During the annual flagship event Global SME Finance Forum 2019 held last October, the SME Finance Forum organized 10 study visits. The Forum's study visits are an integral part of the peer learning opportunities. During these visits, organized in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, visitors had the opportunity to learn about the latest fintech innovations and good practice in SME banking and non-financial services from local institutions. 

One such popular visit was organized to Rabobank, a cooperative bank, established in the late 19th century by farmers to create access to financial services for the agricultural sector and the rural population in the Netherlands. Today Rabobank is one of the largest banks in the Dutch financial market. Domestically, Rabobank Group provides nearly all the financial products and services required by its private individuals and business clients. Rabobank has an 83% market share in the agricultural and agribusiness lending market, and it is the market leader in the Dutch MSME segment, with a market share of 40%. Internationally Rabobank exclusively focuses on Food & Agri Banking in selective markets worldwide.

Participants were introduced to the history of Rabobank and how they have had to consistently innovate given the rise of technology and the changing mode of interaction with clients. More intricate details of how they begin and maintain relationships with SME clients were shared. Finally, participants were exposed to Rabobank’s main focus- Agri Banking with an emphasis on Sector Management.

The host of the visit was Bjorn Schrijver from Rabobank and the IFC lead Panos Varangis, Head, Agrifinance Advisory at IFC - World Bank Group. 

Learn more here.