Sustainable Products and Services

A growing number of clients are seeking investment opportunities that benefit society and the environment as well as generating a financial return. As a financial services provider, we respond to this demand by developing innovative, sustainability-oriented products and services with a focus on areas such as microfinance and the environment.

Microfinance is a form of financing based primarily on the provision of loans – often amounting to as little as USD 50 – to very small businesses in developing countries. This access to credit enables these businesses, which are mostly run by women, to build more solid foundations for the future, achieve growth or become more profitable. In 2001, Credit Suisse joined forces with other financial service providers to launch responsAbility Social Investments AG, an organization which bridges the gap between the financial markets and development cooperation. As of end-2007, responsAbility was managing several investment funds with assets totaling around USD 400 million that offer both a financial and social return. Through these forms of investment it is today possible to help around 200,000 microentrepreneurs and to provide small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) in developing countries and emerging market economies with access to risk capital. In 2007, Credit Suisse successfully coordinated the IPOs of two Mexican microfinance institutions, Financiera Independencia and Banco Compartamos.

Environmental innovation

Our specialist Alternative Energy, Clean Tech Private Equity, Carbon Trading and Investment Products teams – supported by our various research departments – continuously develop innovative offerings based on environmental themes.

It is not just the environment that is affected by climate change: This phenomenon also has an impact on entire economies and, ultimately, on the capital markets. Companies which know how to reconcile economic demands and ecological needs are popular with investors. Credit Suisse was one of the first banks to establish a link between climate change and investment opportunities. In 2007, Credit Suisse launched various indices and other investment products which enable our clients to invest in renewable energies and emissions trading.

Leading experts in alternative energy

Back in 2005, we became the first bank to formally establish a team of industry professionals that focuses exclusively on renewable energy sources and offers advice to alternative energy companies around the globe. Today, our clients include some of the world’s largest and most successful solar, wind, biofuel and other alternative energy technology firms. In the course of 2007, Credit Suisse’s Renewable Energy Group helped these companies to grow by raising over USD 10 billion of capital through 40 transactions including IPOs, follow-on and debt offerings, confirming Credit Suisse as the industry leader – based on stock market listings by volume – in the solar, alternative fuels and wind sectors.

The renowned UK finance magazine ‘The Banker’ named Credit Suisse the "Most innovative in climate change products" for 2008 in the category "investment banking".

Partnerships and Joint Ventures

In order to constantly enhance our expertise and know-how in the environmental sector, Credit Suisse also engages in targeted, long-term partnerships and specific projects with renowned companies. For example, in 2007, Credit Suisse acquired a CHF 70 million stake, or just below 10%, in EcoSecurities Group PLC, a leading company specializing in the sourcing, creation and trading of emissions certificates as well as the structuring and management of projects to reduce CO2 levels in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol. Other partnerships include Credit Suisse’s cooperation with Cleantech Group CTG and Hudson Clean Energy Partners. Both joint ventures are aimed at accelerating global investments in clean technologies.

We have also worked with other partners from the financial sector and the energy industry to establish the Green Exchange in New York, which will serve as a trading platform for a range of environment-themed investment products.