Asia’s private credit lenders are increasingly adopting payment-in-kind (PIK) structures as higher-for-longer interest rates, tighter bank capital rules and shallow bond markets squeeze borrowers’ cash. Previously used mainly in distressed and mezzanine deals, PIK is now emerging in senior direct lending, allowing interest to accrue to principal or convert to equity to preserve liquidity while increasing leverage. Variations include holdco PIK, split PIK and toggle PIK, with