After secondary school, I understood that I want to build my future career exactly in the banking sector. At that moment, this field was developing especially rapidly, and it seemed to me that there were interesting perspectives and many different opportunities. I was especially interested in the world of investments – I was sure that its possibilities were almost limitless, and I wanted to be a part of this interesting world. I entered the BA School of Business and Finance and gained a master's degree in financial analysis. My master's paper was dedicated specifically to alternative investments in the art market. I studied financial transactions with works of art, and I was the first person who chose such a topic at the university. Investment objects are not only paintings, they are retro cars, watches, musical instruments, wine, gemstones, jewellery, antique art objects, and much more. There is even a segment of collectors who collect violin bows.
At first, the university did not want to accept this topic at all, but I proved with my work that such an alternative type of investment can compete with the classical investments in the financial markets. Writing this paper was a big challenge because there was not much literature on the subject. To do this, I ordered books from all over the world, and interviewed both collectors, auction houses and artists. The investments in the art are evaluated as long‑term investments, therefore, there are many risk factors, i.e., the collectors are often driven not only by the financial but also by the emotional aspect. And one should not invest more than 10 percent of the total investment portfolio in this type of investment.
Be water!
I can confirm that I have two passions in my life – finance and art. Working in a bank, I can combine both. On a daily basis, I communicate a lot with people, including collectors, investors, therefore, I have the opportunity to understand the life stories of our clients and the correlation with banking services from the investment point of view, in order to find the most appropriate solution for the corresponding stage of the client's life.
At first, I worked in a team of private bankers and assisted them with daily work.
In time, the bank had a vacancy for a currency broker in the financial market department. Someone remembered my interest in investments and I was offered this opportunity. For several years I worked as a broker in the financial market department. Since I liked everything related to investments, I could study this thing from the very source. But after a while, there was a vacancy for a private banker – they needed a person who had knowledge about investments, who had empathy. Thus I became a private banker.
The banking sector is overfilled with various challenges, it is changing all the time. The geopolitical situation, market circumstances. We face different challenges every day. In this regard, I always remember Bruce Lee's quote – be water. The water is soft and at the same time, it is strong. I understand that in our time there is no such thing as stability anymore – everything is changing rapidly, turns from one form to another. In communication with different personalities, you must also become water – you need to be able to tell about different banking products in such a way that it seems understandable and adaptable to their life situation.
Antiques, painting and self‑education
Changes, of course, also means stress. To get rid of it, I am in constant development. I like to gain new knowledge, therefore, one summer, I went to study at Sotheby's Institute of Art in London. I had the opportunity to acquire new knowledge, change perspective, meet professionals in the art world, and study museum collections and famous art galleries.
One more hobby is antiques, which have a special charm. When I travel, I always visit the antique markets and buy something. I collect Wedgwood porcelain.
In my free time, I paint as well, and I have even illustrated a poem book.
If we are talking about the future, it is very important for me to continuously improve my professional skills in respect of investment. This is a challenge – not only to preserve capital, but also to increase its value. I want to keep my finger on the pulse and help my clients by providing the most up‑to‑date and complete solution.