David F. Bassett Appointed Head of Wholesale Clients for Rabobank International, North America

NEW YORK, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Rabobank today announced that David F. Bassett will join the bank on July 1, 2013, as Head of Wholesale Clients in North America.  David replaces in that role Robert S. Bucklin, Vice Chairman of Rabobank International, North America Wholesale, who will retire this summer after 20 years with the bank. 

In his new role, Mr. Bassett will be responsible for Rabobank's wholesale food, beverage and agribusiness franchise, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  He will be a member of the Management Teams for Rabobank's North America Wholesale and global Wholesale Clients International businesses.  Mr. Bassett will report to Ruurd Weulen Kranenberg, Chief Executive Officer for Rabobank International, North America Wholesale, and to Gilles Boumeester, Global Head of Food & Agri coverage for Rabobank.

Commenting on the appointment, Ruurd Weulen Kranenberg said, "David's extensive knowledge of corporate debt markets and leadership skills are well matched to his new role heading Rabobank's largest international banking franchise.  He brings a strong client focus and management track record that will position us well to build on our 30-year legacy as the premier bank to the North American food and agribusiness industry."

Mr. Bassett has two decades of banking experience, serving most recently as Global Head of Syndicate at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), based in Connecticut.  He joined RBS in London in 2004, as Global Head of Loan Markets. Prior to that, Mr. Bassett spent 12 years at Citigroup, first in Loan Origination and Structuring in New York, and later as Head of European Loan Distribution in London.

Robert (Bob) Bucklin, who has been the Head of Wholesale Clients in North America for 19 years, led the bank's evolution in North America from a niche lender into a multi-product lead arranger for multinational companies, with commitments of $20 billion to the leading food and agribusiness firms in the region.  He joined the bank in 1993 as Head of the Dallas office, and in 1994 moved to New York to lead the U.S. corporate banking franchise.  Mr. Bucklin is a member of the bank's North America and global Wholesale Management Teams, and was named Vice Chairman for Rabobank International, North America Wholesale, in 2010.

Mr. Weulen Kranenberg said, "As the principal figure in our regional corporate banking franchise over the past two decades, Bob has been Rabobank's face to the market and instrumental in forging the strong client relationships and banking teams that have helped to establish Rabobank as the premier bank to the North American food and agribusiness industry.  His considerable commercial and managerial strengths have earned him the deep respect of clients and colleagues, and industry recognition as a highly knowledgeable and trusted banker.  We are immensely appreciative of his leadership and contributions, and wish him the best in the years ahead."

Mr. Bucklin will work with Mr. Bassett and Rabobank account teams over the coming weeks to effect a smooth transition of client and management responsibilities. 

Rabobank Group is a global financial services leader providing wholesale and retail banking, leasing, real estate services, and renewable energy project financing. Founded over a century ago, Rabobank is one of the largest banks in the world, with nearly $1 trillion in assets and operations in more than 40 countries, and ranks among the 10 safest banks in the world (Global Finance, World's 50 Safest Banks, April 2013).  In North America, Rabobank is a premier bank to the food, beverage and agribusiness industry, and a leading financier of renewable- and bio-energy and energy infrastructure projects.   www.rabobank.com

SOURCE Rabobank