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Prof. Michael Segalla « BEST IN FRANCE » Jamie Brownlee (UK) Daniela Sanchez Hernandez (Mexico) Anne-Lynke Kikstra (Netherlands) Jaeyoun You (Korea). Monday 10 th December 2007. Agenda. Introduction Capital One Analysis Why France The French move Pulling out of France Recommendation
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Prof. Michael Segalla« BEST IN FRANCE »Jamie Brownlee (UK)Daniela Sanchez Hernandez (Mexico)Anne-Lynke Kikstra (Netherlands)Jaeyoun You (Korea) Monday 10th December 2007
Agenda • Introduction • Capital One • Analysis • Why France • The French move • Pulling out of France • Recommendation • Advice for new companies • Advice for France • Conclusion
Introduction • Analysis • Recommendation • Conclusion
Who is Capital One? • Listed in NYSE for first time 1994 • Headquartered in McLean, Virginia • 40 million customers • Products • Other products • Clients Added value: credit card loans
« What’s in your wallet » • Capital One: one of the America's largest consumer franchises with almost 50 million customer accounts worldwide • One of America’s most recognised brands. • Now, the fourth largest customer of the United States Postal Service
AXP: American Express Company BAC: Bank of America Corporation DFS: Discover Financial Services LLC COF: Capital One Capital One vs. Competitors
Introduction Analysis • Recommendation • Conclusion
Why move to France (Major points)? • France 1st country after UK (1997) • French wealth (disposable income) • Banking infrastructure • Population • History • French GNP $1,550 billion (EU 20% larger than the North-American market) France appeared to be very attractive
Why move to France (Major points)? (3) • Inflation remains very low • Falling interest rates • Highest rate of growth in Europe French financial setup seemed appealing
Why move to France (Minor points)? • Frontier and direct link (6 largest European markets) • Human capital > Motivation, quality and productivity • Balance of trade (20.3 billion dollars) • Quality of life • Strategicgeographical position (370 million European consumers) • Company values that fit with French culture
Competitors • Egg Banking • France 2002 - 2004 (ING, Netherlands) • Barclaycard • France 1998 (1 million selling spots)
The French move • Joint Venture with Sofinco • Paris • Customer base and infrastructure. • Bank branches • 18 months negotiation
The French move (2) • Ready to sign contract……BUTCrédit Agricole bought Sofinco • Decided to go alone • Moved in 1997 • Pulled out in 2002 The move lasted 5 years
Why pull out of France? • Ancient usury laws • Labour laws (35 h/w and redundancy costs) • Key constraint costs • Lobbying : French Banks effectively blocked changes French financial companies seem nationalistic and they want to keep the French economy strong
Why pull out of France? (2) • Constraints by regulatory companies • Inflexibility destroyed Capital One’s international strategy • Discrimination: Gender Capital One did not feel welcome
What Capital One think they did well in France? • Lived up to French expectations-culture, language, consumer and law adaptation • Call centres • Marketing mix • Worked to get their values ‘translated’ to acceptability in France.
What Capital One think they did well in France? (2) • Key values are Fairness and Reward • Inclusion of French associates • Severe scrutiny to banks
Capital One’s views on similarities and differences in France
Regrets… As said in the interview with the Former Managing Director of Capital One France
Introduction • Analysis Recommendation • Conclusion
Advice: What would Capital One have done differently? • They should not have gone alone • They would have looked at taking deposits to help fund the lending on credit. • Auto loans • Partnership with a French financial services company • If they stayed… more and more credit cards
Advice: What Capital One suggest for other banking companies? • No production of products in France – Instalment loans • Have a Pan-European strategy • Be conscious that France is not flexible: NOT WILLING TO CHANGE No Greenfield Operations
Advice: What Capital One suggest for other banking companies? (2) • Vary the interest rate • Before coming – understand the extent of the cultural differences • Be prepared to adapt(local human investment) • 4 years testing at low volume levels-crucial to understand the market • Base production outside France
Introduction • Analysis • Recommendation Conclusion
Conclusion • France offers a lot of benefits to foreign companies • Foreign companies need to be conscious of and adapt to the French culture, norms and values • It is true that certain modifications should be made (e.g. French Banks should be more accepting to foreign banks entering the French Market) • And last but not least, DO NOT ENTER THE FRENCH MARKET ALONE!
With thanks to: Alan Wolfson, Former Managing Director, Capital One France (7 Queen Alexandra Mansions, 3 Grape Street London WC28DX, UK) Fergus Brownlee, Former Principal Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Capital One Europe (Streatley House, Streatley-on-Thames, Berkshire, RG89HY, UK) Capital One