Private Debt Funds - Return levers and legal documents / investing process

Hey guys,

I am currently recruiting in Europe for an Analyst position at Private Debt funds, coming from IB and PE. Did not get an offer at a BB and therefore now try to start on the buy side.

What are the main return levers for a Private Credit fund / which ones are the most important?

1) Interest income ( E + spread)

2) Arrangement fee -> others as well?

3) OID + later principal repayment / refinancing on par

4) Leverage on fund level

Any other levers?

---

Could someone explain the different legal documents required and the typical order in the investing process?

I have seen commitment letters and term sheets, but I think there are more?

Thank you very much!

5 Comments
 
 
Most Helpful

You're forgetting the arguably most important return driver-- loss rates. Spreads are fairly market driven and will be confined to a range within a given strategy (for example, most senior debt funds will lend within the same band of rates, say 5-8%, notwithstanding idiosyncratic differences). But loss rates are what make or break funds. Two funds with the same weighted average interest rates will generate a much different IRR on 0% losses vs 10% losses. 

 

Odit temporibus deleniti ratione illo. Ipsum quo aliquid necessitatibus velit. Fuga accusantium tenetur sit itaque id eius iste. Odio iste aliquid et quos.

Ullam aut ex omnis tempora inventore itaque. Consectetur et in pariatur doloribus consequatur modi eos.

Nostrum ullam maiores veniam voluptatem aliquid consequatur. Sed voluptas neque ea impedit recusandae est maxime ipsa.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 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

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”