<Page>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Information required in Proxy Statement
Schedule 14A Information
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
CREDIT SUISSE HIGH YIELD BOND FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
/ / (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / (5) Total fee paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Page>
CREDIT SUISSE HIGH YIELD BOND FUND
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(800) 293-1232
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 20, 2004
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
CREDIT SUISSE HIGH YIELD BOND FUND:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the
"Meeting") of the Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund (the "Fund") will be held
at the offices of Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC, 466 Lexington Avenue,
16th Floor, New York, New York 10017, on Friday, February 20, 2004, at 3:00 p.m.
New York time.
The purpose of the Meeting is to consider and act upon the following
proposal and to consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come
before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof:
1. To elect one (1) Trustee of the Fund.
This item is discussed in greater detail in the attached Proxy Statement.
The close of business on December 22, 2003 has been fixed as the record
date for the determination of the shareholders of the Fund entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, this Meeting.
This notice and related proxy material are first being mailed on or about
January 15, 2004.
By Order of the Board of Trustees
/s/ Michael A. Pignataro
------------------------
Michael A. Pignataro
SECRETARY
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT
YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AND VOTED AT THE MEETING. ACCORDINGLY, PLEASE DATE,
SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD PROMPTLY. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF
MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR PROXY CARD BE RETURNED
PROMPTLY IN ORDER TO AVOID THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION.
Dated: January 15, 2004
New York, New York
<Page>
CREDIT SUISSE HIGH YIELD BOND FUND
466 LEXINGTON AVENUE
16TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2004
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with a solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of the Credit Suisse High Yield
Bond Fund (the "Fund") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders at the
offices of Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC ("CSAM"), 466 Lexington Avenue,
16th Floor, New York, New York 10017 on Friday, February 20, 2004 (commencing at
3:00 p.m. New York time) and at any adjournments thereof (collectively, the
"Meeting"). A Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and a proxy card (the
"Proxy") accompany this Proxy Statement.
Proxy solicitations will be made primarily by mail, but solicitations may
also be made by telephone, telegraph or personal interviews conducted by
officers or employees of the Fund, CSAM, the investment adviser to the Fund,
State Street Bank & Trust Company, the administrator of the Fund (the
"Administrator"), or Georgeson Shareholder Communications ("Georgeson"), a proxy
solicitation firm that has been retained by the Fund and which will receive a
fee not to exceed $3,500 and will be reimbursed for its reasonable expenses. All
costs of solicitation, including (a) printing and mailing of this Proxy
Statement and accompanying material, (b) the reimbursement of brokerage firms
and others for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the
beneficial owners of the Fund's shares, (c) payment to Georgeson for its
services in soliciting Proxies and (d) supplementary solicitations to submit
Proxies, will be borne by the Fund. This Proxy Statement is expected to be
mailed to shareholders on or about January 15, 2004.
CSAM has its principal executive office at 466 Lexington Avenue, 16th
Floor, New York, New York 10017. The Administrator has its principal executive
office at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
The Fund's Annual Report containing audited financial statements for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 has been previously furnished to all
shareholders of the Fund. It is not to be regarded as proxy-soliciting material.
If the enclosed Proxy is properly executed and returned in time to be voted
at the Meeting, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with
the instructions marked on the Proxy. Any shareholder giving a Proxy has the
right to attend the Meeting to vote his or her shares in person (thereby
revoking any prior Proxy) and also the right to revoke the Proxy at any time by
written notice received by the Fund prior to the time it is voted.
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the
shares entitled to be cast shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. In the event that a quorum is not
present at the Meeting, the holders of a majority of the shares present in
person or by proxy will have the power to adjourn the Meeting, without notice
other than an announcement at the Meeting, until the requisite number of
shares entitled to vote at such Meeting is present. In the event that a
quorum is present at the Meeting but sufficient votes to approve the proposed
item are not received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more
adjournments of such Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any
such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those
shares present at the Meeting in person or by proxy, and the persons named as
proxies will vote
1
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those proxies that they are entitled to vote "FOR" or "AGAINST" any such
proposal in their discretion. Absent the establishment of a subsequent record
date and the giving of notice to the holders of record thereon, the adjourned
Meeting must take place not more than 130 days after the record date. At such
adjourned Meeting, any business may be transacted which could have been
transacted at the original Meeting.
A Proxy that is properly executed and returned accompanied by instructions
to withhold authority to vote (an abstention) or that represents a broker
"non-vote" (that is, a Proxy from a broker or nominee indicating that such
person has not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other person
entitled to vote shares on a particular matter with respect to which the broker
or nominee does not have discretionary power) will be treated as shares present,
but that have not voted, for the purpose of determining a quorum for the
transacting of business. Under Delaware law, abstentions and broker non-votes do
not constitute a vote "FOR" or "AGAINST" a matter. The election of a Trustee
requires that the successful candidate receive a plurality of votes cast at the
Meeting; therefore, abstentions will be disregarded.
CSAM and its affiliates have advised the Fund that they intend to vote the
shares over which they have voting power at the Meeting, including shares that
are held directly or on behalf of employees, in the manner instructed by the
customers or employees for which such shares are held.
The Fund has one class of shares of beneficial interest of capital stock
(the "Shares"). On the record date, December 22, 2003, there were 53,061,671
Shares outstanding. Each Share is entitled to one vote at the Meeting, and
fractional Shares are entitled to a proportionate share of one vote.
In order that your Shares may be represented at the Meeting, you are
requested to:
- indicate your instructions on the Proxy;
- date and sign the Proxy;
- mail the Proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope;
- allow sufficient time for the Proxy to be received and processed on or
before 3:00 p.m. on February 20, 2004.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF TRUSTEE
The only proposal to be submitted at the Meeting will be the election of
one (1) trustee of the Fund to hold office for the term set forth below and
until his successor is elected and qualified.
Pursuant to the Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Board is
divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years. Each year
the term of one class will expire. Lawrence J. Fox is being nominated to serve
as a Class II Trustee for a three-year term to expire at the Fund's 2007 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
James S. Pasman, Jr. is the Class I Trustee whose term will expire at the Fund's
2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Enrique R. Arzac is the Class III Trustee
whose term will expire at the Fund's 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Mr. Fox has indicated an intention to continue to serve if elected and has
consented to being named in this Proxy Statement.
The following tables set forth certain information regarding the nominee
for election to the Board, trustees whose terms of office continue beyond the
Meeting, and the officers of the Fund. The current terms of office of the Fund's
officers will end at the Board of Trustees' meeting next following the Meeting.
2
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<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN FUND
POSITION(S) TERM OF OFFICE AND COMPLEX
NAME, ADDRESS, AND DATE HELD WITH LENGTH OF TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN BY OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF BIRTH FUND SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
- ------------------------- ------------ ------------------ ----------------------- ------------- ------------------------------
NOMINEE FOR TRUSTEE:
Lawrence J. Fox Trustee Since 2001; Partner of Drinker 3 Director, Winthrop Trust
One Logan Square current term ends Biddle & Reath (1976 Company
18th & Cherry Streets at the 2004 annual to present)
Philadelphia, PA 19103 meeting
Date of Birth: 7/17/43
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
Enrique R. Arzac Trustee Since 2001; Professor of Finance 8 Director of The Adams Express
c/o CSAM current term ends and Economics, Company (a closed-end
466 Lexington Avenue at the 2005 annual Graduate School of investment company); Director
New York, NY 10027 meeting Business, Columbia of Petroleum and Resources
Date of Birth: 10/2/41 University (1971 to Corporation (a closed-end
present) investment company)
James S. Pasman, Jr. Trustee Since 2001; Currently retired. 45 Director of Education
c/o CSAM current term ends Management Corp.
466 Lexington Avenue at the 2005 annual
New York, NY 10017 meeting
Date of Birth: 12/20/30
</Table>
<Table>
<Caption>
NAME, ADDRESS AND DATE POSITIONS(S) HELD WITH LENGTH OF TIME
OF BIRTH FUND SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------- -------------------------------------------
OFFICERS:
Joseph D. Gallagher Chief Executive Since 2003 Managing Director, Chief Executive
c/o CSAM Officer Officer of CSAM and Global Chief Operating
466 Lexington Avenue Officer of Credit Suisse Asset Management
New York, NY 10017 since 2003; Global Chief Financial Officer,
Date of Birth: 12/14/62 Credit Suisse Asset Management from 1999 to
2003; Chief Executive Officer and Director
of Credit Suisse Asset Management Limited,
London, England, from June 2000 to 2003;
Director of Credit Suisse Asset Management
Funds (UK) Limited, London, England, from
June 2000 to 2003; Managing Director,
Head - Asian Corporate Finance and M&A,
Credit Suisse First Boston, Hong Kong,
China, from January 1998 to May 1999
Richard J. Lindquist Chief Investment Since 2001 Managing Director of CSAM; Associated
c/o CSAM Officer with CSAM since 1995; Officer of other
466 Lexington Avenue Credit Suisse Funds
New York, NY 10017
Date of Birth: 6/22/60
</Table>
3
<Page>
<Table>
<Caption>
NAME, ADDRESS AND DATE POSITIONS(S) HELD WITH LENGTH OF TIME
OF BIRTH FUND SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------- -------------------------------------------
Hal Liebes Senior Vice Since 2001 Managing Director and Global General
c/o CSAM President Counsel of CSAM; Associated with CSAM
466 Lexington Avenue since 1997; Officer of other Credit
New York, NY 10017 Suisse Funds
Date of Birth: 07/06/64
Michael A. Pignataro Chief Financial Since 2000 Director and Director of Fund
c/o CSAM Officer and Administration of CSAM; Associated with
466 Lexington Avenue Secretary CSAM since 1984; Officer of other Credit
New York, NY 10017 Suisse Funds
Date of Birth: 11/15/59
</Table>
Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of equity securities in
the Fund and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in the CSAM Family
of Investment Companies (as defined below) beneficially owned by each Trustee.
<Table>
<Caption>
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY
SECURITIES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN BY
DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES TRUSTEE IN CSAM FAMILY OF
NAME OF TRUSTEE IN THE FUND*(1) (2) INVESTMENT COMPANIES*(1)(3)
- --------------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Enrique R. Arzac C E
Lawrence J. Fox B C
James S. Pasman, Jr. B D
</Table>
- ----------
* Key to Dollar Ranges
A. None
B. $1 - $10,000
C. $10,001 - $50,000
D. $50,001 - $100,000
E. over $100,000
(1) This information has been furnished by each Trustee as of December 31,
2003. "Beneficial Ownership" is determined in accordance with Rule
16a-1(a)(2) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"1934 Act").
(2) The Fund's trustees and officers, in the aggregate, own less than 1% of
the Fund's outstanding equity securities.
(3) "CSAM Family of Investment Companies" means those registered investment
companies that share CSAM as the investment adviser and that hold
themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of
investment and investor services.
As of December 31, 2003, none of the non-interested nominee for election to
the Board, the non-interested Trustees or their immediate family members owned
beneficially or of record any class of securities in CSAM or in a person (other
than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by or under common control with CSAM.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, each Trustee who was not a
director, officer, partner, co-partner or employee of CSAM, the Administrator or
any affiliate thereof, received an annual fee of $12,000 and $1,000 for each
meeting of the Board attended by him and was reimbursed for expenses incurred in
connection with his attendance at the Fund's Board meetings. The total
remuneration paid or accrued by the Fund during the fiscal year ended October
31, 2003 to all such unaffiliated trustees was $51,495.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Board convened five
times. Each Trustee attended at least seventy-five percent of the aggregate
number of meetings of the Board and any committees on which he served during the
period for which he was a Trustee.
4
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Messrs. Arzac, Fox and Pasman constitute the Fund's Audit Committee, which
is composed of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund and who are
independent (as such term is defined by the New York Stock Exchange's listing
standards). The Audit Committee convened five times during the fiscal year
ended October 31, 2003. The Audit Committee advises the full Board with
respect to accounting, auditing and financial matters affecting the Fund.
The Trustees constituting the Fund's Audit Committee also constitute the
Fund's Nominating Committee, which is composed of Trustees who are not
interested persons of the Fund. The Nominating Committee did not meet during
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003. On November 17, 2003, the Nominating
Committee met and nominated Mr. Fox to serve as a Trustee of the Fund. The
Nominating Committee selects and nominates non-interested Trustees. The
Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders
should a vacancy arise. Recommendations should be submitted to the Nominating
Committee in care of the Secretary of the Fund. The Fund does not currently
have a Nominating Committee Charter or a formal policy regarding the
consideration of trustee candidates recommended by shareholders, but in light
of the SEC's recent adoption of enhanced nominating committee disclosure
requirements has concluded that both would be appropriate. The Board expects
to adopt a Nominating Committee Charter and other formal policies that are
responsive to such requirements in the near future. The Fund will inform
shareholders when such actions have been taken. The Fund does not have a
Compensation Committee.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter adopted by the Board, the Audit
Committee is responsible for conferring with the Fund's independent auditors,
reviewing annual financial statements, approving the selection of the Fund's
independent auditors and overseeing the Fund's internal controls. The Fund's
Audit Committee charter also contains provisions relating to the pre-approval by
the Audit Committee of certain non-audit services to be provided by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") to the Fund and to CSAM and certain of its
affiliates. The Audit Committee advises the full Board with respect to
accounting, auditing and financial matters affecting the Fund. The independent
auditors are responsible for planning and carrying out the proper audits and
reviews of the Fund's financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
The Audit Committee has met with the Fund's management to discuss, among
other things, the Fund's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2003. The Audit Committee has also met with the Fund's independent
auditors, PwC, and discussed with them certain matters required by Statement of
Auditing Standards No. 61, COMMUNICATIONS WITH AUDIT COMMITTEES, as currently
modified or supplemented, including, but not limited to, the scope of the Fund's
audit, the Fund's financial statements and the Fund's accounting controls. The
Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC
required by the SEC's independence rules delineating relationships between
independent auditors and the Fund and the impact that any such relationships may
have on the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors. The Audit
Committee has discussed with PwC their independence and has considered whether
the provision of services by PwC to the Fund and to CSAM was compatible with
maintaining PwC's independence.
The members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the
practice of auditing or accounting and are not employed by the Fund for
accounting, financial management or internal control. Moreover, the Audit
Committee relies on and makes no independent verification of the facts presented
to it or representations made by management or the independent auditors.
Accordingly, the Audit Committee's oversight does not provide an independent
basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and
financial reporting
5
<Page>
principles and policies, or internal controls and procedures, designed to
assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and
regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee's considerations and
discussions referred to above do not provide assurance that the audit of the
Fund's financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally
accepted accounting standards or that the financial statements are presented
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Based upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended
to the Board that the Fund's audited financial statements be included in the
Fund's 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31,
2003 and be mailed to shareholders and filed with the SEC.
SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE FUND'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Enrique R. Arzac
Lawrence J. Fox
James S. Pasman, Jr.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
At a meeting held on November 17, 2003, the Fund's Audit Committee approved
the selection of PwC for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2004. PwC has been
the Fund's independent auditors since February 1, 2001, and has informed the
Fund that it has no material direct or indirect financial interest in the Fund.
A representative of PwC will be available by telephone at the Meeting and will
have the opportunity to make a statement if the representative so desires and
will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The following table shows the aggregate fees PwC billed to the Fund, to
CSAM and to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with
CSAM that provides services to the Fund for their professional services rendered
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003.
<Table>
<Caption>
CSAM AND CERTAIN
FUND AFFILIATES
--------- ------------------
Audit Fees $ 29,580 $ --
Financial Information Systems
Design and Implementation Fees $ -- $ --
All Other Fees $ 13,780* $ 738,000**
</Table>
- ----------
* Fees are comprised of: (1) $8,500 related to agreed upon procedures in
connection with the Fund's Revolving Credit and Security Agreement; (2) $3,000
related to agreed upon procedures in connection with the Fund's semiannual
reporting; and (3) $2,280 in tax services in connection with a review of the
Fund's excise tax calculations and review of applicable excise and income tax
returns.
** Fees are comprised of: (1) $312,000 in connection with expatriate tax
consulting services, (2) $176,000 in connection with other tax related services
and (3) $250,000 in connection with financial statement audits.
6
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COMPENSATION
The following table shows certain compensation information for the Trustees
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003. All officers of the Fund are
employees of and are compensated by CSAM. None of the Fund's executive
officers or Trustees who are also officers or directors of CSAM received any
compensation from the Fund for such period. The Fund has no bonus, profit
sharing, pension or retirement plans.
<Table>
<Caption>
TOTAL COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION FROM FUND AND FUND
NAME OF TRUSTEES FROM THE FUND COMPLEX PAID TO TRUSTEES*
- ----------------- ----------------------- -------------------------
CURRENT TRUSTEES
Enrique Arzac $ 16,500 $ 76,875
Lawrence Fox $ 16,500 $ 35,875
James Pasman, Jr. $ 16,500 $ 91,500
</Table>
- ----------
* 51 funds comprise the Fund complex. See the "Trustees" table for the number
of funds each Trustee serves.
THE FUND'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT
TRUSTEES, RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
NOMINEE FOR TRUSTEE.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Based upon the Fund's review of filings made pursuant to Section 13 of the
1934 Act, as of December 22, 2003, the Fund had no knowledge that any
shareholder held 5% or more of the Fund's shares.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act require the
Fund's officers and Trustees, certain officers and directors of the investment
adviser, affiliated persons of the investment adviser , and persons who
beneficially own more than 10% of the Fund's Shares to file reports of ownership
with the SEC and the Fund.
Based solely upon its review of the copies of such forms and written
representations received by it, the Fund believes that, for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 2003, all filing requirements applicable to such persons were
complied with except for the following:
Joseph D. Gallagher: A Form 3 was not timely filed to report his
appointment as Chairman of the Fund on February 12, 2003. A Form 5 was filed on
June 13, 2003 to report this event.
Richard J. Lindquist: A Form 3 was not timely filed to report his
appointment as President and Chief Investment Officer of the Fund on July 27,
2001. A Form 5 was filed on December 13, 2002 to report this event.
Hal Liebes: A Form 3 was not timely filed to report his appointment as
Senior Vice President of the Fund on July 27, 2001. A Form 5 was filed on
December 13, 2002 to report this event.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Notice is hereby given that for a shareholder proposal to be considered
for inclusion in the Fund's proxy material relating to its 2005 annual
meeting of shareholders, the shareholder proposal must be received by the
Fund no later than September 17, 2004. The shareholder proposal, including
any accompanying supporting statement, may not exceed 500 words. A
shareholder desiring to submit a proposal must be a record or beneficial
owner of Shares with a market value of $2,000 and must have held such Shares
for at least one year. Further, the shareholder must
7
<Page>
continue to hold such Shares through the date on which the meeting is held.
Documentary support regarding the foregoing must be provided along with the
proposal. There are additional requirements regarding proposals of
shareholders, and a shareholder contemplating submission of a proposal is
referred to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the 1934 Act. The timely submission
of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in the Fund's proxy materials.
Pursuant to the By-laws of the Fund, at any annual meeting of the
shareholders, only such business will be conducted as has been properly brought
before the annual meeting. To be properly brought before the annual meeting, the
business must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement
thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly
brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board, or (iii)
otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder.
For business to be properly brought before the annual meeting by a
shareholder, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to
the Secretary of the Fund. To be timely, any such notice must be delivered to,
or mailed by certified mail and received at, Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
c/o Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC, 466 Lexington Avenue, 17th Floor, New
York, NY 10017 not later than 45 days before the date in the then current year
corresponding to the date on which the Fund first mailed its notice and proxy
materials for the annual meeting held in the prior year; provided, however, that
in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more
than 30 days from the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting,
notice by such shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the
close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice or public
announcement of the date of such meeting was given or made. In no event shall
the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new
time period for the giving of a shareholder's notice as described above.
Any such notice by a shareholder shall set forth as to each matter the
shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description
of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons
for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address,
as they appear on the Fund's books, of the shareholder proposing such business,
(iii) the class and number of shares of the capital stock of the Fund which are
beneficially owned by the shareholder, (iv) a representation that the
shareholder is a holder of record of shares of the Fund entitled to vote at such
meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present
such business, (v) whether the shareholder intends or is part of a group which
intends to solicit proxies from other shareholders in support of such business
and (vi) any material interest of the shareholder in such business.
The Fund may exercise discretionary voting authority with respect to any
shareholder proposals for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders not included
in the proxy statement and form of proxy which are not submitted to the Fund
within the time-frame indicated above. Even if timely notice is received, the
Fund may exercise discretionary voting authority in certain other circumstances.
Discretionary voting authority is the ability to vote proxies that shareholders
have executed and returned to the Fund on matters not specifically reflected on
the form of proxy.
SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND WHO
WISH TO HAVE THEIR SHARES VOTED ARE REQUESTED TO DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED
PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF
MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
8
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OTHER BUSINESS
Management knows of no business to be presented at the Meeting, other than
the matters set forth in this Proxy Statement, but should any other matter
requiring the vote of shareholders arise, the proxies will vote thereon
according to their best judgment in the interests of the Fund.
THE FUND WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF ITS MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT
AND ANY MORE RECENT SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO A SHAREHOLDER UPON REQUEST. ANY SUCH
REQUEST SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE FUND BY CALLING 1-800-293-1232, BY WRITING TO
CREDIT SUISSE HIGH YIELD BOND FUND C/O CREDIT SUISSE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC AT
466 LEXINGTON AVENUE, 17th FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017, OR AT THE FUND'S
WEBSITE AT http://cef.csam-americas.com. THESE REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED WITHIN
THREE BUSINESS DAYS OF RECEIPT.
9
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1786-PS-2/04
<Page>
PROXY
CREDIT SUISSE HIGH YIELD BOND FUND
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of the
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - FEBRUARY 20, 2004
The undersigned hereby appoints each of Hal Liebes and Michael A.
Pignataro, each with the full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them
to represent and vote, as designated on the reverse side and in accordance with
their judgment on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournments thereof, all shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund (the
"Fund") that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of
shareholders of the Fund to be held at the offices of Credit Suisse Asset
Management, LLC, 466 Lexington Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10017, on
February 20, 2004 at 3:00 p.m., New York time.
PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
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[X]Please mark votes as in this example.
This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed
therein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will
be voted "FOR" the nominee in Proposal 1.
1. Election of Trustee
Nominee: (01) Lawrence J. Fox.
FOR NOMINEE / / / / WITHHOLD FROM NOMINEE
The proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business that may properly
come before the Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
VOTE THIS CARD TODAY
By mail; phone (1-866-800-8817)
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGES AND NOTE AT LEFT [ ]
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) hereon. Joint owners should
each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full
corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership,
please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature: Date
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Signature: Date
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