ING

ING Competitive Intelligence & Landscape

ing.com ·

Overview

ING Overview

ING (ing.com) is a global financial institution offering retail and wholesale banking services. Its core mission is to empower people to stay a step ahead in life and in business [ing.com/about-us/ing-at-a-glance]. The company provides a range of products, including savings, payments, and various other banking and financial services, which can be explored through its individual business units [ing.com/pages/legal-information].

ING Groep N.V. (ING Group) is a publicly-listed company and the parent of ING Bank N.V. (ING Bank), which in turn is the parent of numerous Dutch and foreign banks [ing.com/about-us/corporate-governance/legal-structure-and-regulators]. The company has a strong European base but operates globally, with more than 60,000 employees serving customers in over 100 countries [ing.com/about-us/ing-at-a-glance].

ING has a rich history that traces back to the 18th century, with its shares being listed since March 1991 on Euronext Amsterdam (AEX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) [ing.com/investors/share-information/shares, ing.com/about-us/history]. The company emphasizes compliance with laws, regulations, and ethical standards to safeguard its integrity and financial stability.

ING also places a significant focus on sustainability, integrating climate action, nature, and social agendas into its strategy. It aims to play a leading role in accelerating the low-carbon transition and making a positive contribution to society through its financing and business practices [ing.com/sustainability].

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Competitors

ING Competitors

Several major financial institutions compete with ING (ing.com), a global bank with a strong European base offering retail and wholesale banking services. One significant competitor is ABN AMRO, which, like ING, is based in the Netherlands and operates as a commercial bank.

ABN AMRO also focuses on providing a range of banking services, including mortgages, investments, and insurance, positioning itself as a comprehensive financial partner for its customers.

Another key competitor is Bank of America, a global financial services company that offers a broad array of banking, investing, asset management, and other financial and risk management products and services. While ING emphasizes its global presence and commitment to sustainability, Bank of America distinguishes itself with its vast market share and extensive network, particularly in the United States.

BNP Paribas is also a notable competitor, focusing on digital banking and investment services within the financial sector.

BNP Paribas offers a range of digital products for private banking and investment, along with support for financial advisers. This focus on digital solutions and investment services allows BNP Paribas to compete with ING's offerings for both retail and wholesale clients seeking modern financial solutions.

Additionally, HSBC competes with ING in the diversified banking industry. Both banks offer a wide range of services to retail and wholesale clients across numerous countries. While ING highlights its purpose of empowering people to stay a step ahead and its strong focus on climate action, HSBC distinguishes itself with its extensive international network and diverse financial product portfolio, catering to a broad global customer base.

Product & Pricing

ING Product and Pricing Intelligence

In 2026, ING launched a new global subscription banking model across its nine retail markets, covering 41 million customers, in response to evolving customer expectations for simplicity and transparent value [ing.com/news/press-releases/ing-rolls-out-global-subscription-banking-model.html]. This model includes four distinct plans: ING Go, ING More, ING Extra, and ING Max, with ING Go being the entry-level option for everyday banking needs [ing.com/news/2026/banking-but-make-it-extra.html].

ING also offers a basic banking service, which includes an account opening and closing service, a basic package of 36 manual transactions in euro, access to Home'Bank, ING Banking, and ING Client services, and an ING Debit card for ATM, Bancontact, and Maestro or Mastercard network access [assets.ing.com/m/4f78f60fd9714d80/pricing-list-private-new-en.pdf]. The ING Do Basic Pack, for example, is priced at €1.00 per month, or €0.90 per month for the ING Lion Account, totaling an annual fee of €1.90 [assets.ing.com/m/2572b831c2e04b4c/original/FID-ing-do-basic-EN.pdf]. This pack includes a current account for private use for one holder, 36 cash withdrawals in euros per year from SEPA ATMs with the debit card, one debit card with access to various networks, and access to ING's digital channels.

For transaction services, ING Bank N.V. - Sofia Branch outlines its tariffs, effective as of various dates including December 1, 2024, and February 1, 2026 [assets.ing.com/m/d14673dbb1e53e17/original/AO0203BGEN024-Tariff-Brochure-for-Transaction-Services-2024-12-ENG-1.pdf]. Opening a current account in local or foreign currency costs €15.34 / BGN 30.00, with maintenance fees at €20.45 [assets.ing.com/m/154fa52b3ec93996/original/Tariff-Brochure-for-Transaction-Services-2026-02-ENG-changes-to-euro-adoption.pdf]. These rates are subject to change, and additional charges may apply for special services beyond standard operations [assets.ing.com/m/5046ace436f1a107/original/Tariffs-conditions-belgium.pdf].

Hiring & Layoffs

ING Hiring and Layoffs

ING (ing.com) demonstrates a consistent and global approach to talent acquisition, with a current emphasis on strengthening its operational and technological backbone. The company lists 827 job openings globally, signaling ongoing growth and a need for diverse skills across its various business units [careers.ing.com/en/search-jobs]. These openings are spread across different regions, including major hubs like the Netherlands, where new talent is continually sought to drive its operations [careers.ing.com/en/working-in-the-netherlands].

ING's hiring strategy appears to be closely aligned with its purpose and commitment to digital transformation and customer service excellence. A significant part of its global operations is supported by ING Hubs, which are described as the "backbone of ING’s global operations, providing extensive IT and operational services." These hubs employ over 12,500 people, indicating a strong investment in technology and operational efficiency to deliver seamless service and innovation [careers.ing.com/en/ing-hubs]. The company actively recruits in numerous locations, including the Philippines, Australia, and the Americas, showcasing a broad international hiring footprint [careers.ing.com/en/working-in-philippines-jobs].

Key job openings reflect ING's strategic priorities, particularly in areas critical to its financial stability and customer value. For instance, there is a demand for roles like "Starszy_a Specjalista_tka - Rozwój i Zarządzanie Talentami" in Poland, highlighting an investment in HR and talent management [careers.ing.com/en/job/warsaw/starszy-a-specjalista-tka-rozw-j-i-zarz-dzanie-talentami/3120/39280840704]. Furthermore, a significant opening for a "Product Area Lead – Wholesale Banking Advanced Analytics – Onboarding & KYC" in Amsterdam underscores ING's focus on leveraging AI and advanced analytics for client onboarding and due diligence, crucial for compliance and combating financial economic crime [careers.ing.com/en/job/amsterdam/product-area-lead-wholesale-banking-advanced-analytics-onboarding-and-kyc/3121/39966330560].

ING also places importance on developing future talent, offering various early career programs such as trainee and talent programs, along with specialized IT classes [careers.ing.com/en/early-careers]. These initiatives are designed to accelerate professional and personal growth, suggesting a long-term strategy for building a skilled workforce from within. While specific details on layoffs are not available in the provided content, the extensive number of job postings and the continuous recruitment efforts across diverse roles and global locations strongly indicate a company focused on expansion and strategic talent acquisition rather than significant workforce reductions.

Leadership

ING Management and Leadership Team

ING (ing.com) operates with a two-tier management structure, separating the Supervisory Board (SB) from the Executive Board (EB) and Management Board Banking (MBB), ensuring a balance between oversight and execution [https://ing.com/about-us/management-structure]. The Executive Board is responsible for the long-term strategy of ING Group, comprising the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) [https://ing.com/about-us/management-structure/executive-board-and-management-board-banking?preview-token=5035c12a-6907-41b8-b816-a040958bd235]. The Management Board Banking handles the day-to-day management of ING's business [https://ing.com/about-us/management-structure/executive-board-and-management-board-banking?preview-token=5035c12a-6907-41b8-b816-a040958bd235].

Steven van Rijswijk serves as the CEO and chairman of both the Executive Board and the Management Board Banking since July 2020 [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/results/1q2026/1q2026-ing-profile-presentation.pdf, https://ing.com/about-us/management-structure/executive-board-and-management-board-banking/steven-van-rijswijk]. The CFO is Ida Lerner, who is part of both the EB and MBB [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/results/1q2026/1q2026-ing-profile-presentation.pdf]. Recent leadership changes include the appointment of Ljiljana Čortan as head of Wholesale Banking, succeeding Andrew Bester [https://ing.com/news/press-releases/ing-announces-changes-to-executive-board-and-management-board-banking.html, https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/results/1q2026/1q2026-ing-profile-presentation.pdf]. She also holds the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) position within the Executive Board [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/results/3q2025/3q2025-ing-profile-presentation.pdf].

Other key members of the Management Board Banking include Pinar Abay, who leads Retail, Market Leaders, and Challengers & Growth Markets, and Marnix van Stiphout, the Chief Operations Officer [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/results/1q2026/1q2026-ing-profile-presentation.pdf].

Daniele Tonella is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on the MBB [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/results/1q2026/1q2026-ing-profile-presentation.pdf].

The Supervisory Board provides independent oversight and guidance to the Executive Board and Management Board Banking, composed entirely of outside directors [https://ing.com/about-us/management-structure/supervisory-board?preview-token=5035c12a-6907-41b8-b816-a040958bd235]. Notable members of the Supervisory Board include Karl Guha, Mike Rees, and Juan Colombás [https://ing.com/about-us/management-structure/supervisory-board?preview-token=5035c12a-6907-41b8-b816-a040958bd235]. The full list of members for both boards and their responsibilities are detailed on ING's corporate governance pages [https://ing.com/about-us/management-structure/executive-board-and-management-board-banking, https://ing.com/about-us/management-structure/supervisory-board].

Financials

ING Financial Performance, Fundraising, M&A

In 2025, ING delivered robust financial performance, reporting a total income of €22.9 billion, supported by growth in its customer base and a 15% increase in fee income, reaching €4.6 billion. The bank's commercial net interest income remained strong at €15.3 billion, with a significant net core lending growth of €56.9 billion. The net result for the year remained stable at €6.2 billion [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/annual-reports/2025-ing-bank-nv-annual-report.pdf].

ING has a long-standing presence on public exchanges, having been listed on Euronext Amsterdam (AEX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) since March 1991 [https://ing.com/]. The company's annual reports, including those for 2025 and earlier years, provide comprehensive overviews of its financial performance, strategy, risk management, and corporate governance [https://ing.com/investors/financial-performance/annual-reports].

For the first quarter of 2026, ING reported a net result of €1,556 million, primarily driven by continued growth in customer balances and fee income [https://ing.com/investors/financial-performance/quarterly-results/2026]. The bank demonstrated strong capital generation during this period, adding nearly 2%-points to its CET1 ratio over the previous 12 months. Of the €6.4 billion in capital generated, approximately 50% (€3.2 billion) was distributed through regular dividends, with about 15% (€1.0 billion) deployed to facilitate €65 billion in profitable lending growth [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/results/1q2026/1q2026-ing-results-presentation.pdf].

Partnerships

ING Partnerships, Clients and Vendors

ING (ing.com) actively cultivates a robust partnership ecosystem to enhance its banking services and expand its reach across various sectors. The company leverages strategic alliances with institutional investors for risk-sharing transactions, particularly within its Wholesale Banking division, enabling first-loss protection on diversified portfolios of corporate loans and supporting clients' needs [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/press-releases/ing-group-completes-two-risk-sharing-transactions.pdf].

ING also engages in significant collaborations to drive sustainable initiatives, notably partnering with the European Investment Bank (EIB) through a €300 million agreement to support green investments within the European shipping sector, aiming to make vessels less polluting [https://ing.com/news/2019/03/greening-the-shipping-sector.html]. Furthermore, ING collaborates with partners like Winst uit je woning to offer "ING Upgrader," a service that assists customers in making their homes more sustainable by providing advice from sustainability advisors and integrating the process within the ING App [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/files/ing-introduces-ing-upgrader-for-sustainable-and-future-proof-living.pdf].

The bank's commitment to strategic partnerships extends to the fintech space, with past initiatives including an investment in Kabbage, a technology and data platform focused on automated lending [https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/files/viewpoint-ing-banks-and-fintechs.pdf].

ING also focuses on developing its B2C e-commerce partnerships to acquire new clients and deepen relationships with existing ones, indicating a broad approach to client acquisition and retention through external collaborations [https://careers.ing.com/en/job/brussels/business-development-manager-e-commerce-partnerships-b2c/3121/38613789056].

For its enterprise clients, ING provides specific technology integrations such as InsideBusiness Connect for EBICS, which facilitates secure electronic banking communication. This service offers detailed connection parameters including a dedicated URL, EBICS Host ID, specific port, IP address, and support for multiple EBICS and TLS versions, ensuring robust and secure communication for corporate banking operations [https://assets.ing.com/m/1ba1035d4178ffe9/original/Connection-Letter-InsideBusiness-Connect-for-EBICS-27032025.pdf]. The company is continuously exploring and defining its partnership ecosystem, particularly within Business Banking, to enhance its offerings and support its global operations in over 100 countries [https://careers.ing.com/en/job/milan/strategic-partnerships-expert/3121/39284174784][https://ing.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/results/1q2026/1q2026-ing-profile-presentation.pdf].

Events

ING Event Participations

ING (ing.com) actively participates in and hosts a variety of webinars to engage with audiences on pressing economic and market topics. These events frequently feature ING's economists and strategists, providing insights into global economic outlooks, market trends, and regional dynamics. Upcoming webinars include a session on key regional dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe scheduled for October 9, 2025, and a discussion on defining trends on February 12, 2026, both hosted by ING Global Research.

ING has a history of hosting timely webinars addressing significant global events and their economic impacts. Past sessions have covered topics such as the implications of the Iran deal for macroeconomics and markets, scenarios for energy prices, and the impact across the global economy and financial markets. These webinars often include a Q&A session, allowing attendees to interact with ING's experts.

The company's webinars also delve into critical discussions like energy security under strain, examining Europe's gas dependence and the challenges of cutting it. Additionally, ING has hosted webinars on topics such as Europe's housing markets and ING's Global Economic Outlook for specific years, tackling major economic questions from America's resilience to China's exports. These events underscore ING's commitment to sharing expertise and empowering people to stay informed in life and business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the strategic implication of ING's new global subscription banking model launched in 2026?

ING's launch of a new global subscription banking model in 2026 for 41 million customers across nine retail markets signals a strategic shift towards simplifying its product offerings and enhancing transparent value. This move aims to meet evolving customer expectations by providing structured plans like ING Go, ING More, ING Extra, and ING Max, indicating an emphasis on predictable pricing and tailored service tiers.

What does ING's high volume of global job openings indicate about its strategic direction?

ING's 827 global job openings indicate a consistent focus on growth and strategic talent acquisition, particularly in strengthening its operational and technological infrastructure. This hiring drive, spread across various regions and emphasizing roles in IT, advanced analytics, and talent management, aligns with the company's commitment to digital transformation and operational efficiency, rather than workforce reductions.

How does ING leverage external partnerships to enhance its wholesale banking offerings?

ING leverages external partnerships in its Wholesale Banking division for risk-sharing transactions with institutional investors, providing first-loss protection on diversified corporate loan portfolios. This strategy helps the bank support client needs while managing risk more effectively, demonstrating a collaborative approach to enhancing its financial services for enterprise clients.

What kind of competitive pressure might ING face from neobanks like SoFi, Revolut, and N26?

ING faces competitive pressure from neobanks like SoFi, Revolut, and N26 due to their digital-first approach, competitive interest rates, lower fees, and seamless mobile banking experiences. These alternatives, particularly strong in Europe, appeal to tech-savvy customers seeking modern, agile financial solutions, contrasting with ING's more traditional, established banking infrastructure.

What insights do ING's webinar topics provide into its focus areas for economic and market analysis?

ING's webinar topics indicate a strong focus on global economic outlooks, market trends, and regional dynamics, often featuring its economists and strategists. Recent and upcoming sessions cover significant events like the Iran deal's implications, energy security challenges, European housing markets, and specific regional dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe, highlighting the bank's commitment to providing timely, expert analysis on critical global issues.

How does ING's investment in HR and talent management roles, such as 'Starszy_a Specjalista_tka - Rozwój i Zarządzanie Talentami' in Poland, reflect its long-term strategy?

ING's investment in HR and talent management roles, such as the 'Starszy_a Specjalista_tka - Rozwój i Zarządzanie Talentami' in Poland, reflects a long-term strategy to develop future talent and build a skilled workforce from within. These roles are critical for driving professional and personal growth through early career programs and specialized IT classes, indicating a focus on internal capability building.

What does the demand for a 'Product Area Lead – Wholesale Banking Advanced Analytics – Onboarding & KYC' role suggest about ING's technological priorities?

The demand for a 'Product Area Lead – Wholesale Banking Advanced Analytics – Onboarding & KYC' role underscores ING's strategic focus on leveraging AI and advanced analytics. This position is crucial for enhancing client onboarding, due diligence, ensuring compliance, and combating financial economic crime within its Wholesale Banking division, signaling a significant investment in technology for financial stability and regulatory adherence.

How did ING's financial performance in 2025 and Q1 2026 support its capital generation and deployment strategy?

In 2025, ING reported a total income of €22.9 billion and a stable net result of €6.2 billion, supported by customer growth and a 15% increase in fee income. For Q1 2026, the net result was €1,556 million, demonstrating strong capital generation, adding nearly 2%-points to its CET1 ratio. Approximately 50% (€3.2 billion) of the €6.4 billion capital generated was distributed as dividends, with 15% (€1.0 billion) facilitating €65 billion in profitable lending growth.

What is the strategic implication of Ljiljana Čortan's appointment as Head of Wholesale Banking and Chief Risk Officer?

Ljiljana Čortan's appointment as Head of Wholesale Banking and Chief Risk Officer signifies ING's strategic emphasis on integrating risk management directly with its wholesale banking operations. This dual role suggests an intent to enhance governance, ensure compliance, and strategically manage risk within a critical revenue-generating division, fostering a more secure and efficient financial environment.

How does ING's engagement in green investment partnerships align with its overall sustainability focus?

ING's engagement in green investment partnerships, such as the €300 million agreement with the European Investment Bank to support sustainable shipping, directly aligns with its overall sustainability focus. This initiative, alongside services like 'ING Upgrader' for sustainable homes, underscores its commitment to accelerating the low-carbon transition and making positive contributions to society through its financing practices.

What distinguishes ING's competitive positioning against a major global bank like Bank of America?

ING's competitive positioning against Bank of America is distinguished by its strong European base and emphasis on sustainability and empowering customers, while Bank of America highlights its vast market share and extensive network, particularly in the United States. While both offer a broad array of financial services globally, ING differentiates through its purpose-driven approach and focus on climate action.

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