Private Credit / Direct Lending to PE

I’m curious about how feasible it is to move from direct lending at places like Golub to the funds with more equity exposure like opportunistic credit/special sits/private equity side of the buyside world.

I did classic IBD at top BB and I’m an associate. Now I want to move to buyside where there is some equity exposure and during my recruiting effort I came across DL opportunity.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

It can be done, but it’s very difficult because you’re competing against the likes of BB levfin and EB RX bankers in the special sits / opportunistic credit space. I’d look at where past associates have gone from places like Golub, HPS, TwinBrook, Comvest Credit, PennantPark, Maranon, HIG Whitehorse, etc. and then see for yourself if any of them have exited to special sits.

If you want special sits look at shops like Sixth Street, Varde, Atalaya, Castlelake, Victory Park, GS SSG, Fortress, Blackstone Credit, Crestline, etc.

 

Officiis quos perspiciatis rerum enim accusamus est. Est ea sed est distinctio. Rem laboriosam fugiat error et et accusantium porro. Quaerat voluptatem vero dolorem quia.

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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”