25 years
An historie building in Willemstad, Cura^ao's captial
Today RI is active in almost every country in the world. Flashback to 25 years ago
and Rabobank was making its first international steps, opening an office outside
the Netherlands in Curagao, the Netherlands Antilles.
Curafao is characterized by a favorahle climate for both business and pleasure.
It's hardly surprising to learn that the past 25 years have been smooth sailing for
Rabobank in the region. Initially set up in 1978 as a trust company with liniited off
shore banking facilities, the Curafao branch made headway by focusing on off-shore
loans in the '80s, and in the '90s, an ambitious export finance program, innovative
trust activities, and agri-finance. This growth saw personnel numbers peak at 63 in
'95. These days, Rabo Trust and Rabobank Curafao are much smaller; a combined
team of about 20 oversee trust activities and agri-finance requirements for select
clients.
To celebrate this 25th anniversary, a reception on October 24 was organized for
a number ofVIPs including the Governor of The Netherlands Antilles. At the event,
Rabobank's sponsorship of a neiv youth project which assists local youth suffering
from addictions was announced. Rabobank 's contribution will help create a library
of support materials such as videos, books and web pages. And on October 25, the
actual date of the anniversary, all staff attended an activity day at a local beach resort
- an idyllic setting for the celebrations.
The Word I 27
