CHICAGO, IL, January 24, 2007 – North American Energy Credit and Clearing (NECC) and Credit Suisse have partnered to enhance NECC’s services to its growing customer base and provide Credit Suisse’s clients with access to the US$1 trillion power and gas physical trading markets. In addition to taking a substantial equity position in NECC, Credit Suisse will be providing a sizable facility along with other best-in-class credit enhancement tools to augment NECC’s credit protection framework.  The investment is being made by the Credit Suisse Next II Fund. 

In recent months, NECC began rapidly gaining momentum, having entered some 600 transactions valued at over US$100 million.  NECC’s growing and diverse customer base includes traders, utilities, banks, merchant power plants and gas suppliers including most recently Deutsche Bank, Texla Energy Management and Hess Corporation.

“Credit Suisse continues to seek ways to meet the current and emerging needs of its client base,” said Philip Vasan, Global Head of Prime Services at Credit Suisse.  “We are therefore especially pleased to partner with NECC to give our Prime Services clients the ability to efficiently trade in the physical commodity markets,” he added.

George Sladoje, Chairman of NECC and former Executive Vice President at the Chicago Board of Trade, “We are very pleased with Credit Suisse’s increased support and believe this will enhance our Company’s ability to expand our reach in the physical energy markets.  We believe we offer solid benefits to all energy trading organizations in that we provide access to fully secured transactions and maximum collateral efficiency.” 

Early adopters such as Calpine and TXU are pleased with the recent developments at NECC.  "We are confident that this transaction will further enhance NECC's services providing additional value and efficiencies in the physical energy markets" said Tom May, Executive Vice President - Commercial Operations for Calpine.

North American Energy Credit and Clearing Corp.
The North American Energy Credit and Clearing Corp, organized under the laws of the state of Delaware, is privately held and based in Chicago, IL. NECC’s mission is to promote capital and market efficiency, resiliency and diversity in energy markets, primarily through an effective credit and clearing solution that integrates the physical and financial markets.  NECC currently offers credit and clearing services for power products in ERCOT and at CAISO and gas traded at Henry Hub, PG&E Citygate, Panhandle Eastern, TCO Pool and Columbia Gulf Onshore.  NECC will soon expand to additional locations to better support its growing customer base.  NECC’s services can be accessed via both electronic and voice brokered platforms.  For more information on NECC visit www.necclear.com.

Credit Suisse
As one of the world's leading banks, Credit Suisse provides its clients with investment banking, private banking and asset management services worldwide. Credit Suisse offers advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high-net-worth private clients globally, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is active in over 50 countries and employs approximately 45,000 people. Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group, is a leading global financial services company headquartered in Zurich. Credit Suisse Group's registered shares (CSGN) are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.

Media Contact:
Becky Kilbourne
NECC Marketing and Business Development
626-445-0226
bkilbourne@necclear.com

John T. Gallagher
Credit Suisse
212-325-0932  
john.t.gallagher@credit-suisse.com