CEO Insights Magazine

In financial services industry, leadership is defined by individuals who have demonstrated a remarkable ability to take risks, innovate, and adapt to the everevolving market dynamics. The industry thrives on those who have the resilience to overcome obstacles and the foresight to guide businesses through challenging landscapes. These leadership qualities are particularly critical in a developing country as the Philippines. One such leader is Angelo Lorenzana, Founder and CEO of Orange Seed Lending, a firm focused on providing accessible financial solutions to underserved communities. Angelo’s career is a testament to the power of risktaking, resilience, and sacrifice. For 25 years, he navigated through some of the most challenging and competitive environments. He began his career at a reputable commercial bank in New Jersey, USA, where he broke multiple barriers. Not only was he the first Asian to enter the bank’s Management Training Program, but he also became the youngest Portfolio Administrator for retail retirement accounts. His roles as a credit analyst, risk analyst, and financial auditor in consumer and business lending divisions further solidified his foundation in finance. After five years in banking, Angelo transitioned to investment banking, a move that was both risky and demanding. The intense work culture and long hours, often reaching 80 to 100 hours per week, tested his limits. Yet, his persistence paid off as he excelled in the field for 11 years, co-founding a successful advisory business focused on valuations and credit deals for hedge funds and private equity firms.

Angelo’s journey didn’t stop there. While working fulltime in New York, he pursued an Executive MBA from Oxford University, making history as the first Filipino American to achieve this advanced degree. His academic pursuits were complemented by executive coursework at prestigious institutions like the University of Cape Town in South Africa and Zhejiang University in China.

Yet, despite these successes, Angelo made the bold decision to leave behind his thriving Wall Street career to pursue impact investing in the Philippines. This transition was met with much criticism and doubt, but his determination led him to create Orange Seed Lending. His decision to launch a business in the Philippines, despite the risks, was guided by the belief that the regret of not following his passion would outweigh the potential failure.

At this stage in his life, Angelo emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, and humility. He’s learned that setbacks are opportunities for growth, and as an entrepreneur, building the right team and learning from experience are crucial. With these lessons in mind, Angelo is leading Orange Seed Lending with a vision to transform the financial landscape, balancing professional success with personal growth. Let’s dive into this one on one interaction to know more.

How have your experiences contributed to bringing strategic insights and governance expertise to Orange Seed Lending? The values that have shaped my career, namely RiskTaking, Sacrifice, Resilience, Adaptability, and Humility, are also the driving forces behind Orange Seed Lending. We take a calculated approach to risk by lending to unbanked and underserved customers. Our commitment to fast, fair approvals is supported by the personal sacrifices we make to fulfill our promises. At Orange Seed Lending, we stay agile by constantly monitoring the needs of our customers and engaging in open communication to stay in tune with market shifts. While we set high standards for our team, we also offer opportunities for redemption when challenges arise, fostering resilience in the face of adversity. Additionally, we encourage a culture of knowledge-sharing, where we learn from each other, constantly inspired by the collective wisdom of the team.

What approach have you established for the company, and how does it set you apart from traditional banks and lenders? I’ve learned over the years, especially as a business owner, that at the heart of every business are people, including customers, employees, and partners. For me, business success is built on Empathy, which goes beyond just using the word. It means truly imagining myself in the shoes of others to understand their needs, hopes, motivations, and goals. This Empathy is achieved by two means, namely Listening and Communication.

Listening to customers is crucial. People enjoy sharing what works for them, but large companies often fail by imposing what they think is best for customers, or worse, what works best for them, rather than hearing what the customers actually need. By truly listening, customers will reveal their needs, and from there, we can align our goals with theirs.

On top of that, open communication with my team ensures everyone is working towards immediate objectives while staying focused on our long-term mission of serving our customers. I see companies rely on buzzwords like 'AI Technology' or 'Customer First' to boast about their tech capabilities or large resources, yet they fall short on their core competencies that are critical, especially in a developing economy. Unlike them, we at Orange Seed Lending focus on the basics, listening to our customers' concerns and offering the right loans to fit their specific business needs.

What pain points have you noticed among small business owners when seeking financial support from banks and lenders, and how have you made your company more reliable to them? In the Philippines, the credit scoring system is inadequate, causing lenders to be overly cautious. This often results in long and unnecessarily complicated underwriting processes, along with loans that are smaller than what small businesses actually need. Small businesses require timely access to the right amount of capital.

At Orange Seed Lending, we focus on practicality and quick approvals. Many of our borrowers are turned away by other lenders due to missing documentation that may not even be essential, or they face frustrating delays. By truly listening to our customers and maintaining constant communication within our team, we stay aligned to understand their challenges and provide the support they need efficiently.

As a leader, how do you ensure that you maintain and bring out the best in your partnerships with reputable firms both within and outside the Philippines? The principles of Listening and Communication are just as important when it comes to our partnerships. When I worked in investment banking in New York, my firm had a policy of responding to clients within 24 hours. The response didn’t need to resolve the issue immediately, but simply acknowledging that we were working on it showed respect for their time and efforts.

From the perspective of receiving service, we hope our partners do the same for us. Just like with our customers, we value partners who listen and communicate clearly about how they can support us, and we aim to do the same in return. This creates a foundation of timely, courteous assistance that benefits everyone involved. How do you encourage the company to add value to society?​ Our company’s mission is to provide access to services for those who are often overlooked by other lenders. We pursue  this mission with diligence, integrity, and respect in every thing we do. We foster a company culture based on three core values, namely Diligence (maintaining a strong work ethic and taking pride in serving our community), Integrity (adhering to regulations and offering fair terms to both us and our borrowers), and Respect (showing courtesy and appreciation to everyone, regardless of their background). I’ve met people from all walks of life all over the world, and I’ve learned that sometimes a humble street vendor displays more character and integrity than a welleducated millionaire.

At Orange Seed Lending, our mission itself adds value to society. Through our approach, which is driven by diligence, integrity, and respect, we aim to set an example that makes the world a better place.

Where do you see yourself going forward? When I started my career after college, I was asked this same question about my future. While most people would answer with ambition and optimism, I surprised the bank executive interviewing me by saying, 'I don’t know.' And I’d say the same thing now.

The interviewer appreciated my honesty and asked me to explain. I explained that life is unpredictable, and a single event can completely change the course of your plans. While it’s important to have a general direction, like seeing Orange Seed Lending offering more loan products and fee-based services, my focus is on laying a solid foundation . Orange Seed Lending is still in its early stages of growth. Throughout my career, I’ve learned to stay open to opportunities and adapt my plans to take advantage of them, while also embracing the challenges that come along with these opportunities.  Angelo Lorenzana, Founder & CEO, Orange Seed Lending Angelo Lorenzana is the Founder & CEO of Orange Seed Lending with a 25-year career defined by risk-taking and sacrifice. His journey spans roles in banking, investment banking, and consulting, culminating in an Executive MBA from Oxford. Passionate about impact investing, he transitioned to entrepreneurship in Philippines, embracing resilience, adaptability, and humility in his leadership approach.  • Hobbies: Angelo unwinds after a long, stressful day by listening to Hilary Hahn’s violin concertos by Beethoven, Brahms, or Mozart, paired with a glass of scotch whiskey. He also enjoys playing tennis whenever possible, and attending rock concerts by 1980s American hair bands. • Favorite Book: His favorite books include Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. • Favorite Travel Destination: Angelo has traveled to over 65 countries and 100+ cities. His favorite destination is Prague, Czech Republic, due to its rich history dating back to the Holy Roman Empire and its striking blend of Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque architecture