<Page>
---------------------------
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number: 3235-0116
Expires: July 31, 2008
Estimated average burden
hours per response.....6.20
---------------------------
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of December 6, 2005.
Commission File Number 001-15244
-------------
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
PARADEPLATZ 8, P.O. BOX 1, CH - 8070 ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F |X| Form 40-F | |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security
holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
NOTE: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant
foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally
organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home
country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the
report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has
not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a
material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other
Commission filing on EDGAR.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes | | No |X|
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
82- .
---------------------
<Page>
PRESS RELEASE
[CREDIT SUISSE GROUP LOGO] Media Relations
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP
P.O. Box 1
CH-8070 Zurich
www.credit-suisse.com
Telephone +41 844 33 88 44
Telefax +41 44 333 88 77
media.relations@credit-suisse.com
FINAL REPORTS CONFIRM WINTERTHUR WINS THE DISPUTE WITH XL REGARDING THE
SEASONED NET RESERVES AMOUNT AND THE SEASONED NET PREMIUM RECEIVABLE AMOUNT.
Zurich, December 6, 2005 - CREDIT SUISSE GROUP TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT THE
INDEPENDENT ACTUARY DESIGNATED IN THE SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT (SPA)
BETWEEN XL INSURANCE (BERMUDA) LIMITED ("XL") AND WINTERTHUR SWISS INSURANCE
COMPANY ("WINTERTHUR") REGARDING THE SALE OF WINTERTHUR INTERNATIONAL IN
2001, HAS RELEASED THE FINAL REPORTS REGARDING THE ESTIMATES OF THE SEASONED
NET RESERVES AMOUNT AND THE SEASONED NET PREMIUM RECEIVABLE AMOUNT.
The Independent Actuary's Final Reports confirm the results of the Draft
Reports released on November 24, whereupon the Independent Actuary's
conclusions of the reserve liability and the seasoning of premiums received
by XL are closer to the estimates submitted by Winterthur. Accordingly,
Winterthur's estimates have become the final and relevant Seasoned Net
Reserves Amount and Seasoned Net Premium Receivable Amount. The Seasoning
Process can now be considered completed.
The provisions recorded by Winterthur on September 30, 2005 for this
sale-related contingency, net of pre-payments to and risks retained by XL,
amounted to USD 541 million plus interest accrued between June 30, 2004 and
September 2005. The final payment to XL will include further interest up to
settlement date, and a USD 6 million increase agreed by both parties in the
fourth quarter 2005. The Independent Actuary's conclusion regarding the
Seasoned Net Premium Receivable Amount will result in a USD 9 million payment
from XL to Winterthur.
ENQUIRIES
Credit Suisse Group, Media Relations Telephone +41 844 33 88 44
Credit Suisse Group, Investor Relations Telephone +41 44 333 31 69
1
<Page>
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP
Credit Suisse Group is a leading global financial services company
headquartered in Zurich. It provides private clients and small and
medium-sized companies with private banking and financial advisory services,
and pension and insurance solutions from Winterthur. In the area of
investment banking, it serves global institutional, corporate, government and
individual clients in its role as a financial intermediary. Credit Suisse
Group's registered shares (CSGN) are listed in Switzerland and in the form of
American Depositary Shares (CSR) in New York. The Group employs around 62,000
staff worldwide. As of September 30, 2005, it reported assets under
management of CHF 1,404.6 billion.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking
statements. In addition, in the future we, and others on our behalf, may
make statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements
relating to our plans, objectives or goals; our future economic performance
or prospects; the potential effect on our future performance of certain
contingencies; and assumptions underlying any such statements. Words such as
"believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends" and "plans" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not
the exclusive means of identifying such statements. We do not intend to
update these forward-looking statements except as may be required by
applicable laws. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve
inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist
that predictions, forecasts, projections and other outcomes described or
implied in forward-looking statements will not be achieved. We caution you
that a number of important factors could cause results to differ materially
from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed
in such forward-looking statements. These factors include (i) market and
interest rate fluctuations; (ii) the strength of the global economy in
general and the strength of the economies of the countries in which we
conduct our operations in particular; (iii) the ability of counterparties to
meet their obligations to us; (iv) the effects of, and changes in, fiscal,
monetary, trade and tax policies, and currency fluctuations; (v) political
and social developments, including war, civil unrest or terrorist activity;
(vi) the possibility of foreign exchange controls, expropriation,
nationalization or confiscation of assets in countries in which we conduct
our operations; (vii) the ability to maintain sufficient liquidity and access
capital markets; (viii) operational factors such as systems failure, human
error, or the failure to properly implement procedures; (ix) actions taken by
regulators with respect to our business and practices in one or more of the
countries in which we conduct our operations; (x) the effects of changes in
laws, regulations or accounting policies or practices; (xi) competition in
geographic and business areas in which we conduct our operations; (xii) the
ability to retain and recruit qualified personnel; (xiii) the ability to
maintain our reputation and promote our brands; (xiv) the ability to increase
market share and control expenses; (xv) technological changes; (xvi) the
timely development and acceptance of our new products and services and the
perceived overall value of these products and services by users; (xvii)
acquisitions, including the ability to integrate successfully acquired
businesses; (xviii) the adverse resolution of litigation and other
contingencies; and (xix) our success at managing the risks involved in the
foregoing. We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors is
not exclusive; when evaluating forward-looking statements, you should
carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events,
as well as the risks identified in our most recently filed Form 20-F and
reports on Form 6-K furnished to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
2
<Page>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP
------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date December 6, 2005 By /s/ URS ROHNER
----------------- ---------------------------
General Counsel
/s/ Charles Naylor
Head of Corporate Communications
- ----------------------
* Print the name and title under the signature of the signing officer.
PERSONS WHO ARE TO RESPOND TO THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS FORM ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND UNLESS THE
FORM DISPLAYS A CURRENTLY VALID OMB CONTROL NUMBER.
SEC 1815 (09-05)