ING Vysya Bank

Early years

see Vysya Bank

Globalisation through Europe

In 1995, Vysya Bank entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Belgian bank Bank Bruxelles Lambert (BBL). Following this agreement, the Vysya Bank engaged KPMC Peat Marwick international investment banking joint venture (JV) with MC Securities (London), an investment banking subsidiary of BBL, was formally established.

In 1998, the ING Group acquired BBL and all its contractual and JV interests in Vysya Bank. In 1999, Vysya Bank joined the ING Group in co-marketing/distribution of life insurance products in India. Vysya Bank also acquired a 26% equity stake in the ING Asset Management Company. In 2000, Vysya Bank, ING Insurance, and the Damani Group formed a life insurance JV; this innovative collaboration marks the first bancassurance venture in India.

Formal merger with the ING Group

In 2002, Vysya Bank's board of directors and the RBI approved Vysya Bank's formal merger with the ING Group. Under Indian law, this move allowed ING to increase its total equity holdings in Vysya Bank from 20% to 44%. Peter Alexander Smyth and Jacques PM Kemp were appointed to the board of the newly formed ING Vysya Bank.

ING Vysya Bank then appointed Bart Hellemans as CEO and managing director (MD) and G Mallikarjuna Rao as chairman of the board.

Post-merger news

In 2003, Western Union, a leading global money transfer firm, tied up with ING Vysya for inbound money transfer services across India. ING Vysya then launched three new endowment products and an innovative retail savings account called Orange with facilities such as personal accident and free annual accident coverage. Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota then signed an agreement with ING Vysya for auto financing services. ING Vysya then inked a deal with fertilizer producers, Madras Fertiliser Ltd (MFL), to co-market/distribute life insurance products to farmers by employing the fertilizer company's broker-dealer network in the rural sector.

In 2005, ING Vysya Bank named Ned Swarup to the CEO and MD role. ING Vysya launched a cheque account product for mid-sized businesses. It also rolled-out its own proprietary online money transfer service.

In 2006, Vaughn Richtor stepped into the CEO and MD role for a fixed three-year term. Under Mr Richtor's leadership, ING Vysya went private and delisted from the Bangalore Stock Exchange. ING Vysya also forayed into private banking and portfolio management services.

ING Vysya Bank has competed in the banking/financial services and insurance markets for over 80 years and currently serves over two million Indian consumers. The bank markets an entire range of financial products and services, organised under three strategic lines of business: retail, private and wholesale banking.

Retail banking

With 547 branches and 10 counters, 28 satellite offices and 470 ATM's nationwide, ING Vysya's retail operation offers cheque accounts, savings deposits/CD's, retail wealth management services, consumer loans, agricultural/rural banking and retail life insurance products. The bank has rapidly expanded its distribution footprint and has created a national brand presence through several marketing campaigns.

Private banking

ING Vysya's private bank operates on an advisory-driven model. Specialised market research remains the bank's emphasis for the introduction of new tailored products to serve the high-end private banking segment.

Corporate/wholesale banking

The wholesale banking business provides corporate clients in India a range of commercial, transactional and electronic banking products. The bank offers products including working capital finance, trade and transactional services, foreign exchange, term loans and cash management services. The wholesale banking business comprises four business sub-segments and multiple product offerings. The business segments Corporate and Investment Banking, Emerging Corporates, Banking and Financial Institutions and financial markets.