For many director-major shareholders (DGAs), applying for a mortgage is a frustrating experience. Despite running a successful business and/or having substantial assets, applications often fail due to standard criteria. ING Private Banking takes a different approach, turning complexity into a strength. Jan-Willem Bruel explains how he and his team make a difference for this specific client group.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“A classic example is an entrepreneur with significant (business) assets but limited income from salary. The money is invested in real estate, businesses, or has already been partially transferred to the children. On paper, it may seem like there’s insufficient income to support a mortgage, while in reality there is financial capacity.”
"},"title":"What challenges do you often see with DGAs?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“Everything about our mortgage service reflects an entrepreneurial mindset. A DGA often has a complex income structure, with income not only from salary but also from real estate and/or investment portfolios. Many mortgage advisors base their calculations solely on the salary an entrepreneur pays themselves, which is often modest. We look at the full spectrum of income. Our advisors have the expertise, and there’s no need for income statements or external advice.”
"},"title":"What makes a DGA mortgage application at ING Private Banking different from other banks?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“That we offer tailored solutions, without external advice or unnecessary costs. We always start with a non-binding, exploratory conversation. No obligations. We want to understand who you are as an entrepreneur, how your wealth is structured, and what your plans are.”
"},"title":"What does that mean in practice for the client?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“At Private Banking, we always take a holistic view of our clients. That’s no different when it comes to mortgage applications: we consider both business and personal aspects. Just as we do with financial planning or our investment services.”
"},"title":"Business and personal finances often overlap for a DGA. How do you handle that?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“Our specialists understand how entrepreneurs think and operate, and how a business is structured. That makes us effective. Once we’re at the table, we have a proposal that the client agrees with in 90% of cases.”
"},"title":"What is ING’s strength in this process?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“Our entrepreneur’s mortgage has no standard limit – we focus on what is possible. That’s unique in the market. As a Private Banking client, you also benefit from the priority lane.”
"},"title":"What else sets the entrepreneur’s mortgage at ING Private Banking apart?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“A personal and expert approach. We take the time to understand your situation and present a proposal that fits your life as an entrepreneur. We’re fast, because we have the right people at the table. And we’re knowledgeable, because we understand both the business and personal sides of wealth structures.”
"},"title":"What can prospects expect when they get in touch?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“Don’t let yourself be limited. As an entrepreneur, you have a unique financial situation that deserves a unique approach. At ING Private Banking, we look beyond your salary. We see the value of your business, your assets, and your future plans. And we help you translate that into a suitable mortgage.”
"},"title":"Finally: what would you like to say to entrepreneurs currently considering a mortgage?"},{"cards":[{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4468bf684163e400/original/992023140.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/7786d23a-ffa0-4575-ad92-a72468bb6499/992023140","type":"image","width":2576},"intro":"Your ambitions deserve a home too.","link":{"url":"/en/private-banking/mortgages/the-mortgage-for-dgas"},"title":"The mortgage for director-major shareholders (DGAs)"}],"componentType":"cards"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Read more"},{"cards":[{"body":"Discover why many DGAs choose financing that fits within their overall asset structure.","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","date":"2025-09-10","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4b864e54bd92ea48/original/Medium_Office-365-and-Newsletters-Three-adult-people-in-business-clothing-walking-together-on-the-street-with-coffee-Exclusive-usage-for-ING-Private-Banking.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/28f5a38e-e651-4268-b029-7b2fc607430f/Medium_Office-365-and-Newsletters-Three-adult-people-in-business-clothing-walking-together-on-the-street-with-coffee-Exclusive-usage-for-ING-Private-Banking","type":"image","width":900},"link":{"url":"/en/private-banking/knowledge-and-insights/living/smart-financing-dga-mortgage"},"title":"Wealthy, yet opting for a mortgage: smart financing as DGA"},{"body":"Discover the opportunities offered by a Trust Office Foundation (STAK).","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","date":"2025-08-26","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/f7f69a85-d5a6-4f09-b7f2-55a0af82b58c/Woman-in-casual-clothing-sits-on-the-sofa-looking-at-her-mobile-phone.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f7f69a85-d5a6-4f09-b7f2-55a0af82b58c/Woman-in-casual-clothing-sits-on-the-sofa-looking-at-her-mobile-phone","type":"image","width":5627},"link":{"url":"/en/private-banking/knowledge-and-insights/wealth-growth/real-estate-box-3-stak-structure"},"title":"Real estate and Box 3: STAK structure"}],"componentType":"cards"}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"af784afe-4d41-4c6f-a007-560190942dd2","localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Living","url":"/en/private-banking/knowledge-and-insights/living"}},"componentType":"editorialHeader","coreHeader":{"headerImage":{"extension":"png","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/1662210b87c47821/original/DGA-interview-landscape.png","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f2b2cdd8-0c80-4281-a243-5a2f630083f3/DGA-interview-landscape","type":"image","width":1928},"subtitle":"Interview with Jan-Willem Bruel, Director of Housing Private Banking DGA.","title":"‘’As an entrepreneur, you deserve a mortgage that looks beyond your salary’’"},"date":"2025-09-15","readingTime":5},"publishDate":"2026-05-26T12:21:43.681+02:00"}}