Now it's really official � ING U.S. [profile] is set to IPO today [see filing].

The firm announced the plan in a news release, and the news was covered in the Wall Street Journal.

The Journal article noted that the price per share will be around $19.50, less than the $21-$24 the firm had hoped for.

This has resulted in the deal size expanding to 65.2 million shares, according to reporter Matt Jarzemsky.

Check out the original article here. The company news release is below.

Company Press Release
ING U.S. Prices Initial Public Offering; First Day of Trading on May 2

Amsterdam, 1 May 2013

ING announced today the pricing of approximately 65.2 million shares of common stock sold in the Initial Public Offering of ING U.S., Inc., its U.S.-based retirement, investment and insurance business, at USD 19.50 per share, which is below the previously announced estimated price range. The shares are expected to begin trading tomorrow on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol �VOYA.�

As previously announced, the IPO of ING U.S. consists of both a primary component of shares offered by ING U.S. and a secondary component of shares offered by ING Group. Based on the final price-per-share announced today, and excluding the exercise of an overallotment option by the underwriters, the total offering amounts to USD 1.3 billion, including USD 0.6 billion in gross proceeds from the primary offering for ING U.S. and approximately USD 0.7 billion (approximately EUR 0.5 billion at current exchange rates) in gross proceeds for ING Group. Upon the closing of the sale, scheduled for May 7, the IPO reduces the ownership of ING Group in ING U.S. to 75%.

The underwriters have the option for 30 days to purchase up to an additional 9.8 million of ING U.S. shares from ING Group at the initial public offering price, corresponding to a maximum of 15% of the total number of shares offered in the IPO. Fully exercising this overallotment option would further reduce ING Group�s remaining stake in ING U.S. to approximately 71%.

As previously announced, ING Group intends to use the proceeds from the secondary offering for the reduction of Group core debt. The USD 1.5 billion contingent funding facility currently in place between ING U.S. and ING Bank N.V. will also be cancelled upon completion of this offering.

As announced on 16 April 2013, the offering will not impact the profit and loss account of ING Group, as ING U.S. will continue to be fully consolidated by ING Group. At the price announced today, the offering will have a negative impact of approximately EUR 1.7 billion on the Shareholders' equity of ING Group (excluding the exercise of the underwriter�s overallotment option). This amount reflects the difference between the net proceeds of this offering to ING Group and the estimated IFRS book value of the 25% stake divested in this IPO. This offering will not have a material impact on the regulatory capital of either ING Insurance or ING Bank.

As previously announced, ING Group is divesting its insurance and investment management businesses as part of a restructuring programme agreed with the European Commission. Following the IPO, ING intends to divest its remaining stake in ING U.S. over time, as previously agreed with the European Commission. The sale of any remaining shares is subject to a lock-up period of 180 days from today.

The registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A copy of the registration statement may be obtained by visiting the SEC website at www.sec.gov. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Edited by: Ben Geier

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