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On the Bankengipfel, Dutch banking giant ING declared a significant shift for its operations in Germany. The institution plans to continue offering free current accounts in the country, stated CEO Steven van Rijswijk. "Nothing will change" regarding this commitment, he affirmed. In June, ING announced the introduction of four subscription models ("Go", "More", "Extra", "Max") across all its markets.

Germany is expected to follow suit by mid-2027. While Belgium and the Netherlands charge a monthly fee for the cheapest account, the "Go", the question arose as to whether ING would also discontinue its free current account in Germany. The Dutch banking behemoth will now provide several premium subscription packages to its 42 million customers, encompassing banking services along with additional benefits such as insurance, discounts, and entertainment options.

"We need to be more relevant to our customers," van Rijswijk remarked. This includes expanding the range of offerings. New accounts are already available in Belgium, Poland, Romania, and the Netherlands at monthly fees ranging from four to approximately 45 euros. In ING Deutschland, a current account remains free if the account holder earns at least 1000 euros monthly or is under 28 years old.

Otherwise, the bank charges a monthly fee of 4.90 euros. Free current accounts without conditions are becoming rare in the competitive landscape, with Neobanks like Revolut and N26 leading the charge. ING's van Rijswijk emphasized the need for the bank to "reinvent" itself and broaden its presence, stating, "We need to fill gaps and become a universal bank across all our markets."

He also expressed openness to strategic acquisitions, specifically mentioning investment platforms and insurance distribution channels. Recently, ING acquired a 40% stake in the Madrid-based private bank Singular Bank from US risk capital firm Warburg Pincus. The plan is for both banks to sell each other's products from private banking and asset management.