Definition of Ratings for Credit Suisse (Bank)

Securities for funding and capital purposes are primarily issued by Credit Suisse (Bank), the principal operating subsidiary of Credit Suisse Group. Below are described the rating definitions for Credit Suisse (Bank).

Moody's

Bonds rated Aa1 offer excellent financial security. Together with the Aaa group, they are generally known as high-grade entities. The modifier 1 indicates a high range rank. Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 (P-1) have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

Standard & Poor's

An obligor rated “AA” has a very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. The rating may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating category (Credit Suisse, AA-). It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree. An obligor rated “A-1” has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. Credit Suisse (Bank) senior short term rating is designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that Credit Suisse’s capacity to meet its financial commitments is extremely strong.

Fitch Ratings

“AA” very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. The capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. The modifier “+” or “-” (Credit Suisse, AA-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. “F1”(short-term rating) highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature (Credit Suisse, F1+).

DBRS

Long-term debt rated AA is of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases they differ from long-term debt rated AAA only to a small degree. Given the extremely restrictive definition DBRS has for the AAA category, entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits, typically exemplifying above-average strength in key areas of consideration and unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity possessing unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels, and profitability that is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results, and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high)”, few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.