Dutch bank ABN Amro is cutting its US workforce by 900 jobs in a move to reduce costs and improve its performance in the country. The job...

Dutch bank ABN Amro is cutting its US workforce by 900 jobs in a move to reduce costs and improve its performance in the country.

The job cuts will come in the first half of next year and follow 1,500 back office staff cuts in the US and Europe announced in April 2006.

The staff reductions within the business unit North America will affect its Chicago subsidiary LaSalle Bank and ABN Amro's global businesses operating in the US.

Of the 900 positions that will be cut, 500 are in Chicago, about 200 are in New York and 200 will be split between Troy and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Norman Bobins, head of ABN Amro's North American Business Unit, said: "These kinds of decisions are never easy to make. In today's competitive environment, however, it is imperative that we take a hard look at our clients' needs and align our resources accordingly. With these staff reductions, we will enable our organisation to more proficiently address the demands of our market."

The majority of the staff reductions are scheduled to take place before mid-year 2007. More details will be disclosed in the group's annual results announcement on 8 February.