We are a bank for banks

1. What is your job in Asset Securitisation?

In the Asset Securitisation team, we support companies in structuring and placing securitisations with investors, such as production and leasing companies as well as banks. They use securitisation for refinancing, equity relief and credit risk mitigation. 

2. Can you describe in simple terms how securitisation works?

Larger investments, such as vehicles, production facilities and real estate, are usually financed through loans or leasing. This requires a lot of capital, which has to be financed by the provider. The idea of securitisation is as follows: A bundle of leasing or loan receivables is converted into securities and placed with various investors to collect the capital. The investors are then repaid directly through the monthly interest and principal payments from the receivables. The contact for the lessee or borrower remains unchanged. 

3. Can you briefly explain how your work contributes to ING's overall strategy?

As part of Capital Markets & Advisory, we want to intensify cooperation with our institutional and corporate clients on important transactions. We also want to provide our comprehensive financing expertise as a strategic banking partner. The aim is to enable our clients to refinance at competitive terms and diversify their options for refinancing and capital management. 

4. What are the most important skills and expertise for success?

We are experts in capital markets and structured finance, as well as strategic advisors, all in one. 😊 But ultimately, our job is to understand our clients' businesses almost as well as our own. That's how we find the right solutions for them. But good internal and external networks are also super important to bring the right people together and form a strong team. 

5. What is it that people don’t understand about your work?

Many people still remember the financial crisis of 2008, which culminated in the insolvency of the investment bank Lehman Brothers. Some people are also familiar with the film "The Big Short", which is based on true events. It paints an unflattering picture of securitisation and banks from that time. We still explain quite often that you have to distinguish between risky structures and standardized, transparent securitisations. However, the excellent development of European securitisations with almost zero defaults for over 20 years speaks for itself.

6. Do you have more vegans or schnitzel fans on your team?

We are a very diverse team. Our colleagues come from China, Mexico, Italy, India, Russia and a few from Germany. 😃 We are just as diverse when it comes to food. Fortunately, our cafeteria offers a wide variety. There's something for everyone. 

7. Who is the early bird of your team?

We have a new father in the team who joined the “5 am club.” He’s always first in the office and gets the best fruit in the cafeteria.