Filed
by
ABN AMRO Holding N.V.
Pursuant
to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and
deemed
filed pursuant to Rule 14d-9
of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject
Company:
ABN
AMRO
Holding N.V.
Commission
File Number: 001-14624
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RG
Interview Final - 5 June
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What: |
Q&A
with
Rijkman Groenink |
Where: |
Posted
on the
Group intranet site |
When: |
5
June
2007 |
Interview
with Rijkman Groenink on recent developments
Managing
Board
Chairman Rijkman Groenink sits down to answer a few questions on recent
developments.
We're
sitting down for an interview, but you mentioned in your last all-staff message
that you're limited in what information you can share with staff
…
Yes,
that is still
the case. It can be frustrating sometimes, because I believe that staff have
a
right to information, and it's my tendency to want to be as open and
straightforward as possible. It's just a simple fact that legal constraints
mean
I can't inform staff of things that are not yet in the public domain. But of
course I will try to address these questions honestly and openly. And I'm sure
that the bank's lawyers will look at this transcript later and make sure I'm
not
saying anything I'm not supposed to!
So
we now
have two proposed offers on the table. Which one is
better?
It's
too early for
us to make a judgement on this. We are looking closely at the consortium's
proposed offer and figuring out what the implications would be for the Group,
our shareholders, employees and all other stakeholders.
What
does it
mean that the consortium's proposed offer is conditional?
Their
proposed offer
is conditional on LaSalle – that the Dutch Supreme Court upholds the Enterprise
Court's ruling that the sale of LaSalle to Bank of America must be approved
by
our shareholders; and that our shareholders then reject the sale to Bank of
America at an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.
Has
the
consortium been understanding of our legal obligations?
Yes,
as a matter of
fact. Fred Goodwin, CEO of Royal Bank of Scotland, made very clear in the press
conference regarding the proposed offer that he understands the legal
constraints on our ability to hold discussions on the potential sale of
ABN AMRO as a whole.
There
is a
lot of technical legal language in this situation. Can you summarise what
exactly the merger protocol with Barclays and the contract with Bank of America
prohibit us from doing?
Our
contract with the Bank of America for the sale of LaSalle says that after the
go-shop period (which ended at midnight on 6 May), we're not allowed to
have discussions with any other parties about the possible sale of LaSalle.
The
'merger protocol' with Barclays says that although we can ask other parties
that
are potentially interested in buying ABN AMRO for more information, we are
not
allowed to facilitate or encourage another bid or enter into
negotiations.
You've
said
before that ABN AMRO has had periodic contact with most European banks over
the
past years. Do you have a friendship with any of the heads of the banks involved
and how have these circumstances affected them?
I
wouldn't say that I have a 'friendship' with any of the gentlemen involved,
but
of course I have had friendly professional contact with them over the course
of
my tenure as Chairman. That professionalism has been, and is being, maintained
throughout this process. Of course the contact has been easier and more
‘natural’
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RG
Interview Final - 5 June
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with
some, but I
think that is part of life. But again, professionalism and the bank's interests
have always been the main focus of these contacts.
What
about
timing? When will we finally know what is going to happen with the
Group?
Unfortunately
the
uncertainty we find ourselves in is likely to continue over the coming months,
as there are still several steps ahead. The LaSalle situation needs to be
resolved for the consortium to firm up its offer. We expect a ruling from the
Supreme Court at the end of June/beginning of July. We are currently in the
process of deciding what the best moment is to decide on the timing, the agenda
and the procedures for an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGM).
If the consortium continues with the proposed offer, an additional next step will include
a
Fortis EGM, which is required because they need approval for their proposed
equity issue, and any potential EGMs held by the other consortium banks. The
specific timing of these events is unknown, but most are expected to take place
between the end of June and the end of August.
Some
have
said that the formation of the Supervisory Board's Transaction Committee is
a
signal of declining faith in the Managing Board. Is that the
case?
Not
at all. The three Supervisory Board members on the committee, Arthur Martinez,
André Olijslager and Rob van den Bergh, were already designated with
responsibility for preparing the Supervisory Board's decision-making. Now that
we have two proposed offers on the table, we've decided to intensify the contact
between the committee and Managing Board. The committee will help facilitate
this entire process and liaise with us on the Managing Board, key staff and
advisers on all matters regarding the recommended offer by Barclays and the
proposed offer by the consortium. I think we are doing everything we can to
ensure that the whole process is as open as possible. The formation of the
Transaction Committee, in the framework of transparency and good corporate
governance, is part of this objective.
It
seems
that the media often targets you when talking about ABN AMRO's situation.
Do you take this personally?
I
don’t take this personally, because I know that this is part of my position as
Chairman. But I have to admit that it can be discouraging sometimes to read
negative things about myself and, more importantly, about the bank in the press
knowing that we are honestly doing our best to ensure the best possible future
for the bank, our clients, our employees and other stakeholders. I try not
to
let it affect me by focusing on the positive feedback I receive from colleagues
and peers.
How
is all this uncertainty affecting
'business as usual'?
That's
the great thing: I continue to
see good work being done and deals being made in all areas of the Group. I'm
so
impressed with the way we're not letting uncertainty affect our focus or service
to clients. Staff have definitely made me proud and reinforced my belief that
we've got such good people on our team.
This
document shall
not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities, in any jurisdiction
in
which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration
or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction.
Cautionary
statement regarding forward-looking statements
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Interview Final - 5 June
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This
announcement
contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements
that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and
expectations. Any statement in this announcement that expresses or implies
our
intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions (and the assumptions underlying
them) is a forward-looking statement. These statements are based on plans,
estimates and projections, as they are currently available to the management
of
ABN AMRO Holding N.V. ("ABN AMRO"). Forward-looking statements therefore speak
only as of the date they are made, and we take no obligation to update publicly
any of them in light of new information or future events.
Forward-looking
statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could therefore cause actual future results to differ materially from
those expressed or implied in any forward looking statement. Such factors
include, without limitation, the consummation of our proposed merger with
Barclays PLC ("Barclays"); the completion of our proposed disposition of
LaSalle; the conditions in the financial markets in Europe, the United States,
Brazil and elsewhere from which we derive a substantial portion of our trading
revenues; potential defaults of borrowers or trading counterparties; the
implementation of our restructuring including the envisaged reduction in
headcount; the reliability of our risk management policies, procedures and
methods; the outcome of ongoing criminal investigations and other regulatory
initiatives related to compliance matters in the United States and the nature
and severity of any sanctions imposed; and other risks referenced in our filings
with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information on these
and other factors, please refer to Part I: Item 3.D "Risk Factors" in our Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and
to
any subsequent reports furnished or filed by us with the US Securities and
Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this
announcement are made as of the date hereof, and the companies assume no
obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this
announcement.
Additional
Information and Where to Find it
In
connection with the proposed business combination transaction between Barclays
and ABN AMRO, Barclays expects that it will file with the US Securities and
Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form F-4 which will contain
a
prospectus, a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO and other relevant
materials. In addition, ABN AMRO expects that it will file with the US
Securities and Exchange Commission a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement
on
Schedule 14D-9 and other relevant materials. Such documents, however, are not
currently available.
INVESTORS
ARE URGED
TO READ ANY DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN THEY
BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Investors
will be
able to obtain a free copy of such filings without charge, at the SEC's website
(http://www.sec.gov) once such documents are filed with the SEC. Copies of
such
documents may also be obtained from Barclays and ABN AMRO, without charge,
once
they are filed with the SEC.
The
publication and distribution of this document and any separate documentation
regarding the intended Offer, the making of the intended Offer and the issuance
and offering of shares may, in some jurisdictions, be restricted by law. This
document is not being published and the intended Offer is not being made,
directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction in which the publication
of
this announcement and the making of the intended Offer would not be in
compliance with the laws of that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession
of this announcement should inform themselves of and observe any of these
restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute
a
violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction.