ING Intermediate Bond Fund (W), ING GNMA Income Fund (I) Named Best In their Categories by Lipper Fund Awards for Three Year Performance

NEW YORK, March 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ING U.S. Investment Management, which will rebrand as Voya Investment Management in May 2014, today announced that the ING Intermediate Bond Fund, W (IIBWX) and ING GNMA Income Fund, I (LEINX) have been named the number one performers in their respective categories by the Lipper Fund Awards 2014 for the three-year period ending December 31, 2013. The Lipper Awards recognize funds that have demonstrated consistent, strong risk-adjusted returns against their peers.

"We are honored to have won these citations by the Lipper Fund Awards," said Christine Hurtsellers, Chief Investment Officer for Fixed Income at ING U.S. Investment Management. "Our funds employ an active investment style that seeks to identify attractive securities by combining our global macro-economic view with in-depth, original research and strict risk controls.  We believe this approach positions us well in today's uncertain economic and market environment to deliver value and downside protection."

The ING Intermediate Bond Fund, which was named number one in the Lipper Core Bond Fund category among 135 funds, is a broadly diversified strategy that seeks to deliver current income and total return by investing in a portfolio of fixed income securities that may include corporate, government and mortgage bonds. Viewed as a core fixed income holding, the fund actively adjusts allocations by such criteria as sector, yield and quality to take advantage of market opportunities.

The ING GNMA Income Fund, which was named number one in the GNMA Fund category of 20 funds, is one of the oldest funds in its sector.  With a focus of achieving a high level of current income, the fund seeks to select GNMAs that can best withstand any impact of changing interest rates and prepayment volatility.

The ING Intermediate Bond Fund and The ING GNMA Income Fund are two of a broad suite of fixed income offerings. The firm's fixed income funds are run by a team of more than 100 research analysts and portfolio managers with expertise in all major segments of the global bond market. 

ING Investments, LLC is the adviser to the ING Intermediate Bond Fund, W and the ING GNMA Income Fund, I. For more information about the funds, please visit: www.inginvestment.com.  

About ING U.S. Investment Management

ING U.S. Investment Management (ING U.S. IM), which plans to rebrand as Voya Investment Management in May 2014, is a leading, active asset management firm. As of December 31, 2013, ING U.S. IM manages approximately $200 billion for both affiliated and external institutions as well as for individual investors. Drawing on 40 years of history in investment management, ING U.S. IM has the experience and resources to provide clients with investment solutions with an emphasis on equities, fixed income, and multi-asset and income strategies.  For more information, visit http://inginvestment.com.

About ING U.S.

ING U.S. (NYSE: VOYA), which will rebrand as Voya Financial in 2014, is a premier retirement, investment and insurance company serving the financial needs of approximately 13 million individual and institutional customers in the United States.  The company's vision is to be America's Retirement Company and its guiding principle is centered on solving the most daunting financial challenge facing Americans today — retirement readiness.  Working directly with clients and through a broad group of financial intermediaries, independent producers, affiliated advisors and dedicated sales specialists, ING U.S. provides a comprehensive portfolio of asset accumulation, asset protection and asset distribution products and services.  With a dedicated workforce of approximately 7,000 employees, ING U.S. is grounded in a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible — one person, one family, one institution at a time.  For more information, visit http://ing.us.  Follow ING U.S. on Twitter @ING_USA and Facebook.

Media Contact: 
Christopher Breslin 
212-309-8941 
Christopher.Breslin@us.ing.com

Disclosures:

Investment Risks for ING Intermediate Bond Fund W:

All investing involves risks of fluctuating prices and the uncertainties of rates of return and yield inherent in investing. High-Yield Securities, or "junk bonds", are rated lower than investment-grade bonds because there is a greater possibility that the issuer may be unable to make interest and principal payments on those securities. To the extent that the Fund invests in Mortgage-Related Securities, its exposure to prepayment and extension risks may be greater than investments in other fixed-income securities. The Fund may use Derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. Foreign Investing does pose special risks including currency fluctuation, economic and political risks not found in investments that are solely domestic. As Interest Rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund's share price. Other risks of the Fund include but are not limited to: Credit Risks; Extension Risks; Investment Models Risks; Municipal Securities Risks; Other Investment Companies' Risks; Prepayment Risks; Price Volatility Risks; U.S. Government Securities and Obligations Risks; Inability to Sell Securities Risks; Portfolio Turnover Risks; and Securities Lending Risks. Investors should consult the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for a more detailed discussion of the Fund's risks.

Investment Risks for ING GNMA Income Fund I:

All investing involves risks of fluctuating prices and the uncertainties of rates of return and yield inherent in investing. As Interest Rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund's share price. To the extent that the Fund invests in asset-backed, Mortgage-Backed or Mortgage-Related Securities, its exposure to prepayment and extension risks may be greater than investments in other fixed-income securities. While the Fund invests in securities guaranteed by the U.S. Government as to timely payments of interest and principal, the Fund shares are Not Insured or Guaranteed. Other risks of the Fund include but are not limited to: Credit Risks; Extension Risks; Other Investment Companies' Risks; Prepayment Risks; U.S. Government Securities and Obligations Risks; and Securities Lending Risks. Investors should consult the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for a more detailed discussion of the Fund's risks.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund(s) carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Fund's prospectus, which contains this and other information, visit us at www.inginvestment.com or call ING Funds at (800) 992-0180. Please read prospectus carefully before investing.

Lipper Awards are granted annually to the funds in each Lipper classification that achieve the highest score for Consistent Return, a measure of funds' historical risk-adjusted returns, measured in local currency, relative to peers. Winners are selected using the Lipper Leader rating for Consistent Return for funds with at least 36 months of performance history as of 12/31/13. Awards are presented for the highest Lipper Leader for Consistent Return within each eligible classification over 3, 5 or 10 years. Other share classes may have different performance and expense characteristics. Class I and Class NAV shares are not available for purchase by all investors. Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. is an independent mutual fund research and rating service. Although Lipper makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by Lipper. Lipper awards are not intended to predict future results. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The ING Intermediate Bond Fund W (IIBWX) Lipper Rankings as of 2/28/14 in the Core Bond funds category: 5 Year 6% (22/389), 10 Years N/A. The ING GNMA Income Fund I (LEINX) Lipper Rankings as of 2/28/14 in the GNMA funds category: 5 Year 28% (17/60), 10 Years 34% (17/50).

CID: 8997

SOURCE ING U.S. Investment Management