Asset-based finance is a sector where PIMCO has established a strong presence, being one of the earlier entrants into private asset-based markets post-Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Leveraging our fixed income DNA, detailed loan-level underwriting and robust data analytics, we have become one of the largest investors in the space. As a prominent liquidity provider and strategic partner to global banks, we navigate complex regulatory environments and offer alternative credit solutions. Our size and scale enable us to purse favorable loan terms and access stable financing solutions that are not subject to daily market-price fluctuations.
Asset-Based Finance: Redefining the Private Credit Landscape
Potential Benefits of ABF
Income Generation
ABF investments may generate resilient current income and steady repayments through contractual cash flows.
Diversification
Investors may gain diversification to traditional forms of private credit through exposure to ABF's varied sectors and granular asset pools.
Downside Mitigation
We focus on detailed asset underwriting and creating resilient structures with the goal of generating attractive risk-adjusted returns.
More to Know
Investment Strategies
Asset-based finance fuels the real economy – from homes and universities to flights and consumer goods. Backed by tangible assets, it’s a growing opportunity for investors. Discover how PIMCO’s scale, data, and dual-market lens unlock strategic value in ABF.
Economic and Market Commentary
There’s a transformation underway in credit markets: from bank syndication to hybrid structures led by asset managers. Discover how duration risk, asset-liability mismatches, and demand for yield are creating high-quality credit opportunities and what it means for portfolio construction.
Cyclical Outlook
Bond returns have been strong – and the opportunity is far from over. With compelling yields and excess return potential across public and private markets, Marc Seidner, CIO non-traditional strategies, shares why fixed income remains a powerful tool for generating durable income and managing risk.
View From the Investment Committee
Group CIO Dan Ivascyn discusses how investors should examine liquidity and economic sensitivity across public and private markets.
View From the Investment Committee
Group CIO Dan Ivascyn discusses how looming Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and continued policy uncertainty are shaping PIMCO’s investment playbook at a time of abundant fixed income opportunities.
Investment Strategies
As direct lending matures and other private credit areas expand, active investors can apply relative value strategies across sectors – and even entire markets – to pursue enhanced outcomes.
Secular Outlook
Marc Seidner, CIO Non-traditional strategies, shares how investors should think about alpha opportunities across public and private credit markets amid the challenges of a fragmented global economy.
PM Chartbook
Kristofer Kraus, portfolio manager and co-lead of PIMCO’s asset-based finance business, charts the nuances behind the overall resilience of U.S. consumers – and explains how these insights shape lending and investment strategies.
Economic and Market Commentary
Jason Steiner, PIMCO Portfolio Manager, Asset-Based Finance, discusses the continued growth in asset-based finance (ABF) at this year’s Milken Institute Global Conference, including how we approach this broad market, where we see opportunities and risks, and how ABF can benefit investor portfolios.
Investment Strategies
Wonder what asset-based finance is all about? Elliot Mcilrath, Product Strategist, Alternative Credit, demystifies the exciting evolution in private credit.
Investment Strategies
In this series, discover exciting private market opportunities and how PIMCO pursues them in an effort to benefit our investors. Learn why we believe Residential Credit is an attractive investment within our asset-based finance (ABF) portfolios.
Research
Asset-based finance offers a compelling opportunity to diversify portfolios and enhance risk-adjusted returns, but a robust framework for measuring associated risks and returns is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Asset-based finance, asset-based lending, asset-backed finance, and specialty finance are interchangeable terms that all refer to lending that occurs outside traditional corporate and commercial real estate markets and is secured by financial or hard assets.
Asset-based lending investments can be categorized into 3 main types: consumer-related debt (e.g. student loans, auto loans, personal loans); non-consumer assets (e.g. aviation finance, data infrastructure, equipment leasing); and mortgages (e.g. U.S. residential mortgages, European mortgages, home improvement loans).
Many investors have allocated heavily to corporate direct lending in recent years. Adding asset-backed financing may be an attractive complement and diversifier, with the potential to increase returns and reduce volatility within a private credit allocation. This is driven by a borrower base, economic risk factors, and contractual cash flows that are all differentiating versus corporate direct lending. A backdrop of tighter regulations also creates an attractive entry point as banks pull back and barriers-to-entry are high. This is a key area of strength for PIMCO given asset-based lending's close ties with fixed income.
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