LONDON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank is monitoring the developments at ION, the financial trading services company hit with a ransomware attack earlier this week, a spokesperson told Reuters on Thursday.

ION was hit with a ransomware attack on Tuesday. The Futures Industry Association said the issue had affected the trading and clearing of exchange-traded financial derivatives.

Earlier in the day, ION declined to comment but said it would issue a statement later on. (Reporting by Harry Robertson; Editing by Amanda Cooper)