Diversified financial services company ORIX USA Corporation announced that Brian F. Prince has officially commenced his role as the Company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), overseeing strategic operations and growth initiatives, which will include transforming ORIX USA into ORIX Americas. Prince’s appointment was announced earlier this year.

Most recently, Prince served as Chairman and CEO of Aozora Bank (Aozora), a Tokyo-based commercial bank with approximately $60 billion in assets during his tenure. Under Prince’s leadership, Aozora produced strong financial results following significant market turmoil and finalized a comprehensive 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, Prince was an executive of Shinsei Bank. Prior to that, he held various investment banking positions, including head of Lehman Brothers’ Asia Division.

While ORIX USA’s primary operations are currently in the United States, one of 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,” Prince said. “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.”

Prince noted that the ORIX Americas growth initiative aligns with a broader long-term business development plan that ORIX Corporation will introduce as part of its 50th anniversary in April of this year.

ORIX USA Corporation is a diversified financial company with approximately $6 billion of assets in sectors spanning commercial finance, venture finance, commercial real estate and public finance, as well as $25 billion of assets managed for others. Operating subsidiaries include Houlihan Lokey, RED Capital Group and Mariner Investment Group. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ORIX USA and its subsidiaries have more than 1,400 employees and offices in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, London and Tokyo.