In 2009, Sarasin's excellent service quality and investment performance was praised in several
journals. In its 'Elite Report', the German financial newspaper Handelsblatt again named Sarasin
as one of the best private banks in German-speaking countries. Sarasin was also praised by
Private Banker International for its successful business model and was awarded the title of
'Outstanding Private Bank - Europe'.
In addition, Sarasin was the 'Best Private Bank for Portfolio Management' and the 'Best
Private Bank for Innovation' according to the professional journals The Banker and Professional
Wealth Management.
Highest customer satisfaction for Schretlen Co
Schretlen Co and Rabobank Private Banking had the highest scores in the 2009 Incompany
100 - the annual ranking of advisory enterprises drawn up by business journal Incompany.
In the private banking segment, Schretlen Co occupied first place for the third consecutive
year and Rabobank Private Banking tied for second place. In this survey, clients rated Schretlen
Co's services by a score of 7.5 (7.0) and those of Rabobank Private Banking by a score of 7.1
(7.2). Schretlen Co was praised for its specialist know-how, while Rabobank was applauded
mainly for its local presence. In addition, Schretlen Co was awarded the title of the
Netherlands' best service provider by Incompany.
Responsible and transparent investment products
In 2009, Rabobank Group's sustainable assets under management and held in custody
amounted to EUR 16,438 (11,506) million, being 7.1% (6.3%) of total assets under management
and held in custody for clients. Over the past years, responsible or sustainable investments have
been fleshed out further by putting together and selling sustainability funds such as water-
focused and clean technology funds. But responsible investing has a wider scope than these
niche products. Consequently, Rabobank aspires to make responsible investing part and parcel
of its regular investment services. The group entities concerned - i.e. Rabobank Private Banking,
Robeco, Schretlen Co, Sarasin and Rabobank International - are bringing their investment
services in further alignment with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment.
Robeco stands for responsible investing
One of Robeco's strategic pillars is responsible investing. Robeco aspires to strengthen its dis
tinctive proposition in this area further, first and foremost by integrating social, environmental
and governance factors in accordance with the United Nations Principles for Responsible
Investment. Robeco also pursues an exclusion policy for controversial arms, and Robeco and
SAM funds use a 'Responsible Investment' classification. In addition, the engagement service
will be expanded in the light of the Responsible Investing Programme. Within the engagement
dimension, Robeco focuses increasingly on collaboration with other international investors,
which turns out to be an effective way of achieving good results. This growing collaboration
enables Robeco to have dialogues with more enterprises. For more information, see:
www.rabobank.com/csr-engagement.
New private equity fund
In 2009, Robeco launched Robeco Responsible Private Equity Fund II. This sustainable fund aims
to put together a global portfolio of first-class private equity funds that subscribe to strict rules
for responsible investing. Investments in the arms industry, gambling, adult entertainment, fur
production and the tobacco industry are excluded. In 2009, the United Nations Principles for
Responsible Investment addressed the Robeco Sustainable Private Equity Fund as a case study
in one of its publications.
Services in Islamic markets
Both Sarasin and Robeco are responding with new products to growing demand in Islamic
markets. In 2009, Robeco's business entity SAM and Gatehouse Bank together launched the
first-ever investment fund to focus on water. It enables clients to invest in innovative enterprises
that develop technologies to prevent global water scarcity. Islamic scholars have endorsed
these investments. They meet the growing demand from Islamic market.
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Report 2009 Rabobank Group
