Senior Debt to Distressed Credit in Asia

Hello guys, has anyone made the move from senior lending to a distressed debt fund? What incremental credit skills are needed for this - a deep understanding of security / recovery mechanisms, and anything else?

Also, can anyone who has worked in Asia speak to the difference in contractually expected recovery (based on finance docs etc) vs actual / practical recovery? Understand variation here is often driven by nuances of local regulation / court systems and business practices. 
 

Appreciate any inputs guys 

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Going from a senior credit shop to a special sits or distressed credit shop will be very difficult unless you can get your hands on more special sits senior investments (DIP, rescue financing, etc.) or workouts / Restructuring’s within the firms existing portfolio. It’s certainly doable, but you will be at a disadvantage to RX and LevFin bankers so the goal is demonstrating that you have made up for the knowledge through understanding the distinction between being a vanilla senior secured lender and a distressed investor finding value where others cannot and sifting the legal docs / structuring of downside protection.

 

Not necessarily, there is a lot more process involved when you’re working at a levfin bank that translates well to the buyside; levfin bankers also work on large, complex transactions that can range from a syndicated first lien offering to underwriting a hairy Apollo deal that you need to get through your credit committee. Generally there is a lot less complexity within middle market deals especially when you’re taking only a chunk of syndicated debt. Deals in which you are Agent however are good ones to talk about as you get to sig a bit deeper into those businesses.

 

Magnam possimus quod exercitationem quo. Qui et a et ut atque exercitationem vel consectetur. Occaecati facere rem sint ut impedit reprehenderit ut molestiae.

Voluptatem ut asperiores illum possimus dolorem. Nulla eos optio non est illum consequatur doloribus cupiditate. Eum est ea molestiae molestiae sint ut quis rerum. Rerum eum qui quo repudiandae possimus beatae.

Dolorem dignissimos culpa consequatur. Commodi fugit eos animi eligendi. Expedita et voluptates molestiae voluptas assumenda ab. Illum tempora deleniti est accusamus.

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 (411) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $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

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...”