ING Invest empowers Romanians to trade stocks and ETFs from Home'Bank

ING Bank România has launched ING Invest, a new platform that allows clients to trade stocks and ETFs directly through the Home'Bank application. This innovative service aims to democratize investing for small investors and individual clients, responding to the growing interest in investment tools among Romanians in recent years.

With ING Invest, users can buy and sell shares traded on the Bucharest Stock Exchange as well as on major international markets. The platform also offers exchange-traded funds (ETFs) managed by renowned companies such as Amundi, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, providing investors with the opportunity to gain exposure to numerous companies across various industries and regions.

To celebrate its launch, the first 50,000 investors using ING Invest will enjoy zero commissions on stock and ETF transactions until the end of 2026. All operations can be executed directly through the Home'Bank app, which allows for a seamless user experience.

The unique cash account used for ING Invest can be funded in RON, and it supports transactions in other currencies, applying the exchange rates of the National Bank of Romania for currency conversions. Clients can easily transfer funds after activating their accounts and place buy or sell orders with a simple search for the issuer's name.

CEO Mihaela Bîtu expressed her enthusiasm about ING's return to the capital market, stating that the new platform aligns with contemporary operational methods. She emphasized the importance of addressing individual investors and highlighted the need for improved financial education alongside the expansion of public participation in the capital market.

The number of investors at the Bucharest Stock Exchange is nearing 300,000, a figure that has doubled in recent years, reflecting a growing trend among Romanians to engage in investment activities. Approximately 600,000 to 700,000 individuals are already investing in government bonds, indicating a strong foundation for the growth of investment in the country.

Looking ahead, ING Bank plans to further develop the ING Invest service, with intentions to expand the range of available financial instruments within the next three to six months. Upcoming additions include the introduction of the Fidelis government securities. The platform has been designed to facilitate portfolio diversification for users, ensuring they have access to a wide array of financial instruments.

The development of ING Invest has been informed by client feedback and the successful practices implemented within the ING Group. Mihai Lazăr, Tribe Lead Investments at ING Bank România, noted that the platform is a combination of best practices observed in the group and the needs expressed by clients, ensuring a user-centric approach to investment.