The largest insurance distributor in the Netherlands
In 2007, Rabobank introduced the Rabo Relocation Package. This relocation package helps
Rabobank's agricultural clients in the relocation of their businesses. For their relocation,
clients can avail themselves of a Relocation loan, which gives such farmers or horticulturalists
more financial leeway during the transformation process. Especially for innovations in the
intensive cattle farming sector, Rabobank, together with the Dutch National Green Fund,
developed the VIV-Plus loan. This loan enables agricultural entrepreneurs to finance the
relocation of their cattle business at low costs.
Rabobank makes an effort to help present and future entrepreneurs draw up fitting
business strategies. The 'Rabo Opvolgers Perspectief' programme is offered to business
successors. In 2007, greenhouse horticulturalists discussed business strategies under the
'The Wereld van Jip' project, based on three core trends formulated by Rabobank for its
vision of long-term developments in this sector. Especially for entrepreneurs in the
agricultural sector, Rabobank organised two training courses for entrepreneurs.
These training courses, 'Uw Passie en Pressie in Beeld' ('Your passion and pressure visualised')
for dairy farmers and 'Kansrijk ondernemen in the Akkerbouw' ('Successful arable farming'),
covered several days. Such meetings give agricultural entrepreneurs a broader view of their
businesses and a clear picture of the future.
Rabobank's own knowledge departments in food agri, the size of which is unique in the
world and befits its market leadership position, are an important source of inspiration for the
account managers at the local Rabobanks in their contacts with clients. 2007 saw another
series of authoritative studies on various subjects, including egg-laying poultry farming,
arable farming and horticulture.
Nevertheless, the traditionally high customer satisfaction in the agricultural sector levelled
out slightly in 2007. Agricultural clients are very positive about their agricultural account
managers. Still, they would prefer Rabobank to offer even more competitive financial
products and greater transparency in its charges. Also, agricultural entrepreneurs appreciate
being valued as corporate clients. Traditionally, agricultural clients have strong ties with
Rabobank and this translated in high customer loyalty in 2007.
Together, the local Rabobanks make up the largest insurance broker in the Netherlands.
Many insurance products they sell originate from Interpolis. Interpolis is part of Eureko, in
which Rabobank Group has a 39% interest. Rabobank Group works closely with Interpolis in
product development. Early in 2007, the Interpolis BuitenDeDeur® insurance policy was
introduced as part of the Interpolis Alles in één Polis® insurance policy. This policy insures
personal belongings such as cell phones or digital cameras against theft or damage outside
the home. In its year of introduction, more than 20,000 of these insurance policies were sold.
In 2007, the number of Alles in één Polis insurance policies grew by 6% to 1,272,000
(1,202,000), with clients taking out cover for more risk categories on average under this
policy. In 2007, the percentage of clients with three or more types of cover grew from 50.4%
to 52.6%. Within the Alles in één Polis insurance policy, sales of motor insurance policies
were higher. There was less demand for continuous travel insurance policies.
As a result of the higher interest rate, more clients preferred a savings-based insurance
policy to the OpMaat insurance policy when talking out mortgages. Consequently,
the number of savings-based insurance policies taken out grew by 47% and the number of
OpMaat insurance policies sold fell by 75%.
In 2007, fewer people in the Netherlands switched to a new health care insurance company
than in 2006, the year in which the new health care insurance system was introduced. As in
2006, members of the local Rabobanks received discounts on the Interpolis ZorgActief Polis
insurance policy, the health care insurance policy offered by Interpolis. This contributed to an
increase in the number of policy holders from 103,000 to 121,000.
The number of Interpolis Bedrijven Compact Polis insurance policies was 8% higher in
2007, at 185,000 (172,000). Under the Rabo OndernemersPakket, start-ups get discounts on
Interpolis' chief insurance policies, which contributed to the 38% increase in the number of
start-up enterprises buying insurance products. The number of corporate clients purchasing
insurance products at the local Rabobanks was 9% higher, at 232,000 (213,000).
