Meet employees in Product Development and Tech

Birutė Beniušytė

Head of Baltic Product Development and Technology

The merger has brought a wide range of competencies into a single place, the Baltic Product Development and Technology area. The different roles provide ample opportunities for further development and growth. Speaking of product development and technology, it is not just about technology. Perhaps a small example will be helpful: a house must have a foundation – in Product development and tech organization, this is the data centres with infrastructure, platforms and databases being taken care by IT administrators. Then there are more than two hundred applications, and all our products, business processes and channels are created and maintained by product development team. Typically, we have several roles working as a team to deliver new features – product owners, business developers, project managers, analysts, software developers, testers. And finally, to keep the house in order, there are risk managers, experts in cybersecurity, and service desk, who we all probably contact every day.

Working in such a large organisation, how important is cooperation with other structural units?

We know that one is not a warrior, i.e., business is unable to do anything on their own, and neither can IT decide which direction the company should follow. Therein lies the greatest strength: when business needs arise, IT come with ideas how technology can support. And vice versa, sometimes new technologies bring business opportunities. We must work together to achieve goals. The best results are achieved when business moves with technology.. Thinking broader, for us to succeed in delivering new features to our customers, all organization must be involved – business units, segments, finance, legal, compliance and many other. Cross collaboration and common goals are key success factors.

How many employees do we plan to hire this year?

We currently see three areas driving the trends: regulatory environment, sustainability, and digitalisation. Talking about the latter, we continue to see increasing demand from our customers for digital solutions. It is now common for individuals and businesses to conduct everyday transactions via online banking or mobile app. Customers’ expectations are growing, as is our desire to offer more convenient and digital solutions and automated processes. To accelerate developments, we plan to hire more than 100 specialists in product development department at SEB Banks in the Baltic States. 

Where are new recruits being sought?

As investment is mainly focused on developing new solutions, we will look for additional resources in Product development area, e.g., business developers, analysts, software developers, testers, UX designers, and other related functions.

What do you think is the best thing about SEB as an employer compared to other organisations? What can we offer better than others?

The greatest advantage a bank can offer is a wide range of competencies, roles, and business areas. For each employee there are great career opportunities to grow professionally as well as personally. Secondly, as we have merged organization, where technical experts are together with business, they can influence business decisions and design solutions together. This is not the case in all IT organisations.

Another advantage is that we have a wide range of technologies. I will not be wrong when I say that there are very few companies in the Baltic States where IT experts have broad technological stack, opportunity to influence business decisions. And all this on the scale of the three big banks of the Baltic countries.

I would also like to point out that we have a very strong internal culture and team spirit, and we put a lot of emphasis on the working environment and cooperation. We see ourselves and, in a way, we would like to be perceived – Reliable & caring for business with CAN DO attitude. 

Find your new job at SEB Bank

Božena Nevinskienė

Senior data engineer SEB Global Services centre in Vilnius

From biomedicine to data engineering

What does biomedicine have in common with technology? Božena's career path shows that they can be quite related. "I was not afraid to change my career because I have seen successful cases of people moving from biomedicine to technology," says Božena. Božena's experience as a data engineer at the SEB Global services centre for almost three years shows how she discovered her new skills when she took a new career direction.

What was your path from the area of biomedicine to data engineering?

My bachelor's degree was in genetics. After my studies, I got a job in a biotechnology company. For my master’s degree, I studied systems biology, which was already more related to technology. During my master’s studies, I studied both life sciences and IT, and I learned a bit of programming. After about three years as a researcher in a laboratory, I got a job in data management for clinical studies. After that, I decided I wanted to try out IT and applied for a job opportunity at SEB.

Why have you decided to move into technology? What similarities did you see between biomedicine and technology?

I enjoyed programming and logical thinking, which were needed in both biomedicine and technology. My master's degree was focused on the application of computer technology in the area of life sciences. In both fields, the main task is to solve a problem. Then you try to find the interfaces to solve that problem quickly and efficiently. I have a good memory, which helps me to grasp the essence of the problem and find solutions quite quickly.

What was your first impression of SEB?

As soon as I joined SEB, I had to go through a lot of mandatory training and get access rights to various systems. I wanted to get to work right away and learn practical things as soon as possible. What impressed me most about SEB was the people and the culture. I felt that I could be myself here and that my colleagues and I could communicate freely and openly.

What do you value most about SEB and what is the main motivation in your work?

I value people most at SEB. I also like the freedom that SEB gives you – as an employee, you have the freedom to try, to learn, to make mistakes. I also appreciate the stability and security I feel working at SEB. Most of all, I am motivated by the feeling that I am needed and valuable at work.

Is there room for creativity in technology?

In our team, there is. That's why I like my team and its specifics, because we are the first in the bank to try out a lot of innovations, to apply them to our work. I think I will stay in the company as long as there are still new things I can learn. It would be too hard for me to do the same job for a year and not change anything. I like the dynamic and new challenges at work.

What does curiosity mean to you and how are you developing professionally?

When I started working at SEB, learning and development were very much encouraged by the team itself. For example, we all decide together in the team that we want to get a certain certification. One part of the learning is those formal courses that lead to various certificates, and the other part is learning by doing your day-to-day work. Working at SEB has helped me to discover qualities I hadn't known before – I like working in a team, building a team. I contribute to the onboarding of newcomers to the team, and it is very interesting to see their progress and growth.

What can motivate a person to develop and learn?

I believe that the employee's own motivation is the main driver of development. You need to talk to your manager, know what you want to achieve and what you want to learn. Of course, it also depends on the manager's willingness to develop an individual and the amount of effort they will invest in that development. SEB, as a company, also contributes a lot in terms of providing funds for employees to learn and develop.

What do you think will be the most important skill for future employees?

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, I think one of the best skills will be the ability to use its various tools. Another important skill is the ability to adapt to change and learn quickly.

Subscribe for SEB's open positions

Simonas Juodis

Senior Software Developer, Savings and Investments 

Education: Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Vilnius University

How long have you been working at SEB?

SEB bank is my first employer, where I have been working since 2018, after graduating from Vilnius University. I have started my career as junior software developer, and now, for approximately a year and a half, I have been working as senior software developer. 

Why have you chosen IT for your career?

I have been interested in computers, computer design, and technology since I can remember myself. I was interested in and good at mathematics. So, when choosing a career path, it was clear to me I wanted to become a software developer. 

What does it mean to be a software developer in a large bank in terms of day-to-day work?

The main thing one needs to understand is that being a software developer is not simply programming (although it is a very important component). There are several other activities: starting from analysing the needs, moving on to planning exactly what and how should be done. Only then comes the programming, together with testing, fixing, and finally, maintaining and supporting the systems. So, the job is rather complex.

In addition to programming knowledge and skills, what other qualities does a person need to be a good software developer?

One must have the problem-solving skills – every day we face problems we need to solve. Analytical skills are also important to not blindly follow the set instructions, but to understand and come up with what and how needs to be done by oneself. Another thing is the ability to recognise and keep track of many small details related to the problem. Of course, communication is very important because one needs to constantly communicate with the colleagues and other teams, therefore, openness helps to come to good solutions more easily. Many minds working together will always be more effective than one working in silence.

What product or upgrade are you working on now?

My team works mainly with financial institutions. We are currently working on the implementing some new functions in securities area which will make processes more effective and reduce manual work. It is difficult to describe this product in a few words, but I can say that the financial institutions use it daily.

In your job, how much space is there for creativity and innovation, and how much of it are the processes that simply need to be executed correctly?

The accurately described, the already-known part of the processes makes up the smallest share of the job. Most of the time, my colleagues and I are figuring out what to do and how to proceed with that unique case. Of course, we must fulfil business requirements, but the execution is in our hands. So, one can say that it is basically a creative work with a lot of improvising, because we make the decisions on how the product or solution is going to function. This is the responsibility of software developers.

What do you like most about your job?

The first two things that come to mind are freedom and collaboration. It is not like I have a list of requirements or tasks that I need to execute during the day or the week. Together with the colleagues, we often discuss what to do and how. I can give advice to my colleagues, as well as receive that from them. Knowing that I can be useful and create something new gives me great satisfaction.

What advice would you give to young people who are thinking of working in IT?

Be open to new information, knowledge, and experiences. It is important to be curious, especially in the beginning of your career. Ask questions and do not be afraid to receive them, all of them will come in handy. After all, once you have completed your education, it is necessary to acquire skills that no university can teach – go work and be among the colleagues who will teach you all the practicalities and be your best mentors.

Why should young adults apply for a job at SEB?

I can only answer from my own experience. I applied because SEB is a large and stable organisation with good reputation. For me, sense of stability that a large company can offer is important. Another reason was the wide range of technologies the bank uses. This allows me to improve myself and expand my knowledge as part of my work. 

Would you recommend SEB?

Yes, based on my experience I would. The bank has a wonderful team that can help right at the beginning of the working here. Senior colleagues become mentors for the younger ones, which is important. And there are a lot of experienced colleagues here who are willing to share their knowledge and train new colleagues.

How do you see your own future career opportunities in the bank?

The opportunities for growth are good, both in the field of IT, and elsewhere – horizontal career is also there. If I wanted to change my area of expertise, I would have the opportunity to join another team and acquire new skills.

What are your hobbies?

In my spare time, I enjoy DIY electronics. I build light decorations that can be controlled via smartphone or custom keyboards. 

Find your new job at SEB Bank

Irmina Švambarė

Project Manager, Baltic Portfolio and Project Management team

Education: Graduated from Birkbeck, University of London with a bachelor’s degree in Management

How did you start working at SEB bank?

My formal educational background is financial management. However, through my international experience, I have obtained knowledge in event management, property management, as well as project and service management. I was so delighted when I received an offer from SEB to join the team where I was sure I will be able to apply all these skills. I have been working here as a project manager since August 2021.

What do you do as a project manager?

Baltic Portfolio and Project Management team is a part of Baltic Product Development and Technology organization within the bank. We are a relatively small team - 12 people from all Baltic countries.  The main role of this team is to facilitate, track and ensure the progress of large banking projects, as well as to ensure efficient delivery of the portfolio. Each of us works on four or five big projects at the same time.

Does it basically mean project coordination?

That would be a rather narrow and simplistic view. In the context of project management, I would rather emphasise the word “facilitate”. Figuratively speaking, I would say that it is our job to transform chaos into structure and order. Sometimes there is a bright idea or a plan for introducing something new, but in the initial stages, nobody really knows who is going to implement it and how. How will it happen? Here our task is to think about the initial idea in terms of project progress and to create and establish project working group with involving respective stakeholders. A very important part is stakeholder management, i.e., identifying and involving these stakeholders in the necessary decisions and working with them during the project. For example, we are currently working on a sustainability reporting project, which is particularly complicated and extensive initiative as it involves many different levels and functions. Sustainability goals affect all of us - from bank’s strategy to product development and customers. Sustainability is one of the main priorities in the bank, so we are having large working group and many stakeholders representing many areas within the organization. This is a relatively new thing requiring innovative ideas and actions to implement.

Sustainability reporting is gradually becoming the standard in all business sectors. As a matter of fact, you are setting a standard of sorts for others to learn from.

This is because banks are already obliged to report on their advancements in the field of sustainability. Soon, large companies will also have to prepare such sustainability reports. It is an inspiring project due to its scale, impact, and importance. I hope that I am helping our team to have a more simplistic, structured view and action plan towards this complex and multifaceted initiative. This is a special project for me because sustainability is a topic that I have been interested in for a long time.

What qualities must a person have to become a good project manager in such a large organization as SEB bank?

In short, you must have common sense and the ability to work with the unknown. In our work, especially in the early stages of projects, there are many questions that need to be understood and properly structured. This requires critical thinking and a broad perspective. Also, an open mindset and the ability to look at each question from different angles. A complete picture always emerges from many different angles, opinions, and perspectives. The third point I would like to emphasise on is the ability to transform and adjust because we work in a very agile environment here at SEB, where adaptation is an important characteristic. It is comparable to working in a start-up, where there are many unknowns, many new things, only in this case - within a large organization that provides stability. 

You mentioned the agile environment, which is an important element of the bank's internal culture. How does this manifest in life?

In the agile approach, smaller steps are taken and what has been achieved is constantly tested and tailored, considering changes identified during implementation. Meaning, we can be flexible and versatile towards our deliveries.

What do you like most about this job?

First, the very knowledgeable, smart and motivated people around me. Experts in their field who are self-confident. The second point is the working environment - not only in my team but in the bank. The culture of the company is that people here are open and helpful. That encourages and makes the daily work much more pleasant.

Can you name three reasons why it would be worth applying for a job at SEB bank?

This is an organization that is working towards building more sustainable economy. Therefore, it makes a great contribution to society by facilitating the transition from the historical business model to the modern one. I know that this is an important aspect for many people because people want to be a part of something valuable. It is also worth applying because there is a diverse environment here where everyone can develop their potential and find opportunities to grow. Ideas and initiatives are heard here and that leads to the third reason - people are greatly valued at SEB and you can feel that in the daily work and interactions. Therefore, I would advise those who are thinking about applying to SEB bank to give it a try. Maybe you will manage to unleash your true potential here that you have not even thought of before. Bank is a large organization where a career can develop in many different directions. It is worth a try!

Find your new job at SEB Bank

Danielius Barkovskis 

solution architect

It seems that your passion for IT started very early. How did it happen?

It all started with my first computer which I received quite early. My parents had downloaded some games to my device, but as I played them, I realised that I was more interested in how those games worked “behind the curtain” rather than the actual gameplay. “Counter-Strike”, “GTA” were one of my first games. I was around 13 years old when I created the first “GTA” server. 

How did you learn to do that?

Basically, I taught myself by self-study. I found information on the internet and figured the next myself. At that time, I experimented intensively and learned a lot along the way. That has laid a very solid foundation for later. I have to add that I was already working as a freelance developer before I started my studies. I was developing game servers. While I was still studying, in my second year, I already took part in SEB internship programme.

Did your studies offer you anything new in this field? It seems that you had already studied and mastered a lot of things by yourself.

Yes, I knew many practical things that I had researched and tried out. However, I often lacked an understanding of why they worked in that specific way. Studies has given me this theoretical understanding, the scientific perspective and knowledge of the IT field. 

How did your career at SEB start and develop?

I started my career in the bank six years ago as a software development intern. Later I was hired as a junior software developer, soon I became a software developer and solution architect later. The career has developed step by step. My field of work at the bank was and still is the development of mobile applications.

At the moment you are one of the bank’s technical leads. What are your main responsibilities?

In general, my responsibilities are to create architectural solutions for business needs and to support team while following and implementing it during the entire cycle of development.

Does the position of solution architect mean that you do not directly participate in software development processes, only monitor them?

It depends on the project, but I am always more than happy to get involved in the programming if needed.

What appeals most to you in this work and specifically when working at SEB Bank?

After six years at the bank, I can say that there is no such thing as routine here. Every new project is like a new job because all projects are different in every way. So even though I have worked for one employer the whole time, I feel like I have changed jobs several times. It is never boring here, that's for sure!

Would you recommend SEB as an employer?

Because of the size and scope of the bank, everyone has the opportunity here to find something that suits their interests and abilities. And even if a person finds that the work does not really suit them, it is always possible to find something new and try it out. In that sense, this is a really great place to start and continue a career.

What qualities does a software developer need to make a successful career in this field?

The most important thing is to keep curiosity and passion. It is also important that a person should take the initiative to do something, to change and to improve. You cannot sit back and wait for someone to tell you what to do and how to do it. For you to improve, you have to take the initiative yourself - come up with ideas, questions and suggestions. As for myself, what motivates me most is the fact that this field is constantly evolving, and I can always learn something new.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Developing, actually (laughs). As strange as it may sound. My professional career began as a hobby, and it still is. 

Do you still play games?

Yes. My favourite game is “Counter-Strike”, which started my passion for computers in childhood. Over the years, the game has evolved and changed a lot.

Find your new job at SEB Bank

Ingrida Savaikaitė 

business developer, Financing products unit

Education: IT, Vilnius Tech (2 years studies); Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences (Bachelor's degree in Economics)

What does a business developer do?

In this position employee’s area of responsibility and the resulting work can be quite broad. It depends on the individual. For example, I am mainly working on tasks related with mortgage loans in Lithuania. In my daily work, this means, implementing regulatory requirements, supporting and consulting other colleagues in the organization, launching new projects, interacting with stakeholders, testing developed solutions and fulfilling other prioritized task. Through collaboration within the team and with other teams, it is clear what everyone's priorities are and what needs to be achieved. I have worked in product development for five years and I can say that there were no two workdays that would look the same. 

So, one can also be creative and innovative enough in this job?

Yes, if that is what a person wants. We are always encouraged to do so. Some of my business development colleagues are more focused on data analytics, systems issues, automated decisions analysis. I am more focused on communication and working with people. I started my career as an assistant of a teller Before joining product development I was a private financial advisor, so communicating with customers and searching for a solution to fulfil their needs has always been a part of my job. The most important thing for me is to find new ways to initiate effective and efficient discussion to identify problems and possible solutions that help customers and organization. That is my drive.

Can you describe a day at your work?

First of all, working hours at product development are flexible - they can be tailored to your needs. The most important thing is that the work is done on time and to a high standard. My day usually starts by going through letters to identify any questions or problems from other teams related with customers. These questions or problems are a priority to me, so I start there. This is followed by a meeting with our team to discuss the work done yesterday and planned for today. Agile working environment means the team is self-managing – it is friendly and collaborative, and you know you will receive help whenever you need it. After that, we look for other solutions to previously identified problems and work on prioritized tasks. My working time consists mainly of meetings where together we look for best ways to tackle different problems, testing and preparing needed changes in processes or systems. Though another one of my colleagues would have a very different day if he or she had chosen to work on more independent tasks.

What does an agile working environment really mean?

Work used to be more individual in the past. Of course, many issues were dealt together, but now there is much more teamwork. The biggest advantage of the agile approach is that you are never alone with your problems – there are always colleagues by your side to support you. In a traditional work structure, there is often a “tug of war” situation as everyone wants their task to be done faster. Here, the agile way of working gives a much clearer prioritisation of work, and the whole work process becomes more structured. 

How do you keep track of changes in society and people's daily habits?

It is a challenge. And you constantly have to challenge yourself because customers change. They have new demands, new ways of understanding things, and we have to not only keep up, but also be one step ahead. For example, there is now a desire to do everything digitally - just logging into an app without ever meeting a bank employee and receiving a loan as fast as possible in a simple way.

How did your career in banking start?

An acquaintance of mine described the working environment at SEB bank so vividly that I felt instantly - I want to belong to this team. I realised how many opportunities there are here from a day one - both for career and for knowledge. I knew that I could achieve anything I want here if I will work hard and try to learn as much as possible. I have worked in eight different positions at SEB bank. I know there are more development and growth opportunities ahead of me, I just need to choose the direction that interests me the most.

What do you like most about SEB?

It’s open working environment where you feel that anything is possible if you want it. This great variety of opportunities is probably the main reason why I would recommend those who work elsewhere to start their career at SEB bank. Just try something new. It is better to try once than to think about it hundred times and never do anything. 

What did you study?

My first choice for a bachelor's degree was IT. Yet I wanted to expand my knowledge in finance, so I switched to this side and now I have a bachelor's degree in economics. This symbiosis of technology and finance in my life continues to this day: almost every year I take additional online courses or programmes in this field.

Find your new job at SEB Bank

Gintaras Namavičius

Core and Application Team Lead

Education: Bachelor’s degree,  E-business Technology, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.

How did you start your career in IT?

As a teenager, I was already interested in the world of computers. When first computers appeared in our house, I was excited about new possibilities this technology could offer. Like many others, I was first fascinated by computer games. Later, I began to explore possibilities of other programmes. After high school, I studied e-business technology at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. During my time there, I was exposed to variety of IT-related disciplines, including programming. I was mostly interested in technological possibilities, engineering, and security. After graduation, I had the opportunity to join another organization as an IT engineer. We prepared and managed workstations for office workers from a technology delivery perspective. It was a brand-new world at that time – you had to learn a lot on your own.

Describe the team you lead. What does it do?

I manage three teams – one is responsible for the operation of bank’s standard applications, another for its databases and the third one for applications that require special attention and access. These are three main areas in which we provide IT services. The focus here is not on the development of new solutions – development side is the focus of our colleagues in other teams. We rather focus on looking after IT aspect of the project. In this regard, it should be noted that we work closely with development team so that, for example, newly developed applications would be able to run stable in bank's common IT environment. 

There have been many different companies in your professional career since 2008. What differentiates SEB from the others?

When I started to work at SEB (a year and a half ago), first thing I noticed was an extremely supportive working environment – it is really encouraging. Here you will always get support if you are struggling. In previous organizations, there have been situations where difficult issues have been put off for a long time since no one wanted to deal with them. At SEB bank, a solution is sought immediately and without delay. Whenever there is a problem, my colleagues and I sit down at the table and discuss how we can solve it. If we had to compare, the special culture of SEB is a pleasant difference.

If you had to recommend SEB bank to someone else, what would be the main advantages you would mention?

I would definitely recommend SEB bank. If specialists are young, they would appreciate working in a stable and growing company with the encouraging work environment I have mentioned earlier. Therefore, many interns who come to SEB eventually land a permanent position here. I believe that IT area specialists value a positively challenging work environment that encourages people. The achievement of high goals gives a different meaning and feeling to daily work, because people love challenges. And as a result, people develop professionally and grow as individuals.

What do you like most about this job?

I value my great colleagues and the direction this organization is heading towards. Here we have to mention the agile way of working that we all strive for. IT services follow the same direction, so the whole bank is on the same page and our work is even more efficient. As we are all closely connected in the bank (not only in the IT area, but in the context of the whole organisation), this direction of development makes sense.

What qualities are important for a person to be able to develop in such a large organization as SEB bank?

Self-motivation and desire to learn new skills are essential. After all, if you do not show initiative, there is a certain risk of "going under" in a large organization. It is certainly appreciated if you are interested in growing and developing. Success is possible when there is initiative and interest.

What are your hobbies and leisure activities?

Going to the gym is one of them. For me, it's like regular therapy after a long and stressful day at work, where I can relieve stress and tension. Padel tennis (a sport similar to squash) has become a new passion for me.

Kornelijus Pacevičius

Software Developer

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Computer Software Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

When and how did your career in IT start?

My career in IT started when I joined Gediminas Technical University in Vilnius. I was looking for a job from the very beginning. There was a publishing house at the university that hired me as an electronics’ publishing specialist. Since I had studied software development, I wanted to try more in this field. Also, it was an opportunity to work at my university for a while. In autumn of 2021, together with friends, we took part in the “Hack4Vilnius” hackathon, organised by Vilnius City Council. It was a great opportunity to share experiences, make new contacts and exchange ideas. Given the relevance of sustainability, our idea and proposal for the hackathon was to develop an app that “rewards” users for making sustainable decisions. For example, if you use your own cup in a café or buy food without using the packaging, points are collected in the app. You can then use these points to choose one of the offers from the programme’s partners. The jury at the hackathon highly liked our idea and we were awarded first place. I later used this idea as the basis for my bachelor’s thesis.

What made you decide to study technology specifically?

During my senior year in high school, I decided to pursue a career in technology. I was never really fascinated by other professions. I also realised that engineering was a broad field in which I could specialise or focus on a particular area of interest in the future. This is how it happened - I gradually became interested in software development when I realised that this was something that excited me and that I would like to work with it in the future. Today I can say that this was the right approach and the right decision.

And how did you end up at SEB bank?

At the end of my studies, I applied for an internship programme offered by SEB bank. I applied to several places, but I was particularly excited about SEB’s offer because of many reasons. Firstly, it was a paid internship. It also offered exactly what I was most interested in professionally. To be honest, I knew nothing about banking, so there were a lot of interesting things I have learned and experienced during my internship here. In March of 2022, I started working as a full-time employer for SEB bank.

What can you say about SEB after your first year here?

There is a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere here at SEB. Moreover, work processes are flexible. Everyone knows what needs to be done and when - I have heard this from friends who have had internships in other countries as well. Another important value at SEB is people and the level of mentorship. People here are really dedicated and approachable, so it’s easy for new employees to integrate at SEB.

What area are you responsible for as a software developer?

The bank has a large product development area where there are several teams or tribes as we call them. As far as the structure of the teams is concerned, there are business developers who take care of the business side, and IT developers who bring new technological solutions to life and ensure their functionality. I would like to emphasize that the two sides work as a strong team and complement each other. Each team is responsible for a specific area. In my case, it is the area of financing and loans. My team’s responsibility is technical solutions of this area for corporate customers. For example, we are currently working on a system to calculate the amount of capital to be allocated to a customer, considering the financial information submitted and other data about that customer. In fact, it is about assessing customers as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

What would you like to achieve in this job?

Since I have only been here for about a year, I am mainly interested in consolidating my knowledge and experience in software development. I want to understand how bank’s products are designed so that I can contribute my ideas to improve them. Fortunately, SEB bank offers a variety of online courses as well as conferences that provide both additional knowledge and a comprehensive insight into the latest global developments in the field. Furthermore, the bank has a solid library if you want to study a topic in more depth.

What do you like most about this job?

I like the fact that we are, in a sense, offering people the very latest (you could even say the future) solutions and opportunities with our banking products. Apart from that, I appreciate the opportunity to make the work of colleagues in the bank easier and more efficient through automation and digitalisation. It is very inspiring to hear that our solutions work. 

What hobbies do you have?

Watching films and TV series. Sometimes playing computer games as well. I used to play the guitar. Last but not least, I am passionate about basketball, like most Lithuanians.

Find your new job at SEB Bank

Ernestas Bartkevičius 

Head of Identity and Access Management

Education: Master’s degree, Marketing (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University); Bachelor’s degree, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management (Czech Technical University in Prague); Bachelor’s degree, Business Administration and Management (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University).

You have an impressive job title - Head of Identity and Access Management. What does that really mean?

This means that I am responsible for the identity and access management function at a strategic level. In the bank, there are operational, development and support teams that deal with the implementation of this function. My area, on the other hand, is the vision, the goals and the strategy of what we want to achieve. I work hand in hand with a technology department. When we talk about identity and access management, we mean a framework of business processes, policies and technologies that facilitate the management of digital identities. It enables controls to allow right individual to access right resource at the right time. This applies to customers and employees alike. It should be noted that this is an area of increasing importance whose potential and possibilities are not yet fully exploited by companies in various industries and geographies. Yet recently identity and access management has become an area of a particular demand.

To what extent is this work related to the field of IT and technology and how much to business development?

There are these two sides of the medal. If we approach the question formally, it is one of the positions in IT and technology, but in reality, at least half of regular routines are related to governing with the business side. We can say I am an enabler – I provide the platform, the processes and controls, but it is critical that there are business people who own and make the final decisions in relation to their digital assets. They need to be aware and informed about both their duties, responsibilities and how to perform those if questions arise. Therefore, these two areas are practically inseparable today.

What is your current project?

Currently, I am assessing maturity level of identity and access management in the bank and benchmarking it to financial industry best practices. Understanding where we are and where we would like to be in terms of our maturity. There have been several workshops where we have defined the purpose of identity and access management in our bank, painted vision and created strategy for 2025. Thus, now most of my work is focused on a strategy management and execution.

What is bank’s identity and access management purpose?

SEB Baltic Identity and Access Management purpose is to enable strategic value co-creation by providing foundational layer security, mitigating risks and ensuring that legislative requirements are fulfilled.

What employee qualities are most in-demand right now?

Speaking of values and skills I most value in people (apart from technical expertise in one or another field), these are communication skills, the ability to express one’s own opinion and have a productive discussion, sense of ownership. If we are talking about recruitment in IT and technology, I think that it is also a common trend or rather differentiation of good and perfect candidate for the position. Real life example of this might be our payment card tribe – people with technology background and skills work together with business developers, customer advocates and experience designers to develop the card business. It is essential to be clear communicator to strive in such environment. That’s why we are looking for so many different people who are not only talented programmers but are also willing and able to think in a structured and bigger-picture way. 

Your professional experience has been formed in many different companies. What are the main differences between SEB bank and those companies?

What I have experienced before is that there is still a very distinct separation between the business function and the IT function. The business side, with such a division of roles, simply needs IT to be the support organization. This is a bit of an outdated approach because in mature organizations, the business and IT have merged into one body that can achieve next level results. SEB bank is an organization where everyone has a single mission and agenda. There is no “us” and “them”. Just “we”. This can be observed at all levels and in all manifestations of the bank’s activities in our daily lives. This approach is much more efficient and meaningful because it avoids unnecessary discussions and other superfluous actions. 

Your professional career has always been related to the area of IT, but you have received your education in other fields. Why is that?

Being young and silly. But on a serious note, my story is an example which proves that technical skills can be learned, yet so-called soft skills are crucial for a professional career. I have made a conscious effort to learn as many different trades as possible, but I chose IT and engineering as my career foundation as I believe this is the area with the greatest potential. Universities have been a valuable addition to broadening my perspectives and gaining a deeper understanding of many things, but in my previous jobs, I never worked in areas related to my chosen subjects of study.

What would you say are the main reasons for young adults to apply for a job at SEB?

First, you can learn about the leading mindset that impacts the future. Everything we do is a story about creating value towards sustainable future. Also, what the bank does comes from our values and behaviours related to values. I know this is an important factor for young people who want to relate themselves to what is important, understand why they do what they do. Secondly, it is about the use of technology in our daily work, in our services, and in our cooperation with customers. And closely related to this is a constant process of learning, which the bank is particularly open to. In my opinion, this is a great value at the beginning of a young person’s career, where you are free to expand your horizons. Thirdly, as long as you deliver results, the bank is flexible and open to hybrid ways of working, which leads to healthy work and personal life balance.

What do you like most about this job?

Challenges. I tend to know what to do and how. Now I see how much work there is in this field and that motivates me. When I have the feeling that I am no longer required at my full capacity, I start to grow a need for challenges and look for something new. My previous job, where I worked for five years, was a very demanding, but when I realised that the pace there was slowing down as we reached respectable level of effectiveness and efficiency, in my mind I was already thinking about the next step. The second thing that really appeals to me about SEB bank is the working environment and the atmosphere. It is very inspiring and positive. Furthermore, this is an organization that provides a sense of stability, which is particularly important in current times. It should also be mentioned that working in a bank in a broader context means having a tangible and lasting impact on society, e.g., changing the perception of the role of sustainability in business, developing green financing as a mainstream direction in corporate finance, educating people on financial literacy, providing support where it is needed and in many other ways.

Do you have any hobbies?

Yes, it is mostly all about football. I play both at the amateur level and cheer for professional clubs and national teams. My favourite club is Liverpool. I have to say football is what connects me with many friends living in different countries around the world. Enthusiasm for the game, teams and individual athletes – that is what makes us come together every year and enjoy that special bond.

Find your new job at SEB Bank