Global Financial Markets (including Debt Capital Markets) offers customers products that are
aimed at risk management and capital market transactions relating to the worldwide financial
markets. Global Financial Markets decided to discontinue its Equity Derivatives activities in
2013, and the FX Prime Brokerage activities were also terminated in 2014. These specific
activities are not adequately suited to the Group strategy and moreover their economic
contribution is limited in relation to the risk profile.
Acquisition Finance offers financial services to customers having to deal with a merger or
acquisition. Global Client Solutions provides tailor-made financial solutions for businesses and
financial institutions for which expert knowledge is required in areas such as lending,
legislation, financial reporting standards and/or tax law. Project Finance focuses on financial
solutions for customers with a strong focus on sustainable energy, on infrastructure projects
and on businesses in the international food and agri sector. Global Trade and Commodity
Finance serves customers involved in international raw materials trade, specific funding and
trade finance solutions.
Rabobank's strong focus on food and agri can be seen in the customer base of the Wholesale
Clients International department, where food and agri accounts for 98% (96%) of the total
portfolio in 2014.
Rabo Private Equity
Rabo Private Equity is the investment arm of Rabobank that acquires equity interests in
businesses via specialised labels on the basis of specialist sector knowledge.
One of the former labels, Rabo Capital, was spun off as of 29 August 2014 and continues to
trade under the name of Nordian Capital Partners. Rabobank has a non-controlling interest in
this entity and thus continues to be involved. By looking for joint ventures with other parties,
Nordian is better positioned to realise its growth ambitions and Rabobank's risk with respect to
private equity is reduced.
Rabo Private Equity continues to be active in the Dutch market with its units Rabo Participaties
and Phoenix Recovery Capital. Rabo Private Equity also invests in various private equity funds,
both in the Netherlands and in food and agri funds outside the Netherlands. In each case, this
involves funds that are appropriate to Rabobank's strategy of being a leading global player in
the funding of the food and agri sector or that support its market leading position in the
Netherlands.
New branches
Outside the Netherlands, the most important food and agri countries in which Rabobank has a
presence are the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil, in addition to a large number
of countries in Asia and Europe. We expanded our presence in Turkey and Kenya in 2014.
We have incorporated a Turkish subsidiary, Rabobank Anonim Sirketi, which officially opened for
business on 3 November 2014. This branch will serve wholesale customers operating in the
food and agri sector. With our expertise, we can play a significant part in the further
development of the food and agri sector in Turkey.
We also established an office in Kenya in the first half of 2014. Rabobank is thus reflecting the
development that more and more food and agri customers are operating in Africa. From Kenya,
we will serve the East African region, which is seen as a growth market for food and agri.
Rock-solid bank: performance
