Supervisory Board
The members of the local Supervisory Committee are nominated by the local Supervisory
Committee and appointed by the Member Council, subject to the approval of Rabobank
Nederland. One of the duties of the local Supervisory Committee is to supervise the local
cooperative across the spectrum, including the Management Team's policies and the general
conduct of business at the cooperative and its operations. Key management decisions are
subject to the approval of the local Supervisory Committee. The local Supervisory Committee
also monitors compliance with internal and external rules.The local Supervisory Committee is
responsible for appointing, evaluating, suspending and removing the members of the
Management Team. Finally, the local Supervisory Committee and the Management Team
together represent the local Rabobank in the Regional Delegates Assembly as a member of
Rabobank Nederland.
The members of the Supervisory Committee are from different backgrounds and bring
different experience and skills to the table, which creates an effective system of checks and
balances, and provides the right balance between professional bankers and professionals from
other disciplines. Rabobank Nederland offers the local Supervisory Committee members a
programme of continuing education courses to increase their knowledge of the organisation,
maintain their professional outlook and allow the mutual exchange of ideas.
The local Supervisory Committee is held accountable for its supervision in a Member Council
meeting; in addition, a report of the Supervisory Committee is included in the local Rabobank's
annual report.
Member Council
Clients can become involved in their local Rabobank by becoming a member, which gives
them influence and control over the future their local branch. The members represent the
clients.They are familiar with the members'and clients'wishes and opinions, and know all
about the local area and environment.
Each local Rabobank has a Member Council, which is meant to provide a firm and structural
footing for member control and member influence. A Member Council is a delegation of
30 to 50 members elected by the members from their ranks. As such it is a cross-section of
the local area. The Management Team asks the Member Council to assess its policies in order
to streamline its service offering as much as possible. The Member Council influences and
monitors the direction of the local Rabobank and forms the link with the bank's broad
member base.
The Member Council typically adopts the financial statements and appoints the members of
the local Supervisory Committee. Member Councils also tend to be involved in selecting local
projects qualifying for cooperative dividend. Cooperative dividend comprises all investments
in, and expenditures on, improving the economic, social and cultural environment, including
sustainability initiatives.
General Meeting
The General Meeting of a local Rabobank decides on major issues that impact the continuity
of the branch, e.g. decisions on dissolving the cooperative or terminating its membership of
Rabobank Nederland. The Member Council exercises all other powers.
Works Council
Each local Rabobank has its own Works Council to discuss representation issues affecting that
particular branch. The Management Team is responsible for calling in the local Works Council
adequately and promptly, both formally and informally, when the situation or developments
within the bank so warrant. The rights of the local Works Council include the right to be
informed, the right to be consulted, the right of consent and the right of initiative.
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Corporate governance
