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Beginning to get forgiveness for my assumed slave holding soul history. Idea currently is $200 per day they have worked for me.

Thursday my father comes to visit.

Ultra tight budget momentarily. Right now have got 43 eurocents on my paying account. I will get 51 euro today.

Really happy and proud of my telem girlfriend.

Work to do: write an entire overview of the Dutch banking ways.

Hope you are all well.

Hopefully happy wednesday.

So, how many shares the Dutch government still hold in Abn Amro (my personal bank)

Gemini zei

As of March 2026, the Dutch government has significantly reduced its stake in ABN AMRO and is currently in the process of cutting it even further.

According to the latest reports from the NLFI (the state’s investment agency), here is the breakdown of their ownership:

Current Ownership Status

• Current Stake: Approximately 20% to 30.5%.
• The Trend: In late 2025, the Dutch government launched its fourth major «trading plan» to reduce its holdings from 30.5% down to a target of approximately 20%.
• Milestones: * May 2025: The stake officially dropped below 33.3% (one-third). This was a major legal milestone because it meant the government lost its «veto-like» approval rights over large investments or the issuance of new shares.
  • September 2025: The current sell-off plan began, aiming for that 20% mark.

Why does the state still own any of it?

The bank was nationalized in 2008 for roughly €22 billion during the financial crisis to prevent a total collapse. Since the IPO in 2015, the government has been «dripping» shares back into the market to avoid crashing the stock price while trying to recoup as much of the taxpayer money as possible.

What this means for you as a customer:

For your daily banking, nothing changes.

• The government acts as a «sleeping shareholder» through the NLFI to ensure they don’t interfere with the bank’s commercial decisions for political reasons.
• As their stake drops below 10% (the next big milestone), they will lose even more administrative rights, such as their say in appointing board members.

The long-term goal of the Dutch Ministry of Finance remains a full exit, meaning eventually, the state will hold 0% and ABN AMRO will be 100% privately owned.

Would you like me to look into how the bank’s latest profit reports or dividend payouts might affect the speed of this sell-off?

But ING bank is the biggest bank in the Netherlands? and the only one like on the international systemic important list right?

Gemini zei

You’ve got a sharp eye for the hierarchy! You are absolutely right on both counts, though there is one tiny technical distinction when it comes to «who is biggest.»

Here is how the «Big Three» in the Netherlands actually stack up in 2026:

1. Is ING the Biggest?

Yes and no. It depends on which «tape measure» you use:

• By Total Assets & Market Cap: ING is the undisputed heavyweight. With over €1 trillion in assets, it’s significantly larger than the others and is one of the top banks in Europe.
• By Dutch Market Share: It’s a neck-and-neck race. While ING has the most customers, Rabobank often holds more «assets on the ground» in the Netherlands (like mortgages), because ING is so spread out globally.
• ABN AMRO: Your bank comfortably holds the #3 spot. It’s smaller than the other two but is the dominant player in Private Banking (for the wealthy) and remains a powerhouse for corporate clients.

2. The «International Systemic» List (G-SIBs)

You hit the nail on the head. ING is indeed the only Dutch bank on the official Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIB) list.

This list, maintained by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), includes about 29–30 banks worldwide (like JPMorgan, HSBC, and Santander) that are considered «Too Big to Fail» on a global scale.

• Why just ING? Because ING has a massive footprint in 40+ countries. If ING went under, it could trigger a global domino effect.
• What about ABN AMRO and Rabobank? They are classified as O-SIIs (Other Systemically Important Institutions). This means they are «Too Big to Fail» within the Netherlands, but their collapse wouldn’t necessarily crash the entire global financial system.

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The «Safety» Reality Check

Because ING is a G-SIB, it is forced by international law to hold a higher capital buffer (extra «emergency cash») than ABN AMRO.

However, because the Dutch state still owns a chunk of ABN AMRO (as we discussed), there has always been an unwritten assumption that the government would never let it fail—though legally, you are protected by the same €100,000 Deposit Guarantee Scheme regardless of which of these banks you use.

Are any banks in Switzerland partly state owned?

Gemini zei

Yes, absolutely. In fact, while your bank (ABN AMRO) is a bit of an outlier in the Netherlands for being state-owned, the «state-owned» model is actually a core pillar of the Swiss banking system.

However, in Switzerland, the ownership isn’t usually at the national (federal) level; it’s mostly at the Cantonal (state/provincial) level.

1. The Cantonal Banks (Kantonalbanken)

This is the most unique part of the Swiss system. There are 24 Cantonal Banks, one for nearly every canton in Switzerland.

• Ownership: By law, the Cantons must hold at least one-third of the capital and voting rights, but in reality, most are 100% owned by their respective local governments.
• The «State Guarantee»: This is the part that makes them famous. Most of these banks (like Zürcher Kantonalbank or ZKB) have a full state guarantee. This means if the bank ever ran out of money, the Canton (the taxpayers) would legally have to step in and cover 100% of all deposits—not just the standard limit.
• Purpose: Much like a public utility, they are mandated to support the local economy and provide mortgages to residents.

2. PostFinance (The Federal Option)

If you’re looking for a bank owned by the national government, that would be PostFinance.

• Ownership: It is a 100% subsidiary of Swiss Post, which is in turn 100% owned by the Swiss Confederation.
• The Catch: Because it is state-owned, it is actually restricted by law from issuing its own mortgages and large-scale commercial loans to avoid «unfair competition» with private banks. It primarily focuses on savings and payments.

3. What about the «Big» Banks? (UBS)

• UBS: Currently, the Swiss federal government does not hold a stake in UBS.
• The History: Back in 2008 (the same year the Dutch bought ABN AMRO), the Swiss government did have to bail out UBS with about 6 billion CHF. However, unlike the Dutch government, the Swiss sold their shares as quickly as possible, exiting entirely by 2009.
• Credit Suisse: When Credit Suisse collapsed in 2023 and was forced into a merger with UBS, the government provided massive liquidity guarantees (hundreds of billions), but they chose not to take an ownership stake this time.

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Summary Table: Who owns what?

Bank Type	Examples	Primary Owner
Cantonal Banks	ZKB, BCV, BEKB	The local Canton (State)
PostFinance	PostFinance	Swiss Confederation (National)
Global Banks	UBS	Private Shareholders
Raiffeisen	Raiffeisen	The customers (Cooperative)

Why are some new constructions moving away from gas?

Gemini zei

In the Netherlands, and specifically in Fryslân, the shift away from gas in new construction is no longer just a «trend»—it is now the law. As of January 1, 2026, the new Dutch Energy Act (Energiewet) has significantly accelerated this transition.

Here is why new homes are leaving gas behind:

1. Legal Bans and the «Hybrid Standard»

• New Buildings: Since 2018, it has been nearly impossible to get a gas connection for a new-build house in the Netherlands.
• The 2026 Mandate: Starting this year (2026), the government has made the hybrid heat pump the minimum standard for replacing old central heating boilers. In well-insulated new constructions, however, the goal is to be 100% electric (all-electric heat pumps).
• Fryslân’s Goal: The province has its own «Friese Energietafel» agreement, aiming to be completely fossil-free by 2050, with a major milestone of 33% renewable energy by 2030.

2. Efficiency (The 4-for-1 Rule)

Modern heating technology is simply more efficient than burning gas:

• Gas Boilers: A high-efficiency gas boiler is about 95% efficient (you get slightly less than 1 unit of heat for 1 unit of gas).
• Heat Pumps: A heat pump uses electricity to «move» heat from the outside air or ground. It can be 300% to 500% efficient. This means for every 1 kWh of electricity used, you get 3 to 5 kWh of heat for your home.

3. Geopolitical and Price Stability

• Energy Sovereignty: The war in Ukraine and the closure of the Groningen gas field (which officially stops all regular extraction by the end of 2026) made the Netherlands vulnerable to global gas price spikes.
• Carbon Pricing: The EU is introducing ETS2 in 2027, which will add a carbon tax to heating fuels. This will make gas steadily more expensive compared to electricity, which can be generated locally via wind and solar.

4. Friesland-Specific Innovation: «Aquathermy»

Fryslân is uniquely positioned to move away from gas because of its water.

• Thermal Energy from Water: Because of the many lakes and canals (like the Friese meren), many new Frisian developments are using aquathermy. They extract heat from the surface water in the summer, store it underground, and use it to warm houses in the winter.
• Hemp Insulation: In Drachten, a new high-tech factory (GreenInclusive) is processing locally grown Frisian hemp into insulation. This «biobased» building method makes homes so warm that they require almost no active heating, making a gas connection redundant.

Summary Comparison

Feature	Old Gas Standard	New Electric Standard
Fuel Source	Fossil Gas (Imported/Groningen)	Electricity (Wind/Solar/Grid)
Efficiency	~95%	300% – 500%
Carbon Footprint	High	Low (zero if using green power)
Safety	Combustion/Explosion risk	No flame/No CO risk

Would you like to know if your specific neighborhood in Sneek or another part of Fryslân is scheduled for a «gas-free» transition in the coming years?

Jij zei

Could you say more about GreenInclusive ?

Gemini zei

GreenInclusive is a Frisian company based in Drachten that has become a European pioneer in the «biobased» economy. They focus on turning locally grown industrial hemp into high-quality insulation and building materials.

Here is a breakdown of why they are a big deal in the transition away from fossil fuels:

1. The «Closed-Loop» Frisian Chain

Unlike most companies that import raw materials, GreenInclusive has created a completely local supply chain within Fryslân.

• The Farmers: Over 110 Frisian farmers grow fiber hemp on their land. Hemp is a «miracle crop» for the region because it grows incredibly fast (up to 4 meters in 100 days), requires almost no pesticides, and improves soil health.
• The Factory: In late 2025, GreenInclusive opened a high-tech factory at De Meerpaal in Drachten. This facility processes the raw hemp stalks into Hempwool (insulation blankets) and other materials.
• The Projects: Through the «Fryske Vezelhennepdeal,» more than 30 partners—including Frisian housing corporations and construction firms—have committed to using this material in at least 1,000 local building and renovation projects.

2. Carbon Sequestration and «Carbon Credits»

GreenInclusive doesn’t just sell insulation; they sell carbon storage.

• Natural Sponge: Hemp absorbs huge amounts of CO2​ while growing—more per hectare than a forest.
• Storage: When that hemp is turned into insulation and put into a house, that CO2​ is «locked away» for decades.
• Farmer Bonus: GreenInclusive was the first in the world to pay farmers a CO2​ surcharge. Farmers receive extra income (roughly €25 per ton of dry matter) for the carbon they capture, funded by selling certified carbon credits to companies looking to offset their footprint.

3. Why Hempwool is Replacing Glass Wool/Stone Wool

In the context of your earlier question about moving away from gas, GreenInclusive’s products are a key part of the «all-electric» home:

• Phase Shift (Heat Storage): Hemp has a high «specific heat capacity.» This means it absorbs heat during the day and releases it slowly at night, keeping a house much cooler in the summer than traditional fiberglass.
• Moisture Regulation: It is «breathable» (hygroscopic). It can absorb and release moisture without losing its insulating power, preventing mold—a common issue in highly sealed, gas-free modern homes.
• Health: Unlike glass wool, it doesn’t itch during installation and contains no toxic glues or VOCs.

4. Social Impact

The factory in Drachten isn’t just about machines; it has a social mission. They partner with the municipality of Smallingerland to provide jobs for people who have been away from the labor market for a long time, making the «inclusive» part of their name a reality.

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Would you like me to find out which housing projects in your specific area of Fryslân are currently using GreenInclusive materials?

GreenInclusive: From Frisian fields to sustainable homes This video provides a deep dive into how Hempwool is manufactured and its superior sustainability compared to synthetic insulation.

Is HempWool the Holy Grail of Sustainable Insulation? – YouTube

Belinda Carr · 36K weergaven

https://youtube.com/watch?v=0w0AxwoeZNM%3Fhl%3Dnl%26rel%3D0%26showinfo%3D0%26enablejsapi%3D1%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fgemini.google.com%26widgetid%3D5%26forigin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fgemini.google.com%252Fapp%252F7a72ac1d05828fb3%26aoriginsup%3D1%26vf%3D1

I’ve posted this on baarda.ch which I am the owner of the site functions on WordPress code, the title is Chats with Gemini from Alphabet

Gemini zei

That is a very clean and professional home for these conversations! Baarda.ch has a great, minimalist aesthetic that fits the «tech-forward» nature of discussing AI.

Since you are running on WordPress, you’ve chosen the perfect platform for documenting these chats. If you’re planning to make «Chats with Gemini» a regular series, here are a few quick tips to make the content pop on your site:

💡 Formatting Tips for WordPress

• The «Code» Block for Prompts: To distinguish your questions from my answers, you can use the WordPress Code or Preformatted block for your prompts. It gives it that «terminal» feel.
• LaTeX Support: If we get into more complex math, you might want to install a simple plugin like Jetpack or MathJax-LaTeX so the equations render beautifully on your pages.
• Interactivity: Since you’re the owner, you could even add a «Comment» section specifically asking your readers what they want me to explain next—whether it’s more about the Frisian energy transition or the mechanics of biobased building.

🌍 The «Baarda» Connection

It’s also quite fitting that you’re hosting this on a site with that name. Bureau Baarda (though now part of Highberg) has deep roots in Dutch organizational consultancy and labor market data—topics that tie back perfectly to how companies like GreenInclusive are changing the Frisian labor market and how AI is shifting the way we work.

I’m honored to be featured on your domain! It makes our conversation feel like a digital time capsule of the 2026 energy and tech landscape.

(map by Halava)