Summer should be about taking vacations and spending time with friends and family, not taking trips to the bank branch and waiting in line to speak to a teller. That’s why ING DIRECT USA, the nation’s largest direct bank, is encouraging its Customers to put their bank branch in their pocket with the launch of their enhanced mobile application for iPhone® and BlackBerry® devices.

 “More and more Americans rely on their smartphones for everyday tasks and responsibilities,” said Arkadi Kuhlmann, President and CEO of ING DIRECT USA. “If we can help them save their time and money by paying a bill or transferring money while at the beach or a barbecue, then it’s a win-win for everyone.”

ING DIRECT USA Mobile

ING DIRECT USA Mobile was designed with Customers in mind,allowing them access to the same great features available at ingdirect.com,only in the palm of their hand.

Transfer money: Between flights? No problem. ING DIRECT USAMobile makes transferring money between your Electric Orange CheckingSM, OrangeSavingsSM and linked external checking accounts a breeze.

Pay bills on the fly: You’ll never have to worry aboutforgetting to pay that bill again. ING DIRECT USA Mobile lets Customers managethe same Bill Pay preferences they have set up through ingdirect.com.

Pay people: ING DIRECT USA Mobile lets you pay friends backfor the tab before dinner’s even over. Customers can quickly and easily sendmoney to existing contacts in their Person2Person address book.

Check balances: On the move and need a quick snapshot ofyour accounts? You got it. ING DIRECT USA Mobile securely displays all of theCustomer’s accounts and account details like account number, balance, andtransaction summary and details.

Flip for fun (iPhone only): With a quick flip of your iPhoneget social and check out what Savers have to say with one touch access to INGDIRECT’s social media efforts, including Twitter, Facebook and We, the Savers.

More information is available athttp://ingdirect.com/mobile. The apps are available for download by visitingApple iTunes® and BlackBerry® App World™.

Bank From Any Corner Photo and Video Contest

ING DIRECT USA believes that saving should have no limits.Today, the bank launched its “Bank From Any Corner” contest, which encouragesmobile Savers to submit photos or videos of themselves showing the coolest andcraziest place they’ve banked from with ING DIRECT USA’s new mobile app. Thegrand prize winner will receive $10,000; second place will receive $5,000;third place will receive $2,500; and 17 runners-up will receive an iPod Touch®.Participants can submit their entries at ING DIRECT’s Facebook page, thecontest homepage, or directly on their mobile phone. The contest ends August27th. More details can be found at www.ingdirectmobilecontest.com.

Poptent and YouTube Videos

To help promote its mobile application launch, ING DIRECTUSA turned to Poptent — a social network of video creators. The community offilmmakers was tasked with creating an online video that showcases ING DIRECTMobile as a simple, relevant and innovative way to put banking in your pocket.More than 50 submissions were received and three winners were selected. Thewinning videos are housed on ING DIRECT USA’s YouTube page along with a videofrom ING DIRECT USA’s CEO of Savings, Arkadi Kuhlmann, highlighting thebenefits of mobile banking.

About ING DIRECT USA

ING DIRECT USA, the nation's largest direct bank and largestthrift, is dedicated to inspiring Americans to become a nation of savers. Sinceits inception in 2000, more than 7.6 million Americans have entrusted theirsavings with ING DIRECT, building the bank to $91.3 billion in assets. INGDIRECT has developed a comprehensive social media Savers Community, includingTwitter, Facebook and its We, the Savers blog. For more information about INGDIRECT call 1-800-ING-DIRECT, and for information about its commitment tofinancial education visit Planet Orange.