Episode 337: Backstage with Ares: Private Credit, Platforms & People
In this episode, Stewart Foley welcomes Ryan Brauns of Ares US Direct Lending for a deep dive into the mechanics and momentum behind one of the industry’s most influential private credit platforms. Ryan explains how Ares has scaled its direct lending business, the role of underwriting discipline, and why duration alignment remains one of the most important considerations for insurers entering the asset class.
The conversation explores everything from the structure of Ares’ capital pools to how leverage, covenants, and loan-to-value ratios fit into today’s market realities. Ryan also shares insights on spread dynamics, the rise of retail participation, and how insurers, large and small, are thinking about private credit in their strategic asset allocations.
Whether you’re new to private credit or want a deeper look behind the scenes of one of the space’s leading managers, this episode offers valuable clarity and perspective for insurance investment professionals.
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Episode 336: How Insurers Can Unlock Alpha Through Residential Whole Loans
Nancy Mueller Handal, Chief Investment Officer of Insurance Asset Management at Bayview Asset Management, shares her insights on how insurers can pursue alpha through residential loans and asset-based finance. With extensive experience in structured credit, Nancy explains why residential whole loans can be a strong fit for insurance portfolios when managed with discipline and precision. She discusses the capital efficiency of the asset class, the appeal of agency-eligible and non-QM loans, and the role of thoughtful underwriting in mitigating risk.
The discussion also covers the evolution of the residential credit market, the importance of robust data and infrastructure, and the risks that come with layered credit and valuation gaps. Nancy outlines how Bayview’s platform approaches sourcing and portfolio construction at scale, and why residential loans can provide diversification and long-term value when approached with a careful, insurer-aligned strategy.
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Episode 335: The Low Rate Environment Could Impact Products and Investment Portfolio Mix
In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Bob Huang, Executive Director of Equity Research for the Property & Casualty and Life Insurance Group at Morgan Stanley, sits down with Stewart Foley for a timely and insightful conversation on the implications of a declining interest rate environment. Drawing on one of the broadest insurance company coverages on Wall Street, Bob shares how rate cuts could influence earnings, asset allocations, product design, and underwriting dynamics across both life and P&C insurers.
Bob explains why falling short-end rates may pressure floating-rate-heavy portfolios, how product offerings like fixed and indexed annuities could evolve in response, and why duration mismatches and spread compression are becoming top concerns. The discussion also highlights how the interplay between product structures and investment strategy is shifting, especially in an era of increased competition and regulatory complexity.
Whether you're managing risk, building product, or allocating capital, this episode offers key takeaways for navigating volatility and staying ahead in a changing rate cycle.
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Episode 334: Key Themes for 2025 – Affordability, Land-light Models, and Demographics
In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, welcomes back Robert Clark, Chief Investment Officer and Founding Partner of Domain Real Estate Partners, for a timely discussion on the state of U.S. residential real estate. With affordability continuing to challenge buyers and mortgage rates remaining elevated, Bob offers a deep dive into how homebuilders are adapting their models in 2025, from navigating margin pressure and shifting demographics to embracing land-light strategies.
The conversation explores the growing role of insurance capital in financing residential development and how institutional investors are responding to macroeconomic forces such as immigration policy and interest rate volatility. Bob also discusses how Domain partners with homebuilders to manage risk and unlock capital efficiency in an increasingly complex housing market.
Whether you're focused on credit, real assets, or portfolio construction, this episode offers valuable perspective on the intersection of real estate fundamentals and investment opportunity in today’s market.
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Episode 333: The Future of Infrastructure: AI, Innovation, & Insurance Portfolio Strategy
In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Mansi Patel and Jeff Matthews of Principal Asset Management to explore how infrastructure debt is evolving—and how those changes are influencing insurance investment strategy. From AI-driven demand for data centers to the energy transition and shifting demographics, the conversation unpacks the current state and future outlook of infrastructure investing.
Mansi and Jeff also explain key trends shaping the asset class: the rise of digital infrastructure, the role of power and natural gas in supporting AI growth, and the importance of geographic diversification. They provide insights into how insurance companies can access these opportunities through both SMAs and fund vehicles, while navigating regulatory and capital efficiency considerations.
With decades of combined experience, the guests share their views on risk, essentiality, and how infrastructure investments have performed under stress. Whether you're new to the space or deep in portfolio construction, this episode offers timely insights into one of the fastest-growing segments of insurance investing.
Tune in to the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, hosted by Founder and Advisor, Stewart Foley, CFA. Our podcast features insightful conversations with CIOs, asset managers, and other distinguished professionals in the insurance asset management industry. Each episode delves into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities, providing listeners with valuable perspectives and practical advice. Don’t miss out on these engaging discussions that are essential for insurance investors and asset managers.
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