Private Credit’s competitive edge: Opportunities and strategies from DealCatalyst U.S. Private Credit Conference

This week, private credit professionals gathered in Nashville for the DealCatalyst U.S. Private Credit Conference, where optimism and opportunity set the tone. Conversations centered on the asset class’s growing role within the broader leveraged finance market and its continued evolution.

One of the key themes from the event was the ongoing migration of deal flow from the broadly syndicated loan (BSL) market to private credit. Participants cited greater flexibility and competitive pricing as critical advantages—especially in light of volatile conditions, such as uncertainty around potential tariff policy. According to one market participant, only 5–10% of the private credit market has been significantly affected by tariff-related developments, underscoring the asset class’s resilience.

The streamlined execution process of private credit deals, compared to the slower and less predictable BSL process, was also a major point of discussion. With growing investor demand and increased interest in strategies like asset-based lending and opportunistic credit, private credit is still seen by many as entering a “golden era.”

As 2025 unfolds, participants expect the asset class to maintain its momentum, continuing to expand its reach and relevance across the debt capital markets.