Be curious, eager to learn, and willing to challenge yourself

Maria Roth is CEO at SEB Life International and shares with us her extensive career journey at SEB and what the future holds for SEB Life International.

With over 30 years at the bank, Maria has had various roles and highlights that the opportunities are endless if you are prepared to grab them. 

“I’ve been with SEB my entire career. It all started back in 1989 when I joined as a summer temp. After completing my university studies, I was offered a full-time role; and I never left. What’s kept me here over the years is the variety and scope of opportunities. That’s one of the real advantages of working for a large, international organization like SEB: if you’re open to growth and ready to seize opportunities, they’re truly endless.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to take on a wide range of exciting assignments. I’ve learned so much, met fascinating people, and gained insights into countless businesses and industries, something I think is quite unique to working in the banking sector.

So, tell us about your career journey at SEB.

“Well, I began my career in what was then known as Merchant Banking (now Large Corporates & Institutions), working as both a Global Business Manager and Client Executive in Malmö and Gothenburg. In 2006, I transitioned into Retail Banking where I held roles as District Manager and later Region Manager. And then in 2022, I made a shift into the Life Division and took up a new role at SEB Life International in Dublin”

What are the key opportunities and challenges as you see it for SEB Life International?

“Well we currently hold around 15% of the market share in Sweden, which is strong, but there’s still significant growth potential, both there and in our other active markets, like Finland.

Like in any competitive sales environment, one of the main challenges is staying ahead of the competition. That comes down to key factors like pricing, accessibility, simplicity, and product innovation. But with challenges always comes opportunity. New technologies, evolving market dynamics, and shifting customer expectations constantly create space for improvement and innovation.

In this kind of environment, being fast, curious, and adaptable is crucial. Complacency is the enemy of progress.”

And any advice to someone considering a career in SEB?

“From someone who stayed for 30 plus years and still have lots of things undone and lots still to learn, I would say SEB is a great place to grow and a place where you can find all sorts of challenges and learning paths. The best advice regarding any career path is to stay curious, willing to learn, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and that it always pays off to dare to jump into something unknown.”