Project Summary

ING Bank, a global financial institution serving over 38 million customers across 40 countries, embarked on a strategic API and integration transformation program in 2018. Branded “Banking as a Service,” the initiative aimed to transition from legacy point-to-point integrations to a modern API-led connectivity architecture. This transformation was critical for ING’s open banking strategy, enabling faster innovation and creating new revenue streams through ecosystem partnerships.

Solutions Adopted

ING implemented a comprehensive integration platform:

  • MuleSoft Anypoint Platform as the enterprise integration backbone
  • Kong API Gateway for traffic management and high-volume API operations
  • Apigee API Analytics for API usage insights and monetisation metrics
  • WSO2 API Manager for developer portal capabilities
  • Kafka for event-driven architecture and real-time data streaming
  • Redis for API caching and performance optimisation
  • HashiCorp Vault for API security and secret management
  • Dynatrace for API observability and performance monitoring
  • Postman for API testing and development
  • GitLab CI/CD for API lifecycle management
  • Camunda for API orchestration and business process automation
  • Custom-built API marketplace for partner ecosystem

Implementation Costs

  • MuleSoft licensing: €24 million (3-year enterprise agreement)
  • Additional integration tools and platforms: €13.5 million
  • Infrastructure and environment setup: €8.2 million
  • Professional services and implementation: €18.6 million
  • API development and migration: €22.4 million
  • Training and capability building: €6.8 million
  • Program management and governance: €5.5 million
  • Total investment: Approximately €99 million

Implementation Duration

  • Strategy development and planning: 4 months (February-May 2018)
  • Platform selection and procurement: 3 months (June-August 2018)
  • Foundation establishment: 5 months (September 2018-January 2019)
  • Implementation phases:
    • Core banking API layer: 8 months (February-September 2019)
    • Customer information API layer: 6 months (July-December 2019)
    • Payment services API layer: 9 months (October 2019-June 2020)
    • Partner ecosystem APIs: 7 months (March-September 2020)
    • Internal API marketplace: 5 months (July-November 2020)
    • Developer engagement program: 4 months (October 2020-January 2021)
  • Legacy system decommissioning: 12 months (January-December 2021)
  • Optimisation and scaling: Ongoing (2022-present)
  • Total duration: 4 years (February 2018-January 2022)

Savings and Benefits

  • IT delivery speed increased by 320% for new digital initiatives
  • Integration costs reduced by 65% compared to point-to-point approach
  • API reuse rate of 83%, avoiding €42 million in redundant development
  • New partner onboarding reduced from 7 months to 3 weeks
  • €85 million in new revenue through monetised API services
  • 250+ fintech partnerships enabled through open banking APIs
  • Compliance with PSD2 and open banking regulations across all EU markets
  • Legacy system rationalisation saving €28 million annually in maintenance
  • Real-time payment capabilities increasing transaction volume by 32%
  • Developer productivity increased by 60% through self-service API discovery
  • 94% reduction in integration-related incidents
  • Four-year ROI of 285% with breakeven achieved at 27 months