Orange County, CA — March 26, 2026 — Imelda Siocheng, Director of Community Lending at Pacific Community Fund, was invited to serve as a panelist at the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County (FACC-OC) “Secrets to Success” Small Business Conference, joining financial leaders in a discussion focused on helping small business owners move beyond revenue generation toward long-term wealth building.
The panel brought together representatives from Pacific Community Fund, U.S. Bank, and Wallis Bank, including Eric Tantiga of U.S. Bank and Ali Ahsan of Wallis Bank. Together, the panel explored how financial institutions can better support entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses through access to capital, disciplined financial practices, and strategic banking relationships.
Discussions centered on the critical distinction between revenue and wealth, emphasizing that true financial stability is built through intentional practices such as setting owner compensation, establishing reserves, and leveraging capital as a structured tool for growth rather than short-term survival.
Representing Pacific Community Fund, Siocheng shared insights from her work with entrepreneurs across California—many of whom begin their journey in survival mode with limited access to traditional financial systems. She emphasized the importance of shifting the mindset around capital from reactive borrowing to intentional wealth-building strategies.
“Many entrepreneurs are focused on immediate survival, but sustainable success comes from learning how to structure capital in a way that builds stability over time,” said Siocheng. “At Pacific Community Fund, we help business owners not only access financing, but also use it strategically to create financial resilience for both their business and their household.”
The panel highlighted how Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and traditional banks alike play a complementary role in expanding access to capital and financial education for small businesses. Through collaboration, institutions can help entrepreneurs move from short-term cash flow management to long-term economic stability and wealth creation.
Pacific Community Fund extends its appreciation to FACC-OC and moderator Cristina Espiritu for hosting a meaningful and action-oriented dialogue centered on strengthening small business success across the region.