Key Takeaways
- • Monroe Capital LLC closed Monroe Capital MML CLO XVIII, Ltd., a $426.6 million term debt securitization, according to a Business Wire release dated May 19, 2026.
- • The deal is the fourth CLO issuance from Monroe's platform within the past 12 months.
- • Societe Generale acted as Lead Arranger, and the debt tranches are rated AAA through BBB-, structured to meet U.S., U.K., and European risk retention standards.
- • Monroe's CLO franchise now manages over $4.4 billion, and the firm reported more than $24 billion in total AUM as of April 1, 2026.
- • Monroe's CLO platform has earned multiple 2025 and 2026 industry awards, including DealCatalyst's 2026 Boutique Private Credit CLO Manager of the Year (less than $5 billion).
Summary
Chicago-based private credit manager Monroe Capital LLC announced the successful closing of Monroe Capital MML CLO XVIII, LTD., a $426.6 million term debt securitization, according to a Business Wire release. The transaction is collateralized by a diversified portfolio of lower and traditional middle market senior secured loans and marks the fourth CLO issuance from the firm's platform in the past 12 months.
The deal's investment-grade debt tranches are rated AAA through BBB-. Societe Generale served as Lead Arranger. The structure was designed to satisfy U.S., U.K., and European risk retention standards, which the firm described as reflecting its approach to global capital markets execution.
Monroe President Zia Uddin said the transaction benefited from Societe Generale's collaboration and drew strong demand from the firm's global investor base, including meaningful participation from new institutional partners. Uddin attributed the outcome to the firm's middle market credit strategy, institutional-grade underwriting, portfolio oversight, and access to directly originated opportunities.
According to the release, Monroe's CLO franchise manages more than $4.4 billion, and the firm had over $24 billion in assets under management as of April 1, 2026, across more than 45 investment vehicles. These include direct lending and alternative credit funds, venture debt, public and private BDCs, separately managed accounts, and its CLO program. Monroe describes itself as a private credit manager active since 2004, headquartered in Chicago with 12 locations across the United States, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.
The transaction was also reported by other outlets, including Dealroom, ABF Journal, citybiz, and Pulse 2.0, which described a $398.9 million private credit CLO priced by Monroe. The earlier pricing figure and the $426.6 million closing figure are presented as the same transaction in those reports. Monroe's CLO platform received recognition in 2026 from DealCatalyst and in 2025 from Private Debt Investor and Alternative Credit Investor.
The deal's investment-grade debt tranches are rated AAA through BBB-. Societe Generale served as Lead Arranger. The structure was designed to satisfy U.S., U.K., and European risk retention standards, which the firm described as reflecting its approach to global capital markets execution.
Monroe President Zia Uddin said the transaction benefited from Societe Generale's collaboration and drew strong demand from the firm's global investor base, including meaningful participation from new institutional partners. Uddin attributed the outcome to the firm's middle market credit strategy, institutional-grade underwriting, portfolio oversight, and access to directly originated opportunities.
According to the release, Monroe's CLO franchise manages more than $4.4 billion, and the firm had over $24 billion in assets under management as of April 1, 2026, across more than 45 investment vehicles. These include direct lending and alternative credit funds, venture debt, public and private BDCs, separately managed accounts, and its CLO program. Monroe describes itself as a private credit manager active since 2004, headquartered in Chicago with 12 locations across the United States, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.
The transaction was also reported by other outlets, including Dealroom, ABF Journal, citybiz, and Pulse 2.0, which described a $398.9 million private credit CLO priced by Monroe. The earlier pricing figure and the $426.6 million closing figure are presented as the same transaction in those reports. Monroe's CLO platform received recognition in 2026 from DealCatalyst and in 2025 from Private Debt Investor and Alternative Credit Investor.
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