Employer insights

Credit Suisse

The overview

Established in Switzerland in 1856, Credit Suisse, which has headquarters in Zurich, has grown into a global business focusing on three areas: private banking, investment banking and asset management. The three divisions do not work completely separately, but rather liaise with one another to provide services to clients. All these areas generate good returns, resulting in stability in what is currently still a difficult market.

Rebranding

The current structure of the organisation dates from 2006, when Credit Suisse rebranded itself as an integrated, global bank. Its investment banking division is particularly highly regarded in the financial industry, as is its private banking arm, which includes its wealth management services – a key area of strength, especially when working with US clients.

Services for wealthy individuals and microloans to poorer people

Clients have included WeightWatchers and the Chinese social networking site RenRen.

All divisions provide services to a range of clients, from wealthy individuals to corporations and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Clients have included Coca-Cola Enterprises, Heineken, WeightWatchers, Kraft, the Chinese social networking site RenRen, and Alexander Mamut, potential buyer of Waterstones’ from HMV and former advisor in the Russian government of Boris Yeltsin. The company also generates a lot of publicity through its sponsorship of tennis star Roger Federer

Credit Suisse is also involved in microfinance – providing low-income individuals in emerging and developing countries with access to financial services, such as microloans (small loans, often taken out to support the growth of a business in a developing country, for example, a restaurant owner might seek a microloan to buy a bigger fridge that would enable him to expand).

International reach

In addition to the BRICs economies – Brazil, Russia, India and China – Credit Suisse is seeking to expand in countries such as Kazakhstan, Estonia, Vietnam and Tanzania.

Credit Suisse is increasing its involvement in emerging markets. In addition to the BRICs economies – Brazil, Russia, India and China – it is seeking to expand in countries such as Kazakhstan, Estonia, Vietnam and Tanzania. Qatar and China have provided good returns in the field of asset management and investment banking. Closer to home, the bank is very strong in retail and commercial management in its native Switzerland.

Awards and rankings

  • Ranked 4 in Vault Banking 50, 2011.
  • Ranked 56 in Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, 2011-12.
  • Ranked 208 in Guardian UK300, 2011. In the top ten most popular graduate employers for investment banking and investment.
  • Corporate Learning Improvement Process Award, 2010, given by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) in recognition of the quality of training at Credit Suisse Business School.
  • Won GlobalFinance Awards for Best Investment Bank in both the Consumer and IT categories, 2011. GlobalFinance is a financial magazine read by company CEOs, other executives and senior industry figures.
  • Listed as one of the Times Top 50 Employers for Women, 2012

Why work here?

  • Particularly strong ties to the emerging market of China.
  • Credit Suisse’s training in its business school is highly regarded in the industry.

Latest questions and comments

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