Publications
Publications
- May 2020
- HBS Case Collection
Trust Merchant Bank
By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell, Pippa Tubman Armerding, Dilyana Karadzhova Botha and Salim Dewji
Abstract
Trust Merchant Bank (TMB), a leading bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), needs to decide whether to enter the soon-to-be-liberalized insurance industry. Since its founding in 2004, TMB has played a pivotal role in reshaping the DRC banking landscape by focusing on retail customers and thus promoting financial inclusion in the DRC. In 2018, the Congolese government decided to open up the insurance industry, formerly a state-owned and mismanaged monopoly. TMB is considering applying for the newly available insurance licenses as the bank is well-positioned to capitalize on its existing banking infrastructure to begin selling insurance. The bank’s leadership team is assessing the opportunities and challenges with such a move. What is required of TMB to make this move a success? How will TMB’s customers react? How should the bank grow in an increasingly competitive environment?
Keywords
Retail Banking; Financial Services; Financial Inclusion; Turnaround; Fintech; Banks and Banking; Financial Condition; Insurance; Corporate Strategy; Expansion; Business Model; Family Business; Entrepreneurship; Technology; Monopoly; Banking Industry; Insurance Industry; Africa; Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Citation
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon, Pippa Tubman Armerding, Dilyana Karadzhova Botha, and Salim Dewji. "Trust Merchant Bank." Harvard Business School Case 720-449, May 2020.
