Jan van Nieuwenhuizen
Member of the Managing Board
responsible for Dutch and
international Wholesale Banking
and Commercial Real Estate
About this Chairman's Corporate Consolidated Financial Company Financial
Report Foreword Management Report Appendices Governance Statements Statements
The explosion of technological growth, and
the plethora of opportunities it brings, is
changing the bank rapidly. I am really
impressed by biockchain technology. Soon we
will be able to use it to massively improve the
efficiency and sustainability of trade flows in
the food sector. Imagine biockchain as a type
of electronic safe that will replace the endless
paper flows of contracts and documents. It is
also far less prone to fraud; cargo can be
shipped faster at a lower price. This
technology will soon be able to show
customers exactly where supermarket
products come from. We are cooperating with
supermarkets to develop an app that creates
and encourages transparency throughout the
food chain, and that promotes a level-playing
field. This is especially relevant in developing
Last year I got to visit many of our offices
throughout the world and share the story
behind 'Growing a better world together' with
ourcustomers. It was the beginning of several
wonderful conversations. Of course, there
were lots of questions too. It struck me that
many CEOs and their companies are focused
on defining their own mission and finding
their purpose. When I talkto them, lam curious
to hear what it means to them personally. For
a mission to really work you have to believe in
it. Also, I tell them more about our plans and
mission. Our customers often face the same
challenges as we do. We are in a good position
to support them since we aspire to achieving
this mission primarily by working together
with our clients and other stakeholders. I see
these inspiring discussions with customers as
my personal contribution to our mission in
2018. Change starts by creating awareness
and engagement.
regions where farmers often have little
leverage in the value chain. Banks and
corporates should take responsibility for their
important role.
The financial sector has changed considerably
in recent years, but the general public still
perceives it that changes are happening too
slow. The transformation also presents
dilemmas. For 10 years, Rabobank has been
working on sustainability in the palm oil
sector. We have made enormous progress, but
so much remains to be done. When a company
is slower to make the transition to a
sustainable model than you would like, you
can do one of two things: close the door on
them or invite them to sit down and help them
get back on track faster. We prefer the latter
option if possible. Our mission inspires us to
make clear the urgent need for change and to
move it along more swiftly by working
together with our customers.
