ABN AMRO announced that it will reduce its North American workforce by 5% (approximately 900 jobs) this year.

The approximately 900 staff reductions within the Business Unit North America will affect LaSalle Bank Corp. and its subsidiaries as well as ABN AMRO’s global businesses operating in the U.S., it revealed. The bank said that the staff reductions, which will occur across almost all areas of the bank and at all major locations within the North American unit, “represent a strategic decision to better focus resources on the businesses and client relationships that are at the core of ABN AMRO’s expertise in North America.”

“These kinds of decisions are never easy to make,” said Norman Bobins, head of ABN AMRO’s North American unit. “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 organization to more proficiently address the demands of our market.”

The majority of the staff reductions are scheduled to take place before mid-year. More details will be disclosed in ABN AMRO’s annual results announcement on Feb. 8.