ING Group
ING Group is a Dutch multinational bank offering retail, commercial, wholesale and investment banking services in multiple international markets. ING Groep is a Dutch international banking group serving retail, business and institutional customers through a predominantly digital banking model.
Last updated October 13, 2026
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Overview
ING Group is a Dutch multinational banking and financial-services company headquartered in Amsterdam. The name is derived from Internationale Nederlanden Groep, or International Netherlands Group. The modern group was created in 1991 through the combination of NMB Postbank Groep, a banking group, and Nationale-Nederlanden, an insurance company. The transaction followed Dutch financial-sector liberalization that made cross-ownership between banks and insurers possible and created one of Europe’s prominent bancassurance groups. ING’s roots are considerably older than the 1991 holding company. Its insurance heritage includes De Nederlanden van 1845, founded as a fire insurer in 1845, and Nationale Levensverzekerings Bank, founded in 1863. These companies combined in 1963 to form Nationale-Nederlanden. Its banking heritage includes the Dutch postal savings and giro systems, including Rijkspostspaarbank and Postcheque- en Girodienst, as well as Nederlandsche Middenstands Bank, established in 1927 to support middle-market and small-business customers. Postbank and NMB merged in 1989, creating the banking platform that later combined with Nationale-Nederlanden. During the 1990s and early 2000s, ING expanded through acquisitions in banking, insurance, asset management and retirement services. Significant transactions included Bank Brussels Lambert in Belgium, Barings Bank in the United Kingdom, ReliaStar and Aetna’s financial-services businesses in the United States, DiBa in Germany, and businesses in Canada, Turkey and Latin America. ING also developed ING Direct, a direct-to-consumer banking model that used relatively simple products, remote distribution and a recognizable orange brand to attract retail deposits and mortgage customers in several countries. The 2008 financial crisis marked a major strategic turning point. ING accepted capital support from the Dutch government and subsequently agreed to substantial restructuring and divestitures under European state-aid requirements. The group sold or separated many insurance and direct-banking operations, including businesses that later became Voya Financial and Tangerine. In 2009, Postbank and ING Bank were brought together under the single ING brand. ING completed the disposal of its remaining stake in NN Group in 2016, ending its historical insurance conglomerate structure and leaving ING focused primarily on banking. Today, ING’s principal activities include retail banking, direct banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, investment banking, private banking and selected financial-markets services. Its retail franchise serves individuals and small businesses through branches, digital channels and mobile applications, while its wholesale business works with corporations, institutions and governments. ING emphasizes digital delivery, customer self-service and financial technology, while remaining subject to Dutch, European and international banking supervision. ING Bank is classified as a global systemically important bank and as a significant institution directly supervised within the European banking-supervision framework.
History
ING Group’s history combines the development of Dutch insurance with the modernization of mass-market banking. One early insurance predecessor was Kooger Doodenbos, a burial fund founded in North Holland in 1743. Its eventual succession of mergers led into the Dutch insurance tradition represented by Nationale-Nederlanden. De Nederlanden van 1845 was established in 1845 as a fire insurer, while Nationale Levensverzekerings Bank began life-insurance operations in 1863. The two companies cooperated before merging in 1963 as Nationale-Nederlanden. During the 1970s and 1980s, the insurer expanded internationally and entered banking through the acquisition of Westland-Utrecht Hypotheekbank. The banking side developed through government-supported postal savings and giro services. Rijkspostspaarbank was established in 1881 to make savings available through the Dutch post-office network. Postcheque- en Girodienst followed in 1918, creating a national giro system for households and small businesses. Gemeentegiro Amsterdam, founded in the early twentieth century, pioneered card and automated-payment services. In 1986, Rijkspostspaarbank and Postcheque- en Girodienst were combined into Postbank. Postbank also introduced Girotel, an early electronic home-banking service. Nederlandsche Middenstands Bank, founded in 1927, developed a complementary business-banking and retail franchise. NMB and Postbank merged in 1989. The decisive corporate event occurred on 4 March 1991, when NMB Postbank Groep and Nationale-Nederlanden combined to create ING Group. The new group initially pursued a bancassurance model, distributing insurance products through a broad retail banking network. It then expanded across Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America through acquisitions and organic growth. The purchase of Barings Bank in 1995 gave ING an investment-banking platform after Barings collapsed because of unauthorized derivatives losses. Bank Brussels Lambert strengthened the Belgian franchise, while acquisitions such as ReliaStar, Aetna’s financial-services businesses and DiBa expanded insurance, retirement and direct-banking capabilities. ING Direct became one of the group’s most visible innovations. The model used direct distribution, comparatively straightforward savings and mortgage products, and a strong consumer brand. It was introduced in Canada and later extended to countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Australia. At its height, ING Direct served millions of customers outside the Netherlands. The 2008 crisis interrupted this expansion. ING accepted Dutch state capital and entered a restructuring process involving asset sales, business separations and restrictions connected to European state aid. Several international insurance operations were separated, with the North American insurance business eventually becoming Voya Financial. Direct-banking businesses in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom were also sold. In 2009, Postbank and ING Bank were merged under the ING brand. ING later separated its insurance operations into NN Group and sold its remaining NN Group shares in 2016. The resulting company is primarily a bank, with retail, commercial, wholesale and investment-banking activities and a strong emphasis on digital channels.
- 2018
AML settlement
[1]ING reached a settlement over deficiencies in anti-money-laundering and customer-due-diligence controls.
- 2016
Insurance separation completed
[1]ING sold its remaining shares in NN Group and became exclusively focused on banking.
- 2014
NN Group public offering
[1]ING began the public separation of its insurance business through the listing of NN Group.
- 2013
ING U.S. IPO
[7]ING's U.S. insurance and retirement unit was floated and subsequently developed into Voya Financial.
- 2012
ING Direct USA sold
[1]ING sold its U.S. online banking business to Capital One as part of its restructuring.
- 2009
Single ING banking brand launched
[1]Postbank and ING Bank were consolidated under the ING name.
- 2009
Postbank and ING Bank unified
[1]The Dutch Postbank and ING Bank businesses were brought together under the single ING brand.
- 2008
Dutch state capital support
[1]ING received capital support from the Dutch government during the global financial crisis.
- 1997
ING Direct expansion
[1]ING developed its direct-banking model in multiple markets, emphasizing simple products and remote service.
- 1995
Barings Bank acquired
[1]ING acquired selected assets of Barings Bank, expanding its international wholesale and investment-banking capabilities.
Products and positioning
A digitally oriented international banking group combining mass-market retail banking with corporate, wholesale and investment-banking capabilities, supported by the recognizable orange-lion identity.
Retail banking · 1991
ING Retail Banking
ING’s consumer-banking franchise provides everyday accounts, payments, savings, mortgages, personal lending and investment-related services. Delivery relies heavily on online and mobile channels, supported by market-specific customer-service and distribution arrangements. ING provides personal current accounts, savings, payments, cards, mortgages, consumer credit and investment-related services. The proposition is strongly digital, with customers using mobile and online channels for everyday banking, onboarding, payments and personal financial management. Availability and product design vary by country.
Direct banking · 1997
ING Direct
ING Direct was the group’s direct-to-consumer banking model, built around remote distribution and relatively simple savings and mortgage products. It expanded from Canada into several markets but many country operations were later sold or rebranded during ING’s post-2008 restructuring. ING Direct was ING's branch-light international banking proposition, built around straightforward savings and lending products, remote distribution and a simplified customer experience. Several country operations were later sold, closed or integrated into other ING businesses.
Corporate and investment banking · 1991
Wholesale Banking
ING Wholesale Banking serves corporations, financial institutions and public-sector clients with lending, transaction banking, cash management, trade finance, corporate finance, debt and equity-market services, and selected advisory activities. Wholesale banking provides financing, transaction banking, debt and equity-market services, risk management and advisory support to corporations, financial institutions and governments. The business has particular relevance for cross-border companies and sectors requiring structured finance or transition investment.
Private banking · 1991
Private Banking
ING's private-banking activities serve affluent individuals and families with banking, financing, investment and wealth-planning services, subject to the regulatory and market structures of the countries in which the business operates.
Asset management · 1994
Asset Management
ING historically built asset-management capabilities through acquisitions including Parcom and Clarion. The group's investment and asset-management activities have evolved through later portfolio changes and are smaller and more focused than during its former financial-conglomerate period.
Banking
Business banking
Business banking serves small and medium-sized enterprises with accounts, payments, lending, cash management and related financial tools. ING combines digital service with relationship support, helping businesses manage working capital, expansion and day-to-day transactions.
Insurance and investment management
Insurance and asset management businesses
Insurance, pensions and asset management were major historical ING activities. As part of post-crisis restructuring, many of these operations were separated, sold or transferred into independently branded businesses including NN Group and Voya Financial.
Controversies
2018
Anti-money-laundering and customer-due-diligence failures
Dutch authorities investigated shortcomings in ING's systems for identifying and monitoring customers and transactions. ING entered a settlement and committed to strengthening compliance governance, controls and remediation.
1995
Barings Bank derivatives collapse
Barings Bank collapsed after trader Nick Leeson accumulated and concealed very large unauthorized losses in futures trading. ING acquired the failed bank for a nominal amount and assumed its liabilities, turning the episode into a major risk-management lesson associated with ING's acquisition history.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Orange Money
United States
ING U.S. connected its orange brand color with money reserved for retirement. The campaign encouraged consumers to distinguish long-term retirement savings from money available for everyday spending. The campaign supported ING U.S.'s retirement-readiness positioning before the business was rebranded as Voya Financial.
Outcome. The campaign supported ING U.S.'s retirement-readiness positioning before the business was rebranded as Voya Financial.
- 2009ING brand consolidation
Netherlands
ING unified Postbank and ING Bank under one orange ING identity, replacing the separate Postbank consumer brand and presenting a single banking proposition. The Netherlands banking operations continued under the ING brand.
Outcome. The Netherlands banking operations continued under the ING brand.
- 2008Your Number
United States
ING's U.S. retirement business promoted the idea that consumers should calculate the amount required to retire comfortably. Television, print and an interactive online tool used oversized orange numbers to make retirement planning more concrete and less intimidating. The platform was extended in later advertising to address market volatility and proactive retirement preparation.
Outcome. The platform was extended in later advertising to address market volatility and proactive retirement preparation.
- 2001It's not an ending, it's a beginning
United States
ING used television, print and outdoor advertising to introduce its name and orange-lion identity to American consumers. The creative device obscured the beginning of a word behind people sitting on a bench, leaving “ING” visible and linking the name to the idea of a beginning. ING used television, print and outdoor advertising to introduce its name and orange-lion identity to American consumers. The creative device obscured the beginning of a word behind people sitting on a bench, leaving "ING" visible and linking the name to the idea of a beginning. The campaign improved awareness of the ING name, although the U.S. financial environment limited the immediate commercial effect. Internet advertising followed in 2002.
Outcome. The campaign improved awareness of the ING name, although the U.S. financial environment limited the immediate commercial effect. Internet advertising followed in 2002.
- Do Your Thing
International
ING's global brand platform presents the bank as an enabler of customers' personal and professional ambitions. It supports communications across retail and business banking and reinforces the brand's association with independence, progress and action.
Brand decisions
2016
Complete exit from NN GroupStrategyBackground
ING had been separating its insurance business from its banking operations since the post-crisis restructuring.
Action taken
ING sold its final shares in NN Group.
Aftermath
ING’s corporate identity and business scope became centered on banking rather than bancassurance.
2014
Separation of NN GroupM&ABackground
ING's restructuring required the separation of its insurance activities from the banking group.
Action taken
ING brought NN Group to the public market and progressively reduced its stake.
Aftermath
ING became more concentrated on banking while NN Group operated as a separately listed insurance group.
2013
IPO of ING U.S.M&ABackground
ING was separating banking from insurance and reducing its ownership of the U.S. retirement and insurance operation.
Action taken
ING U.S. completed an initial public offering and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange before adopting the Voya Financial identity.
Aftermath
ING's ownership fell to approximately 75 percent after the offering, with a planned further exit.
2012
Sale of ING Direct USAM&ABackground
ING's crisis-era restructuring and European Union requirements called for a reduction and separation of activities outside its core European banking franchise.
Action taken
ING sold its U.S. online banking business to Capital One.
Aftermath
The transaction reduced ING's direct exposure to U.S. retail banking and supported its restructuring plan.
2009
Separate insurance from bankingStrategyBackground
State support and European competition requirements required ING to simplify its conglomerate structure.
Action taken
ING announced the separation and later disposal of insurance and selected international banking operations.
Aftermath
The group ultimately became a bank-focused company after selling its remaining NN Group stake in 2016.
2009
Consolidation of Dutch banking brandsStrategyBackground
ING sought to simplify its Dutch banking structure and address limitations created by maintaining separate Postbank and ING Bank brands.
Action taken
The businesses were merged and marketed under the single ING brand.
Aftermath
The change reduced brand fragmentation but required significant operational integration and workforce adjustments.
2008
Accept Dutch government capital supportOtherBackground
The global financial crisis placed pressure on banks’ capital and funding positions.
Action taken
ING accepted a capital injection from the Dutch government and entered a restructuring process.
Aftermath
European state-aid requirements contributed to business disposals and the eventual separation of ING’s insurance operations.
1995
Acquire Barings BankM&ABackground
Barings became insolvent after unauthorized derivatives trading losses.
Action taken
ING acquired Barings for a nominal consideration and incorporated its viable activities into ING Barings.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened ING’s wholesale and investment-banking platform.
1991
Merge NMB Postbank Groep with Nationale-NederlandenM&ABackground
Dutch financial-law changes permitted greater integration between banking and insurance businesses.
Action taken
The two groups combined to form ING Group and initially pursued a bancassurance strategy.
Aftermath
ING became a major Dutch financial conglomerate with banking and insurance operations.
Recent events
SageSure secures $125 million credit facility[10]
Reported:
SageSure secured $125 million in bank financing through a syndicated facility led by Citizens, with ING Group, BMO Harris and East West Bank as joint lead arrangers.
Sources10 sources
- 1ING Groupen.wikipedia.org
- 2ING corporate websiteing.com
- 3ING leadershiping.com
- 4Barings Banken.wikipedia.org
- 5ING Groep N.V. launch campaignencyclopedia.com
- 6New York Times: ING retirement campaignnytimes.com
- 7Reuters: ING U.S. IPOreuters.com
- 8ING U.S. Orange Money campaignprnewswire.com
- 9Sale of ING Direct USAreuters.com
- 10SageSure获得1.25亿美元信贷额度prweb.com
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