ING Investment Americas: A Historical Overview

ING Investment Americas, formerly a significant player in the asset management landscape of the Americas, is no longer operating under that name following its acquisition by Voya Financial in 2013. Understanding its history, however, offers insights into the evolving dynamics of the investment industry.

Prior to the acquisition, ING Investment Americas offered a broad range of investment solutions to institutional and retail clients. These solutions spanned various asset classes, including equities, fixed income, and real estate. Their expertise covered actively managed strategies, passive index tracking, and multi-asset allocation approaches. The firm managed assets for pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, endowments, and individual investors across the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

The strength of ING Investment Americas resided in its global network, leveraging the broader ING Group’s resources and expertise. This allowed them to offer insights and investment opportunities in international markets, as well as a rigorous risk management framework. They emphasized a research-driven investment process, employing teams of analysts and portfolio managers dedicated to specific sectors and asset classes.

The decision to sell ING Investment Americas was part of a larger restructuring strategy undertaken by ING Group following the financial crisis of 2008. The European Commission required ING to divest its insurance and investment management businesses to repay government aid received during the crisis. Voya Financial, then known as ING U.S., acquired the entity in a deal that significantly expanded its asset management capabilities and market presence.

The acquisition of ING Investment Americas by Voya Financial marked a significant shift. The investment teams and strategies previously managed under the ING banner were integrated into Voya Investment Management. Clients experienced a transition as their accounts and relationships were managed by Voya. While the ING Investment Americas brand ceased to exist, the investment expertise and talent it housed continued to contribute to Voya’s success.

Today, the legacy of ING Investment Americas lives on through the continued performance of the investment strategies adopted by Voya Financial. The acquisition serves as a reminder of the industry’s consolidation and the impact of regulatory pressures on large financial institutions. While the name is gone, the principles of rigorous research, global perspective, and client-centric service, once core to ING Investment Americas, remain relevant in the contemporary investment environment.