Wealth & Finance International - February 2017

59 February 2017 An Asset to the Industry BN AMRO Lease is an international equipment leasing company operating in four countries. As a wholly owned subsidiary of ABN AMRO, the firm provides lease contracts in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the UK, and leases a wide variety of business assets: from sea containers to tractors and from plant and equipment to vehicle fleets. The firm is in the top segment of the equipment leasing market. It carefully tracks market developments and responds to the needs and expectations of its customers. As a result, ABN AMRO Lease has shown healthy results year after year, ensuring the continuity of the services it provides. With head office in the Netherlands, the firm employs a total of over 250 loyal and committed staff. Sara van den Broek is Head of Marketing and Product Development and tells us a little more about the company she works for. “In a time of de-leveraging and constrained liquidity, you need to ensure that you do not have all your eggs in one basket. As the economy improves, you will need to be able to expect more from your financial partners. As a wholly owned subsidiary of ABN AMRO Bank, we are, through the provision of asset finance products including hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease, now spearheading the growth ambi- tions of the bank.” “Indeed, we are one of the few players with the appetite and capability to inject equity into equipment residual value positions in order to create real operating lease structures.” Partnership approach ABN AMRO Lease recognises that companies need to ensure that the liquidity of their business remains appropriate for the level of busi- ness activity. Companies also need to be able to respond quickly and effectively to changes in the market. This calls for a partner who thinks and behaves in the same manner. The firm’s aim is to achieve sustain- able results, together, whilst remaining as easy to do business with as possible. Subsidiary of ABN AMRO Bank As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dutch ABN AMRO Bank, this guarantees continuity of service to customers. This status also provides reassurance for all customers that the firm meets the highest profes- sional standards. Financing core assets ABN AMRO Lease is an international asset-based lender focusing fully on financing the core assets at the heart of your business. It believes that asset-based lending is the best way to finance business assets. The key feature of this service is that it takes a partnership approach and works on the solution that suits clients best. The firm’s aim is to become a long-term partner rather than merely funding a single transaction. It takes the time to understand a client’s business and plans for the future and presents an offer that helps peo- ple achieve their ambitions. Entrepreneurial mentality and asset expertise A flat hierarchy and relatively small organisation ensures fast processing and decision-making. This also make it more flexible and pragmatic. Investment in a strong and effective asset management department en- sures that the industry / asset knowledge supports the setting of strong equipment residual values and therefore competitive rental profiles and costs. Also, because ABN AMRO knows the assets, it offers excellent opportunities for remarketing. It is one of the few lessors with both the appetite and capability to inject equity into equipment lease residual value positions in order to create real operating lease structures. The firm aims to provide its customers with added value by means of lease structures that best match customers – and potential customers – require- ments and situations. “We believe that leasing is the best way to finance business assets, and actively encourage business people and businesses to be aware of the attractiveness of the leasing option,” states Sara. To continue to strengthen its position in the Netherlands and win a sizeable share of the European market, ABN AMRO Lease is focussing its on several strategic cornerstones: - Every client is a promoter: In everything ABN AMRO does, it constantly thinks about the wishes and needs of customers. This means asking clients frequently about their opinions of its services and new developments. - Dedicated professionals: The many years of experience have made ABN AMRO experts in equipment leasing. To serve its customers even better, to be able to offer the keenest rates and to stay ahead of competitors, the firm must continue to develop its knowledge of equipment leasing. Ways in which it does this include setting up a specialist knowledge team tasked solely with developing the asset management strategy. It has also created the Lease Acade- my, which draws on all the expertise within ABN AMRO Lease and works to improve awareness of leasing in the marketplace. - By continuing to develop partnerships with colleagues from ABN AMRO Bank, the firm can serve customers faster and better when it comes to equipment finance. In combination with strategic corner- stones, this enables it to pursue sustainable growth. Company: ABN AMRO Lease Name: Sara van den Broek Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.abnamrolease.com Address: Vliegend Hertlaan 77, 3526 KT Utrecht, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 (0)30 212 64 06 Sara van den Broek talks to us about ABN AMRO Lease in the wake of it being awarded Corporate Bank of the Year for The Netherlands and the Best for Leasing & Equipment Finance 2016 for the Netherlands. A FI160036