Rabobank of the Netherlands is preparing to start the auction of asset manager Robeco in a fortnight, moving itself up the queue of European banks striving to raise capital through disposals.

Deutsche, Dexia and ING have been testing out deals for months. One private equity manager said: "We're going to see more fund sales, but getting bidders to sign up can be difficult - as UniCredit, Societe Generale and Santander have found."