Jefferies Credit Partners Targets $4B in European Lending

Jefferies Credit Partners has established approximately $4 billion in total lending capacity for its European institutional direct lending strategy, anchored by the first close of its flagship European fund.

The inaugural fund is backed by major institutional commitments led by Allianz Global Investors and the South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission. The vehicle was significantly seeded at launch through the acquisition of a diversified portfolio of recently originated European private credit assets.

Designed with a perpetual structure, the fund targets senior secured, sponsor-backed private credit investments across the UK and Europe, focusing primarily on middle-market and upper-middle-market transactions.

In addition to the initial fund closing, Jefferies Credit Partners is in documentation for two parallel partnership accounts projected to finalize later in 2026.

“Europe remains an attractive and underpenetrated market for private credit, and we believe we have a differentiated access point to the European sponsor community through Jefferies’ relationships,” said James Pearce, head of European direct lending at Jefferies Credit Partners.

Launched in late 2024, the platform leverages the broader investment banking footprint of parent firm Jefferies Finance LLC to scale its sourcing capabilities across cross-border sponsor deals.

Jefferies LLC served as financial advisor in connection with the transaction. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal counsel to Jefferies Credit Partners.