May 6 (Reuters) - Swiss lender UBS Group AG and

U.S. investment firm General Atlantic have launched a

partnership to expand into the private credit market, the

companies said on Tuesday.

Private credit refers to the loans typically made to risky

borrowers or companies looking to clinch mega buyouts with debt.

These loans can be processed quickly and are an important source

of funds for borrowers deemed too vulnerable by conventional

banks.

The companies did not disclose the capital they will commit

to the partnership.