KAS BANK aims to be a leader in wholesale securities services in Europe in the field of transaction processing, custody and risk management. The strategy we have adopted to achieve this objective is based on ‘pure play’, neutrality, transparency and financial stability.
With our clear focus on wholesale securities services, our relationship with our clients is that of a partner. We have designed a business model that precludes any conflict of interest with clients and our activities represent no threat to our clients in their area of specialisation. This combination of ‘pure play’, financial solidity and client focus constitutes the critical added value offered by KAS BANK.
Target groups
KAS BANK has operated on the wholesale market, serving only institutional investors and financial institutions, since 2007. Our clients can be divided into six groups: pension funds (including their clients such as savers and administrative organisations), insurance companies, investment funds, asset managers, banks and brokers. Within these six groups, there are a number of specific categories, such as lower-tier government, charitable institutions and housing associations. We do not provide services for retail clients directly.
Products and services
KAS BANK offers its clients a wide range of securities-related services and products. The services are divided into transaction servicing (supporting the settlement of securities transactions in the broadest sense) and asset servicing (custody and management of securities, including administration, valuation, monitoring and risk management). KAS BANK is unique in that it specialises exclusively in securities support services and operates exclusively on the instructions of its clients.
Regions
KAS BANK operates mainly in Europe. Although the bank’s growth ambitions are concentrated at present mainly on the West European markets, growth in Central Europe is a longer-term objective. Our global network of close to a hundred correspondent banks ensures high-quality services outside Europe. The primary function of our offices in London, Wiesbaden and Amsterdam is to support institutional investors and financial institutions. Apart from their commercial activities, the offices outside the Netherlands perform only the necessary minimum of administrative and risk-management tasks; central management and processing are handled in Amsterdam. KAS BANK is therefore a centrally organised bank, from the perspective of both the client and the regulator.
Acquisitions
After het takeover of Delta Lloyd Deutschland AG's fund accounting (Kapitalanlagegesellschaft) in 2008 we have taken over part of German Postbank's fund accounting mid 2009. This acquisition now contributes to operational profit. In 2010, given the uncertainties now facing the financial industry, KAS BANK will concentrate on further small acquisitions in Germany in the first instance, then in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Acquisitions in other parts of Western and Northern Europe are not, however, being ruled out in advance. The emphasis will be mainly on institutional portfolios. Any acquisitions will be financed out of the bank’s own funds, on condition that they contribute to earnings per share.
Read more on our strategy in the Annual Report.