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

LBOs, new loan supply expectations reset amid Iran war, AI-related disruptions
Loans in previously overlooked sectors are gaining more attention amid the upheaval, according to panellists at this week’s Creditflux CLO Symposium

European CLO equity returns under pressure—BofA report
A challenging situation in the loan market means CLO managers may have to reinvest recoveries at unfavourable cash prices

All systems go as Fortress embarks on European dream
Fortress has long been planning its European expansion. Now it’s hiring and upsizing in London

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  

Majority of LPs expect to mix public and private credit despite liquidity challenges – BSP survey
Within the next five years, 59% of global institutional investors expect to take an integrated approach to public and private credit investments, new research from Benefit Street Partners shows 

Direct lenders hit hard as credit market reels from war and AI
Volatility has come back to credit markets. Artificial intelligence’s impact on corporate earnings, a war in Iran that is ensnaring the rest of the Middle East and upticks in inflationary pressures are weighing on managers

Direct lending braces for redrawn landscape
After a stellar 2025, direct lenders are coming under pressure. Large-cap financings are colliding with record tight spreads in public markets, while competition is rising in mid-market lending

Citi announces debt capital markets co-heads, including a hire from BofA
The new co-heads will fill the open spot left by head of global debt capital markets Rich Zogheb, who is retiring after 40 years in the industry

Lending giants invade lower mid-market in search of deals – Private Credit Comment
Smaller debt funds face increased competition from larger lenders; normalisation hinges on more M&A volumes or issues in syndicated markets

Alcentra adopts BSP brand, winds down direct lending biz
The Franklin Templeton-owned credit shops have also created a new global executive committee that brings together leaders from BSP, Alcentra and the newly acquired European lower middle market lender Apera

Private credit investors chase higher risk-return—Campbell Lutyens
A new survey shows investors are seeking higher returning strategies amid expectations of lower rates, while also turning away from the dominant North American market

Pemberton reorganizes, appoints new private credit leaders
The firm’s chief credit officer is leaving at the end of March, the company said

Sixth Street raises EUR 7bn for European direct lending
FUND LAUNCH: The Sixth Street Specialty Lending Europe III fund held a final close at its hard cap

Direct lending poised to break records but...
Although the volume of direct lending is burgeoning and likely to set a full year record in 2025, questions are growing about lending standards and the sector’s impact on financial stability

Can funds find pots of gold in Europe?
For years, US private credit has been tapping high net worth individuals. Now funds are trying to do the same in Europe — but markets across the pond are fragmented and heavily regulated

How direct lending took off in Europe
In the second of our two-part history, we look at the evolution of direct lending in the UK, the sector’s expansion to other parts of Europe, and its growth into a dominant asset class