Our history
From de Volksbank to ASN Bank: ready for the future
As of 1 July, de Volksbank will continue as ASN Bank. We are combining the strengths of our four trusted brands – ASN Bank, SNS, RegioBank and BLG Wonen – into one bank. Not because we’re leaving our history behind, but because we want to move forward. We’re choosing simplicity, agility and a clear direction, allowing us to better respond to what people and society need. The mission that inspired ASN Bank from the very beginning, working towards a sustainable and fair future, is now our shared compass. As one ASN Bank, we continue to build on that mission.
A bank for and by the people
Our roots go back to the nineteenth century. That’s when regional savings banks began to emerge across the Netherlands. Their goal: to ensure that ordinary people could save safely and responsibly. This cooperative philosophy still forms the foundation of who we are. For 200 years, our services have focused on people – not shareholders.
Growth and mergers
In 1987, two major regional savings banks merged to become SNS Bank. Through further mergers and acquisitions, the organisation grew rapidly. In 1997, SNS Group merged with insurance company REAAL to become SNS REAAL. This bank-insurer combination went public in 2006. Several acquisitions followed, including RegioBank (2007), AXA Nederland (2007) and Zwitserleven (2008).
Nationalisation of SNS REAAL
Our retail banking activities remained structurally profitable throughout the years. However, starting in 2009, mounting losses at Property Finance increasingly pressured the bank’s results and solvency. This ultimately led to the nationalisation of SNS REAAL and its subsidiaries, including SNS Bank N.V. as it was then known, on 1 February 2013. As a result of the nationalisation, the Dutch State – through Stichting NLFI – is now our sole shareholder.
From recovery to renewal
After separating banking and insurance activities, we said goodbye to REAAL in 2015. SNS Bank was renamed de Volksbank N.V. Under that banner, we focused on recovery, stability and a people-centred approach to banking, built on transparency and a long-term perspective. In recent years, it became clear that we needed more focus, simplicity and decisiveness. That’s why we’re now choosing one brand, one direction: ASN Bank.
Good for you. Good for the future.
With the transition to ASN Bank, we have entered a new phase while staying true to our purpose. We are committed to helping create a sustainable and fair future for everyone. We do this by focusing on sustainability, financial well-being and access to good, affordable housing. Discover how ASN Bank brings sustainability to life.
We are making choices to respond more quickly to change. This calls for a clear structure, less complexity and more space for craftsmanship. That’s how we are building a bank that’s ready for tomorrow.