ING Adds 10 Annuity Wholesalers to Financial Institution Distribution Channel

Attracted by the growth potential for variable, fixed, and index annuities sales in banks and other financial institutions, ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (ING Annuities), part of ING U.S. Financial Services, today announced the addition of 10 wholesalers dedicated exclusively to the financial institution distribution channel.

Adding wholesalers is the initial phase in an ambitious growth campaign for ING Annuities that focuses on increasing its share of annuity sales through banks. With 25 wholesalers dedicated to this distribution channel, ING now has one of the industry's largest bank-focused wholesaling units.

"ING has strong market positions in the Independent and Wirehouse channels, and we will continue to reinforce those strong positions," said Jim McInnis, president, ING Annuities Distribution. "However, we believe the bank channel presents attractive and unique growth opportunities for ING Annuities, and we are aligning our structure to sufficiently serve our existing bank partners, and future relationships that we are establishing."

The 10 new wholesalers were added into the Financial Institution Division from one of ING Annuities' niche wholesaling units; therefore the wholesalers have extensive knowledge of ING's value proposition, vast industry experience, and have integrated seamlessly into the Financial Institution Division. ING Annuities also expanded its core GoldenSelect Wholesaling unit that focuses on the Independent channel, and its Wirehouse channel by consolidating the talent from its niche wholesaling unit.

"ING has always had a comprehensive annuity product portfolio that is appealing to banks; now we have expanded wholesaling support, which will enhance the sales support and the service levels we're providing our bank partners," said John Harline, senior vice president, Financial Institution Division, ING Annuities. "We are confident that the breadth and depth of ING's annuity product portfolio, combined with exceptional and more expansive wholesaling talent is key to ING's growth - but more importantly, key to the growth of our bank partners, which is our primary focus."

ING Annuities' combination of wholesaling support, a comprehensive product portfolio, and training and education tools allows ING to meet financial institutions' needs regardless of size.

ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (ING Annuities), a Top-10 seller of both fixed and variable annuities through financial professionals, strives to develop a broad range of innovative annuity products and services to serve the retirement and long-term financial needs of Americans. ING Annuities' mission is to provide financial professionals the products, information and resources to help their clients build a solid foundation for their long-term financial goals, particularly retirement.

  Press inquiries: ING US Financial Services
   Dana E. Ripley, 770.980.4865 or 404.788.9624 (cell)
   or dana.ripley@us.ing.com

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to over 60 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of over 113,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.

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

SOURCE: ING US Financial Services

CONTACT: Dana E. Ripley of ING US Financial Services, +1-770-980-4865,
or cell, +1-404-788-9624, or dana.ripley@us.ing.com

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