The Private Credit Shift: IFSAM CIO Charis Liau on MoneyFM 89.3

The Asian private credit market is no longer a niche play. As traditional bank lending remains constrained, private credit has emerged as a critical source of capital for regional growth and a high-conviction yield opportunity for investors.

IFSAM Chief Investment Officer Charis Liau, CFA, recently joined MoneyFM 89.3 to analyse the mechanics of this shift and why Asia is currently offering some of the most compelling risk-adjusted returns in the asset class.

The ‘New Normal’ for Fixed Income

During the Wealth Tracker segment, the conversation focussed on the structural changes within the lending ecosystem. As Charis noted, the current environment favours managers who can provide bespoke financing solutions that traditional institutions often overlook.

Core Insights from the Feature:

• Asset-Backed Security: The importance of prioritising senior-secured debt (specifically real estate) to provide a buffer against macro volatility.
• The Yield Gap: Why Asian private credit continues to offer a premium over public markets without necessarily increasing leverage.
• SME Resilience: How the retreat of traditional banks has created an ‘alpha’ opportunity for private lenders to support high-quality mid-market companies.

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"In private credit, you aren't just a passenger. You have the ability to structure protections and covenants that public markets simply don't offer." Charis Liau noted.

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Market Context

This appearance on MoneyFM follows a period of significant growth for IFSAM, including being recognised as Singapore’s Fund Launch of the Year (2026). Our approach remains rooted in an ‘owner-mindset’, prioritising capital preservation and transparency for our partners.

Listen to the Briefing

For a deeper look at IFSAM’s outlook on the regional credit market and where we are seeing the most resilient opportunities at present, you can stream the full interview via the link below.

Listen to the MoneyFM 89.3 Feature