What is ING Direct?

ING Direct is an international brand of branchless direct banks owned by the Dutch banking giant, ING Group. ING Direct operates banks in Austria, Australia, Germany, France and Spain. These banks cater primarily to individual consumers and not business or commercial clients.

Direct banks, such as ING Direct, are characterized by the lack of a traditional bank branch structure. Unlike regular banks, direct banks have no physical branch where customers go to make transactions. Most of the bank services that direct banks provide take place over the Internet or through a telephone system. In place of traditional branches, direct banks allow customers to withdraw and deposit money at ATMs.