SEB history
The name Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) sounds like one single entity, but it was actually created in 1972 through a massive corporate merger.
Using your knowledge of how corporate naming usually works, SEB was formed by merging Skandinaviska Banken with Stockholms ___________ Bank. What is the missing word?
A) Internationella (International)
B) Enskilda (Private/Individual)
C) Centrala (Central)
B - Enskilda
What was the name of the first massive Latvian social networking site (the local "Facebook") where everyone sent "bumbiņas" and checked their "runā" feed?
Whos is considered as the "King of Pop"
Michael Jackson
What popular carbonated soft drink was originally marketed in the late 19th century as a patent medicine and nerve tonic by pharmacist John Pemberton?
Coca-Cola
What are the three states of matter that are most common on Earth?
Solid, liquid, and gas
In 1927, SEB’s predecessor bank stepped in to provide crucial early funding for a brand-new mechanical venture started by two visionary engineers. Today, that venture is one of the world's most famous vehicle manufacturers, renowned globally for its historical focus on safety. What company is it?
Volvo
Before smartphones, Latvian teens used "Pre-paid" cards to top up their mobile balance. Aside from Zelta Zivtiņa, name the popular pre-paid brand offered by LMT.
Okarte
What 1978 disco anthem by the Village People features a dance where everyone uses their arms to spell out the letters of the song's title?
Y.M.C.A.
To be legally labeled as Bourbon whiskey in the United States, the grain mixture (or mash bill) must consist of at least what percentage of corn? (+/- 5%)
51%
What is the primary gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen (Oxygen is only about 21%)
In the early 1930s, the global Great Depression struck Sweden hard, culminating in the sudden, shocking collapse of Ivar Kreuger’s multi-billion-dollar global matchstick empire (the "Kreuger Crash"). SEB’s predecessor bank, Skandinaviska Kreditaktiebolaget, was heavily exposed and faced immediate ruin.
Using basic business logic, how did the bank manage to survive this massive catastrophe without going completely bankrupt?
A) The bank pivotally changed its strategy to only lend money to agricultural farms.
B) The Swedish government stepped in with a massive rescue loan of 215 million kronor, which took the bank four years to pay back.
C) The Wallenberg family personally paid off all of the bank's debts using their gold reserves.
B - The Swedish state stepped in with a massive bailout loan.
In the late 80s and early 90s, many Latvians had a "Vefs" at home. While VEF made many things, what specific handheld device were they most famous for across the USSR?
Radio
What is the stage name of the record-breaking British singer-songwriter whose chart-topping albums are all named after mathematical symbols?
Ed Sheeran
Latvians famously call potatoes their "second bread." However, there is a traditional, sweet vegetable tart from the Kurzeme region that holds an EU "Traditional Speciality Guaranteed" status, featuring a rugged rye crust filled with layers of mashed potatoes and what other orange root vegetable?
Sklandrausis
Kurš okeāns ir vislielākais un visdziļākais uz Zemes?
Klusais okeāns
In 2007–2008, SEB partnered with the World Bank to create a completely new type of financial product. This instrument allowed institutional investors to fund climate-related projects with a guaranteed return. Today, this is a multi-trillion-dollar global market. What is this specific financial instrument called?
Green Bods
In the early 90s, Latvia introduced a temporary currency to transition away from the Soviet Ruble before the Lats was ready. Locals affectionately named these temporary bills after the Prime Minister of the time. What was the slang name for this currency?
Repšiki (officially the Latvijas rublis, named after Einars Repše).
What was the name of the portable cassette player introduced by Sony in 1979 that allowed people to listen to music on the go for the very first time
The Walkman
True Latvian dark rye bread (Rupjmaize) is a labor of love baked in traditional wood-fired ovens. To protect the bottom of the loaf from burning and to infuse it with a distinct, rustic aroma, the unbaked dough loaves are traditionally placed on top of what specific type of large tree leaf inside the oven?
Maple leaves - Kļavu lapas
If a rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a width of 5 cm, what is its total perimeter?
34 cm (Perimeter is 12 + 12 + 5 + 5. A common mistake is calculating the area, which is 60)
SEB didn't just appear out of nowhere; it was built and shaped by a single, ultra-famous European banking and industrial dynasty. Founded by André Oscar Wallenberg in 1856, this family still controls SEB today through their investment arm, Investor AB. They are often called Europe's equivalent to the Rockefellers or Morgans, controlling a massive chunk of Sweden's stock market. What is the name of this family?
The Wallenberg Family
Before Mega and Alfa (now Akropole) existed, what was the name of Riga's very first modern, Western-style shopping mall that opened in the late 90s near the central station?
Centrs (Galerija Centrs).
In 2021, legendary rapper and producer Dr. Dre made a massive pop culture crossover by appearing as a major character in a massive storyline expansion for which video game franchise?
Grand Theft Auto (specifically GTA Online: The Contract)
While modern breweries dominate today, Latvia has a rich history of farmhouse brewing, particularly in the eastern region of Latgale. Historically, what unique, sweet agricultural ingredient was commonly added to the boiling wort to create a highly intoxicating, smooth, ceremonial beer reserved for weddings and major festivals?
Honey
Ja grozā ir 5 zaļi āboli un 15 sarkani āboli, kāda ir varbūtība (procentos), ka tu nejauši izvilksi zaļu ābolu?
25% (Kopā ir 20 āboli, un 5 no 20 ir viena ceturtdaļa jeb 25%. Parasti kļūda ir domāt, ka 5 no 15 ir 33%)