--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC 1815
(11-2002) Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information
Previous contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form
versions displays a currently valid OMB control number.
obsolete
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------
OMB APPROVAL
---------------------
OMB Number: 3235-0116
---------------------
Expires: August 31,
2005
---------------------
Estimated average
burden hours per
response: 6.00
---------------------
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Dated April 14, 2005
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of April 14, 2005
------------------
Commission File Number 001-15244
--------------------------------------------
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Paradeplatz 8, P.O. Box 1, CH-8070 Zurich, Switzerland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F /X/ Form 40-F / /
----- -----
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
------
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security
holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
------
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant
foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally
organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home
country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the
report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has
not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a
material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other
Commission filing on EDGAR.
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes / / No /X/
----- -----
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
---------------
PRESS RELEASE
[CREDIT SUISSE GROUP LETTERHEAD]
Media Relations
Credit Suisse GROUP
P.O. Box 1
CH-8070 Zurich
www.credit-suisse.com
Telephone +41 44 333 88 44
Telefax +41 44 333 88 77
media.relations@credit-suisse.com
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP TO MERGE BANKING UNITS
Zurich, April 14, 2005 - CREDIT SUISSE GROUP ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT EXPECTS
TO MERGE ITS TWO SWISS BANKS CREDIT SUISSE AND CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON ON
MAY 13, 2005, SUBJECT TO FINAL INTERNAL AND REGULATORY APPROVALS.
The merged bank, which will be operational from May 16, 2005, will be called
Credit Suisse, and will continue to use the Credit Suisse, Credit Suisse
First Boston and Credit Suisse Asset Management brands. The merged entity
will assume all of the activities, assets, liabilities, rights and
obligations of the existing banks. Branches and representative offices of the
former Credit Suisse and Credit Suisse First Boston will become part of the
combined bank and will operate under the Credit Suisse name. Subsidiaries and
sister companies such as Credit Suisse Group's independent private banks
(Bank Leu, Clariden Bank, Bank Hofmann, Banca di Gestione Patrimoniale), Neue
Aargauer Bank and the U.S. based broker-dealer (Credit Suisse First Boston
LLC) will not be affected by the merger or name change.
The merger of these Swiss legal entities constitutes the first step towards
the creation of an integrated One Bank organization. It is the first
technical step in the integration process and will have no impact on clients
or employees. The adjusted organization and external reporting on the basis
of the new One Bank structure is expected to take effect from January 1, 2006.
ENQUIRIES
Credit Suisse Group, Media Relations Telephone +41 44 333 88 44
Credit Suisse Group, Investor Relations Telephone +41 44 333 31 69
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP
Credit Suisse Group is a leading global financial services company headquartered
in Zurich. It provides private clients and small and medium-sized companies with
private banking and financial advisory services, and pension and insurance
solutions from Winterthur. In the area of investment banking, it serves global
Page 1 of 3
institutional, corporate, government and individual clients in its role as a
financial intermediary. Credit Suisse Group's registered shares (CSGN) are
listed in Switzerland and in the form of American Depositary Shares (CSR) in
New York. The Group employs around 60,000 staff worldwide. As of December 31,
2004, it reported assets under management of CHF 1,220.7 billion.
Page 2 of 3
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 properly
implement procedures; (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 brands; (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 successfully acquired businesses; (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.
Page 3 of 3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP
-----------------------
(Registrant)
Date April 14, 2005 By: /s/ David Frick
--------------------- ------------------------------
(Signature)*
Head of Group Legal & Compliance
*Print the name and title of the signing
officer under his signature. /s/ Charles Naylor
Head of Group Communications