Based in Tokyo, Mr. Watabe will work closely with Credit Suisse's Private Banking (PB) and Investment Banking & Capital Markets (IBCM) departments to identify opportunities to deliver its integrated bank offering to clients, as the Trusted Entrepreneurs' Bank. A highly respected business leader, Mr. Watabe brings vast experience and a long career working with a range of clients across Japan. He joins Credit Suisse from CVC Capital Partners, where he was Chairman for 7 years. Prior to this, he was Vice Chairman at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co., Ltd, and also had a distinguished, nearly 40-year career spanning UBS Securities and Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, where he held senior leadership roles including Vice Chairman. At UBS, he built up the private banking practice for Japan. He has been involved in a range of leading public transactions involving Japanese companies, originating deals including the management buyout (MBO) of Skylark (the biggest MBO ever in Japan at the time), the merger of Hoya Corporation and Pentax, Ricoh's acquisition of Ikon Office Solutions and equity financings by issuers such as Tobu Railway, Takashimaya, Nippon Mining Holdings and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Moreover, Mr. Watabe's extensive knowledge and experience of the Swiss Private Banking business will enable him to advise clients on relevant opportunities.

Japan forms an important part of Credit Suisse's strategy to further expand its franchise in Asia Pacific.

As one of the first foreign financial institutions to enter the market over 40 years ago, Credit Suisse has a long history of commitment to the country.

Credit Suisse's Private Bank was established in 2009 and is one of the top foreign private banks in Japan. It operates from three key locations (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya), and offers a holistic and unique product offering across all major asset classes. With Japan being the second largest wealth market in the world, Credit Suisse Private Banking is uniquely positioned to leverage its global expertise into the Japan market and build a significant business through establishing long lasting client relationships.

In IBCM, the bank has executed a number of landmark and innovative transactions for Japanese clients, including cross border M&A deals such as the USD 3 billion acquisition of the Dell IT services business by NTT Data and the USD 1.2 billion sale of Alliance Tire Group to Yokohama Rubber. The Credit Suisse-advised USD 7.5 billion acquisition of HCC Insurance by Tokio Marine was named Best FIG Deal by FinanceAsia.