Following unitholder and regulatory approval, the merger was finalized on November 1st, 2002.

ING Funds and ING Investment Management are members of Amsterdam-based ING Groep N.V., one of the world's largest providers of insurance, banking and investment products and services. ING employs more than 110,000 people in 65 countries.

For further information:
Gerry Merkley
Vice President, Marketing Services
ING Investment Management, Inc.
(416) 217-5900 ext. 2846