ING faalt in terugtrekking uit Rusland door geblokkeerde verkoop
Amsterdam, dinsdag, 7 april 2026.
ING heeft geprobeerd haar Russische tak te verkopen aan Global Development. De deal strandde. De Russische autoriteiten gaven geen goedkeuring. Na ruim een jaar wachten zag ING geen kans meer op goedkeuring. De bank brak de overeenkomst af. ING wil nog steeds weg uit Rusland, maar zit vast. Andere westerse banken maken soortgelijke ervaringen. Het Kremlin lijkt vertrek te blokkeren. Interessant detail: ING boekte in 2025 een flinke winst in Rusland. Brutowinst steeg naar 157 miljoen euro. Hoog rentepercentage in Rusland draagt daaraan bij. Bank blijft actief tot alternatief is gevonden.
failed sale halts exit plans
ING has terminated its agreement to sell its Russian operations after the intended buyer, Global Development, failed to secure approval from Russian regulators. The deal, initially announced over a year ago, faced prolonged delays as necessary authorizations were not granted. With no indication that approvals will come, ING formally ended the contract. The bank emphasized it still intends to leave the Russian market but acknowledged regulatory obstacles are complicating its departure. This mirrors challenges faced by other Western banks seeking to divest amid ongoing geopolitical tensions [1][2][3].
regulatory hurdles stall western exits
Multiple Western financial institutions are encountering resistance from Russian authorities when attempting to offload local subsidiaries. Reports suggest the Kremlin may be intentionally delaying approvals to retain access to international payment systems and stabilize domestic finance. ING’s experience aligns with broader industry struggles. Despite winding down new client acquisitions since February 2022, the bank remains operationally active through its Moscow office. Regulatory inertia effectively traps these firms, preventing clean exits despite strong political and strategic motivations to depart [2][4][5].
profitability persists under constraints
Despite scaled-back operations, ING recorded rising profitability in Russia. The subsidiary reported a gross profit increase from 99 million euros in 2024 to 157 million euros in 2925 [6]. This growth stems largely from high interest rates in Russia, currently around 15 percent, applied to funds parked at the central bank. As lending activities ceased years ago, income now derives primarily from existing balances earning elevated returns. Tax contributions also rose, reaching 35 million euros in 2025, reflecting stronger earnings performance amid restricted operations [1][6].
strategic retreat remains official stance
ING maintains its position that it sees no future in operating within Russia. Since the invasion of Ukraine, the bank halted onboarding new corporate clients and began isolating its Russian unit from global networks. While the aborted sale to Global Development disrupts immediate plans, management insists disengagement remains a priority. Alternative pathways to exit are under evaluation, though none are expected to reduce costs significantly compared to the original transaction, which would have cost approximately 0.8 billion euros [1][3][5].