Barings Supports Crebrid with $500M for Lending Growth - InforCapital

Global investment manager Barings has entered a strategic partnership with real estate lender Crebrid, initiating a $500 million credit facility to boost short-term residential loans across the U.S. The agreement marks a significant expansion in real estate financing solutions aimed at supporting property renovations and new residential developments.

Crebrid, previously known as Wildcat Lending, plans to use the funding to scale lending products such as fix-and-flip, construction, and bridge loans. The company, based in Plano, Texas, has originated nearly $2 billion in loans since launching in 2014, with a primary footprint in Texas, Ohio, and Tennessee.

The capital injection from Barings is expected to be deployed over the next six to nine months, with the option to expand the credit line to $1 billion. The move comes as housing inventory remains tight and demand for redevelopment capital grows nationwide.

A core factor in the deal was Crebrid’s proprietary use of artificial intelligence to tailor loan underwriting based on borrower profiles and property data. This tech-forward approach aligns with Barings’ larger strategy in the asset-backed finance sector, which now oversees more than $70 billion in managed assets.

“This collaboration enhances our capabilities in residential credit and supports a modernized lending infrastructure,” noted Jim Moore, who leads Barings' asset-based finance division.

Crebrid President Tim Jordan emphasized that the partnership will allow the firm to meet a $1 billion deployment milestone within a year and grow to $3–5 billion in annual originations by 2030.

The partnership reflects growing institutional interest in residential transition lending (RTL), a sector that’s attracting attention as a flexible tool to address outdated housing and development bottlenecks. Competitors like Kiavi, Groundfloor, and Roc360 are also expanding their stakes in the RTL space through securitizations and capital infusions.