Robert Jordan Jr., through his strong vision and exemplary leadership, is playing a pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape of the Philippines. As one of the founders and CEO of Asialink Finance Corporation, he focuses on innovative financial solutions to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which in turn play a crucial role in reducing the Philippines’ unemployment rate and poverty levels.
Early Career And Vision To Help The MSMEs
Robert’s modest beginnings ignited a relentless drive to uplift Filipinos grappling with financial constraints and social challenges. Growing up in a fishing port area in Metro Manila, he obtained a degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines Diliman and pursued a Master’s in Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. Starting his career with a government agency, he quickly advanced to managing roles as a loan officer in the MSMEs Loans Department of various banks across the Philippines.
Over seven years, he observed a troubling trend among MSMEs: they often faced loan denials. Sensing an opportunity to address this gap, Robert Jordan Jr. envisioned a non-bank financial institution (NBFI) to offer specialised loan products. In 1997, at age 32, Robert co-founded Asialink Finance Corporation with two fellow entrepreneurs.
Asialink Finance Corporation: A Success Story
Starting a business is never easy, and for Robert Jordan Jr., the challenges were monumental.
“Well, there were tremendous challenges in starting a business. First, we didn’t have the capital. We started with only 3 million pesos. Next was the product. The initial product we had was difficult and it took me one year to truly understand it, especially the appliance financing. We made a lot of mistakes. It’s very difficult to start from zero—building the infrastructure, developing the loan system, and hiring the right people. Our office was small; it could only fit two tables. When a customer came in, we had to stand up so that the loan processor or marketing person could sit at my table to entertain the customer,” he explained, while interacting with International Finance.
As of 2024, Asialink Finance Corporation has become one of the leading and fastest-growing financing companies in Philippines, dedicated to supporting the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Its main objective is to provide accessible, fast, and convenient financing to MSMEs, which in turn creates job opportunities for Filipinos and addresses unemployment issues in the nation.
Asialink Finance Corporation proudly celebrates 27 years of influential presence in the finance sector, marked by remarkable growth and a steadfast commitment to empowering the nation’s entrepreneurs. With nearly 2,000 dedicated employees spread across 192 branches throughout the Philippines, Asialink has become a cornerstone in the financial landscape. Its unwavering support for MSMEs is not only strengthening the country’s financial sector but also playing a crucial role in driving economic growth and stability. By providing accessible and innovative financial solutions, Asialink is helping entrepreneurs realise their potential, fostering economic development, and contributing significantly to the overall prosperity of the Philippines.
“By supporting the growth of MSMEs through financing, we are also generating employment opportunities for Filipinos, fostering solutions to reduce poverty and unemployment,” Robert Jordan Jr. told International Finance.
Vision For The Future
If we had to sum up Robert’s professional journey in five words, they would be clarity, commitment, determination, purpose, and success. But what does success truly mean to him? Robert doesn’t measure success by personal achievements or monetary gains. He believes true business success lies in empowering MSMEs, creating wealth for shareholders, and prioritising the well-being of employees, whom he recognises as the company’s primary asset. By focusing on MSMEs, he aims to build a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits all Filipinos.
Robert Jordan Jr. and his team’s goal is to establish a strong presence in the NBFI (Non-Bank Financial Institution) sector of the Philippine economy by tripling their business within the next five years.
“Our commitment to growth is driven by our aspiration to provide increased support to MSMEs. There remains a significant number of underserved MSMEs that we aim to finance,” he added.
By 2033, Asialink Finance Corporation envisions being at the forefront of the financing industry, providing inclusive financial access to MSMEs, and their communities, in the Philippines, and across Asia. Robert’s ultimate objective is to establish a legacy of a thriving company with steadfast values that will endure beyond his tenure as CEO.
“I aim to cultivate a culture and discipline that will shape the company’s identity for years to come,” he concluded.