RABOBANK HISTORY
1
Rabobank Q
Historical importance
Think again
Sou ree material
Something from everyone
Unusual role
Naamlooze Vennootschap
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The Farmers' Mortgage Bank, a subsidiary of
the Co-operative Central Farmers'Credit Bank,
was founded in 1908. It obtained its working
capital by the issue of mortgage bonds.
At the end of the 1960s, the Farmers' Credit Banks
started to offer travel agency services.
The Art of Dutch Banking
In an international advertising campaign in the 1980s,
Rabobank used the work of the Dutch painter Mondriaan.
can be stored safely and is easily accessi-
ble to everyone. We're also busy scan
ning our photo archive. It's a big project
however, and will take several years to
complete,' says De Boer. Meanwhile,
the department's Archivist, Van der Meer
has his hands full devising the most
efficiënt way of elassifying this sea of
sources.
Documents, public relations material,
photos, films, videos and even office
supplies can potentially be historically
interesting. It's De Boer and Van der
Meer's job to sift through the wide range
of historical sources to decide what to
keep. They try to always keep the bigger
picture in mind. 'These archives must
function as a knowledge and informa-
tion centre for Rabobank's history, creat-
ing a good overview of the social and
economie position of Rabobank
Nederland, its predecessors, and the
entire Group,' explains De Boer.
While in theory the aim is clear, in prac-
tice it's much harder trying to decide, per
item, whether something has historical
relevanee for the company. Although
Van der Meer is busy drawing up a list of
criteria, De Boer admits that it's 'rather
subjective.' So how does he decide what
makes the grade? 'We ask ourselves: Is
it interesting enough to include in an
exhibition on Rabobank's history?
Piggybanks or old moneyboxes, advertis
ing campaigns... you may think at the
time that it's not important, hut 30 years
later it can be very interesting. If in
doubt, send it to us and we'll decide!'
Rabobank's central archive near
Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, is a very
rich source for the History Department's
archive. Dutch law stipulates that the
bank must keep all records for 10 to 15
years and the resulting 80 km worth of
material is stored in the central archive.
The historical potential is enormous.
Obvious examples of valuable docu
ments are the minutes and reports front
the upper levels of the organization as
these reflect the Rabobank's key con
cerns at a given time. In a larger sense,
they can also give a fascinating insight
into the general economie climate.
While the History Department was
founded by Rabobank Nederland, it is
also interested in material from other
Group entities including Rabobank
International and the wholesale busi-
nesses. 'We collect everything to do witlt
Rabobank's history, so if you have any-
thing that you think could be worth
adding to our collection, please send it
to us. We have very little that documents
Rabobank's internationalization,' De
Boer explains.
The History Department plays an unusu
al role in Rabobank's organization.
'Utilike other departments we don't earn
any money, but the contribution we
make to the company is priceless,' says
De Boer. After all, to know where you're
going, you have to know where you've
come from. I
Queries ahout tbc' historical importance
of any item can he directed to Stefan de
Boer (s.boer@rn.rabohank.nl).
26 I R The Word I