ING's retail VP: Clients will be increasingly better informed and watch offers closely

Having arrived later on the retail banking segment, Netherland's ING maintains it is on track in terms of gaining new clients and is further betting on the "few, good products and quality acknowledged services" formula.
The banking market will be more "mobile" after the implementation of the new stipulations on credit contracts, loan prices will be ever more transparent, and consumers will be able to more easily compare banks' offers as they become increasingly better informed on the matter and watch market offers more closely, says Maria Cristina Matei, retail vice-president with ING Bank.
She maintains ING does not fear clients' rising mobility as the institution entered retail later and its portfolio was built on the very bid to attract other banks' clients, open to new offers, but will not make a priority out of loan refinancing, either.
ING in the first half of the year boosted retail loan volumes, registering a "one-digit" increase.
ING's retail unit has reached 1 million clients both individuals and SMEs with turnovers of as much as 2m euros.