Steven van Rijswijk

Steven van Rijswijk became CEO of ING Group in July 2020, taking the helm of the Netherlands' largest financial institution during the pandemic. ING serves over 38 million customers across more than 40 countries, with a distinctive strategy that combines a strong retail banking franchise in the Benelux, Germany, and Central Europe with a global wholesale banking operation serving multinational corporations and institutional clients. ING's most differentiated strategic asset is its mobile-first digital banking platform. Under the strategic direction that van Rijswijk has continued and accelerated, ING has attracted millions of retail customers in markets like Germany, Spain, and Australia through its ING Direct digital platform — offering competitive rates and a superior mobile experience without the cost of physical branch networks. This digital model gives ING a structurally lower cost-to-serve than traditional branch-heavy competitors. Van Rijswijk's management of the interest rate environment (which significantly impacts ING's net interest income), his execution on digital customer acquisition and cross-selling, and cost discipline across the organization are the primary drivers of ING's stock price. The bank's capital return program — one of the most generous in European banking — adds additional appeal for yield-focused investors.