The LFI Levered Lines Podcast

Private Credit Unleashed: Arini and Lazard's Bold New Approach

Join Kerstin Kubanek as she explores the dynamic world of leveraged finance with Matthew Cestar and Alex Matthews from Arini. Discover how their groundbreaking partnership with Lazard is transforming access to Europe's underserved middle market. Uncover the strategic benefits of focusing on non-sponsored deals, understand the impact of geopolitical shifts, and find out why this innovative approach is drawing global investor interest. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the future of private credit and the exciting opportunities it offers.

From Distress to Opportunity: Insights on Capital Convergence with Lazard's Tim Donahue

In this week's episode of LFI’s Levered Line, Steve Miller welcomes Tim Donahue, Lazard's Vice Chairman of Investment Banking and the Global Head of Capital Solutions. Tim discusses his career journey through JPMorgan and Alterra Mountain Company and shares his holistic approach to capital markets at Lazard. He explores the evolution of private capital markets, their increasing importance for non-sponsored and investment-grade companies, and the merging of public and private markets. Additionally, Tim highlights how distressed investors are transitioning into broad solution providers. He offers valuable insights on moving from sell-side to corporate roles, reflecting on the ever-changing nature of capital markets in 2025. Tune in for Tim's expert perspective on these significant shifts in the financial industry.

Tariffs, Rates, and CLOs: A Conversation with Bain Capital

In this week's episode, David Graubard speaks with Stephanie Walsh from Bain Capital to explore the current dynamics of the CLO markets. They discuss how aggressive loan repricing and tariffs are affecting market volatility and investor strategies. Stephanie offers valuable insights into Bain's strategic use of captive equity vehicles and the importance of maintaining solid margins amidst tariff impacts. The episode also covers expectations for 2025, including potential rate cuts, and examines how international investors and rating agencies are adjusting to the evolving economic landscape. This conversation is filled with practical knowledge for anyone interested in understanding the future of CLO markets.

The Nuts and Bolts of Non-Sponsored Lending

In this episode of Levered Lines, LevFin Insights sits down with Aaron Kless, CEO and CIO of Andalusian Credit Partners, to hash out exactly how is non-sponsored lending different from sponsor finance, the cornerstone of the direct lending world, and why investors should make a home for it in their portfolio. From how to source transactions, the structure of deals and what businesses use the money for, LFI gets to the bottom of what makes non-sponsored lending unique and sheds light on an under-trafficked part of the private credit asset class.

Beyond Finance: Philanthropy and Innovation with John Cokinos

In this episode of LFI's Levered Lines podcast, host Steve Miller sits down with John Cokinos, RBC's Global Head of Leverage Finance and Capital Markets. They dive into RBC's strategic growth plans and the changing world of leveraged finance. Offering valuable insights, they discuss the role of private credit and examine current market trends influencing the industry. Beyond finance, the conversation shines a light on John's inspiring philanthropic work with the Fiverr's Children's Foundation, supporting at-risk youth in New York. Don't miss this engaging episode filled with expert insights and compelling stories.

M&A, BDCs and Certainty: Blackstone’s Victoria Chant on M&A, BDCs Financing their Own Operations and Private Credit Benefits

In this episode of the LevFin Insights Levered Lines podcast, Andrew Hedlund chats with Victoria Chant, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Capital Formation at Blackstone Credit and Insurance. Their discussion focuses on her role in capital formation and accessing debt capital markets. Key topics include trends in M&A activity, the effects of a strong economy and robust markets, and how BDCs think about their own debt financings. They also explore the interaction between syndicated and private credit markets, the impact of capital costs, and the growth of BDCs. Victoria highlights the advantages of private credit, using Blackstone’s $2 billion loan to Dropbox as an example, and discusses its competitive edge in speed and certainty for companies seeking capital.

Future-Proofing CLO Markets: Trends and Innovations

In this episode of the LFI Levered Lines. podcast, Steve Miller hosts Edwin Wilches, Co-Head of PGIM's Securitized Product Team, and they delve into the latest trends and innovations in the CLO market. From the rise of private credit CLOs to the influence of ETFs and potential future developments, Edwin offers a comprehensive analysis of how these factors are shaping the financial landscape. Tune in to understand the opportunities and challenges ahead for CLO investors.

Driving Global Awareness and Change: Melanoma Research and Leverage Finance

In the latest episode of 'LFI's Levered Lines' Podcast, host Luke Millar, Global Editor-in-Chief at LevFin Insights, welcomes Stephanie Kauffman, President and COO of the Melanoma Research Alliance, and Ian Devine, Head of Loan Trading in Europe at RBC. Following the huge success of New York events and ahead of the inaugural Leveraged Finance Fights Melanoma event in London, together, they delve into the founding and mission of the Melanoma Research Alliance, dedicated to increasing funding and advancing melanoma research globally.
Ian shares his personal journey with skin cancer, emphasizing the necessity of regular skin checks and awareness, highlighting the crucial role of early detection in effectively combating melanoma. Meanwhile, Stephanie highlights the upcoming Leverage Finance Fights Melanoma event in London, aimed at raising funds and awareness by uniting the finance community for a meaningful cause.