SME Bank, the bank making life simpler for small- and medium-sized enterprises, is announcing that Virginijus Doveika has been appointed as the company's new CEO. Doveika joined the company in February 2023, bringing with him a successful 20-year track record in banking, which began with Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (SEB), a Swedish incumbent.

SME Bank, the first Lithuanian capital neobank that enables small- and medium-sized businesses to grow and sustain themselves. Although SMEs account for over 90% of all business and employ over half of the EU work force, it is a customer segment that remains underserved by conventional banks.

Doveika's experience in both banking and fintech, combined with his agility and freshness, made him an ideal fit for SME Bank. From 2016 to 2019, Doveika led SEB's Baltic division, after achieving executive roles in the bank from 2009. Since 2019, he has been active in Nordic and Baltic fintech startups as a founder, executive, investor, and consultant.

In his new role at SME Bank, Doveika plans to leverage his multi-sectoral experience to attract clients from across the economic spectrum. Doveika believes that communication with clients through tough market conditions is the key to creating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. He also sees great potential in the SME sector, which is currently the most under-banked market segment, and aims to create the Baltics' first financial unicorn.

"I am thrilled to be joining SME Bank as the new CEO," said Doveika. "The opportunity to build something from the ground up, using both my banking and fintech experience, is an exciting prospect. I believe that SME Bank is poised for great things, and I look forward to leading the company to achieve its full potential."