
ING Barings was a Dutch investment bank that collapsed in 1995 due to a massive trading loss of $1.4 billion.
The bank's collapse was caused by a rogue trader, Nick Leeson, who secretly built up a massive loss by speculating on the Nikkei 225 index.
The trading loss was made possible because of a lack of internal controls and oversight, which allowed Leeson to hide his losses.
ING Barings' collapse had severe consequences for the bank, its employees, and the global financial system.
Bank Collapse
Barings Bank was among the world's largest banks and was considered one of its most stable, but it abruptly ceased operations on February 26, 1995.
The bank's collapse was caused by its inability to meet its cash requirements following unauthorized trades made by Nick Leeson, a rogue trader who operated without supervision or oversight.
Leeson's losses were due to his failure to initiate simultaneous trades to exploit small differences in price between the Osaka Securities Exchange in Japan and the Singapore International Monetary Exchange in Singapore.

He hid his losses with accounting tricks, which would have caused large but not devastating losses if the bank had discovered them earlier.
The bank was declared insolvent less than a week after Leeson's trading losses were finally discovered.
Leeson was arrested and sentenced to six and one-half years in a Singapore prison, but he was released in 1999 after a diagnosis of colon cancer.
The bank's collapse sent a shock wave through the investment banking and trading industry, leading to investigations into banking practices.
New layers of security were put in place to ensure that traders cannot manage their own accounting books, and trades in derivatives are now placed through a clearinghouse, adding a record of the trade in the hands of a third party.
Despite these new regulations, a trader named Jerome Kerviel managed to rack up about five times Leeson's losses in 2008.
Explore further: Banca Intesa San Paolo New York
Causes and Prevention
Barings Bank's collapse was a result of its failure to monitor traders closely enough, allowing a rogue trader to place trades that directly violated trading rules.

A lack of a third-party supervisor checking trading logs enabled the trader to continue their activities unchecked. This oversight led to massive losses, which in turn led to investigations into banking practices.
New regulations were put in place to prevent similar incidents, including separating traders from managing their own accounting books and using a clearinghouse to record trades in the hands of a third party.
Preventing the Bank Collapse: Possible Actions
One or two astute managers monitoring the activities of their trading departments could have kept Leeson in line, preventing some of his speculative trades and hiding enormous losses for so long.
Having a third-party supervisor checking trading logs is crucial to prevent rogue traders from continuing their activities. This was lacking at Barings Bank, allowing Leeson to place trades that directly violated trading rules.
New layers of security were implemented to ensure that traders cannot adjust their trades after they are placed. Trades in derivatives are now placed through a clearinghouse, adding a record of the trade in the hands of a third party.
Monitoring traders closely enough is essential to prevent large losses. Barings Bank failed to do this, leading to the collapse of the bank.
Wholesale Banking

Wholesale banking is a crucial aspect of banking that involves providing financial services to businesses, governments, and other financial institutions.
Barings bank's first big client was Napoleon, who they helped in 1803.
This highlights the importance of building strong relationships with key clients to establish a strong wholesale banking business.
ING, formerly known as the Dutch Bank, is related to Barings through its acquisition of the UK's most powerful investment bank.
You might enjoy: Banking in the United Kingdom News
Acquisitions and Impact
Ing Barings, a British investment bank, made a significant acquisition in 1995 when it purchased BZW, the investment banking arm of Barclays Bank. This move marked a major shift in the company's strategy.
The acquisition of BZW brought in a large team of experienced bankers, expanding Ing Barings' capabilities and client base. Ing Barings' revenue rose by 35% in 1995, largely due to the integration of BZW's operations.
The merged entity, renamed Barings Securities, continued to operate under the leadership of Peter Baring, who had taken over as CEO in 1992.
Key Concepts

Ing bars are a type of bar that is made from a mixture of iron and carbon. Ing bars are often used in blacksmithing and other metalworking processes.
They have a high carbon content, typically between 0.5% and 1.5%, which gives them a hard and brittle texture. Ing bars are often used to make tools and other metal objects.
Ing bars can be classified into different types based on their carbon content, with higher carbon content resulting in a harder and more brittle bar.
On a similar theme: 5 3 Bank News
Frequently Asked Questions
When did ING buy Barings?
ING acquired Barings in 1995 after the bank's bankruptcy. This takeover occurred following a derivatives trading scandal led by Nick Leeson.
Does Barings Bank still exist?
No, Barings Bank ceased operations in 1995 after a major financial scandal. The bank's legacy lives on, but its original form no longer exists.
What happened to Peter Baring?
Peter Baring retired to his Wiltshire estate after the collapse of Barings, a firm his ancestors founded. He stepped down as chairman, ending his tenure in the financial world.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/baringsbank.asp
- https://rocketreach.co/ing-barings-profile_b5ebe61af42e8650
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/ing-barings-grabs-rival-708120.html
- https://www.euromoney.com/article/b1320fs5k5mm9w/ing-barings-one-last-push-from-the-trenches
- https://www.ing.com/Newsroom/News/History-1.htm
Featured Images: pexels.com