Institutional Investors Seek Shorter Private Market Terms
A new industry survey reveals a growing demand for quicker capital deployment windows among global investment professionals.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Investing
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Brown Brothers Harriman has released its second annual Private Markets Investor Survey, highlighting a clear trend toward shorter capital deployment timelines. The data reflects the priorities of 500 institutional investors and wealth advisors across five major global markets.
Why it matters
Investors are increasingly seeking greater liquidity and shorter wait times for capital returns, prompting a shift in how they approach private market strategies. Many are turning to general partners and advisors to navigate these liquidity demands as investment durations have notably stretched.
A survey of 500 investors shows that private equity is the primary target for new investment at 54%, while private credit follows at 44%. Additionally, over 25% of respondents plan to allocate more than 30% of their total investments to private markets within five years.
The players
Brown Brothers Harriman
This global financial services firm provides investment management, private banking, and asset servicing to institutional and private clients.
The details
The survey results show that 75% of participants experienced longer capital return times over the past year, driving a need for more agile investment options. Investors from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan participated in the study to outline these shifting liquidity preferences.
Timeline
The BBH investor survey data was collected between August 5 and August 17, 2026.
The final results of the annual investor survey were published on October 27, 2026.
Market Dynamics
This trend follows a pattern set by the Brown Brothers Harriman Private Markets Investor Survey, which has now tracked two years of shifting capital deployment preferences. The data marks a departure from traditional long-term private market models by highlighting a structural move toward shorter lock-up periods.
Retail investors tracking institutional behavior should note that large-scale shifts toward shorter private market terms may lead to more frequent rebalancing of private equity and credit portfolios. These changes could influence how capital is distributed in private-market-linked products available to wider investor groups.
The takeaway
Investors are increasingly prioritizing flexibility and faster liquidity in their private market portfolios. Professionals should monitor whether general partners adjust their fund structures to accommodate these shifting deployment window preferences.
Further reading
For broader trends in global asset management, visit the Investing section.
Live Poll
Is now a good time for you to prioritize liquidity in your long-term investment strategy?
