Brian Prince has commenced his role as the new Chief Executive Officer of ORIX USA. Mr. Prince will oversee the strategic operations and growth initiatives of ORIX USA which include transforming ORIX USA into ORIX Americas. While ORIX USA’s primary operations are currently in the United States, one of Mr. Prince’s key areas of focus will be to expand the company’s presence throughout the Americas, identifying, evaluating and pursuing business and investment opportunities in Canada, Mexico and South America.
“Like many financial services firms, ORIX USA‘s primary challenge today is growing the balance sheet in a rational and deliberate manner,” said Mr. Prince. “I’m looking forward to accomplishing this by continuing to strengthen our current portfolio of businesses, while looking for robust, accretive new businesses and investments to add. I think there is significant growth potential we can tap into by expanding further into the Americas. Establishing ORIX Americas is a natural progression for ORIX USA, as we define what we want the business to look like moving forward.
Prior to ORIX USA, Mr. Prince served as Chairman and CEO of Aozora Bank, a Tokyo-based commercial bank with approximately $60 billion in assets. Under Mr. Prince’s leadership, Aozora produced strong financial results following significant market turmoil and finalized a recapitalization plan designed to repay all public funding. ORIX USA’s parent company, ORIX Corporation, held a significant minority stake in Aozora.
“We’ve observed Brian’s strategic leadership and management execution first hand and are pleased that he’s bringing his skills and experience to work directly for us,” said Hideto Nishitani, Chairman of ORIX USA. “We believe the company will benefit from his ability to build and motivate successful management teams, to identify growth opportunities and to apply a fresh perspective on ORIX’s unique mix of assets and businesses in the United States.”
Before joining Aozora in 2008, Mr. Prince was an executive of Shinsei Bank. Prior to that, he held various investment banking positions, including head of Lehman Brothers’ Asia Division.
Mr. Prince’s appointment follows the resignation earlier this year of Jim Thompson, the former CEO of ORIX USA. Mr. Thompson has formed a new investment company, Preston Hollow, to invest in fixed income, private equity, venture capital and alternative investing. Preston Hollow Capital is located in Dallas.
ORIX USA has approximately $6 billion of assets and is active in commercial finance, venture finance, commercial real estate and public finance. The company’s operating subsidiaries include Houlihan Lokey, RED Capital Group and Mariner Investment Group. ORIX USA and its subsidiaries have more than 1,400 employees with offices in major cities including Dallas (headquarters), New York, Los Angeles, London and Tokyo (www.orix.com).
ORIX USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of ORIX Corporation, a Tokyo-based, publicly owned international financial services company with operations in 35 countries worldwide.
© 2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 2-6-14
