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 buckets:
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 buckets:
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+ market3.
Potential to provide a resilient income stream based on predictable cash flows generated by highly diversified pools of asset collateral.
All-weather downside protection via highly diversified collateral and fully amortizing assets that derisk investments 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 70% 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 70% 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.
Unless otherwise noted the Report Date referenced herein is as of December 31, 2024.
Endnotes
Important information
As with any investment, investors should be aware of the associated risks, including the potential for defaults, illiquidity, and market volatility. While asset-based financing may offer features such as downside protection and stable income, these are not guaranteed and may be impacted by underlying asset performance, borrower defaults, and macroeconomic conditions. It is crucial for investors to assess their risk tolerance and investment objectives carefully before committing capital to ABF investments.