Canadian pension awards €300 million to middle market real estate debt
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has awarded €300 million to a separately managed account focused on real estate across Spain and Portugal. The pension fund did not name who this partnership was with 

Online lender launches German credit fund with EIF backing
A senior debt fund managed by Creditshelf has recieved a cornerstone investment from the European Investment Fund - where all loans will be originated via its online lending platform

Direct lenders' unitranche greed poses challenge to CLO sourcing
European direct lenders are increasingly expressing their preference to be the sole lender in large unitranche deals, whereas the opposite is true in the US, where direct lenders are more focused on syndicating their deals    

Eiffel seeks ESG loans as French lenders adopt LuxFlag label
Private debt managers are applying for the Luxembourg Finance Labelling Agency’s (LuxFlag) approval in ESG-centric strategies.

Managers dispel myth that lenders can’t influence ESG
There’s a growing belief among credit fund managers that they can influence borrowers to take on ESG-friendly practices, contrary to the widely-accepted notion that the business practices of companies are dictated by their private equity owners.

Direct lenders start to overcome bank dominance in Spain
Spain is becoming a popular destination for direct lenders — despite the competitive terms offered by local banks. Sources say that borrowers are starting to look beyond pricing to ease of execution and flexible documentation.

Fresh wave of investors to boost direct lenders
European direct lenders raised €18.3 billion across 13 funds in the first half of this year, according to the Creditflux direct lending database, but that could be just the tip of the iceberg.

Tikehau builds private debt secondary platform with senior hire
Tikehau Capital has bolstered its private debt capabilities with the launch of a new secondaries platform

Proventus Capital closes fourth private debt fund at €1.8 billion
Fund IV has completed nine investments and is around 20% deployed

Private credit growth helps Hamilton Lane 13% growth in AUM
Alternative manager Hamilton Lane has reached $481 billion in assets under management and advice as of September, with credit funds supporting the organisation’s growth  

BlueBay private debt spin-off hires in credit opps following rebrand
BlueBay’s former private debt team has rebranded to Arcmont Asset Management, following the completion of its spinoff from BlueBay. And the independent entity is wasting no time in expanding its business by hiring two senior officials to oversee a new opportunistic credit strategy

Proskauer promotes eight to partner in credit
Law firm Proskauer has promoted 15 lawyers to partners in its London, New York and Boston offices – including eight who work in credit

Mayer Brown adds leveraged finance partner in Frankfurt
Mayer Brown has appointed Bernina Butt to its banking and finance practice as partner

Idinvest holds €200 million first close on Private Debt Fund V
Idinvest has held a €200 million first close on its fifth private debt fund, according to Creditflux sister publication Unquote. The manager is targeting a €1 billion final close

Newly formed Italian asset manager launches direct lending fund
Equita Capital is seeking a first close of its second private debt fund by February 2020, Creditflux has learnt. The fund is understood to have an ESG focus  

Crestline bags $360 million for inaugural European opportunities fund
Crestline Investors has held a final close on its inaugural European special situations fund, Crestline Opportunity Fund III Europe, at $360 million, surpassing its original $300 million target size

Man hires real estate loan specialist from JP Morgan
Man Group has hired an investment director to its European private debt team

Italian private bank partners with Tikehau for private asset fund with ESG focus
Italian private bank Fideuram Investimenti has launched a private markets fund that gives investors access to private debt, among other asset classes  

Pemberton adds head of investor relations in London
The appointment comes at a time where the firm is looking to diversify its product offerings

Kartesia opens Munich office for new hire Mirante
The new office is Kartesia’s seventh in Europe and second in Germany

Public private sector partnership launches impact debt fund
Warrington Borough Council and Altana Wealth have joined forces to launch a private debt fund that invests in social impact investments in the UK  

Beechbrook adds ex-Lloyds official to lead deal origination in midlands
UK-based direct lender Beechbrook Capital has added a former Lloyds Banking Group official to lead deal origination in the Midlands

UK pension hires BNP Paribas AM for starring role in core-satellite private credit fund
UK pension fund Nest has appointed BNP Paribas Asset Management to run the core of a private credit fund, sources say, in an arrangement which sees Amundi and BlackRock manage certain satellite investments  

Cordet confirms senior direct lending appointment in London
Cordet Capital Partners has appointed Rothschild’s former co-head of direct lending as its chief credit officer, following the departure of current CCO Björn Börjesson

DWS holds €350 million first close for inaugural direct lending fund
DWS has garnered €350 million on the first close of its inaugural European direct lending strategy, according to an announcement by the firm