BNP Paribas to launch infra debt fund

The move comes as the French firm establishes a debt and real assets division.

BNP Paribas Asset Management – recently rebranded from BNP Paribas Investment Partners – has established a division focusing on private credit investments, according to a company announcement. The division is branded as the firm’s private debt and real assets investment group.

The group is being overseen by David Bouchoucha. Additional roles within the group are outlined in the table below: 

BNP table small

Click here to enlarge table.

The creation of the group was due to a desire from the firm to introduce new capabilities within private credit in line with its existing private credit operations, a spokesman for BNPP confirmed. While the firm raised €500 million for an SME lending fund in autumn 2016, it has only recently added capabilities around infrastructure and real estate debt.

BNPP plans to launch dedicated funds focusing on infrastructure and real estate debt later this year. It is speaking with potential investors for these offerings at the moment, the spokesman confirmed. Infrastructure debt is headed by Karen Azouley.

As part of the establishment of the group, BNPP is also in the process of introducing an SME lending platform, headed up by Fabrice Susini. This platform will connect lenders and borrowers without making use of an LP/GP fund structure, the spokesman noted.

BNPP does have real asset investment capabilities outside of the newly established credit teams. The firm invests in listed real estate-related equities while also having a dedicated real estate investment team.