ING DIRECT Matches Donations for Haitian Earthquake Support

Donations for Haiti Relief through ING DIRECT website are matched by Canada's online bank

TORONTO , Jan. 18 /CNW/ - The impact of massive earthquakes quickly leave mass populations with fractured support systems - leaving the survivors vulnerable as they try to find medical aid, shelter, food and clean drinking water.

The world has mobilized to aid the estimated 3 million people that have been affected and 200,000 left homeless in Haiti . In an effort to actively help those left devastated by the earthquake, ING DIRECT Canada is providing a way for Clients and employees to help survivors with the option to make a donation online, simply by logging in to their account, and selecting the option "make a donation".

All monies will go to the Canadian Red Cross and for every amount donated through www.ingdirect.ca, ING DIRECT will match the donation, up to a total of $50,000 , until February 12, 2010 .

The Government of Canada will also match dollar-for-dollar all personal contributions to registered charities, including the Canadian Red Cross, up to a total of $50 million , until February 12, 2010 .

That means, for every dollar ING DIRECT Clients or employees make, their donation triples with the matching donations from ING DIRECT and the Federal Government, increasing much needed relief to help the Haitian people.

"Our sympathies go out to the thousands of people affected by the earthquake in Haiti ," said Peter Aceto , President & CEO at ING DIRECT. "We can't just stand by and watch as survivors struggle for food and shelter, and that's why we're reaching out to our clients and employees to help. By enabling donations through our website, and matching it, we're helping their money go one step further for those affected by this great tragedy."

The Canadian Red Cross will issue donors a tax receipt for donations of $10 or more.

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).

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