FS and KKR create $9 billion publicly-listed BDC with four-way merger
The move would create the second largest BDC by assets under management

Barings shows way forward with BDC-sponsored CLO
The unusual move by Barings BDC to issue a US CLO suggests a new way for BDCs to lock in cheap financing and withstand volatility.

Minnesota State to earmark $100 million for private credit
Minnesota State Board of Investment is considering a $100 million commitment to LBC Credit Partners V, according to a quarterly updates document seen by Creditflux  

Spire wins Creditflux Manager of the Year award
Spire Partners was the big winner at Creditflux's Manager Awards last night as the London-based manager scooped the award for the manager of the year. On top of this, the firm picked up awards for Best European CLO Manager and Best European CLO for Aurium CLO II

Prospect's $500 million CLO fund merges with Stira Alcentra global credit fund
Prospect Capital Management’s $500 million closed-end CLO fund has officially merged with a global credit fund managed by Alcentra and Stira

KKR and FS Investments' BDC platform markets new issue CLO
KKR and FS Investments’ business development company, FS KKR Capital Corp, is marketing a new issue CLO via Citi named FS KKR MM CLO 1

Morgan Stanley grows direct lending arm in New York with two hires
The bank has added a second hire to its private debt team having appointed an ex-Carlyle official to a newly created role as head of direct lending 

California pension approves $20 million for open-ended private debt fund
The commitment comes two months after Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System mandated $25 million to a THL Credit 

The Last Tranche: awards season is upon us [podcast]
A look at 2018 award offerings and finalist, plus some insight on direct lending and b-wics

Jefferies subsidiary and Stonyrock plan mid-market alternative manager stake acquisitions
The new joint venture will invest in private equity, credit, hedge funds, real estate, venture, and infrastructure firms

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 

Crescent targets $1 billion for US unitranche fund
Crescent Capital has held a first close for its Crescent Private Credit Partners Unitranche Fund

Texas pension fund looks to top up credit portfolio
Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) has decided to increase by 3% its target allocation to strategic credit  

New York pension fund hunts for private debt and equity consultant
New York State Teachers' Retirement System has launched a request for proposals in which it seeks non-discretionary private debt and private equity consulting services  

Direct lending challenges in 2019: competition, lack of quality assets and high transaction multiples
Results from Proskauer Rose's survey show these are not putting off 75% of respondents, who are fundraising for a debt fund

Montana pension considers direct lending fund
Montana Board of Investments, the US pension fund, is planning to discuss on new private equity commitments on its board meeting on 2 April, according to the agenda documents seen by Creditflux.  

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  

Fiera buys private credit and real estate specialist in $74 million deal
The transaction will add $3.1 billion of assets under management to Fiera Capital Corporation 

Medley BDC loses compliance with NYSE as two directors depart
The Medley marathon continues after two "independent" directors offered their resignations. The pair were named in a lawsuit last month with activist shareholders FrontFour 

Alcentra's co-head of US direct lending switches focus to Europe - Debtwire report
Alcentra has appointed Peter Glaser as co-head of European direct lending, according to Creditflux’s sister publication Debtwire

Los Angeles pension to shortlist managers for private credit mandate
Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) is set to short-listed six firms as semi-finalists as part of a $670 million private credit mandate.  

Owl Rock opens Silicon Valley office focused on technology origination
The $12 billion direct lender anticipates the office will better serve financial sponsors operating in the technology sector

"It makes no sense in a one-to-one world": Goldman BDC dissolves JV with pension fund
Goldman Sachs BDC (GSBD) has dissolved its joint venture partnership with Regents of the University of California as the Senior Credit Fund “no longer makes sense in a one-to-one world”, according to the business development company's Q4 2018 earnings call.

Capitala BDC forms $150 million mid-market JV with Kempner
Capitala Finance Corporation and Kemper subsidiary Trinity Universal Insurance Company have teamed up to launch another direct lending joint venture, following a loan-focused JV in 2015

Californian pension eyes commitment to THL direct lending fund
RVK, the general investment consultant of the Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System (SBCERS), has recommended the $2.8 billion US pension fund commit up to $25 million to THL Credit Direct Lending Fund IV