Conclusions and ambitions
Although 2007 produced challenging business conditions, Wholesale Banking remained resilient and delivered good results by focusing on high value-added products, especially in the home markets. This was accompanied by a focus on reducing expenses, improving capital efficiency and actively stimulating growth. Wholesale Banking remains the largest contributor of profit within the Group and has a clearly defined focus and ambition to be a full-service Benelux bank, specialist products provider and to have key franchises in the emerging markets. Wholesale Banking also offers key balance sheet management skills.
Priorities have been identified to provide further growth and to retain and gain competitive advantages in a difficult business environment. Wholesale Banking seeks to increase efficiencies and to further improve the cost/income ratio. ING will allocate further capital to support growth in key product areas and to ensure it maintains returns at attractive level.