Dear colleagues,
EDITORIAL
A fresh new year has just started. One that we hope will
bring you success, both in business and in your private
life. We are firmly convinced that 2010 will be the year
in which Rabobank International harvests the fruits of
our labours in 2009 - a year that was marked by change
and organisational revitalisation. In the New Year we will
be working together to achieve our main goals: market
leadership in the Netherlands and being the leading
F&A bank globally.
The Rl conference in November 2009 made it evident
that cliënt intimacy is key in our business approach, for
both wholesale, rural and retail banking. We have to get
closer to, and intensify our relationship with, our clients
and truly understand their business from the inside out
and commit ourselves for the long term. We have all the
assets to be able to do this, so now is the time for action.
More than ever, we have to work collaboratively across
regions and different product groups to provide our
clients with the best possible products and services, at
every stage of the F&A value chain. Teamwork will lay the
foundations for our successes and strong investment in
knowledge exchange and talent development this year
will galvanise our teamwork.
Within rural and retail banking, instead of looking for
new investments, we will focus strongly on our current
assets and intensify the relationship with our clients in
order to 'claim a seat at their kitchen table'. One of the
initiatives this year will be to build a global network
to share knowledge on cliënt engagement and talent
development. Furthermore, by improving our systems
and procedures for the different rural and retail banks
we will provide our clients with even better service.
As for wholesale, 2010 must be the year in which we
accentuate our global footprint as the leading F&A bank.
More than anything else this means gaining trust and
intimacy with our chosen clients and becoming their
preferred bank of choice. In order to do this, we have to
work on our leadership capabilities, inspire colleagues
and work beyond the boundaries of our organisation.
This coming year will be focused on internal leadership,
capital choices, focused know-how and resources,
optimising the product range, synchronised network and
cliënt leadership. We will also strive to make CSR a true
business proposition within our wholesale framework.
Although these may seem like an assortment of different
priorities, they are not. There are common denominators
in both areas: focus, teamwork and cliënt leadership.
Working together as one Rl across the F&A value chain
is crucial to our global success.
One last thing we want to touch upon is the topic of
remuneration. We are very aware of the debate this is
provoking within our organisation. Indeed, Rabobank
welcomes discussion on remuneration within the
fïnancial sector. In our view this creates more of a level
playing field for all stakeholders and we believe that
the outcome will help restore confidence in fïnancial
institutions. Rabobank's attitude towards bonus schemes
has always been based on fairness, one that takes
into account differences and the extent of dedication,
commitment and the drive of each employee. New
regulations will not change this. In fact, we are confident
that the new rules will align with our approach towards
remuneration and that we can continue to reward our
employees in a fair, open and honest way.
Last but not least, we wish you a lot of success in
everything you do in the coming year.
Best regards,
Sipko Schat Berry Marttin
Executive Board member Executive Board member
ISSUE 22 JANUARV 2010 THE WORD 3
