Allianz GI boosts alternatives platform with new Asian private credit unit
Allianz Global Investors has launched an Asian private credit unit and has made two hires to spearhead the effort,

September: credit funds at a glance
White Oak Global Advisors held a $2.1 billion final close on a new direct lending fund, while Phil Raciti's move from CVC Credit Partners to Halcyon Capital Management was one of the biggest moves in the credit industry

BlackRock becomes latest manager to explore interval fund structure for credit
Several managers have hit the market with the interval fund structure, as investors look to invest in illiquid strategies through an illiquid fund structure

Four private credit managers score as Arizona pension fund commits $250 million
The $9.78 billion pension fund has mandated nearly $250 million to four private credit managers, alongside additional commitments for co-investment opportunities 

They said it: Australia's credit market is like a blast from the past
Revolution’s chief investment officer Bob Sahota describes the opportunities in the Australian private debt markets

Illinois pension fund appoints private debt consultant and awards $75 million to credit
The $51.3 billion pension fund has appointed consultant Aksia to manage its private debt investments and has mandated up to $75 million to a private debt manager

BlueArc brings in nearly $70 million for global private credit fund
At least 100 investors have backed the BlueArc Global Private Credit Opportunity Fund, managed by Atlanta-based BlueArc Capital 

Californian pension fund assigns $25 million to Monroe direct lending strategy
As part of its private credit pacing plan, the $5.4 billion pension fund will make a $75 million commitment to direct lending funds each year for the next three years

Japanese pension fund Chikyoren seeks private debt managers
Chikyoren, the pension fund allocation for local government officials in Japan, has issued a request for proposal in its search for private debt managers.

Tor more than doubles AUM for Asia credit fund, filings suggest
Hong Kong-headquartered Tor Investment Management has raised nearly $1 billion for its Tor Asia Credit Fund

Texas pension fund earmarks $650 million to four private debt funds
Angelo Gordon, HIG Whitehorse and Värde have secured commitments from the Texas pension fund for their direct lending funds

Sovereign investors' allocation to alternative credit increase rapidly, finds survey
Sovereign investors are increasing their exposure to CLOs, direct lending and bank loans, according to a 2018 Global Sovereign Asset Management Study published by Invesco this week

Japanese pension fund allocation to alternatives reaches record high, survey reveals
The average Japanese institutional investor now allocates 17.1% of their portfolio to alternative assets, according to a JP Morgan Asset Management survey.

Pacific Current acquires stake in Chicago-based private debt manager
Sydney-headquartered Pacific Current Group has acquired a 24.9% stake in Chicago-based Victory Park Capital

HSBC asset management unit raises $800 million for global multi-manager loan fund
As a multi-manager fund,  the new vehicle aims to offer the benefits of fund-of-funds - diversification - but with a management fee comparable to a single manager 

Ares targets €4.5 billion for fourth European direct lending fund
Los Angeles based Ares Capital Management has launched its fourth European direct lending fund, Ares Capital Europe IV, with a €4.5 billion target size, SEC filings show

ICG names new head of Asia Pacific in Sydney
Intermediate Capital Group has promoted Sydney-based Ryan Shelswell to head of Asia Pacific, with the change to take effect in July

Canadian asset manager acquires Asian private credit specialist Clearwater
In a bid to gain entry to the Asian private credit market, Canadian investment firm Fiera Capital Corporation has acquired Asian credit specialist Clearwater Capital Partners

Hong Kong manager holds initial close for China credit fund at $350 million
Dignari Capital Partners has held an initial close for its second China-focused credit fund at $350 million, Creditflux has learned

HSBC announces $550 million second close for diversified loan fund
HSBC Alternative Investments has announced the second close of its diversified loan fund, which will combine both loan investing and direct lending

Middle east direct lending fund registers 17% IRR after successful exits
Dubai-headquartered direct lender NBK Capital Partners successfully exits its $157 million private debt fund, NBK Capital Mezzanine Fund I, with returns of 17% gross IRR

Private credit body ACC scales up activities in Asia-Pacific with new committee
The Alternative Credit Council has announced plans to step up its activities in Asia-Pacific – and has formed a new APAC committee chaired by BlackRock and Adamas executives

Japanese insurance giant acquires minority stake in TCW from Carlyle
Japanese life insurer Nippon Life Insurance Company has completed its previously announced acquisition of a 24.75% minority stake in TCW from Carlyle Group

The biggest credit stories in 2017
CLO ramp-up risk, new risk retention proposals and new CLO joint ventures were in the headlines last year. Here, Creditflux reveals the most read stories of 2017