Neuberger Launches New Bridge AeroFinance with $2 Billion Portfolio Target

Neuberger Specialty Finance has partnered with a group of aviation finance executives to launch New Bridge AeroFinance, a new lending platform targeting an initial aerospace debt portfolio of more than $2 billion.

New Bridge Aero will originate and acquire loans and other debt instruments on behalf of funds managed by Neuberger Specialty Finance, with a mandate extending across aircraft and the broader aviation and aerospace ecosystem.

The platform will be led by Richard Moody, formerly Global Head of Aviation Finance at Hamburg Commercial Bank and previously Global Head of Transportation Finance at Deutsche Bank. Debbie Frew and William Glaister will join as co-founders and principals.

Frew previously held senior aviation finance positions at Hamburg Commercial Bank and Deutsche Bank, while Glaister was Global Head of Asset Finance at Clifford Chance.

New Bridge Aero plans to provide structured and asset-backed financing across the capital structure, targeting opportunities where specialized underwriting and flexible capital can support aircraft and other aerospace assets and businesses.

Neuberger Specialty Finance, Neuberger’s asset-based finance arm, manages more than $5 billion across over 50 portfolio companies and investment vehicles. Since launching its strategy in 2018, the business has invested more than $16 billion through approximately 80 origination partners.

The new platform expands Neuberger’s exposure to aviation credit as alternative capital providers take a larger role in financing aircraft, engines and other aerospace assets alongside traditional banks and capital markets.