Core Viewpoint - ING has completed a share buyback program totaling €2.0 billion and announced a new distribution program of up to €1.6 billion, which includes a share buyback and cash payment aimed at optimizing its CET1 ratio [1][4]. Share Buyback Program - The completed share buyback program involved repurchasing 101,193,469 ordinary shares at an average price of €19.77, amounting to a total consideration of €2,000,093,404.60 [1]. - In the final week of the program, 597,578 shares were repurchased at an average price of €20.73, totaling €12,390,421.28 [2]. - The total purchases exceeded the maximum amount due to performance arrangements with the executing broker, with the effective average price for ING being €19.76 [3]. New Distribution Program - The new shareholder distribution consists of a share buyback program for a maximum of €1.1 billion and a cash payment of €0.5 billion, aimed at aligning the CET1 ratio closer to the target of approximately 13% [4]. - As of the end of Q3 2025, ING's CET1 ratio was 13.4%, significantly above the required 10.95% [5]. - The new share buyback program is set to commence on 30 October 2025 and conclude by 27 April 2026, with the cash payment scheduled for 15 January 2026 [5]. Regulatory Compliance - The European Central Bank (ECB) has approved the distribution, and the share buyback will comply with the Market Abuse Regulation, adhering to the authority to acquire a maximum of 20% of issued shares [6]. - ING has established a non-discretionary arrangement with a financial intermediary to manage the buyback process [6]. Communication and Updates - ING will provide weekly updates on the progress of the share buyback program through press releases and on its Investor Relations website [7].

Core Insights - StoneX Group Inc. has announced a strategic partnership with Bank Mendes Gans to enhance cross-border payment capabilities in thinly traded currencies [1][2] - The collaboration will leverage StoneX Payments' technology and expertise to improve BMG's payment infrastructure and liquidity management services [2][4] Company Overview - StoneX Group Inc. operates a global financial services network, providing digital platforms, clearing and execution services, and market risk management solutions [5] - The company serves over 54,000 commercial and institutional clients, with more than 400,000 retail accounts across 40 offices worldwide [5] Partnership Details - The partnership will enable BMG to process international payments in over 140 currencies across 180 countries, utilizing StoneX Payments' API-driven platform [2][3] - StoneX Payments' infrastructure will facilitate faster settlement times, payment data validation, and competitive foreign exchange rates, addressing inefficiencies in traditional banking systems [3][4] Strategic Impact - The collaboration is expected to broaden BMG's liquidity management capabilities and enhance the flexibility and transparency of international transactions [4] - The partnership will also introduce new currency corridors and expand BMG's reach into underserved and emerging markets [3]

Core Insights - ING reported a net result of €1,675 million for 2Q2025, with a profit before tax of €2,369 million and a CET1 ratio of 13.3% [1][7] Financial Performance - The company experienced strong growth in lending volumes and fee income, with fees now constituting almost 20% of total income [2][3] - Total income remained stable despite a year-on-year decline in commercial net interest income (NII) due to margin pressure and currency fluctuations [3] - Retail Banking saw a net core lending growth of €11.3 billion, including €7.2 billion in mortgages and €3.2 billion in Business Banking [4] - Wholesale Banking achieved net core lending growth of €4.1 billion, with a 12% year-on-year increase in fee income driven by various banking services [5] Customer Growth and Engagement - The customer base grew significantly, with over 300,000 new mobile primary customers added in the quarter, totaling 14.9 million [9] - Retail fee income increased by 12% year-on-year, primarily due to higher investment activity [4] Cost Management and Efficiency - Costs increased moderately year-on-year, with prudent expense management prioritized to offset inflation and investments through efficiency measures [6] - Ongoing improvements to KYC processes and restructuring of the Wholesale Banking workforce were announced [6] Sustainability Initiatives - ING mobilized €67.8 billion in sustainable volume for the first half of 2025, marking a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [8] - A new mortgage pricing model linked to energy labels was introduced in the Netherlands, offering lower interest rates for eligible customers [8] Dividend and Shareholder Returns - The company announced an interim cash dividend of €0.35 per ordinary share [9]

Core Insights - ING Group reported a net result of €1,455 million for 1Q2025, with a profit before tax of €2,124 million and a CET1 ratio of 13.6% [1][3] Financial Performance - Total income increased due to strong growth in deposits and higher mortgage volumes, with resilient commercial net interest income and a significant rise in fee income [3][7] - Operating expenses slightly decreased quarter-on-quarter, while year-on-year increases were in line with guidance, reflecting inflation and client acquisition costs [3][7] - Risk costs were €313 million, below the through-the-cycle average, indicating a high-quality loan portfolio [3] Retail Banking Highlights - The mobile primary customer base grew by 174,000, primarily in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland [4] - Retail core deposits increased by €17 billion, mainly in Germany, and core lending rose by €9 billion, with €6 billion in residential mortgages [4] - Mortgage applications surged to 125,000, a 20% increase year-on-year, and retail fee income rose by 18% year-on-year [4] Wholesale Banking Insights - Total income remained stable, with strong results in Financial Markets despite muted lending volumes [5] - Fee income in Wholesale Banking increased quarter-on-quarter, driven by higher fees from Global Capital Markets and Trade Finance [5] Sustainability Initiatives - ING mobilized €30 billion in sustainable volume, a 23% increase compared to last year, and launched services to assist customers in reducing their environmental footprint [6][8] Shareholder Returns - The company announced a €2.0 billion share buyback program as part of its strategy to move capital towards target levels [7][8] CEO's Perspective - The CEO emphasized the bank's role in supporting growth amid geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties, highlighting the importance of understanding client needs [2][9]

Market Overview - The global blockchain market is projected to reach $306 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 58.3% [1][8] - Hybrid blockchain is the largest segment, accounting for 42% of the total market [8] - The banking and financial services sector is the largest end-use industry, representing 20% of the total market [8] - Infrastructure solutions dominate the market with a 40% share [8] - The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the fastest growth at a CAGR of 61.8%, driven by countries like China, Japan, and India [1][8] Key Applications and Use Cases - Blockchain applications include decentralized finance (DeFi), cybersecurity, supply chains, and cloud-based Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) models [1] - The integration of blockchain with IoT and AI is anticipated to enhance supply chain management efficiency [13] - Blockchain is set to revolutionize various industries, including telecommunications, by improving resource identity management and enterprise identity verification [9][10] Industry Dynamics - Blockchain's robust authentication, authorization, and accounting capabilities are driving significant disruption across diverse industries [6] - Lessons learned from FinTech and traditional banking regarding decentralized authentication and settlement are applicable to telecom and computing challenges [10] - The technology is expected to redefine vendor, customer, and peer relationships within supply chains, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs [11] Regional Insights - The USA is the largest market in North America, while Germany, the UK, Spain, France, and Italy are key players in Europe [8] - The Asia-Pacific region is highlighted as a major growth area, with significant contributions from China, Japan, and India [8] Future Outlook - The report provides detailed forecasts for blockchain applications, solutions, and industry verticals from 2025 to 2030 [4][18] - The transformative potential of blockchain is expected to reshape Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems and processes, leading to substantial dis-intermediation across various sectors [6][13]