Direct bank: ING Deutschland: Credit card to be launched for the Christmas shopping season

The direct bank ING wants to fill one of the major gaps in its range as promised this year. "Our goal is for as many customers as possible to be able to buy their Christmas presents with the ING credit card this year," ING Germany head Lars Stoy told the German Press Agency in Frankfurt. Stoy, who has been running the 100% subsidiary of the Dutch major ING since January 1, 2025, had announced a credit card solution for 2026 last summer.

"That's on the agenda and is high priority," the manager said at the time. This is because, especially during vacation periods, some customers get annoyed that the direct bank does not yet offer a real credit card, which is sometimes necessary when traveling abroad.

What happens to the free checking account?

Another important question for many customers that has recently attracted attention, management wants to answer next year: Will ING Germany continue to offer a free checking account in the future? "We know from experience that many customers come to us because we currently have a very competitive offer in the checking account area.

We want to maintain this," Stoy emphasized. "We are still working on the design of the future account models. The current plan is to roll this out in mid-2027." The ING Group is currently introducing a uniform checking account structure with four different models in all its markets. A free checking account without conditions is no longer available at many banks.

At ING Germany, the checking account is free of charge under the current terms and conditions only if at least €1,000 is deposited there every month or if the account holder is under 28 years old. Otherwise, the direct bank charges €4.90 in fees per month.