Ares Credit Funds Close $6.3 Billion in Q3 Direct Lending Commitments

Ares Management Corporation (ARES ) announced on October 29, 2026, that Ares Credit funds (collectively “Ares”) closed U.S. direct lending commitments of approximately $6.3 billion across 55 transactions during the third quarter of 2026. The company also reported approximately $43.4 billion in U.S. direct lending commitments closed across 314 transactions in the 12 months ended September 30, 2026.

The announcement also described selected transactions that Ares closed during the third quarter of 2026. Each of the facilities listed was a senior secured credit facility. Ares’s stated role varied by transaction, spanning administrative agent, lead arranger, bookrunner, joint lead arranger, joint bookrunner and co-lead arranger positions.

Wealth Management and Advisory Financings

The selected transactions included a group of facilities for wealth management and investment advisory borrowers.

Ares served as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting The Vistria Group’s acquisition of Curi Capital, an investment advisor providing wealth management, investment management, family office services and retirement plan solutions.

Ares served as administrative agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting Berkshire Partners’ acquisition of Harbourfront Wealth Management. According to the announcement, Harbourfront is an independent Canadian wealth management and investment advisory firm offering portfolio management, financial planning, proprietary alternative investment solutions and family-office-style services to high-net-worth and retail investors across Canada.

Ares served as co-lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting Parthenon Capital’s continued growth plans for NewEdge Capital. The company described NewEdge Capital as a wealth management platform that “empowers both captive and independent advisors and the families they serve.”

Ares served as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting Carlyle’s continued growth plans for Prime Capital Financial, which the company described as a rapidly growing, independent wealth management firm serving over 25,000 households and 1,000 enterprises nationwide.

Ares served as a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting Cynosure and The Pritzker Organization’s continued growth plans for Steward Partners, described in the announcement as an independent, advisory-centric hybrid wealth management platform serving high-net-worth individuals across the U.S.

Industrial, Consumer, Technology and Insurance Financings

Ares served as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting Gryphon Partners’ continued growth plans for AirX Climate Solutions, which the company described as a leading provider of specialty industrial and commercial HVAC equipment and services to a diverse set of end markets.

Ares served as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting CVC Capital Partners’ acquisition of Chess.com, an online platform for playing chess that provides chess-related content and educational resources and hosts chess events.

Ares served as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting Butterfly Equity and Graham Partners’ partnership with Custom Flavors, alongside Graham Partners’ existing portfolio company Target Flavors. According to the announcement, Custom Flavors and Target Flavors are specialty flavor solutions formulators and manufacturers across applications including functional foods and nutraceuticals, beverages, snacks and dairy.

Ares served as administrative agent for a senior secured credit facility supporting continued growth plans for Essor Group, a multi-brand platform that sells consumer products across the health and wellness, lifestyle, personal care and beauty industries.

Ares served as administrative agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting Lightyear Capital and BHMS Investments’ continued growth plans for Inszone, a full-service insurance brokerage firm offering a wide range of property and casualty and employee benefits solutions.

Ares served as administrative agent and joint lead arranger for a senior secured credit facility supporting GTCR’s acquisition of Tactacam, a provider of cellular-connected trail and security cameras to over one million subscribers across the United States.

The facilities described as supporting acquisitions were those tied to CVC Capital Partners’ purchase of Chess.com, The Vistria Group’s purchase of Curi Capital, Berkshire Partners’ purchase of Harbourfront Wealth Management and GTCR’s purchase of Tactacam. The remaining selected facilities were described as supporting continued growth plans or, in the case of Custom Flavors, a partnership alongside Graham Partners’ existing portfolio company Target Flavors.