Combining Fortis Investments with the asset management activities of ABN AMRO will produce a global asset manager in terms of reach and scale, with an established footprint worldwide. This winning combination will also offer access to high-growth markets and capabilities in high-growth product areas. To ensure that we at Asset Management are ready to leverage this growth, we are implementing a fast track integration process firmly focused on client retention and aimed at retaining key investment and sales staff. At the same time, this will confirm our stable image among clients.

As part of our focused growth strategy, we at Private Banking will build on our client-driven approach designed to offer the most appropriate and innovative solutions. Joining forces with ABN AMRO will allow us to benefit from a deeper geographical footprint in Europe and Asia where we can roll out our full service offering to high-growth markets. This will give us the chance to leverage our best practices and local market strengths into the international network. And it will help us create one international private bank – one that works with an integrated network harmonised across borders and a dedicated platform and systems.

We will continue to pursue our successful pan-European ‘enterprise and entrepreneur’ approach, cross-selling with Merchant Banking’s medium-sized and large companies. Other growth drivers are upgrading of retail clients, our brokerage activities and our wealth management proposition. Our strategy of developing our business on all these fronts simultaneously is designed to ensure steady growth in the future.