Product details

Product details
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Case
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Reference no. 9-205-013
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Originally published in: 2004
Version: 22 January 2007
Length: 23 pages
Data source: Field research

Abstract

H&R Block, the US market leader in tax preparation services, must decide whether to offer financial services to its low-income clients. H&R Block is facing increased competition from branded and nonbranded tax preparers, and the number of returns prepared by the company has declined in recent years. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mark Ernst, considers a proposal for Block to differentiate itself from these competitors by offering its low-income clients a range of financial services, including check cashing, money transfer, and savings products. Ernst must decide whether this new suite of services would be profitable for the company and determine its impact on Block's brand and how the company and the marketplace would receive it.
Location:
Size:
12,000 employees, USD3.7 billion revenues
Other setting(s):
2004

About

Abstract

H&R Block, the US market leader in tax preparation services, must decide whether to offer financial services to its low-income clients. H&R Block is facing increased competition from branded and nonbranded tax preparers, and the number of returns prepared by the company has declined in recent years. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mark Ernst, considers a proposal for Block to differentiate itself from these competitors by offering its low-income clients a range of financial services, including check cashing, money transfer, and savings products. Ernst must decide whether this new suite of services would be profitable for the company and determine its impact on Block's brand and how the company and the marketplace would receive it.

Settings

Location:
Size:
12,000 employees, USD3.7 billion revenues
Other setting(s):
2004

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