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RI MAKES A
SPLASH
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Rabobank
Corporale and Investment banking
International
What's NewS
MONTHLY 1NTERNAL NEWSLETTER FOR RABOBANK INTERNATIONAL
Issue 3 March 1997
Creating bonds - a stand for business.
The Rabobank International stand at the Eurobond
Congress in London last month was immensely
popular. 'We really made quite a splash,' says Koos
Derksen of financial markets, 'and not only with the
free flowing Heineken. The stand really turned into
a meeting point and brought us a lot of new
contacts.' During the two day Eurobond Congress,
the Rabobank International stand became a home
away from home for the Dutch institutional
investors we had invited to London. 'We made sure
they were provided with all the facilities they
needed and also arranged an evening program. All
passers-by were asked for their business cards in
return for a freshly pulled glass of beer. That gave
us a chance to talk to potential prospects. This was
a great way to extend our business network,'
says Derksen.
in brief
contents
STRONG GROWTH
IN 1996
Our final results were
announced officially on
February 26 and showed the
whole organization had made
^ignificant contributions to
growth. Overall lending was
up 14%; funds entrusted rose
by 8%; commission income
was up a staggering 17%; and
our net profit increased
14.4%.
Announcing these satisfactory
figures, chairman Herman
Wijffels attributed our strong
growth to increasing customer
demand for services and
products. The domestic
organization repositioned itself
strongly in the past two years,
achieving a reaffirmation of
cooperative values aimed at
partnership with customers. In
Rabobank International, the
cliënt focus strategy aims to
^chieve a similar effect. Other
important numbers over 1996
are increases in income of
12.1%. Our consolidated
balance-sheet total was up
12.9% - as a comparison,
we've averaged 7.8% over the
period 1991 through 1995.
Our BIS-ratio feil slightly, from
12.0% in 1995 to 11.3% for
the reporting year (minimum
requirement is 8%). Operating
results before taxation rose by
13.9 and we'11 pay tax
amounting to NLG 706
million. Look out for the
Annual Report/Group Profile
which will be appearing in
April with full financial
statements.
INTERNATIONAL
INVESTMENT BANKING
Following the successful
launch of the Budapest
operation as Rabobank branch
late last year, Hungary's
Rabobankers have taken
ongoing development of their
business one step further.
Budapest's business plan for
setting up investment banking
activities has been approved.
Investment banking will also
be launched in Poland so that
Rabobank will grow its
expertise in these promising
central European countries at a
strong pace.
Utrecht Branch's departments
will be presenting their
activities to other colleagues at
a 'knowledge fair'on April 4. It's
also something of an official
opening. Everyone is invited -
the Utrecht team would love to
see any international
Rabobankers who may be
around. You're most welcome!
SOMEWHAT SLIMMER
THAN USUAL, BUT
THERE'S JUST AS
MUCH INFO IN THIS
MARCH ISSUE OF
WHAT'S NEWS.
RI on course - what's happen
ing on the training scene 3
A question of value -
international Rabobankers on
customers, focus and strategy 4
Sharing know-how - financial
markets research around the
world 6
Sustainable development -
IAMA platform 7
Big deals - new approach to
top transactions 11
Talking heads - Poland's Oet
Bakker in the hot seat 12
Rabobank
International