The Credit Clubhouse

This episode is presented by Cardo AI, the operating system
for asset-based finance. Visit Cardo AI to learn more.

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Private Credit Club

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00:00 - Welcome to The Credit Clubhouse with Altin Kadareja
02:22 - From Buy-Side Frustration to Founding Cardo AI
05:37 - Overcoming Challenges and Gaining Market Trust
08:12 - Cardo AI's Role in Private Credit Strategies
10:50 - Why Insurers are Investing in Private Credit
13:26 - Challenges for GPs Seeking Insurance Capital
15:51 - The Industry's Move to Continuous Data Transparency
19:19 - A New Structural Dynamic in Credit Markets
22:20 - Emerging Asset Classes and Cardo AI's Adaptability
25:52 - Technology's Role in Streamlining Private Credit Deals
28:47 - Enhancing Valuation Transparency with Technology
31:05 - Addressing Regulatory Concerns and Market Stability
36:04 - Analyzing the Private Credit Market's Future
38:04 - Tangible Applications of AI in Finance Today
41:13 - Defining the Future of Work in Finance
43:43 - Ensuring Trust and Compliance in Financial AI
47:06 - The Backbone of Scaling Private Markets
50:08 - Personal Insights and Future Market Outlook
54:17 - Thank You for Listening to The Credit Clubhouse

Altin Kadareja, Co-founder and CEO, Cardo AI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/altinkadareja/

Todd Anderson, Head of Content & Programming, DealCatalyst - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddanderson19/

https://linktr.ee/thecreditclubhousepodcast

Visit https://www.dealcatalyst.io/ to see our remaining events in 2026, non-conference opportunities, and much more.

Listeners can save 10 percent on conference tickets by using the code CREDIT at checkout.

This episode is presented by CARDO AI, the operating system
for asset-based finance. Visit https://cardoai.com/ to learn more.

00:00 - Welcome to The Credit Clubhouse: episode introduction
01:53 - Host Todd Anderson welcomes Ali Meli to the show
02:21 - Navigating the late stages of the private credit cycle
03:28 - Identifying top risk-adjusted opportunities in credit markets
05:15 - Outperforming: scale or specialization in private credit?
08:02 - Understanding Monachil Capital Partners' niche lending strategy
09:48 - Market shift: from direct lending to specialty finance
12:15 - Exploring interesting opportunities in asset-based finance
13:25- Finding value in under-capitalized specialty finance markets
15:11 - Overcoming disadvantages for non-scaled fintech lenders
19:20 - The transformative impact of AI on fintech lending
19:48 - Rethinking Liquidity Management in Private Credit Funds
21:50 - Skepticism on private credit secondary market liquidity
26:31 - LP demand: selective allocation in private credit
30:39 - Unpacking Underappreciated Trends in Private Credit Markets
35:25 - What excites Ali Meli most about lending today
37:57 - Concerns about market correction and second-order impacts
39:57 - Personal insights and a prediction for the next year

Ali Meli, Founder, Monachil Capital Partners - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-meli-92ab33167/

Todd Anderson, Head of Content & Programming, DealCatalyst - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddanderson19/

https://linktr.ee/thecreditclubhousepodcast

This episode is presented by 9fin. The AI-native platform for modern credit teams.

Head to https://www.9fin.com/demo to request a 30-minute personalised demonstration.

00:28 - Celebrating Monroe Capital's boutique CLO manager awards
02:31 - How Monroe Capital balances scale with innovation
06:08 - Private credit CLOs: A permanent shift
09:05 - Differentiating private credit CLOs and investor preferences
12:15 - Middle market loan resilience
14:27 - Seth Friedman's hobbies, books, and future predictions

Seth Friedman, Managing Director, Head of Structured Solutions, Monroe Capital - https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-friedman-4943432/

Todd Anderson, Head of Content & Programming, DealCatalyst - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddanderson19/

https://linktr.ee/thecreditclubhousepodcast

This episode is presented by 9fin. The AI-native platform for modern credit teams.

Head to https://www.9fin.com/demo to request a 30-minute personalised demonstration.

00:00 - Introducing Aaron Kless and The Credit Clubhouse episode
01:57 - The core middle market opportunity
05:10 - The growing importance of covenants in private credit
07:33 - Differentiating through sports finance as an asset class
13:04 - Navigating legislative uncertainty in collegiate sports finance
15:46 - Investing in media & entertainment's evolving landscape
19:54 - Assessing stress in software lending and consumer health
21:49 - Scaling credit with discipline
24:15 - Addressing misconceptions and educating private credit investors
27:14 - AI's impact on entrepreneurialism and middle market growth
29:53 - The need for a private credit terminology refresh
31:45 - Personal insights and future predictions for private credit
35:25 - Thank you for listening to The Credit Clubhouse

Aaron Kless, CEO & CIO, Andalusian Credit Partners - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-kless/

Todd Anderson, Head of Content & Programming, DealCatalyst - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddanderson19/

https://linktr.ee/thecreditclubhousepodcast

This episode is presented by 9fin. The AI-native platform for modern credit teams.

Head to https://www.9fin.com/demo to request a 30-minute personalised demonstration.

00:00 – Welcoming Kanav Kalia of Oxane Partners to discuss the evolution of private credit markets.
01:30 – Why private credit feels different in 2026
03:00 – The Rise of “Private Credit Plus”
04:00 – What’s driving the expansion beyond direct lending
06:00 – Why asset-based finance is scaling fast
08:00 – Back to First Principles: it’s still lending
11:00 – Data, surveillance & operational complexity in private credit
14:30 – AI’s growing role across credit markets
18:00 – Real-world AI use cases for credit investors
22:00 – Banks, private credit & the new ecosystem
26:00 – Where investors are finding opportunity today
30:00 – The future of private credit infrastructure & technology

Kanav Kalia, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Oxane Partners - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliakanav/

Todd Anderson, Head of Content & Programming, DealCatalyst - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddanderson19/

https://linktr.ee/thecreditclubhousepodcast