Ing NV 2010 PDF
Ing NV 2010 PDF
2010
Shaping our future
> ING posts 2010 underlying
net profit of EUR 3,893 million
3 Corporate governance
Report of the Supervisory Board 55
Corporate governance 59
Report of ING Trust Office 71
Report of ING Continuity Foundation 74
Conformity statement 75
Section 404 Sarbanes-Oxley Act 76
Remuneration report 78
Works councils 86
6 Other information
Independent auditor’s report 266
Proposed appropriation of result and Subsequent events 267
7 Additional information
Risk factors 268
Financial glossary 282
General information 289
Key figures
ING Group
in accordance with IFRS-EU
in EUR million unless otherwise indicated 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Income
Banking operations 17,734 12,293 11,662 14,602 14,195
Insurance operations 37,488 35,808 54,920 62,208 59,642
Intercompany eliminations 335 336 291 223 216
Total 54,887 47,765 66,291 76,586 73,621
Addition to loan loss provision Banking operations 1,751 2,973 1,280 125 103
Result
Banking result before taxation 5,830 –838 106 4,510 5,005
Insurance result before taxation –1,353 –687 –1,593 6,533 4,935
Result before taxation 4,477 –1,525 –1,487 11,043 9,940
Taxation 1,152 –472 –721 1,535 1,907
Minority interests 105 –118 –37 267 341
Net result 3,220 –935 –729 9,242 7,692
ING Group evaluates the results of its businesses using a non-GAAP financial performance measure called underlying result. Underlying result is derived
from the result in accordance with IFRS-EU by excluding the impact of divestments and special items. Historic results have been restated for divestments
in order to create a comparable sequence (i.e. 2010, 2009 and 2008 results exclude the results of a divestment which was completed in 2010). See note
51 in the consolidated annual accounts for a reconciliation between IFRS and underlying result.
Banking operations
in EUR million unless otherwise indicated 2010 2009 % Change 2008
Total underlying income 17,298 13,483 28 11,631
Underlying net interest result 13,450 12,507 8 11,062
Underlying operating expenses 9,685 9,263 5 9,803
Underlying addition to loan loss provision 1,751 2,859 –39 1,235
Underlying result before tax 5,862 1.361 331 593
Underlying net result 4,322 1,194 262 776
Balance sheet total ING Bank N.V. per 31 December (in EUR billion) 933 882 6 1,035
Core Tier 1 capital ING Bank N.V. per 31 December 30,894 25,958 19 24,934
Bank core Tier 1 ratio per 31 December (1) 9.6% 7.8% 7.3%
Risk-weighted assets per 31 December (in EUR billion) (1) 321 330 –3 343
Client balances per 31 December (in EUR billion) 1,168 1,108 5 1,074
Net production client balances (in EUR billion) 49 21 133 89
Interest margin 1.42% 1.32% 1.07%
Underlying Return on Equity based on 7.5% core Tier 1 17.6% 5.0% 3.4%
Underlying cost/income ratio 56.0% 68.7% 84.3%
Underlying cost/income ratio, excl. market impacts 54.2% 54.3% 65.8%
Employees (FTEs, per 31 December adjusted for divestments) 72,343 70,312 3 74,249
(1)
Adjusted for divestments.
Insurance operations
in EUR million unless otherwise indicated 2010 2009 % Change 2008
Total underlying income 37,466 35,119 7 47,838
Investment margin 1,481 1,196 24 1,662
Fees and premium-based revenues 4,903 4,362 12 4,723
Technical margin 780 902 –14 776
Income non-modelled life business 136 123 11 163
Operating income (Life/IM) 7,300 6,583 11 7,324
Total operating result 1,743 1,434 22 1,953
Underlying result before tax –519 –202 –1,355
Underlying net result –429 –220 –1,002
Shareholders’ equity ING Verzekeringen N.V. per 31 December 20,811 15,887 31 11,892
Client balances per 31 December (in EUR billion) 454 408 11 382
Net production client balances (in EUR billion) –6 –9 6
Investment spread (basis points) 93 83 116
New sales (APE) 4,877 4,426 10 5,917
Administrative expenses 3,698 3,431 8 3,783
Administrative expenses/operating income 43.9% 44.3% 44.2%
Underlying Return on Equity based on IFRS-EU equity –1.8% –0.9% –6.3%
Insurance Group Directive Solvency ratio 250% 247% n.a.
Employees (FTEs, per 31 December, adjusted for divestments) 34,763 35,445 –2 40,460
ING at a glance
€54,887m €3,220m
2009: €47,765m 2009: €–935m
BANKING INSURANCE
UNDERLYING INCOME UNDERLYING NET RESULT UNDERLYING INCOME UNDERLYING NET RESULT
Risk Committee Nomination Committee * You can find more information on the members
Peter Elverding, chairman Peter Elverding, chairman of the Executive Board on page 65 and on the
Tineke Bahlmann Piet Klaver members of the Supervisory Board on pages
Claus Dieter Hoffmann Joan Spero 68–69. The names of the nominated candidates
Piet Klaver Jeroen van der Veer for appointment at the General Meeting on
Godfried van der Lugt Lodewijk de Waal 9 May 2011 can be found on page 57.
Jackson Tai ** The current composition of the Supervisory
Board Committees can be found on the
Company’s website (www.ing.com).
Chairman’s statement
Dear stakeholder, After three challenging years during which the global financial crisis
Looking back on 2010, we can conclude had its impact on the company, 2010 marked a significant turning
point for ING. In particular, I am very grateful for the continued
that ING closed a remarkable year in the trust and loyalty of our customers.
history of the company. It was a real
transition year. Throughout those A number of achievements and key priorities stood out in 2010.
12 months we worked hard at shaping First of all, the Group’s business performance in 2010 was strong.
Although the economic recovery remains fragile, and financial
our future. We took important steps to markets continue to be volatile, ING posted an underlying
create strong stand-alone companies in net profit of EUR 3,893 million in 2010, up from EUR 974 million
preparation for the final separation of a year earlier.
our Banking and Insurance/Investment
The operational separation of the bank and insurer was
Management businesses. The Bank will effectuated at year-end, with arm’s-length agreements in place
continue as one integrated banking between the two businesses for all commercial cooperation and
organisation with one management shared infrastructure. The focus for 2011 will be on preparing the
team and one balance sheet. For our insurance company for two IPOs so we will be ready to move
forward when market conditions are favourable.
Insurance/Investment Management
activities we plan to have two initial The measures taken under the Back to Basics programme, which
public offerings (IPOs). was completed in 2010, to reduce risks, decrease costs, deleverage
and reduce the size of the balance sheet, enabled us to quickly
restore a healthy profitability profile. We substantially reduced our
leverage and risk, actively managed our sovereign portfolio and set
clear future performance targets for our banking and insurance
businesses. A number of divestments were carried out. ING also
comfortably passed the stress test conducted by the Committee of
European Banking Supervisors. In addition, we repaid 50% of the
Dutch State aid in December 2009. In May 2011, we intend to
repay another 20%. Provided that the strong capital generation
continues, we intend to repay the final 30% by May 2012.
The requirements proposed by the Basel Committee will demand and over 20,000 ING employees were involved. We raised
stronger capital reserves and liquidity buffers to protect banks EUR 927,000. You can read more about this and many other
during economic downturns. Most of the requirements will not initiatives in the chapter on Corporate responsibility.
come into force until 2013, but ING is relatively well positioned to
meet them. Our employees are our human capital. Engaged and motivated
employees are central to our success as they are the main point
Also with regard to our remuneration policy we take into account of contact with our customers.
the globally changing views on remuneration policies as well as
the guidelines proposed by regulators and authorities. We are In 2010, ING continued to work towards being a top employer,
well aware that remuneration is subject to ongoing public debate to attract and retain employees and to enhance employee
and we have taken steps to ensure that our remuneration policy engagement. Our 2010 Winning Performance Culture Survey
strikes a balance between the interests of our customers, showed that throughout the ING Group employee engagement
employees, shareholders and society at large, and supports the had risen. Most people say they like their job and are proud to
long-term objectives of our company. ING formulated a new work for the company. I am very pleased with the outcome of the
moderate and sustainable remuneration policy – with both survey because it was not an easy year for our people given all the
individual and group objectives – for the Executive Board with changes the company went through.
an increased focus on long-term value creation and performance
measurement based on non-financial indicators. This new policy In January 2011, Godfried van der Lugt and Jackson Tai both
was approved by the AGM in April 2010. The general principles of resigned from the Supervisory Board. In 2011, Claus Dieter Hoffmann
the new policy have also been applied to the remuneration of the will retire from the Supervisory Board after the General Meeting.
members of the Management Boards and other senior managers On behalf of my colleagues in the Executive Board and Supervisory
throughout the organisation. Board, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere
gratitude and appreciation for the contribution they have made to
Our strong results are the outcome of the hard work and ING. Godfried van der Lugt witnessed the beginning of ING and as
dedication of all our employees who even in the most difficult a former chairman of the Executive Board of ING Group and as a
periods of the crisis continued to focus on servicing our customers. member of the Supervisory Board he has played a very valuable
Customer satisfaction is central to everything ING does. role in the development of the company which has greatly
The customer is the vital axis around which all our activities benefited from his expertise.
revolve and we will continue to take customer needs as the
starting point for everything we do, whether it is developing We also announced changes in the structure and composition
new products, fine-tuning processes or anything else. of the Management Boards for Banking and Insurance/Investment
Over the year we achieved a great deal in this area but much more Management. On 1 January 2011, Lard Friese and Gilbert Van Hassel
remains to be done. We use the Net Promoter Score to measure joined the Management Board Insurance. At the end of 2010,
what customers think of us and whether they would recommend Tom McInerney stepped down as Insurance/Investment
ING to others, and then use the feedback to make further Management chief operating officer. William Connelly has
improvements to our processes and products. been appointed CEO of Commercial Banking and joined the
Management Board Banking, succeeding Eric Boyer who from
Deepening relationships with all our stakeholders was a key priority 1 January 2011 has concentrated solely on his role as
in 2010. It is vital to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders and vice-chairman of the Bank.
to be more transparent and open for feedback about the way we
operate. Gathering their views has proved valuable and, where As I stated, 2010 was a year of real transition for ING. We have
possible, we have incorporated feedback into our products gone through a lot of change and reshaped our businesses.
and services. We know there are more challenges and opportunities ahead
and we stand ready to meet them.
As a major international company, ING has a responsibility to make
a positive contribution to society through its commercial activities Being a major player in the financial sector puts us constantly in
and by being a good corporate citizen. For example, our personal the spotlight. Regaining the trust of all our stakeholders following
financial services help people to be better at managing their the global financial crisis is a key priority for us. Our achievements
money. We have a Corporate Responsibility (CR) programme in the past year lead us to believe that the business is on a solid
through which we ran many initiatives in 2010, one of which was footing and has excellent growth prospects. We therefore look
a series of workshops for entrepreneurs advising them how to run forward to the future with confidence and optimism.
their businesses in a more environmentally sustainable way.
Jan Hommen
Improving financial and other types of education is an important chairman of the Executive Board
part of our CR strategy. We are proud of our Chances for Children
programme through which we provide underprivileged children
with quality education to give them a real chance of a better future.
I was especially pleased with the 2010 Chances for Children Global
Challenge. Staff and management throughout the company rolled
up their sleeves to volunteer and raise funds for children and
education-related projects in what has become a great annual
tradition at ING. 38 countries took part in 2010’s Global Challenge
ING share
PROFIT RETENTION AND DISTRIBUTION POLICY Authorised and issued capital
ING Group’s profit retention and distribution policy is determined Year-end Year-end
in EUR million 2010 2009
by its internal requirements and its growth opportunities on the
Ordinary shares
one hand and the capital providers’ dividend expectations on
– authorised 1,080 1,080
the other. ING Group’s internal needs are determined by statutory
– issued 919 919
solvency requirements and capital ratios, in excess of which ING
Cumulative preference shares
Group needs to maintain healthy buffers. An important
– authorised 1,080 1,080
determinant are the credit ratings which are of utmost importance
– issued – –
to ING Group, because they directly affect the company’s financing
costs and hence profitability. For their part, the capital providers
Shares in issue and shares outstanding in the market
expect a dividend which reflects ING Group’s financial results
Year-end Year-end
and is relatively predictable. in millions 2010 2009
(Depositary receipts for) ordinary shares
ING’s policy is to pay dividends in relation to the long-term of EUR 0.24 nominal value 3,831.6 3,831.6
underlying development of cash earnings. Dividends will only (Depositary receipts for) own ordinary shares
be paid when the Executive Board considers such a dividend held by ING Group and its subsidiaries 51.3 47.1
appropriate. Given the uncertain financial environment, (Depositary receipts for) ordinary shares
outstanding in the market 3,780.3 3,784.5
increasing regulatory requirements and ING’s priority to
repurchase the remaining outstanding core Tier 1 securities,
Prices depositary receipts for ordinary shares*
the Executive Board will not propose to pay a dividend
Euronext Amsterdam by NYSE Euronext
over 2010 at the annual General Meeting. in EUR 2010 2009 2008
Price – high 8.16 9.64 26.21
CORE TIER 1 SECURITIES Price – low 5.52 1.92 5.33
In October 2008, to support its capital position, ING Group Price – year-end 7.28 6.90 7.33
made use of the previously announced capital support facilities Price/earnings ratio** 8.6 *** ***
by the Dutch Government by issuing EUR 10 billion of core
* 2009 prices were adjusted for the increase in the number of shares
Tier 1 securities to the Dutch State with a coupon of 8.5%. due to the rights issue, while 2008 was not adjusted.
The core Tier 1 securities are pari passu with common equity. ** Based on the share price at year-end and net profit per ordinary
share for the financial year.
*** Not applicable.
In December 2009, ING repurchased the first half of the core Tier 1
securities of EUR 5 billion plus a total premium of EUR 605 million. Dividend history
Furthermore, at the next coupon reset date on 13 May 2011, ING
in EUR 2010 2009 2008
intends to exercise its option for early repurchase of EUR 2 billion
Interim dividend – – 0.74
of the remaining core Tier 1 securities. The total payment in
Final dividend – – –
May 2011 will amount to EUR 3 billion and includes a 50%
Total – – 0.74
repurchase premium. ING will fund this repurchase from retained
earnings. Provided that the strong capital generation continues,
ING intends to repurchase the remaining EUR 3 billion of the core Geographical distribution of ING shares*
Tier 1 securities ultimately by May 2012 from retained earnings.
The final decision on repurchase of these core Tier 1 securities in percentages
will be made before the envisaged repayment date and will be United States 38
conditional upon there having been no material changes Netherlands 25
regarding ING’s capital requirements and/or ING’s outlook United Kingdom 17
on external market circumstances. Switzerland 7
Belgium 5
LISTINGS Luxembourg 3
Depositary receipts for ING Group ordinary shares are listed on Other 5
the stock exchanges of Amsterdam, Brussels and New York (NYSE). Total 100
Options on ING Group ordinary shares (or the depositary receipts * Year-end 2010 figures, estimated on information provided by several
therefor) are traded on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam Derivative large custodians.
Markets and the Chicago Board Options Exchange.
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
01/10 03/10 05/10 07/10 09/10 11/10 01/11
coverage, the introduction of a leverage ratio as a backstop to Solvency II may require fundamental shifts in product offerings,
the risk-based requirements, measures to promote the build up pricing and investment portfolio allocation, e.g. by making it
of capital that can be drawn down in periods of stress, and the far less advantageous to offer long-term investment guarantees.
introduction of two liquidity standards. The Committee’s package Whereas ING has always been, and remains supportive of the
of reforms will gradually increase the minimum common equity Solvency II framework, a number of issues have arisen during
requirement from 2% to 4.5% as from 1 January 2013 (transition 2010 with regard to the development of the detailed implementing
period from 1 January 2013 until 1 January 2017). In addition, measures. To safeguard the (financial) stability of the insurance
banks will be required to hold a capital conservation buffer of industry, the volatility of the Market Value Balance Sheet needs
2.5% to withstand future periods of stress, bringing the total to be sufficiently recognised and addressed. Also, to ensure an
common equity requirements to a minimum of 7%. international level-playing field, differences between solvency
regimes need to be taken into account, e.g. by finding a solution
Furthermore, to avoid periods of excess aggregate credit growth, for the treatment of third countries in Solvency II. Finally, rules
a countercyclical buffer within a range of 0% – 2.5% of common originally designed for banking should not be automatically
equity or other fully loss-absorbing capital, according to national applied to the insurance industry.
circumstances, has been proposed. These capital requirements
are supplemented by a non-risk-based minimum Tier 1 leverage What is more, in a white paper published in July 2010, the
ratio of 3%. European Commission concluded that the existing differences
between national Insurance Guarantee Schemes across the
The Basel Committee’s reforms have introduced two international EU create insufficient and uneven levels of protection for
minimum standards for liquidity risk supervision with the aim of insurance policyholders. Therefore, the Commission has suggested
ensuring banks have an adequate liquidity buffer to absorb liquidity a minimum harmonisation directive requiring the establishment of
shocks. The first one is the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR; to be an Insurance Guarantee Scheme as a last-resort mechanism in
introduced on 1 January 2015), which is a test to promote short- each Member State. Legislative proposals are expected in the
term resilience of a bank’s liquidity risk profile by ensuring that it second half of 2011.
has sufficiently high-quality liquid assets to survive a significant
stress scenario lasting for 30 days. The second one is a net stable Moreover, it is noted that a number of relevant changes in
funding ratio (NSFR; to be introduced on 1 January 2018), which accounting regulations are being considered by the accounting
is a test to promote resilience over a longer period by creating standards bodies. These include proposed changes to accounting
additional incentives for banks to fund their activities with more for financial instruments, loan loss provisions, hedges, insurance
stable funding on an ongoing basis. The NSFR test is similar to the contracts, leasing and others. These changes may, both individually
LCR except the period over which it is tested is one year. and collectively, be very important to banking and insurance
companies, including ING. ING generally supports the efforts to
Furthermore, in parallel to the workstream at international level, the improve and simplify the accounting regulations as well as the
European Commission is proposing a European Crisis Management objective of international convergence.
Framework. In this framework different issues will be addressed,
such as prevention tools and early intervention and final APPEAL AGAINST EC DECISION
resolution mechanisms. In January 2010, ING lodged an appeal with the General Court of
the European Union against specific elements of the European
ING generally supports the Basel Committee and European Commission’s decision of 18 November 2009. ING has requested
Commission reform programmes to strengthen the global the Court to annul the decision of the European Commission,
capital and liquidity regulations and reduce market volatility. insofar as it qualifies the core Tier 1 amendment (i.e. the agreement
Notwithstanding, a number of proposals may hamper traditional between ING and the Dutch State concerning a reduction of the
retail-oriented institutions in their intermediary function, and thus repayment premium for the first EUR 5 billion tranche of core Tier 1
reduce their ability to play their important role in the European securities) as additional state aid (of EUR 2 billion), requires price
economy. Further, the new rules still allow national regulators a leadership bans and imposes disproportional restructuring
measure of autonomy. For instance, the liquidity requirements measures. The Dutch State also lodged an appeal with the General
assign relatively large powers to national regulators, which may Court to contest the EC decision insofar as it qualifies the core
affect the level playing field in the European Internal Market. Tier 1 amendment as additional state aid.
Hence, the biggest challenge for policy makers and supervisors
is to take a coordinated and unified approach. It is essential ING believes it is in the interest of all its stakeholders to use the
that supervisors and regulators across the globe adopt a more opportunities provided by law to let the General Court review these
consistent and coordinated approach (e.g. while Europe is already elements of the EC’s decision. However, the appeal does not alter
introducing Basel III, Basel II is not yet fully applied in the US). ING’s commitment to execute its restructuring plan as announced
on 26 October 2009 and stands firmly behind its strategic decision
The regulatory agenda for insurance companies was dominated to separate its banking and insurance operations and divest the
by the further development of Solvency II, which aims to introduce latter. A Court decision is expected in 2011.
a modernised risk framework for insurance companies. Solvency II
adopts a broad three pillar supervisory structure similar to Basel II, ING PASSES STRESS TEST CEBS
but with a fundamental difference in that a full Market Value Together with 90 other EU-based financial institutions, ING was
Balance Sheet (MVBS) approach and a full economic risk subject to the 2010 EU-wide stress testing exercise coordinated
approach to measuring required capital (Economic Capital) by the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS),
have been proposed. in cooperation with the European Central Bank, and
De Nederlandsche Bank. The objective of the 2010 EU-wide stress sell insurance/investment management products, and the insurer/
test was to assess the overall resilience of the EU banking sector investment manager will continue to use bank services. Terms and
and the banks’ ability to absorb further possible shocks from credit conditions of this cooperation have been formalised and brought
and market risks, including sovereign risks. at arm’s length.
The stress test complemented the risk management procedures Over the course of 2010, the vast majority of support functions
and regular stress testing programmes set up in ING under the were moved to the bank and the insurer/investment manager
Pillar 2 framework of the Basel II and Capital Requirements respectively. The activities that will remain at Group level until the
Directive (CRD) requirements. The results, announced in July 2010, completion of the separation process are those that relate to our
confirmed that ING’s focus on the strengthening of its Bank’s responsibilities to shareholders. These include support functions
balance sheet since the spring of 2009 has given it sufficient which are vital to comply with material legal and regulatory
resilience to endure a stressful economic scenario. requirements, and/or to ensure effective and efficient execution
of Group control. Consequently, both businesses have their own
OPERATIONAL SEPARATION OF ING BANK AND ING head office, with their own corporate support functions from
INSURANCE 1 January 2011.
Throughout 2009 and 2010, ING worked towards a self-imposed
deadline to separate its banking and insurance/investment With the operational separation thus formalised, our attention has
management businesses at an operational level before the end of shifted to the next step: how to actually separate our businesses
2010. Project teams around the world were established to ensure and execute the divestment process. Building on an analysis of
an orderly separation process. The total separation costs incurred market and regulatory conditions, we formulated a base case
in 2010 amounted to EUR 85 million after tax. For 2011, these costs scenario. While the option of one initial public offering (IPO)
are estimated at around EUR 200 million after tax (excluding costs remains open, ING will prepare itself for a base case of two IPOs:
for rebranding). one Europe-led IPO (including our activities in Asia) and one
separate US-focused IPO. Hence, ING will in 2011 proceed with
In the first quarter of 2010, the separation process was the operational disentanglement of its US and European/Asian
kicked-off with a global inventory exercise. During this phase it Insurance/Investment Management operations.
was confirmed that the most challenges lay in Europe, in particular
in the Netherlands. The most complicated issues related to IT, More information on this matter and the envisaged end-state of
human resources, distribution and commercial agreements, as well the businesses after completion of the divestment process is
as our capital structure. To facilitate the disentanglement process, included in the Strategy section.
all shared services, contracts, arrangements, co-ownerships,
cross-directorships, and all services provided and received STRONG PERFORMANCE DESPITE CHALLENGING OPERATING
(including those delivered by third parties) had to be analysed ENVIRONMENT
and either fully separated or covered in temporary or long-term Overall, the Group’s business performance in 2010 was satisfactory,
service agreements. thanks to a strong performance of the Bank, which more than
offset the effects of impairments, write-downs and assumption
By the end of 2010 a solution was created for most of the changes in the Insurer. Throughout the entire organisation – i.e. in
disentanglement projects. Consequently, from 1 January 2011, both our banking and insurance businesses – concerted efforts
ING’s bank and insurance/investment management businesses were made to enhance customer centricity. This included initiatives
became operationally separate under the ING umbrella. Where an to more pro-actively and systematically measure and monitor
interim solution has been put in place, such as critical IT or HR customer satisfaction. The Group also started an evaluation of its
services, a degree of interrelationship remains, which is mitigated entire product portfolio and product approval procedures based on
through (signed) contracts and ring-fencing measures. In a limited sharpened criteria for good customer care.
number of instances, where these measures were not feasible due
to high costs or time constraints, a documented exception was More information on the business developments within the bank
formalised. By the end of 2011, most interim solutions and and the insurer/investment manager and on the business
documented exceptions that enabled operational separation will performance of the Group and its various business lines is given
be replaced by permanent solutions; thus turning the operational in the Banking and Insurance sections of this Annual Report.
separation into a full separation.
DIVESTED BUSINESSES AND STRATEGIC STAKES IN 2010
Where the resolution of a specific disentanglement project is Throughout 2010, ING continued along the path set out in its
expected after 2011 a long-term service agreement will be put in Back to Basics programme launched in 2009 – the aim of which
place. The outcome of a small number of projects depends on the was to reduce complexity and increase focus, by divesting a
details of the actual transaction(s). Hence, the implementation of number of non-core activities. In the first quarter of 2010, ING
these projects will be delayed until such details are available. The closed the sale of three of its U.S. independent retail broker-dealer
implementation of local end-state solutions as well as both the units, which comprised three-quarters of ING Advisors Network,
local temporary and long-term service agreements will be managed to Lightyear Capital LLC.
by the respective business units. Throughout ING, a new
governance structure has been inaugurated to ensure that the Also in the first quarter of 2010, ING completed the sale of its
to-be separated units operate at arm’s-length. Asian Private Banking business to Oversea-Chinese Banking
Corporation Limited (OCBC Bank). This transaction was in line
ING Bank and Insurance/Investment Management will continue to with the objective to focus on fewer franchises and reduce the
work together for commercial purposes. The bank will continue to complexity of the Group. It generated a net profit for ING of a
EUR 332 million. Accordingly, ING completed the sale of its Swiss ING Group’s net result for the full-year 2010 was EUR 3,220 million
Private Banking business to Julius Baer. This transaction generated compared to a net loss in 2009 of EUR 935 million. The 2010 net
an estimated net profit for ING of EUR 73 million. result includes a EUR 513 million goodwill write-down in the US
in the third quarter of 2010 and a EUR 634 million write-down of
Furthermore, we sold our 5% stake in Fubon Financial Holding to deferred acquisition costs (DAC) in the fourth quarter as part of
institutional investors, in line with our stated objective to reduce the measures to improve transparency and address the reserve
complexity and divest non-core assets, for an amount equal to adequacy of the US Closed Block Variable Annuity (VA) business
EUR 395 million. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax profit of in the US.
EUR 189 million at ING Bank. In addition, to reduce our exposure to
real estate, we sold our 50% stake in ING Summit Industrial Underlying net result was EUR 3,893 million for the full-year 2010,
Fund LP, a Canadian light industrial property portfolio, to a joint up 300% from EUR 974 million a year earlier. Underlying net result
venture between KingSett Capital Inc. and its affiliates and certain is derived from total net result by excluding the impact from
clients of Alberta Investment Management Corporation. divestments and special items. Divestments recorded in 2010
The transaction value for 100% of Summit was approximately totalled EUR 394 million, mainly reflecting the EUR 405 million
CAD 2.0 billion and included assumed debt. profit on the sale of Private Banking Switzerland and Asia.
Special items in 2010 were EUR –1,068 million, reflecting
In the third quarter of 2010, ING decided to sell its 3% financial expenses for various restructuring programmes, separation costs
investment stake in Kotak Mahindra Bank in India. The sale was and the already mentioned EUR 513 million goodwill write-down
in line with the strategic objective to increase focus and divest in the US. The separation costs were EUR 85 million for the full-year
non-core activities. 2010. Divestments recorded in 2009 totalled EUR –150 million.
Special items were EUR –1,759 million and included a one-time
Lastly, in December 2010, we announced the sale of ING charge due to an accrual for additional future payments to the
Investment Management Philippines to the Bank of the Philippine Dutch State of EUR 930 million and a EUR 554 million restructuring
Islands (BPI). This decision resulted from the strategic decision to provision, which was predominantly related to headcount reduction
split the bank and the insurer/investment manager. For in the for ING’s Back to Basics programme.
Philippines, trust and investment management businesses must
operate under a trust licence. As a consequence of the strategic ING’s capital position remained strong, supported by the
split, ING can no longer conduct investment management activities EUR 5.9 billion of core Tier 1 capital surplus generation from the
in the Philippines through ING Bank Manila, as it did in the past. bank in 2010. ING Bank’s core Tier 1 ratio increased to 9.6% at
The Philippine investment management activities were therefore year-end 2010 from 7.8% at year-end 2009.
divested to another licensed bank (BPI).
Shareholders’ equity increased EUR 7.7 billion from EUR 33.9
ING Group results 2010 (1) billion at the end of 2009 to EUR 41.6 billion at year-end 2010.
in EUR million 2010 2009 This increase was caused by a positive change in revaluation
Commercial performance Banking (2) 7,814 7,266 reserves, positive exchange rate differences and the addition
Operating result Insurance (3) 1,743 1,434 of the net profit.
Total market impacts Banking –201 –3,046
Total market and other impacts Insurance (4) –2,262 –1,636 Shareholders’ equity per share was EUR 10.99 at year-end
Risk costs –1,751 –2,859 2010 versus EUR 8.95 at year-end 2009.
Underlying result before tax 5,343 1,159
of which: The Bank’s underlying result before tax was robust in 2010 at
– Banking 5,862 1,361 EUR 5,862 million, a fourfold increase from the previous year.
– Insurance –519 –202 This strong improvement was driven by volume growth,
Taxation 1,352 91 strengthening of the interest margin, significant lower negative
Minority interests 98 95 market-related impacts and a more normalised level of risk costs.
Underlying net result 3,893 974 Banking’s commercial performance, i.e. underlying result before tax
Divestments 394 –150 excluding market-related impacts and risk costs, was up 8% to
Special items after tax –1,067 –1,759 EUR 7,814 million from EUR 7,266 million in 2009.
Net result 3,220 –935
(1)
Numbers may not add up due to rounding. At ING Insurance, the 2010 underlying loss before tax of EUR 519
(2)
Commercial performance Banking is underlying result before tax excluding
market impacts and risk costs. million was heavily impacted by adverse market and other impacts
(3)
Operating result Insurance is underlying result before tax excluding market totalling EUR 2,262 million in 2010, an increase of EUR 626 million
and other impacts. from EUR 1,636 million in 2009. The operating profit of Insurance,
(4)
Market and other impacts Insurance include gains/losses and impairments,
revaluations, and market and other impacts. i.e. underlying result before tax excluding market and other
impacts, improved 22% from EUR 1,434 million in 2009 to
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS EUR 1,743 million in 2010. This improvement was driven by a
The operating environment continued to improve gradually during significant improvement of the investment margin as well as higher
the year, although the global economic recovery remained fragile fee and premium-based revenues. These factors were in part offset
and market volatility persisted. Nevertheless, ING Group’s results by rising administrative expenses.
showed a strong improvement compared with the previous year.
Strategy
Earning trust with more agile and ING reached an important milestone in 2010 by formalising the
customer-centric businesses operational separation of its banking and insurance/investment
management operations in preparation for a full split of both
> Create strong businesses and ensure businesses. The Group is concentrating on creating strong
stand-alone businesses and repurchasing the remainder of the
repayment of the Dutch State when core Tier 1 securities issued to the Dutch State when prudent
prudent and possible and possible. At the heart of the strategic redirection lies a strong
resolve to earn trust. ING therefore aims at building sustainable,
> Bank and Insurer operationally separate, long-lasting client relationships based on operational excellence,
building own culture and strategy sound business ethics and good corporate citizenship.
> Earning trust through sound financial
ING Bank will build on its global presence and international
performance, increased customer focus, network and capitalise on its leadership position in gathering
operational excellence and good savings, multi-channel distribution, simple propositions and
corporate citizenship marketing. It will focus on customer centricity, operational
excellence, and top employment practices. Although the option
> Base case scenario: divestment of of a single initial public offering (IPO) remains open, we intend
Insurance through two IPOs to realise the divestment of our insurance and investment
management operations through two IPOs. The Europe-led
insurance business (including our activities in Asia) will combine
the cash generation ability of the Benelux with the attractive
growth markets of Central Europe and Asia. The US-focused
business will build on its Retirement Services and Life Insurance
franchises. We are still exploring strategic options to determine
the future of the insurance business in Latin America.
Strategy continued
EARNING TRUST AND INCREASING CUSTOMER CENTRICITY COMPLETING THE SEPARATION OF THE BANK AND THE
IN BOTH BANKING AND INSURANCE INSURER/INVESTMENT MANAGER
The financial crisis has demonstrated that the licence to operate for The operational separation of ING Bank and ING Insurance/
any financial institution is to be trusted by its stakeholders, in Investment Management under the ING Group umbrella has
particular its customers. At the heart of the strategic redirection of been finalised (see ‘ING and the financial environment’ for further
ING Group thus lies our strong resolve to earn trust. By separating details). With the operational separation in place, ING is ready to
our banking and insurance operations, we will build more agile, move towards the next phase, including the full preparation for
simple and customer-centric businesses. Obviously, earning and one or more transactions.
maintaining trust is a challenging task at any time, but this is even
more difficult in the current environment. After all, the financial Although the option of a single public offering remains on the
crisis has fuelled a demand for greater simplicity and transparency. table, we have determined the base case divestment scenario for
In addition, prudential supervision and regulation are being our insurance and investment management operations as follows:
tightened. Meanwhile, competition in financial markets continues • One separate public offering of our combined insurance
to be strong, so efficiency remains imperative. operations in Europe and Asia, which rely on our solid
cash-generation ability in the Benelux, and attractive growth
In earning the trust of our customers, our employees are a very opportunities in Central Europe and Asia.
valuable asset. ING is therefore encouraging its employees to build • One separate public offering of our leading US franchise in
sustainable, long-lasting client relationships based on operational life insurance and retirement services.
excellence, sound business ethics and good corporate citizenship
(see ‘Human Resources’ for more information on these efforts). The We are still exploring strategic options to determine the future of
operating leverage in this is obvious. For only a company pursuing a the insurance business in Latin America. The preference for two
strategy focused on winning the hearts and minds of its customers, public offerings is driven by a number of factors. Firstly, such a
employees and other stakeholders, will achieve satisfactory financial scenario would facilitate optimal alignment of the timing and order
performance for its shareholders. of execution with the market environment in Europe and the US
respectively. In addition to this increased flexibility, our preference
Therefore, our Business Principles clearly prescribe the corporate for a two-IPO scenario relates to the uncertainty caused by the
values we pursue and the responsibilities we have towards society divergence in solvency regulations in the EU and the US, which will
and the environment: we act with integrity, we are open and clear, likely place European insurance companies with a presence in the
we respect each other and we are socially and environmentally US at a disadvantage vis-à-vis local US competitors. Lastly, a
responsible. In addition, we have decided to increasingly embed separate public offering of the US insurance operations is expected
two-way stakeholder exchange as an integral part of the overall to improve the overall proceeds of the divestments, as US investors
strategy of both our banking and our insurance businesses. are generally more familiar than European investors with the
This means that we actively seek a continuous dialogue with our US business (including variable annuities) and its valuation than
customers and other stakeholders on their demands regarding European investors, given the existence of listed companies with
our products, services, business performance and/or other issues. similar business profiles in the US. The actual timing of the
This also includes efforts to more pro-actively and systematically anticipated transactions will depend on market conditions
measure and monitor customer satisfaction, as we want our and commercial performance.
customers to recommend ING to their friends, family, colleagues
and peers. Hence, we are introducing Net Promoter Score in all SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OUR BANKING BUSINESS
our businesses across the globe. ING Bank aims to build a leading international retail, direct and
commercial bank serving a broad customer base, comprising
Furthermore, we have taken significant steps to ensure that every individuals, families, small businesses, large corporations,
customer gets the right products and services, via the right institutions and governments. It will build on its global presence
distribution channels, and at the right prices or returns. Therefore, and international network and capitalise on its leadership position
we are evaluating our entire product portfolio and product in gathering savings, multi-channel distribution, simple propositions
approval procedures based on sharpened criteria for good and marketing. The banking strategy has been developed with the
customer care. Importantly, financial education – an essential changing regulatory environment in mind (see ‘ING and the
pillar of our corporate responsibility – is embedded in our business financial environment’ for further details).
strategy through tools and initiatives to improve the financial
capabilities of our customers. The bank will remain based in the Benelux and predominantly
focused on Europe with key positions in selected growth markets in
All in all, we are convinced that the changes we have set in motion Central Europe, Turkey and Asia. The bank is starting from a good
will make us a stronger company and partner for our stakeholders base. It is one of the largest retail savings banks in the world with
that is better able to anticipate and address emerging issues. With a a strong funding base; its direct service model is low-cost and
clearer focus on customer needs as the anchor of our business internationally renowned and it has an extensive international
operations, we are not only building businesses that are financially network, especially for globally operating clients. In the future, ING
sound and viable, but that also have the potential to become the will serve consumers, corporate clients and institutions with one
supplier of choice for our customers. balance sheet, one consistent brand, one management structure
and one support organisation.
Strategy continued
The bank will focus on customer centricity, operational excellence, REPAYMENT OF THE DUTCH STATE
and top employment practices, while fully integrating its various In December 2009, ING repurchased the first half of the core Tier 1
banking business lines. We have developed a prudent approach securities of EUR 5 billion plus a total premium of EUR 605 million.
for resource allocation, which will not only result in a smaller Furthermore, at the next coupon reset date on 13 May 2011, ING
balance sheet, but also envisages boosting profit and reducing risk. intends to exercise its option for early repurchase of EUR 2 billion
To achieve this, a number of priorities have been defined. In order of the remaining core Tier 1 securities. The total payment in
to ensure a stable deposit base and increase cross-sell and May 2011 will amount to EUR 3 billion and includes a 50%
cross-buy opportunities, the bank will concentrate on becoming repurchase premium. ING will fund this repurchase from retained
the preferred bank for its customers. This means that we want earnings. Provided that the strong capital generation continues,
our customers and potential customers to consider ING first for ING intends to repurchase the remaining EUR 3 billion of the core
all their financial requirements. Tier 1 securities ultimately by May 2012 from retained earnings.
The final decision on repurchase of these core Tier 1 securities
We will increasingly bring loan growth in line with deposit will be made before the envisaged repayment date and will be
growth, particularly focusing on deposits with attractive liquidity conditional upon there having been no material changes
characteristics (e.g. term deposits and savings accounts) and an regarding ING’s capital requirements and/or ING’s outlook
increased weighting on long-term public debt. Mortgage growth on external market circumstances.
will be managed in the context of the bank’s objectives with regard
to deposit growth, and strengthening client relationships. In CONCLUSIONS AND AMBITIONS
addition, the bank will seek to raise fee and commission income With the operational separation of the banking and insurance/
and originate higher yielding lending assets (e.g. consumer finance investment management operations completed in 2010, ING Group
and mid-corporate lending), while reducing low yielding is now able to focus on creating more agile and customer-centric
investments. This will include a diversification of asset classes in businesses and repaying the Dutch State. To earn trust, we will
some regions, and efforts to further build commercial capabilities. build the future of our businesses on sustainable profit based on
Lastly, given regulatory changes and the desire to strengthen the sound business ethics and good corporate citizenship. We will
funding base, the bank will adapt its asset-only strategies (e.g. in continue along the path of intensifying our dialogue with our
businesses like Structured Finance, Real Estate Finance, Lease) and customers and other stakeholders on our products, services,
mono-client businesses. business performance and/or other issues, as we consider it our
responsibility to provide every customer with the right products
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OUR INSURANCE BUSINESS and services, via the right distribution channels, and at the right
As already mentioned, the future independence of ING Insurance/ prices or returns.
Investment Management is to be realised through two public
offerings: a Europe-led IPO with solid cash flow combined with ING has the ambition to repay the Dutch State in full as soon as
strong growth positions in developing markets; and a US-focused possible and intends to realise the divestment of its insurance and
IPO with a leading franchise in retirement services. investment management operations through two public offerings.
Looking at the future, ING Bank has a promising starting position
The Europe-led business will combine the cash generation ability as a leading retail, direct and commercial bank. It aims to become
of the Benelux with the attractive growth markets of Central the preferred bank for its customers and will focus on customer
Europe and Asia. It will thus have an attractive growth profile in centricity, operational excellence, and top employment practices.
comparison with its life insurance peers. The US-focused business While moving towards the public offerings of a Europe-led and
will build on its strong Retirement Services and Life Insurance a US-focused business, ING Insurance will initially concentrate on
franchises, focus on the run-off of the closed variable annuities further improving its operational performance.
block, and restore profitability.
Corporate responsibility
Being a responsible financial services provider ING believes that the increasing social, economic and environmental
and a good corporate citizen challenges – such as demographic, ethical and value change, food
scarcity, climate change and energy tensions, require businesses
> Social, ethical and environmental objectives worldwide to critically review and adapt their business models.
used as a measure of performance in the It is our conviction that our business decisions must be in line
remuneration policy for the Executive Board with the expectations and interests of those to whom we owe
our licence to operate – our stakeholders. We also believe that
and senior management an innovative sustainable strategy and sound business ethics will
> 93% of our employees indicate that living result in more comprehensive risk management, proud employees,
up to the Business Principles is important a greater attraction for talented people and new business
opportunities. That is why ING aspires to play a prominent role
> Sustainable assets under management in sustainable business development. ING is committed to creating
increased by 5% more sustainability in the value chain and we strive to help our
> 20% employee participation in customers with shifting to a more sustainable way of doing
business. As part of our commitment to society, ING has developed
ING Global Challenge community development programmes that focus on children and
education, financial education and protecting the environment.
PROGRESS IN 2010
While the business environment continued to be challenging in
2010, our results are a testament to the hard work and improved
teamwork in the field of corporate responsibility throughout
the organisation.
Where do customers go for financial advice? The internet, We are also committed to mobilise our knowledge network to
a professional advisor or your family, friends and colleagues? accelerate change towards a more sustainable society. Our
Unfortunately, the majority of consumers don’t know where Economics Department published a number of research papers in
to begin finding trustworthy, easy-to-understand financial the field of sustainability that help our customers and ING to
information. While some rely on family and friends, only a small further develop sustainable efforts.
percentage of people actually seek professional advice. In fact,
research conducted by ING shows the questions consumers have ‘Luz Verde’ (Green Light), an ING partnered project in Mexico,
are very basic, such as “how do I start saving?” and “why do has been awarded the Carbon finance deal of the year 2010 by
I need life insurance?” Environmental Finance magazine. The pilot project of the
Luz Verde programme exchanged 1 million environmentally
That’s why ING launched ‘Be Good at Money’ (internet access unfriendly, incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient CFLs
required), an online area that allows consumers to access for free, with families in the Puebla region of Mexico. For 40%
easy-to-understand financial information and regain control of these families, the annual savings on their energy bills amounts
over their finances. to the equivalent of a week’s wages. The idea for this project
originated in an Australian company – Cool nrg –, which
estimated that the large reduction in CO2 emissions from millions
FINANCING AND INVESTING RESPONSIBLY of Mexican families switching to energy-efficient bulbs translates
Assessing the risk of any financial transaction is essential for into money. As per the Kyoto Protocol each tonne of greenhouse
all financial institutions. ING has a long-standing commitment to gas emissions reduced by projects in developing countries can be
managing environmental and social risks that may be associated sold as an emission reduction ‘credit’ to governments or
with its business activities. We support our customers to further companies in industrialised countries who can then use the
improve their working practices. If, however, they do not meet our credits to meet their CO2 reduction obligations under the
minimum social, ethical and environmental standards, we cease to Protocol. The success of the project was clinched by the
do business with them. This process is led by our environmental financing that made this project possible.
and social risk policy desk and firmly embedded in the overall risk
management procedures.
ING has been a carbon neutral company since 2007. We strive to
Over the years we have built an extensive framework of minimise carbon emissions that are a direct consequence of our
environmental and social risk policies. These policies translate operations around the globe. In addition, we have formulated the
our vision on social and environmental risks and issues into company-wide ambition to minimise our carbon footprint by 30%
practical guidelines. by 2012. We aim to realise this by using resources more efficiently,
applying sustainable means and sources for procurement and
In 2010 we continued to focus on raising the awareness of encouraging employees to be mindful of the environmental impact
environmental and social risk issues among our colleagues
Capital management
ING’s Group Capital Management department allocated to ING’s different businesses. Capital Management takes
(Capital Management) is responsible for ensuring sufficient an active role in investing ING’s capital prudently and managing
capitalisation of ING Group entities at all times in order to manage foreign exchange risks in such a way that the solvency impact of
the risk associated with ING’s business activities. This involves the currency movements is limited as much as possible, without causing
management, planning and allocation of capital within ING Group. volatility on the profit and loss account. The main objective in
ING’s Corporate Treasury is part of Capital Management. managing the corporate lines is to reduce expenses as much
It executes capital market transactions, term (capital) funding as possible, without increasing ING’s overall risk profile.
and risk management transactions. Capital Management monitors
and plans capital adequacy on a consolidated basis at three levels: PREPARING FOR THE FULL SEPARATION OF
ING Group, ING Insurance and ING Bank. Capital Management ING BANK AND INSURANCE
takes into account the metrics and requirements of regulators Finally, Capital Management plays an important role in ensuring
(EU Solvency, Tier 1 and BIS ratios and limits for hybrid capital), the creation of strong stand-alone companies in preparation for
rating agencies (leverage ratios, Adjusted Equity) and internal the full separation of the Group’s banking and insurance/investment
models such as the economic capital and market value management operations. Until completion of the restructuring
balance sheets approach for ING Insurance including process, all operating entities need to remain adequately
Available Financial Resources (AFR). capitalised according to all prevalent regulatory and rating agency
requirements. Another important priority for the department is to
BALANCING DIFFERING REQUIREMENTS WHILE reduce interdependencies to a minimum, as the various entities of
ENSURING SUFFICIENT CAPITALISATION the Group should be able to independently access capital markets.
ING’s capital position cannot be seen in isolation, but has to be
assessed in the context of the overall balance sheet development DEVELOPMENTS IN 2010
as well as the possibilities provided by the capital markets. Hence, In 2010, ING’s capital position improved, driven mainly by strong
an important challenge for Capital Management, especially in the capital generation at ING Bank and favourable currency effects.
current environment, is to balance the differing requirements of A more detailed section in the annual accounts provides insight
regulators, rating agencies and shareholders. into the capital management practices and the development of the
capital position of ING Group and its various business lines in 2010.
As Capital Management is organised as a Group function,
it is able to bring together capital requirements from both the
Bank as well as the Insurer and helps to safeguard the fungibility
of capital throughout the Group. Another key objective for
Capital Management is to create financial flexibility for ING in
the context of forthcoming regulatory changes and the need
to generate sufficient capital to repurchase the remaining core
Tier 1 securities issued to the Dutch State.
Risk management
Taking measured risks is part of ING’s business. As a financial Our product offering has grown over the years to meet our
services company, ING is naturally exposed to a variety of risks. customers’ increased demands and expectations, as a result of
To ensure measured risk-taking ING has integrated risk which it has become even more important to know them well
management in its daily business activities and strategic planning. and understand their needs. We have invested in sales suitability
programs over the last few years to ensure that customers receive
ING plays an important role as a financial intermediator in society. the appropriate products and services.
The essence of our business is transformation, which takes many
forms and serves various customer needs. In our retail banking ING operates in financial markets that have become increasingly
operations, for example, we transform on-demand entrusted interconnected as a result of globalisation. ING has a risk appetite
deposits into long dated mortgage loans. Through our payments framework that captures and restricts the different dimensions
and cash management operations we make money available when along which adverse markets impact ING’s capital and liquidity
and where customers need it. Our insurance business is all about position. In addition, ING increasingly conducts company-wide
transformation through time by converting uncertain future cash stress tests as a supplementary tool to assess resilience.
flows into fixed flows, whether they are in the form of life
insurance contracts or pensions. Geographic transformation Financial regulation and accounting standards are in a state of flux,
takes place through our international commercial banking and ING is following the developments closely. Over the past year,
network when we help corporate customers fund their our Insurance business has been preparing to implement the
international business plans. requirements of the Solvency II directive, the new capital
framework for European insurers. Meanwhile, the Bank has
THREE LINES OF DEFENCE started to prepare for the improved regulatory capital and liquidity
The key objective of risk management at ING is to make sure that framework for banks, commonly referred to as Basel III. ING is well
all risks are managed in the best possible way for all relevant positioned to operate under these new regulatory frameworks
stakeholders. We adopt a ‘three lines of defence’ governance once they are in force.
model for risk management, whereby ownership for risk is taken
at all levels in the Group. A more detailed section in the annual accounts provides further
insight into the risk management practices and exposures for
The commercial departments form the first line of defence. ING Group.
They originate loans, deposits and other products, they know our
customers well and are best placed to act in both the customer’s
and ING’s best interest. The second line of defence consists of the
risk management organisation, headed by the chief risk officer
(CRO), and the corporate legal function. The presence of the CRO
on the Bank and Insurance boards ensures that risk management
issues are heard and discussed at the highest level, thus establishing
the appropriate tone at the top. The CRO steers a functional,
independent risk organisation, which supports the commercial
departments in their decision-making, but which also has sufficient
countervailing power to avoid risk concentrations. The third line of
defence is the corporate audit function, which oversees and
assesses the functioning and effectiveness of the first two lines.
ADAPTING TO CHANGE
The transformational role of banks and insurers is
long-established, but the world in which they operate
is changing rapidly. Risk management at ING is all about
anticipating and adapting to this change.
Human resources
Putting people first in a changing environment HOW TO ATTRACT, DEVELOP, ASSESS AND RETAIN TALENT
Graduate recruitment
> Ready for the operational split by ING recognises the importance of attracting, developing, assessing
year-end 2010; Building two strong and retaining talent in a competitive market. Graduate Recruitment
helped the business recruit 52 young talents for future leadership
stand-alone organisations positions in 2010. ING’s career website ranks 15th among the top
> Key succession plans and programmes in place 30 corporate career websites in Europe for attracting young talent
online. In its fifth year, ING’s International Graduate Programme
to attract, develop, assess and retain talent (IIGP) continued its work on early career and talent development.
> Finger on the pulse of the organisation IIGP trained more than 650 participants.
Overview
Banking
Management Board Banking ING Bank is a large international player with an extensive global
on 31 December 2010
network in over 40 countries. It has strong established positions
Jan Hommen in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg and key positions
chief executive officer in Poland, Romania and Turkey, the largest Central and Eastern
Europe markets. ING holds strong positions in Germany, France,
Eric Boyer de la Giroday Italy, Spain, the UK and the US. ING has also profitable businesses
vice-chairman in Canada and Asia/Pacific. ING Bank has an extensive international
network to service and support its corporate clients. From 1 January
Patrick Flynn 2011, ING Bank began operating as a stand-alone company.
chief financial officer
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Koos Timmermans Underlying result before tax (excluding the impact of divestments
chief risk officer and special items) increased more than fourfold to EUR 5,862
million from EUR 1,361 million in 2009. This strong improvement
William Connelly (from 1 January 2011) was driven by volume growth, strengthening of the interest margin,
CEO Commercial Banking lower negative market-related impacts and a more normalised level
of risk costs. Almost all business segments contributed to the
Eli Leenaars increase. ING Direct and ING Real Estate benefited from the signs
CEO Retail Banking Direct and International of stabilisation in the property markets: ING Direct posted an
underlying result before tax of EUR 1,450 million after a loss in
Hans van der Noordaa 2009, while ING Real Estate reduced its loss by EUR 925 million
CEO Retail Banking Benelux to EUR 63 million in 2010.
Underlying result before tax Underlying operating expenses increased by 4.6% to EUR 9,685
in EUR million 2010 2009
million, reflecting higher staff costs, increased marketing expenses
Retail Banking 3,625 905 and deposit guarantee scheme costs as well as higher IT project
Commercial Banking 2,316 1,118 costs. The underlying cost/income ratio improved to 56.0% from
Corporate line banking –79 –662 68.7% in 2009, driven by higher income. Excluding market-related
Total 5,862 1,361 impacts, the cost/income ratio was 54.2% in 2010.
The underlying net addition to the provision for loan losses declined
to EUR 1,751 million from EUR 2,859 million in 2009. Risk costs in
2010 were 53 basis points of average risk-weighted assets
compared with 85 basis points in 2009.
Banking continued
WHERE WE OPERATE
ING Bank builds on its international network, capitalising on its leadership position in gathering savings,
multi-channel distribution, simple propositions, cost leadership and marketing.
ING closely monitors external trends that are likely to have a high Now that the bank has been operationally separated it will
impact on its business. The new Basel III framework announced concentrate on building a more agile and customer-centric
in 2010 will affect our leverage, capital, funding and liquidity. business. ING Bank will serve consumers, corporate clients and
The world economy remains challenging and there are continuing institutions with one balance sheet, one consistent brand, one
concerns about the stability of the eurozone. Economic power management structure and one support organisation. It will
is shifting to the East and emerging markets where growth is follow a selective approach to growth by bringing loan growth
stronger. Liquidity is scarce, capital markets remain volatile and in line with deposit growth.
risk appetite is limited. Competition will be increasingly fought on
price and service quality. Relationships between banks and their PREFERRED BANK FOR OUR CUSTOMERS
customers are changing, with customers wanting easier access During the year ING Bank made significant progress in many areas.
to services and products, and more transparency. Customer centricity was enhanced by introducing a number of new
products, services and initiatives. This included initiatives to more
ING Bank has assessed these trends and synthesised the pro-actively and systematically measure and monitor customer
implications for its business model. The external environment and satisfaction. Furthermore, ING has taken steps to ensure that
constraints related to ING’s restructuring plan submitted to the every customer gets the right products and services, via the
European Commission, and the repayment of Dutch State aid (for right distribution channels, and at the right returns or costs.
more information see the chapter ‘ING and the financial All our employees’ efforts are focused on deepening
customer relationships.
Banking continued
ING Bank’s ambition is ‘to be the preferred bank for our customers’. ING Bank made good progress in 2010 on its ambitions for 2013.
This means that we want our customers to consider ING first for all Underlying income increased by 28.3% to EUR 17,298 million.
their financial requirements. To achieve that we will concentrate on Excluding market-related impacts, underlying income rose 7.4%.
three shared priorities: customer centricity, operational excellence The underlying cost/income ratio improved to 56.0% (or 54.2%
and be a top employer. excluding market-related impacts). The underlying return on
equity, based on 7.5% of RWA, was up to 17.6% compared with
Each banking business made tangible progress in these areas 5.0% in 2009.
during the year. For example, we introduced a Customer Suitability
programme which checks whether products should be adjusted With regard to new capital requirements proposed by Basel III,
to better meet customer needs. We introduced TIM in the ING is well prepared to meet them.
Netherlands, an online budgeting tool that allows customers to
categorise their transactions in their online accounts and more CONCLUSIONS
easily keep track of their finances. We launched a service for ING Bank aims to be a leading retail, direct and commercial bank,
start-up companies to open a business account, including a based in the Benelux and predominantly focused on Europe, with
debit card, pin and online banking, in just 20 minutes. This was key positions in attractive growth markets in Central Europe, Turkey
developed in response to requests to reduce red tape and time and selected markets throughout Asia.
spent on non-essentials.
The bank starts from a strong base: it is one of the largest savings
ING Belgium developed an online consumer loans tool to give banks in the world with a strong funding base; its direct service
customers quick decisions on loan requests. ING-DiBa in Germany model is internationally renowned and ensures low-cost
launched a financial advice portal which gives customers answers distribution; and it has an extensive international network,
to common questions on private finance. Commercial Banking especially for globally operating clients. This unique combination of
improved its international network to deliver better customer capabilities and geographic footprint ensures that ING Bank is well
service. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) has been adopted by all positioned for the future.
parts of the business to measure and improve customer centricity.
AMBITION 2013
In November 2009, ING outlined ING Bank’s financial goals for
2013 under the existing regulatory and fiscal regime. They are
as follows:
• 5% top line growth, with balance sheet growth on average
of 5% per year
• Cost/income ratio of 50%
• Return on equity of 13–15% (equity based on 7.5% of risk-
weighted assets (RWA)
• Core Tier 1 ratio at a minimum level of 7.5%
• Balance sheet leverage ratio of less than 30%
• A loan-to-deposit ratio of less than 1.2
Banking
Retail Banking
Working towards becoming the preferred bank Retail Banking has established strong positions in the mature
for our customers markets of the Benelux, Western Europe, the US, Canada and
Australia, and is well placed to capture growth opportunities in
> Strong improvement in overall Retail Banking the high-growth markets of Central Europe and Asia. The good
performance of 2010 was driven by a healthy increase in the
result, driven by all units but especially ING margins we make on savings accounts and mortgages in the
Direct and Retail Netherlands Netherlands, the lower risk costs and impairments at ING Direct,
and volume growth in emerging markets. Retail Banking is
> Increased focus on customer centricity and developing into a leader in providing ‘direct if possible, advice
on the ‘direct if possible, advice when needed’ when needed’ services. Customer centricity remains a key focus
business model across the business. In 2010, the Net Promoter Score methodology
was rolled out in India, Poland, Romania, Luxembourg and Turkey
> All Retail units now apply the Net Promoter and is now ‘live’ across the entire retail organisation, except for
Score methodology ING’s joint ventures in China and Thailand.
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Retail Banking’s underlying result before tax rose fourfold to
EUR 3,625 million from EUR 905 million in 2009 driven by higher
volumes and interest margins, combined with lower impairments
and risk costs, mainly in the US. Net production in client balances
was EUR 37 billion, bringing the total to EUR 890 billion at
year-end 2010.
Financial overview*
in EUR million 2010 2009 Total underlying income increased by 30.4% to EUR 11,431 million.
Total underlying income 11,431 8,763 The interest result rose 13.6%, mainly driven by higher margins
Underlying operating expenses 6,552 6,209 and volumes, particularly in the Netherlands and at ING Direct.
Underlying additions to loan loss provisions 1,254 1,649 The interest results of Retail Belgium and Retail Central Europe
Underlying result before tax 3,625 905 were almost flat, while they increased in Asia. Commission income
Underlying cost/income ratio 57.3% 70.9% remained flat, as small declines in the Benelux and at ING Direct
Underlying cost/income ratio were offset by increases in Asia and Central Europe. Investment
(excl. market impacts) 56.8% 61.0%
and other income improved significantly, mainly due to lower
Client balances (EUR billion) 890 852
impairments on debt securities at ING Direct USA.
Net production client balances (EUR billion) 37 45
Risk-weighted assets (EUR billion) 176 167
The underlying operating expenses were up 5.5% to EUR 6,552
Underlying Return on Equity** 19.9% 6.6%
million due to increased staff costs, higher marketing spending
* Underlying numbers are derived from IFRS-EU numbers, excluding the impact
of divestments and special items. across most business units, the introduction of new products and
** Underlying after tax return divided by average equity based on 7.5% core investments in IT platforms and higher deposit guarantee scheme
Tier 1 ratio. costs. The underlying cost/income ratio improved to 57.3% from
70.9% in 2009.
Underlying income
in EUR million 2010 2009
The addition to the loan loss provisions declined 24.0%
Retail Netherlands 4,333 3,882
to EUR 1,254 million in 2010, or 70 basis points of average
Retail Belgium 2,054 2,062
risk-weighted assets, compared with 101 basis points in 2009.
ING Direct 3,782 1,762
This decline was mainly caused by lower risk costs at ING Direct
Retail Central Europe 977 861
USA. Risk costs for the mid-corporate and SME segments
Retail Asia 285 197
remained elevated.
Total Retail Banking 11,431 8,763
Funds entrusted increased by a modest EUR 0.4 billion. Operating In addition, as part of a Retail-wide initiative, Retail NL is
expenses declined 3.8% to EUR 2,376 million in 2010, driven by the establishing a framework for sharing and managing knowledge
cost containment programme started in 2009 and efficiency across the retail network to reduce costs and speed up projects.
improvements related to the merger of ING Bank and Postbank. The efficiency and effectiveness of our IT systems, both internally
Risk costs increased 6.0% to EUR 561 million, or 108 basis points and externally, was improved to enhance the customer experience.
of average risk-weighted assets, as economic recovery in the
Netherlands remained fragile. Some of our operational improvements have created environmental
benefits. For example, we give customers the option of receiving
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS paper or digital bank statements. As a result, some 450,000 kilos
Retail Netherlands (Retail NL) delivered a solid performance, of paper are saved in the Benelux area every year.
recovering strongly from 2009. It has a strong Top 3 overall market
position in retail banking in the country, serving nearly 8.2 million Customer centricity
retail customers and around 600,000 business customers. It is well Building a customer-centric organisation was a main priority in
positioned to capture market opportunities. 2010, so that our products, services and processes meet our
customers’ needs and profiles. A Customer Suitability programme
The mortgage market share was up to 16.6% in 2010 (monthly was launched, which checks whether products should be adjusted
new production), with net production in residential mortgages at to benefit customers. We have taken significant steps to ensure
EUR 5.5 billion. Funds entrusted increased by a modest EUR 0.4 that every customer gets the right products and services, through
billion, while volumes in lending decreased due to low demand. the right distribution channels, and at the right prices or returns.
We are evaluating our product portfolio and product approval
Strategy procedures, based on sharpened criteria for good customer care.
Retail NL’s strategy is part of ING Bank’s overall strategy to This has resulted in, for example, a further reduction in the number
build a leading retail and commercial bank, where all the banking of different types of savings accounts from around 70 to 25 savings
business units are fully integrated. In common with the other accounts by the end of 2010. Furthermore, branch office opening
banking units, Retail NL has been working to become the hours have been more closely aligned with shop opening hours.
preferred bank for its customers, a goal that will be realised
through operational excellence, customer centricity and being a Some innovative products were introduced in 2010. One of these
top employer. Closely linked to this ambition is our aim to create was TIM, an online budgeting tool that allows customers to
long-term value for all our stakeholder groups: customers, categorise their transactions in their online accounts and keep track
employees, business relations and suppliers, society at large of their finances more easily. By the year-end, 125,000 customers
and shareholders. had registered to use the tool.
Stakeholder trust In early December, ING also introduced the Spaarrente Wekker – a
Enhancing its reputation and regaining trust among stakeholders change in interest rate notification, which informs customers three
was one of Retail NL’s priorities in 2010. This involved several days ahead of time by e-mail of any changes in the variable interest
initiatives, one of which was to continue with the Financial rate on their ING savings accounts. This service is also available to
Information Evenings, which enable customers to meet ING Board non-customers. At year-end, 170,000 consumers had registered for
members and managers of ING Netherlands. During these this new service.
meetings, customers also receive tips on how to manage their
daily expenditure, home ownership finances, pensions and savings. At the core of Retail Banking’s long-term strategy is the focus on
the ‘direct if possible, advice when needed’ model, introduced in
ING also organised several Stakeholder Dialogues to get a better 2009 following changing market conditions and customer
understanding of what stakeholders expect from us in the new behaviour. To this end, in the Netherlands a new distribution model
financial environment. We invited policymakers, investors, was set up in 2009 and by year-end 2010, 250 branches had been
regulators, journalists, non-governmental organisations, academics converted to support the new multi-channel service concept, which
and private and corporate clients to participate in discussions offers customers the option of banking from home via the internet,
centred on themes such as customer centricity and corporate social telephone or e-mail, or by visiting branches for face-to-face advice.
responsibility. The dialogues have been well received and will This initiative is progressing well: in 2010, the customer base
therefore continue into 2011. increased by 0.9%, mainly as a result of the so-called Overstap
service – a newly introduced, hassle free package to switch bank.
Another initiative involved executives visiting various customers in
the Netherlands, the objective being to build customer relationships Retail NL now has over five million online customers.
and hear their feedback on different issues. This programme of
visits will continue in 2011. ING has not only improved its retail banking systems and products,
but has also enhanced value for money. A survey by the Dutch
Operational excellence consumers’ association Consumentenbond showed that ING offers
All business units focus on improving timely, flawless and efficient better value for money with its basic payment package than any
execution of customer services. The merger of Postbank and ING other Dutch bank.
Bank in 2009 has greatly improved operations and customer
service. By the end of 2010, the large majority of all retail customers As part of its commitment to transparency, ING gives a full
had been transferred to a single ING Bank platform. The process is overview of all its retail and corporate products and prices on its
expected to be completed by June 2011. www.ing.nl web site. In 2010, ing.nl was for the third consecutive
year named the best provider of online savings products in the renamed to WestlandUtrecht Bank and is now commercially
Netherlands by research company WUA. independent, but still part of ING. The ‘new’ bank was introduced
to the Dutch public via a comprehensive multimedia campaign on
Customer feedback TV, billboards and the internet and in 2010 it launched an online
The Net Promoter Score (NPS) – a customer loyalty metric – was savings product called SpaarOnline Rekening.
launched by Retail NL in December 2009. Both the overall customer
experience and the product experience were surveyed among Business Banking/Mid-corporates
customers. Their feedback is used to improve our services and the Retail NL provides services to small and medium-sized businesses
product range. To this end, a programme was started in 2010, through relationship managers who work closely with product
Enthousiaste Klanten (enthusiastic customers), entailing a number specialists to build a strategic partnership with our customers.
of new initiatives based on customer feedback. A new service model was started in 2009 and was further
developed in 2010. ING has a high penetration in the business
In 2010, for example, ING introduced a service for start-up banking market, helped by the fact that it has its own international
companies to open a business account, including a debit card, pin network. Its ambitions are to continue lending to private individuals
and online banking, in just 20 minutes. This product was developed and businesses as it considers that as one of its core tasks.
following customer feedback on account activation time and in
response to their needs to reduce red tape and to spend as much Private Banking
time as possible focusing on their businesses. Retail NL also provides private banking services in the Netherlands
to wealthy individual customers. The intention is to create a strong
The first results show that more customers than in 2009 would private banking franchise. In 2010, Private Banking introduced a
now recommend us to family and friends. ING is committed to single IT system for its fixed mutual-fund activities.
further improving its NPS score through more work to lift the
customer experience. It also centralised its advice services, so that investment decisions
are now taken at a central level and then implemented by local
Top employer investment advisers.
The third and final priority in ING’s banking strategy is to become
a top employer. Motivated and engaged employees are essential RETAIL BELGIUM
for enhancing customer satisfaction and, therefore, our success. FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Retail NL is developing a new human resources strategy, which The underlying result before tax of Retail Belgium declined 5.7%
includes redefining our Employee Value Proposition to clarify to compared to 2009, as expenses increased and income remained
staff what the bank stands for and what staff can expect from the almost flat. Underlying income slipped 0.4% to EUR 2,054 million.
bank and vice versa. In 2011, action plans will be rolled out globally The interest result declined slightly, following lower margins on
and local business units and countries will be assisted in setting savings and current accounts, which were largely offset by higher
local objectives. margins on mortgages and other lending. Net production in
mortgages was EUR 2.8 billion in 2010, while other lending
Results from the 2010 WPC Survey – ING’s global annual employee increased by EUR 1.4 billion. The net production in funds entrusted
engagement survey – show that the employee engagement level at was EUR 2.2 billion, driven by the success of the Orange Book
Retail NL was up from 64% in 2009 to 75% in 2010. We have used savings product which compensated for outflows in current
the results to identify priority areas to work on. accounts. Operating expenses increased 5.1% to EUR 1,349 million,
These include improving co-operation and work processes across mainly driven by additional costs for the national deposit guarantee
the organisation, improving leadership and creating stronger career scheme in 2010. Risk costs declined 20.0% to EUR 160 million,
prospects. or 83 basis points of average risk-weighted assets.
Operational excellence which will be further developed in 2011. ING wants to become a
Retail Belgium’s focus is on the ‘direct if possible, advice when global top employer with enthusiastic and ambitious employees,
needed’ business model. To support this strategy, it is improving who want to share in the bank’s success. Specific areas of focus
operations in areas such as bank guarantees, mid-corporate include profiles, training, career development and pay and benefits.
lending, IT workplace services, account opening and mandates.
Record Bank
Both Belgium and Luxembourg (see below) operate under an Retail Belgium includes Record Bank, the third largest retail savings
integrated universal bank business model with the operating and bank in the country, with close to 800,000 customers. Its strength
IT platform being shared across all client segments (Retail, SME, is the personal approach by its 1,500-strong network of agents,
Private Banking, Corporates and Financial Institutions). credit brokers and vendors, who offer customer-centric products in
savings, savings bonds, mortgages and consumer loans.
Customer centricity
Retail Belgium continued to improve customer centricity in 2010. ING Luxembourg
It launched an Online Consumer Loans tool to provide customers ING Luxembourg, whose results are reported under Retail Belgium,
with quick decisions on loan requests, without increasing the is a full-service bank with three business lines: domestic retail
bank’s exposure to credit risk. banking, private banking and commercial banking. It serves private
individuals, SMEs, large companies and institutions.
It also continued with its branch transformation programme, which
places a greater emphasis on direct banking and aims to improve Much energy has been devoted to developing local business in
operational efficiency and service quality. By the end of 2010, 381 Luxembourg, an approach which has proved successful and will
traditional branches had been converted to ‘proximity’ outlets with be continued in the coming years.
self-service cash facilities and online banking access. The objective
is to bring the total number of converted branches to 477 by ING Luxembourg embraced the Net Promoter Score metric in
year-end 2011. The bank has around 383 full-service branches, early November 2010.
giving Retail Belgium around 800 points of sale.
Private Banking
The branch transformation programme was largely responsible Retail Belgium provides Private Banking services in Belgium and
for adding some 53,000 new clients in 2010, bringing the total to Luxemburg to wealthy individuals. ING is creating a strong private
over two million. Total number of sales online products amounted banking franchise in both countries and it is considered to be a
to nearly 300,000. growth driver.
Retail Belgium has over 1.2 million online customers. Private Banking has a top 3 position (16% market share) in Belgium.
It serves over 18,000 individual customers with more than
Plans for 2011 include further developing the internet channel EUR 1,000,000 in assets with ING. Assets under management
and the product offering and continuing with the branch amounted to EUR 15.7 billion (Belgium) and EUR 7.5 billion
transformation programme, which will be extended across the (Luxembourg) at year-end, totalling EUR 23.2 billion
whole bank. Another task will be to upgrade IT and Operations to
enhance the customer experience. Private Banking in Luxembourg contributed favourably to the
overall results, despite an adverse economic climate.
Customer feedback
Retail Belgium embraced the Net Promoter Score (NPS) ING DIRECT
methodology in August 2009. NPS is a recognised measure of FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
customer satisfaction. It also helps to improve customer centricity. ING Direct delivered strong results in 2010 with an underlying profit
We seek and act on feedback to improve the customer experience before tax of EUR 1,450 million, compared with a loss of EUR 666
by analysing the results and identifying areas for improvement. million in 2009. This major improvement was driven by lower
impairments on the investment portfolio, a higher interest result
Retail Belgium conducted NPS surveys on both a ‘transactional’ and lower additions to the loan loss provisions. Underlying income
(e.g. opening an ING Lion Deposit online savings account) and more than doubled, as impairments (mainly on the Alt-A RMBS
‘relationship’ level (e.g. overall customer experience personal portfolio in the US) declined to EUR 107 million compared to
banking). On average, 6% of the respondents have been EUR 1,394 million in 2009. The interest result was up 20.3%, or
recontacted by the regional directors since they raised a specific EUR 638 million, driven by higher volumes and increased margins
question or issue when completing the questionnaire. At the same on savings and mortgages. The interest result in the US benefited
time the surveys allow us to identify opportunities for general from the IFRS treatment on previously impaired bonds, which had a
improvements, such as optimising the online communication (ING positive impact of EUR 230 million in 2010 up from EUR 99 million
Lion Deposit), expanding target audiences for Investment in 2009. Operating expenses increased 13.4%, primarily reflecting
Conferences (Personal Banking) or planning initiatives on educating higher marketing costs, the roll-out of payment accounts and
the branch employees on how to assist professional clients when increased staff costs. The addition to the loan loss provisioning
contacting the Business Credit Centre via the branch. decreased to EUR 446 million, or 59 basis points of average
risk-weighted assets from EUR 765 million in 2009 (or 112 basis
Top employer points), supported by signs of stabilisation in the US housing market
In addition to the standard integrated human resources practices, and US unemployment rate as well as diminishing delinquencies.
the business has been developing a new human capital approach,
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS In Spain, the new ‘Easy Mortgage’ process conducted online makes
ING Direct offers a range of focused, easy-to-understand financial it easier for payment account customers to apply for a mortgage,
products – savings, mortgages, retail investment products, as few personal details are required in addition to the ones the
payment accounts and consumer lending products – primarily bank already has. The main additional information requested is a
through direct channels. Its business model is based on low-cost, valuation on the property, but other details such as salary are not
simplicity, transparency and offering a superior customer service. needed if the bank already has them.
It has 23.6 million customers, and leading market positions in most
markets in which it operates – Canada, Spain, Australia, France, ING Direct UK continued to improve the savings account opening
the US, Italy, Germany, Austria and the UK. process in 2010. The process was redesigned and reduced from
seven to only five steps in 2009, and in 2010 customers were able
In Germany, ING-DiBa marked new record volumes in all five ING to credit their account electronically using their debit card, thereby
Direct core products. The numbers were boosted by a successful reducing the amount of time needed to activate the account.
new marketing campaign, which was launched in September.
Savings volume net growth was strong due to an attractive bonus ING Direct Italy launched a customer acquisition campaign in
rate for new customers and ING-DiBa’s leading service levels which new customers received a free smartphone when opening
becoming more and more known. In terms of investment products a payment account. This was done in preparation for offering
ING-DiBa accelerated the growth speed despite being already Italians mobile access to ING Direct’s website by the end of 2010.
No.1 in most key areas. Consumer loans were pushed strongly by In the early stages of the campaign 24,000 accounts were
changed legislation in Germany due to an EU Directive which opened in one weekend.
makes interest rates for loans more comparable for customers
which is in favour of ING-DiBa. Customer centricity
All ING Direct units constantly look to see how how they can best
In 2010, ING Direct moved further towards becoming a more meet customers’ needs. The bank encourages customer feedback
complete retail bank, while maintaining a different approach from which it then uses to update and improve the customer experience.
its competitors. This requires, among other things, widening the In 2010, ING Direct Australia received an award for the most
product base to achieve greater income diversification, developing trusted banking brand.
its distribution channels and more investment in cross-selling.
ING Direct became active in social media in 2010, especially in the
In Canada, payment accounts were introduced to expand ING US, Canada and Italy. Consequently, ING was voted ‘Best Bank on
Direct’s product line. ING Direct now offers payment accounts in Facebook’ by an Italian strategic consultancy that surveyed over
all countries except the UK. There were initiatives in several 200 banks.
countries to increase the number of savings account customers
who also hold a payment account, which has proven to increase In Germany, ING-DiBa launched a price comparison engine,
customer loyalty. As a result, the number of payment account ‘BankLupe’, which allows customers easily to compare banks’ retail
clients increased significantly in 2010. products and prices, and demonstrates the bank’s commitment to
transparency. ING-DiBa also introduced a simple-to-use financial
In Spain, ING Direct enhanced its distribution channels by opening advice portal, the ‘finanzversteher.de’, for customers to manage
two physical bank outlets. This is part of our strategy to provide their personal finances. ING Direct France launched a website called
customers with predominantly direct services and face-to-face ‘monnaietime’, which helps consumers with their personal finances.
advice when needed. We expect to open another 25 outlets across It quickly became France’s third most-visited finance portal.
the country in 2011.
Top employer
ING Direct’s ambition is to become the customer’s preferred bank, Engaged employees are essential to our success. Everyone knows
through operational excellence, customer centricity and being a they have a role to play in contributing to ING’s vision and strategy,
top employer. In 2010, ING Direct again ranked first (meaning and know they can make a real difference. Results from the 2010
‘most recommended’) or second in all nine countries on the Net WPC Survey (ING’s global annual employee engagement survey)
Promoter Score. NPS is a recognised measure for customer show that employee engagement level at ING Direct rose to 76% in
satisfaction in the financial services industry. 2010, up from 72% in 2009. However, at some business units the
engagement level was lower. At ING Direct France, for example, the
Operational excellence engagement score was down 2% at 52%. An area identified for
All of ING’s business units focus on timely, efficient and flawless improvement by staff was ‘leadership’, which will be addressed in
execution of customer services. Making banking easier for 2011. And at ING Direct Italy, the score was up 2% at 61%, with a
customers and constantly looking at new distribution channels and clear priority to work on ‘accountability’, which will be an area for
innovation are important principles. In 2010, ING Direct completed improvement this year. The employee engagement result in North
its 2008 initiative to deploy an end-to-end review of all customer America was 83%, well above the overall result.
services and processes.
In the US, a new mobile banking application was launched, which Human resources (HR) departments across the organisation are
provides users with quick and easy ways to transfer money, pay bills working on ‘Top Employer’ initiatives, including programmes on
and make purchases from their mobile phone. The application management development, Workplace Dynamics Surveys (US),
scooped the ‘Superstar’ prize in the 2010 Mobile Star Awards™, talent programmes for early and mid-career high potentials (UK),
organised by the online news portal MobileVillage.com to reward innovative health management programmes (Germany) and using
excellence in wireless and mobile technology.
social media to recruit staff (France). All ING Direct units train Customer centricity
people in international roles, through long-term and short-term In 2010, ING Bank Slaski continued to modernise its branch
assignments, which not only develops their career skills but network and optimise customer services by closer integration
improves our strategic manpower allocation. between its call centre, internet and branches.
In 2010, ING Direct Canada and ING-DiBa Germany were both In Romania, ING has achieved its ambition to become the country’s
recognised as one of the best employers in the countries in which most preferred bank, serving over one million customers. ING Bank
they operate. ING Direct Australia continued its run of HR awards Romania made further progress in internet banking, in which it is a
by winning the top place in the FEMA (Fairfax Employment leader in terms of transaction numbers. It was voted the ‘most
Marketing Awards) Best Corporate or Onsite HR Team (2009). popular online brand’ in the financial sector.
ING Direct USA Turkey is an important growth market for us, and ING Bank Turkey
The agreement signed in 2009 with the European Commission on completed various initiatives throughout 2010 to support its
ING’s Restructuring Plan requires that ING Direct USA be sold by ambition to be the preferred bank for Turkish consumers. With 1.2
2013. ING appealed against certain elements of the EC’s decision in million customers, the bank is concentrating on improving customer
2009 (see also ING and the financial environment), but in the service and offering ‘smart products’ serving specific customer
meantime will continue to execute the agreed restructuring plan. needs that differentiate us from our rivals. To this end, the bank
ING is managing ING Direct USA as though it were the long-term strengthened its call centre and internet offering and launched a
owner, supporting the business when it is attractive and can be factoring and leasing company in 2010. It also commenced
supported by the capital and management of the business. international payment and cash management activities, and
introduced a new mortgage product. An ‘ING Exclusive Banking’
RETAIL CENTRAL EUROPE service was introduced for a selection of customers who fit special
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS deposit requirements. At the year-end, 5 Exclusive Banking
The underlying result before tax of Retail Central Europe rose branches had been opened and around 20 Exclusive Banking
82.4% to EUR 155 million, driven by higher results in Poland ‘corners’ opened inside ordinary branches. Finally, ING Bank Turkey
and Romania, while results in Turkey declined from the strong opened a European Business Desk to better serve the needs of
performance in 2009. Underlying income in Central Europe rose small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) engaged in
13.5% supported by higher volumes in all countries and improved international business.
interest margins in Poland and Romania. In Turkey, margins declined
due to increased competition, while income was impacted by In 2011, ING Bank Turkey aims to build more scale by widening
negative fair value changes on derivatives (not eligible for hedge its product range and distribution network and providing the
accounting). Operating expenses were up 15.5% reflecting business necessary capital and sharing best practices with other ING units.
growth and increased staff costs. Risk costs declined to EUR 61 It will launch the first variable savings account in the country,
million, or 28 basis points of average risk-weighted assets, from the Orange Account, to build on the success of the ING Direct
EUR 116 million (or 61 basis points) in 2009. The decline in risk savings account.
costs was mainly in Turkey and Romania supported by releases of
specific provisions and improved data quality. The Net Promoter Score methodology was introduced in Poland
(mid-November), Romania (early September) and late December
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS in Turkey. The surveys focus on transactional levels, for example
Retail Central Europe has a leading presence in Poland and strong account activation, complaints and loan applications. From the
positions in Romania and Turkey. It operates full-service banks in all customer feedback, we learn what we need to improve and the
three, combining retail and commercial banking products and businesses act on this accordingly.
services for its customers.
Top employer
The business units in the region are moving towards the ‘direct Retail CE placed a big emphasis on developing employee
if possible, advice when needed’ business model. They are also relations in 2010. In Romania the bank aims to become one of the
striving to become the customer’s preferred bank through Top 5 universal bank employers in the country and in Poland the
operational excellence, customer centricity and being a bank is succeeding in attracting high calibre students and
top employer. young professionals.
place in ‘Pracodawca Roku 2009’ (Employer of the Year, 2009) Customer centricity
and was the only bank among the top 10 ‘Most Desired In 2010, ING Vysya Bank launched ‘ING Online Shopping’, which
Employers’ listing. allows customers to shop online for a wide choice of services and
goods with various merchant/service portals including rail, bus and
Results from the 2010 WPC Survey (ING’s global annual employee air tickets, electronic goods and gifts.
engagement survey) in Retail Central Europe show that the
employee engagement levels in 2010 were 73% in Poland and It also developed ‘ING Inwards’ – an electronic funds transfer
75% in Romania. At ING Bank Turkey, the score was up 2% at solution, developed for Corporate Banking clients. It improves the
58%. HR is facilitating a number of working groups within the speed of cash flows, inventory management, risk management and
bank, in order to act on the results of the 2010 survey, as this was receivables reconciliation.
an area identified for improvement.
Thailand-based TMB Bank launched several online, low-cost,
RETAIL ASIA innovative financial products, which were all market ‘firsts’ and
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS all well received as they made banking easier for customers.
Retail Asia’s underlying result before tax tripled to EUR 80 million They included the TMB No Fee Deposit, UP & UP Term Deposit
from EUR 26 million in 2009. The strong improvement was mainly and the No Limit Debit Card.
attributable to higher results from ING Vysya Bank in India, driven
by higher volumes and margins, a one-off gain on the sale of an ING Vysya Bank introduced the Net Promoter Score methodology
investment and lower risk costs. This was partly offset by higher early in October, with a number of transactional areas surveyed,
expenses due to further investments in business growth and including mortgage loan disbursals, online financial transactions
increased staff costs, including additional pension provisions. The and exiting a savings account. First results show that many
result in Asia was supported by the increased profit contribution customers are extremely likely to recommend ING to family or
from ING Bank’s share in the result of TMB in Thailand and higher friends, but that they are still very critical about us in the open
dividends from Bank of Beijing and Kookmin Bank. comment questions. The bank acts promptly on feedback received.
As with all other banking business units, Retail Asia is working TMB Bank held an Employee Engagement Survey, organised by
hard to become the customer’s preferred bank by focusing on Gallup. Engagement levels rose from 20% to 49% because of the
operational excellence, customer centricity and being a introduction of a clear organisational structure, better defined job
top employer. descriptions and a more transparent performance evaluation and
recognition system. It also set up a TMB Employee Service Centre
Operational excellence for staff to give their feedback.
In India, ING Vysya Bank was awarded – for the second year in a
row – the C10 100 Innovation Award by India’s CIO magazine for Results from the 2010 WPC Survey (ING’s global annual employee
developing another customer-centric IT innovation, ‘Mobile Voice engagement survey) in Retail Asia overall show that the employee
Recording Solution’. It allows customers to conduct investment and engagement level was 71% in 2010, up from 65% in 2009.
trade transactions with the bank’s relationship manager, who can
now record the transactions with a handheld device instead of the HR Asia will continue to work on a new human capital approach.
customer having to sign every transaction. Focal points of improvement in 2011 include to provide career
opportunities to staff to advance their careers and to create a
TMB Bank is transferring many of its operational processes back ‘good-place-to-work’ environment.
from its relationship managers to centralised control in order to
allow relationship managers devote more time to serving customers
and acquiring new ones. Its aim is to become the leading
Thai bank, with world-class financial solutions.
Banking
Commercial Banking
Continued focus on customer centricity 2010 was an excellent year for Commercial Banking despite the
in all activities challenging environment. Although critical investment expenses were
up, risk costs dropped significantly. Commercial Banking made good
> Strong commercial performance progress in realising its goals and achieving leading market positions
in selected geographies and products. It continued on its course to
> Significant decrease in risk costs become a leading European commercial bank with selective growth
> Collaboration across units for benefit of clients options in other regions.
> Landmark deals for clients FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS (INCLUDING REAL ESTATE)
> League tables underline strong market positions The underlying result before tax of Commercial Banking doubled to
> Real Estate exposure steadily reduced EUR 2,316 million from EUR 1,118 million in 2009. ING Real Estate
recorded a loss before tax of EUR 63 million compared with a loss
of EUR 988 million in 2009. The underlying result before tax of
Commercial Banking excluding Real Estate increased 12.9% to
EUR 2,379 million.
Underlying result before tax Total underlying income increased 14.0% to EUR 5,811 million
in EUR million 2010 2009 driven mainly by ING Real Estate and Structured Finance as well
Commercial Banking excl. ING Real Estate 2,379 2,107 as Leasing & Factoring. This more than offset the decline at
– General Lending & PCM 455 426 Financial Markets and General Lending & PCM. Underlying
– Structured Finance 938 287 operating expenses increased 8.3% to EUR 2,998 million partly
– Leasing & Factoring 133 67 caused by an accrual adjustment related to the deferral of incentive
– Financial Markets 919 1,289 compensation in 2009 and despite lower impairments on real
– Other Products –65 37 estate development projects. The underlying cost/income ratio
ING Real Estate –63 –988 improved to 51.6% from 54.3% in 2009. Excluding ING Real
Total Commercial Banking 2,316 1,118 Estate, the cost/income ratio was 44.0% compared with
37.9% in 2009.
Risk costs decreased significantly to EUR 497 million compared with According to Greenwich Associates research January 2011, PCM is
EUR 1,210 million in 2009. As the economic environment started perceived to have a strong position in the Netherlands, Belgium and
to stabilise, the number of significant files declined, particularly Central and Eastern Europe. In the Netherlands, ING Commercial
within Structured Finance, but also in ING Real Estate and General Finance is market leader, while General Lease and Car Lease rank
Lending. Risk costs in basis points of average risk-weighted assets No.3. In Belgium, ING Lease is the second largest leasing company.
(RWA) declined to 33 basis points in 2010 from 71 basis points
in 2009. ING Structured Finance achieved its aim to be a Top 10 player
globally by ranking in the Top 10 in various locations in the
The return on equity, based on a 7.5% core Tier 1 ratio, improved category MLA by number of deals. ING maintained its No.1
to 15.8% from 7.3% in 2009, driven by the increased results. position from Q1 through Q4 in key tables such as MLA and
In 2010, total RWA declined by 10.3% to EUR 142 billion at bookrunner for syndicated loans in the Netherlands by volume and
year-end as a result of model updates and reduced market RWA. bookrunner for syndicated loans in the Benelux by volume.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS Commercial Banking took steps to becoming more client centric
Commercial Banking plays an integral role within ING Bank. The during the year. For example, PCM set policy guidelines for a global
essence of ING’s business is to collect deposits and redeploy them payments mandate and the client organisation was strengthened
in various forms and types of financial investments in the economy. by introducing a stronger European sector approach. ING board
Commercial Banking plays an important part in this by being an members are linking up more regularly with board members
important originator of assets and a source of skills and expertise of clients. The second wave of the Balance Sheet Optimisation
for our clients. campaign was rolled out in the Netherlands and Belgium, the
aim being to help clients balance short-term financial needs with
Commercial Banking offers core banking services such as lending, long-term goals. A campaign was launched to optimise clients’
payments and cash management in more than 40 countries. international financial management, based on a detailed
It provides clients with tailored solutions in areas including understanding of clients’ businesses and what they need to support
corporate finance, structured finance, commercial finance, equity their operations outside their home countries. An International
markets, financial markets and leasing. Clients are corporations Business Support Centre was set up to streamline processes to
– ranging from medium-sized and large companies to major ensure consistently excellent service to clients.
multinationals – as well as governments and financial institutions.
In September, the Bottom Line initiative was launched in Central
From Fitter, Focused, Further… and Eastern Europe. This stresses that Commercial Banking is
Throughout 2010, Commercial Banking focused investments and aligned internally to deliver relevant solutions to clients and
resources on achieving its Fitter, Focused, Further strategic goals: emphasises ING’s commitment to becoming a leading commercial
namely, to develop key market and product positions, improve bank in Central and Eastern Europe.
client satisfaction by implementing client-centric initiatives, reduce
costs and enhance operational excellence. Operational excellence was another key priority. PCM, for instance,
improved its processes, client communications and IT set-up and
We maintained our position as No.1 bank in the Benelux. Illustrative governance. Financial Markets established a new centre in
of this is the fact that ING was No.1 ECM (Equity Capital Market) Singapore for its front office system which provides foreign
bookrunner in the Benelux by volume, No.1 bookrunner for exchange and money market services to clients globally.
syndicated loans in the Benelux by volume and No.2 M&A advisor
in the Benelux by volume, in 2010. Also in the corporate bond Finally, the Fitter, Focused, Further strategy feeds into the
market we made good progress ending No.5 bookrunner in development of the concept of a total banking approach.
Benelux by volume. In 2010, ING Retail Banking Benelux, ING Retail Banking Direct &
International and Commercial Banking worked together to align
We maintained our position as Top 5 bank in our core Central and themselves more closely with each other and leverage their
Eastern Europe markets. Illustrative of this in 2010, ING was No.1 strengths across all banking operations (see chapter on ‘Strategy’).
MLA (Mandated Lead Arranger) for CEE syndicated loans by
volume, No.4 ECM bookrunner in CEE and No.1 in Poland by Major deals
volume. Furthermore, we ended up No.4 M&A advisor in Poland by The world economy gradually recovered in 2010 from the recession
volume. Also in the bond markets we maintained our position of 2009. Tensions remained, however, including fiscal tightening,
ending up No.5 bookrunner in CEE sovereign bonds by volume and a fluctuating euro and debt concerns within the eurozone,
No.8 bookrunner in CEE corporate bonds by volume. continued credit tightness and intensified competition. At national
and international levels there were discussions about the best ways
We have a leading and highly profitable financial markets franchise to restore financial stability. Stricter regulations for banking
both in the developed and emerging markets. It is our stated were implemented.
ambition to be a Top 3 Financial Markets player in the Benelux.
Illustrative of this in 2010, ING was No.5 bookrunner in Benelux Managing risk and costs remained key priorities for Commercial
corporate bonds by volume. Banking. Risk costs fell significantly as a result of a resilient quality
portfolio and better risk management. We continued to manage
We aim to become the preferred bank for European customers exposure and concentration in our portfolio to achieve the right
regarding PCM business. In 2010, PCM ranked at a Top 2 position risk-reward balance. Our exposure to real estate was also
by volume in EBA Clearing (Euro Banking Association Clearing). steadily reduced.
L&F’s capabilities in the specialist field of asset-based finance was ING continues to deliver on its strategic objectives of reducing
recognised during the year with ING Commercial Finance being exposure to real estate, simplifying the company and further
ranked as the No.1 Factoring Company in the Netherlands by strengthening its capital base.
MT Finance business magazine while ING Lease UK was named
Lessor of the Year for the third successive year by the NACFB ING Real Estate Finance and ING Real Estate Development are
trade association. not impacted by the transactions and will continue to be part
of ING Bank.
FINANCIAL MARKETS
The Financial Markets (FM) business units make up the global ING Real Estate Finance (REF) successfully weathered the adverse
business that manages ING’s financial markets trading and non- environment following prudent property financing for the last
trading business lines. FM is managed along two business lines: five years.
ALCO & Strategic Trading Platform, the primary proprietary risk-
taking units, and Clients and Products, the primary customer trading REF has a Top 10 position in Europe for property financing.
and sales business line. In 2010, REF was fully integrated into Commercial Banking and is in
a good position to tap into synergies across the business.
FM continues to bring in sizeable and profitable business for
Commercial Banking. After a record year in 2009, income in 2010 REF has set up a new account management system for its global
normalised but it was still FM’s second best year. FM faced several clients to better serve its clients and to enhance cross-border
uncertainties during the year: the market environment, changes in relationship. It continued optimising its portfolio and clients in order
financial regulation, liquidity, funding and deleveraging concerns. to take advantage of opportunities for future profit growth.
Although client flows remained buoyant, margins fell to lower levels.
Revenues in developed markets were negatively impacted due to ING Real Estate Development (RED) continued to reduce its risk and
the sovereign debt crisis and the weaker client flows that the capital exposure. RED will concentrate on its core markets in the
crisis caused. coming years and gradually reduce its development portfolios in
non-core markets. Its asset management company in Spain,
FM increased profitability against reduced risk. Value-at-Risk has Auxideico, was sold in the third quarter.
progressively been reduced since 2007, while both trading and client
income has increased substantially. Investments have been focused CONCLUSIONS AND AMBITIONS
on increased FM capacity in the emerging markets and to improve Commercial Banking has the right capabilities in place: strong
service for Financial Institutions. Three top priority initiatives were established relationships with clients, client and sector expertise, a
expanding the FX Options Platform, increasing the Commodities very strong position in the Benelux and Central and Eastern Europe,
Product Offering and improving alignment with risk management to a well-sized international branch network and an international
ensure the success of product and client initiatives in emerging product offering. It has a leading position in specialised business
markets. Cross-selling programmes for clients in emerging markets and good risk management skills.
were initiated.
Customer centricity and cross-selling were intensified during the
Flow trading was significantly down, due to lower volatility and the year. Commercial Banking closed several landmark deals and
negative impact of the sovereign debt crisis. Sales commissions earned notable rankings in league tables across Europe proving that
declined due to lower volumes and narrowed spreads. its performance is being recognised.
ALCO had a strong performance in 2010 helped by capital gains. Within the overall banking organisation Commercial Banking
There was a strong proprietary trading performance in Brussels and intends to develop its winning formula to help ING Bank realise its
New York. ambition to become the preferred bank for customers. It will do
this by taking a number of operational and strategic measures,
ING REAL ESTATE including enhancing its international network and increasing its
ING Real Estate includes the Finance, Development and Investment focus on customers, employees and operational excellence.
Management businesses. ING continued to steadily reduce its
exposure to real estate, including an evaluation of the position of Real
Estate Investment Management (REIM) within the banking business.
Overview
Insurance
Management Board Insurance 2010 was a year of steady improvement in operations at
on 31 December 2010
ING Insurance/Investment Management (IM). The economic
Jan Hommen environment remained challenging throughout the year and
chief executive officer was marked by continued low interest rates and market volatility.
Insurance/IM worked on improving performance in preparation
Patrick Flynn for future IPOs while working simultaneously to separate the
chief financial officer business from Banking before the end of the year.
Solid progress was made on both fronts.
Koos Timmermans
chief risk officer FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Although business fundamentals improved, the underlying loss
Matthew Rider before tax of Insurance/IM was EUR 519 million compared with
chief administrative officer a loss of EUR 202 million in 2009. Market conditions continued to
improve in 2010, although at a relatively slow pace given the depth
Lard Friese (from 1 January 2011) of the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009. The operating result of
Insurance/IM increased to EUR 1,743 million from EUR 1,434 million
Gilbert Van Hassel (from 1 January 2011) in 2009, mostly driven by higher investment margins and increased
fees and premium-based revenues in life insurance and the
Tom McInerney (until 1 January 2011) investment management business. The investment spread on life
general account assets increased 10 basis points to 93 basis points
in 2010, after cautious re-risking of the investment portfolios.
Financial overview* The increase in operating income was partly offset by higher
in EUR million 2010 2009 expenses. Operating results improved in nearly every business line,
Total operating result 1,743 1,434 with the exception of Central and Rest of Europe given the
Gains/losses and impairments –505 –544 harsh economic conditions; and in Investment Management
Revaluations 601 –346 following higher expenses related to the build-up of its
Market and other impacts –2,359 –746 global investment capabilities.
Underlying result before tax –519 –202
The increase in the operating result and significantly better
Gross premium income 27,947 30,170 revaluations of investments were more than offset by higher
New sales 4,877 4,426 negative market impacts, mostly related to the closed variable
Administrative expenses/operating income 43.9% 44.3% annuity blocks in the US and Japan. Hence, underlying results per
Life general account assets (in EUR billion) 165 143 business line diverged, with strong result recoveries in the Benelux,
Client balances (in EUR billion) 454 408 Latin America, and Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan variable annuities),
Administrative expenses (total) 3,698 3,431 compared with lower results in Central and Rest of Europe and
Underlying Return on IFRS-EU Equity –1.8% –0.9% the US.
* Underlying numbers are derived from IFRS-EU numbers, excluding the impact
of divestments and special items.
Despite the 7.8% increase in administrative expenses,
Underlying result before tax partly driven by the weakening of the euro against most
in EUR million 2010 2009 major international currencies, the life/IM administrative
Benelux 775 290 expense ratio improved slightly to 43.9% for the full year.
Central and Rest of Europe 254 291 Especially in the Benelux, significant progress was made
United States (excl. US Closed Block VA) 308 356 in containing expenses through the integration of the
US Closed Block VA –1,793 –654 Dutch businesses.
Latin America 342 273
Asia/Pacific 516 383 New life sales (APE) held up well in 2010, although the increase
ING Investment Management 173 169 against 2009 was mostly due to the weakening of the euro. Higher
Corporate Line insurance –1,093 –1,309 sales in the US, Latin America and Asia/Pacific were compensated
Total –519 –202 by a significant sales decline in the Benelux, partly due to the low
interest rate environment.
Operating result **
in EUR million 2010 2009 In the US, the closed block variable annuity business was reported
Benelux 677 623 as a separate business line as of the fourth quarter of 2010. The
Central and Rest of Europe 292 336 split of the US insurance business into two business lines, triggered
United States (excl. US Closed Block VA) 559 568 a EUR 975 million write-down of deferred acquisition costs related
US Closed Block VA 49 23 to the closed variable annuity business, bringing the reserve
Latin America 283 211 adequacy on this block to well above 50%.
Asia/Pacific 472 365
ING Investment Management 166 201 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
Corporate Line insurance –754 –893 Insurance sales were higher in 2010, assisted largely by strong
Total 1,743 1,434 Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI) sales in Japan, but also by
** Operating result is underlying result before tax excluding market and stronger sales elsewhere in Asia/Pacific and higher mandatory
other impacts. pension sales in Latin America.
Insurance continued
WHERE WE OPERATE
ING Insurance/IM has a strong position as a provider of life insurance and retirement services and is well
positioned to capitalise on socio-economic trends.
#3 in US Retirement
Services Major foreign Life
insurer in Asia
#2 Pensions company
in Latin America
Throughout most of 2010, the Insurance/IM businesses worked establish a platform for future growth. In Latin America, the
towards a base case scenario of either one or two IPOs. Towards roll-out of a wealth management strategy in Mexico, Peru and
the end of the year, ING Group decided that Insurance/IM would Colombia, following its successful launch in Chile in 2009, resulted
opt for two IPOs, one Europe-led IPO and one US-focused IPO, in a significant increase in new sales and inflows.
while keeping the option of one IPO open. The Europe-led
company will have solid cash flow and strong growth positions In the Asia/Pacific region, new product initiatives, particularly in
in developing markets, while the US-focused company will have Japan and Hong Kong, and a strong focus on bancassurance
a leading franchise in retirement services and life insurance. delivered strong sales growth.
The decision to opt for two IPOs was taken because of differences Initiatives to rejuvenate tied agency channels in Central and Rest
in valuation methods of insurance companies in different markets, of Europe, Latin America and Asia/Pacific began through the Tied
particularly in the US; to provide more flexibility in timing and Agency Overhaul programme. These initiatives are expected
execution of the IPOs; and to better deal with the competitive to deliver greater productivity and a lower lapse rate in the future.
challenges that the new European Solvency II regime will pose
in the US. Insurance US began to implement a programme to narrow the
strategic focus of the US business to life and retirement services
In preparing for two IPOs, ING Insurance/IM implemented a while reducing annual expenses by EUR 100 million from 2011.
number of measures to increase transparency and bring US
Insurance accounting and hedging in line with US peers. AMBITION 2013
Central to these measures was the creation of a separate By 2013, Insurance/IM intends to lift investment margins to 105
business line, US Closed Block VA within ING Insurance/IM. basis points on 4% growth per annum in general account assets.
The changes will improve reserve adequacy, allow the company to The business also plans to reduce life/IM administrative expenses as
better hedge interest rate risk, and reduce earnings volatility. a ratio of operating income to 35% and to grow sales by 10% per
(See Financial Developments above and the ‘US Closed Block VA’ annum and to achieve a return on equity in excess of 10%.
section for details of these changes and their financial impact.)
CONCLUSIONS AND AMBITIONS
In 2010, ING IM focused on enhancing its global investment The twin priorities for Insurance/IM in 2010 were to improve
capabilities by establishing a skills-based multi-boutique structure. operating performance and to achieve the separation of
Insurance/IM from Banking at the operational level so they could
In the Benelux, which is the largest cash generator for ING function as stand-alone companies within ING Group by the
Insurance/IM, costs have been successfully reduced by 25% over beginning of 2011.
the past two years through restructuring and cost reduction
initiatives. Nationale-Nederlanden regained its position as market Having achieved the operational separation of Insurance/IM from
leader in the group life market (which includes business and Banking at the end of 2010, ING Insurance/IM is working towards
corporate pensions) in the Netherlands. two successful IPOs of the business by sharpening its strategic
direction, strengthening the capital base, and improving
In emerging markets, where ING Insurance/IM has strong market investment results.
positions, initiatives were taken to stimulate new sales and to
Insurance
INSURANCE BENELUX Sales of insurance products to retail customers were under pressure
during the year due to the low interest rate environment and fierce
> Leading regional player competition from bank annuity products. Corporate sales
in insurance and pensions maintained their momentum.
> Wide transformation of business Insurance Benelux focused on improving its performance in 2010
under way in the Netherlands by continuing to reduce costs and capturing existing growth
opportunities in the Netherlands by transforming its key insurance
> Focus on improving efficiency and business there, and building on the success of the bancassurance
pursuing selective growth opportunities model in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Insurance Benelux continued to make solid progress in the The transformation of Nationale-Nederlanden
transformation of the Dutch insurance businesses. The integration The business’s ambition is to be the most efficient and the most
of the Dutch insurance businesses into Nationale-Nederlanden customer-centric large insurance company in the Benelux. The
and the revitalisation of the NN brand dominated business transformation of Nationale-Nederlanden under the One
activity during the year. programme is a key part of this strategy and a major business
initiative in 2010, containing many activities.
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
The underlying result before tax in the Benelux increased by Nationale-Nederlanden, RVS and ING Verzekeren Retail (formerly
167.3%, reflecting a higher operating result (EUR 53 million), Postbank Verzekeren) are being combined into one customer-
lower negative real estate revaluations (EUR 379 million) as well focused organisation under the Nationale-Nederlanden brand to
as lower negative realised gains on real estate (EUR 57 million). simplify the business and to reduce costs. As well as integrating all
After a period of strongly declining real estate values, the ING three under NN, three new business units dedicated to retail clients
Insurance Real Estate Portfolio benefited from both the (NN Retail), to small and medium sized enterprises (NN SME) and to
continuing recovery in the UK real estate market and corporate clients (NN Corporate) were established.
stabilising yields in Continental Europe.
In addition to the integration of the insurance businesses and the
Operating result before tax increased 8.5%, as a higher investment creation of new client-focused business units, the Dutch insurance
margin and lower expenses more than compensated for a lower businesses prepared a roadmap with a view to optimising its
technical margin as well as a lower non-life result. The higher existing distribution channels so that customers can better choose
investment margin (EUR 89 million or 24.1% increase) reflected how (Click-Call-Face) and where they buy products. The network of
a higher fixed income result as cash balances were reinvested independent brokers continued to play an important role.
over the course of 2010. The non-life result was EUR 156 million
compared to EUR 248 million in 2009. This was due to the In April, the key initiative that spearheaded the transformation of
inclusion of favourable one-off items in the 2009 result. Nationale Nederlanden – the revitalisation of the NN brand – was
Furthermore, adverse claims development in the disability successfully launched. The campaign featured a revitalised logo and
business and a few large fire claims in 2010 contributed website, and three new product campaigns, which resulted in a
to the decline in the non-life result. marked increase in recognition of the NN brand values.
The technical margin was EUR 243 million versus EUR 286 million In October, NN Retail received the Keurmerk Klantgericht
in 2009 because the second quarter of 2009 included a favourable Verzekeren (quality recognition for customer-focused insurance)
one-off item, being the release of EUR 54 million in morbidity from the Stichting Toetsing Verzekeraars, rewarding efforts to
provisions. Life expenses declined by 8.1% because of lower improve customer focus. In addition, customer-focused initiatives
administrative expenses mainly reflecting lower FTE levels paid off with an internal survey finding that customers rated 9 out
(7,551 at the end of 2010 compared to 8,555 at the end of 2009). of 10 their satisfaction with NN’s handling of a cross-section of
claims, and with 80% of customers requests being settled within
New sales were 20.1% lower than in 2009. The company five working days.
continues to prioritise value creation over volume growth.
In addition, a change was made in the recognition of premiums In other One programme achievements, overall costs in Insurance
in the Netherlands which had a favourable impact of Benelux were reduced by 25% over the past two years and a survey
EUR 55 million on APE in 2009. of employees showed that 90% of employees were motivated by
the transformation strategy.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
The mild economic recovery in Europe continued in 2010, Although the retail insurance market remained subdued, NN was
despite the debt crisis in southern Europe and Ireland casting a particularly active and successful in the corporate market, winning
shadow over economic activity. Sentiment improved, the level of many major new high-profile corporate clients, including TomTom
unemployment began to fall and capacity utilisation was on the and Accenture.
rise. In the Benelux, economic conditions improved. After GDP
fell 3.9% and 2.7% per cent respectively in the Netherlands and Three major campaigns were launched, aimed at NN’s business and
Belgium in 2009, economic growth was 1.7% in the Netherlands corporate pension clients. A corporate pension product that
and 2.0% in Belgium in 2010. featured in one of the campaigns ‘NN Prestatiepensioen’ was
chosen by Moneyview magazine as the most flexible pension
product in the Netherlands.
Insurance continued
According to the most recent DNB (the Dutch central bank) market INSURANCE CENTRAL AND REST OF EUROPE
share figures released in 2010, NN won back its market leader
position in group life insurance (excluding health insurance) in the > Positioned well in life insurance with
Netherlands in 2009, which included the SME and corporate strong market positions
pension businesses.
> Working towards greater efficiency in
Within the combined company, the Dutch insurance businesses operations and more effectiveness
began work on creating a dedicated business unit to provide
services to clients who bought insurance policies that are currently
in tied agent network
no longer sold: NN Services. This will further optimise customer > Life sales in most markets higher than in 2009
service and efficiency in dealing with the ‘closed books’ while at
the same time creating more room for innovation and product ING has leading market positions and a solid reputation in the
development elsewhere in the organisation. region. This provides the company with further opportunities to
broaden its distribution base. However, economic headwinds and
Bancassurance the impact of unfavourable regulatory change in pensions in some
NN has had a bancassurance partnership with ING Bank for many countries continued to make business conditions challenging in
years. Given the upcoming split of insurance and banking, NN and 2010, following a tough year in 2009. Despite this environment,
the insurance business in Luxembourg secured a ten-year exclusive the outlook for ING’s businesses in the region remains positive.
distribution contract with ING Bank in October, which came into Operating profit before tax was solid given the economic
effect 1 January 2011. circumstances and regulatory change. Headway was made in
the transformation towards operating with lower costs-per-policy
ING Life in Belgium undertook several major initiatives to stimulate and more professional advice to customers.
cross-sales with ING Bank. It launched a new sales process for
traditional insurance products through the Business Credit Centre FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
of ING Bank. In 2011, a new variable annuity will be launched to be The underlying result before tax of Insurance Central and
sold through the Bank. Rest of Europe decreased by 12.7% to EUR 254 million from
EUR 291 million in 2009. Gains and Losses on sales of
In Luxembourg, the insurance business in conjunction with securities and impairments were EUR –29 million in 2010
ING Bank recorded its best sales month ever in June. The business compared to EUR –45 million in 2009, mainly as a result of
rated highly in an ING Bank distribution survey and sales volumes EUR 10 million lower impairments in Spain. Market and other
confirmed the strong and positive trend in sales since the inception impacts were EUR –10 million as a result of the EUR 10 million
of the new commercial support model in late 2009. There was prepaid capitalised commission write-off in the pension
much work done to find a new European distribution partner and fund in Hungary.
new account managers were employed to help achieve this.
The operating result fell by 13.1% to EUR 292 million. The result
CONCLUSIONS AND AMBITIONS was largely driven by a EUR 26 million lower technical margin and
Much has been achieved in the past two years when the EUR 20 million lower fees and premium-based revenues. The EUR
transformation of the Dutch insurance business began. The One 26 million lower technical margin was largely driven by a release in
programme has succeeded in significantly reducing costs and the provision for rider reserves in Poland and Hungary in 2009 of
increasing efficiency. The business transformation plans are EUR 23 million and to a lesser extent by a lower realised result on
on track and earnings have improved on the core surrenders. Lower fees and premium-based revenues of EUR 20
business fundamentals. million were largely driven by lower revenues in both the pension
fund in Poland and the life company in the Czech Republic.
Insurance Benelux’s ability to contain expenses, increase efficiency
and standardise products and operations will help it continue to Administrative expenses were stable at EUR 266 million in 2010
grow the business. There is a further need to reduce expenses in from EUR 265 million in 2009, despite a EUR 16 million tax on
the coming year and to capture growth opportunities, particularly financial institutions in Hungary and a EUR 7 million currency
in corporate pensions due to market and regulation changes, impact. Excluding both items, administrative expenses were
as the business prepares for a European-based IPO of ING’s EUR 22 million lower on a comparable basis.
insurance operations.
New sales (APE) decreased by EUR 40 million to EUR 352 million
in 2010 from EUR 392 million in 2009, largely caused by a
EUR 34 million reduction in APE in Greece, particularly in the
Greek bancassurance channel.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
Insurance Central and Rest of Europe presents solid growth
opportunities with a market of approximately 220 million people
and relatively low penetration rates for life insurance and pensions.
It operates in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia,
Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Spain.
Insurance continued
Insurance continued
The challenging state of the US economy, including the high level The Individual Retirement unit was formed in 2010 to focus on
of unemployment and low interest rates, was a significant meeting the financial and retirement needs of individuals.
headwind for the businesses in 2010. Despite these external
factors, overall sales and operating profit were higher than in 2009, The Life Insurance unit is a Top 5 writer of individual term life
thanks to a continued focus on cost reduction, a variety of new insurance and a top writer of permanent life insurance. Its group
sales initiatives and efforts to improve the investment margin. unit is a major writer of large-case group life and disability
insurance and a Top 5 writer of employer stop-loss insurance.
ING took a number of measures to improve the clarity of reported
results of Insurance US, and to address reserve inadequacy and Insurance US concentrated its efforts in 2010 on preparing the
earnings volatility in the Closed Block VA business. A separate business for a US-focused IPO by strengthening the operating
business line within ING Insurance/IM was created for the performance of its businesses through cost reduction, top-line
US Closed Block VA business to help achieve this, ahead of the growth, margin improvement and leveraging the company’s talent.
proposed IPO of the US Insurance business. (See ‘Insurance
Overview’ and the ‘US Closed Block VA’ sections.) In 2010, all businesses continued to concentrate on providing
customer-focused products, competitive returns and quality service.
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
The underlying result before tax of Insurance US in 2010 decreased Retirement Readiness strategy
to EUR 308 million from EUR 356 million in 2009. The impact of Insurance US continued to build on its strong market positions and
non-operating items in 2010 of EUR –251 million was greater than reputation in retirement services, despite a sluggish US economy.
the impact in 2009 of EUR –212 million as the higher favourable The Retirement Readiness strategy, which intends to establish ING
result from revaluations was more than offset by lower results from as the best provider of retirement products and services in the
deferred acquisition costs (DAC) and reserve adjustments, primarily minds of retirement customers, became the key initiative for
related to Fixed Annuities. Insurance US. The ageing of the US population creates significant
long-term growth opportunities as those aged 45 or more control
The operating result decreased slightly to EUR 559 million in more than two-thirds of the approximately USD 30 trillion of
2010 from EUR 568 million in 2009. Higher operating income financial assets in the country. The impending retirement of ‘baby
was more than offset by higher administrative expenses and boomers’ and the recent financial turmoil have increased attention
DAC amortisation and trail commissions. on being financially prepared for retirement.
The rise in operating income was driven by a higher investment In Retirement Services, ING serves the full spectrum of the US
margin mainly from lower interest rate swap expenses and market from full-service plans to recordkeeping services only.
reinvestments into (longer duration) fixed income securities, and The business is positioned to serve all sizes and employer
also from higher fees and premium-based revenues, as a result of segments of the market – including corporate, education,
higher assets under management. government and healthcare.
Administrative expenses increased to EUR 904 million from EUR During the year, ING Retirement Plans was selected by important
791 million in 2009. The comparison with 2009 is impacted by plan sponsors as the sole provider of services, including managing
accrual adjustments which lowered expenses in 2009 as well as the deferred compensation plan for the City of Austin, Texas, as
currency effects. DAC amortisation and trail commissions increased well as recordkeeping, education and marketing for the
to EUR 620 million from EUR 489 million in 2009 due to higher Commonwealth of Kentucky’s retirement plans, which represent
operating income and higher assets under management levels, USD 1.6 billion in 457(b) and 401(k) assets from 75,000
resulting in higher trail commissions. participants. In the government market, ING currently services
retirement plans for more than 4,100 state and local governments.
Insurance continued
Communicating clearly with customers remained a high priority in CONCLUSIONS AND AMBITIONS
2010. ING’s efforts in the field were rewarded with US Retirement To prepare for a successful US-focused IPO, Insurance US will
Marketing winning 28 communications awards. At the Pensions & continue to concentrate on three key priorities: sales growth,
Investments Eddy awards ceremony, which acknowledges expense management and improving investment margins.
excellence in providing investment education to plan participants, Management is implementing a plan to reduce annual expenses
ING was given five, first-place and three, second-place awards. by EUR 100 million a year, as it sharpens the focus on the
retirement and life businesses.
The Rollover opportunity
As part of Insurance US’s strategy to be the leader in helping Insurance US has leading franchises in retirement services and life
individuals and institutions to grow and protect their wealth, insurance, and remains strongly committed to its Retirement
Individual Retirement offers a variety of products, including rollover Readiness strategy to become the premier franchise in the US
annuities that are part of broad suite of lower cost, lower risk industry and to expand its rollover strategy. The business will
investment vehicles. remain focused on customers’ needs and providing retirement and
life insurance products through a broad set of distribution channels.
During the year, Individual Retirement offered for the first time a
number of lower cost rollover annuity products targeted primarily US CLOSED BLOCK VA
at current participants exiting ING-managed retirement plans.
These included two fixed index annuities (ING Select Multi-index 5 > Became a separate business line
and ING Select Multi-Index 7), a registered fixed annuity and a within ING Insurance
mutual fund individual retirement product.
> Resulted in a DAC write-down
Individual Retirement also provides Rollover IRA (Individual of EUR 975 million
Retirement Accounts) products, essentially individually established
defined contribution retirement funds, which are expected to be
> This improved reserve adequacy
the fastest-growing segment of the US retirement market. These > Moved towards fair value accounting
products are aimed at capturing the growth opportunity that lies on GMWB reserves
within the rapidly expanding market for retirees and people
changing jobs. This creates a need for the ‘rollover’ of plan assets From 1 October, ING implemented a number of key changes with
into an individual retirement product or solution. regard to the US Closed Block VA business to increase transparency,
improve reserve adequacy, reduce earnings volatility, and to bring
Individual Life accounting and hedging more into line with US peers as the
Individual Life continued to focus on competitive product company prepares for a potential US-focused IPO. As part of these
manufacturing, effective distribution and efficient operations. It has changes, ING began to report the US Closed Block VA business as a
one of the broadest market reaches in the industry and one of the separate business line within ING Insurance/IM to improve
most complete product portfolios. Individual Life insurance transparency for both the Closed Block and ongoing businesses.
manufactures a range of products from low-cost term in the middle
market up through high-end universal life (UL) sales in the affluent FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
markets. The business has a strong multi-channel sales team with The underlying loss before tax was EUR 1,793 million in 2010
the capacity to reach every licensed life insurance agent in the US. It compared to an underlying loss of EUR 654 million in 2009. The
has over 80,000 independent producers and more than 1,500 negative underlying result was driven by reductions in the deferred
intermediaries under contract or appointment. Its distribution acquisition cost (DAC) balance. In the second quarter of the year,
organisation has a best-in-class sales support and illustration the DAC balance was reduced as a result of an 11.9% decline in the
system. This model has allowed Individual Life to create significant S&P 500 during the quarter. In the fourth quarter, the DAC balance
scale, to become a Top 5 writer of individual term life insurance, was further reduced mainly due to a non-recurring DAC write-
and develop into a major writer of permanent life insurance. down of EUR 975 million. This DAC write-down, triggered by
making the VA business a separate business line, was implemented
Overall sales in the Individual Life industry remained under pressure to improve the reserve adequacy to the 50% confidence level for
in 2010 as a result of the challenging economic environment. the business on a stand-alone basis.
However, in the first half of the year the business undertook a
series of initiatives to spur growth. These included making revisions Excluding these non-operating items, the operating result improved
to the term product portfolio, as well as introducing a new global by EUR 26 million to EUR 49 million in 2010 from EUR 23 million in
indexed product and re-pricing of the guaranteed death-benefit 2009, as lower expenses more than offset the decrease in
universal-life market. operating income.
In October, Individual Life also re-priced its term product suite with Life operating income fell EUR 94 million to EUR 119 million from
the goal of further strengthening its market position while EUR 213 million in 2009. The investment margin decreased by
maintaining profitability. ING ranked as a Top 5 player in the term EUR 32 million to EUR –11 million primarily reflecting higher
life insurance market in the US in 2010. balances in short-term investments and the impact of lower interest
rates. Fees and premium based revenues decreased by EUR 46
million to EUR 121 million as higher fee income was more than
offset by higher hedging costs. The decrease in the technical
Insurance continued
margin of EUR 16 million was mainly attributable to non-recurring INSURANCE LATIN AMERICA
negative reserve developments in the fourth quarter 2010.
> Leading position as the second largest
Total life expenses decreased to EUR 70 million in 2010 from pension provider in the region
EUR 191 million in 2009 mainly due to lower DAC amortisation,
resulting from lower operating income. Administrative expenses in > Wealth Management business launched
2010 were lower compared with 2009 as product distribution and in several countries
support teams were reduced or redeployed following the strategic
decision to cease sales of variable annuity products effective 2010 marked the third consecutive year of profit growth for
31 March, 2010. This decision was a part of the overall global Insurance Latin America. The business used its position as the
strategy and risk reduction plan. region’s second largest pensions provider to develop its wealth
management business in major markets as part of a strategy to
New sales (APE) of EUR 57 million was EUR 164 million lower than broaden and strengthen its operations in the region.
2009 APE of EUR 221 million, as no new products were sold from
31 March 2010 and the APE only represents additional payments FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
on existing policies. Insurance Latin Americas posted an underlying result before tax of
EUR 342 million in 2010, a 25.3% rise on the 2009 underlying
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS result of EUR 273 million. The increase was impacted by lower
The US Closed Block VA business includes ING’s Closed Block revaluations (EUR 52 million in 2010 compared to EUR 59 million in
Variable Annuity business in the US, which has been closed to new 2009), which were in part mitigated by higher realised capital gains
business since early 2010 and which is now being managed in (EUR 7 million in 2010 versus EUR 3 million in 2009).
run-off. There are more than 500,000 contract holders and more
than USD 46 billion in assets under management. Approximately The operating result rose markedly by 34.1% to EUR 283 million
two-thirds of the policies contain a guaranteed living benefit. compared to EUR 211 million in 2009, mainly driven by higher fees
from pension funds and to a lesser extent by increased investment
As stated above, from 1 October, ING began to report the US and technical margins.
Closed Block VA business as a separate business line to improve
transparency for both the Closed Block and ongoing businesses. The increase in fees and premium-based revenues (EUR 419 million
in 2010 compared to EUR 311 million in 2009) included a currency
This separation triggered a write-down of the business’s DAC impact of EUR 46 million. The remaining EUR 62 million of the
balance of EUR 975 million before tax, under ING’s existing increase was due to higher fee income in Mexico associated with
accounting policies. This brought reserve adequacy on the US positive pension fund growth, which more than offset a decrease
Closed Block VA business line to the 50% level. in fee levels which were agreed with the regulator. Higher fee
income in Chile and Peru as a result of economic growth and wage
Further, ING moved towards fair value accounting policies on inflation also contributed to the increase.
reserves for the Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal benefit (GMWB)
as of 1 January 2011 to better reflect the economic value of these Administrative expenses increased by 10.9% on a constant currency
guarantees. This enabled ING to substantially increase hedging of basis which was primarily attributable to investments to roll out
interest rates on the US Closed Block VA book without causing wealth management projects throughout the region.
significant earnings volatility, because results from hedging
derivatives would largely be mirrored in fair-value changes of the New sales (APE) climbed by 52.1% to EUR 683 million in 2010 from
guarantees. With increased hedging, interest rate risk would be EUR 449 million in 2009. This growth is mainly related to higher
significantly reduced. volumes in mandatory pension sales in Mexico and the inclusion
of tax-favoured voluntary pension sales in Colombia and mutual
The combined effect of these actions is to strengthen reserves, fund sales in Chile.
reduce earnings volatility, increase future profitability and to
decrease risk. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
Latin America surged ahead in 2010 with economic growth rates
The long-term IFRS earnings outlook has been improved by generally exceeding those of most countries in Europe as well as
reducing the DAC balance and the overall amortisation rate, as well the US.
as improving IFRS reserve adequacy on the US Closed Block VA
business to well above the 50% confidence level. The region has very attractive macroeconomic and demographic
fundamentals. The population is large and relatively young
Although actions in relation to the US Closed Block VA business compared to the US and Europe, inflation is largely under control
had a negative impact on underlying earnings in 2010, ING believes and country credit ratings are positive and stable.
that the right steps are being taken to effectively manage this
business going forward. ING operates the second largest pension business in Latin America
and has leading positions in the region’s most attractive pension,
insurance and asset management markets. In Peru, ING is ranked
No.2 in mandatory pensions with a 30.5% market share, in
Uruguay, the second largest; in Mexico and Chile, the third largest;
and in Colombia, the company ranks among the Top 5
mandatory pension providers.
Insurance continued
ING in Latin America continued to successfully take advantage of The company with strong cash reserves is positioned to continue
powerful demographic trends and strong economic tailwinds in delivering solid earnings growth in the booming Brazilian market.
the region, delivering solid earnings for the third consecutive year, ING holds a 36% shareholding in the company.
despite the worldwide financial crisis and its lingering aftermath.
CONCLUSIONS AND AMBITIONS
The five businesses together have 9.4 million customers and Insurance Latin America is committed to building on its position as
EUR 35 billion in assets under management. ING’s strong market the second largest pensions provider in the region by developing a
positions in life and pension businesses across the region enabled significant position in the voluntary savings market. The wealth
the company to continue to post solid top- and bottom-line management strategy, designed to achieve this, will continue to be
growth in 2010. geared to capturing a larger share of the affluent market.
The businesses in the region continued to develop wealth Although growth in the mandatory pensions market has been
management strategies, concentrating on mandatory and positive, the market is maturing, and so the business will focus,
voluntary retirement savings plans. in particular, on sharpening its customer retention strategies for
this business.
During the year, the priorities for the business were to improve
operational efficiency and contain costs as well as to expand sales Insurance Latin America will continue to pursue operational
through the roll out of a wealth management business across the efficiency by the sharing of best management practices, a
region. Customer retention strategies for the mandatory pension disciplined approach to expense control largely through regional
business were refined. procurement initiatives and the search for synergies in the
businesses in the region.
Wealth Management
The Wealth Management platform successfully established in The business commands a substantial presence in the region and
Chile in 2009 as a means of capturing a larger share of the has very attractive business fundamentals. ING is exploring strategic
affluent market continued to perform well, making a significant options to determine the future of the insurance business in Latin
contribution to net inflows. During 2010, ING rolled out the America.
platform in other countries in the region such as Peru, Colombia
and Mexico. INSURANCE ASIA/PACIFIC
The new wealth management business includes a variety of savings > A year of strong growth across the region
and investment products such as mutual funds and life insurance, > Distribution boosted through bancassurance
personalised financial advisory services, and an ‘easy-service’
administration platform, which are all geared towards helping and tied agents
customers reach their medium and long-term financial goals. > Success with joint ventures
The high net-worth segment in the region is an important market Insurance Asia/Pacific performed very well in 2010, recording strong
with an estimated 12 million potential customer households with growth in new sales and profitability. Strong sales in Japan, new
total income of EUR 356 billion. products in Malaysia and Hong Kong and robust bank distribution
sales all contributed to the result. The business focused on boosting
A strategic marketing campaign to support the wealth commercial momentum by continuing to develop and strengthen
management launch was built on ING Insurance US’s successful bancassurance relationships and lifting tied agent productivity.
‘Your Number’ campaign, which prompted people to think about
how much they might need in retirement and to work towards FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
achieving it. The campaign in Latin America invited potential Insurance Asia/Pacific posted an underlying result before tax of
customers to experience an innovative goal-based advisory EUR 516 million in 2010, up 34.7% or 15.8% excluding currency
programme, which helps customers quantify their savings objective effects compared to EUR 383 million in 2009. The result was
and to create a plan to reach it. achieved by improved operating results in most countries in 2010.
Market-related items and other impacts contributed EUR 44 million
Cross-selling voluntary savings products to existing clients is one of to the result compared to EUR 18 million in 2009.
the major drivers that will help boost earnings to an expected 15%
growth rate a year. In addition, early results from Chile show there The operating result of EUR 472 million in 2010 rose by 29.3% or
was higher than 30% productivity from sales and lower distribution 11.6% excluding currency effects from EUR 365 million in 2009,
costs, as a result of the wealth management initiatives, which lifted driven by higher operating income, partly offset by moderate
ING to the largest provider in the tax incentive voluntary savings growth in expenses.
market with 21.7% market share.
The life operating income increased 20.6% or 6.2% excluding
SulAmérica currency effects to EUR 1,618 million in 2010 from EUR 1,342
ING’s joint venture in SulAmérica is expected to contribute to million in 2009. The increase was attributable to higher fees and
growth at Insurance Latin America. SulAmérica is the largest premium-based revenues driven by volume growth in most
countries as well as an ongoing improvement in the investment
independent multi-line insurance company in Brazil by total margin reflecting increased investment income, growth in general
premiums and market capitalisation, and has posted strong account assets and reinvestment of cash in longer-duration assets.
earnings growth since its listing as a public company in 2007.
Insurance continued
Life administrative expenses increased by a modest 7.8% but fell by 5,000 independent agencies and, on the bancassurance front,
3.6% excluding currency effects as a result of focus on cost ING’s products and services are sold through 1,802 branches.
discipline throughout the region. The life administrative expense
ratio improved to 27.3% from 30.5% in 2009. Deferred Acquisition In South Korea, Japan and Malaysia, ING holds key market positions
Cost (DAC) amortisation and trail commissions grew by 24.3% or and in 2010 worked to strengthen them further.
9.7% excluding currency effects from the previous year reflecting
currency impacts and business growth. Total life expenses grew by South Korea remains a key ING stronghold in Asia. ING Life Korea
17.4% or 4.2% excluding currency effects to EUR 1,151 million is the fourth largest insurer and the largest foreign insurer in the
versus EUR 980 million in 2009. country. It retained a AAA credit rating from Korea Ratings for the
fourth year in a row. In 2010, initial steps were taken to improve
New sales (APE) rose to EUR 1,389 million, up 35.6% or 20.6% tied agent productivity through new recruitment campaigns,
excluding currency effects from EUR 1,024 million in 2009. Sales enhanced training and more active management of agents, after
growth was driven by strong contributions from new products and sales had been under pressure for some time. In other business
bank distribution sales. developments, ING’s insurance joint venture with KB Financial
Group, KB Life, continued to grow strongly in 2010 and
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS bancassurance partnerships were strengthened.
Most of Asia recorded strong economic growth in 2010. Robust
domestic demand and trade within Asia boosted consumer ING’s Malaysian operations continued to perform well, where it
confidence, which in turn buoyed investor sentiment and led to leads the market in the employee benefits product line and is the
strong stock market growth. Despite some concerns about the third largest insurer in the individual life insurance segment. The
impact of economic restraint measures in China earlier in the business recorded strong growth in the number of tied agents, and
year, overseas funds continued to find a home in Asia’s the bancassurance partnership with Public Bank continued to reap
emerging markets. many benefits. New products were launched and bank distribution
was strengthened which helped boost sales. ING also successfully
Asian investor sentiment as measured by the ING Investor partnered with Public Bank to gain a Takaful licence. Takaful
Dashboard Survey was substantially more buoyant in 2010 when achieves similar objectives to those of conventional life insurance,
compared to the first half of 2009. By the third quarter of 2010, the but does so in a manner that is compliant with Islamic law. The
Survey’s Pan-Asia index was up 100% on the financial crisis low in Takaful business is expected to begin operations in the first half of
the fourth quarter of 2008. 2011, and is expected to have bright growth prospects. Asia is
home to 1.2 billion Muslims (68% of the global Muslim
ING was well-positioned to benefit as the life insurance and population) and in Malaysia, there are 15 million Muslims who
pensions sectors regained momentum. make up 60% of the population.
Insurance Asia/Pacific is one of the largest foreign insurers in Asia ING Life Japan continued to build on the success of its COLI
with nine insurance companies in seven countries: China, Hong (Corporate Owned Life Insurance) business. It has consistently
Kong, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, India and Thailand. maintained a market-leading position with a strong product line-up
and extensive network of distribution partners. Sales were very
2010 was a year of robust commercial momentum for Insurance strong in 2010 and were boosted early in the year with the launch
Asia/Pacific driven by brisk sales in Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, of a new COLI cancer product and further supported by a new
and from KB Life in Korea and ING-BoB Life in China. This was COLI increasing term product in the fourth quarter. ING will explore
driven by the introduction of new products and successful opportunities to expand its product offering in this market and
bancassurance partnerships. plans to revive distribution relationships with a selected number of
Japanese financial institutions to boost sales.
ING concentrates on markets expected to show strong growth.
Growth in the region is based on higher levels of income and Strong performance in Hong Kong was driven by robust new sales
greater demand for wealth protection. Changing demographics is of endowment products Easy Grow and Easy Builder, both
also a major growth driver where the rising number of middle age launched during the first half of 2010, coupled with success in the
and retired people are expected to boost demand for savings, bancassurance channel. New sales were up 51% year on year,
retirement and health products and services. excluding FX, and the bank distribution channel contributed 41%
of new sales compared with 23% in the previous year.
Capturing growth
In 2010, ING focused on capturing growth by strengthening Greenfields in Rest of Asia
preferred banking partnerships, enhancing tied agency productivity In Thailand, ING’s bancassurance relationship with TMB Bank
and diversifying its product mix through new sales campaigns and remained the key driver of growth. Further work was done to
product innovation. improve productivity in the tied agency channel.
In Asia/Pacific, ING sells insurance and wealth management ING Life in India continued to strengthen its partnership with
products mainly through its extensive tied agency force, but also ING Vysya Bank to benefit from the bank’s rapid branch expansion.
has access to customers through a number of preferred bank ING is most active in the four southern states of India.
partnerships. Sales are also made through direct marketing and
independent agents. There are 20,371 tied agents, more than In China, ING focused on its insurance joint venture with
Beijing Capital Group, ING Capital Life, after a strategic review of its
Insurance continued
Investment management
> AuM of EUR 387 billion, making ING IM one FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
of the top-25 asset managers in the world Assets under management (AuM) increased by 12.8% or
EUR 43.8 billion to EUR 387 billion at year-end 2010. Foreign
> 72% of AuM performed above benchmark exchange impact and market performance were responsible for
> Moved to skills-based multi-boutique structure EUR 23.1 billion and EUR 24.6 billion of the increase respectively.
There was a net outflow of EUR 3.7 billion as a result of
In 2010, ING Investment Management (ING IM) continued to EUR 125.5 billion of outflows and EUR 121.8 billion of inflows.
enhance its investment capabilities and pursued business
development opportunities by operating as a globally coordinated At year-end 2010, assets managed for retail clients increased
business. There was a continued focus on cost control, but the slightly to 39% from 37% of total AuM at year-end 2009.
emphasis remained on growing revenues and improving investment General account assets (proprietary) increased to 37% of total
performance. The business moved to pool its investment expertise AuM while the institutional clients segment decreased to 24%.
around the world and boost investment performance by The composition of fixed income, equity and money market
implementing a skills-based multi-boutique structure. Performance investments was 64%, 31% and 5% respectively of total AuM.
was strong with all asset classes (equity, fixed income, multi assets)
outperforming their respective aggregated benchmarks over the Underlying result before tax increased by EUR 4 million to
past 12 months. EUR 173 million in 2010 as a result of a EUR 30 million reduction
in negative revaluations in private equity investments and the
reversal of an impairment on assets in India (EUR 8 million),
which were offset by a EUR 35 million lower operating result.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
ING IM is the principal investment manager of ING Group. It helps
ING Group deliver on its strategy of helping customers to manage
their financial future. ING IM’s wide distribution reach and strong
and unique emerging markets presence, together with its scale in
fixed income, strong brand recognition and access to a global
network of ING channels continued to position ING IM well in
gaining new business as markets continued to recover in a volatile
year, marked by intense competition. All three regions – Europe,
Americas and Asia/Pacific – focused on delivering a wide range of
investment strategies and services to ING’s global network On the retail front, ABN AMRO in the Netherlands began to
of businesses and third-party clients. distribute nine ING IM mutual funds. The former Fortis Bank
Nederland, now integrated with ABN AMRO, has offered
ING IM’s performance was very strong in all client categories: ING IM products for some time.
general account (ING Insurance), affiliated distribution
(business sold via ING channels) and third-party retail and As announced in 2009, ING IM outsourced the funds
institutional. For ING Insurance, ING IM contributed to an administration, custody and transfer agent functions of its
investment spread of 93 basis points based on a four-quarter Luxembourg fund range to Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) in
rolling average compared to 83 basis points for the previous year. order to offer its unit holders a-best-in-class operational service.
FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE In 2010, ING IM took many initiatives to offer its clients a broad,
2010 marked the first year that the ING IM business was managed balanced and competitive fund range. The transition to BBH allows
as a separate business within ING Insurance/IM, recognising the ING IM to add other major benefits, including a fixed service fee,
importance of a strong local presence in regions and markets in shorter trading and settlement cycles, and the provision of more
Europe, the Americas and Asia/Pacific. hedged-share classes.
Combining all three businesses allowed for an enhanced, unified ING IM AMERICAS
strategy across the three regions and provided further synergy In 2010 ING IM Americas saw a successful transition to arm’s-
opportunities in distribution and sales as well as in manufacturing, length pricing for the ING Insurance General Account, along with
operations and administration. a deepening of the partnership with Insurance clients in managing
their portfolios, capital and liquidity needs.
ING IM concentrated mainly on improving performance across all
asset classes, delivering superior client service, enhancing risk The partnership with ING’s US Retirement business was further
management, exploiting synergies between the regional ING IM strengthened, highlighted by a tripling of Stable Value product
businesses, and upgrading systems and infrastructure. sales to USD 3.6 billion through the third quarter of the year.
There was also improved performance and growth in the ING IM
It strengthened partnerships with ING businesses and developed managed Target Date funds.
third-party business opportunities. The emphasis was on
accelerating the growth in revenues and assets under management, The strong track record in investment performance in US equities
working more cost efficiently and building a common culture and and fixed income continued. In fixed income, a new investment
set of values within the business. team, put in place in 2009, achieved a strong recovery in
performance, after a decline in 2008. In US equities, it was the sixth
In 2010, ING IM further sharpened its investment performance by consecutive year of good investment performance.
implementing a skills-based multi-boutique structure. Boutiques
pool the investment talent and skills of different regions into an A special distribution division was created to focus on capturing a
internationally coordinated investment team. This structure has larger share of fund business from ING affiliate businesses,
helped to deliver strong investment performance over the last one reflecting the importance of this business. Investments were made
and-a-half to two years. to enhance retail and institutional distribution and marketing teams.
ING IM Americas launched the ING Infrastructure, Industrials and
Various funds were launched for global sales. These funds included Materials Fund, a closed end fund, in January 2010.
the ING (L) Invest Renta Fund Europe High Yield (produced by the
Global Credit boutique), the ING (L) Invest Commodity Enhanced Latin America recorded another strong year of performance,
Fund and the ING (L) Invest Brazil Focus Fund. extending its solid track record in the mandatory pension market.
ING IM partnered ING’s insurance and pension businesses in the
In addition, ING IM established a single research platform, bringing roll-out of a wealth management platform. The global
together internal and external research and leveraging the best attractiveness of the region was reflected in the successful launch
research capabilities from across the regional businesses. of a new Latin America fund at ING IM Taiwan.
Fund ratings agency Morningstar awarded the ING Global ING IM ASIA/PACIFIC
Opportunities Fund the best worldwide large cap equity fund in six Despite ongoing global economic uncertainty, ING IM Asia/Pacific
countries: France, Austria, Spain, Singapore Hong Kong and the managed to book significant new and prestigious business. On the
Netherlands. The fund also won ‘Best global equity fund over a institutional side, numerous mandates were won by IM’s offices in
three-year period’ at the Thomson Reuter Lipper 2010 awards. Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia and Australia. Japan garnered an
Emerging Market Debt sub-advisor mandate of more than USD
ING IM EUROPE 1 billion from a major financial institution. On the retail front,
ING IM’s Institutional clients Netherlands division adjusted its sales Taiwan successfully launched a high yield bond fund of funds as well
focus in acknowledgement of the shift in the market from Defined as a Brazil fund, achieving USD 200 million and USD 150 million
Benefit to Defined Contribution pension funds, the consolidation of respectively during the initial funding period. India was very
pension funds and the shift from mandate-driven to solutions- successful in growing its Portfolio Management Service (PMS) book.
driven business.
ING IM recorded a strong increase in the number of funds Report of the Executive Board
registered. There were 21 new funds registered in Korea. Four new The Corporate governance section starting on page 78 and the
funds were registered each in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and three paragraphs of the Remuneration report ‘Remuneration policy
were registered in Singapore. In 2010, many awards were won. for senior management’ and ‘Senior management remuneration
These included the AsianInvestor 2010 Investment Performance structure 2011’ on page 81 are incorporated by reference in this
Awards for institutional funds management in the category of Asia Report of the Executive Board.
fixed income; the Asia Asset Management Institutional Fund House
Taiwan 2009 Award; the ASEAN Most Innovative Investment AMSTERDAM, 14 MARCH 2011
Manager title in Malaysia – and the Asset Manager of the Year THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
2010 award in the Philippines by The Asset magazine.
The Supervisory Board visited the main ING data centre during
its annual Supervisory Board Knowledge Day in January 2010.
The objective was to update the Supervisory Board members on
new technologies as well as the development and the future
strategic direction of the ING data centres. During the Knowledge
Day, the Supervisory Board was also updated on developments
concerning IFRS for financial instruments. In addition to the annual
Knowledge Day an Audit Committee Knowledge session took place
in March 2010. The Dutch central bank gave a presentation on
banking supervision during the Audit Committee Knowledge
session. Furthermore, several educational presentations on specific
topics were given to the Supervisory Board during the year.
Also in January 2010, the Supervisory Board held its annual full-day
meeting on ING’s strategy and the 2010 Financial Plan, including
the related risks. The Supervisory Board extensively discussed the
possible strategies for the coming three years focusing on customer
centricity, preparing for the separation of the banking and
insurance operations and on generating capital and cash flow to
repay the Dutch State. The ambitions for the new banking and
insurance organisation were also discussed as well as the Dutch
Banking Code. The Supervisory Board approved the 2010 Financial
Plan and ING’s strategic direction. The opportunity for appeal
against the decision of the European Commission regarding certain
elements in the Restructuring Plan was discussed and supported by
the Supervisory Board.
were reviewed in the year as three years had passed since Board made several suggestions regarding strategic discussions,
acquisition of these entities. the earlier distribution of financial information and educational
topics. The Supervisory Board also discussed the functioning of
In May, the Supervisory Board was updated on the development the Executive and Management Boards.
of the bank strategy following separation and discussed the
five-year financial plan for insurance. Taking into account the AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS
uncertain outlook for the real estate market the Supervisory Board In 2010, the Audit Committee met five times, with no absentees,
reviewed possible measures regarding ING’s real estate exposure. to discuss the annual and quarterly results and the annual US GAAP
results. The development of the insurance results, the real estate
In June, the turbulence in the eurozone was tabled for the exposure and cost development within ING, as well as
Supervisory Board meeting and possible consequences for ING in a management actions concerned, were discussed several times
number of potential scenarios were discussed. Group HR presented during the year.
an update of Leadership development within ING. Several senior
managers and talents were introduced to the Supervisory Board In the second half of the year, the exposure of ING in Greece and
during a number of dinners with the Supervisory Board, other Southern European countries, including Spain, was a topic of
the Executive Board and the Management Boards frequent debate. The Audit Committee was regularly updated on
Banking and Insurance. the capital position of the bank and insurance business as well as
on the developments regarding the Solvency II and Basel III
In August, the Supervisory Board was informed in detail about the regulations. After the summer an extensive discussion took place
developments of the insurance business in the US including possible on the development of the insurance business in the US, focusing
measures to be taken. A discussion took place on ING’s corporate on the Variable Annuities business and the accounting method for
responsibility policy and the implementation of ING’s Business insurance in the US. In November a number of measures to mitigate
Principles within the business also in light of the Corporate the issues at ING Insurance US were presented to the Audit
Governance Code. The Supervisory Board was updated on the Committee. Other topics discussed in the meetings were capital
effect of the new Basel III regulation on the core Tier 1 ratio management, internal control and regulatory matters.
and on the implementation of the Solvency II regulations.
RISK COMMITTEE MEETINGS
In September, the Supervisory Board visited ING Belgium in The Risk Committee met four times with no absentees. In each Risk
Brussels. During this visit the Supervisory Board was informed Committee meeting the financial risk reports for Banking, Insurance
extensively on the activities of ING in Belgium and exchanged ideas and Group and the non-financial risk reports for banking and
on ING Belgium in a joint meeting with the Supervisory Board of insurance were discussed. Management reported on the outcome
ING Belgium. Furthermore the Supervisory Board was updated on of stress tests for banking and insurance. In May an extensive
the performance of the insurance business and on the discussion took place on the eurozone turmoil and the possible
developments regarding the Basel III and Solvency II risks for ING. The Risk Committee closely monitored the effect of
regulations and the implementation within ING. the non-financial risk mitigating activities during the year. Each
meeting ended with a general discussion on possible future risks.
Given the underlying result of ING Insurance US over the third
quarter which was affected by various non-operating impacts, NOMINATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS
management presented several measures to the Supervisory Board The Nomination Committee met once with one absentee in 2010,
in November to mitigate the issues in the US. Furthermore, the to discuss the future composition of the Supervisory Board and its
Supervisory Board supported the choice of a divestment strategy committees as well as the succession planning of the Executive
base case of a European-led IPO and a US-focused IPO. In Board and the Management Boards. The Nomination Committee
November, the implementation of the strategy for the bank was advised positively on a number of Supervisory Board candidates for
presented to the Supervisory Board as well as the implementation appointment in the 2011 annual General Meeting. The Nomination
of the Dutch Banking Code. Committee discussed various appointments in the Management
Boards Banking and Insurance which were publicly announced
During the internal meetings of the Supervisory Board (Supervisory in November.
Board meetings in most cases with the CEO present), the
Supervisory Board approved the proposed new remuneration policy REMUNERATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS
on the basis of the Dutch Banking Code. The Executive Board 2009 The Remuneration Committee met four times in 2010.
performance assessments and performance objectives for 2010 Two members were absent once at the Remuneration Committee
were also approved. The possible consequences of the new EU meetings. The first two meetings focused on finalising the new
Capital Requirements Directive (CRD III) for the new ING remuneration policy based on the Dutch Banking Code.
compensation policy were a topic of discussion later in the year. An independent external adviser assisted the Remuneration
The succession planning for the Executive Board positions was also Committee in assessing the new remuneration policy. In February,
discussed in a number of internal Supervisory Board meetings. In the 2009 performance of the individual Executive Board and
November, the Supervisory Board discussed the proposed Management Board members was discussed on the basis of
candidates for the Management Board Insurance and the the Group performance criteria and the individual targets.
Management Board Banking as well as the compensation proposals The proposed 2010 performance objectives for the Executive Board
for these candidates. The outcome of the annual Supervisory Board and the Management Boards were decided upon as well. In April,
self-assessment through a questionnaire was reviewed by the the Remuneration Committee advised positively on the adjusted
Supervisory Board in a meeting with only the Supervisory Board remuneration policy for senior management. In November,
members present. To improve its functioning, the Supervisory the Remuneration Committee discussed the possible impact of
COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND THE Resignation of Godfried van der Lugt
MANAGEMENT BOARDS
In mid-2009, separate Banking and Insurance Boards were Godfried van der Lugt joined the Supervisory Board in 2001. He
introduced to simplify the governance structure and to further became a member of the Audit Committee in November 2005
increase business focus. Jan Hommen, Patrick Flynn and and a member of the Risk Committee in August 2009. He was
Koos Timmermans remained members of the Executive Board scheduled to retire from the Supervisory Board after the annual
while also becoming members of the Management Boards Banking General Meeting in May, having agreed to stay on for one more
and Insurance. Eric Boyer de la Giroday, Eli Leenaars and Hans van year at the request of ING, considering his banking experience
der Noordaa became members of the Management Board Banking. and ING background as well as the requirements of the Dutch
Tom McInerney and Matthew Rider (as of 1 January 2010) became Banking Code. For personal reasons Godfried van der Lugt
members of the Management Board Insurance. As of 1 January resigned from the Supervisory Board as of 24 January 2011.
2011, William Connelly was appointed as CEO of Commercial
Banking and member of the Management Board Banking, With his background, Godfried van der Lugt made an important
succeeding Eric Boyer who continued in his role as vice-chairman of contribution to the discussions in the Supervisory Board, the Audit
the Management Board Banking. As of 1 January 2011, Lard Friese Committee and the Risk Committee. His extensive experience in
was appointed to the Management Board Insurance with the financial industry and his awareness of the historic perspective
responsibility for the Benelux, Central and Rest of Europe and were of great value. The members of the Supervisory Board, the
Asia/Pacific. Gilbert Van Hassel was appointed to the Management Executive Board and the Management Boards greatly valued his
Board Insurance as of 1 January 2011 with responsibility for ING opinion in the decision-making and would like to thank him for
Investment Management. In light of the developments described his strong personal contribution.
above, Tom McInerney stepped down from his positions as chief
operating officer Insurance and member of the Management Retirement of Claus Dieter Hoffmann
Board Insurance as of 1 January 2011.
Upon his request, Claus Dieter Hoffmann will not be nominated
COMPOSITION OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD for reappointment taking into account that he will reach the age of
Piet Hoogendoorn, Harish Manwani and Karel Vuursteen did not 70 in 2012. Claus Dieter Hoffmann was appointed as a member of
apply for reappointment and retired from the Supervisory Board the Supervisory Board and the Audit Committee in 2003. He
and the relevant Supervisory Board committees following the stepped down from the Audit Committee and joined the
General Meeting in April 2010. No new members were appointed Corporate Governance Committee in January 2008 and became a
to the Supervisory Board in 2010. Jackson Tai resigned from the member of the Risk Committee in August 2009.
Supervisory Board as of 6 January 2011. Godfried van der Lugt
resigned from the Supervisory Board as of 24 January 2011. The Claus Dieter Hoffmann contributed substantially to the Supervisory
composition of the Supervisory Board committees did not change Board, the Audit Committee and later to the Corporate
other than mentioned. Governance Committee and the Risk Committee because of
his knowledge of fundamental management and business topics.
Claus Dieter Hoffmann will not apply for reappointment for one His insight into German and European matters has been of great
year and will retire from the Supervisory Board after the annual value to ING. The members of the Supervisory Board, the
General Meeting in May 2011. The Supervisory Board has Executive Board and the Management Boards would like to thank
nominated three candidates for appointment: Sjoerd van Keulen, him for his large commitment to ING during the past eight years.
Joost Kuiper and Luc Vandewalle. For the proposed appointments
approval has been obtained from the Dutch central bank.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information, see the section on Corporate
governance (pages 59–70) and the Remuneration report (pages
78–85), which are deemed to be incorporated by reference here.
Corporate governance
This section discusses the application by ING Groep N.V. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
(‘ING Group’) of the Dutch Corporate Governance Code effective LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
as from 1 January 2009 (‘Corporate Governance Code’) and On 1 January 2010, the Dutch Banking Code (Code Banken)
provides information on the share capital and control, the became effective. For more information, please refer to the
Executive Board, the Supervisory Board and the external auditor. paragraph ‘Corporate Governance Codes’ below.
This section, including the parts of this Annual Report incorporated
by reference, together with the separate publication ‘ING’s On 1 July 2010, the bill on shareholders’ rights
implementation of the Dutch Corporate Governance Code’ dated (wet aandeelhoudersrechten) came into force. The relevant
April 2010, on the website of the Company (www.ing.com), also provisions of this bill will apply for the first time at the 2011
serves as the ‘corporate governance statement’ referred to in annual General Meeting.
section 2a of the Decree with respect to the contents of the annual
report (Besluit tot vaststelling van nadere voorschriften omtrent In addition, several legislative proposals are under discussion in or
de inhoud van het jaarverslag)(1). were adopted in 2010 by the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament,
or are under discussion in the Upper House of the Dutch
Parliament. It concerns, among other things, the bill on revision and
claw back of executive bonuses and profit-sharing of directors
(wetsvoorstel aanpassing en terugvordering van bonussen en
winstdelingen van bestuurders en dagelijks beleidsbepalers en
deskundigheidstoetsing van commissarissen) and the bill on
management and supervision (wetsvoorstel aanpassing regels over
bestuur en toezicht in naamloze en besloten vennootschappen).
If enacted, these legislative proposals may affect ING Group.
SHAREHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND POSITION OF ING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DUTCH AND US CORPORATE
TRUST OFFICE (STICHTING ING AANDELEN) GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
During the years 2007–2010, participation of shareholders, In conformity with regulation from the US Securities and Exchange
excluding the ING Trust Office, and depositary-receipt holders in Commission, ING Group as a foreign private issuer whose securities
annual General Meetings consistently increased from 36.7% to are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (‘NYSE’) must disclose in
41.3%. Only the extraordinary General Meeting of 25 November its Annual Report on Form 20-F any significant differences between
2009 showed a deviation from this trend with a markedly lower its corporate governance practices and those applicable to US
turnout of 31.1%. domestic companies under the NYSE listing standards.
In view of the above, the Executive Board and the Supervisory ING Group believes the following to be the significant differences
Board evaluated the position of the ING Trust Office and ING between its corporate governance practices and NYSE corporate
Group’s depositary-receipts structure, the outcome of which was governance rules applicable to US companies:
discussed in the 2010 annual General Meeting. On the basis of • ING Group has a two-tier board structure, in contrast to the
this evaluation, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board one-tier board structure used by most US companies. In the
concluded that it would be premature to change or abolish ING Netherlands, a public limited liability company (naamloze
Group’s depositary-receipts structure in 2010 and that it would be vennootschap) has an Executive Board as its management body
more appropriate to reconsider this as part of a re-evaluation of and a Supervisory Board which advises and supervises the
ING Group’s entire governance structure following the current Executive Board. In general, members of the Executive Board
restructuring of ING Group and the completion of the divestments are employees of the company while members of the
approved in the 2009 extraordinary General Meeting. Supervisory Board are often former state or business leaders and
sometimes former members of the Executive Board. Members of
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODES the Executive Board and other officers and employees cannot
COMPLIANCE WITH THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE simultaneously be a member of the Supervisory Board. The
For its corporate governance structure and practices, ING Group Supervisory Board must approve specified decisions of the
uses the Corporate Governance Code as reference. The Corporate Executive Board. Under the Corporate Governance Code, all
Governance Code can be downloaded from the website of the members of the Supervisory Board with the exception of not
Monitoring Commission Dutch Corporate Governance Code (www. more than one person, must be independent. All members of
commissiecorporategovernance.nl/Corporate_Governance_Code). ING Group’s Supervisory Board are independent within the
The application of the Corporate Governance Code in 2010 is meaning of the Corporate Governance Code. The definitions of
described in the publication ‘ING’s implementation of the Dutch independence under the Corporate Governance Code, however,
Corporate Governance Code’, dated April 2010, on the website of differ in their details from the definitions of independence under
the Company (www.ing.com), which is to be read in conjunction the NYSE listing standards. In some cases the Dutch
with this section and is deemed to be incorporated into this section. requirements are stricter and in other cases the NYSE listing
standards are the stricter of the two. The Audit Committee, Risk
DUTCH BANKING CODE Committee, Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee
The Banking Code is applicable to ING Bank N.V. and not to ING and Corporate Governance Committee of ING Group are
Group. The Banking Code can be downloaded from the website of comprised of members of the Supervisory Board.
the Dutch Banking Association (www.nvb.nl). The principles of the • In contrast to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Corporate
Banking Code as a whole are considered as a reference by ING Governance Code contains an ‘apply-or-explain’ principle,
Bank N.V. and their application is described in the publication offering the possibility to deviate from the Corporate
‘Application of the Dutch Banking Code by ING Bank N.V.’ on the Governance Code as long as any such deviations are explained.
website of the Company (www.ing.com). To the extent that such deviations are approved by the General
Meeting, the company is deemed to be in full compliance with
However, ING Group voluntarily applies the principles of the the Corporate Governance Code.
Banking Code regarding remuneration with respect to the • Dutch law requires that the company’s external auditors
members of its Executive Board, and considers these principles as a be appointed at the general meeting and not by the
reference for its own corporate governance. ING Group’s Audit Committee.
remuneration policy for the Executive Board and Senior • The articles of association of ING Group (‘Articles of
Management is in agreement with these principles. The remaining Association’) provide that there are no quorum requirements
principles of the Banking Code are not considered as a reference for to hold a general meeting, although certain shareholder actions
ING Group’s own corporate governance, although the application and certain resolutions may require a quorum.
thereof by ING Bank N.V. and its subsidiaries will be reflected to a • The shareholder approval requirements for equity compensation
certain extent in ING Group’s own corporate governance structure plans under Dutch law and the Corporate Governance Code
and corporate governance practices. differ from those applicable to US companies which are subject
to the NYSE’s listing rules. Under Dutch company law and the
Corporate Governance Code, shareholder approval is only
required for equity compensation plans (or changes thereto) for
members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board, and not
for equity compensation plans for other groups of employees.
The holder of a depositary receipt is entitled to receive from ING TRANSFER OF SHARES AND DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS AND
Trust Office payment of dividends and other distributions TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
corresponding to the dividends and other distributions received by Shares are transferred by means of a deed of transfer between
ING Trust Office on an ordinary share. the transferor and the transferee. To become effective, ING Group
has to acknowledge the transfer, unless ING Group itself is a party
The Board of ING Trust Office currently comprises four members to the transfer. The Articles of Association do not restrict the
who are independent of ING Group. No Executive Board members transfer of ordinary shares, whereas the transfer of cumulative
or former Executive Board members, Supervisory Board members preference shares is subject to prior approval of the Executive
or former Supervisory Board members, ING Group employees or Board. The Articles of Association and the trust conditions for
former ING Group employees or permanent advisors or former registered shares in the share capital of ING Group (‘Trust
permanent advisors are on the Board of ING Trust Office. The Conditions’) do not restrict the transfer of depositary receipts for
Board of ING Trust Office appoints its own members, without any shares. ING Group is not aware of the existence of any agreement
requirement for approval by ING Group. pursuant to which the transfer of ordinary shares or depositary
receipts for such shares is restricted.
The Board of ING Trust Office reports on its activities through an
annual report, which has been included on pages 71–73.
Details of investors, if any, who have reported their interest in ING In the event that non-public price sensitive information is
Group pursuant to the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het inadvertently disclosed during any bilateral contacts, ING Group
financieel toezicht) (or the predecessor of this legislation) are shown will publicly announce such information as soon as possible.
on page 10. ING Group is not aware of shareholders, potential
shareholders or investors with an interest of 5% or more in ING Group may decide not to accommodate or accept any request
ING Group other than the ING Trust Office and the or invitation for entering into a dialogue with (potential) investors.
ING Continuity Foundation. In considering any such invitation or request, ING Group may
request disclosure of the interests in the capital of ING Group held
INVESTOR RELATIONS AND BILATERAL CONTACTS by the person(s) seeking to enter into a dialogue with ING Group
WITH INVESTORS and a substantiation and explanation of their intentions with
ING Group encourages and recognises the importance of bilateral respect to their interests in ING Group.
communication with the investment community. Communications
with current and potential shareholders, depositary receipt holders, ING Group is actively covered by approximately 25 analysts who
bondholders, and industry analysts is actively managed by the frequently issue reports on the company. A list of these analysts
Investor Relations department. can be found within the Investor Relations section of the
company website.
ING Group strives to provide clear, accurate and timely financial
information that is in strict compliance with the applicable rules and During 2010, ING Group did not provide any form of compensation
regulations, in particular those concerning selective disclosure, price to parties that are directly or indirectly involved with the production
sensitive information and equal treatment. In addition to the annual or publication of analysts’ reports, with the exception of
General Meeting, ING Group communicates with its shareholders credit-rating agencies.
and the investment community through earnings announcements,
presentations, and meetings with analysts or investors. In 2010, ING Group hosted one Investor Day in April, and presented
at six industry conferences throughout the course of the year. In
total, there were approximately 275 meetings with institutional
investors and/or analysts, which took place in 22 different cities.
The geographical distribution of ING Group’s investor base is
diverse – an estimated 38% of shares outstanding are held in to attend the general meeting and to exercise other rights related
the US, 33% in the Benelux, 17% in the UK, 7% in Switzerland to the general meeting in question on the basis of their holding at
and 5% in the rest of the world. Please refer to the ‘ING share’ the record date, notwithstanding a subsequent sale or purchase of
chapter for more details. shares or depositary receipts for shares. The record date is
published in the notice for the general meeting. In accordance with
GENERAL MEETING US requirements, the depositary sets a record date for the
FREQUENCY, NOTICE AND AGENDA OF GENERAL MEETINGS American Depositary Shares (‘ADSs’), which date determines which
General meetings are normally held each year in April or May, ADSs are entitled to give voting instructions. This record date can
to discuss the course of business in the preceding financial year on differ from the record date set by ING Group for shareholders and
the basis of the reports prepared by the Executive Board and the holders of depositary receipts.
Supervisory Board, and to decide on the distribution of dividends or
other distributions, the appointment and/or reappointment of ATTENDING GENERAL MEETINGS
members of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board (if any), For logistical reasons, attendance at a general meeting by
other items requiring shareholder approval under Dutch law, and shareholders and holders of depositary receipts, either in person or
any other matters proposed by the Supervisory Board, the Executive by proxy, is subject to the requirement that ING Group is notified in
Board or shareholders or holders of depositary receipts in advance. Instructions to that effect are included in the notice for
accordance with the Articles of Association. the general meeting.
Meetings are convened by public notice via the website of ING General meetings are webcasted via the Company’s website
Group (www.ing.com) no later than on the forty-second day before (www.ing.com), so that shareholders and holders of depositary
the day of the general meeting. As of the date of convening a receipts who do not attend the general meeting in person, may
general meeting, all information relevant for shareholders and nevertheless follow the course of affairs in the meeting by
holders of depositary receipts is made available to them on this internet webcast.
website and at the ING Group head office.
VOTING RIGHTS ON SHARES
This information includes the notice for the general meeting, the Each share entitles the holder to cast one vote at the general
agenda, the place and time of the meeting, the address of the meeting. The Articles of Association do not restrict the voting
website of ING Group, the verbatim text of the proposals with an rights on any class of shares. ING Group is not aware of any
explanation and instructions on how to participate in the meeting agreement pursuant to which voting rights on any class of its
(either in person or by proxy), as well as the reports of the Executive shares are restricted.
Board and the Supervisory Board. More complex proposals such as
amendments to the Articles of Association are normally not VOTING ON THE ORDINARY SHARES BY HOLDERS OF
included in the notice but are made available separately on the DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS AS PROXY OF ING TRUST OFFICE
website of ING Group and at the ING Group head office. Although the depositary receipts for shares do not formally carry
any voting rights, holders of depositary receipts, in practice, rank
PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS AND HOLDERS OF equally with shareholders with regard to voting. ING Trust Office
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS will, subject to certain restrictions, grant a proxy to a holder of
Proposals to include items on the agenda for a general meeting depositary receipts allowing such holder, in the name of ING Trust
can be made by shareholders and holders of depositary receipts Office, to exercise the voting rights attached to the number of
representing a joint total of at least 0.1% of the share capital or ordinary shares that corresponds to the number of depositary
representing together, on the basis of the stock prices on Euronext receipts held by such holder of depositary receipts. On the basis
Amsterdam by NYSE Euronext, a share value of at least EUR 50 of such a proxy, the holder of depositary receipts may vote at his
million. Given the periods of notice required for proxy voting, or her own discretion.
proposals have to be submitted in writing at least 50 days before
the date of the meeting. Properly submitted proposals will be The following restrictions apply in respect of granting a voting
included on the agenda for the general meeting. proxy to holders of depositary receipts:
• the relevant holder of depositary receipts must have announced
DIALOGUE WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND HOLDERS OF his or her intention to attend the general meeting observing the
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS provisions laid down in the Articles of Association; and
In 2010, shareholders and holders of depositary receipts were • the relevant holder of depositary receipts may delegate the
allowed to ask questions about items on the agenda for the powers conferred upon him or her by means of the voting proxy,
annual General Meeting and they will be allowed to do so in 2011. provided that the relevant holder of depositary receipts has
Shareholders and holders of depositary receipts can visit the announced his or her intention to do so to ING Trust Office
website of ING Group (www.ing.com) to submit their questions. observing a term before the commencement of the general
meeting, which term will be determined by ING Trust Office.
RECORD DATE
Pursuant to Dutch law, the record date for attending a general VOTING INSTRUCTIONS OF HOLDERS OF DEPOSITARY
meeting and voting on the proposals in that general meeting is the RECEIPTS TO ING TRUST OFFICE
twenty-eighth day before the day of the general meeting. Holders of depositary receipts not attending a general meeting are
Shareholders and holders of depositary receipts who hold shares entitled to give binding instructions to ING Trust Office, concerning
and/or depositary receipts for shares at the record date are entitled ING Trust Office’s exercise of the voting rights attached to the
ordinary shares. ING Trust Office will follow such instructions for
such number of ordinary shares equal to the number of depositary
receipts for shares held by the relevant holder of depositary receipts. consequence of which ING Group or the group over which ING
ING Trust Office has made it easier for votes to be cast this way Group exercises central control ceases to engage in either insurance
by putting arrangements in place for proxy voting and e-voting. or banking activities.
PROFILE OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Resources, Corporate Development, Corporate Communications &
The Supervisory Board has drawn up a profile to be used as a basis Affairs, Public & Government Affairs and Corporate Audit Services.
for selecting members of the Executive Board. This Executive Board
profile was submitted for discussion to the General Meeting in PATRICK G. FLYNN, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
2010. It is available on the website of ING Group (www.ing.com) (Born 1960, Irish nationality, male; appointed in 2009,
and at the ING Group head office. term expires in 2013)
Patrick Flynn is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the
REMUNERATION AND SHARE OWNERSHIP Association of Corporate Treasurers in the UK. He also holds a
Details of the remuneration of members of the Executive Board, bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
including shares and/or option rights granted to them, together He was appointed a member of the Executive Board of ING Group
with additional information thereto, are provided in the on 27 April 2009. From 2007 to 2009, he was the chief financial
Remuneration report, starting on page 78. Members of the officer of HSBC Insurance Holdings Ltd. Patrick Flynn is responsible
Executive Board are permitted to hold shares and depositary for ING’s finance departments.
receipts for shares in the share capital of ING Group for long-term
investment purposes. Transactions by members of the Executive J.V. (KOOS) TIMMERMANS, CHIEF RISK OFFICER
Board in these shares and these depositary receipts for shares are (Born 1960, Dutch nationality, male; appointed in 2007,
subject to the ING regulations for insiders. These regulations are term expires in 2011)
available on the website of ING Group (www.ing.com). Koos Timmermans graduated from Erasmus University Rotterdam
with a master’s degree in Economics. Until 1991 he worked at ABN
ANCILLARY POSITIONS/CONFLICTING INTERESTS AMRO in the field of derivatives and for IBM’s European treasury he
No member of the Executive Board has corporate directorships at was stationed in Ireland. Koos Timmermans joined ING in 1996.
listed companies outside ING. This is in accordance with ING He performed various roles: head of Treasury ING Insurance, head
Group’s policy to avoid conflicts of interest. of Corporate Market Risk Management and from 2006 to 2007 he
was deputy chief risk officer of ING Group, until his appointment to
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL the Executive Board. Koos Timmermans is responsible for ING’s risk
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST departments including compliance.
In accordance with the Corporate Governance Code, transactions
with members of the Executive Board in which there are significant CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION
conflicting interests will be disclosed in the Annual Report. In In 2010 there were no changes in the composition of the
deviation of the Corporate Governance Code however, this does Executive Board.
not apply if (i) disclosure would be against the law; (ii) the
confidential, share-price sensitive or competition-sensitive character The current term of appointment of Koos Timmermans will expire
of the transaction prevents disclosure; and/or (iii) the information is at the end of the 2011 annual General Meeting. At this meeting he
so competition-sensitive that the disclosure could damage the will be nominated for reappointment.
competitive position of ING Group.
SUPERVISORY BOARD
Significant conflicting interests are considered to be absent and are APPOINTMENT AND DISMISSAL
not reported if a member of the Executive Board obtains financial Members of the Supervisory Board are appointed by the General
products and services, other than loans, which are provided by ING Meeting from a binding list to be drawn up by the Supervisory
Group subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business on terms Board. Pursuant to Dutch law, this list is to contain at least two
that apply to all employees. In connection with the foregoing, candidates for each vacancy, and if not, the list will be non-binding.
‘loans’ does not include financial products in which the granting With respect to the second candidate, ING Group’s policy is to
of credit is of a subordinated nature, e.g. credit cards and overdrafts propose retired senior managers or other high-ranking officers
in current account, because of a lack of materiality. who, in view of the forthcoming abolition of this requirement, do
not have to meet the independency requirements of the Corporate
INFORMATION ON MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Governance Code or the requirements of the Supervisory Board
JAN H.M. HOMMEN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Profile. The list will also be non-binding pursuant to a resolution to
(Born 1943, Dutch nationality, male; appointed in 2009, that effect of the General Meeting adopted by an absolute majority
term expires in 2013) of the votes cast which majority represents more than one-third of
Jan Hommen graduated with a master’s degree in Business the issued share capital. Candidates for appointment to the
Economics from Tilburg University. He was appointed a member of Supervisory Board must comply with the expertise and reliability
the Executive Board on 27 April 2009. He is also CEO of ING Bank requirements set out in the Dutch Financial Supervision Act.
N.V. and CEO of ING Verzekeringen N.V. Jan Hommen was a
member of the Supervisory Board of ING Group as of 1 June 2005 Members of the Supervisory Board may be suspended or
and became chairman of the Supervisory Board of ING Group in dismissed at any time by a majority resolution of the
January 2008. Until 1 May 2005, he was vice-chairman and chief General Meeting. A resolution to suspend or dismiss members
financial officer of Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. From 1975 to of the Supervisory Board that has not been brought forward by
1997, he worked for Alcoa Inc. From 1978, he worked at the Alcoa the Supervisory Board may only be adopted by the General
head office in the US, becoming chief financial officer in 1991. Meeting by an absolute majority of the votes cast which majority
Jan Hommen is a member of the board of Royal Concertgebouw represents more than one-third of the issued share capital.
Orchestra. Six Group staff departments report directly to
Jan Hommen: Corporate Legal Department, Corporate Human
In connection with the issue of the Securities to the Dutch State, Pursuant to the agreements concerning the transactions with
ING Group and the Dutch State agreed that the Dutch State may the Dutch State mentioned above, certain resolutions of the
recommend candidates for appointment to the Supervisory Board Supervisory Board are subject to the condition that no State
in such a way that upon appointment of all recommended Nominee voted against the proposal. These rights became effective
candidates by the General Meeting, the Supervisory Board would as from the 2009 annual General Meeting. These resolutions relate
comprise two State Nominees among its members. The Dutch State to the following matters:
may recommend a Supervisory Board member already in office. a. the issue or acquisition of its own shares by ING Group, other
The recommendation right of the Dutch State is subject to than related to the Securities issue (including, for the avoidance
applicable law and to corporate governance practices, generally of doubt, for the purpose of conversion or financing of a
accepted under stock exchange listing regimes applicable to repurchase of Securities), as part of regular hedging operations
ING Group and continues as long as the Dutch State holds at least or in connection with employment schemes;
250 million Securities, as long as the IABF continues or any of the b. the cooperation by ING Group in the issue of depositary receipts
Bonds is outstanding (whichever occurs last). Should the holding of for shares;
the Dutch State decrease below 250 million Securities, and both c. the application for listing on or removal from the price list of
the IABF and the Bonds have expired, the State Nominees will any stock exchange of the securities referred to in a. or b.;
remain in office and complete their term of appointment. d. the entry into or termination of lasting cooperation between
ING Group or a dependent company and another legal entity
Candidates recommended by the Dutch State will be nominated for or partnership or as general partner in a limited partnership
appointment by way of a binding nomination, unless one or more or general partnership where such cooperation or termination
specified situations would occur. These include that: thereof has material significance for ING Group, i.e. amounting
• the candidate is not fit and proper to discharge his duties to one-quarter or more of ING Group’s issued capital and
as a Supervisory Board member; reserves as disclosed in its balance sheet and notes thereto;
• upon appointment the composition of the Supervisory Board e. the acquisition by ING Group or a dependent company of a
would not be appropriate and/or not be in accordance with participating interest in the capital of another company
the Supervisory Board Profile; amounting to one-quarter or more of ING Group’s issued capital
• appointment would be incompatible with any provision of the and reserves as disclosed in its balance sheet and notes thereto
Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board Charter, any or a material increase or decrease in the magnitude of such a
principle or best-practice provision of the Corporate Governance participating interest;
Code as applied by ING Group and/or any other generally f. investments involving an amount equal to one-quarter or more
accepted corporate governance practice or requirement which is of ING Group’s issued capital and reserves as disclosed in its
applicable to ING Group as an internationally listed company; balance sheet and notes thereto;
• the relevant candidate has a structural conflict of interest g. a proposal to wind up ING Group;
with ING Group; and h. filing of a petition for bankruptcy or moratorium of ING Group;
• the Dutch central bank refuses to issue a statement of ‘no i. a proposal to reduce the issued capital of ING Group (other than
objection’ for the appointment of the relevant candidate. related to the Securities issue);
j. a proposal for merger, split-off or dissolution of ING Group;
The Dutch State recommended Lodewijk de Waal and k. a proposal to change ING Group’s remuneration policy; and
Tineke Bahlmann for appointment to the Supervisory Board, who l. appointment of the chief executive officer of the Executive Board.
were both appointed by the General Meeting on 27 April 2009.
PROFILE OF MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD
FUNCTION OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD The Supervisory Board has drawn up a profile to be used as a basis
The function of the Supervisory Board is to supervise the policy of for its composition. The profile was submitted for discussion to the
the Executive Board and the general course of events of ING Group General Meeting in 2010. It is available on the website of ING
and its business, as well as to provide advice to the Executive Board. Group (www.ing.com) and at the ING Group head office.
In line with Dutch company law, the Corporate Governance Code
and the Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board Charter In view of their experience and the valuable contribution that
requires all members of the Supervisory Board, including the State former members of the Executive Board can make to the
Nominees, to act in accordance with the interests of ING Group Supervisory Board, it has been decided, taking into account the size
and the business connected with it, taking into account the relevant of the Supervisory Board and ING’s wide range of activities that
interests of all the stakeholders of ING Group, to perform their such individuals may become members of the Supervisory Board of
duties without mandate and independent of any interest in the ING Group. There is, however, a restriction in that only one in every
business of ING Group, and to refrain from supporting one interest five other members of the Supervisory Board may be a former
without regard to the other interests involved. member of the Executive Board. In addition, this member must wait
at least one year after resigning from the Executive Board before
Certain resolutions of the Executive Board, specified in the Articles becoming eligible for appointment to the Supervisory Board.
of Association of ING Group, the Executive Board Charter and in Former members of the Executive Board are not eligible for
the Supervisory Board Charter, are subject to the approval of the appointment to the position of chairman of the Supervisory Board.
Supervisory Board.
After being appointed to the Supervisory Board, a former member
of the Executive Board may also be appointed to one of the
Supervisory Board’s committees. However, appointment to the Significant conflicting interests are considered to be absent in case
position of chairman of a committee is only possible if the individual of a relationship that a member of the Supervisory Board may have
in question resigned from the Executive Board at least four years with ING Group subsidiaries as an ordinary, private individual, with
prior to such appointment. the exception of any loans that may have been granted (for an
overview of loans granted to members of the Supervisory Board
TERM OF APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE see page 85).
SUPERVISORY BOARD
A member of the Supervisory Board retires no later than at the INDEPENDENCE
end of the first general meeting held four years after his or her last Annually, the members of the Supervisory Board are requested to
appointment or reappointment. In accordance with the Corporate assess whether the criteria of dependence set out in the Corporate
Governance Code, members of the Supervisory Board may as a Governance Code do not apply to them and to confirm this in
general rule be reappointed for two additional four-year terms. writing. On the basis of these criteria, all members of the
Under special circumstances however, the Supervisory Board may Supervisory Board are to be regarded as independent on
deviate from this general rule, among others in order to maintain a 31 December 2010. Members of the Supervisory Board to whom
balanced composition of the Supervisory Board and/or to preserve the independence criteria of the Corporate Governance Code do
valuable expertise and experience. As a general rule, members of not apply, and members of the Supervisory Board to whom the
the Supervisory Board shall also resign at the end of the annual criteria do apply but who can explain why this does not undermine
general meeting in the year in which they attain the age of 70 and their independence, are deemed to be independent.
shall not be reappointed. The schedule for resignation by rotation
is available on the website of ING Group (www.ing.com). COMPANY SECRETARY
ING Group’s company secretary is Jan-Willem Vink, general counsel
ANCILLARY POSITIONS/CONFLICTING INTERESTS of ING Group.
Members of the Supervisory Board are asked to provide details on
any other directorships, paid positions and ancillary positions they COMMITTEES OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD
may hold. Such positions may not conflict with the interests of ING On 31 December 2010, the Supervisory Board had five standing
Group. It is the responsibility of the individual member of the committees: the Audit Committee, the Risk Committee, the
Supervisory Board and the Corporate Governance Committee to Remuneration Committee, the Nomination Committee and the
ensure that the directorship duties are performed properly and are Corporate Governance Committee.
not affected by any other positions that the individual may hold
outside the Group. The organisation, powers and conduct of the Supervisory Board are
detailed in the Supervisory Board Charter. Separate charters have
In accordance with the Corporate Governance Code, members of been drawn up for the Audit Committee, Risk Committee, the
the Supervisory Board are to disclose material conflicts of interest Remuneration Committee, the Nomination Committee and the
and potential conflicts of interest and to provide all information Corporate Governance Committee. These charters are available on
relevant thereto. Thereupon the Supervisory Board – without the the website of ING Group (www.ing.com). A short description of
member concerned taking part – decides whether a conflict of the duties for the five Committees follows below.
interest exists. In special circumstances, the Supervisory Board may
deviate from this rule and decide that, notwithstanding the fact The Audit Committee assists the Supervisory Board in monitoring
that the matter would entail a conflict of interest according to the the integrity of the financial statements of ING Group, ING
Corporate Governance Code, a conflict of interest does not exist. Verzekeringen N.V. and ING Bank N.V., in monitoring the
This concerns in particular situations in which the conflict of interest compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and in
is based on a marriage that exists no longer, to allow for situations monitoring the independence and performance of ING’s internal
where there is no material family relation. and external auditors. On 31 December 2010, the members of the
Audit Committee were: Jackson Tai (chairman), Tineke Bahlmann,
In case of a conflict of interest, the relevant member of the Henk Breukink, Godfried van der Lugt and Jeroen van der Veer.
Supervisory Board, as the Corporate Governance Code
recommends, abstains from discussions and decision-making on The Supervisory Board has determined that Aman Mehta,
the topic or the transaction in relation to which he or she has a appointed to the Audit Committee per 14 February 2011, is a
conflict of interest with ING Group. financial expert as referred to in the Corporate Governance Code.
He has gathered his experience by serving as chief executive officer
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL of Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in Hong
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Kong.
In accordance with the Corporate Governance Code, transactions
with members of the Supervisory Board in which there are The Risk Committee assists and advises the Supervisory Board in
significant conflicting interests will be disclosed in the Annual monitoring the risk profile of ING Group as well as the structure
Report. In deviation of the Corporate Governance Code however, and operation of the internal risk management and control
this does not apply if (i) disclosure would be against the law; (ii) the systems. On 31 December 2010, the members of the Risk
confidential, share-price sensitive or competition-sensitive character Committee were: Peter Elverding (chairman), Tineke Bahlmann,
of the transaction prevents disclosure; and/or (iii) the information is Claus Dieter Hoffmann, Piet Klaver, Godfried van der Lugt
so competition-sensitive that disclosure could damage the and Jackson Tai.
competitive position of ING Group.
The Remuneration Committee advises the Supervisory Board, INFORMATION ON MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD
among other things, on the terms and conditions of employment PETER A.F.W. ELVERDING (CHAIRMAN)
(including remuneration) of the members of the Executive Board (Born 1948, Dutch nationality, male; appointed in 2007,
and on the policies and general principles on which the terms and term expires in 2011)
conditions of employment of the members of the Executive Board Former chairman of the Managing Board of Directors of
and of senior managers of ING and its subsidiaries are based. Koninklijke DSM N.V. Former vice-chairman of the Supervisory
On 31 December 2010, the members of the Remuneration Board of De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. (Dutch central bank).
Committee were: Jeroen van der Veer (chairman), Peter Elverding, Other business activities: chairman of the Supervisory Board of
Piet Klaver, Joan Spero and Lodewijk de Waal. The Nomination Océ N.V. (listed company). Member of the Supervisory Board of
Committee advises the Supervisory Board, among other things, SHV Holdings N.V. Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Q-Park N.V.
on the composition of the Supervisory Board and Executive Board. Member of the Supervisory Board of Koninklijke FrieslandCampina
On 31 December 2010, the members of the Nomination N.V. Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Oostwegel Holding BV.
Committee were: Peter Elverding (chairman), Piet Klaver, Joan Member of the Board of Stichting Instituut GAK.
Spero, Jeroen van der Veer and Lodewijk de Waal.
JEROEN VAN DER VEER (VICE-CHAIRMAN)
The Corporate Governance Committee assists the Supervisory (Born 1947, Dutch nationality, male; appointed in 2009,
Board in monitoring and evaluating the corporate governance of term expires in 2013)
ING as a whole and the reporting thereon in the Annual Report Former chief executive officer of Royal Dutch Shell plc.
and to the General Meeting and advises the Supervisory Board on Other business activities: vice-chairman and senior independent
improvements. On 31 December 2010, the members of the director of Unilever N.V., non-executive director of Royal Dutch
Corporate Governance Committee were: Peter Elverding (chairman), Shell plc and member of the Supervisory Board of Koninklijke
Henk Breukink, Claus Dieter Hoffmann, Aman Mehta and Philips Electronics N.V. (listed companies). Member of the
Lodewijk de Waal. Supervisory Board of Het Concertgebouw N.V. Chairman of
Platform Bètatechniek. Chairman of the Supervisory Council
The current composition of the Supervisory Board Committees of Nederlands Openluchtmuseum. Member of the Board of
can be found on the Company’s website (www.ing.com), which Nationale Toneel (theatre).
is updated on a regular basis.
J.P. (TINEKE) BAHLMANN
REMUNERATION AND SHARE OWNERSHIP (Born 1950, Dutch nationality, female; appointed in 2009,
The remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board is term expires in 2013)
determined by the General Meeting and is not dependent on the Professor in Business Administration, University of Utrecht.
results of ING Group. Details of the remuneration are provided in Chairman of the Dutch Media Authority.
the Remuneration report on pages 84 and 85. Members of the Other business activities: vice-chairman of the Supervisory Board
Supervisory Board are permitted to hold shares and depositary of N.V. Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek ‘Nedap’ (listed company).
receipts for shares in the share capital of ING Group for long-term Member of the Board of Maatschappelijk Verantwoord
investment purposes. Details are given on page 85. Transactions by Ondernemen Nederland (CSR). Chairman of Stichting Max Havelaar.
members of the Supervisory Board in these shares and these Member of the Board of De Baak Management Centre VNO-NCW.
depositary receipts for shares are subject to the ING regulations for Member of the Board of Toneelgroep Amsterdam (theatre).
insiders. These regulations are available on the website of ING
Group (www.ing.com). HENK W. BREUKINK
(Born 1950, Dutch nationality, male; appointed in 2007,
term expires in 2011)
Former managing director of F&C and country head for F&C
Netherlands (asset management firm).
Other business activities: non-executive/vice-chairman of VastNed
Offices/Industrial (real estate fund) and non-executive director of
F&C hedge funds, Ireland (listed companies). Non-executive director
of Brink Groep BV. Non-executive chairman of Heembouw Holding
B.V. Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Omring (health care
institution). Member of the Supervisory Board of HaagWonen
(housing corporation). Senior executive coach.
JACKSON P. TAI
(Born 1950, American nationality, male; appointed in 2008,
resigned on 6 January 2011)
Former vice-chairman and chief executive officer of DBS Group
Holdings. Former managing director in the Investment Banking
Division of JP Morgan.
Other business activities: non-executive director of each of NYSE
Euronext, MasterCard Incorporated, CapitaLand, and Bank of
China Limited (pending regulatory approval). Non-executive
chairman and director of Brookstone, Inc. Trustee of Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute.
ACTIVITIES
BOARD MEETINGS AND MEETINGS WITH ING GROUP
During the 2010 reporting year, the board of ING Trust Office
(the ‘Board’) held nine meetings.
On 2 February 2010, the Board met to discuss the appeal with the
General Court of the European Union against specific elements of
the European Commission’s decision regarding ING’s restructuring
plan. The general counsel of ING Group was invited to the meeting
to give an explanation on this subject. During the same meeting,
without presence of the general counsel, the Board discussed,
among other things, the purported class litigation filed in the
US alleging violations of the federal securities laws with respect to
disclosures made in connection with the 2007 and 2008 offerings
of ING’s Perpetual Hybrid Capital Securities, the composition of the
Board and prepared for the annual General Meeting of ING Group
of 27 April 2010 (the ‘AGM’).
During this meeting the Board also discussed, among other things, of shares equal to the number of depositary receipts held by the
the position of ING Trust Office in general and prepared for the relevant holder of depositary receipts on the record date. During
AGM. After this meeting the Board met with the chairmen of the the AGM, ING Trust Office voted on these shares in accordance
Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of ING Group. During with the voting instructions given. A more detailed overview of
this meeting the Board asked for an explanation of, among other these voting results can be found on the website of ING Group
things, the implementation by ING Group of the revised Dutch (www.ing.com).
Corporate Governance Code.
In accordance with the Articles of Association and the Trust
On 27 April 2010, the Board convened before the AGM to discuss Conditions, ING Trust Office voted at its own discretion on the
the proxy voting results and to decide on the initial position of the shares for which it did not issue voting proxies and did not receive
Board vis-à-vis the items on the agenda of the AGM. voting instructions, representing 58.7% of the total votes that
might be cast at the AGM. In voting such shares, ING Trust Office
On 30 August 2010, the Board held a meeting to discuss, among was guided primarily by the interests of all holders of depositary
other things, the composition and profile of the Board and to receipts, taking into account the interests of ING Group and its
prepare for the meeting of holders of depositary receipts of affiliated enterprise. As a result, ING Trust Office voted on these
24 November 2010. During this meeting the Board also discussed shares in favour of all voting items on the agenda of the AGM.
the proposed amendments to the Articles of Association and the
trust conditions for registered shares in the share capital of ING ING Trust Office promotes the solicitation of proxies of shareholders
Group (the ‘Trust Conditions’). These amendments were of ING Group other than ING Trust Office itself and of specific
effectuated on 7 October 2010, as a result of which the proxies or voting instructions of holders of depositary receipts.
Articles of Association and the Trust Conditions are fully in ING Trust Office encourages the greatest possible participation of
line with the Dutch Corporate Governance Code. shareholders and holders of depositary receipts and promotes the
execution of voting rights in a transparent way. At the same time it
On 27 September 2010 the Board convened to discuss the prevents that a minority of shareholders and holders of depositary
procedure of appointment of members of the Board and to receipts could use a chance majority of votes to the disadvantage of
prepare for the meeting of holders of depositary receipts. the shareholders and holders of depositary receipts present nor
represented at a general meeting of ING Group.
On 28 October 2010 the Board met with the chairmen of the
Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of ING Group and MEETING OF HOLDERS OF DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
asked for an explanation of, among other things, the activities According to the Trust Conditions, ING Trust Office may consult
and performance of ING Group over the first six months of 2010 holders of depositary receipts in a separate meeting if and when it
on the basis of the press release of 11 August 2010. considers this necessary or desirable. In addition, one or more
holders of depositary receipts who jointly hold at least 10% of the
On 16 November 2010, the Board held a meeting to prepare total number of depositary receipts issued by ING Trust Office,
for the meeting of holders of depositary receipts. may request the Board in writing, setting out the matters to be
considered in detail, to convene a meeting of holders of
On 8 December 2010 the Board met to discuss, among other depositary receipts.
things, the proceedings at the meeting of holders of depositary
receipts and the composition of the Board. On that same day the The Board convened a meeting of holders of depositary receipts,
Board had a meeting with the chairmen of the Executive Board and which was held on 24 November 2010. 0.07% of the total number
the Supervisory Board of ING Group. During this meeting the Board of depositary receipts issued was present or represented during this
asked for an explanation of, among other things, the activities and meeting. During the meeting a report was made on the activities of
performance of ING Group over the first nine months of 2010 on ING Trust Office in 2009 and 2010 up to the date of the meeting.
the basis of the press release of 10 November 2010. In addition, the Board answered various questions of holders of
depositary receipts attending the meeting.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ING GROUP, VOTES CAST AND
VOTING BEHAVIOUR DEPOSITARY-RECEIPTS STRUCTURE
ING Trust Office attended the AGM. During this meeting ING Trust During the years 2007–2010, participation of shareholders,
Office asked the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of ING excluding ING Trust Office, and holders of depositary receipts in
Group various questions, answered questions of shareholders and annual general meetings of ING Group continually increased from
holders of depositary receipts and made a statement on how it 36.7% to 41.3%. Only the extraordinary general meeting of
proposed to vote, where desired. 25 November 2009 deviates from this trend with a markedly lower
turnout of 31.1%.
ING Trust Office granted proxies to holders of depositary receipts
who attended the AGM in person or who were represented by a In view of the above, ING evaluated the position of ING Trust Office
third party, to vote at their own discretion on such a number of and the depositary-receipts structure, the outcome of which was
shares equal to the number of depositary receipts held by the discussed in the AGM. On the basis of this evaluation, ING
relevant holder of depositary receipts on the record date, with due concluded that it would be premature to change or abolish the
observance of the Articles of Association and the Trust Conditions. depositary-receipts structure in 2010 and that it would be more
appropriate to reconsider this as part of a re-evaluation of ING
Holders of depositary receipts who did not attend the AGM in Group’s entire governance structure following the current
person or who were not represented by a third party, were entitled restructuring and the completion of the divestments approved in
to give binding voting instructions to ING Trust Office for a number the extraordinary General Meeting in 2009.
All members of the Board stated that they meet the conditions
regarding independence as referred to in the Articles of Association
and in the Dutch Corporate Governance Code.
COSTS
In 2010, the costs of the activities of ING Trust Office amounted
to EUR 503,871.36.
All members of the Board stated that they meet the conditions
regarding independence as referred to in the Articles of Association
of ING Continuity Foundation.
Conformity statement
The Executive Board is required to prepare the Annual Accounts CONFORMITY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
and the Annual Report of ING Groep N.V. for each financial year SECTION 5:25C PARAGRAPH 2(C) OF THE
in accordance with applicable Dutch law and International Financial DUTCH FINANCIAL SUPERVISION ACT
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union. (Wet op het financieel toezicht)
• the ING Groep N.V. 2010 Annual Accounts give a true and fair
view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss
of ING Groep N.V. and the entities included in the consolidation
taken as a whole;
• the ING Groep N.V. 2010 Annual Report gives a true and fair
view of the position at the balance sheet date, the development
and performance of the business during the financial year 2010
of ING Groep N.V. and the entities included in the consolidation
taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal
risks ING Groep N.V. is confronted with.
Patrick G. Flynn
CFO, member of the Executive Board
Patrick G. Flynn
CFO, member of the Executive Board
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the
ACCOUNTING FIRM Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
consolidated balance sheet of ING Groep N.V. as of 31 December
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS, THE SUPERVISORY BOARD AND 2010, the consolidated profit and loss account, consolidated
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF ING GROEP N.V. statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of
cash flows and consolidated statement of changes in equity for the
We have audited ING Groep N.V.’s internal control over financial year then ended. Our report dated 14 March 2011 expressed an
reporting as of 31 December 2010, based on criteria established in unqualified opinion thereon.
Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the
COSO criteria). ING Groep N.V.’s management is responsible for AMSTERDAM, 14 MARCH 2011
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and ERNST & YOUNG ACCOUNTANTS LLP
for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of the
Executive Board on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal
control over financial reporting based on our audit.
Remuneration report
This chapter sets out the remuneration for the Executive Board and REMUNERATION POLICY
the Supervisory Board. The remuneration policy for the Executive The primary objective of the remuneration structure is to enable
Board was adopted by the annual General Meeting (AGM) on ING to retain and recruit qualified and expert leaders, senior staff
27 April 2010. As set out on page 80, the Supervisory Board and other high-qualified employees, who have a drive for
proposes to amend the remuneration policy in order to comply excellence in serving the interests of the company’s various
with the Capital Requirements Directive III (CRD III) issued by the stakeholders. ING endeavours to match compensation of the
European Union. This amendment will be submitted to the AGM company’s leadership appropriately against a variety of factors,
on 9 May 2011. Following adoption of this amendment, the such as the complexity of functions, the scope of responsibilities,
amended remuneration policy will become effective as of the alignment of risks and rewards, and the long-term objectives of
compensation year 2011. The Remuneration report also provides an the company and its stakeholders, which is all the more important
outline of how the Remuneration Committee is applying the new given the changing international standards regarding responsible
policy in 2011. In addition, the Remuneration report provides remuneration. These factors differ for each role, line of business
information on the remuneration paid for 2010. Furthermore, and country. This is especially the case for ING with its operations in
information is included on loans and advances to the Executive over 40 countries and over 100,000 employees of whom around
Board and Supervisory Board members as well as ING depositary 73,000 are based outside the Netherlands (over 60% of senior
receipts for shares held by members of both Boards. management is non-Dutch). As much as possible for a global
financial institution of this size, ING aims to take account of all
these differences and also of the standards applied within similar
financial institutions in the various countries in which it operates.
in risk management; and/or for as long as ING has not paid back To ensure the autonomy of the individual, financial performance
the Dutch State, whether there has been a significant change in the metrics will depend on objectives determined at the divisional level
economic or regulatory capital base. (i.e. not at the level of the relevant business unit). In addition,
performance assessments will not only be determined by business
REMUNERATION POLICY FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT unit management, but also by the functional line.
As much as possible for a global financial institution of this size,
ING aims to take account of all the differences and standards For the Management Board Insurance and senior management
applied within similar financial institutions in the various countries in ING’s insurance operations, remuneration will be in line with
in which it operates. The remuneration of members of the the general principles of the new remuneration policy for the
Management Boards and senior management will be in line with Executive Board. However, changes in the mix between fixed
the general principles of the amended remuneration structure salary and variable pay as well as the allocation of variable
for the Executive Board, taking into account international and compensation will need to be weighted in light of the different
local practices. regulatory requirements within the international insurance industry
and the separation of ING’s banking and insurance activities.
Total direct compensation
Total direct compensation levels will be based on benchmark The regulatory environment is still in development and not
data in the international context in which ING operates. everything has been clarified yet at this moment. The structure as
ING aims for compensation levels to be set at market set out above is based on information currently available. Should it
median levels. Total compensation levels will be determined become clear, after everything has been clarified, that amendments
in line with the relevant market. are necessary, ING will amend the structure as deemed appropriate.
Furthermore, and in addition to financial indicators, performance is Executive Board variable compensation 2010
also assessed based on non-financial drivers. The incorporation of The target variable compensation is set at 80% of base salary.
non-financial indicators in the overall assessment is particularly The actual payout may vary between 0% and 125% of the target
aimed at further improving sustainable business practices within level (i.e. between 0% and 100% of base salary).
ING. Therefore, a number of action targets have been formulated
regarding ING’s performance in the area of, for example, workforce For 2010, at least 40% of total variable compensation is based on
diversity, customer satisfaction, stakeholder engagement and predefined non-financial performance indicators. The incorporation
sustainable product development. of non-financial indicators in the overall assessment is particularly
aimed at improving business performances within ING. These
SENIOR MANAGEMENT REMUNERATION STRUCTURE 2011 indicators depend on the specific responsibilities of the individual
Given the differences in the regulatory requirements for banking Executive Board member. For each Executive Board member a
and insurance and the separation of ING’s banking and insurance number of performance objectives were formulated relating to
activities, the remuneration structures for senior management in customer satisfaction, improve sustainable business practices, the
ING’s banking and insurance operations were determined diversity of the workforce, employee engagement and corporate
separately in 2010. responsibility. Early in 2011, the Remuneration Committee
conducted an evaluation of each Executive Board member’s
The remuneration policy for the Executive Board will apply in full to individual and collective performance against predefined objectives.
members of the Management Board Banking. For senior Each Executive Board member was allotted a performance score,
management in Banking, a gradual shift to a more balanced mix of which was approved by the Supervisory Board. This performance
fixed and variable remuneration, in line with the remuneration score determined the payout factor. The Remuneration Committee
policy for the Executive Board, was initiated in 2010 and will concluded that 2010 was a good year in which above target
continue during the coming two years. Exceptions may exist for financial performance had been achieved. The performance overall
high value specialists and senior management working in certain was at or above target for non-financial objectives, too. In general,
divisions and/or geographical areas. all the Executive Board members performed well in their respective
areas of responsibility. The overall bottom line results were
The remuneration for a select group of employees will be reviewed well-balanced and either at or above target, which led to a payout
and amended as necessary in order to comply with the Capital of respectively 80% and 92% of base salary as shown in the table
Requirements Directive III. The amendments relate to the allocation on page 82.
of variable compensation.
The short-term component, 50% of total variable compensation, is
Moreover, compensation packages related to control functions paid in cash the year following the performance year. The other
(such as risk management functions) will be structured such that 50% of the total variable compensation will be deferred. This
they provide for a reduced emphasis on variable compensation. long-term component is allocated in stock.
Koos Timmermans
Base salary 750 665 665
Variable compensation in cash 345 0 0
Variable compensation in stock 345 (3) 38,721 0 0
(1)
The number of shares is based on the average ING stock price on the day on
which the 2010 year-end results were published. The maximum number of
shares to be granted to the Executive Board members will be tabled for
approval at the General Meeting. The shares will be awarded in May.
(2)
Jan Hommen was appointed to the Executive Board on 27 April 2009. Jan
Hommen has been remunerated as of 27 April 2009 in accordance with the
‘new’ remuneration policy adopted by the General Meeting in 2010. The
figure for 2009 reflects a partial year as Executive Board Member and was
paid in 2010 after the ‘new’ remuneration policy was adopted. Jan Hommen
did not receive variable remuneration for 2009.
(3)
This amount of variable compensation is deferred. This long-term component
is allocated in stock. These stock awards will vest on the third anniversary of
the grant date, subject to a reasonableness test by the Supervisory Board to
determine whether application of the predetermined criteria does not result in
undesired outcomes.
(4)
Patrick Flynn was appointed to the Executive Board on 27 April 2009. The
figures for this member reflect compensation earned in the capacity as
Executive Board member. Thus, the figure for 2009 reflects a partial year as
Executive Board member.
Pension costs
The table below shows the pension costs of the individual
members of the Executive Board.
Information on the options outstanding and the movements during the financial year of options held by the members of the
Executive Board as at 31 December 2010 (1)
Outstanding as Waived or Outstanding as
at 31 December Granted Exercised in expired in at 31 December Exercise price in
number of options 2009 in 2010 2010 2010(2) 2010 euros Vesting date Expiry date
Jan Hommen 0 0 0 0
Patrick Flynn 0 0 0 0
Koos Timmermans 13,674 0 0 0 13,674 22.57 11 Mar 2005 11 Mar 2012
7,814 0 0 0 7,814 14.37 15 Mar 2007 15 Mar 2014
11,460 0 0 0 11,460 17.88 30 Mar 2008 30 Mar 2015
8,504 0 0 0 8,504 25.16 23 Mar 2009 23 Mar 2016
46,157 0 0 0 46,157 24.72 22 Mar 2010 22 Mar 2017
56,405 0 0 0 56,405 19.53 15 May 2011 15 May 2018
20,675 0 0 0 20,675 14.36 17 Sept 2011 17 Sept 2018
(1)
The number of options and the strike prices of these options reflect the
number and strike prices adjusted for the effects of the rights issue of
December 2009.
(2)
Waived at vesting date or expired at expiry date.
ING depositary receipts for shares held by members of the Supervisory Board (1)
number of shares 2010 2009 2008
Piet Klaver 43,796 13,796 7,430 (1)
The numbers of depositary receipt for shares reflect the shares held by the
Godfried van der Lugt 24,142 24,142 members of the Supervisory Board and their partners.
(2)
Jeroen van der Veer (2) 99,469 99,469 Jeroen van der Veer is a member of the Supervisory Board as of July 2009.
Works councils
CENTRAL WORKS COUNCIL
as at 1 January 2011
Contents
4 Consolidated annual accounts
Consolidated balance sheet 88
Consolidated profit and loss account 89
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 90
Consolidated statement of cash flows 91
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 92
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts 94
Notes to the consolidated annual accounts 112
Risk management 203
Capital management 249
Subsequent events 255
6 Other information
Independent auditor’s report 266
Proposed appropriation of result and Subsequent events 267
7 Additional information
Risk factors 268
Financial glossary 282
General information 289
EQUITY
Shareholders’ equity (parent) 13 41,555 33,863
Non-voting equity securities 13 5,000 5,000
46,555 38,863
Minority interests 729 915
Total equity 47,284 39,778
LIABILITIES
Subordinated loans 14 10,645 10,099
Debt securities in issue 15 135,604 119,981
Other borrowed funds 16 22,291 23,151
Insurance and investment contracts 17 270,582 240,858
Amounts due to banks 18 72,852 84,235
Customer deposits and other funds on deposit 19 511,362 469,508
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit
and loss 20
– trading liabilities 108,050 98,245
– non-trading derivatives 17,782 20,070
– designated as at fair value through profit and loss 12,707 11,474
Liabilities held for sale 11 424 4,890
Other liabilities 21 37,527 41,354
Total liabilities 1,199,826 1,123,865
References relate to the notes starting on page 112. These form an integral part of the consolidated annual accounts.
Attributable to:
Equityholders of the parent 3,220 –935 –729
Minority interests 105 –118 –37
3,325 –1,053 –766
References relate to the notes starting on page 112. These form an integral part of the consolidated annual accounts.
The Unrealised revaluations after taxation comprises EUR –2 million (2009: EUR 15 million; 2008: EUR 218 million) related to the share
of other comprehensive income of associates.
The Exchange rate differences comprises EUR 251 million (2009: EUR 131 million; 2008: EUR –214 million) related to the share of other
comprehensive income of associates.
Reference is made to Note 48 ‘Taxation’ for the disclosure on the income tax effects on each component of the other comprehensive income.
As at 31 December 2010 Cash and cash equivalents includes cash and balances with central banks of EUR 13,072 million
(2009: EUR 15,390 million; 2008: EUR 22,045 million). Reference is made to Note 55 ‘Cash and Cash equivalents’.
References relate to the notes starting on page 112. These form an integral part of the consolidated annual accounts.
Total
shareholders’ Non-voting
equity equity Minority
amounts in millions of euros Share capital Share premium Reserves (parent) securities interests Total equity
Balance as at 1 January 2008 534 8,739 27,935 37,208 2,323 39,531
Total
shareholders’ Non-voting
Share equity equity Minority
amounts in millions of euros Share capital premium Reserves (parent) securities interests Total equity
Balance as at 1 January 2010 919 16,034 16,910 33,863 5,000 915 39,778
Reserves include Revaluation reserve of EUR 4,752 million (2009: EUR 2,466 million; 2008: EUR –8,502 million), Currency translation
reserve of EUR 105 million (2009: EUR –2,008 million; 2008: EUR –1,918 million) and Other reserves of EUR 19,745 million (2009:
EUR 16,452 million; 2008: EUR 18,077 million). Changes in individual components are presented in Note 13 ‘Shareholders’ equity
(parent)/non-voting equity securities’.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
ING Group applies International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘EU’).
The following new or revised standards, interpretations and amendments to standards and interpretations became effective in 2010:
• Amendment to IFRS 1 ‘First-time adoption of IFRS’;
• IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ (revised) and IAS 27 ‘Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements’ (amended);
• Amendment to IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement – Eligible Hedged Items’;
• IFRIC 17 ‘Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners’;
• 2009 Annual improvements to IFRS;
• Amendment to IFRS 2 ‘Group Cash-settled Share-based Payment Transactions’;
• Amendments to IFRS 1 ‘Additional Exemptions for First-time Adopters’.
The following new or revised standards and interpretations were issued by the IASB, which become effective for ING Group as of 2011
(unless otherwise indicated) if and when endorsed by the EU:
• Classification of Rights Issues (Amendment to IAS 32);
• Amendment to IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’;
• Amendment to IFRIC 14 ’Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement’;
• IFRIC 19 ‘Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments’;
• Amendment to IFRS 1 ‘Limited Exemption from Comparative IFRS 7 Disclosure for First-time Adopters’;
• 2010 Annual Improvements to IFRS;
• Amendments to IFRS 7 ‘Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets’, effective as of 2012.
ING Group does not expect the adoption of these new or revised standards and interpretations to have a significant effect on the
consolidated financial statements.
Furthermore, in 2009 IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ was issued, which is effective as of 2013. However, this standard is not yet endorsed
by the EU and, therefore, is not yet part of IFRS-EU. Implementation of IFRS 9 – if and when endorsed by the EU – may have a significant
impact on equity and/or result of ING Group.
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU provide several options in accounting policies. ING Group’s accounting
policies under these standards and its decision on the options available are set out in the section ‘Principles of valuation and determination
of results’ below.
In this document the term ‘IFRS-EU’ is used to refer to International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU, including the
decisions ING Group made with regard to the options available under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU.
As explained in the section ‘Principles of valuation and determination of results’ and in Note 24 ‘Derivatives and hedge accounting’ ING
Group applies fair value hedge accounting to portfolio hedges of interest rate risk (macro hedging) under the EU ‘carve out’ of IFRS-EU.
The presentation of, and certain terms used in, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated profit and loss account, consolidated
statement of cash flows, consolidated statement of changes in equity and certain notes has been changed to provide additional and more
relevant information or (for changes in comparative information) to better align with the current period presentation. Operating segments
have changed in 2010 to reflect changes in internal management reporting. The impact of these changes is explained in the relevant notes
when significant.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
INSURANCE PROVISIONS, DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS (DAC) AND VALUE OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED (VOBA)
The establishment of insurance provisions, DAC and VOBA is an inherently uncertain process, involving assumptions about factors such as
court decisions, changes in laws, social, economic and demographic trends, inflation, investment returns, policyholder behaviour and other
factors, and, in the life insurance business, assumptions concerning mortality and morbidity trends. Specifically, significant assumptions
related to these items that could have a material impact on financial results include interest rates, mortality, morbidity, property and
casualty claims, investment yields on equity and real estate, foreign currency exchange rates and reserve adequacy assumptions.
The use of different assumptions about these factors could have a material effect on insurance provisions and underwriting expenditure.
Changes in assumptions may lead to changes in the insurance provisions over time. Furthermore, some of these assumptions can be volatile.
In addition, the adequacy of insurance provisions, net of DAC and VOBA, is evaluated regularly. The test involves comparing the
established insurance provision with current best estimate assumptions about factors such as court decisions, changes in laws, social,
economic and demographic trends, inflation, investment returns, policyholder behaviour, mortality and morbidity trends and other
factors. The use of different assumptions in this test could lead to a different outcome.
Insurance provisions also include the impact of minimum guarantees which are contained within certain variable annuity products.
This impact is dependent upon the difference between the potential minimum benefits payable and the total account balance, expected
mortality and surrender rates. The determination of the potential minimum benefits payable also involves the use of assumptions about
factors such as inflation, investment returns, policyholder behaviour, and mortality and morbidity trends. The use of different assumptions
about these factors could have a material effect on insurance provisions and underwriting expenditure.
The process of defining methodologies and assumptions for insurance provisions, DAC and VOBA is governed by ING Insurance risk
management as described in the ‘Risk management’ section.
Reference is made to the ‘Risk management’ section for a sensitivity analysis of net result and shareholders’ equity to insurance, interest
rate, equity, foreign currency and real estate risks. These sensitivities are based on changes in assumptions that management considers
reasonably likely at the balance sheet date.
The identification of impairment and the determination of the recoverable amount are an inherently uncertain processes involving various
assumptions and factors including the financial condition of the counterparty, expected future cash flows, observable market prices and
expected net selling prices.
Future cash flows in a portfolio of financial assets that are collectively evaluated for impairment are estimated on the basis of the
contractual cash flows of the assets in the portfolio and historical loss experience for assets with credit risk characteristics similar to those
in the portfolio. Historical loss experience is adjusted on the basis of current observable data to reflect the effects of current conditions
that did not affect the period on which the historical loss experience is based and to remove the effects of conditions in the historical
period that do not exist currently. Current observable data may include changes in unemployment rates, property prices and commodity
prices. The methodology and assumptions used for estimating future cash flows are reviewed regularly to reduce any differences between
loss estimates and actual loss experience.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
For each reporting period every property is valued either by an independent valuer or internally. Indexation is used when a property
is valued internally. The index is based on the results of the independent valuations carried out in that period. Market transactions and
disposals are monitored as part of the procedures to back test the indexation methodology. Valuations performed earlier in the year are
updated if necessary to reflect the situation at year end.
The valuation of real estate involves various assumptions and techniques. The use of different assumptions and techniques could produce
significantly different valuations.
In certain markets that have become significantly less liquid or illiquid, the range of prices for the same security from different price sources
can be significant. Selecting the most appropriate price within this range requires judgement. The choice of different prices could produce
significantly different estimates of fair value.
For certain financial assets and liabilities quoted market prices are not available. For these financial assets and liabilities, fair value is
determined using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques range from discounting of cash flows to valuation models, where
relevant pricing factors including the market price of underlying reference instruments, market parameters (volatilities, correlations and
credit ratings) and customer behaviour are taken into account. All valuation techniques used are subject to internal review and approval.
Most data used in these valuation techniques are validated on a daily basis.
Valuation techniques are subjective in nature and significant judgement is involved in establishing fair values for certain financial assets
and liabilities. Valuation techniques involve various assumptions regarding pricing factors. The use of different valuation techniques and
assumptions could produce significantly different estimates of fair value.
Price testing is performed to assess whether the process of valuation has led to an appropriate fair value of the position and to an
appropriate reflection of these valuations in the profit and loss account. Price testing is performed to minimise the potential risks for
economic losses due to materially incorrect or misused models.
Reference is made to Note 34 ‘Fair value of financial assets and liabilities’ for the basis of the determination of the fair value of financial
instruments and related sensitivities.
IMPAIRMENTS
Impairment evaluation is a complex process that inherently involves significant judgements and uncertainties that may have a significant
impact on ING Group’s consolidated financial statements. Impairments are especially relevant in two areas: Available-for-sale debt and
equity securities and Goodwill/Intangible assets.
All debt and equity securities (other than those carried at fair value through profit and loss) are subject to impairment testing every
reporting period. The carrying value is reviewed in order to determine whether an impairment loss has been incurred. Evaluation for
impairment includes both quantitative and qualitative considerations. For debt securities, such considerations include actual and estimated
incurred credit losses indicated by payment default, market data on (estimated) incurred losses and other current evidence that the issuer
may be unlikely to pay amounts when due. Equity securities are impaired when management believes that, based on (the combination of)
a significant or prolonged decline of the fair value below the acquisition price, there is sufficient reason to believe that the acquisition cost
may not be recovered. ‘Significant’ and ‘prolonged’ are interpreted on a case-by-case basis for specific equity securities. Generally 25%
and 6 months are used as triggers.
Upon impairment, the full difference between amortised cost and fair value is removed from equity and recognised in net profit and loss.
Impairments on debt securities may be reversed if there is a decrease in the amount of the impairment which can be objectively related to
an observable event. Impairments on equity securities cannot be reversed.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
Impairments on other debt instruments (Loans and held-to-maturity investments) are part of the loan loss provision as described on the
previous page.
Impairment reviews with respect to goodwill and intangible assets are performed at least annually and more frequently if events indicate
that impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the book value (including goodwill) of the reporting
unit to the best estimate of the recoverable amount of that reporting unit. The book value is determined as the IFRS-EU net asset value
including goodwill. The recoverable amount is estimated as the higher of fair value less cost to sell and value in use. Several methodologies
are applied to arrive at the best estimate of the recoverable amount. A reporting unit is the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored.
Intangible assets are tested for impairment by comparing the book value with the best estimate of the recoverable amount.
The identification of impairment is an inherently uncertain process involving various assumptions and factors, including financial condition
of the counterparty, expected future cash flows, statistical loss data, discount rates, observable market prices, etc. Estimates and
assumptions are based on management’s judgement and other information available prior to the issuance of the financial statements.
Materially different results can occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Group companies operate various defined benefit retirement plans covering a significant number of ING’s employees.
The liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of the defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit
obligation at the balance sheet date less the fair value of the plan assets, together with adjustments for unrecognised actuarial gains
and losses, and unrecognised past service costs.
The determination of the defined benefit plan liability is based on internal and external actuarial models and calculations. The defined
benefit obligation is calculated using the projected unit credit method. Inherent in these actuarial models are assumptions including
discount rates, rates of increase in future salary and benefit levels, mortality rates, trend rates in health care costs, consumer price index,
and the expected return on plan assets. The assumptions are based on available market data and the historical performance of plan assets,
and are updated annually.
The actuarial assumptions may differ significantly from the actual results due to changes in market conditions, economic and mortality trends,
and other assumptions. Any changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on the defined benefit plan liabilities and future
pension costs. The effects of changes in actuarial assumptions and experience adjustments are not recognised in the profit and loss account
unless the accumulated changes exceed 10% of the greater of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of the plan assets. If such is
the case the excess is then amortised over the employees’ expected average remaining working lives. Reference is made to Note 21 ‘Other
liabilities’ for the weighted averages of basic actuarial assumptions in connection with pension and other post-employment benefits.
The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered in assessing whether the
Group controls another entity. For interests in investment vehicles, the existence of control is determined taking into account both ING
Group’s financial interests for own risk and its role as investment manager.
The results of the operations and the net assets of subsidiaries are included in the profit and loss account and the balance sheet from the
date control is obtained until the date control is lost. On disposal, the difference between the sales proceeds, net of directly attributable
transaction costs, and the net assets is included in net result.
A subsidiary which ING Group has agreed to sell but is still legally owned by ING Group may still be controlled by ING Group at the
balance sheet date and, therefore, still be included in the consolidation. Such a subsidiary may be presented as a held for sale disposal
group if certain conditions are met. Disposal groups (and Non-current assets) are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be
recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This is only the case when the sale is highly probable
and the disposal group (or asset) is available for immediate sale in its present condition; management must be committed to the sale,
which should be expected to occur within one year from the date of classification as held for sale.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
All intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised surpluses and deficits on transactions between group companies are eliminated.
Where necessary, the accounting policies used by subsidiaries are changed to ensure consistency with group policies. In general, the
reporting dates of subsidiaries are the same as the reporting date of ING Groep N.V.
ING Group’s interests in jointly controlled entities are accounted for using proportionate consolidation. ING Group proportionately
consolidates its share of the joint ventures’ individual income and expenses, assets and liabilities, and cash flows on a line-by-line basis with
similar items in ING Group’s financial statements. ING Group recognises the portion of gains or losses on the sale of assets to the joint venture
that is attributable to the other venturers. ING Group does not recognise its share of profits or losses from the joint venture that results from
the purchase of assets by ING Group from the joint venture until it resells the assets to a third party. However, if a loss on the transaction
provides evidence of a reduction in the net realisable value of current assets or an impairment loss, the loss is recognised immediately.
The process of setting assumptions is subject to internal control procedures and approvals, and takes into account internal and external
studies, industry statistics, environmental factors and trends, and regulatory requirements.
SEGMENT REPORTING
An operating segment is a distinguishable component of the Group, engaged in providing products or services, subject to risks and returns
that are different from those of other operating segments. A geographical area is a distinguishable component of the Group engaged in
providing products or services within a particular economic environment that is subject to risks and returns that are different from those
of segments operating in other economic environments. The geographical analyses are based on the location of the office from which
the transactions are originated.
Exchange rate differences on non-monetary items, measured at fair value through profit and loss, are reported as part of the fair value
gain or loss. Non-monetary items are retranslated at the date fair value is determined. Exchange rate differences on non-monetary items
measured at fair value through the revaluation reserve are included in the revaluation reserve in equity.
Exchange rate differences in the profit and loss account are generally included in Net trading income. Reference is made to Note 41 ‘Net
trading income’, which discloses the amounts included in the profit and loss account. Exchange rate differences relating to the disposal of
Available-for-sale debt and equity securities are considered to be an inherent part of the capital gains and losses recognised in Investment
income. As mentioned in Group companies below any exchange rate difference deferred in equity is recognised in the profit and loss
account in Net result on disposals of group companies. Reference is also made to Note 13 ‘Shareholders’ equity (parent)/non-voting equity
securities’, which discloses the amounts included in the profit and loss account.
Group companies
The results and financial positions of all group companies that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are
translated into the presentation currency as follows:
• Assets and liabilities included in each balance sheet are translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet;
• Income and expenses included in each profit and loss account are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a
reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses
are translated at the dates of the transactions); and
• All resulting exchange rate differences are recognised in a separate component of equity.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
On consolidation, exchange rate differences arising from the translation of a monetary item that forms part of the net investment in a
foreign operation, and of borrowings and other instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are taken to shareholders’ equity.
When a foreign operation is sold, the corresponding exchange rate differences are recognised in the profit and loss account as part of the
gain or loss on sale.
Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising from the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign
operation and translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date.
The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market are determined using valuation techniques. The Group uses
a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance sheet date.
Reference is made to Note 34 ‘Fair value of financial assets and liabilities’ for the basis of the determination of the fair value of financial
instruments.
FINANCIAL ASSETS
Recognition of financial assets
All purchases and sales of financial assets classified as fair value through profit and loss, held-to-maturity and available-for-sale that require
delivery within the time frame established by regulation or market convention (‘regular way’ purchases and sales) are recognised at trade
date, which is the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Loans and receivables are recognised at settlement date,
which is the date on which the Group receives or delivers the asset.
A financial asset is classified as at fair value through profit and loss if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term or if so
designated by management. Management will make this designation only if this eliminates a measurement inconsistency or if the related
assets and liabilities are managed on a fair value basis.
Investments for risk of policyholders are investments against insurance liabilities for which all changes in fair value of invested assets are
offset by similar changes in insurance liabilities. Transaction costs on initial recognition are expensed as incurred. Interest income from
debt securities and loans and receivables classified as at fair value through profit and loss is recognised in Interest income from banking
operations and Investment income in the profit and loss account, using the effective interest method.
Dividend income from equity instruments classified as at fair value through profit and loss is generally recognised in Investment income in
the profit and loss account when dividend has been declared. Investment result from investments for risk of policyholders is recognised in
investment result for risk of policyholders. For derivatives reference is made to the ‘Derivatives and hedge accounting’ section. For all other
financial assets classified as at fair value through profit and loss changes in fair value are recognised in Net trading income.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
Investments
Investments (including loans quoted in active markets) are classified either as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale and are initially
recognised at fair value plus transaction costs. Investment securities and loans quoted in active markets with fixed maturity where
management has both the intent and the ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity. Investment securities and actively
traded loans intended to be held for an indefinite period of time, which may be sold in response to needs for liquidity or changes in
interest rates, exchange rates or equity prices, are classified as available-for-sale.
Held-to-maturity investments
Non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturity for which the Group has the positive intent and
ability to hold to maturity and which are designated by management as held-to-maturity assets are initially recognised at fair value plus
transaction costs. Subsequently, they are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method less any impairment losses. Interest
income from debt securities classified as held-to-maturity is recognised in Interest income in the profit and loss account using the effective
interest method. Held-to-maturity investments include only debt securities.
Some credit protection contracts that take the legal form of a derivative, such as certain credit default swaps, are accounted for as
financial guarantees.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
Certain derivatives embedded in other contracts are measured as separate derivatives when their economic characteristics and risks
are not closely related to those of the host contract, the host contract is not carried at fair value through profit and loss, and if a separate
instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a derivative. These embedded derivatives are
measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the profit and loss account. An assessment is carried out when the Group
first becomes party to the contract. A reassessment is carried out only when there is a change in the terms of the contract that significantly
modifies the expected cash flows.
The method of recognising the resulting fair value gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument
and, if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Group designates certain derivatives as hedges of the fair value of recognised assets
or liabilities or firm commitments (fair value hedge), hedges of highly probable future cash flows attributable to a recognised asset or
liability or a forecast transaction (cash flow hedge), or hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting is used for
derivatives designated in this way provided certain criteria are met.
At the inception of the transaction ING Group documents the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, its risk
management objective, together with the methods selected to assess hedge effectiveness. The Group also documents its assessment,
both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in
offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items.
ING Group applies fair value hedge accounting to portfolio hedges of interest rate risk (macro hedging) under the EU ‘carve out’ of
IFRS-EU. The EU ‘carve-out’ macro hedging enables a group of derivatives (or proportions) to be viewed in combination and jointly
designated as the hedging instrument and removes some of the limitations in fair value hedge accounting relating to hedging core
deposits and under-hedging strategies. Under the IFRS-EU ‘carve-out’, hedge accounting may be applied to core deposits and
ineffectiveness only arises when the revised estimate of the amount of cash flows in scheduled time buckets falls below the designated
amount of that bucket.
ING Group applies fair value hedge accounting for portfolio hedges of interest rate risk (macro hedging) under the EU ‘carve-out’ to
its retail operations. The net exposures of retail funding (savings and current accounts) and retail lending (mortgages) are hedged. The
hedging activities are designated under a portfolio fair value hedge on the mortgages. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are
recognised in the profit and loss account, together with the fair value adjustment on the mortgages (hedged items) insofar as attributable
to interest rate risk (the hedged risk).
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
Securities purchased under agreements to resell (‘reverse repos’) are recognised as Loans and advances to customers or Amounts due
from banks, as appropriate. The difference between the sale and repurchase price is treated as interest and amortised over the life of
the agreement using the effective interest method.
The Group does not consider events that may be expected to occur in the future as objective evidence, and consequently they are not
used as a basis for concluding that a financial asset or group of assets is impaired.
In determining the impairment, expected future cash flows are estimated on the basis of the contractual cash flows of the assets in the
portfolio and historical loss experience for assets with credit risk characteristics similar to those in the portfolio. Historical loss experience
is adjusted on the basis of current observable data to reflect the effects of current conditions that did not affect the period on which
the historical loss experience is based and to remove the effects of conditions in the historical period that do not currently exist. Losses
expected as a result of future events, no matter how likely, are not recognised.
The Group first assesses whether objective evidence of impairment exists individually for financial assets that are individually significant,
and then individually or collectively for financial assets that are not individually significant. If the Group determines that no objective
evidence of impairment exists for an individually assessed financial asset, whether significant or not, it includes the asset in a group of
financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics and collectively assesses them for impairment. Assets that are individually assessed for
impairment and for which an impairment loss is or continues to be recognised are not included in a collective assessment of impairment.
If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on an asset carried at amortised cost has been incurred, the amount of the loss is
measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future
credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the
asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account (‘Loan loss provision’) and the amount of the loss is recognised in the profit and
loss account under ‘Addition to loan loss provision’. If the asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment
loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract.
For the purposes of a collective evaluation of impairment, financial assets are grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
Those characteristics are relevant to the estimation of future cash flows for groups of such assets by being indicative of the debtors’ ability
to pay all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the assets being evaluated. The collective evaluation of impairment includes
the application of a ‘loss confirmation period’ to default probabilities. The loss confirmation period is a concept which recognises that
there is a period of time between the emergence of impairment triggers and the point-in-time at which those events are captured by the
Group’s credit risk systems. Accordingly, the application of the loss confirmation period ensures that impairments that are incurred but not
yet identified are adequately reflected in the Group’s loan loss provision. Although the loss confirmation periods are inherently uncertain,
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
the Group applies estimates to sub-portfolios (e.g. large corporations, small and medium size enterprises and retail portfolios) that reflect
factors such as the frequency with which customers in the sub-portfolio disclose credit risk sensitive information and the frequency with
which they are subject to review by the Group’s account managers. Generally, the frequency increases in relation to the size of the
borrower. Loss confirmation periods are based on historical experience and are validated, and revised where necessary, through regular
back-testing to ensure that they reflect recent experience and current events.
If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring
after the impairment was recognised (such as an improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), the previously recognised impairment loss is
reversed by adjusting the provision. The amount of the reversal is recognised in the profit and loss account.
When a loan is uncollectible, it is written off against the related loan loss provision. Such loans are written off after all the necessary
procedures have been completed and the amount of the loss has been determined. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written
off are recognised in the profit and loss account.
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control. Significant influence generally results from a
shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights, but also is the ability to participate in the financial and operating policies
through situations including, but not limited to one or more of the following:
• Representation on the board of directors;
• Participation in the policymaking process; and
• Interchange of managerial personnel.
Investments in associates are initially recognised at cost and subsequently accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
The Group’s investment in associates (net of any accumulated impairment loss) includes goodwill identified on acquisition. The Group’s
share of its associates’ post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the profit and loss account, and its share of post-acquisition
changes in reserves is recognised in equity. The cumulative post-acquisition changes are adjusted against the carrying amount of the
investment. When the Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, including any other unsecured
receivables, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.
Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the
associates. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless they provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting
policies of associates have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group. The reporting
dates of all material associates are consistent with the reporting date of the Group.
For interests in investment vehicles the existence of significant influence is determined taking into account both the Group’s financial
interests for own risk and its role as investment manager.
The fair value of real estate investments is based on regular appraisals by independent qualified valuers. Each year every property is valued
either by an independent valuer or internally. Indexation is used when a property is valued internally. The index is based on the results of
the independent valuations carried out in that period. Market transactions, and disposals made by the Group, are monitored as part of the
procedures to back test the indexation methodology. All properties are valued independently at least every five years.
The valuations are based on the assumption that the properties are let and sold to third parties based on the actual letting status.
Valuations drawn up earlier in the year are updated if necessary to reflect the situation at year end. The fair values are based on market
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
values, being the estimated amount for which the property could be exchanged on the date of valuation between a willing buyer
and willing seller in an at-arm’s-length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties each acted knowledgeably, prudently
and without compulsion. Market values are based on appraisals using valuation methods such as: comparable market transactions,
capitalisation of income methods or discounted cash flow calculations, based on calculations of the future rental income and
expenses in accordance with the terms in existing leases and estimations of the rental values when leases expire.
Any gain or loss arising from a change in fair value is recognised in the income statement. Subsequent expenditures are charged to the
asset’s carrying amount only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to ING Group and the
cost of an item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the income statement.
The fair values of land and buildings are based on regular appraisals by independent qualified valuers or internally, similar to appraisals
of real estate investments. Subsequent expenditure is included in the asset’s carrying amount when it is probable that future economic
benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably.
Property development
Property developed and under development for which ING Group has the intention to sell the property after its completion is included
in Other assets – Property development and obtained from foreclosures.
Property developed and under development for which ING Group has the intention to sell the property under development after its
completion and where there is not yet a specifically negotiated contract is measured at direct construction cost incurred up to the
balance sheet date, including borrowing costs incurred during construction and ING Group’s own directly attributable development and
supervision expenses less any impairment losses. Profit is recognised using the completed contract method (on sale date of the property).
Impairment is recognised if the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less applicable variable selling expenses is lower
than bookvalue.
Property under development for which ING Group has the intention to sell the property under development after its completion and
where there is a specifically negotiated contract is valued using the percentage of completion method (pro rata profit recognition).
The stage of completion is measured by reference to costs incurred to date as percentage of total estimated costs for each contract.
Property under development is stated at fair value (with changes in fair value recognised in profit and loss) if ING Group has the intention
to recognise the property under development after completion as real estate investments.
Equipment
Equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. The cost of the assets is depreciated on a straight
line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are generally as follows: for data processing equipment two to five years, and four to
ten years for fixtures and fittings. Expenditure incurred on maintenance and repairs is charged to the profit and loss account as incurred.
Expenditure incurred on major improvements is capitalised and depreciated.
Disposals
The difference between the proceeds on disposal and net book value is recognised in the profit and loss account under Other income.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs incurred for the construction of any qualifying asset are capitalised during the period of time that is required to complete
and prepare the asset for its intended use. Borrowing costs are determined at the weighted average cost of capital of the project.
LEASES
The determination of whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement at inception date.
When an operating lease is terminated before the lease period has expired, any payment required to be made to the lessor by way of
penalty is recognised as an expense in the period in which termination takes place.
Where applicable, the consideration for the acquisition includes any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration
arrangement, measured at its acquisition-date fair value. Subsequent changes in the fair value of contingent consideration classified
as an asset or liability are accounted for in accordance with relevant IFRSs, taking into account the initial accounting period below.
Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration classified as equity are not recognised.
As of 2010, following changes to IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’, where a business combination is achieved in stages, ING Group’s
previously held interests in the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity are remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date (i.e. the
date ING Group attains control) and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognised in profit or loss. Amounts arising from interests in
the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have previously been recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit
or loss, where such treatment would be appropriate if that interest were disposed of. Acquisition-related costs are recognised in profit
or loss as incurred and presented in the profit and loss account as Other operating expenses.
Until 2009, before IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ was revised the accounting of previously held interests in the assets and liabilities
of the acquired entity were not remeasured at the acquisition date and the acquisition-related costs were considered to be part of
the total consideration.
The initial accounting for the fair value of the net assets of the companies acquired during the year may be determined only provisionally
as the determination of the fair value can be complex and the time between the acquisition and the preparation of the Annual Accounts
can be limited. The initial accounting shall be completed within a year after acquisition.
Goodwill is only capitalised on acquisitions after the implementation date of IFRS-EU (1 January 2004). Accounting for acquisitions before
that date has not been restated; goodwill and internally generated intangibles on these acquisitions were charged directly to shareholders’
equity. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units for the purpose of impairment testing. These reporting units represent the lowest level at
which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. This test is performed annually or more frequently if there are indicators
of impairment. Under the impairment tests, the carrying value of the reporting units (including goodwill) is compared to its recoverable
amount which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.
Adjustments to the fair value as at the date of acquisition of acquired assets and liabilities that are identified within one year after acquisition are
recognised as an adjustment to goodwill; any subsequent adjustment is recognised as income or expense. On disposal of group companies, the
difference between the sale proceeds and book value (including goodwill) and the unrealised results (including the currency translation reserve
in equity) is included in the profit and loss account.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
Computer software
Computer software that has been purchased or generated internally for own use is stated at cost less amortisation and any impairment
losses. Amortisation is calculated on a straight-line basis over its useful life. This period will generally not exceed three years. Amortisation
is included in Other operating expenses.
For traditional life insurance contracts, certain types of flexible life insurance contracts, and non-life contracts, DAC is amortised over the
premium payment period in proportion to the premium revenue recognised.
For other types of flexible life insurance contracts DAC is amortised over the lives of the policies in relation to the emergence of estimated
gross profits. Amortisation is adjusted when estimates of current or future gross profits, to be realised from a group of products, are
revised. The estimates and the assumptions are reassessed at the end of each reporting period. For DAC on flexible insurance contracts
the approach is that in determining the estimate of future gross profits ING Group assumes the short-term and long-term separate account
growth rate assumption to be the same. Higher/lower expected profits (e.g. reflecting stock market performance or a change in the level
of assets under management) may cause a lower/higher balance of DAC due to the catch-up of amortisation in previous and future years.
This process is known as DAC unlocking. The impact of the DAC unlocking is recognised in the profit and loss account of the period in
which the unlocking occurs.
DAC is evaluated for recoverability at issue. Subsequently it is tested on a regular basis together with the provision for life insurance
liabilities and VOBA. The test for recoverability is described in the section ‘Insurance, Investment and Reinsurance Contracts’.
For certain products DAC is adjusted for the impact of unrealised results on allocated investments through equity.
TAXATION
Income tax on the net result for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the profit and loss account
but it is charged or credited directly to equity if the tax relates to items that are credited or charged directly to equity.
Deferred tax assets are recognised where it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences
can be utilised. Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries and associates, except
where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the difference will not
reverse in the foreseeable future. The tax effects of income tax losses available for carry forward are recognised as an asset where it is
probable that future taxable profits will be available against which these losses can be utilised.
Deferred tax related to fair value remeasurement of available-for-sale investments and cash flow hedges, which are charged or credited
directly to equity, is also credited or charged directly to equity and is subsequently recognised in the profit and loss account together with
the deferred gain or loss.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
Financial liabilities at amortised cost include the following sub-categories: preference shares, other borrowed funds, debt securities in issue,
subordinated loans, amounts due to banks and customer deposits and other funds on deposit.
Borrowings are recognised initially at their issue proceeds (fair value of consideration received) net of transaction costs incurred.
Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost; any difference between proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the redemption
value is recognised in the profit and loss account over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.
If the Group purchases its own debt, it is removed from the balance sheet, and the difference between the carrying amount of the liability
and the consideration paid is included in the profit and loss account.
Insurance provisions on traditional life policies are calculated using various assumptions, including assumptions on mortality, morbidity,
expenses, investment returns and surrenders. Assumptions for insurance provisions on traditional life insurance contracts, including
traditional whole life and term life insurance contracts, are based on best estimate assumptions including margins for adverse deviations.
The assumptions are set initially at the policy issue date and remain constant throughout the life of the policy, except in the case of
loss recognition.
Insurance provisions for universal life, variable life and annuity contracts, unit-linked contracts, etc. are generally set equal to the balance
that accrues to the benefit of the policyholders. Certain variable annuity products contain minimum guarantees on the amounts payable
upon death and/or maturity. The insurance provisions include the impact of these minimum guarantees, taking into account the difference
between the potential minimum benefit payable and the total account balance, expected mortality and surrender rates.
The as yet unamortised interest rate rebates on periodic and single premium contracts are deducted from the Provision for life insurance.
Interest rate rebates granted during the year are capitalised and amortised in conformity with the anticipated recovery pattern and are
recognised in the profit and loss account.
In 2009, the methodology for determining the liability for insurance contracts in Japan was revised. The liability for certain guarantees
is now measured at the fair value. The impact of this change in accounting policy (at 1 January 2009 and on prior year comparatives)
was not material to shareholders’ equity and the net result of ING Group.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
Claims provision
The Claims provision is calculated on a case-by-case basis or by approximation on the basis of experience. Provisions have also been made
for claims incurred but not reported (IBNR) and for future claims handling expenses. The adequacy of the Claims provision is evaluated
each year using standard actuarial techniques. In addition, IBNR reserves are set to recognise the estimated cost of losses that have
occurred but which have not yet been notified to the Group.
Reinsurance contracts
Reinsurance premiums, commissions and claim settlements, as well as the reinsurance element of technical provisions are accounted for
in the same way as the original contracts for which the reinsurance was concluded. If the reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations,
the Group remains liable to its policyholders for the portion reinsured. Consequently, provisions are made for receivables on reinsurance
contracts which are deemed uncollectible.
Adequacy test
The adequacy of the Provision for life insurance, net of unamortised interest rate rebates, DAC and VOBA (the net insurance liabilities),
is evaluated regularly by each business unit for the business originated in that business unit. The test considers current estimates of all
contractual and related cash flows, and future developments. It includes investment income on the same basis as it is included in the
profit and loss account.
If, for any business unit, it is determined, using a best estimate (50%) confidence level, that a shortfall exists, and there are no offsetting
amounts within other business units in the Business Line, the shortfall is recognised immediately in the profit and loss account.
If, for any business unit, the net insurance liabilities are not adequate using a prudent (90%) confidence level, but there are offsetting
amounts within other Group business units, then the business unit is allowed to take measures to strengthen the net insurance liabilities
over a period no longer than the expected life of the policies. To the extent that there are no offsetting amounts within other Group
business units, any shortfall at the 90% confidence level is recognised immediately in the profit and loss account.
If the net insurance liabilities are determined to be adequate at above the 90% confidence level, no reduction in the net insurance liabilities
is recognised.
As at 31 December 2009, the Legacy Variable Annuity business in the US was inadequate at the 90% confidence level. As there were
offsetting amounts within other Group business units, the Group remained adequate at the 90% confidence level. In line with the
above policy, specific measures were defined to mitigate the inadequacy in the Legacy Variable Annuity business in the US. These specific
measures are effective as of 2010 and result in a limitation of additions to DAC that would otherwise result from negative amortisation
and unlocking. This limitation of DAC is applied on a quarterly basis and in any year if and when a reserve inadequacy existed at the
start of the year. The impact on 2010 was EUR 610 million lower DAC and consequently lower result before tax. In addition, reserve
adequacy in Insurance US Closed Block VA improved through the DAC write-down as disclosed in Note 51 ‘Operating segments’.
Investment contracts
Insurance policies without discretionary participation features which do not bear significant insurance risk are presented as Investment
contracts. Provisions for liabilities under investment contracts are determined either at amortised cost, using the effective interest
method (including certain initial acquisition expenses) or at fair value.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
OTHER LIABILITIES
Employee benefits – pension obligations
Group companies operate various pension schemes. The schemes are generally funded through payments to insurance companies or
trustee-administered funds, determined by periodic actuarial calculations. The Group has both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that defines an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually
dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation.
The liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit
obligation at the balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets, together with adjustments for unrecognised actuarial gains and
losses, and unrecognised past service costs. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by internal and external actuaries using
the projected unit credit method.
The expected value of the assets is calculated using the expected rate of return on plan assets. Differences between the expected return
and the actual return on these plan assets and actuarial changes in the deferred benefit obligation are not recognised in the profit and loss
account, unless the accumulated differences and changes exceed 10% of the greater of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value
of the plan assets. The excess is charged or credited to the profit and loss account over employees’ remaining working lives. The corridor
was reset to nil at the date of transition to IFRS-EU.
The value of any plan asset recognised is restricted to the sum of any past service costs not yet recognised and the present value of any
economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plan or reductions in the future contributions to the plan.
For defined contribution plans, the Group pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on a mandatory,
contractual or voluntary basis. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are
recognised as staff expenses when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a
reduction in the future payments is available.
Other provisions
A provision involves a present obligation arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow from the
company of resources embodying economic benefits, however the timing or the amount is uncertain. Provisions are discounted when
the effect of the time value of money is material using a pre-tax discount rate. The determination of provisions is an inherently uncertain
process involving estimates regarding amounts and timing of cash flows.
Reorganisation provisions include employee termination benefits when the Group is demonstrably committed to either terminating the
employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility of withdrawal, or providing termination benefits
as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy.
INCOME RECOGNITION
Gross premium income
Premiums from life insurance policies are recognised as income when due from the policyholder. For non-life insurance policies, gross
premium income is recognised on a pro-rata basis over the term of the related policy coverage. Receipts under investment contracts are
not recognised as gross premium income.
Interest
Interest income and expense are recognised in the profit and loss account using the effective interest method. The effective interest
method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or a financial liability and of allocating the interest income or
interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or
receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument or, when appropriate, a shorter period to the net carrying amount of the
financial asset or financial liability. When calculating the effective interest rate, the Group estimates cash flows considering all contractual
terms of the financial instrument (for example, prepayment options) but does not consider future credit losses. The calculation includes all
fees and points paid or received between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs
and all other premiums or discounts. Once a financial asset or a group of similar financial assets has been written down as a result of an
impairment loss, interest income is recognised using the rate of interest used to discount the future cash flows for the purpose of
measuring the impairment loss.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
All interest income and expenses from trading positions and non-trading derivatives are classified as interest income and interest expenses in the
profit and loss account. Changes in the ‘clean fair value’ are included in Net trading income and Valuation results on non-trading derivatives.
Lease income
The proceeds from leasing out assets under operating leases are recognised on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease agreement.
Lease payments received in respect of finance leases when ING Group is the lessor are divided into an interest component (recognised as
interest income) and a repayment component.
EXPENSE RECOGNITION
Expenses are recognised in the profit and loss account as incurred or when a decrease in future economic benefits related to a decrease
in an asset or an increase in a liability has arisen that can be measured reliably.
Share-based payments
Share-based payment expenses are recognised as the employees provide the service. A corresponding increase in equity is recognised
if the services are received in an equity-settled share-based payment transaction. A liability is recognised if the services are acquired in
a cash-settled share-based payment transaction. The cost of acquiring the services is expensed as a staff expense. The fair value of
equity-settled share-based payment transactions is measured at the grant date and the fair value of cash-settled share-based payment
transactions is measured at each balance sheet date.
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
Government grants are recognised where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all attached conditions will be
complied with. When the grant relates to an expense item, the grant is recognised over the period necessary to match the grant on a
systematic basis to the expense that it is intended to compensate. In such case, the grant is deducted from the related expense in the profit
and loss account.
The non-voting equity securities are not ordinary shares, because their terms and conditions (especially with regard to coupons and voting
rights) are significantly different. Therefore, the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period is not
impacted by the non-voting equity securities.
Due to the rights issue in 2009, the 2008 earnings per share figures have been restated. Reference is made to Note 49 ‘Earnings per
ordinary share’ for a further explanation on the nature and the effect of this restatement.
Diluted earnings per share data are computed as if all convertible instruments outstanding at year-end were exercised at the beginning of
the period. It is also assumed that ING Group uses the assumed proceeds thus received to buy its own shares against the average market
price in the financial year. The net increase in the number of shares resulting from the exercise is added to the average number of shares
used to calculate diluted earnings per share.
Share options with fixed or determinable terms are treated as options in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, even though they
may be contingent on vesting. They are treated as outstanding on the grant date. Performance-based employee share options are treated
as contingently issuable shares because their issue is contingent upon satisfying specified conditions in addition to the passage of time.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
FIDUCIARY ACTIVITIES
The Group commonly acts as trustee and in other fiduciary capacities that result in the holding or placing of assets on behalf of individuals,
trusts, retirement benefit plans and other institutions. These assets and income arising thereon are excluded from these financial
statements, as they are not assets of the Group.
For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, Cash and cash equivalents comprise balances with less than three months’ maturity from
the date of acquisition, including cash and non-restricted balances with central banks, treasury bills and other eligible bills, amounts due
from other banks and amounts due to banks. Investments qualify as a cash equivalent if they are readily convertible to a known amount
of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
Cash flows arising from foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates at the date of
the cash flows.
The net cash flow shown in respect of Loans and advances to customers relates only to transactions involving actual payments or receipts.
The Addition to loan loss provision which is deducted from the item Loans and advances to customers in the balance sheet has been
adjusted accordingly from the result before tax and is shown separately in the statement of cash flows.
The difference between the net cash flow in accordance with the statement of cash flows and the change in Cash and cash equivalents in
the balance sheet is due to exchange rate differences and is accounted for separately as part of the reconciliation of the net cash flow and
the balance sheet change in Cash and cash equivalents.
ASSETS
1 CASH AND BALANCES WITH CENTRAL BANKS
As at 31 December 2010, Amounts due from banks included receivables with regard to securities which have been acquired in reverse
repurchase transactions amounting to EUR 4,621 million (2009: EUR 2,458 million) and receivables related to finance lease contracts
amounting to EUR 82 million (2009: EUR 64 million).
As at 31 December 2010, the non-subordinated receivables amounted to EUR 51,788 million (2009: EUR 43,396 million) and the
subordinated receivables amounted to EUR 40 million (2009: EUR 1 million).
No individual amount due from banks has terms and conditions that materially affect the amount, timing or certainty of consolidated
cash flows of the Group. For details on significant concentrations see ‘Risk management’ section.
As at 31 December 2010, the balance sheet value included equity securities which were lent or sold in repurchase transactions amounting
to EUR 69 million (2009: EUR 175 million) and nil (2009: nil), respectively. As at 31 December 2010, the balance sheet value included debt
securities which were lent or sold in repurchase transactions amounting to EUR 65 million (2009: EUR 325 million) and EUR 667 million
(2009: EUR 353 million), respectively.
As at 31 December 2010, Trading assets included receivables of EUR 47,894 million (2009: EUR 40,940 million) with regard to reverse
repurchase transactions.
The cost of investments for risk of policyholders as at 31 December 2010 was EUR 113,879 million (2009: EUR 106,904 million).
Investments in investment funds (with underlying investments in debt, equity securities, real estate and derivatives) are included
under equity securities.
Other non-trading derivatives include mainly interest rate swaps for which no hedge accounting is applied.
Included in the Financial assets designated as at fair value through profit and loss is a portfolio of loans and receivables which is economically
hedged by credit derivatives. The hedges do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting and the loans are recorded at fair value to avoid an
accounting mismatch. The maximum credit exposure of the loans and receivables included in Financial assets designated as at fair value
through profit and loss approximates its carrying value. The cumulative change in fair value of the loans attributable to changes in credit
risk amounts to a gain of EUR 29 million (2009: EUR 24 million) and the change for the current year is EUR 5 million (2009: nil).
The notional value of the related credit derivatives is EUR 205 million (2009: EUR 79 million). The change in fair value of the credit
derivatives attributable to changes in credit risk since the loans were first designated was nil (2009: nil) and the change for the current
year was nil (2009: nil).
The changes in fair value of the (designated) loans attributable to changes in credit risk have been calculated by determining the changes
in credit spread implicit in the fair value of bonds issued by entities with similar credit characteristics.
Other includes investments in private equity funds, hedge funds, other non-traditional investment vehicles and limited partnerships.
4 INVESTMENTS
Investments by type
2010 2009
Available-for-sale
– equity securities 9,754 8,853
– debt securities 212,793 188,850
222,547 197,703
Held-to-maturity
– debt securities 11,693 14,409
11,693 14,409
234,240 212,112
The fair value of the securities classified as held to maturity amounts to EUR 11,854 million as at 31 December 2010 (2009: EUR 14,809 million).
Reclassifications to Loans and advances to customers and Amounts due from banks (2009 and 2008)
Reclassifications out of available-for-sale investments to loans and receivables are allowed under IFRS-EU as of the third quarter of 2008.
In the second and first quarter of 2009 and in the fourth quarter of 2008 ING Group reclassified certain financial assets from Investments
available-for-sale to Loans and advances to customers and Amounts due from banks. The Group identified assets, eligible for reclassification,
for which at the reclassification date it had an intent to hold for the foreseeable future. The table below provides information on the three
reclassifications made in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first and second quarter of 2009. Information is provided for each of the
three reclassifications (see columns) as at the date of reclassification and as at the end of the subsequent reporting periods (see rows).
This information is disclosed under IFRS-EU as long as the reclassified assets continue to be recognised in the balance sheet.
Reclassifications to Loans and advances to customers and Amounts due from banks
Q2 2009 Q1 2009 Q4 2008
As per reclassification date
Fair value 6,135 22,828 1,594
Effective interest rate (weighted average) 1.4%–24.8% 2.1%–11.7% 4.1%–21%
Expected recoverable cash flows 7,118 24,052 1,646
Unrealised fair value losses in shareholders’ equity
(before tax) –896 –1,224 –69
Recognised fair value gains (losses) in shareholders’ equity
(before tax) between the beginning of the year in which
the reclassification took place and the reclassification date 173 nil –79
Recognised impairment (before tax) between the
beginning of the year in which the reclassification took
place and the reclassification date nil nil nil
2010
Carrying value as at 31 December 6,418 16,906 857
Fair value as at 31 December 6,546 16,099 889
Unrealised fair value losses recognised in shareholders’
equity (before tax) as at 31 December –491 –633 –65
Effect on shareholders’ equity (before tax) if
reclassification had not been made 128 –807 32
Effect on result (before tax) if reclassification had not
been made nil nil nil
Effect on result (before tax) for the year (mainly interest
income) 78 467 34
Recognised impairments (before tax) nil nil nil
Recognised provision for credit losses (before tax) nil nil nil
2009
Carrying value as at 31 December 6,147 20,551 1,189
Fair value as at 31 December 6,472 20,175 1,184
Unrealised fair value losses in shareholders’ equity
(before tax) as at 31 December –734 –902 –67
Effect on shareholders’ equity (before tax) if
reclassification had not been made 325 –376 –5
Effect on result (before tax) if reclassification had not
been made nil nil nil
Effect on result (before tax) after the reclassification
until 31 December (mainly interest income) 54 629 n/a
Effect on result (before tax) for the year (mainly interest
income) n/a n/a 47
Recognised impairments (before tax) nil nil nil
Recognised provision for credit losses (before tax) nil nil nil
2008
Carrying value as at 31 December 1,592
Fair value as at 31 December 1,565
Unrealised fair value losses recognised in shareholders’
equity (before tax) as at 31 December –971 –192 –79
Effect on shareholders’ equity (before tax) if
reclassification had not been made n/a n/a –28
Effect on result (before tax) if reclassification had not
been made n/a n/a nil
Effect on result (before tax) after the reclassification
until 31 December (mainly interest income) n/a n/a 9
Recognised impairments (before tax) nil nil nil
Recognised provision for credit losses (before tax) n/a n/a nil
2007
Unrealised fair value losses recognised in shareholders’
equity (before tax) as at 31 December –20
Recognised impairments (before tax) nil
Derecognition of Available-for-sale debt securities – Transaction with the Dutch State (2009)
ING Group and the Dutch government (‘State’) reached an agreement on an Illiquid Assets Back-Up Facility (‘IABF’) on 26 January 2009;
the transaction closed on 31 March 2009. Under the IABF, ING has transferred 80% of the economic ownership of its Alt-A portfolio to the
Dutch State. This portfolio was included in Available-for-sale debt securities. Reference is made to Note 33 ‘Related parties’ for more details.
As at 31 December 2010, the balance sheet value included debt securities which were lent or sold in repurchase transactions amounting to
EUR 3,302 million (2009: EUR 6,853 million) and EUR 14,617 million (2009: EUR 20,900 million), respectively.
Investments in connection with the insurance operations with a combined carrying value of EUR 6 million (2009: EUR 26 million) did not
produce any income for the year ended 31 December 2010.
Debt securities
2010 2009
Available-for-sale investments 212,793 188,850
Held-to-maturity investments 11,693 14,409
Loans and advances to customers 34,251 38,391
Due from banks 8,122 8,720
Available-for-sale investments and Assets at
amortised cost 266,859 250,370
307,454 287,349
ING Group’s total exposure to debt securities included in available-for-sale investments and assets at amortised cost of EUR 266,859
million (2009: EUR 250,370 million) is specified as follows by type of exposure and by banking and insurance operations:
Further comments on the ABS portfolio and the Bond portfolio (excluding ABS), including pressurised ABS and pressurised Greek and Irish
Government and Financial Institution bonds, is provided in the Risk management section under ‘Impact on pressurised asset classes’.
As at 31 December 2010, Loans and advances to customers included receivables with regard to securities which have been acquired
in reverse repurchase transactions related to the banking operations amounting to EUR 1,609 million (2009: EUR 2,409 million).
No individual loan or advance has terms and conditions that materially affect the amount, timing or certainty of the consolidated
cash flows of the Group. For details on significant concentrations see ‘Risk management’ section.
Loans and advances to customers and Amounts due from banks include finance lease receivables, are detailed as follows:
The allowance for uncollectible finance lease receivables included in the loan loss provisions amounted to EUR 177 million as at
31 December 2010 (2009: EUR 161 million).
No individual finance lease receivable has terms and conditions that materially affect the amount, timing or certainty of the consolidated
cash flows of the Group.
The increase in loan loss provisions relating to insurance operations is presented under Investment income. The increase in the loan loss
provisions relating to banking operations is presented under Addition to loan loss provisions on the face of the profit and loss account.
6 INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
Investments in associates
Fair value
Interest of listed Balance Total Total Total Total
2010 held (%) investment sheet value assets liabilities income expenses
TMB Public Company Limited 30 773 565 14,055 12,826 321 262
Sul America S.A. 36 948 388 5,223 4,178 3,749 3,307
ING Dutch Retail Master Fund C.V. 15 201 1,643 267 146 34
ING Dutch Office Master Fund C.V. 16 195 1,480 268 67 24
ING Retail Property Fund Iberica LP 29 144 1,635 1,122 149 86
ING Dutch Residential Master Fund C.V. 13 111 1,004 180 52 20
ING Real Estate Asia Retail Fund 28 107 782 450 51 53
ING Dutch Office Master Fund II C.V. 16 101 755 129 45 29
ING Lionbrook Property Partnership LP 21 96 620 171 77 19
ING Vastgoed Kantoren C.V. 10 90 945 46 75 40
ING Vastgoed Winkels C.V. 10 89 900 5 90 20
Lion Properties Fund 4 86 3,412 1,428 1,606 1,150
Lion Industrial Trust 8 85 2,691 1,583 247 130
ING Industrial Fund Australia 8 81 85 1,830 756 162 86
ING Real Estate French Residential Fund C.V. 45 76 233 63 20 8
ING Property Fund Central Europe LP 25 74 806 510 66 37
Steadfast Capital Fund II LP 68 74 145 3 2
ING Retail Property Fund France Belgium C.V. 15 70 1,382 916 102 56
Lion Value Fund 30 69 341 109 53 10
ING Dutch Residential Master Fund II C.V. 13 63 612 143 22 18
ING Real Estate Nordic Property Fund FGR 15 61 940 543 81 59
ING REI Investment DOF B.V. 3 59 2,235 414 199 175
ING Retail Property Partnership Southern Europe C.V. 21 52 1,001 759 48 67
ING Real Estate European Industrial Fund C.V. 15 50 647 308 42 28
Other investments in associates 934
3,925
Other investments in associates represents a large number of associates with an individual balance sheet value of less than EUR 50 million.
Accumulated impairments of EUR 71 million (2009: EUR 59 million) have been recognised.
For the above associates in which the interest held is below 20%, significant influence exists based on the combination of ING Group’s
financial interest for own risk and its role as investment manager. For the above associates in which the interest held is above 50%, control
is held by other parties through agreements. ING Group can exercise significant influence over such investments.
The values presented in the table above could differ from the values presented in the individual annual accounts of the associates, due to
the fact that the individual values have been brought in line with ING Group’s accounting principles.
In general, the reporting dates of all material associates are consistent with the reporting date of the Group. However, for practical reasons,
the reporting dates of certain associates differ slightly from with the reporting date of the Group, but, in any case, the difference between
the reporting date of the associates and that of the Group is no more than three months.
Where the listed fair value is lower than the balance sheet value, an impairment review and an evaluation of the going concern basis
has been performed.
Investments in associates
Fair value Balance
Interest of listed sheet Total Total Total Total
2009 held (%) investment value assets liabilities income expenses
TMB Public Company Limited 30 338 457 11,474 10,503 309 281
Sul America S.A. 36 694 288 4,714 3,904 3,360 3,138
ING Dutch Retail Master Fund C.V. 16 210 1,642 310 56 37
ING Dutch Office Master Fund C.V. 16 201 1,527 285 –12 30
ING Lionbrook Property Partnership LP 33 151 572 148 27 20
ING Retail Property Fund Iberica LP 30 140 1,635 1,156 –51 50
ING Dutch Residential Master Fund C.V. 13 111 1,019 194 –34 22
ING Retail Property Fund Australia 29 107 886 479 20 65
ING Dutch Office Master Fund II C.V. 16 104 775 129 31 27
ING Real Estate Asia Retail Fund 28 99 723 417 –46 140
ING Vastgoed Kantoren C.V. 10 89 952 44 10 33
ING Vastgoed Winkels C.V. 10 87 870 5 53 19
ING Industrial Fund Australia 8 61 78 2,265 1,343 344 387
Lion Industrial Trust 10 72 2,374 1,640 –174 729
ING Retail Property Fund France Belgium C.V. 15 71 1,381 909 2 87
ING Real Estate French Residential Fund C.V. 45 67 233 83 –1 8
ING Property Fund Central Europe LP 25 67 806 540 –25 52
ING REI Investment DOF B.V. 3 66 2,402 514 –215 266
ING Dutch Residential Master Fund II C.V. 13 65 626 141 –25 26
Lion Properties Fund 5 65 2,766 1,506 –226 1,167
ING Real Estate Nordic Property Fund FGR 16 56 940 588 –7 52
Steadfast Capital Fund II LP 68 56 83 2 6
ING Retail Property Partnership Southern Europe C.V. 21 55 1,001 745 –27 69
ING Logistics Property Fund Europe C.V. 25 51 467 263 –22 23
Other investments in associates 886
3,699
In 2010, share of results of EUR 317 million (2009: EUR –458 million) and impairments of EUR –3 million (2009: EUR –3 million)
are presented in the profit and loss account in Share of profit from associates for EUR 314 million (2009: EUR –461 million).
In 2010, Changes in the composition of the group comprises the sale of ING Summit Industrial Fund LP. Reference is made to Note 30
‘Companies acquired and companies disposed’.
The total amount of rental income recognised in the profit and loss account for the year ended 31 December 2010 was EUR 304 million
(2009: EUR 345 million). The total amount of contingent rent recognised in the profit and loss account for the year ended 31 December
2010 was EUR 14 million (2009: EUR 8 million).
The total amount of direct operating expenses (including repairs and maintenance) incurred from Real estate investments that generated
rental income for the year ended 31 December 2010 was EUR 113 million (2009: EUR 87 million). The total amount of direct operating
expenses (including repairs and maintenance) incurred from Real estate investments that did not generate rental income for the year
ended 31 December 2010 was EUR 6 million (2009: EUR 46 million).
Real estate investments by year of most recent appraisalby independent qualified valuers
in percentages 2010
Most recent appraisal in 2010 97
Most recent appraisal in 2009 3
100
ING Group’s exposure to real estate is included in the following balance sheet lines:
Furthermore, the exposure is impacted by third party interests, leverage in funds and off-balance commitments, resulting in an overall
exposure of EUR 11.1 billion (2009: EUR 13.1 billion) of which EUR 5.2 billion (2009: EUR 7.0 billion) relates to banking operations and
EUR 5.9 billion (2009: EUR 6.1 billion) relates to insurance operations. Reference is made to the section ‘Risk management’.
Revaluation surplus
Opening balance 531 606
Revaluation in year –3 –3
Released in year –72
Closing balance 528 531
The cost or the purchase price amounted to EUR 1,959 million (2009: EUR 2,043 million). Cost less accumulated depreciation
and impairments would have been EUR 1,114 million (2009: EUR 1,155 million).
Property in own use by year of most recent appraisal by independent qualified valuers
in percentages 2010
Most recent appraisal in 2010 51
Most recent appraisal in 2009 14
Most recent appraisal in 2008 25
Most recent appraisal in 2007 2
Most recent appraisal in 2006 8
100
Changes in equipment
Fixtures and fittings
Data processing equipment and other equipment Total
2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009
Opening balance 344 320 1,098 1,087 1,442 1,407
Additions 192 189 284 407 476 596
Changes in the composition of the group –4 –9 –7 –88 –11 –97
Disposals –12 –13 –41 –32 –53 –45
Depreciation –167 –155 –262 –261 –429 –416
Impairments –1 –1
Exchange rate differences 12 6 20 4 32 10
Other changes 12 6 –33 –19 –21 –13
Closing balance 376 344 1,059 1,098 1,435 1,442
Gross carrying amount as at 31 December 1,707 1,593 2,642 3,084 4,349 4,677
Accumulated depreciation as at 31 December –1,330 –1,249 –1,583 –1,986 –2,913 –3,235
Accumulated impairments as at 31 December –1 –1
Net book value 376 344 1,059 1,098 1,435 1,442
Transfer and other changes relates mainly to the transfer of cars under operating lease to Other assets due to the expiration of the
lease contract.
Depreciation of assets under operating leases is included in the profit and loss account in Other income as a deduction from operating
lease income.
No individual operating lease has terms and conditions that materially affect the amount, timing or certainty of the consolidated cash
flows of the Group.
The Group leases assets to third parties under operating leases as lessor. The future minimum lease payments to be received under
non–cancellable operating leases are as follows:
9 INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Amortisation of software and other intangible assets is included in the profit and loss account in Other operating expenses and Intangible
amortisation and other impairments. Amortisation of VOBA is included in Underwriting expenditure.
Goodwill
Changes in Goodwill
There were no additions to goodwill in 2010. Additions to Goodwill in 2009 mainly relate to the consolidation of 3W Holding BV
(EUR 26 million) and to the extension of ING Group’s Interhyp AG share of EUR 7 million. A goodwill impairment of EUR 540 million
was recognised in 2010. The impairment relates to the reporting unit Insurance US. There was no goodwill impairment in 2009. All other
changes in goodwill are mainly caused by foreign exchange rate differences.
As of 2010 ING Investment Management is a separate reporting unit following the change in operating segments as explained in Note 51
‘Operating Segments’.
As a first step of the impairment test, the best estimate of the recoverable amount of reporting units to which goodwill is determined
separately for each relevant reporting unit based on Price to Earnings, Price to Book, and Price to Assets under management ratios.
The main assumptions in this valuation are the multiples for Price to Earnings, Price to Book and Price to Assets under management;
these are developed internally but are either derived from or corroborated against market information that is related to observable
transaction in the market for comparable businesses. Earnings and book values are equal to or derived from the relevant measure under
IFRS-EU. If the outcome of this first step indicates that the difference between recoverable amount and book value may not be sufficient
to support the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit, an additional analysis is performed in order to determine a recoverable
amount in a manner that better addresses the specific characteristics of the relevant reporting unit.
More details on this additional analysis and the outcome thereof are presented below for each of the relevant reporting units. For other
reporting units, the goodwill allocated to these reporting units was fully supported in the first step.
Insurance US
Due to the unfavourable market circumstances for Insurance, including the low interest rate environment, there were indications in the
third quarter of 2010 that the recoverable amount of the reporting unit Insurance US had fallen below book value. As a result, a full
goodwill impairment review was performed for the reporting unit Insurance US in the third quarter of 2010. The reporting unit Insurance
US equals the segment Insurance US as disclosed in Note 51 ‘Operating segments’. The 2009 impairment test for Insurance US showed
that the recoverable amount based on fair value (using market multiples for Price/Book and Price/Earnings of listed peer companies) was
at least equal to book value. The outcome of the impairment test performed in the third quarter of 2010 indicated that the fair value
has become less than book value by an amount that exceeded the goodwill of Insurance US, indicating that the full amount of goodwill
relating to Insurance US is impaired. Further analysis of the recoverable amount confirmed the impairment. As a result, the goodwill
of EUR 540 million (pre-tax) was written down. The related charge is included in the profit and loss account in the line ‘Intangibles
amortisation and other impairments’. Goodwill is recognised in the Corporate Line segment and, therefore, this charge is included in
the segment reporting in the Corporate Line Insurance segment.
For flexible life insurance contracts the growth rate assumption used to calculate the amortisation of the deferred acquisition costs for
2010 is 8.3% gross and 4.8% net of investment management fees (2009: 8.2% gross and 5.6% net of investment management fees).
Amortisation and unlocking in 2010 includes a EUR 975 million DAC write-off as explained in Note 51 ‘Operating segments’.
The remaining amount includes unlocking of EUR –538 million (2009: EUR –461 million), which mainly relates to Insurance US
and amortisation of EUR –1,321 million (2009: EUR 3 million).
Cumulative other comprehensive income includes EUR 7 million (2009: EUR 13 million) related to Assets held for sale.
In addition to the entities presented as Held for sale above, ING is considering potential divestments, including those that are listed under
the European Commission Restructuring plan in Note 33 ‘Related parties’. However, none of these businesses qualify as held for sale as at
31 December 2010 as the potential divestments are not yet available for immediate sale in their present condition and/or a sale is not yet
highly probable to occur.
12 OTHER ASSETS
Other includes EUR 1,875 million (2009: EUR 2,058 million) related to transactions still to be settled at balance sheet date.
Disclosures in respect of deferred tax assets and pension assets are provided in Note 21 ‘Other liabilities’.
Accrued interest and rents includes EUR 7,113 million (2009: EUR 6,956 million) accrued interest on assets measured at amortised
cost under the IAS 39 classification Loans and receivables.
The total amount of borrowing costs relating to Property development and obtained from foreclosures, capitalised in 2010 is
EUR 18 million (2009: EUR 98 million).
The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance and insurance receivables amounted to EUR 52 million as at 31 December 2010
(2009: EUR 47 million). The allowance is deducted from this receivable.
EQUITY
13 SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (PARENT)/NON-VOTING EQUITY SECURITIES
The Revaluation reserve, Share of associates reserve (included in Other reserves), Currency translation reserve and the part of the Other
reserves that relates to the former Stichting Regio Bank cannot be freely distributed.
As at 31 December 2010, Other reserves included an amount of EUR 741 million (2009: EUR 645 million; 2008: EUR 566 million) related
to the former Stichting Regio Bank.
Share capital
Ordinary shares (par value EUR 0.24)
Number x1,000 Amount
2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008
Authorised share capital 4,500,000 4,500,000 4,500,000 1,080 1,080 1,080
Unissued share capital 668,439 668,439 2,436,852 161 161 585
Issued share capital 3,831,561 3,831,561 2,063,148 919 919 495
Share premium
Changes in Share premium are disclosed in the Consolidated statement of changes in equity of ING Group.
A total of 1,768,412,544 (depositary receipts for) ordinary shares were offered and sold, of which approximately 97% through
the exercise of rights and the remainder through placements to institutional investors. As a result, ING received approximately
EUR 7.3 billion in proceeds, net of fees and expenses.
These ordinary shares repurchased, were cancelled in two blocks, effective on 25 June 2008 and 7 October 2008 respectively. These now
form part of the unissued share capital.
Ordinary shares
All ordinary shares are in registered form. No share certificates have been issued. Ordinary shares may be transferred by means of a deed of
transfer. A transfer of ordinary shares requires written acknowledgement by ING Groep N.V. The par value of ordinary shares is EUR 0.24. The
authorised ordinary share capital of ING Groep N.V. currently consists of 4,500 million ordinary shares; it increased in 2008 from 3,000 million
shares to 4,500 million shares as a result from an amendment made to the Articles of Association on 8 October 2008. As at 31 December
2010, 3,832 million of ordinary shares were issued and fully paid.
The holder of a depositary receipt is entitled to receive from ING Trust Office payment of dividends and distributions corresponding to the
dividends and distributions received by ING Trust Office on an ordinary share.
In addition, the holder of a depositary receipt is entitled to attend and to speak at the General Meeting of Shareholders of ING Groep N.V.
either in person or by proxy. A holder of a depositary receipt, who thus attends the General Meeting of Shareholders, is entitled to vote
as a proxy of the ING Trust Office but entirely at his own discretion for a number of shares equal to the number of his depositary receipts.
A holder of depositary receipts who does not attend the General Meeting of Shareholders in person or by proxy is entitled to give a
binding voting instruction to the Trust Office for a number of shares equal to the number of his depositary receipts.
Depositary receipts for ordinary shares held by ING Group (Treasury shares)
As at 31 December 2010, 51.3 million (2009: 47.0 million; 2008: 36.5 million) depositary receipts for ordinary shares ING Groep N.V. with
a par value of EUR 0.24 were held by ING Groep N.V. or its subsidiaries. These depositary receipts for ordinary shares were purchased to
hedge option rights granted to the Executive Board members and other employees. In December 2010 ING Groep N.V. announced that
it will no longer rebalance its hedge portfolio. This decision is an effort to simplify the management and administration of ING’s various
employee share and option programmes. The remaining shares in the hedge portfolio will be used to fund the obligations arising out of
exercise and vesting. Once all shares in the hedge portfolio are used ING will fund these obligations by issuing new shares.
Moreover, ING Groep N.V.’s ability to pay dividends is dependent on the dividend payment ability of its subsidiaries and associates. ING Groep
N.V. is legally required to create a non-distributable reserve insofar profits of its subsidiaries and associates are subject to dividend payment
restrictions which apply to those subsidiaries and associates themselves. Such restrictions may among others be of a similar nature as the
restrictions which apply to ING Groep N.V. Furthermore there can be restrictions as a result of minimum capital requirements that are
imposed by industry regulators in the countries in which the subsidiaries operate, or other limitations which may exist in certain countries.
Without prejudice to the authority of the Executive Board to allocate profits to reserves and to the fact that the ordinary shares are the
most junior securities issued by ING Groep N.V., no specific dividend payment restrictions with respect to ordinary shares exist.
Furthermore, ING Groep N.V. is subject to legal restrictions with respect to repayment of capital to holders of ordinary shares. Capital may
be repaid to the holders of ordinary shares pursuant to an amendment of ING Groep N.V.’s Articles of Association whereby the ordinary
shares are written down.
Pursuant to the Dutch Civil Code, capital may only be repaid if none of ING Groep N.V.’s creditors opposes such a repayment within
two months following the announcement of a resolution to that effect.
On a distribution of a dividend ING Groep N.V. is in principle required to withhold an income tax on dividends at a rate of 15%.
B warrants (2008)
In 1998, ING Groep N.V. authorised the issue of a maximum of 17,317,132 B warrants, of which 17,220,200 were issued. On 5 January
2008 of the remaining 9,266,097 warrants, 259,484 warrants expired and 9,006,613 were exercised. Accordingly no B warrants were
outstanding as at 31 December 2010 (2009 and 2008: nil). B warrant holders were entitled to obtain from ING Groep N.V., for a fixed
price, depositary receipts for ordinary shares in the proportion of one B warrant to two depositary receipts. B warrant holders could
exercise their rights at their own discretion but no later than 5 January 2008.
The closing date for exercising warrants B was 5 January 2008. The exercise price of warrants B was EUR 49.92 for two depositary receipts.
Transfer to insurance liabilities/DAC includes the change in the deferred profit sharing liability (net of deferred tax).
Reference is made to Note 17 ‘Insurance and investment contracts, reinsurance contracts’.
The unrealised revaluations after taxation relate to changes in the value of hedging instruments that are designated as net investment hedges.
Dividend and repayment premium includes the coupon (EUR 259 million) and repayment premium (EUR 346 million) on the
repayment of EUR 5 billion non-voting equity securities.
These non-voting equity securities are deeply subordinated and rank pari-passu with ordinary shares in a winding up of ING Group.
On these non-voting equity securities a coupon was and is payable of the higher of:
• EUR 0.85 per security, payable annually in arrears, with a first coupon of EUR 0.425 per security paid on 12 May 2009; and
• 110% of the dividend paid on each ordinary share over 2009 (payable in 2010);
• 120% of the dividend paid on each ordinary share over 2010 (payable in 2011);
• 125% of the dividend paid on each ordinary share over 2011 onwards (payable in 2012 onwards).
Since ING Groep N.V. had already paid an interim dividend of EUR 0.74 per ordinary share in August 2008, ING recognised a coupon
payable of EUR 425 million to the Dutch State as of 31 December 2008. This coupon was paid out on 12 May 2009.
Further coupons are to be paid on 12 May of each year (the coupon date) in cash if the dividend on ordinary shares is paid in cash or to
be paid in scrip securities in the event of a scrip dividend on ordinary shares. Coupons are only due and payable, on a non-cumulative basis
and if a dividend is paid on ordinary shares over the financial year preceding the coupon date, either on an interim or a final dividend basis,
provided that ING Group’s capital adequacy position is and remains satisfactory both before and after payment in the opinion of the Dutch
central bank.
In December 2009, ING repurchased the first half of the non-voting equity securities (core Tier 1 securities) of EUR 5 billion plus a total
premium of EUR 605 million. In March 2011, ING announced that, at the next coupon reset date on 13 May 2011, ING intends to exercise its
option for early repurchase of EUR 2 billion of the remaining non-voting equity securities (core Tier 1 securities). The total payment in May
2011 will amount to EUR 3 billion and includes a 50% repurchase premium. ING will fund this repurchase from retained earnings. Provided
that the strong capital generation continues, ING intends to repurchase the remaining EUR 3 billion non-voting equity securities (core Tier 1
securities) ultimately by May 2012 from retained earnings. The final decision on repurchase of these non-voting equity securities (core Tier 1
securities) will be made before the envisaged repayment date and will be conditional upon there having been no material changes regarding
ING’s capital requirements and/or ING’s outlook on external market circumstances. The terms for the remaining non-voting equity securities,
including restrictions on remuneration and corporate governance, remained unchanged. Reference is made to Note 33 ‘Related parties’.
The cumulative preference shares rank before the ordinary shares in entitlement to dividend and to distributions upon liquidation of
ING Groep N.V.
The dividend on the cumulative preference shares will be equal to a percentage, calculated on the amount compulsorily paid up or yet
to be paid up. This percentage shall be equal to the average of the Euro OverNight Index Average (EONIA) as calculated by the European
Central Bank. During the financial year for which the distribution is made, this percentage is weighted on the basis of the number of
days for which it applies, increased by 2.5 percentage points.
If and to the extent that the profit available for distribution is not sufficient to pay the dividend referred to above in full, the shortfall will be made
up from the reserves insofar as possible. If, and to the extent that, the dividend distribution cannot be made from the reserves, the profits earned
in subsequent years shall first be used to make up the shortfall before any distribution may be made on shares of any other category.
ING Groep N.V.’s Articles of Association make provision for the cancellation of cumulative preference shares. Upon cancellation of
cumulative preference shares and upon liquidation of ING Groep N.V., the amount paid up on the cumulative preference shares
will be repaid together with the dividend shortfall in preceding years, insofar as this shortfall has not yet been made up.
Cumulative preference shares – Restrictions with respect to dividend and repayment of capital
ING Groep N.V. is subject to legal restrictions regarding the amount of dividends it can pay to the holders of its cumulative preference
shares, when issued. Pursuant to the Dutch Civil Code, dividends can only be paid up to an amount equal to the excess of the company’s
own funds over the sum of the paid-up capital, and reserves required by law.
Moreover, ING Groep N.V.’s ability to pay dividends is dependent on the dividend payment ability of its subsidiaries. ING Groep N.V. is
legally required to create a non-distributable reserve insofar profits of its subsidiaries are subject to dividend payment restrictions which
apply to those subsidiaries themselves. Such restrictions may among others be of a similar nature as the restrictions which apply to ING
Groep N.V. or may be the result of minimum capital requirements that are imposed by industry regulators in the countries in which the
subsidiaries operate, or other limitations which may exist in certain countries.
Without prejudice to the fact that the cumulative preference shares, when issued, will be junior securities of ING Groep N.V., no specific
dividend payment restrictions with respect to the cumulative preference shares exist.
Furthermore, ING Groep N.V. is subject to legal restrictions with respect to repayment of capital to holders of cumulative preference
shares. Capital may be repaid to the holders of cumulative preference shares pursuant to (i) an amendment of ING Groep N.V.’s articles
of association whereby the cumulative preference shares are written down or (ii) a resolution to redeem and cancel the cumulative
preference shares.
Pursuant to the Dutch Civil Code, capital may only be repaid if none of ING Groep N.V.’s creditors opposes such a repayment within
two months following the announcement of a resolution to that effect.
LIABILITIES
14 SUBORDINATED LOANS
Subordinated loans
Balance sheet value
Interest rate Year of issue Due date Notional amount in original currency 2010 2009
9.000% 2008 Perpetual EUR 10 10 10
8.500% 2008 Perpetual USD 2,000 1,469 1,357
8.000% 2008 Perpetual EUR 1,500 1,485 1,479
7.375% 2007 Perpetual USD 1,500 1,111 1,022
6.375% 2007 Perpetual USD 1,045 773 713
5.140% 2006 Perpetual GBP 600 692 670
5.775% 2005 Perpetual USD 1,000 741 690
6.125% 2005 Perpetual USD 700 504 472
4.176% 2005 Perpetual EUR 500 498 498
Variable 2004 Perpetual EUR 1,000 994 999
6.200% 2003 Perpetual USD 500 363 337
Variable 2003 Perpetual EUR 750 729 731
7.200% 2002 Perpetual USD 1,100 748 656
7.050% 2002 Perpetual USD 800 528 465
10,645 10,099
Subordinated loans consist of perpetual subordinated bonds issued by ING Groep N.V. These bonds have been issued to raise hybrid
capital for ING Verzekeringen N.V. and Tier 1 capital for ING Bank N.V. Under IFRS-EU these bonds are classified as liabilities. They are
considered capital for regulatory purposes.
Except for the 9% 2008 perpetual of EUR 10 million (a private placement), EUR 750 million of the 8% 2008 perpetual and USD 1,000 million
of the 5.775% 2005 perpetual (2009: the 9% 2008 perpetual of EUR 10 million), these loans have been subsequently provided as subordinated
loans by ING Groep N.V. to ING Verzekeringen N.V. and ING Bank N.V. under the same conditions as the original bonds as follows:
Subordinated loans provided by ING Groep N.V. to ING Bank N.V. and ING Verzekeringen N.V.
2010 2009
ING Bank N.V. 7,147 6,822
ING Verzekeringen N.V. 2,003 3,267
9,150 10,089
As of 31 December 2010, ING Group had unused lines of credit available including the payment of commercial paper borrowings relating
to debt securities in issue of EUR 6,518 million (2009: EUR 7,029 million).
ING Bank issued 3 year government guaranteed senior unsecured bonds amounting to USD 6 billion in January 2009. USD 5 billion
of the issue was priced at a fixed rate of 80 basis points over mid-swaps. USD 1 billion was priced at a variable rate of 80 basis points
over 3 month LIBOR.
ING Bank issued a 5 year EUR 4 billion fixed rate government guaranteed senior unsecured bond in February 2009. The issue was priced
at a fixed rate of 3.375%, 75 basis points over mid-swaps.
ING Bank issued a 5 year USD 2 billion fixed rate government guaranteed senior unsecured bond in March 2009. The issue was priced
at a fixed coupon of 3.90%, 145 basis points over USD mid-swaps.
All were issued under the Credit Guarantee Scheme of the State of the Netherlands and are part of ING Group’s regular medium-term
funding operations. ING Group pays a fee of 84 basis points over the issued bonds to the Dutch State to participate in the Credit
Guarantee Scheme.
Subordinated loans of group companies relate to capital debentures and private loans which are subordinated to all current and future
liabilities of ING Bank N.V.
Preference shares of group companies comprise non-cumulative guaranteed Trust Preference Securities which are issued by wholly owned
subsidiaries of ING Groep N.V. These securities have a liquidation preference of a certain amount plus any accrued interest and unpaid
dividend. Dividends with regard to these preference securities are presented as an interest expense in the profit and loss account. These
trust preference securities have no voting rights.
Provision for life insurance for risk of policyholders 114,603 99,299 359 374 114,962 99,673
Life insurance provisions 249,370 220,642 5,685 5,375 255,055 226,017
Provision for unearned premiums and unexpired risks 345 361 4 4 349 365
Total provisions for insurance contracts 252,818 224,076 5,789 5,480 258,607 229,556
The deferred profit sharing amount on unrealised revaluation is included in Provision for (deferred) profit sharing and rebates and amounts
to EUR 1,706 million as at 31 December 2010 (2009: EUR 313 million).
Current year provisions 11,843 12,864 7,500 8,734 415 574 19,758 22,172
Exchange rate differences 7,222 –1,364 8,488 –1,911 375 –124 16,085 –3,399
Other changes 72 –2,483 –490 –489 36 –177 –382 –3,149
Closing balance 134,767 121,343 114,603 99,299 5,685 5,375 255,055 226,017
Changes in the composition of the group in 2009 relate mainly to the sale of the annuity and mortgage business of Chile. Reference is
made to Note 30 ‘Companies acquired and companies disposed’.
Where discounting is used in the calculation of life insurance provisions, the rate is within the range 2.3% to 4.7% (2009: 2.8% to 5.8%)
based on weighted averages.
Insurance provisions include a provision for the estimated cost of the agreement with regard to unit-linked policies. For more information
reference is made to Note 31 ‘Legal proceedings’.
ING transferred part of its life insurance business to Scottish Re in 2004 by means of a co-insurance contract. This business continues
to be included in Life insurance provisions. The related asset from the co-insurance contract is recognised under Reinsurance contracts.
On 23 January 2009, Hannover Re and Scottish Re announced that Hannover Re has agreed to assume the ING individual life reinsurance
business originally transferred to Scottish Re in 2004.
ING transferred its U.S. group reinsurance business to Reinsurance Group America Inc. in 2010 by means of a reinsurance agreement.
This business continues to be included in Life insurance provisions. The related asset from the reinsurance contract is recognised under
Reinsurance contracts.
To the extent that the assuming reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations, the Group is liable to its policyholders for the portion
reinsured. Consequently, provisions are made for receivables on reinsurance contracts which are deemed uncollectible. The life reinsurance
market is highly concentrated and, therefore, diversification of exposure is inherently difficult. To minimise its exposure to significant losses
from reinsurer insolvencies, the Group evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers, monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from
similar geographical regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurer and maintains collateral. Reference is also made to the
‘Risk management’ section.
As at 31 December 2010, the total Reinsurance exposure, including Reinsurance contracts and Receivables from reinsurers (presented
in Other assets) amounted to EUR 6,610 million (2009: EUR 6,049 million) after the provision for uncollectible reinsurance of nil
(2009: EUR 1 million).
Changes in the composition of the group in 2009 relate mainly to the sale of ING Canada. Reference is made to Note 30 ‘Companies
acquired and companies disposed’.
Additions
– for the current year 1,121 1,111 20 21 1,141 1,132
– for prior years –35 –361 –11 –6 –46 –367
– interest accrual of provision 46 277 46 277
1,132 1,027 9 15 1,141 1,042
Changes in the composition of the group in 2009 relate mainly to the sale of ING Canada. Reference is made to Note 30 ‘Companies
acquired and companies disposed’.
ING Group had an outstanding balance of EUR 41 million as at 31 December 2010 (2009: EUR 42 million) relating to environmental
and asbestos claims of the insurance operations. In establishing the liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses related to
asbestos related illness and toxic waste clean-up, the management of ING Group considers facts currently known and current legislation
and coverage litigation. Liabilities are recognised for IBNR claims and for known claims (including the costs of related litigation) when
sufficient information has been obtained to indicate the involvement of a specific insurance policy, and management can reasonably
estimate its liability. In addition, liabilities are reviewed and updated regularly.
Where discounting is used in the calculation of the claims provisions, based on weighted averages, the rate is within the range of 3.0%
to 4.0% (2009: 3.0% to 4.0%).
Changes in the composition of the group in 2009 relate mainly to the sale of ING Australia. Reference is made to Note 30 ‘Companies
acquired and companies disposed’.
Cumulative payments –766 –718 –770 –593 –705 –713 –494 –4,759
132 182 211 277 337 480 689 2,308
Effect of discounting –17 –24 –26 –39 –43 –44 –42 –235
Liability recognised 115 158 185 238 294 436 647 2,073
The Group applies the exemption in IFRS-EU not to present Gross claims development for annual periods beginning before 1 January 2004
(the date of transition to IFRS-EU) as it is impracticable to obtain such information.
No funds have been entrusted to the Group by customers on terms other than those prevailing in the normal course of business.
As at 31 December 2010, Customer deposits and other funds on deposit included liabilities with regard to securities sold in repurchase
transactions amounting to EUR 5,272 million (2009: EUR 7,326 million).
Savings accounts relate to the balances on savings accounts, savings books, savings deposits and time deposits of personal customers.
The interest payable on savings accounts, which is contractually added to the accounts, is also included.
As at 31 December 2010, the Funds on deposit include amounts payable of EUR 43,995 million (2009: EUR 41,876 million) with regard
to repurchase transactions.
The change in the fair value of financial liabilities designated as at fair value through profit and loss attributable to changes in the credit
risk of that liability during 2010 was EUR 28 million (2009: EUR –191 million) and EUR 67 million (2009: EUR 39 million) on a cumulative
basis. This change has been determined as the amount of change in fair value of the financial liability that is not attributable to changes
in market conditions that gave rise to market risk (i.e. mainly interest rate risk based on yield curves).
The amount that ING Group is contractually required to pay at maturity to the holders of financial liabilities designated as at fair value
through profit and loss is EUR 12,438 million (2009: EUR 11,444 million).
21 OTHER LIABILITIES
Other staff-related liabilities include vacation leave provisions, bonus provisions, jubilee provisions and disability/illness provisions.
Deferred taxes are calculated on all temporary differences under the liability method using tax rates applicable in the jurisdictions
in which the Group is liable to taxation.
Comprising:
– deferred tax liabilities 2,399 2,618
– deferred tax assets –3,969 –3,425
–1,570 –807
Comprising:
– deferred tax liabilities 3,602 2,399
– deferred tax assets –8,034 –3,969
–4,432 –1,570
In 2009, the Other changes in Change through net result relates mainly to the tax effect on the additional Illiquid Assets Back-Up
Facility payments as part of the overall agreement with the European Commission of EUR 1.3 billion and on tax losses of foreign
branches carried forward.
The following tax loss carry forwards and tax credits will expire as follows as at 31 December:
Deferred tax assets are recognised for temporary deductible differences, for tax loss carry forwards and unused tax credits only to the
extent that realisation of the related tax benefit is probable.
The deferred tax asset includes balances for which the utilisation is dependent on future taxable profits whilst the related entities have
incurred losses in either the current year or the preceding year. The aggregate amount for the most significant entities where this applies
is EUR 1,009 million (2009: EUR 1,754 million).
Breakdown by jurisdiction
Banking operations Insurance operations Total
2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009
The Netherlands 230 119 171 233 401 352
United States 347 932 456 347 1,388
Great Britain 87 87
Belgium 75 15 90
Australia 40 40
Spain 19 14 19 14
Germany 19 19
Thailand 6 6
817 1,065 192 689 1,009 1,754
As a result of the partial write-off the deferred tax asset for tax loss carry forwards for Insurance in the US (as disclosed in Note 48
‘Taxation‘ in the line ‘Write down/reversal of deferred tax assets’) the loss carry forward amount for Insurance in the US is, in 2010,
less dependent on future taxable profits compared to 2009.
Recognition is based on the fact that it is probable that the entity will have taxable profits and/or can utilise tax planning opportunities
before expiration of the deferred tax assets. Changes in circumstances in future periods may adversely impact the assessment of the
recoverability. The uncertainty of the recoverability is taken into account in establishing the deferred tax assets.
As of 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009, ING Group had no significant temporary differences associated with the parent
company’s investments in subsidiaries, branches and associates and interest in joint ventures as any economic benefit from those
investments will not be taxable at parent company level.
As at 31 December 2010, the provision for reorganisation, of which EUR 317 million relates to termination benefits, mainly related to the
merger of the Dutch Retail Banking activities as well as other restructuring activities.
As at 31 December 2009, the provision for reorganisation, of which EUR 433 million relates to termination benefits, mainly related to the
reorganisation of Postbank, Postkantoren, Nationale Nederlanden, RVS and Insurance US.
As at 31 December 2009 Other provisions includes the provision for the industry-wide deposit guarantee scheme in the Netherlands due
to the bankruptcy of DSB Bank. In 2010 Dutch banks provided financing for the further dissolution of DSB. ING’s share is recognised, net
of the 2009 provision, under amounts due from banks at its fair value at issue. The provision for the estimated cost of the agreement with
regard to unit-linked policies is included in ‘Insurance and investment contracts’ as disclosed in Note 17.
The amounts included in other provisions are based on best estimates with regard to amounts and timing of cash flows required to settle
the obligation.
Presented as:
– Other liabilities 543 589 609 425 961
– Other assets –3,458 –3,143 –1,781 –439 –251
–2,915 –2,554 –1,172 –14 710
The Group maintains defined benefit retirement plans in its major countries of operation. These plans generally cover all employees and
provide benefits that are related to the remuneration and service of employees upon retirement. The benefits in some of these plans are
subject to various forms of indexation. The indexation is, in some cases, at the discretion of management; in other cases it is dependent
upon the sufficiency of plan assets.
Annual contributions are paid to the funds at a rate necessary to adequately finance the accrued liabilities of the plans calculated in
accordance with local legal requirements. Plans in all countries comply with applicable local regulations governing investments and
funding levels.
The Group provides other post-employment employee benefits to certain employees and former employees. These are primarily
post-employment healthcare benefits and discounts on ING products provided to employees and former employees.
Certain group companies sponsor defined contribution pension plans. The assets of all ING Group’s defined contribution plans are held in
independently administered funds. Contributions are generally determined as a percentage of pay. These plans do not give rise to balance
sheet provisions, other than relating to short-term timing differences included in current liabilities. The amount incurred in 2010 was
EUR 67 million (2009: EUR 81 million).
Actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and post-employment benefits for the year ended 31 December 2010 include
EUR 1,085 million (2009: EUR 387 million; 2008: EUR –2,647 million; 2007: EUR –789 million; 2006: EUR –180 million) experience gain
adjustments for assets and EUR 154 million (2009: EUR 172 million; 2008: EUR –70 million; 2007: EUR 83 million; 2006: EUR –163 million)
experience gain adjustments for liabilities.
Relating to:
– funded plans 16,051 14,104
– unfunded plans 132 105 168 156
16,183 14,209 168 156
Actuarial gains and losses in 2010 includes the impact of changes in mortality and indexation assumptions as set out below.
The estimated unrecognised past services cost and unrecognised actuarial gains and losses for the defined benefit plans to be amortised
to pension and other staff related liability costs during 2011 are nil and EUR 24 million, respectively.
The actual return on the plan assets amounted to EUR 1,971 million (2009: EUR 1,229 million).
Equity securities include ING Group ordinary shares of EUR 2 million (0.02% of total plan assets) as at 31 December 2010 (2009: EUR 3 million,
0.02% of total plan assets). Debt securities include investments in ING Group of EUR 57 million (0.4% of total plan assets) as at 31 December
2010 (2009: nil, 0% of total plan assets). Other includes mainly real estate. Real estate occupied by ING Group as at 31 December 2010 which
is included in Other includes EUR 5 million (0.04% of total plan assets) (2009: nil, 0.0% of total plan assets).
The assumptions above are weighted by defined benefit obligations. The rates used for salary developments, interest discount factors
and other adjustments reflect country-specific conditions.
The presented discount rate is the weighted average of the discount rates that are applied in different countries. These rates are based
on AA corporate bond yields of the specific countries with durations matching the pension liabilities.
An increase of 1% in the assumed medical cost trend rate for each future year would have resulted in an additional accumulated
defined benefit obligation of EUR 5 million as at 31 December 2010 (2009: EUR 4 million) and EUR 1 million increase in the charge
for the year (2009: EUR 2 million). A decrease of 1% in the medical cost trend rate for each future year would have resulted in lower
defined benefit obligation of EUR 5 million as at 31 December 2010 (2009: EUR 3 million) and EUR 2 million decrease in the charge
for the year (2009: EUR 1 million).
The actuarial assumption for Mortality rates decreased from 1.3% in 2009 to 1.0% in 2010, mainly as a result of more recent information
on mortality rates in the Netherlands that became available in 2010. The actuarial assumption for Indexation for inflation decreased from
2.0% in 2009 to 1.8% in 2010 mainly as a result of a revised best estimate assumption for future indexation in the pension plan in the
Netherlands. As a result of the current circumstances the probability of granting indexation in the short-term future decreased. These
changes in the actuarial assumptions for Mortality and Indexation resulted in an increase respectively decrease of the defined benefit
obligation which was accounted for as an (unrecognised) actuarial gain(loss). As a result, these changes did not directly impact
shareholders’ equity and net result in 2010.
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be paid by the plan:
Benefit payments
Post-
employment
Pension benefits other
benefits than pensions
2011 631 15
2012 597 15
2013 576 14
2014 573 14
2015 534 14
Years 2016 – 2020 3,315 46
Insurance and investment contracts 1,822 2,108 9,117 37,045 97,918 122,572 270,582
Liabilities held for sale 424 424
Other liabilities 11,787 2,513 9,855 7,516 4,458 1,398 37,527
Non-financial liabilities 13,609 4,621 19,396 44,561 102,376 123,970 308,533
Total liabilities 584,219 94,024 85,469 164,670 169,085 137,056 –34,697 1,199,826
Insurance and investment contracts 1,618 1,830 7,300 33,723 90,322 106,065 240,858
Liabilities held for sale 4,630 77 183 4,890
Other liabilities 15,567 3,059 12,256 5,586 4,319 567 41,354
Non-financial liabilities 21,815 4,966 19,739 39,309 94,641 106,632 287,102
Total liabilities 545,550 91,361 97,218 161,467 154,175 118,448 –44,354 1,123,865
The accounting treatment of hedge transactions varies according to the nature of the instrument hedged and whether the hedge qualifies
under the IFRS-EU hedge accounting rules. Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS-EU are classified and accounted for
according to the nature of the instrument hedged and the type of IFRS-EU hedge model that is applicable. The three models applicable
under IFRS-EU are: fair value hedge accounting, cash flow hedge accounting and net investment hedge accounting. These are described
under the relevant headings below. The company’s detailed accounting policies for these three hedge models are set out in section
‘Principles of valuation and determination of results’.
To qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS-EU, strict criteria must be met. Certain hedges that are economically effective from a risk
management perspective do not qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS-EU. The fair value changes of derivatives relating to such non
qualifying hedges are taken to the profit and loss account. However, in certain cases, the Group mitigates the resultant profit and loss
account volatility by designating hedged assets and liabilities at fair value through profit and loss. If hedge accounting is applied under
IFRS-EU, it is possible that during the hedge a hedge relationship no longer qualifies for hedge accounting and hedge accounting cannot
be continued, even if the hedge remains economically effective. As a result, the volatility arising from undertaking economic hedging in
the profit and loss account may be higher than would be expected from an economic point of view.
With respect to exchange rate and interest rate derivative contracts, the notional or contractual amounts of these instruments is indicative
of the nominal value of transactions outstanding at the balance sheet date; however they do not represent amounts at risk. ING Group
uses credit derivatives to manage its exposure to credit risk, including total return swaps and credit default swaps, to sell or buy protection
for credit risk exposures in the loan, investment and trading portfolios. Hedge accounting is not applied in relation to credit derivatives.
Gains and losses on derivatives designated under fair value hedge accounting are recognised in the profit and loss account. The effective
portion of the fair value change on the hedged item is also recognised in the profit and loss account. As a result, only the net accounting
ineffectiveness has an impact on the net result.
For the year ended 31 December 2010, ING Group recognised EUR –748 million (2009: EUR –1,130 million) of fair value changes on
derivatives designated under fair value hedge accounting in the profit and loss account. This amount was partly offset by EUR 752 million
(2009: EUR 975 million) fair value changes recognised on hedged items. This resulted in EUR 4 million (2009: EUR –155 million) net
accounting ineffectiveness recognised in the profit and loss account. As at 31 December 2010, the fair values of outstanding derivatives
designated under fair value hedge accounting was EUR –4,474 million (2009: EUR –6,139 million), presented in the balance sheet as
EUR 4,127 million (2009: EUR 2,727 million) positive fair values under assets and EUR 8,601 million (2009: EUR 8,866 million) negative
fair values under liabilities.
ING Group applies fair value hedge accounting for portfolio hedges of interest rate risk (macro hedging) under the EU ‘carve out’ of
IFRS-EU. The EU ‘carve-out’ macro hedging enables a group of derivatives (or proportions) to be viewed in combination and jointly
designated as the hedging instrument and removes some of the limitations in fair value hedge accounting relating to hedging core
deposits and under-hedging strategies. Under the IFRS-EU ‘carve-out’, hedge accounting may be applied to core deposits and
ineffectiveness only arises when the revised estimate of the amount of cash flows in scheduled time buckets falls below the designated
amount of that bucket. ING Group applies the IFRS-EU ‘carve-out’ to its retail operations in which the net exposure of retail funding
(savings and current accounts) and retail lending (mortgages) is hedged. The hedging activities are designated under a portfolio fair
value hedge on the mortgages, using the IFRS-EU provisions.
Gains and losses on the effective portions of derivatives designated under cash flow hedge accounting are recognised in Shareholders’
equity. Interest cash flows on these derivatives are recognised in the profit and loss account in interest income consistent with the manner
in which the forecast cash flows affect net result. The gains and losses on ineffective portions of such derivatives are recognised
immediately in the profit and loss account.
For the year ended 31 December 2010, ING Group recognised EUR 475 million (2009: EUR –805 million) after tax in equity as effective fair
value changes on derivatives under cash flow hedge accounting. As a consequence, the balance of the cash flow hedge reserve in equity
as at 31 December 2010 was EUR 1,110 million (2009: EUR 442 million) gross and EUR 847 million (2009: EUR 372 million) after deferred
tax. This cash flow hedge reserve will fluctuate with the fair value changes of the underlying derivatives and will be reflected in the profit
and loss account under Interest income/expense over the remaining term of the underlying hedged items. The cash flow hedge reserve
relates to a large number of derivatives and hedged items with varying maturities, up to 46 years for insurance operations and 59 years
for banking operations, with the largest concentrations in the range of 1 to 3 years for insurance operations and 1 to 12 years for banking
operations. Accounting ineffectiveness on derivatives designated under cash flow hedge accounting resulted in a loss of EUR 7 million
(2009: EUR 10 million loss) which was recognised in the profit and loss account.
As at 31 December 2010, the fair values of outstanding derivatives designated under cash flow hedge accounting was EUR –824 million
(2008: EUR –947 million), presented in the balance sheet as EUR 4,440 million (2009: EUR 5,521 million) positive fair values under assets
and EUR 5,264 million (2009: EUR 6,468 million) negative fair values under liabilities.
As at 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009, there were no non-derivatives designated as hedging instruments for cash flow hedge
accounting purposes.
Included in Interest income and interest expense on non-trading derivatives is EUR 3,613 million (2009: EUR 2,159 million) and
EUR 3,138 million (2009: EUR 1,964 million), respectively, relating to derivatives used in cash flow hedges.
Gains and losses on the effective portions of derivatives designated under net investment hedge accounting are recognised in
Shareholders’ equity. The balance in equity is recognised in the profit and loss account when the related foreign subsidiary is disposed.
The gains and losses on ineffective portions are recognised immediately in the profit and loss account.
As at 31 December 2010, the fair values of outstanding derivatives designated under net investment hedge accounting was
EUR –87 million (2009: EUR –278 million), presented in the balance sheet as EUR 81 million (2009: EUR 38 million) positive fair values
under assets and EUR 168 million (2009: EUR 316 million) negative fair values under liabilities.
As at 31 December 2010, the fair values of outstanding non-derivatives designated under net investment hedge accounting was
EUR 208 million (2009: EUR 555 million).
Accounting ineffectiveness recognised in the profit and loss account for the year ended 31 December 2010 on derivatives and
non-derivatives designated under net investment hedge accounting was EUR 5 million (2009: EUR 1 million).
The maximum credit exposure for items on the balance sheet that are exposed to credit risk is generally the balance sheet carrying
value for the relevant financial assets. For the off-balance sheet items the maximum credit exposure is the maximum amount that
could be required to be paid. Collateral received is not taken into account.
The manner in which ING Group manages credit risk and determines credit risk exposures for that purpose is explained in the
‘Risk management’ section.
Banks includes Amounts due from banks and balances with central banks. ING Bank N.V. has an obligation to maintain a reserve
with an average monthly balance with the Dutch central bank. In December 2010 the required monthly average was EUR 5,909 million
(2009: EUR 5,620 million). As at 31 December 2010 the balance on this reserve was EUR 334 million (2009: EUR 354 million).
Loans and advances to customers, not freely disposable, includes the loan to the Dutch State in connection with the Illiquid Assets Back-Up
Facility agreement as disclosed in Note 33 ‘Related parties’ and loans that for liquidity purposes have been pledged as collateral in the
United States of EUR 7 billion (2009: EUR 7 billion), Germany of EUR 5 billion (2009: EUR 5 billion) and Canada of EUR 5 billion (2009: nil).
The table does not include assets relating to repurchase and stock lending transactions. Reference is made to Note 3 ‘Financial assets
at fair value through profit and loss’ and Note 4 ‘Investments’ for the relevant amounts.
There are no material terms and conditions relating to the collateral represented in the above table which are individually significant.
Insurance operations
Commitments 1,514 117 63 186 7 103 1,990
Guarantees 109 7 556 6 678
1,514 117 172 193 563 109 2,668
Insurance operations
Commitments 1,218 8 83 292 2 43 1,646
Guarantees 955 955
1,218 8 83 292 957 43 2,601
Guarantees relate both to credit and non-credit substitute guarantees. Credit substitute guarantees are guarantees given by ING Group in
respect of credit granted to customers by a third party. Many of them are expected to expire without being drawn on and therefore do
not necessarily represent future cash outflows. In addition to the items included in contingent liabilities, ING Group has issued guarantees
as a participant in collective arrangements of national industry bodies and as a participant in government required collective guarantee
schemes which apply in different countries.
Irrevocable letters of credit mainly secure payments to third parties for a customer’s foreign and domestic trade transactions in order to
finance a shipment of goods. ING Group’s credit risk in these transactions is limited since these transactions are collateralised by the
commodity shipped and are of a short duration.
Other contingent liabilities include acceptances of bills and are of a short-term nature. Other contingent liabilities also include contingent
liabilities resulting from the normal operations of the Real Estate business including obligations under development and construction
contracts. None of the items included in Other contingent liabilities are individually significant.
Irrevocable facilities mainly constitute unused portions of irrevocable credit facilities granted to corporate clients. Many of these facilities
are for a fixed duration and bear interest at a floating rate. ING Group’s credit risk and interest rate risk in these transactions is limited.
The unused portion of irrevocable credit facilities is secured by customers’ assets or counter-guarantees by the central governments and
exempted bodies under the regulatory requirements. Irrevocable facilities also include commitments made to purchase securities to be
issued by governments and private issuers.
2011 199
2012 186
2013 159
2014 135
2015 129
Years after 2015 280
After securitisation of these assets ING Group continues to recognise them on its balance sheet under Loans and advances to customers.
These transactions are therefore not off-balance sheet arrangements.
ING Group supports the commercial paper programmes by providing the SPE with short-term standby liquidity facilities. These liquidity
facilities are intended primarily to cover temporarily disruptions in the commercial paper market. Once drawn these facilities bear normal
credit risk. A number of programmes are supported by granting structured liquidity facilities to the SPE, in which ING Group covers at least
some of the credit risk incorporated in these programmes itself (in addition to normal liquidity facilities), and might suffer credit losses as a
consequence. Furthermore, under a Programme Wide Credit Enhancement ING Group guarantees to a limited amount all remaining losses
incorporated in the SPE to the commercial paper investors. All facilities, which vary in risk profile, are granted to the SPE subject to normal
ING Group credit and liquidity risk analysis procedures. The fees received for services provided and for facilities are charged subject to
market conditions. The SPE is included in the consolidation of ING Group. These transactions are therefore not off-balance sheet
arrangements.
The normal non-structured standby liquidity facilities and the structured facilities are reported under irrevocable facilities.
ING Group receives market-rate fees for structuring, asset managing and distributing CDO-securities to investors. The total amount of
these fees is not significant.
Other entities
ING Group is also a party to other SPEs used, for example, in structured finance and leasing transactions.
Investment funds
ING Group as fund manager and investor
ING Group sets up investment funds for which it acts as a fund manager and sole investor at the inception of the fund. Subsequently, ING
Group will seek third-party investors to invest in the fund, thereby reducing the interest of ING Group. In general, ING Group will maintain
a small percentage of interest in these funds. These funds are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group if and when
control exists, taking into account both ING Group’s financial interests for own risk and its role as investment manager.
29 PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES
The principal subsidiaries of ING Groep N.V. and their statutory seat are as follows:
Sales proceeds
Cash proceeds (1) 985 345 333 1,663
Sales proceeds 985 345 333 1,663
Assets
Cash assets 4 179 183
Investments 41 236 277
Loans and advances to customers 2,390 816 6 3,212
Amounts due from banks 1,171 1,177 39 2,387
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss 397 8 405
Real estate investments 1,620 1,620
Miscellaneous other assets 20 46 57 123
Liabilities
Amounts due to banks 180 755 952 1,887
Customer deposits and other funds on deposit 3,098 1,382 4,480
Miscellaneous other liabilities 92 53 52 197
In October 2009 ING reached an agreement to sell its Swiss Private Banking business to Julius Baer for a consideration of EUR 345 million
(CHF 520 million) in cash. The transaction generated a net profit for ING of EUR 73 million. The sale was completed in January 2010. The
Swiss Private Banking business was previously included in the segment Retail CE.
In August 2010 ING announced that it has agreed to sell its 50% stake in ING Summit Industrial Fund LP (‘Summit’), a Canadian light
industrial property portfolio to a joint venture between KingSett Capital and Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo).
The sale was completed in November 2010. The transaction value for 100% of Summit is CAD 2.0 billion (EUR 1.4 billion) and includes
assumed debt. In addition to its direct investment in Summit, ING has an indirect participation through its 7.8% unit holding of ING
Industrial Fund (IIF), an ING-managed listed property fund in Australia which owns the remaining 50% in Summit. As part of the
transaction, IIF has agreed to simultaneously sell its stake in Summit to KingSett/AIMCo. Consequently, ING’s indirect participation in
Summit will end as well. Separately, ING sold ING Real Estate Canada, the manager of Summit, to KingSett/AIMCo for an undisclosed
amount. The transaction had no material impact on ING Group’s 2010 results and capital ratios. The transaction resulted in a net loss
of EUR 26 million in 2010. Summit was previously included in the segment ING Real Estate.
Furthermore there were some disposals that did not have a significant impact on ING’s balance sheet and profit and loss account.
In November 2009 ING reached an agreement to sell three of its US independent retail broker-dealer units to Lightyear Capital LLC
for a total consideration of EUR 96 million. The transaction concerns Financial Network Investment Corporation, based in El Segundo,
California, Multi-Financial Securities Corporation, based in Denver, Colorado, PrimeVest Financial Services, Inc., based in St. Cloud,
Minnesota, and ING Brokers Network LLC, the holding company and back-office supporting those broker dealers, which collectively
do business as ING Advisors Network. The sale was completed in February 2010. The three US independent retail broker-dealer units
were previously included in the segment Insurance US.
In December 2009 ING reached an agreement to sell the non-life insurance operations in Greece for a total consideration of EUR 4 million.
The sale was completed in July 2010.
In December 2009 ING announced the sale of its entire stake in China’s Pacific Antai Life Insurance Company Ltd. (PALIC) to China
Construction Bank. This is the outcome of a strategic review announced in April 2009 as part of ING’s Back to Basics program. The stake
in PALIC is included in the segment Insurance Asia/Pacific. The transaction is expected to be closed in 2011. The closing is subject to
regulatory approval.
The above described disposals and ING Arrendadora S.A. de C.V. are expected to close in 2011 and will be deconsolidated in 2011 when
ING loses control. They qualify as disposal groups held for sale at 31 December 2010 as ING expects to recover the carrying amount
principally through the sale transactions. They are available for sale in their immediate condition subject to terms that are usual and
customary for sales of such assets and the sales are considered to be highly probable.
2009
Goodwill recognised in 2009 amounted to EUR 39 million as disclosed in Note 9 ‘Intangible assets’. This includes EUR 26 million in relation
to the consolidation of 3W Holding B.V as disclosed below. There were no significant acquisitions in 2009.
In August 2009 ING obtained control of its 50% owned joint venture 3W Holding B.V., a real estate development company. ING obtained
a majority representation in the Supervisory Board of 3W Holding B.V. and entered into an option agreement that allows ING to acquire
the remaining 50%. As a result of obtaining control, 3W Holding B.V. is fully included in the consolidation as of September 2009. Net
assets upon consolidation amounted to EUR –21 million. The estimated consideration payable for obtaining the remaining 50% under the
option agreement is approximately EUR 5 million. Therefore, goodwill of EUR 26 million is recognised. This goodwill is mainly attributable
to operational synergies arising from obtaining control of the professional network of 3W and the future business potential in the southern
Netherlands where 3W is active.
3W Holding B.V.
General
Primary line of business Bank
Assets
Miscellaneous other assets 51
Liabilities
Customer deposits and other funds on deposit 21
Miscellaneous other liabilities 51
Goodwill recognised 26
Sales proceeds
Cash proceeds (1) 1,316 217 1,106 2,639
Non-cash proceeds 466 466
Sales proceeds 466 1,316 217 1,106 3,105
Assets
Cash assets 80 322 2 233 637
Investments 9,801 2,350 1,803 385 14,339
Loans and advances to customers 1,341 79 413 1,833
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss 1,552 1,075 52 8,370 11,049
Miscellaneous other assets 2,538 2,092 74 639 5,343
Liabilities
Insurance and investment contracts 14,294 3,761 2,009 8,524 28,588
Miscellaneous other liabilities 260 223 95 334 912
In February 2009, ING completed the sale of its 70% stake in ING Canada for net proceeds of EUR 1,316 million. This differs from the
proceeds presented in the annual accounts of 2008 of EUR 1,265 million due to movements in the Canadian dollar/euro exchange rate
between date of signing the sales agreement and the date of closing. The sale was effected through a private placement and a concurrent
‘bought deal’ public offering in Canada. This transaction resulted in a loss of EUR 38 million. ING Canada was previously included in the
segment Insurance US.
In July 2009 ING reached an agreement to sell its non-core Annuity and Mortgage businesses in Chile to Corp Group Vida Chile, S.A
for EUR 217 million. This sale does not impact ING’s Pension, Life Insurance, and Investment Management businesses in Chile where
ING remains committed to developing leadership positions. This sale was completed in November 2009 and resulted in a loss of
EUR 23 million. These non-core Annuity and Mortgages businesses were previously included in the segment Insurance Latin America.
In September 2009 ING reached an agreement to sell its life insurance and wealth management venture in Australia and New Zealand to
ANZ, its joint venture partner. Under the terms of the agreement, ING sold its 51% equity stakes in ING Australia and ING New Zealand
to ANZ for EUR 1,106 million cash proceeds. The transaction is part of ING’s Back to Basics strategy. The sale was completed in November
2009 and resulted in a profit for ING of EUR 337 million. The joint venture was previously included in the segment Insurance Asia/Pacific.
Purchase price
Purchase price 418 397 578 110 1,503
Costs directly attributable to the acquisition 4 5 9
Cash purchase price 418 401 583 110 1,512
Assets
Cash assets 45 35 80
Investments 8 8
Loans and advances to customers 6 6
Amounts due from banks 43 43
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss 78 78
Intangible assets 31 73 104
Miscellaneous other assets 20 235 2 24 8 289
Liabilities
Insurance and investment contracts 7 7
Customer deposits and other funds on deposit 224 224
Miscellaneous other liabilities 16 20 6 26 2 70
Net assets 47 –9 112 116 41 307
Minority interests
Net assets acquired 47 –9 112 116 41 307
In August 2008, ING acquired approximately 97% of Interhyp AG, Germany’s largest independent residential mortgage distributor for
a total consideration of EUR 418 million. Goodwill of EUR 371 million was recognised on the acquisition and is mainly attributable to
the future potential for enhancing ING’s distribution platforms in Europe resulting from the acquisition.
In July 2008, ING acquired 100% of CitiStreet, a leading retirement plan and benefit service and administration organisation in the
US defined contribution marketplace for a total consideration of EUR 578 million. Goodwill of EUR 462 million was recognised on
the acquisition and is mainly attributable to the operational synergies and the future business potential resulting from the acquisition,
making ING one of the largest defined contribution businesses in the US.
In January 2008, ING closed the final transaction to acquire 100% of Banco Santander’s Latin American pension and annuity businesses
through the acquisition of the pension business in Chile.
Sales proceeds
Sales proceeds 272 950 1,222
Cash proceeds 272 950 1,222
Assets
Cash assets 12 26 38
Investments 461 1,146 1,607
Loans and advances to customers 137 65 202
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss 41 41
Miscellaneous other assets 26 1,261 1,287
Liabilities
Insurance and investment contracts 210 1,497 1,707
Miscellaneous other liabilities 10 274 284
In July 2008, ING completed the sale of part of its Mexican business, Seguros ING SA de CV and subsidiaries, to AXA as announced
in February 2008, for a total consideration of EUR 950 million (USD 1.5 billion). The sale resulted in a gain of EUR 182 million.
In January 2008 ING completed the sale of its health business in Chile, ING Salud, to Said Group and Linzor Capital Partners, resulting
in a gain on disposal of EUR 55 million.
ING acquired the AFJP Pension (Origenes AFJP S.A.) company in Argentina as part of the Santander transaction. In November 2008 the
Government of Argentina passed legislation to nationalise the private pension system (AFJPs). Under the law, all client balances held by
the private pension system had to be transferred to the Argentina Government and AFJP’s pension business was terminated. The law
became effective in December 2008 when the Argentine Social Security Administration (ANSES) took ownership over the affiliate
accounts. The nationalisation impacted the pension assets only, thus leaving ING responsible for the ongoing operating costs and
liabilities including severance obligations. This resulted in a loss of EUR 188 million being recognised in 2008.
31 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ING Group companies are involved in litigation and arbitration proceedings in the Netherlands and in a number of foreign jurisdictions,
including the United States, involving claims by and against them which arise in the ordinary course of their businesses, including in
connection with their activities as insurers, lenders, employers, investors and taxpayers. In certain of such proceedings, very large or
indeterminate amounts are sought, including punitive and other damages. While it is not feasible to predict or determine the ultimate
outcome of all pending or threatened legal and regulatory proceedings, the Company’s management is of the opinion that neither it nor
any of its subsidiaries is aware of any governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings (including any such proceedings which are pending or
threatened of which the Company is aware) which may have or have in the recent past had a significant effect on the financial position or
profitability of the Company.
Because of the geographic spread of its business, ING may be subject to tax audits in numerous jurisdictions at any point in time. Although
ING believes that it has adequately provided for all its tax positions, the ultimate resolution of these audits may result in liabilities which are
different from the amounts recognised.
Proceedings in which ING is involved, include complaints and lawsuits concerning the performance of certain interest sensitive products
that were sold by a former subsidiary of ING in Mexico. Proceedings also include lawsuits that have been filed by former employees of an
Argentinean subsidiary, whose employment was terminated as a result the Republic of Argentina’s nationalisation of the mandatory
pension business. Litigation has been filed by the purchaser of certain ING Mexican subsidiaries who claims that the financial condition of
the subsidiaries was not accurately depicted. Further, purported class litigation has been filed in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York alleging violations of the federal securities laws with respect to disclosures made in connection with the
2007 and 2008 offerings of ING’s Perpetual Hybrid Capital Securities. The Court has determined that the claims relating to the 2007
offerings were without merit and has dismissed them. The challenged disclosures that survived the Court’s ruling relate solely to the June
2008 offering, and primarily to ING Group’s investments in certain residential mortgage-backed securities. Additional purported class
litigation challenges the operation of the ING Americas Savings Plan and ESOP and the ING 401(k) Plan for ILIAC Agents. Recently, an
administrator of an ERISA plan filed a lawsuit seeking to represent a class of ERISA plan administrators claiming that an ING subsidiary had
breached certain of its ERISA duties. These matters are being defended vigorously; however, at this time, ING is unable to assess their final
outcome. Subject to court approval, litigation involving the interest crediting methodology used in connection with certain annuity
products and disclosures about that methodology, in which a state court of appeals determined a nationwide class could be maintained,
has been resolved.
In November 2006, the issue of amongst others the transparency of unit-linked products (commonly referred to as
‘beleggingsverzekeringen’) has received attention both in the Dutch public media and from the Dutch regulator for the insurance industry
and consumer protection organisations. In mid-November 2008 ING reached an outline agreement with consumer organisations in the
Netherlands to resolve a dispute regarding individual unit-linked products sold to customers in the Netherlands by ING’s Dutch insurance
subsidiaries. It was agreed that ING’s Dutch insurance subsidiaries would offer compensation to policyholders where individual unit-linked
policies have a cost charge in excess of an agreed maximum. The costs of the settlement have been valued at EUR 365 million. Although
the agreement is not binding for policyholders, ING believes a significant step was made towards resolving the issue. Implementation will
start in 2011. However, no agreement about implementation could be reached with one consumer protection organisation.
In January 2010 ING lodged an appeal with the General Court of the European Union against specific elements of the European
Commission’s decision regarding ING’s restructuring plan. In its appeal, ING contests the way the Commission has calculated the amount
of state aid ING received and the disproportionality of the price leadership restrictions specifically and the disproportionality of
restructuring requirements in general.
In January 2011 the Association of Stockholders (Vereniging van Effectenbezitters, ‘VEB’) has issued a writ alleging that investors were
misled by the prospectus that was issued with respect to the September 2007 rights issue of Fortis N.V. (now: Ageas N.V.) against Ageas
N.V., the underwriters of such rights issue, including ING Bank, and former directors of Fortis N.V. According to the VEB the prospectus
shows substantive incorrect and misleading information. The VEB states that the impact and the risks of the subprime crisis for Fortis and
Fortis’ liquidity position have been reflected incorrectly in the prospectus. The VEB requests a declaratory decision stating that the
summoned parties have acted wrongfully and are therefore responsible for the damages suffered by the investors in Fortis. The amount of
damages of EUR 18 billion has not been substantiated yet. ING will defend itself against this claim; at this time ING is not able to assess the
future outcome.
In March 2011, ING Groep N.V. was informed of the decision of the board of Stichting Pensioenfonds ING (the Dutch ING Pension Fund) to
institute arbitration against ING’s decision not to provide funding for indexing pensions. While it is not feasible to predict the ultimate
outcome of these arbitration proceedings, the Company’s management is of the opinion that these will not have a significant effect on the
financial position or profitability of the Company.
32 JOINT VENTURES
Joint ventures are included proportionally in the consolidated financial statements as follows:
33 RELATED PARTIES
In the normal course of business, ING Group enters into various transactions with related companies. Parties are considered to be related
if one party has the ability to control or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial or operating decisions.
Transactions have taken place on an arm’s length basis and include rendering or receiving of services, leases, transfers under finance
arrangements and provisions of guarantees or collateral.
Receivables on ING Bank N.V. and ING Verzekeringen N.V. mainly include long term funding. Liabilities to ING Bank N.V. mainly include
short term deposits.
Transactions with key management personnel (Executive Board and Supervisory Board) and post-employment benefit plans are
transactions with related parties. These transactions are disclosed in more detail in the remuneration report in the annual report.
For the post-employment benefit plans see Note 21 ‘Other liabilities’.
In 2009 as a result of the change in strategy of ING Groep N.V. the Executive Board of ING Groep N.V. was reduced from eight to
three members. The effective date of this change was 1 June 2009. At the same time the Executive Board of ING Bank N.V. and ING
Verzekeringen N.V. were transformed into Management Boards for ING Bank N.V. and ING Verzekeringen N.V. The former Executive
Board members of ING Groep N.V. became Management Board members of ING Bank N.V or ING Verzekeringen N.V. Furthermore,
the three members of the Executive Board of ING Groep N.V. are also member of both Management Boards. The Management
Board members of ING Bank and ING Insurance are also considered to be key management of ING Group.
The total number of stock options on ING Groep N.V. shares held by the Executive Board members of ING Group N.V. amounted to
164,689 as at 31 December 2010 (2009: 164,689) and total number of stock options on ING Groep N.V. shares held by Management
Board members of ING Bank N.V. and ING Verzekeringen N.V. amounted to 2,676,675 as at 31 December 2010 (2009: 2,718,765).
As at 31 December 2010, members of the Executive Board held 118,723 ING Groep N.V. shares (2009: 60,883) and members of
the Management Boards of ING Bank N.V. and ING Verzekeringen N.V. held 284,995 ING Groep N.V. shares (2009: 266,239).
As at 31 December 2010, members of the Supervisory Board held 167,407 ING Groep N.V. shares (2009: 137,407).
There are no significant provisions for doubtful debts or individually significant bad debt expenses recognised on outstanding balances
with related parties.
Under the terms of the transaction as agreed on 26 January 2009, the overall sales proceeds amounted to EUR 22.4 billion at the transaction
date. The amortised cost (after prior impairments) at the transaction date was also approximately EUR 22.4 billion. The transaction resulted
in a loss in the first quarter of 2009 of EUR 109 million after tax (the difference between the sales proceeds and the amortised cost). The fair
value under IFRS-EU at the date of the transaction was EUR 15.2 billion.
In order to obtain approval from the European Commission on ING Group’s Restructuring Plan (see below), ING agreed to make additional
Illiquid Assets Back-up Facility payments as part of the overall agreement with the European Commission to the Dutch State corresponding
to an adjustment of the fees for the Illiquid Assets Back-up Facility. In total, these additional Illiquid Assets Back-up Facility payments as
part of the overall agreement with the European Commission amounted to a net present value of EUR 1.3 billion pre-tax, which was
recognised as a one-off charge in the fourth quarter of 2009. The remainder of the IABF as agreed in January 2009, including the transfer
price of the securities of 90%, remained unaltered.
The difference between the total sales proceeds of EUR 21.1 billion (EUR 22.4 billion -/- adjustment of EUR 1.3 billion) and the fair value
under IFRS-EU of EUR 15.2 billion represents a ‘Government grant’ under IAS 20. This government grant is considered to be an integral
part of the transaction and is therefore accounted for as part of the result on the transaction.
The transaction resulted in a reduction of the negative revaluation -and therefore an increase in equity- of EUR 4.6 billion (after tax).
The valuation method of the 20% Alt-A securities in the IFRS-EU balance sheet is not impacted by the IABF. The methodology used
to determine the fair value for these assets in the balance sheet under IFRS-EU is disclosed in Note 34 ‘Fair value of financial assets
and liabilities’.
As at 31 December 2010, the remaining outstanding amount from the transaction price that remained payable by the Dutch State
is EUR 13.1 billion. The net amount of other unamortised components of the total sales proceeds, as explained above, amounts to
EUR 0.7 billion payable.
These non-voting equity securities are deeply subordinated and rank pari-passu with ordinary shares in a winding up of ING Group.
Since ING Groep N.V. had already paid an interim dividend of EUR 0.74 in August 2008, ING recognised a coupon payable of EUR 425
million to the Dutch State as of 31 December 2008. This coupon was paid on 12 May 2009.
Further coupons are to be paid on 12 May of each year (the coupon date) in cash if dividend on ordinary shares is paid in cash or to be
paid in scrip securities in the event of a scrip dividend on ordinary shares. Coupons are only due and payable, on a non-cumulative basis
and if a dividend is paid on ordinary shares over the financial year preceding the coupon date, either on an interim or a final dividend
basis, provided that ING Groep N.V.’s capital adequacy position is and remains satisfactory both before and immediately after payment
in the opinion of the Dutch Central Bank.
ING Groep N.V. has the right to repurchase all or some of the non-voting equity securities at EUR 15 per security at any time, together
with the pro-rata coupon accrued to such date. ING Groep N.V. and the Dutch State have agreed in October 2009 that up to
EUR 5 billion of the EUR 10 billion non-voting equity securities could be repurchased at any time until 31 January 2010 at the original
issue price of EUR 10 per non-voting equity security, plus a repurchase premium and accrued interest.
ING Groep N.V. also has the right to convert all or some of the non-voting equity securities into ordinary shares on the basis of one core
Tier 1 security for 1.335 ordinary shares or bearer depositary receipts from three years after the issue date onwards, subject to certain
conditions. The Dutch State in that case has the right to demand a redemption payment of EUR 10 per non-voting equity security,
together with the pro-rata coupon, if due, accrued to such date.
Both repurchase and conversion of the securities must be approved by the Dutch Central Bank.
In order to finance the repayment, in December 2009, of the non-voting equity securities and the associated expenses as well as to
mitigate the capital impact of the additional Illiquid Assets Back-up Facility payments as part of the overall agreement with the European
Commission, ING launched a capital increase with preferential subscription rights for holders of (depositary receipts for) ordinary shares of
up to EUR 7.5 billion. The rights issue, as disclosed in Note 13 ‘Shareholders’ equity (parent)/non-voting equity securities’ was authorised by
the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on 25 November 2009. Proceeds of the issue in excess of the above amounts were
used to strengthen ING’s capital position.
On 28 January 2010, ING lodged an appeal against specific elements of the European Commission’s decision. The outcome of ING’s
appeal to the European court is anticipated at the end of 2011.
Other
Following the transactions as disclosed in this note, the Dutch State is a related party of ING Group. All other transactions between
ING Group and the Dutch State are of a normal business nature and at arm’s length.
In the framework of the transactions with the Dutch State disclosed in this note, certain arrangements with respect to corporate governance
and executive remuneration were agreed with the Dutch State which will remain in place as long as the Dutch State owns at least 250 million
non-voting equity securities, as long as the Illiquid Assets Back-up Facility is in place or any of the Government Guaranteed Bonds is outstanding
(whichever expires last). These arrangements entail that:
• the Dutch State may recommend two candidates (the ‘State Nominees’) for appointment to the Supervisory Board. Certain decisions
of the Supervisory Board require approval of the State Supervisory Board members;
• ING Group must develop a sustainable remuneration policy for the Executive Board and Senior Management that is aligned to new
international standards and submit this to its General Meeting for adoption. This remuneration policy shall include incentive schemes
which are linked to long-term value creation, thereby taking account of risk and restricting the potential for ‘rewards for failure’.
This new remuneration policy must, amongst others, include objectives relating to corporate and social responsibility;
• members of the Executive Board may not receive any performance-related payment – either in cash, options, shares or bearer
depositary receipts – for the years 2008 and 2009 until the adoption of the new remuneration policy in 2010;
• severance payments to Executive Board members are limited to a maximum of one year’s fixed salary, in line with the Tabaksblat Code;
• ING has undertaken to support the growth of the lending to corporates and consumers (including mortgages) for an amount of EUR
25 billion, on market conforming terms;
• ING agreed to pro-actively use EUR 10 billion of the Dutch Guarantee Scheme over 2009;
• ING has committed itself to maintaining the Dutch payment system PIN on its payment debit cards as long as other market participants,
representing a substantial market share, are still making use of this payment system; and
• appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Board requires approval of the State Nominees.
Financial liabilities
Subordinated loans 9,215 7,478 10,645 10,099
Debt securities in issue 136,586 118,950 135,604 119,981
Other borrowed funds 21,822 22,261 22,291 23,151
Investment contracts for risk of company 5,991 5,896 5,991 5,896
Investment contracts for risk of policyholders 5,984 5,406 5,984 5,406
Amounts due to banks 73,227 84,968 72,852 84,235
Customer deposits and other funds on deposit 508,755 466,822 511,362 469,508
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss
– trading liabilities 108,050 98,245 108,050 98,245
– non-trading derivatives 17,782 20,070 17,782 20,070
– designated as at fair value through profit and loss 12,707 11,474 12,707 11,474
Other liabilities (2) 29,671 33,946 29,671 33,946
929,790 875,516 932,939 882,011
(1)
Other assets do not include (deferred) tax assets, property held for sale, pension assets and deferred charges.
(2)
Other liabilities do not include (deferred) tax liabilities, pension liabilities, insurance provisions, prepayments received under property under development,
share-based payment plans, other provisions and other taxation and social security contributions.
The estimated fair values correspond to the amounts at which the financial instruments at our best estimate could have been traded at
the balance sheet date between knowledgeable, willing parties in arm’s length transactions. The fair value of financial assets and liabilities
is based on quoted market prices, where available. Such quoted market prices are primarily obtained from exchange prices for listed
instruments. Where an exchange price is not available, market prices are obtained from independent market vendors, brokers or market
makers. Because substantial trading markets do not exist for all financial instruments various techniques have been developed to estimate
the approximate fair values of financial assets and liabilities that are not actively traded. These techniques are subjective in nature and
involve various assumptions about the relevant pricing factors, especially for inputs that are not readily available in the market (such as
credit spreads for own-originated loans and advances to customers). Changes in these assumptions could significantly affect the estimated
fair values. Consequently, the fair values presented may not be indicative of the net realisable value. In addition, the calculation of the
estimated fair value is based on market conditions at a specific point in time and may not be indicative of future fair values.
The following methods and assumptions were used by ING Group to estimate the fair value of the financial instruments:
Financial assets
Cash and balances with central banks
The carrying amount of cash approximates its fair value.
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss and Investments
Derivatives
Derivatives contracts can either be exchange traded or over the counter (OTC). The fair value of exchange-traded derivatives is determined
using quoted market prices in an active market and those derivatives are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For those instruments
not actively traded, fair values are estimated based on valuation techniques. OTC derivatives and derivatives trading in an inactive market are
valued using valuation techniques because quoted market prices in an active market are not available for such instruments. The valuation
techniques and inputs depend on the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying instruments. The principle techniques used to value
these instruments are based on discounted cash flows, Black-Scholes option models and Monte Carlo simulation. These valuation models
calculate the present value of expected future cash flows, based upon ‘no-arbitrage’ principles. These models are commonly used in the
banking industry. Inputs to valuation models are determined from observable market data wherever possible. Certain inputs may not be
observable in the market directly, but can be determined from observable prices via valuation model calibration procedures. The inputs used
include prices available from exchanges, dealers, brokers or providers of consensus pricing, yield curves, credit spreads, default rates, recovery
rates, dividend rates, volatility of underlying interest rates, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. These inputs are determined
with reference to quoted prices, recently executed trades, independent market quotes and consensus data, where available.
Equity securities
The fair values of public equity securities are based on quoted market prices when available. Where no quoted market prices are available,
fair value is determined based on quoted prices for similar securities or other valuation techniques. The fair value of private equity is based
on quoted market prices, if available. In the absence of quoted prices in an active market, fair value is estimated on the basis of an analysis
of the investee’s financial position and results, risk profile, prospects, price, earnings comparisons and revenue multiples and by reference
to market valuations for similar entities quoted in an active market.
Debt securities
Fair values for debt securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. Quoted market prices may be obtained from an
exchange, dealer, broker, industry group, pricing service or regulatory service. If quoted prices in an active market are not available,
fair value is determined by management based on an analysis of available market inputs, which may include values obtained from
one or more pricing services or by a valuation technique that discounts expected future cash flows using a market interest rate curves,
referenced credit spreads, maturity of the investment and estimated prepayment rates where applicable.
Certain asset backed securities in the United States are valued using external price sources that are obtained from third party pricing
services and brokers.
In order to determine which independent price in the range of prices obtained best represents fair value under IAS 39, ING applies a
discounted cash flow model to calculate an indicative fair value. The key input to this model is a discount rate derived from an internal
matrix that is used to construct the discount rate per security by applying credit and liquidity spreads relevant to the characteristics of
such asset class. The main assumptions in this matrix include:
• a base spread;
• a liquidity risk premium;
• an additional credit spread, based on:
• seniority in the capital structure – an adjustment is applied to each security based on its position in the capital structure;
• vintage – an adjustment is applied for underwriting guidelines deteriorating from 2004 to 2007 in combination with differences
in home price developments for these vintages.
The spreads are expressed in basis points and reflect the current market characteristics for credit and liquidity.
The indicative fair value obtained through the discounted cash flow model is then used to select the independently obtained price that is
closest to the indicative price. In addition, judgment is applied in the event that the resulting indicative fair value is closest to the highest
obtained vendor price and that price is a significant outlier compared to other obtained vendor prices. In such cases, the second highest
obtained vendor price is deemed the most representative of fair value. The indicative price is not itself used for valuing the security; rather,
it is used to select the most appropriate price obtained from independent external sources. As a result, each security in the portfolio is
priced based on an external price, without modification by ING Group.
The fair values of mortgage loans are estimated by taking into account prepayment behaviour and discounting future cash flows using
interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. The fair values of fixed-rate policy loans
are estimated by discounting cash flows at the interest rates charged on policy loans of similar policies currently being issued. Loans
with similar characteristics are aggregated for calculations purposes. The carrying values of variable rate policy loans approximate
their fair value.
Other assets
The carrying amount of other assets is not materially different from their fair value.
Financial liabilities
Subordinated loans
The fair value of the subordinated loans is estimated using discounted cash flows based on interest rates and credit spreads that apply
to similar instruments.
Investment contracts
For investment contracts for risk of company the fair values have been estimated using a discounted cash flow approach based on interest
rates currently being offered for similar contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining for the contracts being valued. For
investment contracts for risk of policyholder the fair value generally equals the fair value of the underlying assets.
Other liabilities
The other liabilities are stated at their book value which is not materially different than fair value.
Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs which are based on the Group’s
own assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, developed based on the best information
available in the circumstances. Unobservable inputs may include volatility, correlation, spreads to discount rates, default rates and recovery
rates, prepayment rates and certain credit spreads.
The fair values of the financial instruments carried at fair value were determined as follows:
Liabilities
Trading liabilities 33,293 73,316 1,441 108,050
Non-trading derivatives 878 15,028 1,876 17,782
Financial liabilities designated as at fair value through
profit and loss 1,834 7,648 3,225 12,707
Investment contracts (for contracts carried at fair value) 2,879 3,088 17 5,984
38,884 99,080 6,559 144,523
Liabilities
Trading liabilities 27,518 69,870 857 98,245
Non-trading derivatives 444 18,265 1,361 20,070
Financial liabilities designated as at fair value through
profit and loss 4,460 4,425 2,589 11,474
Investment contracts (for contracts carried at fair value) 3,040 2,327 39 5,406
35,462 94,887 4,846 135,195
The category of financial instruments that is most impacted by this change are issued structured notes that are classified as Financial
liabilities designated as at fair value through profit and loss. These structured notes are a combination of deposit-, loan- and derivative
components. Certain components of the structure represent Level 1 or Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, whereas other components
represent Level 3. ING also has other positions that are not measured at fair value or are measured at fair value and are classified in various
levels of the fair value hierarchy. The combination of these instruments represents no significant exposure of ING to fair value changes
related to unobservable inputs and, therefore, until 2009 the overall exposure was classified mostly in Level 2. As of 2010, individual
financial instruments are classified individually in the fair value hierarchy. Furthermore, if the fair value of a financial instrument is based on
unobservable inputs for a component of that instrument, in most cases the entire instrument (including the components that are not
impacted by unobservable inputs) is now classified in Level 3.
The change to the 2009 comparatives resulted in assets in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy increasing from 2.1% to 2.6% of total assets
measured at fair value. Liabilities in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy increased from 1.0% to 3.6% of total liabilities measured at fair value.
As a result of the offsetting impact as explained above, there is no significant impact on the sensitivity of fair values to unobservable
inputs.
Level 3 assets increased because certain bonds were transferred to Level 3 in 2010 as a result of reduced market liquidity and/or pricing
sources that could no longer be classified as market observable. On the other hand, Level 3 assets decreased in 2010 because of a transfer
of available-for-sale investments of EUR 2.9 billion out of Level 3 to Level 2, relating to mortgage backed securities in the US. Previously
these were classified in Level 3 because of the dispersion between prices obtained for the same security from different price sources. In
2010 prices supported by market observable inputs became available and were used in determining fair value.
• Decrease in Level 3 – reclassification of asset backed securities in the US and certain private equities to Level 2:
During 2009, the pricing transparency and the level of trading activity in the secondary markets for asset backed securities in the United
States increased and the price of the securities as provided by the external pricing services converged . Accordingly, in the fourth quarter
of 2009, investments in asset backed securities in the United States of approximately EUR 2.8 billion were transferred from Level 3 to
Level 2. These assets were transferred into Level 3 during 2008, when the market became inactive and the dispersion between prices
for the same security from different prices sources increased significantly;
• Other:
Amounts in each of the levels are impacted by changes in the amount and composition of the relevant balance sheet items during
the year.
Liabilities
Trading liabilities 119 119
Non-trading derivatives –2 2
Financial liabilities designated as at fair value through
profit and loss 85 85
Investment contracts (for contracts carried at fair value) 1 –5 –4
203 –3 200
Liabilities
Trading liabilities –64 –64
Non-trading derivatives –154 67 –87
Financial liabilities designated as at fair value through
profit and loss 124 124
Investment contracts (for contracts carried at fair value) 2 2
–94 69 –25
During 2008, the trading volumes in the relevant markets reduced significantly and the market became inactive. The dispersion between
prices for the same security from different price sources increased significantly. In order to ensure that the most accurate and relevant
sources available are used in determining the fair value of these securities, the valuation process was further enhanced during 2008
by using information from additional pricing sources and enhancing the process of selecting the most appropriate price.
Generally up to four different pricing services are utilised. Management carefully reviews the prices obtained in conjunction with other
information available, including, where relevant, trades in the market, quotes from brokers and internal evaluations. If the dispersion
between different prices for the same securities is limited, a hierarchy exists that ensures consistent selection of the most appropriate
price. If the dispersion between different prices for the same security is significant, additional processes are applied to select the most
appropriate price, including an internally developed price validation matrix and a process to challenge the external price source.
Valuation for these securities is inherently complex and subjective. Although each security in the portfolio is priced based on an external
price, without modification by ING Group, and management is confident that it has selected the most appropriate price in the current
market circumstances, the valuation of these portfolios would have been different had different prices been selected. The sensitivity
analysis shows that the highest and the lowest available market prices do not materially impact the valuation of these assets as at
31 December 2010.
Reference is made to the ‘Risk management’ section with regard to the exposure of these asset backed securities as at 31 December 2010
and 31 December 2009 and the impact from these asset backed securities on net result in 2010 and 2009.
Furthermore, the ‘Risk management’ section provides under Impact of financial crisis a breakdown of the methods applied in determining
fair values of pressurised assets.
Interest margin
in percentages 2010 2009 2008
Interest margin 1.44 1.34 1.09
In 2010, the growth in average total assets led to an increase of the interest result amounting to EUR 90 million (in 2009 the decline in
average total assets led to a decrease of the interest result of EUR 929 million; in 2008 the growth in average assets led to an increase of
the interest result of EUR 811 million). The increase of the interest margin by 10 basis points led to an increase of the interest result with
EUR 915 million (in 2009 the increase of the interest margin by 25 basis points led to an increase of the interest result with EUR 2,406
million; in 2008 the increase of the interest margin by 15 basis points led to an increase of the interest result with EUR 1,440 million).
In 2009, Gross premium income decreased as a result of the divestments as disclosed in Note 30 ‘Companies acquired and companies
disposed’, including the divestment of ING Life Taiwan, ING Canada, Annuity and Mortgage business of Chile and Australia/New Zealand.
Furthermore, gross premium income declined due to ING’s decision to limit variable annuity sales in the United States and to cease variable
annuity sales in Japan, as well as a lower appetite for investment-linked products.
Gross premium income has been presented before deduction of reinsurance and retrocession premiums granted. Gross premium income
excludes premium received for investment contracts, for which deposit accounting is applied.
Reinsurance ceded –65 –70 –196 –2,041 –1,867 –1,802 –2,106 –1,937 –1,998
1,676 1,702 4,747 24,165 26,853 37,067 25,841 28,555 41,814
37 INVESTMENT INCOME
Reference is made to the ‘Risk management’ section for further information on impairments.
Other includes EUR –24 million related to the sale of certain associates. The remainder includes result on disposal of certain real estate
funds and other disposals that are individually not significant.
Reference is made to Note 30 ‘Companies acquired and companies disposed’ for more details.
39 COMMISSION INCOME
Asset management fees related to the management of investments held for the risk of policyholders of EUR 358 million
(2009: EUR 825 million; 2008: EUR 1,174 million) are included in Commission income.
Other include commission fees of EUR 15 million (2009: EUR 18 million; 2008: EUR 21 million) in respect of underwriting syndication loans.
In 2009, the Valuation results on non-trading derivatives was mainly a result of negative fair value changes on derivatives used to hedge
direct and indirect equity exposures without applying hedge accounting. Indirect equity exposures related to certain guaranteed benefits
in insurance liabilities in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands. In 2009 the fair value changes on these derivatives were negative, as stock
market returns became positive. The fair value changes on the derivatives related to the indirect equity exposures were generally offset
by an opposite amount in underwriting expenditure (reference is made to Note 43 ‘Underwriting expenditure’).
The Valuation results on assets and liabilities designated at fair value through profit and loss includes fair value changes on private equity
funds and issued debt securities, designated at fair value through profit and loss. In 2009, the Valuation results on assets and liabilities
designated at fair value through profit and loss were mainly a result of changes in fair value of financial liabilities, designated at fair value
through profit and loss, due to market circumstances; it includes fair value changes on issued debt securities, designated at fair value through
profit and loss, including fair value changes attributable to changes in own credit risk as disclosed in Note 20 ‘Financial liabilities at fair
value through profit and loss’.
Securities trading results includes the results of making markets in instruments such as government securities, equity securities, corporate
debt securities, money-market instruments, and interest rate derivatives such as swaps, options, futures and forward contracts. Foreign
exchange transactions results include gains and losses from spot and forward contracts, options, futures, and translated foreign currency
assets and liabilities.
The portion of trading gains and losses for the year ended 31 December 2010 relating to trading securities still held as at 31 December
amounted to EUR 19 million (2009: EUR 105 million; 2008: EUR –246 million).
The majority of the risks involved in security and currency trading is economically hedged with derivatives. The securities trading results
are partly offset by results on these derivatives. The result of these derivatives is included in Derivatives trading results.
42 OTHER INCOME
Other income
Banking operations Insurance operations Total
2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008
Net operating lease income 213 175 195 213 175 195
Income from real estate
development projects 36 59 124 36 59 124
Income post office 99 144 99 144
Other 98 123 28 288 235 153 386 358 181
347 456 491 288 235 153 635 691 644
Net operating lease income comprises income of EUR 1,000 million (2009: EUR 967 million; 2008: EUR 961 million) and depreciation of
EUR 787 million (2009: EUR 792 million; 2008: EUR 766 million).
43 UNDERWRITING EXPENDITURE
Underwriting expenditure
2010 2009 2008
Gross underwriting expenditure
– before effect of investment result for risk
of policyholders 34,506 32,698 51,239
– effect of investment result risk of policyholders 10,492 17,742 –32,408
44,998 50,440 18,831
Investment result for risk of policyholders –10,492 –17,742 32,408
Reinsurance recoveries –1,741 –1,714 –1,754
Underwriting expenditure 32,765 30,984 49,485
The investment income and valuation results regarding investment result for risk of policyholders of EUR 10,492 million (2009: EUR 17,742
million; 2008: EUR –32,408 million) have not been recognised in Investment income and valuation results on assets and liabilities designated
at fair value through profit and loss but are recognised in Underwriting expenditure together with the equal amount of change in insurance
provisions for risk of policyholders.
Underwriting expenditure
2010 2009 2008
Expenditure from life underwriting
Reinsurance and retrocession premiums 2,041 1,867 1,802
Gross benefits 25,687 24,044 27,159
Reinsurance recoveries –1,732 –1,708 –1,662
Change in life insurance provisions for risk of company 1,416 3,283 16,633
Costs of acquiring insurance business 2,775 350 1,877
Other underwriting expenditure 558 460 462
Profit sharing and rebates 538 438 358
31,283 28,734 46,629
The total Cost of acquiring insurance business (life and non-life) and investment contracts amounted to EUR 3,061 million (2009: EUR 643
million; 2008: EUR 2,628 million). This includes amortisation and unlocking of DAC of EUR 2,834 million (2009: EUR 458 million; 2008:
EUR 2,026 million) and the net amount of commissions paid of EUR 1,789 million (2009: EUR 1,815 million; 2008: EUR 3,273 million)
and commissions capitalised in DAC of EUR 1,562 million (2009: EUR 1,630 million; 2008: EUR 2,671 million).
The total amount of commission paid and payable with regard to the insurance operations amounted to EUR 2,514 million (2009: EUR 2,483
million; 2008: EUR 3,804 million). This includes the commissions recognised in Cost of acquiring insurance business of EUR 1,789 million (2009:
EUR 1,815 million; 2008: EUR 3,273 million) referred to above and commissions recognised in Other underwriting expenditure of EUR 725 million
(2009: EUR 668 million; 2008: EUR 531 million). Other underwriting expenditure also includes reinsurance commissions received of EUR 192
million (2009: EUR 255 million; 2008: EUR 306 million).
The Change in life insurance provisions for risk of company includes an amount related to variable annuity assumption changes in the United
States and Japan of approximately EUR 356 million (2009: EUR 343 million). These assumptions were updated to reflect lower-than-expected
surrenders on policies where the value of the benefit guarantees is significant.
In 2008, the Change in life insurance provisions for risk of company includes an amount of EUR 136 million in relation to reserve
strengthening for Insurance Asia/Pacific as described in further detail under Segment reporting. The 2010 and 2009 amounts are
nil following the disposal of ING Life Taiwan.
Other underwriting expenditure from life underwriting in 2010 includes a EUR 975 million DAC write-off as explained in Note 51
‘Operating segments’.
ING Group transferred part of its life insurance business to Scottish Re in 2004 by means of a co-insurance contract. A loss amounting to
EUR 160 million was recognised in Underwriting expenditure in 2004 on this transaction. This loss represented the reduction of the related
deferred acquisition costs. In addition, an amount of EUR 240 million is being amortised over the life of the underlying business, starting in
2005 and gradually decreasing in subsequent years as the business tails off. The amount amortised in 2010 was EUR 17 million (2009: EUR
13 million; 2008: EUR 12 million). The cumulative amortisation as at 31 December 2010 was EUR 132 million (2009: EUR 107 million; 2008:
EUR 96 million). On 23 January 2009, Hannover Re and Scottish Re announced that Hannover Re has agreed to assume the ING individual
life reinsurance business originally transferred to Scottish Re in 2004.
ING Group transferred its U.S. group reinsurance business to Reinsurance Group America Inc. in 2010 by means of a reinsurance agreement.
The transaction resulted in EUR 70 million ceding commission which is required to be recorded as a deferred gain and amortised over the life
of the underlying business, starting in 2010 and gradually decreasing in subsequent years as the business tails off. The amount amortised in
2010 was EUR 52 million. The cumulative amortisation as at 31 December 2010 was EUR 52 million.
Amortisation of other
intangible assets 118 120 157
1,112 568 464
In 2010, a goodwill impairment of EUR 540 million is recognised. Reference is made to Note 9 ‘Intangible assets’.
Impairments on Loans and advances to customers are presented under Addition to loan loss provision. Impairments on investments are
presented under Investment income. Reference is made to the ‘Risk management’ section for further information on impairments.
In 2010, impairments on Property development are recognised on a large number of Real Estate development projects in The Netherlands,
Spain and the US. Although the expectation is that the Real Estate markets will not further deteriorate, the unfavourable economic
circumstances in all regions resulted in lower expected sales prices.
In 2009, impairments on Property development are recognised on a large number of Real Estate development projects in Europe, Australia
and the US. Circumstances that have led to these impairments are unfavourable economic circumstances in all regions that have resulted
into lower expected sales prices, changes in strategy of ING Real Estate Development whereby certain projects are not developed further
and operational inefficiencies in a limited number of projects.
Staff expenses
Banking operations Insurance operations Total
2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008
Salaries 3,836 3,555 3,816 1,665 1,521 2,069 5,501 5,076 5,885
Pension and other staff-related
benefit costs 199 178 104 118 142 140 317 320 244
Social security costs 532 510 516 177 161 205 709 671 721
Share-based compensation
arrangements 79 58 75 41 38 49 120 96 124
External employees 627 660 1,056 125 96 160 752 756 1,216
Education 61 57 105 13 8 11 74 65 116
Other staff costs 220 195 252 78 159 206 298 354 458
5,554 5,213 5,924 2,217 2,125 2,840 7,771 7,338 8,764
Number of employees
Netherlands International Total
2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008
Average number of employees at
full time equivalent basis 27,750 27,912 29,626 78,389 82,368 95,659 106,139 110,280 125,285
Share-based compensation arrangements includes EUR 91 million (2009: EUR 65 million; 2008: EUR 98 million) relating to equity-settled
share-based payment arrangements and EUR 29 million (2009: EUR 31 million; 2008: EUR 26 million) relating to cash-settled share-based
payment arrangements.
ING Group holds its own shares in order to fulfil its obligations with regard to the existing stock option plan and to hedge the position risk of
the options concerned (so-called delta hedge). As at 31 December 2010, 45,213,891 own shares (2009: 35,178,086; 2008: 32,367,870) were
held in connection with the option plan compared to 124,836,694 options outstanding (2009: 122,334,486; 2008: 87,263,381). As a result
the granted option rights were (delta) hedged, taking into account the following parameters: strike price, opening price, zero coupon interest
rate, dividend yield, expected volatility and employee behaviour. The hedge used to be rebalanced regularly at predetermined points in time.
In December 2010 ING Groep N.V. announced that it will no longer rebalance its hedge portfolio. This decision is an effort to simplify the
management and administration of ING’s various employee share and option programmes. The remaining shares in the hedge portfolio
will be used to fund the obligations arising from exercise and vesting. Once all shares in the hedge portfolio are used ING will fund these
obligations by issuing new shares.
Exposure arising from the share plan is not hedged. The obligations with regard to these plans will in the future be funded either by cash,
newly issued shares or remaining shares from the delta hedge portfolio at the discretion of the holder.
In December 2009 ING Groep N.V. completed a rights issue of EUR 7.5 billion. Outstanding stock options and share awards have been
amended to reflect the impact of the rights issue through an adjustment factor that reflects the fact that the exercise price of the rights
issue was less than the fair value of the shares. As a result, exercise prices and outstanding share options and share awards have been
amended through an adjustment factor of approximately 1.3.
On 6 April 2010 ING Groep N.V. announced that it has bought 13,670,000 (depositary receipts for) ordinary shares for its delta hedge
portfolio, which was used to hedge employee options and facilitate employee share programmes. The shares were bought in the open
market between 23 March and 6 April 2010 at an average price of EUR 7.47 per share.
On 2 June 2010 ING Groep N.V. announced that it has bought 2,080,000 (depositary receipts for) ordinary shares for its delta hedge
portfolio, which was used to hedge employee options and facilitate employee share programmes. The shares were bought in the open
market on 1 and 2 June 2010 at an average price of EUR 6.33 per share.
On 8 September 2010 ING Groep N.V. announced that it has sold 3,590,000 (depositary receipts for) ordinary shares of its delta hedge
portfolio, which was used to hedge employee options and facilitate employee share programmes. The shares were sold in the open
market on 7 and 8 September 2010 at an average price of EUR 7.39 per share.
The option rights are valid for a period of five or ten years. Option rights that are not exercised within this period lapse. Option rights
granted will remain valid until the expiry date, even if the option scheme is discontinued. The option rights are subject to certain
conditions, including a certain continuous period of service. The exercise prices of the options are the same as the quoted prices of
ING Group shares at the date on which the options are granted.
The entitlement to the share awards is granted conditionally. If the participant remains in employment for an uninterrupted period
of three years from the grant date, the entitlement becomes unconditional. In 2010, no shares (2009: nil; 2008: 211,049) have been
granted to the members of the Executive Board of ING Group, Management Boards of ING Bank and ING Insurance and 26,369,146
shares (2009: 6,273,467; 2008: 3,380,706) have been granted to senior management and other employees remaining in the service
of ING Group.
Every year, the ING Group Executive Board will decide whether the option and share schemes are to be continued and, if so, to what
extent. In 2010 the Group Executive Board has decided not to continue the option scheme as from 2011. The existing option schemes
up and until 2010 will be run off in the coming years.
As per 31 December 2010 total options outstanding consists of 105,036,931 options (2009: 103,523,988; 2008: 73,826,891) relating to
equity-settled share-based payment arrangements and 19,799,763 options (2009: 18,810,498; 2008: 13,436,490) relating to cash-settled
share-based payment arrangements.
The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for options exercised during 2010 is EUR 7.46 (2009: EUR 8.57; 2008: 24.07).
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable as at 31 December 2010 was EUR 72 million and nil, respectively.
As at 31 December 2010 total unrecognised compensation costs related to stock options amounted to EUR 65 million (2009: EUR 62
million; 2008: EUR 94 million). These costs are expected to be recognised over a weighted average period of 1.9 years (2009: 1.6 years;
2008: 1.8 years). Cash received from stock option exercises for the year ended 31 December 2010 was EUR 3 million (2009: nil; 2008:
EUR 22 million).
The fair value of options granted is recognised as an expense under staff expenses and is allocated over the vesting period of the options.
The fair values of the option awards have been determined by using a Monte Carlo simulation. This model takes the risk free interest rate
into account (2.0% to 4.6%), as well as the expected life of the options granted (5 year to 9 years), the exercise price, the current share
price (EUR 2.90 – EUR 26.05), the expected volatility of the certificates of ING Group shares (25% – 84%) and the expected dividends
yield (0.94% to 8.99%). The source for implied volatilities used for the valuation of the stock options is ING’s trading system. The implied
volatilities in this system are determined by ING’s traders and are based on market data implied volatilities not on historical volatilities.
Due to timing differences in granting option rights and buying shares to hedge them, an equity difference can occur if shares are
purchased at a different price than the exercise price of the options. However, ING Group does not intentionally create a position
and occurring positions are closed as soon as possible. If option rights expire, the results on the (sale of) shares which were bought
to hedge these option rights are recognised in Shareholders’ equity.
As per 31 December 2010 the share awards consists of 28,592,210 share awards (2009: 10,810,687) relating to equity-settled share-based
payment arrangements and 6,447,896 share awards (2009: 3,842,986) relating to cash-settled share-based payment arrangements.
The fair value of share awards granted is recognised as an expense under staff expenses and is allocated over the vesting period of the
share awards. The fair values of share awards have been determined by using a Monte Carlo simulation based valuation model. The model
takes into account the risk free interest rate, the current stock prices, expected volatilities and current divided yields of the performance
peer group used to determine ING’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) ranking.
As at 31 December 2010 total unrecognised compensation costs related to share awards amounted to EUR 158 million (2009: EUR 41
million; 2008: EUR 56 million). These costs are expected to be recognised over a weighted average period of 2.1 years (2009: 1.8 years;
2008: 1.8 years).
Other interest expenses include nil and nil dividends paid on preference shares and trust preferred securities (2009: nil and EUR 86 million;
2008: EUR 1 million and EUR 94 million).
Total interest income and total interest expense for items not valued at fair value through profit and loss for 2010 were EUR 41,217 million
(2009: EUR 41,856 million; 2008: EUR 52,505 million) and EUR 19,206 million (2009: EUR 22,253 million; 2008: EUR 33,507 million)
respectively. Net interest income of EUR 19,815 million is presented in the following lines in the profit and loss account.
Other operating expenses include lease and sublease payments in respect of operating leases of EUR 200 million (2009: EUR 169 million;
2008: EUR 172 million) in which ING Group is the lessee. In 2009 Other operating expenses also includes the expenses related to the
industry-wide deposit guarantee scheme in the Netherlands due to the bankruptcy of DSB Bank and premiums for deposit guarantee
schemes in other countries.
For Addition/(releases) of provision for reorganisations and relocations reference is made to the disclosure on the reorganisation provision
in Note 21 ‘Other liabilities’.
No individual operating lease has terms and conditions that materially affect the amount, timing and certainty of the consolidated cash
flows of the Group.
The External advisory fees include fees for audit services and non-audit services provided by the Group’s auditors.
48 TAXATION
Profit and loss account
Taxation by type
Netherlands International Total
2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008 2010 2009 2008
Current taxation 168 159 –296 842 598 830 1,010 757 534
Deferred taxation 48 –1,051 –197 94 –178 –1,058 142 –1,229 –1,255
216 –892 –493 936 420 –228 1,152 –472 –721
Reconciliation of the weighted average statutory income tax rate to ING Group’s effective income tax rate
2010 2009 2008
Result before tax 4,477 –1,525 –1,487
Weighted average statutory tax rate 25.1% 36.3% 49.9%
Weighted average statutory tax amount 1,124 –554 –742
The weighted average statutory tax rate decreased significantly in 2010 compared to 2009. This is caused by the fact that in 2010 profits
were realised in a significant part of the tax jurisdictions that incurred losses in 2009.
The weighted average statutory tax rate decreased in 2009 compared to 2008 mainly caused by the fact that a smaller part of the losses
was incurred in high tax jurisdictions than in 2008.
The effective tax rate in 2010 equals almost the weighted average statutory tax. This is caused by an off-setting effect of the write-down
of deferred tax assets (mainly in the United States) against the tax exempt income from associates.
The effective tax rate in 2009 was lower than the weighted average statutory tax rate, resulting in a lower tax benefit for the pre-tax loss.
This is caused by the fact that a write-down of the carrying value of deferred tax assets and non-deductible expenses exceeded tax
exempt income and releases from tax provisions.
The effective tax rate in 2008 was slightly lower than the weighted average statutory tax. Main reasons for this are tax exempt income
and releases of tax provisions, partly offset by non deductible expenses and a reduction of the deferred tax assets.
Comprehensive income
Diluted earnings 2,779 –1,540 –729 3,788.1 2,691.7 2,661.2 0.73 –0.57 –0.27
(1)
As a net profit is reported in 2010 an attribution to non-voting equity securities is included. This attribution represents the amount that would be payable to the
holders of the non-voting equity securities if and when the entire net profit of 2010 would be distributed as dividend. This amount is only included for the purpose
of determining earnings per share under IFRS-EU and does not represent a payment (neither actual nor proposed) to the holders of the non-voting equity
securities. The 2009 amount of EUR 605 million includes the coupon (EUR 259 million) and repayment premium (EUR 346 million) on the repayment of EUR 5
billion non-voting equity securities. The 2008 coupon of EUR 425 million paid on the non-voting securities did not impact basic earnings.
(2)
The rights issue, which was finalised on 15 December 2009 has an effect on the basic earnings per share and the diluted earnings per share, as defined in IFRS-EU.
All weighted average number of shares outstanding before the rights issue are restated with an adjustment factor of approximately 1.3 that reflects the fact that
the exercise price of the rights issue was less than the fair value of the shares. The effect of dilutive securities is adjusted as well.
Diluted earnings per share data are calculated as if the stock options and warrants outstanding at year-end had been exercised at the
beginning of the period. It is also assumed that ING Group uses the cash received from exercised stock options and warrants or non-voting
equity securities converted to buy its own shares against the average market price in the financial year. The net increase in the number of
shares resulting from exercising stock options and share plans or converting non-voting equity securities is added to the average number
of shares used for the calculation of diluted earnings per share. The potential conversion of the non-voting equity securities has an
anti-dilutive effect on the earnings per share calculation in 2010, 2009 and 2008 (the diluted earnings per share becoming higher or less
negative than the basic earnings per share). Therefore, the potential conversion is not taken into account when determining the weighted
average number of shares for the calculation of diluted earnings per share for these years.
In 2009 a coupon to the Dutch State of EUR 259 million was paid as part of the repayment of EUR 5 billion non-voting equity securities.
In 2008 coupon was payable to the Dutch State per non-voting equity security of EUR 0.425, provided that ING Group’s capital adequacy
position was and remained satisfactory both before and after payment in the opinion of the Dutch central bank. The full amount of EUR
425 million was recognised as a liability as at 31 December 2008. The amount was paid on 12 May 2009.
51 OPERATING SEGMENTS
ING Group’s operating segments relate to the internal segmentation by business lines. During 2010 the internal management reporting
structure was changed in order to improve transparency. The operating segments have changed accordingly. As at 31 December 2010,
ING Group identifies the following operating segments:
In 2009 ING Group identified the following operating segments: Retail Banking, ING Direct, Commercial Banking, Insurance Europe,
Insurance Americas and Insurance Asia/Pacific.
All information by segment for 2010 and comparative years presented below reflect the operating segments as at 31 December 2010.
ING Group has adopted IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’, including the amendment following the issue of ‘Improvements to IFRSs’ in 2009,
with effect from 1 January 2009.
The Executive Board of ING Group, the Management Board Banking and the Management Board Insurance set the performance targets
and approve and monitor the budgets prepared by the business lines. Business lines formulate strategic, commercial and financial policy in
conformity with the strategy and performance targets set by the Executive Board, the Management Board Banking and the Management
Board Insurance.
The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described under Accounting policies for the consolidated annual
accounts. Transfer prices for inter-segment transactions are set at arm’s length. Corporate expenses are allocated to business lines based
on time spent by head office personnel, the relative number of staff, or on the basis of income and/or assets of the segment.
ING Group evaluates the results of its operating segments using a financial performance measure called underlying result. The information
presented in this note is in line with the information presented to the Executive and Management Board. Underlying result is defined as
result under IFRS-EU excluding the impact of divestments and special items.
As of 2010:
• Capital gains on public equity securities (net of impairments) are reported in the relevant business line. Until 2009 capital gains on
public equity securities in Insurance were reported in the Corporate Line Insurance, whereas a notional return was allocated to the
Insurance business lines.
• An at arm’s length fee is charged by ING IM to the relevant business line. Until 2009 a cost-based fee was charged.
• The Corporate Line Insurance includes reinsurance by ING Re of ING Life Japan guaranteed benefits associated with single-premium
variable annuity (SPVA) contracts, along with the corresponding SPVA hedging results. Until 2009 these were reported under Insurance
Asia/Pacific.
The comparative figures were adjusted accordingly.
The following table specifies the main sources of income of each of the segments:
This note does not provide information on the revenue specified to each product or service as this is not reported internally and is
therefore not readily available.
Underlying expenditure
– Operating expenses 2,337 1,349 1,857 760 180 2,172 437 100 9,192 9,192
– Additions to loan loss provision 561 160 446 61 26 395 102 1,751 1,751
– Other impairments * 39 29 1 3 386 35 493 493
Total underlying expenses 2,937 1,509 2,332 822 206 2,570 925 135 11,436 11,436
Underlying result before taxation 1,396 545 1,449 155 80 2,378 –63 –79 5,861 5,861
Taxation 367 91 463 31 15 497 47 –44 1,467 1,467
Minority interests –6 1 20 22 28 7 72 72
Underlying net result 1,029 460 985 104 43 1,853 –117 –35 4,322 4,322
*
Analysed as a part of operating expenses.
Underlying expenditure
– Underwriting expenditure 8,305 2,082 13,074 1,950 245 6,369 3 737 32,765 32,765
– Operating expenses 942 271 1,107 90 222 541 731 118 4,022 4,022
– Other interest expenses 152 76 3 67 3 5 1,402 1,708 –580 1,128
– Other impairments 4 66 70 70
Total underlying expenses 9,399 2,357 14,257 2,043 534 6,913 739 2,323 38,565 –580 37,985
Underlying result before taxation 775 253 308 –1,793 342 516 173 –1,093 –519 –519
Taxation 130 63 –155 –185 54 135 62 –219 –115 –115
Minority interests 15 10 7 1 1 –9 25 25
Underlying net result 630 180 463 –1,608 281 380 110 –865 –429 –429
*
Excluding US Closed Block VA
As of the fourth quarter of 2010, the Legacy Variable Annuity business in the US is reported and analysed separately from the other US
business in the internal management reporting. Therefore as of 1 October 2010 ING reports the Insurance US Legacy VA business as a
separate business line to improve transparency and ongoing business. This segment is reported separately for the entire year 2010 and
comparative years 2009 and 2008. ING Group’s accounting policy for reserve adequacy as set out in the Accounting policies for the
consolidated annual accounts of ING Group requires each segment to be adequate at the 50% confidence level. The separation of
the Legacy VA business into a separate segment triggered a charge in the fourth quarter of 2010 to bring reserve adequacy on the new
Insurance US Closed Block VA business line to the 50% level. This charge is reflected as a DAC write-down of EUR 975 million before tax.
While the reserves for the segment Insurance US Closed Block VA are adequate at the 50% confidence level, a net reserve inadequacy
exists using a prudent (90%) confidence level. In line with Group Policy, Insurance US Closed Block VA is taking measures to improve
adequacy in that region. This inadequacy was offset by reserve adequacies in other segments, such that at the Group level there is a
net adequacy at the prudent (90%) confidence level.
Underlying expenditure
– Underwriting expenditure 32,765 32,765 32,765
– Operating expenses 9,192 4,022 13,214 13,214
– Other interest expenses 1,128 1,128 –336 792
– Additions to loan loss provision 1,751 1,751 1,751
– Other impairments 493 70 563 563
Total underlying expenses 11,436 37,985 49,421 –336 49,085
Reconciliation between IFRS-EU and Underlying income, expenses and net result
2010 Income Expenses Net result
Underlying 54,427 49,085 3,893
Divestments in 2010 mainly relate to the sale of the three U.S. independent retail broker-dealer units, the sale of the Private Banking
businesses in Asia and Switzerland and to the sale of ING’s 50% stake in Summit Industrial Fund LP.
Special items in 2010 includes mainly restructuring expenses for the combining of the Dutch retail activities, the Belgium retail
transformation program, the cost related to the separation of Banking and Insurance and the expenses related to the goodwill
impairment in the United States of EUR 513 million (after tax) in 2010. Reference is made to Note 9 ‘Intangible assets’.
Underlying expenditure
– Operating expenses 2,472 1,291 1,652 660 132 1,878 433 250 8,768 8,768
– Additions to loan loss provision 529 200 765 116 39 971 239 2,859 2,859
– Other impairments * –2 –7 12 1 456 35 495 495
Total underlying expenses 2,999 1,484 2,429 776 171 2,850 1,128 285 12,122 12,122
Underlying result before taxation 883 578 –667 85 25 2,107 –988 –662 1,361 1,361
Taxation 233 79 –253 29 5 378 –193 –183 95 95
Minority interests 2 1 5 10 29 25 72 72
Underlying net result 650 497 –415 51 10 1,700 –820 –479 1,194 1,194
*
Analysed as a part of operating expenses.
Underlying expenditure
– Underwriting expenditure 8,222 1,930 12,879 1,216 261 6,235 3 –320 30,426 30,426
– Operating expenses 1,029 271 966 138 175 516 556 124 3,775 3,775
– Other interest expenses 295 37 113 5 102 10 9 1,637 2,208 –1,158 1,050
– Other impairments 1 69 70 70
Total underlying expenses 9,546 2,238 13,958 1,359 538 6,762 568 1,510 36,479 –1,158 35,321
Underlying result before taxation 290 290 356 –654 273 383 169 –1,309 –202 –202
Taxation 58 56 138 –79 53 112 59 –402 –5 –5
Minority interests 15 12 6 1 1 –12 23 23
Underlying net result 217 222 218 –575 214 270 109 –895 –220 –220
*
Excluding US Closed Block VA.
Underlying expenditure
– Underwriting expenditure 30,426 30,426 30,426
– Operating expenses 8,768 3,775 12,543 12,543
– Other interest expenses 1,050 1,050 –336 714
– Additions to loan loss provision 2,859 2,859 2,859
– Other impairments 495 70 565 565
Total underlying expenses 12,122 35,321 47,443 –336 47,107
Reconciliation between IFRS-EU and Underlying income, expenses and net result
2009 Income Expenses Net result
Underlying 48,266 47,107 974
Divestments in 2009 mainly include the net impact of the sale of ING’s 70% stake in ING Canada, the Nationale Nederlanden Industry
Pension fund portfolio, the Annuity and Mortgage businesses in Chile, three US independent retail broker-dealer units (three quarters of
ING Advisors Network) and ING Australia Pty Limited. Divestments in 2009 also relates to the operational result from the in 2010 divested
units Private Banking business Asia and Switzerland and Summit.
Special items in 2009 reflects mainly the net impact of transaction result on the Illiquid Asset Back-up Facility, including the additional
Illiquid Assets Back-up Facility payments as part of the overall agreement with the European Commission of EUR 1.3 billion (EUR 930
million after tax), and restructuring costs.
Underlying expenditure
– Operating expenses 2,830 1,382 1,705 796 144 2,230 558 41 9,686 9,686
– Additions to loan loss provision 251 26 283 65 13 516 81 1,235 1,235
– Other impairments * –3 6 14 3 65 32 117 117
Total underlying expenses 3,078 1,414 2,002 861 157 2,749 704 73 11,038 11,038
Underlying result before taxation 1,258 306 –1,125 9 38 910 –76 –727 593 593
Taxation 264 64 –394 2 2 205 –16 –358 –231 –231
Minority interests 2 21 15 15 –5 48 48
Underlying net result 994 242 –733 –14 21 690 –55 –369 776 776
*
Analysed as a part of operating expenses.
Underlying expenditure
– Underwriting expenditure 9,141 2,400 13,357 8,318 376 8,314 4 1,716 43,626 43,626
– Operating expenses 1,255 332 967 184 211 602 633 34 4,218 4,218
– Other interest expenses 469 23 201 –1 18 62 26 1,723 2,521 –1,252 1,269
– Other impairments –2 2 81 81 81
Total underlying expenses 10,865 2,755 14,523 8,501 605 8,978 665 3,554 50,446 –1,252 49,194
Underlying result before taxation 92 187 –868 –530 152 –2 179 –566 –1,356 –1,356
Taxation 79 46 –81 –204 3 6 49 –259 –361 –361
Minority interests –18 12 5 14 1 –7 7 7
Underlying net result 31 129 –787 –326 144 –22 129 –300 –1,002 –1,002
*
Excluding US Closed Block VA
Underlying expenditure
– Underwriting expenditure 43,626 43,626 43,626
– Operating expenses 9,686 4,218 13,904 13,904
– Other interest expenses 1,269 1,269 –292 977
– Additions to loan loss provision 1,235 1,235 1,235
– Other impairments 117 81 198 198
Total underlying expenses 11,038 49,194 60,232 –292 59,940
Reconciliation between IFRS-EU and Underlying income, expenses and net result
2008 Income Expenses Net result
Underlying 59,177 59,940 –226
Divestments in 2008 mainly relate to the sale of Chile Health business (ING Salud), part of the Mexican business (ING Seguros SA) and the
Taiwanese life insurance business (ING Life Taiwan). Divestments in 2008 also relates to the operational result from the in 2010 divested
units Private Banking business Asia and Switzerland and Summit.
Special items in 2008 relate to the nationalisation of the annuity business in Argentina, the combining of ING Bank and Postbank and the
unwinding of Postkantoren.
Interest income (external) and interest expenses (external) breakdown by operating segments Banking
Retail Commer- Corporate
Nether- Retail cial ING Real Line Total
2010 lands Belgium ING Direct Retail CE Retail Asia Banking Estate Banking Banking
Interest income 7,916 3,093 10,059 1,544 452 43,121 1,145 2,357 69,687
Interest expense 1,524 1,015 6,310 817 261 42,509 263 3,572 56,271
6,392 2,078 3,749 727 191 612 882 –1,215 13,416
Interest income (external) and interest expenses (external) breakdown by operating segments Insurance
Insurance Insurance Insurance Corporate
Insurance Insurance Insurance US Closed Latin Asia/ Line Total
2010 Benelux CRE US * Block VA America Pacific ING IM Insurance Insurance
Interest income 2,138 359 3,422 28 160 808 12 357 7,284
Interest expense 26 –2 55 5 68 3 4 633 792
2,112 361 3,367 23 92 805 8 –276 6,492
*
Excluding US Closed Block VA
Interest income (external) and interest expenses (external) breakdown by operating segments Banking
Retail Corporate
Nether- Retail Commer- ING Real Line Total
2009 lands Belgium ING Direct Retail CE Retail Asia cial Banking Estate Banking Banking
Interest income 8,039 3,020 10,532 1,603 399 54,143 1,259 2,151 81,146
Interest expense 2,200 1,541 7,451 950 246 52,531 178 3,510 68,607
5,839 1,479 3,081 653 153 1,612 1,081 –1,359 12,539
Interest income (external) and interest expenses (external) breakdown by operating segments Insurance
Insurance Insurance Insurance Corporate
Insurance Insurance Insurance US Closed Latin Asia/ Line Total
2009 Benelux CRE US * Block VA America Pacific ING IM Insurance Insurance
Interest income 2,073 368 3,326 2 250 655 5 105 6,784
Interest expense 43 –3 206 5 68 5 7 385 716
2,030 371 3,120 –3 182 650 –2 –280 6,068
*
Excluding US Closed Block VA
Interest income (external) and interest expenses (external) breakdown by operating segments Banking
Retail Commer- Corporate
Nether- Retail cial ING Real Line Total
2008 lands Belgium ING Direct Retail CE Retail Asia Banking Estate Banking Banking
Interest income 8,405 4,260 13,292 1,915 469 66,406 2,134 1,320 98,201
Interest expense 2,942 3,393 10,501 1,512 332 65,095 374 2,970 87,119
5,463 867 2,791 403 137 1,311 1,760 –1,650 11,082
Interest income (external) and interest expenses (external) breakdown by operating segments Insurance
Insurance Insurance Insurance Corporate
Insurance Insurance Insurance US Closed Latin Asia/ Line Total
2008 Benelux CRE US * Block VA America Pacific ING IM Insurance Insurance
Interest income 2,358 376 2,980 759 573 910 4 121 8,081
Interest expense 72 3 260 –1 70 3 17 554 978
2,286 373 2,720 760 503 907 –13 –433 7,103
*
Excluding US Closed Block VA
IFRS-EU balance sheets by segment are not reported internally to, and not managed by, the chief operating decision maker. IFRS-EU
balance sheet information is prepared, and disclosed below, for the Banking operations as a whole and for the Insurance operations
as a whole and by segment.
Further balance sheet related information for the banking operations is provided by segment in the section ‘Risk Management’.
Geographical areas
Nether- Rest of North Latin Elimi-
2010 lands Belgium Europe America America Asia Australia Other nations Total
Total income 17,178 4,352 7,854 17,472 1,143 9,706 428 –3,246 54,887
Total assets 644,257 161,781 326,179 340,925 20,763 103,560 44,160 153 –394,668 1,247,110
Geographical areas
Nether- Rest of North Latin Elimi-
2009 lands Belgium Europe America America Asia Australia Other nations Total
Total income 14,880 4,573 7,676 15,143 1,194 8,571 865 –5,137 47,765
Total assets 580,272 156,059 317,994 295,615 17,698 82,987 35,365 134 –322,481 1,163,643
Geographical areas
Nether- Rest of North Latin Elimi-
2008 lands Belgium Europe America America Asia Australia Other nations Total
Total income 16,817 4,042 7,889 24,511 2,497 14,120 733 –4,318 66,291
Total assets 805,247 173,064 429,369 294,003 26,821 110,609 37,211 108 –544,769 1,331,663
Cash and cash equivalents include amounts due to/from banks with a term of less than three months from the date on which they
were acquired.
ING Group’s risk management (including liquidity) is explained in the ‘Risk management’ section.
Risk management
amounts in millions of euros, unless stated otherwise
As a result of the decision to manage ING Bank and ING Insurance separately, in preparation of the two IPOs for ING Insurance, ING has
implemented two distinct risk appetite frameworks for both Bank and Insurance. The common concept however is that risk appetite is
expressed as the tolerance to allow key capital ratios to deviate from their target levels under adverse scenarios. These frameworks are
discussed in more detail in the specific sections of this risk management section.
The economic capital model for credit risk was updated to bring it more in line with the regulatory capital framework, and now relies less
on diversification benefits.
A second commonality between ING Bank and ING Insurance is that both need to prepare for significant changes in the regulatory
requirements. ING Bank needs to prepare for the implementation of Basel III (which is the Basel II reform packages on risk and liquidity),
while ING Insurance runs an extensive program to allow the implementation of Solvency II (which is the fundamental reform of European
insurance solvency and risk governance legislation; which is effective as of 1 January 2013). Additionally, both in Bank and Insurance,
ING continued its stress testing efforts, with stress testing becoming more important and more embedded in the risk culture.
During 2010 strengthening of ING balance sheet continued. In 2010 ING continued to reduce the exposure on the ABS portfolio by means
of sales (primarily sales of CMBS) and limiting the reinvestments in ABS to agency paper only. Because of the strengthening of the US Dollar
and the improvements in the revaluation reserve this policy does not result in a lower balance sheet amount for this asset class.
In the first half of 2010 concerns arose regarding the creditworthiness of several southern European countries, which later spread to
a few other European countries. As a result of these concerns the value of sovereign debt decreased. The impact on ING’s revaluation
reserve in relation to sovereign debt is limited per 31 December 2010: the negative impact on troubled countries is offset by opposite
positive movements in bonds of financially stronger European countries and by the positive impact from lower interest rates in general.
Furthermore, in the course of 2010, ING reduced its sovereign debt exposure to these troubled countries.
In 2009, certain ABS (US Subprime RMBS, Alt-A RMBS, CMBS and CDO/CLOs) were considered pressurised asset classes. As of 2010,
Greek and Irish Government and Financial Institution bonds are also considered pressurised asset classes. Ireland and Greece are the only
countries that used the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) during 2010, only the government and financial institution unsecured
bonds for these countries are considered as pressurised assets by ING.
ING maintained its policy to restrict reinvestment of maturing debt securities as much as possible and any reinvestments were mainly
in government guaranteed paper. During the year ING Insurance reduced the exposure to CMBS through sales of part of the portfolio
(approximately EUR 1.6 billion). The remaining CMBS portfolio increased in value as a result of revaluations and currency effects. Similar
effects in revaluation reserve improvements are visible for the other pressurised ABS classes, and the total revaluation reserve for US
Alt-A RMBS changed from negative to positive. Despite the improved market values, ING still took impairments on the ABS portfolio.
These impairments mainly relate to the ING Insurance part of the ABS portfolio, as EUR 481 million of the total EUR 541 million
in impairments are for the ING Insurance portfolio. The credit quality of the ING ABS portfolio did not materially change, with 88%
of the portfolio rated A or better at year-end 2010 (88% in 2009).
Of the exposure on pressurised ABS EUR 10.1 billion is measured at fair value (with the revaluation recognised in equity, except
impairments on these trades going through P&L). The table shows how the total fair values are determined through the following
Level 1, 2, 3 hierarchy:
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2 – Valuation technique supported by observable inputs;
Level 3 – Valuation technique supported by unobservable inputs.
An analysis of the method applied in determining the fair values of financial assets and liabilities is provided in Note 34 ‘Fair value
of financial assets and liabilities’.
For ING Bank, the bonds portfolio includes Government and Financial Institutions unsecured bonds exposures in Greece and Ireland
classified as available-for-sale of EUR 570 million (fair value), with a related negative revaluation reserve in equity of EUR –285 million.
Furthermore it includes, for ING Bank, similar exposures classified as loans and advances of EUR 358 million (amortised cost).
For ING Insurance, the bonds portfolio includes Government and Financial Institutions unsecured bond exposures in Greece and Ireland
classified as available-for-sale of EUR 705 million (fair value), with a related negative revaluation reserve in equity of EUR –279 million.
The Greek and Irish Government and Financial Institution bonds measured at fair value are in the fair value hierarchy levels 1 and 2.
ING Group
The mission of ING Group’s risk management function is to build a sustainable competitive advantage by fully integrating risk management
into daily business activities and strategic planning. This mission is fully embedded in ING Group’s business processes. The following
principles support this objective:
• Products and portfolios are structured, underwritten, priced, approved and managed appropriately and compliance with internal
and external rules and guidelines is monitored;
• ING’s risk profile is transparent, managed to avoid surprises, and is consistent with delegated authorities;
• Delegated authorities are consistent with the overall Group strategy and risk appetite;
• Transparent communication to internal and external stakeholders on risk management and value creation.
Risk Management benefits ING and its shareholders directly by providing more efficient capitalisation and lower costs of risk and funding.
The cost of capital is reduced by working closely with rating agencies and regulators to align capital requirements to risks. Risk Management
helps business units to lower funding costs, make use of the latest risk management tools and skills, and lower strategic risk, allowing
them to focus on their core expertise with the goal of making ING’s businesses more competitive in their markets.
RISK GOVERNANCE
ING’s risk management framework is based on the ‘three lines of defence’ concept which ensures that risk is managed in line with the risk
appetite as defined by the Management Boards for ING Bank and ING Insurance (and ratified by the Supervisory Board) and is cascaded
throughout ING. This concept provides a clear allocation of responsibilities for the ownership and management of risk, to avoid overlaps
and/or gaps in risk governance. Business line management and the regional and local managers have primary responsibility for the
day-to-day management of risk and form the first line of defence. The risk management function, both at corporate and regional/local
level, belongs to the second line of defence and has the primary responsibility to align risk taking with strategic planning e.g. in limit
setting. Risk managers in the business lines have a functional reporting line to the Corporate Risk General Managers described below.
The internal audit function provides an ongoing independent (i.e. outside of the risk organisation) and objective assessment of the
effectiveness of internal controls, including financial and operational risk management and forms the third line of defence.
ING Group
Corporate Credit Corporate Market Corporate Insurance Corporate Operational Group Compliance
Risk Management Risk Management Risk Management Risk Management Risk Management
(Bank & Insurance) (Bank) (Insurance) (Bank & Insurance) (Bank & Insurance)
The risk organisation is structured independently from the business lines and is organised through five risk departments:
• Corporate Credit Risk Management (CCRM) is responsible for credit risk management for ING Bank and ING Insurance;
• Corporate Market Risk Management (CMRM) is responsible for market and liquidity risk management of ING Bank;
• Corporate Insurance Risk Management (CIRM) is responsible for insurance, market and liquidity risk management of ING Insurance;
• Corporate Operational Risk Management (CORM) is responsible for the operational risk management of ING Bank and ING Insurance;
• Group Compliance Risk Management (GCRM) is responsible for (i) identifying, assessing, monitoring and reporting on the compliance
risks faced by ING, (ii) supporting and advising management on fulfilling its compliance responsibilities, and (iii) advising employees on
their (personal) compliance obligations.
The heads of these departments (Corporate Risk General Managers) report to the CRO and bear direct responsibility for risk (mitigating)
decisions at the Group level. The Corporate Risk General Managers and the CRO are responsible for the harmonisation and standardisation
of risk management practices.
• ING Group Credit Committee – Policy (GCCP): Discusses and approves policies, methodologies and procedures related to credit,
country and reputation risks within ING Group. The GCCP meets on a monthly basis.
• ING Group Credit Committee – Transaction Approval (GCCTA): Discusses and approves transactions which entail taking credit risk
(including issuer investment risk). The GCCTA meets twice a week.
• ING Group Investment Committee (GIC): Discusses and approves investment proposals for ING Real Estate. The GIC meets on a
monthly basis.
• Asset and Liability Committee ING Bank (ALCO Bank): Discusses and approves on a monthly basis the overall risk profile of all ING
Bank’s market risks that occur in its Commercial Banking, and Retail & Direct Banking activities. ALCO Bank defines the policy
regarding funding, liquidity, interest rate mismatch and solvency for ING Bank.
• Asset and Liability Committee ING Insurance (ALCO Insurance): Discusses and approves all risks associated with ING’s Insurance
activities. This includes volatility (affecting earnings and value), exposure (required capital and market risk) and insurance risks.
ALCO Insurance meets ten times a year.
• Operational and Residual Risk Committee (ORRC): Discusses and approves issues related to Methods, Models and Parameters for
Operational risk, Business risk in Banking, inter-risk diversification and consistency across risk types and businesses. The committee
meets at least twice a year.
Due to the implementation of the operational separation for ING Bank and ING Insurance the process was started to change Group level
risk committees into a separate Bank committee and a separate Insurance committee. As a result of these governance changes the ORRC
was disbanded towards the end of 2010, and the topics for this committee were transferred to other committees, like the newly created
Operational Risk Committee Bank (ORC Bank).
In addition, the Finance and Risk Committee (F&RC) is a platform for the CRO and the CFO, along with their respective direct reports, to
discuss and decide on issues that relate to both the finance and risk domains. Given the decision to manage ING Bank and ING Insurance
separately, there is a separate F&RC Bank and a separate F&RC Insurance. To cover specific Group issues there is also a F&RC Group
meeting, which meets at least on a quarterly basis.
ING Group
ING Group uses risk assessment and risk measurement to guide decision making. As a result, the quality of risk models is important.
The governance process for approval of risk models, methods and parameters ensures business and regulatory requirements, via a
clear assignment of responsibility and accountability.
Given the operational split of ING Bank and ING insurance, which became effective as of 1 January 2011, the risk organisation made
preparations to reflect this new structure as of 1 January 2011. This change was most significant for departments providing risk
management for both ING Bank and ING Insurance. In the new structure all risk departments have a small team for ING Group,
and separate teams for ING Bank and ING Insurance.
• The Executive Board is responsible for managing risks associated with the ING Group activities. Its responsibilities include ensuring
that internal risk management and control systems are effective and that ING Group complies with relevant legislation and regulations.
The Executive Board reports on these issues and discusses the internal risk management and control systems with the Supervisory
Board. On a quarterly basis, the Executive Board reports on the Group’s risk profile versus its risk appetite to the Audit Committee,
explaining changes in the risk profile.
• The Supervisory Board is responsible for supervising the policy of the Executive Board, the general course of affairs of the Company
and its business (including its financial policies and corporate structure). The Supervisory Board has several sub-committees related
to specific topics. Of these, two sub-committees are relevant for the risk management organisation and risk reporting, which are:
• The Audit Committee, which assists the Supervisory Board in reviewing and assessing ING Group’s major risk exposures and the
operation of internal risk management and control systems, as well as policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable
laws and regulations.
• The Risk Committee, which assists the Supervisory Board on matters related to risk governance, risk policies and risk appetite setting.
It reports in the Supervisory Board on the main risk issues in the group.
Committee membership is organised such that specific business know-how, expertise relating to the activities of ING and the subject
matter of the committees is available. The CRO attends the Audit Committee and the Risk Committee meetings.
The CRO makes sure that the boards are well informed and understand ING Group’s risk position at all times. Every quarter, the CRO
reports to the board committees on ING’s risk appetite levels and on ING Group’s risk profile. In addition the CRO briefs the board
committees on developments in internal and external risk related issues and makes sure the board committees understand specific
risk concepts.
ING has integrated its risk management into the annual strategic planning process. This process aligns strategic goals, business strategies
and resources throughout ING Group. The Executive Board issues a Planning Letter which provides the organisation with the corporate
strategic direction, and addresses key risk issues. Based on the Planning Letter, the business lines and business units develop their business
plans which align with the Group’s strategic direction. The process includes a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the risks involved.
It is part of the process to explicitly discuss strategic limits and group risk appetite levels. At each level, strategies and metrics are identified
to measure success in achieving objectives and to assure adherence to the strategic plan. Based on the business plans, the Executive Board
formulates the Group Strategic Plan which is submitted to the Supervisory Board for approval.
The Executive Board uses the risk appetite frameworks to monitor and manage the actual risk profile in relation to the Bank and Insurance
risk appetite, which are derived from the Group risk appetite in line with the Group target AA rating. It enables the Executive Board to
identify possible risk concentrations and to support strategic decision making. The risk appetite levels are reported to the Executive Board
on a quarterly basis and are subsequently presented to the Risk Committee.
ING Group
ING Group’s risk appetite is defined by the Executive Board as part of the strategic planning process. As a next step, strict boundaries are
established with regard to acceptable risk types and levels for ING Bank and ING Insurance. In 2010 the revised risk appetite frameworks
were implemented, after approval by the Executive Board. As a result the Group risk appetite level is replaced by separate Bank and
Insurance risk appetite frameworks, which closely align the risk appetite setting with capital management targets.
The overall ING Group risk appetite is translated (through the bank and insurance risk appetite frameworks) into specific limits which
are cascaded down into the organisation, e.g.
• Credit risk limits for bank and insurance business;
• ALM/Value at Risk limits for bank operations;
• Mortality and concentration limits for insurance operations.
ING’s ‘three lines of defence’ governance framework ensures that risk is managed in line with the risk appetite as defined by the Executive
Board. Risk appetite is cascaded throughout the Group, thereby safeguarding controlled risk taking. The role of the business lines is to
maximise the value within established risk boundaries. Each quarter, the Executive Board monitors that the financial and non-financial
risks are within the boundaries of the risk appetite as set in the strategic planning process.
Risk types
ING measures the following main types of risks that are associated with its business activities:
• Credit risk: the risk of potential loss due to default by ING’s debtors (including bond issuers) or trading counterparties;
• Market risk: the risk of potential loss due to adverse movements in market variables. Market risks include interest rate, equity,
real estate, implied volatility, credit spread, and foreign exchange risks;
• Liquidity risk: the risk that ING or one of its subsidiaries cannot meet its financial liabilities when they come due, at reasonable
cost and in a timely manner. Liquidity risk can materialise both through trading and non-trading positions;
• Insurance risk: risks such as mortality, morbidity and property and casualty associated with the claims under insurance policies
it issues/underwrites; specifically, the risk that premium rate levels and provisions are not sufficient to cover insurance claims;
• Operational risk is the risk of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems
or from external events. It includes reputational risk, as well as legal risk;
• Business risk: the exposure to value loss due to fluctuations in volumes, margins and costs, as well as client behaviour risk.
These fluctuations can occur because of internal, industry, or wider market factors. It is the risk inherent to strategy decisions
and internal efficiency, and as such strategic risk is included in business risk.
Risk measures related to accounting are based on IFRS-EU where relevant, as IFRS-EU is the primary accounting basis, which is also
the basis for statutory and regulatory reporting and risk management.
Stress Testing
ING complements its regular standardised risk reporting process with (ad hoc) stress tests. A stress test is an instrument to check whether
a financial institution can withstand specific negative events or economic changes. More specific, stress testing examines the effect of
exceptional but plausible events on the capital and liquidity position of the financial institution and provides insight in which business
lines and portfolios are vulnerable to which type of scenarios.
Several stress tests are produced both scheduled and ad hoc, both in the form of sensitivity or scenario analysis, either for a specific risk
type or for ING Bank or ING Insurance as a whole. The stress test can represent various economic situations from mild recession to extreme
shock. In addition to regulatory required stress tests like those required by the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB)) and the
Committee for European Banking Supervision (CEBS; which per 1 January 2011 became the European Banking Authority (EBA)), several ad
hoc tests have been conducted.
ING participated in the stress test conducted by the CEBS, which included a baseline scenario, adverse scenario and an additional sovereign
shock for 2010 and 2011. This stress test demonstrated ING Bank’s resilience in adverse scenarios. The strong underlying commercial
performance resulting from ING Bank’s franchises helps to offset the impact of higher loan loss provisions, additional impairments across
the securities portfolios and increased risk-weighted assets.
Risk models
A description of the models, underlying assumptions and key principles used by ING for calculating the risk metrics are provided in the
Model Disclosure section at the end of the risk management section.
ING Bank
Due to the way the risk departments are organised, these metrics are presented at a higher aggregation level (business line combinations)
than the identified segments in Note 51 ’Operating Segments’:
• Retail Banking Benelux contains Retail Netherlands, Retail Belgium (including Retail Luxemburg);
• Retail Banking Direct & International contains Retail Central Europe, Retail Asia and ING Direct;
• Commercial Banking corresponds to Commercial Banking and ING Real Estate;
• Bank Corporate Line coincides with Corporate Line.
Economic capital is a non accounting measure which is inherently subject to dynamic changes and updates as a result of ING Bank’s
portfolio mix and general market developments. ING Bank has been and will continue recalibrating the underlying assumptions to its
economic capital models, which may have a material impact on the economic capital values going forward.
The tables below provide ING Bank’s Economic Capital and Regulatory Capital by risk type and business line combination.
The EC figures shown reflect all diversification effects within ING Bank, including risk reduction between the risk categories; while
for Regulatory capital no diversification is taken into account. The ING Bank Economic Capital model is described in more detail in
the Model Disclosure section.
ING Bank
In 2010 ING has been recalibrating the underlying assumptions for credit, transfer and operational risk. As the economic capital
model for credit risk was updated to bring closer alignment with the regulatory capital framework there was a material increase
in the economic capital.
Closer aligning the credit risk economic capital with the regulatory capital means that the difference between economic capital and
regulatory capital for credit risk decreases significantly. Given the different point of view of RC and EC, the market risk economic capital
is higher than the regulatory capital primarily due to the inclusion of the banking books in EC. The EC figures include Business risk, while
RC does not have any requirements for business risk. Another difference in scope is the confidence level used; a 99.95% confidence level
for EC, and a 99.9% confidence level for RC. Given the increase in Credit Risk EC and the differences in scope and methodology between
EC and RC the 2010 figures for EC are higher than the RC figure, while for 2009 this was exactly opposite. Correcting for the difference
in confidence level will lead to an EC figure that is lower than the RC figure.
The above risk metrics and risk appetite framework do not cover liquidity risk: the risk that ING Bank or one of its subsidiaries cannot meet
its financial liabilities, at reasonable cost and in a timely manner, when they come due. ING Bank has a separate liquidity management
framework in place to manage this risk, which is described in the Liquidity Risk section of ING Bank.
Credit risk management is supported by dedicated credit risk information systems and internal credit risk measurement methodologies
for debtors, issuers and counterparties. CCRM creates consistency throughout the credit risk organisation by providing common credit
risk policies, methodologies, manuals and tools across the Group.
ING Group’s credit policy is to maintain an internationally diversified loan and bond portfolio, while avoiding large risk concentrations.
The emphasis is on managing business developments within the business lines by means of top-down concentration limits for countries,
individual borrowers and borrower groups. The aim within the banking sector is to expand relationship-banking activities, while
maintaining stringent internal risk/return guidelines and controls.
Credit analysis is risk/reward-oriented in that the level of credit analysis is a function of the risk amount, tenor, structure (e.g. covers
received) of the facility, and the risks entered into. For credit risk management purposes, financial obligations are classified into lending,
investments, pre-settlement, money market and settlement. ING Bank applies a Risk Adjusted Return on Capital framework (RAROC)
which measures the performance of different activities and links to shareholder value creation. The use of RAROC increases focus on
risks versus rewards in the decision making process, and consequently stimulates the use of scarce capital in the most efficient way. More
sophisticated RAROC-based tools are used internally to ensure a proper balance of risk and reward within the portfolio and concentration
parameters. ING’s credit analysts make use of publicly available information in combination with in-house analysis based on information
provided by the customer, peer group comparisons, industry comparisons and other quantitative techniques.
Investment risk
Investment risk is the credit default and risk rating migration risk that is associated with ING’s investments in bonds, commercial paper,
securitisations, and other similar publicly traded securities. Investment risk arises when ING purchases a (synthetic) bond with the intent
to hold the bond for a longer period of time (generally through maturity). Bonds that are purchased with the intent to re-sell in a short
period of time are considered to be trading risks, which are measured and monitored by the Corporate Market Risk Management
department. For credit risk purposes, Investment risk is measured at original cost (purchase price) less any prepayments or amortisations
and excluding any accrued and unpaid interest or the effects of any impairment.
ING Bank
Pre-settlement risk
Pre-settlement risk arises when a counterparty defaults on a transaction before settlement and ING has to replace the contract by a trade
with another counterparty at the then prevailing (possibly unfavourable) market price. The pre-settlement risk (potential or expected risk)
is the cost of ING replacing a trade in the market. This credit risk category is associated with dealing room products such as options,
swaps, and securities financing transactions. Where there is a mutual exchange of value, the amount of credit risk outstanding is generally
based on the replacement value (mark-to-market) plus a potential future volatility concept, using a 3–7 year historical time horizon and a
97.5% (1.96 standard deviations) confidence level.
Settlement risk
Settlement risk arises when there is an exchange of value (funds, instruments or commodities) for the same or different value dates and
receipt is not verified or expected until ING has paid or delivered its side of the trade. The risk is that ING delivers, but does not receive
delivery from the counterparty. Settlement risk can most commonly be contained and reduced by entering into transactions with
delivery-versus-payment (DVP) settlement methods, as is common with most clearing houses, or settlement netting agreements.
For those transactions where DVP settlement is not possible, ING establishes settlement limits through the credit approval process.
Settlement risk is then monitored and managed by the credit risk management units. Risk is further mitigated by operational procedures
requiring trade confirmations to counterparties with all transaction details, and by entering into internationally accepted documentation,
such as International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreements for derivative transactions. Additionally, ING regularly
participates in projects with other financial institutions to improve and develop new clearing systems and clearing mechanisms to further
reduce the level of settlement risk. Due to the very short term nature of settlement exposure (daily or intra-day), settlement risks do not
attract economic or regulatory capital and are excluded from risk reporting disclosures.
Country risk
Country risk is the risk specifically attributable to events in a specific country (or group of countries). It can occur within each of the five
above described risk categories. All transactions and trading positions generated by ING include country risk which is further divided into
economic and transfer risk. Economic risk is the concentration risk relating to any event in the risk country which may affect transactions
and any other exposure in that country, regardless of the currency. Transfer risk is the risk incurred through the inability of ING or its
counterparties to meet their respective foreign currency obligations due to a specific country event.
In countries where ING is active, the relevant country’s risk profile is regularly evaluated, resulting in a country rating. Country limits are
based on this rating and ING’s risk appetite. Exposures derived from lending, investment pre-settlement and money market activities
are then measured and reported against these country limits on a daily basis. Country risk limits are assigned for transfer risk mainly
for emerging markets.
Exposures associated with Securitisations (Asset Backed Financing, Commercial/Residential Mortgage Backed Securities and Covered
Bonds) are shown separately. These amounts also relate to the amount invested prior to any impairment activity or mark-to-market
adjustments. This amount is also considered to be ‘outstandings’.
ING matches trades with similar characteristics to determine their eligibility for offsetting. This offsetting effect is called ‘compensation’.
Subsequently, ING reduces the amount by any legal netting that may be permitted under various types of Master Agreements, such
as ISDAs, GMRAs, GMSLAs, etc. Lastly, the amount is further reduced by any collateral that is held by ING under CSAs or other
similar agreements.
ING Bank
Collateral policies
During the assessment process of creating new loans, trading limits, or making investments, as well as reviewing existing loans trading
positions and investments, ING determines the amount and type of collateral, if any, that a customer may be required to pledge to ING.
Generally, the lower the perceived creditworthiness of a borrower or financial counterparty, the more collateral the customer or counterparty
will have to provide. Within counterparty trading activities, ING actively enters into various legal arrangements whereby ING and/or
counterparties may have to post collateral to one another to cover market fluctuations of their relative positions. Laws in various
jurisdictions also affect the type and amount of collateral that ING can receive or pledge. The type of collateral which is held as security
is determined by the structure of the loan or position. Consequently, since ING’s portfolio is diversified, the profile of collateral it receives
is also diversified in nature and does not reflect any particular collateral type more than others.
As part of its securities financing business, ING entities actively enter into agreements to sell and buy back marketable securities.
These transactions can take many legal forms. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, buy/sellback and sell/buyback agreements,
and securities borrowing and lending agreements are the most common. The amount of marketable securities that ING held as collateral
under these types of agreements was EUR 92.0 billion at 31 December 2010 and EUR 72.7 billion at 31 December 2009. The increase is
commensurate with the overall increase in open securities financing trades at year end 2010 compared to year end 2009. These amounts
exclude the cash leg of the respective transactions, as well as any pledges of securities under Tri-Party agreements (as the underlying is
not directly pledged to or owned by ING). As a general rule, the marketable securities that have been received under these transactions
are eligible to be resold or repledged in other (similar) transactions. ING is obliged to return equivalent securities in such cases.
Repossession policy
It is ING’s general policy not to take possession of assets of defaulted debtors. Rather, ING attempts to sell the assets from within the legal
entity that has pledged these assets to ING, in accordance with the respective collateral or pledge agreements signed with the obligors. In
those cases where ING does take possession of the collateral, ING generally attempts to sell the assets as quickly as possible to prospective
buyers. Based on internal assessments to determine the highest and quickest return for ING, the sale of repossessed assets could be the
sale of the obligor’s business as a whole (or at least all of its assets), or the assets could be sold piecemeal. With regard to the various
mortgage portfolios, ING often has to take possession of the underlying collateral but also tries to reduce the amount of time until resale.
For the banking operations, ING uses various market pricing and measurement techniques to determine the amount of credit risk on
pre-settlement activities. These techniques estimate ING’s potential future exposure on individual and portfolios of trades. Master
agreements and collateral agreements are frequently entered into to reduce these credit risks.
Risk classes
Risk classes are defined based upon the quality of the exposures in terms of creditworthiness, varying from investment grade to problem
grade expressed in S&P equivalents.
ING Bank
Risk classes ING Bank portfolio per credit risk type, as % of total outstandings (1)
Lending Investment Money Market Pre-settlement Total ING Bank
2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009
1 (AAA) 0.8% 0.8% 30.8% 36.9% 1.2% 1.2% 3.5% 5.9% 6.3% 7.8%
2–4 (AA) 6.0% 7.0% 25.0% 29.4% 22.0% 45.6% 18.2% 26.1% 10.6% 13.4%
5–7 (A) 9.5% 9.1% 27.1% 23.1% 62.3% 40.9% 50.8% 46.7% 16.8% 15.2%
8–10 (BBB) 36.9% 35.0% 12.5% 6.5% 6.8% 7.2% 17.2% 11.0% 30.4% 27.4%
11–13 (BB) 32.0% 32.7% 2.0% 1.8% 7.4% 4.7% 7.3% 7.3% 24.4% 24.5%
14–16 (B) 9.9% 9.9% 0.6% 0.6% 0.1% 0.2% 1.8% 1.8% 7.5% 7.3%
17–22 (CCC & Problem Grade) 4.9% 5.5% 2.0% 1.7% 0.2% 0.2% 1.2% 1.2% 4.0% 4.4%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
(1)
Based on credit risk measurement contained in lending, pre-settlement, money market and investment activities.
The ratings reflect probabilities of default and do not take collateral into consideration.
Within the Investment and Pre-Settlement portfolios, there was a slight downward shift from the high end investment grade, to the
midlevel investment grade in 2010. The Lending portfolios remained fairly stable. A large portion of the reduction in investment grade
counterparty risks (pre-settlement) is related to the increasing application of collateral and netting agreements with these counterparties.
Where such agreements are in place, ING generally has higher absolute volumes, while the credit risks are actually lowered due to the
benefit of collateral and netting agreements.
As part of the Back to Basics focus on core clients, ING Bank reduced its exposure to governments and the financial sector while growing
the private individual and corporate portfolios. The industry Central Banks fell below the 2.0% threshold during 2010 (2009: 2.3%).
ING Bank
Largest economic exposures: ING Bank lending portfolio, by geographic area (1)
Retail Banking Direct &
Commercial Banking Retail Banking Benelux International Total ING Bank
2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009
Netherlands 20.7% 20.2% 74.8% 75.4% 4.8% 6.1% 31.2% 32.1%
Belgium 7.7% 9.8% 23.2% 21.4% 0.2% 0.3% 9.6% 9.9%
Rest of Europe 45.2% 44.6% 1.3% 1.7% 53.3% 56.3% 35.0% 35.6%
Americas 14.8% 15.5% 0.2% 0.6% 26.4% 24.3% 14.6% 14.1%
Asia/Pacific 11.2% 9.5% 0.1% 0.5% 15.3% 13.0% 9.4% 8.0%
Rest of World 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.2% 0.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
(1)
Geographic areas are based on the country of residence of the obligor.
The largest relative geographic area of growth was Asia/Pacific which corresponds with the region’s economic recovery in 2010. Exchange
rate effects had further impact on the regional division.
In line with ING’s de-risking strategy, the portfolio developments in most countries mirrored the developments in the portfolio as a whole.
The depreciated Euro versus the Australian and the US dollar had an upward effect of the exposure to the Americas and Asia/Pacific and
therewith also to the Retail Banking Direct and International and Commercial Banking portfolios.
Problem loans
Renegotiated Loans
ING’s credit restructuring activities focus on managing the client relationships, improving the borrower’s risk profile, maximising collection
opportunities and, if possible, avoiding foreclosure or repossession. These activities are pro-actively pursued and primarily relate to
Wholesale and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) borrowers (‘Business’), which are not yet in default. Common actions taken include,
but are not limited to, revising or extending repayment arrangements, assisting in financial reorganisation and/or turnaround management
plans, deferring foreclosure, modifying loan conditions and deferring certain payments pending a change in circumstances. For consumer
and residential mortgage loans (‘Consumer’) the approach is more portfolio oriented.
Restructuring activities for Business borrowers normally start with a watch list indication. Borrowers on the watch list maintain their rating
(1–19). A watch list indication may develop into a restructuring status (18–19) or even a recovery status (20–22). Most borrowers with a
watch list indication return to a regular status. For Consumer clients the watch list of ‘potential problem loan’ status is usually caused by
payment arrears (more than 1 month) which are subsequently reflected in the risk rating of 18–19 (or comparable status based on an
increased probability of default). Following restructuring relationship management is either transferred to the regular banking departments
or terminated.
ING’s renegotiated loans that would otherwise be past due or impaired are reflected below:
ING Bank renegotiated loans that would otherwise be past due or impaired (outstandings)
2010 2009
Consumer and Consumer and
Business loans mortgage loans Total Business loans mortgage loans Total
From restructuring (18–19) to regular (1–17) status 4,365 4,365 2,737 2,737
From recovery (20–22) to regular or restructuring
status (1–19) 2,744 3,209 5,953 2,895 3,210 6,105
Total of renegotiated loans 7,109 3,209 10,318 5,632 3,210 8,842
ING continues to take a proactive approach in working with its Business and Consumer customers which are experiencing financial
difficulties to restructure their loans and help return the companies to economic viability. The category ‘restructuring status’ is not
used for consumer borrowers, but only for Business customers.
ING Bank
Past-due obligations
ING continually measures its portfolio in terms of payment arrears. Particularly the retail portfolios are closely monitored on a monthly
basis to determine if there are any significant changes in the level of arrears. Generally, an obligation is considered ‘past-due’ if a payment
of interest or principal is more than one day late. In practice, the first 5–7 days after an obligation becomes past due are considered to be
operational in nature for the retail loans and small businesses. After this period, letters are sent to the obligor reminding the obligor of
its (past due) payment obligations. If the arrear still exists after 90 days, the obligation is transferred to one of the ‘problem loan’ units.
In order to reduce the number of arrears, ING banking units encourage their obligors to set up automatic debits from their (current)
accounts to ensure timely payments.
Aging analysis (past due but not impaired): ING Bank portfolio, outstandings (1) (2)
2010 2009
Past due for 1–30 days 4,565 5,967
Past due for 31–60 days 973 1,281
Past due for 61–90 days 100 156
Total 5,638 7,404
(1)
Based on lending (consumer loans and residential mortgages only).
(2)
The amount of past due but not impaired financial assets in respect of non-lending activities was not material.
There is no significant concentration of a particular type of loan structure in the past due or the impaired loan portfolio.
ING tracks past due but not impaired loans most closely for the consumer loan and residential mortgage portfolios. Generally, all loans
with past due financial obligations of more than 90 days are automatically reclassified as impaired. For the wholesale lending portfolios
and securities obligations, there are generally reasons for declaring a loan impaired prior to being 90 days past due. These include,
but are not limited to, ING’s assessment of the customer’s perceived inability to meet its financial obligations, or the customer filing
for bankruptcy or bankruptcy protection. In some cases, a material breach of financial covenants will also trigger a reclassification of
a loan to the impaired category.
The table below represents the economic sector breakdown of credit risk outstandings (including impaired amounts) for loans and
positions that have been classified as problem loans and for which provisions have been made.
ING holds specific and collective provisions of EUR 2,697 million and EUR 1,404 million, respectively (2009: EUR 2,115 million and
EUR 1,246 million respectively), representing the difference between the amortised cost of the portfolio and the estimated recoverable
amount discounted at the effective rate of interest. In addition, there is EUR 1,051 million in provisions against the performing portfolio
and EUR 43 million of Net Present Value forgone for re-modified loans.
ING Bank
During 2010 we saw a slow reduction to more normalised risk costs. The lower risk costs level was largely the result of an improving
portfolio within Commercial Banking, which was partly offset due to the continuing elevated levels of the risk costs in Retail Benelux.
Within ING Bank, market risk (including liquidity risk) falls under the supervision of the ALCO function with ALCO Bank as the highest
approval authority. ALCO Bank determines the overall risk appetite for market risk. The ALCO function is regionally organised with the
exception of ING Direct, which has a separate ALCO. The business lines Retail Banking and Commercial Banking are represented within
the respective regional and local ALCO’s. The ALCO structure within ING Bank facilitates top-down risk management, limit setting and
the monitoring and control of market risk. This ensures a correct implementation of the ING Bank risk appetite.
The Corporate Market Risk Management department (CMRM) is the designated independent department that is responsible for the design
and execution of the bank’s market risk management functions in support of the ALCO function. The CMRM structure recognises that risk
taking and risk management to a large extent occurs at the regional/local level. Bottom-up reporting allows each management level to
fully assess the market risk relevant at the respective levels.
CMRM is responsible for determining adequate policies and procedures for managing market risk and for monitoring the compliance
with these guidelines. An important element of the market risk management function is the assessment of market risk in new products
and businesses. Furthermore CMRM maintains an adequate limit framework in line with ING Bank’s risk appetite. The businesses are
responsible for adhering to the limits that ultimately are approved by ALCO Bank. Limit breaches are reported to senior management
on a timely basis and the business is required to take the appropriate actions to reduce the risk position.
The Financial Markets Risk Committee (FMRC) is the market risk committee that, within the guidelines set by ALCO Bank, sets market risk
limits both on an aggregated level and on a desk level, and approves new products. CMRM advises both the FMRC and ALCO Bank on
the market risk appetite of trading activities.
With respect to the trading portfolios, CMRM focuses on the management of market risks of Commercial Banking (mainly Financial
Markets) as this is the only business line where significant trading activities take place. Trading activities include facilitation of client
business, market making and proprietary position taking in cash and derivatives markets. CMRM is responsible for the development
and implementation of trading risk policies and risk measurement methodologies, the reporting and monitoring of risk exposures
against approved trading limits and the validation of pricing models. CMRM also reviews trading mandates and limits, and performs
the gatekeeper role in the product review process. The management of trading market risk is performed at various organisational
levels, from CMRM overall down to specific business areas and trading offices.
ING Bank
Measurement
CMRM uses the Value at Risk (VaR) methodology as its primary risk measure. The VaR for market risk quantifies, with a one-sided
confidence level of 99%, the maximum overnight loss that could occur due to changes in risk factors (e.g. interest rates, foreign exchange
rates, equity prices, credit spreads, implied volatilities) if positions remain unchanged for a time period of one day. The impact of historical
market movements on today’s portfolio is estimated, based on equally weighted observed market movements of the previous year. ING
uses VaR with a 1-day horizon for internal risk measurement, control and backtesting, and VaR with a 10-day horizon for determining
regulatory capital. ING’s VaR model has been approved by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB: the Dutch Central Bank) to be used for the
regulatory capital calculation of its most important trading activities.
Market risk management for the fixed income and equity markets is split into two components: general market risk and specific market
risk. The general market risk component estimates the VaR resulting from general market-value movements (e.g. interest rate movements).
The specific market risk component estimates the VaR resulting from market-value movements that relate to e.g. the underlying issuer of
securities in the portfolios. This specific risk relates to all value movements not related to general market movements.
CMRM has implemented a historical simulation Value at Risk (HVaR) model for consolidated risk reporting for the trading books that has
replaced the Variance Covariance method used previously. ING has chosen to use a phased rollout approach. As of 1 January 2009, ING
implemented the first phase after approval from DNB. During 2010, further steps were made with the migration of a large part of the
non-linear risks from Monte Carlo simulation to historical simulation. The remaining non-linear risks and specific risk will migrate to
historical simulation in 2011.
Limitations
VaR as a risk measure has some limitations. VaR uses historical data to forecast future price behaviour. Future price behaviour could differ
substantially from past behaviour. Moreover, the use of a one-day holding period (or ten days for regulatory calculations) assumes that all
positions in the portfolio can be liquidated or hedged in one day. In periods of illiquidity or market events, this assumption may not hold
true. Also, the use of 99% confidence level means that VaR does not take into account any losses that occur beyond this confidence level.
The Basel Committee has proposed to supplement the current VaR regulatory capital framework for trading exposures with an Incremental
Risk Charge (IRC) and Stressed VaR to cover for the shortcomings of the current risk framework. The IRC ensures that Basel II capital
charges will capture default and credit migration risks which are not reflected in the current 99%, 10-day VaR model for the trading
books. The Basel II requirements on the incremental risk charge will come into force in 2011. ING performs experience runs on IRC as
part of the approval process with the Dutch regulator, the DNB.
Backtesting
Backtesting is a technique for the ongoing monitoring of the plausibility of the VaR model in use. Although VaR models estimate potential
future results, estimates are based on historical market data. In a backtest, the actual daily result is compared with the 1-day VaR. In
addition to using actual results for backtesting, ING also uses hypothetical results, which measure results excluding the effect of intraday
trading, fees and commissions. When the actual or hypothetical loss exceeds the VaR an ‘outlier’ occurs. Based on ING’s one-sided
confidence level of 99% an outlier is expected once in every 100 business days. In 2010, like in 2009, there was no occurrence where
a daily trading loss exceeded the daily consolidated VaR of ING Commercial Banking. ING reports the results of this backtesting to DNB
on a quarterly basis.
Stress testing
Stress tests are used for the monitoring of market risks under extreme market conditions. Since VaR in general does not produce an
estimate of the potential losses that can occur as a result of extreme market movements, ING uses structured stress tests for monitoring
the market risk under these extreme conditions. Stress scenarios are based on historical as well as hypothetical extreme events. The result
of the stress testing is an event risk number, which is an estimate of the profit and loss account effect caused by a potential event and its
world-wide impact for ING Commercial Banking. The event risk number for the ING Commercial Banking trading activity is generated
on a weekly basis. Like VaR, event risk is limited by ALCO Bank. ING’s event risk policy basically consists of defined stress parameters per
country and per market (fixed income, equity, foreign exchange, credit and related derivative markets). The scenarios and stress parameters
are evaluated against extreme actual market movements. If and when necessary, ING evaluates specific stress scenarios, as an addition to
its structural stress tests. These specific scenarios relate to current concerns, like political instability in certain regions, terrorist attacks or
extreme movements, e.g. in credit spreads.
ING Bank
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Jan 09 Apr 09 Jul 09 Oct 09 Jan 10 Apr 10 Jul 10 Oct 10 Dec 10
Date
During 2010 the overnight VaR for the ING Commercial Banking trading portfolio ranged from EUR 17 million to EUR 30 million.
No limit excess was observed in 2010.
More details on the VaR of the ING Commercial Banking trading portfolio for 2010 and 2009 are provided in the table below:
The VaR figures in the table above relate to all books under trading governance. In general, the level of the trading VaR was lower in
2010, continuing the decreasing trend of 2009. The interest rate market, which includes both the general interest rate and credit spread
exposures, provided the largest contribution to the trading VaR. The average VaR over 2010 was substantially lower than over 2009
(average VaR 2010: EUR 22 million and average VaR 2009: EUR 39 million). In line with the trend of 2009, the VaR decreased to EUR 19
million towards the end of 2010. This decrease is to a large extent related to the increased diversification of non-linear and linear risk
as a result of the HVaR implementation as explained under ‘Measurement’. Another reason is the discontinuing of the strategic trading
business in the United States, as part of ING’s continued balance sheet strengthening.
REGULATORY CAPITAL
According to the Dutch regulation, regulatory capital for trading portfolios can be calculated using the standardised approach (CAD1)
or an internal model approach (CAD2). In 1998, ING received approval from the DNB to use an internal Value-at-Risk (VAR) model
to determine the regulatory capital for the market risk in most trading books of ING Bank. Market risk capital of CAD2 trading books
is calculated according to the internal VaR model, where diversification is taken into account. On the other hand, market risk capital
of CAD1 books is calculated using standardised fixed risk weights.
ING Bank
In 2010, ING applied the CAD2 model for most of its trading activities. The standard CAD1 model is used for some trading books in
smaller locations and/or products for which the internal model is not yet CAD2 compliant. The aim of ING is to receive CAD2 status
for all its trading books. In 2010, several trading books were moved from the standardised model to the internal model, further reducing
the number of books under the standardised model. It should be noted that due to the conservative nature of the CAD1 model the
capital charge for the standardised approach is much larger than for the internal model approach.
The VaR figures in the table above only relate to the CAD2 trading books for which the internal model approach is applied.
The VaR figures reported under Consolidated VaR trading books relate to all books under trading governance.
Sensitivities
The following tables show the largest trading foreign exchange positions and interest rate and credit spread sensitivities.
The credit spread sensitivities are furthermore split in different risk classes and sectors.
ING Bank
Most important interest rate and credit spread sensitivities (year-end 2010)
amounts in thousands of euros 2010 2009
Interest Rate (BPV (1)) Interest Rate (BPV (1))
Eurozone –377 Eurozone –1,175
United States 167 United States –359
Mexico –147 Mexico –153
Japan 141 UK –109
Russia –73 Japan 107
Credit spread sensitivities per risk class and sector (year-end 2010)
amounts in thousands of euros 2010 2009
Financial Financial
Credit Spread (BPV (1)) Corporate Institutions Corporate Institutions
Risk classes
1 (AAA) –8 –211 –18 –145
2–4 (AA) –25 –212 –18 –34
5–7 (A) –32 –257 83 –100
8–10 (BBB) –77 –102 16 14
11–13 (BB) –11 –47 –12 –20
14–16 (B) –30 –8 –21 20
17–22 (CCC and Problem Grade) –24 –33 –47 –11
No rating 15 –16
Total –207 –870 –2 –292
(1)
Basis Point Value (BPV) measures the impact on value of a 1 basis point increase in interest rates or credit spreads.
ING Bank
ING distinguishes three types of activities: investment of own capital (by Capital Management), commercial business (ING Direct,
Retail Banking and Commercial Bank) and the strategic interest rate position (Financial Markets ALM). The scheme below presents
the ALM framework:
ING Bank
Capital
Management
Financial Markets
RB Direct RB Int. Banking Commercial Bank
Trading
Financial Markets
ALM / Treasury
Capital Management is responsible for managing the investment of own funds (core capital). Capital is invested longer term, targeting
to maximize return, while keeping it stable at the same time.
Commercial activities lead to interest rate risk, as repricing tenors of assets differ from those of liabilities. Linear interest rate risk is transferred
out of the commercial business into the risk center (FM ALM), leaving convexity risk and model risk with the commercial business. The convexity
risk is a result of hedging products that contain embedded options, like mortgages, by using linear hedge instruments. Model risk reflects the
potential imperfect modelling of client behaviour. The risk transfer process takes place on a monthly basis, but more often if deemed necessary,
for instance in volatile markets.
In the risk transfer process, client behavioural characteristics play an important role. The behaviour in relation to mortgages, loans, savings
and demand deposits is modelled by CMRM, following extensive research. Models and parameters are back-tested regularly and updated
when deemed necessary. In the modelling of savings and current accounts different elements play a role: pricing strategies, outstanding
and expected volumes and the level and shape of the yield curve. The analyses result in an investment rule for the various portfolios. With
respect to mortgages and loans, prepayment behaviour and the interest sensitivity of the embedded offered rate options are modelled.
In line with other commercial businesses, ING Direct transfers interest rate risk out of their commercial books to a large extent.
The difference being that the risks are transferred directly to the external market, instead of to the risk center (FM ALM).
Within ING Commercial Banking, FM ALM contains the strategic interest rate position. The main objective is to maximise the economic
value of the book and to generate adequate and stable yearly earnings within the risk appetite boundaries set by ALCO Bank.
In the following sections, the interest rate risks in the banking books are presented. ING uses risk measures based on both an earnings
and a value perspective. Earnings Sensitivity (ES) is used to provide the earnings perspective and the Net Present Value (NPV)-at-Risk and
Basis Point Value (BPV) figures provide the value perspective. Several small banking books are governed by the trading risk process and
are therefore excluded from the following banking book risk tables. These are included in the trading risk graph and table in the section
‘Market Risk in Trading Books’.
ING Bank
The ES is dominated by convexity risk and by the strategic interest rate position in FM ALM. The investment of own funds only impact
the ES marginally, given the long term duration.
Earnings Sensitivity banking books (1% instantaneous upward shock to interest rates)
2010 2009
By currency
Euro –237 –262
US dollar –114 –193
Pound sterling –15 –26
Other 50 46
Total –316 –435
In an environment where short term rates remain at relative low levels, both in the Eurozone and the US, the ES showed a limited decrease
in 2010. Interest paid on liabilities is expected to be less sensitive to market rate changes.
The full value impact cannot be directly linked to the balance sheet or profit and loss account, as fair value movements in banking books
are generally not reported through the profit and loss account or through equity. The largest part, namely the value mutations of the
amortised cost balances, is neither recognised in the balance sheet nor directly in the profit and loss account. The value mutations are
expected to materialise over time in the profit and loss account, if interest rates develop according to forward rates throughout the
remaining maturity of the portfolio.
The NPV at Risk is dominated by the interest rate sensitive long term investments of own funds. The value of these investments is impacted
significantly if interest rates move up by 1%. Convexity risk in retail portfolios as well as the strategic interest position in FM ALM also
contribute significantly to the overall NPV at Risk.
Total NPV-at-Risk increased in the course of 2010. The change was strongly influenced by the increase in long term interest rates in the
2nd half of 2010, which increased the duration of mortgages and thereby the value sensitivity to a further rate increase. Besides, the slow
housing market in the Netherlands also led to an increase in the mortgage duration.
In line with NPV at Risk, the bank’s overall BPV position is dominated by the long term investment of capital, as the present value of this
position is significantly impacted if interest rates move up by 1 basis point. Convexity risk plays a less important role, given that BPV only
reflects small movements in interest rates.
ING Bank
The total BPV position increased in 2010 for the same reasons as the increase in NPV-at-Risk. The duration of mortgages increased
on the back of higher interest rates (both in the United States and the Eurozone) and a slow Dutch housing market.
FX Translation result
ING’s strategy is to protect the target core Tier 1 ratio against FX rate fluctuations, whilst limiting the volatility in the profit and loss
account. Compared to 2009 the strategy has changed in 2010 from protection of the target Tier 1 ratio to protection of the target
core Tier 1 ratio instead. The strategy is achieved by deliberately taking foreign currency positions equal to certain target positions,
such that the target core Tier 1 capital and risk-weighted assets are equally sensitive in relative terms to changing FX rates.
The following table presents the currency exposures in the banking books for the most important currencies:
The US dollar Net Exposure increased significantly in 2010 due to the changed hedging strategy. The significantly decreased Net exposure
in the category ‘Other currency’ is mainly caused by changed share prices of strategic equity stakes. For example, the share price of the
bank’s equity stake in Bank of Beijing decreased over 30%, decreasing the Chinese renmimbi exposure.
In order to measure the remaining sensitivity of the target core Tier 1 ratio against FX rate fluctuations, the core Tier 1 ratio at Risk (cTaR)
measure is used. It measures the drop in the core Tier 1 ratio from the target when stressing a certain FX rate. The stress scenarios for the
FX rates that are used for calculating the cTaR, are presented in the last two columns. Only the scenarios are presented that negatively
impact the target core Tier 1 ratio: depending on whether the actual foreign currency position is above or below the target position, the
worst case scenario is either negative or positive. A positive stress scenario means that the foreign currency appreciates against the Euro.
For the Pound sterling this means that at the end of 2010 the target core Tier 1 ratio would only decrease by 0.02% in absolute terms
(e.g. from 9.02% to 9.00%) if the Pound Sterling appreciates by 15%. Backtesting shows that the strategy was effective in 2010; the
core Tier 1 ratio was hardly affected by changing FX rates.
ING Bank
Total capital requirement for equity price risk under the Simple Risk Weight Approach at 31 December 2010 results in EUR 310 million
(2009: 364 million).
ING Bank has three different categories of real estate exposure on its banking books. First, ING Bank owns buildings it occupies. Second,
ING Bank has a Real Estate Development company for which results are dependent on the overall real estate market. The general policy is
to mitigate this risk by pre-sale agreements where possible. Third, ING Bank has co-invested seed capital and bridge capital to support the
launch of various real estate funds. A decrease in real estate prices will cause the value of this seed and bridge capital to decrease and will
lower the level of third party assets under management, which in turn will reduce the fee income from this activity.
For the third category mentioned above, real estate price shocks will have a direct impact on reported net profit and loss. ING Bank’s
real estate exposure (i.e. including leverage and committed purchases) is EUR 5.2 billion of which EUR 2.0 billion is recorded as fair value
through P&L. The remaining EUR 3.1 billion is booked at cost or is revalued through equity (with impairments going through P&L).
In total, Real Estate exposure decreased by EUR 1.8 billion mainly as a result of divestments (EUR –1.5 billion). Other important changes
are: negative fair value changes (EUR –0.1 billion), impairments (EUR –0.4 billion) and FX appreciation (EUR +0.2 billion).
Real Estate Exposure banking books recorded as fair value through P&L (by geographic area and sector type)
2010 2009 2010 2009
Continent Sector
Europe 662 871 Residential 207 198
Americas 812 1,590 Office 385 498
Australia 189 493 Retail 620 852
Asia 349 325 Industrial 516 1,255
Other 14 Other 298 476
Total 2,026 3,279 Total 2,026 3,279
ING Bank
ING Bank’s real estate exposure revaluing through P&L decreased significantly mainly caused by sales of Canadian and Australian funds.
The fair value changes (EUR –0.1 billion) related to investments in funds were limited in 2010 compared with 2009.
Real Estate Exposure banking books not revalued through P&L (by geographic area and sector type)
2010 2009 2010 2009
Continent Sector
Europe 2,772 3,290 Residential 614 618
Americas 70 235 Office 1,456 1,547
Australia 204 159 Retail 874 883
Asia Industrial 43 74
Other 99 Other 158 562
Total 3,145 3,684 Total 3,145 3,684
ING Bank’s real estate exposure not revaluing through P&L has decreased, which is mainly driven by impairments in Real Estate Development.
Governance
As with other bank market risks, liquidity risk falls under the supervision of the ALCO function within ING Bank, with ALCO Bank
as the highest approval authority.
ALCO Bank determines the liquidity risk framework after which this is cascaded down in the organisation under the responsibility
of the regional and local ALCOs.
The main objective of ING’s liquidity risk framework is to ascertain – by means of proper risk appetite limits – that sufficient liquidity
is maintained in order to ensure safe and sound operations under a variety of circumstances.
For this purpose liquidity risk is measured, managed and controlled from three different angles, namely a structural, a tactical and
a contingency point of view.
This committee which consists of key representatives from Corporate Market Risk Management, Capital Management and Financial
Markets focuses on all liquidity risk aspects from a going concern perspective. The main objective of the committee is to maintain
a sound liquidity profile through:
• Maintaining a well diversified mix of funding sources in terms of instrument types (e.g. unsecured deposits, commercial paper,
long term bonds or repurchase agreements), fund providers (e.g. professional money market players, wholesale and retail clients),
geographic markets and currencies;
• Actively managing access to the capital markets by regularly issuing public debt in all material markets and the maintenance of
investor relations;
• Holding a broad portfolio of eligible assets that can be utilised to obtain secured funding, e.g. from the repo market or (E)CB;
in this respect the total eligible collateral position amounts to EUR 156.6 billion (nominal);
• Management of liquidity gaps, taking into account the asset mix and both the secured and unsecured funding opportunities
of ING Bank;
• Maintaining a funds transfer pricing policy in which ING Bank’s cost of liquidity is adequately reflected both under a going concern
and a contingency perspective.
ING Bank
With respect to funding sources, ING Bank aims to fund its own originated assets (loans) by an equal amount of own originated liabilities
(deposits), meaning a loan-to-deposit ratio of approximately 1. Ultimo 2010 the LtD ratio (excluding securities at amortised costs and IABF
receivable) equals 1.05. In the table below the actual funding mix is displayed.
The funding mix remained well diversified and according to targets set. Deposits accounted for 65% of the total funding mix.
Contingency funding plans address both temporary and long-term liquidity disruptions, triggered by either a general market event or an
ING specific event.
New developments
In the aftermath of the crisis, all financial institutions have been confronted with a large number of new regulatory requirements which
are being implemented or are in the course of implementation. With regard to liquidity ING Bank is well on track in the implementation
of CRDII. As in respect of Basel III, and the to be implemented Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR), further
alignment will take place in the upcoming observation periods, ING will keep track of what is expected and will be at required levels well
in time.
ING Insurance
The Management Board Insurance is responsible for managing risks associated with the activities of ING Insurance. The responsibility for
measurement and management of credit risk and operational risk resides with Corporate Credit Risk Management (CCRM) and Corporate
Operational Risk Management (CORM) respectively. Corporate Insurance Risk Management (CIRM) is responsible for insurance risk, market
risk and liquidity risk measurement and management, business risk measurement, as well as ensuring that investment mandates
adequately address credit portfolio risk.
The objective of the insurance risk management function is to provide the business a sustainable competitive advantage by fully integrating
risk management into the tactical daily business activities as well as ING’s broader business strategy. Insurance Risk Management
accomplishes this through four core activities. First, the IRM function ensures that products and portfolios are structured, underwritten,
priced, approved and managed appropriately in compliance with internal and external rules and guidelines. Second, IRM ensures that the
ING Insurance risk profile is transparent and well understood by management and stays within delegated authorities, with a ‘no surprises’
approach to reporting and monitoring risks. Third, IRM ensures that both risk and reward are adequately considered in the development of
business strategy, for example by supporting the planning and allocation of capital and limits during the strategic planning process. Finally,
IRM ensures that these steps are understood by ING’s stakeholders, including shareholders, rating agencies, regulators and policy holders.
A critical aspect of risk management is that all new products are designed, underwritten and priced appropriately. This is explicitly covered
by the Standard of Practice for the Product Approval and Review Process (PARP). This standard includes requirements related to risk profile,
traditional and value-oriented pricing metrics and targets and documentation. Customer Suitability is integral part of the PARP requirements
since December 2009. In addition to insurance and market risks, the requirements refer to credit risks, operational risks, compliance and
legal risks. For these risks, the IRM network works closely together with the other relevant risk departments. The PARP also includes
requirements to assess sensitivities to changes in financial markets, insurance risk (e.g. mortality and claims development), compliance
risks, legal risks and operational risks, as well as assessment of the administration and accounting aspects of the product.
Other standards prescribe quarterly insurance risk reporting, ALM procedures and reporting, actuarial and economic assumption setting
and reserve adequacy testing amongst others.
ING Insurance has developed an Economic Capital approach similar to that used within ING Bank. This is used as one of its core risk
measurement tools. An exception is the US Insurance business which is managed based on Regulatory Capital. More details on the
Economic Capital model are described in the Model Disclosure section. The ECAPS system provides a well controlled and automated
basis for Economic Capital and risk measurement. Beyond measurement and reporting, the ECAPS system also provides greatly enhanced
portfolio and capital analysis tools for management purposes.
CIRM expects this system to be the foundation of its internal fair value and solvency model, including the calculation of capital
requirements following the introduction of Solvency II. Through 2010 the system has been enhanced and its functionalities expanded.
To further manage risk, ING Insurance has implemented several limit structures. Examples include but are not limited to the following:
• Market Risk limits on sensitivities of Available Financial Resources, IFRS Earnings and Regulatory Capital. These limits provide the
fundamental framework to manage the market and credit risks resulting from the Insurance operations’ asset/liability mismatch;
• Credit risk concentration limits;
• Mortality concentration limits;
• Catastrophe and mortality exposure retention limits for its insurance risk; and
• Investment and derivative guidelines and limits.
ING Insurance
Reserve adequacy
CIRM instructs and supervises all ING Insurance entities to ensure that the total insurance liabilities of ING Insurance (both reserves and
capital) are tested for adequacy taking into account the insurance premium rate levels and the uncertainty of future returns on investments.
This is done by evaluating insurance liabilities on current best estimate actuarial assumptions plus a risk margin, ensuring that the reserves
remain adequate based on current assumptions. The assumed investment earnings are a combination of the run-off of portfolio yields on
existing assets and new money and reinvestment rates. For new money and reinvestments long-term best estimate assumptions are taken
into account, although current new money rates are used for the short-term reinvestments. For most products stochastic testing is required,
taking the 90% point as the testing outcome. In the case where deterministic testing is used the 90% confidence level is achieved by
subtracting risk margins off 20% of the best-estimate interest rates or one percent point, whichever is higher.
As of the fourth quarter of 2010, the Closed Block Variable Annuity business in the US is reported and analysed separately from the other
US business in the internal management reporting. Therefore as of 1 October 2010 ING reports the US Closed Block VA business as a
separate business line to improve transparency and ongoing business. ING Group’s accounting policy for reserve adequacy as set out in the
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group requires each business line to be adequate at the 50% confidence
level. The separation of the Closed Block VA business into a separate segment triggered a charge in the fourth quarter of 2010 to bring
reserve adequacy on the new Insurance US Closed Block VA business line to the 50% level. This charge is reflected as a DAC write-down
of EUR 975 million before tax.
While the reserves for the segment US Closed Block VA are adequate at the 50% confidence level, a net reserve inadequacy exists using
a prudent (90%) confidence level. In line with Group Policy, Insurance US Closed Block VA is taking measures to improve adequacy in that
region. This inadequacy was offset by reserve adequacies in other segments, such that at the Group level there is a net adequacy at the
prudent (90%) confidence level.
The EurAsia and LatAm business includes the Benelux, Central & Rest of Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America business lines. For the risk
profile it is currently not yet feasible to show the Latin America business separately from the EurAsia business. The US business includes the
Insurance US and US Closed Block VA business lines. The risk of ING Investment Management (IIM) business line for EurAsia and LatAm
has no material impact and is therefore incorporated in the numbers of EurAsia and LatAm. The same applies to the risk of IIM for the US,
which is therefore incorporated in numbers of the US.
The US insurance business is managed to a risk appetite based on two key risk metrics:
• US Regulatory Capital Sensitivities: the potential reduction, under a moderately market and credit stress scenario, of the excess of
available statutory capital above the minimum required under the US regulatory Risk Based Capital (RBC) methodology. The RBC
methodology is prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and applies to US domiciled regulated
insurance entities.
• Earnings Sensitivities: the potential reduction in IFRS earnings during a moderate stress scenario. Maintaining a high quality of earnings
helps ING to safeguard against being downgraded by the rating agencies.
During 2010 the regulatory capital sensitivities effectively replaced Economic Capital as a key risk based metric on which the US insurance
business is measured. Therefore, we have excluded the US insurance business from our Economic Capital risk metrics and related AFR
sensitivities in order to better align reported risk metrics with those to which the US businesses are primarily managed and which are the
most common benchmarks in the regulatory and competitive environments in which the US businesses operate. To allow for reconciliation
with the Economic Capital numbers shown in the Risk Management Section of the Annual Report 2009, we show US Economic Capital
for 2009 split by risk type.
ING Insurance
ING Insurance’s risk metrics cover the most important aspects in terms of performance measures where risk can materialise and are
representative of the regulatory constraints that our business is subject to. The sensitivities for AFR, Earnings and US Regulatory Capital
are important metrics since they provide insight into the level of risk ING takes under ‘moderate stress’ scenarios. They also are the basis
for internal risk management.
When interpreting the Economic Capital and sensitivities for AFR, Earnings and US Regulatory Capital it is important to note that these
metrics do not take into account discretionary risk mitigation in a specific crisis situation, and are based on instantaneous shock scenarios.
The ING Insurance Economic Capital model is based on a 99.5% one-year Value at Risk framework. During 2010 we changed the Value
at Risk confidence interval from 99.95% to 99.5% to align with the Solvency II standard for internal models which will become the group
regulatory constraint for the EurAsia and LatAm insurance business. For the total Economic Capital figures, we also provide ratios based on
both confidence intervals to provide comparability between the figures reported in the risk management section of the annual report
2009 and the figures provided below. It is important to note that since industry practice relating to Economic Capital is still evolving and
moreover, Solvency II standards are still under discussion, ING Insurance models are expected to evolve as a result.
ING has carried out a rigorous review of the internal model in the context of a Solvency II gap analysis. In the review we benchmarked our
models against the Solvency II Standard Formula, the CEIOPS consultation papers and commentary of expert groups like CRO Forum and
Group Consultative. We consequently plan further refinements of our Economic Capital model that address improvements of our market
risk calibration, in particular for spread risk; business risk, to improve our capturing of policyholder behaviour risk and to address country
risk; and operational risk. These changes will result in a material increase of our EC on top of the amount shown in the tables below which
we estimate to between one and two billion euro as at year end 2010. This estimate is not included in the tables below.
The ING Insurance Economic Capital model is described in more detail in the Model Disclosure section.
Economic Capital disclosures include diversification benefits that arise within ING Insurance (EurAsia and LatAm). Although the
diversification benefits in 2010 are very similar to those in 2009 it is important to point out that this is the result of two offsetting impacts.
Firstly, the 2010 Economic Capital no longer includes the US business which results in a higher diversification benefit between risk types
and business units. Secondly, the 2010 Economic Capital has a lower recognition of market risk diversification due to an updated method
to define market risk correlations which results in a lower diversification benefit between risk types and business units.
The following table provides an Economic Capital break down by risk category with diversification benefits allocated to the risk types:
Economic Capital break-down ING Insurance EurAsia and LatAm (99.5%) by risk category (1) (2)
2010 2009
Credit risk (including Transfer risk) 394 325
Market risk (including credit spread risk) 7,079 4,228
Insurance risk 1,283 982
Other risks (2) 1,606 1,419
Total insurance operations EurAsia and LatAm 10,362 6,954
(1)
The Economic Capital outcomes do not reflect any potential tax benefit resulting from the loss that occurs under the specified circumstances.
(2)
Other risk includes operational risk as well as business risk (covering expense risk and lapse risk).
Diversification across the risk categories is 30% for 2010 (32% for 2009 for combined ING insurance business including US).
The Economic Capital for ING Insurance EurAsia and LatAm is mostly related to market risks, both hedgeable and non-hedgeable. Overall,
Economic Capital and risk profile of the EurAsia and LatAm insurance business increased during 2010. The primary change came from
increased market risk, relating mainly to an increased equity and foreign exchange exposure and due to a partial unwinding of economic
hedges in combination with a lower recognition of market risk diversification within the Economic Capital model. Lower diversification is
also the main driver of the increases in the other risk categories.
The change in confidence interval from 99.95% to 99.5% reduced our 2010 Economic Capital for the EurAsia and LatAm business by
24% across risk types (25% for 2009). For market risk, insurance risk and other risks the reduction due to this change is in the same order
of magnitude. For credit risk the reduction is more significant due to its fat tailed distribution.
ING Insurance
As we no longer include the US business in our Economic Capital, we provide for 2009 the numbers for both the EurAsia and LatAm
and US insurance business. The 2009 US figures are provided in the table below.
Economic Capital break-down ING Insurance US (99.5%) by risk category (1) (2)
2009
Credit risk (including Transfer risk) 510
Market risk (including credit spread risk) 4,528
Insurance risk 214
Other risks (2) 1,215
Total insurance operations 6,467
(1)
The Economic Capital outcomes do not reflect any potential tax benefit resulting from the loss that occurs under the specified circumstances.
(2)
Other risk includes operational risk as well as business risk (covering expense risk and lapse risk).
The change in confidence interval reduced our US 2009 Economic Capital number by 27% across risk types. Allowing for excluding the
change in confidence interval for both US 2009 figures and EurAsia and LatAm 2009 figures, and then adding these figures will allow for
reconciliation with the Economic Capital numbers shown in the Risk Management Section of the Annual Report 2009.
The following table provides the Economic Capital breakdown by business line with diversification benefits proportionally allocated to the
business lines.
Economic Capital break-down by ING Insurance business line for EurAsia and LatAm Business
2010 2009
Insurance Latin America 611 670
Insurance Asia/Pacific 1,750 1,688
Insurance Benelux 3,604 2,205
Insurance Central & Rest of Europe 783 765
Corporate Line Insurance (1) 3,614 1,626
Total insurance operations EurAsia and LatAm 10,362 6,954
(1)
Corporate Line includes funding activities at ING Insurance (EurAsia and LatAm) level, explicit internal transactions between business unit and Corporate Line,
managed by Capital Management, and corporate reinsurance. The responsibility (and risk) of free assets located within the business line for which there is no
explicit transfer via a Corporate Line transaction remain at the business unit level.
While the figures above are shown by business line, the diversification of risks across ING businesses is calculated across business
units. Total diversification between ING Insurance’s business units and the Corporate Line Insurance is 31% for 2010 for EurAsia and
LatAm (32% for 2009 for combined ING insurance business, including US).
Insurance Benelux and Corporate Line are the largest users of Economic Capital. Increased interest rate, equity and credit spread exposure
and a lower recognition of diversification has increased Economic Capital for Benelux. The Corporate Line risk includes foreign exchange
translation risk related to the potential loss of market value surplus in non-Euro denominated business units. The corporate line increase in
Economic Capital has four main causes: the reinsured Japan variable annuity business, which is now included in the corporate line (in 2009
included in Asia/Pacific), the increased Economic Capital related to the minority stake in our Brazil business which is included in the
corporate line, and a higher translation risk exposure mainly from increased market value surplus in non-Euro business and a decreased
recognition of diversification. The Asia/Pacific risk is unchanged as a lower recognition of diversification offsets the move of the
reinsurance Japan variable annuity business to the corporate line.
The US Insurance business calculates regulatory capital sensitivities on the Risk-Based Capital model of the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in order to provide insight into how the amount of available capital in excess of regulatory required
capital is sensitive to an increase or decrease in different market and credit risk factors under a moderate stress scenario which corresponds
approximately with a 1-in-10 event. Our regulatory capital sensitivities are calculated in aggregate for the US domiciled regulated insurance
entities.
Statutory capital in the US domiciled regulated insurance entities ended 2010 with an estimated EUR 4,009 million in excess of Company
Action Level RBC. The Capital Management section describes the ratio of available statutory capital over required capital at the Company
Action Level.
ING Insurance
The table below presents market risk sensitivity figures before diversification between risks and legal entities. The stress events are
described in the Model Disclosure section. Interest rates are shocked 30% relative compared to the ten-year swap rate. The credit risk
sensitivities are based on the new methodology introduced in 2010 which can be found in the Model Disclosure section. Equities are
shocked 25% down. As the US regulatory capital sensitivities as described have only been set up during 2010 there are no 2009
comparable figures available. In 2009 the US Insurance Business was included in the Economic Capital framework which was used
to manage the risk.
Taking into account diversification between risk factors as described in the Model Disclosure section, we are exposed to a EUR 818 million
decrease in our excess capital.
In 2010 ING moved away from managing the market risk purely on an AFR basis (Market Value at Risk limits based on a 99.95%
confidence interval) and moved to a new risk limit framework based on limits set on market risk sensitivities for AFR, IFRS Earnings and
Regulatory Capital. On at least an annual basis, the Asset Liability Committee (ALCO) Insurance sets market risk limits at business line level,
which are ultimately allocated to the business units. The market risk limits are managed by ALCO Insurance at the relevant organisational
level. The Group Insurance ALCO determines the aggregate limit and ensures that the Group stays within its risk tolerance limits and
allocates the sub-limits to business lines, with similar roles for the business line and business unit ALCOs. Limit breaches by business lines
are reported to ALCO Insurance and resolved in accordance with the policy within the next quarter.
The market risk limit framework is based on moderate stress scenarios for market risk drivers. The section below shows the impact of
these stress scenarios on AFR and IFRS Earnings. These stress scenarios are described in more detail in the Model Disclosure section.
AFR Sensitivities
AFR Sensitivities are defined as the potential reduction of the current net asset value (based on fair values) during a moderate stress
scenario. Interest rates are shocked 30% upwards and downwards relative to the ten year swaps rates. The credit sensitivity in table
below is based on a new method introduced in 2010 such that there is no comparable 2009 number available. Equity and Real estate are
based on a 25% and 15% downward shock respectively. The FX shock is based on a 10% up or down movement for each currency.
Implied volatilities for swaptions are shocked by 30%. The shock for implied volatilities for equities is related to the underlying tenor. More
details on the stress scenarios can be found in the Model Disclosure section.
The AFR sensitivities are only applicable for the EurAsia and LatAm insurance business as these sensitivities drive the ratio of Available
Financial Resources over Economic Capital. The capital management section discusses the AFR over Economic Capital ratio.
AFR sensitivities for insurance market risks – EurAsia and LatAm Insurance Business
2010 2009
Interest Rate Up 329 –626
Interest Rate Down –1,538 –291
Equity –1,822 –988
Real Estate –813 –842
FX –1,547 –1,332
Credit Spread –1,746 n/a
Implied Volatility –468 –427
ING Insurance
Interest rate sensitivities are mainly related to the Benelux and Asia/Pacific business. In 2010 the AFR has become significantly more
sensitive to downward interest rate movements. Lower interest rate levels have contributed to this increase. Furthermore economic
hedges have been unwound in the Benelux.
Equity sensitivity has increased due to unwinding of hedging activities, relating to both direct and indirect exposure and a higher equity
value due to positive equity markets in 2010. Direct exposure relates to the holding of shares and is most significant for ING in the
Netherlands. Indirect exposure relates to the potential loss of fee income from unit linked, variable annuity, and pension fund business
across all regions. Direct exposure represents approximately half of the equity sensitivity, after taking the hedge positions into account.
Credit Spread sensitivity relates to increases in credit spreads from investments in fixed income securities and also includes offsetting
movements in the liquidity premium on the liabilities. Sensitivity is largely driven by the general account business in Benelux and to a
smaller degree our Asia/Pacific business.
Real Estate sensitivity exists mostly in the Netherlands and relates in a large part to direct Real Estate investments.
Implied volatility sensitivity relates to the risk that market values of assets or liabilities change due to movements in the volatility implied
from market option prices. In general, ING is exposed to increases in implied volatility as the guarantees provided to customers become
more expensive.
Foreign exchange sensitivity is small in the business units. The main exposure is at the corporate level and relates to the FX translation
risk which increase due to a change in the market value surplus of non-Euro businesses and a lower recognition of diversification.
Earnings sensitivities
Complementing Economic Capital, which is based on a market value analysis, ING Insurance also measures risk based on IFRS earnings.
More specifically, using scenario analysis, ING Insurance measures the potential sensitivity of realised pre tax earnings of the insurance
operations to a change in different risk factors over a full year.
Earnings sensitivities are defined on moderate stress scenarios for pre-tax IFRS earnings. The tables below present figures before
diversification between risks and business units. Interest rates are shocked 30% upwards and downwards relative to the ten year swaps
rate. The credit sensitivity in the table below is based on new method introduced in 2010 such that there is no comparable 2009 number
available. Equity and Real estate are based on a 25% and 15% downward shock respectively. The FX shock is based on a 10% up or down
movement for each currency. Implied volatilities for swaptions are shocked by 30%. More details on the stress scenarios can be found in
the Model Disclosure section.
Earnings sensitivities for insurance market risks – EurAsia and LatAm Insurance Business
2010 2009
Interest Rate Up –205 –291
Interest Rate Down 285 317
Equity –137 –172
Real Estate –806 –812
FX –152 –181
Credit Default –258 n/a
The table above shows that Real Estate fluctuations can have a relatively large impact on earnings since most price volatility is reflected
in earnings for Real Estate investments. The impact on earnings of interest rates and equity price changes are normally lower than the
economic and shareholder’s equity impact given the fact that current accounting rules are not fully market value based. The sensitivity
results reflect the impacts of asymmetric accounting, whereby the hedges must be marked to market through earnings while the liability
value is not marked-to-market through earnings.
The interest rate sensitivity is dominated by the Dutch separate account business where interest rate derivatives are used to hedge
a liability on Group life contracts that is not marked to market.
ING Insurance
The US earnings sensitivities are dominated by credit and equity exposure. The credit default exposure relates to general account debt
securities. Exposure to Asset Backed Securities (ABS) and Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS) contributes significantly to the
earnings sensitivity. Equity exposure relates mostly to the US Closed block VA where an equity stress scenario results in DAC unlocking.
As earnings sensitivities are forward looking, the US Closed Block VA business line sensitivities are based on the situation on 1 January
2011, which reflects the DAC write-down as well as change to apply current market interest rates and current estimates for other
assumptions in valuation of insurance liabilities and hedging of the interest rate exposure for the Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal
Benefit (GMWB).
In the US there is no significant earnings sensitivity to Foreign Exchange Rates as the US is managed on a local currency basis and therefore
there is no translation risk to the group reporting currency included. There is no significant earnings exposure to non US currencies.
Real Estate
Real Estate price risk arises from the possibility that the value of Real Estate assets fluctuate because of a change in earnings related to
Real Estate activities and/or a change in required investor yield.
ING Insurance has two different categories of Real Estate exposure on its insurance books. First, ING Insurance owns buildings it occupies.
Second, ING Insurance has invested capital in several Real Estate funds and direct Real Estate assets. A decrease in Real Estate prices will
cause the value of this capital to decrease and as such ING Insurance is exposed to Real Estate price shocks.
The second category can be divided on the one hand in minority stakes in Real Estate assets that are revalued through equity and on
the other hand stakes in funds managed by ING and direct Real Estate revalued through P&L. Only for the last category will Real Estate
price shocks have a direct impact on reported net profit.
The crisis in the financial markets has led to a further slowdown of the world economy in general. These global economic factors also
had negative consequences for the value of Real Estate assets.
Per year end 2010 ING Insurance has EUR 3.8 billion of Real Estate related investments (excluding leverage). ING Insurance’ Real Estate
exposure (i.e. including leverage) is EUR 5.9 billion of which EUR 4.3 billion is recognised as fair value through P&L and EUR 1.6 billion
is not revalued through P&L, but is either booked at cost or is revalued through equity (with impairments going through P&L). In total,
Real Estate exposure decreased by EUR 179 million mainly as a result of negative fair value changes (EUR 71 million), impairments
(EUR 22 million) and divestments (EUR 140 million) compensated by net investments (EUR 16 million) and FX appreciation (EUR 32 million).
Real Estate Exposure (Insurance) recorded as fair value through P&L (by geographic area and sector type)
2010 2009 2010 2009
Continent Sector
Europe 4,105 4,236 Residential 349 379
Americas 108 94 Office 1,321 1,366
Australia 10 25 Retail 1,933 1,958
Asia 84 68 Industrial 422 450
Other Other 282 270
Total 4,307 4,423 Total 4,307 4,423
Real Estate Exposure (Insurance) not revalued through P&L (by geographic area and sector type)
2010 2009 2010 2009
Continent Sector
Europe 1,444 1,524 Residential 785 747
Americas 139 125 Office 329 373
Australia Retail 3
Asia 23 20 Industrial 5
Other Other 492 541
Total 1,606 1,669 Total 1,606 1,669
ING Insurance
Measurement
For portfolio risks which are not mitigated by diversification, the risks are managed primarily through concentration and exposure limits
and through reinsurance and/or securitisation. Aggregate portfolio level limits and risk tolerance levels are set in reference to potential
losses stemming from adverse claims in ING’s insurance portfolios which are reviewed annually. ING Group has established actuarial and
underwriting risk tolerance levels in specific areas of its insurance operations as described below. For non-life insurance, risk tolerance
levels are set by line of business for catastrophic events (e.g. natural perils such as storms, earthquakes and floods) and for individual risks.
For the main non-life units (in the Benelux) the risk tolerance for property and casualty (P&C) business is derived from the total Non-Life
earnings of 2009. For 2010, this translated into an aggregated (pre-tax) risk tolerance level of EUR 180 million for the Benelux (2009:
EUR 190 million).
In order to determine how much reinsurance protection is required these risk tolerance levels are compared to the estimated maximum
probable loss resulting from catastrophic events with a 1 in 250 probability of occurrence which is in line with industry practice.
The maximum probable loss estimates for Fire business are based on risk assessment models that are widely accepted in the industry.
For the smaller non-life units, the (pre-tax) risk tolerance level for catastrophe related events for 2010 was set at EUR 5 million
(2009: EUR 5 million) per event per business unit.
With respect to life business, ING Group’s (pre-tax) risk tolerance level for 2010 was set at EUR 22 million (2009: EUR 22 million) per
insured life for mortality risk. While life insurance risks are considered to be naturally diversifiable by virtue of each life being a separate
risk, group contracts may result in significant exposures. For potential losses, resulting from significant mortality events (e.g. pandemics
or events affecting life insurance contracts involving multiple lives), ING applies a separate risk tolerance level which equalled EUR 1,100
million in 2010 (2009: EUR 1,100 million). The potential impact of pandemics continues to be modelled by ING based on studies
published by respected international organisations.
Overall exposures and concentrations are actively managed within limits and risk tolerance levels through the purchase of external
reinsurance from approved reinsurers in accordance with ING’s reinsurance credit risk policy. Particularly for the property and casualty
portfolio, ING purchases protection which substantially mitigates ING’s exposure due to natural catastrophes. ING believes that the
credit risks to which it is exposed under reinsurance contracts are relatively minor, with exposures being monitored regularly and
limited by a reinsurance credit risk policy.
For catastrophic losses arising from events such as terrorism, ING believes that it is not possible to develop models that support inclusion
of such events in underwriting in a reliable manner. The very high uncertainty in both the frequency and severity of these events makes
them, in ING’s opinion, uninsurable. For the non-life business, losses that result from these events are generally not covered unless
required by law. In various countries industry pools have been established to mitigate the terrorism risk to which the individual insurers
are nevertheless still exposed. ING participates in such pools.
ING Insurance
The following table provides an overview of the Economic Capital for insurance risks, split into mortality risk, morbidity risk and risk related
to P&C products:
For insurance risk the EC is shown by risk type above. The tables below show Earnings sensitivities for both EurAsia/LatAm and US
Insurance business. The EC are based on a 99.5% confidence level. The change in confidence level from 99.95% to 99.5% reduced
the 2010 Economic Capital for insurance risks by 25% (29% for 2009).
The mortality risk relates to the potential for increasing deaths (life risk) or decreasing deaths (longevity risk). This risk relates to a potential
mortality catastrophe or to changes in long term mortality rates. As noted, ING manages these risks via limits and external reinsurance.
Morbidity risk relates to disability products in the Netherlands and some health riders sold in Asia. Finally, property and casualty risk exists
primarily in the Benelux.
Through scenario analyses, ING Insurance measures the sensitivity of pre-tax earnings of the insurance operations to a change of the
insurance risk factors over a one year period. These changes to earnings can relate to realised claims or any other profit item that would
be affected by these factors. ING assumes that not all the shifts presented below will happen at the same time.
Earnings sensitivities are defined on a shock scenario at the 90% confidence level on IFRS pre-tax earnings. The table below shows the
impact on earnings over a one year horizon.
Earnings sensitivities for Insurance risks – EurAsia and LatAm Insurance Business
2010 2009
Mortality –31 –34
Morbidity –100 –97
P&C –49 –42
The table above presents figures after diversification between insurance risks and diversification across business units of ING Insurance.
The largest earnings sensitivity to P&C claims relates to health and P&C claims in the Netherlands. Earnings sensitivity from Mortality
and Morbidity is more evenly spread over the regions.
The largest contribution to the Mortality sensitivity comes from the Retail Life business while the Morbidity exposure relates for a large
part to the Employee Benefit business.
ING Insurance’s credit exposure arises from the investment of insurance premiums in assets subject to credit risk, largely in the form of
unsecured bond investments, and smaller amounts of residential mortgages and structured finance products. In addition, credit exposure
also arises from derivatives, sell/repurchase transactions, securities lending/borrowing and reinsurance contracts used to hedge the
portfolio. ING Insurance has a policy of maintaining a high quality investment grade portfolio.
Overall portfolio credit risk limits are established and integrated into investment mandates by ALCO Insurance based on asset or investment
category and risk classes. Individual issuer limits are determined based on the obligor’s rating. These limits are managed by the region
where the parent company is domiciled but may be sub-allocated to regional or local portfolios. In addition, each Insurance company
has one or more investment mandates (which may differ by insurance portfolio) specifying credit risk appetite by issuer type and quality.
ING Insurance
The credit risk classification of issuers, debtors and counterparties within the Insurance companies’ credit risk portfolios continues its
transition to the methodology used by the banking operations. Similar to ING Bank, ING Insurance uses risk classes which are calibrated
to the probability of default of the underlying issuer, debtor or counterparty. These ratings are defined based upon the quality of the
issuer in terms of creditworthiness, varying from investment grade to problem grade expressed in S&P equivalents.
ING Insurance risk class distribution remained fairly stable during 2010, as downgrades experienced in the securitization market were
compensated by active divestment programs and other de-risking measures. The CCC and Problem Grade class mainly contains
downgraded securitizations but also some unrated private equity and real estate investments.
Where overall risk concentrations within ING Insurance shifted towards Central Governments in 2009, this was partially reversed in
2010 again. The upward shift in Real Estate for Insurance EurAsia and LatAm is related to real estate investments in The Netherlands.
The US portfolio stayed constant in terms of local currency, but increased in Euro terms due to the appreciation of the US Dollar against
the Euro. The relative concentration in the US has diminished, however, due to faster growth in other regions. The portfolio in the
Netherlands mainly increased due to investments in state bonds. There were no other significant shifts in the portfolio concentration.
GENERAL
Policy implementation
To ensure robust non-financial risk management, ING monitors the full implementation of ING’s Risk Policies and Minimum Standards.
Business units have to demonstrate that the appropriate steps have been taken to control their operational and compliance risk. ING
applies scorecards to measure the quality of the internal control within a business unit. Scoring is based on the ability to demonstrate
that the required risk management processes are in place and effective within the business units.
OPERATIONAL RISKS
Operational Risk
Operational risk is the risk of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from
external events. It includes the related risk of reputation loss, as well as legal risk whereas strategic risks are not included. Effective
operational risk management leads to more stable business processes (including IT systems) and lower costs. Generic mandatory
controls are described in the Operational Risk Management (ORM) policy house.
Clear and accessible policies and minimum standards are embedded in ING business processes in all business lines. An infrastructure
is in place to enable management to track incidents and operational risk issues. A comprehensive system of internal controls creates
an environment of continuous improvement in managing operational risk. ING uses this knowledge (including lessons learned from
incidents) to improve the control of key risks.
The CORM function consists of functional departments for Operational risks (including policies, systems, SOX testing, capital allocation
and reporting), for Information (Technology) risks and for Security & Investigations. The CORM function is responsible for developing
and communicating ING’s operational risk framework, policies, minimum standards and guidelines. The corporate function advises
the Management Boards Banking and Insurance and senior management, supports the business line ORM staff, monitors the quality
of operational risk management and leads the group-wide reporting of operational risks to the Management Boards Banking and
Insurance and the Risk Committee.
ORM uses a layered functional approach within business lines to ensure systematic and consistent implementation of the group-wide ORM
framework, policies and minimum standards. To avoid potential conflicts of interests, it is imperative that the ORM officer is impartial and
objective when advising business management on operational risk matters in their business unit or business line. To facilitate this, a strong
functional reporting line to the next higher level ORM officer is in place. The functional reporting line has clear accountabilities with regard
to objective setting, remuneration, performance management and appointment of new ORM staff.
At all levels in the organisation Operational Risk Committees (ORC’s) are established that identify, measure and monitor the operational
risks of the region or business unit with appropriate quality of coverage (granularity) and to ensure that appropriate management action
is taken by the responsible line managers at the appropriate level of granularity. ORC’s, chaired by the business management, steer the
risk management activities of the first and second line of defence in their entities. On a group level the Operational & Residual Risk
Committee approves the operational risk capital model.
IT Risk Governance: IT risk management has become more and more important because of increasing dependency on IT and the increase
of IT risk due to amongst others cybercrime. Two Executive IT Risk Steering Committees, one for Banking and one for Insurance, steer and
monitor ING’s IT Risk Management process and results. In 2011 these Committees will be integrated into the respective ORC’s.
The operational risk appetite within ING is defined as the acceptable and authorised maximum level of risk, in each of the operational risk
areas that must be adhered to in order for ING to achieve its business plan within approved budgets. This risk appetite is quarterly
monitored through the Non-Financial Risk Dashboard which reports the key non financial risk exposures.
Processes are in place to identify key threats, vulnerabilities and the associated risks which might cause adverse events. Event identification
is performed proactively and precedes a risk assessment. Different techniques for event identification exist within ING, e.g. the structured
team approach, scenario analysis, external events inventories, internal incident analysis (e.g. based on information from incident reporting),
key risk indicator events and threat scans.
At least once a year business units and departments perform an integrated risk assessment with involvement of other departments such
as Operational Risk, Compliance, Legal and Finance.
Based on the results of the risk assessment, response measures must be determined for the identified risks beyond the risk appetite.
Risk response actions balance the expected cost for implementing these measures with the expected benefits regarding the risk
reduction. Risk response can be achieved through several combinations of mitigation strategies, for example reducing likelihood of
occurrence, reducing impact, risk avoidance, risk acceptance or through the transfer of risk. Tracking takes place through a global
Action Tracking system.
Certain operational risks can best be transferred to the insurance market if risks are high but difficult to mitigate internally. In order to
protect ING against financial consequences of uncertain operational events ING has acquired insurance policies issued by third-party
insurers for Crime, Professional Liability, Directors and Officers Liability through its Risk Management & Transfer Programmes.
Management at all levels in the organisation periodically needs information on their key operational risks (including compliance and legal
risks) and mitigating actions. In order to make it easier for management to access this kind of information, business units periodically
report through the Non-Financial Risk Dashboard (NFRD).
The yearly objective setting process for both business management and ORM professionals aims to keep improving the management
of operational risk throughout ING to ensure that ING stays in control of its current and future operational risks. ING’s ORM Framework
is further maturing towards an integrated controls framework according to pre-agreed requirements and development stages in the
individual business units. This development is measured through the scorecard process.
Capital calculation
The Operational Risk Capital model of ING is based on a Loss Distribution Approach (LDA). The Loss Distribution is based on both external
and internal loss data exceeding EUR 1 million. The model is adjusted for the scorecard results, taking into account the specific quality of
control in a business line and the occurrence of large incidents (‘bonus/malus’). This provides an incentive to local (operational risk)
management to better manage operational risk. The Bank Operational Risk Regulatory Capital is based on the Advanced Measurement
Approach (AMA) decreased from EUR 3,309 million in 2009 to EUR 2,872 million in 2010 due to the extension and improvement of
business environment factors and the update of the external operational loss data in the capital model as approved by the Operational &
Residual Risk Committee of ING. ING started in 2010 a program to further enhance its AMA framework in 2011 and align with peer/
industry practices as they develop.
• Disentanglement – The ORM function monitored during 2010 the operational risks around the disentanglement process of
ING Bank and ING Insurance (project Readiness). The Readiness project completed the Day-1 sign off in which CEO’s confirmed
to be operating at arm’s length.
COMPLIANCE RISKS
Compliance Risk is defined as the risk of damage to ING’s integrity as a result of failure (or perceived failure) to comply with relevant
laws, regulations, internal policies, procedures and ethical standards. In addition to reputational damage, failure to effectively manage
Compliance Risk could expose ING to fines, civil and criminal penalties, and payment of damages, court orders and suspension or
revocation of licenses, which would adversely impact customers, staff and shareholders of ING.
ING believes that fully embedded Compliance Risk Management preserves and enhances the trust of its customers, staff and shareholders.
Being trusted is essential to building sustainable businesses. ING’s Business Principles set the foundation for the high ethical standards ING
expects of all our business activities. ING’s Business Principles require all staff at every level to conduct themselves, not only in compliance
with laws and regulations, but also by acting with integrity, being open and clear, respectful, and responsible.
Clear and practical policies and procedures are embedded in ING business processes in all Business Lines. Systems are in place to enable
management to track current and emerging Compliance Risk issues, to communicate these to internal and external stakeholders, and to
drive continuous improvement. ING understands that good Compliance Risk Management involves understanding and delivering on the
expectations of customers and other stakeholders, thereby strengthening the quality of key relationships.
ING separates Compliance Risk into four conduct-related integrity risk areas: client conduct, personal conduct, organisational conduct as
well as conduct required because of laws and regulations in the financial services industry. In addition to effective reporting systems, ING
has a Whistleblower procedure which encourages staff to speak up if they know of or suspect a breach of external regulations or internal
policies or Business Principles.
ING uses a functional approach within Business Lines to ensure systematic and consistent implementation of the company-wide Charter
& Framework, policies, Minimum Standards and related procedures. The Local Compliance Officer has the responsibility to assist local
management in managing Compliance Risk within that business unit. The regional or division Compliance Officer has a management and
supervisory role over all functional activities of the Compliance Officers in the respective region or division. Reporting functionally into the
CCO, the Business Line Compliance Officers perform this task for their Business Line and also provide leadership and overall direction to
the regional or divisional Compliance Officers.
To avoid potential conflicts of interest, it is imperative that the Compliance Officers are impartial and objective when advising business
management on Compliance Risk in their Business Unit, region, division or Business Line. To facilitate this, a strong functional reporting line
to the next higher level Compliance Officer is in place. The functional reporting line has clear accountabilities relating to objective setting,
remuneration, performance management and the appointment of new Compliance Risk Management staff as well as obligations to veto
and escalate.
2. Advisory
Compliance Officers proactively advise their CEO, Management, local boards and committees, the next higher level Compliance Officer,
and employees on Compliance Risk, responsibilities, obligations and concerns.
3. Scorecard
The Compliance Risk Management function works with the Operational Risk Management Scorecard process to evaluate how well
the Compliance Risk Management Framework is embedded in each business. Scoring is based on the ability of the business unit to
demonstrate that the required policies and procedures are implemented. The scoring indicates the level of control within the business
units and the result is integrated with the Operational Risk Management results into ING’s Dutch Central Bank approved regulatory
capital model.
Extra-territorial regulations
Financial institutions continue to be closely scrutinized by regulatory authorities, governmental bodies, shareholders, rating agencies,
customers and others to ensure they comply with the relevant laws, regulations, standards and expectations. Bank and insurance regulators
and other supervisory authorities in Europe, the US and elsewhere continue to oversee the activities of financial institutions to ensure that they
operate with integrity and conduct business in an efficient, orderly and transparent manner. ING seeks to meet the standards and
expectations of regulatory authorities and other interested parties through a number of initiatives and activities, including scrutinizing account
holder information, payment processing and other transactions to support compliance with regulations governing money laundering,
economic and trade sanctions, bribery and other corrupt practices. The failure or alleged failure by ING to meet applicable standards in these
areas could result in, among other things, suspension or revocation of ING’s licenses, cease and desist orders, fines, civil or criminal penalties
and other disciplinary action which could materially damage ING’s reputation and financial condition, and accordingly ING’s primary focus is to
support good business practice through its Business Principles and group policies.
Over the past years ING has significantly increased its Compliance efforts, including a major staff increase, amendment of key policies and
guidelines and the international rollout of several programmes for education, awareness and monitoring of compliance issues.
As a result of our frequent evaluation of all businesses from economic, strategic and risk perspectives ING continues to believe that for
business reasons doing business involving certain specified countries should be discontinued, which includes that ING has a policy not to enter
into new relationships with clients from these countries and processes remain in place to discontinue existing relationships involving these
countries. At present these countries include Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Iran and Cuba. Each of these countries is subject to a
variety of EU, US and other sanctions regimes. Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria are identified by the US as state sponsors of terrorism and are
subject to US economic sanctions and export controls.
ING Bank remains in discussions with authorities in the US and in other jurisdictions concerning these matters, including ING Bank‘s
compliance with Office of Foreign Asset Control requirements. ING Bank has received requests for information from US Government agencies
including the US Department of Justice and the New York County District Attorney’s Office. ING Bank is cooperating fully with the ongoing
investigations. It is currently not feasible for ING Bank to determine how the ongoing investigations may be resolved or the timing of any such
resolution, nor to estimate reliably the possible amount of any resulting fines and/or penalties, if any, which could be significant.
Model disclosures
• Learning – Continuous education and awareness training was provided through face-to-face training sessions and online learning
tools on topics such as Ultra High Risk Countries & Export Trade, Financial Economic Crime, Competition Law and Customer Suitability.
Compliance Risk Management also continued its mandatory global Compliance Officer Training programme for all compliance officers
new to ING.
MODEL DISCLOSURES
Users of the information in the risk management section should bear in mind that the analyses provided are forward looking measures
that rely on assumptions and estimates of future events, some of which are considered extreme and therefore unlikely to occur. In the
normal course of business ING Group continues to develop, recalibrate and refine the various models that support risk metrics, which
may result in changes to the risk metrics as disclosed.
This model disclosure section explains the models applied in deriving the disclosed metrics. The methodologies used to determine
Economic Capital for ING Bank and ING Insurance are described, as are the methodologies for sensitivities for ING Insurance. The risk
models for the Economic Capital calculations are reviewed on a periodic basis and validated by the internal Model Validation department.
The ING Bank Economic Capital calculation is also used as part of the Basel II Pillar 2 Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process
(ICAAP) and the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) that is performed regularly by the Dutch Central Bank.
The following fundamental principles and definitions have been established for the model:
• ING Bank uses a one-sided confidence level of 99.95% – consistent with ING’s target debt rating (AA) – and a one-year time horizon
to calculate Economic Capital;
• It is assumed that all currently known measurable sources of risk are included;
• The best estimate risk assumptions are as objective as possible and based on proper analysis of statistical data. There is one set
of best-estimate assumptions for each risk type to be used at ING Bank;
• The Economic Capital calculation is based on fair value principles. Where complete and efficient markets exist, fair value is equal
to market value;
• The Economic Capital calculations reflect known embedded options and the influence of client behaviour in banking products;
• The Economic Capital calculations are on a pre-tax basis and do not consider the effect of regulatory accounting and solvency
requirements on capital levels;
• The framework does not include any franchise value of the business, discretionary management intervention or future business
volumes and margins.
Specific measurement by risk type is described in greater detail in the separate risk type sections.
Aggregation model
The main processes executed in the ING Bank Economic Capital aggregation model are depicted in the flowchart below. The white
boxes show the processes performed by the model while the shaded box indicates inputs from other corporate risk departments.
Determine correlations
Model disclosures
Correlation factors between risk types used for diversification are based on best estimate assumptions supported by statistical analysis
of historical data, ING risk expert judgement, external benchmark studies and common logic. As a foundation correlations are applied
based on a 90% confidence level, i.e. they correspond to the correlations observed in the 10% largest downward movements
(a ‘1 in 10’ event). As shown in the flow-chart, the correlation factors are stressed upwards where necessary to account for potential
measurement inaccuracy in extreme events due to limited historic data observations. Expert opinion is used for aggregating business
and operational risk.
The Economic Capital for ING Bank involves the aggregation of the underlying Economic Capital of five risk types, namely credit, transfer,
market, operational and business risks (latter two also referred to as other risks). These risk types are aggregated to provide a total
diversified ING Bank Economic Capital by applying the variance-covariance approach with a 5 x 5 inter-risk correlation matrix.
For allocation of Economic Capital to units and products, diversification factors are calculated for each risk type. These factors are applied
consistently throughout ING Bank. The level of diversification benefit is dependent on both the inter-risk correlations as well as the relative
size of the undiversified Economic Capital exposure for each risk type.
Reporting Framework
For each business unit and product line, the gross Economic Capital for each risk type is delivered to MISRAROC – the financial data
warehouse for RAROC and Economic Capital reporting of ING Bank. The net Economic Capital figures are calculated by taking the
product of the gross Economic Capital and one minus the diversification factor. Total Economic Capital is calculated as the sum of
the net Economic Capital for each risk type at all reporting levels.
Economic Capital for credit risk and for transfer risk are calculated using internally developed models with a 99.95% confidence level
and a time horizon of one year, which represents ING’s desired credit rating. ING uses a series of credit risk models that can be grouped
into three principal categories: Probability of Default (PD) models, which measure the standalone creditworthiness of individual debtors;
Exposure at Default models (EAD) which estimate the size of the financial obligation at the moment of default in the future; and Loss
Given Default Models (LGD), which estimate the recovery value of the underlying collateral or guarantees received (if any) and the
unsecured part. Collectively, ING uses over 100 models for credit risk. The various models can be grouped into three categories:
statistical, expert and hybrid.
The Economic Capital formula for credit and transfer risks relies on seven different risk drivers. In addition to the PD, EAD, and LGD models
mentioned above, the formula also considers the industry and the country of the debtor as well as the remaining term of the respective
underlying transactions. Lastly, the formula considers correlation of different asset class types.
The underlying formulas and models that are used for determining Economic Capital for credit and transfer risk are similar to those used
for determining the level of regulatory capital that is required under Basel II (Pillar 1). Despite the fact that the same underlying formulas
are used, (internal) Economic Capital and regulatory capital are not the same, due to various specific rules imposed by Basel II, such as
regulatory caps and floors, and the use of the standardised approach for certain portions of ING’s portfolio. These differences are
permitted under the Basel II guidelines.
The table below summarises different capital measures used for different purposes and shows the difference in key elements and purposes.
Model disclosures
Economic Capital levels for credit and transfer risk are calculated regularly for most of the Commercial Bank, ING Retail Benelux, and
the Retail Direct & International banking operations. On a quarterly basis, the Economic Capital for credit risk and transfer risk figures
are consolidated with the corresponding Economic Capital components from other disciplines.
Measurement
Economic capital for market risk is calculated using internally developed methodologies with a 99.95% confidence interval and a horizon
of one year, which represents extreme events and ING’s target rating. The Economic Capital for market risk for non trading portfolios is
calculated for each risk type, while for trading portfolios it is calculated on a portfolio level. The calculations for Economic Capital market
risk include real estate risk, foreign exchange rate risk, equity price risk, interest rate risk and model risks.
Real estate price risk includes both the market risks in both the investment portfolio and the development portfolio of ING Real Estate.
The real estate price risk for the investment portfolio is calculated by stressing the underlying market variables. The stress scenarios at a
portfolio level take into account all diversification effects across regions and real estate sectors. Also, the leverage of participations in
the real estate investment funds is taken into account.
For the Real Estate development process, in addition to market sale price risk, the risk drivers of market rent, investor yield and construction
delays are taken into account. Furthermore the risk model differs for each development phase (i.e., research, development, and construction)
to appropriately reflect the risk taken in each phase. Using correlations, all risk drivers, and stages are used to calculate a possible market
value loss representing the Economic Capital for market risk for the development portfolio.
For the direct market risks, the actual VaR (measured at a 99% confidence interval, a one day holding period and under the assumption
of an expected value of zero) of the trading and non-trading portfolios is taken as a starting point for the Economic Capital calculations
for market risk. To arrive at the Economic Capital for market risk, a simulation based model is used which includes scaling to the required
confidence interval and holding period. In determining this scaling factor, several other factors are also taken into account like the
occurrence of large market movements (events) and management interventions.
The economic capital for the equity investments is calculated based on the ECAPS system. Using Monte-Carlo simulation, the model
generates 20,000 possible ‘states-of-the-world’, by randomly simulating all risk drivers simultaneously. For each state-of-the-world,
the market value is recalculated and the 99.95% worst-case change in market value is the Economic Capital level.
Economic Capital for market risk for the mortgage portfolios within ING Retail Banking (Benelux, Direct and International Banking)
and ING Commercial Banking is calculated for embedded option risk (e.g. the prepayment option and offered rate option in mortgages).
The embedded options are hedged using a delta-hedging methodology, leaving the mortgage portfolio exposed to convexity and
volatility risk. The Economic Capital model for market risk is based on the estimated 99% confidence adverse interest rate change.
While aggregating the different Economic Capital market risk figures for the different portfolios, diversification benefits are taken into
account as it is not expected that all extreme market movements will appear at the same moment.
The nature of market risk Economic Capital, evaluating the impact of extreme stress with a 99.95% confidence level, can sometimes be
difficult to evidence in a statistical sound manner with the available historical data. The Economic Capital figures disclosed by ING Group
are a best effort estimate based on available data and expert opinions.
Model disclosures
The calculation of operational risk capital for the units follows five basic principles:
• Principle 1: If the world gets riskier, the business units need more Economic Capital;
• Principle 2: If a business unit’s size increases, so does its capital;
• Principle 3: If the business of a business unit is more complex, it needs more capital;
• Principle 4: If the level of control of a business unit is higher, it needs less capital;
• Principle 5: If the business units’ losses from internal incidents exceed the level of expected loss accounted for in the first four
framework principles, it needs more capital.
The capital calculated according to the first three is ‘generic’: if two business units operate in the same markets and have the same size,
the resulting capital will be the same. The specific capital adjustments mentioned below adjust the generic capital of a specific institution
to its specific operational risk capital.
The ECAPS system provides a well controlled and automated basis for Economic Capital and risk sensitivity measurement. Each business
unit enters the risk characteristics of its assets and liabilities into the ECAPS system on a regular basis. These risk characteristics are then
translated to a uniform basis in the form of replicating portfolios of standardised financial instruments. Based on the constellation of
replicating portfolios (including representations of non-market risks), the ECAPS system then is capable of calculating Economic Capital
at every level of aggregation.
Model disclosures
Economic Capital (EC) is defined by ING Insurance as the amount of assets that needs to be held in addition to the market value of
liabilities to assure a non-negative surplus at a 99.5% level of confidence on a 1 year time horizon. ING Insurance measures Economic
Capital by quantifying the impact of adverse events on the Market Value Surplus (MVS), a ‘Surplus-at-Risk’ concept. The change in MVS
or Available Financial Resources (AFR) is the combined effect of changes in Market Value of Assets (MVA) minus Market Value of Liabilities
(MVL) and an adjustment for illiquidity spreads due to current dislocated asset markets.
ING continues to adjust Available Financial Resources to reflect the illiquidity in its insurance portfolios as reporting AFR with MVLs
discounted at the swap rates results in an asymmetry between the assets and liabilities.
Illiquidity is also reflected through Interest Rate Risk, (adding the liquidity spread to the discount curve effectively reduces the duration
of our liabilities and therefore reduces the duration mismatch between our assets and liabilities resulting in a reduced interest rate risk);
through Credit Spread Risk (the Economic Capital model stresses both the asset spreads and the illiquidity spread: the netting of asset
spread risk with illiquidity liability spread risk results in a lower credit spread risk) and through Foreign Exchange Risk (the adjustment of the
MVS for illiquidity results in a reduced net exposure to foreign currency movements and in particular the US dollar: this results in a lower
foreign exchange risk).
The MVL consists of the Financial Component of Liabilities (FCL) and a Market Value Margin (MVM) for non-hedgeable risks (e.g. insurance
risk). The MVM is calculated using a Cost-of-Capital approach based on an estimate of required shareholder return on Economic Capital.
ING quantifies the impact of the following types of risk in its Economic Capital model:
• Market risk
• Credit risk (including transfer risk)
• Business risk
• Operational risk
• Life risk (both catastrophe and non-catastrophe)
• Morbidity risk (both catastrophe and non-catastrophe)
• P&C risk (both catastrophe and non-catastrophe)
Strategic business risk has been excluded from the EC calculations of ING Insurance.
Non-market risk Economic Capital is calculated by business units, CCRM and CORM and inputted into ECAPS at the sub risk level.
ECAPS then aggregates 21 sub-risk types (e.g. mortality and trend risk) to 9 non-market risk types using a bottom-up Economic Capital
diversification approach based on a matrix of correlations. The inputs are used to calibrate marginal distributions for these risk types.
These distributions, in combination with the Gaussian copula, are then used in the Economic Capital calculation to measure diversification
between market and non-market risks.
The following fundamental principles have been established for the model:
• All identified sources of risk should be considered;
• The best estimate actuarial assumptions should be as objective as possible and based on a proper analysis of economic, industry,
and company-specific data. There is one set of best-estimate assumptions per product to be used for all purposes at ING;
• Valuation of assets and liabilities is based on fair value principles. Where complete and efficient markets exist, fair value is equal to
market value;
• The Economic Capital and valuation calculations should reflect the embedded options in insurance contracts;
• The Economic Capital and valuation calculations are on a pre-tax basis and do not consider the effect of local regulatory accounting
and solvency requirements on capital levels. Capital is assumed to be fully transferable between legal entities;
• The framework does not include any franchise value of the business. It does, however, include the expense risk associated with the
possibility of reduced sales volume in the coming year.
Model disclosures
Since ING Insurance operates in many developing financial markets, extrapolation algorithms are in place for extending beyond observable
market data when this is needed for the calculation of the Market Value Liabilities and the Economic Capital. These algorithms are based
on comparable data in mature markets.
Based on the market data from GMDB, ING calibrates two economic scenario generators:
• Risk Neutral Economic Scenario Generator (RN ESG): capable of generating multiple equity indices and exchange rates, consistent
with a multi-currency dynamic term structure model. Scenarios are used in the cash flow projection to determine replicating portfolios.
RN ESG scenarios are consistent with observed market prices of equity, FX and interest options;
• Real World Economic Scenario Generator (RW ESG): capable of jointly simulating all risk types, i.e. all market risks, credit risk, business
risk, operational risk, life risk, morbidity risk and P&C risk. Diversification between risks is taken into account through a Gaussian copula,
allowing for different marginal probability distributions at the risk driver level. RW ESG scenarios are calibrated based on historical time
series of the market risk drivers using at least 5 years of Historical data. Volatilities and correlations are calibrated to represent the
distribution on a quarterly frequency.
Through the inclusion of equity options, FX options and swaptions in the set of replicating instruments, ING is able to incorporate implied
volatility risk in the considered risk types. The same holds for the credit spread risk through the inclusion of credit risk bearing zero coupon
bonds in the set of replicating instruments.
The quality of the replicating portfolio is monitored by several statistical criteria including R-squared and benchmarked against market value
sensitivities such as duration, convexity, and changes in value for larger interest rate and equity shocks. High quality replicating portfolios
are important in several ways. First, they ensure a good reflection of the actual risk profile and an accurate calculation of Economic Capital.
Second, they assist business units in hedging strategies and management of Economic Capital. Third, the process of replicating portfolio
calculations increases the understanding of the complex nature of insurance liabilities in a market consistent environment.
Model disclosures
Replicating portfolios are currently determined from a single factor RN ESG interest rate model. The RW ESG interest rate scenarios
for the Value at Risk calculations are generated using a multi-factor model which allows for non-parallel interest rate moves.
For the calculation of Economic Capital ING uses a one-year time horizon. In practice, the model calculates instantaneous quarterly shocks
and then annualises the resulting VaR statistic to determine an annualised EC. The quarterly shock is used to stabilise the results and to
ensure the shocks are within a range that can be more credibly valued for assets and liabilities. Also, it can better capture the impact of
dynamic hedge strategies. It proves to have more consistency in how correlations between risk factors are defined and therefore align
closer to actual risk practices and reporting cycles.
Using Monte-Carlo simulation, ING’s Economic Capital model generates 20,000 possible ‘states-of-the-world’, by randomly simulating all
risk drivers – simultaneously. For each state-of-the-world, the market value of assets and liabilities are recalculated and the change in value
of the Market Value Surplus (MVS) is stored. All these changes in MVS are then sorted, and the 99.5% worst-case change in MVS is
identified, to provide the Economic Capital level for the given level of aggregation.
Changes in implied volatility levels mostly impact the AFR through embedded options in our liabilities. The same has no material impact for
IFRS Earnings and is currently not measured.
The table below provides an overview of the shock scenarios applied for the AFR and Earnings sensitivities. These shocks are also the basis
for the US regulatory capital market risk scenarios.
For Earnings we apply a credit default scenario in which we multiply the probability of Default, Loss Given Default and
Historical Cost. For impaired assets we apply a credit spread shock with default probabilities based on a 1-in-10 event.
The asset positions data used for the AFR credit spread shocks and Earnings credit default scenarios is for a large part
based on third quarter 2010 positions.
Equity All equity 25% down
Real Estate All real estate 15% down
Foreign Exchange The worst case of a 10% up or down movement for each currency
Implied Volatility Swaption volatilities up by 30%
Equity implied volatility up by 80% for tenors less than 1 year, up 30% for tenors between 1 and 3 years, up 20%
for tenors between 3–7 years and up 10% for tenors of 7 years and above.
Model disclosures
The table below provides an overview of the shock scenarios applied for Statutory Surplus sensitivities.
The Regulatory Capital Sensitivity in aggregate is calculated by combining the joint impact of the various market stress events calculated
by taking into account the correlations between risk types.
Capital management
OBJECTIVES
ING Group Capital Management (Capital Management) is responsible for the sufficient capitalisation of ING Group entities at all times in
order to manage the risk associated with ING’s business activities. This involves the management, planning and allocation of capital within
ING Group. ING’s Corporate Treasury is part of Capital Management. It executes the necessary capital market transactions, term (capital)
funding and risk management transactions. Capital Management monitors and plans capital adequacy on a consolidated basis at three
levels: ING Group, ING Insurance and ING Bank. Capital Management takes into account the metrics and requirements of regulators
(Insurance Group Directive (IGD) Solvency I, Tier 1 and BIS ratios and limits for hybrid capital), rating agencies (leverage ratios, Adjusted
Equity) and internal models such as the economic capital and market value balance sheet approach for parts of ING Insurance including
Available Financial Resources (AFR).
DEVELOPMENTS
In 2010 Capital Management’s main focus was to strengthen the capital position of ING Group, ING Bank and ING Insurance. ING’s
capital positions are well placed to deal with the uncertain financial environment, increasing regulatory requirements and the ambition
to repurchase the remaining outstanding Core Tier 1 securities.
In March 2011, ING announced that it has informed the Dutch State of its intention to early repurchase EUR 2 billion of the non-voting
equity securities (core Tier 1 securities) on 13 May 2011. The Dutch Central Bank has approved the intended repurchase. The total payment
will amount to EUR 3 billion and includes a 50% repurchase premium. In order to fund the repayment, it is probable that ING Bank will
pay, in 2011, a dividend out of retained earnings to ING Group for a similar amount. ING disclosed to the market that based on our capital
position at that date the intended repurchase in May would reduce the core Tier 1 ratio by 90 basis points and the ratio is expected to
remain above 8.5%.
POLICIES
The activities of Capital Management are executed on the basis of established policies, guidelines and procedures. The main documents
that serve as guidelines for capital planning are the Capital Letter (comprising the approved targets and limits for capital), the Capital
Planning Policy, the Dividend Policy and the Capital Request Policy. For the Corporate Treasury there are many policies and limits that
guide the management of the balance sheets and the execution of capital market transactions.
The above capital definitions and policies have been approved by the ING Group Executive Board or delegated authorities.
A key priority of Capital Management is to make sure that strong stand-alone companies are created for banking and insurance in preparation
of the separation. All operating entities need to stay adequately capitalised based on local regulatory and rating agency requirements and
interdependencies should be reduced to a minimum. The entities should also be able to access capital markets independently.
Adjustments to equity:
Revaluation reserve debt securities –1,158 2,481 –19 123
Revaluation reserve crediting to life policyholders 1,488 –156
Revaluation reserve cashflow hedge –847 –372 639 472 –1,567 –926
Goodwill (3) –2,908 –3,244 –1,645 –1,636 –1,425 –1,857
Revaluation reserves fixed income & other –3,425 –1,291 –1,025 –1,040 –2,992 –2,783
Revaluation reserves excluded from Tier 1 (4) –2,212 –3,111
Insurance hybrid capital (5) 2,094 1,944
Minority interests 748 960 111 80
Deductions Tier 1 –1,069 –1,073
Tier 1 capital for Bank 39,332 34,015
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
ING BANK
Capital adequacy and the use of regulatory required capital are based on the guidelines developed by the Basel Committee on Banking
Supervision (The Basel Committee) and the European Union Directives, as implemented by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) for supervisory
purposes. The minimum Tier 1 ratio is 4% and the minimum total capital ratio (known as the BIS ratio) is 8% of all risk-weighted assets.
BASEL II
As of 2008 ING Bank publishes risk-weighted assets (RWA), Tier 1 and BIS capital and the accompanying capital ratios based on Basel II
data only. In addition, ING publishes the minimum required capital level according to Basel II and according to the Basel I floor. As of 2009
the Basel I floor is based on 80% of Basel I RWA. The minimum requirements according to Basel II and Basel I are both compared to total
BIS available capital according to Basel II.
ING INSURANCE
The table below shows the Insurance Group Directive which represent the consolidated regulatory Solvency I position of ING Insurance
business. The Insurance companies comply with their respective local regulatory requirement.
ING Insurance continues to ensure that all operating entities are adequately capitalised based on local regulatory and rating agency requirements
and that on a consolidated basis, the financial leverage (hybrids, sub-debt and net financial debt) of ING Insurance is appropriate.
For ING Insurance (excluding the US business), Available Financial Resources (AFR) continues to be important (especially as an evolving
proxy for the Own Funds derivation from our internal model under Solvency II). ING has carried out a review of the internal model (own
funds and capital requirements) in the context of a Solvency II gap analysis. In the review we benchmarked our models against the
Solvency II Standard Formula as presented in QIS 5, the CEIOPS consultation papers and commentary of expert groups like CRO Forum and
Group Consultative. We consequently plan further refinements of our Economic Capital (EC) model that address improvements of our
market risk calibration, in particular for spread risk; business risk, to improve our capturing of policyholder behaviour risk and to address
country risk; and operational risk. These changes will result in a material increase of our EC, estimated to be between one and two billion
euro as at year end 2010.
At the end of 2009 the AFR for ING Insurance other than the US was EUR 19.0 billion. As described in the Risk Paragraph. EC, based on
99.5% confidence interval was EUR 7.0 billion, which leads to excess of AFR over EC for 2009 of EUR 12.0 billion. For 2010 the AFR is
EUR 19.7 billion, EC is EUR 10.4 billion and the excess of AFR over EC is EUR 9.4 billion. The EC for 2010 does not include the potential
adjustment between one and two billion, as described in the previous paragraph.
For the capital adequacy assessment of ING Insurance’s US domiciled regulated insurance business, available capital and required capital
are measured based on the US regulatory Risk Based Capital (RBC) methodology as prescribed by the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners (NAIC). For ING’s US domiciled regulated insurance business, the consolidated RBC ratio (available capital/required capital)
is estimated to be approximately 426% for the period ended 31 December 2010. The actual US consolidated RBC ratio may be different
from the estimate since the statutory results are not final until filed with the regulators. For ING Insurance’s US domiciled regulated
insurance business, the RBC ratio was 362% at the end of 2009.
ING GROUP
The debt/equity ratio of ING Group as at year-end 2010 was 13.30% (2009: 12.35%).
ING Group reports to the Dutch Central Bank as required under the Dutch implementation of the financial conglomerates directive. The
directive mainly covers risk concentrations in the group, intra-group transactions and an assessment of the capital adequacy of the Group.
In the following table, we show the Group’s FICO ratio on the following basis:
• Insurance required capital from applying European Solvency I rules to all ING Insurance entities globally (regardless of local
capital requirements);
• Bank required capital based on applying Basel II with the Basel I floor (80% in 2010 and 2009);
• Group FICO capital using an approach similar to that used for Bank BIS capital and Insurance IGD capital whereby Group leverage
is deducted.
In 2010, ING decided to raise the Tier 1 ratio target, as a move towards the more demanding solvency requirements of Basel III. The Tier 1
ratio is a regulatory requirement. Internally ING manages on the Core Tier 1 ratio, for which the target was raised from 7.5% to 8.0%
in 2010. The actual ratios were 7.81% at the end of 2009 and 9.62% at the end of 2010. ING expects the BIS ratio to lose its meaning.
ING Bank
– short term A-1 P-1 F1+
– long term A+ stable Aa3 stable A+ stable
– financial strength C+
ING Insurance
– short term A-2 P-2 F2
– long term A- negative Baa1 negative A- negative
ING’s key credit ratings and outlook are shown in the table above. Each of these ratings reflects only the view of the applicable rating
agency at the time the rating was issued, and any explanation of the significance of a rating may be obtained only from the rating agency.
A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other
rating. There is no assurance that any credit rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered,
suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agency if, in the rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. ING accepts no
responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of the ratings.
Subsequent events
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
ING changed its accounting policy for the insurance provisions for Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits for Life (GMWBL) on the
Insurance US Closed Block VA book as of 1 January 2011. The revised accounting will better reflect the economic value of these guarantees
and more closely align accounting practice with US peers. Under the revised accounting, the insurance provisions will reflect current market
interest rates and current estimates for other assumptions, except for volatility and correlation (which remain unchanged). ING substantially
increased hedging of interest rate risk in the Insurance US Closed Block VA book; the results from these hedging derivatives are expected
to largely mirror the effect of interest changes on the guarantees in future periods. Implementation of the revised accounting for GMWBL
represents a change in accounting policy under IFRS, with a transitional impact being reflected in shareholders’ equity. Comparative periods’
results will be restated. The estimated combined impact on shareholders’ equity as at 1 January 2011 will be EUR 0.7 billion (lower equity),
of which EUR 0.4 billion and EUR 0.1 billion will be reflected in the restated 2010 and 2009 net result after tax (lower net result). This
impact reflects the revised accounting for the GMWBL retrospectively, but does not reflect the additional hedging of interest rate risk.
In December 2009, ING repurchased the first half of the non-voting equity securities (core Tier 1 securities) of EUR 5 billion plus a total
premium of EUR 605 million. In March 2011, ING announced that, at the next coupon reset date on 13 May 2011, ING intends to exercise
its option for early repurchase of EUR 2 billion of the remaining non-voting equity securities (core Tier 1 securities). The total payment in
May 2011 will amount to EUR 3 billion and includes a 50% repurchase premium. ING will fund this repurchase from retained earnings.
Provided that the strong capital generation continues, ING intends to repurchase the remaining EUR 3 billion non-voting equity securities
(core Tier 1 securities) ultimately by May 2012 from retained earnings. The final decision on repurchase of these non-voting equity
securities (core Tier 1 securities) will be made before the envisaged repayment date and will be conditional upon there having been no
material changes regarding ING’s capital requirements and/or ING’s outlook on external market circumstances.
On 11 March 2011 a severe earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. While ING does not have any non-life operations in Japan, ING has life
insurance, asset management and banking businesses in Japan. The life insurance business sold primarily two product types: Single
Premium Variable Annuities (SPVA, closed for new business in 2009) and Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI). ING’s financial position
may be impacted by these events and any related developments, including through (but not limited to) death and health-related claims,
policyholder behaviour, re-insurance coverage, investment losses and impact from general market developments. As of the date of this
Annual Report, the full impact of these catastrophic events was not yet known and, therefore, it is too early to determine the impact of
these events on ING.
Equity 3
Share capital 919 919
Share premium 16,034 16,034
Non-voting equity securities 5,000 5,000
Legal reserves (1) 5,700 1,030
Other reserves 15,682 16,815
Unappropriated result 3,220 –935
46,555 38,863
Liabilities
Subordinated loans 4 11,766 11,139
Other liabilities 5 8,889 9,128
Total equity and liabilities 67,210 59,130
(1)
Legal reserves includes Share of associates reserve of EUR 6,639 million (2009: EUR 1,985 million)
and Currency translation reserve of EUR –939 million (2009: EUR –955 million).
References relate to the notes starting on page 260. These form an integral part of the parent company annual accounts.
Share of Currency
Share Share Non-voting associates translation Other
amounts in millions of euros capital premium equity securities reserve reserve reserves (1) Total
Balance as at 1 January 2009 495 9,182 10,000 –8,719 –951 17,327 27,334
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The parent company accounts of ING Group are prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements included in Part 9 of
Book 2, of the Dutch Civil Code. The accounting policies applicable to presentation and disclosures are in accordance with the financial
reporting requirements included in Part 9 of Book 2, of the Dutch Civil Code. The principles of valuation and determination of results
stated in connection with the consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss account are also applicable to the parent company balance
sheet and profit and loss account with the exception of Investments in group companies and investments in associates which are
recognised at net asset value with goodwill, if any, recorded under intangible assets.
The profit and loss account has been drawn up in accordance with Section 402, Book 2, of the Dutch Civil Code.
A list containing the information referred to in Section 379 (1), Book 2, of the Dutch Civil Code has been filed with the office of the
Commercial Register of Amsterdam, in accordance with Section 379 (5), Book 2, of the Dutch Civil Code.
Changes in balance sheet values due to changes in the Revaluation reserve of the associates are reflected in the Share of associates
reserve, which forms part of Shareholders’ equity. Changes in balance sheet values due to the results of these associates, accounted for
in accordance with ING Group accounting policies, are included in the profit and loss account. Other changes in the balance sheet value
of these associates, other than those due to changes in share capital, are included in Share of associates reserve in Other reserves.
A legal reserve is carried at an amount equal to the share in the results of associates since their first inclusion at net asset value less the
amount of profit distributions to which rights have accrued in the interim. Profit distributions which can be repatriated to the Netherlands
without restriction are likewise deducted from the Share of associates reserve.
Other includes certain intercompany eliminations between ING Bank N.V. and ING Verzekeringen N.V.
2 OTHER ASSETS
Other assets
2010 2009
Receivables from group companies 11,502 12,566
Other receivables, prepayments and accruals 463 558
11,965 13,124
As at 31 December 2010 an amount of EUR 11,524 million (2009: EUR 12,397 million) is expected to be settled after more than one year
from the balance sheet date.
3 EQUITY
Equity
2010 2009
Share capital 919 919
Share premium 16,034 16,034
Non-voting equity securities 5,000 5,000
Share of associates reserve 6,639 1,985
Currency translation reserve –939 –955
Other reserves 18,902 15,880
Equity 46,555 38,863
The Share of associates reserve includes the following components: Reserve for non-distributable profit of associates of EUR 907 million
(2009: EUR 645 million) and Revaluation reserve of associates of EUR 5,732 million (2009: EUR 1,340 million).
Share capital
Ordinary shares (par value EUR 0.24)
Number x1,000 Amount
2010 2009 2010 2009
Authorised share capital 4,500,000 4,500,000 1,080 1,080
Unissued share capital 668,439 668,439 161 161
Issued share capital 3,831,561 3,831,561 919 919
Share premium
Changes in Share premium are disclosed in the Parent company statement of changes in equity of ING Group.
Dividend and repayment premium includes the coupon (EUR 259 million) and repayment premium (EUR 346 million) on the repayment
of EUR 5 billion non-voting equity securities.
As at 31 December 2010, the Share of associates reserve included an amount of EUR 741 million (2009: EUR 645 million) related to the
former Stichting Regio Bank that cannot be freely distributed.
Positive components of the Share of associates reserve and Currency translation reserve cannot be freely distributed. The reserve for cash
flow hedges is included in the Share of associates reserve on a net basis. Retained earnings can be freely distributed, except for an amount
equal to the negative balance in each of the components of the Currency translation reserve and Share of associates reserve. Unrealised
gains and losses on derivatives, other than those used in cash flow hedges, are presented in the profit and loss account and are therefore
part of Retained earnings and are not included in Share of associates reserve.
The total amount of Equity in the parent company annual accounts equals Shareholders’ equity (parent) in the consolidated annual
accounts. Certain components within equity are different, as a result of the following presentation differences between the parent
company accounts and consolidated accounts:
• Unrealised revaluations within consolidated group companies, presented in the Revaluation reserve in the consolidated accounts,
are presented in the Share of associates reserve in the parent company accounts;
• Foreign currency translation on consolidated group companies, presented in the Currency translation reserve in the consolidated
accounts, is presented in the Share of associates reserve in the parent company accounts;
• Revaluations on investment property and certain participations recognised in income and consequently presented in Retained earnings
in the consolidated accounts, is presented in the Share of associates reserve in the parent company accounts.
The total amount of non-distributable reserves is EUR 7,578 million (2009: EUR 2,940 million).
See Note 13 ‘Shareholders’ equity (parent)/non-voting equity securities’ in the consolidated annual accounts for additional information,
including restrictions with respect to dividend and repayment of capital.
4 SUBORDINATED LOANS
Subordinated loans
Notional amount in Balance sheet value
Interest rate Year of issue Due date original currency 2010 2009
9.000% 2008 Perpetual EUR 10 10 10
8.500% 2008 Perpetual USD 2,000 1,469 1,357
8.000% 2008 Perpetual EUR 1,500 1,485 1,479
7.375% 2007 Perpetual USD 1,500 1,111 1,022
6.375% 2007 Perpetual USD 1,045 773 713
5.140% 2006 Perpetual GBP 600 692 670
5.775% 2005 Perpetual USD 1,000 741 690
6.125% 2005 Perpetual USD 700 504 472
4.176% 2005 Perpetual EUR 500 498 498
Variable 2004 Perpetual EUR 1,000 994 999
6.200% 2003 Perpetual USD 500 363 337
Variable 2003 Perpetual EUR 750 729 731
7.200% 2002 Perpetual USD 1,100 748 656
7.050% 2002 Perpetual USD 800 528 465
8.439% 2000 31 December 2030 USD 1,500 1,121 1,040
11,766 11,139
The Subordinated loans rank subordinated to the Other liabilities in a winding-up of ING.
5 OTHER LIABILITIES
Debenture loans
Balance sheet value
Interest rate Year of issue Due date 2010 2009
5.625% 2008 3 September 2013 1,072 1,073
4.699% 2007 1 June 2035 117 117
4.750% 2007 31 May 2017 1,890 1,864
Variable 2006 28 June 2011 749 749
Variable 2006 11 April 2016 997 997
4.125% 2006 11 April 2016 746 745
6.125% 2000 4 January 2011 1,000 1,000
6,571 6,545
The number of debentures held by group companies as at 31 December 2010 was 131,680 with a balance sheet value of EUR 13 million
(2009: 114,760 with a balance sheet value of EUR 11 million).
The interest rate on the Amounts owed to group companies as at 31 December 2010 was 2.850% (2009: 2.850%).
Other amounts owed and accrued liabilities are payable within one year.
7 OTHER
Guarantees
As at 31 December 2010, ING Group had no guarantees given on behalf of third parties (2009: nil). ING Group has issued statements
of liabilities in connection with Section 403, Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code and other guarantees for a number of group companies.
Fiscal unity
ING Groep N.V. forms a fiscal unity with several Dutch banking entities for corporation tax purposes. ING Groep N.V. and its banking
subsidiaries that form part of the fiscal unity are jointly and severally liable for taxation payable by the fiscal unity.
To the Shareholders, the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board of ING Groep N.V.
Management’s responsibility
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these annual accounts in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, and for the preparation of
the report of the Executive Board in accordance with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code. Furthermore management is responsible
for such internal control as it determines is necessary to enable the preparation of the annual accounts that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these annual accounts based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Dutch
law, including the Dutch Standards on Auditing, and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
This requires that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether about
the annual accounts are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the annual accounts.
The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of
the annual accounts, whether due to fraud or error.
In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of
the annual accounts in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating
the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the annual accounts.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
For 2010, the Executive Board, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, has determined to appropriate the entire result to reserves,
so that no dividend will be paid.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
ING changed its accounting policy for the insurance provisions for Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits for Life (GMWBL) in the
Insurance US Closed Block VA book as of 1 January 2011 in order to better reflect the economic value of guarantees. Reference is made
to section ‘Subsequent events’ in the consolidated annual accounts.
In December 2009, ING repurchased the first half of the non-voting equity securities (core Tier 1 securities) of EUR 5 billion plus a total
premium of EUR 605 million. In March 2011, ING announced that, at the next coupon reset date on 13 May 2011, ING intends to exercise
its option for early repurchase of EUR 2 billion of the remaining non-voting equity securities (core Tier 1 securities). The total payment in
May 2011 will amount to EUR 3 billion and includes a 50% repurchase premium. ING will fund this repurchase from retained earnings.
Provided that the strong capital generation continues, ING intends to repurchase the remaining EUR 3 billion non-voting equity securities
(core Tier 1 securities) ultimately by May 2012 from retained earnings. The final decision on repurchase of these non-voting equity
securities (core Tier 1 securities) will be made before the envisaged repayment date and will be conditional upon there having been no
material changes regarding ING’s capital requirements and/or ING’s outlook on external market circumstances.
On 11 March 2011 a severe earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. While ING does not have any non-life operations in Japan, ING has life
insurance, asset management and banking businesses in Japan. The life insurance business sold primarily two product types: Single
Premium Variable Annuities (SPVA, closed for new business in 2009) and Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI). ING’s financial position
may be impacted by these events and any related developments, including through (but not limited to) death and health-related claims,
policyholder behaviour, re-insurance coverage, investment losses and impact from general market developments. As of the date of this
Annual Report, the full impact of these catastrophic events was not yet known and, therefore, it is too early to determine the impact of
these events on ING.
Risk factors
Any of the risks described below could have a material adverse effect on the business activities, financial condition, results of operations
and prospects of ING. The market price of ING shares could decline due to any of these risks, and investors could lose all or part of their
investments. Additional risks of which the Company is not presently aware could also affect the business operations of ING and have
a material adverse effect on ING’s business activities, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In addition, the business
of a multinational, broad-based financial services firm such as ING is inherently exposed to risks that only become apparent with the
benefit of hindsight. The sequence in which the risk factors are presented below is not indicative of their likelihood of occurrence or
the potential magnitude of their financial consequences.
RISKS RELATED TO FINANCIAL CONDITIONS, MARKET ENVIRONMENT AND GENERAL ECONOMIC TRENDS.
Because we are a financial services company conducting business on a global basis, our revenues and earnings are affected
by the volatility and strength of the economic, business and capital markets environments specific to the geographic regions
in which we conduct business. The ongoing turbulence and volatility of such factors have adversely affected, and may
continue to adversely affect, the profitability of our insurance, banking and asset management business.
Factors such as interest rates, securities prices, credit spreads, liquidity spreads, exchange rates, consumer spending, business investment,
real estate and private equity valuations, government spending, inflation, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, political events
and trends, and terrorism all impact the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and profitability of business we
conduct in a specific geographic region. In an economic downturn characterised by higher unemployment, lower family income, lower
corporate earnings, higher corporate and private debt defaults, lower business investments, and lower consumer spending, the demand
for banking and insurance products is usually adversely affected and ING’s reserves and provisions typically would increase, resulting in
overall lower earnings. Securities prices, real estate values and private equity valuations may also be adversely impacted, and any such
losses would be realised through profit and loss and shareholders’ equity. Some insurance products contain minimum return or
accumulation guarantees. If returns do not meet or exceed the guarantee levels we may need to set up additional reserves to fund these
future guaranteed benefits. In addition, we may experience an elevated incidence of claims and lapses or surrenders of policies. Our
policyholders may choose to defer paying insurance premiums or stop paying insurance premiums altogether. Similarly, a downturn in
the equity markets causes a reduction in commission income we earn from managing portfolios for third parties, income generated from
our own proprietary portfolios, asset-based fee income on certain insurance products, and our capital base. We also offer a number of
insurance and financial products that expose us to risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, securities prices, corporate and
private default rates, the value of real estate assets, exchange rates and credit spreads. See also ‘– Interest rate volatility may adversely
affect our profitability’, ‘–Turbulence and volatility in the financial markets have adversely affected us, and may continue to do so’, and
‘–Current market conditions have increased the risk of loans being impaired. We are exposed to declining property values on the collateral
supporting residential and commercial real estate lending’ below.
In case one or more of the factors mentioned above adversely affects the profitability of our business this might also result, among others,
in the following:
• the unlocking of deferred acquisition costs impacting earnings; and/or
• reserve inadequacies which could ultimately be realised through profit and loss and shareholders’ equity; and/or
• the write down of tax assets impacting net results; and/or
• impairment expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, impacting net results; and/or
• movements in Risk Weighted Assets for the determination of required capital.
Shareholders’ equity and our net result may significantly be impacted by turmoil and volatility in the worldwide financial markets. Negative
developments in financial markets and/or economies may have a material adverse impact on shareholders’ equity and net result in future
periods, including as a result of the potential consequences listed above. The recalibration we have conducted of our economic capital models
to reflect difficult market conditions experienced over recent years may have a material impact on our economic capital for credit risk. See
‘Risks Related to the Group – Turbulence and volatility in the financial markets have adversely affected us, and may continue to do so’.
Adverse capital and credit market conditions may impact our ability to access liquidity and capital, as well as the cost of
credit and capital.
The capital and credit markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption for more than two years. In the second half of
2008, the volatility and disruption reached unprecedented levels. In some cases, market developments have resulted in restrictions on
the availability of liquidity and credit capacity for certain issuers.
We need liquidity in our day-to-day business activities to pay our operating expenses, interest on our debt and dividends on our capital
stock; maintain our securities lending activities; and replace certain maturing liabilities. The principal sources of our liquidity are deposit
funds, insurance premiums, annuity considerations, cash flow from our investment portfolio and assets, consisting mainly of cash or assets
that are readily convertible into cash. Sources of liquidity in normal markets also include a variety of short- and long-term instruments,
including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, medium-and long-term debt, junior subordinated debt securities, capital securities
and stockholders’ equity.
In the event current resources do not satisfy our needs, we may have to seek additional financing. The availability of additional financing
will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, the overall
availability of credit to the financial services industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as the possibility that customers or
lenders could develop a negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects. Similarly, our access to funds may be limited
if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. If our internal sources of liquidity prove to be insufficient,
there is a risk that external funding sources might not be available, or available at unfavourable terms.
Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets, such as that experienced over the past few years and in the second
half of 2008 in particular, may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business. Such market conditions may in the future
limit our ability to raise additional capital to support business growth, or to counter-balance the consequences of losses or increased
regulatory capital requirements. This could force us to (1) delay raising capital, (2) reduce, cancel or postpone payment of dividends on
our shares, (3) reduce, cancel or postpone interest payments on other securities, (4) issue capital of different types or under different terms
than we would otherwise, or (5) incur a higher cost of capital than in a more stable market environment. This would have the potential to
decrease both our profitability and our financial flexibility. Our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and regulatory capital
position could be materially adversely affected by disruptions in the financial markets.
In the course of 2008 and 2009, governments around the world, including the Dutch government, implemented unprecedented measures
to provide assistance to financial institutions, in certain cases requiring (indirect) influence on or changes to governance and remuneration
practices. In certain cases governments nationalised companies or parts thereof. The measures adopted in the Netherlands include both
liquidity provision and capital reinforcement, and a Dutch Credit Guarantee Scheme. The liquidity and capital reinforcement measures
expired on 10 October 2009, and the Credit Guarantee Scheme of the Netherlands expired on 31 December 2010. Our participation in
these measures has resulted in certain material restrictions on us, including those agreed to with the European Commission (‘EC’) as part
of our Restructuring Plan. See ‘Risks Related to the Restructuring Plan – Our agreements with the Dutch State impose certain restrictions
regarding the issuance or repurchase of our shares and the compensation of certain senior management positions’, ‘Risks Related to the
Restructuring Plan – The implementation of the Restructuring Plan and the divestments anticipated in connection with that plan will
significantly alter the size and structure of the Group and involve significant costs and uncertainties that could materially impact the
Group’. The Restructuring Plan as well as any potential future transactions with the Dutch State or any other government, if any, or actions
by such government regarding ING could adversely impact the position or rights of shareholders, bondholders, customers or creditors and
our results, operations, solvency, liquidity and governance.
We are subject to the jurisdiction of a variety of banking and insurance regulatory bodies, some of which have proposed regulatory
changes that, if implemented, would hinder our ability to manage our liquidity in a centralised manner. Furthermore, regulatory liquidity
requirements in certain jurisdictions in which we operate are generally becoming more stringent, including those forming part of the ‘Basel
III’ requirements discussed further below under ‘–We operate in highly regulated industries. There could be an adverse change or increase
in the financial services laws and/or regulations governing our business’, undermining our efforts to maintain this centralised management
of our liquidity. These developments may cause trapped pools of liquidity, resulting in inefficiencies in the cost of managing our liquidity,
and hinder our efforts to integrate our balance sheet, which is an essential element of our Restructuring Plan.
Management believes that despite increased attention recently, systemic risk to the markets in which we operate continues to exist,
and dislocations caused by the interdependency of financial market participants continues to be a potential source of material adverse
changes to our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Because our life and non-life insurance and reinsurance businesses are subject to losses from unforeseeable and/or
catastrophic events, which are inherently unpredictable, our actual claims amount may exceed our established reserves
or we may experience an abrupt interruption of activities, each of which could result in lower net results and have an
adverse effect on our results of operations.
In our life and non-life insurance and reinsurance businesses, we are subject to losses from natural and man-made catastrophic events.
Such events include, without limitation, weather and other natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and epidemics
that may be more severe or difficult to predict as a result of increasingly variable climate conditions, as well as events such as terrorist
attacks and political and social unrest.
The frequency and severity of such events, and the losses associated with them, are inherently unpredictable and cannot always be
adequately reserved for. Furthermore, we are subject to actuarial and underwriting risks such as, for instance, mortality, longevity,
morbidity, and adverse claims development which result from the pricing and acceptance of insurance contracts. In accordance with
industry practices, modelling of natural catastrophes is performed and risk mitigation measures are taken. In case claims occur, reserves
are established based on estimates using actuarial projection techniques. The process of estimating is based on information available
at the time the reserves are originally established and includes updates when more information becomes available. Although we
continually review the adequacy of the established claim reserves, there can be no assurances that our actual claims experience will not
exceed our estimated claim reserves. If actual claim amounts exceed the estimated claim reserves, our earnings may be reduced and our
net results may be adversely affected.
In addition, and as discussed further below under ‘Risks Related to the Group’s Business, Operations, and Regulatory Environment–
Operational risks are inherent in our business’, because unforeseeable and/or catastrophic events can lead to an abrupt interruption of
activities, our banking and insurance operations may be subject to losses resulting from such disruptions. Losses can relate to property,
financial assets, trading positions, insurance and pension benefits to employees and also to key personnel. If our business continuity plans
are not able to be put into action or do not take such events into account, losses may further increase.
We operate in highly regulated industries. There could be an adverse change or increase in the financial services laws
and/or regulations governing our business.
We are subject to detailed banking, insurance, asset management and other financial services laws and government regulation in each
of the jurisdictions in which we conduct business. Regulatory agencies have broad administrative power over many aspects of the financial
services business, which may include liquidity, capital adequacy and permitted investments, ethical issues, money laundering, privacy,
record keeping, and marketing and sales practices. Banking, insurance and other financial services laws, regulations and policies currently
governing us and our subsidiaries may also change at any time and in ways which have an adverse effect on our business, and it is
difficult to predict the timing or form of any future regulatory or enforcement initiatives in respect thereof. Also, bank regulators and
other supervisory authorities in the EU, the US and elsewhere continue to scrutinise payment processing and other transactions under
regulations governing such matters as money-laundering, prohibited transactions with countries subject to sanctions, and bribery or other
anti-corruption measures. Regulation is becoming increasingly more extensive and complex and regulators are focusing increased scrutiny
on the industries in which we operate, often requiring additional Company resources. These regulations can serve to limit our activities,
including through our net capital, customer protection and market conduct requirements, and restrictions on businesses in which we can
operate or invest. If we fail to address, or appear to fail to address, appropriately any of these matters, our reputation could be harmed
and we could be subject to additional legal risk, which could, in turn, increase the size and number of claims and damages asserted
against us or subject us to enforcement actions, fines and penalties.
In light of current conditions in the global financial markets and the global economy, regulators have increased their focus on the
regulation of the financial services industry. Most of the principal markets where we conduct our business have adopted, or are currently
considering, major legislative and/or regulatory initiatives in response to the financial crisis. In particular, governmental and regulatory
authorities in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere are implementing measures to increase regulatory
control in their respective financial markets and financial services sectors, including in the areas of prudential rules, capital requirements,
executive compensation, crisis and contingency management, bank levies and financial reporting, among others. For example, the EC
has agreed upon a full scale revision of the solvency framework and prudential regime applicable to insurance and reinsurance companies
known as ‘Solvency II’, which was adopted on 25 November 2009. Each member state of the EEA, including the Netherlands, is required
to implement Solvency II by 1 January 2013. Significant efforts towards establishing a more cohesive and streamlined European supervisory
framework, including establishing a European Systemic Risk Board and a European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, may
also affect the Group’s operations.
In addition, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has announced higher global minimum capital standards for banks, introduced a
new global liquidity standard and called for a new leverage ratio. The Committee’s package of reforms, collectively referred to as the ‘Basel III’
rules, will, among other requirements, increase amount of common equity required to be held by subject banking institutions, prescribe the
amount of liquid assets a subject banking institution must hold at a given moment, and limit leverage. Banks will be required to hold a ‘capital
conservation buffer’ to withstand future periods of stress such that the total Tier 1 common equity ratio, when fully phased in on 1 January
2019, will rise to 7%. Further, Basel III calls for stricter definitions of capital that will have the effect of disqualifying many hybrid securities,
potentially including those issued by the Group, from inclusion in regulatory capital, as well as the higher capital requirements for trading,
derivative and securitisation activities to be introduced at the end of 2011 as part of a number of reforms to the Basel II framework. In
addition, the Basel Committee and Financial Stability Board (FSB) are currently considering measures that may have the effect of requiring
higher loss absorbency capacity, liquidity surcharges, exposure limits and special resolution regimes for ‘systemically important financial
institutions’ (SIFIs) and so-called ‘Global’ SIFIs (G-SIFI), in addition to the Basel III requirements otherwise applicable to most financial
institutions. While the full impact of the new Basel III rules, and any additional requirements for SIFIs or G-SIFIs if and as applicable to the
Group, will depend on how they are implemented by national regulators, including the extent to which regulators and supervisors can set
more stringent limits and additional capital requirements or surcharges, as well as on the economic and financial environment at the time
of implementation and beyond, we expect these rules can have a material impact on ING’s operations and financial condition and may
require the Group to seek additional capital. Further, the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) is considering changes to several
IFRS standards, which changes could also have a material impact on our reported results and financial condition.
Furthermore, in the United States, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (‘Dodd-Frank’ or the ‘Dodd-Frank
Act’) has imposed comprehensive changes to the regulation of financial services in the United States and has implications for non-US
financial institutions with a US presence, such as ING. Dodd−Frank directs existing and newly−created government agencies and bodies
to promulgate regulations implementing the law, a process anticipated to occur over the next few years. We cannot predict with any
certainty the requirements of the regulations ultimately adopted or how Dodd−Frank and such regulations will affect the financial markets
generally, impact the Group’s business, credit or financial strength ratings, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition or
advise or require the Group to raise additional capital. Key risks associated with the Dodd-Frank Act that may have an impact on the
Group include:
• The newly created risk regulator – the Financial Stability Oversight Council (the ‘FSOC’) – may designate the Group as a company
whose material financial distress, or whose nature, scope, size, scale, concentration, interconnectedness or mix of activities, could
pose a threat to the financial stability of the United States. In such an instance, the Group will become subject to the oversight of the
Federal Reserve. If the Group becomes subject to the examination, enforcement and supervisory authority of the Federal Reserve, the
Federal Reserve would have authority to impose capital requirements on the Group and its subsidiaries. The Group cannot predict what
capital regulations the Federal Reserve will promulgate under these authorisations, either generally or as applicable to organisations
with the Group’s operations, nor can management predict how the Federal Reserve will exercise potential general supervisory authority
over the Group as to its business practices or those of its subsidiaries. If designated as systemically important by the FSOC, the Group
would become subject to unspecified stricter prudential standards, including stricter requirements and limitations relating to risk−based
capital, leverage, liquidity and credit exposure, as well as overall risk management requirements, management interlock prohibitions
and a requirement to maintain a plan for rapid and orderly dissolution in the event of severe financial distress. The Group may become
subject to stress tests to be promulgated by the Federal Reserve in consultation with the newly created Federal Insurance Office
(discussed below) to determine whether, on a consolidated basis, the Group has the capital necessary to absorb losses as a result of
adverse economic conditions. We cannot predict how the stress tests will be designed or conducted or whether the results thereof
will cause the Group to alter its business practices or affect the perceptions of regulators, rating agencies, customers, counterparties
or investors about the Group’s financial strength. The FSOC may also recommend that state insurance regulators or other regulators
apply new or heightened standards and safeguards for activities or practices that the Group and other insurers or other financial
services companies engage in.
• Title II of Dodd−Frank provides that a financial company may be subject to a special orderly liquidation process outside the federal
bankruptcy code, administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver, upon a determination that the company
is in default or in danger of default and presents a systemic risk to US financial stability.
• Dodd−Frank creates a new framework for regulation of the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets and certain market participants
which could affect various activities of the Group and its subsidiaries.
• Dodd−Frank establishes a Federal Insurance Office (‘FIO’) within the Department of the Treasury to be headed by a director appointed
by the Secretary of the Treasury. While not having a general supervisory or regulatory authority over the business of insurance, the
director of this office would perform various functions with respect to insurance (other than health insurance), including participating
in the FSOC’s decisions regarding insurers (potentially including the Group and its subsidiaries), to be designated for stricter regulation.
The FIO may recommend enhanced regulations to the states. As of this writing, a director for FIO has not been named.
• Dodd−Frank establishes the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (‘BCFP’) as an independent agency within the Federal Reserve
to regulate consumer financial products and services offered primarily for personal, family or household purposes. The BCFP will have
significant authority to implement and enforce federal consumer financial laws, including the new protections established under
Dodd−Frank, as well as the authority to identify and prohibit unfair and deceptive acts and practices. In addition, the BCFP will have
broad supervisory, examination and enforcement authority over certain consumer products, such as mortgage lending. Insurance
products and services are not within the BCFP’s general jurisdiction, and broker−dealers and investment advisers are not subject to the
BCFP’s jurisdiction when acting in their registered capacity.
• Dodd−Frank also includes various securities law reforms that may affect the Group’s business practices and the liabilities and/or
exposures associated therewith, including a provision intended to authorise the SEC to impose on broker-dealers fiduciary duties to
their customers, as applies to investment advisers under existing law, which new standard could potentially expose certain of ING’s
US broker-dealers to increased risk of SEC enforcement actions and liability. The SEC staff recently released a study on this issue.
In addition to the adoption of these measures, regulators and lawmakers around the world are actively reviewing the causes of the
financial crisis and exploring steps to avoid similar problems in the future. In many respects, this work is being led by the Financial Stability
Board (‘FSB’), consisting of representatives of national financial authorities of the G20 nations. The G20 and the FSB have issued a series
of papers and recommendations intended to produce significant changes in how financial companies, particularly companies that are
members of large and complex financial groups, should be regulated. These proposals address such issues as financial group supervision,
capital and solvency standards, systemic economic risk, corporate governance including executive compensation, and a host of related
issues associated with responses to the financial crisis. The lawmakers and regulatory authorities in a number of jurisdictions in which
the Group’s subsidiaries conduct business have already begun introducing legislative and regulatory changes consistent with G20 and
FSB recommendations, including proposals governing consolidated regulation of insurance holdings companies by the Financial Services
Agency (FSA) in Japan, proposals governing executive compensation by the financial regulators in Germany (BaFIN) and the United
Kingdom (FSA).
Governments in the Netherlands and abroad have also intervened over the past few years on an unprecedented scale, responding to
stresses experienced in the global financial markets. Some of the measures adopted subject us and other institutions for which they
were designed to additional restrictions, oversight or costs. For restrictions related to the Core Tier 1 Securities and the IABF, as further
described in ‘Our agreements with the Dutch State impose certain restrictions regarding the issuance or repurchase of our shares and
the compensation of certain senior management positions’. As a result of having received state aid through the Dutch State Transactions,
we were required to submit our Restructuring Plan to the EC in connection with obtaining final approval for the Dutch State Transactions.
See ‘Risks Related to the Group – The implementation of the Restructuring Plan and the divestments anticipated in connection with that
plan will significantly alter the size and structure of the Group and involve significant costs and uncertainties that could materially impact
the Group’.
On 1 March 2011, the European Court of Justice issued its judgment in the widely-followed Test Achats case. The Test Achats decision, in
effect, provides that the use of gender as a factor in the pricing of or benefits under life and non-life insurance coverage is incompatible
with the principles of equal treatment of men and women under the EU Charter. The Test Achat decision provides for a transition period,
however, until 21 December 2012, after which the use of such gender-based factors will no longer be permissible. It is unclear whether
this prohibition also applies to existing insurance contracts. While it is too early to assess the impacts of the Test Achats case on ING’s
insurance business, it is expected that the industry generally will incur potentially significant compliance-related costs as policy forms,
underwriting and pricing criteria, and related systems undergo required modifications. ING is unable at this stage to quantify the extent of
any such costs or other impacts on its business, and intends to follow closely the implementation of the Test Achats decision during the
above-referenced transition period.
We cannot predict whether or when future legislative or regulatory actions may be taken, or what impact, if any, actions taken to date
or in the future could have on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Despite our efforts to maintain effective compliance procedures and to comply with applicable laws and regulations, there are a number
of risks in areas where applicable regulations may be unclear, subject to multiple interpretation or under development or may conflict with
one another, where regulators revise their previous guidance or courts overturn previous rulings, or we fail to meet applicable standards.
Regulators and other authorities have the power to bring administrative or judicial proceedings against us, which could result, amongst
other things, in suspension or revocation of our licenses, cease and desist orders, fines, civil penalties, criminal penalties or other
disciplinary action which could materially harm our results of operations and financial condition.
Turbulence and volatility in the financial markets have adversely affected us, and may continue to do so.
Our results of operations are materially impacted by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally. The stress
experienced in the global capital markets that started in the second half of 2007 continued and substantially increased throughout
2008 and, although market conditions have improved, volatility continued in 2009, particularly the early part of the year. The crisis in
the mortgage market in the United States, triggered by a serious deterioration of credit quality, led to a revaluation of credit risks. While
certain conditions have improved over 2009 and 2010, these conditions have generally resulted in greater volatility, widening of credit
spreads and overall shortage of liquidity and tightening of financial markets throughout the world. In addition, prices for many types
of asset-backed securities (‘ABS’) and other structured products have significantly deteriorated. These concerns have since expanded to
include a broad range of fixed income securities, including those rated investment grade, sovereign debt, the international credit and
interbank money markets generally, and a wide range of financial institutions and markets, asset classes, such as public and private equity,
and real estate sectors. As a result of these and other factors, sovereign governments across the globe, including in regions where the
Group operates, have also experienced budgetary and other financial difficulties, which have resulted in austerity measures, downgrades
in credit rating by credit agencies, planned or implemented bail-out measures and, on occasion, civil unrest. As a result, the market for
fixed income instruments has experienced decreased liquidity, increased price volatility, credit downgrade events, and increased probability
of default. In addition, the confluence of these and other factors has resulted in volatile foreign exchange markets. Securities that are
less liquid are more difficult to value and may be hard to dispose of. International equity markets have also been experiencing heightened
volatility and turmoil, with issuers, including ourselves, that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage, private equity and credit markets
particularly affected. These events and market upheavals, including extreme levels of volatility, have had and may continue to have an
adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and extensive real estate
activities around the world. In addition, the confidence of customers in financial institutions is being tested. Consumer confidence in
financial institutions may, for example, decrease due to our or our competitors’ failure to communicate to customers the terms of, and
the benefits to customers of, complex or high-fee financial products. Reduced confidence could have an adverse effect on our revenues
and results of operations, including through an increase of lapses or surrenders of policies and withdrawal of deposits. Because a
significant percentage of our customer deposit base is originated via Internet banking, a loss of customer confidence may result in a
rapid withdrawal of deposits over the Internet.
As a result of the ongoing and unprecedented volatility in the global financial markets in 2007 and 2008, we have incurred substantial
negative revaluations on our investment portfolio, which have impacted our shareholders’ equity and earnings. During 2009 and 2010,
the revaluation reserve position improved substantially, positively impacting shareholders’ equity. Although we believe that reserves for
insurance liabilities are generally adequate at the Group, inadequacies in certain product areas have developed.
Such impacts have arisen primarily as a result of valuation issues arising in connection with our investments in real estate (both in and
outside the US) and private equity, exposures to US mortgage-related structured investment products, including sub-prime and Alt-A
Residential and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (‘RMBS’ and ‘CMBS’, respectively), Collateralised Debt Obligations (‘CDOs’) and
Collateralised Loan Obligations (‘CLOs’), monoline insurer guarantees and other investments. In many cases, the markets for investments
and instruments have been and remain highly illiquid, and issues relating to counterparty credit ratings and other factors have exacerbated
pricing and valuation uncertainties. Valuation of such investments and instruments is a complex process involving the consideration of
market transactions, pricing models, management judgment and other factors, and is also impacted by external factors such as underlying
mortgage default rates, interest rates, rating agency actions and property valuations. We continue to monitor our exposures, however
there can be no assurances that we will not experience further negative impacts to our shareholders’ equity or profit and loss accounts
in future periods.
Because we operate in highly competitive markets, including our home market, we may not be able to increase or maintain
our market share, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
There is substantial competition in the Netherlands and the other countries in which we do business for the types of insurance, commercial
banking, investment banking, asset management and other products and services we provide. Customer loyalty and retention can be
influenced by a number of factors, including relative service levels, the prices and attributes of products and services, and actions taken by
competitors. If we are not able to match or compete with the products and services offered by our competitors, it could adversely impact
our ability to maintain or further increase our market share, which would adversely affect our results of operations. Such competition is
most pronounced in our more mature markets of the Netherlands, Belgium, the Rest of Western Europe, the United States, Canada and
Australia. In recent years, however, competition in emerging markets, such as Latin America, Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, has
also increased as large insurance and banking industry participants from more developed countries have sought to establish themselves
in markets which are perceived to offer higher growth potential, and as local institutions have become more sophisticated and competitive
and have sought alliances, mergers or strategic relationships with our competitors. The Netherlands and the United States are our largest
markets for both our banking and insurance operations. Our main competitors in the banking sector in the Netherlands are ABN AMRO
Bank/Fortis and Rabobank. Our main competitors in the insurance sector in the Netherlands are Achmea, ASR and Aegon. Our main
competitors in the United States are insurance companies such as Lincoln National, Hartford, Aegon Americas, AXA, Met Life, Prudential,
Nationwide and Principal Financial. Increasing competition in these or any of our other markets may significantly impact our results if we
are unable to match the products and services offered by our competitors. Over time, certain sectors of the financial services industry have
become more concentrated, as institutions involved in a broad range of financial services have been acquired by or merged into other firms
or have declared bankruptcy. These developments could result in our competitors gaining greater access to capital and liquidity, expanding
their ranges of products and services, or gaining geographic diversity. We may experience pricing pressures as a result of these factors
in the event that some of our competitors seek to increase market share by reducing prices. In addition, under the Restructuring Plan we
have agreed to certain restrictions imposed by the EC, including with respect to our price leadership in EU banking markets and our ability
to make acquisitions of financial institutions and other businesses. See ‘– The limitations agreed with the EC on our ability to compete
and to make acquisitions or call certain debt instruments could materially impact the Group’.
Because we do business with many counterparties, the inability of these counterparties to meet their financial obligations
could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
General
Third-parties that owe us money, securities or other assets may not pay or perform under their obligations. These parties include the
issuers whose securities we hold, borrowers under loans originated, customers, trading counterparties, counterparties under swaps,
credit default and other derivative contracts, clearing agents, exchanges, clearing houses and other financial intermediaries. Defaults
by one or more of these parties on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, downturns in the economy or real estate
values, operational failure, etc., or even rumours about potential defaults by one or more of these parties or regarding the financial
services industry generally, could lead to losses for us, and defaults by other institutions. In light of experiences with significant constraints
on liquidity and high cost of funds in the interbank lending market, and given the high level of interdependence between financial
institutions, we are and will continue to be subject to the risk of deterioration of the commercial and financial soundness, or perceived
soundness, of other financial services institutions. This is particularly relevant to our franchise as an important and large counterparty
in equity, fixed-income and foreign exchange markets, including related derivatives, which exposes it to concentration risk.
We routinely execute a high volume of transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers,
commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, insurance companies and other institutional clients, resulting in large daily
settlement amounts and significant credit exposure. As a result, we face concentration risk with respect to specific counterparties and
customers. We are exposed to increased counterparty risk as a result of recent financial institution failures and weakness and will continue
to be exposed to the risk of loss if counterparty financial institutions fail or are otherwise unable to meet their obligations. A default by, or
even concerns about the creditworthiness of, one or more financial services institutions could therefore lead to further significant systemic
liquidity problems, or losses or defaults by other financial institutions.
With respect to secured transactions, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realised, or is liquidated
at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due us. We also have exposure to a number of
financial institutions in the form of unsecured debt instruments, derivative transactions and equity investments. For example, we hold
certain hybrid regulatory capital instruments issued by financial institutions which permit the issuer to defer coupon payments on the
occurrence of certain events or at their option. The EC has indicated that, in certain circumstances, it may require these financial
institutions to defer payment. If this were to happen, we expect that such instruments may experience ratings downgrades and/or a drop
in value and we may have to treat them as impaired, which could result in significant losses. There is no assurance that losses on, or
impairments to the carrying value of, these assets would not materially and adversely affect our business or results of operations.
In addition, we are subject to the risk that our rights against third parties may not be enforceable in all circumstances. The deterioration or
perceived deterioration in the credit quality of third parties whose securities or obligations we hold could result in losses and/or adversely
affect our ability to rehypothecate or otherwise use those securities or obligations for liquidity purposes. A significant downgrade in the
credit ratings of our counterparties could also have a negative impact on our income and risk weighting, leading to increased capital
requirements. While in many cases we are permitted to require additional collateral from counterparties that experience financial difficulty,
disputes may arise as to the amount of collateral we are entitled to receive and the value of pledged assets. Our credit risk may also be
exacerbated when the collateral we hold cannot be realised or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan
or derivative exposure that is due to us, which is most likely to occur during periods of illiquidity and depressed asset valuations, such
as those currently experienced. The termination of contracts and the foreclosure on collateral may subject us to claims for the improper
exercise of its rights. Bankruptcies, downgrades and disputes with counterparties as to the valuation of collateral tend to increase in
times of market stress and illiquidity.
Any of these developments or losses could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations,
liquidity and/or prospects.
Reinsurers
Our insurance operations have bought protection for risks that exceed certain risk tolerance levels set for both our life and non-life
businesses. This protection is bought through reinsurance arrangements in order to reduce possible losses. Because in most cases we
must pay the policyholders first, and then collect from the reinsurer, we are subject to credit risk with respect to each reinsurer for all such
amounts. As a percentage of our (potential) reinsurance as of 31 December 2010, the greatest exposure after collateral to an individual
external reinsurer was approximately 24%, approximately 40% related to four other external reinsurers and the remainder of the
reinsurance exposure related to various other reinsurers. The inability or unwillingness of any one of these reinsurers to meet its financial
obligations to us, or the insolvency of our reinsurers, could have a material adverse effect on our net results and our financial results.
Improving market conditions observed over the last year, may not persist and increase the risk of loans being impaired.
We are exposed to declining property values on the collateral supporting residential and commercial real estate lending.
We are exposed to the risk that our borrowers may not repay their loans according to their contractual terms and that the collateral
securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient. We may continue to see adverse changes in the credit quality of our borrowers
and counterparties, for example as a result of their inability to refinance their indebtedness, with increasing delinquencies, defaults
and insolvencies across a range of sectors. This may lead to impairment charges on loans and other assets, higher costs and additions
to loan loss provisions. A significant increase in the size of our provision for loan losses could have a material adverse effect on our
financial position and results of operations.
Economic and other factors could lead to further contraction in the residential mortgage and commercial lending market and to further
decreases in residential and commercial property prices which could generate substantial increases in impairment losses.
In addition, during periods of declining interest rates, life insurance and annuity products may be relatively more attractive to consumers,
resulting in increased premium payments on products with flexible premium features, and a higher percentage of insurance policies
remaining in force from year-to-year, creating asset liability duration mismatches. A decrease in interest rates may also require an addition
to provisions for guarantees included in life policies, as the guarantees become more valuable to policy holders. During a low interest rate
period, our investment earnings may be lower because the interest earnings on our fixed income investments will likely have declined in
parallel with market interest rates on our assets recorded at fair value. Declining interest rates may also affect the results of our reserve
adequacy testing which may in turn result in reserve strengthening. In addition, mortgages and fixed maturity securities in our investment
portfolios will be more likely to be prepaid or redeemed as borrowers seek to borrow at lower interest rates. Consequently, we may be
required to reinvest the proceeds in securities bearing lower interest rates. Accordingly, during periods of declining interest rates, our
profitability may suffer as the result of a decrease in the spread between interest rates charged to policyholders and returns on our
investment portfolios.
Conversely, in periods of rapidly increasing interest rates, policy loans, and withdrawals and surrenders of life insurance policies and fixed
annuity contracts may increase as policyholders choose to forego insurance protection and seek higher investment returns. Obtaining cash
to satisfy these obligations may require us to liquidate fixed maturity investments at a time when market prices for those assets are
depressed because of increases in interest rates. This may result in realised investment losses. Regardless of whether we realise an
investment loss, these cash payments would result in a decrease in total invested assets, and may decrease our net income. Premature
withdrawals may also cause us to accelerate amortisation of deferred policy acquisition costs, which would also reduce our net income.
We may incur losses due to failures of banks falling under the scope of state compensation schemes.
In the Netherlands and other jurisdictions deposit guarantee schemes and similar funds (‘Compensation Schemes’) have been implemented
from which compensation may become payable to customers of financial services firms in the event the financial service firm is unable to
pay, or unlikely to pay, claims against it. In many jurisdictions in which we operate, these Compensation Schemes are funded, directly or
indirectly, by financial services firms which operate and/or are licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. As a result of the increased number of
bank failures, in particular since the fall of 2008, we expect that levies in the industry will continue to rise as a result of the Compensation
Schemes. In particular, we are a participant in the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which guarantees an amount of EUR 100,000 per
person per bank (regardless of the number of accounts held). The costs involved with making compensation payments under the Dutch
Deposit Guarantee Scheme are allocated among the participating banks by the Dutch Central Bank, De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. (the
‘DNB’), based on an allocation key related to their market shares with respect to the deposits protected by the Dutch Deposit Guarantee
Schemes. Given our size we may incur significant compensation payments to be made under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which
we may be unable to recover from the bankrupt estate. The ultimate costs to the industry of payments which may become due under the
Compensation Schemes, remains uncertain although they may be significant and these and the associated costs to us may have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Going forward the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme may change from
an ex-post scheme, where we contribute after the failure of a firm, to an ex-ante scheme where we pay yearly contributions to ensure the
scheme holds a target level of fund regardless of whether any failures occur. The costs associated with potential future yearly contributions
are today unknown, but given our size may be significant.
Developing an effective strategy for dealing with these risks is complex, and no strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated
with those fluctuations. Our hedging strategies also rely on assumptions and projections regarding our assets, general market factors and
the credit worthiness of our counterparties that may prove to be incorrect or prove to be inadequate. Accordingly, our hedging activities
may not have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or financial condition. Poorly designed strategies or improperly
executed transactions could actually increase our risks and losses. If we terminate a hedging arrangement, we may also be required to pay
additional costs, such as transaction fees or breakage costs. There have been periods in the past, and it is likely that there will be periods in
the future, during which we have incurred or may incur losses on transactions, perhaps significant, after taking into account our hedging
strategies. Further, the nature and timing of our hedging transactions could actually increase our risk and losses. In addition, hedging
strategies involve transaction costs and other costs. Our hedging strategies and the derivatives that we use and may use may not
adequately mitigate or offset the risk of interest rate volatility, and our hedging transactions may result in losses.
Because we use assumptions about factors, the use of different assumptions about these factors may have an adverse
impact on our results of operations.
The establishment of insurance provisions, including the impact of minimum guarantees which are contained within certain variable annuity
products, the adequacy test performed on the provisions for life policies and the establishment of Deferred Acquisition Costs (DAC) and
Value of Business Acquired (VOBA) are inherently uncertain processes involving assumptions about factors such as court decisions, changes
in laws, social, economic and demographic trends, inflation, investment returns, policyholder behaviour (e.g., lapses, persistency, etc.) and
other factors, and, in the life insurance business, assumptions concerning mortality, longevity and morbidity trends. The use of different
assumptions about these factors could have a material effect on insurance provisions and underwriting expense. Changes in assumptions
may lead to changes in the insurance provisions over time. Furthermore, some of these assumptions can be volatile.
Because we use assumptions to model client behaviour for the purpose of our market risk calculations, the difference
between the realisation and the assumptions may have an adverse impact on the risk figures and future results.
We use assumptions in order to model client behaviour for the risk calculations in our banking and insurance books. Assumptions are
used to determine insurance liabilities, the price sensitivity of savings and current accounts and to estimate the embedded optional risk
in the mortgage and investment portfolios. The realisation or use of different assumptions to determine the client behaviour could have
material adverse effect on the calculated risk figures and ultimately future results.
ING Insurance has a significant exposure to the take up of policy options by policyholders. The exposure is greatest for variable annuity
business with guarantees deeply in-the-money, policyholder behaviour is difficult to predict and small changes in the proportion of
policyholders taking up an option can have a significant financial impact. Furthermore, assumptions about policyholder behaviour
are sometimes made for new insurance business without a substantial amount of experiential data. These assumptions may prove
imperfect, which can have a material impact on results.
We may incur further liabilities in respect of our defined benefit retirement plans if the value of plan assets is not sufficient to
cover potential obligations, including as a result of differences between results and underlying actuarial assumptions and models.
ING Group companies operate various defined benefit retirement plans covering a significant number of our employees. The liability
recognised in our consolidated balance sheet in respect of our defined benefit plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligations
at the balance sheet date, less the fair value of each plan’s assets, together with adjustments for unrecognised actuarial gains and losses
and unrecognised past service costs. We determine our defined benefit plan obligations based on internal and external actuarial models
and calculations using the projected unit credit method. Inherent in these actuarial models are assumptions including discount rates,
rates of increase in future salary and benefit levels, mortality rates, trend rates in health care costs, consumer price index, and the
expected return on plan assets. These assumptions are based on available market data and the historical performance of plan assets,
and are updated annually. Nevertheless, the actuarial assumptions may differ significantly from actual results due to changes in market
conditions, economic and mortality trends and other assumptions. Any changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact
on our present and future liabilities to and costs associated with our defined benefit retirement plans.
Our risk management policies and guidelines may prove inadequate for the risks we face.
The methods we use to manage, estimate and measure risk are partly based on historic market behaviour. The methods may, therefore,
prove to be inadequate for predicting future risk exposure, which may be significantly greater than what is suggested by historic
experience. For instance, these methods did not predict the losses seen in the stressed conditions in recent periods, and may also not
adequately allow prediction of circumstances arising due to the government interventions and stimulus packages, which increase the
difficulty of evaluating risks. Other methods for risk management are based on evaluation of information regarding markets, customers
or other information that is publicly known or otherwise available to us. Such information may not always be correct, updated or
correctly evaluated.
We are subject to a variety of regulatory risks as a result of our operations in certain countries.
In certain countries in which we operate, judiciary and dispute resolution systems may be less developed. As a result in case of a breach of
contract we may have difficulties in making and enforcing claims against contractual counterparties and, if claims are made against us, we
might encounter difficulties in mounting a defence against such allegations. If we become party to legal proceedings in a market with an
insufficiently developed judiciary system, it could have an adverse effect on our operations and net result.
In addition, as a result of our operations in certain countries, we are subject to risks of possible nationalisation, expropriation, price
controls, exchange controls and other restrictive government actions, as well as the outbreak of hostilities, in these markets. In addition,
the current economic environment in certain of these countries in which we operate may increase the likelihood for regulatory initiatives to
protect homeowners from foreclosures. Any such regulatory initiative could have an adverse impact on our ability to protect our economic
interest in the event of defaults on residential mortgages.
Because we are continually developing new financial products, we might be faced with claims that could have an adverse
effect on our operations and net result if clients’ expectations are not met.
When new financial products are brought to the market, communication and marketing aims to present a balanced view of the product
(however there is a focus on potential advantages for the customers). Whilst we engage in a due diligence process when we develop
products, if the products do not generate the expected profit, or result in a loss, or otherwise do not meet expectations, customers
may file claims against us. Such claims could have an adverse effect on our operations and net result.
Ratings are important to our business for a number of reasons. Downgrades could have an adverse impact on our
operations and net results.
We have credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, Moody’s Investor Service and Fitch Ratings. Each of the rating agencies
reviews its ratings and rating methodologies on a recurring basis and may decide on a downgrade at any time. In the event of a
downgrade the cost of issuing debt will increase, having an adverse effect on net results. Certain institutional investors may also
be obliged to withdraw their deposits from ING following a downgrade, which could have an adverse effect on our liquidity.
Claims paying ability, at the Group or subsidiary level, and financial strength ratings are factors in establishing the competitive position
of insurers. A rating downgrade could elevate lapses or surrenders of policies requiring cash payments, which might force us to sell assets
at a price that may result in realised investment losses. Among others, total invested assets decreases and deferred acquisition costs might
need to be accelerated, adversely impacting earnings. A downgrade may adversely impact relationships with distributors of our products
and services and customers, which may affect new sales and our competitive position.
Furthermore, ING Bank’s assets are risk weighted. Downgrades of these assets could result in a higher risk weighting which may result in
higher capital requirements. This may impact net earnings and the return on capital, and may have an adverse impact on our competitive
position. For ING’s insurance businesses in a number of jurisdictions, such as the US and the EU, downgrades of assets will similarly affect
the capital requirements for ING Insurance in those jurisdictions.
A significant and sustained increase in inflation has historically also been associated with decreased prices for equity securities and sluggish
performance of equity markets generally. A sustained decline in equity markets may
(1) result in impairment charges to equity securities that we hold in our investment portfolios and reduced levels of unrealised capital
gains available to us which would reduce our net income and negatively impact our solvency position,
(2) negatively impact performance, future sales and surrenders of our unit-linked products where underlying investments are often
allocated to equity funds, and
(3) negatively impact the ability of our asset management subsidiaries to retain and attract assets under management, as well as the
value of assets they do manage, which may negatively impact their results of operations.
In addition, in the context of certain property & casualty risks underwritten by our insurance subsidiaries (particularly ‘long-tail’ risks),
a sustained increase in inflation with a resulting increase in market interest rates may result in (1) claims inflation (i.e., an increase in the
amount ultimately paid to settle claims several years after the policy coverage period or event giving rise to the claim), coupled with (2) an
underestimation of corresponding claims reserves at the time of establishment due to a failure to fully anticipate increased inflation and its
effect on the amounts ultimately payable to policyholders, and, consequently, (3) actual claims payments significantly exceeding associated
insurance reserves which would negatively impact our results of operations. In addition, a failure to accurately anticipate higher inflation
and factor it into our product pricing assumptions may result in a systemic mispricing of our products resulting in underwriting losses
which would negatively impact our results of operations.
We have suffered losses from operational risk in the past and there can be no assurance that we will not suffer material losses from
operational risk in the future.
Reinsurance may not be available, affordable or adequate to protect us against losses. We may also decide to reduce,
eliminate or decline primary insurance or reinsurance coverage.
As part of our overall risk and capacity management strategy we purchase reinsurance for certain risks underwritten by our various
insurance business segments. Market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection we
purchase. Accordingly, we may be forced to incur additional expenses for reinsurance or may not be able to obtain sufficient reinsurance
on acceptable terms, which could adversely affect our ability to write future business.
In addition, we determine the appropriate level of primary insurance and reinsurance coverage based on a number of factors and from
time to time decide to reduce, eliminate or decline coverage based on our assessment of the costs and benefits involved. In such cases,
the uninsured risk remains with us.
Our business may be negatively affected by adverse publicity, regulatory actions or litigation with respect to us,
other well-known companies or the financial services industry in general.
Adverse publicity and damage to our reputation arising from our failure or perceived failure to comply with legal and regulatory
requirements, financial reporting irregularities involving other large and well known companies, increasing regulatory and law enforcement
scrutiny of ‘know your customer’ anti-money laundering, prohibited transactions with countries subject to sanctions, and bribery or other
anti-corruption measures and anti-terrorist-financing procedures and their effectiveness, regulatory investigations of the mutual fund,
banking and insurance industries, and litigation that arises from the failure or perceived failure by us to comply with legal, regulatory and
compliance requirements, could result in adverse publicity and reputation harm, lead to increased regulatory supervision, affect our ability
to attract and retain customers, maintain access to the capital markets, result in cease and desist orders, suits, enforcement actions, fines
and civil and criminal penalties, other disciplinary action or have other material adverse effects on us in ways that are not predictable.
The implementation of the Restructuring Plan and the divestments anticipated in connection with that plan will significantly
alter the size and structure of the Group and involve significant costs and uncertainties that could materially impact the Group.
In November 2008 the Dutch State purchased the Core Tier 1 Securities, and in the first quarter of 2009 we entered into the Illiquid
Asset Back-up Facility (IABF) with the Dutch State. As a result of having received state aid through the Dutch State Transactions, we were
required to submit a restructuring plan (the ‘Restructuring Plan’) to the EC in connection with obtaining final approval for the Dutch State
Transactions under the EC state aid rules. On 26 October 2009, we announced our Restructuring Plan, pursuant to which we are required
to divest by the end of 2013 all of our insurance business, including the investment management business, as well as ING Direct US, which
operates our direct banking business in the United States, and certain portions of our retail banking business in the Netherlands. The EC’s
approval of the Restructuring Plan was issued on 18 November 2009. On 28 January 2010 ING lodged an appeal with the General Court
of the European Union (the ‘General Court’) against specific elements of the EC’s decision regarding the Restructuring Plan. Although we
believe in the merit of our appeal lodged with the General Court of the European Union, there can be no assurance as to its success or
as to any consequences resulting from its rejection. Notwithstanding this appeal, we are committed executing the Restructuring Plan as
announced on 26 October 2009.
In connection with the Restructuring Plan, we have also agreed to not be a price leader in certain EU markets with respect to certain retail,
private and direct banking products and to refrain from (i) acquisitions of financial institutions and (ii) acquisitions of other businesses if this
would delay our repurchase of the remaining Core Tier 1 Securities. Those limitations may last until 18 November 2012 and could adversely
affect our ability to maintain or grow market share in key markets as well as our results of operations. See ‘Risks Related to the Group –
The limitations agreed with the EC on our ability to compete and to make acquisitions or call certain debt instruments could materially
impact the Group’.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to implement the Restructuring Plan successfully or complete the announced divestments
on favourable terms or at all, particularly in light of both the plan’s 2013 deadline and expected challenging market conditions in which
other financial institutions may place similar assets for sale during the same time period and may seek to dispose of assets in the same
manner. Any failure to successfully implement the Restructuring Plan may result in EC enforcement actions and may have a material
adverse impact on the assets, profitability, capital adequacy and business operations of the Group. Moreover, in connection with the
implementation of the Restructuring Plan, including any proposed divestments, we or potential buyers may need to obtain various
approvals, including of shareholders, works councils and regulatory and competition authorities, and we and potential buyers may face
difficulties in obtaining these approvals in a timely manner or at all. In addition, the implementation of the Restructuring Plan may strain
relations with our employees, and specific proposals in connection with the implementation may be opposed by labour unions or works
councils. Furthermore, following the announcement of the Restructuring Plan, several of our subsidiaries have been downgraded or put on
credit watch by rating agencies. See ‘Risks Related to the Group – Ratings are important to our business for a number of reasons.
Downgrades could have an adverse impact on our operations and net results’.
Other factors that may impede our ability to implement the Restructuring Plan successfully include an inability of prospective purchasers
to obtain funding due to the deterioration of the credit markets, insufficient access to equity capital markets, a general unwillingness of
prospective purchasers to commit capital in the current market environment, antitrust concerns, any adverse changes in market interest
rates or other borrowing costs and any declines in the value of the assets to be divested. Similarly, it may also be difficult to divest all or
part of our insurance or investment management business through one or more initial public offerings. There can also be no assurance
that we could obtain favourable pricing for a sale of all or part of our insurance or investment management business in the public markets
or succeed in turning the relevant subsidiaries into viable standalone businesses. A divestment may also release less regulatory capital than
we would otherwise expect.
Any failure to complete the divestments on favourable terms, could have a material adverse impact on our assets, profitability, capital
adequacy and business operations. If we are unable to complete the announced divestments in a timely manner, we would be required
to find alternative ways to reduce our leverage, and we could be subject to enforcement actions or proceedings by the EC. In particular,
if we do not succeed in completing divestitures as described in the Restructuring Plan within the timelines set out therein, the EC may
request the Dutch State to appoint a divestiture trustee with a mandate to complete the relevant divestiture with no minimum price.
The implementation of the divestments announced in connection with the Restructuring Plan, including the separation of the insurance
and most of the investment management operations from the banking operations, will also give rise to additional costs related to the legal
and financial assessment of potential transactions. The implementation may also result in increased operating and administrative costs.
The process of completing the steps contemplated by the Restructuring Plan may be disruptive to our business and the businesses we are
trying to sell and may cause an interruption or reduction of our business and the businesses to be sold as a result of, among other factors,
the loss of key employees or customers and the diversion of management’s attention from our day-to-day business as a result of the need
to manage the divestment process as well as any disruptions or difficulties that arise during the course of the divestment process. We may
face other difficulties in implementing the Restructuring Plan and completing the planned divestments. For instance, the divestments,
individually or in the aggregate, may trigger provisions in various contractual obligations, including debt instruments, which could require
us to modify, restructure or refinance the related obligations. We may not be able to effect any such restructuring or refinancing on similar
terms as the current contractual obligations or at all. In addition, the announced divestments could be the subject of challenges or
litigation, and a court could delay any of the divestment transactions or prohibit them from occurring on their proposed terms, or from
occurring at all, which could adversely affect our ability to use the funds of the divestments to repurchase the Core Tier 1 Securities,
reduce or eliminate our double leverage and strengthen our capital ratios as anticipated and eliminate the constraints on competition
imposed by the EC.
The limitations agreed with the EC on our ability to compete and to make acquisitions or call certain debt instruments
could materially impact the Group.
As part of our Restructuring Plan, we have undertaken with the EC to accept certain limitations on our ability to compete in certain
retail, private and direct banking markets in the European Union and on our ability to acquire (i) financial institutions and (ii) businesses
insofar this would delay our repurchase of the remaining Core Tier 1 Securities held by the Dutch State. These restrictions apply until
the earlier of (1) 18 November 2012, and (2) the date upon which we repurchase all remaining Core Tier 1 Securities held by the Dutch
State. We have also agreed to limitations on our ability to call Tier 2 capital and Tier 1 hybrid debt instruments. If the EC does not approve
the calling of Tier 2 capital and Tier 1 hybrid debt instruments in the future, this may have adverse consequences for us, result in additional
payments on these instruments and limit our ability to seek refinancing on more favourable terms. The limitations described above will
impose significant restrictions on our banking business operations and on our ability to take advantage of market conditions and growth
opportunities. Such restrictions could adversely affect our ability to maintain or grow market share in key markets, as well as our results
of operations.
Upon the implementation of the Restructuring Plan, we will be less diversified and may experience competitive
and other disadvantages.
Following completion of the planned divestments under the Restructuring Plan, we expect to become a significantly smaller, regional
financial institution focused on retail, direct and commercial banking in the Benelux region and certain other parts of Europe, as well
as selected markets outside Europe. Although we will remain focused on banking operations, we may become a smaller bank than that
represented by our current banking operations. In the highly competitive Benelux market and the other markets in which we operate,
our competitors may be larger, more diversified and better capitalised and have greater geographical reach than us, which could have
a material adverse effect on our ability to compete, as well as on our profitability. The divested businesses may also compete with the
retained businesses, on their own or as part of the purchasers’ enlarged businesses. In addition, the restrictions on our ability to be a
price leader and make acquisitions and on our compensation policies could further hinder our capacity to compete with competitors
not burdened with such restrictions, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. There can be no assurance
that the implementation of the Restructuring Plan will not have a material adverse effect on the market share, business and growth
opportunities and results of operations for our remaining core banking businesses.
Our Restructuring Programs may not yield intended reductions in costs, risk and leverage.
On 26 October 2009, we announced that we had reached an agreement with the EC on the Restructuring Plan. Projected cost savings
and impact on our risk profile and capital associated with these initiatives are subject to a variety of risks, including:
• contemplated costs to effect these initiatives may exceed estimates;
• divestments planned in connection with the Restructuring Plan may not yield the level of net proceeds expected, as described under
‘Risks Related to the Group – The implementation of the Restructuring Plan and the divestments anticipated in connection with that
plan will significantly alter the size and structure of the Group and involve significant costs and uncertainties that could materially
impact the Group’;
• initiatives we are contemplating may require consultation with various regulators as well as employees and labor representatives,
and such consultations may influence the timing, costs and extent of expected savings;
• the loss of skilled employees in connection with the initiatives; and
• projected savings may fall short of targets.
While we have begun and expect to continue to implement these strategies, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so
successfully or that we will realise the projected benefits of these and other restructuring and cost saving initiatives. If we are unable to
realise these anticipated cost reductions, our business may be adversely affected. Moreover, our continued implementation of restructuring
and cost saving initiatives may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our agreements with the Dutch State impose certain restrictions regarding the issuance or repurchase of our shares
and the compensation of certain senior management positions.
For so long as the Dutch State holds at least 25% of the Core Tier 1 Securities, for so long as the IABF is in place, or for so long as any of
the government guaranteed senior unsecured bonds issued by ING Bank N.V. under the Credit Guarantee Scheme of the Netherlands (the
‘Government Guaranteed Bonds’) are outstanding, we are prohibited from issuing or repurchasing any of our own shares (other than as
part of regular hedging operations and the issuance of shares according to employment schemes) without the consent of the Dutch State’s
nominees on the Supervisory Board. In addition, under the terms of the Core Tier 1 Securities and IABF, we have agreed to institute certain
restrictions on the compensation of the members of the Executive Board and senior management, including incentives or performance-
based compensation. These restrictions could hinder or prevent us from attracting or retaining the most qualified management with the
talent and experience to manage our business effectively. In connection with these transactions, the Dutch State was granted the right
to nominate two candidates for appointment to the Supervisory Board. The Dutch State’s nominees have veto rights over certain material
transactions. Our agreements with the Dutch State have also led to certain restrictions imposed by the EC as part of the Restructuring
Plan, including with respect to our price leadership in EU banking markets and our ability to make acquisitions of financial institutions and
other businesses. See ‘Risks Related to the Group – The limitations agreed with the EC on our ability to compete and to make acquisitions
or call certain debt instruments could materially impact the Group’.
Whenever the overall return on the (remaining) Core Tier 1 securities issued to the Dutch State is expected to be lower than
10% p.a., the European Commission may consider the imposition of additional behavioural constraints.
As stated in the decision of the European Commission of 12 November 2008 (in State aid N 528/2008 – The Netherlands), the Core Tier 1
state-aid measure must be (re)notified to the European Commission by the Dutch authorities whenever the overall return on the Core Tier 1
Securities is expected to be lower than 10% p.a. Such (re)notification by the Dutch authorities is particularly required (i) when ING abstains
from paying dividend on its shares for a period of two consecutive years or for three years in the five years following the date of the
aforementioned decision or (ii) if after a transition period of one year following the date of the aforementioned decision, the share price
over a period of two consecutive years remains on average below EUR 13. In such cases, the European Commission may require additional
behavioural constraints as a condition of the compatibility of the measure.
Because we are a Dutch company and because the Stichting ING Aandelen holds more than 99.9% of our ordinary shares,
the rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights of shareholders in other jurisdictions or companies that do not
use a similar trust structure, which could affect your rights as a shareholder.
While holders of our bearer depositary receipts are entitled to attend and speak at our General Meeting of Shareholders (‘General
Meeting’), voting rights are not attached to the bearer depositary receipts. The Trust holds more than 99.9% of our ordinary shares, and
exercises the voting rights attached to the ordinary shares (for which bearer depositary receipts have been issued). Holders of bearer
depositary receipts who attend – in person or by proxy – the General Meeting must obtain and are entitled to voting rights by proxy from
the Trust. Holders of bearer depositary receipts and holders of the ADSs (American depositary shares) representing the bearer depositary
receipts who do not attend the General Meeting may give binding voting instructions to the Trust. The Trust is entitled to vote on any
ordinary shares underlying the bearer depositary receipts for which the Trust has not granted voting proxies, or voting instructions have
not been given to the Trust. In exercising its voting discretion, the Trust is required to be guided primarily by the interests of the holders of
bearer depositary receipts, while also taking into account:
• our interests, and
• the interests of our affiliates.
The Trust may, but has no obligation to, consult with the holders of bearer depositary receipts in exercising its voting rights in respect of
any ordinary shares for which it is entitled to vote. These arrangements differ from practices in other jurisdictions, and accordingly may
affect the rights of the holders of bearer depositary receipts and their power to affect ING’s business and operations.
The share price of ING shares has been, and may continue to be, volatile.
The share price of our bearer depositary receipts has been volatile in the past, and the share price and trading volume of our bearer
depositary receipts may continue to be subject to significant fluctuations due, in part, to changes in our actual or forecast operating results
and the inability to fulfil the profit expectations of securities analysts, as well as to the high volatility in the securities markets generally and
more particularly in shares of financial institutions. Other factors, besides our financial results, that may impact our share price include, but
are not limited to:
• market expectations of the performance and capital adequacy of financial institutions in general;
• investor perception of the success and impact of our strategies;
• a downgrade or review of our credit ratings;
• the implementation and outcome of our Restructuring Plan;
• potential litigation or regulatory action involving ING or sectors we have exposure to through our insurance and banking activities;
• announcements concerning financial problems or any investigations into the accounting practices of other financial institutions; and
• general market circumstances.
There can be no assurance that we will pay dividends on our ordinary shares in the future.
It is ING’s policy to pay dividends in relation to the long-term underlying development of cash earnings. Dividends can only be declared
by shareholders when the Executive Board considers such dividends appropriate, taking into consideration the financial conditions then
prevailing and the longer-term outlook. Given the uncertain financial environment, ING will not pay a dividend over 2010 and there can be
no assurance that we will pay dividends in the future.
Certain transactions have resulted in the cumulative change in ownership of our U.S. subsidiaries of approximately 43%
for U.S. tax purposes as of 21 December 2009. Future increases of capital or other changes in ownership may adversely
affect our net result and equity.
Sections 382 and 383 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code contain loss limitation rules, the general purpose of which is to prevent
trafficking in tax losses (i.e. they are anti-abuse rules). The rules are triggered when the ownership of a corporation changes by more
than 50% (measured by value) on a cumulative basis in any three-year period. If triggered, restrictions may be imposed on the future
use of realised tax losses as well as certain losses that are built into the assets of the corporation at the time of the ownership change
and that are realised within the next five years. As of 21 December 2009, the cumulative change in ownership of our U.S. subsidiaries
was approximately 43% for purposes of Sections 382 and 383 (taking into account the issuance of the Core Tier 1 Securities to the
Dutch State on 12 November 2008, the repurchase of some of the Core Tier 1 Securities on 21 December 2009, and the issuance of
Ordinary shares on 21 December 2009). However, the calculation is subject to uncertainties and is based on various assumptions.
Future increasesof capital or other changes in ownership may adversely affect our net result and equity.
The remaining Core Tier 1 Securities issued to the Dutch State may be converted into ordinary shares or bearer depositary
receipts and dilute existing shareholders.
The terms of the Core Tier 1 Securities permit us, on or after 12 November 2011, to convert any or all of the remaining Core Tier 1
Securities (EUR 5 billion per year end 2010) into ordinary shares or bearer depositary receipts on the basis of one core Tier 1 security
for 1,335 ordinary shares or bearer depositary receipts. Any such conversion would dilute existing shareholders. If we exercise our
conversion right, the Dutch State may opt to require us to redeem the Core Tier 1 Securities on the conversion date at the original issue
price of EUR 10 per Core Tier 1 Security, together with the pro rata coupon, if due, accrued to such date.
Certain holders of ING shares may not be able to participate in future equity offerings with subscription rights.
We may undertake future equity offerings with subscription rights. Holders of ING shares in certain jurisdictions, however, may not be
entitled to exercise such rights unless the rights and the related shares are registered or qualified for sale under the relevant legislation
or regulatory framework. Holders of ING shares in these jurisdictions may suffer dilution of their shareholding should they not be
permitted to participate in future equity offerings with subscription rights.
Financial glossary
A qualifying insurance policy is an insurance policy issued by an PROJECTED UNIT CREDIT METHOD
insurer that is not a related party of the reporting enterprise, An actuarial valuation method that considers each period of service
if the proceeds of the policy: as giving rise to an additional unit of benefit entitlement and
• can be used only to pay or fund employee benefits under measures each unit separately to build up the final obligation.
a defined benefit plan; and
• are not available to the reporting enterprise’s own creditors QUALIFYING ASSET (WITHIN THE MEANING OF
(even in bankruptcy) and cannot be paid to the reporting BORROWING COSTS)
enterprise, unless either the proceeds represent surplus assets An asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get
that are not needed for the policy to meet all the related ready for its intended use or sale.
employee benefit obligations or the proceeds are returned
to the reporting enterprise to reimburse it for employee RECOGNITION
benefits already paid. The process of incorporating in the balance sheet or profit and loss
account an item that meets the definition of an element and
POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS satisfies the following criteria for recognition:
Formal or informal arrangements under which a company • it is probable that any future economic benefit associated
provides post-employment benefits for one or more employees. with the item will flow to or from the enterprise; and
Post-employment benefits are employee benefits other than • the item has a cost or value that can be measured reliably.
termination benefits and equity compensation benefits, which
are payable after the completion of employment. RECOVERABLE AMOUNT
The higher of an asset’s net selling price and its value in use.
PREFERENCE SHARE
Similar to an ordinary share but carries certain preferential rights. REDEMPTION VALUE
These rights usually concern the guarantee of a fixed (cumulative) With respect to investments in fixed-interest securities, the amount
return to the shareholder or a guaranteed return on the investment. payable on the maturity date.
TIER 1 RATIO
Reflecting the Tier 1 capital of ING Bank as a percentage of its
total risk weighted assets. The minimum set by the Dutch central
bank is 4%.
TRADING PORTFOLIO
Comprises those financial instruments which are held to obtain
short-term transaction results, to facilitate transactions on behalf
of clients or to hedge other positions in the trading portfolio.
TRANSFER RISK
Probability of loss due to currency conversion (exchange)
restrictions imposed by a foreign government that make
it impossible to move money out of the country.
General information
Disclaimer
Certain of the statements contained in this Annual Report that are not historical
facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future
expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on
management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to
differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual
results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or
implied in such statements due to, without limitation: (1) changes in general
economic conditions, in particular economic conditions in ING’s core markets,
(2) changes in performance of financial markets, including developing markets,
(3) the implementation of ING’s restructuring plan to separate banking and
insurance operations, (4) changes in the availability of, and costs associated
with, sources of liquidity such as interbank funding, as well as conditions
in the credit markets generally, including changes in borrower and counterparty
creditworthiness, (5) the frequency and severity of insured loss events, (6)
changes affecting mortality and morbidity levels and trends, (7) changes
affecting persistency levels, (8) changes affecting interest rate levels, (9) changes
affecting currency exchange rates, (10) changes in general competitive factors,
(11) changes in laws and regulations, (12) changes in the policies of governments
and/or regulatory authorities, (13) conclusions with regard to purchase
accounting assumptions and methodologies, (14) changes in ownership that
could affect the future availability to us of net operating loss, net capital and
built-in loss carry forwards, (15) ING’s ability to achieve projected operational
synergies, and (16) the move towards fair value accounting for Guaranteed
Minimum Withdrawal Benefits for the Insurance US Closed Block VA business
line. ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.
ING PUBLICATIONS
– Annual Report, in Dutch and English
– Annual Report on Form 20-F, in English
(in accordance with SEC guidelines)
DESIGNED BY
Addison Corporate Marketing, London
PRINTED BY
Drukkerij Tesink, Zutphen
2010
Shaping our future
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