ING endeavours to pursue a profit based on sound ethical business principles. That means that we ask ourselves in our business dealings whether or not something is morally acceptable. This is a question that ING has to deal with on a daily basis and we have devised policies in various areas to provide our employees with clear guidelines.
For example, ING chooses not to finance the production of fur coats. No laws or regulations prohibit the production, but ING believes that the practice is not in line with what ING stands for. For the same reason ING refrains from financing activities in countries such as Burma/Myanmar and Sudan.
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The question whether or not a bank should want to finance the production of weapons is mainly an ethical question and ING makes its own decisions on this issue. ING finances military equipment, such as fighter planes for the Dutch army. But we do not finance controversial weapons, which we define as cluster bombs, anti-personnel landmines, and nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. We do not finance these weapons with our own money, nor do we do so with your savings or insurance premiums.
Our Business Principles form the basis for all ING employees when it comes to conducting business ethically. The principles outline the main things that ING stands for. We have expanded on our policy in financing guidelines for areas such as the fur industry, weapons industry, genetic manipulation, animal testing, the gambling industry, the porn industry, and for financing activities in countries such as Burma/Myanmar and Sudan. For more information, go to www.ing.com/cr and click on ‘Principles and Policies’.
When we make ethical choices, one of the considerations is the expectations that you have of us. Whether you are a customer, employee, shareholder, pressure group or member of society.
We value your opinion and invite you to engage in dialogue. Your opinion helps us determine our priorities, shape our policies and take further measures if necessary.