28 July 2016

Global private credit market growing rapidly, according to ACC/Deloitte survey

The global private credit market, an alternative source of financing for small and medium sized enterprises, is flourishing, with institutional capital supporting increased lending in Europe in particular, according to a report by ACC and Deloitte.

The research, Financing the Economy 2016, found that institutional capital is boosting lending in Europe and much of this growth has been driven by demand from European businesses. However, the US still remains the largest private credit market, both in terms of overall assets under management, and new assets raised in 2015.

Stuart Fiertz, the Chairman of the ACC and President of Cheyne Capital, said: "As the recovery from the financial crisis continues, business innovation and demand for credit shows no signs of slowing. Alternative lenders are primed and ready to continue to fill the lending gap, but this is not necessarily at the expense of the traditional lenders. We see a cooperative relationship occurring between banks and alternative asset managers."

Floris Hovingh, Head of Alternative Capital Solutions at Deloitte, said: "In the last couple of years, alternative lending has seen huge growth in Europe and is likely to accelerate over the next 24 months as a result of Brexit. As trade negotiations get underway, alternative lenders could be well positioned to navigate the increased risk in the market and price this accordingly.”

The research found that most financing is going to businesses with pre-tax profits of $10 million or more. Most loans are greater than $5 million in size and half are in the $25m-$100m range. In comparison, bond market financing, a common form of non-bank finance for larger corporates, is in the $100m-$300m range.

The research also found that most private credit funds use little or no leverage, have low default rates and are structured in a way to prevent liquidity mismatches, bank-style runs and other financial stability problems. Fund managers said growing demand was partly driven by the flexibility, responsiveness and expertise of alternative lenders.

Full report

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