Let Savings Ring: ING DIRECT USA Announces 2nd Annual Financial Independence Days Promotion

WILMINGTON, Del., July 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Savings ring loud this Fourth of July holiday as ING DIRECT USA, the nation's largest direct bank, gears up for its 2nd annual Financial Independence Days promotion. Beginning July 1 and lasting through July 2, Americans can make a personal declaration of financial independence with unique holiday deals and incentives all centered on 1776.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100407/NY82932LOGO-b )

"Independence Day is a time when Americans make certain to celebrate, enjoy and be mindful of the many freedoms of our nation," said Arkadi Kuhlmann, President and CEO of ING DIRECT USA. "This year, ING DIRECT encourages Americans to also commemorate their financial freedom by paying tribute to their savings."  

The ING DIRECT Financial Independence Days promotion will help Americans liberate themselves from checking fees, spread the wealth of savings with friends, pursue financial security and build a savings foundation for the future. From owning a home sooner to investing for the long-term, the two-day promotion offers six savings rewards for both new and existing customers ranging from 17.76% off ING DIRECT shop purchases to $1,776 off Easy Orange(SM) and Orange Mortgage (SM) closing costs. The savings opportunities are available at www.ingdirect.com/independence starting July 1.

Americans can seize the opportunity to declare financial independence with the following six savings deals and incentives to be offered during ING DIRECT's Financial Independence Days promotion:

• Liberate From Checking Fees – New checking account Customers who open an Electric Orange(SM) Checking account will receive a traditional bonus of $50 when they make three purchases (signature or pin-based) with their MasterCard® Debit Card, Person2Person payments, or any combination of the two, within 45 days of account opening. The $50 bonus will be automatically deposited into the Customer's account on day 50 (August 21). To further reap the benefits of this patriotic promotion, Customers who then set up and make at least two direct deposits of $250, will receive an additional $76 bonus for a total savings of $126. The $76 will be automatically deposited into the Customer's account on September 8.

Electric Orange Annual Percentage Yields (APY) are variable. The current APYs, effective June 28, 2011, are 0.25 percent APY for balances under $50,000; 1.10 percent APY for balances between $50,000 and $100,000; and 1.15 percent APY for balances over $100,000.

• In Pursuit of Homeownership – Prospective homeowners who apply for Easy Orange(SM) or Orange Mortgage(SM) on July 1 and 2, 2011 and fund the loan before September 30 will receive up to $1,776 off closing costs.
• Invest in Financial Freedom – Investors who open a new ShareBuilder account will receive a $76 account bonus after their first investment. Customers can select from over 10,000 stocks, mutual funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to invest in.
• Life, Liberty and Financial Long-Term Security – New and existing Customers who open a FDIC insured Savings IRA with at least $1,000 will receive a $76 bonus and be one step closer to their retirement goals. The $76 bonus will be automatically posted on July 12, 2011. The bonus is considered a 2011 contribution and counts toward the annual IRA contribution limit. Variable Annual Percentage Yield, effective June 28, 2011, is 1.00 %.
• Go Ahead, Buy that Must-Have Petticoat – Bargain hunters looking for the best deals, can get 17.76% off all merchandise on July 1 and 2, 2011 at shop.ingdirect.com. Just enter reference code '1776' at check out.
• Spread the Wealth of Savings – Existing ING DIRECT USA Customers can earn rewards for showing their friends the way to financial independence by encouraging them to save with ING DIRECT USA too. Customers will receive a $76 bonus for the first two friends they refer that open an Orange Savings Account with a minimum deposit of $250 by using the referral link in the e-mail before July 31, 2011. Each friend will also receive a $25 bonus when they open and fund their Orange Savings Account and begin the path toward financial independence. Variable Annual Percentage Yield, effective June 28, 2011, is 1.00%.

The Financial Independence Days promotion begins at 12:00 AM on Friday, July 1 and lasts through Saturday, July 2 at 11:59 PM. To learn more about these savings opportunities visit: www.ingdirect.com/independence

About ING DIRECT USA

ING DIRECT, the nation's largest direct bank and largest thrift, is dedicated to inspiring Americans to become a nation of savers. Since its inception in 2000, more than 7.6 million Americans have entrusted their savings with ING DIRECT, building the bank to nearly $91.3 billion in assets.  ING DIRECT has developed a comprehensive social media Savers Community, including Twitter, Facebook and its We, The Savers blog.  For more information about ING DIRECT call 1-800-ING-DIRECT, and for information about its commitment to financial education visit Planet Orange(SM).  

ING DIRECT Investing is a leading online brokerage for investors who have long-term financial goals and want to say goodbye to investing complexity.  Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, ING DIRECT Investing has what Americans need to help secure their financial future without sacrificing their lives to the stock market. No minimum balance required when you open an account and pay low commissions when investing.  Trade when you want, any amount you want, and what you want – stocks, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, options and retirement solutions. ShareBuilder is a service of ING DIRECT Investing, Inc. Securities products are offered by ING DIRECT Investing, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.  ING DIRECT Investing is a subsidiary of ING Bank, fsb.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Securities products are: Not FDIC insured - Not Bank guaranteed - May lose value

Style note to Editors: ING DIRECT is always capitalized and never referred to as ING.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kendall Roy, ING DIRECT USA
302-255-3619
[email protected]

SOURCE ING DIRECT USA