Hi °C | Lo °C 
ING Groep NV has revealed plans to cut 2,350 jobs alongside a sharp drop in third-quarter profits.
The Dutch bank and insurance company said its net profit fell to 609 million euro (£488 million) from 1.69 billion euro (£1.3 billion) a year ago.
It says the decline was due to it selling assets at a loss to eliminate the potential for bigger losses later.
The job cuts represent 2.5% of ING's workforce.
ING, which is still negotiating with European regulators over compensation for its 2008 bailout by the Dutch state, said underlying bank profits rose 16% to 1.02 billion euro (£818 million), as it attracted retail depositors and margins improved.
ING blamed lower interest rates for a 39% fall in the insurance division's operating profit to 238 million euro (£191 million).
Press Association
Pictured: **STRICTLY NO WEB/NO MAIL ONLINE/THE SUN/ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS/NY DAILIES**Bono watches the ceremony with his wife Alison "Ali" Hewson
Ref: SPL548683 220513 EXCLUSIVE
