IFM Investors opens Singapore office to expand Asian private credit
The Australian pension investor plans to deploy up to half of an approximately US$1 billion private credit fund across Asian markets.
IFM Investors is opening an office in Singapore as it expands its private-market and private-credit operations across Asia. The office will be the Australian pension investor’s fourth in the Asia-Pacific region, following locations in Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo.
The Singapore operation will support local origination and execution, with a particular focus on diversified credit, according to IFM. The firm plans to deploy up to half of an approximately US$1 billion private credit fund across Asian markets, including Southeast Asia and South Asia.
About 25% to 35% of the fund is expected to be deployed across Southeast and South Asia, targeting sectors including manufacturing. Most of the fund’s private-credit exposure remains concentrated in Australia and New Zealand.
IFM’s Asian expansion is backed by Export Finance Australia, which has invested A$175 million in the firm. IFM has total assets of A$291.6 billion, equivalent to US$204.8 billion in the source material.
The move comes as global investors establish private-credit vehicles focused on Asia, including Partners Group, KKR, Granite Asia and Temasek’s SeaTown. The strategy is linked to the region’s long-term growth, stringent banking regulation and limited debt access for some high-growth businesses.
