In the last two years, Rabobank has bought a stake in an asset management firm (Robeco), has been expanding in investment banking and has started negotiations to merge with an insurance firm (Achmea). What are the reasons behind this?
Henk Visser: During the 1990s we have seen the non-interest income of the Rabobank Group increase much faster than interest income. Not just in Rabobank International, where more than 50% is non-interest income, but also in the local retail network. We're convinced that this institution has a very active role to play with depositors, borrowers and investors, and this has led to us shifting from being the sole investor with our retail and corporate clients to acting as an intermediary. That is why we formed an alliance with Robeco, taking a 50% stake in 1997, with an option on the other 50% which we're going to exercise in a couple of years.
Another issue on the table was the arrival of the euro. We had to take steps to strengthen our position, and one of the first was to strengthen the group over here in the Netherlands. It is very common that if you are going to become a part of a bigger market, the first strategic move is a defensive one, to create a situation where it is very hard for newcomers to be competitors.