The Alternative Credit Awards North America 2026 gathered together the shining stars of the industry for a glittering awards ceremony in NYC last month.
The best-known asset managers in alternative credit were among the big winners at the inaugural Alternative Credit Awards North America last month.
Ares Management scooped the most awards, picking up trophies in five categories including the coveted accolade for fund manager of the year.
Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Churchill Asset Management received four awards each on the night, while Blackstone gained two accolades including senior lender of the year.
Hosted by Alternative Credit Investor and sponsored by Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Octus, the awards took place on 14 April 2026 at 583 Park Avenue in New York City (NYC), bringing together the alternative credit industry’s top managers and service providers for an evening of networking and celebrations.
You can access the list of winners on our awards website here.
The Alternative Credit Awards have been renowned in the industry for some time but this is the first year that the awards series has been expanded into North American and European editions.
The evening proved a resounding success, drawing more than 250 attendees from alternative credit’s largest market of North America.
NYC-based comedian Anthony LeDonne hosted the awards ceremony, bringing his trademark energy and charm from Brooklyn’s basement comedy clubs to the glitz and glamour of 583 Park Avenue, to keep the audience entertained throughout the night.
Manulife | Comvest Credit Partners secured the award for fund of the year ($1bn+) for Comvest Credit Partners VII.
And Deerpath Capital received the trophy for direct lending deal of the year (small cap) for its work on the Ampleo Intermediate transaction.
“It is an honour to receive this award and recognise a culmination of our team’s work over the years,” said Reed Van Gorden managing director, head of origination at Deerpath Capital on the night.
“We really tried to stay true to the lower middle market and to win an award in that segment means that we have made our mark.”
Read more: Alternative Credit Awards North America: Watch the video!
Clearwater Analytics took home the award for AI solution of the year.
“We’re honoured to win AI solution of the year from Alternative Credit Investor, and grateful to the clients and global team who made it real,” said Yuriy Shterk, general manager of alternative assets at Clearwater.
Elsewhere, TPG won asset-backed finance manager of the year, Ocorian took home fund administrator of the year – overall, and the Magnetar Constellation Fund claimed performance of the year ($1bn+).
“The Alternative Credit Awards North America were a great success and our team is absolutely thrilled with the positive response we have had from the industry,” said Suzie Neuwirth, founder and editor-in-chief of Alternative Credit Investor. “We’ve loved the opportunity to commemorate the leading players in the industry in North America and are already looking forward to next year’s event!
“I’d like to say a big thank you to all the attending firms who supported the awards, and to our sponsors Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Octus – we couldn’t have done it without you!”
Alternative Credit Investor’s awards series will continue throughout the year, with the Alternative Credit Awards Europe 2026 set to take place at The Brewery in London on 17 November 2026. Entries are open until 15 May 2026, with further details available at alternativecreditawards.com.
The Alternative Credit Awards North America 2027 will open for entries in autumn 2026.
