Banks have left a $240 billion gap, now savvy investors are seeing opportunity

Private credit used to be the domain of high net worth investors but that is all changing as nimble operators fill a gap in the market.
James Marlay

Livewire Markets

There’s a $240 billion funding gap facing the small and medium enterprises that employ 70% of the population. SMEs play an essential role in the economy. However, changes to regulatory requirements are making it harder for them to access funding to help them innovate and grow.

Whilst this gap presents a challenge for businesses, it also creates opportunity for nimble operators to fill the void as traditional banks leave the SME market to focus on activities like residential mortgage lending.

Aura Group’s Director and Head of Credit Funds Brett Craig is part of an emerging group of private credit investors that have identified the opportunity and are now generating reliable monthly income for investors.

"With the banks taking a step back from lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a lot of Aussie businesses are forgoing growth and profitability because they can’t access debt. So, what we’re seeing is a number of focused SME lenders emerging which operate in different niches – and this market start to burgeon.

The reality is you need that debt capital to get the lending businesses going and we're here to provide that to the right lenders," Brett Craig says.

I first met Brett back in 2016 as he was preparing to launch the Aura High Yield SME Fund. The Fund, which is only available to sophisticated investors, recently paid its 70th consecutive monthly distribution. The fund has delivered an income of 9.89% per annum since inception. Brett and Aura Group recently partnered with Roger Montgomery's Montgomery Investment Management to distribute the Aura High Yield SME Fund (for wholesale investors) and to make the asset class available to retail investors via the Aura Core Income Fund.

I spoke with Brett as part of Livewire’s 2023 Income Series to hear his views on the drivers for this income opportunity, how the current economic environment is impacting various sectors of the economy and where he is seeing opportunities to generate stable income.

Topics discussed

  • 0:00 - Introduction
  • 1:52 - The growth of private credit in Australia
  • 3:20 - Why the opportunity in private credit exists 
  • 4:40 - Economic outlook in Australia
  • 5:30 - The impact of higher rates on small and medium enterprises
  • 7:47 - Aura’s portfolio characteristics
  • 8:45 - How technology is enabling lending to small and medium enterprises
  • 9:42 - An overview of Aura’s two income funds
  • 10:59 - Competition in the lending market
  • 12:06 - Aura and Montgomery Investment Management


Find out more

Learn more about Private Credit and the Aura Private Credit Funds or contact Montgomery Investment Management on (02) 8046 5000 or investor@montinvest.com

Managed Fund
Aura Core Income Fund
Managed Fund
Aura High Yield SME Fund
Alternative Assets
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Disclaimer: Aura Group/Montgomery Investment Management This information is provided by Montgomery Investment Management Pty Ltd (ACN 139 161 701 | AFSL 354564) (Montgomery) as authorised distributor of the Aura Core Income Fund and Aura High Yield SME Fund. The Aura Core Income Fund (ARSN 658 462 652)(Fund) is issued by One Managed Investment Funds Limited (ACN 117 400 987 | AFSL 297042) (OMIFL) as responsible entity for the Fund. Aura Credit Holdings Pty Ltd (ACN 656 261 200) (ACH) is the investment manager of the Fund and operates as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1297296) of Aura Capital Pty Ltd (ACN 143 700 887 | AFSL 366230). Montgomery Investment Management Pty Ltd (ACN 139 161 701| AFSL 354564) (Montgomery) is the authorised distributor of the Fund. As authorised distributor, Montgomery is entitled to earn distribution fees paid by the investment manager and, subject to certain conditions being met, may be issued equity in the investment manager or entities associated with the investment manager. You should obtain and carefully consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for the Aura Core Income Fund before making any decision about whether to acquire or continue to hold an interest in the Fund. Applications for units in the Fund can only be made through an online application form accompanying the PDS. The PDS, TMD, continuous disclosure notices and relevant application form may be obtained from www.oneinvestment.com.au/auracoreincomefund or from Montgomery. The Aura High Yield SME Fund is an unregistered managed investment scheme for wholesale clients only and is issued under an Information Memorandum by Aura Funds Management Pty Ltd (ABN 96 607 158 814, Authorised Representative No. 1233893 of Aura Capital Pty Ltd AFSL No. 366 230, ABN 48 143 700 887). Any financial product advice given is of a general nature only. The information has been provided without taking into account the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular investor. Therefore, before acting on the information contained in this report you should seek professional advice and consider whether the information is appropriate in light of your objectives, financial situation and needs. Montgomery, ACH and OMIFL do not guarantee the performance of the Funds, the repayment of any capital or any rate of return. Investing in any financial product is subject to investment risk including possible loss. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Information provided may be based on information provided by third parties that may not have been verified. Aura Group has entered into a Distribution Partner Agreement (Distribution Agreement) with Montgomery Investment Management to distribute the Aura High Yield SME Fund and the Aura Core Income Fund, to its client base. Montgomery may receive a share of the fees you pay Aura Funds Management and Aura Credit Holdings Pty Ltd as well as potential equity in Aura Credit Holdings Pty Ltd ACN 656 261 200 (Aura Credit Holdings), a newly formed company within the Aura Group. Under the Distribution Agreement, the role of the Investment Manager of the Aura High Yield SME Fund will transition to Aura Credit Holdings once certain funds under management and revenue hurdles are met. This change will not trigger any changes to the trustee or the investment strategy of the Fund. Where information provided by Brett Craig, Portfolio Manager of the Fund, consists of General Advice, this is provided as an Authorised Representative (AR No. 001298683) of Montgomery.

2 funds mentioned

2 contributors mentioned

James Marlay
Co Founder
Livewire Markets

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