How Pier Asset Management Streamlined Data Management with Cascade Debt

About

Founded in 2017, Pier Asset Management is a private credit investment firm specializing in niche opportunities within specialty finance. Pier has carved out a unique role in the market, bridging the gap for growth-stage originators in need of tailored credit solutions to scale their businesses. Since inception, the firm has funded over $500 million in credit transactions.

Goals

As their portfolio grew, Pier recognized mounting challenges with their traditional reliance on Excel spreadsheets to manage borrower reporting. Manual processes for reviewing completion and accuracy were increasingly time-consuming, at risk for error, and decentralized, with critical data scattered. Their main goals were to:

  • Institutionalize data management as the firm scaled.
  • Automate manual workflows to reduce human error and improve reporting reliability.
  • Increase borrower accountability through more structured, technology-driven reporting.
  • Centralize borrower information to allow faster, easier access across the team.

“Cascade was the catalyst for bringing ourportfolio monitoring to the next level. This benefits us and our borrower partners: it’s a win-win.”

Jonathan DiBenedetto, Vice President

Solution

Pier was introduced to Cascade Debt through a co-investment partner who already used the platform across transactions. Initially, the team piloted Cascade with a small set of positions, operating parallel processes between Excel and Cascade to build internal comfort and verify accuracy. Gradually, they expanded usage until Cascade became their default system, requiring strong justification to operate outside of it.

Key elements of the solution included:

  • Hands-on onboarding support from the Cascade team, making the transition easy for both the investment team and borrowers.
  • Continuous platform improvements to boost productivity.
  • A centralized platform for Pier to track metrics, performance, and activities across the portfolio.
  • A guided framework of technology and process for borrowers to manage their facility.

Results

By transitioning to Cascade, Pier realized significant improvements:

  • Operational Efficiency: Monthly portfolio reviews became faster and more systematic, with cleaner data enabling Pier to delegate portions of the process, freeing up valuable resources.
  • Improved Borrower Experience: Borrowers appreciated Cascade’s role in helping them meet higher reporting standards, which allow them to mature their capital market's function.
  • Centralized Data Access: Positions could be easily reviewed on a unified platform, enhancing visibility for the CIO and other decision-makers without needing to dig through disparate folders.
  • Increased Reporting Confidence: Automation reduced reliance on time-consuming manual checks, addressing previous concerns about human errors in Excel spreadsheets.

Cascade has become integral to Pier’s investment operations by improving scalability, reliability, and communication with its counterparts.

Founded
2017
Location
Manhattan Beach, CA
Investor Type
Private Credit
Pier Asset Management

How Pier Asset Management Streamlined Data Management with Cascade Debt

Founded
2017
Location
Manhattan Beach, CA
Investor Type
Private Credit

About

Founded in 2017, Pier Asset Management is a private credit investment firm specializing in niche opportunities within specialty finance. Pier has carved out a unique role in the market, bridging the gap for growth-stage originators in need of tailored credit solutions to scale their businesses. Since inception, the firm has funded over $500 million in credit transactions.

Goals

As their portfolio grew, Pier recognized mounting challenges with their traditional reliance on Excel spreadsheets to manage borrower reporting. Manual processes for reviewing completion and accuracy were increasingly time-consuming, at risk for error, and decentralized, with critical data scattered. Their main goals were to:

  • Institutionalize data management as the firm scaled.
  • Automate manual workflows to reduce human error and improve reporting reliability.
  • Increase borrower accountability through more structured, technology-driven reporting.
  • Centralize borrower information to allow faster, easier access across the team.

“Cascade was the catalyst for bringing ourportfolio monitoring to the next level. This benefits us and our borrower partners: it’s a win-win.”

Jonathan DiBenedetto, Vice President

Solution

Pier was introduced to Cascade Debt through a co-investment partner who already used the platform across transactions. Initially, the team piloted Cascade with a small set of positions, operating parallel processes between Excel and Cascade to build internal comfort and verify accuracy. Gradually, they expanded usage until Cascade became their default system, requiring strong justification to operate outside of it.

Key elements of the solution included:

  • Hands-on onboarding support from the Cascade team, making the transition easy for both the investment team and borrowers.
  • Continuous platform improvements to boost productivity.
  • A centralized platform for Pier to track metrics, performance, and activities across the portfolio.
  • A guided framework of technology and process for borrowers to manage their facility.

Results

By transitioning to Cascade, Pier realized significant improvements:

  • Operational Efficiency: Monthly portfolio reviews became faster and more systematic, with cleaner data enabling Pier to delegate portions of the process, freeing up valuable resources.
  • Improved Borrower Experience: Borrowers appreciated Cascade’s role in helping them meet higher reporting standards, which allow them to mature their capital market's function.
  • Centralized Data Access: Positions could be easily reviewed on a unified platform, enhancing visibility for the CIO and other decision-makers without needing to dig through disparate folders.
  • Increased Reporting Confidence: Automation reduced reliance on time-consuming manual checks, addressing previous concerns about human errors in Excel spreadsheets.

Cascade has become integral to Pier’s investment operations by improving scalability, reliability, and communication with its counterparts.