Credit Suisse executives' calls for calm in the face of a slumping share price and widening credit default swaps have backfired, with the embattled Swiss lender's problems worsening after a weekend of rumours over its financial health.

The Swiss lender is battling a fresh crisis of confidence after its spreads on CDS, a form of insurance against a potential default, hit a new high on 3 October, while its share price fell as much as 12% and has tumbled by 60% this year.