Includes special features of this country’s banking system and rules/laws that might impact U.S. business.
Last Published: 8/16/2019

Banking and financing are important service industries in the Netherlands, providing funds for international and domestic trade.  Three Dutch bank conglomerates, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, and ING Bank dominate the Dutch financial sector, accounting for about 75 percent of total lending.  U.S. financial services providers in the Netherlands operate on a level legal field.  The Finance Ministry and Central Bank grant full national treatment to foreign banks.

Dutch legislation implements all existing EU law and regulations on the provision of financial services.  Banks organized in the Netherlands as branches of a U.S. parent do not benefit from the EU single banking passport and are subject to both U.S. and Dutch regulations.

Foreign financial service providers face no special conditions or restrictions, and receive national treatment.  However, one provision of the Dutch 1992 Banking Act does reflect the EU Banking Directive's "reciprocity" provision.  The Dutch Ministry of Finance has stated that this section has never been used, and that all applications from non-EU parent banks are handled on a national treatment basis.  Banking facilities for international transactions available in the Netherlands generally meet or exceed U.S. standards.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.