Conversations: The Evolution of Asset-Backed Finance with Armen Panossian, Brendan Beer, and Jennifer Marques
Nov 13, 2024
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Join Armen Panossian, Co-CEO and Head of Performing Credit at Oaktree Capital, and Brendan Beer, Co-Portfolio Manager of Structured Credit and Asset-Backed Finance, as they dive into the thrilling world of asset-backed finance (ABF). They explore the shifting dynamics of the current credit markets, analyze how ABF stands apart from corporate lending, and identify promising sectors like aviation finance. The discussion highlights unique investment opportunities and effective strategies for building resilient ABF portfolios in a fluctuating market.
The asset-backed finance market is evolving due to banks scaling back lending, creating opportunities for non-bank capital providers.
Current credit market strength is driven by substantial liquidity and a shift in investor appetite towards complex private credit products.
Deep dives
Current State of Credit Markets
The credit markets are currently demonstrating notable strength, aided by substantial liquidity stemming from COVID stimulus measures. Investors, including corporate treasuries and insurance companies, are actively seeking attractive credit returns, leading to a tightening of spreads in both public and private credit sectors. This combination of abundant capital and resilient corporate performance has fueled an evolution in investor appetite, pushing them towards more complex private credit products that offer additional returns and safety. The market sentiment is optimistic, suggesting a robust environment for credit investment despite the lingering concerns regarding inflation and economic performance.
Evolution of Asset-Backed Finance
Asset-backed finance (ABF) has existed for decades but is experiencing renewed interest due to changing dynamics in the banking sector. With banks facing regulatory pressures and a need to reduce their lending footprint, alternative non-bank capital providers are finding opportunities to fill the gaps in the ABF market. The definition of private ABF involves leveraging pools of contractual cash-flowing assets, such as loans, leases, and receivables, offering structured financing options that were previously bank-dominated. This shift creates new avenues for innovative financing solutions as traditional financial institutions reassess their roles in the credit landscape.
Impact of Bank Retrenchment on Capital Providers
The retreat of banks from the asset-backed finance space is not viewed as a temporary trend but as a potential long-term shift caused by various regulatory and market pressures. As banks scale back their participation due to stringent capital requirements and sector-specific stresses, alternative capital sources, including insurers and private investment firms, are poised to step in to meet the increasing demand for asset-backed lending. The sheer size and diversity of the asset-backed finance market present significant opportunities for these new investors to capitalize on areas previously dominated by banks. Consequently, the growing need for alternative capital sources highlights the emergence of a more robust investment landscape within ABF.
Opportunities and Dynamics in ABF Investments
The ABF investment landscape is rife with opportunities, particularly in sectors where banks have reduced their involvement and insurers cannot flexibly provide capital. Specific sectors, such as aviation finance and home improvement loans, present strong fundamentals and favorable market setups, indicating attractive investment potentials. Private equity and special situations funds could explore these niches to optimize their portfolios beyond traditional lending dynamics. The diversity within asset-backed finance allows investors to mitigate risks across varying asset types while identifying promising returns that are less exposed to broader economic fluctuations.
In the latest episode of The Insight: Conversations, Armen Panossian (Co-CEO and Head of Performing Credit), Brendan Beer (Co-Portfolio Manager, Structured Credit and Asset-Backed Finance) and Jennifer Marques (Head of Strategy and Structuring, Asset-Backed Finance) discuss topics from the recently published Performing Credit Quarterly 3Q2024: Who Are the Lenders Now? They examine the current state of the credit markets, narrowing in on the evolution of one growing area of private credit, asset-backed finance. They explore the shifting lender base of this unique asset class, assess how ABF differs from corporate direct lending, and look at several prominent sectors within this broad universe.
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