At Dutch Bank ABN AMRO, employee resource groups are key drivers of inclusion and belonging. Active for more than 30 years, the bank’s Young ABN AMRO network helps young professionals to thrive. We spoke to Young ABN AMRO board members to find out more.
Can you start by telling us about your network. What is its remit?
Young ABN AMRO is the largest Employee Resource Group within the bank, focused on young professionals up to the age of 36. However, those who have surpassed that age but still feel young at heart are more than welcome to join. Our mission is to help colleagues get more out of their bank life by adding value to their professional journey. We do this by connecting members to each other, the organisation and the outside world, by challenging them personally and professionally and by enabling growth to help members become better professionals at ABN AMRO.
Your network has been running for a long time. What have you learned along the way?
In 2025, Young ABN AMRO celebrated 30 years of existence. Over time, we have learned the importance of a clear focus and ensuring widespread added value. That’s why we defined our three pillars: Connect, Challenge, and Growth. This strategic framework provides us with clarity and guides everything we do. These pillars ensure consistency and relevance in all our initiatives and events. We try to add value to the work lives of our entire membership base, rather than a lot of value for a limited number of people.
How have you professionalised the work of Young ABN AMRO?
Being the largest Employee Resource Group within ABN AMRO, professionalism is paramount. Since our board and committee members are volunteers and changes are frequent, we need to ensure succession planning. Within the board, we try to have a good balance between new and experienced people. And we also believe that our efforts should enact fundamental change. For each initiative or event, we explore opportunities to adapt and improve our way of working; incremental improvements on top of disruptive changes to strengthen our organization. Additionally, we continuously involve our ten committees, each responsible for organizing events within their category. This structure guarantees quality, diversity and smooth operations.
How do you engage members of your network?
Engagement is driven by variety and relevance. With ten committees, we organise over seventy events annually, covering diverse topics, from networking sessions to skill-building workshops, sport tournaments and many more. These events allow young professionals to connect, challenge themselves, and grow, ensuring there is something for everyone. We also connect with our members via various community building channels, each with their own purpose and guiding principles.
How is Young ABN AMRO delivering impact?
One highlight this year was an interactive session with our new CEO, Marguerite Bérard. This event created a unique opportunity for members to engage directly with leadership, share their perspectives on the challenges facing the bank and demonstrate the drive of the younger generations within ABN AMRO. We are proud to say that both the attendees and Marguerite were incredibly satisfied with the event. Another highlight was our Lustrum week to celebrate our 30th anniversary. We organised a week of events across several themes to ensure every member would feel connected. In the end, we hosted well-over 10 events, with more than 1200 tickets sold.
What has been the biggest focus for your network this year?
Our focus remains on delivering value through our three pillars: connecting members with peers inside and outside ABN AMRO, challenging them physically and mentally to broaden horizons and enabling growth to become better professionals and future leaders. We are proud to say that Young ABN AMRO has contributed to retaining colleagues and ensuring people feel connected to the bank. Compared to other years, Young ABN AMRO has never had more members or organised more events than in 2025. We could not have delivered this value without the tremendous work of all our volunteers.
Do you feel that Young ABN AMRO contributes to organisational strategy – if so how?
Absolutely. ABN AMRO’s strategy is “Banking for better, for generations to come.” Young ABN AMRO embodies this by representing the very generation that will shape the future. We foster innovation, engagement, and development, aligning closely with the bank’s long-term vision.
How does your network support talent attraction and retention?
Our events and initiatives showcase ABN AMRO as an employer for young people beyond a simple paycheck. We offer opportunities to connect with colleagues across the bank and grow on a personal and professional level. By offering networking opportunities, development-driven events, and visibility to leadership, we make the bank attractive to new hires and help retain existing talent by creating a sense of belonging and growth.
Does your network support employee wellbeing?
Of course! We organise activities that promote mental and physical wellbeing, such as morning and afternoon yoga sessions, sports activities, and social events. These initiatives help members maintain balance, reduce stress, and build supportive connections within the organisation.
How does Young ABN AMRO work with other networks at the bank?
We have regular collaborations with other networks within ABN AMRO. For example, we have organised joint events with the ABN AMRO Horse Riding Club and the ABN AMRO Golf Club, which allow members to connect through shared interests. We also organised a big sports day this year with the ABN AMRO Foundation and partnered with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team to celebrate diversity day. These collaborations broaden our reach and create opportunities for members to engage in diverse activities beyond their immediate professional environment.
Why do you think it is important for organisations to have employee networks. How do they benefit both employees and the organisation itself?
Employee networks create communities that foster engagement, development, and inclusion. These factors are key in attracting and retaining talented people within an organization. For employees, these networks provide opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.
Can you sum up in a few sentences why the work of your network is so important – and why you feel it will have lasting impact?
Young ABN AMRO empowers the next generation of professionals within the bank to thrive. By connecting, challenging, and growing our members, we build a foundation for future leadership. Our work ensures that ABN AMRO continues to connect with the youngest generation of colleagues, who are ready to contribute to the bank’s future.
What does the future look like for Young ABN AMRO?
The future is about expansion and impact. We aim to strengthen external partnerships, increase cross-network collaboration, and professionalise our digital platforms for a more effective and broader reach.
“Our goal is to continue shaping ABN AMRO’s culture and strategy by empowering young professionals for decades to come. We believe that our mission continues to be as important as it was 30 years ago.”
YOUNG ABN AMRO
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