Netherlands Has Lost $7 Billion in ABN Amro Rescue

The rescue of ABN Amro Bank NV during the financial crisis has set the Dutch state back by €6.7 billion ($7.1 billion), the finance minister estimated, showing the costs to taxpayers of bank bailouts.

The current value of the government’s 49.5% stake in the lender is insufficient to recoup the total investments made so far, Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag said in a letter to parliament published on Monday evening. ABN Amro’s share price would need to more than double to €28.74 from the present level of about €13.5 for that to happen.

The Netherlands bailed out ABN Amro at the ...