Creditflux and Debtwire unveil European Direct Lending Perspectives
Creditflux and its Acuris stablemate Debtwire have joined forces to produce European Direct Lending Perspectives in a report that sheds light on the biggest trends from 2018.

Värde partners with Guber on €734 million NPL deal
Värde Partners along with Guber Banca have led a group of investors to make a joint acquisition of a €734 non-performing loan portfolio originated by 22 mutual, rural, and cooperative banks spread throughout Italy  

UK pension allocates £900 million to four private debt managers
The £21.9 billion pension fund has awarded £900 million to three private debt managers and one real estate debt manager, according to 6 March board minutes

Alcentra's co-head of US direct lending switches focus to Europe - Debtwire report
Alcentra has appointed Peter Glaser as co-head of European direct lending, according to Creditflux’s sister publication Debtwire

Connection hires from Invesco for head of funds role
London's Connection Capital has named Lorna Robertson as the firm’s new head of funds

European regulators lower Solvency II capital charges for private debt
The European Commission has amended Solvency II rules to make it easier for insurance companies to invest in private debt and private equity

Los Angeles pension to shortlist managers for private credit mandate
Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) is set to short-listed six firms as semi-finalists as part of a $670 million private credit mandate.  

Investors eye trade finance as alternative to direct lending
Institutional investors are turning their attention towards trade finance funds in a bid to reduce duration risk within their portfolios, sources say.

Italian pension fund seeks loan exposure through direct lending and large cap loan funds
Intesa Sanpaolo’s defined contribution pension scheme has issued a tender notice seeking senior secured loans and direct lending funds to invest in.  

Ares to expand network with hubs in Amsterdam and Madrid
Ares Management is expanding across continental Europe by opening offices in Amsterdam and Madrid. These are expected to be running in the first half of 2019

Ares and GSO carry unitranches over €1 billion mark
Flush with cash, European direct lending managers have finally passed the milestone one billion unitranche mark this quarter

Unlevered direct lending funds bring in first-time investors
Unlevered direct lending funds are particularly appealing to first-time investors and one of the biggest managers in the business has taken note of this

Private credit body urges regulators to remove barriers
The Alternative Credit Council (ACC) is lobbying for policy makers to remove barriers in some EU countries that restrict the ability of non-bank lenders to operate

Former KKR pair resurface with new direct lending business
KKR's former global co-head of mezzanine and European head of private credit has reunited with his former colleague to launch a London-based direct lending business

Kartesia fills vacancy in DACH with key hire from Bayside
Kartesia has hired Guiseppe Mirante as its head of credit opportunities for DACH, according to an announcement today

Beechbrook completes £128 million first close for UK direct lending fund
The manager's second UK-focused sponsorless fund has gained the attention of British Business Bank 

Key figure in HPS's direct lending team parts ways with the firm
HPS Investment Partners has lost a senior member of its direct lending team in Europe

Texas pension commits $200 million to credit
Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) has earmarked $200 million for investments in strategic credit and direct lending in 2019, according to board documents seen by Creditflux  

Private credit delivers strong returns for Finnish pension
Valtion Eläkerahasto (VER) has generated 12.4% from its private credit funds for 2018, according to its latest annual report  

Alantra holds interim close for second debt fund
The Spanish direct lender has also increased its target size for the strategy to a €175 million

Alaska pension commits $545 million to seven credit funds
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation has earmarked $545 million to funds across the credit spectrum across Q2, according to 27 February board documentation

Illiquid credit boost returns for PensionDanmark
PensionDanmark has generated 5.8% returns from its illiquid credit portfolio for the year 2018, according to its latest annual report published today. But its liquid credit portfolio took a 3.4% hit

Apera closes inaugural private debt fund at €750 million
The fund surpasses its original €650 million target size

GSO plans follow-up European direct lending fund
GSO Capital Partners is putting together a senior debt fund and has the backing of Taiwan Life

Ares grows credit 34% with direct lending boost, but high yield takes rough ride in Q4
Ares Management Corporation reported strong returns for its European direct lending strategies in the fourth quarter of 2018. But the firm's overall revenues slumped and its US loan funds and high yield strategies were hit by the volatile credit market