ING Group boosts shareholder returns with €1.6B plan despite 5% profit drop, raises full-year outlook.

ING Group completed a €1.1 billion share buyback and announced a new €1.6 billion shareholder return plan, including a €500 million dividend, after reporting third-quarter net profit declined 5% to €1.79 billion, slightly above analyst expectations. The bank raised its full-year income guidance to €22.8 billion, citing growth in fee income and lending, and upgraded its 2025 return-on-equity forecast to above 12.5%. It also adjusted its CET1 capital ratio target to around 13% ahead of higher regulatory requirements.