Blue Torch Capital?
Curious if anyone has firsthand experience of the place - comp, culture, hours? Currently at a regular way direct lender (fine but kind of boring) and a recruiter reached out to me. Not super familiar with the place beyond knowing it works on higher yielding, difficult credits
Based on the most helpful WSO content, there isn't specific information about Blue Torch Capital in the provided dataset. However, if you're currently at a direct lender and considering a move, here are some general points to evaluate:
Compensation: Direct lending funds often have compensation tied to the size and type of fund. Smaller or niche funds may offer lower base pay but could provide upside through bonuses or carry. It's worth asking the recruiter for specifics on comp structure.
Culture: Culture can vary widely in direct lending shops. Some smaller or specialized funds may have a more entrepreneurial or intense environment, especially if they focus on higher-yielding, complex credits. It's a good idea to ask about team dynamics and expectations during the interview process.
Hours: Hours in direct lending can depend on deal flow and the complexity of the credits being worked on. Funds dealing with "difficult credits" might require more time for diligence and structuring, potentially leading to longer hours compared to more straightforward lending shops.
If you're intrigued by the opportunity, consider asking the recruiter for more details about the firm's deal flow, team size, and any unique aspects of their approach to lending. Additionally, you might want to search for threads or reviews on WSO or similar platforms for firsthand insights.
Sources: Toronto - Boutique Investment Banking Compensation, Banks with best cultures, Why is William Blair (TMT) so highly ranked on this site?, Activism Defense/Shareholder advisory comp/lifestyle, hours/culture/on the job, Golub Capital type direct lending fund
Bump
They torched some Capital
From what I’ve heard and what’s also been noted in this forum, it’s about as sweaty as it gets. Founder was high up at Cerberus for a long time and I’d imagine it’s run similar to Cerberus.
[]
Not sure when you interviewed, but why do I feel like this is the same absolute hardo, coked out d-bag that I ran into?
Just to be clear, hiring a restructuring team is not indicative of problems in the book on its own. Every firm has workout and problem credits and, but Blue Torch is active in DIP financings / comfortable taking loans through bankruptcy because they think they are covered and have a lot of process experience. Once you get to a certain size it is absolutely value add to have a separate team handling the daily RX matters - lots of calls, quick doc turnarounds, and ad hoc analyses - so the main underwriting team can focus on new deals.
[]
Ignore title. Heard it’s a good shop and is growing. Space is relatively small in terms of who actually competes in private distressed deals so could be a decent spot to land if you’re interested in learning about that. Market for these deals should probably see growth so has that going for it. No idea on comp and culture but buddy of mine had an interview there and said it was a tough process.
Who would you say are the comparable names in the space? Cerberus/Monarch come to mind.
Yeah those two. MGG, Silver Point would be some names that come to mind. Redwood seem to be trying to build out a strategy here. Dont know how big they are , that place is relatively cryptic. Oaktree and HPS will play in the space too. They have huge funds so not sure how they allocate the portfolio. Find it hard to believe that they can fill a 16bn portfolio with this stuff. But would love to hear if anyone has any insights on that….
TCW, Fortress, Cion (smaller), Silverpoint as well. Can see alot of the deals where Blue Torch is a co-lender but its more "storied" names in less clean industries.
I know BT well. They are higher octane lending. Think S+600-1000+ with tight covenants/docs and expected breaches/defaults/bankruptcies. I've liked the people I've met from the team, there may be a couple a HOLEs as every firm has, but I've also never interviewed there, so I am not sure how different the team members would be in that scenario since that is referenced above by other posters. That being said, I have heard that the culture is not great, but I know they pay very well to make up for it
Their competitors are MGG, Silver Point, Fortress, Cerberus, Oaktree, White Oak, Marathon, HIG and Morgan Stanley Opportunistic. You should think of them as the historical special situations teams (now called opportunistic credit or capital solutions for a more palatable marketing name).
How do they differ from Monarch?
I always thought of Monarch as public investors first, who have now moved into focus on the private markets. I think of Blue Torch as the opposite. They do mostly private, likely a little public
Very light info in it but a push to put in up to $600m in Blue Torch from New Jersey Department of Treasury.
https://www.nj.gov/treasury/doinvest/pdf/AlternativeInvestments/Private%20Credit/Agenda%20Item%204ci%20-%20Blue%20Torch%20Separately%20Managed%20Account.pdf
Notably TCW also proposed though a smaller # up to $300m.
https://www.nj.gov/treasury/doinvest/pdf/AlternativeInvestments/Private%20Credit/Agenda%20Item%204cii%20-%20TCW%20Separately%20Managed%20Account%20and%20Co-Investment%20Sleeve%20Vehicle.pdf
.
I know them well from my time as RX banker. They would chuck a term sheet at anything and everything, and the moment you sign that T/S they'd know they can rip your eyes out. Tight docs and lots of hardcore distressed personalities. Cool guys, but they chuck non-market T/S's like they're candy and then if you take it you're in for a ride.
Great spot if you want to work in distressed, although the culture is VERY hard. I've heard a few nightmares, but I'm sure WSO has some notes about it. Expect to work hard.
Great color, thanks
Unde rerum sequi debitis officiis ut. Enim ducimus optio repellat ut commodi autem fuga. Cupiditate sit est ea esse ea. Quam perspiciatis est laudantium. Qui repellendus consectetur illum recusandae.
Animi reprehenderit aut impedit in nam quis quos odit. Commodi sed itaque minima et laboriosam. Aliquam qui vel ut laborum esse. Sunt provident inventore alias at enim perspiciatis et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Qui sint qui aperiam aut ipsa. Dolorum possimus doloremque dolorum deleniti et natus cumque. Laudantium qui nemo amet dolores error.
Sunt dolorem nam fuga. Exercitationem dicta eum voluptas molestias. Alias non provident omnis quo est aut.
Sunt amet et delectus et repellat. Voluptas quibusdam qui illum saepe eveniet ab. Ea porro ipsam expedita error ut exercitationem nobis. Corporis autem modi voluptate cupiditate consequuntur. Beatae eligendi sint expedita asperiores ipsam mollitia praesentium.