RABOBANK
BART LEURS
TITLE : CHIEF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
INDUSTRY : BANKING LOCATION : NETHERLANDS
“ The idea behind the cooperative was to fix things together that you cannot fix alone ,” Leurs explains . “ At that time , it was bigger farmers helping smaller farmers to access credit so they could build and grow their business . Of course , we have grown to be a much bigger bank that ’ s not only focused on food and agri anymore , but that has broadened its scope and its activities . But the mentality and culture of a cooperative – of fixing things together – still exists within the organisation .”
In part , he credits Rabobank ’ s success to its operating model , which is unique among global institutions of this size . As a cooperative , Rabobank exists for the mutual benefit of its members . Unlike listed companies , this means that it ’ s able to take
EXECUTIVE BIO
Bart Leurs , Rabobank ’ s current Chief Innovation and Technology Officer ( CITO ), joined Rabobank in 2016 , first serving as Head of FinTech & Innovation before four years as Chief Digital Transformation Officer . As CITO , Bart is leading the change to continuously improve the effectiveness of the bank ' s ' Tech engine ' and is driving the organisation to innovate and make use of the possibilities of Tech & Data . He has held his current role since September 2021 . Bart previously worked at ING , leading various business departments . He has over 20 years of experience conceiving and delivering new and innovative digital services at banks . fintechmagazine . com 31