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Dec 11, 2008 -- ING Direct a model of a big bank with good ethics

The recent release of The Orange Code -- a new book about ING Direct -- highlights the fact that not all giant banks are bad.

When ING first formed, they hosted focus groups to find out what people hated about their banks -- and they did the opposite. The first rule of ING's code of conduct is a simple concept: "We will tell the truth." Great businesses often start from this premise. Look at Costco, for example, which has "Obey the law" in its code of ethics.

This is not one of those banks that will give you a disclosure consisting of 4,000 pages of mice type. Clark recalls a TV story he shot where a team of lawyers were asked to vet credit card terms of disclosure from another bank. Even the lawyers were stumped by the convoluted language!

ING's business model is so different from the reality of modern banking where many banks are dead-set on deceiving you and cheating you. Mind you, not every big bank is out to get you, but that seems to be the general m.o. of many of them.

ING has $60 billion in deposits and serves 7 million Americans. When you get a mortgage through them, you get a rate upfront and usually pay a total of $800 in closing costs. That's it. Their banking and checking options come with very few fees and some of the highest interest rates in America.

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What others are saying

  • Be careful
    I am in the middle of trying to refi with ING, but the appraisal did not come through high enough and now I need to come up with the difference or they will charge me $350. I spoke with ING rep prior to committing and was told they would not change the rate or charge me if the appraisal fell through, but shame on me for believing them. Also, I think the appraisal process is scam, when it suited the industry they were way too high and the $295 for an appraisal is a rip off, considering it appears all they do is look at the three houses most recently sold in your area and one house on the market nearby. That take about 30 minutes of internet search. Just be careful when you give them your card to charge if something goes wrong it will cost you.
  • Careful with ING Direct - 3rd Party partners
    We are in process of re-fi with ING Direct. Everything was smooth expect for the delays it took for some of the third party partners of theirs.

    In the end, it has come down to simple mistakes on the HUD settlements usually generated by third party.

    One of the glaring examples, we asked NOT to include the closing cost as part of the loan, but somehow it made it through in the HUD settlement.

    In my last discussion with ING Direct, it seems to have been resolved, but we will find out when we close in couple of days.

    Shashank
  • Easy Orange
    I encountered the same problem with their site a few weeks ago that you did, Bill. Turns out they were haveing "server issues" and it turned out that my 9 different attempts at applying had all gone through (and 8 needed to be cleaned out before they could process #9).

    As soon as I get my appraisal back (hopefully for enough to qualify me for the 25% equity needed), I'll be on my way to my /second/ ING mortgage.

    I <3 ING
  • ING Easy Orange Loan is Not Very EASY
    I am trying to refinance my home using the ING Easay Orange loan. I have filled out the application 5 times on their web site and they keep saying "We are unable to submit your application. Please wait a moment and try again. If the problem continues call us at 1-866-327-4599". They sent me a link that did not work. I tried it from a network with no firewall and it did not work. They are not allowed to take the application over the phone and their only solution is try it again. NO Thanks.
  • ING Checking & Savings for 1.5 years
    ING has been great for the last year and a half. We have had the Checking a few months longer than the savings account. No problems during this time; however my recently sold Mega-bank continues to attempt to charge me ATM fees at their ATMs.
  • ING Direct
    We've been with a "giant monster mega bank" forever & are looking to change. What's the general feeling out there for banking with the big orange? We have several automatic drafts from our account each month, but other than that, nothing outstanding that we need. Just wondering about the good, bad, & ugly of this possible switch. Thanks.
  • ING 401k
    Our company has ING 401k - very high expenses
  • 2 Healthy Banks
    I saw this on CNBC or in an article but US Bank and BB&T are 2 healthy banks with good balance sheets and good bank practices.
  • ING mortgage
    Hi Clark, I had an "orange" mortgage thru ING that was opened in 2006. It and they were fabulous. Everything exactly as stated, no funny business, etc. The deal was so good that the lawyer they sent me to for the closing, who had never done an ING closing prior to mine, decided to switch lenders herself for a real estate transaction she was putting together for herself. I will definately make them a "first stop" when shopping for any banking services in the future.
    And Clark, thanks for all you do. I love your honesty and clarity. Rock On Clark! You are one of the few "good guys" out there in my opinion.
    Dr. W Butt
  • mortgage
    my mortgage (a refi) is through ING. They are great to deal with and make money the old fashioned way (they earn it - unique concept), instead of cheating their customers.
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