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Structuring Direct Lending Funds: New Public Market Products and Traditional Private Structures

Important Market Developments for New Public Products; Recurring Structuring, Regulatory and Valuation Considerations

Note: CPE credit is not offered on this program

A live 90-minute premium CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A

This program is included with the Strafford CLE Pass. Click for more information.
This program is included with the Strafford All-Access Pass. Click for more information.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (in 9 days)

1:00pm-2:30pm EDT, 10:00am-11:30am PDT

or call 1-800-926-7926

This CLE course will examine issues associated with the formation and operation of direct lending funds, including those organized to lend to small and medium-sized businesses, certain real estate developers, and other real estate market participants.

Description

Small and medium-sized businesses and real estate bridge financing borrowers are increasingly looking to direct lending funds, as opposed to banks and other traditional lenders, as a source of capital.

Post-2008, in particular, the imposition of additional regulatory requirements on banks in the calculation of their capital and conducting various banking activities was one of the most influential historical drivers behind this disintermediation between banks and borrowers.

Conversely, gyrating and unpredictable capital and credit markets in this period have created an exciting opportunity for many private investment funds to offer this same financing abdicated by many banks. As a result, direct lending funds, a subset of general credit-focused investment funds, have become an essential part of the mix of strategies to which many institutional investors and family offices desire exposure.

This webinar will include a discussion of corporate structures and related tax and regulatory considerations in relation to these transactions.

Listen as our authoritative panel examines the structuring options available and considerations relevant to direct lending funds, and the related tax, ERISA, and regulatory issues driving many of these alternatives--as well as their crucial compliance obligations.

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Outline

  1. Comparing open to closed-end structures, including the following key considerations: liquidity and valuation
    1. Avoiding liquidity mismatches
    2. Frequency of withdrawal periods
    3. Length of notice periods
    4. Gates
    5. More current strategies
      1. Length of payout periods
      2. Novel payout calculations (e.g., disassociate from NAV?)
  2. Commonly used structures/strategies for U.S. federal income tax issues 
  3. Recurring regulatory issues unique to direct lending funds
    1. Conflicts
      1. Investment Advisers Act Section 206: principal transactions
      2. Conflicts among typical affiliates
        1. Credit funds: originator, servicer, principal investment vehicles
        2. RE related
    2. Balancing Securities Act/private placement requirements with marketing for business of the fund

Benefits

The panel will review the following key issues, among other matters:

  • Comparing open to closed-end structures, including liquidity and valuation
  • U.S. federal income tax issues posed by direct lending funds and strategies for addressing themĀ 
  • Recurring regulatory issues unique to the direct lending funds
  • Ramifications of a higher interest rate environment

Faculty

Huttler, Steven
Steven Huttler

Partner
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton

Mr. Huttler has extensive experience in corporate, finance, investment fund, securities, and family office...  |  Read More

Heiles Pandol, Holli
Holli Heiles Pandol

Senior Policy Counsel
Carta

Prior to joining Carta, Ms. Pandol served as a Senior Advisor and Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs...  |  Read More

Skinner, Jeffrey
Jeffrey T. Skinner

Partner, Investment Management Team Leader
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton

Mr. Skinner focuses his practice on investments, investment funds, and investment advisers. He has extensive experience...  |  Read More

Attend on July 29

Cannot Attend July 29?

You may pre-order a recording to listen at your convenience. Recordings are available 48 hours after the webinar. Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. All formats include course handouts.

To find out which recorded format will provide the best CLE option, select your state:

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