credit suisse group ag, is organised as a joint-stock company registered in zürich that operates as a holding company. it owns the credit suisse bank and other interests in the financial services business. credit suisse is governed by a board of directors, its shareholders and independent auditors the board of directors organize the annual general meeting of shareholders while investors with large stakes in the company determine the agenda. shareholders elect auditors for one-year terms, approve the annual report and other financial statements, and have other powers granted by law. shareholders elect members of the board of directors to serve a three-year term based on candidates nominated by the chairman's and governance committee and the board of directors meet six times a year to vote on company resolutions. the board sets credit suisse's business strategies and approves its compensation principles based on guidance from the compensation committee. it also has the authority to create committees that delegate specific management functions.