ING makes hires in Seoul and Manila

ING Wholesale Banking has continued its appointment spree in the region, naming two senior executives at its offices in Korea and the Philippines.

In Korea, Sung Ho Kim has been appointed managing director, head of corporate clients. He will report dually to Erik Versavel, country manger, Korea and to Malcolm Brown, head of corporate clients, Asia.

Prior to joining ING's Korea operations, Kim was at executive search firm, You & Partners, where he was a partner for the financial sector. Prior to this role, he served at Lehman Brothers for nine years as senior vice president and deputy representative for Korea. He also brings 14 years of related experience at Daewoo Securities.

In the Philippines, Antonio Jacinto makes the move to ING Manila from Ernst & Young Transaction Advisory Service and will become a director in the corporate clients group. He will report to Manuel Salak, ING's country manager for the Philippines.

At Ernst & Young Jacinto had been a managing director and head of the capital markets group. He also brings experience from SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co, the Philippines largest professional services firm. Before this role, Jacinto also held the title of he head merchant banking division at Solidbank Corporation.

The hiring of Kim and Jacinto appears timely for ING, coming off the back of two landmark transactions in each country - the first cross-border credit card ABS in Korea and the privatization of Philippines National Bank (PNB) this September.