Issue 3 2019

CORPORATE VISION / Issue 3 2019 13 , Established in 2003, EFAGroup is an independent asset manager which spe- cializes in private debt strategies, with a focus on real economy businesses. The firm is also regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and has over 50 personnel across offices in Singapore, Geneva, London, Istanbul and Melbourne. From short-term credit, mid-term financing to tailor-made investment vehicles, EFAGroup leverages on its deep understanding and long-standing relationships with their portfolio companies to create income-generating and sustainable investment opportu- nities. To date, EFA has financed over US$13 billion of capital to businesses since its inception. Currently, the firm manages US$1 billion of capital with a cumulative 25-year track record of positive performance across all of its funds. In the current market environment, there is both a structural need from portfolio companies for alternative financing solutions, and investors’ appetite for the sustainable yield that those products can generate. Market conditions for private debt have never been more opportune than now. Solid Track Record in Financing Real Economy Businesses EFA Group is a global independent asset manager specializing in private debt strategies. Recently, the firm found success in CV’s 2019 Corporate Excellence awards where they were recognised as the 2019’s Leading Private Debt Strategy Specialists – Singapore. On the back of this win, we profiled the firm to discover more about the outstanding services they provide to their clients. In the wake of the financial crisis, traditional lenders struggled to comply with new guidance and regulations, thereby creating favorable market opportunities for private debt as an asset class. While banks are learning to operate in this new environment, and bank lending is expected to increase in the future, the buy-side market drivers for private debt are expected to persist as regulatory restrictions continue to evolve and watchdogs enhance the granulari- ty of their monitoring frameworks. On the portfolio companies’ side, firms increasingly seek to diversify their finance supplies, an initiative which sometimes takes priority over cost of capital, especially for the middle-market segment that was most impacted by the tighten- ing of the credit markets. At the same time, in an environ- ment of low interest rates and market volatility, private debt, especially direct lending, presents investors with an income-gener- ating opportunity for uncorrelated returns. The business of filling-in the lend- ing gap left by banks can be devel- oped much faster, considering the compelling industry dynamics on both the investments side (lack of capital) & investor side (search for stable, non-correlated yield). These long-term trends are expected to support the growth of private debt as an asset class go- ing forward, an observation shared by most investors and investment consultants who are increasingly recommending investing in private debt through a separate allocation to the asset class. Being in the business for over 15 years, with a solid track record, backed by a team of experienced professionals and with a growing network of origination hubs world- wide, EFAGroup is best positioned to match these two needs through its existing products, and the development of new investment offerings. Looking ahead to what the future holds for the firm, the team at EFA Group will continue to deliver their exceptional service to clients, which has seen them receive nu- merous accolades throughout the years. EFAGroup’s most recent accolade was their success in Corporate Vision’s 2019 Corporate Excellence Awards where they were rightly selected as 2019’s Leading Private Debt Strategy Specialists – Singapore. Contact: Siti Rasiqah Address: 6 Raffles Quay #11-05, Singapore, 048580 Telephone: +65 6325 0150 Web Address: www.efa-group.net Feb19471