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Interview: Karel Valken, Rabobank

18 December 2009

Jonathan Bell talks with Rabobank International’s Karel Valken about the bank’s recent developments within trade and commodity finance.

Read more: [Rabobank International] [Karel Valken] [Diane Boogaard] [Rabobank commodities] [Joep Kockman] [Erdenet]

Talk of agri-commodity financing and one bank that is high up on that list is Rabobank International. The triple A-rated bank, headquartered in Utrecht, keeps a low profile and rarely talks about its commodity financing structure, activities and direction. Until now.

Almost four years ago, a big change took place at Rabobank when Diane Boogaard joined from Fortis to become the global head of trade and commodity finance at Rabobank International, taking up the position in March 2006. Up till then, the bank had traditionally been seen as a conservative institution largely involved in agri-commodities. This was a profile that was set to change. So, just how much has changed during this period, and what is the make-up of the arms now working within commodity finance?

The first person to be recruited by Boogaard, and a man held in high regard and very much viewed as the deputy head is...


Poll

Credit insurers have withstood the crisis admirably settling a high number of claims during 2009. If you are actively involved in trade transactions what percentage of your deal book now enjoys some political or credit risk cover from private insurers?

75% to 100%
33%
50% to 75%
30%
25% to 50%
9%
25% or less
10%
I don’t use private credit insurers
18%

Quote

You ignore LCs at your peril as a trade bank.

Mark Evans, ANZ - Banks examine the bigger trade picture - April 2010