Staff Writer

Demetry Zilberg, chief technology officer at Alter Domus, considers the latest developments in artificial intelligence and how private debt can benefit.

There are some common misconceptions associated with lower mid-market lending, says DunPort Capital Management’s Ross Morrow.

Direct lending deals are getting bigger – but arguably, the most compelling relative value still lies in the traditional or ‘true’ mid-market, say Barings’ Tyler Gately and Stuart Mathieson.

Default rates are starting to increase in the upper mid-market, making credit terms more important than ever, says TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners’ Kim Trick.

Platform deal volumes may still be down, but portfolio-based activity is keeping lenders busy, say Churchill Asset Management’s Jason Strife and Mat Linett.

The reopening of syndicated loan markets is creating huge opportunities for junior debt lenders, says Park Square’s Robin Doumar.

Higher returns and a broad opportunity set are bolstering the outlook for private debt in Europe, says Pemberton Asset Management’s Robert Wartchow, but a consistent, credit first investment approach is critical.

A flexible offering and established track record remain key in the European lower mid-market, say Investec’s Helen Lucas, Alexandre Neiss and Kai Stengel.

The European NPL market opportunity set is growing for those with experience and established bank relationships, says Paul Burdell, co-founder and CEO of LCM Partners.

Continuing bank retrenchment and an underserved lower mid-market have tilted the playing field in favour of a growth-orientated approach to opportunistic credit, says Ian Jackson, head of Permira Strategic Opportunities.