Monroe Capital LLC today announced the launch of the Monroe Capital Enhanced Corporate Lending Fund (MLEND), a perpetual‑life, non‑traded business development company that will allow retail investors to participate in the firm’s lower‑middle‑market direct‑lending strategy.
MLEND will build a diversified portfolio of senior‑secured loans to lower‑middle‑market companies, with a focus on technology‑enabled, healthcare, and software businesses that generate predictable cash flows. The fund’s investment mandate is designed to deliver consistent income while providing diversification across sectors that are traditionally underserved by larger institutional lenders.
The fund offers monthly subscription options and quarterly liquidity windows through discretionary share repurchases that begin on December 31 2027, giving investors a degree of flexibility uncommon in private‑credit vehicles. Investors will also receive Form 1099 tax reporting, simplifying compliance for individual portfolios.
Monroe Capital’s 21‑year track record and industry recognition underpin the launch. The firm maintains a $22 billion asset base and a 320‑person team, and the new fund expands its investment platform by lowering minimums and adding liquidity options for retail investors without diluting the disciplined underwriting and portfolio‑management playbook that has driven the firm’s performance.
"With MLEND, we are broadening access to our direct‑lending strategy, offering institutional‑quality investments with lower minimums and flexible liquidity," said Zia Uddin, President of Monroe Capital. "We believe the current market environment presents compelling opportunities for private‑credit investors, and MLEND is designed to deliver diversification, stability, and attractive risk‑adjusted returns."
The launch aligns with a broader industry trend of non‑bank lenders creating retail‑friendly private‑credit vehicles. By structuring MLEND as a continuously offered BDC, Monroe Capital can raise capital on an ongoing basis and provide a more liquid alternative to traditional private‑equity funds, positioning the firm to capture growing demand from income‑focused investors seeking exposure to private credit.
The fund’s focus on lower‑middle‑market companies reflects Monroe Capital’s core expertise and the sector’s resilience in a tightening credit environment. The combination of senior‑secured debt, predictable cash flows, and a diversified sector mix is intended to generate stable income streams while mitigating concentration risk.
Overall, the launch represents a strategic expansion of Monroe Capital’s distribution model, offering retail investors a new avenue to access private‑credit returns with a structure that balances liquidity, transparency, and disciplined risk management.
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