1,000,000 ING DIRECT Customers -- And Counting -- Find a Better Way to Save.

Business Editors/Banking Writers

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2001

The enormous success of ING DIRECT around the globe hit a new milestone this month when the one millionth worldwide customer opened an account with ING DIRECT.

"We offer a simple proposition: do you want good value at a safe place to put your money with no hassles, or do you want to be nickeled-and-dimed to death at traditional banks who pay a very low rate of return?" says Arkadi Kuhlmann, President and CEO of ING DIRECT U.S.A., who started the first ING DIRECT in Toronto, Canada in 1997. "Saving at a traditional bank is a good deal for the bank. Saving with us offers a good deal for the consumer."

"The high value and great deals ING DIRECT's products offer can't be matched by traditional banks, no matter what country you're in. One million customers have discovered an easier, simpler way to save money. They've discovered the real value of ING DIRECT - simple solutions to help consumers save money on financial services. It's very gratifying to see the success of the ING DIRECT model around the world."

Following Canada, ING DIRECT has spread to Australia, France, Spain, the U.S. and Italy.

"I knew when we started ING DIRECT that consumers would flock to us, and it's easy to understand why. Banking has gotten too complicated; that's mostly the fault of bankers. Consumers the world-over are looking for simplicity in all areas of their lives including financial services, and that's what we're good at. I can't wait until we reach two million customers."

Since its launch in September 2000, ING DIRECT U.S.A. has seen more than 100,000 Americans open accounts. "It's especially gratifying to see Americans discovering a new way to save using our Orange products," Kuhlmann notes.

"Culturally, Americans aren't as prone to saving as people in some other countries. Part of that is due, in part, to banks who've encouraged spending through creative credit card offers or the bundling of financial services. That's fine if you need those, but will you have the money when the bill comes due? It's critically important to save for emergencies, a tuition, a vacation or whatever the need is. Savings helps consumers reach their dreams quicker."

Headquartered in Wilmington, DE, ING DIRECT is the operating name of ING Bank, fsb (Member FDIC), a federally chartered savings bank, and part of ING Group (NYSE:ING), one of the largest financial services institutions in the world. ING DIRECT has more than 100,000 customers and more than $1.4 billion in assets as of March 31, 2001.

For product information or to open an account, visit ingdirect.com or call 1-800-ING-DIRECT.