There have been a lot of news stories lately detailing how consumers are "getting back to basics." Financial gurus and economists alike are advising people to rethink their grandiose spending habits, re-examine what's really important in their lives and re-evaluate their future goals.

But now, capital markets firms are also declaring they're getting back to basics. But what does that really mean?

ING Group is the latest financial firm to let everyone know it is “taking ING back to basics”. The Dutch insurance and banking conglomerate said it is “reducing complexity by operating Bank and Insurer separately under one Group umbrella” and that its “measures to reduce cost, risk and leverage are on track.”

Reading the rest of the ways ING is getting back to basics just seems like a run-of-the-mill business plan. What’s so “basic” about “creating a predominantly European bank with one integrated balance sheet”?

Apparently, “getting back to basics” means different things for consumers and large financial firms. Maybe mammoths like ING Group should heed advice being lopped at the average spender and stay in more and start a game night with the Board.
-- Oksana Poltavets, US Reporter, Dealing With Technology