The strategic objective of the Rabobank Group is to integrate sustainability fully in our offering to the mass market. We have not achieved this yet. Sustainable products and services are still niche markets but are gradually becoming accepted by the mainstream. The recent growth in the amount of attention paid to corporate social responsibility around the world was visible at Rabobank, in the form of the launch of a wide range of new sustainable products and services, and strong interest in existing sustainable products. Sustainable products were defined by GRI in its draft financial services sector supplement (FSSS) as products that are designed to offer the client clear social or environmental benefits.
New sustainable products and services introduced in 2007
Investment
- Robeco SAM Sustainable Climate Fund - Robeco SAM Biofuel Certificate - Sarasin European Solar Power Index - Robeco Groen Garant Obligatie - Sarasin European Solar Power Index - Sarasin and the German Stock Exchange created two sustainability indices for German and Swiss securities, and the first SaraZert Open End Certificate on the DAXglobal(r) Sarasin Sustainability Switzerland Index was launched - Sarasin New Power Fund, a retail fund focusing on renewable energy and energy efficiency - Sarasin Managed Fund Portfolio Sustainable, a fund with three different strategies (defensive, balanced and dynamic) that invests in sustainability funds managed by Sarasin or by third parties - Sarasin Green Building Basket, an investment product focussing on energy efficiency in the construction industry - Rabo Charity Desk to provide high net-worth clients with financial advice on achieving their social/financial objectives - Rabo Garantiecertificaat: Rabo Duurzaam Garant September-07 (underlying index: Dow Jones EURO STOXX Sustainability Index(r)). Payments, savings and loans - Rabo Mortgage KlimaatHypotheek - Rabocard with climate compensation - Rabo GroenSpaarrekening: a savings account paying an attractive rate of interest that qualifies for tax breaks - VIV-pluslening (10-year bullet loan paying 2% interest): this loan product is based on an agreement between Nationaal Groenfonds and Rabobank aimed at supporting business in the intensive livestock sector that relocate in connection with nature regeneration projects - Financing for soil decontamination, provided in conjunction with the Dutch Soil Centre - Rabo Vermogen Versterkingslening, a loan introduced as part of the Regeling Groeifaciliteit scheme operated in conjunction with SenterNovem. The scheme increases access to the credit market for small and medium-sized enterprise - Random Reader Comfort, a bank card reader for people with visual impairments. Leasing - Car leasing policy incorporating sustainability criteria and measures aimed at minimising environmental impact - Micro leasing. Real estate - Bouwfonds Development test of sustainability, comfort and quality for new property developments developed in conjunction with GPR Gebouw and others - Rabo Bouwfonds Asset Management is working on several sustainable property funds that will have an environmentally friendly, sustainable and/or CSR profile.
Find more information on:
Sustainable investment and asset management products by Robeco
Sustainable investment products offered by SAM
Sustainable investment products offered by Sarasin
Sustainable investment products offered by Triodos