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What's NewS
Monthly internal newsletter for Rabobank International
Issue 8 August 1996
Betty Mills
in brief
FUND FOR CHINA
At year-end, the bank will
establish a direct investment
fund of around NLG 300
million aimed specifically at
China. This is the first of what
should be a number of similar
funds. Sjouke Postma, who
heads up the bank's China
operations, says he welcomes
the new fund. 'It means we'11
be able to stimulate corporates
which want to start up a joint
venture or subsidiary in the
^^tC. Besides offering expertise
d assistance on the ground,
we'll also be able to support
them with funding now. It will
mean that the chances of
success improve. I'd say that
was extremely important as
half of all joint ventures set up
since 1980 have come to grief.
It's really very good news.'
SBC CONNECTION
Rabobank Nederland has won
the mandate for all NLG
clearing for the whole Swiss
Hot news from down under.
See page 14.
Even before the Georgian state capital was overwhelmed by
Olympic madness, Atlanta Rabobankers had a sporting victory to
celebrate. F&A account manager Betty Mills (32 - pictured left)
had brought home the US amateur triathlon championship in the
30 to 34 age group. The triathlon is a tough event comprising
cycling, swimming and running segments. 'It was fantastic to win
the championship,' she says, 'because it gives me a shot at the
world title in August.' Rather ruefully, she explains this event will
be held in Cleveland, Ohio this year. 'Usually, it's in rather more
exotic places, like Cancun in Mexico.' While clearly thrilled at the
win, Betty emphasizes that her main goal at the world event will
be 'to go out and have a good time. I'm not going to stress myself
out,' she says, 'I want to have some fun and see what I can do.'
Betty has been a keen athlete all her life. She swam in college and
is a dedicated cyclist - as bank chairman Herman Wijffels
discovered when he opened the Atlanta office last year. Before the
official inauguration, Betty took him out for a bike ride along
with the CEO of a major corporate cliënt. This novel approach
to bringing together senior bank management and clients may
seem a little unorthodox, but it is just one more reflection of how
sport can contribute to international understanding.
Bank Corporation worldwide.
The 20 SBC offices generate
around 55,000 interbank
payment transactions annually.
In return for the mandate,
Rabobank will place its
mandate for CHF clearing with
SBC. The reciprocal agreement
becomes effective on August 1.
AMBITIOUS START
The recently opened treasury
operation at Raibo has got off
to a big start by coordinating
the issue of a USD 265 million
floating rate note program for
one of the biggest US
acquisitions ever in Brazil.
'Although we actually
coordinated the issue,' says
treasury manager Dirceau
Miranda, 'this is a real example
of international networking.
The deal was originated by our
Atlanta and New York offices,
and our US colleagues also
placed the paper.
contents
WHAT'S NEWS
THIS MONTH?
No headline grabbing
acquisitions this month, but the
network keeps on networking.
Working relations - Unisono
goes Dutch in China 3
Strategy papers - more on
organizational changes 4
Joining hands - pharma teams
pool resources 6
Zurich special - Swiss private
banking in focus 7
APFT - growing around the
world 13
Talking heads - Robin
Bargmann in the hot seat 16
H