Dunne Joins PrimeVest as New England-based Community Financial Institution Director

PrimeVest Financial Services, one of the United States' largest broker-dealers exclusively serving financial institutions, announced today that Anne Dunne has joined the firm as a community financial institution director. Dunne, who served most recently as president of Bancnorth Investment Planning Group, will lead PrimeVest's New England region development and support efforts, bringing with her over 20 years of business-building experience in the financial services industry.

"Having Anne lead the effort in New England is wonderful for PrimeVest and the region," said PrimeVest President and CEO Catherine Bonneau. "Her expertise is exactly what's needed to make it easier for community-based financial institutions to grow their investment and insurance programs."

Known throughout the industry as a business-builder, Dunne will provide PrimeVest clients and prospects with local, dedicated attention from her operation base in Portland, Maine.

During her two decades of industry service, Dunne has forged a reputation for growing revenue with strong risk management practices, attracting talented financial professionals and adding additional services per household to solidify client relationships in the bank channel. Her list of professional accomplishments includes the substantial growth of Bancnorth Investment Group from a seven-employee investment program launch in 1996 to the present with more than 160 financial professionals spanning eight states. During that time, Dunne increased revenues from $1 million to $24 million and guided the conversion of 27 bank investment programs into one common platform. She also became a leader in the development of wealth management services, cultivating over $6.5 billion in assets under management.

"Her ability to successfully integrate advisory services with retail investments is definitely one of Anne's many strengths," said Bonneau. "She understands where the industry is going and she positions financial institutions to take full advantage."

The Bank Insurance and Securities Association (BISA) Executive of the Year in 2005, Dunne worked previously as the president of Wintergreen Financial Group, a firm she launched in 1994, and as the deputy chief executive officer of First Investors Corporation. She has been an active member of the BISA Board of Directors since 2004.

"I am very pleased to join the PrimeVest team," said Dunne. "I was a client for a number of years and was very impressed with PrimeVest's knowledge of the community bank marketplace and its ability to support the investment and life insurance business in the financial institution channel. I look forward to bringing this type of expert knowledge and skilled support to community banks throughout New England as they expand investment and life insurance services."

About PrimeVest

PrimeVest Financial Services is a self-clearing broker-dealer serving the clients of nearly 600 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 a shareholder of the Chicago Stock Exchange, and a member of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), the Securities Investors Protection Corporation (SIPC), and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

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.

Bancnorth Investment Group is a subsidiary of PrimeVest. It is not affiliated with Bancnorth Investment Planning Group or its related companies.

  Press inquiries:
  Per Berger
  PrimeVest
  800-245-0467, ext. 63165
  Per-Johan.Berger@us.ing.com

  About ING

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, investments, retirement services and life insurance to over 85 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of over 130,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.

In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offer a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes 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 17 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com.

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SOURCE: PrimeVest Financial Services

CONTACT: Per Berger, PrimeVest, 800-245-0467, ext. 63165,
Per-Johan.Berger@us.ing.com

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