By Adria Calatayud

ING Groep NV said Thursday that it is reviewing strategic options for its retail-banking business in France, having taken steps to streamline its retail-banking portfolio this year.

The Dutch lender said the review is focused on its retail-banking operations and not on its wholesale-banking activities in France.

ING has been active in retail banking in France since 2000 and currently serves around 1 million customers, offering current accounts, mortgages, consumer lending and investment products. It employs around 700 people in the country, of which two-thirds work in retail banking.

Earlier this year, the bank outlined plans to exit its retail-banking operations in Austria and the Czech Republic.

Write to Adria Calatayud at adria.calatayud@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-17-21 0825ET