CORPORATE FINANCE Looking forward Knowledgeshare Market shift 4' ing at around 30% each year on a global basis,' says Jansen Schoonhoven. 'Coupled with the fact that the organization has built-up significant experience in this area over the years, it's an attraetive niche as there are not too many competitors for us. It enables us to live up to our "green" image, increase our presence in this area as well as enabling local member banks to participate.' As 2004 gathers momentum, what's in store for Corporate Finance? Increased transparency is something that Jansen Schoonhoven and his team are working on. 'Corporate Finance is all about co-operation, applying our expert skills to the right cliënt base, working together with other deparrments and entities to ensure a cliënt gets what it needs in a way that is profitable for Rabobank,' he says. 'It's about explaining exactly what we do, how we do it, why we do it and who we can do it for. We need to be certain that everyone knows what kind of products we offer and that Relationship Managers are fully clued-up as to what we can deliver to the cliënt.' In order to ensure that the wider Rabobank network understands what kind of business Corporate Finance does, the teams take part in joint cliënt calls. The teams in the local offices around the world are also in regular contact with local Relationship Managers so that everyone knows what is going on. Together with Corporate Clients (RNCC), Corporate Finance has been active in contributing to Relationship Development plans. Within Corporate Finance more emphasis is given to working as a global team in order to benefit front exchanging technology know-how and identifying cross-border business opportunities. And the challenges? In the last few years, Corporate Finance has been shifting its focus more and more towards corporate clients, in line with the Group strategy, while maintaining its strong posi- tion in the professional markets. Jansen Schoonhoven says: 'However, changes in the market have had an impact on the way Corporate Finance operates - and this goes for all financial insti- tutions. After various accounting scandals in the US and F.urope, stakeholders have become more critica! about Structured Finance-type transactions, both in the kind of products offered and the clients to whom it is offered. Rabobank has always been extremely careful with its structured financing, requiring both internal and external legal and tax departments to sign-off on every transaction. We are confident that we can continue to oper- ate effectively in this changed market. From a global viewpoint, Rabobank Corporate Finance is very successful, contributing a lot to the bottom line and creating value for our clients. One of the biggest challenges for this year is to maintain that.' For more Information about Corporate Finance and its products sec http://www.rabobank.com/content/services/corporates/cor- porate_financeHndex.html. See also deals on meeting point. The Word I 9

Rabobank Bronnenarchief

blad 'RI The Word / The Word' (EN) | 2004 | | pagina 9