Welcome to the final blog in the “Meet the team behind VIAINVEST” series. This month, we talked to Marta Smila, the Head of the Legal Department at VIA SMS Group. Marta tells the story of her road to VIA SMS Group and VIAINVEST, about the dynamics of her team and their work in regulatory compliance and investor protection.
Introduce yourself and describe your role at VIAINVEST. What inspired you to pursue a career in legal/compliance, and how did you end up at VIAINVEST?
Hello, my name is Marta Smila, and I am a seasoned lawyer with over 15 years of experience in the legal industry, including six years specialising in the financial sector. My current role for more than two years is the Head of Legal at VIA SMS Group, a holding company for loan originators and VIAINVEST, where I am responsible for overseeing all legal and compliance matters to ensure our investment platform and lending companies operate within the highest legal and ethical standards.
At VIAINVEST, my role is comprehensive. I manage and mitigate legal risks, ensure compliance with regulations across different jurisdictions, and provide strategic legal advice to support our business objectives. I work closely with various teams within the company to ensure that our platform complies with the latest laws and industry standards, protecting the company and our investors.
My journey into the legal field was driven by a strong desire to create a framework within which businesses can thrive responsibly and successfully. The intersection of law and finance particularly fascinated me, as the financial industry is one where the impact of legal decisions is immediately visible, and the dynamics of this industry are rapid, constantly evolving, and exciting.
My path to VIAINVEST was a natural progression of my career. After spending several years in the financial industry, I became interested in the rapidly evolving world of fintech and investment platforms. VIAINVEST stood out as a company that embraces innovation and strongly emphasises transparency and compliance. Joining VIAINVEST allowed me to apply my expertise in a dynamic environment and impact the company’s growth and success.
What does a typical day look like for you as the Head of Legal/Compliance? What are the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how do you address them?
As Head of Legal at VIAINVEST, my day combines strategic planning, collaboration, and problem-solving. I start by reviewing legal updates and communicating with my team. I spend much of the day in cross-departmental collaboration, providing legal guidance on compliance, contracts, and new business initiatives. My afternoons often involve resolving legal issues and finalising documents. I wrap up by planning for the next day and ensuring all tasks are on track.
The biggest challenge is navigating complex regulations, which includes keeping up with evolving financial regulations. The second challenge is balancing risk with growth. My team manages legal risks, thus supporting business innovation, which requires careful balancing. I focus on finding legally sound solutions that align with our growth goals. Last but not least, the challenge in my role is multijurisdictional issues. Operating across different regions complicates legal compliance. I leverage local legal advisors and implement adaptable processes to manage this complexity.
How does your team ensure VIAINVEST remains compliant with constantly changing regulations? How do you stay updated with regulatory changes and industry best practices?
My team and I ensure VIAINVEST remains compliant by implementing a proactive and systematic approach to regulatory changes. We regularly monitor legal developments across all jurisdictions to adapt our policies and procedures as needed. We also maintain open communication with regulatory bodies to stay ahead of any upcoming changes.
What role does legal/compliance play in protecting investors at VIAINVEST?
Legal and compliance play a crucial role in safeguarding our investors at VIAINVEST. We ensure that all operations adhere to strict regulatory standards, providing a secure and transparent investment environment. This involves thorough due diligence on all investment opportunities, ensuring that our platform’s terms and conditions are transparent and fair and that investor rights are fully protected. By maintaining rigorous compliance with financial regulations, we minimise risks and uphold the integrity of our platform, giving our investors confidence that their investments are handled responsibly and ethically.
How does VIAINVEST handle data privacy and protection, especially with regulations like GDPR?
At VIAINVEST, data privacy and protection are top priorities, especially in compliance with regulations like GDPR. We implement strict data security measures to protect personal information. We ensure full compliance with GDPR by obtaining explicit consent from users, providing clear information on how their data is used, and allowing them to exercise their rights to access, correct, or delete their data. Our legal and compliance team continuously monitors our practices to ensure they meet the highest data protection standards, always safeguarding our users’ privacy.
How does your team work with other departments to ensure compliance across the board?
My team works closely with all departments at VIAINVEST to ensure compliance is integrated into every aspect of our operations. We regularly collaborate with finance, marketing, product development and IT to review processes, provide legal guidance and ensure that all activities align with regulatory requirements.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is leading a dedicated team that plays a crucial role in safeguarding VIAINVEST’s integrity and success. It is incredibly fulfilling to see how our collective efforts in navigating complex legal and regulatory landscapes ensure that the company operates responsibly and successfully. Watching my team collaborate with other departments to solve challenges and implement solutions supporting compliance and business growth brings a deep sense of pride and accomplishment.
What message would you like to share with VIAINVEST investors about the company’s commitment to legal and regulatory standards?
At VIAINVEST, our top priority is ensuring the security of your investments. We adhere to the highest legal and regulatory standards to protect your investments. Our dedicated legal and compliance teams work diligently to implement all necessary safeguards and maintain reliable practices that fortify the integrity of our platform. By staying ahead of regulatory changes and enforcing stringent controls, we provide a secure environment where you can invest confidently, knowing that our firm commitment to compliance and security protects your investments.
This marks the end of our “Meet the Team behind VIAINVEST” series. We hope we have given you a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes at VIAINVEST.
Look out for our future blogs!
Happy investing, VIAINVEST
Disclaimer
This is marketing communication, not investment advice or investment research. Investments involve certain risks and costs. Legal information about SIA “Viainvest” and its services is available here: https://viainvest.com/en/company/legal.
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