NPR.

Here lies Credit Suisse, a Swiss bank that was with us for 166 years until it met its

demise this past weekend in a forced sale to its rival, UBS. Credit Suisse will be remembered

as a global financial giant, which financed everything from railroad companies to tech companies.

A bank beloved by both the very rich and the super rich.

But Credit Suisse was also a troubled, some might say, trouble some institution, plagued

by scandals, bad investments, and most recently, a bank run.

This is the Indicated from Planet Money, I'm Adrian Ma.

Today on the show we'll talk with journalists Alice Fullwood about how this financial giant

grew so big and why it fell.

Alice Fullwood Wall Street correspondent for the Economist and co-host of its Money Talks

podcast.

Thanks for joining us.

Thank you so much for having me, Adrian.

It's pleasure to be here.

Is there an analogy or a metaphor in your mind that gives people an idea of what Credit

Suisse stands for in the world of banking?

You know, I think if you'd asked me that 10, 15 years ago, I would have thought that it

was one of those secretive Swiss banks that looked after a lot of rich people's money.

It was one of those elites of the banking world and that it's in particular catered to

the wealthiest.

It's like they have different tiers of credit cards, gold and platinum cards.

...