GSO co-founder plans new credit business
GSO Capital Partners co-founder Tripp Smith is launching his own credit management firm, according to a report by Bloomberg

Sear-iously? Isda slams ex-CFTC commissioner over CDS "hyperbole"
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association has waded into a gathering furore over Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp credit default swaps

Metropolitan raises $172 million for direct lending fund
Metropolitan Partners Group Management has closed its fifth direct lending fund with $172 million

Cairn sheds light on single-investment SRT fund
Fresh details have emerged on Cairn Capital’s new significant risk transfer (SRT) funds with the manager informing Creditflux that Pathfinder Fund III was structured such with US requirements in mind

Sears CDS settlement extends to 2019 as external review teams line up
Holders of Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp credit default swaps will have to wait until at least 7 January to resolve the contracts, with an external review decision on deliverables into the defaulted borrower’s credit event auction slated for 21 December

Cairn adds two SRT funds to its roster
Cairn Capital has raised $150 million across two significant risk transfer (SRT) funds - with differing mandates - according to an announcement by the firm

Sears CDS external review panel named to solve Determinations Committee impasse
The North America Determinations Committee has selected an external review panel to decide whether two Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp debt obligations can be delivered into an auction to settle the US retailer’s credit default swaps, having failed to achieve a strong enough quorum among its own 15 members

Crescent lands in US direct lending for second time with $1.6 billion fund
Crescent Capital exceeded its $1 billion target size, hitting $1.6 billion for its second US direct lending fund

Pensions pile in as KKR sets $2 billion direct lending fund target
KKR Credit has raised at least $1.6 billion for its third US direct lending fund, according to US regulatory filings.

Varagon boosts healthcare expansion with New York hire
The middle market lender continues its efforts in the sector, following the opening of a new healthcare-focused Chicago office

Blackstone builds on multi-asset approach with fifth fund
The new vehicle will invest directly into Blackstone deals across its alternatives platform

US pension backs Summit credit fund
Ann Arbor City Employees' Retirement System, the $517.5 million US pension fund, has approved a $9 million investment with Summit Partners Credit Fund III, according to board documents seen by Creditflux.  

Crestline holds $600 million final close for PE-focused financing fund
The new fund will provide financing to private equity funds post their investment period, allowing them to provide follow-on growth capital to portfolio companies or additional liquidity 

Managers see growth in distressed and direct lending, but structured credit splits opinion
The private credit industry remains on track to grow to $1 trillion assets under management by 2020, according to joint research published by the Alterative Credit Council and law firm Dechert with allocations to distressed and mid-market deals tipped to rise. But structured credit has divided US and European managers

Seven deliverables valid for Sears CDS auction, as seven others split DC panel
There will be seven obligations deliverable into an auction on 14 November to settle credit default swaps referencing Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp, the Americas Credit Derivatives Determinations Committee has decided. But members of the 15-strong DC were split over whether to include another seven potential deliverables that did not make the cut

Weatherford CDS routed as quarterly loss adds to ratings woes
Five-year credit default swaps referencing CDX HY constituent Weatherford International have weathered a battering over recent days

Apollo draws in $2.36 billion for structured credit fund
Apollo Global Management is edging towards a final close for its fourth structured credit fund

Blackstone grows credit assets by 31% over year
The firm achieved strong fundraising in credit, taking credit-related assets under managment to $130.6 billion in the third quarter, a 31% increase year-on-year 

Iowa pension plan seeks high yield manager
Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS), a $30 billion public pension fund, is searching for one or more firms to manage its high yield portfolio    

Alameda County approves $33 million investment in senior loan fund
Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association has approved a $33 million commitment to a senior debt fund managed by Abry Partners

Silverpeak looks to put together listed CLO equity fund
Silverpeak's CLO-focused fund will primarily invest in CLO equity and be listed on the New York Stock Exchange

Isda transfers credit determinations secretary role to subsidiary
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association has relinquished its role as secretary to the credit derivatives determinations committees (DCs) with the appointment of a new unit, DC Administration Services (DCAS), to manage this function

GoldenTree adds partner to its structured credit team in London
GoldenTree Asset Management has made a big hire to its London office with a structured credit specialist joining as partner

Isda extends deadline for derivatives benchmark consultation
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association has extended the fast-approaching deadline for its consultation on derivatives benchmark fallbacks, to allow more time for responses

BDCs find variety of routes to higher leverage but remain cautious of two-times limit
Business development companies have been granted flexibility by US regulators, but there seems to be little consensus on the best way to take advantage