
Private debt and private credit are often used interchangeably, but they're not exactly the same thing. Private debt typically refers to loans made by private lenders to individuals or businesses, which are then repaid with interest.
Private credit, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses both debt and equity financing. It's often used to describe a type of financing that's more flexible and tailored to the borrower's needs. Private credit can include loans, bonds, and other forms of financing that are not publicly traded.
The key difference between private debt and private credit lies in their risk profiles and repayment structures. Private debt is generally considered riskier than private credit, as it's often unsecured and relies on the borrower's creditworthiness. Private credit, by contrast, can be secured or unsecured and may offer more favorable repayment terms.
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What Is Credit?
Credit is a type of financing that allows businesses to borrow money from lenders. It's often used to fund specific projects or activities, and the borrower agrees to repay the lender with interest.
Private credit specifically refers to the provision of credit to businesses by lenders other than banks. These lenders are usually regulated asset management firms that pool investor money into funds to finance businesses.
In private credit, lenders often have a direct relationship with the businesses they lend to, and the credit agreement is structured to match the unique needs of the borrower. This can include flexible repayment terms and covenants.
Some common types of private credit include direct lending, real estate finance, and infrastructure finance. These strategies allow lenders to provide credit to businesses in various sectors.
Here are some key characteristics of private credit:
- Bilateral relationships: private credit lenders have a direct relationship with the businesses they lend to
- Buy and hold: private credit assets are usually held to maturity by the original lender
- Flexible approach: credit agreements are structured to match the unique needs of the borrower
What Is Credit?
Credit is a way for businesses to get the money they need to operate or grow, and it's provided by lenders other than banks.
Private credit is a type of credit that's provided by lenders like regulated asset management firms.
These lenders pool investor money into funds that are then used to finance businesses.
Private credit is often used interchangeably with phrases like 'private debt', 'direct lending', 'alternative lending', or 'non-bank lending'.
The term 'private' in private credit refers only to the entity providing the debt, not to the borrowing entity.
In other words, a publicly listed company can still get private credit from a lender.
Private credit can be differentiated from other types of lending activity and investment strategies in several ways.
Some key features of private credit include bilateral relationships between the lender and the business, a buy-and-hold approach, and a flexible approach to structuring credit agreements.
Here are some common private credit strategies:
- Direct lending – lending to performing operating businesses secured by business equity/cashflows
- Real estate – to real estate projects/developers
- Infrastructure - to infrastructure projects
- Distressed – to companies in difficulty
- Asset based - to business secured by assets (e.g. airplanes) rather than business-generated cashflows as in direct lending
- Trade finance - to support trade in goods
- Structured credit - lending with tranching of credit risk
- Speciality finance - lending to support e.g. consumer credit or peer-to-peer platforms
- Venture debt - to early-stage companies
Why Companies Choose Credit as a Finance Option
Companies choose credit as a finance option because it offers attractive structuring elements that are highly customizable. This flexibility is a major draw for businesses looking to manage their finances effectively.
Private credit loans, in particular, provide a secure source of capital that can be tailored to meet specific needs. This is especially important in today's interest rate environment, where private credit loans often attract a relatively higher interest rate.
Customization is key when it comes to private credit, allowing companies to create a financing solution that fits their unique circumstances. This level of control can be a major advantage over traditional forms of debt capital.
What Is Debt?
Debt is essentially borrowed money that must be repaid, with interest added to the amount borrowed. This concept is rooted in the idea that individuals and businesses can obtain funds from lenders, such as banks or credit card companies, to cover expenses or invest in opportunities.
To put it simply, debt is a financial obligation that requires regular payments, typically in the form of interest and principal. In the context of private credit, debt is a key component that lenders consider when evaluating loan applications.
Private debt refers to the borrowing of money from private lenders, such as individuals or companies, rather than traditional banks or financial institutions. This type of debt is often used to finance business ventures or personal projects that may not meet traditional lending criteria.
What Is Debt?
Debt is essentially a loan or a borrowed amount of money from a lender, such as a bank or credit card company, that must be repaid with interest.
The amount borrowed can be a one-time payment or a series of payments over time, like monthly installments.
Similarities to Traditional Debt

Debt can be used for a variety of purposes, and some of these uses are similar to traditional forms of debt capital.
Borrowers often use debt to finance business expansion activities.
Just like traditional debt, private credit is also used to cover working capital needs and infrastructure.
You might be surprised to learn that funding infrastructure or real estate development is another common use of debt.
Some examples of how debt is used include:
- financing business expansion activities
- working capital needs and infrastructure
- funding infrastructure or real estate development
Credit vs Traditional Debt
Private credit loans are highly customizable, allowing borrowers to tailor the terms of their loan to suit their specific needs.
This flexibility is a key differentiator from traditional debt, which often comes with rigid structures and limited options for negotiation.
Private credit loans are also secure, providing a higher level of protection for lenders compared to other sources of capital.
In the current interest rate environment, private credit loans typically attract a relatively higher interest rate compared to other forms of debt capital.
This higher interest rate is often a result of the attractive structuring elements that private credit loans offer, making them an attractive option for borrowers who value flexibility and security.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is another name for private credit?
Another name for private credit is "direct lending" or "private lending". It's also referred to as a subset of "alternative credit
What is a private credit?
Private credit is a type of lending provided by non-bank lenders that caters to individual borrowers' unique financial needs. It offers flexible and tailored financing options outside of traditional banking channels.
Sources
- https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/business-guidance/guidance-articles/finance/what-is-private-credit
- https://acc.aima.org/about-acc/about-private-credit.html
- https://metrics.com.au/news/understanding-private-credit/
- https://www.caisgroup.com/articles/an-introduction-to-private-debt
- https://www.agf.com/ca/en/education/articles/article-what-is-private-credit.jsp
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