Credit Suisse says ex-employee took staff salary data

Banking giant Credit Suisse, already embroiled in scandals, has warned staff that a former employee took their personal data, including salaries and bonuses.

Switzerland's second biggest bank confirmed the data breach on Tuesday after it was reported by financial recruitment and news website eFinancialCareers.

Credit Suisse sent an email to employees telling them that a staffer, who has since left the firm, "inappropriately" copied their data onto a personal device.


The information included salary and "variable compensation" for a period between 2013 and 2015, the report said.

The issue was identified by the bank in March 2021, the website added.

Credit Suisse said in a statement that it had "recently addressed a data security incident" involving information of an unspecified number of bank personnel.

"This data was moved some years ago by a former employee, with legitimate systems access, to their personal device -- in breach of Credit Suisse policies and procedures," the statement said.

"Having investigated it thoroughly, we have taken and are continuing to take steps -- including legal remedies -- to adequately contain the incident," it said.

"To date, there is no evidence of any onward transmission or intent to use the data in any way."

Credit Suisse was rocked by the implosions of financial firms Greensill and Archegos in 2021.

The bank, which is undergoing a major overhaul, posted last year its biggest annual loss since the 2008 financial crisis: 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($7.9 billion).