Debtwired!

Private credit in the age of AI: Lender perspectives with DLA Pipers Matt Schwartz

In this episode, Debtwire's Amelia Weitzman sits down with DLA Piper’s Matt Schwartz to unpack the rapid rise of AI in private credit and what it means for lenders, borrowers, and the future of dealmaking. Private credit is entering a new era as AI tools rapidly change how information is used, risks are assessed, and agreements are negotiated. DLA Piper partner Matt Schwartz breaks down how these shifts are unfolding in real time and what they mean for the industry.

First Brands: Red flags missed, fights ahead, and what creditors can recover

This episode of the Debtwired podcast explores the swift collapse of auto parts company First Brands Group into Chapter 11, the overlooked warning signs on Wall Street, and the high-stakes legal and financial battles now unfolding. Featuring insights from Debtwire’s head of research Tim Hynes, reporter Kunyi Yang, global head of legal analysis, Sara Tapinikes, and court team editor Taylor Harrison, the discussion breaks down what’s at stake for secured lenders, unsecured creditors, and trade claim holders as the case navigates a protracted and fiercely contested restructuring. The episode also delves into the potential for substantive consolidation—a move that could significantly reshape recoveries across creditor classes.

Blackstone’s Campbell on financing the AI and energy transition boom

In this episode of the Debtwired podcast, Blackstone’s Rick Campbell joins Melina Chalkia, Debtwire’s primary market reporter for North America, to discuss how the landscape for infrastructure financing is evolving. In this episode, Campbell talks about the shift of infrastructure finance away from traditional banks and toward private credit, alongside a growing demand for power and a global push for digitization. He explains how themes like AI, data centers and renewable energy are converging, with data-center developers starting to build their own generation capacity. Campbell breaks down how these project financing deals are structured and how Blackstone’s “corporate solutions” strategy exemplifies that approach. Campbell is a Senior Managing Director with Blackstone Credit and Insurance (BXCI) based in Houston. He is involved with originating and executing investments in the energy transition, renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure sectors. Before joining Blackstone in 2022, Campbell worked as a Managing Director in the Global Infrastructure Finance Group at Citi for nearly 15 years.

Clearlake’s Pade weighs in on deal flow, LMEs and reputation

In this episode of Debtwired!, James Pade, partner and managing director at Clearlake Capital Group, joins Debtwire co-managing editor, Madalina Iacob, to discuss investing opportunities after Clearlake consolidated its credit arms under one roof. Pade also digs into how lenders are navigating liability management exercises, the challenges faced by smaller CLO managers, and why strong sponsor relationships matter more than ever. Pade notes that Clearlake recently had discussions with stakeholders focused on building stronger, more direct communication with CLO managers and broadly syndicated investors, although it was never an “apology tour.”

Houlihan Lokey's Gijs de Reuver on the erosion of creditor protections

Gijs de Reuver, managing director in Houlihan Lokey's restructuring team, discusses the erosion of creditor protections in Europe and the subsequent rise in creditor-on-creditor violence on the latest edition of the Debtwired! Podcast. Gijs also touches on recent high-profile restructuring court decisions in the UK and the role of CDS in restructuring.