Welcome to the LFI Levered Lines podcast! 

The conversation highlights growing opportunities in sponsorless lending, as well as rising demand for private credit in sectors like defense and AI infrastructure. Tune in for practical insights on how technology is reshaping credit investing and unlocking new opportunities

Welcome to the LFI Levered Lines Podcast!   

In this episode, Steve Miller speaks with Bob Post of Blackstone Credit and Insurance about the evolving leveraged loan and CLO markets. They discuss Blackstone’s CLO growth strategy, market bifurcation, private credit dynamics, and the widening gap between stronger and weaker credits affecting pricing and liquidity.  

They also cover capital flows between BSL and private credit, credit fundamentals, the outlook for defaults and recoveries, the growing use of liability management exercises, and how AI is improving efficiency and influencing investment decisions.  

Tune in for practical insights on navigating today’s leveraged finance market. 

This episode of the LFI Levered Lines Podcast explores how private credit is evolving through changing investor demand, liquidity solutions and greater use of technology as markets remain volatile. Kerstin Kubanek speaks with John Anderson about continued insurance capital interest in private credit through structured access vehicles, the rise of credit continuation vehicles as tools for liquidity and duration management, and the expanding role of NAV financing across fund structures. They also examine how AI can strengthen portfolio monitoring, underwriting discipline and transparency without replacing core credit judgment. Tune in for practical insights into the structures, risks and opportunities shaping the next phase of private credit. 

In this episode of the LFI Levered Lines Podcast, the discussion explores how the loan market is evolving amid rapid growth, expanding private credit, and increasing demands on market infrastructure. Steve Miller speaks with Sean Griffin about key market‑wide themes including transparency in private credit, the role of data and digitization, and the challenges of scaling a trillion‑dollar trading market. They also examine how technology, AI, and changing investor expectations are shaping market structure, efficiency, and future decision‑making. Tune in for thoughtful insights into where leveraged finance is headed and what it will take to support its next phase of growth.

In this episode of the LFI Levered Lines Podcast, the discussion explores how private credit managers are navigating structural change, platform consolidation, and emerging risk as markets evolve. Kerstin Kubanek speaks with Allison Davi about the rationale behind integrating Alcentra into Benefit Street Partners, building a global private credit platform, and sharpening strategic focus across Europe and the US. They also examine investor concerns around AI, software exposure, and semi liquid products, separating headline noise from fundamental credit risk. Tune in for clear insights into how private credit is repositioning for the next phase of growth and risk management. 

This week on Levered Lines, host Kerstin Kubanek and guest Mark Bickerstaffe examine the outlook for private credit in 2026, with a focus on M&A activity, valuations, and deal quality across European markets. They discuss the rebound in primary buyouts, disciplined leverage and loan‑to‑value levels in direct lending, and the growing role of refinancing and capital solutions where valuation gaps persist. The conversation also explores sector trends, including healthcare opportunities and the implications of AI for software portfolios and risk assessment. 

An In-depth discussion with Carlyle Partner, Lauren Basmadjian

This week on Levered Lines, host Krista Giovacco speaks with Brian Garfield and Lucas Weiss from Lincoln International's Portfolio Valuation and Opinions Practice to discuss private credit market dynamics heading into 2026. They discuss deal making momentum with transaction multiples exceeding 2021 peak levels and the outlook for continued M&A activity alongside robust refinancing volume. The conversation covers portfolio company fundamental performance with over half growing EBITDA, borrower-friendly market conditions driven by substantial private credit dry powder, spread compression trends, and junior debt capital stack normalization. Key themes include the impact of withdrawn leverage lending guidelines on bank and direct lender competition, AI's potential influence on software underwriting dynamics, management team optimism with 8-10% growth projections, tactical positioning in subordinated debt markets, and challenges addressing underperforming companies and aged portfolio exits in sponsor funds.

Join Dagmara Michalczuk at the European Private Credit Conference on Direct Lending

This week on Levered Lines, host Kerstin Kubanek speaks with Dagmara Michalczuk, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Tetragon Credit Partners, ahead of the Deal Catalyst European Direct Lending Conference. They discuss CLO market dynamics in 2026, including spread compression reaching post-financial crisis tights and the outlook for refinancing and reset activity. The conversation covers CLO equity arbitrage opportunities, tactical positioning strategies, loan repricing trends, and portfolio quality amid micro cycles in the market. Key themes include sector-specific concerns around software and AI disruption, chemicals, autos, building products, as well as evolving restructuring trends, liability management exercises, cross-border litigation developments, and challenges in manager selection.

This week on Levered Lines, host Krista Giovacco speaks with Kyle Brown, CEO of Trinity Capital, about the outlook for private credit in 2026. They discuss Trinity’s internally managed BDC model, record investment activity, and why lower middle‑market lending continues to generate attractive returns. The conversation covers underwriting discipline, loss mitigation, liquidity concerns in private credit, and valuation transparency, as well as key growth themes including AI, robotics, reshoring‑driven CapEx, data centers, and energy.