The Committee of 100 | Meeting Notes

Arkadi Kuhlmann joined ING Group in June 1996 as President and CEO to start up the ING DIRECT initiative in Canada. On December 1, 1999, he was appointed President and CEO of ING DIRECT USA. He brings to Wilmington not only a major player in world banking, but also, a major contribution to Wilmington's riverfront revitalization.

ING DIRECT is part of one of the world's largest integrated financial services organization, ING Group of the Netherlands. Headquartered in Amsterdam, ING Group operates in 65 countries, with over 100,000 employees and $500 billion in assets. ING Group owns more than 25 companies in North and South America. In the US, there are over 11,000 employees working for ING Group companies like ING Barings and ING Equitable Life. In addition to Canada and the US, ING DIRECT has launched its direct banking services in Spain, Australia, and France, with Italy scheduled after the United States.

ING DIRECT USA, based in Wilmington, has become an important presence on the Christina waterfront. It's Wilmington home is in the dramatically restored 6-story former Berger Brothers furniture warehouse adjacent to the 2-story Berger annex which has been renovated by the Riverfront Development Corporation into the Riverfront Market.

In addition, ING DIRECT USA is facilitating the renovation of the historic B & O Railroad Station. As it did with the Berger Brothers Building, ING DIRECT USA has partnered with Castlepoint Group, which bought and is renovating both buildings that ING DIRECT will lease. The 113-year old B & O Railroad station, which has been vacant for a quarter century, will become home to ING's cyber café where customers will be able to drink coffee and get their banking done at the same time. The café will also feature an interactive exhibit highlighting Wilmington's role in the Underground Railroad.