How long does the ING interview process take?

Most candidates spend between 4 and 8 weeks from recruiter screen to offer. The onsite loop itself runs in a single day or is split across two half-days, with debrief and offer typically within 5 business days after.

How should I prepare specifically for ING?

Focus on three things: (1) the company DNA shown above - what they actually grade for, (2) the rounds in your loop, especially the round most candidates underestimate, and (3) drilling on the question types in this guide using a structured framework like CIRCLES or STAR.

Does this apply to engineering or design roles at ING?

The DNA stays the same - what changes is the round mix. SWE candidates face coding screens instead of Product Sense; designers face portfolio reviews and design exercises. The "what they value" and behavioral signals carry across all functions.

Other roles at ING:IB Analyst Product Manager Software Engineer

Enterprise · IB Analyst Interview Guide

How to Pass the ING IB Analyst Interview in 2026

The ING DNA (TL;DR)

ING values a strong sense of ownership and a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to problem-solving. They look for candidates who can demonstrate a clear understanding of business impact and can articulate how their technical contributions drive value for the company and its customers.

The ING Interview Loop

Your onsite loop will typically consist of 4 rounds.

1
Round 1
Recruiter Screen
Motivation, fit, GPA, deal interest.
2
Round 2
Technical Screen
Accounting, valuation (DCF, comps, precedent transactions), enterprise vs equity value.
3
Round 3
Market Knowledge
Recent deals, market events, sector outlook, why this firm.
4
Round 4
Superday
Multiple back-to-back interviews with MDs/VPs covering technical + behavioral + fit.
5
Round 5
Behavioral / Leadership
Past evidence of ownership, influence, resolving conflict.

The Danger Zone: Top Reasons Candidates Fail

Based on our database of ING interview outcomes, avoid these common traps:

Not demonstrating concrete steps taken to prevent recurrence.
Confusing the two terms and their components (e.g., including minority interest in Equity Value).
Not mentioning any specific aspects of ING's IB business or European focus.
Treating ESG as a mere compliance issue rather than a strategic driver.

Test Yourself: Real ING Questions

Three real prompts pulled from our database.

Type · Valuation

Explain the difference between Enterprise Value and Equity Value. When would you use one over the other?

Type · Teamwork

Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you approach the situation, and what was the outcome?

Type · Resilience

Tell me about a time you faced a significant setback or failure in a project or academic pursuit. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?

+ many more questions, signals, and worked examples

Unlock the rubric

ING Interview Question Bank

A sample from our database, grouped by round. Sign up to see the full set.

9 of 17 questions shown

Recruiter Screen

1
Type · Motivation
Why are you interested in Investment Banking at ING specifically, given our focus on European markets and specific industry strengths?

Technical Screen

2
Type · Valuation
Walk me through a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis. What are the key components, and what are the main drivers of value?
3
Type · Valuation
How would you value a company using Comparable Company Analysis (Comps)? What are the common multiples used, and what are their pros and cons?
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

Market Knowledge

4
Type · Market Trends
What are some of the most significant recent M&A deals in the European financial services sector, and what were the key strategic rationales behind them?
5
Type · Market Trends
How has the current macroeconomic environment (e.g., inflation, interest rates, geopolitical risks) impacted deal activity and valuations in the European market?
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

Superday

6
Type · Technical
Imagine a company is considering acquiring another. How would you assess the potential impact of this acquisition on the acquiring company's financial statements, particularly EPS accretion/dilution?
7
Type · Technical
Walk me through the three financial statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement) and how they link together.
+ 1 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)

Behavioral / Leadership

8
Type · Ownership
Tell me about a time you took ownership of a project or problem that was not explicitly assigned to you. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the outcome?
9
Type · Influence
Describe a time you had to influence a stakeholder or team who disagreed with your proposed product direction. How did you approach it, and what was the result?
+ 5 more questions in this round (sign up to unlock)