Jean-Marc Chapus | $1B+
Get in touch with Jean-Marc Chapus | Jean-Marc Chapus, cofounder and managing partner of Crescent Capital, helped build one of the most established private credit firms in the market by focusing on below-investment-grade debt, private equity-backed financing, and disciplined risk management. A former leveraged finance banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert and later a senior executive at TCW, Chapus co-founded Crescent in 1991 and played a central role in shaping its investment philosophy across private and tradeable credit. Under his leadership, Crescent grew into a globally recognized credit platform managing tens of billions of dollars and became a key capital partner to private equity sponsors and growth companies.
Jean-Marc is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Crescent Capital, supervising the firm’s public and private credit market activities. As Co-Founder, he developed Crescent’s guiding investment philosophies across both private and tradeable credit strategies. As a result, Crescent has become a globally recognized leader in providing credit solutions to the private equity and growth industries. Jean-Marc has also been instrumental in establishing the firm’s private market investment activities as one of the largest and longest-standing platforms investing in private equity-led acquisitions worldwide.
Previously, Jean-Marc was Group Managing Director at The TCW Group, where he co-managed the Leveraged Finance Group. Prior to TCW, he was an investment banker and capital markets professional. He is a current and former member of the board of numerous companies and institutions.
Jean-Marc received an AB in Economics and an MBA from Harvard University.
Crescent Capital Group is a global alternative investment firm specializing in corporate credit strategies, founded in 1991 by former Drexel Burnham Lambert bankers Mark Attanasio, Jean-Marc Chapus, and Bob Beyer, and headquartered in Los Angeles, California.[1][2] The firm manages approximately $48 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2025, with a singular focus on below-investment-grade credit opportunities across private and tradable markets.[3][4]Since its inception, Crescent Capital Group has built a reputation for rigorous credit research and a disciplined investment process, emphasizing principal preservation and consistent returns through investments in high-yield bonds, bank loans, mezzanine debt, and direct lending.[1] The firm operates from five global offices and employs over 225 team members, leveraging deep industry relationships to serve institutional investors with tailored credit solutions.[5] In 2021, Sun Life Financial Inc. acquired a majority stake in the firm, enhancing its platform for multi-strategy fixed income investing while maintaining its independent credit-focused approach.[6] Notable milestones include launching its first collateralized loan obligation (CLO) in the early 1990s, expanding into European direct lending, and going public with a business development company (BDC) via an initial public offering in 2019 under the ticker CCAP.[1][7] Crescent's strategies span the capital structure, from senior secured loans to opportunistic credit, targeting middle-market and large-cap companies across sectors like business services and consumer industries.[8]
History
Founding and early development
Crescent Capital Group was founded in 1991 as Crescent Capital Corporation by Mark Attanasio, Jean-Marc Chapus, and Robert D. Beyer, all of whom were alumni of the investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert.[1][9] The trio drew upon their collective experience in high-yield securities and distressed debt from their time at Drexel, which had been a pioneer in the junk bond market under Michael Milken before its collapse in 1990.[10] This background positioned the new firm to capitalize on opportunities in the evolving credit landscape following the savings and loan crisis.From its inception, Crescent Capital Group's initial focus centered on high-yield bond markets and below-investment-grade credit investments, emphasizing opportunistic strategies in non-investment-grade debt.[1] The firm leveraged the founders' expertise in structuring and trading such securities to build a portfolio that targeted corporate issuers seeking flexible financing solutions.[11] This approach allowed Crescent to navigate the post-Drexel regulatory environment while establishing itself as an early player in alternative credit management.In 1992, Crescent launched its first private credit fund, which marked the firm's entry into private debt investments and focused on junior credit opportunities in partnership with private equity sponsors.[1] Early operations were based in Los Angeles, California, where the firm developed a comprehensive emphasis on corporate credit across the capital structure, including senior loans, mezzanine debt, and high-yield bonds.[12] This foundational strategy laid the groundwork for Crescent's specialization in credit investing through market cycles, prioritizing rigorous analysis and risk-adjusted returns in below-investment-grade assets.[9]
Growth and key milestones
Following its founding in 1991 with a focus on high-yield bonds, Crescent Capital Group evolved into a comprehensive credit platform by the late 1990s and early 2000s, expanding into mezzanine debt financing for private equity-backed transactions and middle-market lending strategies.[1][13] This shift was marked by early mezzanine investments, such as the 2000 acquisition of Synagro Technologies alongside GTCR, and the establishment of a dedicated lower middle-market lending team in 2005 to target senior direct lending opportunities.[13][1]In the 2010s, Crescent pursued international expansion to support its growing global credit investments, opening an office in London to enhance European private credit activities and later incorporating senior direct lending capabilities in the region.[1] A pivotal strategic development occurred in October 2020 when Sun Life Financial announced its acquisition of a 51% majority stake in Crescent for up to $338 million, with the transaction completing in January 2021 and integrating Crescent into Sun Life Global Investments while retaining operational independence.[14][15]Key fund milestones underscored this period of growth, including the February 2023 final close of the eighth Credit Solutions Fund at $8 billion in investable capital—the largest in the firm's history and double the initial target—which focused on unitranche, second-lien, and junior debt for middle-market companies.[16] This reflected robust investor demand amid market opportunities. Assets under management expanded significantly from approximately $28 billion as of late 2020 to $40 billion by the end of 2022, driven by successful fundraises and strategic integrations.[6][1]In 2025, Crescent opened an office in Frankfurt, Germany, to strengthen its presence in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), led by Managing Director Michael Sauerbrey. Earlier that year, in April 2025, the firm closed its third European Specialty Lending Fund at approximately €3 billion in investable capital.[17][18]
Business Operations
Investment strategies
Crescent Capital Group primarily focuses on global alternative investments in corporate credit, targeting debt securities across the capital structure, including senior loans, mezzanine debt, and high-yield bonds, in both private and tradeable markets.[5] The firm specializes in private credit, providing direct lending to middle-market companies, with targeted strategies in the U.S. through Crescent Direct Lending and in European markets via Crescent European Specialty Lending.[19] This approach leverages long-standing relationships with private equity sponsors to source proprietary transactions and deliver tailored financing solutions.[19]The firm's multi-strategy fixed income approach incorporates opportunistic credit and structured credit products, such as narrowly syndicated loans and asset-backed securities, to capture attractive income opportunities in below-investment-grade sectors.[20] By employing fundamental, bottoms-up analysis, Crescent seeks to generate consistent returns with lower volatility compared to broader market benchmarks in high-yield and bank loan strategies.[20]Risk management is integral to Crescent's process, featuring diversification across industries and geographies, alongside rigorous due diligence on below-investment-grade issuers to maintain historically low credit loss rates through economic cycles.[1] This disciplined framework prioritizes current income generation and principal preservation, supported by a cycle-tested track record spanning over 30 years.[1]Crescent emphasizes illiquid credit opportunities, distinguishing its platform from traditional fixed income by integrating proprietary sourcing and customization to access non-tradeable debt in private markets.[19]
Products and funds
Crescent Capital Group's flagship products include a range of private credit funds designed to provide flexible financing solutions across the capital structure. The Credit Solutions series, such as Crescent Credit Solutions VIII (CCS Fund VIII), focuses on mezzanine and direct lending opportunities, targeting current income and principal preservation through investments in middle-market companies.[21] These funds leverage the firm's extensive relationships with private equity sponsors to deliver tailored debt solutions, including unitranche and junior debt structures.[19]A key offering is Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCAP), a publicly traded business development company that originates and invests in debt securities of private middle-market companies.[22] Launched to provide flexible financing to this segment, CCAP operates as an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified fund under the leadership of CEO Jason Breaux, who also chairs the investment committee.[23] This vehicle complements Crescent's broader private credit platform by offering public market access to its direct lending strategies.[19]In the tradeable credit space, Crescent manages high-yield bond funds and opportunistic credit strategies primarily for institutional investors. These include investments in bank loans, structured products, and multi-sector credit approaches that emphasize capital preservation amid market volatility.[24] The firm pioneered non-investment grade credit management, applying bottoms-up analysis to speculative-grade issuers with a historically low default rate compared to broader market benchmarks.[20]Through its integration with Sun Life following the 2021 majority acquisition, Crescent provides customized solutions for private wealth and insurance clients.[14] These offerings feature specialized fixed income funds targeting below-investment-grade corporate debt, such as high-yield bonds, bank loans, and narrowly syndicated credit, structured to meet the specific needs of insurance-dedicated and evergreen vehicles.[25] Recent additions include the launch of GP Financing Solutions in August 2025, aimed at providing financing to general partners of private equity firms, with strategic support from Sun Life.[3] In September 2025, Sun Life Global Investments introduced the Sun Life Crescent Specialty Credit Private Pool (ETF Series), a specialized fixed income ETF focused on below-investment-grade debt including bank loans, high-yield bonds, and CLOs.[26] Additionally, in April 2025, Crescent closed its third European specialty lending fund, raising approximately €3 billion.[27]Crescent's disclosed portfolio includes equity holdings reported in SEC 13F filings.[28] These holdings reflect the firm's focus on credit-oriented investments across public and private markets.
Leadership and Governance
Key executives and founders
Crescent Capital Group was co-founded in 1991 by Mark Attanasio and Jean-Marc Chapus, both former investment bankers at Drexel Burnham Lambert, along with Robert D. Beyer.[29] Mark Attanasio serves as Co-Founder and Managing Partner, where he oversees the firm's public and private market activities, drawing on his extensive experience in leveraged finance and capital markets.[30] He holds an AB from Brown University and a JD from Columbia Law School, and is also the Chairman and Principal Owner of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team.[30][31] Jean-Marc Chapus, likewise a Co-Founder and Managing Partner, supervises the firm's public and private credit market activities and has been instrumental in developing its investment philosophies for both private and tradable credit strategies.[32] Chapus previously served as Group Managing Director at The TCW Group, co-managing its Leveraged Finance Group, and earned an AB in Economics and an MBA from Harvard University.[32]In June 2024, Crescent Capital announced key leadership transitions to support its growth in private markets. Christopher Wright was appointed President, a role in which he also heads Private Markets and serves on the Executive Committee; he joined the firm in 2001 after finance roles at General Electric and has over two decades of experience in credit investments.[33][34] Joseph Viola was named Chairman of the Operating Committee while continuing as Chief Operating Officer; he joined in 2001 from TCW's Leveraged Finance Group and oversees budgeting, financial reporting, and strategic partnerships.[33][35]Further strengthening its private credit focus, Jason Breaux was appointed Head of Private Credit in May 2025, in addition to his ongoing role as CEO of Crescent Capital BDC, Inc., and Chair of its investment committee.[36][23] Breaux has over 24 years at Crescent since joining in 2000, following experience in mergers and acquisitions at Robertson Stephens, and brings deep expertise in institutional credit strategies.[36][37] Another key figure is Jonathan Marotta, a Managing Director and member of the Executive Committee focused on private credit, who joined in 2010 after roles as Principal at Intermediate Capital Group and York Street Capital Partners, as well as starting his career as a Certified Public Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.[38]The firm's leadership team collectively possesses more than 20 years of experience in credit markets for most executives, with many having prior roles at prominent institutions such as Drexel Burnham Lambert and Goldman Sachs, enabling a robust approach to complex debt investments.[39][40]
Organizational structure
Crescent Capital Group is majority-owned by Sun Life Financial, which acquired a 51% stake in January 2021, allowing the firm to operate as an independent manager within Sun Life's SLC Management division.[15][6]The firm's governance is supported by several key committees, including the Operating Committee, which oversees day-to-day operations and budgeting and is chaired by Chief Operating Officer Joseph Viola.[33] The Investment Committee, focused on the business development company (BDC) operations, is chaired by Jason Breaux, who also serves as CEO of Crescent Capital BDC, Inc.[23] Additionally, the Executive Committee provides strategic oversight, with members including senior leaders such as President Christopher Wright and Managing Director Jonathan Marotta.[34][38]Crescent Capital Group maintains its headquarters in Los Angeles, California, with additional offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, and London to support its global operations.[41][42] The firm employs approximately 270 professionals worldwide as of mid-2025.[42]In September 2025, Crescent strengthened its European presence by hiring Juan Grana as Managing Director to lead its bank capital solutions team and Doran Chernichen as Managing Director, both based in the London office to enhance capabilities in credit risk-sharing and private credit strategies.[43]Crescent Capital Group is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under CRD number 153966.[44]
Financial Performance
Assets under management
Crescent Capital Group manages $48 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025, primarily focused on privately originated debt and marketable securities.[5]The firm's strategies emphasize private credit.Historically, Crescent's AUM has shown significant growth, expanding from approximately $29 billion as of September 30, 2020, to $40 billion by December 31, 2022, fueled by substantial fund inflows and the integration following Sun Life Financial's majority acquisition in 2021.[6][1]The client base primarily consists of institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, and insurance affiliates such as Sun Life, reflecting Crescent's position within the broader SLC Management ecosystem.[45]In its latest SEC 13F filings, Crescent disclosed 10 major portfolio positions valued at $56.751 million, providing insight into select equity holdings amid its predominantly fixed-income focused strategies.[28]
Investment returns and metrics
Crescent Capital Group's private credit strategies have delivered consistent performance over more than three decades, with the firm's Crescent Private Credit Income Corp. (CPCI) reporting an inception-to-date annualized return of 9.0% for Class I shares as of April 2025, since its launch in May 2023.[46] This reflects the firm's broader track record of investing over $43 billion across 630 private credit transactions since 1992, emphasizing current income generation with historically low credit loss rates.[46] The strategies target attractive yields through conservative structures.[47]Key performance metrics underscore the resilience of Crescent's approach, including historically low credit loss rates, particularly in senior secured and mezzanine investments.[19] These outcomes stem from a focus on capital preservation and flexible solutions across credit cycles.In its business development company (BDC) operations, Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (CCAP) maintained a dividend of $0.42 per share quarterly in 2025, with a weighted average portfolio yield of 10.4%.[48][49] Net asset value (NAV) per share stood at $19.28 as of September 30, 2025, down slightly from $19.55 as of June 30, 2025, with stable net investment income of $0.46 per share in the third quarter.[50]Comparisons to public credit markets highlight Crescent's edge, as private deal origination enables superior risk-adjusted returns relative to indices like the ICE BofA High Yield Index, attributed to reduced volatility and enhanced recovery in private structures.[47]Recent trends demonstrate resilience during the 2023-2025 interest rate hikes, with the portfolio's emphasis on floating-rate debt contributing to sustained yields and minimal disruptions, even as broader markets faced uncertainty. In Q3 2025, the BDC reported net investment income of $0.46 per share and declared a continued base dividend of $0.42 per share for Q4
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