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Press Release

Credit Suisse Group Reports Net Income of CHF 11.3 Billion for 2006

Zurich,  February 15, 2007 Credit Suisse Group today reported net income of CHF 11,327 million for the full year 2006, up 94% compared to net income of CHF 5,850 million for 2005. Net income for 2006 included a net capital gain of CHF 1,817 million from the sale of Winterthur, which was recorded in the fourth quarter. Basic earnings per share from continuing operations were
CHF 7.53 for the full year 2006, compared to CHF 3.98 for 2005. Basic earnings per share were CHF 10.30 for the full year 2006, compared to CHF 5.17 for 2005. Fourth-quarter 2006 net income totaled CHF 4,673 million, compared to net income of CHF 1,103 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. Credit Suisse recorded net new assets of CHF 95.4 billion for the full year 2006.

"2006 was a record year for Credit Suisse. Our integrated banking model proved successful and provided us with an effective platform to capture the growth opportunities arising from high levels of client activity, while at the same time significantly improving our profitability," stated Oswald J. Grübel, CEO of Credit Suisse.

He added: "In our first year as an integrated bank, we have made excellent progress in strengthening our operating efficiency but there is still great potential for further improvement as we continue to invest in the growth of our business."

He concluded: "Our clients have responded well to our integrated approach and Credit Suisse now has excellent opportunities for further growth in the context of globalization, which we believe will create dynamic markets for the foreseeable future."

Investment Banking

The Investment Banking segment reported record income from continuing operations before taxes of CHF 5,951 million for the full year 2006, an increase of CHF 4,352 million compared to 2005, with strong contributions across the underwriting, advisory, fixed income trading and equity trading businesses. Excluding the CHF 508 million of credits from insurance settlements for litigation and related costs in 2006 and the CHF 960 million charge to increase litigation reserves in 2005, income from continuing operations before taxes rose 113% in 2006. Net revenues increased 32% to a record level in 2006, driven by a strong performance across all key business areas and regions amid favorable market conditions, high levels of deal activity and improved market share in certain products. Total operating expenses for the full year increased 4%, or 15% excluding the insurance settlements and litigation charge. The compensation/revenue ratio was 50.1% in 2006, compared to 55.5% for 2005. The pre-tax income margin was 29.1%, or 26.6% excluding the insurance settlements, compared to 16.5% excluding the litigation charge in 2005.

In the fourth quarter of 2006, income from continuing operations before taxes totaled a record CHF 2,342 million, an increase of CHF 2,056 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2005. Net revenues grew 63% to a record level in the fourth quarter of 2006, benefiting from strong performances in both the investment banking and trading businesses. Total operating expenses rose 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, primarily reflecting higher compensation expenses in line with higher revenues, partly offset by a decrease in other expenses due to improvements in operating efficiency. The compensation/revenue ratio was 42.2% in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to 53.5% in the first three quarters of the year. The pre-tax income margin was 38.5% in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Private Banking

The Private Banking segment, which comprises the Wealth Management and Corporate & Retail Banking businesses, reported record income from continuing operations before taxes of CHF 4,596 million for the full year 2006, an increase of 16% compared to 2005.

In the fourth quarter of 2006, income from continuing operations before taxes was CHF 1,143 million, an increase of 11% compared to the fourth quarter of 2005.

The Wealth Management business reported record income from continuing operations before taxes of CHF 3,237 million for the full year 2006, an improvement of 22% compared to 2005. Net revenues grew 15% and total operating expenses rose 12%. The pre-tax income margin was 39.6% for 2006, compared to 37.3% in 2005.

In the fourth quarter of 2006, income from continuing operations before taxes amounted to CHF 811 million, up 15% from the fourth quarter of 2005. This increase reflected strong net revenues driven by higher commissions and fees, mainly from brokerage, product issuances and asset-based fees, as well as higher net interest income from higher liability margins and liability volumes. The growth in net revenues more than offset a 10% rise in total operating expenses, driven primarily by higher personnel expenses related to strategic investments in the global business and higher performance-related compensation expenses. The pre-tax income margin was 39.0% for the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to 37.6% in the fourth quarter of 2005.

The Corporate & Retail Banking business reported a 4% increase in income from continuing operations before taxes to CHF 1,359 million for the full year 2006, compared to 2005. Net revenues increased 4% in 2006 and total operating expenses rose 1%. The pre-tax income margin was 38.9% for 2006, compared to 38.7% in 2005.

In the fourth quarter of 2006, income from continuing operations before taxes was CHF 332 million, an increase of 3%, compared to the same period of 2005. Net revenues grew 6%, driven by higher asset based commissions and fees and increased net interest income. Total operating expenses rose by 7% due to higher compensation and benefits, primarily reflecting higher performance-related compensation expenses. The pre-tax income margin was 37.1% for the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to 38.0% in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Asset Management

The Asset Management segment reported income from continuing operations before taxes of CHF 508 million for the full year 2006, a decline of 50% compared to 2005. This decrease reflects lower private equity and other investment-related gains, which are cyclical in nature, and higher operating expenses, partly due to the realignment of the business in 2006. Net revenues rose 2% compared to the previous year and net revenues before private equity and other investment-related gains grew 12%, reflecting the growth in assets under management. Private equity and other investment-related gains totaled CHF 502 million in 2006, a decrease of 28% from 2005. Total operating expenses rose 31% in 2006, including
CHF 225 million of realignment costs. The pre-tax income margin was 17.8% for 2006, compared to 35.9% in 2005. As of December 31, 2006, assets under management totaled CHF 669.9 billion, an increase of 14% from December 31, 2005.

In the fourth quarter of 2006, income from continuing operations before taxes totaled CHF 89 million, a decrease of 63% compared to the fourth quarter of 2005. Net revenues declined 3% in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to the same period of the previous year. Net revenues before private equity and other investment-related gains improved by 18%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, reflecting the growth in assets under management. Private equity and other investment-related gains totaled
CHF 92 million in the fourth quarter of 2006, a decrease of 56% compared to the same period of 2005. Total operating expenses increased 26% in the fourth quarter of 2006, primarily reflecting higher compensation and benefits related to the ongoing efforts to hire new investment talent and build product development and distribution capabilities and other expenses related to the realignment of Asset Management. The pre-tax income margin was 12.1% for the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to 31.8% in the fourth quarter of 2005. Credit Suisse continued to realign Asset Management in the fourth quarter of 2006 as part of the previously announced strategy to reposition businesses with low profitability, reshape the product offering, improve investment and sales processes, and reduce the overall cost base.

Net New Assets

The Wealth Management business generated CHF 50.5 billion of net new assets in 2006, an increase of 18% compared to 2005. In the fourth quarter of 2006, Wealth Management recorded CHF 8.6 billion of net new assets. The Asset Management business reported CHF 50.8 billion of net new assets in 2006, including money market assets of CHF 33.4 billion and alternative investment assets of CHF 12.5 billion. In the fourth quarter, Asset Management recorded a net outflow of CHF 2.9 billion. Overall, Credit Suisse recorded CHF 95.4 billion of net new assets for the full year 2006, including net new assets of CHF 6.9 billion in the fourth quarter. Total assets under management were CHF 1,485.1 billion as of December 31, 2006, an increase of 13% from December 31, 2005.

Sale of the Insurance Business

On December 22, 2006, Credit Suisse Group completed the sale of Winterthur for cash consideration of CHF 12.3 billion. The Group realized a net capital gain of CHF 1,817 million on the transaction. As a result of the sale of Winterthur, the results of Winterthur's operations are reported as income from discontinued operations, net of tax. Income from discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of 2006 was CHF 2,074 million, including the gain from the sale. For the full year 2006, income from discontinued operations was CHF 3,070 million, compared to CHF 1,310 million for the full year 2005.

Dividend Proposal and Share Repurchase Program

The Board of Directors of Credit Suisse Group will propose a cash dividend of CHF 2.24 per share for the financial year 2006 and a par value reduction of CHF 0.46 per share at the Annual General Meeting on May 4, 2007. This compares to a dividend of CHF 2.00 per share for the financial year 2005.

The Board of Directors will also propose a share repurchase program of up to CHF 8 billion at the Annual General Meeting. Subject to the approval of shareholders, the program will commence after the Annual General Meeting and run for a maximum of three years.

Outlook

Credit Suisse believes that the growth prospects for the global economy will remain good and expects client activity to continue at around the levels of 2006. Interest rates are unlikely to increase significantly and valuations for equities are still relatively low. High corporate earnings will attract capital flows into the equity markets, which will continue to trend higher with occasional corrections. Credit Suisse has had a good start to 2007 and is well positioned to capture these growth opportunities with its integrated banking model.

Enquiries:

  • Media Relations Credit Suisse, Tel. +41 844 33 88 44, media.relations@credit-suisse.com
  • Investor Relations Credit Suisse, Tel. +41 44 333 71 49, investor.relations@credit-suisse.com
Credit Suisse Group
As one of the world's leading banks, Credit Suisse provides its clients with investment banking, private banking and asset management services worldwide. Credit Suisse offers advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high-net-worth private clients globally, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is active in over 50 countries and employs approximately 45,000 people. Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group, is a leading global financial services company headquartered in Zurich. Credit Suisse Group's registered shares (CSGN) are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, in the future we, and others on our behalf, may make statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to our plans, objectives or goals; our future economic performance or prospects; the potential effect on our future performance of certain contingencies; and assumptions underlying any such statements.
Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends" and "plans" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable laws.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that predictions, forecasts, projections and other outcomes described or implied in forward-looking statements will not be achieved. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include (i) market and interest rate fluctuations; (ii) the strength of the global economy in general and the strength of the economies of the countries in which we conduct our operations in particular; (iii) the ability of counterparties to meet their obligations to us; (iv) the effects of, and changes in, fiscal, monetary, trade and tax policies, and currency fluctuations; (v) political and social developments, including war, civil unrest or terrorist activity; (vi) the possibility of foreign exchange controls, expropriation, nationalization or confiscation of assets in countries in which we conduct our operations; (vii) the ability to maintain sufficient liquidity and access capital markets; (viii) operational factors such as systems failure, human error, or the failure to implement procedures properly; (ix) actions taken by regulators with respect to our business and practices in one or more of the countries in which we conduct our operations; (x) the effects of changes in laws, regulations or accounting policies or practices; (xi) competition in geographic and business areas in which we conduct our operations; (xii) the ability to retain and recruit qualified personnel; (xiii) the ability to maintain our reputation and promote our brand; (xiv) the ability to increase market share and control expenses; (xv) technological changes; (xvi) the timely development and acceptance of our new products and services and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users; (xvii) acquisitions, including the ability to integrate acquired businesses successfully, and divestitures, including the ability to sell non-core assets; (xviii) the adverse resolution of litigation and other contingencies; and (xix) our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.
We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive; when evaluating forward-looking statements, you should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events, as well as the risks identified in our most recently filed Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K furnished to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

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