After the ECB takes over supervision of Europe’s biggest banks in November
such barriers may fall. But ING is leaving nothing to chance. Its focus is on increasing loans in markets where savings are plentiful, especially to consumers and smaller firms. The approach is bearing fruit in Germany and in its infancy in Spain. ING no longer has the element of surprise; most banks are investing billions in technology. But having restructured in record time, it may be quicker off the blocks.