Rabobank confirms its position as one of the strongest banks in the world. The bank’s net profit increased by 13% to EUR 1,854 million in the first half of 2011. Our total assets stood at EUR 665 billion as at 30 June 2011.

Rabobank is well capitalised and has very strong solvency ratios, with a tier 1 capital ratio (a key measure of solvency) of 16.2 per cent.  Rabobank is among the highest-rated banks in the world.

The European Banking Authority’s bank stress tests, carried out this European summer, showed Rabobank to perform very strongly.  The tests showed that under a worst-case stress scenario, Rabobank’s core tier 1 ratio would be more than twice the level required to pass.

At EUR 448 million (0.067% of total assets), Rabobank Group has very limited net exposure to European government bonds issued by Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain.   Our current exposure to Greece amounts to EUR 111 million (0.017% of total assets), while sovereign debt exposure to Italy is EUR 255 million (0.038% of total assets).

All deposits with Rabobank New Zealand Limited (including with RaboDirect, its on-line banking division) are fully guaranteed by the global Rabobank parent company*.

Since its inception, all profits made by Rabobank New Zealand Group have remained within New Zealand and have been reinvested in the local market.

*The ultimate Rabobank parent company, Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., guarantees all deposits with Rabobank New Zealand Limited, the guarantee being unlimited in amount and unsecured.