Laurent Simeoni

ING has merged the bank’s investment offices in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. ‘The aim of the operation is to become stronger together,’ says Bob Homan, who heads up the Investment Office which now employs 50 people.

The rationale behind the merger is that the investment offices of the country organisations actually do the same work. ‘They focus on research, asset allocation, selection of instruments and communication,’ says Homan in an interview with Investment Officer. The merger did not cost any jobs.

With less than a week until the SFDR reporting deadline, client advisers and asset managers in Luxembourg and internationally are gently testing the water. From how to classify different funds and what to report to investors, the financial industry is progressing with caution.