I Dear colleagues
This past year has seen some important changes in our
organisation: two new dedicated MTs for Wholesale and
Rural Retail, new cliënt approaches, such as our Food and
Agribusiness (F&A) sector approach, a review of business
models that are less dependent on Group funding and
a strong focus on our core clients. All of these initiatives
are underpinned by the key objectives set out in our
strategie framework: to be the leading all-finance bank in
the Netherlands and the leading F&A bank globally. And
since the mid-term strategies of both Wholesale and Rural
Retail banking are fully in line with these objectives, they
were approved last year by the Central Delegates Assembly
(CKV) and are currently being implemented worldwide.
No doubt, some of you may be wondering how the new
developments are going. The answer is that we're back on
track, although some challenges still remain. Don't forget,
Rabobank is a large organisation steeped in tradition.
Changes will not happen overnight, nor do we want them
to. Gradual transition ensures that we stay primarily focused
on the needs of our clients and that we are organised in the
right way. This issue of Rl World is intended to provide insight
into the progress of the new developments and to show
you a number of concrete results.
You will see that things are indeed moving in the right
direction. Take, for instance, the China Fishery deal in the
cover story about the F&A sector approach. It shows how
we are able to create valuable long-term relationships
with our core clients - how we support their international
growth through our global network, indispensible know-
ledge of key F&A sectors worldwide and our suite of
products. The results are clear: we have a direct line to
the CEO and CFO of this company and they call us when
they want strategie advice. This is what we call boardroom
access and we see this happening more and more across
the organisation.
Cooperation is the key to success. We can be the market
leader if we work together; both Rl and across the Group,
with our colleagues from the Dutch member banks,
De Lage Landen and Robeco, for instance. The winning
formula in finance is one in which there is mutual respect,
close cooperation and the will and capacity to cross the
bridges within the organisation. With this kind of attitude
and approach, we will surely reach our goal of becoming the
leading all-finance provider in the Dutch corporate market
and the leading F&A bank worldwide.
Competition is fierce but we are convinced that we have
the people, products, knowledge and network to realise
our ambitions. We are learning from successful deals, great
teamwork and cross-border thinking. The rewards will
be evident in the Global Deal Communications and Act
Together websites that will be online in February. These are
great tools that you can use to share knowledge even more
and give your clients even better service.
Looking at the positive results of 2010, we see that Rl has
contributed strongly to the overall Group result. This goes
for all Rl units. We know that 2011 will present challenges,
especially in respect of the Basel III rules that will affect
us and our competitors. More than ever, we encourage
entrepreneurship. We challenge you to find creative solutions
that benefit our customers and prospects. To play a role in
helping to shape and consolidate the sustainable growth of
our organisation. It will be an exciting year and we want
to wish you success with your endeavours. We hope you will
enjoy this edition of Rl World.
Kind regards,
Sipko Schat Berry Marttin
ISSUE 26 IA R] WORIT)
