The National Bank of Belgium has launched an investigation into the bank ING’s management of the former European Commissioner Didier Reynders’ (Francophone liberal) current account. The news that Mr Reynders’ current account is under investigation appeared in the Francophone daily ‘Le Soir’ on Thursday. ING is alleged to have been aware of regular cash deposits having been made by Mr Reynders since 2018. The Francophone liberal politician is currently the subject of an investigation into alleged money laundering.
Investigation launched into the management of former European Commissioner Didier Reynders’ bank account
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The article in ‘Le Soir’ states that ING had contacted Mr Reynders several times since 2018 about him regularly depositing large sums of cash onto his account. He stopped doing this in mid-2018 and began spending large sums of money on national lottery games and scratch cards.
The bank did not report the suspect activity on Mr Reynders’ account to the Financial Intelligence Unit (CFI) until 2023. An investigation into alleged money laundering by Reynders has been ongoing since March 2022 after the Belgian National Lottery raised the alarm. As a result of the delay in ING contacting Financial Intelligence Unit, the National Bank of Belgium has decided to investigate ING's behaviour, in relation to the matter.
Both the National Bank and ING declined to comment to Le Soir. Mr Reynders continues to maintain his innocence.
ING told the press agency Belga that the bank is not legally authorised to comment on individual cases. The bank added that “ING Belgium fully fulfils its role as a guardian of the financial system and complies with all its legal obligations in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. When necessary, ING Belgium co-operates with the judicial authorities in a fully transparent manner”.