Brussels prosecutor probes ING Belgium over role in the Didier Reynders case

Brussels – The Brussels prosecutor’s office is investigating a possible case of influence peddling at the Belgian branch of Dutch bank ING, linked to the way the bank handled its client, former European commissioner and Belgian Liberal deputy prime minister Didier Reynders. Brussels prosecutor Julien Moinil confirmed the investigation. 

The investigation started after the National Bank handed over its inspection report on ING Belgium’s handling of the Reynders case to the judicial authorities. 

Between 2008 and 2018, Reynders deposited almost EUR 700,000 in cash in his ING account. The bank reportedly started questioning him about these deposits in 2018, but only filed a statement to the Belgian Financial Intelligence Processing Unit in 2023.

 Following the bank’s investigation, Reynders allegedly spent large sums on lottery tickets and subsequently deposited the winnings back into his account.