Senior portfolio manager, Ben Emons, discusses the macro impact and risks of private credit. Topics include the alpha of private credit, comparisons to bank lending, and potential risks to the broader system.
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Quick takeaways
Private credit has emerged as an alternative form of funding for small to medium-sized companies, providing stable funding and diversification for investors' portfolios.
The growth of private credit has raised concerns about due diligence, risk management, and transparency, highlighting the need for careful assessment before allocating capital.
Deep dives
Private Credit and Its Potential Macro Impact
Private credit has emerged as an alternative form of funding for small to medium-sized companies, supplementing traditional bank lending. It provides companies with stable funding and offers diversification for investors' portfolios. Private credit funds, typically backed by private equity firms, have strict governance and due diligence processes in place to manage risk. However, there are concerns about the lack of transparency and information available on the companies receiving these loans. While the current leverage in private credit funds is relatively low, the potential for securitization and increased leverage in the future could amplify risks. Despite these considerations, private credit plays a positive role in the economy by providing funding to companies that may not have access to traditional bank loans.
Challenges and Questions Surrounding Private Credit
The growth of private credit has raised questions about the macro impact and potential risks associated with the asset class. Concerns center around the due diligence process, as investors rely on sponsors and private equity firms to conduct thorough assessments of companies before lending. The opacity of private credit investments also raises questions about risk management and the ability to monitor portfolio performance. Additionally, the illiquid nature of private credit investments can lead to challenges in valuing and exiting positions. It is important for investors to carefully consider the transparency, due diligence, and risk management practices of private credit funds before allocating capital.
The Role of Private Credit in Lending Landscape
Private credit has filled a void left by banks in the lending landscape, particularly for small to mid-sized companies. Banks, constrained by regulations and limited resources, have reduced their loan offerings, creating an opportunity for private credit funds to step in. Private credit lenders, backed by private equity firms, offer customized loan solutions and establish personal relationships with borrowers. This allows them to provide funding to companies that may not have access to bank loans or public market financing. The growth of private credit has increased competition among lenders and potentially lowered the cost of funding for small businesses. The non-correlated nature of private credit as an asset class also adds diversification benefits for investors.
Potential Risks and Concerns
While private credit presents opportunities, it also comes with potential risks and concerns. The limited transparency and availability of information on the companies receiving private credit loans raise due diligence challenges. Investors need to carefully assess the risk profiles and financial health of these companies. The illiquid nature of private credit investments can pose challenges in times of market stress or the need for liquidity. There is also the potential for deteriorating lending standards or an increase in leverage, which could impact the stability of private credit portfolios. Investors should remain vigilant and stay informed about the risks associated with private credit investments.
Private credit is now so big that it's rivaling more traditional forms of lending and fueling a debate about whether this relatively new asset class poses risks to the economy. And yet, it feels like a new private credit fund is being launched daily. And even banks (the very things private credit is displacing) are getting in on the act and creating their own private credit offerings for investors. In this episode, we speak with Ben Emons, senior portfolio manager at Newedge Wealth, about the macro impact of this new form of lending. He talks about where private credit's alpha actually comes from, how it stacks up against bank lending, and what to watch out for in terms of the risks it might pose to the broader system.