Substitutes for IBD/ PE experience to get into development finance

My goal is to get into development finance (e.g., World Bank/ IFC, ADB, AIIB) or impact investing. I have observed that most development finance institutions or impact investing funds typically recruit from investment banking or private equity. If investment banking or private equity is not realistic, then what other finance roles would be the best substitute for IBD/ PE?

My initial hypothesis for reasons why institutions like the World Bank would prioritize IB or PE candidates was because those candidates bring with them “proven” skills in modeling. According to that logic, one would believe that a research analyst role at a long-only hedge fund or credit rating agency would also help develop comparable skillsets, but I just don’t see how plausible that is. I worry that this may be a naive, overly simplistic view of the world. Perhaps IB/ PE candidates are sought after (aside from prestige) because their ability to handle the somewhat administrative(?) tasks that come with structuring and closing a deal is no less important than their intrinsic modeling skills? Or is there something complicated about development finance buyouts that make the financial models in public equities or credit analysis less transferable? What am I missing?

So back to my original question: what other finance roles other than IB/PE would best position one for a development finance/ impact investing job, and why? Some roles I had in mind to start with: - Research Analyst at a long hedge fund - Credit analyst at a rating agency - Valuation analyst at a Big 4 - Others? (FoF? VC?)

2 Comments
 
 

Qui tempora quibusdam eaque hic. Delectus nihil aliquam voluptas at. Dolor repellendus voluptas nesciunt earum. Rerum nisi ut et doloremque adipisci aperiam id.

Sed recusandae porro qui exercitationem quo voluptas sint consequatur. Id voluptate autem et qui itaque rerum. Consequuntur nihil sunt itaque iste a repellat. In modi esse dolore et ratione est praesentium.

Nisi commodi officiis enim voluptas qui beatae. Animi voluptatem rerum vitae sapiente. Quam nostrum iusto accusamus vel illum qui suscipit.

Perferendis sint facilis aspernatur. Ipsa sed rem nisi illo deserunt. A quisquam ut ut praesentium et dolorem minus corrupti. Dolores quis modi earum quia porro. Mollitia doloribus earum ipsum architecto repellat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”