We know it as a large, solid and well-established bank, but ING Belgium is also a player committed to helping entrepreneurs. Since February 2025, the bank has been Beci's exclusive financial partner.
Behind the figures - 150 years of history, 6,000 employees, 3.5 million customers - ING Belgium's involvement goes well beyond traditional banking services and extends its offering to businesses. ‘We want to help our customers stay one step ahead in both their professional and personal lives,’ explains Can Arslanlar, ING's SME Manager. From seeking financing to cash management and legal advice, the bank wants to make life easier for entrepreneurs, whether they are a fast-growing start-up, a well-established SME or a self-employed person looking for stability.
Having been a member of Beci for several years, ING Belgium is taking things to the next level by becoming its exclusive financial partner for the next three years. This is a natural alliance between two players who share the same vision: to support entrepreneurship in Brussels and strengthen the local ecosystem.
Strategic partnership, local impact
'We share strong values with Beci: a love for the entrepreneurial world, innovation, sustainability and local economic development,' Can Arslanlar points out. 'In the past, we were mainly there for networking. Today, we want to go further: co-organise events, put our expertise at the service of Beci members and ensure that this collaboration is truly beneficial for both sides.'
In practical terms, this partnership means an increased presence at Beci events, particularly the Good Morning 500, where ING talks to entrepreneurs about their day-to-day challenges. The two partners want to create a genuine forum for exchange between ING Belgium experts and entrepreneurs, to offer practical, tailored advice. ‘The idea is for Beci members to benefit from our financial insights, but also for our customers to discover the support offered by Beci,’ explains the SME advisor.
ING services for entrepreneurs
ING Belgium offers a range of services designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes: from micro-businesses and SMEs to the liberal professions and fast-growing scale-ups. Like Beci, the bank is actively committed to the ecological transition and offers flexible commercial loans for sustainable projects. ING Belgium also works with partners such as Finance & Invest Brussels to offer financing solutions tailored to the needs of local businesses.
Cash management is also one of ING's priorities, with intuitive digital tools that make it easy for entrepreneurs to manage their business. "We put particular focus on digitalisation and sustainability. Our customers need to be able to manage their business independently at all times. That's why we have developed an intuitive platform that makes it as easy as possible to carry out transactions online", says the ING SME advisor.
Entrepreneurs can also take advantage of ING's insurance solutions to protect their business against the unexpected. At the same time, the bank offers its expertise in legal and strategic advice, particularly for transferring businesses, seeking subsidies and estate planning.
The partnership is taking shape
A few months after its launch, this partnership is already beginning to bear fruit, and ING and Beci are looking further ahead. Together, they intend to strengthen their support for Brussels businesses as they face economic, environmental and technological challenges. ‘This partnership has reached a very good momentum,’ says Can. "With Beci, we have a shared vision: to combine our expertise to provide concrete solutions for entrepreneurs. He insists: 'We want to be where it matters, with the right answers.'
The ING-Beci partnership intends to play an active role in supporting businesses in Brussels. And for entrepreneurs, it's excellent news: more in-depth, more accessible support that is, above all, tailored to their real needs. Thierry Geerts, CEO of Beci, confirms: 'We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with ING, a long-standing member of Beci. This alliance will allow us to strengthen our support for the Brussels economy together, and to provide our members with even better support in meeting the challenges of an ever-changing world.'