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ARTICLE · 17 APRIL 2025

Subscription Credit Facilities: Understanding The Collateral

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Subscription credit facilities, commonly referred to as "sub-lines" or "capital call facilities," are a cornerstone of private equity finance.

United StatesCorporate/Commercial Law

Subscription credit facilities, commonly referred to as "sub-lines" or "capital call facilities," are a cornerstone of private equity finance. These facilities are secured by a bespoke collateral package that protects lenders in the event of default. Because the collateral structure directly impacts the fund's borrowing capacity via a borrowing base derivative of the facility's collateral structure, an understanding of the collateral framework is essential to grasp how these facilities operate.

What Defines a Subscription Credit Facility?

A subscription credit facility is, at its core, a loan to a private equity fund (the Fund), underwritten primarily on the strength of the investors' capital commitments (Capital Commitments).1 These commitments are contractual obligations for investors to contribute capital to the Fund when requested. Unlike immediate capital contributions, investors commit funds that are drawn down gradually through capital calls, aligning

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