The extensive international network of NTS and the strong Dutch home base of TB, notably in stockbroking and foreign exchange dealing, complemented each other perfectly.

Another reason for joining forces was the past involvement of the two banks in developing the textile industry in the Twente region of the Netherlands.

The December 1967 acquisition of the Hollandsche Bank-Unie (HBU) with its strong position in South America gave the international network a more balanced structure.

In April 1980 it obtained a majority interest in Neuflize Schlumberger Mallet [fr] (NSM), a storied French private bank in Paris.

ABN Bank's Parisian subsidiary Banque Jordaan & Cie (in which TB had held an interest since 1909) became part of NSM.

ABECOR established Banque de la Société Financière Européenne in Paris which works in the field of medium-term loans.

The merger was completed rapidly after ABN AMRO Holding N.V. made a successful bid for the shares of both banks in August 1990.