Houlihan Lokey

2027 Summer Financial Analyst - Capital Markets (Class of 2028) - Chicago

Chicago, IL, USA Full time

Business Unit:

Capital Solutions

Industry:

Capital Markets Group

Overview

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Houlihan Lokey serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Independent advice and intellectual rigor are hallmarks of the firm’s commitment to client success across its advisory services. The firm is the No. 1 investment bank for all global M&A transactions for the past two years, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past 10 years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past 11 years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by LSEG.

Capital Solutions

Houlihan Lokey’s Capital Solutions Group comprises more than 170 professionals globally and offers clients a broad range of tailored financing alternatives and strategic financial advice. Our team has deep senior-level relationships across the capital markets and a long track record of raising capital across varying market conditions. With deep expertise in both private and public markets, we are committed to delivering innovative, value-enhancing solutions that support long-term success for our clients.

U.S. Private Capital Markets & Advisory  

Houlihan Lokey’s U.S. Private Capital Markets & Advisory team provides capital-raising services across industries and for various capital needs. We are the largest and most active capital raising and advisory team at a non-balance sheet bank, with ~25 deals in market at any given time and approximately $9bn successfully raised in the twelve months ending June 2025.  

The team engages with a wide variety of clients, including private equity-backed companies, public, and, family and management-owned businesses. We achieve outlier results for our clients by leveraging direct relationships with various types of private market asset managers, including private credit funds, mezzanine debt and structured equity funds, pension funds, insurance companies, family offices and special situations investors. The group specializes in structure-agnostic capital solutions across the capital structure, including unitranche and second lien term loans, asset-backed facilities, and junior debt and minority equity instruments.  

We are uniquely positioned to address our client’s most complex capital structure needs. The team has an unparalleled track record of delivering bespoke financing solutions for companies at various stages of the corporate lifecycle. We leverage deep industry expertise and real-time knowledge of / insight into viable private capital markets solutions based upon significant volume of recently-closed transactions and active deals in market. In a capital markets environment that is rapidly changing and increasingly complex, it is critical for clients to hire trusted advisors to help them optimize capital structure with tailored solutions.

Job Description  

Private Capital Markets transaction processes involve similar stages to M&A deals, e.g. creating marketing materials (CIM, three-statement financial model), spearheading counterparty diligence, coordinating management meetings, and ultimately structuring/negotiating the financing to close. Summer Financial Analysts will gain valuable experience with respect to (i) technical proficiency in cash flow and three-statement modeling, (ii) organizational skills and experience running investor outreach processes, and (iii) superior understanding of capital structure and the private credit and private equity capital markets.  

During the summer, candidates will work alongside full-time professionals on live deals across a variety of transaction types, including acquisition financing for leveraged buyouts, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings, growth capital and distressed and special situations. 

Required Qualifications   

  • Currently pursuing a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree with a graduation date between December 2027 and June 2028   

  • Possess basic knowledge of and a keen interest in corporate finance   

  • Strong qualitative analysis skills and ability to own a workstream end-to-end

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills   

  • Strong work ethic and leadership skills   

Preferred Qualifications   

  • A fundamental understanding of valuation theory, methodologies, and applications  

  • Strong analytical and computer skills (Excel)   

  • Ability to work cooperatively with all levels of staff 

Compensation and Benefits

Houlihan Lokey is committed to providing its employees with an exciting career opportunity and competitive total compensation package. The firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible salary range for this role at the time of posting is: $110,000.00 Actual salary at the time of hire may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant qualifications, skills, and experience and the location where this position may be filled.

Houlihan Lokey provides a competitive benefits package. Our current benefits offerings can be found here:

2025 Benefits

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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