Apollo announced the launch of European Credit Company (ECC), a platform focused exclusively on European performing credit, including corporate and asset-backed lending. The company launched with more than €10 billion of lending capacity to serve as a long-term financing partner across the region.
ECC was established to help address unprecedented financing needs in Europe driven by the industrial renaissance. The platform brings flexible solutions to market across multiple credit asset classes. ECC will finance both large and middle-market opportunities, working with companies, sponsors and real asset owners, including infrastructure and real estate, to help capitalize their business needs and support growth in local economies. In addition to its proprietary origination, ECC will source assets through strategic partnerships with European financial institutions and will have access to Apollo’s European credit platform.
The company is backed by long-term capital investments led by Apollo funds and affiliates, as well as Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), Athora, Norinchukin Bank, Standard Chartered and Aranda Principal Strategies. ECC is led by Chief Executive Officer Giacomo Petrobelli and Chairman Christian Meissner.
“The formation of ECC is driven by a generational opportunity to mobilize global pools of capital to finance Europe’s long-term growth agenda,” Petrobelli said. “We aim to build ECC into a premier pan-European credit platform, focused exclusively on the region, with deep local relationships, differentiated sourcing and flexible solutions that span all credit types. Having spent my whole career in European financial services, I am thrilled to now lead ECC, building a new franchise with institutional support from Apollo and the wider investor group.”
“The Global Industrial Renaissance is creating tremendous financing needs around the world that are acutely felt in Europe, whether it’s energy transition and transmission, defense, or digital and traditional infrastructure,” Apollo President Jim Zelter said. “With ECC, we are pleased to extend our toolbox in Europe through a dedicated platform and localized approach, working in harmony with the larger Apollo franchise and alongside other leading global financial institutions.”
ECC has a presence in Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg City and Milan, with plans to expand to additional markets in the coming quarters.
