ING lifts outlook after Q2 2026 beat

ING (INGAa) delivered a net result of €1.95 billion for the second quarter of 2026, exceeding company-compiled analyst expectations of about €1.83 billion. Profit before tax in the period was €2,919 million, reflecting solid performance across the bank’s activities. Total income increased year-on-year, supported by higher net interest income and expanding fee income. These figures positioned the bank to revise its forward-looking financial targets.

Fee income in the quarter reached €1,278 million, representing an increase of approximately 14% compared with the same period a year earlier. This growth in fee-based revenues complemented interest-driven income and contributed to the stronger overall result. The combination of higher earnings and diversified income streams formed the basis for the bank’s upgraded outlook.

Following the second-quarter performance, ING raised its full-year 2026 total income guidance to more than €24.5 billion. It also upgraded its 2027 total income expectation to more than €26 billion, signaling confidence in sustaining revenue growth over the medium term. These targets reflect management’s assessment that current business trends can support higher income than previously anticipated.

The bank also lifted its return on tangible equity guidance. The new targets are above 15% for 2026 and above 16% for 2027. By linking higher income expectations with stronger profitability goals, ING set out a more ambitious financial framework for the next two years. These revised objectives follow the outperformance seen in the latest quarter.

ING highlighted ongoing commercial momentum across its franchise. The mobile primary customer base expanded by 377,000 during the quarter, indicating continued uptake of its digital services. Growth in active, digitally engaged customers can support both lending volumes and fee-generating activities.

The bank noted that broader customer engagement contributed to higher activity in lending and fee-related services. This operational progress underpinned the growth in total income and supported the decision to raise medium-term guidance. The figures point to a business increasingly driven by a larger, more active mobile customer base.

ING reported a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 13.1% for the second quarter of 2026. This capital ratio includes approximately €1.0 billion of risk-weighted asset relief resulting from a significant risk-transfer transaction. The level of capital provides room for both business growth and shareholder distributions within regulatory requirements.

In line with its capital position and earnings strength, the bank announced an interim cash dividend of €0.40 per ordinary share. The dividend reflects management’s intention to return capital to shareholders while pursuing its upgraded growth and profitability targets. Together, the solid capital metrics and distribution plan round out a quarter marked by earnings beats and a more optimistic outlook.