MONEY TALK by mojnovac.hr arrives in Zagreb and online on May 23, with a focus on money, investing, and citizens’ financial security
The second edition of the MONEY TALK by mojnovac.hr conference will be held on Friday, May 23, 2026, at the Sveučilište Algebra Bernays campus in Zagreb, with an online livestream available to a wider audience. According to the organizers’ official information, the program runs from 9:30 to 18:00, and online viewing is again envisioned as free of charge, thanks to partners and sponsors who support the spread of financial education. The event follows the first edition held in 2025, when, according to the organizers’ post-conference announcement, public interest was very high and the event brought together more than a thousand participants. This year’s edition therefore does not come as just another incidental conference on the business-events calendar, but as a continuation of a project that tries to answer a very practical question: how can citizens, in a time of inflation, volatile markets, rising living costs, and an ever-broader offering of financial products, make smarter and safer decisions. For Zagreb, that means another larger professional event gathering an audience interested in personal finance, and for those coming from other parts of Croatia an additional convenience is that the program can be followed remotely, while those who want to be physically present will also find
accommodation offers in Zagreb useful.
A conference that tries to bring money closer to everyday life
MONEY TALK by mojnovac.hr is organized as a meeting of citizens, experts, educators, the financial industry, and everyone who wants to better understand their own relationship with money. According to the organizers’ description, the idea is not aimed exclusively at investors or a narrow circle of financial professionals, but at people who want to understand topics that directly affect their everyday life: household budgeting, long-term saving, retirement, risk management, inheritance, taxes, and the basic rules of investing. Such an approach fits the broader social moment as well. Financial literacy in Croatia, according to a national study conducted by Hanfa and the Croatian National Bank, shows slight growth, but it still remains an area in which citizens need more practical knowledge, especially when it comes to understanding products, comparing risks, and making long-term decisions. That is precisely why events like this try to bridge the gap between professional jargon and the real problems of people who every day decide whether to save, invest, refinance a loan, buy real estate, or seek a safer way to protect family assets. In that sense, MONEY TALK aims not only at education, but also at normalizing conversations about money as a topic that concerns almost everyone, regardless of age, occupation, or income level.
What the program brings: from the psychology of money to legal protection of assets
This year’s program covers a wide range of topics that in recent years have been receiving increasing attention among citizens. According to the announcement, the conference will discuss the psychology of money, personal finance, retirement planning, active and passive investing, ETFs, the real estate market, precious metals, crypto assets, insurance, legal protection of assets, investment fraud, as well as digital tools in finance and tax obligations. This list clearly shows that the organizers do not want to stay on one narrow topic, but are trying to cover the entire spectrum of decisions citizens face through different life phases. Someone in the audience will be looking for answers on how to set up a personal budget for the first time, another will want to learn how ETFs work, a third will be thinking about retirement or inheritance, and a fourth will be seeking a way to avoid investment fraud or resolve tax obligations related to capital gains. The greatest value of the program lies precisely in this breadth, because financial literacy today is no longer just a question of saving, but of understanding a whole series of connected decisions that shape personal security and quality of life. For part of the audience arriving in Zagreb for full-day participation,
accommodation options close to the venue will also be practical, especially since this is a program that lasts almost the entire workday.
Recognized names from economics, investments, law, and education
The conference will be hosted by Vedran Sorić and Nikolina Gotal, and according to the official announcement a number of well-known names from the financial, legal, investment, and educational sectors will appear throughout the day. Among the announced speakers are Dajana Barbić, Sandro Kraljević, Kristina Lulić, Velimir Šonje, Ivana Drlje, Vedrana Čagalj, Vladimir Potočki, Tomislav Kamenečki, Anja Tkalčević, Sanja Gržetić, Rudolf Gumzej, and Hrvoje Travnikar. The very structure of the list shows that this is not a one-dimensional program, but a combination of a macroeconomic perspective, personal finance, market topics, and legal issues. Velimir Šonje should offer a broader economic view of the Croatian context, Ivana Drlje will talk about automated investing in global and regional ETFs, Vedrana Čagalj about real estate, Vladimir Potočki about the role of precious metals in a portfolio, and Tomislav Kamenečki about crypto assets. In addition, Anja Tkalčević opens the topic of investment fraud and citizen protection, Rudolf Gumzej talks about tools for reporting taxes on capital gains, dividends, and interest, while Hrvoje Travnikar focuses on the role of financial intermediaries. Such a lineup suggests the conference is conceived as a series of practical entry points into everyday financial decisions, not merely as a space for general motivational messages.
The psychology of money as a starting point for all other decisions
One of the most striking topics of this year’s program will be the psychology of money, which Dajana Barbić will address, while Sandro Kraljević will open the question of financial mindset and the most common mistakes people make with money. This is not accidental. In recent years, more and more experts have pointed out that financial decisions are not only the result of mathematical calculation, but also of emotions, habits, fear, impulses, and social patterns. People often do not make mistakes only because they do not know a financial product, but because they make decisions under pressure, out of insecurity, out of a desire not to miss an opportunity, or out of beliefs they have never seriously re-examined. That is why talking about personal finance without talking about the psychology of money remains incomplete. For a large number of citizens, the first step toward financial stability is not immediately investing, but understanding their own behavior: why they postpone saving, why they enter unnecessary expenses, why they fear investing, or why they react rashly when the market falls. In that sense, this topic is not an add-on to the program, but its foundation, because without a clearer relationship with money it is difficult to build long-term discipline needed for saving, investing, and risk management.
Retirement, ETFs, and the question of long-term planning
Topics connected with long-term planning, above all retirement and investing through ETFs, will carry special weight. Kristina Lulić is expected to raise questions about planning retirement in time, and the closing panel titled
From saving to investing, are ETFs a solution for everyone? will bring together Krešo Vugrinčić and Ivana Stojanović. In the last few years, ETFs have become one of the most frequently mentioned topics in conversations about personal finance, primarily because some experts and educators present them as a more transparent and simpler entry into long-term investing. But the question of whether they are suitable for everyone is still legitimate. The difference between saving and investing, the relationship between return and risk, time horizon, liquidity, and psychological readiness for market fluctuations remain key topics about which many citizens still do not have a sufficiently clear picture. That is exactly why the closing panel can be one of the most content-rich parts of the conference, because it enters an area that interests both beginners and those who have already taken their first investment steps. The discussion about retirement further emphasizes the importance of these questions, as citizens increasingly seek answers about how much they can rely on the public system and how much they must plan their own financial future themselves.
Real estate, gold, crypto, and other big questions for investors
The program also does not avoid topics that in recent years have generated the most public interest, but also the most controversy. The real estate market will remain in focus through a talk by Vedrana Čagalj, which is understandable in a country where housing remains perceived as one of the key life issues. Along with rising prices, changes in supply, and various financing models, real estate remains for some citizens a symbol of security, while others increasingly view it as an asset class. Vladimir Potočki will speak about the role of precious metals in a portfolio, a topic that regularly gains importance in periods of geopolitical uncertainty and market shocks, when some investors seek so-called safer havens. Crypto assets, which Tomislav Kamenečki will discuss, also remain an area of strong interest, but also a need for caution. The inclusion of such topics in the program shows the conference is not shying away from the most current questions, but is trying to place them in an educational framework rather than in the logic of quick promises. For the audience this matters because it is precisely around real estate, gold, and crypto that simplified narratives most often form, while real decisions always require much more context, risk understanding, and awareness of personal goals.
Asset protection, fraud, and legal issues that are often postponed
A particularly important part of the conference relates to legal issues and citizen protection, topics that often remain in the shadow of more attractive conversations about returns and market trends. In a one-on-one conversation, Marinko Vrbić is expected to talk about legal protection of assets, the relationship between money and marriage, and the importance of timely arranging inheritance and wills. These are topics many people postpone, either due to discomfort or due to the belief there will always be time for such decisions. However, a lack of timely planning often leads to family disputes, unclear property relationships, and additional costs. Equally important is the topic of investment fraud, which Anja Tkalčević will address. In a period of digitalization of financial services, rapid spread of ads on social networks, and aggressive marketing of various “opportunities,” protecting citizens from manipulation and false promises is becoming one of the central themes of financial literacy. The Croatian National Bank and Hanfa have for years warned about the need to educate consumers, and the data they cite also indicate that digital financial literacy is weaker than general financial literacy. This means citizens often recognize basic concepts more easily than digital risks, which further increases the importance of lectures dealing with fraud, offer verification, and protection of personal financial interests.
Why such an event matters right now
The time in which the conference is held gives it additional weight. According to the results of the Hanfa and HNB national study, overall financial literacy of citizens in Croatia in 2023 amounted to 12 out of a possible 20 points, showing progress compared to earlier measurements, but also a clear space for further strengthening of knowledge, habits, and understanding. The Croatian National Bank also points out a lower level of digital financial literacy, which is particularly important at a time when more and more citizens use apps, digital platforms, automated forms of investing, and online financial services. In practice, this means citizens today have more opportunities than ten or fifteen years ago, but also a greater number of decisions they must make on their own. More options do not automatically mean greater security. Without a quality understanding of costs, risks, tax rules, and long-term consequences, it is easy to make a wrong step, even when a product looks simple at first glance. That is why conferences that bring together experts from multiple fields can have real public value: not because they offer a universal recipe, but because they help people ask better questions and ensure their decisions are not based only on an impression, an advertisement, or second-hand advice.
Who MONEY TALK is actually intended for
According to the organizers’ announcement, the conference is open to everyone who wants to better understand their relationship with money and make more thoughtful decisions. This includes beginners who are just entering the world of personal finance, people who want to bring their budget under greater control, those thinking about their first investments, as well as citizens who want to reduce financial stress or be better informed about markets and instruments offered to them. It may be especially interesting to entrepreneurs, freelancers, young professionals, and parents—groups that often themselves carry a larger share of responsibility for their financial planning. But the broader message of the conference seems more important than the target audience itself. Financial literacy is neither an elite nor a niche topic. Today it touches issues of housing, raising children, retirement, health and property security, everyday spending, and long-term plans. That is why events like this want to show that talking about money does not have to be locked inside expert circles or reduced to tables and formulas, but can be clear, open, and applicable. For everyone planning an all-day stay in the capital because of the event, it is useful to check in advance
accommodation for visitors in Zagreb, especially if they want to combine the conference with additional business or private obligations.
Organizers and practical information about registrations
Behind the conference are the Association Klub financijske pismenosti and the portal mojnovac.hr, which according to its own description operates in the field of financial education, a healthy relationship with money, and practical empowerment of citizens through content that combines information and application. The organizers emphasize that their goal is to bring to a wider audience topics that are often perceived as complicated or reserved for experts, from investing and retirement to asset protection, taxes, and financial behavior. Official information confirms that the conference will be available both live and online. The online livestream for viewers is free, while tickets for in-person participation at the Zagreb campus are available through the registration system. This tries to combine broad accessibility of content with the live event experience for participants who want direct contact, networking, and an all-day stay on site. In this blend of digital and physical formats, the broader logic of today’s educational events is visible: content must be accessible, but at the same time sufficiently high-quality and relevant to justify coming to the venue. If MONEY TALK this year again confirms the interest the organizer had after the first edition, Zagreb could on May 23 host one of the more noticeable domestic events dedicated to personal finance, investing, and citizens’ financial security.
Sources:- mojnovac.hr – official announcement of the second edition of the conference, date, program, speakers, and free online livestream (link)- Association Klub financijske pismenosti – official event page confirming the date, location, and basic concept of the conference (link)- Entrio – registration page with details about the venue at the Algebra campus in Zagreb, ticket types, and availability of online viewing (link)- mojnovac.hr – report on the first edition of the conference and the data on more than 1,000 participants in 2025 (link)- Hanfa – results of the national study on financial literacy of citizens in Croatia, including data for 2023 (link)- Croatian National Bank – overview of the results of an international study and the data on the level of digital financial literacy in Croatia (link)
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