The Credit Clubhouse

This episode is presented by ⁠Cardo AI⁠, the operating system for asset-based finance. Curious to see the platform in action? Book a demo to learn more - https://cardoai.com/book-a-demo/

DealCatalyst Homepage⁠ - https://www.dealcatalyst.io/
DealCatalyst Events⁠ - https://www.dealcatalyst.io/events⁠
Private Credit Club⁠ - https://www.dealcatalyst.io/private-credit-club

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

00:00 — Robert Stark's new role and Nomura's global evolution
05:09 — Strategic focus: investment capabilities and vehicle preferences
10:10 — Beyond direct lending: ABL, real estate, and specialty finance
19:55 — Advisor education: gating, liquidity, and market understanding
31:54 — Navigating public-private convergence and growth risks
44:20 — Robert Stark's hobbies, book, and World Cup prediction

Robert Stark, President & Deputy CEO, Nomura Asset Management International - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-stark-053202/

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

https://linktr.ee/thecreditclubhousepodcast

This episode is presented by ⁠Cardo AI⁠, the operating system for asset-based finance. Curious to see the platform in action? Book a demo to learn more - https://cardoai.com/book-a-demo/

DealCatalyst Homepage⁠ - https://www.dealcatalyst.io/
DealCatalyst Events⁠ - https://www.dealcatalyst.io/events
Private Credit Club⁠ - https://www.dealcatalyst.io/private-credit-club

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

00:00 - Kicking Off the Episode with Samir Tejpaul
02:19 - Samir Tejpaul's evolving perspective on risk and opportunity
04:16 - Navigating commercial real estate in the second half of 2026
08:23 - Why the debt market now sets the tone in CRE
12:45 - Bullish on Bay Area, cautious on bifurcated office
18:29 - The journey of alternative lending post-GFC
26:01 - Innovating in today's competitive debt market
29:21 - Data centers: real estate or infrastructure?
31:25 - How AI is reshaping office, industrial, and housing
37:24 - AI: Enhancing data, not replacing human judgment
39:50 - Preparing for equity capitulation and market stability in 2027
43:23 - Samir Tejpaul's hobbies, leadership, and optimistic future view

Samir Tejpaul, Head of Investments, Madison Realty Capital - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-tejpaul-198bb553/

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

https://linktr.ee/thecreditclubhousepodcast

This episode is presented by ⁠Cardo AI⁠, the operating system for asset-based finance. Curious to see the platform in action? Book a demo to learn more - https://cardoai.com/book-a-demo/

DealCatalyst Homepage
DealCatalyst Events
Private Credit Club

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

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