Rabobank Persuades the Courts to Ban Publication of Its Art Practices

It reads like a great novel – The Pledge (De Verpanding) by Paulien Derwort. The book claim that "everything seems legitimate when hunting for the artworks”.

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According to the book, Rabobank committed art theft, encouraging its bank employees to hunt for the art collections of its art dealer clients. The narrative tells the true story of two clients of the Foundation Residual Debt Fair Share. The art dealers fell victim to the Rabobank department which 'deals' with entrepreneurs in financial distress. Ms. Derwort claims in the book that Rabobank used all kinds of tricks to fleece those clients resulting them being stuck with mounting debts..

The book concentrates on two entrepreneurs ran into financial trouble:. Mr. Wim Koperberg, an art dealer, and Ms. Tessa van Veen, who runs the Collection Hopster Van Goudzwaard Foundation together with her husband. They claim that Rabobank was able to dissolve their complete capital, and plundered and stole. “If I would have any money left, I would have sued them for theft, fraud. Abuse of ‘care obligation’, abuse of lien, and unethical behavior.”

The plot thickened when “bank critic” George van Houts.decided to release the names of Rabobank employees in question, stating that ”These gentlemen believe that they are acting on behalf of Rabobank, turning off their conscience. They believe that they remain complete anonymous ... Where have we heard that before? "

Needless to say, Rabobank took action, and sued Van Houts. During the court hearing, one of the Rabobnk employees stated that he and his colleague were “angry and hurt” by the publication. He stated that his job is “intensive and involves making tough decisions”, and that he works as an Rabobank employee and not as a private person. He told the court that he feels that it is unacceptable that his name and that of his colleagues is “dragged through te mud” based on so many false facts.

The District Court agreed and ruled that the book “De Verpanding” should not have mentioned any individual Rabobank employee by name. The ruling forced the publisher not only to recall all copies already in bookshops, but also those already purchased by readers.

Due to the controversy, the book has been sold out and is a collector’s item.The reputation of the Rabobank department has suffered; more people have come forward claiming to be victimized by “the bloodhounds”.