Direct lending leads M&A funding and sustains new-money volumes through periods of volatility – DebtDynamics EMEA
Direct lending has consolidated its position as the main source of funding for leveraged mergers and acquisitions in Europe, according to Debtwire data

PGIM appoints Robert Scheer as head of DACH direct lending
The newly-created role will see Frankfurt-based Scheer leading PGIM’s sponsor-led direct lending activity with responsibility for originating, structuring, negotiating and underwriting transactions across the DACH region

Ares co-head of US direct lending says there is real dispersion for the first time in years
PODCAST: Speaking with Lisa Lee on the latest episode of Credit Exchange, Kort Schnabel notes that dispersion among direct lenders is manifesting in a few different ways

North American private credit fundraising tumbles, ceding ground to global strategies—S&P Global
While fundraising boomed for European and multi-region private credit strategies, private credit focused on North America dropped 13% year-over-year

The character of your sourcing determines your portfolio’s destiny
Private credit should rediscover its middle market roots, writes Randy Schwimmer

Secondaries emerge as preferred solution to liquidity and deployment pressures – Private Credit Comment
With a subdued M&A market stymying sponsors’ exit opportunities, and confronted with a more challenging backdrop for fundraising, some direct lenders in Europe are eagerly exploring private credit secondaries as a new avenue that can bolster liquidity for the asset class

Bridgepoint closes fourth direct lending fund with EUR 5.1bn, topping target
The fund had previously set a fundraising target of EUR 4bn for Bridgepoint Direct Lending IV

Golub adds managing director to European direct lending team
Timothée Delisle previously held positions at firms such as Morgan Stanley, Alcentra, BlackRock, and HSBC

Blackstone, Wellington and Vanguard collaborate on all-in-one private market vehicles for wealth channel
The three asset managers have launched two products that will give individual investors exposure to a mix of private market assets within a single allocation

The right moment to take a chance
Stephen Ketchum founded Sound Point during the global financial crisis with seed funding of USD 35m. He moved into CLOs in 2012. Today, the firm has many arms and AUM of USD 46bn

Direct lending: a history of resilience
They said defaults would get it, then redemptions, then fraud, AI and redemptions (again!). But direct lending has been with us for over a decade — and it keeps proving its staying power

European outlook is rosy, say direct lenders
Attendees at Debtwire’s Private Credit Forum Europe 2026 argued that, despite pockets of distress, demand for private capital is high and the sector’s record shows it is resilient

Private credit and direct lending to grow their share of the loan market—LMA report
A new LMA survey of 234 loan market professionals found that 43% believe private credit and direct lending will grow their share of the EMEA loan market by 2040

Hayfin completes one of Europe’s largest private credit fundraises to date with EUR 15bn
Hayfin’s Direct Lending Fund V ranks among the largest ever direct lending fundraises completed in Europe, the company said

Canadian giant BCI launches IG private credit strategy with CAD 1.8bn
British Columbia Investment Management Corp., an institutional investor with more than CAD 300bn, seeded the new strategy and is creating a dedicated team

Europe sees new 1Q direct lending record
Despite exposure to software companies and worries about fund redemptions, European direct lenders made a strong start to 2026 — and the market is optimistic about the rest of the year

HSBC AM completes USD 2bn final close for second UK direct lending vintage
The strategy invests in senior secured loans to private equity-backed companies in under-served low-to-core middle market segments

Eurazeo closes its largest ever direct lending fund with EUR 3.9bn raised
Eurazeo Private Debt VII raised EUR 3.9bn at closing, exceeding its EUR 3bn target

First Eagle taps AlbaCore alum for alternative credit product sales
Edward Berry joins as a managing director in London and will help distribute the firm’s alternative credit products, including those under the Napier Park brand

Oaktree partners with Pantheon to launch standalone European direct lending strategy
The partnership will have the capacity to grow to EUR 1bn of investable capital and is being seeded by an existing portfolio of European direct lending assets

Barings raises more than USD 19bn for global direct lending strategy
The firm raised capital from institutional, insurance and private wealth investors globally

Citi, HPS strike EUR 15bn private debt program
BlackRock-owned HPS and Citi are working together to offer private capital solutions to sponsor-backed and corporate-owned borrowers

Tikehau looks to develop Asia direct lending product via JV
The French alternative asset manager has struck a joint venture with Amova Asset Management, formerly known as Nikko Asset Management, to solidify its presence in Asia

European direct lending opportunity grows as US faces headwinds—AlbaCore
EXCLUSIVE: Outflows from select US direct lending vehicles could result in European direct lending spreads, particularly on larger deals, widening even further, Luke Gillam, head of senior direct lending, told Creditflux

Ares unitranche to back Nordic's acquisition of TradingHub defies AI concerns
The deal showcases that private credit shops are still willing to lend to software companies