ASX loses 1.4pc as Credit Suisse share plunge rattles markets, unemployment rate returns to near-50 year low

The threat of more bank collapses in the United States has sent traders scrambling this week (ABC News: John Gunn)

The ASX 200 shed 1.4pc in value today, after a plunge for giant Swiss bank Credit Suisse triggered a rout on European stock markets and losses on Wall Street overnight.

It came as Latitude Financial confirmed the personal information of more than 300,000 customers had been compromised in a cyber attack, and IPH Ltd said it had also suffered a databreach, while the unemployment rate fell in February to 3.5 per cent, making the RBA's April interest rate decision more certain.