6. Reread the Management Focus on international expansion at the ING Group and then answer the following questions:

a. Why did ING focus on entering the U.S. market rather than, for example, emerging markets such as China and India?

b. What explains the timing of ING's entry into the U.S. market?

c. ING entered the U.S. insurance and investment banking market through acquisitions, rather than beginning from scratch. Why do you think the company chose this entry mode? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

d. Why do you think ING opted to begin its Internet bank, ING Direct, from scratch in the United States?