{
  "id": 12582091,
  "title": "Banken: Niederlande wollen Anteil an ABN Amro auf 10,5 Prozent halbieren",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/banken-niederlande-wollen-anteil-an-abn-amro-auf-10-5-prozent",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-07T08:16:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/banken/banken-niederlande-wollen-anteil-an-abn-amro-auf-105-prozent-halbieren/100260346.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "The Netherlands plan to reduce its stake in Dutch bank ABN Amro to just 10.5 percent, almost halving its current 20.7 percent ownership. This move brings the nation closer to a full privatization of the bank, as revealed by the state-owned investment firm NLFI on Wednesday. At the close of trading on Tuesday, ABN Amro's stock was valued at approximately €34.5 billion.\n\nABN Amro CEO Marguerite Bérard expressed her approval of the decision, stating that it came \"not unexpectedly\" and demonstrated the government's continued confidence. The state has been ABN Amro's largest shareholder since rescuing the bank during the 2008 financial crisis.\n\nNLFI has been gradually reducing its stake in the bank for years, aided by rising valuations. In late July, the firm announced plans to sell shares worth €2.5 billion. ABN Amro's shares fell by 1.3 percent in Amsterdam on Wednesday following the announcement. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has gained roughly 40 percent, placing it among Europe's strongest financial sector performers.\n\nBérard, who previously worked for BNP Paribas and took over as ABN Amro's CEO last year, is overseeing the bank's transformation, including cutting thousands of jobs and selling underperforming business units. The company also plans to expand its private banking operations in the Netherlands through the acquisition of NIBC Bank for €960 million.\n\nBérard hinted at potential further acquisitions, stating that the bank will continue to expand its presence in the Dutch private banking market. She added that the bank aims to achieve a minimum 12 percent shareholder return and a cost-to-income ratio below 55 percent by 2028 as part of its strategy. The gradual state withdrawal coincides with a period of consolidation in the European banking sector, sparking speculation that other banks may seek to acquire ABN Amro.",
  "summary": "Die Niederlande wollen ihren Anteil an ABN Amro auf 10,5 Prozent senken. Der Rückzug des Staates bringt die Bank einer vollständigen Privatisierung näher und nährt Übernahmespekulationen.",
  "key_points": [
    "Netherlands plans to reduce its stake in ABN Amro to 10.5 percent.",
    "State-owned NLFI announces move to nearly halve current 20.7 percent ownership.",
    "ABN Amro CEO Marguerite Bérard approves decision, citing government confidence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Haushalt: Norwegische Regierung will mehr Geld aus Staatsfonds entnehmen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/haushalt-norwegische-regierung-will-mehr-geld-aus-staatsfonds",
        "published": "2026-10-07T07:35:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}