About the Institute
The aim of Swedbank’s Institute of Private Finances is to raise the public awareness about private finances.
One of the main tasks of the Institute is to help people reach higher level of efficiency when managing their money by providing them with knowledge that can be applied to real-life situations. In order to learn about the topical financial issues that are of great importance for general public and to determine what type of knowledge is essential, the institute conducts surveys. We identify current trends in the society and offer practical advice, as well as solutions to the problems and issues that have been highlighted in the results of our surveys.
In addition, Swedbank’s Institute of Private Finances is developing collaboration with general educational establishments, academic circles, public institutions and NGOs in order to jointly implement different activities aimed at public awareness, as well as to participate in discussions with various social groups.
Swedbank’ Institute of Private Finances was established in Sweden, where it has implemented a variety of measures aimed at educating the society in the field of private finance management already for several decades. The Institute launched its Latvian operations on November 18, 2009 and now is up-and-running in all three Baltic States.
Ieva Use is the Director of Swedbank’s Institute of Private Finances in Latvia.
Before that Ieva Use worked as the Manager of Development Area at Swedbank’s Daily Banking Division and as the Head of Swedbank’s Development and Sales Unit. She started her career in Swedbank (then Hansabanka) eleven years ago in the position of Bank Card Issuing Officer. Ieva Use has been awarded higher professional education diploma in economics from the Banking College.
Ieva Use about herself: “I relate to an efficient management and planning of finances from my professional point of view, which is obvious, as well as from a private perspective. I started to account for and plan my income and expenses during my studies, since it was equally important for me to have sufficient resources for my education and the daily spending. As soon as I got a job and regular income, I took diligent care of my savings. I also accumulated savings for specific purposes, especially travelling. I enjoy wearing good shoes, which means I buy footwear quite frequently. It is the personal budget planning that allows me to enjoy such feminine shopping sprees without having to regret the expenses afterwards. The fact that I know the main items on my expenses list at least half a year ahead, allows me to plan and set aside the necessary amounts in due time. It is natural for me to improve my knowledge on daily basis and I truly hope to assist others to do so by means of the Institute.”
