SME Bank, a digital-first bank dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has appointed experienced banking expert Raimondas Berniūnas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Following approval from the Bank of Lithuania, the Board has appointed him as CEO, effective from February 2 of this year.

This leadership transition marks a new era of maturity for SME Bank, following the successful completion of the first phase of its technological transformation. The bank’s primary focus will now shift towards sustainable growth and the development of innovative financial solutions tailored to diverse business sectors.

Additionally, the Board has appointed Lukas Baškys, formerly the Chief Business Banking Officer, as the new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, also with the approval of the Bank of Lithuania.

“We have set ambitious targets for the bank to be a modern and reliable financial partner for SMEs across Lithuania and international markets. At this stage of development, we need leaders who can merge fintech agility with the rigorous discipline required in a regulated and maturity-oriented financial sector. R. Berniūnas brings precisely this calibre of expertise to the role,” says Audrius Milukas, Chairman of the Board at SME Bank.

Berniūnas brings over 20 years of experience in banks and other financial institutions. Having previously worked at SEB and Revolut Bank, he also serves on the boards of several other financial organizations. R. Berniūnas has a proven track record of leading the transformation of fast-growing, startup-style financial institutions into mature entities by implementing advanced digital innovations within regulated environments.

“My primary goal is to translate the bank’s technological advantage into tangible value for our clients. We will expand our service portfolio, implement digital solutions tailored to specific business needs, and enhance the overall business banking experience. We will continue to attract top-tier talent to the bank. Today, our team consists more than 120 professionals across Lithuanian and international markets. This strategy of combining advanced technology with talent will facilitate the delivery of new payment and lending services to business clients while ensuring sustainable returns for investors,” says R. Berniūnas.

Berniūnas joined the SME Bank team in early 2025 as a board member. During this period, the bank significantly strengthened its capital base and invested in internationally recognised technological solutions. Lending services are already being provided to SME clients in several European markets, including the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, and Estonia.

Last year, SME Bank’s equity doubled from EUR 10.1 million to EUR 21 million. According to unaudited data, the bank’s loan portfolio increased by 81% in 2025, reaching EUR 147 million, while the total amount of deposits held at the bank grew 2.5 times to EUR 426 million.

Last year, the bank introduced an overnight deposit service, allowing businesses to earn interest on funds held in their accounts without restricting access to the capital. This offer was utilized by both commercial enterprises and electronic money institutions (EMIs). Furthermore, SME Bank was the first to respond to the Bank of Lithuania’s call for financial institutions to support the security and defense industry, making a strategic decision to finance companies within this sector.