Your future.
Our investment.

Sandra Brice

Head of Finance Development/CPO Finance, Risk and Data tribe in the Baltics

Education: Degree in Business Administration, BA School of Business and Finance (2006-2011).

Hobbies: Tennis, Ashtanga yoga, walks in the city.
Recommended hiking routes in Riga: Kronvalda Park, and Song Festival Park.
Recommended hiking routes in Stockholm: Djurgården Island, Drottningholm (Bromma). 

What exactly does a person in your job do?

This is a Baltic-level role that can be divided into two parts. One is related to the development of financial solutions, the other one to the management of product, processes and technology strategy in the areas of finance, risk and data management as well as partially in the areas of financial crime prevention and sustainability. SEB’s development function internally is organised in agile way of working where development activities are carried out by teams of employees or, as we call them, – “tribes”. Therefore, the scope of responsibility is quite broad. You could say that my team is in the middle of demand for some innovations & changes and their daily application. Unlike the developers of specific banking products, where the boundaries of tasks and needs are relatively clear, our big challenge is to define and structure this “playing field” ourselves by accumulating facts from across the bank and ensuring effective communication with the stakeholders.

What would you mention as the main tasks that need to be accomplished in this job?

In a large organisation, the efficiency and internal culture are of great importance, because it may be that the organisation employs many talented people, but the result may not reach its full potential due to some structural limitations. That is one of my main focus areas – to recognise these opportunities and have a holistic and strategic view while being able to zoom into details when necessary. The internal organisational culture is also particularly important here, which in the case of SEB means a willingness to change, keep learning and improving yourself and the team and always do what’s best for the bank.

When and how did you start your career in the financial sector?

One of the first jobs I worked in parallel to my studies was at the insurance company Balta. I have been working at SEB since 2008, my first job was in the leasing company. Within a few years, I was part of the SEB Leasing management team, but from October 2013, I moved to SEB banka becoming Head of Risk department. In 2016, an opportunity arose to continue my career at the bank’s headquarters in Stockholm. Initially, I was offered a one-year contract at the SEB Group level in Sweden but ended up spending more than eight years there. My work involved managing large scale transformations across different regions and various functional areas of the bank. It was not about developing a specific product in a single country, but about changes in the governance, processes, technologies and solutions on a global level.

What qualities do you need to have to do this job?

This requires systemic thinking, as it is often necessary to implement a new structure or framework where it does not yet exist. You need to be able to see the big picture while also zoom into details to understand the context and where change is needed. Additionally, you must be able to communicate complex things in a simple way that people can grasp, as well as take and execute necessary decisions. I think I am good at this, so there was the opportunity to not only “hold on to the job" but also to grow at the SEB Group managerial level.

The three main values of SEB banka as an employer are relationship building, curiosity and sustainability. What have these values meant in your career, what have they given you?

All three have been of decisive importance. I would particularly like to emphasise the training and development opportunities that SEB offers to its employees. There are two benefits – knowledge and the opportunity to make new contacts. Just as former students support each other, participants in the SEB education programme recognise, collaborate and support each other in their future work. This is a great value because mutual trust is built in the relationship. This is something unique in our organisation. For me, as someone who has grown less through academic learning and learnt more through doing, trust has been particularly important. Trust, in turn, is based on a person’s desire to learn and do something new, as well as openness and regular networking. People appreciate this and are willing to trust you.

Does working at SEB’s headquarters mean working locally in Stockholm?

Yes, for more than eight years I had two homes, one in Stockholm and one in Riga. It was difficult at the very beginning because as a relatively young person, I found myself in a team of mature people, and as a Latvian, I had to familiarise myself with the Swedish business culture, mindset and environment. It was immensely helpful that I had access to mentors who trusted, guided and helped to gain confidence in myself so that I was able to increase respect, esteem and trust in the team. In general, SEB differs from other large organisations because of this family-like, strong support for colleagues.

Why did you decide to return to Latvia?

They were mainly private considerations – the frequent flights from Sweden to Latvia and back began to tire me out over time. My husband and I had decided that we would prefer to be based in Riga at the moment. So although I could stay and work in the Group, I gladly accepted the opportunity to continue my career in a Baltic role in Latvia. These years have been valuable for me because I have understood how a large organisation is run and have been involved in important decisions in a bank that employs around 17 thousand people worldwide.

In your opinion, what are the main differences between Swedish and Baltic work culture, and attitude towards work?

Firstly, it is about the way decisions are made. Swedes talk and discuss thoroughly the matter that needs to be solved and make sure that everyone has understood it the same way. But when this period of discussion is over and a decision has been made, the execution is relatively quick and synchronized. In the Baltic states, the opposite often happens – we make decisions quickly. Secondly, there is a strong tendency in Sweden towards consensus in decision-making, which takes precedence over the individual decisions. I know that we are fast and can get a lot done in a short time.

What qualities does a person need to have to qualify for a career at the Group level, which in SEB’s case could be compared to the top-tier sports?

Firstly, I would emphasise such as positive tolerance that is aimed at listening, learning and being willing to change. In my job, it is important to support multiple teams with different goals and needs at the same time. Therefore, you must be able to compromise to find a common denominator and come to a result. Communication skills that unite, engage and inspire people are important.

In Latvia, there is a lot of discussion about the taxation of banks, about lending. Can similar processes be observed in Sweden?

Swedish society has historically been much longer and more thoroughly educated in financial matters, so the people’s understanding of personal financial planning and the possibilities of the financial markets is much higher. Also on a national level, it allows you to make rational and logical decisions, without burdening the investment climate and business development opportunities.

How do you manage to keep your energy in such an intensive work mode?

Firstly, good sleep is important, and secondly, physical activity. For me, that means tennis, Ashtanga yoga and hiking in forest and by the sea. My favourite routes in Riga are walking from Kronvalda Park to Song Festival Park and along the Kurzeme seashore. In Stockholm, I can recommend Djurgården Island and Drottningholm to walking enthusiasts, where there is a picturesque landscape with a royal castle and gardens. Thirdly, quality time with family and friends is a great source of joy and energy for me.

Janis Ozolins

Head of Large Corporate Banking at SEB banka

Education:
LU International Economic relations (bachelor’s degree)
LU Finance and credit (master’s degree)
ESC de Troyes (ERASMUS)
Wallenberg Institute

Hobbies: Sports and fishing

How did you end up in the bank?

While studying at the University of Latvia, I was looking for an internship, and SEB banka was willing to accept me. It was 2009, a post-crisis period, quite an exciting and dynamic time. At first, my job was to process back-office documents, review the mail and fill in salary booklets. After the internship, I asked if I could continue working during the summer holidays and I was lucky enough to come into contact with the bank’s Vice President at the time, who involved me in carrying out tasks that entailed more responsibility. 

What was your first impression of the bank?

At first, I did not understand why so many people worked at the bank; it didn’t seem as if the bank offered anything other than payment cards and loans. On the whole, however, the working environment was very pleasant; everyone was smart and dapper, and all the gentlemen wore suits to work. At the time, my only suit was a white linen suit that came from my high school graduation; although it looked smart at the time, it was no good in the bank. So, to fit better at work, I bought a more decent suit, which I think my mum still has in her closet.

Nevertheless, you decided to stay

It was not as if I had meticulously planned my future and career; everything happened naturally and logically. I stayed after my internship, and that was almost 14 years ago, not counting the internships. There was actually an interruption in my professional career: during my studies, I took part in a student exchange programme in France, where I realised that I had to work hard on myself to achieve something in life. You can not just rely on a university or an employer to give you everything. Then there were opportunities to do internships in different places, but I realised that I felt more comfortable at the bank. Sometimes you might not think so, but on the whole, there is order, responsibilities are clearly defined and everything is organised and clear. Elsewhere, I had a slightly chaotic feeling. The second thing is that people in the bank do not just talk about doing business; they actually do it and have a tangible result. When I was in France, I was very interested in the securities market. When I came back, I ordered a whole box of books on the subject from Amazon. I read them and realised that I wanted to work in the financial markets. I turned to SEB and was lucky again - suddenly I got the chance to prove myself as a securities broker. It was a dream come true: I was buying and selling stocks and following the news on the financial markets and everything that was happening in the world.

You did not continue as a broker, though?

My experience at the bank has been pretty “rough”. All in all, I have worked in about ten different positions with about 15 supervisors. After Financial Markets, I became a Legal Aid Coordinator for the Large Corporate Banking Department, after that I got the position of an analyst in the property finance department, later I gained my first experience as a deputy Head of Large Corporate Banking Department. In parallel, I continue to manage the Real Estate Finance Unit and the Corporate Strategy and Consulting Unit. So, I have the opportunity to broaden my experience by managing several departments. That’s not unimportant when it comes to career development. The most important thing is to have a good team.

What does the Head of the Large Corporate Services Department do?

There are several essential things. Firstly, we must ensure that the team is proud to work at the bank and is willing to achieve more. Secondly, the customers must be satisfied and their wishes must be heard. We need to finance many large and significant projects for Latvia to support the entrepreneurs and keep the risks balanced. 

Can you name any projects financed by your team?

In the real estate sector, for example, we are talking about shopping centres and office buildings, logistics parks and residential apartments. We have financed the construction of “Akropole”, “Origo” and the “Verde” office centre. One of the most visible recent projects is the biofuel boiler house “Rīgas BioEnerģija”, which increases the use of renewable energy sources for heat production in Riga. Our approach is to finance understandable projects with a prudent risk-return ratio. From previous experience, we have learnt that real estate can bring big losses for the financier if the loan collateral is inadequate or the project needs to be better thought through. The attractiveness for tenants must be clarified. Risk management is therefore crucial. 

What has changed in real estate financing in recent years?

The most important thing is that the real estate properties must fulfil the sustainability criteria. This involves the energy efficiency of buildings, the well-being of the people who work and live in modern buildings, the environment, mobility options and other issues arising from ecological and human responsibility. In this context, it is worth mentioning the “Verde” office complex, which received a high rating of “Excellent” on the sustainability scale of the BREAM certification. Speaking of offices, employees today are much more demanding when it comes to their working environment, which has an impact on people’s well-being as well as on mobility and opportunities for active recreation. A high-quality office positively impacts economic development – a tenant with great prospects might come in, pay good wages and salaries, and their employees can afford, for example, a mortgage. By financing quality projects, we make important decisions that promote positive changes in Latvian society.

What qualities must anyone who wants to be a manager have?

You must be brave and demonstrate initiative. You should not sit and wait for someone to offer you something, go and ask for it yourself. You have to be open to change and seek to perfect yourself. You have to enjoy cooperation, communicating with people, understanding other points of view and assuming that you will not always be right.

How to get a positive, creative atmosphere in the team?

There is a saying - you join the team, not the organisation. I completely agree with that, because every team has its own culture and its way of working. It depends on the manager. On the one hand, there are certain requirements in terms of the work to be done and the results to be achieved; on the other hand, a human, open and positive relationship must be maintained within the team. A manager should let themselves be informal, make jokes and listen to people. They must also take the time to express themselves, as this is the only way to build trust. Trust is necessary for a team spirit to develop. Managers should also be open and disclose how they judge the performance of the team and certain individuals. Sometimes this can lead to minor discomfort, but in the long run, positive benefits will certainly be reaped, to be honest.

What do you do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?

Sport, which is a kind of meditation, has always been an essential part of my daily life. By nature, I like everything that has to do with balls (football, volleyball, basketball). Lately, I have been drawn to golf and I have taken my first steps on a bike, but at the moment I’ve resolved to learn to swim in harmony with the seasons. I can kind of swim, but when I took the trainer I knew it was not going to be called swimming. I’m looking forward to trying new things and I’m pleased with the progress - because from an originally lame and incompetent athlete, I’m gradually becoming more skilful and understanding what I need to do and how. This motivates me to keep going and gives me a good feeling. It is very similar at work. You have to want to do something and try something new, but here too it’s important that in moments when nothing seems to be working and things are going badly, you have someone by your side who can give you advice and help you grow.  

Linda Šablinska

Offering Manager

Education: Master’s degree in management science
Personal interests and hobbies: Travelling, sports, nature, interior design and fashion, reading books
Life motto: Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can replace experience.

Linda is a seasoned financial professional with 10 years of experience in the financial sector, eight of which have been in banking. Linda is passionate about promoting financial literacy. Her passion is based on the belief that she can help young people take one step at a time towards a better future by sharing her knowledge.

How did your career in finance start and develop?

This story begins in my childhood. Back then, I already knew for certain that I wanted to work in a bank. That is why I decided to study business science at high school so that I could get to grips with economics and maths. In the summer before I started my studies, while my peers were enjoying their holidays, I worked as a trainee in a bank. My job was to greet customers, enquire about their needs and look for solutions. I enjoyed the internship very much, and it confirmed that I did want to work in a bank. So I chose Finance for my bachelor’s degree and Management Science for my master’s degree and started working part-time at the Swedbank Consultancy Centre concurrently. At that time, I was already advising customers on a much broader range of banking services and helping them solve various problems. 

Did you continue working for a bank after graduating?

Yes, after obtaining my master’s degree I started a full-time job at a Latvian bank, in the service centre in the Credit Card Department, where I worked for five years. First, I had to learn Norwegian at the B2 level, which was one of the reasons I decided to work there. I also obtained a coaching certificate, which enabled me to teach my colleagues various soft skills, such as goal setting, public speaking, etc. There comes a time in every career when you want to see if the grass is greener elsewhere, so I switched industries and worked as the head of the Accounts Department for two years. I came to the conclusion that I belonged in the banking industry, therefore I joined SEB a year ago. 

What do you do at SEB banka?

My career path at SEB banka began as a Sales Support Manager, with a major focus on the children and youth segment. The aim is to provide our customers with a valuable and competitive offer, to achieve a high level of satisfaction and loyalty and to cultivate long-term relationships, because children are our future customers. After the first week, I was appointed Head of the SEB School Ambassador Programme. This is the third year of the programme in Latvia, where we give students the opportunity to become ambassadors for financial knowledge. We teach students the fundamentals of finance, such as budgeting, investing, cyber security and starting a business. So I was invited to various events to explain to adolescents how to manage their budgets. I became a mentor for financial education and it's now an important part of my daily work.

SEB culture is based on long-term relationships as one of its core values. It is important for us to have a working environment that is both friendly, inclusive and collaborative. What does this - relational - dimension mean to you?

Collaboration is one of the most important ingredients for achieving common goals, as it is closely linked to mutual communication both within the team and with customers, as well as respect and trust. The environment is of great importance - when employees feel they belong, are valued and can express their opinions freely, they are also able to work together more productively and achieve better results. This is also important in my daily work because every project involves collaboration with other teams and working together.

SEB emphasises the need for continuous learning and, regardless of each employee’s experience, provides opportunities to grow and maintain curiosity. This is done through various training courses and also opportunities to expand your career within SEB. How important are curiosity and growth opportunities to you?

Curiosity and growth at work are critical because curiosity generates new ideas that often lead to innovations that help us better adapt to a changing environment and remain competitive. Being proactive and informed about the financial industry, new trends and technologies are essential to my work. I need to understand how changes and developments in society affect our customers’ habits and how this is reflected in young people and their needs. It is also important for me to improve my social communication skills so that I can both hear and be heard when dealing with my peers and customers and so that I can present complex financial topics in a way that is accessible, relevant and inspiring to young people.

What has been the biggest driver of your growth at SEB banka? 

My main driving force at work is my intrinsic motivation and determination to constantly learn, develop and achieve. The working environment and my colleagues, who are very supportive and willing to share their experiences and give advice, also have a big influence. Only by growing personally and professionally can I make a greater contribution to my organisation, society and my progress.

Creating innovation for a sustainable future is one of SEB’s internal cultural values. Tell us what sustainability means to you, and how this value manifests itself in your daily work.

For me, innovation for a sustainable future means a forward-looking approach that harmonises our business goals with environmental and social responsibility. By focusing on sustainability, we are less exposed to environmental and social risks and can offer our customers sustainable financial products. This manifests itself in my work every day. By leading the SEB School Ambassador Programme, organising summer workshops for adolescents and engaging in other financial education activities, this value reflects both my commitment and that of SEB banka to make a positive and lasting impact on current and future generations. Society, especially children and adolescents, are our future and our future customers. Acting sustainably means taking responsibility for our common future.

What is your experience working with children and adolescents in SOS Children Villages?

This year, for the second time, we participated in the camp “Adult Life” organised by the SOS Children’s Villages, where adolescents spent a week experiencing various life situations - from budgeting, financial and budget planning to different work situations. On Financial Literacy Day, I talked to adolescents about how they should not spend their pocket money in one day. We discussed situations where you must manage your household budget, i.e., how to plan properly and avoid scammers’ traps. I believe that financial knowledge is an important skill, just like any other skill, and I endeavour to pass this knowledge on to future generations. It is very satisfying to see adolescents gain confidence in these matters, take control of their money and take responsibility for their finances. It motivates you to keep working. Mentoring is a two-way street: by sharing my financial knowledge with others, I also learn a lot from adolescents and see their perspectives. Their questions and enthusiasm are very inspiring and often make me look at things from a different angle. I appreciate that my work at the bank gives me the opportunity to positively impact society - especially adolescents, who are our future.

What are your hobbies? What do you do to recharge your batteries and regain vitality?

I build physical activity into my daily routine - in the morning before work. My routine is to get up at 6 am, go to a workout and then head for work with recharged batteries. I pay attention to the quality of my sleep so that I get eight full-quality hours of sleep. I spend a lot of time in nature, in peace and quiet, which definitely energises me. I also spend time with friends and family, read and self-improve, which is also useful at work. What else can I recommend to you? Appreciate the little moments of happiness and victories and find your heart’s desires outside of work. This helps to clear your head and recharge your batteries. I enjoy running, which I usually do at the weekends, and I also take the opportunity that SEB offers its employees to participate in the “Stirnu buks” cross-country run. These are my passions outside of work that bring me joy and help me to be more productive in my daily work life.

 

Levan Elashvili

Process Area Specialist

Education: Master of Business Administration
Personal interests: Sports 

Levan came to Riga from Georgia to finish his education, completed his Master’s degree and now is studying for PhD. But learning is not only about degrees for him, it is also his general approach to life and career – he is passionately curious about everything he encounters and is making the most of his journey. Read the story about the restart of his career in a new country and making his knowledge and skills future-proof through continuous learning.

How did your journey with SEB start?

About a year ago I was looking for a job. As I like to make decisions based on information from various sources, I did small research involving my connections in LinkedIn and university peers and concluded that SEB might be a good place to restart my career here in Riga. I had a good financial background from my work experiences in Georgia, but coming to a different country I decided that I would start from a more junior level and prove myself in order to move forward with my career. So, I applied for a Bank Operations Specialist position in SEB.

What was your initial impression about SEB and did that change over time? 

I had heard some positive feedback before and I was not new to the world of finance, so in terms of the job itself there were no big surprises, however I was surprised with the environment I found here. Everyone including my colleagues and manager were very welcoming, caring, and willing to share knowledge to help me fit in faster. I have worked in big companies before and have not experienced such culture before, it is really all about the people.

What do you do on daily basis?

I work in Foundation Services. We provide different types of financial services to foundations based in Sweden – from accounting and salary managing to taxes and reports. 

What do you like about your job?

Freedom to plan my time according to my schedule, work more when I am most productive and managing my own tasks. I know my responsibilities and what deadlines I should meet, and I can plan accordingly with no micromanagement or tension from management side. I enjoy partially working from home too, to have more time to spend with my family instead of sitting in traffic. I genuinely like spending time with my colleagues. Whenever we meet in the office, we all are smiling and happy to be there. Our team is quite diverse, we have colleagues from different countries. Sharing knowledge about my culture and learning about other cultures helps us understand each other and work better as a team. 

You seem to enjoy learning a lot. What opportunities do you use to learn here?

In SEB we have a learning platform called Campus, there I have found numerous learnings, tutorials and presentations on processes and work of other departments. I am curious how processes work, how my colleagues in other departments work because I believe learning will help me be better at my job and understand all the processes we are involved in, so I spend a lot of time learning. Last year I spent 150 hours in Campus and additionally, when I want to see some processes in action, I apply for shadowing colleagues. Sometimes I learn tips and tricks to do my work faster and better. This is also something I appreciate about the SEB culture – your willingness to learn and improve is always supported. 

Is there something you are excited about in the future?

Finishing my PhD and exploring what the future of banking services will look like.
We are also moving to the new office building soon, that is something I look forward to. My team has been successfully practising clean desk policy for some time now, so we are ready for the activity-based office environment. I will not have much time for the new gym while writing my PhD, but after that I will give it a try. Me and my colleagues are also looking forward to spending time on the rooftop terrace. Back home in Georgia we have more sunny days, so being able to catch some sun here during working time is good.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I like spending time outdoors. In the summer me and my family usually go to Kalngale to enjoy the seaside, but in winter we go for long walks in the forest nearby our house. Spending time outdoors recharges my batteries and helps me prepare for the next working day.

What would you say to anyone considering joining SEB team?

I would say, no matter if you are an experienced professional or just starting your career path, here you will find opportunities to learn and grow using your talents and skills. To me, curiosity is the main driver for progress, so stay curious and keep learning – that way you will ensure your expertise is valid on the job market for years to come.