In a banking landscape often criticized for its risk aversion, ORIX METRO Leasing and Finance Corporation has carved out a distinctive niche in the Philippine economy by championing the capital needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These businesses, the lifeblood of national growth and innovation, are frequently overlooked by traditional lenders. ORIX METRO, a joint venture between Metrobank and Japan’s ORIX Corporation, addresses this gap with a suite of flexible financing solutions.
From forklifts to fleet vehicles, diggers to diagnostic machines, ORIX METRO’s offerings span the full spectrum of equipment essential to a modernizing economy. The company provides both operating and financial leases as well as secured loans, while a dedicated subsidiary delivers comprehensive vehicle fleet management.
Insurance solutions and large-scale leasing - covering factories and warehouses - round out the portfolio for larger clients. This breadth allows ORIX METRO to serve not only the retailers transporting goods, but also the builders and operators of the very infrastructure that underpins the Philippine growth story.
Offering more than money
While the Philippine central bank has urged commercial lenders to allocate at least 10% of assets to SME loans, most banks fall well short of the mark. “Conservatism is ingrained in the banking system,” notes ORIX METRO President Angelo Z. Padua.
In contrast, his company’s risk assessment acumen and streamlined processes -- simple downloadable applications, rapid credit decisions, and focus on customer-centricity ---- have made it a preferred partner for SMEs seeking speed and certainty.
ORIX METRO’s growth trajectory was interrupted by the economic upheaval of 2020, when pandemic-induced lockdowns led to higher – ratio of non-performing loans. The company’s diversified client base and prudent risk protocols blunted the worst effects, but a multi-year workout was required to restore asset quality.
Just as stability returned, a public works corruption scandal in late 2025 rattled the construction sector, where nearly a third of ORIX METRO’s exposure lies. The fallout: deferred equipment purchases, missed loan targets, and a drag on GDP growth, which slipped to 4.4% - well below both government and company expectations.
Despite these setbacks, Mr. Padua remains bullish. He foresees a modest recovery in 2026, with the real inflection point coming as the Philippines’ young demographic, expanding middle class, and relentless infrastructure demand reassert themselves. Growth of 6-7% per annum for the economy – and more for ORIX METRO -- he argues, is not merely a target but entirely realistic
New horizons and the ‘Supreme Slayer’ spirit
To capture the coming upswing, ORIX METRO has reorganized its sales force, empowering every representative to offer the full menu of loans and leases -- creating a single, accountable point of contact for clients. Top performers are feted as ‘SupremeSlayers,’ earning not only financial rewards (Slayer Rewards Program or SRP) but also luxury perks and recognition from senior management.
ORIX METRO Business, Innovation, and Talents Summit (ORBITS) in January 2026
This commercial drive is anchored by a freshly articulated Mission, Vision, and Values framework, and propelled by Project NXT, a sweeping digital transformation initiative. Over the next three years, ORIX METRO will reinforce its cybersecurity, roll out an enterprise resource planning platform, overhaul customer relationship management and loan origination systems and drive human empowerment and resource transformation. Crucially, technology adoption is paired with a commitment to upskilling staff, ensuring that personal relationships remain at the heart of the business, even as digital channels proliferate.
Looking ahead, ORIX METRO is set to expand its non-financing ventures, notably insurance, with plans to bring these offerings to the open market. The Philippines will also become a strategic node in ORIX’s broader APAC vehicle fleet management rollout.
Meanwhile, the enduring alliance with Metrobank and GT Capital -- one of the country’s largest conglomerates -- offers fertile ground for joint investments in finance and real estate, including potential growth in warehouse leasing and a revival of short-term car rentals.
A bright road ahead
With branches most strategically located in the provinces to serve grassroots SMEs, ORIX METRO stands as a trusted partner for businesses across the value chain.
As the Philippines accelerates towards its economic potential, ORIX METRO is poised not just to keep pace, but to lead the way.
