Oxane Partners Survey Reveals 83% of Private Credit Professionals Expect AUM Growth Amid AI Surge

Quick Summary

The Oxane Partners Compass 2026 survey reveals that 83% of private credit professionals expect AUM growth over the next 18 months. The industry is shifting toward asset-based finance and AI integration, with 87% of firms engaging in AI to manage the increasing complexity of the Private Credit+ ecosystem.

How is the Private Credit Market Evolving in 2026?

The private credit market is entering a more disciplined phase characterized by a shift toward Private Credit+ strategies. According to the Compass 2026 survey, asset-based finance (ABF) and specialty finance are leading the charge, with 66% of respondents identifying these as primary growth drivers. This evolution moves beyond traditional direct lending into more complex structures like fund finance and securitized products.

• 83% of professionals anticipate an increase in AUM.
• 66% of respondents see ABF as the top growth sector.
• 60% of funds cite risk management as their primary operational hurdle.

“Private credit remains one of the most important growth stories in financial markets, but the next phase of growth will look different from the last,” said Sumit Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder of Oxane Partners. “As private credit grows further, firms will need to pair investment conviction with prudent risk management, and the operating discipline required to scale with confidence. Compass 2026 captures a market that is still ambitious, but increasingly clear-eyed about the infrastructure needed to support that ambition.”

What Role Does AI Play in Private Credit Infrastructure?

Technology is no longer a peripheral concern but a core component of private credit infrastructure. The survey highlights that 87% of firms are actively engaging with AI, with 40% of banks already moving AI into production. To support this digital transformation, 80% of firms expect their technology budgets to increase by 20% or more to handle data inconsistencies and fraud risks.

• 87% AI engagement rate across the industry.
• 20% budget increase expected for tech infrastructure by 4 in 5 firms.
• 40% of banks have live AI applications in production.

“Both banks and private credit firms are not simply looking for more tools; they are looking for operating infrastructure that helps them respond rationally to a more complex market,” said Kanav Kalia, Managing Director at Oxane Partners. “Compass 2026 shows a clear mandate for stronger operating discipline. Firms are still focused on growth, but they are also strongly prioritizing the infrastructure to manage that growth. There’s a clear realization that this is what will give firms the confidence to scale through changing markets.”

FF NEWS TAKE:

The Oxane Partners report confirms that the 'gold rush' era of private credit is maturing into a sophisticated, tech-driven asset class. By identifying a $45 trillion opportunity in Private Credit+, Oxane highlights that the winners won't just be those with capital, but those with the scalable operating infrastructure to manage it. The massive 87% AI adoption rate signals that manual processes are finally being phased out in favor of automated risk management.