Finance minister Wouter Bos is in constant contact with his sources at the banks involved in the battle to take over ABN Amro to impress upon them the need for a swift conclusion of events, ANP reported on Tuesday.

Bos said his behind-the-scenes involvement is necessary because of the great financial importance of ABN Amro and because ‘every [public] statement could threaten my impartiality’. The finance minister will have to formally approve any takeover.
Meanwhile, the consumers association said it is getting around a hundred phone calls a day from ABN Amro customers who are worried about their accounts.