- New fund aims to provide accredited and institutional investors with access to senior secured, real-estate backed lending opportunities, delivering income and capital preservation through disciplined and systematic underwriting.
- Addresses the persistent funding gap for creditworthy SMEs underserved by traditional financial institutions.
- Strong investor demand for alternatives seeking predictable returns and stability for investors in a volatile market
- Asia-Pacific private credit market remains significantly underpenetrated, creating strong long-term growth potential.
Singapore, 1 July 2025 – IFS Asset Management (“IFSAM”), a licensed fund management company that is part of the PhillipCapital Group, has launched its latest private credit fund aimed at empowering the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the region. The new fund is anchored by IFS Capital Limited (“IFS Capital”) and leverages the credit expertise and underwriting discipline of both IFS Capital and IFSAM, with a focus on senior secured lending backed by real estate.
While the strategy includes the flexibility to deploy across Asia-Pacific markets, the primary focus remains on Singapore-based SMEs, where IFSAM has established a strong origination network, in-depth market knowledge, and long-standing relationships. This balanced approach enables IFSAM to capture broader regional opportunities while continuing to support the capital needs of Singapore’s real economy.
With more than 35 years of experience underwriting SME credit in Singapore and Southeast Asia, IFS Capital’s commitment strengthens the fund’s foundation in institutional-grade risk management and disciplined borrower selection. The strategy is designed to bridge the persistent funding gap for creditworthy SMEs—particularly those unable to access traditional financing channels.
“Private credit has traditionally been an opaque and difficult-to-access asset class,” said Charis Liau, Chief Investment Officer of IFS Asset Management. “We're now seeing it evolve from niche to a core component in diversified portfolios, as investors increasingly seek consistent performance, stability, and income that’s less correlated to volatile public markets.”
She adds, “With professional execution, deep borrower relationships and systematic risk management, IFSAM can deliver meaningful value for investors and borrowers alike.”
“Our mission has always been clear—to ensure that all creditworthy SMEs and individuals have access to capital and protection through simple and affordable solutions,” said Randy Sim, Group CEO of IFS Capital Limited. “The fund advances this mission by mobilising new sources of private capital to support the growth and resilience of SME businesses, not just in good times, but throughout business cycles.”
Private Credit: A Growing Investment Opportunity
Globally, private credit is gaining momentum as an asset class. Total assets under management are projected to reach US$2.6 trillion[1] (S$3.5 trillion) by 2029, almost doubling from US$1.6 trillion in 2023. High net worth individuals and institutional investors—including insurers, alternative asset managers and sovereign wealth funds—are allocating more capital to private credit as they seek stable income, capital preservation and exposure to real-economy lending.
In Asia-Pacific, the growth opportunity is even more pronounced:
- Non-bank lending accounts for less than 15% of Asia’s US$58 trillion[2] credit market, compared to over 60% in the U.S.
- The SME sector represents 98% of all businesses in Asia but continues to face a US$2.5 trillion financing gap[3].
- Private credit in Asia-Pacific currently represents only about 7% of global private credit AUM[4], highlighting the region’s untapped potential.
In Singapore, demand for SME financing remains strong. Conservatively-structured and well-executed private credit strategies, grounded in systematic risk management, can deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns with a low correlation to public markets. This enables investors to benefit from predictable income, enhanced portfolio diversification, and reduced volatility—especially in uncertain macroeconomic environments.
About IFS Asset Management
IFS Asset Management (IFSAM) is a Singapore-based fund management company licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Part of the PhillipCapital Group and subsidiary of IFS Capital Limited, IFSAM specialises in private credit investments with a focus on asset-backed lending to SMEs in Singapore. With a commitment to disciplined investing and long-term partnerships, the firm combines deep local knowledge with institutional expertise to generate resilient risk-adjusted returns for its investors. IFSAM serves only Accredited Investors and Institutional Investors. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. For more information, visit www.ifsam.com.sg, or contact info@ifsam.com.sg