Nasdaq Vilnius and VU Business School Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy

“Hinc itur ad astra”- is the quote on the Vilnius University observatory wall: “from here the way leads to the stars”. It captures perfectly the starting point for smart, financially educated youth embarking on their journey to success. 

Millennials and Gen Z are playing an increasingly prominent role in the investment landscape, with the pandemic accelerating growth in the retail-investor market. This surge is driven by greater access to online trading platforms, mobile apps and readily available financial information. According to the Bank of Lithuania, the 18–25 age group is the most actively engaged in investing, a trend mirrored by Revolut app statistics, which show that investors aged 18–34 made up 62 percent of all app-based investors in Europe during the first half of 2024. In Lithuania, this figure is even higher at 65 percent, one of the highest rates in Europe.  

By 2024, the number of individual investors in Lithuania and the Baltic region had surged 4.5 times. Each year, more Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians are investing in local and regional securities on the Nasdaq Baltic market. Retail investors now drive more than half of the trading activity. 

As the number of investors increases, it's crucial for them to understand basic investing principles and to have effective strategies to handle the complexities of the financial markets. Financial literacy is key to empowering this new generation. 

Nasdaq Vilnius stock exchange is the only regulated secondary securities market in Lithuania, providing a transparent, regulated and efficient market infrastructure. Nasdaq Vilnius, established 30 years ago following Lithuania's re-establishment of independence, is committed to promoting financial literacy. By fostering a culture of financial literacy, Nasdaq Vilnius encourages greater participation in capital markets and contributes significantly to Lithuania's economic development and its financially savvy young people. . 

The stock exchange collaborates with universities and schools across Lithuania. We conduct regular educational seminars, activities and events for youth. We aim to nurture a financially informed generation that can boost economic growth through investments, support businesses, drive market demand and contribute to a stronger, more prosperous society.

A notable recent partnership is with the Vilnius University (VU) Business School, which holds accreditation from the Global Business Accreditation (ACBSP) and is part of one of the oldest European universities (founded in the 16th century). VU Business School provides nationally accredited undergraduate, graduate, MBA Entrepreneurship level study programmes, executive education for companies, entrepreneurial academy for kids, science and business cooperation projects. 

"Our mission is to educate socially responsible entrepreneurial mindset people creating global change” says Dr. Birutė Miškinienė, Director of Vilnius University Business School. “Furthermore, educational institutions like ours play a crucial role in shaping financially literate, investment-minded youth by offering opportunities to engage with industry leaders. 

“We are proud to work with our partners, as collaborations like this empower our business students by providing them with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions as the retail investors of tomorrow," 

On Monday, October 7, Nasdaq Vilnius and VU Business School will kick off World Investor Week (WIW) with a ceremonial opening bell. Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy is a global initiative which aims to encourage prudent investing among young people. Arvydas Jacikevičius, an investment fund manager recognized and awarded by the Citywire media group, will give a keynote speech, where he will present his personal investment philosophy and provide valuable advice on intelligent investing and efficient money management. 

Investors who are well-informed and have the right tools are crucial for economic growth and achieving financial independence. "Strategic asset allocation is critical for long-term investment success,” says Arvydas Jacikevičius. “A regular investment plan, such as making monthly contributions over time, is a smart approach to passive investing." This contributes to personal wealth and drives broader economic development by fostering market growth and innovation in our region. 

Now is the perfect time to take charge of your financial future. Start learning about investing to secure a better tomorrow.