Youth Day
'Dichterbij' member magazine successful
Cooperative dividend
Member benefit system
In January 2008, Rabobank Nederland organised its first 'Youth Day' for members of young
people's councils and for junior members of local Rabobanks' member councils.
In six workshops, discussions were held that included Rabo Mobiel deployment and
marketing campaigns, with young members of more than 50 banks attending.
In 2006, the 'Dichterbij' member magazine was launched in order to stimulate member
involvement and more direct communication with local members. The magazine's concept
combines general financial information with background information on clients, members,
the local community and their bank. The magazine is published in more than 170 tailor-
made versions for all members.
While in 2006, the emphasis was on the magazine's realisation, and its local editions were
yet to be filled out, it has since grown into a truly local magazine for the great majority of
local Rabobanks. The magazine reflects a single Rabobank but has more than 170 individual
local 'faces'. Thus, the magazine has become a fully-fledged instrument for communication
with the bank's members and helps to give shape to the more emotive components of
membership, such as 'near-by' and 'committed'.
Besides realising customer value, it is fitting for Rabobank to implement collaboration and
bundling of forces in the social environment, especially in our time. This is embedded in the
cooperative principle. Rabobank uses the concept of 'cooperative dividend' for its
investments in its social activities and commitment. This dividend comprises all the money
and efforts spent on the improvement of the economic, social and cultural environment,
including sustainability initiatives.
A growing number of local Rabobanks translate their cooperative dividend into systems
that include cooperative funds and regional sustainability funds. In many instances,
the distribution of cooperative dividend by local Rabobanks is in the form of cash.
However, investments and spending can also be in the form of, for example, voluntary work
by the bank's employees or access to meeting rooms or copying machines. Also, banks
sometimes give access to their means of communication or make their networks available to
local organisations, the underlying idea being that Rabobank wishes to facilitate the linking
of people with local community organisations.
On a national level, self-help, self-organisation and innovative entrepreneurship are
encouraged through the Rabobank Foundation, the Projects fund and the Herman Wijffels
Innovation award.
Members have been able to invest in Rabobank Member Certificates for many years,
but otherwise, the emphasis was mainly on offers of a non-banking nature. Since 2005
however, more offers in the areas of insurance and savings have become open to members.
Members are eligible for discounts on the Interpolis Zorg Actief Polis health care insurance
policy. Members also receive extra interest on the Rabo Levensloop Sparen life-span leave
savings account. In addition, there are local initiatives under which members receive
discounts from local businesses. The member benefit system will be gradually expanded.
