Do you have to open a savings account with them to invest in mutual funds? I went all over that site just now and cannot find anything about investing in the mutual funds, just research on the funds.
Thanks!!

Banks are for savings accounts. Brokerages are for funds! (T. Rowe Price, Fidelity, Vanguard, etc).

But in response to your question: If you want to apply online then yes, it appears you need to already have a savings account with them.

But you can mail in an application which seems to not require an existing ING Direct account.

Click on the big orange 'Open an Account' button on the main page, then there are links for opening an ING Orange Investment account.

you can also have ING investment accounts that are not through ING direct.

Beat me to the punch...

ING is not "just" a bank, but I guess that is a nice soundbite.

http://www.ing.com/us/individuals/productsservices/index.htm

Not sure why some people don't like ING for mutual funds. Sure they only have 9 as opposed to T. Rowe Price's 90+, but who invests in all 90 anyways? My ING Fund is performing extremely well right now and is currently giving me a 20% return.

FWIW, daily prices and returns of the ING mutual funds are here.

Suppose I should have edited my post to say ING Direct funds. Forgot that ING was a huge bank

ING Funds

Looks like most of ING's choices are loaded funds and have performed slightly below average. Expense ratios are high also. For savings ING is excellent, thier mortgages can't be beat, but I'll pass on thier mutual funds.

Trowe, Vanguard, Fidelity, or Oakmark are better choices IMHO.

I'm shopping around for international real estate mutual funds.
Open to suggestions.