ING DIRECT clients and staff help raise over $1.25 million for Haitian
earthquake relief

Donating over $600K, matched by Feds, plus $50K from ING DIRECT

TORONTO, March 30 /CNW/ - The devastating impact of the massive earthquake in Haiti on January 12th is still very much on everyone's mind as we continue to work together globally to help the estimated 2 million people left in need, including one million in need of simple shelter, according to the U.N.

Soon after the earthquake, in an effort to actively help those left devastated, ING DIRECT Canada provided a way for its clients and staff to help survivors by providing an option to make a donation online, simply by logging into their account and selecting "make a donation".

"The response was overwhelming," says Peter Aceto, President & CEO at ING DIRECT, who posted a thank you online to ING DIRECT clients and staff for their generosity.

ING DIRECT clients and staff contributed over $600K which was donated to the Canadian Red Cross, and these personal donations were matched dollar-for-dollar by the Government of Canada, up until February 12th, doubling the money raised. In addition, ING DIRECT matched the first $50,000 in client donations, bringing the combined contribution to over $1.25 million.

"The generosity and support of ING DIRECT and its clients will help the Red Cross continue to provide for immediate needs including shelter, clean water and medical support as well as address longer-term needs of the affected communities as we begin to help them rebuild and recover," said Ron Kelusky, director general of the Red Cross in Ontario.

"Our sympathies continue to be with all the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti," said Peter Aceto, President & CEO at ING DIRECT. "We were honoured to be able to contribute toward the aid efforts by enabling donations through our website and to partner with the Canadian Red Cross to ensure those funds reach the people of Haiti and help them during the long rebuilding efforts ahead."

About ING DIRECT

ING DIRECT is Canada's leading direct bank with over 1.6 million Clients and more than $27 billion in total assets. ING DIRECT gives the power of saving to all Canadians by offering high-value, simple products such as high interest savings accounts with no fees or service charges, and low rates on mortgages. Low cost, index based mutual funds are sold through ING Direct Funds Limited. ING DIRECT has been operating in Canada since 1997, and has paid more than $4 billion in interest to Clients. ING DIRECT is open for banking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at ingdirect.ca or by calling 1-800 ING DIRECT (1-800-464-3473).

Follow Peter Aceto on Twitter at: Twitter.com/CEO_INGDIRECT

And find ING DIRECT at: Facebook.com/SuperStarSaver; Twitter.com/SuperStarSaver; YouTube.com/SuperStarSaver

Style note to Editors: ING DIRECT is always capitalized and never referred to as ING.

For further information: Media Relations Contacts: Joanne Ingrassia, [phone] or [email protected]; Lynnette Visaya, [phone] or [email protected]