In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, host Zachary Griffiths is joined by Peter Simon, Head of US Banks, and Simon Adamson, Head of European Banks, to examine rising investor concerns around private credit and bank exposure. They explore whether current risks echo 2008, discussing regulatory changes, capital strength, and why a systemic crisis appears unlikely. The conversation analyzes how banks lend to private credit funds, BDCs, and business credit intermediaries, focusing on structure, collateral, and capital impact. They also assess market pricing signals, default risk, and exposure metrics such as total loans and CET1 capital. The episode compares US and European bank exposure, highlights regulatory scrutiny, and addresses software and AI-related credit concerns. It concludes with insights on monitoring private credit risk without losing sight of broader bank fundamentals. Listen now for a clear, data-driven view of private credit and bank risk across global markets and evolving credit cycles in 2026 and investor positioning.

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, the discussion unpacks the mechanics, growth, and practical use of fixed income ETFs in today’s credit markets. Winnie Cisar is joined by Pat Luby for an ETF 101 conversation covering why ETFs have gained traction, how fund flows and price discovery work, and the roles of liquidity, tax efficiency, and authorized participants. They examine primary versus secondary markets, the expanding ETF universe across credit sectors, and how investors use ETFs for hedging, portfolio construction, and tactical positioning. The episode also explores active versus passive strategies and why ETFs influence bond liquidity and trading behavior. Gain clear, actionable insights to better understand and apply ETFs in fixed income investing. 

Related Resource: US COTD: Fund Flows as of Apr 8, '26 & ETF Podcast

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, the discussion explores whether private credit is facing a true turning point or moving through a cyclical reset amid rising scrutiny, BDC redemptions, and shifting return expectations. Winnie Cisar is joined by Andrew Hedlund and Zachary Griffiths to unpack recent stress in private credit markets, the role of software and AI‑related concerns, and how deal flow, valuations, and underwriting standards are evolving. The conversation also examines the implications for public credit markets, bank and insurance exposure, and what investors should monitor to assess broader systemic risk. Gain timely, market‑driven perspectives to help investors better evaluate private credit dynamics shaping fixed income and leveraged finance conditions.

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, the discussion examines critical developments reshaping the bankruptcy and restructuring landscape in Q1 2026, including liability management exercises, contested Chapter 11 cases, and evolving legal standards for third-party releases. Patrick Holohan, Mark Lightner, and Ian Feng from CreditSights are joined by Raff Ferraioli of Morrison & Foerster and Marc Heimowitz of Creditor Rights Coalition to break down key cases ranging from Office Properties Income Trust's $135 million OID settlement to Multicolor's venue battle and contested DIP facility, plus Serta Simmons' ongoing damages trial. The conversation also explores highlights from the Creditor Rights Coalition symposium at NYU tracking 46 potential LMEs, fraud concerns including double-pledging issues, convergence of private credit and BSL markets, anti-cooperation provision developments, and the strategic whack-a-mole game between sponsor tactics and creditor protective blockers. Gain practical, expert perspectives to help investors and practitioners better assess restructuring risks, litigation outcomes, and positioning in today's complex credit environment.

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, the discussion explores how the U.S. labor market is evolving amid slowing job growth, persistent low‑hire, low‑fire dynamics, and rising uncertainty tied to AI, geopolitics, and policy. Zachary Griffiths and Laura Ullrich break down recent nonfarm payrolls data, sector imbalances driven by healthcare, and growing challenges for job seekers despite low unemployment. The conversation also examines how AI is reshaping hiring patterns, especially in tech, the risk of a timing mismatch between AI investment and labor demand, and insights from job posting data on entry‑level roles. Gain timely, data‑driven perspectives to help investors better assess labor market signals shaping credit and macro risk. 

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, host Zachary Griffiths speaks with Andrew Brady, Head of US Basic Industries, Andy Belton, Head of European Basic Industries, and Peter Agra, Managing Editor for Secondary Markets at LevFin Insights, about the embattled chemicals sector navigating multiple headwinds in 2026. They dive deep into the Middle East conflict's impact, analyzing how oil price spikes and supply disruptions are creating feedstock cost mismatches and the credit implications for US versus European producers. The conversation explores the structural challenges facing European chemicals, with persistent oversupply requiring 800,000 tons of PVC capacity closures and companies like INEOS Group and Quattro trading at distressed levels amid 2027 maturity concerns. They also discuss the Bayer-Monsanto litigation saga, examining the Supreme Court case, proposed settlement structure, and Trump administration's glyphosate defense exemption reshaping risk premiums. The episode concludes with insights on investor rotation from software into cyclical chemicals exposure, including the limited impact of Germany's $500 billion infrastructure package and secondary market dynamics. Listen now to gain expert perspectives on chemicals sector credit views and strategic positioning opportunities amid unprecedented volatility.

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, host Logan Miller speaks with Mihir Trivedi, Senior Analyst for European Transportation, about the fast-moving Middle East conflict and its implications for global aviation and European credit. They explain why Middle Eastern airspace is a critical corridor linking Europe and North America to Asia, and how widespread airspace closures and airport disruptions have triggered mass cancellations, longer reroutings, and higher operating costs that are ultimately passed through to consumers. The discussion covers near-term demand effects, including weaker passenger numbers, deferred business travel, and reduced load factors, alongside medium-term implications such as higher airfares, capacity being redirected to other routes like the transatlantic market, and a potential shift toward more direct ultra long-haul flights. They also assess financial pressure points for airlines, focusing on jet fuel as the largest cost line, the importance of hedging into 2026, and how fleet efficiency can create winners and losers as disruptions extend. The episode concludes with relative value views across airports and airlines, highlighting Heathrow’s constraints and exposure versus more defensive alternatives, and reiterating a preference for higher-quality balance sheets in the airline space.

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, host Winnie Cisar, Global Head of Strategy at CreditSights, speaks with Peter Simon, Head of U.S. Banks, and Iris Shi, Senior Banks Analyst, about the state of the US consumer in 2026. They tackle the disconnect between negative consumer sentiment headlines and the more constructive narrative from bank earnings. The discussion explores key data points supporting consumer health, including low unemployment in the mid-4% range, elevated consumer balance sheets up 30-40% since pre-COVID, and stable payment rates. They analyze credit quality trends, examining how improved lending vintages from 2023 onwards are driving stabilization through early 2026. The conversation delves into spending dynamics, revealing mid-single-digit purchase volume growth and bifurcation across income tiers, with American Express showing strength in travel and luxury while Synchrony sees weakness in furniture and home improvement. They dissect the student loan situation, analyzing the sharp rise to 9.6% delinquency in December 2025, Trump administration reforms under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and why contagion risk to other consumer lending categories remains limited. The episode concludes with underappreciated risks, including generational dynamics affecting Gen Z borrowers and regulatory proposals like the 10% credit card interest rate cap. Listen now to gain expert perspectives on consumer credit positioning opportunities for 2026.

In this episode of the Know More. Risk Better. podcast, host Zachary Griffiths speaks with Regis Chatellier, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Strategy at CreditSights, and Lauren Gilbert, Senior Political Science Analyst at GeoQuant, about the escalating situation in Iran and its global market implications. They analyze the aftermath of January 2026 protests, examining GeoQuant's proprietary political risk models showing elevated risk comparable to 2019-2020 levels. The conversation explores the tail risk of a Strait of Hormuz blockade and its potential impact on oil prices, with countries like Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar facing significant export disruptions. They discuss the Trump administration's unpredictability following the Venezuela intervention, ongoing US-Iran nuclear talks, and military asset positioning in the region. The episode examines Iran's critical role supplying oil and drones to Russia and China, while sovereign spreads trade at their tightest levels since 2007 despite geopolitical risks. They conclude with investment recommendations, highlighting opportunities in Latin America, Morocco, and Dominican Republic, while expressing caution on Turkey and Asia. Listen now to gain expert perspectives on emerging market credit positioning amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty in 2026.