Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The lending book grew by EUR 57 billion in 2025, representing an 8% increase compared to the previous year, which was double the growth rate of 2024 [2] - Total deposits increased by EUR 38 billion, a growth of 6% in 2025, with total balances to clients (deposits and lending) growing by an average of 7% [2] - Net profit for the year was EUR 6.3 billion, with a return on equity of 13.2% and a capital ratio of 30.1% [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Interest income remained stable despite headwinds from lower replication volumes, with a 5% growth in Q4 lending [4] - Fee income increased by 15%, reaching EUR 4.6 billion, driven by investment products and wholesale banking activities [5] - Asset management and e-brokerage grew significantly, with a total of EUR 278 billion, marking a 60% increase compared to 2024 [3] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported over 1 million primary customers in 2025, with a total of 15 million primary customers out of 41 million total customers [1] - The company is recognized as a top three mortgage provider in Europe, with EUR 376 billion in mortgages [2] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to diversify its business profile beyond traditional lending, focusing on asset management and e-brokerage to enhance customer engagement [3] - There is a strategic emphasis on becoming a primary bank for customers, moving from a secondary bank model to a more impactful presence in various markets [34] - The company is also focusing on digital transformation and improving customer experience to compete with neobanks and traditional banks [44][70] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth trajectory, highlighting the need to deepen and broaden customer relationships [66] - The company acknowledges the competitive landscape, particularly from digital innovators and neobanks, and is committed to closing the gap in customer experience [68] - There is a recognition of the importance of balancing risk and return, especially in the context of changing regulatory environments and market conditions [24][94] Other Important Information - The company is transitioning from expert-based to data-driven risk models in response to ECB supervision, which is expected to enhance capital management [12][19] - The management emphasized the importance of diversification in risk management, including the use of various financial instruments to mitigate potential market disruptions [24] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: What can we expect from your SRT strategy and growth? - Management indicated that they expect a bit more growth in SRTs, having started this strategy recently and improving their models to be more data-driven [11][13] Question: How do you view the competition from neobanks like Revolut? - Management acknowledged the competition from neobanks and emphasized the need to enhance customer experience and tailor services to specific customer segments [43][70] Question: What is the company's approach to SME banking? - Management stated that they are developing a digital SME bank in Germany, focusing on current accounts and payments for self-employed individuals and SMEs [78]

ING Groep (NYSE:ING) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 29, 2026 05:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsReginald Watson - Head of Investor RelationsSteven van Rijswijk - CEOConference Call ParticipantsMark Schwartzenburg - AnalystNone - AnalystNone - AnalystSteven van RijswijkThank you very much for people on the call as well. I believe you're in listening only, Mark, and we have people here in the room as well from the media here in the Netherlands. I'll say a few words upfront, and then we'll just go into Q&A. So we ...

ING Groep (NYSE:ING) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 29, 2026 05:00 AM ET Speaker2Thank you very much for people on the call as well. I believe you're in listening only, Mark, and we have people here in the room as well from the media here in the Netherlands. I'll say a few words upfront, and then we'll just go into Q&A. So we had good commercial and financial results in 2025. On the customer side, we grew our primary customers quite a bit, so we had over 1 million primary customers in 2025, with 350,000 in t ...

Core Viewpoint - ING demonstrated strong commercial growth in 2025, achieving significant increases in net interest income, sustainable financing, and customer acquisition despite a lower interest rate environment [1][4][6]. Financial Performance - ING's commercial net interest income (NII) for 2025 was EUR 15.3 billion, attributed to customer balance growth, disciplined repricing, and a prudent deposit hedging strategy [1]. - The company generated over EUR 6.3 billion in net profit for 2025, reaffirming a 50% payout policy and announcing approximately EUR 3.6 billion in additional distributions and a buyback [5][12]. - Total income reached a record level for the third consecutive year, with management guiding for total income of around EUR 24 billion in 2026 and exceeding EUR 25 billion in 2027 [6][14][15]. Customer and Balance Sheet Growth - The loan book grew by 8.3% in 2025, primarily driven by residential mortgages, while deposits increased by 5.5%, mainly from retail banking customers [2][6]. - More than 1 million mobile primary customers were added in 2025, with over 350,000 added in the fourth quarter alone [3][6]. Fee Income and Operational Efficiency - Fee income rose by approximately 15% year over year, contributing to around 20% of total income, with investment products seeing a 21% increase [6][7]. - The company implemented initiatives to improve operational leverage, including reducing manual intervention in customer journeys and introducing a chatbot in seven retail markets [7][8]. Capital Generation and Risk Management - ING's CET1 ratio decreased to 13.1% due to an additional distribution, while risk-weighted asset (RWA) growth was limited, consuming roughly 15% of net profit [9][12]. - Total risk costs for the quarter were EUR 365 million, in line with the company's through-the-cycle average [13]. Outlook and Future Targets - For 2026, ING expects total income growth of around EUR 24 billion, with operating expenses projected between EUR 12.6 billion and EUR 12.8 billion [14]. - For 2027, the company anticipates total income to exceed EUR 25 billion and raised its fee income goal to exceed EUR 5 billion [15].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a return on equity (ROE) of 13.2% for 2025, exceeding initial guidance [7] - Total income reached a record level for the third consecutive year, driven by strong net interest income (NII) and fee income growth [8][10] - Commercial NII was strong at EUR 15.3 billion, supported by increased customer balances [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail banking contributed EUR 11.3 billion in the fourth quarter, with net core lending growth of EUR 10.1 billion, primarily from residential mortgages [5][7] - Wholesale banking added EUR 10.3 billion in net lending, driven by strong demand for lending and working capital solutions [5] - Fee income grew by 15% for the full year, supported by customer growth and increased cross-selling [7][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added over 350,000 mobile primary customers in the fourth quarter, totaling over 1 million for the year [5] - Deposits rose by EUR 38.1 billion for the full year, reflecting a 5.5% increase [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow and diversify income by adding more customers and enhancing product offerings, including a subscription model for retail clients [14][15] - There is a focus on improving operational leverage through technology and cost discipline, with an emphasis on utilizing Gen AI [15] - The company plans to maintain a 50% payout policy for shareholder returns while investing in growth and considering M&A opportunities [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving strong growth in 2026 and introduced an upgraded outlook for 2027, expecting total income to exceed EUR 25 billion [16][17] - The anticipated return on equity for 2026 is 14%, with a focus on maintaining cost discipline and operational efficiency [17][18] Other Important Information - The company mobilized EUR 166 billion in sustainability volume for the year, marking a 28% increase from 2024 [7] - A final cash dividend of EUR 0.736 per share is expected to be paid on April 24, 2026, subject to AGM approval [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: What assumptions are used for the EUR 25 billion total income guidance? - Management confirmed a 5% balance growth assumption, indicating that Q4 performance provides confidence in achieving targets [36][39] Question: How does the company view loan versus deposit growth? - Management noted that loan growth was 8% while deposit growth was 6% in 2025, emphasizing the importance of balancing the balance sheet over time [45][46] Question: What is the outlook for costs beyond 2026? - Management indicated that cost growth is expected to be in the range of 2%-3%, with a focus on maintaining operational efficiency [78][80] Question: What is the company's strategy regarding M&A? - Management stated that they are open to acquisitions that align with their growth strategy and can enhance local scale and diversification [55][56] Question: How does the company plan to leverage AI and technology investments? - Management highlighted ongoing benefits from AI initiatives, with a focus on improving operational leverage and customer satisfaction [70][71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a return on equity (ROE) of 13.2% for 2025, exceeding initial guidance [7] - Total income reached a record level for the third consecutive year, driven by strong net interest income (NII) and fee income growth [8][12] - The CET1 ratio decreased due to a EUR 1.6 billion distribution, partially offset by quarterly net profit [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail banking contributed EUR 11.3 billion in the fourth quarter, with net core lending growth of EUR 10.1 billion, primarily from residential mortgages [5][7] - Wholesale banking added EUR 10.3 billion in net core lending, supported by strong demand for lending and working capital solutions [5] - Fee income grew by 15% year-on-year, accounting for 20% of total income, with significant contributions from investment products [8][25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added over 350,000 mobile primary customers in the fourth quarter, totaling over 1 million for the year [5] - Deposits increased by EUR 38.1 billion for the full year, reflecting a 5.5% growth [6] - The company maintained a strong net promoter score (NPS) in retail banking, ranking number one in five out of ten markets [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow and diversify income by adding more customers and enhancing product offerings, including a subscription model for retail clients [14][15] - Operational leverage will be improved through scaling processes and technology, with a focus on cost discipline [15] - The company plans to maintain a 50% payout policy for shareholder returns while investing in growth and considering M&A opportunities [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving strong growth in 2026 and introduced an upgraded outlook for 2027, expecting total income to exceed EUR 25 billion [16][17] - The anticipated return on equity for 2026 is 14%, with a tangible equity return expected to be higher than 14% [17] - Management highlighted the importance of balancing loan and deposit growth while maintaining competitive margins [46][47] Other Important Information - The company mobilized EUR 166 billion in sustainability volume for the year, representing a 28% increase from 2024 [7] - A final cash dividend of EUR 0.736 per share is scheduled for April 24, 2026, subject to AGM approval [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on total income and growth assumptions - Management confirmed a 5% balance growth assumption for guidance, indicating that Q4 performance provides confidence in achieving targets [36][39] Question: Loans versus deposit growth balance - Management acknowledged the need to balance loan and deposit growth but noted that short-term fluctuations are acceptable based on market opportunities [44][47] Question: Cost outlook and incidentals - Management indicated that while there may be incidental costs, they are focused on maintaining cost discipline and achieving operational efficiencies [45][48] Question: M&A strategy and market opportunities - Management stated that they are open to M&A opportunities that align with their growth strategy and can enhance local scale and diversification [55][56] Question: Liability margins and competition - Management provided insights on liability margins, indicating a stable outlook while acknowledging competitive pressures in the market [66][71] Question: Investment in AI and technology - Management highlighted ongoing investments in AI and technology to enhance operational leverage and customer satisfaction, with positive impacts already being observed [68][70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a return on equity (ROE) of 13.2% for 2025, exceeding initial guidance [5] - Total income reached a record level for the third consecutive year, driven by strong commercial growth and fee income [6][29] - Net profit for the year was over EUR 6.3 billion, contributing almost two percentage points to the CET1 ratio [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail banking contributed EUR 11.3 billion in the fourth quarter, with net core lending growth of EUR 10.1 billion, primarily from residential mortgages [4][5] - Wholesale banking added EUR 10.3 billion in net core lending, supported by strong demand for lending and working capital solutions [4] - Fee income grew by 15% for the full year, driven by customer growth and increased cross-selling [5][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added over 350,000 mobile primary customers in the fourth quarter, totaling over 1 million for the year [4] - Deposits increased by EUR 38.1 billion for the full year, representing a 5.5% growth [4] - The company maintained its number one position in five out of ten retail banking markets [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow and diversify income by adding more customers and enhancing product offerings, including a subscription model for retail clients [12][13] - There is a focus on improving operational leverage through scaling processes and technology, including the use of Gen AI [13] - The company plans to maintain a 50% payout policy for shareholder returns while investing in growth and considering M&A opportunities [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a total income of around EUR 24 billion for 2026, supported by continued volume growth and a projected 5%-10% increase in fee income [15][16] - The outlook for 2027 has been upgraded, with total income expected to exceed EUR 25 billion [16] - Management highlighted the importance of balancing loan and deposit growth while maintaining cost discipline [34] Other Important Information - The company announced additional distributions totaling EUR 3.6 billion, contributing to a higher shareholder return [10] - The CET1 ratio was impacted by a EUR 1.6 billion distribution, but the company remains committed to maintaining a target ratio around 13% [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on total income and growth assumptions - Management confirmed a 5% balance growth assumption for guidance, indicating confidence in achieving targets based on Q4 performance [31] Question: Loan versus deposit growth balance - Management acknowledged the need to balance loan and deposit growth but noted that fluctuations are acceptable in the short term [33][34] Question: Cost outlook and incidentals - Management indicated that while cost discipline is a priority, incidental costs may still arise, but they aim to minimize these in the future [36] Question: M&A strategy and market opportunities - Management expressed openness to M&A opportunities that align with growth strategies and enhance local scale and diversification [39] Question: Lending margin improvements - Management reported stable or increasing lending margins across several markets, with some pressure noted in the Netherlands [56]

4Q2025 Execution of our strategy resulted in outstanding growth and strong value delivery 29 January 2026 Outstanding commercial growth in 2025 Mobile primary customers +352,000 in 4Q2025 +1.0 mln in 2025 Lending growth2) €20.4 bln in 4Q2025 +€56.9 bln in 2025 Deposits growth2) €9.5 bln in 4Q2025 +€38.1 bln in 2025 Return on equity 13.2% in 2025 Fee income €1,221 mln in 4Q2025 €4,602 mln in 2025 Sustainable volume mobilised3) €56 bln in 4Q2025 €166 bln in 2025 Customer growth Customer lending Customer depos ...

Group 1 - The bank anticipates growth driven by an increase in loan volume and higher income from fees and commissions [1] - The bank aims to diversify its income sources as central banks reduce interest rates [1]

International bank ING Groep beat quarterly profit expectations on Thursday, boosted by strong interest and fee income for the last three months of 2025. ...