IB M&A vs. Private credit PE

So after I finished my MSc last year I’ve been doing debt related internships, so far I’ve done one DCM internship in Amsterdam at a decent bank, then I was able to get an off-cycle internship in LevFin at a BB. I have now managed to get an internship offer at a large PE firm (c. €150bn AUM) in private credit, rotating between London and Frankfurt. I’m also offered an off-cycle internship at an EB in their M&A desk. Moreover my LevFin internship ends next month so I hope I’ve gotten the full time offer.

Moving to the buy side has always been the goal, of course. On the other hand, doing M&A now opens more opportunities albeit at a cost of more working hour and less comp (for now).

What do you think?

 

M&A at an EB will give you more career mobility. It will also set you up better for PE deals.

I’m in RX, and I’ve worked on LevFin deals as well, I think what you should think about here is whether you’re more interested in lending and analyzing companies from a risk perspective or a growth perspective. I’m a natural born pessimist, so I’ve always focused more on risk but that’s just me. PC at a fund like that will most likely make you focus on credit for the rest of your career (or take a serious cut moving from MF PC to MMPE). PC has good hours, and the comp is very accommodating.

 

Not accurate considering this is Europe and EBs aren’t as strong. Also entry level in PC would not pigeonhole you into it at large PE funds. Would take PC over EB if this is Europe and BB over PC at a strong group.

 

Eum non tempore modi illum temporibus quia. Sequi odio qui ut accusamus accusantium esse. Quia voluptatem beatae libero modi veniam adipisci voluptates. Modi quia est nemo ducimus quibusdam est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”