Australia's Private Credit Boom Lures Global Lender Tenn Capital

MELBOURNE, Australia – November 26, 2025 – In a move signaling a new phase of global interest in Australia's burgeoning financial markets, short-term, high-value lender Tenn Capital has officially launched its operations Down Under. The expansion is a pivotal part of the company's broader Asia-Pacific strategy and a direct response to a market dynamic that analysts describe as a private credit 'gold rush.'

Since its inception in 2021, Tenn Capital has built a reputation for providing rapid, flexible financing across 22 jurisdictions. Its entry into Australia is not merely another flag on the map; it is a calculated deployment into what is arguably one of the most attractive growth opportunities for private credit globally. While the US and European markets are mature and saturated, Australia presents a different landscape—one defined by rapid expansion and unmet demand.

The New Frontier for Private Credit

Australia's private credit sector is in a state of explosive growth. Projections show the market expanding at an annual rate of 22%, with assets under management forecast to climb from AUD 100 billion in 2024 to over AUD 154 billion by 2026. This trajectory stands in stark contrast to more established markets, offering a fertile ground for specialized lenders.

The opportunity is largely a byproduct of a structural shift in the Australian financial system. Traditional banks, constrained by stricter regulatory capital requirements, are increasingly retreating from certain segments, particularly mid-cap corporate lending and complex real estate financing. This has created a significant funding gap that agile, non-bank lenders are uniquely positioned to fill.

Furthermore, the Australian market offers more favorable conditions for lenders. Unlike the US and European markets, which are often characterized by 'covenant-lite' loans with fewer protections, Australian private credit deals typically include robust terms and maintenance covenants. This structure provides a layer of security that is highly attractive to capital providers, making the risk-adjusted returns particularly compelling.

Matt Watson, CEO of Tenn Capital, framed the expansion as a key strategic development. “This move is a strategic step forward in building a franchise that delivers globally,” he stated. “Our clients expect speed, precision and creativity, and we’re now positioned to offer that across every major time zone.”

A Global Strategy in a Volatile World

Tenn Capital's push into Australia is a clear execution of a broader corporate philosophy centered on global diversification and risk mitigation. By operating across a wide array of jurisdictions, the firm insulates itself and its investors from the volatility of any single economy. This strategy is particularly relevant in today's uncertain macroeconomic climate.

As Watson noted, the global footprint provides investors with “access to a differentiated product that’s insulated from single-country risk and built to perform across geographies and cycles.” The Australian operation, situated in a key time zone, extends the company's operational capacity, effectively creating a 24/7 service model for its international clientele of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, and funds.

This model focuses on three core verticals: Real Estate, Financial Assets, and Fund Finance. The company's expertise lies in structuring complex, time-sensitive transactions that fall outside the rigid parameters of traditional banks. Whether it involves an equity release on a prime property, refinancing across multiple borders, or providing liquidity against a portfolio of financial assets, Tenn Capital’s value proposition is its ability to deliver certainty and creativity at speed.

Targeting the Apex of the Market

The demand for such bespoke services is surging in Australia, driven by a rapidly expanding cohort of wealthy individuals and families. The country is now home to nearly 43,000 high-net-worth individuals with over US$10 million in assets. More significantly, the number of UHNWIs (those with assets over US$30 million) is projected to surge by 27% by 2028, creating an even deeper pool of potential clients requiring sophisticated financial solutions.

This demographic has a strong appetite for real estate, a cornerstone of Tenn Capital's business. Property remains a primary investment class for Australian UHNWIs, and the private credit sector is playing an increasingly vital role. An estimated $50 billion of Australian real estate is already funded by private lenders, a figure projected to hit $90 billion by 2029. This underscores the immense opportunity in providing bridging loans and other specialized financing for high-value residential and commercial properties.

Tenn Capital is designed to serve this niche, where the complexity of the client's balance sheet or the uniqueness of the asset often disqualifies them from mainstream bank financing. The firm’s asset-led approach focuses on the quality of the underlying security rather than the prescriptive checklists common among traditional lenders.

Local Expertise to Unlock Potential

Spearheading the Australian expansion is Declan Granville, Tenn Capital’s Head of APAC. His appointment is a testament to the company's commitment to embedding deep local expertise into its global framework. Granville is no stranger to the market, having spent 12 years living and working in Australia, holding senior roles at major financial institutions including J.P. Morgan, Northern Trust, and notably, MaxCap Group—Australia's largest non-bank commercial real estate lender.

His experience provides Tenn Capital with invaluable on-the-ground knowledge and an established network. “I know the Australian market incredibly well,” Granville commented. “My move back presents a unique opportunity to expand Tenn’s footprint and reinforce our global capabilities. I’m excited to help establish and grow our presence in APAC.”

This sentiment was echoed by Tenn Capital's Chairman, Nigel Le Quesne. “This is a milestone for Tenn Capital and positions us as a truly global provider of short-term high-value financing solutions,” he said. “Declan is absolutely the right person to be the face of our business across APAC and we look forward to delivering for clients across the region.”

By combining a proven global lending model with seasoned local leadership, Tenn Capital is not just entering a new market; it is strategically positioning itself to become a dominant player in Australia's high-value, specialized lending space. Its arrival marks a significant development for the nation's financial ecosystem, promising greater liquidity and more sophisticated financing options for the top end of the market.