Credit Suisse settles U.S. shareholder lawsuit over risk exposure, Archegos

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Credit score Suisse Group AG reached a $32.5 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit accusing the Swiss financial institution of deceptive shareholders about how properly it managed threat, together with its publicity to “high-risk” shoppers resembling Archegos Capital Administration.

A preliminary settlement of the proposed class motion was filed on Friday with the U.S. District Court docket in Manhattan, and requires a choose’s approval.

The financial institution was accused of taking part in “a form of high-finance recreation of Russian roulette” by letting hedge funds and different “prime” prospects make dangerous, multi-billion greenback bets with its credit score, regardless of publicly pledging a “core dedication” to managing its threat limits, threat oversight and credit score publicity.

Credit score Suisse’s “laissez-faire” strategy led to at the very least $5.5 billion of losses, together with from the collapses of Archegos and British financier Greensill Capital, inflicting shareholders to lose cash as the worth of its American depositary shares fell, courtroom papers alleged.

The financial institution denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. It stated in a press release that it was happy to resolve the lawsuit.

Credit score Suisse has dubbed 2022 a “transition” yr because it reduces risk-taking, and put in restructuring skilled Ulrich Koerner as chief government.

Archegos’ collapse induced about $10 billion of losses at banks and worn out greater than $100 billion of shareholder worth.

Friday’s settlement covers ADR buyers from Oct. 29, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

The lead plaintiff is the Sheet Steel Employees Pension Plan of Northern California. Its attorneys plan to hunt as much as 27.5% of the settlement quantity, or about $8.9 million, for authorized charges.

The case is Metropolis of St. Clair Shores Police & Fireplace Retirement System v Credit score Suisse Group AG, U.S. District Court docket, Southern District of New York, No. 21-03385.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Enhancing by Daniel Wallis and Cynthia Osterman)