Half a Century at DSK Bank: Violina Marinova on Lessons, Mistakes, and the Power of Perseverance

Introduce yourself in a few words… How would you describe your career in a few words?

My name is Violina Marinova and since 1971 I have been at DSK Bank.
I graduated part-time with a specialization in “Finance and Credit”.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

I started working on the recommendation of a family friend.
What made me stay for so long? Working with clients, communication, and satisfaction when you have managed to help.
My first job was at the “Loans for Current Needs” counter.
In the 70s, the times were different, the legislation, the internal regulatory framework as well.
The main challenge is to manage to cope and look forward to the next steps.

What would you like to know at the beginning of your career, that no one told you?

When I joined, no one explained to me what to expect from this profession.
Because I studied part-time, I worked in various positions – deposits, accounts of public organizations.
I liked this and it allowed me to gain practical knowledge.
In 1979–1980, I worked on a project to improve the service for citizens and together with colleagues from the Cybernetic Center of the BNB (now Borika) we managed to implement an online system – at that time it was a revolutionary event.
The service time was reduced to a few minutes from 20–30 minutes.
I tell all this because all these challenges gave me strength and the desire to work, and I went to work with pleasure.

How can a person understand which profession is suitable for him?

In the previous question, I wrote how I realized that this is my place.
After 1989, I went through various positions – chief accountant, branch director.
When you work with desire, your work brings you pleasure and you are disciplined – you succeed.
Since 1996, I was elected as deputy chairperson of DSK, which at that time was a state institution.
We had a very serious job ahead for the transformation of DSK into a Bank.
In 1996, several banks were declared insolvent and since DSK was liquid, we paid up to 100 percent of the deposits in leva of clients from those banks. At that time, there was no law for the protection of deposits, so we paid in full size the deposits of clients from those banks.
Hyperinflation and redenomination followed.
In 1998, it was transformed into a Bank.
According to the Commercial Law, the position was now executive director. I was CFO and was responsible not only for finances but also for information technology.
Improving IT creates opportunities for better management and analysis.
As can be seen, many innovations and a vision for the future are interesting things.
After the acquisition of BDSK by OTP, I was elected as Chief Executive Director and Chairperson of the Management Board.

What skills do you think will be key in the next 10 years?

What are the qualities that are important in the coming years – communication, good preparation in the field of technology, and openness to all innovations.
Strength, energy, and perseverance, without retreat, faith, and fighting spirit.

How to build a network of useful contacts without looking interested?

All contacts are important!
I do not consider them useful or not!
Mutual respect is important.

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?

A person learns from their mistakes, but it is important to make an analysis and lessons so that they do not repeat again.

How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?

This is achieved over time and with a good assessment of relationships.
I distance myself from toxic people without treating them badly.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

I would not do anything differently.

How to maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

Motivation depends on the surrounding environment and perhaps we should step back and reconsider.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

In my case, I maintained a good harmony thanks to my husband, who was my stable support.
When I was late or absent, he took care of the children and cared with great dedication.

When is it time to change our career, not just our job?

If you go to work without desire, without motivation, you need to make a decision.
You should go to work with pleasure.

If you had to give only one piece of advice to people who are seeking success, what would it be?

Success is achieved with the desire to achieve your dreams. Perseverance and persistence.

What is your definition of a “successful career”?

I believe that I have a successful career, but I have achieved it with much hard work and honesty and with respect and good relationships with people.
With kindness and, as one colleague used to say, I am a strict but fair leader.