Man Group, an investment management business, completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Varagon Capital Partners, a middle market private credit manager, from Aflac, an insurance company, Corebridge Financial, a financial services company, and American International Group, an insurance organization, for $183m. "This acquisition reflects our long-term strategy to move into new market segments where we can differentiate ourselves with talented, specialised teams. Man Group has built a rich and diversified credit offering to date, and as client demand for credit strategies is increasing, we see a significant growth opportunity in direct lending, particularly against the backdrop of regional banking difficulties in the US. This transaction enhances our ability to provide deep, fundamental credit expertise through a cycle, underpinned by risk management of the highest quality," Eric Burl, Man Group Head of Discretionary.