Rowan Says People ‘Lost Their Minds’ Over Private Credit Fears

Core Viewpoint - Apollo Global Management's CEO Marc Rowan argues that concerns regarding systemic risks from adding private assets to retirement and insurance portfolios are exaggerated [1][3]. Group 1: Private Credit and Transparency - Most private credit held by insurers and pension funds is rated investment grade, countering the perception that this asset class lacks transparency compared to traditional loans [2]. - Apollo's exchange-traded private credit fund with State Street Corp. offers daily price updates, enhancing transparency [2]. - The firm has traded $6 billion in its investment-grade private credit business, showcasing its significant involvement in this sector [2]. Group 2: Industry Dynamics and Investment Strategies - Alternative asset managers, including Apollo, have increasingly acquired insurers to secure a stable source of long-term capital for investments, with Apollo being a pioneer in this model through its insurance arm, Athene [4]. - The close relationship between private equity and insurers has come under scrutiny, especially as insurers traditionally invested in more liquid assets like high-grade bonds and stocks [5]. Group 3: Economic Concerns and Capital Shortfalls - Economists at the Bank for International Settlements estimate that publicly traded North American life insurers could face a capital shortfall of approximately $150 billion in a severe economic downturn, a figure that has more than tripled over the past two decades [6]. - UBS Group AG Chairman Colm Kelleher expressed concerns about looming systemic risks in the insurance business, which Rowan refuted during Apollo's third-quarter earnings call [7].