Rabobank Group's strategic ambitions have been embedded in a cooperative and high-quality organisation driven by corporate social responsibility.
Cooperative roots
The cooperative is and remains Rabobank's cornerstone. The local Rabobanks and Rabobank Nederland, which is also the holding company of the Group's subsidiaries and equity investments, are managed in accordance with the cooperative model and will continue to be so. Over the past years, Rabobank has succeeded in strengthening its cooperative identity, partly by embedding member influence in the cooperative further through the introduction of member councils. The scaling-up process of the local Rabobanks typically goes hand in hand with the introduction of the executive model and further professionalisation of the management function. Another key factor is cooperative dividend, the investment in social activities and commitment, which makes members increasingly committed to the bank's image in society. Cooperative dividend comprises spending and efforts for the improvement of the economic, social and cultural environment, including sustainability initiatives.
A growing number of local Rabobanks materialise their cooperative dividends by establishing a body of cooperative funds and regional sustainability funds, among other things. Members have influence in the distribution of these funds. Currently, the 'Dichterbij' member magazine is being filled with local news by all the local Rabobanks separately, with more than 170 different editions being mailed to members.
At 31 December 2007, the local Rabobanks have more than 1.6 million members. Further development of active member engagement is crucial to the local cooperative's permanent license to operate. In the coming years, the cooperative's distinct character will be emphasised further, both internally and externally.