Carlyle Partners with SBI PE Holdings to Tap into Japanese Private Credit Market

Carlyle Partners with SBI PE Holdings to Tap into Japanese Private Credit Market

By USFMNovember 3, 2025

Global investment firm Carlyle has entered into a strategic partnership with SBI PE Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Japan's SBI Group, to enhance private credit opportunities for Japanese institutional investors. This marks SBI Group’s inaugural venture into the private credit sector, leveraging Carlyle’s extensive credit expertise and resources.

In a significant move to broaden private credit access for Japanese institutional investors, global investment firm Carlyle has announced a partnership with SBI PE Holdings, Inc., the private equity arm of Japan's SBI Group. This collaboration represents SBI Group's first foray into the private credit market, aiming to establish a comprehensive multi-strategy approach that includes direct lending, structured credit, opportunistic credit, and asset-backed finance.

Carlyle’s Global Credit platform, which manages an impressive $203 billion in assets across various credit strategies, will play a pivotal role in this partnership. With around 1,000 borrower relationships, Carlyle brings substantial experience and resources, enabling Japanese investors to engage in global private credit markets, particularly in the United States and Europe.

The financial implications of this partnership are significant, as it is expected to create a robust pipeline of investment opportunities for Japanese institutional investors, helping them diversify their portfolios and access higher-yielding assets. Specific financial terms, such as deal value or exchange ratios, were not disclosed in the filing, but the strategic rationale is clear: to bolster SBI’s competitive position in the evolving investment landscape.

Looking ahead, the partnership is anticipated to roll out its offerings within the coming months, although specific timelines for launching investment products have not been detailed. The immediate next steps will involve the establishment of investment strategies and frameworks tailored for the Japanese market.

From a market perspective, this partnership is likely to have a positive impact on shareholders of both firms, as it opens up new revenue streams and enhances portfolio diversification. Employees within both organizations may also benefit from expanded career opportunities as the partnership grows and evolves.

However, given the nature of financial partnerships and the regulatory environment, the deal may require regulatory approvals, particularly concerning antitrust considerations in both Japan and other markets involved. As such, Carlyle and SBI Group will need to navigate these regulatory landscapes to ensure a smooth launch of their private credit offerings.

Overall, this partnership is a strategic alignment that positions both Carlyle and SBI Group to capitalize on the growing demand for private credit solutions amidst a challenging global economic backdrop.