Unpacking Private Debt Funds: Risks, Returns, and Growth

Unpacking Private Debt Funds: Risks, Returns, and Growth

From The Brattle Exchange by The Brattle Group

December 16, 2025 · 21 min · Episode 29

About this episode

The episode explores the growth and risks of private debt funds with insights from experts in finance.

Brattle Principal Dr. Jan Jindra and Associate Dr. Ariel Lanza are joined by Dr. Isil Erel , the David A. Rismiller Chair in Finance at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business and the Executive Editor of The Review of Corporate Finance Studies. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of private debt funds – the fastest-growing segment in the private capital market. Jan, Ariel, and Isil examine what private debt funds are and how they expanded rapidly, stepping in to fill the gap left by commercial banks post-financial crisis. Isil discusses her research about the performance and risk profile of these funds, including their equity-like characteristics. Their conversation also explores the challenges facing retail investors, the effects of competition among non-bank lenders, the risks associated with limited transparency, and the increasing interconnectedness between banks, private debt funds, and institutional investors. The papers discussed in the episode can be found here and here . The opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer or its clients. This podcast is for general information purposes and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Jan Jindra, Dr. Ariel Lanza

Guest: Dr. Isil Erel

Topics covered

  • private debt funds
  • financial crisis
  • investment risks
  • retail investors
  • non-bank lenders
  • performance analysis

Keywords

  • private debt
  • investment
  • financial markets
  • risk profile
  • non-bank lending
  • retail investors
  • performance analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Ohio State University, The Review of Corporate Finance Studies, The Brattle Group

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