ING Direct bank has opened its first US ING Direct Cafe in New York.
Located on 45 East 49th Street between Park and Madison Avenues, customers can enjoy a Peetts coffee, orange soda or other beverage while pondering the merits of ING Direct banking accounts and investments.
Computer terminals are available for customers to open an account online, check their account status or move funds via the ING Direct Web site. Customers can also surf the Internet for free.
Phones will connect customers directly with an ING Direct sales associate. Visitors can also get information about bank products from the cafe staff and select from a wide range of ING Direct merchandise.
"We want people to experience banking that is as easy as having a cup of coffee," says ING Direct's president and CEO Arkadi Kuhlmann. "The ING Direct Cafes have been very successful in Canada, Australia, France, Spain and Italy...I'm sure consumers in the US will enjoy them, too. And we serve good coffee!"
The bank plans to open additional outlets in the US this year, with Philadelphia, Wilmington, DE, Los Angeles and St. Cloud, MN to follow New York.