Clients Pull Out $120 Billion From Credit Suisse as Bank Registers Fourth-Quarter Losses, Worst Year Since Financial Crisis

Clients of Swiss global investment bank Credit Suisse The company pulled out record amounts of money in the fourth quarter, as it posted a lower-than-expected net profit for the period. This was due to declining confidence in the bank.

According to a February 9th media statement, net outflows by the bank were 110.5 billion Swiss francs ($120.36 Billion), up from 12.9 billion ($14.05 Billion) in the third quarter.PDF) detailing the company’s fourth-quarter financial results. The fourth quarter saw net outflows rise by more than 75% compared to the previous quarter. The total net outflows for 2022 were 123.2 billion Francs ($134.19billion), which is a significant increase compared to the 30.9billion francs ($33.66billion) net inflow in 2021.

According to the bank’s fourth-quarter results were affected by a “challenging economic and market environment, significant deposit and net asset outflows at the beginning of the quarter, and the execution of our strategic actions.” Credit Suisse has suffered a confidence crisis among clients over years of losses and scandals.

During its November 2022 profit warning, bank executives revealed that clients were already pulling out funds in the first two weeks of October due to concerns about the institution’s stability and its restructuring ability. The firm estimates that roughly two-thirds (or more) of outflows occurred during this period.

Losses and Scandals

Credit Suisse recorded a net loss (1.51 billion euros) for its fourth quarter. This follows a 3.03 billion francs (3.39 billion) loss in third quarter.

The company suffered a huge quarterly loss of 7.3 Billion Francs ($7.95Billion) for the entire of 2022. This was compared to the loss at 1.65 Billion Francs ($1.8Billion) in 2021. The loss of 2022 was also the worst year in the history of the company. Swiss bank since the financial crisis of 2008–09.

Credit Suisse is being investigated for a data leak that involved thousands of clients who were reportedly $100 billion in debt to the bank.

Earlier this month, Switzerland’s Attorney General’s Office confirmed that it was investigating suspected acts of breach of trade secrets, corporate espionage, and violations of banking secrecy laws following the leak of information related to 18,000 accounts last year.

“We have a clear plan to create a new Credit Suisse, and intend to continue to deliver on our three-year strategic transformation by reshaping our portfolio, reallocating capital, right-sizing our cost base, and building on our leading franchises,” said CEO Ulrich Korner.

Profitability and Restructuring

Credit Suisse has been refocusing its wealth management business since October. The bank raised 4 billion Swiss Francs ($4.36 Billion) capital in the latter part of 2022. As the bank tries to regain profitability, it plans to eliminate 9,000 jobs. Last year, the bank’s bonus pool was reduced by half.

The year “2022 was a crucial year for Credit Suisse. We announced our strategic plan to create a simpler, more focused bank, built around client needs, and since October we have been executing at pace,” Korner.

“We successfully raised CHF ~4 billion in equity capital, accelerated the delivery of our ambitious cost targets, and are making strong progress on the radical restructuring of our investment bank.” Credit Suisse shares have fallen by 64 percent over the past year. CHF is the Swiss franc.

Credit Suisse expects that its investment bank operation will report a loss during the first quarter 2023. The group is expected overall to report “a substantial loss” In 2023, before taxes. Estimated restructuring expenses for this year are approximately 1.6 billion Francs ($1.74 trillion) and about 1 billion Francs ($1.09 million) in 2024.

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