Private credit is non-bank lending provided by entities like private equity firms, hedge funds, or specialized funds. It finances companies that lack access to public capital markets or need flexible, tailored solutions. This includes direct lending, mezzanine financing, distressed debt, and other non-publicly traded debt forms.
This paper provides a comprehensive look at the asset class, including:
- Core strategies such as direct lending, specialty finance, and special situations
- Key return drivers like interest margins, fees, leverage, and equity participation
- Risk considerations unique to private markets, including liquidity and downside exposure
- Manager approaches that flex across strategies and market conditions
- Trends shaping the future, from structural growth to evolving borrower profiles