Connecting with each other
International Year of Cooperatives
The United Nations International Year of Cooperatives was officially launched in New York in
October 2011Rabobank is a partner of this initiative and supports the International Year of
Cooperatives through a programme of its own, focusing on two themes. The first is cooperative
banking. Rabobank stands out as a bank because of, and thanks to, its cooperative approach.
A key advantage that cooperative banks have is that they can operate in a different way from
banks that are driven by shareholder value. Cooperative banks have greater freedom to set and
stick to their own long-term policy, and to do business with clients in a sustainable way.
The second theme is sustainability in food supply chains. One of the major issues that current
and future generations need to deal with is how to feed 9 billion people and manage
commodities. This is an area in which Rabobank has made a contribution, with a strong
organisational and financial basis, for 110 years. Rabobank has gained a dominant influence in
the food and agri sector, and as a result its responsibilities (joint or otherwise) have increased.
Other alliances
In 2011Rabobank and PGGM, a pension administrator, signed a letter of intent for exploring
the possibilities for close collaboration in the coming years. PGGM and Rabobank launched
a joint website, 'Samen voor Later' (Together for the Future), in October 2011PGGM offers
up-to-date information on this website, while Rabobank provides solutions for making up any
pension shortfalls.
Connecting with employees
The cooperative structure is a source of inspiration for everyone who shapes and gives meaning
to Rabobank's actions. The way in which Rabobank connects with employees is also based on
its cooperative beliefs. A separate section on employees can be found elsewhere in this report.
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Annual Report 2011 Rabobank Group
