ING's Broker-Dealers Launch New Technology Platform for Reps

ING announced today the launch of ING SmartWorks(SM), a comprehensive, integrated technology platform for financial professionals within its broker-dealers. ING SmartWorks integrates a variety of tools planners use to assist their clients and run their practices, including:

   - customer information (downloadable to other formats)
   - commission reports
   - financial planning software (MoneyGuidePro™)
   - market and mutual fund information (Morningstar® investment and
     analysis tools)
   - contact management and calendar software
   - client and account filters and search functions

"Technology has become so abundant and complex that many financial professionals are spending increasing amount of time on systems," said John Simmers, CEO, of ING Advisors Network. "With ING SmartWorks, we bring the tools and data together to make it easier for them to do business and focus on their clients."

The platform features the ability for a single sign-on for multiple applications. That feature is extended further when reps are working within client records, allowing them to jump immediately to client information within a second application. Similarly, the platform allows the rep to share data within multiple systems, enabling them to change client information in multiple applications by entering the data once.

The company plans to roll-out additional enhancements approximately every four-to-six months for the foreseeable future. Upcoming enhancements include: enhanced single sign-on features, brokerage alert system, on-line account opening, and OSJ approvals and compliance reporting.

"This is a long-term commitment on behalf of ING Advisors Network to bring best-in-class technology to the desks of our advisors," added Simmers. "With this project, we were able to leverage the size of the network and the strength of ING to benefit our affiliated financial professionals much more efficiently than we could have as a stand-alone broker-dealer."

ING SmartWorks is being introduced to Financial Network Investment Corporation, ING Financial Partners and Multi-Financial Securities Corporation. ING will also introduce the platform to ING Financial Advisers, LLC over the next month.

About the broker-dealers of ING

ING Advisors Network is an independent broker-dealer network consisting of Financial Network Investment Corporation, ING Financial Partners, Inc., Multi- Financial Securities Corporation and PRIMEVEST Financial Services, Inc. With approximately 9,000 financial professionals, these four firms specialize in financial planning, asset management, insurance, and third-party bank marketing.

ING Financial Advisers, LLC is an ING-affiliated broker-dealer with 700 registered representatives who work closely with ING's retirement business. All of the broker-dealers are SIPC and NASD members.

About ING:

ING Group is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to more than 60 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of more than 112,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.

In the U.S., ING offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients that includes retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, life insurance, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. Currently, ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves more than 14 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com .

Media inquiries: Phil Margolis, ING USFS, 860-723-4783 - phil.margolis@us.ing.com

SOURCE: ING U.S. Financial Services

CONTACT: Phil Margolis of ING USFS, +1-860-723-4783, or
phil.margolis@us.ing.com

Web site: http://www.ing.com/