adequacy requirements as well as liquidity and risk diversification requirements.
Banks that do not maintain the minimum requirements may be limited in their ability to pay dividends and make discretionary bonus payments and other earnings distributions.
The Bank’s balance sheet positions and off-balance sheet exposures translate into risk-weighted assets, which are categorized as credit, market and operational risk-weighted assets.
Leverage exposure consists of period-end balance sheet assets and prescribed regulatory adjustments, such as derivative financial instruments, securities financing transactions and off-balance sheet exposures.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank’s capital position exceeded its capital requirements under the regulatory provisions outlined under Swiss requirements.
224
Broker-dealer operations
Certain of the Bank’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are also subject to capital adequacy requirements. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank and its subsidiaries complied with all applicable regulatory capital adequacy requirements.
Dividend restrictions
Certain of the Bank’s subsidiaries are subject to legal restrictions governing the amount of dividends they can pay (for example, pursuant to corporate law as defined by the Swiss Code of Obligations).
Under the Swiss Code of Obligations, dividends may be paid out only if and to the extent the corporation has distributable profits or distributable reserves. For operating companies, legal reserves may be distributed if they exceed, after deduction of any accumulated losses, treasury shares and reserves for own shares held by subsidiaries, 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register. Furthermore, dividends may be paid out only after shareholder approval.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Credit Suisse AG was not subject to restrictions on its ability to pay the proposed dividends.
Swiss metrics
end of 2023 2022
Swiss capital (CHF million)  
Swiss CET1 capital 38,187 40,987
Going concern capital 38,646 54,843
Gone concern capital 38,284 42,930
Total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC) 76,930 97,773
Swiss risk-weighted assets and leverage exposure (CHF million)  
Swiss risk-weighted assets 181,690 249,953
Leverage exposure 524,968 653,551
Swiss capital ratios (%)  
Swiss CET1 ratio 21.0 16.4
Going concern capital ratio 21.3 21.9
Gone concern capital ratio 21.1 17.2
TLAC ratio 42.3 39.1
Swiss leverage ratios (%)  
Swiss CET1 leverage ratio 7.3 6.3
Going concern leverage ratio 7.4 8.4
Gone concern leverage ratio 7.3 6.6
TLAC leverage ratio 14.7 15.0
Swiss capital ratio requirements (%)  
Swiss CET1 ratio requirement 10.0 9.28
Going concern capital ratio requirement 1 14.3 13.58
Gone concern capital ratio requirement 10.725 13.58
TLAC ratio requirement 25.025 27.16
Swiss leverage ratio requirements (%)  
Swiss CET1 leverage ratio requirement 3.5 3.25
Going concern leverage ratio requirement 1 5.0 4.75
Gone concern leverage ratio requirement 3.75 4.75
TLAC leverage ratio requirement 8.75 9.5
1
The total requirements excluded the FINMA Pillar 2 capital add-on of CHF 1,445 million and CHF 1,850 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, relating to the supply chain finance funds matter and the effects of countercyclical buffers.
37 Assets under management
The following disclosure provides information regarding client assets, assets under management and net new assets as regulated by FINMA.
Assets under management
Assets under management include assets for which the Bank provides investment advisory or discretionary asset management services, investment fund assets and assets invested in other investment fund-like pooled investment vehicles managed by the Bank. The classification of assets under management is conditional upon the nature of the services provided by the Bank and the clients’ intentions. Assets are individually assessed on the basis of each client’s intentions and objectives and the nature of the banking services provided to that client. In order to be classified as assets under management, the Bank must currently or in the foreseeable future expect to provide a service where the involvement of the Bank’s banking or investment expertise (e.g. as asset manager or investment advisor) is not purely executional or custodial in nature.
Assets under custody are client assets held mainly for execution-related or safekeeping/custody purposes only and therefore are not considered assets under management since the Bank does not generally provide asset allocation or financial advice.
Assets of corporate clients and public institutions that are used primarily for cash management or transaction executional purposes for which no investment advice is provided are classified as commercial assets or assets under custody and therefore do not qualify as assets under management.
225
For the purpose of classifying assets under management, clients with multiple accounts are assessed from an overall relationship perspective. Accounts that are clearly separate from the remainder of the client relationship and represent assets held for custody purposes only are not included as assets under management.
The initial classification of the assets may not be permanent as the nature of the client relationship is reassessed on an on-going basis. If changes in client intent or activity warrant reclassification between client asset categories, the required reclassification adjustments are made immediately when the change in intent or activity occurs. Reclassifications between assets under management and assets held for transaction-related or custodial purposes result in corresponding net asset inflows or outflows.
A portion of the Bank’s assets under management results from double counting. Double counting arises when assets under management are subject to more than one level of asset management services. Each separate advisory or discretionary service provides additional benefits to the client and represents additional income for the Bank. Specifically, double counting primarily results from the investment of assets under management in collective investment instruments managed by the Bank. The extent of double counting is disclosed in the following table.
Assets under management
end of 2023 2022
CHF billion  
Assets in collective investment instruments managed by Credit Suisse 175.1 194.6
Assets with discretionary mandates 215.2 244.1
Other assets under management 785.6 852.8
Assets under management (including double counting)  1,175.9 1,291.5
   of which double counting  23.8 31.9
Changes in assets under management
2023 2022
Assets under management (CHF billion)  
Balance at beginning of period 1 1,291.5 1,611.0
Net new assets/(net asset outflows) (106.7) (122.5)
Market movements, interest, dividends and foreign exchange 17.7 (169.9)
   of which market movements, interest and dividends 2 69.8 (165.9)
   of which foreign exchange  (52.1) (4.0)
Other effects (26.6) (27.1)
Balance at end of period  1,175.9 1,291.5
1
Including double counting.
2
Net of commissions and other expenses and net of interest expenses charged.
Net new assets
Net new assets measure the degree of success in acquiring assets under management or changes in assets under management through warranted reclassifications. The calculation is based on the direct method, taking into account individual cash payments, security deliveries and cash flows resulting from loan increases or repayments.
Interest and dividend income credited to clients and commissions, interest and fees charged for banking services as well as changes in assets under management due to currency and market volatility are not taken into account when calculating net new assets, as such charges or market movements are not directly related to the Bank’s success in acquiring assets under management. Similarly other effects mainly relate to asset inflows and outflows due to acquisition or divestiture, exit from businesses or markets or exits due to new regulatory requirements and are not taken into account when calculating net new assets. The Bank reviews relevant policies regarding client assets on a regular basis.
Divisional allocation
Assets under management and net new assets for Wealth Management and Swiss Bank are allocated based on the management areas (business areas) that effectively manage the assets. The distribution of net new assets resulting from internal referral arrangements is governed under the net new asset referral framework, which includes preset percentages for the allocation of net new assets to the businesses.
The allocation of assets under management and net new assets for Asset Management reflects the location where the investment vehicles are managed and where the costs of managing the funds are incurred.
226
38 Litigation
The Bank is involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of its businesses, including those disclosed below. Some of these proceedings have been brought on behalf of various classes of claimants and seek damages of material and/or indeterminate amounts.
The Bank accrues loss contingency litigation provisions and takes a charge to income in connection with certain proceedings when losses, additional losses or ranges of loss are probable and reasonably estimable. There are also situations where the Bank may enter into a settlement agreement. This may occur in order to avoid the expense, management distraction or reputational implications of continuing to contest liability, even for those matters for which the Bank believes it should be exonerated. The Bank reviews its legal proceedings each quarter to determine the adequacy of its litigation provisions and may increase or release provisions based on management’s judgment and the advice of counsel. The establishment of additional provisions or releases of litigation provisions may be necessary in the future as developments in such proceedings warrant.
The specific matters described below include (a) proceedings where the Bank has accrued a loss contingency provision, given that it is probable that a loss may be incurred and such loss is reasonably estimable; and (b) proceedings where the Bank has not accrued such a loss contingency provision for various reasons, including, but not limited to, the fact that any related losses are not reasonably estimable. The description of certain of the matters below includes a statement that the Bank has established a loss contingency provision and discloses the amount of such provision; for the other matters no such statement is made. With respect to the matters for which no such statement is made, either (a) the Bank has not established a loss contingency provision, in which case the matter is treated as a contingent liability under the applicable accounting standard, or (b) the Bank has established such a provision but believes that disclosure of that fact would violate confidentiality obligations to which the Bank is subject or otherwise compromise attorney-client privilege, work product protection or other protections against disclosure or compromise the Bank’s management of the matter. The future outflow of funds in respect of any matter for which the Bank has accrued loss contingency provisions cannot be determined with certainty based on currently available information, and accordingly may ultimately prove to be substantially greater (or may be less) than the provision that is reflected on the Bank’s balance sheet.
It is inherently difficult to determine whether a loss is probable or even reasonably possible or to estimate the amount of any loss or loss range for many of the Bank’s legal proceedings. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and currently available information and involve a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the type and nature of the proceeding, the progress of the matter, the advice of counsel, the Bank’s defenses, its experience in similar matters, its assessment of matters, including settlements, involving other defendants in similar or related cases or proceedings, as well as changes in the Bank’s strategy for resolving the matter as a result of ongoing assessment. Factual and legal determinations, many of which are complex, must be made before a loss, additional losses or ranges of loss can be reasonably estimated for any proceeding.
Most matters pending against the Bank seek damages of an indeterminate amount. While certain matters specify the damages claimed, such claimed amount may not represent the Bank’s reasonably possible losses. For certain of the proceedings discussed below the Bank has disclosed the amount of damages claimed and certain other quantifiable information that is publicly available.
The following table presents a roll forward of the Bank’s aggregate litigation provisions. Until the second quarter of 2023, the Bank accrued litigation provisions for the estimated fees and expenses of external lawyers and other service providers in relation to such proceedings, including in cases for which it had not accrued a loss contingency provision, and took a charge to income in connection therewith when such fees and expenses were probable and reasonably estimable. In the third quarter of 2023, the Bank’s policy was aligned to UBS’s policy, which states that estimated costs for external legal advisors and other experts for future services are not included in the litigation provision. Such costs must be expensed as incurred.
Litigation provisions
2023
CHF million  
Balance at beginning of period  1,125
Increase in litigation accruals 1,492
Decrease in litigation accruals (142)
Decrease for settlements and other cash payments (751)
Reclassifications (80) 1
Foreign exchange translation (134)
Balance at end of period  1,510
1
Reclassifications of litigation fees due to an alignment to UBS policies.
The Bank’s aggregate litigation provisions include estimates of losses, additional losses or ranges of loss for proceedings for which such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Bank does not believe that it can estimate an aggregate range of reasonably possible losses for certain of its proceedings because of their complexity, the novelty of some of the claims, the early stage of the proceedings, the limited amount of discovery that has occurred and/or other factors. Taking into account the factors discussed in the paragraphs above, the Bank has estimated the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses that are not covered by existing provisions for the proceedings discussed below for which the Bank believes an estimate is possible is zero to CHF 3.2 billion.
227
After taking into account its litigation provisions, the Bank believes, based on currently available information and advice of counsel, that the results of its legal proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties of such proceedings, including those brought by regulators or other governmental authorities, the ultimate cost to the Bank of resolving such proceedings may exceed current litigation provisions and any excess may be material to its operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
Mortgage-related matters
Government and regulatory related matters
DOJ RMBS settlement
In January 2017, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (CSS LLC) and its current and former US subsidiaries and US affiliates reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) related to its legacy Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) business, a business conducted through 2007. The settlement resolved potential civil claims by the DOJ related to certain of those Credit Suisse entities’ packaging, marketing, structuring, arrangement, underwriting, issuance and sale of RMBS. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement a civil monetary penalty was paid to the DOJ in January 2017. The settlement also required the Credit Suisse entities to provide certain levels of consumer relief measures, including affordable housing payments and loan forgiveness, and the DOJ and Credit Suisse agreed to the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the completion of the consumer relief requirements of the settlement. Credit Suisse continues to evaluate its approach toward satisfying its remaining consumer relief obligations, and Credit Suisse currently anticipates that it will take much longer than the five-year period provided in the settlement to satisfy in full its obligations in respect of these consumer relief measures, subject to risk appetite and market conditions. Credit Suisse expects to incur costs in relation to satisfying those obligations. The amount of consumer relief Credit Suisse must provide also increases after 2021 pursuant to the original settlement by 5% per annum of the outstanding amount due until these obligations are settled. The monitor publishes reports periodically on these consumer relief matters.
Civil litigation
Repurchase litigations
CSS LLC and/or certain of its affiliates have also been named as defendants in various civil litigation matters related to their roles as issuer, sponsor, depositor, underwriter and/or servicer of RMBS transactions. These cases currently include repurchase actions by RMBS trusts and/or trustees, in which plaintiffs generally allege breached representations and warranties in respect of mortgage loans and failure to repurchase such mortgage loans as required under the applicable agreements. The amounts disclosed below do not reflect actual realized plaintiff losses to date or anticipated future litigation exposure. Unless otherwise stated, these amounts reflect the original unpaid principal balance amounts as alleged in these actions and do not include any reduction in principal amounts since issuance.
DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. (DLJ) is a defendant in New York state court in: (i) one action brought by Asset Backed Securities Corporation Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2006-HE7, in which plaintiff alleges damages of not less than USD 374 million in an amended complaint filed in August 2019; in January 2020, DLJ filed a motion to dismiss, which the court granted in part and denied in part in December 2023, dismissing with prejudice all notice-based claims; in February 2024, the parties filed notices of appeal; (ii) one action brought by Home Equity Asset Trust, Series 2006-8, in which plaintiff alleges damages of not less than USD 436 million; (iii) one action brought by Home Equity Asset Trust 2007-1, in which plaintiff alleges damages of not less than USD 420 million; in December 2018, the court denied DLJ’s motion for partial summary judgment in this action, which was affirmed on appeal; in March 2022, the New York State Court of Appeals reversed the decision and ordered that DLJ’s motion for partial summary judgment be granted; a non-jury trial in the action was held between January and February 2023, and a decision is pending; (iv) one action brought by Home Equity Asset Trust 2007-2, in which plaintiff alleges damages of not less than USD 495 million; and (v) one action brought by CSMC Asset-Backed Trust 2007-NC1, in which no damages amount is alleged. These actions are at various procedural stages.
DLJ was also a defendant in one action brought by Home Equity Asset Trust Series 2007-3, in which plaintiff alleged damages of not less than USD 206 million. In March 2022, DLJ and the plaintiff executed an agreement to settle this action. In November 2023, the Minnesota state court approved the settlement through a trust instruction proceeding brought by the trustee of the plaintiff trust. The New York state court dismissed the underlying action with prejudice in January 2024.
DLJ and its affiliate, Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc. (SPS), were defendants in two consolidated actions in New York state court: one action brought by Home Equity Mortgage Trust Series 2006-1, Home Equity Mortgage Trust Series 2006-3 and Home Equity Mortgage Trust Series 2006-4, in which plaintiffs allege damages of not less than USD 730 million; and one action brought by Home Equity Mortgage Trust Series 2006-5, in which plaintiff alleges damages of not less than USD 500 million. In April 2021, DLJ, SPS and the plaintiffs executed an agreement to settle both actions for the aggregate amount of USD 500 million, for which Credit Suisse was fully reserved. In May 2023, the Minnesota state court approved the settlement through a trust instruction proceeding brought by the trustee of the plaintiff trusts. The New York state court dismissed the underlying actions with prejudice in July 2023.
Loreley
In November 2018, Loreley Financing (Jersey) No. 30 Limited (L30) filed a claim in the English High Court against Credit Suisse AG and certain affiliates seeking USD 100 million in damages, plus interest and costs, on the basis of a number of causes of action, including fraudulent misrepresentation. The claim concerns losses allegedly suffered by L30 relating to its purchase of certain notes in July 2007 issued in Ireland by Magnolia Finance II plc and linked to the credit of a reference portfolio of
228
RMBS. Following service of the claim in the first quarter of 2020, Credit Suisse filed its defense in June 2020. L30 served further amended versions of its claim in January and October 2022. Credit Suisse filed its amended defense in November 2022. Trial concluded in June 2023. In November 2023, judgment was issued in favor of Credit Suisse, dismissing all claims brought by L30. In January 2024, L30 sought permission to appeal the judgment from the Court of Appeal.
Bank loan litigation
CSS LLC and certain of its affiliates are the subject of two litigations brought by entities related to Highland Capital Management LP (Highland) relating to certain real estate developments. Credit Suisse defendants in these matters arranged, and acted as the agent bank for, syndicated loans provided to borrowers affiliated with such real estate developments, and who have since gone through bankruptcy or foreclosure. In the case in Texas state court, a jury trial was held in December 2014 and a verdict was issued for the plaintiff on its claim for fraudulent inducement by affirmative misrepresentation. The Texas judge held a bench trial on Highland’s remaining claims and entered judgment in the amount of USD 287 million (including prejudgment interest) for the plaintiff in September 2015. Ultimately, the Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling reversing a portion of the trial court’s September 2015 judgment related to the bench trial claims, including damages of approximately USD 212 million, exclusive of interest, but left standing the separate December 2014 jury verdict and remanded the case back to the trial court for further proceedings. In June 2021, the trial court entered a new judgment, which awarded plaintiff approximately USD 121 million. In February 2023, the appeals court issued a ruling, reversing in favor of CSS LLC a portion of the trial court’s June 2021 judgment and remanding the case to the trial court for further proceedings. Highland filed a petition requesting permission to file a further appeal to the Texas Supreme Court, and CSS LLC filed a cross-petition. The Texas Supreme Court denied both petitions. In the case in New York state court, the court granted in part and denied in part CSS LLC and certain of its affiliates’ summary judgment motion. Both parties appealed that decision, but the appellate court affirmed the decision in full. The case is currently in discovery.
Tax and securities law matters
In May 2014, Credit Suisse AG entered into settlement agreements with several US regulators regarding its US cross-border matters. As part of the agreements, Credit Suisse AG, among other things, engaged an independent corporate monitor that reports to the New York State Department of Financial Services. As of July 2018, the monitor concluded both his review and his assignment. Credit Suisse AG continues to report to and cooperate with US authorities in accordance with Credit Suisse AG’s obligations under the agreements, including by conducting a review of cross-border services provided by Credit Suisse’s Switzerland-based Israel Desk. Most recently, Credit Suisse AG has provided information to US authorities regarding potentially undeclared US assets held by clients at Credit Suisse AG since the May 2014 plea. Credit Suisse AG continues to cooperate with the authorities. In March 2023, the US Senate Finance Committee issued a report criticizing Credit Suisse AG’s history regarding US tax compliance. The report called on the DOJ to investigate Credit Suisse AG’s compliance with the 2014 plea.
In February 2021, a qui tam complaint was filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, alleging that Credit Suisse AG had violated the False Claims Act by failing to disclose all US accounts at the time of the 2014 plea, which allegedly allowed Credit Suisse AG to pay a criminal fine in 2014 that was purportedly lower than it should have been. The DOJ moved to dismiss the case, and the Court summarily dismissed the suit. The case is now on appeal with the US Federal Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Rates-related matters
Regulatory matters
Regulatory authorities in a number of jurisdictions, including the US, UK, EU and Switzerland, have for an extended period of time been conducting investigations into the setting of London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other reference rates with respect to a number of currencies, as well as the pricing of certain related derivatives. These ongoing investigations have included information requests from regulators regarding LIBOR-setting practices and reviews of the activities of various financial institutions, including Credit Suisse Group AG, which was a member of three LIBOR rate-setting panels (US dollar LIBOR, Swiss franc LIBOR and Euro LIBOR). Credit Suisse is cooperating fully with these investigations.
Regulatory authorities in a number of jurisdictions, including the Swiss Competition Commission (WEKO), the European Commission (Commission), the South African Competition Commission and the Brazilian Competition Authority have been conducting investigations into the trading activities, information sharing and the setting of benchmark rates in the foreign exchange (including electronic trading) markets. Credit Suisse continues to cooperate with ongoing investigations.
Credit Suisse Group AG, Credit Suisse AG and Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited (CSSEL) received a Statement of Objections and a Supplemental Statement of Objections from the Commission in July 2018 and March 2021, respectively, alleging that Credit Suisse entities engaged in anticompetitive practices in connection with their foreign exchange trading business. In December 2021, the Commission issued a formal decision imposing a fine of EUR 83.3 million. In February 2022, Credit Suisse appealed this decision to the EU General Court.
The reference rates investigations have also included information requests from regulators concerning supranational, sub-sovereign and agency (SSA) bonds and commodities markets. Credit Suisse Group AG and CSSEL received a Statement of Objections from the Commission in December 2018, alleging that Credit Suisse entities engaged in anticompetitive practices in connection
229
with their SSA bonds trading business. In April 2021, the Commission issued a formal decision imposing a fine of EUR 11.9 million. In July 2021, Credit Suisse appealed this decision to the EU General Court.
Civil litigation
USD LIBOR litigation
Beginning in 2011, certain Credit Suisse entities were named in various putative class and individual lawsuits filed in the US, alleging banks on the US dollar LIBOR panel manipulated US dollar LIBOR to benefit their reputation and increase profits. All remaining matters have been consolidated for pre-trial purposes into a multi-district litigation in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
In a series of rulings between 2013 and 2019 on motions to dismiss, the SDNY (i) narrowed the claims against the Credit Suisse entities and the other defendants (dismissing antitrust, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Commodity Exchange Act, and state law claims), (ii) narrowed the set of plaintiffs who may bring claims, and (iii) narrowed the set of defendants in the LIBOR actions (including the dismissal of several Credit Suisse entities from various cases on personal jurisdiction and statute of limitation grounds). After a number of putative class and individual plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of their antitrust claims to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Second Circuit), in December 2021, the Second Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part the district court’s decision and remanded the case to the SDNY.
In September 2021, in the putative class action brought in the multi-district litigation in the SDNY by holders of bonds tied to LIBOR, Credit Suisse entered into an agreement to settle all claims. In November 2022 and March 2023, respectively, the court entered orders granting preliminary and final approval to the agreement to settle all claims.
Separately, in May 2017, the plaintiffs in three putative class actions moved for class certification. In February 2018, the SDNY denied certification in two of the actions and granted certification over a single antitrust claim in an action brought by over-the-counter purchasers of LIBOR-linked derivatives.
USD ICE LIBOR litigation
In August 2020, members of the ICE LIBOR panel, including Credit Suisse Group AG and certain of its affiliates, were named in a civil action in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that panel banks manipulated ICE LIBOR to profit from variable interest loans and credit cards. In December 2021, the court denied plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary and permanent injunctions to enjoin panel banks from continuing to set LIBOR or automatically setting the benchmark to zero each day, and in September 2022, the court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss. In October 2022, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. In November 2022, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In October 2023, the court dismissed the amended complaint with prejudice without leave to amend. Plaintiffs have appealed.
CHF LIBOR litigation
In February 2015, various banks that served on the Swiss franc LIBOR panel, including Credit Suisse Group AG, were named in a civil putative class action lawsuit filed in the SDNY, alleging manipulation of Swiss franc LIBOR to benefit defendants’ trading positions. After defendants’ motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction was granted and plaintiffs successfully appealed, in July 2022, Credit Suisse entered into an agreement to settle all claims. In February and September 2023, respectively, the court entered orders granting preliminary and final approval to the agreement to settle all claims.
Foreign exchange litigation
Credit Suisse Group AG and affiliates as well as other financial institutions have been named in civil lawsuits relating to the alleged manipulation of foreign exchange rates.
The first matter is a consolidated class action, in which a jury trial was held in October 2022 on the issues of whether a conspiracy existed to manipulate bid-ask spreads in the FX market and whether Credit Suisse knowingly participated in any such conspiracy. In October 2022, a verdict was issued in favor of Credit Suisse, finding that Credit Suisse did not knowingly participate in any such conspiracy, and in March 2023, the court entered final judgment against plaintiffs and in favor of Credit Suisse on all remaining claims. Plaintiffs did not file an appeal by the April 2023 deadline.
Credit Suisse AG, together with other financial institutions, was also named in a consolidated putative class action in Israel, which made allegations similar to the consolidated class action. In April 2022, Credit Suisse entered into an agreement to settle all claims. The settlement remains subject to court approval.
Treasury markets litigation
CSS LLC, along with over 20 other primary dealers of US treasury securities, was named in a number of putative civil class action complaints in the US relating to the US treasury markets. These complaints generally alleged that the defendants colluded to manipulate US treasury auctions, as well as the pricing of US treasury securities in the when-issued market, with impacts upon related futures and options, and that certain of the defendants participated in a group boycott to prevent the emergence of anonymous all-to-all trading in the secondary market for treasury securities. In March 2022, the SDNY granted defendants’ motion to dismiss and dismissed with prejudice all claims against the defendants, and in February 2024, the Second Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal.
SSA bonds litigation
Credit Suisse Group AG and certain of its affiliates, together with other financial institutions, were named in two Canadian putative class actions, which allege that defendants conspired to fix the prices of SSA bonds sold to and purchased from investors in
230
the secondary market. One putative class action was dismissed against Credit Suisse in February 2020. In October 2022, in the second action, Credit Suisse entered into an agreement to settle all claims. The settlement remains subject to court approval.
Credit default swap auction litigation
In June 2021, Credit Suisse Group AG and affiliates, along with other banks and entities, were named in a putative class action complaint filed in the US District Court for the District of New Mexico alleging manipulation of credit default swap (CDS) final auction prices. In April 2022, defendants filed a motion to dismiss. In June 2023, the court granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. In November 2023, defendants filed a motion to enforce the previous CDS settlement with the SDNY. In January 2024, the SDNY ruled that, to the extent claims in the New Mexico action arise from conduct prior to June 30, 2014, those claims are barred by the SDNY settlement. In February 2024, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal of the SDNY decision.
OTC trading cases
Interest rate swaps litigation
Credit Suisse Group AG and affiliates, along with other financial institutions, have been named in a consolidated putative civil class action complaint and complaints filed by individual plaintiffs relating to interest rate swaps, alleging that dealer defendants conspired with trading platforms to prevent the development of interest rate swap exchanges. The individual lawsuits were brought by TeraExchange LLC, a swap execution facility, and affiliates; Javelin Capital Markets LLC, a swap execution facility, and an affiliate; and trueEX LLC, a swap execution facility, which claim to have suffered lost profits as a result of defendants’ alleged conspiracy. All interest rate swap actions have been consolidated in a multi-district litigation in the SDNY.
Defendants moved to dismiss the putative class and individual actions, and the SDNY granted in part and denied in part these motions.
In February 2019, class plaintiffs in the consolidated multi-district litigation filed a motion for class certification. In March 2019, class plaintiffs filed a fourth amended consolidated class action complaint. In January 2022, Credit Suisse entered into an agreement to settle all class action claims. The settlement remains subject to court approval. In December 2023, the SDNY denied the motion for class certification. In January 2024, class plaintiffs filed a petition for leave to appeal the denial of class certification.
Credit default swaps litigation
In June 2017, Credit Suisse Group AG and affiliates, along with other financial institutions, were named in a civil action filed in the SDNY by Tera Group, Inc. and related entities (Tera), alleging violations of antitrust law in connection with the allegation that CDS dealers conspired to block Tera’s electronic CDS trading platform from successfully entering the market. In July 2019, the SDNY granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. In January 2020, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. In April 2020, defendants filed a motion to dismiss. In August 2023, the court granted the motion, dismissing all claims with prejudice. Plaintiffs have appealed.
Stock loan litigation
Credit Suisse Group AG and certain of its affiliates, as well as other financial institutions, were originally named in a number of civil lawsuits in the SDNY, certain of which are brought by class action plaintiffs alleging that the defendants conspired to keep stock-loan trading in an over-the-counter market and collectively boycotted certain trading platforms that sought to enter the market, and certain of which are brought by trading platforms that sought to enter the market alleging that the defendants collectively boycotted the platforms. In January 2022, Credit Suisse entered into an agreement to settle all class action claims. In February 2022, the court entered an order granting preliminary approval to the agreement to settle all class action claims. The settlement remains subject to final court approval.
In October 2021, in a consolidated civil litigation brought in the SDNY by entities that developed a trading platform for stock loans that sought to enter the market, alleging that the defendants collectively boycotted the platform, the court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss. In October 2021, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal. In March 2023, the Second Circuit affirmed the decision granting defendants’ motion to dismiss.
Odd-lot corporate bond litigation
In April 2020, CSS LLC and other financial institutions were named in a putative class action complaint filed in the SDNY, alleging a conspiracy among the financial institutions to boycott electronic trading platforms and fix prices in the secondary market for odd-lot corporate bonds. In October 2021, the SDNY granted defendants’ motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs have appealed.
ATA litigation
Since November 2014, a series of lawsuits have been filed against a number of banks, including Credit Suisse AG and, in two instances, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) and the SDNY alleging claims under the United States Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The plaintiffs in each of these lawsuits are, or are relatives of, victims of various terrorist attacks in Iraq and allege a conspiracy and/or aiding and abetting based on allegations that various international financial institutions, including the defendants, agreed to alter, falsify or omit information from payment messages that involved Iranian parties for the express purpose of concealing the Iranian parties’ financial activities and transactions from detection by US authorities. The lawsuits allege that this conduct has made it possible for Iran to transfer funds to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations actively engaged in harming US military personnel and civilians. In January 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a September 2019 ruling by the EDNY granting defendants’ motion to dismiss the
231
first filed lawsuit. In October 2023, the United States Supreme Court denied plaintiffs’ petition for a writ of certiorari. In February 2024, plaintiffs filed a motion to vacate the judgment in the first filed lawsuit. Of the other seven cases, four are stayed, including one that was dismissed as to Credit Suisse and most of the bank defendants prior to entry of the stay, and in three plaintiffs have filed amended complaints, including two that were dismissed prior to the court allowing plaintiffs to replead.
Customer account matters
Several clients have claimed that a former relationship manager in Switzerland had exceeded his investment authority in the management of their portfolios, resulting in excessive concentrations of certain exposures and investment losses. Credit Suisse AG is investigating the claims, as well as transactions among the clients. Credit Suisse AG filed a criminal complaint against the former relationship manager with the Geneva Prosecutor’s Office upon which the prosecutor initiated a criminal investigation. Several clients of the former relationship manager also filed criminal complaints with the Geneva Prosecutor’s Office. In February 2018, the former relationship manager was sentenced to five years in prison by the Geneva criminal court for fraud, forgery and criminal mismanagement and ordered to pay damages of approximately USD 130 million. Several parties appealed the judgment. In June 2019, the Criminal Court of Appeals of Geneva ruled in the appeal of the judgment against the former relationship manager, upholding the main findings of the Geneva criminal court. Several parties appealed the decision to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. In February 2020, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court rendered its judgment on the appeals, substantially confirming the findings of the Criminal Court of Appeals of Geneva.
Civil lawsuits have been initiated against Credit Suisse AG and/or certain affiliates in various jurisdictions, based on the findings established in the criminal proceedings against the former relationship manager.
In Singapore, in the civil lawsuit brought against Credit Suisse Trust Limited, a Credit Suisse AG affiliate, in May 2023, the Singapore International Commercial Court issued a first instance judgment finding for the plaintiffs and directing the parties’ experts to agree on the amount of the damages award according to the calculation method and parameters adopted by the court. As the parties’ experts were unable to agree on the amount of the damages, following court directions, the parties filed their proposed draft orders with supporting documents in August 2023. In September 2023, the court ruled that the damages under its May 2023 judgment are USD 742.73 million, excluding post-judgment interest. This figure does not exclude potential overlap with the Bermuda proceedings against Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd., which are currently being appealed. The court ordered the parties to ensure that there shall be no double recovery in relation to this award and any sum recovered in the Bermuda proceedings. Credit Suisse Trust Limited has appealed the judgment and has applied for a stay of execution pending that appeal. In November 2023, the court granted a stay of execution of its May 2023 judgment pending appeal on the condition that damages awarded and post-judgment interest accrued are paid into court deposit within 21 days, which condition was satisfied.
In Bermuda, in the civil lawsuit brought against Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd., a Credit Suisse AG affiliate, trial took place in the Supreme Court of Bermuda in November and December 2021. The Supreme Court of Bermuda issued a first instance judgment in March 2022, finding for the plaintiff. In May 2022, the Supreme Court of Bermuda issued an order awarding damages of USD 607.35 million to the plaintiff. In May 2022, Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd. appealed the decision to the Bermuda Court of Appeal. In July 2022, the Supreme Court of Bermuda granted a stay of execution of its judgment pending appeal on the condition that damages awarded were paid into an escrow account within 42 days, which condition was satisfied. In June 2023, the Bermuda Court of Appeal issued its judgment confirming the award issued by the Supreme Court of Bermuda and upholding the Supreme Court of Bermuda’s finding that Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd. had breached its contractual and fiduciary duties, but overturning the Supreme Court of Bermuda’s finding that Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd. had made fraudulent misrepresentations. In July 2023, Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd. filed its notice of motion for leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and applied for a stay of execution of the Bermuda Court of Appeal’s judgment pending the outcome of the appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on the condition that the damages awarded remain within the escrow account and that interest be added to the escrow account calculated at the Bermuda statutory rate of 3.5%. A hearing on the applications for leave to appeal and stay of execution took place in December 2023. Further, in December 2023, USD 75 million was released from the escrow account and paid to plaintiffs. In February 2024, the Bermuda Court of Appeal granted leave to appeal and ordered that the current stay shall continue pending determination of the appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council until and unless the plaintiffs provide a top tier bank guarantee for the remaining judgment debt of USD 536.64 million plus interest.
In Switzerland, civil lawsuits have commenced against Credit Suisse AG in the Court of First Instance of Geneva, with statements of claim served in March 2023.
Mozambique matter
Credit Suisse has been subject to investigations by regulatory and enforcement authorities, as well as civil litigation, regarding certain Credit Suisse entities’ arrangement of loan financing to Mozambique state enterprises, Proindicus S.A. and Empresa Moçambicana de Atum S.A. (EMATUM), a distribution to private investors of loan participation notes (LPN) related to the EMATUM financing in September 2013, and certain Credit Suisse entities’ subsequent role in arranging the exchange of those LPNs for Eurobonds issued by the Republic of Mozambique. In 2019, three former Credit Suisse employees pleaded guilty in the EDNY to accepting
232
improper personal benefits in connection with financing transactions carried out with two Mozambique state enterprises.
In October 2021, Credit Suisse reached settlements with the DOJ, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and FINMA to resolve inquiries by these agencies, including findings that Credit Suisse failed to appropriately organize and conduct its business with due skill and care, and manage risks. Credit Suisse Group AG entered into a three-year Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the DOJ in connection with the criminal information charging Credit Suisse Group AG with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and consented to the entry of a Cease and Desist Order by the SEC. Under the terms of the DPA, UBS Group AG (as successor to Credit Suisse Group AG) must continue compliance enhancement and remediation efforts agreed by Credit Suisse, report to the DOJ on those efforts for three years and undertake additional measures as outlined in the DPA. If the DPA’s conditions are complied with, the charges will be dismissed at the end of the DPA’s three-year term. In addition, CSSEL entered into a Plea Agreement and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the US federal wire fraud statute. CSSEL is bound by the same compliance, remediation and reporting obligations under the DPA. The total monetary sanctions paid to the DOJ and SEC, taking into account various credits and offsets, was approximately USD 275 million. Under the terms of the resolution with the DOJ, Credit Suisse also paid USD 22.6 million in restitution to eligible investors in the 2016 Eurobonds issued by the Republic of Mozambique.
In connection with the resolution with the FCA, Credit Suisse paid a penalty of approximately USD 200 million and, further to an agreement with the FCA, forgave USD 200 million of debt owed to Credit Suisse by Mozambique.
The FINMA decree concluding its enforcement proceeding ordered the bank to remediate certain deficiencies. Credit Suisse’s implementation of the measures required under the FINMA decree has been reviewed by an independent third party appointed by FINMA, which review recommends some enhancements to the measures that Credit Suisse has implemented. FINMA also arranged for certain existing transactions to be reviewed by the same independent third party on the basis of specific risk criteria, and required enhanced disclosure of certain sovereign transactions.
In February 2019, certain Credit Suisse entities, three former employees and several other unrelated entities were sued in the English High Court by the Republic of Mozambique seeking a declaration that the sovereign guarantee issued in connection with the ProIndicus loan syndication was void, and damages. Credit Suisse entities subsequently filed cross claims against several entities controlled by Privinvest Holding SAL (Privinvest) that acted as the project contractor, Iskandar Safa, the owner of Privinvest, and several Mozambique officials. In addition, several of the banks that participated in the ProIndicus loan syndicate brought claims against Credit Suisse entities seeking a declaration that Credit Suisse is liable to compensate them for alleged losses suffered as a result of any invalidity of the sovereign guarantee or damages stemming from the alleged loss. In September 2023, Credit Suisse, the Republic of Mozambique and certain of the lenders in the ProIndicus syndicate entered into a settlement agreement that, with the subsequent settlement with Privinvest entities referred to below, resolved all claims involving Credit Suisse entities in the English High Court.
In February 2022, Privinvest and Iskandar Safa brought a defamation claim in a Lebanese court against CSSEL and Credit Suisse Group AG and in November 2022, a Privinvest employee who was the lead negotiator on behalf of the Privinvest entities in relation to the Mozambique transactions, also brought a defamation claim in the same court against those entities.
In November 2023, UBS Group AG (as successor to Credit Suisse Group AG), the Credit Suisse entities, Privinvest and Iskandar Safa entered into an agreement to settle all claims among them in the English High Court and in Lebanon.
Cross-border private banking matters
Credit Suisse offices in various locations, including the UK, the Netherlands, France and Belgium, have been contacted by regulatory and law enforcement authorities that are seeking records and information concerning investigations into Credit Suisse’s historical private banking services on a cross-border basis and in part through its local branches and banks. Credit Suisse has conducted a review of these issues, the UK and French aspects of which have been closed, and is continuing to cooperate with the authorities.
ETN-related litigation
XIV litigation
Since March 2018, three class action complaints were filed in the SDNY on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short Term Exchange Traded Notes linked to the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index due December 4, 2030 (XIV ETNs). In August 2018, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint, naming Credit Suisse Group AG and certain affiliates and executives, which asserts claims for violations of Sections 9(a)(4), 9(f), 10(b) and 20(a) of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and Sections 11 and 15 of the US Securities Act of 1933 and alleges that the defendants are responsible for losses to investors following a decline in the value of XIV ETNs in February 2018. Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint in November 2018. In September 2019, the SDNY granted defendants’ motion to dismiss and dismissed with prejudice all claims against the defendants. In October 2019, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal. In April 2021, the Second Circuit issued an order affirming in part and vacating in part the SDNY’s September 2019 decision granting defendants’ motion to dismiss with prejudice. In July 2022, plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification. In March 2023, the court denied plaintiffs’ motion to certify two of their three alleged classes and granted plaintiffs'
233
motion to certify their third alleged class. In March 2023, defendants moved for reconsideration and filed a petition for permission to appeal the court's class certification decision to the Second Circuit. In April 2023, plaintiffs filed a motion seeking leave to amend their complaint. In May 2023, plaintiffs filed a renewed motion for class certification, which defendants have opposed. In January 2024, the court issued an order denying plaintiffs’ motion to amend. In March 2024, the court denied plaintiffs’ renewed motion to certify two of the three alleged classes, without prejudice, and denied defendants’ motion for reconsideration on the certification of the third alleged class.
DGAZ litigation
In January 2022, Credit Suisse AG was named in a class action complaint filed in the SDNY brought on behalf of a putative class of short sellers of VelocityShares 3x Inverse Natural Gas Exchange Traded Notes linked to the S&P GSCI Natural Gas Index ER due February 9, 2032 (DGAZ ETNs). The complaint asserts claims for violations of Section 10(b) of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and alleges that Credit Suisse is responsible for losses suffered by short sellers following a June 2020 announcement that Credit Suisse would delist and suspend further issuances of the DGAZ ETNs. In July 2022, Credit Suisse AG filed a motion to dismiss. In March 2023, the court granted Credit Suisse AG's motion to dismiss. In May 2023, the court entered an order dismissing the case with prejudice. In February 2024, the Second Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal.
Bulgarian former clients matter
Credit Suisse AG has been responding to an investigation by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General (SOAG) concerning the diligence and controls applied to a historical relationship with Bulgarian former clients who are alleged to have laundered funds through Credit Suisse AG accounts. In December 2020, the SOAG brought charges against Credit Suisse AG and other parties. Credit Suisse AG believes its diligence and controls complied with applicable legal requirements and intends to defend itself vigorously. The trial in the Swiss Federal Criminal Court took place in the first quarter of 2022. In June 2022, Credit Suisse AG was convicted in the Swiss Federal Criminal Court of certain historical organizational inadequacies in its anti-money laundering framework and ordered to pay a fine of CHF 2 million. In addition, the court seized certain client assets in the amount of approximately CHF 12 million and ordered Credit Suisse AG to pay a compensatory claim in the amount of approximately CHF 19 million. In July 2022, Credit Suisse AG appealed the decision to the Swiss Federal Court of Appeals.
SCFF
Credit Suisse has received requests for documents and information in connection with inquiries, investigations, enforcement and other actions relating to the supply chain finance funds (SCFF) matter by FINMA, the FCA and other regulatory and governmental agencies. The Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier is reviewing the matter and has commissioned a report from a third party. Credit Suisse is cooperating with these authorities.
In February 2023, FINMA announced the conclusion of its enforcement proceedings against Credit Suisse in connection with the SCFF matter. In its order, FINMA reported that Credit Suisse had seriously breached applicable Swiss supervisory laws in this context with regard to risk management and appropriate operational structures. While FINMA recognized that Credit Suisse has already taken extensive organizational measures based on its own investigation into the SCFF matter, particularly to strengthen its governance and control processes, and FINMA is supportive of these measures, the regulator has ordered certain additional remedial measures. These include a requirement that the most important (approximately 500) business relationships must be reviewed periodically and holistically at the Credit Suisse Executive Board level, in particular for counterparty risks, and that Credit Suisse must set up a document defining the responsibilities of approximately 600 of its highest-ranking managers. The latter of these measures has been made applicable to UBS Group. Separate from the enforcement proceeding regarding Credit Suisse, FINMA has opened four enforcement proceedings against former managers of Credit Suisse.
In May 2023, FINMA opened an enforcement proceeding against Credit Suisse in order to confirm compliance with supervisory requirements in response to inquiries from FINMA’s enforcement division in the SCFF matter.
The Attorney General of the Canton of Zurich has initiated a criminal procedure in connection with the SCFF matter and several fund investors have joined the procedure as interested parties. In such procedure, while certain former and active Credit Suisse employees, among others, have been named as accused persons, Credit Suisse itself is not a party to the procedure.
Certain civil actions have been filed by fund investors and other parties against Credit Suisse and/or certain officers and directors in various jurisdictions, which make allegations including mis-selling and breaches of duties of care, diligence and other fiduciary duties.
Archegos
Credit Suisse has received requests for documents and information in connection with inquiries, investigations and/or actions relating to Credit Suisse’s relationship with Archegos Capital Management (Archegos), including from FINMA (assisted by a third party appointed by FINMA), the DOJ, the SEC, the US Federal Reserve, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the US Senate Banking Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), the FCA, COMCO, the Hong Kong Competition Commission and other regulatory and governmental agencies. Credit Suisse is cooperating with the authorities in these matters.
234
In July 2023, the US Federal Reserve and the PRA announced resolutions of their investigations of Credit Suisse’s relationship with Archegos.
UBS Group AG, Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Holdings (USA) Inc., and Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch entered into an Order to Cease and Desist with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Under the terms of the order, Credit Suisse paid a civil money penalty of USD 269 million and agreed to undertake certain remedial measures relating to counterparty credit risk management, liquidity risk management and non-financial risk management, as well as enhancements to board oversight and governance.
Credit Suisse International and CSSEL entered into a settlement agreement with the PRA providing for the resolution of the PRA’s investigation, following which the PRA published a Final Notice imposing a financial penalty of GBP 87 million on Credit Suisse International and CSSEL for breaches of various of the PRA’s Fundamental Rules.
FINMA also entered a decree dated July 14, 2023 announcing the conclusion of its enforcement proceeding, finding that Credit Suisse had seriously violated financial market law in connection with its business relationship with Archegos and ordering remedial measures directed at Credit Suisse AG and UBS Group AG, as the legal successor to Credit Suisse Group AG. These include a requirement that UBS Group AG apply its restrictions on its own positions relating to individual clients throughout the financial group, as well as adjustments to the compensation system of the entire financial group to provide for bonus allocation criteria that take into account risk appetite. FINMA also announced it has opened enforcement proceedings against a former Credit Suisse manager in connection with this matter.
In April 2021, Credit Suisse Group AG and certain current and former executives were named in a putative class action complaint filed in the SDNY by a holder of Credit Suisse American Depositary Receipts, asserting claims for violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, alleging that defendants violated US securities laws by making material misrepresentations and omissions regarding Credit Suisse’s risk management practices, including with respect to the Archegos matter. In September 2022, the parties reached an agreement to settle all claims. In December 2022 and May 2023, respectively, the court entered an order granting preliminary and final approval to the parties’ agreement to settle all claims.
Additional civil actions relating to Credit Suisse’s relationship with Archegos have been filed against Credit Suisse and/or certain officers and directors, including claims for breaches of fiduciary duties.
Credit Suisse financial disclosures
Credit Suisse Group AG and certain directors, officers and executives have been named in securities class action complaints pending in the SDNY. These complaints, filed on behalf of purchasers of Credit Suisse shares, additional tier 1 capital notes, and other securities in 2023, allege that defendants made misleading statements regarding: (i) customer outflows in late 2022; (ii) the adequacy of Credit Suisse’s financial reporting controls; and (iii) the adequacy of Credit Suisse’s risk management processes, and include allegations relating to Credit Suisse Group AG’s merger with UBS Group AG. Many of the actions have been consolidated, and a motion to dismiss has been filed and remains pending. One additional action, filed in October 2023, has been stayed pending a determination on whether it should be consolidated with the earlier actions.
Credit Suisse has received requests for documents and information from regulatory and governmental agencies in connection with inquiries, investigations and/or actions relating to these matters, as well as for other statements regarding Credit Suisse’s financial condition, including from the SEC, the DOJ and FINMA. Credit Suisse is cooperating with the authorities in these matters.
Merger-related litigation
Certain Credit Suisse Group AG affiliates and certain directors, officers and executives have been named in class action complaints pending in the SDNY. One complaint, brought on behalf of Credit Suisse shareholders, alleges breaches of fiduciary duty under Swiss law and civil RICO claims under United States federal law. In February 2024, the court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss the civil RICO claims and conditionally dismissed the Swiss law claims pending defendants’ acceptance of jurisdiction in Switzerland. In March 2024, having received consents to Swiss jurisdiction from all defendants served with the complaint, the court dismissed the Swiss law claims against those defendants. Additional complaints, brought on behalf of holders of Credit Suisse additional tier 1 capital notes (AT1 noteholders) allege breaches of fiduciary duty under Swiss law, arising from a series of scandals and misconduct, which led to Credit Suisse Group AG’s merger with UBS Group AG, causing losses to shareholders and AT1 noteholders. The motion to dismiss the first of these complaints was granted in March 2024 on the basis that Switzerland and not New York is the most appropriate forum for litigation.
235
39 Significant subsidiaries and equity method investments
The presentation of the Bank’s significant subsidiaries has been aligned to UBS. UBS defines its significant subsidiaries as those entities that, either individually or in aggregate, contribute significantly to the Bank’s financial position or results of operations, based on a number of criteria, including the subsidiaries’ equity and contribution to the Bank’s total assets and profit or loss before tax.
The Bank issued full, unconditional and several guarantees of Credit Suisse (USA), Inc.’s outstanding SEC-registered debt securities, which as of December 31, 2023 consisted of a single outstanding issuance with a balance of USD 742 million maturing in July 2032.
Significant subsidiaries

Company name


Domicile


Currency
Nominal
capital
in million
Equity
interest
in %
End of 2023    
Credit Suisse AG 
Banco de Investimentos Credit Suisse (Brasil) S.A. São Paulo, Brazil BRL 164.8 100
Bank-now AG Horgen, Switzerland CHF 30.0 100
Credit Suisse (Deutschland) Aktiengesellschaft Frankfurt, Germany EUR 130.0 100
Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Limited Hong Kong, China HKD 8,192.9 100
Credit Suisse (Italy) S.p.A. Milan, Italy EUR 170.0 100
Credit Suisse (Luxembourg) S.A. Luxembourg, Luxembourg CHF 230.9 100
Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG Zurich, Switzerland CHF 100.0 100
Credit Suisse (UK) Limited London, United Kingdom GBP 245.2 100
Credit Suisse (USA), Inc. Wilmington, United States USD 0.0 100
Credit Suisse Bank (Europe), S.A. Spain, Madrid EUR 18.0 100
Credit Suisse Funds AG Zurich, Switzerland CHF 7.0 100
Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited London, United Kingdom USD 9.6 100
Credit Suisse Securities (Japan) Limited Tokyo, Japan JPY 78,100.0 100
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC Wilmington, United States USD 0.0 100
Credit Suisse Services (USA) LLC Wilmington, United States USD 0.0 100
DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. Wilmington, United States USD 0.0 100
Lime Residential, Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas USD 0.0 100
Credit Suisse International London, United Kingdom USD 7,267.5 98 1
1
Remaining 2% held directly by UBS Group AG. 98% of voting rights and 98% of equity interest held by Credit Suisse AG.
Significant equity method investments

Company name


Domicile
Equity
interest
in %
End of 2023    
Credit Suisse AG 
Swisscard AECS GmbH Horgen, Switzerland 50
ICBC Credit Suisse Asset Management Co., Ltd. Beijing, China 20
SIX Group AG Zurich, Switzerland 18
236
40 Significant valuation and income recognition differences between US GAAP and Swiss GAAP banking law (true and fair view)
The Bank’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
FINMA requires Swiss-domiciled banks which present their financial statements under either US GAAP or IFRS Accounting Standards to provide a narrative explanation of the major differences between Swiss GAAP banking law (true and fair view) and its primary accounting standard.
The principal provisions of the Swiss Ordinance on Banks and Savings Banks (Banking Ordinance), the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority’s Accounting Ordinance (FINMA Accounting Ordinance) and the FINMA circular 2020/1, “Accounting – banks”, governing financial reporting for banks (Swiss GAAP) differ in certain aspects from US GAAP. The following are the major differences:
> Refer to “Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies” for a detailed description of the Bank’s accounting policies.
Scope of consolidation
Under Swiss GAAP, majority-owned subsidiaries that are not considered long-term investments or do not operate in the core business of the Bank are either accounted for as financial investments or as equity method investments. US GAAP has no such exception relating to the consolidation of majority-owned subsidiaries.
Investments in securities
Under Swiss GAAP, classification and measurement of investments in securities depends on the nature of the investment.
Non-consolidated participations
Under US GAAP, equity securities where the company has no significant influence and which do not have a readily determinable fair value are measured in accordance with the NAV practical expedient, or by using the measurement alternative or at fair value.
Under Swiss GAAP, investments in equity securities where the company has no significant influence and which are held with the intention of a permanent investment or which are investments in financial industry infrastructure are included in participations irrespective of the percentage ownership of voting shares held. Participations are initially recognized at historical cost and tested for impairment at least annually. The fair value option is not allowed for participations.
Under Swiss GAAP, participations held by a company are tested for impairment on the level of each individual participation. An impairment is recorded if the carrying value of a participation exceeds its fair value. Should the fair value of an impaired participation recover in subsequent periods and such recovery is considered sustainable, the impairment from prior periods can be reversed up to the fair value but not exceeding the historical cost basis. A reversal of an impairment is recorded as extraordinary income in the statements of income.
Available-for-sale debt securities
Under US GAAP, available-for-sale debt securities are valued at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses due to fluctuations in fair value (including foreign exchange) are not recorded in the consolidated statements of operations but included net of tax in AOCI, which is part of total shareholders’ equity. Credit-related impairments may have to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations if the fair value of an individual debt security decreases below its amortized cost basis due to credit-related factors.
Under Swiss GAAP, available-for-sale securities are accounted for at the lower of amortized cost or market with valuation reductions and recoveries due to market fluctuations recorded in other ordinary expenses and income, respectively. Foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in net income/(loss) from trading activities and fair value option.
Non-marketable equity securities
Under US GAAP, equity securities which do not have a readily determinable fair value are measured in accordance with the NAV practical expedient, or by using the measurement alternative or at fair value.
Under Swiss GAAP, non-marketable equity securities where the company has no intent to hold the securities permanently are carried at the lower of cost or market.
Allowances and provisions for credit losses
Under US GAAP, allowances and provisions for credit losses on financial instruments are estimated based on a CECL model. The credit loss requirements apply to financial assets measured at amortized cost, such as cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks, securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowing transactions, debt securities held-to-maturity, loans and other receivables, as well as off-balance sheet credit exposures, such as irrevocable loan commitments, credit guarantees and similar instruments. The credit loss requirements are based on a forward-looking, lifetime CECL model by incorporating historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions available as of the reporting date.
Under Swiss GAAP, the same impairment model and methodology is applied as under US GAAP. Differences between the two GAAPs result for items which are not measured at amortized cost under US GAAP and therefore not in scope of CECL under US GAAP, but that have to be measured at amortized cost under Swiss GAAP and are therefore in scope of CECL under Swiss GAAP. Such differences in CECL measurement mainly result from loans, irrevocable loan commitments and financial guarantees which are FVO elected under US GAAP and measured at amortized cost under Swiss GAAP.
237
Loans held-for-sale
Under US GAAP, when loans are considered held-for-sale, they are measured at the lower of cost or market and recorded in other assets on the balance sheet.
Under Swiss GAAP, loans remain classified in due from customers and are measured at amortized cost. Additionally, an entity should consider the potential realization of a future loss or the non-recoverability of the carrying values of the loans if facts and circumstances indicate that a loss may occur. If management expects based on approved plans or business plans that the carrying values of these loans (net of the allowance for CECL) will not be recovered, additional provisions should be recorded for other than default risks.
Fair value option
Unlike US GAAP, Swiss GAAP generally does not allow the fair value option concept that creates an optional alternative measurement treatment for certain non-trading financial assets and liabilities, guarantees and commitments. The fair value option permits the use of fair value for initial and subsequent measurement with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.
For issued structured products that meet certain conditions, fair value measurement can be applied. The related changes in fair value of both the embedded derivative and the host contract are recorded in trading revenues, except for fair value adjustments relating to own credit that cannot be recognized in the consolidated statements of income. Impacts of changes in own credit spreads are recognized in the compensation accounts which are either recorded in other assets or other liabilities.
Derivative financial instruments used for fair value hedging
Under US GAAP, for fair value hedges, the carrying value of the underlying hedged items is adjusted to the change in the fair value of the hedged risk. Changes in the fair value of the related designated derivatives are recorded in the same line item of the consolidated statements of operations as the change in fair value of the hedged risk for the respective assets or liabilities.
Under Swiss GAAP, the carrying value of hedged items is not adjusted. The amount representing the change in fair value of the hedged item with regard to the hedged risk is recorded in the compensation account included in other assets or other liabilities.
Derivative financial instruments used for cash flow hedging
Under US GAAP, the change in the fair value of a designated derivative of a cash flow hedge is reported in AOCI.
Under Swiss GAAP, the change in the fair value of a designated derivative of a cash flow hedge is recorded in the compensation account included in other assets or other liabilities.
Derecognition of financial instruments
Under US GAAP, financial instruments are only derecognized if the transaction meets the following criteria: (i) the financial asset has been legally isolated from the transferor, (ii) the transferee has the right to repledge or resell the transferred asset, and (iii) the transferor does not maintain effective control over the transferred asset.
Under Swiss GAAP, a financial instrument is derecognized when the economic control has been transferred from the seller to the buyer. A party which has the controlling ability to receive the future returns from the financial instrument and the obligation to absorb the risk of the financial instrument is deemed to have economic control over a financial instrument.
Debt issuance costs
Under US GAAP, debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt.
Under Swiss GAAP, debt issuance costs are reported as a balance sheet asset in accrued income and prepaid expenses.
Operating leases – lessee arrangements
Under US GAAP, at commencement of an operating lease, the lessee recognizes a lease liability for future lease payments and a right-of-use asset which reflects the future benefits from the lease contract. The initial lease liability equals the present value of the future lease payments; amounts paid upfront are not included. The right-of-use asset equals the sum of the initial lease liability, initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments, with lease incentives received deducted. Operating lease costs, which include amortization and an interest component, are recognized over the remaining lease term on a straight-line basis. If the reporting entity permanently vacates premises and sub-leases a leased asset to another party at a loss, an impairment is recognized on the right-of-use asset. The impairment is determined as the difference between the carrying value of the right-of-use asset and the present value of the expected sub-lease income over the sub-lease term.
Under Swiss GAAP, at commencement of an operating lease, no right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized on the balance sheet of the lessee. For the calculation of the periodic lease expenses, initial direct costs, lease incentives and prepaid lease payments are considered, and the total cost of a lease contract is expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. If the reporting entity permanently vacates premises, a provision for future payments under the lease contract is recorded, net of expected sub-lease income.
Goodwill amortization
Under US GAAP, goodwill is not amortized but must be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if an event or change in circumstances indicates that the goodwill may be impaired.
Under Swiss GAAP, goodwill is amortized over its useful life, generally not exceeding five years, except for justified cases where a maximum useful life of up to ten years is acceptable. In addition, goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment.
238
Amortization of intangible assets
Under US GAAP, intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if an event or change in circumstances indicates that the asset may be impaired.
Under Swiss GAAP, intangible assets are amortized over a useful life, up to a maximum of five years, in justified cases up to a maximum of ten years. In addition, these assets are tested at least annually for impairment.
Guarantees
US GAAP requires all guarantees to be initially recognized at fair value. Upon issuance of a guarantee, the guarantor is required to recognize a liability that reflects the initial fair value; simultaneously, a receivable is recorded to reflect the future guarantee fee income over the entire life of the guarantee.
Under Swiss GAAP, only accrued or prepaid guarantee fees are recorded on the balance sheet. No guarantee liability and receivable for future guarantee fees are recorded upon issuance of a guarantee.
Loan origination fees and costs
US GAAP requires the deferral of fees received upfront and direct costs incurred in connection with the origination of loans not held under the fair value option.
Under Swiss GAAP, only upfront payments or fees that are considered interest-related components are deferred (e.g., premiums and discounts). Fees received from the borrower which are considered service-related fees such as commitment fees, structuring fees and arrangement fees are immediately recognized in commission income.
Extraordinary income and expenses
Unlike US GAAP, Swiss GAAP does report certain expenses or revenues as extraordinary if the recorded income or expense is non-operating and non-recurring.
Pensions and post-retirement benefits
Under US GAAP, the liability and related pension expense is determined based on the projected unit credit actuarial calculation of the benefit obligation.
Under Swiss GAAP, the liability and related pension expense is primarily determined based on the pension plan valuation in accordance with Swiss GAAP FER 26. A pension asset is recorded if a statutory overfunding of a pension plan leads to a future economic benefit, and a pension liability is recorded if a statutory underfunding of a pension plan leads to a future economic obligation. Employer contribution reserves must be capitalized if they represent a future economic benefit. A future economic benefit exists if the employer can reduce its future statutory annual contribution to the pension plan by releasing employer contribution reserves. Pension expenses include the required contributions defined by Swiss law, any additional contribution mandated by the pension fund trustees and any change in value of the pension asset or liability between two measurement dates as determined on the basis of the annual year-end pension plan valuation.
Discontinued operations
Under US GAAP, the assets and liabilities of a discontinued operation are separated from the ordinary captions of the consolidated balance sheets and are reported as discontinued operations measured at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. Accordingly, income and expense from discontinued operations are reported in a separate line item of the consolidated statements of operations.
Under Swiss GAAP, these positions remain in their initial balance sheet captions until disposed of and continue to be valued according to the respective captions.
Security collateral received in securities lending transactions
Under US GAAP, security collateral received in securities lending transactions with the right to sell or repledge are recorded as assets and a corresponding liability to return the collateral is recognized.
Under Swiss GAAP, security collateral received and the obligation to return collateral of securities lending transactions are not recognized on the balance sheet.
Digital assets held in custody
Under US GAAP, an entity records a liability on its balance sheet for its obligation to safeguard digital assets held as a custodian for its clients, and a corresponding safeguarding asset.
Under Swiss GAAP, the recording of a safeguarding liability and a safeguarding asset for digital assets held as a custodian for its clients is not required.
Loan commitments
Under US GAAP, loan commitments include all commitments to extend loans, unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit, revolving credit lines, credit guarantees in the future and overdraft protection agreements, except for commitments that can be revoked by the Bank at any time at the Bank’s sole discretion without prior notice.
Under Swiss GAAP, loan commitments include all commitments to extend loans, unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit, revolving credit lines, credit guarantees in the future and overdraft protection agreements, except for commitments that can be revoked by the Bank at any time at the Bank’s sole discretion with a notice period not exceeding six weeks.
239
Controls and procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Credit Suisse has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), pursuant to Rule 13(a)-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). As a result of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below, Credit Suisse’s CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, Credit Suisse’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting
Management of Credit Suisse is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Credit Suisse’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements in accordance with US GAAP.
Credit Suisse’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation and fair presentation of financial statements, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of Credit Suisse management and directors; and;
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023
Credit Suisse management has assessed the effectiveness of Credit Suisse’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, Credit Suisse’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective because of the material weaknesses described below.
A material weakness is a deficiency or a combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a registrant’s financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Prior to the acquisition by UBS, Credit Suisse had identified certain material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, as a result of which it had concluded that, as of December 31, 2022, Credit Suisse’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective and, for the same reasons, had reached the same conclusion regarding its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
Management did not design and maintain an effective risk assessment process to identify and analyze the risk of material misstatements in our financial statements and did not design and maintain effective monitoring activities relating to (i) providing sufficient management oversight over the internal control evaluation process to support our internal control objectives; (ii) involving appropriate and sufficient management resources to support the risk assessment and monitoring objectives; and (iii) assessing and communicating the severity of control deficiencies in a timely manner to those parties responsible for taking corrective action. These material weaknesses contributed to an additional material weakness, as management did not design and maintain effective controls over the classification and presentation of the consolidated statement of cash flows. Specifically, certain control activities over the completeness and the classification and presentation of non-cash items in the consolidated statement of cash flows were not performed on a timely basis or at the appropriate level of precision. This material weakness resulted in the revisions contained in our previously issued consolidated financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 2021 as disclosed in our 2021 Annual Report.
240
Remediation measures
Following the identification of the material weaknesses, Credit Suisse management initiated a remediation program and further enhanced its processes and controls over financial reporting, with the key remediation progress to date as follows:
With respect to the material weakness relating to the consolidated statement of cash flows, Credit Suisse management performed a review of the process to produce the statement, which was supplemented by a third-party review and, as a result, enhanced controls within the process and implemented additional controls, including senior management reviews. Based on the work completed to date, Credit Suisse management has assessed that the changes to internal control made to address the material weakness relating to the classification and presentation of the consolidated statement of cash flows are designed effectively, but that additional time is required to conclude that these controls are operating effectively on a sustainable basis.
With respect to the material weaknesses on risk assessment of internal control and severity assessment of control deficiencies, Credit Suisse has implemented an enhanced severity assessment framework and additional management oversight of severity assessments. The changes to the severity assessment process include updated training and guidance on the assessment of the severity of control deficiencies, as well as increased management oversight and quality assurance over these assessments. In addition, Credit Suisse has augmented its risk assessment process and increased its testing of controls. UBS and Credit Suisse have decided to remediate the internal control risk identification and severity assessment weaknesses by integrating Credit Suisse into the UBS internal control risk assessment and evaluation framework in 2024. The operating effectiveness of both the risk and severity assessment processes will be assessed based on an evaluation of the 2024 risk assessment and control testing process. In light of the above, management has concluded that the material weaknesses were not fully remediated as of December 31, 2023.
The material weaknesses result in a risk that a material error may not be detected by our internal controls that could result in a material misstatement to Credit Suisse’s reported financial results.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
Other than as described above, there were no other changes in Credit Suisse’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Credit Suisse’s internal control over financial reporting.
241
[this page intentionally left blank]
242