Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 15, 2025
Bennelong & Monroe Capital Partner to Bring US Private Credit to ANZ Investors
TLDR
- Bennelong partners with Monroe Capital to offer Australian investors access to higher-return US private credit markets with superior downside protection.
- Bennelong Funds Management signed an MOU with Monroe Capital to expand distribution of US direct lending strategies focused on first lien loans to Australian investors.
- This partnership democratizes access to institutional-grade credit strategies, providing stable income opportunities for qualifying investors in Australia and New Zealand.
- Monroe Capital manages $21.6 billion specializing in US lower middle market lending across 200,000 companies with higher spreads and less competition.
Impact - Why it Matters
This partnership matters because it provides Australian and New Zealand investors with access to institutional-grade US private credit markets that have historically been difficult to access directly. The US middle market lending space offers potentially higher returns and better downside protection compared to traditional investments, with characteristics like stronger covenants and less competition. For investors seeking diversification beyond equities and traditional fixed income, this collaboration opens up a $21.6 billion asset manager's expertise in direct lending to smaller US companies, which could enhance portfolio resilience and income generation in uncertain economic environments.
Summary
Bennelong Funds Management has forged a strategic partnership with US-based Monroe Capital through a memorandum of understanding, marking a significant expansion into the Australian and New Zealand markets. This collaboration represents Bennelong's third major step in transforming from an equities-focused business to a diversified asset management firm that better serves evolving investor needs. The partnership leverages Monroe Capital's expertise as a $21.6 billion asset manager specializing in private credit solutions, particularly in US lower middle market direct lending to institutional and high-net-worth investors.
The alliance brings Monroe Capital's proven direct lending investment strategy, focused on first lien and unitranche loans across multiple industries in the US and Canada, to Australian and New Zealand investors through a local registered vehicle launching in the coming months. Key executives including Gillian Larkins, Chair of Bennelong Funds Management, and John Burke, CEO, emphasize that this partnership aligns with their strategic intent to augment Australian capabilities by collaborating with international specialists across established asset classes. Monroe Capital's Alex Kim, Managing Director & Head of APAC, highlights the attractive characteristics of the US middle market lending universe, which includes over 200,000 companies and offers less competition, more covenants, and higher spreads than other direct lending areas.
Monroe Capital President Zia Uddin describes this initiative as a pivotal step in democratizing access to institutional-grade credit strategies, opening doors for qualifying investors to participate in a resilient asset class known for stable income and downside protection. With over 300 employees, including approximately 120 investment professionals focused on deal sourcing and underwriting, Monroe Capital brings substantial scale and expertise to the partnership. The firm's recognition as a top ten US non-bank lender in 2024 and numerous industry awards underscore its credibility and performance in the private credit space, making this collaboration particularly significant for investors seeking alternative credit solutions through the www.monroecap.com platform.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Bennelong & Monroe Capital Partner to Bring US Private Credit to ANZ Investors
