American Beacon Partners Partners With Pender Capital

American Beacon Partners Expands Its Alternative Investment Platform Through Strategic Partnership With Pender Capital Management

American Beacon Partners (“American Beacon”), a diversified asset management platform with nearly four decades of experience in building, supporting, and distributing investment strategies, has announced a new strategic partnership with Pender Capital Management, LLC (“Pender Capital”), a specialized investment manager focused on short-term, senior secured commercial bridge loans within the commercial real estate sector. This collaboration brings together American Beacon’s extensive distribution capabilities and long-standing relationships across the wealth management ecosystem with Pender Capital’s deep expertise in real estate credit and disciplined approach to capital preservation. The partnership reflects a shared belief that private real estate credit strategies are becoming increasingly important for investors seeking income, downside protection, and diversification amid evolving market conditions.

A Strategic Alignment Rooted in Experience and Shared Investment Philosophy

American Beacon has built a reputation over approximately 40 years as a platform that partners with both affiliated and independent investment managers, offering access to differentiated strategies across traditional and alternative asset classes. With more than 30 manager partnerships, the firm has consistently focused on identifying investment teams with strong track records, clear investment philosophies, and disciplined risk management processes. The decision to partner with Pender Capital reflects this long-standing commitment to quality and alignment, as American Beacon sees the Pender team as having developed what it believes to be a best-in-class real estate credit platform. According to Greg Stumm, president and CEO of American Beacon Partners, the firm has been closely monitoring the growing demand for alternative, income-focused strategies, particularly those that can offer capital preservation and differentiated yield in uncertain markets, making the timing of this partnership especially compelling.

Pender Capital’s Specialized Focus on Real Estate Credit

Pender Capital Management has carved out a distinct niche within the commercial real estate industry by specializing in short-term, senior secured commercial bridge loans. These loans typically serve borrowers who need flexible, interim financing solutions, often to bridge the gap between acquisition and long-term financing, refinance existing debt, or fund transitional business plans. Pender Capital’s strategy emphasizes seniority in the capital structure, conservative underwriting, and active risk management, all designed to prioritize the protection of investor capital while generating attractive risk-adjusted returns. Over the years, the firm’s team has refined a dynamic approach to real estate credit that responds to shifting market conditions, borrower needs, and lending environments, positioning it as an experienced and trusted manager within the private credit space.

The Role of the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund

Central to the partnership is the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund, a closed-end interval fund focused on commercial real estate debt. Interval funds offer investors access to less liquid asset classes while still providing periodic liquidity through scheduled repurchase offers, making them an increasingly popular structure for private credit strategies. The Pender Real Estate Credit Fund is designed to capitalize on current market factors that have reshaped the lending landscape, including a reduction in traditional lending options from banks and other conventional institutions, combined with sustained borrower demand for short-term financing solutions. These dynamics have created what many market participants view as a compelling opportunity for well-capitalized private lenders that can move efficiently, underwrite conservatively, and structure loans with favorable terms.

Market Conditions Driving Demand for Private Real Estate Credit

The commercial real estate financing environment has undergone significant change in recent years, influenced by rising interest rates, regulatory pressures on banks, and broader economic uncertainty. Many traditional lenders have become more cautious, tightening credit standards and reducing exposure to certain property types or transitional assets. At the same time, borrowers continue to seek flexible financing options to navigate refinancing challenges, execute value-add strategies, or manage near-term liquidity needs. This imbalance between supply and demand has opened the door for private real estate credit managers like Pender Capital to play a more prominent role in the market. By focusing on short-duration, senior secured loans, the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund aims to take advantage of these conditions while maintaining a disciplined approach to risk.

American Beacon’s Distribution Leadership and Industry Reach

As part of the agreement, American Beacon will lead distribution efforts for the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund, leveraging its established reach across the wealth management landscape. The firm has long been recognized for its close relationships with financial advisors, wealth managers, and institutional intermediaries, as well as its ability to educate the investment community about specialized strategies. By bringing the Pender fund to a broader audience, American Beacon aims to connect advisors and investors with a real estate credit solution that addresses the growing need for alternative income sources and portfolio diversification. Greg Stumm emphasized that American Beacon’s role is not simply about distribution, but about telling the story behind the strategy, helping investors understand how and why private real estate credit can play a meaningful role in modern portfolios.

Responding to Investor Demand for Income and Capital Preservation

One of the driving forces behind the partnership is the continued growth in demand for income-oriented investment solutions that also emphasize capital preservation. In an environment marked by market volatility, shifting interest rate expectations, and uncertainty across public markets, many investors are reevaluating traditional sources of income and looking beyond conventional fixed income. Alternative credit strategies, particularly those backed by real assets such as commercial real estate, have gained attention for their potential to deliver consistent income with lower correlation to public markets. The Pender Real Estate Credit Fund’s focus on senior secured lending aligns with this demand by prioritizing downside protection while seeking to generate competitive yields.

A Natural Fit Between Two Complementary Organizations

Cory Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Pender Capital, described the partnership with American Beacon as a natural fit, highlighting the complementary strengths of the two organizations. Pender Capital brings a proven track record in real estate credit, along with a disciplined investment process centered on risk management and capital preservation. American Beacon, in turn, offers deep experience in working closely with the wealth community and supporting investment managers through thoughtful distribution and client engagement. Johnson noted that effective distribution partnerships are critical for meeting the needs of financial advisors and investors, particularly as alternative strategies become more prominent in portfolio construction. The alignment of values, experience, and long-term vision has been a key factor in bringing the two firms together.

The Importance of Education and Transparency in Alternative Investments

As alternative investments become more accessible to a broader range of investors, education and transparency have taken on heightened importance. American Beacon has long emphasized the role of clear communication in helping advisors and clients understand complex strategies, including how they work, where risks lie, and how they fit within a diversified portfolio. Through this partnership, American Beacon intends to provide resources and insights that explain the fundamentals of private real estate credit, the structure of interval funds, and the specific characteristics of the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund. This educational approach is designed to empower advisors to make informed recommendations and help investors set appropriate expectations around liquidity, risk, and return.

Interval Funds as a Growing Access Point for Private Credit

The closed-end interval fund structure used by the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund represents a growing trend in the alternative investment space. Interval funds offer a hybrid approach that combines access to private, less liquid assets with periodic liquidity features, typically on a quarterly basis. This structure can be attractive to investors who want exposure to private credit strategies without fully locking up capital for extended periods. For managers like Pender Capital, interval funds provide the flexibility to invest in opportunities that may not be suitable for daily liquidity vehicles, while still maintaining a level of accessibility that aligns with the needs of wealth management clients. American Beacon’s experience in distributing alternative structures positions it well to support advisors navigating these options.

Positioning for Long-Term Growth and Portfolio Relevance

Both American Beacon and Pender Capital view the partnership as a long-term strategic initiative rather than a short-term product launch. The firms believe that private real estate credit will continue to play an important role in investor portfolios as market dynamics evolve and the search for reliable income persists. By combining Pender Capital’s specialized expertise with American Beacon’s platform and distribution capabilities, the partnership aims to support sustainable growth while remaining responsive to changing investor needs. This long-term perspective underscores a shared commitment to disciplined investing, thoughtful risk management, and ongoing engagement with the advisor community.

Navigating Risk Through Conservative Underwriting and Active Management

Risk management remains a central pillar of the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund’s investment approach. By focusing on senior secured positions, the strategy seeks to provide a margin of safety in the event of borrower stress or market downturns. Conservative loan-to-value ratios, rigorous due diligence, and ongoing monitoring of collateral and borrower performance are integral components of the process. In a market where uncertainty remains elevated, these practices are designed to help protect investor capital while still capturing attractive income opportunities. American Beacon’s emphasis on partnering with managers who demonstrate strong risk discipline aligns closely with Pender Capital’s philosophy.

Enhancing Portfolio Diversification Through Real Asset Exposure

Commercial real estate credit offers investors exposure to real assets that can serve as a diversifying element within a broader portfolio. Unlike traditional fixed income, which may be more sensitive to interest rate movements and public market volatility, private real estate loans are often structured with shorter durations, floating rates, and asset-backed security. These features can help mitigate certain risks while providing a different return profile. The Pender Real Estate Credit Fund’s focus on commercial real estate debt allows investors to participate in this segment of the market without taking on direct equity exposure to properties, which can carry higher volatility and longer investment horizons.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Access to Differentiated Credit Strategies

The partnership between American Beacon Partners and Pender Capital Management represents a strategic step toward expanding access to differentiated real estate credit strategies for the wealth management community. By combining deep investment expertise with robust distribution and education, the firms aim to address a growing appetite for alternative income solutions that emphasize capital preservation. As the commercial real estate lending environment continues to evolve, the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund is positioned to take advantage of opportunities created by reduced bank lending and sustained borrower demand. Investors and advisors interested in learning more about the fund and Pender Capital’s approach to real estate credit can find additional information at pendercapital.com, as American Beacon begins the process of introducing this strategy to a broader audience across the investment landscape.

About American Beacon Partners

American Beacon Partners, formerly known as Resolute Investment Managers, is a diversified asset management platform with affiliated and independent partnerships with more than 30 investment managers. Drawing on approximately 40 years of investment expertise, innovation and adaptability, American Beacon Partners delivers enduring value through traditional and alternative solutions designed to meet investors’ evolving needs. Driven by future value creation, American Beacon Partners’ unique platform delivers strategic benefits through a full suite of distribution, operational and administrative services that may be leveraged by its affiliates. We offer three customizable partnership models tailored for the U.S. wealth and retirement markets. For affiliated partners, we make strategic investments in boutique asset managers to enhance distribution and administrative support functions. For strategic distribution partners, we help investment managers leverage our distribution expertise to achieve greater scale. For sub-advisors to American Beacon Advisors, we assist institutional-caliber asset managers who are seeking to expand their strategies to retail markets through existing funds or new fund launches. With roots as an unaffiliated sub-advised mutual fund sponsor, the majority of our partnerships are with asset managers who invest and operate with full autonomy and independence. American Beacon Partners’ affiliates include American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; National Investment Services of America, LLC; RSW Investments Holdings LLC; Shapiro Capital Management LLC; SSI Investment Management LLC; and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. As of September 30, 2025, American Beacon Partners’ affiliated partners had $82.9 billion in assets under management. For more information, please visit www.ambeacon.com.

About Pender Capital

Pender Capital is a niche investment manager dedicated solely to commercial real estate credit-based opportunities. Pender Capital offers capital solutions to borrowers investing in or owning properties with equity collateral while providing investors with opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns. The firm is owned and operated by a team of seasoned commercial real estate professionals with hands-on real estate experience, credit skills, and sophisticated investment banking expertise. Pender Capital has originated approximately $1.64 billion in commercial real estate credit, representing more than $2.77 billion in asset value as of November 30, 2025. Learn more at www.pendercapital.com.

Disclosures

An investment in Pender Real Estate Credit Fund (the “Fund”) is subject to various risks. Investors should carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. Before investing, carefully read the prospectus, which can be obtained by visiting www.pendercapitalfunds.com/#fundDocument or by calling 310.853.8001 or email at IR@pendercapital.com. An investment in the Fund is subject to a high degree of risk.

Some of the risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Shares are an illiquid investment.
You may lose all of your investment.
The Fund is a newly formed business entity with a limited history of operations and limited assets. The Fund is subject to the risks involved with any speculative new venture. No assurance can be given that the Fund will be profitable.
Pender Capital does not intend to list the Fund’s shares (“shares”) on any securities exchange and does not expect a secondary market in the shares to develop.
Investors should generally not expect to be able to sell their shares (other than through the limited repurchase process), regardless of how the Fund performs.
Although the Fund is required to implement a share repurchase program, only a limited number of shares will be eligible for repurchase.
You should consider that you may not have access to the money you invest for an indefinite period of time.
An investment in the shares is not suitable for you if you have a foreseeable need to access the money you invest.
Because you will be unable to sell your shares or have them repurchased immediately, you will find it difficult to reduce your exposure on a timely basis during a market downturn.
Pandemic Risk. COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including securities the Fund holds and may adversely affect the Fund’s investments and operations.
The Fund is a non-diversified management investment company and may be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Cybersecurity risks have significantly increased in recent years and the Fund could suffer such losses in the future. One of the fundamental risks associated with the Fund’s investments is the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments on its outstanding debt obligations when due. Other risk factors include interest rate risk (a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of debt securities) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments).

The Fund is distributed by Distribution Services, LLC, Portland, ME 04101, which is not affiliated with Pender Capital Management or American Beacon Partners.

American Beacon Partners is a service mark of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. The American Beacon Partners logo is a service mark of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

PENDER-PRESS-2026 | 01/26

Source Link