Maryland pension carves out private debt bucket
The Baltimore pension fund has also mandated a total of $25 million to one direct lending fund and one distressed debt fund 

Cerberus garners $5.1 billion for debut dedicated NPL strategy
Cerberus has created its first dedicated fund for non-performing loans, having previously invested in the strategy through multi-strategy funds and separately managed accounts

EIB awards €100 million to support German and Dutch SME lending
Marketplace lender Funding Circle has received backing from the European Investment Bank, which will provide the institution with €100 million to support German and Dutch small businesses

Carmignac adds global credit Ucits strategy to its range
The fund will be co-managed by Carignac’s head of credit Pierre Verlé and fixed income fund manager Alexandre Deneuville

Church Pension Fund anoints infrastructure debt fund with $40 million
The $13.3 billion pension fund has invested in a fund managed by New Energy Capital

Credit funds at a glance

A round-up of fundraising and people moves in credit

CLOs at a glance
Managers focus on AUM building via new issues

NNIP unveils short-duration green bond fund
The fund will have a duration of just two years compared to a typical five-year fund

Muzinich launches multi-strategy credit fund with Italian wealth manager
Available for retail investors, the fund will invest in syndicated loans, private debt and high yield. It will be structured as a European Long-Term Investment Fund

Italian manager launches fund for private debt opportunities
DeA Capital Alternative Funds, an Italian asset manager, has launched an alternatives fund to target global private debt investments, along with investments in private equity and infrastructure  

US pension backs Vista credit fund
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) has approved a $50 million commitment to Vista Credit Partners Fund III, according to documents from the March board of trustees meeting  

UBP expands alternatives business with credit Ucits fund
L’Union Bancaire Privée has expanded its alternative investment offering, teaming up with New York-based Global Credit Advisors for the launch 

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

US pension fund earmarks $375 million for various credit strategies
Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (Mass PRIM) has committed $125 million to distressed, $100 million to aviation investments, while earmarking $150 million for structured credit    

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

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 

Tabula launches ETF to go short iTraxx Crossover
Tabula Investment Management, a European fixed income exchange traded fund (ETF) provider, has launched a product aimed at opening up the ability to short high yield credit to a wider base of investors

East Sussex pension injects £60 million into real estate debt
East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF), the £3.3bn public pension fund, has decided to commit £60m to M&G Real Estate Debt VI Fund (RED VI).  

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  

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

Axiom launches credit derivatives fund under recent hire Henrio
Creditflux reported in October that the French asset manager was looking to launch the new credit derivatives strategy

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