Global Asset-based Financier Launches New Clean Technology Financing Business

Wayne, PA — De Lage Landen Financial Services, a global provider of high-quality asset-based financing products to manufacturers and distributors of capital goods, announced today that it has launched a new clean technology financing business focused on the commercial and government space.

"In a time when many financial institutions are being forced to scale back, De Lage Landen is expanding into new ventures," says Bill Stephenson, chief commercial officer. "The clean technology market represents multiple growth opportunities for our company and is in direct alignment with the overall Rabobank Group’s focus on corporate social responsibility. De Lage Landen’s advancements into new clean technology equipment types are a natural evolution of the Group’s overall strategy."

Starting this year, the clean technology group will launch a solar energy business focused on financing the entire lifecycle of solar projects. Extended terms and working capital finance solutions will be available for the solar distribution channel, as well as debt and equity financing for commercial, industrial and government projects.

To manage this new business, De Lage Landen has hired a team of solar energy finance experts–Ed Sproull, Ann Hardy and Christine Park, all formerly with HSH Nordbank. This team has been at the cutting edge of solar energy finance and brings expertise unmatched in the marketplace.

"We are excited to be members of such a strong organization," says Sproull, who has been named vice president of sales for the clean technology group. "As part of the Rabobank Group, De Lage Landen has the strength, stability and desire to grow in socially responsible markets, which is a perfect fit for our team. We look forward to establishing De Lage Landen as a leader in solar energy finance and adding value to the company’s existing partnerships."

About De Lage Landen
De Lage Landen is a global provider of high-quality asset-based financing products. Headquartered in Eindhoven (the Netherlands), De Lage Landen is 100% owned by Rabobank. This Dutch bank is triple-A rated by the major rating agencies Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

With offices and joint ventures in more than 35 countries worldwide, De Lage Landen specializes in asset financing and vendor finance programs on a worldwide scale. The global offering also includes an array of commercial finance solutions. The company focuses on the following industries: Food & Agriculture, Healthcare, Office Equipment, Technology Finance, Financial Institutions, Transportation and Construction & Industrial. De Lage Landen also offers private-label leasing programs for the banking industry, and delivers a broad range of financial services to leasing organizations and non-banking financial institutions.

In the Netherlands, De Lage Landen offers a broad range of financing products, both through local Rabobanks and directly to the market. These products include Equipment Leasing, Car and Commercial Vehicle Leasing, ICT Leasing, Consumer Finance and Factoring.

Athlon Car Lease International became part of De Lage Landen Group in 2006. Athlon Car Lease International is an international provider of operational car leasing, active in eight European countries.

In 2008 De Lage Landen achieved a net profit of €235 million and a lease portfolio of €23.3 billion. By year-end 2008, De Lage Landen had 4,965 employees. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.delagelanden.com.