In the mid-1800s, Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen devised a system in which the savings of rural farmers were collected in order to provide a sound financial base for credit. In 1896, Raiffeisen's banking concept found its way to the Netherlands and farmers' cooperative banks were being established all over the country. In 1898, two central organizations were established in the Netherlands: the Cooperative Association of Raiffeisen Banks and the Cooperative Central Farmer's Credit Bank, or Boerenleenbank.

In 1972, they merged and formed one central cooperative bank - The Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank, or Rabobank.

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Timeline

1864 - Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffaisen establishes first agricultural cooperative bank in Germany.

1896 - 1st agricultural credit cooperative was established in the Netherlands by and for farmers, based on Raiffeisen's concept.

1898 - Two central organizations were established in the Netherlands: the Cooperative Association of Raiffeisen Banks and the Cooperative Central Farmer's Credit Bank, or Boerenleenbank.

1972 - In 1972, they merged and formed one central cooperative bank - The Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank, or Rabobank.

1989 - Rabobank entered the Brazilian market in 1989, establishing a representative office in São Paulo.

1995 - In 1995 formal authorisation was granted for Rabobank International Brazil to operate as a fully-sanctioned and licensed Brazilian commercial bank.

2000 - Since 2000 Rabobank Brazil has been able to offer corporate clients a comprehensive range of financial products and services, including investment banking.

2004 - In 2004, Rabobank Brazil started to offer products and financial services to farmers, aiming to assist the needs of this sector.