The ING logo combines stylish design and visual appeal, creating a cohesive and memorable image. The unique combination of textual and graphic elements emphasizes the company’s scale and authority. The yellow color in the palette is associated with value and luxury, reinforcing the brand’s connection to the financial sector.
ING’s roots go back to several Dutch financial institutions. De Nederlanden van 1845 was founded in 1845, while Nationale Levensverzekerings Bank appeared in Rotterdam in 1863. The two insurers merged in 1963 to form Nationale-Nederlanden. On the banking side, the government created Rijkspostspaarbank in 1881, giving workers and lower-income citizens access to savings through the postal network. Postbank was privatized in 1986 and merged with NMB in 1989, forming NMB Postbank Groep.
Until 1990, Dutch law barred bank-insurance mergers. Once the ban was lifted, Nationale-Nederlanden and NMB Postbank Groep moved toward a deal. On 4 March 1991, they merged into Internationale Nederlanden Groep, later known as ING, combining insurance, retail banking, and investment products under a single group.
In the 1990s, ING expanded through acquisitions. It bought Parcom in 1994 and, in 1995, acquired Barings Bank for £1 after the British bank collapsed from Nick Leeson’s £827 million trading losses in Singapore. ING assumed about $1.39 billion in obligations and gained an investment-banking platform. In 1997, ING listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1998, it bought Banque Bruxelles Lambert, then added Equitable of Iowa, ReliaStar, and Germany’s DiBa in 2002.
The 2008 financial crisis forced ING to seek €10 billion from the Dutch government following losses on investment and mortgage assets. The European Commission then required a restructuring under EU competition rules. ING had to separate insurance from banking. By 2014, its insurance and pension operations had been listed as NN Group, while ING remained focused on banking and repaid the state support with interest.
Meaning and History
What is ING?
This banking and financial company, based in the Netherlands, operates globally. It has established itself as a leader in digital financial services and direct banking. The bank offers various services, including investment management, insurance, and retail and commercial banking. It challenges traditional banking standards, emphasizing simplicity, transparency, and customer empowerment. The company is at the forefront of mobile and online banking technologies, attracting tech-savvy customers who seek alternatives to traditional brick-and-mortar banks.
1991 – today
In 1991, the company introduced a logo that has remained relevant and unique for over thirty years. The emblem has become an integral part of the company’s visual identity, and despite potential updates, it continues to meet the organization’s needs. The central design element is an image of a lion reclining, emphasizing the company’s stability and reliability.
The lion’s choice of color is unconventional, but its rich tone makes the figure vivid and memorable. Against a white background, the lion appears graceful, majestic, and distinguished. The image conveys a sense of stability and prestige, enhancing the brand’s perception.
Large blue letters to the left of the image add balance and emphasis to the emblem. The letters’ height and style create an impression of solidity and elegance. The serif typeface gives the letters a sense of stability and a pronounced sense of significance.


