Hi,
I’m 35 years old with around 10 years of experience in real estate credit, covering senior, mezzanine and equity financing, securitisations and NPLs, mainly in special situations and distressed assets.
Over the past five years, I have been working as a Director in the asset-based financing team of a bank, where I have deployed more than €800 m. My activity has been only focused on my home European country, although I have also worked with top-tier alternative funds and on a significant JV with a mega fund, which preferred to invest locally through a joint venture rather than deploying capital directly.
I am now looking to make the transition to an international alternative or mega fund in the private real estate credit space. However, I am finding this challenging because, at my age and seniority, investment team roles typically require proven deployment experience across multiple countries, not just one.
That said, I believe I bring strong execution and deal-making experience: I close approximately 5–7 transactions per year, whereas mega funds often complete only 2–3 large deals annually. In addition, I can offer a direct local sourcing channel in my country, with strong market access and relationships.
What would you recommend as the best strategy to make this transition?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
To transition from a domestic bank to an international or mega fund in private real estate credit, here’s a strategic roadmap based on the most helpful WSO content and insights:
1. Leverage Your Local Expertise as a Unique Selling Point
2. Expand Your Geographic Exposure
3. Network Strategically
4. Tailor Your Pitch
5. Consider an Interim Step
6. Enhance Your Profile
7. Engage with Recruiters
8. Be Patient and Persistent
By combining your strong local expertise with a strategic focus on gaining international exposure, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to mega funds in the private real estate credit space. Good luck!
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/going-from-mm-investment-bank-to-mega-fund?customgpt=1, Golub Capital type direct lending fund, Q&A: Megafund Asia Private Equity
No advice for you, but I am a student interested in going into RE private credit. Curious as to how you like your career and what made you pick this over private equity.
Not sure where you are in Europe, but are you willing to move? I think that is going to be your biggest issue. Most of the European credit funds office in either Germany or UK with maybe some smaller satellite offices in a place like Italy (if they are masochists and love small, old properties in a place where the economy is challenged) or Spain.
By moving to another EU country and learning those local customs, that would give you the experience to learn and hopefully take on a larger regional role down the line.
Otherwise, why do you want to move? Sounds like you have a pretty decent gig?
The reason why I want to do this swap is:
What country are you in now and what country/countries do you want to learn about? Moving is probably your best option given RE is fairly localized. If you are in Greece and want to start working on logistics in Germany or multi family in UK, there are plenty of people already in those countries to compete with. Nobody will give you a chance unless you are already local.
Now if you are in Germany and want to learn Italy, that might be different. As I mentioned, a lot of the main offices are in Germany so when they do expand to say Greece or Italy, they would probably be comfortable with sending someone from the home office or having someone from the home office handle.
I’m based in Italy. I think the main issue is that when GS rejected me, the MD told me:
“We like your profile, you may even have more deal exposure than each member of our team, but we need someone who has invested across more jurisdictions.”
I think the same applies to firms like Blackstone and Apollo.
I don’t have a strong preference; I just want to have this experience and add a top-tier name to my résumé.
The issue is that, at 35, I don’t have previous pan-European experience. Is it still possible to make this move? Which angle should I play?
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