Financial services group ING on Wednesday confirmed it made a net loss in the third quarter of 2008, the first time the firm has ever booked a loss.

The loss of €478m was in line with preliminary results published in October. ING booked €1.5bn in impairment charges due to the financial markets crisis on the third quarter.
Referring to the Dutch government’s €10bn capital injection in ING, CEO Michel Tilmant said this would reassure customers.
‘The financial services industry is about trust, and as our customers face uncertain times it is essential that they have no reason to be concerned about the strength of ING as their financial partner,’ he said in a statement.

For the full ING statement, click here