Merit

How has your career developed at ING, and what is your current role?

I joined ING in 2019 as a Junior Expert in IT. I started with limited programming experience as a software developer, so I faced a steep learning curve. During my rotations in the insurance and consumer credit areas, I gained valuable technical and business insights. After completing the Junior Expert Program, I joined the insurance team as a Feature Engineer and, a few months later, transitioned to the role of Product Owner. My responsibilities included prioritizing the product roadmap and collaborating with stakeholders. Seeking a new challenge, I moved to Amsterdam for six months to work in the cards department at ING Netherlands. After returning to Germany, I transitioned internally and now serve as IT Chapter Lead for Business Analysts in the payments tribe.

Can you explain more about being the IT Chapter Lead for Business Analysts in the payments tribe? Describe your tasks and responsibilities in simple terms.

My role as Chapter Lead has two main aspects. First, I’m the lead for my IT team members, so I’m responsible for their professional growth and development. Second, I’m part of a squad within the payments tribe. These terms—squad, tribe and chapter—come from the agile framework. A squad is our smallest customer-focused team, while a tribe is a group of squads working together on ING’s products and solutions. A chapter, on the other hand, groups employees by function, like IT. The payments tribe handles the bank’s payment transactions—the core of our operations—and connects with many areas of the bank, both within ING and with external IT providers. It’s an exciting but complex role with lots of variety.

You were in Amsterdam for a short-term assignment. Can you explain what that is and why you took this assignment?

A short-term assignment (STA) is an opportunity to work with another ING unit for three to twelve months, often involving a temporary move abroad. I’d been interested in doing an STA since joining ING. Initially, I applied for the International Talent Program because the STA is a core part of it. My motivation was to experience ING from a new perspective, grow my network, and see what it’s like to work in another country. When I studied in the Netherlands, I fell in love with the culture and always wanted to return. I found my role in Amsterdam through my network at ING, and I felt right at home from day one.

What were your top moments and challenges in Amsterdam?

Even though Amsterdam has an international work environment, I was surprised by how much Dutch was spoken at the office. I could understand it pretty well, thanks to my language background, but speaking it was a challenge at first. I made it a point to speak Dutch during lunch and coffee breaks, which led to many small moments of success. Living alone was also a new experience for me. It took some adjustment, but I often had friends or family visiting on weekends. I loved showing them “my” Amsterdam, spending time at the beach and biking through the Rijksmuseum. Every weekend felt like a mini-vacation! 😊 One special memory is the evening before I left, when my entire team got together for Chinese food to reflect on our time together.

How did you find the cultural differences between the Netherlands and Germany?

I didn’t experience any major culture shock, but there were some noticeable differences. Many colleagues in the Netherlands worked 36-hour weeks over four days, so Fridays were very quiet—our office was even closed. I also noticed a stronger separation between work and private life, with fewer after-work events. The work environment in Amsterdam is very international, though my specific team was less so. One cultural adjustment for me was lunch—Dutch people typically have sandwiches. I admit, I often checked the app to see what was on the menu in the Frankfurt canteen. 😉

Apart from STAs, ING has many other benefits for employees. Which one is your favorite and why?

It’s hard to pick one, but I love the diverse benefits ING offers. They give us the freedom to grow and shape our careers. In addition to the training thanks to the Learning Budget or services under the Health Budget, I especially value the option to work up to 30 days a year from another EU country. Last year, I visited a friend in Barcelona and worked from there for a week—something that would have been unthinkable before the pandemic. I also enjoy being part of ING’s networks, like Women in Tech, YoungING and Lioness, which have allowed me to meet great colleagues and attend amazing events.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

One of the best pieces of advice I received early on at ING was from my mentor: “Build a network—it will make everything easier.” I can’t agree more and would encourage others to do the same. When I returned to the Frankfurt office after my STA, it felt like coming home—so many colleagues were happy to have me back. Maintaining networks is important, and tools like LinkedIn are a great help. I’m also glad I joined ING’s Ambassador Program, which allowed me to build even more connections and share experiences on what it’s like to work at ING.