2022 was my first full year as chairman of the Dutch Banking Association. At the beginning of the year, we launched our motto ‘Strong banks, strong society’. We need strong banks to be resilient as a society and fulfil our ambitions, whether it’s buying a house, setting up a business or making our economy more sustainable.  

Not everything is in our own hands in this regard. In spring, we were shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of refugees came to the West, tens of thousands of them to the Netherlands. For people who came here out of fear of violence and with a minimum of possessions, it is important that they can lead as normal a life as possible. This includes access to payments. Banks have taken up this challenge, energetically and adequately. The war also caused high inflation rates globally which have had a major impact on many of our customers finances. Banks are still watchful and are ready to provide tailor-made solutions when households or businesses run into financial trouble.  

Considering our social role, we launched two major public campaigns for our customers and society last year. The first was ‘All Signs Green’, aimed at entrepreneurs and homeowners who want to become more sustainable with the help of their bank (also a way to cope with increased energy prices). The second was the campaign ‘Fraud. This is how it works!’, to further educate consumers on criminal behaviour. Banks also made significant steps in developing action plans to do their bit to combat climate change. Other issues that played in the past year and will continue to play out are the gatekeeper role of banks (our conference with Dutch parliamentarians in November showed broad support for making the fight against money laundering more risk-oriented) and the debate around the introduction of a digital euro. And we had a successful edition of ‘Bank in the Classroom’! 

Sustainability will also be high on our joint agenda this year and next, as will the pursuit of an inclusive society and a future-proof banking sector. At the same time, we will have to better arm ourselves against the consequences of the climate impact that is already manifesting itself, in the form of extreme weather, floods and droughts. ‘Strong banks, strong society’ remains our motto in this regard. That is a mission for the banks – especially in times of international instability, that also touches banks – and we can only deliver it in cooperation with each other and our stakeholders: the government, our regulators and various interest groups representing our customers. I look forward to continuing that cooperation!

Medy van der Laan,
President Dutch Banking Association