Contents Management report Corporate governance Consolidated financial statements Financial statements Pillar 3
The demand for lease products is changing
Thanks to an increasing world population, from a durability
perspective there is a need for a more responsible use of
materials. In addition, ownership of equipment is becoming
less important for more and more people, as they are mainly
interested in the use of the product and the flexibility this
entails. To meet the needs of clients pursuing this option, DLL
offers product innovations such as Flex Lease and Managed
Equipment Services, which give clients more flexibility by
allowing them to avoid long-term financial obligations and
only pay for the use of equipment. DLL is continuously looking
for new solutions with which it can better serve the client,
and in order to stimulate ongoing innovation, participates
in innovation networks such as the FinTech Fund. DLL also
organises innovation workshops, both internally and with
clients, to discover new product possibilities.
Mobile solutions
DLL concentrates on supporting its partners with customised
financial solutions that offer a fast, reliable and simple way of
doing business. DLL has a strong focus on mobile applications
that change how business is done, while simultaneously
simplifying and speeding up existing processes. In order to
ensure that these services provide solutions to the actual needs
of its partners, DLL regularly visits partner locations and uses
the gained insights in planning product developments.
DLL introduced a mobile app 'DLL Express Finance' in the
United States in 2014. This app enables product dealers to
prepare offers on-site as well as actually complete transactions.
In 2015, DLL also started a mobile initiative for Europe in
cooperation with partners in Germany and the United Kingdom.
They required an app that would form a quick and reliable
connection between the customer and the account manager.
The app was introduced in 2016 in all nine industries where DLL
is active.
These mobile applications are only examples of how DLL
facilitates the simplicity and ease of doing business for its
clients. In the coming years, DLL is expected to continue
making significant investments in this area.
Worldwide activities
Vendor finance
Vendor finance is the core of international activities of DLL,
where various financing programmes are used to support
manufacturers and distributors in marketing their products
and services. Vendor finance focuses on establishing and
maintaining long-term alliances in the industries in which DLL
specialises. DLL offers financing options that support customers'
sales objectives, processes and distribution channels and enrich
their value proposition. Market and customer knowledge are at
the centre in this.The largest market for vendor finance within
DLL is food and agri, followed by construction, transportation,
industry and office technology.
Expansion of food and agri activities to India
In line with its target growth in the food and agri sector, DLL
signed a partnership with Escorts Limited, one of the largest
manufacturers of agricultural equipment in India, in 2015.
Via this partnership, DLL has entered the Indian market.
The purpose of the partnership is to give local farmers access to
financing solutions in the agricultural industry. DLL takes care
of the financing of tractors for farmers, whereby repayment
is linked to income cycles. In this scenario, mobile solutions
are helpful in bridging physical distances and simplifying
transactions.
Activities in Europe
In addition to vendor finance, through its subsidiary Athlon,
DLL is also involved in the area of mobility in Europe. Athlon's
mission is to offer the best car lease and mobility solution that
meets the ever increasing needs of the client. Athlon's primary
objective is to provide for the mobility of its customers by
offering innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient solutions.
These solutions vary: from the leasing and renting of cars to
fleet management and mobility advice. Athlon is a leading
provider of car leasing and mobility in the Netherlands.
In addition to the Netherlands, DLL is active in ten other
European countries.The total lease portfolio consists of
approximately 250,000 cars.
Activities in the Netherlands
Vendor finance
In the Netherlands, DLL offers vendor finance with a focus on
the food and agri sector and the healthcare industry. DLL also
offers vendor finance in the Netherlands in the sectors of
clean technology, transportation, industrial, construction and
office technology.
Leasing and factoring
DLL offers leasing products directly to customers of the local
Rabobanks and other Rabobank divisions in the Netherlands,
as part of the financial services provided by Rabobank. DLL is
the market leader for leasing in the Netherlands. While leasing
products are also offered direct to the market through
the online portal Leaseloket, this option is mainly used by
customers in the SME sector. Leasing options are also available
42 Rabobank Annual Report 2015
