What do people in Toronto look for in exit opps these days?

I keep hearing of people leaving GPs and pensions to become independent sponsors or search funds. I can’t imagine it isn’t over saturated in that space, but buyside seats seem to have gotten smaller each year (even with firms like Westface / Onex dead or dying), and with the exception of White Horse there haven’t been any emerging funds. When you add in absurd fee compression on the public market side, none-existent HY market, and 2 participants in the HF space it is bleak.

So where are juniors trying to go post banking? The US?

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are the common exit opportunities for Canadian junior bankers, particularly in Toronto:

  1. Corporate Development/Business Operations Roles: These roles are quite frequent for juniors exiting banking.
  2. Pension Investment Roles: Many juniors transition into roles within pension funds.
  3. Canadian Private Equity (Lower Middle Market/Middle Market): There is a notable presence of LMM PEs in Toronto, and many juniors move into these roles.

Elite exits from banking are rare for Canadian juniors, and the buyside seats have indeed become smaller each year. Despite the challenges in the market, these remain the primary exit opportunities for juniors in Toronto.

Sources: Canadian Junior Bankers - Where are you going?, ., Breakdown of Post-IB Exit Opportunities, Checking in 6 years later [IB to MBB transition], WHICH BANKS ARE STILL SPONSORING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? (Canadians?)

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Personally looking to leave Toronto for a seat in NYC—still in banking. Hard with the current TN situation, but a lateral down south is my main priority. Who knows where from there.

 

A US office lol

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