100m-euro assets for ABN''s consumer banking arm

The consumer banking division of ABN Amro Bank, launched in mid 2004, has come to total 100 million euros in assets, says Haris Hanif, vice-chairman of the bank coordinating the retail segment. “After one and a half years, we own assets worth 100 million euros, but we want to double this volume by the end of the year,”Haris Hanif told ZF. He says things have seen a positive progression, given that ABN, whose tradition and image were linked to the corporate sector, turned its focus towards a rather narrow segment of clients, whose revenues are above average. Furthermore, ABN will open another five branches in the next few weeks, one of which will be in Bucharest. This expansion is significant, given that ABN”s presence on the market had amounted to 16 branches after a ten-year presence. The new branches will focus specifically on individual clients, with spots specially prepared where they can interact with credit officers. The old branches will also be upgraded and expanded, in order to provide services for the retail segment. ZF