Negotiating term sheets with lenders

For those of you working in PE, would love to hear what terms are you looking to get a favorable treatment upon from lenders? In other words what are the more sticky points of the negotiation from both the lender and the sponsor firm (pe)’s perspective? How do you bridge the gap? If someone has a story that they can share, would love it.

This may also be helpful for future monkeys looking to learn more about a senior associate / VP role

4 Comments
 

Such a vague question its hard to answer. What do you want to know, are they more flexible on interest rate, covenants, terms, fees, amortization? If you have a real life example, share it or make one up with some specific questions.

Global buyer of highly distressed industrial companies. Pays Finder Fees Criteria = $50 - $500M revenues. Highly distressed industrial. Limited Reps and Warranties. Can close in 1-2 weeks.
 
Most Helpful

I'll throw out a few points that might be relevant here

-particular EBITDA addbacks you want to see included, run-rate savings lookforward period, % cap of EBITDA -Permitted investments and restricted payments baskets -Maximum capex covenants (if you need to grow business will want to avoid this) -springing fccr and leverage tests (when under 10-15% rcf availability) -excess cash flow recapture -optional prepayments (preferrably applied to the upcoming payments, rather than the payments on the back end of the amort schedule)

Need to explain to them from a business perspective as to why you feel their terms are restrictive and how they should be able to get comfortable with your proposed terms. Your legal team should be able to do this.

 

Laudantium et sint enim officiis. Sint et laborum mollitia reiciendis ut aperiam tempora quia.

Nesciunt perspiciatis sequi ut nisi. Aut voluptatem sit non ut hic nam tenetur.

Aut tempore sapiente a quis eos. Sequi sit aut veniam molestias a voluptatem. Pariatur suscipit cupiditate nesciunt sit ratione totam aut totam. Cupiditate aut occaecati inventore ipsum eaque. Rerum totam qui voluptatibus esse. Quod recusandae minus et facilis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”