About Oaktree

Corporate

Multi-decade leadership in alternative credit

Since 1995, Oaktree has been a global leader in alternative investment management.

Our deep expertise investing across the capital structure has allowed us to cultivate a diversified mix of global investment strategies in three categories: credit, equity, and real estate. We emphasize an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investing in these asset classes – part of our DNA for over 30 years.

Our Story

1899
Brookfield founded as owner-operator of essential assets
2001
Expands into asset management for third parties
2004
Launches real estate debt fund
2016
Launches infrastructure debt fund
Howard Marks starts investing in the nascent high yield bond market
1978
Bruce Karsh joins Marks to commence distressed debt investments
1988
Oaktree is founded, starting with seven strategies, including high yield bonds and opportunistic credit
1995
Launches performing private credit and grows multi-asset credit
2000s
Scales structured credit and private credit
2010s
Brookfield and Oaktree establish partnership, bringing total credit AUM to ~$109B1
2019
2019-25
Accelerated credit platform growth via strategic partnerships with high-quality, specialized managers—emphasizing the expansion of asset-backed finance capabilities
Angel Oak Castlelake LCM Partners Primary Wave 17Capital Pinegrove
Brookfield’s entry into the insurance business accelerates its development of credit capabilities
2020
Launch of Brookfield Investment Solutions Group
2025
Brookfield/Oaktree integration helps create comprehensive, global alternative credit platform
2026
1899

Brookfield founded as owner-operator of essential assets

1978

Howard Marks starts investing in the nascent high yield bond market

1988

Bruce Karsh joins Marks to commence distressed debt investments

1995

Oaktree is founded, starting with seven strategies, including high yield bonds and opportunistic credit

2001

Expands into asset management for third parties

2000s

Launches performing private credit and grows multi-asset credit

2004

Launches real estate debt fund

2010s

Scales structured credit and private credit

2016

Launches infrastructure debt fund

2019

Brookfield and Oaktree establish partnership, bringing total credit AUM to ~$109B1

2019-25

Accelerated credit platform growth via strategic partnerships with high-quality, specialized managers—emphasizing the expansion of asset-backed finance capabilities

Angel OakCastlelake
LCM PartnersPrimary Wave
17CapitalPinegrove
2020

Brookfield’s entry into the insurance business accelerates its development of credit capabilities

2025

Launch of Brookfield Investment Solutions Group

2026

Brookfield/Oaktree integration helps create comprehensive, global alternative credit platform

One powerful platform

In 2026, Brookfield completed its full integration of Oaktree within its broader ecosystem of businesses and offerings.

Brookfield’s owner-operator heritage and Oaktree’s deep credit capabilities create a powerful platform that combines scale, expertise and vision to deliver comprehensive solutions for institutions and individuals alike.

Brookfield
"
Becoming part of Brookfield in full is a natural evolution. We see significant opportunities to grow the franchise and expand what we can offer our clients together."
Howard Marks
Co-Founder, Oaktree
"
When we partnered with Oaktree, we joined forces with one of the world’s most respected credit investors – strengthening our ability to continue delivering long-term value for our investors."
Bruce Flatt
Chair, Brookfield Asset Management
  • 1

    As of December 31, 2019. Brookfield’s acquisition deal was announced on March 13, 2019. BAM Credit AUM was recalibrated based on our current (2026) aggregation methodology, which was not in place at the time of the Oaktree acquisition.