Alternative credit, also known as asset-based finance (ABF), is a rapidly growing subsector of private credit focused on generating income from pools of asset-backed collateral. This market provides essential funding across the real economy, encompassing credit card receivables, installment loans, revenue-based financings and mission-critical equipment leasing.
As the private credit market continues to evolve, we believe asset-based finance (ABF) represents its next frontier. This multi-trillion-dollar market, which may be poised for significant growth in the coming years, provides essential funding across the real economy.
While ABF is a relatively new asset class for most investors, the underlying assets are some of the most mainstream forms of credit found across the economy and is connected to many aspects of every day life and provides vital funding that enables daily activities . Take the purchase of a t-shirt for example, ABF can finance (i) the credit card transaction, (ii) the small business loan to the clothing store, (iii) the equipment that produced the shirt, and (iv) even the trucks that transport the t-shirts to the store.
Asset-based finance (ABF) generates income from cash flows tied to pools of asset-backed collateral. While ABF falls within the broader private credit universe, it differs significantly from direct lending—the most familiar private credit strategy for many investors. ABF investments focus on the cash flows and residual value of collateral tied to specific assets and pools of assets. Although the underlying assets have value as collateral, the primary source of repayment comes from the predictable cash flows the assets can generate, such as credit card receivables or equipment lease payments.
As illustrated, we categorize the broader ABF investment universe in two main buckets1:
Financial assets include various forms of specialty finance such as small business loans, revenue-based financing, credit card receivables, installment loans and point-of-sale leases, all generating cash flows from borrower loan payments or a businesses’ cash flow and other assets.
Hard assets include mission-critical equipment, aviation assets, and residential assets. Similar to financial assets, hard assets can offer attractive cash flows, while the intrinsic value of the assets provide protective, underlying collateral.
Asset-based financing offers borrowers several potential benefits, including but not limited to:
Asset-based financing offers investors several potential benefits, including but not limited to:
Asset-based finance (ABF) generates income from cash flows tied to pools of asset-backed collateral. While ABF falls within the broader private credit universe, it differs significantly from direct lending—the most familiar private credit strategy for many investors. ABF investments focus on the cash flows and residual value of collateral tied to specific assets and pools of assets. Although the underlying assets have value as collateral, the primary source of repayment comes from the predictable cash flows the assets can generate, such as credit card receivables or equipment lease payments.
As illustrated, we categorize the broader ABF investment universe in two main buckets1:
Financial assets include various forms of specialty finance such as small business loans, revenue-based financing, credit card receivables, installment loans and point-of-sale leases, all generating cash flows from borrower loan payments or a businesses’ cash flow and other assets.
Hard assets include mission-critical equipment, aviation assets, and residential assets. Similar to financial assets, hard assets can offer attractive cash flows, while the intrinsic value of the assets provide protective, underlying collateral.
Asset-based financing offers borrowers several potential benefits, including but not limited to:
Asset-based financing offers investors several potential benefits, including but not limited to:
We believe asset-based finance is a large and growing market and can present a multi-trillion dollar opportunity. The expected growth is driven largely by increased regulation and higher capital requirements that have curtailed traditional bank lending activity.
Despite this expansion, high barriers to entry persist due to the specialized underwriting expertise required for these highly structured and bespoke financings, creating potential advantages for established managers with sector-specific experience and existing infrastructure. Notably, there is only an estimate $450bn of dedicated fund AUM to address this $11tn+ market4.
Current income stream based on cash flows generated by a highly diversified pool of asset collateral.
Seeks to provide risk mitigation via highly diversified collateral and fully amortizing assets that derisk over time.
May provide low correlation to other credit investments via a portfolio invested across asset types
We have a 19-year track record investing in asset-based finance which seeks to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by focusing on income oriented investments.
We leverage a differentiated sourcing funnel highlighted by our active relationships with over 50 non-bank platforms – more than 75% of our historical investments have been sourced through these repeat partners.
Our award-winning5 65+ person investment team has expertise investing in hard and financial assets across various transaction structures and underlying credit types.
Our investment team, including our data science effort, has developed the requisite processes and infrastructure to effectively underwrite and manage investments through various market cycles.
We have a 19-year track record investing in asset-based finance which seeks to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by focusing on income oriented investments.
We leverage a differentiated sourcing funnel highlighted by our active relationships with over 50 non-bank platforms – more than 75% of our historical investments have been sourced through these repeat partners.
Our award-winning5 65+ person investment team has expertise investing in hard and financial assets across various transaction structures and underlying credit types.
Our investment team, including our data science effort, has developed the requisite processes and infrastructure to effectively underwrite and manage investments through various market cycles.
Alternative credit
OWLCX is a ticker-traded interval fund that provides access to alternative credit, with a focus on asset-based finance (ABF). The fund seeks to generate current income, risk mitigation, and diversify investors’ credit allocations.
Learn more about OWLCXEndnotes
Important information
Unless otherwise noted the Report Date referenced herein is as of November 30. 2025.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Assets Under Management (“AUM”) refers to the assets that we manage and is generally equal to the sum of (i) net asset value (“NAV”); (ii) drawn and undrawn debt; (iii) uncalled capital commitments; (iv) total managed assets for certain Credit and Real Assets products; and (v) par value of collateral for collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other securitizations.
The webpage presented is proprietary information regarding Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”), its affiliates and investment program, funds sponsored by Blue Owl, including the Blue Owl Credit, GP Strategic Capital Funds and the Real Assets Funds (collectively the “Blue Owl Funds”) as well as investment held by the Blue Owl Funds.
An investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle entails a high degree of risk. Prospective investors should consider all of the risk factors set forth in the "Certain Risk Factors and Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest" of the PPM or Prospectus, each of which could have an adverse effect on the Fund or other investment vehicle and on the value of Interests.
An investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle is suitable only for sophisticated investors and requires the financial ability and willingness to accept the high risks and lack of liquidity associated with an investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle. Investors in the Fund or other investment vehicle must be prepared to bear such risks for an indefinite period of time. There will be restrictions on transferring interests in the Fund or other investment vehicle, and the investment performance of the Fund or other investment vehicle may be volatile. Investors must be prepared to hold their interests in the Fund or other investment vehicle until its dissolution and should have the financial ability and willingness to accept the risk characteristics of the Fund's or other investment vehicle’s investments.
There can be no assurances or guarantees that the Fund's or other investment vehicles investment objectives will be realized that the Fund's or other investment vehicle investment strategy will prove successful or that investors will not lose all or a portion of their investment in the Fund.
Furthermore, investors should not construe the performance of any predecessor funds or other investment vehicle as providing any assurances or predictive value regarding future performance of the Fund.
The views expressed and, except as otherwise indicated, the information provided are as of the report date and are subject to change, update, revision, verification, and amendment, materially or otherwise, without notice, as market or other conditions change. Since these conditions can change frequently, there can be no assurance that the trends described herein will continue or that any forecasts are accurate. In addition, certain of the statements contained in this webpage may be statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on the current views and assumptions of Blue Owl and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties (including those discussed below) that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These statements may be forward-looking by reason of context or identified by words such as “may, will, should, expects, plans, intends, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue” and other similar expressions. Neither Blue Owl, its affiliates, nor any of Blue Owl’s or its affiliates' respective advisers, members, directors, officers, partners, agents, representatives or employees or any other person (collectively the “Blue Owl Entities”) is under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained in this webpage.
This webpage contains information from third party sources which Blue Owl has not verified. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is given by or on behalf of the Blue Owl Entities as to the accuracy, fairness, correctness or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this webpage and no liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) is accepted by the Blue Owl Entities for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of this webpage or its contents, or otherwise arising in connection therewith.
All investments are subject to risk, including the loss of the principal amount invested. These risks may include limited operating history, uncertain distributions, inconsistent valuation of the portfolio, changing interest rates, leveraging of assets, reliance on the investment advisor, potential conflicts of interest, payment of substantial fees to the investment advisor and the dealer manager, potential illiquidity, and liquidation at more or less than the original amount invested. Diversification will not guarantee profitability or protection against loss. Performance may be volatile, and the NAV may fluctuate.
This webpage is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation to sell or subscribe for any fund or other investment vehicle and does not constitute investment, legal, regulatory, business, tax, financial, accounting, or other advice or a recommendation regarding any securities of Blue Owl, of any fund or investment vehicle managed by Blue Owl, or of any other issuer of securities. Only a definitive offering document (i.e.: Prospectus or Private Placement Memorandum or other offering material) can make such an offer. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Attorney General of the State of New York nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if the Prospectus, Private Placement Memorandum or other offering material is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Within the United States and Canada, securities are offered through Blue Owl Securities LLC, member of FINRA/SIPC, as Dealer Manager.