Sep 16, 2026

Origination Process at LMM/MM Private Credit Shops

How does it actually work for non-banked deals? Are banked deals inherently more competitive? I'm a BB IB analyst who wants to learn more about how origination actually flows day-to-day at LMM/MM shops (call it $10-100mm EBITDA range).

Few things I'm trying to understand:

  • How much of your deal flow comes from sponsor relationships vs. direct/non-sponsor origination? 
  • For direct lending guys — how are you actually sourcing? Cold outreach, intermediaries (debt advisors?), referrals from other lenders who pass on deals outside their box?
  • How much time as an associate/VP is actually spent on origination vs. just underwriting deals sponsors bring you? Or is there usually a separate business development team focused on this?
  • Are there any shops that focus on doing non-sponsor/independent sponsor deals specifically?
1 Comments
 

Et quo esse qui porro. Adipisci sit quis possimus molestiae animi quia. Quasi doloremque et exercitationem assumenda quisquam voluptate.

Consequatur sequi asperiores aperiam nostrum quibusdam provident. Odit maxime nobis ullam. Est impedit impedit doloribus cupiditate.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (27) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”