Challenger is making a bigger push into the private credit sector, with the $126 billion investment manager seeking joint ventures and other partnerships in its hopes to expand in the fast-growing asset class.

The ASX-listed company has been initiating talks with listed lenders and other potential partners, according to people not authorised to speak publicly. One of those is non-bank mortgage lender ORDE Financial, although it is unclear whether a deal had been struck or had stalled.