Simple banking via the Internet
Making payments with Rabo Mobiel
Businesses call for innovative services, such as Bizner
Clients find housing information on the Moviq site
As a result of mergers, the number of local Rabobanks declined from 188 to 174 in 2007.
With 1,159 (1,214) branches, Rabobank is the bank with the largest number of branches by
far in the Netherlands. Due to the growing number of cash dispensing machines at public
locations, the number of physical customer interfaces at year-end was almost unchanged at
3,102 (3,091), despite the lower number of branches. In 2007, the number of cash dispensing
machines likewise was almost unchanged at 3,107 (3,139).
Service provision through direct channels shows undiminished growth. Currently, more than
20% of clients buy products via the Internet of via the telephone. The www.rabobank.nl site,
which has around 15 million visitors each month, was again awarded the title of 'Website of
the Year'. In 2007, large numbers of elderly people were given extensive information on
Internet banking during information visits to care homes, as well as at fairs for the elderly.
With this and other target groups in mind, Rabobank introduced the Random Reader
Comfort in 2007, which has large keys and a corresponding display.
If clients buy via the Internet from entrepreneurs that operate web shops, iDEAL enables
direct online payment. This way of paying has become more popular among consumers than
paying with credit card, which clients generally consider to be less safe. Small purchases via
the Internet can simply be made with the Minitix purse.
Rabo Mobiel was introduced in 2006 and a great deal of effort has been put in ever since to
improve its coverage within the mobile network and to develop the pay function on cell phones
further. In 2007, the first successful tests were done with paying via the mobile telephone
network. Currently, Rabo Mobiel enables payments at a number of parking facilities. At a C1000
super market in a village named Molenaarsgraaf, a pilot was started where clients can pay for
their groceries via their cell phones. The Rabobank expects that, in the long run, this payment
method will render the traditional bank card obsolete.
Rabobank is aware that in the corporate market, the character of distribution is changing as
well. Increasingly, entrepreneurs prefer to handle all their banking transactions themselves,
opting for full online banking because of its ease of handling, transparency and speed.
In order to reach these clients, Rabobank Group launched the Bizner Internet bank early in
2007. Via www.bizner.nl, self-service enables businesses to purchase simple banking
products such as loans, payment transactions, credit cards and time deposits. As the first
bank in Europe, Bizner also offers complete integration of online accounting and online
banking. At year-end 2007, 7,500 clients were using Bizner's services. Since many Bizner
clients operate in the large cities, this helps Rabobank achieve its target to extend its market
share in urban areas.
The payments market changed too in 2007. Businesses like to offer their customers
the option of mobile PIN transactions. As a result, the RaboPinBox Mobiel was in high
demand. In addition, many businesses switched from the 'old' telebanking to 'modern'
internet banking.
Early in 2008, Rabobank Group launched its new www.moviq.nl site. This Internet site
contains information on all aspects of residential housing, from purchase to sale and from
design to renovation. The site features a wide range of housing related information and
sophisticated search options. The site enables SME businesses to attract new clients.
New clients strengthen the bank's position in important markets
Rabobank Group has leading positions in many sectors of the Dutch financial services market.
Rabobank traditionally has strong ties with the food agri sector. Despite the changing
market conditions, the local Rabobanks maintained a market share of 84% (84%) in the
agricultural sector. In addition, Rabobank Group has a strong presence in the savings market,
the mortgages market and among small and medium-sized enterprises in the Netherlands.
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Rabobank Group Annual Report 2007
