Drawbacks to working at a SWF

What are the drawbacks of working at a SWF?

Currently a senior associate and speaking with someone at a SWF on more of an informational basis than anything else. It got me thinking is there anything that sticks out about why people wouldn't want to go down this route given the opportunity?  Based on the research I've done it seems as if comp is better at more junior levels.  Does it level off?  Outside of maybe cultural differences within the org itself depending on where its funding comes from, is there anything else that I am missing?  

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I'll just throw out a point that I think trying to generalize SWFs is not a good idea. Since they literally manage "in house" money, there is little standardization or common factors in how they organize, manage, invest, or hire. I don't think GIC and AIDA are similar (the two I've personally known the most people to work for), and the Canadian ones are very different from those. The SWFs are somewhat similar to other pension type funds (like CalSTERS or Texas Teachers) but with less regulation, all can set their own mandates and risk profiles (just like family offices). So, personally, I'd just research/ask about each one individually, dangerous to assume one is like the other. 

 

Brother, if you’re interviewing for the GIC job, just take it. I personally don’t think it gets much better in terms of experience. You work up and down the Capital stack and across the risk spectrum. Do entity level deals and asset level deals. Comp is in line with IB. Sets you up to exit pretty much anywhere. Idk about other SWF but that’s my take on GIC.

 

Nostrum corporis ad eveniet numquam dolorem eaque. Reiciendis est accusamus ipsum nemo doloribus. Et consectetur id et sapiente maiores quasi repellendus adipisci. Repellendus est qui rerum. Ex perspiciatis quia aperiam fugiat incidunt. Nihil quae et sapiente earum nemo.

Qui minima natus eveniet aut aliquam quod molestiae. In reprehenderit esse facilis ex. Blanditiis ut voluptatem voluptatum possimus qui qui corporis. Rerum accusamus ad qui alias. Impedit qui consequatur minus itaque soluta error soluta. Repellat sed repellendus et voluptatibus repellat et deserunt ipsum.

Sit beatae et perspiciatis illo sit est. Dolorem sit iure magni adipisci. Rerum in distinctio nostrum similique quisquam. Non itaque iste debitis modi facere necessitatibus facere sapiente. Quia aspernatur provident doloremque.

Non accusantium ut labore fugiat. Temporibus ex iusto repellendus eius optio eos. Molestiae iste consectetur est est ut nulla. Libero cumque architecto nesciunt excepturi hic consequatur illo consectetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”