Rabo International Advisory Services (RIAS)
Key figures - wholesale banking
Wholesale banking 39
Although not part of the wholesale banking business, Rabo
International Advisory Services (RIAS) makes an important contri
bution to Rabobank Group's international core activities with its
world-wide advisory services.
RIAS was created in order to use Rabobank's long-established
expertise in financing, co-operative development and agri-business
on the international stage, particularly in emerging markets and
developing countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and
Latin America. RIAS focuses on restructuring and advising financial
institutions that finance farmers and smaller enterprises. It also
contributes to the development of sustainable co-operative organi
sations. Examples of projects that RIAS was involved in during the
year under review include the restructuring of agricultural banks in
Egypt and Kirgizskaya SSR, setting up a sugar beet co-operative in
Russia and the development of financial instruments for the financing
of this co-operative and the processing of sugar beets.
With its know-how, RIAS also contributes to the reinforcement of
Rabobank International's leading position as an international food
and agri-business bank. For example, RIAS advises on the consolida
tion and modernisation of large co-operatives that are clients of
Rabobank International.The advice provided to these clients concerns
such aspects as strengthening their corporate governance and their
capitalisation, improving their credit rating and the introduction of a
transparent system of payments to members for products supplied
by them. RIAS advised a number of co-operative organisations in the
United Kingdom, on the basis of which Rabobank International's
London office was able to develop new commercial activities.
2003 2002 change
Results (in EUR millions)
Total income
1,954
1,815
8%
Total operating expenses
967
915
6%
Operating profit
987
900
10%
Balance sheet (in EUR billions)
Total assets
257.6
244.5
5%
Lending
47.9
47.8
0%
Totaal risk-weighted assets
38.8
35.9
8%
FTEs*
5,252
4,729
11%
including acquisitions