For companies seeking financing for proposed activities, financial institutions such as Rabobank are very often vital. This gives us influence on investment decisions and on the consequences of those investments for the environment in which we live.
Corporate Social Responsibility
‘A sustainable position in the market’ is the motto for the Rabobank Group’s 2007 Annual Sustainability Report. In it, we express the fact that CSR has an impact on the economy, and it does in two ways. Firstly, awareness is growing considering social and ethical aspects, we contribute to managing our risks, as we prevent the economy from becoming unstable or confidence in the banking sector from being shaken. Secondly, it is becoming increasingly apparent how much CSR can contribute to the prevention and resolution of issues such as environmental pollution, climate change and poverty.
Corporate social responsibility is gradually working its way into the core of our business. For instance, 2007 was the first year in which we considered a number of CSR aspects in many of our lending decisions. Rather than to tell our customers off, we do this to identify risks and opportunities inherent in larger credit facilities and transactions. In addition, we substantially extended our range of sustainable investment products and developed innovative products such as the Dutch credit card with climate compensation. We also took action to exclude dubious companies from our pension fund’s investments and are taking steps towards achieving carbon-neutral business operations.
Vision and Mission
Products and services
Rabobank is firmly committed to achieving maximum client value, and that commitment has proved to be fully compatible with our commitment to CSR.
Dialogue
It is time for NGOs and companies to recognise and utilise each other’s specific and unique strengths as well as work together to address weaknesses. Rabobank is actively pursuing strategies that encourage and facilitate this kind of cooperation. One such strategy is the ‘multi-stakeholder dialogue’.
Rabo Development
Gaining access to financial services opened the door to economic growth for many hundreds of people in the Netherlands more than a hundred years ago. Rabobank was founded on this principle of equal access in the 19th century and it still guides the bank’s activities in the 21st century.
Employees and CSR
Involved employees are vital to the success of Rabobank Group. Employees that are committed to the shared ambitions, values and standards of the Group can really make the difference when it comes to realising our business objectives.
Business Operations
The Rabobank Group has been committed for many years to exercising due care in its dealings with people and the environment.
Lending procedures
The Rabobank is aware of the direct and indirect consequences of its activities. Our responsibilities therefore include basing our business decisions in part on whether we are doing business with customers that operate in a socially responsible way.
Contact
Rabobank Nederland
CSR Division
Postbox 17100
3500 HG Utrecht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)30 216 49 37
Fax: +31 (0)30 216 13 48