Can ING Direct Continue to Thrive Under Cap One?

Reading "Capital One Is Nearly Unscathed in Deal Victory"  reminded me of watching ING Direct CEO Arkadi Kuhlmann address a major banking conference several years ago.  He presented a detailed description of his unconventional approach to consumer banking and explained how each facet contributed to the success of the initiative.   

When asked what type of bankers he hired, he responded immediately with a question. "Why would I hire bankers?" Without pausing, he went on to explain that he hired dancers and artists and other "creative" people because he found it much easier and more rewarding to teach these people about banking than to try to teach bankers about dealing with people.  

Capital One may have secured approval to buy ING Direct, but will ING Direct be worth what they paid for it when it is run by bankers?

Jim Wells
President
Wellspring Consulting International, Inc.
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida