Key Takeaways
- • Bondster CEO Martin Stibor says private credit assets under management grew from roughly $300–400 billion around 2010 to more than $2 trillion today, and cites Morgan Stanley and Preqin forecasts of $3.5–5 trillion by 2030.
- • Bondster, operating since 2017, connects retail and institutional investors with licensed non-bank lenders from Czechia and other countries, with loans often secured by real estate.
- • According to Stibor, the platform has delivered average annual returns of about 10% since launch and has paid investors more than CZK 360 million in interest; these figures are company-reported and not independently verified in the article.
- • Stibor positions private credit as a diversification tool whose returns come from loan repayments rather than asset price appreciation, independent of daily stock market swings.
- • Stibor names Acema, a Czech non-bank lender and long-time platform partner, as an example of real estate-backed lending, and acknowledges that all investments carry risk.
Summary
Martin Stibor, CEO of Czech investment platform Bondster, argues that private credit is becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of investing worldwide. According to Stibor, assets under management in the sector were around $300–400 billion in about 2010 and now exceed $2 trillion. Morgan Stanley and Preqin forecast growth to $3.5–5 trillion by 2030, which he says places private credit ahead of most traditional bond markets and many other alternative asset classes in terms of expansion pace.
Stibor attributes the growth to investor demand for diversification and steadier income. Returns in this asset class come mainly from the repayment of loans rather than from price appreciation. He frames private credit as an additional option alongside stocks, funds and bonds, noting that stocks offer growth but high volatility, while bonds are more stable but typically yield less, and non-public bonds expose investors to significant information asymmetry.
Bondster has operated since 2017 and connects institutional and retail investors with licensed non-bank lenders from Czechia and other countries. The platform was one of the first in Europe to offer this model to the general public, with relatively small minimum amounts. Borrowers take loans from vetted lenders, often secured by real estate, and lenders post offers on the platform from which investors choose. Income is derived mainly from loan payments. Stibor states that every lender is assessed for financial stability, business model and long-term ability to meet obligations before admission.
According to Stibor, average annual returns on investments through Bondster since launch are about 10%, and investors have received more than CZK 360 million in interest. These figures are company-reported and the article does not provide independent verification. Real estate-backed loans are among the most sought-after offers, as the physical asset provides additional protection. Stibor cites loans from Acema, a Czech non-bank lender and long-time partner, as an example, while reminding investors that any investment carries a degree of risk.
Stibor attributes the growth to investor demand for diversification and steadier income. Returns in this asset class come mainly from the repayment of loans rather than from price appreciation. He frames private credit as an additional option alongside stocks, funds and bonds, noting that stocks offer growth but high volatility, while bonds are more stable but typically yield less, and non-public bonds expose investors to significant information asymmetry.
Bondster has operated since 2017 and connects institutional and retail investors with licensed non-bank lenders from Czechia and other countries. The platform was one of the first in Europe to offer this model to the general public, with relatively small minimum amounts. Borrowers take loans from vetted lenders, often secured by real estate, and lenders post offers on the platform from which investors choose. Income is derived mainly from loan payments. Stibor states that every lender is assessed for financial stability, business model and long-term ability to meet obligations before admission.
According to Stibor, average annual returns on investments through Bondster since launch are about 10%, and investors have received more than CZK 360 million in interest. These figures are company-reported and the article does not provide independent verification. Real estate-backed loans are among the most sought-after offers, as the physical asset provides additional protection. Stibor cites loans from Acema, a Czech non-bank lender and long-time partner, as an example, while reminding investors that any investment carries a degree of risk.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.