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ING strategic expansion in European banking

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2026-10-09 04:16 UTC → 2026-10-29 01:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

ING has announced a strategic shift to act as a buyer in large, cross-border European bank mergers rather than being a takeover target. CEO Steven van Rijswijk stated that the bank views increased scale as a necessity to drive efficiency in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and customer experience. He noted that the banking sector is in a stronger position following the financial crisis and the era of negative interest rates, making acquisitions more viable. Following acquisitions in Poland and Spain, the bank is targeting opportunities in Germany, specifically focusing on the middle-market segment, asset management, and high-end private banking. To support its expansion into European wealth management, ING is launching private banking services in Spain and has opened a flagship office in Madrid. This move follows the bank’s acquisition of a 40% stake in Singular Bank, marking a transition toward more comprehensive investment and advisory services. On October 28, ING officially launched its private banking division in Spain, targeting approximately 6,000 clients with assets exceeding 500,000 euros. The bank reported a current business volume of 6.5 billion euros, with an average client wealth surpassing one million euros. To support this, the bank deployed a team of 35 specialized managers, with plans to reach 40 by year-end. The service combines digital offerings with physical presence in five offices: Madrid, Barcelona, Sabadell, Valencia, and Sevilla. ING has identified over 40,000 existing clients with assets of 250,000 euros or more as potential customers and intends to double its business figures by 2029.

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