Sagard opens $5.9bn private credit platform to US advisors via Baird

Sagard is opening its $5.9bn private credit platform to registered US advisors and accredited investors through a distribution partnership with Baird, the Canadian manager said on 21 October. Alternative Credit Investor first reported the move. Sagard said the entry into the US wealth market builds on a strategic partnership with Baird that covers distribution, product innovation and advisor engagement in the US wealth segment.

Private credit is a minority of Sagard: the firm manages about $47bn across 25 strategies and more than 550 limited partners, putting private credit at roughly 13% of firmwide assets on its own figures.

Dayna Kleinman, managing director and head of US wealth at Sagard, said: "Financial advisors are looking for experienced investment partners, clear education and thoughtful support as private markets become a more meaningful part of client portfolios."

The announcement does not name a vehicle, liquidity terms, fees or investment minimums for the wealth channel, and it does not say whether advisors will access the strategy through a fund or separately managed accounts.

Sagard said it will develop educational content, private markets insights and other resources to help financial professionals evaluate the role of private credit in client portfolios.

Sagard's private credit strategy targets non-sponsored middle-market companies with roughly $10m to $100m of EBITDA. The firm said it lends to businesses not owned or controlled by private equity firms, holds no exposure to software companies, and does not rely on payment-in-kind interest to generate current income.

Tikehau made a European private credit ELTIF available on iCapital Marketplace in October, per PCD's records, reaching wealth managers across eligible EMEA markets. Sagard is instead working through a financial services group whose partnership remit includes advisor engagement.