Swiss Banking News: June 2008

18.06.2008 Credit Suisse, in co-operation with the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), issued the Financial Market Test Switzerland where stated the continuing economic weakening during the last 6 months. The Credit Suisse ZEW indicator of economic expectations for Switzerland fell in June by 3.4 points, assessments of the current economic picture proved to be less optimistic. However, according to the economic survey, the inflation expectations decreased compared to the previous month.
The results of this month's survey conducted in conjunction with the Financial Market Report Switzerland revealed worsening of economic expectations, after the improvement that was stated in May.

15.06.2008 Credit Suisse announced that it has initiated research coverage of 13 stocks in Saudi Arabia, effective May 1, providing investors with the first comprehensive analysis of stocks in this country, representing about 65% of its equity market. Now the London and Dubai based Middle East Equity Research team will continue to expand its coverage of Middle Eastern stocks.
Credit Suisse has also announced the launch of its "Access MENA" trading platform, - an innovative access product which will allow international investors to purchase economic exposure to stocks in the Middle East.

10.06.2008 An integrated infrastructure company Swiss Financial Market Services AG, which emanated from the merger of the SWX Group, SIS Group and Telekurs Group, has successfully started its activities aiming to strengthen the international competitiveness of the Swiss financial centre. Within the framework of this process, the expectations of the company's shareholders were clarified, and the strategic foundation defined. SFMS operates primarily in the service of the Swiss financial centre and its participants, providing internationally competitive infrastructure that covers the entire value chain of securities trading and payment transactions. In doing so, the company aims to lend meaningful support to the realisation of the vision formulated in the financial centre's Master Plan, that is to achieve a position among the world's top 3 financial centres.