i.n.g direct 4.3% savings, anyone heard of them?

[RockingRosebud]

This company is advertising on TV as the 'world's leading direct savings bank'.

Never heard of them, can anyone enlighten me?

I just noticed the ad too, must have been in the same commercial break. I've never heard of them either though (they have a website, it was mentioned in the ad.)

I applied for an information pack, after about 5 attempts to get through and then 1/2 hour on hold

Haven't had a chance to look at it properly, but it seems ok. They are listed on some of the bank comparison websites, and the telegraph money comparison thing, if that's any help

They're a large Dutch-based bank. If you remember the Barings scandal a few years ago (they went bust because Nick Leeson was trading dodgy derivatives in the Far East), ING then bought Barings in the UK. As Barings was an investment bank it didn't have a branch structure, nor personal accounts, so ING have basically looked to break into the UK personal savings market through "Direct" savings (eg internet savings accounts). Their corporate website is here .

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ING is very big here in Belgium. I'm not sure of the exact details but they own, or are the new name of, the BBL (one of the 2 biggest highstreet banks here). Similar to HSBC in the UK, I guess. So very well-known. I can't comment on their services, though.

miriam, thanks for link, have just started registering and was hugely amused by the range of "titles" on offer - Rear Admiral, Countess etc up to and including HRH!!!!

Makes me feel very insignificant....

hi, ks - yes, I did, as far as I can see it does what it says on the tin! (Started off with a v small amount - just being cautious - and got a v small amount of interest at the end of July - have more in now and am hoping for a much larger amount at the end of August, if you want to hang on!)

Had minor probs logging in the other day but so did 2 or 3 other sites (not banking) - just one of those days apparently.

I did read the other day that because they have received so many responses to their adverts for savings accounts that it is taking them a while to process applications. So you might have to wait a while for your PIN numbers etc to come through.
Very good bank though and good track record.

4.3% has become 4.1% since Bank of England cut base rate by 0,25%

(Still good though.)

i applied, was processed quite quickly and am v happy.............so far! still the best rate out there on the whole, and when it isn't i'm going to move the money!

i applied, was processed quite quickly and am v happy.............so far! still the best rate out there on the whole, and when it isn't i'm going to move the money!