Our History

Credit Suisse has a tradition of innovation.

During the last 150 years, we have been continuously setting new standards in service and advice, growing our expertise and creating intelligent solutions in response to changing client needs.

Since its inception in Switzerland in 1856, our company has grown and evolved to become a leading global provider in today's financial services industry. This development has been driven by strong organic growth as well as a series of key mergers and acquisitions − bringing together a wealth of expertise and different cultures and philosophies to create a powerful integrated banking organization.

Milestones in the development of our company
1856	Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (Credit Suisse) founded by Alfred Escher
1905	First branch opens in Basle
1940	First international branch opens in New York
1978	Beginning of co-operation with First Boston Inc. (FBI)
1988	FBI changes its name to CS First Boston, Inc. (CSFBI) and CS Holding acquires a 44.5% interest in CSFBI
1989	CS Holding becomes the parent company of the Group
1990	CS Holding increases its interest in CSFBI to 73.5%
1990	Acquisition of Bank Leu
1993	Acquisition of Swiss Volksbank
1994	Launch of strategic alliance with Swiss Re
1995	Launch of strategic alliance with Winterthur Group
1996	CS Holding becomes Credit Suisse Group
1997	Merger of Credit Suisse Group and Winterthur Group
2000	Acquisition of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ)
2002	Group organizational structure is streamlined to create two business units: Credit Suisse Financial Services and Credit Suisse First Boston
2004	Group organizational structure is realigned to form three business units: Credit Suisse, Credit Suisse First Boston and Winterthur.
2005	Merger of the two Swiss bank legal entities, Credit Suisse and Credit Suisse First Boston, and implementation of the One Bank strategy
2006	Launch of the new integrated bank, Credit Suisse