Organisation
Global presence in food agri
Rabobank invests in Clean Tech
Wholesale activities
Rabobank International is set up as a matrix
organisation. The aim of this is to combine
commercially effective operations based on
knowledge of local markets and clients with
specific knowledge of client sectors and products
that has been bundled on a global scale.
The direction of Rabobank International's
global activities is based on the various regions
(Netherlands, Europe excluding the Netherlands,
Americas, Australia New Zealand and Asia).
Besides the division by region, Rabobank
International distinguishes a number of client
sectors and product groups that are directed
globally. These are: Global Financial Markets,
Structured Finance, Leveraged Finance, Direct
Banking, Trade Commodity Finance and
Participations. For the best possible service to
the clients and markets, these regions and
globally organised units work closely together.
It is Rabobank's ambition to be the word's best
food agri bank, with a strong presence in key
countries. In order to leverage its knowledge
on a global scale, the Food and Agri Research
unit is established not only in the Netherlands
but also in the United States and Australia,
among others. Both clients and Rabobank
Group itself benefit from this knowledge.
Rabobank researches all important food agri
sectors where it operates and regularly issues
publications. In 2006, subjects included the
animal feed industry in Brazil and the dairy
sector in China.
For growth in food agri, Rabobank
International's primary focus is on extending
its retail activities in traditional agricultural
countries such as the United States and
Australia. Another focus is on emerging coun
tries with fast-growing food and agri sectors,
such as in Central and Eastern Europe but also
further abroad, in countries such as Indonesia,
Brazil, China and India.
Rabobank and Robeco are keen to invest in
businesses that use clean energy production
technologies (Clean Tech). This may take the
form of loans or the development of products
for investors. In 2006, Rabobank and Robeco
launched the Robeco Clean Tech Certificate for
private investors and the Robeco Clean Tech
Private Equity II Fund for institutional investors.
In order to gain greater knowledge of Clean
Tech enterprises, a new Clean Tech Research
department was set up within Food and Agri
Research early in 2007. This department is to
be the centre of expertise in clean technology
within Rabobank and will research develop
ments in the business sector and in enterprises
that use clean technologies such as biofuels,
biomass, fermentation and wind and solar
power.
The wholesale activities grew strongly in 2006
and the aim is to consolidate this strong growth
in 2007 and to try and make the existing
relations stronger and more sustainable.
In the Netherlands, Rabobank International
not only serves its own client group, which
comprises the large Dutch enterprises, but also
supports the local Rabobanks in serving the
corporate market.
Abroad, the primary focus of the wholesale
banking business is on the food agri sector,
with the emphasis on the food sector. In addi
tion, Rabobank possesses specific expertise
Acquisition of two
SME banks in Indonesia
In 2006, Rabobank signed an
agreement to acquire Bank
Haga and Bank Hagakita in
Indonesia. Both banks focus on
servicing small and midsize
enterprises (SMEs) engaged in
trade, manufacturing and
business services, as well as
individual clients. Consequently,
Rabobank gets access to the
SME and retail banking sector
in Indonesia. Rabobank,
through its subsidiary Rabo
bank International Indonesia,
has successfully operated in
Indonesia's corporate market
for sixteen years. The acquisi
tion of Bank Haga and Bank
Hagakita complements its
current services and fits
Rabobank's ambition to be the
world's leading lender to the
food industry and the agricul
tural sector. Indonesia's eco
nomy is the largest in
Southeast Asia, with food agri
playing an important part in
the national economy.
In addition, the country's
SME sector is prospering and
banking services to the retail
market are showing strong
growth.
Wholesale banking and international retail banking 39
