PrimeVest Signs Waukesha State Bank

PrimeVest Financial Services, one of the United States' largest broker-dealers exclusively serving financial institutions, announced today an agreement to provide investment and insurance services for Waukesha State Bank (Waukesha, Wis.), a financial institution formerly served by Essex National Securities. PrimeVest will serve as the broker-dealer at Waukesha State Bank, helping it meets its clients' needs.

"As a leader in managing investment and insurance programs within financial institutions, we can offer a broad array of products and services to the Waukesha clients, along with the latest technology to help make it easier for their financial professionals to serve their customers," said PrimeVest President and CEO Randy Ciccati. "We're looking forward to working with Waukesha State Bank to customize a program that will fit its unique needs."

Approximately 861 brokerage accounts and 2,435 direct accounts will be converted to PrimeVest. Waukesha State Bank will private label its program as Waukesha Investments. With approximately $90 million in invested assets, the investment and insurance program at Waukesha State Bank topped $400,000 in gross commissions last year.

"PrimeVest is a great fit for us," said Waukesha Investments Program Manager Devon Arnold. "This new partnership will allow us to grow our retail investment program and enhance the service we can provide to our customers."

   Press inquiries: LeAnn McCool, (800) 245-0467, ext. 64361
   leann.mccool@us.ing.com

  About PrimeVest

PrimeVest Financial Services is a self-clearing broker-dealer serving the clients of over 500 financial institutions in 50 states and Guam. PrimeVest makes it easier for financial institutions to succeed by delivering innovative investment and insurance solutions, comprehensive support and a flexible program structure. One of the broker-dealers of ING, PrimeVest is one of the world's largest financial services organizations, a shareholder of the Chicago Stock Exchange, and a member of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and the Securities Investors Protection Corporation (SIPC).

Securities and insurance products offered by PrimeVest are: Not FDIC/NCUSIF insured; may go down in value; not financial institution guaranteed; not a deposit; and not insured by any federal government agency.

About ING

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, 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 U.S. Financial Services

CONTACT: Press inquiries, LeAnn McCool of ING, +1-800-245-0467, ext.
64361, or leann.mccool@us.ing.com

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