The
information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement is not
an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or
sale is not permitted.
Subject
to completion dated January 13, 2023. |
|
Preliminary Pricing Supplement
No. U6962
To the Underlying Supplement dated
June 18, 2020,
Product Supplement No. I-B dated June
18, 2020,
Prospectus Supplement dated June 18,
2020 and
Prospectus dated June 18, 2020 |
Filed Pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement
No. 333-238458-02
January 13, 2023 |
$
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield
Notes due January 27, 2025
Linked to the Performance of
the Lowest Performing of Three Underlyings |
| · | The securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity and do
not provide for the regular payment of interest. |
| · | If these securities have not been previously redeemed at our option and if
a Coupon Barrier Event has not occurred on an Observation Date, we will pay a contingent coupon on the immediately following Contingent
Coupon Payment Date in an amount expected to be $35.625 (equivalent to approximately 14.25% per annum) (to be determined on the Trade
Date) per $1,000 principal amount of securities. However, if a Coupon Barrier Event has occurred on an Observation Date, no contingent
coupon will be paid with respect to that Observation Date. Contingent coupons should not be viewed as ordinary periodic interest payments. |
| · | We may redeem the securities, in whole but not in part, on any Early Redemption
Date. No further payments will be made following an Early Redemption. |
| · | Investors should be willing to (i) forgo dividends and the potential to participate
in any appreciation of any Underlying and (ii) lose some or all of their investment if a Knock-In Event has occurred. |
| · | Senior unsecured obligations of Credit Suisse maturing January 27, 2025. Any
payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. |
| · | Minimum purchase of $1,000. Minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
of $1,000 in excess thereof. |
| · | The offering price for the securities is expected to be determined on or about
January 20, 2023 (the “Trade Date”), and the securities are expected to settle on or about January 25, 2023 (the “Settlement
Date”). Delivery of the securities in book-entry form only will be made through The Depository Trust Company. |
| · | The securities will not be listed on any exchange. |
Investing in the securities involves a number of risks. See
“Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 8 of this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on
page PS-3 of any accompanying product supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this pricing supplement or the
accompanying underlying supplement, the product supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary
is a criminal offense.
|
Price to Public(1) |
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(2) |
Proceeds to Issuer |
Per security |
$1,000 |
$ |
$ |
Total |
$ |
$ |
$ |
(1) Certain fiduciary accounts may pay a purchase price
of at least $990 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.
(2) We or any agent (one of which may be our affiliate)
may pay varying discounts and commissions of up to $10 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. CSSU or another broker or dealer will
forgo some or all discounts and commissions with respect to the sales of securities into certain fiduciary accounts. For more detailed
information, please see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in this pricing supplement.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“CSSU”) is our
affiliate. For more information, see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in this pricing supplement.
Credit Suisse currently estimates the value of each $1,000 principal
amount of the securities on the Trade Date will be between $940 and $990 (as determined by reference to our pricing models and the rate
we are currently paying to borrow funds through issuance of the securities (our “internal funding rate”)). This range of
estimated values reflects terms that are not yet fixed. A single estimated value reflecting final terms will be determined on the Trade
Date. See “Selected Risk Considerations” in this pricing supplement.
The securities are not deposit liabilities and are not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Switzerland or any
other jurisdiction.
Credit Suisse
January , 2023
Key Terms
Issuer
Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”), acting
through its London branch
Underlyings
The securities are linked to the performance of the lowest
performing of the Underlyings set forth in the table below. For more information on the Underlyings, see “The Reference Indices—The
S&P Dow Jones Indices—The S&P U.S. Indices—The S&P 500® Index,” “The Reference Indices—The
FTSE Russell Indices—The Russell Indices—The Russell 2000® Index” and “The Reference Indices—The
Nasdaq-100 Index®” in the accompanying underlying supplement. Each Underlying is identified in the table below, together
with its Reuters ticker symbol, Initial Level and expected Knock-In Level and Coupon Barrier Level (each level to be determined on the
Trade Date):
Underlying |
Ticker |
Initial Level |
Knock-In Level |
Coupon Barrier Level |
S&P 500® Index |
SPX <Index> |
|
(Approximately 80% of Initial Level) |
(Approximately 70% of Initial Level) |
Russell 2000® Index |
RTY <Index> |
|
(Approximately 80% of Initial Level) |
(Approximately 70% of Initial Level) |
Nasdaq-100 Index® |
NDX <Index> |
|
(Approximately 80% of Initial Level) |
(Approximately 70% of Initial Level) |
Contingent Coupons
If these securities have not been previously redeemed at
our option and if a Coupon Barrier Event has not occurred on an Observation Date, we will pay the Contingent Coupon Amount on the immediately
following Contingent Coupon Payment Date. However, if a Coupon Barrier Event has occurred on an Observation Date, no contingent coupon
will be paid with respect to that Observation Date. If any Contingent Coupon Payment Date is not a business day, the contingent coupon
will be payable on the first following business day, unless that business day falls in the next calendar month, in which case payment
will be made on the first preceding business day. The amount of any contingent coupon will not be adjusted with respect to any postponement
of a Contingent Coupon Payment Date and no interest or other payment will be payable hereon because of any such postponement of a Contingent
Coupon Payment Date. No contingent coupons will be payable following an Early Redemption. Contingent coupons, if any, will be payable
on the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date to the holder of record at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding
the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date; provided that the contingent coupon payable on the Early Redemption Date or Maturity Date,
as applicable, will be payable to the person to whom the Early Redemption Amount or the Redemption Amount, as applicable, is payable.
Contingent Coupon Amount
Expected to be $35.625 (equivalent to approximately 14.25%
per annum) (to be determined on the Trade Date) per $1,000 principal amount of securities.
Coupon Barrier Event
A Coupon Barrier Event will occur if, on any Observation
Date, the closing level of any Underlying on such Observation Date is less than its Coupon Barrier Level.
Redemption Amount
If these securities have not been previously redeemed at
our option, at maturity, the Redemption Amount you will receive will depend on the individual performance of each Underlying and whether
a Knock-In Event
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 1
has occurred. For each $1,000 principal amount of securities,
the Redemption Amount will be determined as follows:
| · | If a Knock-In Event has not occurred, $1,000. Therefore, you will not participate
in any appreciation of any Underlying. |
| · | If a Knock-In Event has occurred, $1,000 multiplied by the sum of one plus
the Security Performance Factor. In this case, the Redemption Amount will be less than $800 per $1,000 principal amount of securities.
You could lose your entire investment. |
Any payment on the securities is subject to our ability
to pay our obligations as they become due.
Early Redemption
The Issuer may redeem the securities in whole, but not
in part, on any Early Redemption Date set forth in the table below, upon notice to the trustee on or before the immediately preceding
Observation Date for $1,000 for each $1,000 principal amount of the securities (the “Early Redemption Amount”), together with
the contingent coupon, if any, payable on that Early Redemption Date. No further payments will be made following an Early Redemption.
Payment will be made with respect to such Early Redemption on the relevant Early Redemption Date. If any Early Redemption Date is not
a business day, the contingent coupon will be payable on the first following business day, unless that business day falls in the next
calendar month, in which case payment will be made on the first preceding business day. Any payment on the securities is subject to our
ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
Knock-In Event
A Knock-In Event will occur if the Final Level of any Underlying
is less than its Knock-In Level.
Security Performance Factor
The Security Performance Factor is expressed as a percentage
and is equal to the lesser of (i) zero and (ii) the Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying.
Lowest Performing Underlying
The Underlying with the lowest Underlying Return.
Underlying Return
For each Underlying, an amount calculated as follows:
Final Level - Initial Level
Initial Level
Initial Level
For each Underlying, the closing level of such Underlying
on the Trade Date. In the event that the closing level for any Underlying is not available on the Trade Date, the Initial Level for such
Underlying will be determined on the immediately following trading day on which a closing level is available.
Final Level
For each Underlying, the closing level of such Underlying
on the Valuation Date.
Trade Date |
Expected to be January 20, 2023 |
|
Settlement Date |
Expected to be January 25, 2023 |
|
Valuation Date |
January 22, 2025 |
Subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” |
Maturity Date |
January 27, 2025 |
Subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product supplement under “Description of the |
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 2
|
|
Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” If the Maturity Date is not a business day, the Redemption Amount will be payable on the first following business day, unless that business day falls in the next calendar month, in which case payment will be made on the first preceding business day. |
Events of Default
With respect to these securities, the first bullet of the
first sentence of “Description of Debt Securities—Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus is amended to read
in its entirety as follows:
| · | a default in payment of the principal or any premium on any debt security
of that series when due, and such default continues for 30 days; |
CUSIP
22553QQ59
Key Dates
Each Observation Date, Early Redemption Date and Contingent
Coupon Payment Date is set forth in the table below. The Key Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in any accompanying product
supplement under “Description of the Securities—Postponement of calculation dates.” The Early Redemption Amount will
not be adjusted in respect of any postponement of an Early Redemption Date and no interest or other payment will be payable hereon because
of any such postponement of an Early Redemption Date.
Observation Dates |
Early Redemption Dates |
Contingent Coupon Payment Dates |
April 20, 2023 |
April 25, 2023 |
April 25, 2023 |
July 20, 2023 |
July 25, 2023 |
July 25, 2023 |
October 20, 2023 |
October 25, 2023 |
October 25, 2023 |
January 22, 2024 |
January 25, 2024 |
January 25, 2024 |
April 22, 2024 |
April 25, 2024 |
April 25, 2024 |
July 22, 2024 |
July 25, 2024 |
July 25, 2024 |
October 22, 2024 |
October 25, 2024 |
October 25, 2024 |
Valuation Date |
|
Maturity Date |
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 3
Additional Terms Specific to the Securities
You should read this pricing supplement together with the
underlying supplement dated June 18, 2020, the product supplement dated June 18, 2020, the prospectus supplement dated June 18, 2020 and
the prospectus dated June 18, 2020, relating to our Medium-Term Notes of which these securities are a part. You may access these documents
on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC
website):
| · | Underlying Supplement dated June 18, 2020: |
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010320011950/dp130454_424b2-eus.htm
| · | Product Supplement No. I-B dated June 18, 2020: |
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000095010320011955/dp130588_424b2-ps1b.htm
| · | Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus dated June 18, 2020: |
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1053092/000110465920074474/tm2019510-8_424b2.htm
In the event the terms of the securities described in this
pricing supplement differ from, or are inconsistent with, the terms described in the underlying supplement, the product supplement, the
prospectus supplement or prospectus, the terms described in this pricing supplement will control.
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1053092.
As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Credit Suisse.
This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed
above, contains the terms of the securities and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written
materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, fact sheets, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation,
sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. We may, without the consent of the registered holder of the securities
and the owner of any beneficial interest in the securities, amend the securities to conform to their terms as set forth in this pricing
supplement and the documents listed above, and the trustee is authorized to enter into any such amendment without any such consent. You
should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Selected Risk Considerations” in this pricing supplement
and “Risk Factors” in any accompanying product supplement, “Foreign Currency Risks” in the accompanying prospectus,
and any risk factors we describe in the combined Annual Report on Form 20-F of Credit Suisse Group AG and us incorporated by reference
therein, and any additional risk factors we describe in future filings we make with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. You should consult your investment, legal,
tax, accounting and other advisors before deciding to invest in the securities.
You may revoke your offer to purchase the securities
at any time prior to the time at which we accept such offer on the date the securities are priced. We reserve the right to change the
terms of, or reject any offer to purchase the securities prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the securities,
we will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes
in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 4
Hypothetical Redemption Amounts and
Total Payments on the Securities
The tables and examples below illustrate, for a $1,000
investment in the securities, hypothetical Redemption Amounts payable at maturity for a hypothetical range of Underlying Returns of the
Lowest Performing Underlying and corresponding Security Performance Factors and, in the case of Table 2, total contingent coupons payable
over the term of the securities, which will depend on the number of Coupon Barrier Events that have occurred over the term of the securities.
The tables and examples below make the following assumptions and assume the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity. The actual
Contingent Coupon Amount and Knock-In Levels will be determined on the Trade Date. The examples are intended to illustrate hypothetical
calculations of only the Redemption Amount and do not illustrate the calculation or payment of any individual contingent coupon.
The hypothetical Redemption Amounts and total contingent
coupons set forth below are for illustrative purposes only. The actual Redemption Amount and total contingent coupons applicable to a
purchaser of the securities, if any, will depend on the number of Coupon Barrier Events that have occurred over the term of the securities,
whether a Knock-In Event has occurred and on the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying. It is not possible to predict how many
Coupon Barrier Events will occur, if any, or whether a Knock-In Event will occur and, in the event that there is a Knock-In Event, by
how much the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying has decreased from its Initial Level to its Final Level. You will not participate
in any appreciation in the Underlyings. You should consider carefully whether the securities are suitable to your investment goals. Any
payment on the securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due. The numbers below have been rounded for
ease of analysis.
Principal Amount |
$1,000 per security |
Knock-In Level |
For each Underlying, 80% of its Initial Level |
Coupon Barrier Level |
For each Underlying, 70% of its Initial Level |
Contingent Coupon Amount |
$35.625 per $1,000 principal amount of securities |
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 5
TABLE 1: Hypothetical Redemption Amounts
Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying |
Security Performance Factor |
Redemption Amount (excluding contingent coupons, if any) |
Total Contingent Coupons |
100% |
0% |
$1,000 |
(See Table 2 below) |
90% |
0% |
$1,000 |
80% |
0% |
$1,000 |
70% |
0% |
$1,000 |
60% |
0% |
$1,000 |
50% |
0% |
$1,000 |
40% |
0% |
$1,000 |
30% |
0% |
$1,000 |
20% |
0% |
$1,000 |
10% |
0% |
$1,000 |
0% |
0% |
$1,000 |
-10% |
-10% |
$1,000 |
-20% |
-20% |
$1,000 |
-21% |
-21% |
$790 |
-30% |
-30% |
$700 |
-40% |
-40% |
$600 |
-50% |
-50% |
$500 |
-60% |
-60% |
$400 |
-70% |
-70% |
$300 |
-80% |
-80% |
$200 |
-90% |
-90% |
$100 |
-100% |
-100% |
$0 |
TABLE 2:
The
expected total contingent coupons will depend on how many Coupon Barrier Events occur.
Number of Coupon Barrier Events |
Total Contingent Coupons |
A Coupon Barrier Event does not occur on any Observation Date |
$285.000 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 1 Observation Date |
$249.375 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 2 Observation Dates |
$213.750 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 3 Observation Dates |
$178.125 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 4 Observation Dates |
$142.500 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 5 Observation Dates |
$106.875 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 6 Observation Dates |
$71.250 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 7 Observation Dates |
$35.625 |
A Coupon Barrier Event occurs on 8 Observation Dates |
$0.000 |
The total payment on the securities will be equal to the
Redemption Amount applicable to an investor plus the total contingent coupons payable on the securities.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 6
Examples
The following examples illustrate how the Redemption Amount
is calculated.
| 1. | A Knock-In Event has occurred. |
Underlying |
Final Level |
Underlying A |
110% of Initial Level |
Underlying B |
30% of Initial Level |
Underlying C |
80% of Initial Level |
Because the Final Level of an Underlying is less than its
Knock-In Level, a Knock-In Event has occurred.
Therefore, the Redemption Amount is determined as follows:
Security Performance Factor |
= the lesser of (i) zero and (ii) the Underlying Return of the Lowest Performing Underlying
= the lesser of (i) zero and (ii) -70%
= -70% |
Redemption Amount |
= $1,000 × (1 + Security Performance Factor)
= $1,000 × 0.30
= $300 |
Even though the Final Level of an Underlying is greater
than its Initial Level, you will not participate in such appreciation of such Underlying and you will be exposed to the depreciation in
the Lowest Performing Underlying.
| 2. | A Knock-In Event has not occurred. |
Underlying |
Final Level |
Underlying A |
110% of Initial Level |
Underlying B |
105% of Initial Level |
Underlying C |
110% of Initial Level |
Because the Final Level of each Underlying is equal to
or greater than its Knock-In Level, a Knock-In Event has not occurred.
Even though the Final Level of each Underlying is greater
than its Initial Level, you will not participate in the appreciation of any Underlying.
Therefore, the Redemption Amount equals $1,000.
| 3. | A Knock-In Event has not occurred. |
Underlying |
Final Level |
Underlying A |
85% of Initial Level |
Underlying B |
90% of Initial Level |
Underlying C |
80% of Initial Level |
Even though the Final Level of each Underlying is less
than its Initial Level, because the Final Level of each Underlying is equal to or greater than its Knock-In Level, a Knock-In Event has
not occurred.
Therefore, the Redemption Amount equals $1,000.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 7
Selected Risk Considerations
An investment in the securities involves significant risks.
This section describes material risks relating to an investment in the securities. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk
Factors” section of any accompanying product supplement.
Risks Relating to the Securities Generally
YOU MAY RECEIVE LESS THAN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY
If the securities are not redeemed prior to the Maturity
Date, you may receive less at maturity than you originally invested in the securities, or you may receive nothing, excluding contingent
coupons, if any. If a Knock-In Event has occurred, you will be fully exposed to any depreciation in the Lowest Performing Underlying.
In this case, the Redemption Amount you will receive will be less than the principal amount of the securities, and you could lose your
entire investment. It is not possible to predict whether a Knock-In Event will occur, and in the event that there is a Knock-In Event,
by how much the level of the Lowest Performing Underlying has decreased from its Initial Level to its Final Level. Any payment on the
securities is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.
THE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE CREDIT RISK OF CREDIT
SUISSE
Investors are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts
due on the securities and, therefore, if we were to default on our obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the
securities. In addition, any decline in our credit ratings, any adverse changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness or
any increase in our credit spreads is likely to adversely affect the value of the securities prior to maturity.
REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF ANY PAYMENT YOU RECEIVE
ON THE SECURITIES, YOUR ACTUAL YIELD MAY BE DIFFERENT IN REAL VALUE TERMS
Inflation may cause the real value of any payment you receive
on the securities to be less at maturity than it is at the time you invest. An investment in the securities also represents a forgone
opportunity to invest in an alternative asset that generates a higher real return. You should carefully consider whether an investment
that may result in a return that is lower than the return on alternative investments is appropriate for you.
THE SECURITIES WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN THE PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT PLUS CONTINGENT COUPONS, IF ANY
The securities will not pay more than the principal amount
plus contingent coupons, if any, regardless of the performance of any Underlying. Even if the Final Level of each Underlying is greater
than its respective Initial Level, you will not participate in the appreciation of any Underlying. Therefore, the maximum amount payable
with respect to the securities (excluding contingent coupons, if any) is $1,000 for each $1,000 principal amount of the securities. This
payment will not be increased to include reimbursement for any discounts or commissions and hedging and other transaction costs, even
upon an Early Redemption.
THE SECURITIES DO NOT PROVIDE FOR REGULAR FIXED INTEREST
PAYMENTS
Unlike conventional debt securities, the securities do
not provide for regular fixed interest payments. The number of contingent coupons you receive over the term of the securities, if any,
will depend on the performance of the Underlyings during the term of the securities and the number of Coupon Barrier Events that occur.
If a Coupon Barrier Event has occurred on an Observation Date, no contingent coupon will be paid with respect to that Observation Date.
Accordingly, if a Coupon Barrier Event occurs on every Observation Date, you will not receive any contingent coupons during the term of
the securities. Thus, the securities are not a suitable investment for investors who require regular fixed income payments, since the
number of contingent coupons is variable and may be zero.
In addition, if interest rates generally increase over
the term of the securities, it is more likely that the contingent coupon, if any, could be less than the yield one might receive based
on market rates at that time. This would have the further effect of decreasing the value of your securities both nominally in terms of
below-market coupons and in real value terms. Furthermore, it is possible that you will not receive some or all of the contingent coupons
over the term of the securities, and still lose your principal amount. Even if you do receive some or all of your principal amount at
maturity, you will not be compensated for the time value
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 8
of money. These securities are not short-term investments,
so you should carefully consider these risks before investing.
CONTINGENT COUPONS, IF ANY, ARE PAID ON A PERIODIC
BASIS AND ARE BASED SOLELY ON THE CLOSING LEVELS OF THE UNDERLYINGS ON THE SPECIFIED OBSERVATION DATES
Whether the contingent coupon will be paid with respect
to an Observation Date will be based on the closing levels of the Underlyings on such date. As a result, you will not know whether you
will receive the contingent coupon until near the end of the relevant period. Moreover, because the contingent coupon is based solely
on the closing levels of the Underlyings on a specific Observation Date, if the closing level of an Underlying is less than its Coupon
Barrier Level on an Observation Date, you will not receive any contingent coupon with respect to such Observation Date, even if the closing
level of such Underlying was higher on other days during the relevant period.
MORE FAVORABLE TERMS TO YOU ARE GENERALLY ASSOCIATED
WITH AN UNDERLYING WITH GREATER EXPECTED VOLATILITY AND THEREFORE CAN INDICATE A GREATER RISK OF LOSS
“Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude
of changes in the level of an Underlying. The greater the expected volatility with respect to an Underlying on the Trade Date, the higher
the expectation as of the Trade Date that the closing level of such Underlying could be less than its (i) Coupon Barrier Level on any
Observation Date or (ii) Knock-In Level on the Valuation Date, indicating a higher expected risk of loss on the securities. This greater
expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher contingent coupon than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with
a similar maturity, or in more favorable terms (such as lower Coupon Barrier Levels or Knock-In Levels) than for similar securities linked
to the performance of an underlying with a lower expected volatility as of the Trade Date. You should therefore understand that a relatively
higher contingent coupon may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, relatively lower Coupon Barrier Levels or Knock-In Levels may
not necessarily indicate that you will receive a contingent coupon on any Contingent Coupon Payment Date or that the securities have a
greater likelihood of a return of principal at maturity. The volatility of any Underlying can change significantly over the term of the
securities. The levels of the Underlyings for your securities could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal.
You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Underlyings and the potential to lose a significant amount of your principal
at maturity.
THE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO A POTENTIAL EARLY REDEMPTION,
WHICH EXPOSES YOU TO REINVESTMENT RISK
Market events could affect our decision to redeem the securities.
For example, it is more likely that Credit Suisse will redeem the securities prior to the Maturity Date at a time when Credit Suisse believes
it will be likely to pay contingent coupons over the term of the securities and could issue a comparable debt security with a lower contingent
coupon. If we redeem the securities prior to maturity, you may not be able to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk
that offer the same contingent coupon as the securities.
AN EARLY REDEMPTION WOULD LIMIT YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO
BE PAID CONTINGENT COUPONS OVER THE FULL TERM OF THE SECURITIES
The securities are subject to a potential Early Redemption
on any Early Redemption Date, upon notice to the trustee on or before the immediately preceding Observation Date. If the securities are
redeemed prior to the Maturity Date, you will receive a cash payment equal to the principal amount of your securities and the contingent
coupon payable, if any, on that Early Redemption Date, and no further payments will be made with respect to the securities. In this case,
you will lose the opportunity to continue to be paid contingent coupons from the date of Early Redemption to the scheduled Maturity Date.
THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT
IN THE SECURITIES ARE UNCLEAR
There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper
U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”).
Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the
treatment of the securities as described in “United States Federal Tax Considerations” below. If the IRS were successful in
asserting an alternative treatment, the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities, including the timing and character
of income recognized by U.S. investors and the withholding tax consequences to non-U.S. investors, might be materially and adversely affected.
Moreover, future legislation, Treasury regulations or IRS guidance could adversely affect the U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities,
possibly retroactively.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 9
Risks Relating to the Underlyings
YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO RISKS RELATING TO THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE UNDERLYINGS
The securities are linked to the individual performance
of each Underlying. As such, the securities will perform poorly if only one of the Underlyings performs poorly. For example, if one Underlying
appreciates from its Initial Level to its Final Level, but the Final Level of the Lowest Performing Underlying is less than its Knock-In
Level, you will be exposed to the depreciation of the Lowest Performing Underlying and you will not benefit from the performance of any
other Underlying. Each additional Underlying to which the securities are linked increases the risk that the securities will perform poorly.
By investing in the securities, you assume the risk that (i) the Final Level of at least one of the Underlyings will be less than its
Knock-In Level and (ii) a Coupon Barrier Event occurs with respect to at least one of the Underlyings on one or more Observation Dates,
regardless of the performance of any other Underlying.
It is impossible to predict the relationship between the
Underlyings. If the performances of the Underlyings exhibit no relationship to each other, it is more likely that one of the Underlyings
will cause the securities to perform poorly. However, if the performances of the equity securities included in each Underlying are related
such that the performances of the Underlyings are correlated, then there is less likelihood that only one Underlying will cause the securities
to perform poorly. Furthermore, to the extent that each Underlying represents a different market segment or market sector, the risk of
one Underlying performing poorly is greater. As a result, you are not only taking market risk on each Underlying, you are also taking
a risk relating to the relationship among the Underlyings.
THE SECURITIES ARE LINKED TO THE RUSSELL 2000®
INDEX AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SMALL-CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES
The Russell 2000® Index is composed of equity
securities issued by companies with relatively small market capitalization. These equity securities often have greater stock price volatility,
lower trading volume and less liquidity than the equity securities of large-capitalization companies, and are more vulnerable to adverse
business and economic developments than those of large-capitalization companies. In addition, small-capitalization companies are typically
less established and less stable financially than large-capitalization companies. These companies may depend on a small number of key
personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of personnel. Such companies tend to have smaller revenues, less diverse product lines,
smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources and less competitive strengths than large-capitalization
companies and are more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products. Therefore, the Russell 2000® Index
may be more volatile than it would be if it were composed of equity securities issued by large-capitalization companies.
FOREIGN COMPANY RISK
Some of the assets included in the Nasdaq-100 Index® are issued by foreign companies. Foreign companies are generally
subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements and securities trading rules different from those applicable
to U.S. reporting companies. Foreign companies may be subject to different political, market, economic, regulatory and other risks than
those applicable to domestic companies, including changes in foreign governments, economic and fiscal policies, currency exchange laws
or other laws or restrictions. Moreover, the economies of foreign countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the economy of the
United States in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.
These factors may adversely affect the values of some of the equity securities included in the Nasdaq-100 Index®, and therefore
the performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the value of the securities.
NO OWNERSHIP RIGHTS RELATING TO THE UNDERLYINGS
Your return on the securities will not reflect the return
you would realize if you actually owned the equity securities that comprise the Underlyings. The return on your investment is not the
same as the total return based on a purchase of the equity securities that comprise the Underlyings.
NO VOTING RIGHTS OR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS
As a holder of the securities, you will not have voting
rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions or other rights with respect to the equity securities that comprise
the Underlyings.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 10
GOVERNMENT REGULATORY ACTION, INCLUDING
LEGISLATIVE ACTS AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS, COULD RESULT IN MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE UNDERLYINGS AND COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT YOUR RETURN ON
THE SECURITIES
Government regulatory action, including legislative acts
and executive orders, could materially affect the Underlyings. For example, in response to recent executive orders, stocks of companies
that are determined to be linked to the People’s Republic of China military, intelligence and security apparatus may be delisted
from a U.S. exchange, removed as a component in indices or exchange traded funds, or transactions in, or holdings of, securities with
exposure to such stocks may otherwise become prohibited under U.S. law. If government regulatory action results in such consequences,
there may be a material and negative effect on the securities.
Risks Relating to the Issuer
CREDIT SUISSE IS SUBJECT TO SWISS REGULATION
As a Swiss bank, Credit Suisse is subject to regulation
by governmental agencies, supervisory authorities and self-regulatory organizations in Switzerland. Such regulation is increasingly more
extensive and complex and subjects Credit Suisse to risks. For example, pursuant to Swiss banking laws, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory
Authority (FINMA) may open resolution proceedings if there are justified concerns that Credit Suisse is over-indebted, has serious liquidity
problems or no longer fulfills capital adequacy requirements. FINMA has broad powers and discretion in the case of resolution proceedings,
which include the power to convert debt instruments and other liabilities of Credit Suisse into equity and/or cancel such liabilities
in whole or in part. If one or more of these measures were imposed, such measures may adversely affect the terms and market value of the
securities and/or the ability of Credit Suisse to make payments thereunder and you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the securities.
Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest
HEDGING AND TRADING ACTIVITY
We or any of our affiliates may carry out hedging activities
related to the securities, including in instruments related to the Underlyings. We or our affiliates may also trade instruments related
to the Underlyings from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Trade Date and during the term of
the securities could adversely affect our payment to you at maturity.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection
with the issuance of the securities, including acting as calculation agent and as agent of the issuer for the offering of the securities,
hedging our obligations under the securities and determining their estimated value. In performing these duties, the economic interests
of us and our affiliates are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities. Further, hedging activities may adversely
affect any payment on or the value of the securities. Any profit in connection with such hedging activities will be in addition to any
other compensation that we and our affiliates receive for the sale of the securities, which creates an additional incentive to sell the
securities to you.
Risks Relating to the Estimated Value and Secondary
Market Prices of the Securities
UNPREDICTABLE ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS WILL AFFECT
THE VALUE OF THE SECURITIES
The payout on the securities can be replicated using a
combination of the components described in “The estimated value of the securities on the Trade Date may be less than the Price to
Public.” Therefore, in addition to the levels of any Underlying, the terms of the securities at issuance and the value of the securities
prior to maturity may be influenced by factors that impact the value of fixed income securities and options in general, such as:
| · | the expected and actual volatility of the Underlyings; |
| · | the expected and actual correlation, if any, between the Underlyings; |
| · | the time to maturity of the securities; |
| · | the dividend rate on the equity securities included in the Underlyings; |
| · | interest and yield rates in the market generally; |
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 11
| · | investors' expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; |
| · | geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory, judicial
or other events that affect the components included in the Underlyings or markets generally and which may affect the levels of the Underlyings;
and |
| · | our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit
ratings. |
Some or all of these factors may influence the price that
you will receive if you choose to sell your securities prior to maturity. The impact of any of the factors set forth above may enhance
or offset some or all of any change resulting from another factor or factors.
THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE SECURITIES ON THE TRADE
DATE MAY BE LESS THAN THE PRICE TO PUBLIC
The initial estimated value of your securities on the Trade
Date (as determined by reference to our pricing models and our internal funding rate) may be significantly less than the original Price
to Public. The Price to Public of the securities includes any discounts or commissions as well as transaction costs such as expenses incurred
to create, document and market the securities and the cost of hedging our risks as issuer of the securities through one or more of our
affiliates (which includes a projected profit). These costs will be effectively borne by you as an investor in the securities. These amounts
will be retained by Credit Suisse or our affiliates in connection with our structuring and offering of the securities (except to the extent
discounts or commissions are reallowed to other broker-dealers or any costs are paid to third parties).
On the Trade Date, we value the components of the securities
in accordance with our pricing models. These include a fixed income component valued using our internal funding rate, and individual option
components valued using proprietary pricing models dependent on inputs such as volatility, correlation, dividend rates, interest rates
and other factors, including assumptions about future market events and/or environments. These inputs may be market-observable or may
be based on assumptions made by us in our discretionary judgment. As such, the payout on the securities can be replicated using a combination
of these components and the value of these components, as determined by us using our pricing models, will impact the terms of the securities
at issuance. Our option valuation models are proprietary. Our pricing models take into account factors such as interest rates, volatility
and time to maturity of the securities, and they rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect.
Because Credit Suisse’s pricing models may differ
from other issuers’ valuation models, and because funding rates taken into account by other issuers may vary materially from the
rates used by Credit Suisse (even among issuers with similar creditworthiness), our estimated value at any time may not be comparable
to estimated values of similar securities of other issuers.
EFFECT OF INTEREST RATE USED IN STRUCTURING THE SECURITIES
The internal funding rate we use in structuring notes such
as these securities is typically lower than the interest rate that is reflected in the yield on our conventional debt securities of similar
maturity in the secondary market (our “secondary market credit spreads”). If on the Trade Date our internal funding rate is
lower than our secondary market credit spreads, we expect that the economic terms of the securities will generally be less favorable to
you than they would have been if our secondary market credit spread had been used in structuring the securities. We will also use our
internal funding rate to determine the price of the securities if we post a bid to repurchase your securities in secondary market transactions.
See “—Secondary Market Prices” below.
SECONDARY MARKET PRICES
If Credit Suisse (or an affiliate) bids for your securities
in secondary market transactions, which we are not obligated to do, the secondary market price (and the value used for account statements
or otherwise) may be higher or lower than the Price to Public and the estimated value of the securities on the Trade Date. The estimated
value of the securities on the cover of this pricing supplement does not represent a minimum price at which we would be willing to buy
the securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The secondary market price of your securities at any time cannot be
predicted and will reflect the then-current estimated value determined by reference to our pricing models, the related inputs and other
factors, including our internal funding rate, customary bid and ask spreads and other transaction costs, changes in market conditions
and deterioration or improvement in our creditworthiness. In circumstances where our internal funding rate is higher than our secondary
market credit spreads, our secondary market bid for your securities could be less favorable than what other dealers might bid because,
assuming all else equal, we
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 12
use the higher internal funding rate to price the securities
and other dealers might use the lower secondary market credit spread to price them. Furthermore, assuming no change in market conditions
from the Trade Date, the secondary market price of your securities will be lower than the Price to Public because it will not include
any discounts or commissions and hedging and other transaction costs. If you sell your securities to a dealer in a secondary market transaction,
the dealer may impose an additional discount or commission, and as a result the price you receive on your securities may be lower than
the price at which we may repurchase the securities from such dealer.
We (or an affiliate) may initially post a bid to repurchase
the securities from you at a price that will exceed the then-current estimated value of the securities. That higher price reflects our
projected profit and costs, which may include discounts and commissions that were included in the Price to Public, and that higher price
may also be initially used for account statements or otherwise. We (or our affiliate) may offer to pay this higher price, for your benefit,
but the amount of any excess over the then-current estimated value will be temporary and is expected to decline over a period of approximately
three months.
The securities are not designed to be short-term trading
instruments and any sale prior to maturity could result in a substantial loss to you. You should be willing and able to hold your securities
to maturity.
LACK OF LIQUIDITY
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Credit Suisse (or its affiliates) intends to offer to purchase the securities in the secondary market but is not required to do so. Even
if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the securities when you wish to do so.
Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your securities
is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which Credit Suisse (or its affiliates) is willing to buy the securities. If you have to
sell your securities prior to maturity, you may not be able to do so or you may have to sell them at a substantial loss.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 13
Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging
We intend to use the proceeds of this offering for our
general corporate purposes, which may include the refinancing of existing debt outside Switzerland. Some or all of the proceeds we receive
from the sale of the securities may be used in connection with hedging our obligations under the securities through one or more of our
affiliates. Such hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Trade Date and during the term of the securities (including on any calculation
date, as defined in any accompanying product supplement) could adversely affect the value of the Underlyings and, as a result, could decrease
the amount you may receive on the securities at maturity. For additional information, see “Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging”
in any accompanying product supplement.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 14
Historical Information
The following graphs
set forth the historical performance of the Underlyings based on the closing level of each Underlying from January 2, 2018 through January
11, 2023. We obtained the historical information below from Bloomberg, without independent verification. The closing levels reported by
Bloomberg may not be the same as the closing levels derived from the applicable Reuters page.
You should not take the
historical levels of the Underlyings as an indication of future performance of the Underlyings or the securities. Any historical trend
in the levels of the Underlyings during any period set forth below is not an indication that the levels of the Underlyings are more or
less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the securities.
For additional information
on the Underlyings, see “The Reference Indices—The S&P Dow Jones Indices—The S&P U.S. Indices—The S&P
500® Index,” “The Reference Indices—The FTSE Russell Indices—The Russell Indices—The Russell
2000® Index” and “The Reference Indices—The Nasdaq-100 Index®” in the accompanying
underlying supplement.
The closing level of the S&P
500® Index on January 11, 2023 was 3969.61.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 15
The closing level of the Russell
2000® Index on January 11, 2023 was 1844.051.
The closing level of the Nasdaq-100
Index® on January 11, 2023 was 11402.52.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 16
United States Federal
Tax Considerations
This discussion supplements and, to the extent inconsistent
therewith, supersedes the discussion in the accompanying product supplement under “United States Federal Tax Considerations.”
Due to the lack of any controlling legal authority, there
is substantial uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities. In the opinion of our counsel,
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, it is reasonable under current law to treat the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes as prepaid
financial contracts with associated coupons that will be treated as gross income to you at the time received or accrued in accordance
with your regular method of tax accounting. However, our counsel has advised us that it is unable to conclude affirmatively that this
treatment is more likely than not to be upheld, and that alternative treatments are possible that could materially affect the timing and
character of income or loss you recognize on the securities. Moreover, our counsel’s opinion is based on market conditions as of
the date of this preliminary pricing supplement and is subject to confirmation on the Trade Date.
Assuming this treatment of the securities is respected
and subject to the discussion in “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, the following
U.S. federal income tax consequences should result:
| · | Any coupons paid on the securities should be taxable as ordinary income to
you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
| · | Upon a sale or other disposition (including retirement) of a security, you
should recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in the security. For this
purpose, the amount realized does not include any coupon paid on retirement and may not include sale proceeds attributable to an accrued
coupon, which may be treated as a coupon payment. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the security
for more than one year. |
We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding
the treatment of the securities, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the treatment described herein. In particular, the securities
might be determined to be contingent payment debt instruments, in which case the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the
securities, including the timing and character of income recognized, might be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, the U.S. Treasury
Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward
contracts” and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject of future regulations
or other guidance. In addition, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of derivative contracts. Any
legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect
the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. You should consult your tax advisor regarding
possible alternative tax treatments of the securities and potential changes in applicable law.
Non-U.S. Holders
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the coupons is
unclear. Subject to the discussion below and in the accompanying product supplement under “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” and “United States Federal Tax Considerations—FATCA,” we currently do not intend
to treat coupons paid to a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) of the securities as subject to U.S. federal
withholding tax, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements. However, it is possible that the
IRS could assert that such payments are subject to U.S. withholding tax, or that we or another withholding agent may otherwise determine
that withholding is required, in which case we or the other withholding agent may withhold at a rate of up to 30% on such payments.
Moreover, as discussed under “United States Federal
Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders— Dividend Equivalents under Section 871(m) of the Code” in the
accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 17
“dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid
to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities. Treasury
regulations under Section 871(m), as modified by an IRS notice, exclude from their scope financial instruments issued prior to January
1, 2025 that do not have a “delta” of one with respect to any U.S. equity. Based on the terms of the securities and representations
provided by us as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be
treated as transactions that have a “delta” of one within the meaning of the regulations with respect to any U.S. equity and,
therefore, should not be subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m). However, the final determination regarding the treatment of
the securities under Section 871(m) will be made as of the Trade Date for the securities and it is possible that the securities will be
subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m) based on circumstances on that date.
A determination that the securities are not subject to
Section 871(m) is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Moreover, Section 871(m) is complex and its
application may depend on your particular circumstances, including your other transactions. You should consult your tax advisor regarding
the potential application of Section 871(m) to the securities.
We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with
respect to U.S. federal withholding taxes.
You should read the section entitled “United States
Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement. The preceding discussion, when read in combination with that
section, constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of owning
and disposing of the securities.
You should also consult your tax advisor regarding all
aspects of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities and any tax consequences arising under
the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 18
Supplemental Plan of Distribution
(Conflicts of Interest)
Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained
in a distribution agreement dated May 7, 2007, as amended, which we refer to as the distribution agreement, we have agreed to sell the
securities to CSSU. We may also agree to sell the securities to other agents that are parties to the distribution agreement. We refer
to CSSU and other such agents as the “Agents.”
The distribution agreement provides that the Agents are
obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased.
The Agents may offer the securities at the offering price
set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement and may receive varying discounts and commissions of up to $10 per $1,000 principal
amount of securities. The Agents may re-allow some or all of the discount on the principal amount per security on sales of such securities
by other brokers or dealers. CSSU or another broker or dealer will forgo some or all discounts and commissions with respect to the sales
of securities into certain fiduciary accounts. If all of the securities are not sold at the initial offering price, the Agents may change
the public offering price and other selling terms.An affiliate of Credit Suisse has paid or may pay in the future a fixed amount to broker-dealers
in connection with the costs of implementing systems to support these securities.
We expect to deliver the securities against payment for
the securities on the Settlement Date indicated herein, which may be a date that is greater than two business days following the Trade
Date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle
in two business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the Settlement Date is more than two business
days after the Trade Date, purchasers who wish to transact in the securities more than two business days prior to the Settlement Date
will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
CSSU is our affiliate. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121,
CSSU may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer. A portion
of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used by CSSU or one of its affiliates in connection with hedging our obligations
under the securities.
For further information, please refer to “Underwriting
(Conflicts of Interest)” in any accompanying product supplement.
Contingent Coupon Callable Yield Notes 19
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