Dmitry Pyanov, VTB: for financial literacy, a mentor and verified sources are needed.

      June 10, 2026 13:28 Economy The top manager of one of the largest Russian banks provided recommendations for improving financial literacy. In an interview with RIA Novosti, Dmitry Pyanov, the first deputy chairman of VTB's management board, highlighted two key rules that help manage personal capital more effectively and avoid risks.

      The first rule concerns working with information. The banker advises trusting only primary sources—information published by credit organizations and government agencies. He admitted that he regularly studies analytical materials in the VTB mobile app, where he tracks fresh descriptions of fraudulent schemes. This topic, in his opinion, concerns most people. There, in digital services, one can find current information about new products, discounts, and loyalty programs.

      The top manager paid special attention to content for private investors. The mobile app for investment management publishes quarterly reviews of strategies, macroeconomic analysis, and trading ideas. Pyanov emphasized that these materials are prepared by a team of qualified specialists, not amateurs, which is especially important against the backdrop of the abundance of unverified advice in the market. Financial institutions, according to him, invest significant resources in creating quality educational content.

      The second rule is to find a mentor. As the banker expressed, a mentor is needed who can guide through the most complex financial mazes. He believes that the combination of a knowledgeable mentor and official communication from the bank is quite sufficient for forming sustainable financial habits.

      The main misconception to avoid is to think that financial literacy has finite boundaries. According to the expert, this field is constantly expanding, new inputs are emerging, and learning never ends.

      During the conversation, Pyanov also compared the mentality of Russians and Europeans. The key difference he highlighted is the extremely high tolerance for what Europeans consider inefficient money placement. He noted that compatriots calmly accept the situation when a salary remains idle for a day or more in a current or card account. In a period of high interest rates, it is much wiser to immediately transfer free funds to savings accounts or deposits; however, the habit of feeling a large sum on a card often outweighs rational calculation. This loyalty to suboptimal liquidity use, he concluded, remains a characteristic national trait.

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