Rabobank Group at a glance
50
j
Wholesale banking and international
retail banking
Net profit up 2%
in millions of euros
2007
2008
Private-sector lending
portfolio up 11%
in billions of euros
2007
2008
4,000
3,500
3,000
2.500
2,000
1,000
As a stable market party, Rabobank Group achieved strong
growth in its amounts due to customers, which increased
by 10% to EUR 304.2 billion. The Tier I ratio was 12.7% and
return on equity was 9.7%.
Rabobank Group
Rabobank Group is an international financial services
provider operating on the basis of cooperative
principles. The operations include retail banking,
wholesale banking, asset management, leasing,
real estate and insurance. In the Netherlands, the
strategic focus is on all-finance services and, inter
nationally, on expanding its leading position as a
food agri bank. The organisation employs around
61,000 FTEs and has operations in 45 countries.
Rabobank Group comprises independent local
Rabobanks plus their central organisation Rabobank
Nederland and the subsidiaries. Rabobank Group has
a 39 per cent stake in insurance company Eureko.
Net profit up 13%
in millions of euros
2007
2008
Private-sector lending
portfolio up 10%
in billions of euros
2007
2008
1.500
1,250
Despite the turbulence in the financial sector, the local
Rabobanks succeeded in strengthening their market posi
tions. Our strong position in the savings market was
extended further. Lending showed a strong growth, particu
larly on the business side. Rabobank Group strengthened its
number one position in the mortgages market. The Rabo
bank 2010 programme, which is aimed at customer service
improvement, became available for all local Rabobanks.
Domestic retail banking
The domestic retail banking business comprises
the local Rabobanks, Obvion and Bizner.The 153
independent local Rabobanks have over 1,100
branches and around 29,000 FTEs, and operate more
than 3,100 cash dispensing machines. The local
Rabobanks serve 7.5 million Dutch clients, both
private and corporate, offering a comprehensive
package of financial services. Rabobank is the largest
mortgage bank, savings bank and insurance agent.
It is also the leading bank for the small and medium-
sized enterprises sector in the Netherlands.
Obvion focuses exclusively on collaboration with
independent brokers and it is the largest mortgage
lender in this field in the Netherlands. Bizner is an
internet bank where businesses can handle their
own banking transactions online.
Net profit down 92%
in millions of euros
2007
2008
500
150
2007
2008
400
120
Private-sector lending o
portfolio up 11%
in billions of euros
300
90
200
60
100
30
o
?oH
I
The financial crisis depressed results in Global Financial
Markets and caused an increase in the impairment losses.
As a result, Rabobank international's profit decreased.
Rabobank international expanded its international retail
banking activities further. It increased its existing interest in
the Polish Bank BGZ to a 59% majority interest.
Rabobank International - the Group's wholesale
banking and international retail banking business -
focuses on the food agri sector. This Group entity
has branches in 27 countries and employs more
than 15,000 FTEs world-wide. Besides regional
activities, Rabobank International has divisions with
global operations, such as Global Financial Markets,
Structured Finance, Leveraged Finance, Renewable
Energy Infrastructure Finance, Direct Banking and
Trade Commodity Finance. The retail activities
are performed under the Rabobank label, with the
exception of the Irish ACCBank, which is a fully-
owned subsidiary, and the Polish Bank BGZ, in
which Rabobank International has a 59 per cent
stake. In addition, Rabobank International has
equity investments in private equity.
Rabobank Group Annual Report 2008