NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) March 12, 1999--Standard&Poor's today affirmed its double-`A'-plus financial strength ratings on the ING America Insurance group of life insurance companies (see list). Standard&Poor's also affirmed its single-`A'-plus senior debt and counterparty credit ratings on Equitable of Iowa Companies as well as its single-`A'-minus preferred stock rating on the company. Standard&Poor's believes ING America is a core component of the operations of its parent, ING Verzekeringen N.V. (INV). ING America's business review was significantly bolstered with the mid-1997 acquisition of Equitable of Iowa Companies and the accompanying portfolio of fixed and variable annuities. Premiums and deposits are now derived from variable annuities (41%), guaranteed investment contracts (21%), fixed annuities
