m. 1
Strategy
and targets
The share of the mortgage market increased by 2.5 percentage points to
25.5% (23.0%). Rabobank Group retained its dominant position in the
savings market, with a market share of 39.3% (39.4%). Its market share in
the small and medium-sized enterprises sector was stable at 38% (38%).
Thanks to the influx of start-up businesses, Rabobank regained its leader
ship in this market, with a market share of 33%.
Market and clients
Pursue market leadership in all
financial services sectors in the
Netherlands.
Be and remain the 'near-you'
bank in the Netherlands, in
both physical and virtual terms.
Strengthen position in the large
cities.
- Customer satisfaction rating
of at least 7.5.
- Annual net profit growth of
6 to 10%.
The Dutch economy performed well in 2006.
Consumer spending and corporate investments
both increased further. Interest rates in the
money and capital markets gradually increased,
with the interest rate curve levelling out.
In the mortgage market, the fierce competition
continued unabated and both the local
Rabobanks and Obvion saw their mortgage
margins decline. Clients opted for security in
2006 and took out mortgages at relatively low
interest rate levels and with longer fixed-interest
terms of 20, 25 or even 30 years. Obvion's clients
too, preferred to fix their interest rates for a
longer term. For that reason, Obvion launched
a mortgage with a 30-year fixed-interest term
in late 2006.
Competition in the corporate market, too
increased, which resulted in a decline of the
margin on corporate lending, although to a
lesser extent than in the mortgage market.
Phoning with tomorrow's
With the launch of Rabo Mobiel
in 2006, Rabobank was the first
bank in Europe to introduce
mobile banking and low-cost
phoning in a single package.
Clients can make phone calls at
a fixed, competitive rate and
have 24/7 access to their bank.
Rabobank has thus responded
to the clients' wish to have the
bank near-by at any place and
any time. Rabo Mobiel enables
clients to transfer money
between accounts quickly and
easily, pay bills and use special
banking services, including an
SMS service the moment they
receive their salaries.
Domestic retail banking