About
The 10th Anniversary International Financial Markets Conference
4 October, 2024, Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, Konstitucijos Av. 20, Vilnius, Lithuania
The 10th Anniversary International Financial Markets Conference, co-organized by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, the Bank of Lithuania, and the Lithuanian Banking Association, proudly reconvenes high-level policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss pivotal developments within regional and European capital markets.
Celebrated as a seminal forum in the Baltic region, the Conference has, over the past decade, earned acclaim for its comprehensive agenda that promotes meaningful dialogue between the public and private sectors.
This year, set against a landscape marked by profound geopolitical shifts, the conference will address critical issues at the heart of the European Union and Baltic capital markets. Central to our discussions will be the European Capital Markets Union, examining its significant influence on regional financial frameworks in these dynamic times and forecasting trends in the Baltic debt and IPO markets.
The Conference will offer a platform for rigorous debate, shedding light on the evolving trends and challenges that are defining the business environment for entities and investors throughout the Baltic region. Engaging with these issues, the event promises to equip participants with the insights needed to navigate and shape the future of financial markets in uncertain times.
Programme
08:30 - 09:00
Registration and welcome coffee
09:00 - 09:05
Conference opening
Gintarė Skaistė, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
09:05 - 09:15
Welcoming Speech
Ingrida Šimonytė, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania
09:15 - 09:35
Keynote
Claudia Maria Buch, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank
09:35 - 10:30
Panel I. European and regional trends shaping capital markets
Moderator:
Arminta Saladžienė, Vice President, European Markets at Nasdaq
Panelists:
Gintarė Skaistė, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
Claudia Maria Buch, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank
Gediminas Šimkus, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania
Madis Müller, Governor for Eesti Pank
Mārtiņš Kazāks, Governor of the Bank of Latvia
André Küüsvek, CEO of Nordic Investment Bank
10:30 - 10:50
Coffee break
10:50 - 11:10
11:10 - 12:00
Moderator:
Dovilė Burgienė, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WALLESS
Panelists:
Aija Zitcere, Director of Financial Market Policy Department, Ministry of Finance of Republic of Latvia
Jonas Kvedaravičius, Head of Investment banking, Swedbank AB
Maurizio D’Arrigo, Chief Financial Officer at Vinted
Sven Kunsing, Head of Finance Communication, Enefit Green
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch
13:00 - 13:20
Eglė Džiugytė, The Head of Markets at Šiaulių Bankas
13:20 - 14:10
Moderator:
Tautvydas Marčiulaitis, Fund manager & member of the Board at Milvas
Panelists:
Simonas Krėpšta, Member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania
Martins Valters, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Mintos
Edmunds Antufjevs, Head of Investment Banking at Signet Bank
Eglė Džiugytė, The Head of Markets at Šiaulių Bankas
Joana Baublytė Kulvietė, Co-Founder and Partner at WALLESS
14:10 - 14:25
Žygimantas Mauricas, Chief Economist at Luminor Bank Lithuania
14:25 - 15:10
Moderator:
Indrė Genytė-Pikčienė, Chief Economist of Šiaulių Bankas Group
Panelists:
Vaida Česnulevičiūtė – Markevičienė, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
Viljar Arakas, Founder of EfTEN Capital AS
Viktorija Čijunskytė, Chairwoman of the board and Chief of Strategic Growth at Profitus
Žygimantas Mauricas, Chief Economist at Luminor Bank Lithuania
Andrius Šuminas, Head of Swedbank Private Banking Department
Inga Miliauskienė, Head of Private Banking and Investment Department at SEB bank
15:00 - 15:20
Closing of the Conference
15:20
Networking
Pranešėjai
Speakers
Gintarė Skaistė
Ingrida Šimonytė
Claudia M. Buch
Panel I. European and regional trends shaping capital markets
ARMINTA SALADŽIENĖ
Gediminas Šimkus
Madis Müller
Panel II. Baltic IPO landscape: a scarcity of investors or suitable candidates?
Dovilė Burgienė
Aija Zitcere
Jonas Kvedaravičius
Head of Investment banking, Swedbank AB
Maurizio D’Arrigo
Sven Kunsing
Head of Finance Communication, Enefit Green
Panel III. Baltic high yield debt market – is yield the answer?
Tautvydas Marčiulaitis
Simonas Krėpšta
Martins Valters
Edmunds Antufjevs
Eglė Džiugytė
JOANA BAUBLYTĖ KULVIETĖ
Co-Founder and Partner at WALLESS
Panel IV. Is now the time for households to switch from real estate to liquid financial instruments?
Indrė Genytė-Pikčienė
Vaida Česnulevičiūtė – Markevičienė
Viljar Arakas
Viktorija Čijunskytė
Žygimantas Mauricas
Andrius Šuminas
Inga Miliauskienė
Head of Private Banking and Investment Department at SEB Bank
Since 2006, Inga Miliauskienė has focused her career on the banking and financial services sector. She began her journey in investment banking at J.P. Morgan in London and has continued to advance her career within financial institutions, specializing in structuring blended finance vehicles across various European and cross-border markets. With over 10 years of experience in private equity and venture capital, she has also worked with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London and held various finance and business-related roles in Lithuania. Additionally, she has served as an independent consultant in fundraising for private equity, venture capital, SMEs, capital structuring, investor relations, and policy advising. In November 2023, she assumed the position of Head of the Private Banking and Investment Department at SEB Bank.
Indrė Genytė-Pikčienė
Chief Economist of Šiaulių Bankas Group
With 18 years of experience in the finance and banking sector, Indrė Genytė-Pikčienė has cultivated expertise across diverse areas, including macroeconomic analysis, strategic planning, financial markets, regional economic policy, and sectoral analysis. Her insights on the global and local macroeconomic environment, financial markets, regional competitiveness and trade, monetary and fiscal policy, as well as sectoral developments of the Baltic region are highly valued by business leaders, policymakers, and various international bodies.
Sven Kunsing
Head of Finance Communication, Enefit Green
Sven Kunsing leads the investor relations function at Enefit Green, the largest pure-play renewable energy company in the Baltics. He joined the company just before it’s record-breaking IPO, which became the most successful in Baltic market history, attracting over 60,000 local and international investors. Since then, Sven has been instrumental in establishing the IR function, managing investor communications, coordinating regulatory and public reporting, including quarterly and annual reports, and overseeing the IR website. His efforts have significantly expanded Enefit Green's investor base. Additionally, Sven has played a key role in discussions with regional banks and international financial institutions such as the EBRD, NIB, and EIB to secure debt financing for a €1.5 billion investment pipeline.
Andrius Šuminas
Head of Swedbank Private Banking Department
Andrius Šuminas has been been working with capital markets for over 15 years in various positions. Currently, Andrius is the head of Swedbank Private Banking Department, where he serves the bank's most important clients, focusing on financial asset management.
Eglė Dovbyšienė
Member of the Board & Head of Retail Banking at SEB Bank
Eglė Dovbyšienė – an accomplished banking executive with over 20 years of industry experience, working as a Member of the Board and Head of Retail Banking at SEB Bank, where she leads transformational initiatives fostering digitalization, innovation, and financial literacy. Additionally, she contributes to nurturing entrepreneurial skills as a Board Member and Mentor with Junior Achievement Lithuania.
Viktorija Čijunskytė
Chairwoman of the board and Chief of Strategic Growth at Profitus
Viktorija Čijunskytė is the Chairwoman of the board and Chief of Strategic Growth of Profitus, the leading crowdfunding platform in Lithuania, which has raised more than EUR 170 million to fund real estate projects and has more than 12 years of experience in real estate.
She was elected "Fintech Business Leader of the Year" for her positive impact on the development of the Lithuanian Fintech sector. Viktorija's significant contribution to the development of financial literacy competences, and her significant contribution to the education of Lithuanian population. Viktorija is also one of the organisers of the Financial Freedom Forum, the largest financial literacy conference in Lithuania.
Viljar Arakas
Founder of EfTEN Capital AS
Holds a master degree in business administration from EBS International University and has completed his second bachelor's degree at Hogeschool NOVI in the Netherlands.
He was a founder of EfTEN Capital AS in 2008, the largest fund management company focused on real estate in the Baltic States. Viljar has more than 20 years of experience from building companies and investing in real estate in the Baltics. He is also a a member of the Supervisory Board of Coop Pank AS and Vice Chairman of Fiscal Council of Estonia.
Žygimantas Mauricas
Chief Economist at Luminor Bank Lithuania
Chief Economist at Luminor Bank Lithuania & Lecturer at ISM University of Management and Economics. Žygimantas Mauricas is also an active investor, traveler and GoKart driver.
Žygimantas Mauricas
Chief Economist at Luminor Bank Lithuania
Chief Economist at Luminor Bank Lithuania & Lecturer at ISM University of Management and Economics. Žygimantas Mauricas is also an active investor, traveler and GoKart driver.
Tautvydas Marčiulaitis
Fund manager & member of the Board at Milvas
Tautvydas Marčiulaitis has been working in the field of private banking, asset and wealth management for almost a decade.
With extensive experience in investment management, he specialises in trading simple and complex financial products. Conducts macroeconomic and behavioral market analyses, has experience in financial law and compliance. Tautvydas is a licensed financial advisor.
Edmunds Antufjevs
Head of Investment Banking at Signet Bank
Head of Investment Banking at Signet Bank, a leading investment bank in Latvia. For 10+ years, Edmunds specializes in capital markets projects, assisting local companies with fundraise via debt securities and share offerings. Edmunds is also a co-Chair of Capital Markets Committee in Finance Latvia Association and Member of Nasdaq CSD Latvian User Committee.
Martins Valters
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Mintos
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Mintos, an award-winning global marketplace for investing in loans. Prior to his role at Mintos, Martins amassed eleven years of experience at Ernst & Young, specializing in audits, due diligence, and consultations for prominent banking groups across Europe. His tenure equipped him with extensive expertise in the financial sector. Martins is a Chartered Certified Accountant and holds a B.Sc. degree in Economics and Business Administration from the esteemed Stockholm School of Economics in Riga.
Simonas Krėpšta
Member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania
Mr Simonas Krėpšta is the Member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania and a Member of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank. Mr Simonas Krėpšta started his professional career in one of Lithuania’s commercial banks in 2006. In 2008–2019, he worked at the Bank of Lithuania – having started his career there as Economist at the Financial Stability Division, he later held senior positions as Head of the Macroprudential Policy Division of the Financial Stability Department and Director of the Financial Stability Department. For the last couple of years, he chaired the Economic and Social Policy Group of the presidential office, which coordinates economic, financial, innovation, health and social policy issues. Simonas Krėpšta holds an International Executive MBA from the Baltic Management Institute (BMI) as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics (Finance and Banking) from Vytautas Magnus University. He also studied at Cracow University of Economics under the Lithuanian-Polish bilateral cooperation agreement. For several years, he worked as a lecturer in Financial Intermediation (Master’s programme) and International Finance (Bachelor’s programme) at ISM University of Management and Economics.
Eglė Džiugytė
The Head of Markets at Šiaulių Bankas
The Head of Markets at Šiaulių Bankas, a leading financial institution in the Baltic capital markets. With over a decade of experience, she has held various roles in trading, asset management, hedging, and product development. Her expertise and strategic insight have been instrumental in driving the bank’s success in the financial sector.
Jonas Kvedaravičius
Head of Investment banking, Swedbank AB
Participated and organized number of largest Lithuanian IPO’s. Led or was part of up to 100 M&A transactions advising either business sellers or buyers.
29 years of investment banking experience and 24 years with Swedbank.
Prior experience in investment banking from Balticum Management, Norwegian M&A boutique active in Lithuania and Vilniaus Bankas (currently SEB), where organized first Baltic corporate secondary offering in form of GDR’s.
MBA from Vytautas Magnus University.
Aija Zitcere
Director of Financial Market Policy Department, Ministry of Finance of Republic of Latvia
Aija Zitcere is director of Financial Market Policy Department at Ministry of Finance of Republic of Latvia since 2017, and is responsible for financial market policy, anti-money laundering regulation and cooperation with international financial institutions. Aija has worked at Ministry of Finance since 2002 and has held various positions there related to financial markets and budget policies. She has extensive experience in policy and legislative processes at national and EU level.
Aija Zitcere is also an alternate board member in the board of directors of the European Investment Bank.
She has Master’s Degree in Economics from Riga Technical University, and she is Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
Dovilė Burgienė
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WALLESS
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WALLESS, is a highly regarded figure in the legal community with over 20 years of expertise in M&A practice. Renowned in the Baltics and featured in top legal directories such as “The Legal 500” and "Chambers and Partners," Dovilė is celebrated for her leadership and influence. Clients trust her expert guidance through complex matters. Dovilė holds the position of Co-Vice President of the “Lithuanian Business Confederation” and is a co-founder of the Association “Lyderė,” dedicated to promoting gender equality in leadership. Her impact extends beyond her practice as she actively shapes the legal landscape and holds key positions in professional organizations such as the International Bar Association.
Andre Kuusvek
CEO of Nordic Investment Bank
André is leading the Nordic Investment Bank, the international financial institution of Nordic-Baltic countries since 2021. In 1996-2021, André held leadership positions at the EBRD, most recently as a Managing Director, earlier as Director (Capital Markets and Local Currencies 2013-2020; country head Ukraine 2008-2013 and Kazakhstan 2004-2008), served at management committees (Strategy & Policy; ALCO). In 1992-1995, André, headed departments at Tartu Kommertspank and Bank of Tallinn in Estonia, and worked for SMH Bank and Dresdner Bank in Germany. André has served at >30 boards of banks, exchanges, equity funds, insurance and infrastructure companies. He is the Chair of the Supervisory Board of Tallinn Airport as of April 2024, and a graduate of Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian Business School, and Stockholm School of Economics.
Mārtiņš Kazāks
Governor of the Bank of Latvia
Mr Mārtiņš Kazāks is the Governor of the Bank of Latvia since 2019 and a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. He holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Latvia (1995), a Diploma in Economics from the University of Cambridge (1996), an MSc in Economics (with distinction; 1997) and a PhD in Economics (2005) from the University of London. He was Chief Economist of Swedbank AS in Latvia (2005–2009) and Deputy Chief Economist of the Swedbank Group (2010– 2018). From 2006 to 2011, Mr Kazāks was a Member of the Strategic Analysis Committee of the President of the Republic of Latvia; from 2014 to 2018, he was a Member of the Fiscal Discipline Council of the Republic of Latvia. 2018 Mr Kazāks was appointed Member of the Council of Latvijas Banka by the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia. Mr Kazaks is a Member of the Governing Council and the General Council of the European Central Bank and serves as Governor of the International Monetary Fund for the Republic of Latvia.
MADIS MÜLLER
Governor for Eesti Pank
Mr Madis Müller is the Governor for Eesti Pank and a a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. Prior to his appointment in June 2019, Mr Müller held the position of a Deputy Governor of Eesti Pank. Before joining Eesti Pank in 2011, Mr Müller worked in the area of investment management at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, DC. He has also held the roles of an advisor and senior advisor to the executive director of the Nordic-Baltic constituency at the World Bank, an economic advisor to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance of Estonia and that of a corporate finance consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr Müller holds a Master’s degree in Finance from George Washington University and a degree in Banking and Finance from the Estonian Business School. He is also an FRM (Financial Risk Manager) and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charterholder.
Claudia M. Buch
Chair of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank
Professor Claudia M. Buch is Chair of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank from January 2024.
Before joining the ECB, Claudia M. Buch was Deputy President of the Deutsche Bundesbank, responsible for the Financial Stability Department, the Statistics Department and the Audit Department. Prior to joining the Bundesbank in May 2014, Claudia M. Buch was President of the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) (2013-14), Professor of Economics at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (2013-14), and Professor of Economics for International Finance and Macroeconomics at the University of Tübingen (2004-13). From 2012 to 2014 she was a member of the German Council of Economic Experts. She was Scientific Director at the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IAW) of Tübingen (2005-13), and worked at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) (1992-2013). She obtained her doctorate in 1996 and her post-doctoral degree (Habilitation) in 2002 from the University of Kiel. Between 1985 and 1991 she studied Economics at the University of Bonn, and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire) with a Master of Business Administration degree in 1988-89.
Professor Buch’s fields of specialisation are international finance and macroeconomics, international financial markets, financial integration, business cycles and employment volatility, international banking and foreign direct investment.
JOANA BAUBLYTĖ-KULVIETĖ
Co-Founder and Partner at WALLESS
Co-Founder and Partner at WALLESS, has over 15 years of experience in wide range of financing projects, including secured lending, mezzanine and subordinated lending, loan syndications, securitization, issuance of mortgage and corporate bonds. Her experience covers most of the business processes, including those of licensing, regulatory and compliance, funding, provision of financial services, Fintech, winding-up and restructuring of financial institutions. Among her professional strengths are coordination and documentation of complex transactions, understanding the business operations and needs of the clients, excellent communication skills and cooperation with clients’ in-house and external counsels as well as supervisory authorities in Lithuania.
ARMINTA SALADŽIENĖ
Vice President, European Markets at Nasdaq
Since 2017 Arminta serves as a Vice President of European Markets at Nasdaq, responsible for the Post Trade business unit, which provides stock exchange, central securities depository (CSD) and post trade services in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, and Sweden. She chairs the Supervisory Boards of the regulated entities, including Nasdaq CSD SE, Nasdaq Vilnius AB, Nasdaq Tallinn AS, Nasdaq Riga AS, as well as the BMR Oversight Committee under Nasdaq Copenhagen. In addition, Arminta is the CEO of Nasdaq’s Global Technology and Business Services center in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Arminta has a 25 years’ professional track record in the capital markets. During 2007-2017, she acted as President of the Vilnius Stock Exchange and in 2012-2017 as VP, Head of Nasdaq Baltic Markets, leading the development and integration of the markets in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into a harmonized, well regulated and technologically advanced regional market.
Arminta is committed to advancing sound corporate government, financial literacy and women empowerment. As a co-founder of the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance and association “Lydere”, a board member of Invest Lithuania, she has been actively engaged in the NGO work with the aim of advancing the economic and societal development in Lithuania and the rest of the Baltic region, recognized with international and national awards for this work.
Gintarė Skaistė
Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
Gintarė Skaistė currently holds the position of Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania. She is an economist and a Doctor of Social Sciences.
The most significant initiatives include a Defence Fund package ensuring a sustainable 3% of GDP financing for defence in 2025-2030; the plan “New Generation Lithuania” worth EUR 3.8 billion drawn up in record time and supplemented due to geopolitical challenges; implementation of measures for the Baltic Capital Market development; as many as 7 draft budgetary plans approved to increase personal income and purchasing power; after G. Skaistė became the Minister, the national defence budget has been doubled, currently amounting to 3% of GDP; supporting people and businesses to absorb the inflation and energy price shock caused by the russian war in Ukraine through a wide range of measures worth more than EUR 3.7 billion. At the same time, the EU Funds’ Investment Plan for 2021-2027, amounting to almost EUR 8 billion, was also approved. After the start of russia's war in Ukraine, Lithuania successfully worked to provide various assistance to Ukraine representing 2% of GDP. Finally, in response to geopolitical challenges, funding was allocated for the construction of a physical barrier with Belarus, and border controls were strengthened by probably the most modern rail X-ray system in Europe.
The Minister of Finance also pays great attention to the further development of the Fintech sector in Lithuania. The Ministry of Finance, together with market and public sector representatives, prepared the guidelines for the development of Lithuania’s Fintech sector for 2022-2027 and aims to become an internationally recognised high-added-value European Fintech hub.
The Ministry of Finance together with market participants developed the Lithuanian Green Action Plan for 2023-2026 and established the Green Finance Institute to mobilise both public and private investors’ funds and channel them to green, environment-friendly projects.
G. Skaistė is also a member of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, an honorary member of the Lithuanian Atlantic Treaty Association. In 2016, she was elected as a member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and re-elected in 2020.
Vaida Česnulevičiūtė – Markevičienė
Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
Currently Ms Vaida Česnulevičiūtė – Markevičienė holds the position of the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania. In this position Vice-Minister V. Česnulevičiūtė – Markevičienė is responsible for the areas of the European Union investments; international financial funds; financial market policy; National Promotional Institution.
In 2019-2020 she was the advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania for economics and innovations. From 2014 to 2019 Ms V. Česnulevičiūtė – Markevičienė worked for the Bank of Lithuania in various leading positions. In October 2018 – May 2019 she underwent a secondment at the European Central Bank. From 2009 to 2016 she worked for the law firm Eversheds Saladžius and the Financial Mechanism Office of the European Free Trade Association.
Ms V. Česnulevičiūtė – Markevičienė holds the Master’s Degree in Commercial Law obtained at Vilnius University. She also studied international banking and finance law at University College London.
Gediminas Šimkus
Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania
Mr Gediminas Šimkus is Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania and a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. Mr Šimkus joined the Bank of Lithuania in 2002, and over the 18 years at the institution consistently furthered his career, gaining experience in banking supervision, financial stability, analysis and forecasting of global and domestic economic developments, compilation and dissemination of statistics, monetary policy formation, macroprudential and economic policy decision-making. The two years at the European Central Bank (ECB) contributed significantly to his knowledge and experience. As a Member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, he was responsible for overseeing banking and financial stability. Mr Gediminas Šimkus holds an M.A. in Economics from Vilnius University.
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Ingrida Šimonytė
Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania
Ingrida Šimonytė has been the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania since December 2020. She was elected as a Member of the Lithuanian Parliament (the Seimas) twice – first in 2016 and again in 2020. During her tenure in the 2016-2020 Parliament, she served on various committees, including the Committee on European Affairs, Anticorruption Commission, Commission for the Rights of People with Disabilities, and also chaired the Committee on Audit. Starting in 2013, she became a Member of the Board at the Bank of Lithuania, and concurrently held positions as a lecturer and the President of the Council of Vilnius University. Ms Šimonytė also served as the Minister for Finance of the Republic of Lithuania from 2009 to 2012.