In the business of gold bars, the Credit Suisse brand stands for quality and utmost reliability. Over the course of its long and illustrious history, Credit Suisse has made a name for itself that can only be matched by the most reputable companies. For individuals looking to make an investment in physical gold, Credit Suisse is a viable option. The bars are high-purity, have low premiums, and are guaranteed with an assay card.
Credit Suisse gold bars are among the most popular gold ingots available today. Along with PAMP, Credit Suisse is one of Switzerland’s most well-known and respected precious metal sellers. The Credit Suisse stamp promises unmatched quality and high liquidity, making the Suisse ingots a solid gold investment.
Background
Credit Suisse Bullion is backed by the Swiss multinational The Credit Suisse Group AG, headquartered in Zurich. The Credit Suisse Group, originally founded by Alfred Escher in 1856, used to be known as Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (Swiss Credit Institution) since its inception.
Renamed as Credit Suisse, today, the Group is divided into three internationally-recognized operations: Investment Banking, Private Banking and Asset Management. The bank began refining operations with Valcambi SA, after purchasing a controlling stake in the business. Valcambi is a precious metals refinery that manufactures ingots and coins, and its acquisition gave Credit Suisse a strong foothold in the precious metals market.
Credit Suisse Products
The bullion produced under the Credit Suisse brand is 100 percent backed by the Credit Suisse Bank of Switzerland. It uses only 99.99 percent gold, and each ingot comes with a certified assay card guaranteeing the gold metal purity and weight of the ingot. In addition, the bars’ IRA approved status means it can be included in an IRA as a sound retirement planning strategy.
Even with the reliability of a proven manufacturer such as Credit Suisse, it is important to note that, depending on the retailer, Credit Suisse gold products may be backed by “loose” assays and not Certicard. Before purchase, it is advisable to take into consideration the reputation and integrity of the retailer.
Credit Suisse offers a variety of minted gold bars, in 1g, 2g, 2.5g, 5g, 10g, 20g, 1oz, 10oz and 1kg sizes. Credit Suisse bars are elegantly engraved with a depiction of the Statue of Liberty, and packaged in a protective casing. The 1g, 2g, 5g, 10g and 20g bars are guaranteed 99.99% pure and comes with an assay card with a serial number that matches the one imprinted on the bar.
Higher weights such as the 1oz and 10oz bars also feature a tamperproof package to ensure authenticity. The 10g and 20g bars are among the most uniquely designed. Beautiful to behold, and with a rich contrast of black against gold, these bars are a firm favorite with investors and collectors from all over the world.
Premiums
A gold ingot, regardless of its manufacturer, will be priced above the actual value of the gold contained in the ingot. This premium is derived from the reputation of the manufacturer, and in some cases, the discretion of the reseller. If the gold is bought directly from the mint, an investor can sidestep the reseller’s premium, thereby saving on the cost of the investment.
Although this represents a savings, most investors feel it is more convenient to deal with a reseller rather than directly with the mint. Credit Suisse ingots generally carry small premiums, but tend to retain their value well. A typical 1 oz Credit Suisse gold bar will sell in the retail market for $30-$50 over the spot price of