Feb 18 (Reuters) - ING Groep NV INGA.AS :
* REG-ING TO LEAVE CZECH RETAIL BANKING MARKET BY END-2021
* CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A WELCOME OFFER FROM RAIFFEISENBANK CZECH REPUBLIC
* AMBITION IS FOR ING TO STOP ALL ITS RETAIL ACTIVITIES IN THIS MARKET BY END OF 2021.
* ING WILL REMAIN ACTIVE IN CZECH REPUBLIC AS A PROVIDER OF WHOLESALE BANKING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
* ING HAS BEEN PRESENT IN CZECH RETAIL BANKING MARKET FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, OFFERING SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND MUTUAL FUNDS
* CURRENTLY ING SERVES AROUND 375,000 LOCAL RETAIL CUSTOMERS. GLOBALLY, ING SUPPORTS MORE THAN 39 MILLION RETAIL AND WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS IN 40 MARKETS.
* CURRENTLY RETAIL OPERATIONS IN CZECH REPUBLIC EMPLOY APPROXIMATELY 225 FTE
* AGREEMENT WITH RAIFFEISENBANK HAS BEEN SECURED TO ENSURE ING'S CUSTOMERS IN CZECH REPUBLIC CAN CONTINUE TO MEET THEIR BANKING NEEDS
* ING WILL BUILD ON ITS TRACK RECORD IN SUPPORTING ITS EMPLOYEES WITH FINDING EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE BANK