Credit Suisse is one of Switzerland's largest private banks, and is known world wide for its retail in investment banking products and services. The bank has its main offices in Switzerland, in Zurich, but has branches all over the world. Credit Suisse was one of the first banks to become involved in the precious metals industry in the 1970's, and as a result has maintained its name as one of the premier brands of bullion bars.
Credit Suisse and the Bullion Market
Credit Suisse first entered the retail precious metals market in the 1970's. At this time, there was a movement towards the production and sale of retail precious metal bars and coins for individual investors, not just institutions. The Rand Refinery in South Africa was the first government mint to issue gold coins on a mass scale for retail investors, and it benefitted hugely from the lack of competition at the time. In the late 1970's the Rand Refinery was selling several million Krugerrands per year. However, their sales diminished very quickly during Apartheid due to sanctions.
At this time Credit Suisse introduced their own line of gold and silver bars and coins, in sizes ranging from 1 gram to 1 kilogram. Credit Suisse had purchased Valcambi, one of Switzerland's largest refineries, who was responsible for the manufacturing of all Credit Suisse precious metals products. Credit Suisse gold bars were introduced worldwide, but were most popular initially in the American market.
In the 1980's Credit Suisse sold Valcambi and withdrew its involvement in the precious metals industry, however Valcambi continued to manufacture Credit Suisse gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars for retail investors.
Credit Suisse Bars
Credit Suisse gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars are available in a range of sizes for bullion investors. The most popular size gold, platinum and palladium bars available are the 1 Ounce sized bars. This is because this size bar sells for a very low premium compared to some of the smaller sized bars, which makes it more attractive to investors. The Credit Suisse silver bars are less common, as they are no longer manufactured. However, they are available in 1/2 Kilogram and 1 Kilogram sizes.
1 Ounce Credit Suisse bars come sealed in their own certicard. The certicards say 'Credit Suisse' at the top. Some of the bars have different names, depending on when they were manufactured. For example, there are 'Credit Suisse First Boston' gold bars that were issued at the time that Credit Suisse acquired the US based bank.
All Credit Suisse gold bars contain 999.9 fine investment grade gold bullion. The Credit Suisse platinum and palladium bars contain 999.5 fine investment grade gold bullion.
At the top of each bar is the Credit Suisse logo, with the bar's weight, fineness and serial number located beneath. The larger sized Credit Suisse bars, such as the 10 Ounce Credit Suisse gold bar, come with a separate certificate validating the bar's serial number.
Credit Suisse bars are popular with investors worldwide. In fact the 1 Ounce Credit Suisse gold bar is one of the most popular gold bars currently available in the market. The bars are available for Swiss storage or delivery worldwide.
