(9th December 2003 – Europe) Dutch banking and insurance giant ING has sold its Italian agent network activities of ING Sviluppo to UniCredito Italiano.ING has also inked a deal with UniCredito Italiano and Aviva to sell its affiliated life insurance, asset management and retail and private banking activities. These parts of ING’s Italian operations are expected to be sold before the end of 2003.
ING said it will continue to focus on the Italian retail market through ING Direct and “remain active” in Italy with its wholesale operation ING Bank and institutional business ING Investment Management.