ING Group Eyes Strategic Mergers to Boost European Dominance

Dutch lender ING Group is signaling a bold return to growth through mergers and acquisitions, with its chief executive, Steven van Rijswijk, confirming that the bank is actively seeking opportunities to buy rival banks in major European markets such as Italy, Spain, and Germany. Speaking to Reuters, van Rijswijk stated, “We want to get bigger in bigger markets, including Italy, Spain and Germany. M&A is an option everywhere, if it would suit our criteria.” This announcement marks a renewed ambition for ING, a bank that was once bailed out in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis and later reinvented itself as a pioneer of low-cost, no-frills online banking.

The potential for consolidation in Europe’s banking sector has been growing as traditional institutions strive to maintain competitiveness in an era of rapid digital transformation and increasing regulatory pressures. Van Rijswijk’s comments come at a time when several top-tier European banks are actively pursuing mergers to expand their market presence. In Germany, for instance, ING has not ruled out a potential deal with Commerzbank—a prominent lender to medium-sized companies—as it seeks to diversify its portfolio and gain access to new customer segments. Similarly, in Spain and Italy, industry leaders such as BBVA and UniCredit are reportedly bidding for smaller regional banks to further cement their dominance.

Recent years have already witnessed notable examples of banking consolidation. In the United States during the 1990s, larger banks absorbed smaller, regional institutions, a trend that reshaped the industry and allowed them to achieve economies of scale. More recently, mergers like the consolidation moves by Santander in Spain and the strategic acquisitions made by major Italian banks have underscored the potential benefits of such deals in driving growth, operational efficiency, and innovation in financial services.

For ING, the strategy is clear: by expanding into larger and more lucrative markets, it can leverage its expertise in digital banking to create a more resilient and expansive network across Europe. The bank’s move is not merely about increasing size—it is about positioning itself to thrive amid shifting consumer preferences, technological advancements, and a fiercely competitive landscape. With Europe’s financial sector at a crossroads, ING’s renewed M&A strategy could signal the start of a new consolidation wave, one that reshapes the industry in favor of institutions that are agile, digitally savvy, and strategically focused on long-term growth.

As ING continues to explore merger opportunities, the financial community will be watching closely. The potential realignment of European banking through strategic acquisitions may well define the next chapter in the region’s economic history, paving the way for a more integrated, efficient, and innovative financial ecosystem.

David Thompson
UCW Newswire