SCI In Conversation

In this episode of SCI in Conversation, SRT reporter Dina Zelaya speaks to Ralf Loewe, managing director and head of treasury at Aareal Bank, about the bank's current SRT strategy. He reflects on Aareal Bank's first SRT deal last year and outlines the bank's forward-looking plans for its balance sheet de-risking toolkit. Ralf also offers an overview of the current CRE landscape, a key focus area for the Aareal Bank.

Produced by Kenny Wastell

In this episode of SCI in Conversation, US editor Simon Boughey speaks to Yerbol Orynbayev, an independent consultant for financial and tech firms and also former deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. Recorded in December, Orynbayev talks about what he sees as the dangers of relaxing bank stress tests by the Federal Reserve at a moment of increasing global financial uncertainty, and also the possible effect on increased lending to private credit funds.

Produced by Kenny Wastell

In this episode of SCI in Conversation, US editor Simon Boughey speaks to Neal Wilson, co-ceo, co-cio and joint founder of EJF Capital. EJF is an investment manager headquartered outside Washington DC, which in the last couple of years has made a name for itself as the best friend of smaller US regional banks taking their first steps in the SRT market. Neal talks about this role, and also offers a few predictions about how the market may develop in 2026.

Produced by Kenny Wastell

In this episode of SCI in Conversation, US editor Simon Boughey speaks to Jeremy Hermant, senior advisor at Alantra, about the changing face of the SRT market. He talks about his experience at Allica, when he structured the bank's first ever SRT deal, and how that stood him in good stead for his role at Alantra. Jeremy also offers a rebuff to the some of the most recent attacks on the SRT market made in the UK financial press.

Produced by Kenny Wastell

In this episode of SCI In Conversation, Pietro Bellone, structured finance and securitisation partner at A&O Shearman, joins SCI's Nadezhda Bratanova to discuss current SRT trends such as the role of infrastructure and project finance assets in synthetic deals, and how these are expanding the scope of uniquely positioned Italian markets.

In this episode of SCI In Conversation, Jennifer Marques, head of strategy and structuring for Oaktree's structured credit strategy, sits down with SCI's ABF editor Marta Canini to discuss why unrated, downside-protected ABF is particularly compelling in today's evolving credit markets. Marques explains how Oaktree balances risk and return through deep asset and originator analysis, and how flexible, bespoke structures create value. She also highlights sectors such as digital infrastructure, aviation, and essential equipment financing, outlining the opportunities and potential headwinds shaping ABF's outlook heading into 2026.

In this episode of SCI In Conversation, CJ Wei, md at Northleaf Capital Partners, sits down with SCI's ABF editor Marta Canini to discuss how the firm is approaching esoteric and uncorrelated asset classes, from music royalties and litigation finance to other under-the-radar opportunities. Wei also explains why esoteric does not have to mean exotic, how structural complexity can create real opportunity, and what LPs should be thinking about when entering this part of the market for the first time.

In this episode of SCI In Conversation, Christophe Fritsch, global head of alternative credit at AXA IM Alts, speaks with associate editor Marta Canini about the firm's new diversified evergreen private credit strategy. Fritsch also discusses rising institutional and retail demand, the impact of ELTIF 2.0, sourcing in a crowded market, and why 2025 could be a defining year for ABF. We recorded this episode in May, and while markets have continued to shift since then, the themes discussed remain incredibly relevant.

In this episode of SCI In Conversation, Scott Frame, senior vice president and deputy head of research, at the Bank Policy Institute in Washington DC, talks to US editor Simon Boughey about how post-GFC regulation capped growth in the securitisation market and what types of beneficial changes might emanate from the current administration.

In this episode of SCI In Conversation, ABS markets editor Selvaggia Cataldi speaks with Darrell Purcell, director of EMEA structured finance at S&P Global Ratings, about how securitisation is being used to fund digital infrastructure assets such as data centres and fibre networks. They explore how these deals differ from traditional ABS, what rating agencies look for and the unique risks and opportunities in this evolving space. From lease structures to market expansion beyond FLAP-D, they unpack what's driving growth – and what could be next – for digital infrastructure securitisations.