Share ofTIS market
Trade, industry and services
Stability in SME loans
Rabobank Group signed the Global Compact as early as in 2002 and Rabobank Private Banking
uses them as a frame of reference in the investment process. What is more, Rabobank asks
providers of investment funds to sign the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. By doing
so, they undertake to focus on sustainability factors in the investment process and to call
businesses in which they invest to account on their sustainability policy. Rabobank does
not want any involvement whatsoever with funding corporations that manufacture or sell
controversial weapons. Investments in such corporations are shunned and providers of
investment funds are asked to define an exclusion policy in that respect. These procedures have
been formalised in Rabobank's group-wide policy for the arms industry. For more information
on the principles for responsible investment, please visit www.rabobank.nl/privatebanking/
uw_situatie/uw_beleggingen/maatschappelijk_verantwoorde_beleggingen/ (in Dutch).
At year-end 2012, 79% (71%) of investment funds offered by Private Banking met all criteria of
the principles for responsible investment; 19% (16%) met some of the criteria and 2% (13%)
met none. Private Banking has initiated a dialogue with the funds that do not yet meet all the
criteria in order to steer them in the right direction.
in
50
40
30
20
10
0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Consumer spending was low in 2012 and growth in Dutch exports
slowed down. Investments by the corporate sector were lagging.
Many sectors have already had a difficult few years in which they
were forced to eat into their financial buffers. Many businesses are
shying away from large investments now that the crisis is more
persistent than initially thought. Limited consumer spending in
the Netherlands and disappointing exports also tended to take
away the need for expansion investments. Rabobank Group's
share of the trade, industry and services market was up 1% in
2012 to reach 43% (42%) thanks, in part, to the consolidation of
Friesland Bank.
In the autumn of 2012, Rabobank presented its new vision for the SME market to a gathering
of sector organisations and representatives of SMEs. The central theme of this vision is the
capacity of businesses to respond early to change. Rabobank has a key role in selecting
potentially successful propositions. Knowledge of the sector helps both the business owner
and the bank to make the right choices. Because of Rabobank's financial stability, the bank is
in a position to support businesses even when they are going through a rough patch.
Support for corporate clients in difficulties
Similar to previous years, the challenging economic times translated into an increase in non-
performing loans.The Special Accounts department (Dutch acronym: BBR) has expert account
managers who provide intensive support to customers facing problems with their business.
Working closely with the customer and the local Rabobank in question, the BBR account
manager prepares a plan to improve the performance of the business as well as the position
of the bank. Because of the length of the economic crisis it is proving increasingly difficult to
improve the financial position of these customers.
Teamwork and partnerships for businesses owners
Rabobank is involved in various partnerships to work with and for business owners.
Some interesting examples for business start-ups are www.ikgastarten.nl, an online platform
for start-ups, and The Next Entrepreneur, an initiative developed in cooperation with the
Association of SMEs in the Netherlands (MKB Nederland), which welcomed no fewer than
3,600 entries in 2012.
By way of Qredits, a partnership between banks, Fonds Werken aan Wonen (a fund for
housing issues), and the Dutch Ministries of Economic Affairs and Social Affairs, Rabobank
helps business start-ups and existing businesses with fewer than five employees to get or
keep going. Over 70 Rabobank employees have offered to volunteer for the Qredits coaching
network. Nearly 40 of them have now been assigned a business owner so that they can start
making an actual contribution to the success of this vulnerable group.
Rabobank participates in the Ondernemers Krediet Desk (business loan desk), an initiative of the
Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Association of SMEs in the Netherlands, the Confederation of
Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO/NCW) and the Dutch Banking Association, to help
37 Broad range of services in the Netherlands
