Le Taux Modèle: ING Direct, A Growing Success Story

ING Direct's strategy of focussing on simple products, low cost operations, aggressive pricing and advertising, has enabled it to be highly successful and profitable even though its flagship product the savings account is a low margin product. The case explores how ING Direct's strategy has enabled it to achieve its successful market position.

The case presents the strategy of the British bank Lloyds TSB (called today Lloyds Banking Group) over the years 1983-2007. A long time span allows to evaluate the financial results of a long-term strategy.

Direct Energie is a highly successful start-up in the French electricity distribution industry, providing electricity to SMEs. Due to its rapid expansion, the company is looking to raise additional funds, weighing its options whether to do so simply in France or also in the UK.