ING PRIME RATE TRUST

7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034

(800) 992-0180

May 18, 2009

Dear Shareholder:

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of ING Prime Rate Trust (the “Trust”), we are pleased to invite you to the annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), to be held at 10:00 a.m., Local time, on June 30, 2009 at 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034.  Formal notice of the Annual Meeting appears on the next page, followed by the Proxy Statement.  Please take the time to read the Proxy Statement and cast your vote, because it covers matters that are important to the Trust and to you as a shareholder.

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote on the following matters:

1.                                       To elect eight members of the Board of Trustees to represent the interests of the holders of Common Shares of the Trust until the election and qualification of their successors; and

2.                                       To elect two members of the Board of Trustees to represent the interests of the holders of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares — Series M, T, W, TH and F of the Trust — until the election and qualification of their successors.

Each proposal is discussed in detail in the enclosed Proxy Statement, which you should read carefully.  The Board of Trustees has concluded that the proposals are in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders and recommend that you vote “FOR” each proposal, as applicable.  We are asking you to consider them carefully and express your vote on the enclosed Proxy Ballot or at the Annual Meeting.

We look forward to your attendance at the Annual Meeting or to receiving your Proxy Ballot so that your shares may be voted at the Annual Meeting.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-992-0180.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

OF

ING PRIME RATE TRUST

To Shareholders:

PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT the annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of ING Prime Rate Trust (the “Trust”) will be held at 10:00 a.m., Local time, on June 30, 2009, at 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034, for the following purposes:

1.                                       To elect eight members of the Board of Trustees to represent the interests of the holders of Common Shares of the Trust until the election and qualification of their successors;

2.                                       To elect two members of the Board of Trustees to represent the interests of the holders of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares — Series M, T, W, TH and F of the Trust — until the election and qualification of their successors; and

3.                                       To transact such other business, not currently contemplated, that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof in the discretion of the proxies or their substitutes.

Please read the enclosed Proxy Statement carefully for information concerning the proposals to be placed before the Annual Meeting.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE APPLICABLE PROPOSAL(S).

Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 3, 2009 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF

THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN.

PLEASE VOTE BY RETURNING YOUR PROXY BALLOT TODAY IN THE ENCLOSED

POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

YOU MAY ALSO VOTE IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.

(This page intentionally left blank)

PROXY STATEMENT

ING PRIME RATE TRUST

May 18, 2009

Toll-Free:  (800) 992-0180

7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To be Held on June 30, 2009

Who is asking for my vote?

The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of ING Prime Rate Trust (the “Trust”) is sending this Proxy Statement, the attached Notice of Annual Meeting, and the enclosed Proxy Ballot on or about May 18, 2009 to you and all other shareholders.  The Board is soliciting your vote for the annual meeting of shareholders of the Trust (the “Annual Meeting”).

The words “you” and “your” are used in this Proxy Statement to refer to the person or entity who owns the shares and who accordingly has voting rights in connection with the shares.

What are the Proposals and who can vote on each Proposal?

The following table gives a brief description of each Proposal and indicates which class of shares is being solicited with respect to each Proposal to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

Why did you send me this booklet?

This booklet is a Proxy Statement.  It provides you with information you should review before voting on the matters listed above and in the Notice of Annual Meeting for the Trust.  You are receiving these proxy materials—a booklet that includes the Proxy Statement and one Proxy Ballot—because you have the right to vote on the important Proposals concerning your investment in the Trust.

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Who is eligible to vote?

Shareholders who owned shares of the Trust at the close of business on April 3, 2009 (the “Record Date”) are eligible to vote. As of the Record Date, the Trust had 145,076,647.774 Common Shares outstanding.  As of the Record Date, the Trust had the following Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares (“Preferred Shares”) outstanding: 1,800 shares of Series M; 1,800 shares of Series T; 1,800 shares of Series W; 1,800 shares of Series TH and 1,800 shares of Series F.  Each Common Share is entitled to one vote on Proposal 1.  Each Preferred Share is entitled to one vote on Proposal 2. To the best of the Trust’s knowledge, as of April 3, 2009, no person owned beneficially more than 5% of any class of shares of the Trust, except as listed below.

* This entity is the shareholder of record and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares listed for certain purposes under the securities laws, although in certain instances it may not have an economic interest in these shares and would, therefore, ordinarily disclaim any beneficial ownership therein.

How do I vote?

Shareholders can vote by completing, signing and returning the enclosed Proxy Ballot promptly in the enclosed envelope or by attending the Annual Meeting in person and voting.  In addition to solicitation by mail, certain officers and representatives of the Trust, officers and employees of ING Investments, LLC (“ING Investments” or the “Adviser”) (Address: 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034), the investment adviser to the Trust, or its affiliates and certain financial services firms and their representatives, who will receive no extra compensation for their services, may solicit proxies by telephone, telegram, facsimile, or oral communication.  Shareholders of the Trust whose shares are held by nominees, such as brokers, can vote their proxies by contacting their respective nominee.  If a shareholder wishes to participate in the Annual Meeting, the shareholder may still submit the Proxy Ballot originally sent with the Proxy Statement or attend in person.

When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?

The Annual Meeting will be held at 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034, on June 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., Local time, and, if the Annual Meeting is adjourned or postponed, at any adjournment or postponement of that Meeting.  If you expect to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please notify the Trust by calling 1-800-992-0180.

Can I revoke my proxy after I vote it?

A shareholder may revoke the accompanying proxy at any time prior to its use by filing with the Trust a written revocation or duly executed Proxy Ballot bearing a later date.  In addition, any shareholder who attends the Annual Meeting in person may vote by ballot at the Annual Meeting, thereby canceling any proxy previously given.  The persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote as directed by the proxy, but in the absence of voting directions in any proxy that is signed and returned, they intend to vote “FOR” each of the Proposals and may vote in their discretion with respect to other matters not now known to the Board that may be presented at the Annual Meeting.

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Who pays for this proxy solicitation?

The Trust will pay the expenses incurred in connection with the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and the Annual Meeting, including printing, mailing and vote tabulation expenses, legal fees, and out of pocket expenses.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting to Be Held on Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Proxy Statement is available on the Internet at http://www.proxyweb.com/ing. Copies of the Trust’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009 and the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report for the period ended August 31, 2008 were previously mailed to shareholders and are available upon request, without charge, by writing to: The ING Funds, 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85258-2034, Attention: Literature Fulfillment, or by calling 1-800-992-0180.  This Proxy Statement should be read in conjunction with the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports.

How does the Board recommend that I vote?

The Board recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” each applicable Proposal described in this Proxy Statement.

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES — COMMON SHARES

What is the Proposal?

The Board has nominated eight individuals for election to the Board as Trustees of the Common Shares (the “Common Nominees”).  Holders of Common Shares are asked to elect the Common Nominees to serve as Trustees, each to serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.  Information about each Common Nominee is set forth below.  All of the Common Nominees are currently Trustees of the Trust and each has consented to continue to serve as a Trustee if elected by holders of Common Shares.

What factors did the Board consider in selecting the Common Nominees?

The Board nominated eight individuals as Trustees of the Common Shares of the Trust, all of whom currently serve as Trustees of the Common Shares of the Trust.  The Board met to discuss Board candidates and, after due consideration, recommend to shareholders the Common Nominees indicated below.  In making such recommendation, the Board took into consideration the knowledge, background, and experience of the Common Nominees.

What is the required vote?

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the Common Shares of the Trust present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the election of each Common Nominee to the Board.  Shareholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with Proposal 1 in this proxy statement and there is no cumulative voting for the election of Trustees.

Who are the Common Nominees?

For election of Trustees at the Annual Meeting, the Board has approved the nomination of:

Colleen D. Baldwin

Patricia W. Chadwick

Robert W. Crispin

Peter S. Drotch

J. Michael Earley

Patrick W. Kenny

Shaun P. Mathews

Sheryl K. Pressler

The persons named as proxies will vote for election of each of these Common Nominees unless you withhold authority to vote for any or all of them on the enclosed Proxy Ballot.  If any or all of the Common Nominees should become unavailable for election due to events not now known or anticipated, the persons named as proxies will vote for such other nominee or nominees as the current Trustees may recommend or the Board may reduce the number of Trustees as provided for in the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated December 2, 1987, as amended (the “Declaration”).

No Common Nominee is a party adverse to the Trust or any of its affiliates in any material pending legal proceeding, nor does any Common Nominee have an interest materially adverse to the Trust.

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The following table sets forth information concerning the Common Nominees.  The address for each Common Nominee is 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034.

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Please read the section “Further Information About the Trustees and Officers” starting on page 10 of this Proxy Statement before voting on Proposal 1.

What is the Board’s recommendation on Proposal 1?

The Board recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the election of each of the Common Nominees to the Board subject to their terms commencing and continuing as described above.  If any of the Common Nominees are not elected by shareholders, the current Trustees may consider other courses of action.

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PROPOSAL 2

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES — PREFERRED SHARES

What is the Proposal?

The Board has nominated two individuals for election to the Board as Trustees of the Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Nominees”).  Holders of Preferred Shares are asked to elect the Preferred Nominees to serve as Trustees, each to serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.  Information about each Preferred Nominee is set forth below.  Both Preferred Nominees are currently Trustees of the Trust and each has consented to continue to serve as a Trustee if elected by holders of Preferred Shares.

What factors did the Board consider in selecting the Preferred Nominees?

The Board nominated two individuals as Trustees of the Preferred Shares.  Both individuals currently serve as Trustees of the Preferred Shares of the Trust.  The Board met to discuss Board candidates and, after due consideration, recommend to shareholders the Preferred Nominees indicated below.  In making such recommendation, the Board took into consideration the knowledge, background, and experience of the Preferred Nominees.

What is the required vote?

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the Preferred Shares of the Trust present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the election of each Preferred Nominee to the Board.  Shareholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with Proposal 2 in this proxy statement and there is no cumulative voting for the election of Trustees.

Who are the Preferred Nominees?

For election of Trustees at the Annual Meeting, the Board has approved the nomination of:

John V. Boyer

Roger B. Vincent

The persons named as proxies will vote for election of each of these Preferred Nominees unless you withhold authority to vote for either or both of them on the enclosed Proxy Ballot.  If any of the Preferred Nominees should become unavailable for election due to events not now known or anticipated, the persons named as proxies will vote for such other nominee or nominees as the current Trustees may recommend or the Board may reduce the number of Trustees as provided for in the Declaration.

Neither Preferred Nominee is a party adverse to the Trust or any of its affiliates in any material pending legal proceeding, nor does either Preferred Nominee have an interest materially adverse to the Trust.

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The following table sets forth information concerning the Preferred Nominees. The address for each Preferred Nominee is 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034.

Please read the section “Further Information About the Trustees and Officers” starting on page 10 of this Proxy Statement before voting on Proposal 2.

What is the Board’s recommendation on Proposal 2?

The Board recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the election of each of the Preferred Nominees to the Board subject to their terms commencing and continuing as described above.  If shareholders do not elect any of the Preferred Nominees, the current Trustees may consider other courses of action.

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FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

How long will the Trustees serve on the Board?

Trustees are considered for election by shareholders on an annual basis and generally hold office until their successors are elected and qualified.  A Trustee may, at any time, resign or be removed by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable class of the Trust.  In addition, pursuant to a retirement policy adopted by the Board, each Independent Trustee shall retire from service as a Trustee at the conclusion of the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Board that is held after (a) the Trustee reaches the age of 70, if that Trustee qualifies for a retirement benefit as discussed in the board’s retirement policy; or (b) the Trustee reaches the age of 72 or has served as a Trustee for 15 years, if that Trustee does not qualify for the retirement benefit. In order to qualify for the retirement benefit, a Trustee must have served as an Independent Trustee of one or more funds within the ING Funds complex for at least five years as of May 9, 2007.  A unanimous vote of the Board may extend the retirement date of a Trustee for up to one year. An extension may be permitted if the retirement would trigger a requirement to hold a meeting of shareholders of the Trust under applicable law, whether for purposes of appointing a successor to the Trustee or if otherwise necessary under applicable law, in which the extension would apply until such time as the shareholder meeting can be held or is no longer needed.

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Do the Trustees own shares of the Trust or certain affiliated entities?

To the best of the Trust’s knowledge, as of April 3, 2009 no Trustee owned 1% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of shares of the Trust, and the Trustees and Executive Officers of the Trust owned, as a group, less than 1% of the shares of each class of the Trust.

The following table sets forth information regarding the dollar range of equity securities of the Trust and other investment companies within the ING family of investment companies beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2008.

As of December 31, 2008, none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members owned any shares of the Trust’s investment adviser or principal underwriter or of any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust (not including registered investment companies).

What are the Committees of the Board?

 Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the ING Funds’ website: www.ingfunds.com.  The Charter sets forth the responsibilities of the Audit Committee.  The functions of the Audit Committee include, among others, to meet with the independent registered public accounting firm of the Trust to review the scope of the Trust’s audit, the Trust’s financial statements and interim accounting controls, and to meet with management concerning these matters, among other things.  The Audit Committee currently consists of four (4) Trustees: Messrs. Drotch and Earley and Mses. Chadwick and Pressler, all of whom are considered independent under the rules promulgated by the New York Stock Exchange and, in addition, are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.  Mr. Earley serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee and, along with Mr. Drotch, has been designated as the Audit Committee’s financial expert

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under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the Audit Committee held seven (7) meetings.

Audit Committee Report:  As part of its oversight of the Trust’s financial statements, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with the Adviser and KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), the Trust’s independent auditor, the Trust’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009.  The Audit Committee also discussed with KPMG the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  The Audit Committee received and reviewed the written disclosures from KPMG required by Independence Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Independence Standards Board, and discussed KPMG’s independence with KPMG.  The Audit Committee has reviewed the audit fees of KPMG and has also reviewed non-audit services and fees to assure compliance with the Trust’s and the Audit Committee’s policies restricting KPMG from performing services that might impair their independence.

                Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, be included in the Trust’s Annual Report to shareholders. The Audit Committee also recommended the selection of KPMG to serve as independent auditor for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010.

Compliance Committee.  The Board has established a Compliance Committee for the purpose of, among other things, coordinating activities between the Board and the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of the Trust. The Compliance Committee facilitates the information flow among Board members and the CCO between Board meetings; works with the CCO and management to identify the types of reports to be submitted by the CCO to the Compliance Committee and the Board; coordinates CCO oversight activities with other ING Fund boards; and makes recommendations regarding the role, performance and oversight of the CCO. The Board also oversees quarterly compliance reporting.

The functions of the Compliance Committee also include determining the value of securities held by the Trust for which market value quotations are not readily available; overseeing management’s administration of proxy voting; and overseeing the effectiveness of the investment adviser’s usage of the Trust’s brokerage and the Adviser’s compliance with changing regulations regarding the allocation of brokerage for services (other than pure trade executions).

 The Compliance Committee operates pursuant to a Charter approved by the Board.  The Compliance Committee currently consists of four (4) Independent Trustees: Messrs. Kenny, Boyer and Vincent and Ms. Baldwin. Mr. Kenny serves as Chairperson of the Compliance Committee.  During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the Compliance Committee held four (4) meetings.

Executive Committee.  The Board has an Executive Committee whose function is to act on behalf the full Board between Board meetings when necessary.  The Executive Committee currently consists of three (3) Independent Trustees and two (2) Trustees who are “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act: Messrs. Vincent, Boyer, Crispin and Mathews and Ms. Pressler.  Mr. Vincent serves as Chairperson of the Committee. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the Executive Committee held eleven (11) meetings.

Nominating and Governance Committee.  The Board has established a Nominating and Governance Committee for the purpose of, among other things: (1) identifying and recommending to the Board candidates it proposes for nomination to fill Independent Trustee vacancies on the Board; (2) reviewing workload and capabilities of Independent Trustees and recommending changes to size or composition of the Board, as necessary; (3) monitoring regulatory developments and recommending modifications to the Committee’s responsibilities; (4) considering and recommending the creation of additional committees or changes to Trustee policies and procedures based on rule changes and “best practices” in corporate governance; (5) conducting an annual review of the membership and chairpersons of

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all Board committees and of practices relating to such membership and chairpersons; (6) undertaking an annual study of compensation paid to independent Trustees of investment companies and making recommendations for any compensation changes for the Independent Trustees; (7) overseeing the Board’s annual self evaluation process; and (8) developing (with assistance from management) an annual meeting calendar for the Board and its committees.

In evaluating potential candidates to fill Independent Trustee vacancies on the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee may consider a variety of factors, but it has not at this time set any specific minimum qualifications that must be met.  Specific qualifications of candidates for Board membership will be based on the needs of the Board at the time of nomination.  The Nominating and Governance Committee is willing to consider nominations received from shareholders and shall assess shareholder nominees in the same manner as it reviews its own nominees.  A shareholder nominee for Trustee should be submitted in writing to the Trust’s Secretary.  Any such shareholder nomination should include at a minimum the following information as to each individual proposed for nomination as Trustee:  such individual’s written consent to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee (if nominated) and to serve as a Trustee (if elected), and all information relating to such individual that is required to be disclosed in the solicitation of proxies for election of Trustees, or is otherwise required, in each case under applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations.

The Secretary shall submit all nominations received in a timely manner to the Nominating and Governance Committee.  To be timely, in connection with a shareholder meeting to elect Trustees, any such submission must be delivered to the Trust’s Secretary not earlier than the 90th day prior to such meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made, by either the disclosure in a press release or in a document publicly filed by the Trust with the SEC.

The Nominating and Governance Committee currently consists of four (4) Trustees: Mses. Baldwin and Chadwick and Messrs. Kenny and Vincent, all of whom are considered independent under the rules promulgated by the New York Stock Exchange and, in addition, are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Ms. Baldwin serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee and operates pursuant to a Charter approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the ING Funds’ website: www.ingfunds.com. The Nominating and Governance Committee held two (2) meetings during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009.

Investment Review Committee. The Board has established an Investment Review Committee whose function is to monitor the investment performance of the Trust and to make recommendations to the Board with respect to the Trust.  The Investment Review Committee for the International/Balanced/Fixed-Income Funds (one of which is the Trust) currently consists of four (4) Independent Trustees and one (1) Trustee who is an “interested person,” as defined in the 1940 Act: Messrs. Boyer, Kenny, Mathews and Vincent, and Ms. Baldwin.  Mr. Boyer serves as Chairperson of the Committee. The International/Balanced/Fixed-Income Investment Review Committee operates pursuant to a Charter approved by the Board. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the Investment Review Committee for the International/Balanced/Fixed-Income Funds held six (6) meetings.

Contracts Committee.  The Board has established a Contracts Committee for the purpose of overseeing the annual renewal process relating to investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and, at the discretion of the Board, other agreements or plans involving the ING Funds. The responsibilities of the Contracts Committee, among other things, include: (1) identifying the scope and format of information to be provided by service providers in connection with applicable renewals; (2) providing guidance to independent legal counsel regarding specific information requests to be made by such counsel on behalf of the Trustees; (3) evaluating regulatory and other developments that might have an impact on applicable review and renewal processes; (4) reporting to the Trustees its recommendations and decisions regarding the foregoing matters; (5) assisting in the preparation of a written record of the factors considered by Trustees relating to the approval and renewal of advisory and sub-advisory agreements; and (6) recommending to the Trustees specific steps to be taken by them regarding the renewal process, including,

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for example, proposed schedules of meetings by the Trustees. The Contracts Committee is responsible for making substantive recommendations whether to approve, renew, reject or modify agreements or plans. The Contracts Committee operates pursuant to a Charter approved by the Board.  The Contracts Committee currently consists of five (5) Independent Trustees: Mses. Pressler and Chadwick, Messrs. Boyer, Drotch and Vincent. Ms. Pressler serves as Chairperson of the Contracts Committee.  The Contracts Committee held eight (8) meetings during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009.

How often does the Board meet?

The Board currently conducts regular meetings seven (7) times a year. The Audit Committee and the Compliance Committee each meets regularly four (4) times per year; the Investment Review Committee meets six (6) times per year; the Contracts Committee meets seven (7) times per year; and the remaining Committees meet as needed. In addition, the Board or the Committees may hold special meetings by telephone or in person to discuss specific matters that may require action prior to the next regular meeting. Each Committee listed below operates pursuant to a Charter approved by the Board. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the Board held sixteen (16) meetings, including regularly scheduled and special meetings.  No Trustee attended less than 75% of the Trust’s Board meetings or meetings of Committees on which a Trustee served.

What are the Trustees paid for their services?

Each Trustee is reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with each meeting of the Board or any Committee attended. Each Independent Trustee is compensated for his or her services on a quarterly basis according to a fee schedule adopted by the Board. The fee schedule consists only of an annual retainer and does not include additional compensation for attendance at regular or special Board and Committee meetings.

The Trust pays each Independent Trustee, a pro rata share, as described below, of: (i) an annual retainer of $200,000; (ii) Mr. Vincent, as Chairperson of the Board, receives an additional annual retainer of $75,000; (iii) Mses. Baldwin, Chadwick and Pressler and Messrs. Earley, Boyer and Kenny, as Chairpersons of Committees of the Board, each receive an additional annual retainer of $15,000, $40,000, $60,000, $30,000, $40,000 and $30,000, respectively; and (iv) out-of-pocket expenses. The pro rata share paid by the Trust is based on the Trust’s average net assets as a percentage of the average net assets of all the funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliate, Directed Services LLC, for which the Trustees serve in common as Directors/Trustees.

The Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Trust receive no compensation from the Trust.

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The following table has been provided to the Trust by the Adviser and its affiliates and sets forth information regarding the compensation paid to the Trustees for the Trust’s fiscal year ended February 28, 2009 for service on the Boards of the ING Funds complex.

Are the Trustees required to attend the Annual Meeting?

                The Trust has no formal policy regarding Trustee attendance at meetings of the Trust’s shareholders.  No Trustee was in attendance at the prior year’s annual meeting.

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Who are the officers of the Trust?

The Trust’s officers are elected annually by the Board and hold office until they resign, are removed or are otherwise disqualified to serve.  The chart below lists the officers of the Trust.  The address for the officers of the Trust is 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034.

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What are officers paid for their services?

The Trust does not pay its officers for the services they provide to the Trust.  Instead, the officers, who are also officers or employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, are compensated by the Adviser or its affiliates.

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Who are the Trust’s advisers, distributor and administrator?

ING Investments serves as the investment adviser to the Trust, ING Funds Distributor, LLC serves as the Trust’s distributor and ING Funds Services, LLC serves as the Trust’s administrator.  The principal office of the Adviser, the distributor and the administrator is located at 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034. ING Investment Management Co. serves as sub-adviser to the Trust.  The principal office of the sub-adviser is located at 230 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10169. The investment adviser, the sub-adviser, the distributor and the administrator are all indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of ING Groep N.V. and are affiliated with one another.

Who are the Trust’s independent public accountants?

The accounting firm of KPMG currently serves as the independent auditor for the Trust.  The Board has selected KPMG as the independent auditor to examine and report on the financial statements of the Trust for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010.

The following table shows fees paid to KPMG for professional audit services during the Trust’s most recent fiscal years ended February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008, as well as, fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG to the Trust.

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by KPMG for services rendered to the Trust, the Adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Trust for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008 were $1,502,035 and $1,394,538, respectively.

All of the services described in the table above were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to approval policies and procedures adopted by the Committee.  Pursuant to such policies and procedures, the Audit Committee pre-approves: (i) all audit and non-audit services to be rendered to the Trust by KPMG; and (ii) all non-audit services impacting the operations and financial reporting of the Trust provided by KPMG to the Adviser or any affiliate thereof that provides ongoing services to the Trust (collectively, “Covered Services”).  The Audit Committee has adopted approval procedures authorizing one or more members of the Audit Committee to approve from time to time, on behalf of the Audit Committee, all

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Covered Services to be provided by KPMG which are not otherwise pre-approved at a meeting of the Audit Committee, provided that such delegate reports to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.  The pre-approval procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management.  Pre-approval has not been waived with respect to any of the services described above since the date on which the Audit Committee adopted its current pre-approval procedures.

The Audit Committee of the Board has considered and will periodically consider whether KPMG’s receipt of non-audit fees from the Trust, the Adviser and all entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provide services to the Trust is compatible with maintaining the independence of KPMG.

KPMG has advised the Trust that neither KPMG nor any of its partners has any direct or material indirect financial interest in the Trust.  Representatives of KPMG are not expected to be at the Annual Meeting but have been given the opportunity to make a statement if they wish, and will be available telephonically should any matter arise requiring their participation.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

What happens to my proxy once I vote it?

The Board has named Todd Modic and Huey P. Falgout, Jr. as proxies of the Trust.  If you follow the instructions when you vote, your proxies will vote your shares as you have directed.  If you submit your Proxy Ballot but do not vote on any Proposal, your proxies will vote on that Proposal as recommended by the Board.

What if a Proposal that is not in the Proxy Statement comes up at the Annual Meeting?

If any other matter is properly presented, your proxies will vote in accordance with their best judgment.  At the time this Proxy Statement was printed, the Board knew of no matter that needed to be acted on at the Annual Meeting other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement.

I want to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.  How do I do this?

The Annual Meeting will be held at 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034.  If you attend the Annual Meeting and wish to vote in person, you will be given a ballot at the meeting.  However, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring a letter from the nominee indicating that you are the beneficial owner of the shares on the Record Date and authorizing you to vote.  If you expect to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please notify the Trust by calling 1-800-992-0180.

What are my voting rights and the quorum requirements?

Each share of each class of the Trust is entitled to one vote and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote.  Shareholders of the Trust at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to be present and to give voting instructions for the Trust at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof with respect to their shares owned as of the Record Date.  A majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust on the Record Date entitled to vote for each Proposal, present in person or represented by proxy, must be present to constitute a quorum.

If a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, or if a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve either or both of the Proposals are not received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies.  A shareholder vote may be taken on one or more of the Proposals in this Proxy Statement prior to any adjournment if sufficient votes have been received with respect to a Proposal.  Any adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy.  The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of such adjournment those proxies which they are entitled to vote in favor of any Proposal that has not been adopted, will vote against any adjournments those proxies required to be voted against any Proposal that has not been adopted, and will not vote any proxies that direct them to abstain from voting on such Proposals.

The Trust expects that, before the Annual Meeting, broker-dealer firms holding shares of the Trust in “street name” for their customers will request voting instructions from their customers and beneficial owners.  If these instructions are not received by the date specified in the broker-dealer firms’ proxy solicitation materials, the Trust understands that the broker-dealers that are members of the New York Stock Exchange may vote on the items to be considered at the Annual Meeting on behalf of their customers and beneficial owners under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

If a shareholder abstains from voting as to any matter, or if a broker returns a “non-vote” proxy, indicating a lack of authority to vote on a matter, then the shares represented by such abstention or non-vote

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will be considered to be present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum.  A plurality of the votes duly cast is required for the election of a Trustee (i.e., the nominee receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected).  Abstentions and broker non-votes therefore will not have an effect on the election of a Trustee.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.

                Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act, as applied to the Trust, require the Trust’s officers, Trustees, Adviser, affiliates of the investment adviser, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of the Trust’s outstanding securities (“Reporting Persons”), to file reports of ownership of the Trust’s securities and changes in such ownership with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange.  Such persons are required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regulations to furnish the Trust with copies of all such filings.

                Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it and written representations from certain Reporting Persons, the Trust believes that during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, its Reporting Persons complied with all applicable filing requirements.

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Shareholder Communications with the Board of Trustees.

Shareholders may send other communications to the Board of Trustees, a Committee thereof, or an individual Trustee.  Such communications should be sent to the Trust’s Secretary at the address on the front of this Proxy Statement.

What is the deadline for submitting a shareholder proposal for the Trust’s 2010 Annual Meeting?

It is anticipated that the next annual meeting of the Trust will be held in June 2010 but the exact date, time and location of such meeting have yet to be determined.  Any proposals of shareholders that are intended to be presented at the Trust’s next annual meeting must be in writing and received at the Trust’s principal executive offices no later than March 1, 2010, in order for the proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Trust’s proxy statement for that meeting. The submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in the Trust’s proxy statement or presentation at the meeting.

In addition, pursuant to relevant SEC proxy rules, a company may use discretionary voting authority to vote on matters coming before an annual meeting of shareholders if the company does not have notice of the matter at least 45 days before the date corresponding to the date on which the company first mailed its proxy materials for the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders or the date specified by an overriding advance notice provision in the company’s bylaws.  As the Trust’s bylaws do not contain such an advance notice provision, for the Trust’s 2010 Annual Meeting of shareholders, shareholders must submit to the Trust written notice of a shareholder proposal on or before April 5, 2010.

Please vote by returning your Proxy Ballot in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

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ING PRIME RATE TRUST - COMMON SHARES

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 30, 2009

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The undersigned hereby instructs Todd Modic and Huey P. Falgout, Jr. (“Proxies”), or any of them, with full power of substitution in each of them, to vote the shares held by him or her at the Annual Meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of the ING Prime Rate Trust (the “Trust”) to be held at: 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034, on June 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., Local time and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, in the manner directed below with respect to the matters referred to in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in the Proxies’ discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

Please vote, sign and date this Proxy Ballot and return it in the enclosed envelope.

These voting instructions will be voted as specified.  If no specification is made, this voting instruction will be voted “FOR” all Proposals.

In order to avoid the additional expense of further solicitation, we strongly urge you to review, complete and return your Proxy Ballot as soon as possible.  Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own.

TO VOTE:

1)                 Read the Proxy Statement

2)                 Check the appropriate boxes on the Proxy Ballot

3)                 Sign and date the Proxy Ballot

4)                 Return the Proxy Ballot in the envelope provided

Please indicate your vote by an “X” in the appropriate box below.

THIS PROXY BALLOT IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS.

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ING PRIME RATE TRUST - AUCTION RATE CUMULATIVE PREFERRED SHARES SERIES M, T, W, TH AND F

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 30, 2009

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The undersigned hereby instructs Todd Modic and Huey P. Falgout, Jr. (“Proxies”), or any of them, with full power of substitution in each of them, to vote the shares held by him or her at the Annual Meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of the ING Prime Rate Trust (the “Trust”) to be held at: 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034, on June 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., Local time and at any adjournment(s) thereof, in the manner directed below with respect to the matters referred to in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in the Proxies’ discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponements(s) thereof.

Please vote, sign and date this Proxy Ballot and return it in the enclosed envelope.

These voting instructions will be voted as specified.  If no specification is made, this voting instruction will be voted “FOR” all Proposals.

In order to avoid the additional expense of further solicitation, we strongly urge you to review, complete and return your Proxy Ballot as soon as possible.  Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own.

TO VOTE:

1)                 Read the Proxy Statement

2)                 Check the appropriate boxes on the Proxy Ballot

3)                 Sign and date the Proxy Ballot

4)                 Return the Proxy Ballot in the envelope provided

Please indicate your vote by an “X” in the appropriate box below.

THIS PROXY BALLOT IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS.

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