The financial services sector has witnessed profound changes in recent years, driven by changing client needs and technological advancements. As financial institutions adapt to these alterations, they strive to enhance operation, risk management, and customer engagement. This industry now emphasizes the integration of innovative solutions to meet rising expectations and remain competitive, ensuring a focus on delivering tailored and effective financial services.
In this context, a prominent leader stands out for her exceptional ability to steer organizations through these challenges. With a profound commitment to excellence, Eillen Apples Mangubat, President & COO at Asialink Finance Corporation, demonstrates an ability to align strategic goals, fostering a workplace where innovation thrives. Her leadership is characterized by a deep understanding of market dynamics, a relentless pursuit of quality and a focus on creating value through strategic foresight and effective team management. Her approach reflects a balance between driving performance and nurturing organizational culture, making a notable impact on the industry’s progress.
Asialink Finance Corporation embodies a commitment to both client satisfaction and operational integrity. The company is dedicated to enhancing its service offerings and expanding its reach, with a focus on quality standards and innovation. Asialink’s efforts include adopting advanced digitally accessible services and maintaining rigorous process reviews to ensure they meet the highest industry standards. This integral approach positions Asialink Finance Corporation as a significant player in the financial sector, contributing to its growth and success in a competitive market.
From Medical Aspirations to Financial Success
Apples grew up in a rural area in Western Visayas of the Philippines, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in accounting, at the University of the Philippines Visayas.
Despite her achievements, she dreamed of becoming a medical representative. She applied for the position and passed the screening in several companies. However, she didn’t get her dream job because it required skills, she hadn’t anticipated such as driving skills. Due to the limited industry options in the city, Apples pursued applying to various banks in Iloilo, and that’s how her career in the finance industry began.
Her exceptional academic background complements her professional achievements. She continues to excel in the finance industry and eagerly takes several educational opportunities, such as attending workshops, talks, and business forums, to enhance her knowledge and skills- tools she used to advance her career. Moreover, she honed her management skills by completing a Management Development Program at the Asian Institute of Management.
Additionally, she acquired a Certificate in Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific.
In 2007, Apples initially entered Asialink Finance Corporation as General Manager. After seeing her dedication and leadership in the company, she ladders up her position as the President and COO. She helped change how Asialink operates today- accessible to more customers, faster turnaround time, and convenient application process through online and offline channels. With her expertise and guidance, the company has over 200 branches in strategic locations in the Philippines and thousands of independent loan consultants and partner dealers nationwide. Balancing Operational Excellence with Strategic Alignment
As the President and Chief Operating Officer of Asialink Finance Corporation, Apples holds a crucial role in overseeing the daily operations of the organization. Her primary responsibilities include achieving key performance indicators and ensuring that the company remains aligned with its strategic objectives.
Apples also balance these responsibilities by anchoring the company’s mission, vision, and core values in all aspects of its operations. This involves a commitment to driving performance and steering the organization toward its goals, all while upholding the company’s foundational principles.
Strategic Foundations for Growth
Apples’ strategic planning and business development approach focuses on Market Analysis, Customer-Centric Focus, Innovation, Risk Management, Talent Development, Sustainability, and Strategic Partnerships.
She continuously executes market research to analyze and adapt ongoing trends to tailor services according to the client’s needs. She promotes a customer-centric approach, prioritizing strong client relationships and tailored financial solutions. She strives to invest in advancing technology to enhance operations and customer experience. She believes in implementing strong risk assessment and compliance practices for security and data privacy.
Talent plays a crucial role in the company’s success. Apples conducts talent development programs, encouraging a motivated, skilled workforce to establish a positive organizational culture. It also involves strategic partnerships by building alliances to enhance capabilities and drive growth. These elements ensure that Asialink Finance Corporation remains competitive, client-focused and sustainably grows within the financing industry.
Commitment to Quality and Efficiency
Asialink Finance Corporation does a continuous review of its processes and makes it a priority to check how its operations affect its goals and targets. It also considers the turnaround time of its process without sacrificing the quality of its clients’ accounts.
Asialink got the SGS services to review its loan process. Subsequently, it was certified the ISO 9001:2015, recognizing Asialink’s commitment to maintaining international standards in its loan processing, disbursement, amortization and the release of official receipts (OR) and certificates of registration (CR).
Pillars of Effective Leadership
For Apples, the combination of the right attitude and passion is the foundation of being a good leader. She believes having the right attitude is crucial for effectively managing both your team and the company. Additionally, passion for your work makes the job easier and more enjoyable.
She also emphasizes that overcoming personal and professional challenges is a normal part of leadership, motivating her to achieve and surpass her goals. “I have been bombarded with many challenges on the road to success, but I conquered them with my dedication and passion for work. I turned these challenges into opportunities to acquire more learning and to be mindful of every action and decision I make. The attitude toward treating your colleagues is essential because I believe working as a team will make it easy to achieve overall business growth and success.
Vision for Elevating Market Presence and Service Excellence
Apples’ goals for Asialink include making it the top-of-mind brand for clients, expanding the business to more areas in the Philippines, and eventually bringing the Asialink brand to neighboring countries in Asia.
Her plan centers on establishing a strong presence across the Philippines by expanding Asialink’s branch network and enhancing digital accessibility, ensuring that financial services reach even the most underserved areas.
Apples has set a target of widening the scope of funding by diversifying financial products and exploring new capital-raising avenues, enabling the company to better serve a broader range of clients, particularly MSMEs, and fueling its growth both locally and eventually in international markets.
Leveraging Industry Insights and Professional Networks
To stay updated with industry trends, Apples regularly reads news on industry development. As a member of the Philippine Finance Association and Fintech Alliance Ph she gains first-hand knowledge of leaders in other companies within the industry, which helps her continue to develop her professional skills.
Strengthening Cybersecurity
Apples asserts, “One of the biggest challenges the financing industry is facing is cyber security and data protection.” At Asialink, she ensures that all employees are well-educated and protected from these threats. The company is also actively upgrading its cyber security to safeguard the organization’s data.
Apples’ Approach to Work-Life Harmony
Despite the demanding nature of her job, Apples maintains a healthy work-life balance by prioritizing her family. She shares that when fully committed to her responsibilities as president of the organization, she makes it a point to carve out quality time at home with her loved ones. Whether through simple daily interactions or planning vacations and short trips, these moments allow Apples and her family to unwind and reconnect, providing the refreshment needed to stay energized and focused both at work and in personal life. She believes, “Such intentional effort ensures that her role as a leader does not overshadow her role as a family member.”
Leadership Traits for Aspiring Finance Professionals
Apples’s advice to aspiring professionals aiming for leadership positions in the financing industry is “Maintain the right attitude, cultivate a passion for your work, persevere to achieve success, and commit to continuous learning.” “Most importantly, develop self-awareness. As a leader, it is crucial to embody strong character and discipline,” she added.
