Deutsche Bank Appointed as Successor Depositary Bank for Swisscom AG Sponsored ADR Program
Deutsche Bank has announced its appointment as the successor depositary bank for the sponsored American Depositary Receipt program of Swisscom AG, marking an important development in the ongoing support of Swisscom’s international shareholder base and reinforcing Deutsche Bank’s role as a leading global provider of depositary receipt and cross-border equity services, particularly for European issuers seeking efficient access to U.S. capital markets and international investors through established ADR structures.
Overview of Swisscom AG and Its Strategic Market Position
Swisscom AG is widely recognized as one of the most prominent information and communications technology providers in Switzerland and Italy, offering a broad portfolio of services that spans mobile telecommunications, fixed-line internet connectivity, digital television solutions, and advanced IT and digital services tailored to both private consumers and enterprise clients, positioning the company as a cornerstone of digital infrastructure and innovation in its core European markets while maintaining a strong reputation for service reliability, technological advancement, and long-term strategic investment.
Swisscom’s Ownership Structure and National Importance
Swisscom’s ownership structure underscores its significance within Switzerland’s economic and technological landscape, as the Swiss Confederation holds a 51 percent ownership stake in the company, reflecting the organization’s strategic importance to national connectivity, digital sovereignty, and critical infrastructure, while also highlighting Swisscom’s responsibility to balance public interest considerations with commercial objectives in a competitive and rapidly evolving telecommunications environment.
Swisscom’s Workforce, Headquarters, and Corporate Footprint
Headquartered in Ittigen, Switzerland, Swisscom employs nearly 20,000 people across its operations, supporting a workforce that plays a central role in maintaining and expanding telecommunications networks, developing digital platforms, and delivering innovative IT solutions, with the company’s scale and human capital base enabling it to serve millions of customers while continuing to invest in next-generation technologies and service models across Switzerland and Italy.
Role and Significance of Sponsored ADR Programs
Sponsored American Depositary Receipt programs serve as a critical bridge between non-U.S. issuers and U.S.-based investors by enabling foreign companies such as Swisscom AG to have their shares represented and traded in the United States through depositary banks, providing enhanced visibility, improved liquidity, simplified settlement processes, and greater accessibility for investors who prefer to trade securities in U.S. dollars within familiar market and regulatory frameworks.
Deutsche Bank’s Expertise in Depositary Receipt Services
Deutsche Bank brings extensive experience to its role as successor depositary bank, with a long-standing specialization in administering cross-border equity structures including American Depositary Receipts, Global Depositary Receipts, and New York Shares, supported by deep operational expertise, global custody networks, and advanced infrastructure designed to meet the complex requirements of multinational issuers and institutional investors across multiple jurisdictions.
Broader Trustee, Agency, and Escrow Capabilities of Deutsche Bank
Beyond depositary receipt services, Deutsche Bank provides a comprehensive range of trustee, agency, escrow, and related services to corporates, financial institutions, hedge funds, and supranational agencies worldwide, enabling the bank to support a wide array of financial structures and transactions while ensuring compliance, transparency, and operational efficiency across diverse legal and regulatory environments.
Coverage of Complex Financial Products and Structures
Deutsche Bank’s service offering spans a broad spectrum of products and transaction types, ranging from complex securitizations and large-scale project finance arrangements to syndicated loan facilities, debt exchange programs, and corporate restructurings, reflecting the institution’s ability to manage sophisticated financial mandates and support clients throughout the full lifecycle of capital market and financing activities.
Importance of Depositary Bank Transitions for Issuers and Investors
The appointment of a successor depositary bank is a significant event for both issuers and investors, as it ensures continuity in the administration of ADR programs, maintains market confidence, and safeguards investor rights, while also offering the potential for enhanced service quality, operational improvements, and expanded investor outreach under the stewardship of an experienced global financial institution such as Deutsche Bank.
Effective Date and Implementation of the New Depositary Arrangement
The transition of depositary responsibilities to Deutsche Bank is effective as of January 30, 2026, providing a clear timeline for market participants and ensuring that the administration of Swisscom’s Level I ADR program continues seamlessly without disruption to trading, settlement, or investor servicing functions across relevant markets.
Key Characteristics of Swisscom’s Level I ADR Program
Swisscom’s ADR program is structured as a Level I ADR traded on the over-the-counter market under the symbol SCMWY, allowing U.S. investors to gain exposure to Swisscom shares without the need for direct participation in foreign exchanges, while benefiting from standardized disclosure practices and efficient clearing and settlement through established U.S. market infrastructure.
ADR Ratio, Eligibility, and Settlement Details
Under the current terms of the program, the ratio is set at 10 American Depositary Shares to one ordinary Swisscom share, with the ADRs being eligible for settlement through the Depository Trust Company, ensuring operational efficiency, reduced settlement risk, and broad accessibility for institutional and eligible market participants engaging in ADR transactions.
Identification Codes and Trading Information
The Swisscom ADRs administered under Deutsche Bank carry the CUSIP number 871013108 and the ISIN US8710131082, providing standardized identifiers that facilitate accurate trade processing, custody, and reporting across global financial systems, while supporting transparency and consistency for investors, brokers, and custodians.
Custodian Bank and Local Market Safekeeping
UBS Switzerland AG has been designated as the custodian bank for the underlying Swisscom ordinary shares, with safekeeping services provided from its Zurich location, reinforcing the importance of strong local custody arrangements in ensuring the integrity of the ADR structure and the secure handling of underlying securities within the issuer’s home market.
Global Distribution and Investor Support Channels
Deutsche Bank offers dedicated markets distribution and investor support services for depositary receipt programs, including specialized contact points in London and New York, ensuring that issuers and investors have access to timely assistance, market information, and operational support across major financial centers and time zones.
New Business Development and Relationship Management
New business development responsibilities related to the Swisscom ADR program are overseen by designated Deutsche Bank professionals, reflecting the bank’s emphasis on relationship-driven service delivery and its commitment to supporting issuers with strategic insights, market intelligence, and tailored solutions that align with evolving investor expectations.
Communication Channels and Depositary Receipt Resources
Deutsche Bank provides comprehensive online resources and direct communication channels for depositary receipt information, enabling issuers and investors to access program details, corporate actions, regulatory disclosures, and administrative updates through centralized platforms designed to enhance transparency and ease of use.
Deutsche Bank’s Global Banking Franchise
As Germany’s leading bank, Deutsche Bank operates a diversified global franchise encompassing commercial and investment banking, retail banking, transaction banking, and asset and wealth management services, serving corporations, governments, institutional investors, small and medium-sized enterprises, and private individuals across Europe, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific region.
Strategic Importance of Transaction Banking and Securities Services
Transaction banking and securities services form a core component of Deutsche Bank’s global strategy, with depositary receipt programs representing a key intersection between capital markets, custody, and investor services, allowing the bank to leverage its global network, regulatory expertise, and technology platforms to support international capital flows.
Regulatory Framework Governing the ADR Program
The Swisscom ADRs have been registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, ensuring compliance with applicable U.S. securities regulations while providing a recognized legal framework under which the ADRs may be issued, traded, and held by eligible investors in accordance with established market standards.
Limitations on Availability to Retail Clients
The investment or investment service described in the related notice is not available to retail clients as defined by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, reflecting regulatory distinctions between professional and retail investor categories and underscoring the importance of compliance with jurisdiction-specific investor protection rules.
Approval and Communication of the Notice
The notice relating to Deutsche Bank’s appointment as successor depositary bank has been approved and communicated by Deutsche Bank AG New York, reinforcing the role of the bank’s U.S. operations in overseeing ADR-related activities and ensuring adherence to relevant regulatory, disclosure, and governance requirements.
Role of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
The services described in the notice are provided by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas or by its subsidiaries and affiliates, each operating in accordance with appropriate local registration and regulatory oversight, highlighting the importance of jurisdictional compliance in the delivery of global financial services.
Informational Nature of the Announcement
The announcement has been issued strictly for informational purposes and appears as a matter of record only, with Deutsche Bank making no representations or warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information provided, emphasizing standard market practice in the dissemination of corporate and securities-related notices.
No Offer or Solicitation of Securities
Neither the announcement nor the information contained within it constitutes an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, nor does it represent a solicitation in any jurisdiction where such activity would be unlawful, reinforcing the distinction between informational disclosures and investment marketing communications.
Restrictions on Reproduction and Use
No part of the notice may be copied, reproduced, or distributed without the prior written consent of Deutsche Bank, reflecting intellectual property protections and the controlled dissemination of official corporate communications.
Disclaimer Regarding Past Performance
The notice reiterates that past results are not indicative of future performance, a standard disclaimer intended to remind market participants of the inherent uncertainties associated with financial markets and investment outcomes.
Copyright and Issuance Details
The announcement is copyrighted as of January 2026 by Deutsche Bank AG, with all rights reserved, and has been issued by the press department of Deutsche Bank AG New York from its offices at One Columbus Circle, New York, underscoring the formal and official nature of the communication.
