ING Donates $100,000 to the MDRT Foundation

The MDRT Foundation received its largest 2006 donation when ING presented a $100,000 donation to the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Foundation on June 10, on behalf of 2006 MDRT President and ING select producer Stephen O. Rothschild, CLU, ChFC, a 32-year MDRT member from St. Louis, Missouri.

The donation was given at the MDRT Foundation's Excalibur Dinner, which kicked off the four-day MDRT Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. More than 500 MDRT people attended the third-annual dinner, honoring the MDRT Foundation's most generous corporate and individual donors. ING was one of the event's leading sponsors.

David Wilken, senior vice president and head of ING LifeDesign, presented the $100,000 gift at the Excalibur Dinner to 25-year MDRT member and 2006 MDRT Foundation President Donald J. Benedetti of Yardville, New Jersey. "The MDRT Foundation's goal to make meaningful grants to those who need it most match up nicely with ING's philanthropic efforts. Like the MDRT Foundation, ING aims to make a difference with our philanthropy," said Wilken. He added, "This leadership donation recognizes the work of Stephen Rothschild and all the terrific ING-affiliated producers who are MDRT members."

ING's generous support will help the MDRT's Foundation continue its mission and vision of giving funds to worthwhile charitable organizations throughout the world and improving the quality of life for those in need. "Thank you to ING for your ongoing support of the MDRT Foundation and your MDRT member producers," said Benedetti after receiving the donation at the Excalibur Dinner from Wilken.

Rothschild's five-year term on the MDRT Executive Committee began on September 1, 2002, and is now culminating with the 2006 MDRT Presidency. As President of MDRT, he has spent the past year traveling around the world representing MDRT and ING at events and addressing various audiences including MDRT members, other insurance and financial advisors, corporate executives, governmental officials, media representatives and college students.

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 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 offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes 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 more than 15 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com.

About MDRT and the MDRT Foundation

The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide Round Table members with a means to give back to their communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated in excess of $15.3 million to more than 1,500 worthy charities around the world. The majority of these funds were raised by MDRT members from MDRT members. Some of the organizations that have benefited from MDRT Foundation grants are: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the American Paralysis Association. For more information, visit www.mdrtfoundation.org.

The MDRT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Million Dollar Round Table, The Premier Association of Financial Professionals. Founded in 1927, MDRT is an international, independent association of more than 33,000, or less than 1 percent, of the world's best life insurance and financial services professionals. With membership from 74 nations and territories, MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of sales excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. For more information, visit www.mdrt.org.

   Press inquiries:
   Philip Margolis, ING U.S. Financial Services, 860-723-4783,
   phil.margolis@us.ing.com
   Jessica Butera, MDRT, 847.692.6378, JButera@mdrt.org

SOURCE: ING U.S. Financial Services; MDRT Foundation

CONTACT: Philip Margolis of ING U.S. Financial Services,
+1-860-723-4783, or phil.margolis@us.ing.com; or Jessica Butera of MDRT,
+1-847-692-6378, or JButera@mdrt.org

Web site: http://www.ing.com/us
http://www.mdrtfoundation.org/
http://www.mdrt.org/