Private Credit Under the Microscope: ASIC, Lending Standards & Alceon’s Outlook

Rob Pizzichetta of Mont Wealth interviews Omar Khan, Head of Capital Markets at Alceon, to discuss ASIC’s review of Australia’s private credit market, focusing on the need for improved disclosure, governance, fees and conflicts management as the sector has grown to around $200 billion. Omar explains Alceon’s reporting and oversight processes, including an independent trustee, detailed monthly and quarterly updates, and early communication of loan issues. They cover market structure differences versus the US and Europe, valuation and default misconceptions, and how macro changes—RBA rate hikes, shifting capital supply, and housing dynamics—affect loan pricing and structuring. Omar outlines Alceon’s bottom-up, relationship-driven approach, intentional higher cash levels and resulting cash drag, shorter portfolio duration, risk management and workout practices, and a “cautiously constructive” 12–24 month outlook based on first-mortgage, conservatively originated real-estate-backed loans. 00:00 Welcome Back Omar 01:07 Why ASIC Stepped In 03:05 Top ASIC Principles 06:13 Valuations and Reporting 08:08 Macro Backdrop Shifts 10:04 Lending on Our Terms 12:23 Cash Levels and Returns 15:11 Deal Terms Today 17:31 Duration and Liquidity 18:53 Handling Defaults 22:40 Outlook Cautiously Constructive