Blog RaboDirect

RaboDirect PRO12 Final and the end of Season 1

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 01+00:00

After nine months and 134 matches, the RaboDirect PRO12 finishes where it started with one titanic tussle between the same two teams that kicked off this remarkable season.

Stop saving for just the rainy days

Tim Bicknell | General Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 49+00:00

We believe saving isn’t just for a rainy day; it’s much more important than that. Today, I’m delighted to introduce our new savings campaign, Saving is Believing. This campaign is full of fun and hope. It starts to set out, in our own inimitable way, why we believe saving is so important.

Meet Benjamin Kane!

Martin O'Leary — 38+00:00

He’s the star of our new savings campaign and he’s here to deliver the Saving is Believing message to the good people of Ireland.

Saving is Believing: Our First TV Ad

Martin O'Leary — 26+00:00

Check out our first TV ad.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Aoife Mahon | Offline Marketing Manager — 47+00:00

In the week before we shot our newest TV ad campaign, Saving is Believing, I went in search of two customers who’d welcome the opportunity to come and join us on set for the day, soak up a bit of atmosphere, hang with the director ...

Most Popular Funds - April 2012

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 15+00:00

When I’ve sat down to write the Most popular funds update over the last few months, I’d loved to have been able to say the markets are roaring ahead and the worst is behind us, but sadly that’s not the case. Like most people, I’m fed up hearing constant bad news and would be delighted if I could turn off the negative news flow but we have to face the reality that things are pretty awful in Europe right now ...

Archie Talks – RaboDirect Present Ed O'Donnell

Gina McCrudden | Investments Marketing Manager, RaboDirect — 47+00:00

RaboDirect are proud sponsors of Archie Talks, a series of events run by Archipelago, giving young Irish entrepreneurs a forum designed to showcase and develop the individuals and companies that will become the trend setters and game changes of tomorrow’s Ireland ...

Introducing Tim Bicknell, General Manager, RaboDirect

Tim Bicknell | General Manager, RaboDirect — 37+00:00

Hi there, I’d like to take a couple of moments, if I may, to introduce myself and tell you why I’m excited to now be part of the RaboDirect team ...

The RaboDirect PRO12 2011/12 Award Winners

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 07+00:00

The stars of the 2011/12 RaboDirect PRO12 celebrated a record-breaking regular season in Cardiff at the annual awards ceremony on Sunday. It was an evening jam-packed full of rugby chat with everyone in high spirits as they reflected on an outstanding year ...

RaboDirect PRO12 Mascot Competition Winners Announced!

Gina McCrudden | Investment Marketing Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 11+00:00

It’s an absolute cracker for any rugby fan! As promised, we drew our lucky winners today and they are ...

Go Inside the RaboDirect PRO12 Finals

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 18+00:00

It’s been an epic season and after 21 rounds, 126 matches, and nearly one million supporters through the gates, we’re ready for our last series of regular season games in this year’s competition.

Marked Upturn In Confidence Among Irish Investors

Gina McCrudden | Investments Marketing Manager, RaboDirect — 01+00:00

There has been a significant pickup in confidence in the global economy among Irish investors, according to results of the latest RaboDirect Investor Barometer. The survey of our investors reveals that 57% of respondents are confident about the development of the global economy over the next three months ...

Investing In The Future

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 45+00:00

Recently we worked with the RaboDirect PRO12 rights holder, Celtic Rugby, to launch this year’s RaboDirect PRO12 Masterclass series, where together we offered young rugby fans the chance to meet and have a training session with their heroes ...

Most Popular Funds - March 2012

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 36+00:00

The most popular funds for March are showing a similar trend to those for February, with an interesting mix between investors taking a defensive position and those looking for opportunities to get a higher return by taking on some risk.

Why change a good thing!

Aoife Mahon | Offline Marketing Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 51+00:00

We’ve decided to extend our current rate offering for personal on demand savings ... effective 2nd of April 2012, you’ll get a variable rate of 3.10% Gross/AER* for savings amounts from €0 to €20,000. A standard variable rate of 2.40% Gross/AER* applies on remaining amounts above €20,000.

Money flowing into technology

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 11+00:00

Earlier today I received an eflash from Morningstar and there was an interesting article from Alanna Petroff highlighting the most popular investment sectors for professional money managers.

Most Popular Funds - February 2012

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 50+00:00

Concerns over the impact of a disorderly Greek default has had a negative impact on the markets over the last few days. And, just to prove the theory we saw The Vix Index, commonly referred to as the ‘Investor fear gauge’ rise above 20 for the first time in weeks.

2011 - Another satisfying year for Rabobank Group

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 33+00:00

You might have heard us mention before that we’re part of Rabobank, one of the safest banks in the world*. Well, we wanted to let you know that the 2011 results have just been announced and once more, they reinforce the bank's overall position as a safe haven for savers and give us good reason to be optimistic about the year ahead.

RaboDirect Supports World Record Dreamers

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 36+00:00

It’s not every day you get to meet a true legend, but on last week I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon in the company of Ireland’s greatest ever rugby player, Jack Kyle OBE. I was in Belfast where RaboDirect was announcing a community initiative with the city’s oldest school, Belfast Royal Academy, notably where Kyle is amongst their most treasured alumni.

Countdown to the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs in May

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 07+00:00

The RaboDirect PRO12 goes from strength-to-strength. We are moving into the second half of our inaugural season and there’s lots of exciting plans ahead as the 100-day countdown ticks towards our first-ever final on the 26th of May.

Most Popular Funds - January 2012

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 16+00:00

The new year is well and truly underway and we’ve seen strong returns from most markets. Doubts still hang over Europe and growth prospects globally but it’s interesting to see our investors moving away from defensive plays in a bid to find more growth oriented assets

Top 5 Tweets February 2012

The RaboDirect Team — 33+00:00

Interested in general money management tips? Or just want to impress your friends with some nifty insights? We’re going to do the hard work for you and seek out interesting bits and pieces we find on Twitter that we think you’ll find useful.

RaboDirect Rising Stars: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 53+00:00

For the rest of the RaboDirect PRO12 season, we’re going to be profiling some of the most exciting your talent in the competition. First up is Glasgow Warriors full-back, Stuart Hogg, who recently earned his first call-up for Scotland ...

The RaboDirect Rugby Club – No time for romance as Ireland prepare for Paris

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 28+00:00

The prospect of an extended visit to Paris this weekend might be filling the Irish WAGS with excitement, but a date with France is the last thing Ireland’s battered and bruised XV need.

Operating The Twitter Machine

Patrick Lawlor | Online Marketing, RaboDirect.ie — 06+00:00

For those who are yet to be convinced, Twitter is not a synonym for banality. As with all forms of media, remarkable content is relative. Twitter is about engagement, discovery and influence. It’s passive and it’s active ...

Live Twitter Q&A With Michael Corcoran - Full Transcript

Patrick Lawlor | Online Marketing, RaboDirect.ie — 03+00:00

As the chief rugby commentator for Irish radio station, RTE, Michael Corcoran is normally the one asking the questions. On Thursday, the tables were turned as RaboDirect teamed up with the broadcasters to invite rugby fanatics to grill Corcoran for a LIVE Q&A session, exclusively on Twitter.

How To Make Savings When You Shop

Tina Leonard | Consumer expert and author of 'Your Consumer Rights in Ireland' — 03+00:00

It’s still only early New Year and already there have been a lot of price hikes, not to mention the VAT rise to 23pc. Add to that the fact that none of us feel secure in our jobs (if we have a job) and what do you get? You get a situation where we had better make savings when we shop and what’s more, we’d better stick to it. In 2012 caution will reign as our master ...

The RaboDirect Rugby Club – Heineken Cup Weekend Review

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 34+00:00

For the first time in the Heineken Cup’s 17-year history, five teams from the RaboDirect PRO12, the new guise for the Celtic League, have qualified for the competition’s quarter-finals.

RaboDirect PRO12 Teams Eye Heineken Cup Last Eight

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 12+00:00

The RaboDirect PRO12 looks likely to provide the strongest contingent in the last eight out of the three premier European rugby competitions. Irish rivals, Leinster and Munster have already qualified following close victories over Glasgow Warriors and Castres respectively ...

RaboDirect PRO12 Welsh Club Roadtrip

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 40+00:00

Well its been a hectic but great start to the New Year ! The four Welsh rugby regions felt the force of the RaboDirect team this week after we visited the Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons for a series of meetings.

Most Popular Funds - December 2011

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 38+00:00

Considering the volatility we’ve seen across global markets it’s no surprise the most popular funds bought during December 2011 were in the bond and defensive sectors. With the same volatility set to test markets in 2012 and bond markets still presenting good opportunities, I’d expect the trend to continue as investors look for shelter in lower risk assets classes over the next three to six months.

The Outlook for 2012

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect — 51+00:00

The next 12 months are likely to dominated by the same emotion as the previous 12 months: fear. Confusion and its bedfellow fear were the predominant forces at work in the global economy and in the investment community over the past 12 months. There is little to suggest that it will be otherwise anytime soon ...

Happy New Year 2012!

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager — 04+00:00

It’s the start of a new year and whilst global rugby domination might still be a few years away, our impact at European Rugby’s top table, as title sponsors of the RaboDirect PRO12, has been strong. At the midway point of our inaugural campaign, RaboDirect PRO12 fans have witnessed lots of excitement and entertainment with sensational ...

Optimists Help The World Move Forward

Roel van Veggel | General Manager, RaboDirect — 11+00:00

A very Happy New Year to all our customers and followers. Over the Christmas period I read an article from our Chief Economist at Rabobank. Although slightly based on the Dutch point of view, I thought it would be good to share this with you all as I also feel some of the thinking and sentiments are very applicable to Ireland ...

Investor Barometer Results - December 2011

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect — 22+00:00

Irish investors are more optimistic about the Irish economy than the global economy for the next three months, according to the results of our latest Investor Barometer. The survey reveals that 9% of respondents are optimistic about the development of the global economy over the next three months ...

Most Popular Funds - November 2011

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 16+00:00

2011 is almost history and the challenges waiting in the wings for next year look more daunting than ever. US and European economies are slowing down significantly despite easing of monetary policies and most other economies are suffering as a result.

The Questions On Everyone’s Mind!

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 17+00:00

As you can imagine, not a day goes by at the moment without a call or email from someone looking for the inside track on what will happen if the Euro breaks up or pointers on how they can best protect their savings. I’d like to start by saying, in my opinion, I don’t think the ECB will allow the Euro break up ...

Rabobank Retains It's Position As The World's Safest Privately Owned Bank

Roel van Veggel | General Manager, RaboDirect.ie — 35+00:00

Today S&P announced its new ratings for the worlds top 37 banks. And we’re happy to report that Rabobank retains its position as the world’s highest rated privately owned bank according to Standard & Poor’s (S&P) new methodology.

The Investment Clock - November Update

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect — 41+00:00

In September I wrote a blog introducing people to the Fidelity Investment Clock. In this blog I explained that experienced investors tend to buy when markets are at their lowest and to do this they use the investment clock to help them with their timing.

Market Insights -The Euro Crisis

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect — 43+00:00

Every time you turn on the Radio or the T.V. there is so much coverage about the European economy and the Euro in particular. In fact there is so many opinions flying around it can be hard to keep track of the various views being presented on the key issues, never mind their relative merits and implications.

Budget & Recession Survival Tips from Charlie Weston

Charlie Weston | Personal Finance Editor, Irish Independent — 35+00:00

It is four years now since the economy was knocked sideways and it is not going to be any easier for households with another tough Budget on the way. Households are seeing some of the sharpest falls in their income of any in the Western world in modern times. Add into the mix job losses, tax changes and pay reductions and ...

RaboDirect PRO12 - Rugby just got more direct!

Maeve Moriarty | Sponsorship Programme Manager, RaboDirect — 08+00:00

When the RaboDirect PRO12 kicked off in style on the 2nd of September 2011, it marked a new era in the game with the competition getting a new name - PRO 12 and a new sponsor - RaboDirect.

Twitter Money Tips Direct To You

The RaboDirect Team — 16+00:00

Interested in general money management tips? Or just you want to impress your friends with some nifty financial insights? We’re going to do the hard work for you and seek out interesting financial bits and pieces we find on Twitter that we think you’ll find useful. So watch this space. It’s going to get busy.

ECB Rate Cut & Your Money - Liam Croke, Harmonics Financial

Liam Croke | Harmonics Financial — 23+00:00

Liam Croke, Managing Director of Harmonics Financial, is a qualified financial advisor (QFA) and has worked in the financial services sector for the past 22 years. Here he answers some topical questions around what the ECB rate cut means for you and your money.

Volatile markets! What's the impact - Gary Connolly, Principle, iCubed

Gary Connolly | Principle, iCubed — 46+00:00

Gary Connolly of Principal iCubed asks if the volatility of the stock market can have an adverse impact on our investing behaviour and if so, how does it manifest itself?

Mark Mobius on Market Volatility

Killian Nolan, Investments Manager, RaboDirect — 15+00:00

With ongoing global uncertainty, I believe there are still a lot of questions around what impact market volatility will have in developed and emerging markets. So, when I received a video blog from Dr Mark Mobius last week on the subject, I thought I’d share it with you.

Investment Barometer 2011 Results

RaboDirect Investments — 50+00:00

Irish investors are becoming cautiously more optimistic about the Irish economy according to the results of the latest RaboDirect Investor Barometer. The survey of RaboDirect investors reveals that almost a quarter of respondents (24.7 per cent) are optimistic about the development of the Irish economy over the last three months, compared with 13.6 per cent in the same survey in March 2011 and 7.1 per cent in November 2010.

The Investment Clock

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect — 14+00:00

Across the world, the trend is generally that the less experienced investors, will wait until a down market starts seeing strong returns before they start buying shares or property. What many of them don’t realise is ...

Blossom Ireland Summer Camp

Auveen Bell | Blossom Ireland — 33+00:00

Blossom Ireland’s inaugural summer camps were a great success with over 20 children with intellectual disabilities attending over the two weeks. They had an action packed agenda with all kinds of activities designed by our team of occupational therapists ...

Another Solid First Six Months For 2011 For Rabobank Group

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 51+00:00

On balance, it has been a good half year for Rabobank. Net profit was up 13% to EUR 1,854 million, which was largely used to further strengthen our equity.

What’s new? Increased rate, improved systems and Rugby!

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 14+00:00

Hello there! You might have noticed that we’ve been a little quieter than usual recently. Please don’t think for one second that we’ve forgotten about you ...

Our new look website

Schevell Kavanagh | Website Change Manager, RaboDirect — 37+00:00

Recently, we’ve been busy making a few changes to our site all in an effort to improve your experience of banking online with us. Essentially, we want to make things easier for you if we can. So when you log in now you’ll see a few shiny new features ...

Investing in Europe

Stephen Kinsella | University of Limerick — 08+00:00

In my opinion, inflation in the Eurozone in the next 12 months isn’t something for investors to be worried about. For me, it’s trumped by other, more important macroeconomic maladies ...

Exciting sport events coming up: Later this year the RaboDirect PRO12 but first the Tour de France

Roel van Veggel, General Manager, RaboDirect — 08+00:00

As you probably have heard a few weeks ago RaboDirect will become the new sponsor of Rugby’s premier professional club competition in Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. From the start of the new rugby season, the competition formerly known as Magners League will become the RaboDirect PRO12.

Using the old 'Mattress' Investment Strategy

Gary Connolly | Principal of iCubed — 36+00:00

Gary Connolly talks about the risks and potential loss involved for savers and investors withdrawing their money from banks to 'keep it safe' at home while the country struggles to regain some kind of normality on the finance front.

€1,000 Regular Investor Challenge

Killian Nolan | lnvestment Manager RaboDirect — 22+00:00

If you read our Blog regularly you’ll have heard me harping on about the benefits of setting up a regular savings plan. Well guess what? I’m at it again, but this time you might stand to gain, if you can prove me wrong.

Our rate increase means good news all round

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 57+00:00

Today we announced that we will increase our interest rates for our on demand saving product from 2% to 2.25% (AER, variable) for personal customers and from 1.8% to 1.9% (AER, variable) for our business savers effective Monday the 18th of April 2011.

Business Talk at RaboDirect

Aoife Mahon | Offline Marketing Manager, RaboDirect — 54+00:00

We’ve lots of business savings customers at RaboDirect. Some time back, we invited a number of them to work with us to create a series of videos about their experiences in business, in the hope that that they’d provide lots of food for thought and insights for would be business owners and existing business owners.

The view from JPMorgan

Killian Nolan | Investments Manager, RaboDirect — 12+00:00

In our latest video Killian Nolan talks to Dan Morris, Market Strategist for JPMorgan Asset Management about the global market and just some of the things our investors should be mindful of when they’re tending their portfolios. They touch on the current situation in Japan. What it will mean for their economy and the knock on affects we’re likely to see globally.

Another Positive Year For Rabobank

Roel van Veggel | General Manager, RaboDirect — 46+00:00

RaboDirect is backed by one of the safest banks in the world, Rabobank, and this morning they announced their 2010 results. Most notable is that Rabobank Tier 1 ratio is up to 15.7%.

Diversification for the small investor

Gary Connolly | Principal of iCubed — 30+00:00

One person’s idea of a small amount of money, may well constitute a small fortune to another, but a reader of the blog recently asked the question, how many funds should you buy with a small amount of money, giving €20,000 as an example.

Saving For Your Future

Killian Nolan | Investment Manager RaboDirect — 24+00:00

Okay, so we’re one month into the New Year and I bet most of you have long forgotten your New Year’s resolutions (according to psychologists, three weeks of ‘resolutions’ is about as much as we can expect).

Top Investment Picks 2011

Killian Nolan | Investment Manager RaboDirect — 40+00:00

I’m delighted to introduce the Top Picks for the year ahead once again. We added more fund managers to our platform last year, making our new list longer and more diversified than ever before ...

Equities – What an investor would want to know

Gary Connolly | Principal of iCubed — 38+00:00

Stock market terminology it seems, was designed to bewilder outsiders more than to convey any meaning, a problem that can sometimes border on fraudulent.

The importance of diversification and asset allocation

Gary Connolly | Principal of iCubed — 10+00:00

The goal of investing should never be to simply get rich. In fact if we flip this on its head it should really be to not to become poor. The important thing to remember is that we have choices. We can guess which direction the markets will take and go all-in, or we can adopt a longer-term, more balanced approach.

Our answers to your most popular questions!

Muiriosa Brosnan | Customer Care Centre Team Leader — 54+00:00

Well hello there! Thanks for visiting our website. We’re chuffed you dropped by. I guess if you’re here, you’re looking to get yourself an account with us. And so to save you a bit of head scratching time or even a phone call we’ve pulled together some of our most popular questions about getting yourself up and running online.

Bonds and challenging Mr Buffett

Killian Nolan | RaboDirect Investment Manager — 47+00:00

With all this bond talk in the markets, I found it interesting to hear Warren Buffett, one of the World’s most recognised investors, say that "with equities now cheaper than bonds he can’t imagine why anyone would hold bonds".

Top Tips for Retirement Savings

Killian Nolan | RaboDirect Investment Manager — 08+00:00

It’s that time of year again when you will hear and see lots of ads on the radio and elsewhere about making pension contributions before the October 31st tax-saving deadline.

Dumb remarks about leaving the Euro

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 59+00:00

In yesterday evening's RaboDirect Seminar 'Mind on Money', with a close to 300 people turnout, the issues around the sustainability of the Euro was one of the hot topics. Below is the view of Rabo Group's Chief Economist who looks at the ongoing debate around the Euro. Although he takes the example of Greece I still feel it's very relevant and not difficult to apply his thinking to Ireland.

Risk & Return – An Investment Perspective

Gary Connolly | Principal of iCubed — 22+00:00

In finance, risk is about the volatility of returns, i.e. how variable the returns are from month to month or year to year. The more volatile an asset the more in terms of a return we require to invest in it.

Rabobank well prepared for the future

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 52+00:00

Basel III, you've probably heard it mentioned recently, is about ensuring that banks the world over take measures to maintain more capital within the bank to ensure that a similar financial crisis to what we've just experienced is less likely to occur again.

Sustainable management of water resources

Killian Nolan | Investment Manager RaboDirect — 37+00:00

Over the coming years governments are going to have to introduce tougher environmental standards to ensure sustainable management of water resources across the world. So it doesn’t matter if you think you have an abundance of water or if it is a rare commodity each government will have to take a strict stance.

Another solid performance for Rabobank!

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 57+00:00

It's great to know that RaboDirect is backed by our very solid parent bank, Rabobank. Mr Piet Moerland, the CEO of Rabobank today talked about some of the key highlights of the interim results for 2010, and it's all good news.

Gary Connolly: A Guide to Investments

Gary Connolly | Principal of iCubed — 23+00:00

‘A guide to investments’ is a topic that has spawned thousands of books and articles, yet investing is an area which remains loosely understood by the great majority of us. It’s sometimes portrayed as an area of great complexity (mostly by those on the inside), but central to any investment decision are a number of easy to understand concepts.

Mark Little on Starting a New Business

Mark Little | Storyful.com — 33+00:00

Mark Little, former RTE correspondent, took a chance, a leap of faith! He left the safety and glamour of the TV studio to set up his own business ... in the middle of a recession! Madness or method in his madness? He’s found it challenging and exhausting but his optimism is infectious.

China’s ‘Revaluation’ : Don’t believe the hype, look to fundamentals

Stephen Kinsella | University of Limerick — 07+00:00

The New York Times writes: The People’s Bank of China said that the Chinese economy was strengthening after the global financial crisis and that it was “desirable to proceed further with reform” of the currency, known as the Renminbi or Yuan. The announcement comes a week before World leaders gather in Canada for the Group of 20 and Group of eight summit meetings. A growing number of countries have been calling for China to let the Renminbi appreciate, including the United States, European nations and India, Brazil and Singapore in recent weeks. Forget this.

5 years old and still growing

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 44+00:00

At RaboDirect.ie we’re celebrating our 5th Birthday. We’re still relatively young, that’s for sure, but we’re part of a 100 year old very stable and very big global financial group, Rabobank...one of the few Triple A rated banks that has managed to weather the storm of the past two years.

Regular Investing – the smart way to manage your risk

Killian Nolan | Investment Manager, RaboDirect — 57+00:00

2010 has been pretty volatile for equity markets and as a result many investors are standing on the side lines wondering what they should do next. Deposit interest rates are set to fall further in many of the Irish domestic banks and while equity markets had a good run in 2009 the same can’t be said for the first five months of 2010.

Rabobank’s Tier 1 Capital Strong at 13.8%!

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 38+00:00

Although not entirely unexpected, what an eye opener yesterdays announcements by NAMA proved to be. Finally, we now have greater clarity on the true value of loans that will be transferred to the agency and, as a result, a better view on the additional capital required to keep the Irish banks afloat. There’s no doubt that we’re now entering an extremely painful but necessary phase in the overall plan to get the banks in this country back to some degree of normality.

SAM Climate Fund – You ask. We’ll answer.

Gina McCrudden | Investments Marketing Manager RaboDirect — 04+00:00

The SAM Climate Fund has been very well received since we added it to the RaboDirect platform in September 2009 but sustainable funds are relatively new to a lot of us so we thought it might be useful to call on the experts and put your questions to them. So, if you’ve anything you’d like to ask about the Climate Fund, SAM or sustainability as an investment opportunity – now’s your chance. Drop us a line and we’ll shine a little light on the subject for you.

We’re Open for Business

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 36+00:00

There’s lots going on. With the big Irish banks fully occupied with NAMA, the smaller ones involved in merger talks, the announcement and immediate implementation of the Halifax withdrawal and the news that Northern Rock may possibly lift their 100% UK state guarantee, it has certainly been an eventful start to the year.

2010 Outlook - an Irish Investor's point of view

Gina McCrudden | Investments Marketing Manager RaboDirect — 42+00:00

Irish investors remain gloomy about the outlook for the Irish economy according to results of our most recent RaboDirect Investor Barometer which shows that 85% of respondents are pessimistic about the economy’s prospects over the next 12 months. The survey of Irish investors also reveals that confidence in the global economy has held up with 58% of investors suggesting they have a positive outlook for the world economy over the next year.

2009 was the year that wasn't

Stephen Kinsella — 43+00:00

The collapse of World credit markets, bailouts and nationalisation of banks across the globe and the Irish construction bubble bursting are just some of lowlights Stephen Kinsella touches on as he takes us through ‘The year that wasn’t’, but despite the 2009 hangover he’s still positive as we move into 2010. Find out why.

Wow what a year!

Killian Nolan | RaboDirect Investment Manager — 11+00:00

The pessimists have had an absolute ball. Doom and gloom galore. And is it just me, or have we become a nation of debators - happy to grumble, complain and delay taking the hard decisions required to get us on the road to a sustainable recovery?

Alternative gifts for kids and grownups

Jill Kerby | The Sunday Times — 42+00:00

It is said that Christmas is for children and if you mean by that, the tree, the brightly wrapped toys and parcels, the panto and the general level of excitement, then I suppose it is. But what I don’t ‘get’ about Christmas is the volume of worthless junk that our children receive, much of it laid out for the nation on the annual Late Late Toy Show.

Investing when interest rates are low – the update

Killian Nolan | Investment Manager RaboDirect — 08+00:00

I was part of an internal training session recently and the chat from our call centre was that we’re receiving an ever increasing amount of calls from customers looking for alternatives to deposit accounts - hardly surprising really given the significant drop in headline rates available to customers.

Ask Jill Kerby a Taxing Question!

Jill Kerby | The Sunday Times — 18+00:00

My first RaboDirect e-Zine column – all the way back in the heady boom days of June 2005 – was about paying yourself first – making sure that you see the merits of your labour before the Revenue, the landlord, banker, butcher or baker gets their share of your money. I still think it’s a good piece of advice, one that involves saving and investing part of your income, no matter what your circumstances; it’s as much a state of mind as it is a state of your earnings.

RaboDirect are making pensions even easier.

Gina McCrudden | Investments Marketing Manager RaboDirect — 24+00:00

Pensions might have taken a bit of a beating in the press recently but safeguarding your retirement is still very important so RaboDirect have teamed up with Zurich Life to give PRSAs the straight talking treatment and make pensions available end-to-end online. I don’t want to sound like I’m boasting, but just thought I’d mention we’re the only retail bank in Ireland to offer that.

Sustainable Investing Q&A

Gina McCrudden | Investments Marketing Manager RaboDirect — 56+00:00

Another super response from you on our Sustainable Asset Management Funds blog folks. We’re delighted at how well they’ve been received and want to thank everyone who has taken the time to send us a question. Christophe Churet, an Equity Analyst from SAM is merrily working away on replies to all your queries. We hope we’ve managed to shed a little more light on the funds for you but if you need any additional information don’t be shy....we’re only an email or phone call away. Question: Is there a metric for determining where the maximum value lies in a sustainable asset value chain e.g. water supply versus treated water delivery? Christophe: Good question. We think it’s really...

Got a question on sustainable investing? No problem, we’ve got a man in the know.

Gina McCrudden | Investments Marketing Manager RaboDirect — 38+00:00

We’ve just introduced three great new sustainable water, climate and smart energy funds from Sustainable Asset Management (SAM). We were delighted so many of you made it along to our recent seminar to mark the launch but don’t worry if you missed it - we have Christophe Churet, an Equity Analyst from SAM to answer all your questions.

Five key points every investor needs to know

Killian Nolan | Investment Manager RaboDirect — 44+00:00

I went with my daughter to get her new school books last weekend and when I had a flick through them I was amazed at how detailed they are given that she’s only in primary school. For me, it’s really reassuring to see that she’s being taught the basics in subjects like maths so early, giving her a much better chance of understanding the more complicated topics in the years to come. I was a Wealth Manager for many years...

FREE Sustainable Asset Management Seminar – 15th September 2009

Killian Nolan — 54+00:00

Dabbled or thinking about investing? Consider yourself a seasoned professional? Interested in hearing more about sustainable investments or RaboDirect in general?

Rabobank Group announces solid interim results 2009

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 12+00:00

Despite difficult economic conditions, Rabobank Group has achieved solid results for the first six months of 2009, with net profit at EUR 1.3 billion and an improved capital position. Our Tier 1 ratio has improved and stands at 13%.

China’s ‘revaluation’ : don’t believe the hype, look to fundamentals

Stephen Kinsella | University of Limerick — 53+00:00

The New York Times [1] writes: The People’s Bank of China said that the Chinese economy was strengthening after the global financial crisis and that it was “desirable to proceed further with reform” of the currency, known as the Renminbi or Yuan. The announcement comes a week before world leaders gather in Canada for the Group of 20 and Group of eight summit meetings. A growing number of countries have been calling for China to let the Renminbi appreciate, including the United States, European nations and India, Brazil and Singapore in recent weeks. Forget this ...

Tour de France 2009

Roel van Veggel | RaboDirect General Manager — 55+00:00

July is traditionally the months for summer holidays and big sport events. We saw the thrilling final of Wimbledon yesterday and in the same weekend the 96th edition of the Tour de France started, this year in Monaco. The Tour de France always gets extra focus of all Rabo staff worldwide (aprox 60.000) because of our own Rabobank Professional cycling team. Irish cyclists have played dominant roles in the past in the Tour with Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche.

RaboDirect introduces the RaboDirect Investor Barometer (RIB)

Killian Nolan | RaboDirect Investment Manager — 20+00:00

At the start of the year I noticed that many of our investors were erring on the side of caution and investing in traditionally defensive funds like gold and bonds. But, as the months go by investors have started to regain their confidence and I can see a clear shift in focus to more high-potential, high-risk markets such as China and India and this got the RaboDirect team thinking.

David McWilliams - Q&A

David McWilliams | Economist — 16+00:00

David McWilliams has been asking difficult questions of some of the most influential and thought provoking characters of recent times, so we thought it would be interesting to turn the tables and invited you to put your questions to him. We were delighted with the response so thank you to everyone who sent in a question. We guessed he wouldn’t be short of a few words and we weren’t disappointed. Here’s what he had to say to your most popular questions.

Who are they fooling? It’s not you, is it?

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 28+00:00

Now that the dust around Irish banks seems to have settled a bit, I am amazed to see most of them go back to their old marketing behaviour. In particular, I’m referring to the addiction to and obsession with promotional rates. What’s that all about? I was triggered by several advertisements from one of our competitors recently offering 7% on a current account! Wow, sounds great doesn’t it? But is it really transparent?

Fancy a word in David McWilliams' ear?

Gina McCrudden | RaboDirect — 53+00:00

In David McWilliams' own words ‘reputations are earned not bequeathed’ and he’s certainly earned his as a journalist, economist, author and more recently as a broadcaster and documentary maker. He’s probably best known for his early predictions of the economic boom made back in 1995 – an era we remember fondly as the Celtic Tiger and his early warnings of the Irish property market’s demise.

Investing when interest rates are low

Killian Nolan | Investment Manager RaboDirect — 17+00:00

In May 2009 we saw ECB interest rates (currently 1%) drop to an all time low. Good news indeed for those of you with a tracker or variable mortgage as your costs will have reduced significantly since last autumn, but what does it mean for those of you relying on generating an income from your savings?

The truth about our rates

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 44+00:00

Today we had to cut our on demand savings rate again. This in response to the ECB rate changes last week where the most important rate dropped to 1.25%. This rate cut was seen as vital to fight the global economic recession. Good news for most mortgage holders with variable rates, but the flipside of it that saving rates are also coming down.

Security the new priority for savers?

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 05+00:00

Today I was browsing the RTE website and I found an interesting piece on the savings market. Our colleagues at Postbank revealed in their quarterly Savings Index that 54% of Irish savers say security is their prime consideration when choosing a place to save their money.

Regular Investing – does it make sense in the current market?

Killian Nolan | RaboDirect Investment Manager — 54+00:00

The recent financial turmoil has tested and shaken the confidence of many investors. This is perfectly understandable, it hasn’t been an easy time for anyone, but those in the know will be familiar with a simple strategy that can help iron out the bumps during times like these. Regular Investing is a tried and tested strategy and well worth considering now that markets are 40% to 50% off their highs.

Let’s get back to The Truth in banking

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 08+00:00

If ever there was a time when people are looking for honesty and truth from their bank, it’s now! We really believe that’s true. At RaboDirect we’ve always been about committing to providing honest and easy to understand products in a sector that has historically been perceived as complicated, confusing and more recently, less than transparent!

Help us choose our podcast topics

Aoife Mahon | RaboDirect — 50+00:00

For almost two years now we’ve had a host of podcasts available on our website for your listening pleasure from an array of financial columnists and economists. Our lives are hectic, that’s a given. And so the easier it is for you to get access to information about all things money, the better. That’s where podcasting at RaboDirect comes in!

Investment training courses?

Killian Nolan | RaboDirect Investment Manager — 11+00:00

It’s hard to get enthusiastic about anything let alone your personal finances when George Lee is on the box (no offence George). There’s plenty of doom and gloom to go around and it’s easy to get dragged down, but we think there may be some opportunities starting to appear on the horizon so now might be a good time to think about opening an investment account or get back in the saddle.

Some positive stuff about our Blog!

Aoife Mahon | RaboDirect — 07+00:00

Blogging has become more and more important at RaboDirect. We receive good and bad comments but we’re happy to post both, giving our readers a balanced view not only in response to what we’re doing at RaboDirect, but also in relation to what’s happening in this somewhat unpredictable market place. We’ve always been about interaction with our customers at the straight talking online bank. Our blog allows us to build on existing relationships further and or respond to those who maybe never want to have a relationship with us, but have a view on what we’re about.

How to manage your savings during a banking crisis

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 22+00:00

It's all been happening! In the last few weeks, much has happened with the Irish banks. Anglo Irish is being nationalised. Some banks got downgrades in their credit ratings which means that rating agencies see increased levels of risk associated with these banks...

Rabobank is holding its own!

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 04+00:00

As we know, there is currently much discussion on if, how, when and why Irish banks need extra capital. Banks need capital to be able to get credit going again to homeowners, SME’s and large companies so they can run their business, buy and sell houses and start spending money.

Kick start 2009 with our Top Investment Picks

Killian Nolan | lnvestment Manager RaboDirect — 05+00:00

2008 was a rollercoaster year of upheaval and unpleasant surprises so what can we do to get 2009 off to a better start? We can’t give advice but to help give investors a steer on where to go next, we asked our Fund Managers to select their top funds for 2009.

New Year, Exciting Challenges

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 22+00:00

Into our second week of the New Year and I’d just like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2009. And although it will be a challenging year for the Irish economy, that shouldn’t block a year of happiness and joy with family and friends. In Rabobank, the new year traditionally starts with the new year’s speech by the CEO. This time his last one before his retirement in July. Piet Moerland (59) is to be the new Chairman of the Rabobank Group Executive Board in the second half of 2009.

Where do I go from here?

Killian Nolan | lnvestment Manager RaboDirect — 57+00:00

As a north side Dubliner I’m no stranger to a bit of slagging from some of my south side colleagues about living on the ‘wrong side of the city’. All very well until we went to a recent Rugby International in Croke Park and the same crew left the grounds like lost sheep with no idea which way to turn. Not unlike the situation a lot of investors have recently found themselves in.

RaboDirect Supports Barnardos

The RaboDirect Team — 32+00:00

At Christmas time it’s easy to get caught up in the festive season and roll from one Christmas party to another without a second thought! Come on, we’ve all been there recently even despite the recession. But when the madness subsides next week and family time takes precedence, maybe spare a thought for those families who are less fortunate.

A comforting thought in these turbulent times

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 23+00:00

In a time of weakening economic indicators, recapitalisation announcements, declining share prices for banks in Ireland, surely it’s time for some good news! Well at Rabobank anyway. The ratings agency, Moody’s reaffirmed our AAA credit rating on November 28th. This follows on from Standard & Poor’s report on October 28th which also reconfirmed our AAA rating. Moody’s based their decision on the bank’s stable outlook, which solidifies Rabobank’s reputation in international financing as a trustworthy financial institution, despite current market circumstances.

The €10 Billion Bail Out

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 32+00:00

The announcement by the Irish government that €10 billion euro is available for recapitalisation of Irish banks makes it very clear that we are in the midst of one of the most severe financial crisis in recent history. The effects of it are spilling over into the real economy. Banks are no longer considered as the powerhouses they once were driving economic growth by lending money to viable businesses against acceptable rates. Confidence between banks and confidence between banks and the customers has been eroded by recent developments.

Welcome to the RaboDirect Blog!

The RaboDirect Team — 21+00:00

It’s a first for us. In fact, a first for any bank in Ireland so we’re well chuffed with that. But what’s even better about it is that it gives you, our customers or potential customers, the chance to comment on the kind of things we’re talking about everyday here at RaboDirect.

Safe Haven in Stormy Weather

Roel van Veggel | General Manager RaboDirect — 47+00:00

After a couple of weeks of extreme turbulence in the financial markets and growing uncertainty about the robustness of the financial system at large, I would like to take the opportunity to enlighten you on what all of this means for RaboDirect.

What's Your Investment Strategy?

Killian Nolan | RaboDirect Investment Manager — 12+00:00

Yes – we are in the midst of one of the worst financial crises the World has ever witnessed. Equity markets (Globally) have been badly beaten up and the housing markets in Ireland, UK, Spain and US are still looking very vulnerable.