Is this a liquid credit job or a private credit job and what’s the difference.
I’ve been in the role for three weeks now, trying to wrap my head around whether what we’re doing falls under liquid credit or private credit. We focus on leveraged loans to sub-investment-grade companies, funding LBOs and M&A, specifically in the senior secured space.
From my understanding, this involves a mix of investing in broadly syndicated loans (BSLs) and more bespoke, direct lending opportunities. On one hand, we’re working with larger, more liquid markets, but there’s also a focus on riskier, lower-rated credits where covenants and security are crucial. Given that these loans can be traded, there’s liquidity, but I’m wondering if that means we’re more in the liquid credit bucket rather than pure private credit.
I know private credit typically involves direct lending to middle-market companies with less liquidity, but given we’re in senior secured and actively managing syndicated loans, it’s still a bit unclear. Am I missing something in how to categorize this? If anyone more experienced could provide some guidance would be much appreciated as well as exit ops from this seat.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
Liquid Credit vs. Private Credit
Liquid Credit: - Involves investing in broadly syndicated loans (BSLs) and high-yield bonds. - These instruments are traded in larger, more liquid markets. - Typically associated with leveraged loans to sub-investment-grade companies. - Focuses on senior secured space, which aligns with your description. - Loans can be traded, providing liquidity.
Private Credit: - Involves direct lending to middle-market companies. - Less liquidity compared to liquid credit. - Often includes bespoke, direct lending opportunities. - Focuses on riskier, lower-rated credits where covenants and security are crucial.
Your Role:
Given your focus on leveraged loans to sub-investment-grade companies, funding LBOs and M&A, specifically in the senior secured space, and the involvement in both broadly syndicated loans and more bespoke, direct lending opportunities, your role seems to straddle both liquid and private credit. However, the emphasis on trading and liquidity suggests a stronger alignment with liquid credit.
Exit Opportunities:
Conclusion:
Your role appears to be more aligned with liquid credit due to the trading aspect and involvement in broadly syndicated loans. However, the bespoke, direct lending component does introduce elements of private credit. Understanding the balance between these two aspects will help clarify your position and potential exit opportunities.
If you need more detailed guidance, consider exploring specific threads on WSO related to liquid credit and private credit roles.
Sources: What are the different types of Credit?, MF Liquid Credit vs Private Credit at the analyst level, Private Debt/Direct Lending/Private Credit - What are the differences? Best firms with WLB, Q&A : Credit (DL, SSG), Q&A : Credit (DL, SSG)
Dude are you privately structuring loans in deals or dealing with publicly traded loans? If a mix of both then there is your answer. If only BSL then it’s not private credit. Seems interesting regardless
Correct me if I’m wrong, as I’m still pretty new and trying to wrap my head around this. From what I’ve seen so far, like 99% of what we’re doing are TLBs, mainly for LBOs and M&A, usually for sponsor-backed companies. Since we’re funding these private transactions, doesn’t that mean it’s private credit? I’ve seen other deals too that we ‘ve done refinancing, recaps etc. The thing is when I visit the website the BSL stuff comes under private credit strategies hence the confusion. We also have a DL fund and a distressed debt fund.
That said, I’ve also seen distressed situations where there was a default on the debt, and we took control of the company as a result, even sitting on the board of directors. Plus, we sometimes negotiate terms with sponsors on things like pricing, which has me confused—does that make it more private credit? Or is it still liquid credit since these loans are syndicated and can trade? Appreciate any insights!
Bruh congrats on the golden seat at PIMCO or similar lol seriously. This is liquid credit but you guys are large enough to where you get to negotiate the term / take control of bad deals bc you are the majority lender. Awesome seat by the sound of it
Thanks for the help man, appreciate you clearing that up. And you’re on the right track about the firm haha, won’t disclose the name as don’t want to get doxxed but something along those lines.
Last question, but what do you think exits might be from this seat? Everyone in my team has been here forever (most junior person after me has been there 5 years, on average I’d say people in the team have been here 8/9 years). They also all previously worked together at a BB (think MS, JPM, GS) on their Levfin team & all came over together so these guys have been working together for 15+ years now.
I’ve only managed to find one person who left and he exited to an event driven HF so don’t have many data points to go on.
I would say exits are wherever you want. Credit funds (private or public) prob achievable, private would take lateraling earlier rather than later and just leaning on the unique aspects of your role due to the weight your team throws around. I could also see public credit HF as well. Distressed seat prob too if you nudge your way into the distressed sits on the team. I started in a similar seat but more up in quality within HY, just moved over to PC but also could have done HF or other LO. Honestly dude I really hate to say it, but this is the exit. Idk if you’re at a place where you can stay forever without getting pushed out to B School, and if this is a place with partners, but if so, you can milk top of the market pay while getting to do prob the most interesting stuff in HY/Loans land with optionality to go elsewhere in a few years if you don’t like it. Your experience here can be whatever you make it, just need to sell it right. But if it’s the type of team I think it is, you prob came from super target undergrad, and selling this exipience and your brand as legit anything you want should be easy if you have any grit. I came from super non target started at mid grade buy side shop and it has worked for me bc I hustled my ass off. Just need to give it your all and you can do whatever.
sounds like smaller credit shop that can do both. i imagine you're doing smaller ticket sizes in both so the skillset isnt materially different from a day-to-day persepctive
Just curious - how do you have a job at a fund and don't fully "get" what you're doing?
I was confused because the BSL investing fund comes under private credit on the corporate website but I was pretty sure syndicated leveraged loans would fall into the liquid credit bucket. I understood what I’d be doing but tbh just wasn’t sure if this was actually private credit since it was marketed as a PC role and the people on the team have in their job titles PC. So just slight confusion on that but ofcourse I understood what I was doing just not the classification of what it came under.
I was confused because the BSL investing fund comes under private credit on the corporate website but I was pretty sure syndicated leveraged loans would fall into the liquid credit bucket. I understood what I’d be doing but tbh just wasn’t sure if this was actually private credit since it was marketed as a PC role and the people on the team have in their job titles PC. So just slight confusion on that but ofcourse I understood what I was doing just not the classification of what it came under.
Aut accusamus quia enim alias. Eaque delectus voluptates perspiciatis ex quia. Quidem dolores omnis qui non. Sunt sint et asperiores vero.
Assumenda hic saepe quia minus ullam itaque quidem. Odio quis maiores sed laudantium molestias.
Occaecati qui pariatur excepturi iste iste. Rem quis ipsum fugit aut. Exercitationem voluptatem earum quisquam culpa sequi cumque sequi. Enim culpa ab itaque eligendi necessitatibus asperiores aut.
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...