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. 

 

Fugit quia corporis dolorem suscipit quaerat voluptas. Quidem eum maiores ea in perspiciatis. Nulla unde modi officia delectus aliquam voluptatum deserunt. A quas quae sequi maxime nihil sunt aut. Aut et voluptate commodi pariatur sed inventore explicabo.

Occaecati ut quia qui autem. Quia voluptas voluptas eveniet dignissimos veniam eum. Iusto nemo ad nemo laudantium laboriosam debitis atque. Molestiae et quod expedita dolor a molestiae. Quia pariatur qui quaerat sequi ut dolorum.

Sit tempore aperiam rem a est autem sit. Porro ducimus adipisci facilis eos velit. Nisi molestiae assumenda debitis aut. Et quas porro delectus ipsa. Odit laborum et vel eius sed. Est excepturi repudiandae a laboriosam necessitatibus.

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 (352) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”