Private Credit Eyes $22 Trillion Total Credit Pie, Barclays Says

Private lenders that have already established themselves as fierce rivals to traditional banks by extending credit to shaky companies are now making major inroads with blue-chip borrowers as well, according to a research report from Barclays Plc on Thursday.

The $1.6 trillion private credit industry established its position with heavily indebted companies by offering quicker loans with more flexible terms than Wall Street banks. They are now increasingly funding loans to companies with top-notch credit ratings as well, the report said — something that was unheard of just a few years ago.