The way we interact with our stakeholders is fundamental for our business and our success.
Credit Suisse's corporate governance complies with internationally accepted standards. We recognize the importance of good corporate governance and know that transparent disclosure of our governance helps stakeholders to assess the quality of the Group and our management and assists investors in their investment decisions.
Corporate governance. Our regulatory framework.
Our corporate governance regulates the relationship between our shareholders, Board of Directors, and Executive Board. Integrated and responsible. Transparent without sacrificing discretion.
Our corporate governance framework
Our corporate governance policies and procedures are laid out in a series of documents governing the organization and management of Credit Suisse. The Board of Directors has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines aimed at explaining and promoting an understanding of our governance structure. Other important corporate governance documents include the Articles of Association, the Organizational Guidelines and Regulations, the Charters of the Board of Directors and of each of its Committees, and the Code of Conduct.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is responsible for the overall direction, supervision and control of Credit Suisse Group AG.
Executive Board
The Executive Board is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of Credit Suisse. It develops and implements the strategic business plans for the Group overall as well as for the principal businesses, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
Standards and policies
Credit Suisse Group's standards and policies comply with Swiss and international corporate governance requirements.
Complying with rules and regulations
We fully adhere to the principles set out in the Swiss Code of Best Practice including its appendix stipulating recommendations on the process around setting compensation for the Board of Directors and the Executive Board. In connection with our primary listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange we are subject to the SIX Directive on Information Relating to Corporate Governance. Our shares are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the form of American Depositary Shares. As a result, we are subject to certain US rules and regulations. In particular, we respect the NYSE's Corporate Governance rules, with a few minor exceptions where the rules are not applicable to foreign private issuers.
Shareholder rights
As part of our continued efforts on good corporate governance we encourage investors to actively participate in the Annual General Meeting and to execute their voting rights. To support their decision-making process we are committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency of our reporting publications, and maintaining a state-of-the art Investor Relations Web site. We are committed to producing precise, reliable and comprehensible financial reports that clearly explain our performance, our mission and our strategic rationale.
Managing risk
Our Risk Management function plays a central role in our organization as it fosters a disciplined risk culture and creates appropriate transparency providing a sound basis for manage meant to define a suitable risk profile. Risk Management is instrumental in ensuring a prudent and intelligent approach to risk-taking that appropriately balances risk and return and optimizes the allocation of capital throughout the Group. Moreover, through a proactive risk management culture and the use of state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative tools we strive to minimize the potential for undesired risk exposure in our operations.
Committed to compliance
We place utmost care on ensuring that our employees maintain the highest standards of compliance with all legal, regulatory and internal requirements. Our employees are asked to observe strict standards of professional conduct at all times. Compliance considerations are critically important when selecting employees, developing training tools, defining processes and rules and are a vital element of all our supervisory and control systems.
Rewarding excellence
We are committed to employing a compensation approach that rewards excellence, encourages personal contribution and professional growth and aligns the employees' interests with those of Credit Suisse, thus motivating the creation of shareholder value. Long-term corporate success in the financial services industry depends on the strength of human capital, and our goal is to be the employer of choice in the markets and business segments in which we operate.
