ING beats profit forecasts, trims Thai stake, leads AI payment rules
Q2 profit jumps 23%, ING raises 2026-27 income outlook ING's second-quarter profit before tax rose 23.2% to €2.92 billion on higher interest and fee income, and the bank lifted its 2026 and 2027 income forecasts. Stronger earnings and a brighter outlook make the shares more attractive to investors.
This is the biggest new fundamental driver of ING's value this period.
ING sells TTB stake, cutting holding from 19.5% to 11.6% ING sold about €475 million of TMBThanachart Bank shares, reducing its stake to 11.6%. The sale frees up capital for ING but pressures TTB's share price. For ING it is routine portfolio management, not a change in its core business.
It is a real capital action by ING that affects its balance sheet and investor perception.
ING helps set global rules for AI shopping payments ING joined five other big banks to publish voluntary trust principles for AI agents that buy things for people. Being an early rule-setter positions ING well in a fast-growing payments market, though the framework has no enforcement power yet.
It shows ING shaping a new payments market, a potential long-term positive.
