As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2021
Securities Act Registration No. 333-239995
Investment Company Registration No. 811-23592
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT | |||
UNDER | |||
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | x | ||
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | |||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 | |||
and/or | |||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT | |||
UNDER | |||
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x | ||
Amendment No. 7 |
First Eagle
Credit Opportunities Fund
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(212) 698-3300
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
David O’Connor
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Nathan J. Greene, Esq.
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
o | Check box if the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans. |
|
x | Check box if any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan. | |
o | Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto. | |
o | Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act. | |
o | Check box if this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act. |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
o | when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c) of the Securities Act. |
The following boxes should only be included and completed if the registrant is making this filing in accordance with Rule 486 under the Securities Act.
x | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) | |
o | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) | |
o | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) | |
o | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) |
If appropriate, check the following box:
o | This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement]. | |
o | This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: | |
o | This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: | |
o | This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: |
Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
x | Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”)). | |
o | Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act). | |
x | Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act). | |
o | A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form). | |
o | Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act). | |
o | Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). | |
o | If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. | |
x | New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing). |
|
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-239995 and 811-23592) of the Registrant (as amended prior to the date hereof, the “Registration Statement”) amends the Registrant’s prior Registration Statement, filed on November 25, 2020, pursuant to which a total of $2,000,000,000 of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Shares”) were registered. The Registrant currently has $1,951,458,409 of unissued registered Common Shares remaining.
|
|
|
|
Prospectus |
April 30, 2021 |
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund
Class A FECAX
Class I FECRX
The Fund. First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund (the Fund) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its shares of beneficial interest (the Common Shares), and is operated as an interval fund.
Securities Offered. The Fund is offering two classes of Common Shares: Class A Shares and Class I Shares. The Fund has been granted exemptive relief (the Exemptive Relief) from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) that permits the Fund to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose asset-based distribution fees and early-withdrawal fees. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future.
Investment Objective. The Funds primary investment objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of providing long-term risk-adjusted returns. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of a variety of credit asset classes. Risk-adjusted returns are generally understood to frame investments in the context of the level of risk that is associated with a particular investment. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Strategy. The Fund will invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined in this prospectus) in a credit portfolio of below investment grade credit assets including syndicated bank loans, middle market club loans (senior secured loans in middle market companies funded by an arranged group of lenders that generally does not involve syndication), direct lending (consisting of first lien loans, including unitranche loans), asset-based loans, and high-yield bonds (commonly referred to as junk bonds). The Fund expects, under normal circumstances, to employ a flexible investment strategy that capitalizes on current and future income and relative value opportunities in credit markets that may lead to outperformance compared to traditional fixed income opportunities. To the extent consistent with the applicable liquidity requirements for interval funds under Rule 23c-3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid investments. Most of the credit instruments in which the Fund invests will be rated below investment grade by rating agencies or would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Credit investments rated below investment grade are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Because of the risks associated with investing in high-yield securities, an investment in the Fund should be considered speculative. Some of the credit instruments will have no credit rating at all.
Interval Fund/Repurchase Offers. The Fund is an interval fund, a type of fund that, in order to provide liquidity to shareholders, has adopted a fundamental investment policy to make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at net asset value (NAV). Subject to applicable law and approval of the Board of Trustees, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV, which is the minimum amount permitted. The Fund expects the first repurchase offer to be issued within six months following effectiveness of the Funds registration statement. See Periodic Repurchase Offers and Principal Risks of the FundRepurchase Offers Risk.
Adviser and Subadviser. The Funds investment adviser is First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (FEIM or the Adviser). As of March 31, 2021, the Adviser had approximately $89,489,626,595 in assets under management.1 The Funds investment subadviser is First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC (formerly, THL Credit
1 Excludes assets under management or advisement (together, AUM) of First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC.
|
Advisors LLC) (FEAC or the Subadviser). As of March 31, 2021, FEAC had approximately $19,738,804,651 in assets under management.2
Investing in the Common Shares involves certain risks. See Principal Risks of the Fund beginning on page 30 of this prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Offering Price(a) |
Maximum
|
Proceeds to
|
||||||||||||||||||
Class A Shares, per share |
|
$ |
|
27.19 |
|
3.50 |
% |
|
|
$ |
|
26.28 |
|||||||||
Class I Shares, per share |
|
$ |
|
26.28 |
|
None |
|
$ |
|
26.28 |
|||||||||||
Maximum Offering(c) |
|
$ |
|
2,000,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
70,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,930,000,000 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) |
The price per share shown for each class of shares is equal to our NAV per Share as of April 26, 2021, plus, in the case of Class A Shares, a maximum sales load of up to 3.50% of the offering price. Each class of Common Shares is continuously offered at a price equal to NAV per Share, plus, in the case of Class A Shares, a maximum sales load of up to 3.50% of the offering price. Class I Shares are not subject to a sales load; however, investors transacting in Class I Shares through a broker acting as an agent for the investor may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. At present, Class A Shares and Class I Shares are available for purchase. See Plan of DistributionShare Classes. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
FEIM has contractually undertaken to waive and/or reimburse certain fees and expenses of the Fund so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding management fees (because separately waived), interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (annual operating expenses) of the Class A and Class I shareholders are limited to 1.00% and 0.25%, respectively, of average net assets. This undertaking lasts until April 30, 2022 and may not be terminated during its term without the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Fund has agreed to repay FEIM for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed for the class provided that repayment does not cause annual operating expenses to exceed 1.00% and 0.25% of the class average net assets, or such other lower amount as may be in place at the time of repayment. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the date in which the Fund incurred the fee and/or expense. Effective May 1, 2021, FEIM and FEAC have agreed to waive all management fees and subadvisory fees payable to them under the Management Agreement (defined below) and Subadvisory Agreement (defined below) until April 30, 2022 (the "Management Fee Waiver"). The Management Fee Waiver is not revocable during its term and amounts waived pursuant to the Management Fee Waiver will not be subject to any right of future recoupment in favor of FEIM and FEAC. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Assumes an offering of Class A shares only at the maximum sales load. |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated April 30, 2021.
|
||||
2 |
|
Represents the aggregate AUM of First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC and the AUM of First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc., along with its related funds and separate accounts, including unfunded capital commitments of $183,694,293.
|
||
|
Risks. An investment in the Fund is subject to, among others, the following risks:
|
The Funds Common Shares are not listed for trading on any national securities exchange. The Funds Common Shares have no trading market and no market is expected to develop. |
||
|
An investment in the Fund is not suitable for investors who need certainty about their ability to access all of the money they invest in the short term. |
||
|
Even though the Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers for its outstanding Common Shares (currently expected to be for 5% per quarter), investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment. |
||
|
There is no guarantee that you will be able to sell your Common Shares at any given time or in the quantity that you desire. |
||
|
There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to maintain a certain level of distributions to the holders of Common Shares of the Fund (the Common Shareholders). |
||
|
The Funds distributions may be funded from unlimited amounts of offering proceeds or borrowings, which may constitute a return of capital and reduce the amount of capital available to the Fund for investment. Any capital returned to Common Shareholders through distributions will be distributed after payment of fees and expenses. |
||
|
The ultimate tax characterization of the Funds distributions in a calendar year may not finally be determined until after the end of that calendar year. The Fund may make distributions during a calendar year that exceed the Funds net investment income and net realized capital gains for that year. In such a situation, the amount by which the Funds total distributions exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains would generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of the Common Shareholders tax basis in his or her Common Shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of his or her Common Shares. |
||
|
Investors should carefully consider the Funds risks and investment objective, as an investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors and is not designed to be a complete investment program. |
||
|
Because of the risks associated with (i) the Funds ability to purchase and originate loans, and invest in high-yield bonds, and (ii) the Funds ability to use leverage, an investment in the Fund should be considered speculative and involving a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial loss of investment. |
||
|
Before making an investment/allocation decision, investors and financial intermediaries should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to an investors or a clients investment objective and individual situation and (ii) consider factors such as an investors or a clients net worth, income, age and risk tolerance. |
||
|
Investment should be avoided where an investor/client has a short-term investing horizon and/or cannot bear the loss of some or all of their investment. It is possible that investing in the Fund may result in a loss of some or all of the amount invested.
|
Before buying any of the Funds Common Shares, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in the Fund in Principal Risks of the Fund beginning on page 30 of this prospectus. No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved, and you could lose all of your investment in the Fund.
Leverage. The Fund intends to add leverage to its portfolio by utilizing borrowings, such as through bank loans or commercial paper and/or other credit facilities, including through one or more subsidiaries. The Fund has formed a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary that has entered into a secured credit facility (the Credit Agreement) with Ally Bank and such other lenders that may become party to the Credit Agreement (the Lenders). Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the special purpose subsidiary, of which the Fund is the sole member and designated manager, may borrow money from the Lenders up to a maximum aggregate outstanding amount of $75 million,
subject to change by mutual agreement of such special purpose subsidiary and the Lenders. See Leverage and Use of Leverage. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund may also determine to issue preferred shares or other types of senior securities to add leverage to its portfolio. The Funds Board of Trustees may authorize the issuance of preferred shares without the approval of Common Shareholders; however, the Fund is not authorized to issue preferred shares as of the date of this prospectus. If the Fund issues preferred shares in the future, all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares will be borne by the Common Shareholders, and these costs and expenses may be significant. The Fund may choose to increase or decrease, or eliminate entirely, its use of leverage over time and from time to time based on the Subadvisers assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions and other factors. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may use borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and the issuance of debt securities, in an aggregate amount of up to 331/3% of the Funds Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings. Furthermore, the Fund may add leverage to its portfolio through the issuance of preferred shares in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Funds Managed Assets immediately after such issuance. By using leverage, the Fund seeks to obtain a higher return for holders of Common Shares than if the Fund did not use leverage. Leveraging is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. There can be no assurance that the Funds leveraging strategies will be successful or result in a higher yield on your Common Shares.
Plan of Distribution. Currently, Class A Shares and Class I Shares are available for purchase. The Fund has been granted Exemptive Relief from the SEC that permits the Fund to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose asset-based distribution fees and early withdrawal fees. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future.
The Funds Common Shares will be sold at a public offering price equal to their NAV per share, plus a sales charge where applicable. Each share class represents an investment in the same portfolio of investments, but each class has its own expense structure and arrangements for shareholder services or distribution, which allows you to choose the class that best fits your situation and eligibility requirements. Class A Shares of the Fund are primarily offered and sold to retail investors by certain broker-dealers which are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and which have agreements with the Funds distributor, FEF Distributors, LLC (the Distributor), to sell Class A Shares, but may be made available through other financial firms, including banks and trust companies and to specified benefit plans (as defined below) and other retirement accounts. Only certain investors are eligible to purchase Class I Shares. See Plan of DistributionShare Classes.
Class I Shares. The minimum initial investment for Class I Shares is $1 million per account, except that the minimum investment may be modified for certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers, the Trustees and certain employees and their extended family members of the Adviser and its affiliates. There is no minimum subsequent investment amount for Class I Shares.
Class A Shares. The minimum initial investment for Class A Shares is $2,500 per account, except that the minimum investment may be modified for certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers, the Trustees and certain employees and their extended family members of the Adviser and its affiliates. The minimum subsequent investment amount for Class A Shares is $100.
Please read and retain this prospectus for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated April 30, 2021 (the SAI), and other materials containing additional information about the Fund have been filed with the SEC. The SAI is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this prospectus, which means that it is considered to be part of this prospectus. You may request a free copy of the SAI, and other information filed with the SEC, by calling (800) 334-2143 (toll-free), by electronic mail at publicinfo@sec.gov. The Fund files annual and semi-annual shareholder reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. To obtain this information or the Funds SAI electronically, please visit www.FEIM.com or call (800) 334-2143. You may also call this number to request additional information or to make other inquiries pertaining to the Fund. You may also obtain a copy of any information regarding the Fund filed with the SEC from the SECs web site (www.sec.gov).
As permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of the Funds shareholder reports will not be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.feim.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already
elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling (800) 334-2143 or by visiting www.FEIM.com. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Fund, you can call (800) 334-2143 or visit www.FEIM.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with First Eagle or your financial intermediary.
The Funds Common Shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
1 |
|||||
|
18 |
||||||
|
20 |
||||||
|
22 |
||||||
|
23 |
||||||
|
24 |
||||||
|
27 |
||||||
|
30 |
||||||
|
46 |
||||||
|
51 |
||||||
|
63 |
||||||
|
66 |
||||||
|
67 |
||||||
|
69 |
||||||
|
70 |
||||||
|
73 |
||||||
|
75 |
||||||
|
76 |
||||||
|
76 |
||||||
Appendix A: Financial Firm-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts |
|
77 |
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in Common Shares of the Fund. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information. In particular, you should carefully read the risks of investing in the Funds Common Shares, as discussed under Principal Risks of the Fund.
The Fund
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund (the Fund) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its shares of beneficial interest (the Common Shares). The Fund is operated as an Interval Fund (as defined below).
Continuous Offering
The Fund is offering two classes of Common Shares: Class A Shares and Class I Shares. Each share class represents an investment in the same portfolio of investments, but each class has its own expense structure and arrangements for shareholder services or distribution, which allows you to choose the class that best fits your situation and eligibility requirements. The Fund has been granted exemptive relief (the Exemptive Relief) from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) that permits the Fund to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose asset-based distribution fees and early-withdrawal fees. At present, Class A Shares and Class I Shares are available for purchase. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future.
The Fund continuously offers its Common Shares through FEF Distributors, LLC (the Distributor), as principal underwriter, on a best efforts basis. Class A Shares and Class I Shares will be sold on a continuous basis at the Funds then current net asset value (NAV) per Share, plus for Class A Shares only, a maximum front-end sales commission of 3.50%. While neither the Fund nor the Distributor impose a front-end sales commission on Class I Shares, if you buy Class I Shares through certain financial firms, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information.
The minimum initial investment generally required for Class I Shares is $1 million per account. The minimum may be waived for Class I Shares for certain wrap fee programs if approved by the Distributor and for certain intermediaries that have entered into a relevant agreement with the Distributor. The minimum initial investment generally required for Class A Shares is $2,500 per account. The minimum investments may be modified for current officers, trustees, directors, and employees of the Fund, First Eagle, the Adviser (as defined below), the Subadviser (as defined below), the Distributor, certain other subsidiaries of First Eagle (as defined below), The Blackstone Group Inc., Corsair Capital LLC, employees of certain firms providing services to the Fund (such as the custodian and the shareholder servicing agent), and to the immediate family members of any such persons or to any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for only such persons. The minimum subsequent investment amount for Class A Shares is $100. There is no minimum subsequent investment amount for Class I Shares.
For additional information regarding each share class please see Plan of DistributionShare Classes in this prospectus. The Fund reserves the right to reject a purchase order for any reason. Shareholders will not have the right to redeem their Common Shares. However, as described below, in order to provide liquidity to shareholders, the Fund will conduct periodic repurchase offers for a portion of its outstanding Common Shares.
Investment Objective and Strategies
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of providing long-term risk-adjusted returns. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of credit asset classes. Risk-adjusted returns are generally understood to frame investments in the context of the level of risk
1
that is associated with a particular investment. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The Fund will invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in a credit portfolio of below investment grade credit assets including syndicated bank loans, middle market club loans (senior secured loans in middle market companies funded by an arranged group of lenders that generally does not involve syndication), direct lending (consisting of first lien loans, including unitranche loans), asset-based loans, and high-yield bonds (commonly referred to as junk bonds). First lien loans are senior secured loans. Unitranche loans are loans that combine both senior and mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position. The Fund expects, under normal circumstances, to employ a flexible investment strategy that capitalizes on current and future income and relative value opportunities in credit markets that may lead to outperformance compared to traditional fixed income opportunities. First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC (FEAC or the Subadviser) identifies relative value opportunities by assessing an investment based on the risk reward relationship along with the interaction between a variety of differentiating factors: income, maturity, seniority, structure, collateral, liquidity, geopolitical, and other relevant factors. The Subadviser considers Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors throughout its investment process alongside its existing fundamental research process. In connection with the investment strategies, the Subadviser considers financially material environmental, social and governance factors associated with existing and potential investment opportunities. The Subadviser believes that consideration of ESG factors is an effective risk management tool, allowing the Subadviser to identify certain investment risks that may not be apparent absent consideration of ESG factors. ESG factors would not be a sole determining factor in any investment decisions for the Fund. To the extent consistent with the applicable liquidity requirements for interval funds under Rule 23c-3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid investments. Most of the credit instruments in which the Fund invests will be rated below investment grade by rating agencies or would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. The Fund generally may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in shares of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds and business development companies, to the extent that these investments are consistent with the Funds investment objective, strategies and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act or any applicable exemption therefrom. Managed Assets means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Funds accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment purposes).
Adviser and Subadviser
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (FEIM or the Adviser) serves as the investment adviser for the Fund. Subject to the supervision of the Funds Board of Trustees (the Board or Board of Trustees), the Adviser oversees the management of the Funds activities and supervises the activities of the investment subadviser. The Adviser may also provide investment advisory services directly to the Fund and anticipates doing so with respect to certain determinations that may be required of the Adviser in respect of co-investments with affiliates in accordance with any applicable exemptive relief from the SEC. See Potential Conflicts of Interest RiskAllocation of Investment Opportunities below for more information. The Adviser is a subsidiary of First Eagle Holdings, Inc. (together with its affiliates, First Eagle).
First Eagle is dedicated to providing prudent stewardship of client assets. First Eagle focuses on active and fundamental investing, with a strong emphasis on downside protection and without adhering to a specific benchmark. Over a long history dating back to 1864, First Eagle has helped its clients avoid permanent impairment of capital and earn attractive returns through varied economic cyclesa tradition that is central to its mission today. In addition to the Fund, its clients include the First Eagle Funds, the First Eagle Variable Funds, other pooled vehicles, corporations, foundations, major retirement plans and high net worth individuals. The Adviser is located at 1345
2
Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. As of March 31, 2021, the Adviser had approximately $89,489,626,595 in assets under management.3
FEAC, in its capacity as the alternative credit group of FEIM, serves as the Funds investment subadviser. FEAC is an investment adviser for both direct lending and broadly syndicated investments, through public and private vehicles, collateralized loan obligations, separately managed accounts and commingled funds. The Subadviser was formed in 2009 under the name THL Credit Advisors LLC (THL Credit). In January 2020, the Subadviser was acquired by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. As of March 31, 2021, the Subadviser had approximately $19,738,804,651 in assets under management.4
The Adviser and Subadviser share personnel pursuant to a personnel-sharing or similar inter-company arrangement.
Christopher Flynn, James Fellows, CFA, Robert Hickey, Brian Murphy, Steven Krull, CFA, Michelle Handy, and Christian Champ, CFA, portfolio managers with FEAC, are the portfolio managers that are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Periodic Repurchase Offers
The Fund is an Interval Fund, a type of fund that, in order to provide liquidity to shareholders, has adopted a fundamental investment policy, which may only be changed with Shareholder approval, to make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Board of Trustees for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV, which is the minimum amount permitted. Written notification of each quarterly repurchase offer (the Repurchase Offer Notice) will be sent to shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the date by which shareholders can tender their Common Shares in response to a repurchase offer) (the Repurchase Request Deadline). The Fund expects the first repurchase offer to be issued within six months following effectiveness of the Funds registration statement. The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee. However, in the future the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00%, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Common Shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the shareholder whose Common Shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce a repurchase fee if the Adviser or Subadviser determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs. The Funds Common Shares are not listed for trading on any securities exchange. There is currently no secondary market for its Common Shares and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for its Common Shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Common Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment. Thus, the Common Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Funds repurchase offers may subject the Fund and shareholders to special risks. See Principal Risks of the FundRepurchase Offers Risk.
Use of Leverage
The Fund intends to add leverage to its portfolio by utilizing borrowings, such as through bank loans or commercial paper and/or other credit facilities, including through one or more subsidiaries. The Fund has formed a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary (the Subsidiary) that has entered into a secured credit facility (the Credit Agreement)
3 |
|
Excludes assets under management or advisement (together, AUM) of First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC. |
||
|
||||
4 |
|
Represents the aggregate AUM of First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC and the AUM of First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc., along with its related funds and separate accounts, including unfunded capital commitments of $183,694,293.
|
||
|
3
with Ally Bank and such other lenders that may become party to the Credit Agreement (the Lenders). Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Subsidiary, of which the Fund is the sole member and designated manager, may borrow money from the Lenders up to a maximum aggregate outstanding amount of $75 million, subject to change by mutual agreement of the Subsidiary and the Lenders. The Fund may also enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, loans of portfolio securities. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund may also determine to issue preferred shares or other types of senior securities to add leverage to its portfolio. The Funds Board of Trustees may authorize the issuance of preferred shares without the approval of the holders of Common Shares of the Fund (the Common Shareholders); however, the Fund is not authorized to issue preferred shares as of the date of this prospectus. If the Fund issues preferred shares in the future, all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares will be borne by the Common Shareholders, and these costs and expenses may be significant. The Fund may choose to increase or decrease, or eliminate entirely, its use of leverage over time and from time to time based on the Subadvisers assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions and other factors. The net proceeds the Fund obtains from leverage utilized will be invested in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies as described in this prospectus. So long as the rate of return, net of applicable Fund expenses, on the debt obligations and other investments purchased by the Fund exceeds the costs to the Fund of the leverage it utilizes, the investment of the Funds assets attributable to leverage will generate more income than will be needed to pay the costs of the leverage. If so, and all other things being equal, the excess may be used to pay higher dividends to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Fund from engaging in most forms of leverage (including the use of bank loans, commercial paper or other credit facilities, certain derivative transactions, loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions, to the extent that these instruments are not covered as described below) unless immediately after the issuance of the leverage the Fund has satisfied the asset coverage test with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness prescribed by the 1940 Act; that is, the value of the Funds total assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (for these purposes, total net assets) is at least 300% of the senior securities representing indebtedness (effectively limiting the use of leverage through senior securities representing indebtedness to 331/3% of the Funds total net assets, including assets attributable to such leverage). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, this asset coverage test is satisfied. To the extent that the Fund engages in borrowings, it may prepay a portion of the principal amount of the borrowing to the extent necessary in order to maintain the required asset coverage. Failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements could result in an event of default.
Leveraging is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. There can be no assurance that the Funds leveraging strategies will be successful or result in a higher yield on your Common Shares. When leverage is used, the NAV of the Common Shares and the yield to Common Shareholders will be more volatile. In addition, interest and other expenses borne by the Fund with respect to its use of borrowings or any other forms of leverage are borne by the Common Shareholders and result in a reduction of the NAV of the Common Shares. In addition, because the fees received by the Adviser and Subadviser are based on the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes and any preferred shares that may be outstanding, if issued), the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive for the Fund to use certain forms of leverage (e.g., borrowings and preferred shares), which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the Common Shareholders, on the other hand.
Certain types of borrowings may, and the Credit Agreement does, result in the Fund effectively being subject to covenants relating to asset coverage, portfolio composition and operational requirements. Among other things, these covenants can mean that termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement or the Investment Subadvisory Agreement, or the loss of certain key personnel, may adversely impact the terms of the Funds or its subsidiaries financing facilities or any financing facility into which the Fund or its subsidiaries may enter in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business and financial condition. Covenants can also limit the ability to distribute assets or income from the Funds subsidiary back to the Fund. The borrowings which the Fund
4
may incur may be, and the Credit Agreement is, secured by a lien on all or a portion of the Funds and/or the Subsidiarys assets (the Collateral).
The Credit Agreement is commonly referred to as an asset-backed facility. Under such a credit facility, a decrease in the market value of the assets (due to market conditions, the fair valuation of the assets or otherwise) would increase the effective amount of leverage and could result in the possibility of a violation of certain covenants. A breach of a covenant can result in an event of default, which may permit the agent on behalf of the Lender to accelerate the debt and/or exercise rights and remedies against the Collateral. Liquidation of the Collateral at an inopportune time could adversely impact the performance of the Fund and could, if the value of the assets declined significantly, cause a loss of all or a substantial amount of the value of the Collateral. In the event of a sudden, precipitous drop in the value of the Collateral, the Fund and/or the Subsidiary might not be able to dispose of assets quickly enough to pay down debt, resulting in a foreclosure or other total loss of some or all of the Collateral.
The Subsidiary, which is expected to hold a majority of the Funds assets, is not registered under the 1940 Act. However, to the extent applicable, the Subsidiary will be subject to the same fundamental investment restrictions and will follow the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund. Compliance with the Funds investment restrictions also generally will be measured on an aggregate basis in respect of the Funds and the Subsidiarys portfolios, and the Subsidiary will comply with the 1940 Act provisions governing affiliate transactions and custody of assets. (Custody of these assets will be maintained with U.S. Bank National Association rather than with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., which is otherwise the custodian of the Funds assets). The Fund is the sole member of the Subsidiary and does not expect interests in the Subsidiary to be offered or sold to other investors.
Certain loans made by the Fund represent advance commitments to extend credit as and when requested by the borrower. These commitments typically are subject to various contingencies and conditions, but nonetheless generally require that the Fund lend monies on short notice. This exposes the Fund to the risk that completing a loan may be required at a time when it is no longer as desirable from a credit or investment perspective as when the original commitment was made. The Fund also must manage its available cash, cash equivalents and borrowings so as to have cash on hand to complete the loan when required. A rule recently adopted by the SEC will, upon its implementation, require that the Fund reasonably believe, at the time it enters into an unfunded commitment agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations on these commitments when due. The Fund will consider its overall circumstances when evaluating sufficiency of its cash and cash equivalents for this purpose. For example, the Fund will consider any conditions on its commitments, its reasonable expectations as to when each commitment will be due, other obligations of the Fund (such as the obligation to hold liquid assets during periods when the Fund has offered to repurchase its shares), and the Funds ability to borrow. The rule recently adopted by the SEC also may limit the Funds ability to utilize leverage through derivatives and related instruments.
Please see Leverage, Principal Risks of the FundLeverage Risk and Principal Risks of the FundSegregation and Coverage Risk for additional information regarding leverage and related risks.
Distributions
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income to shareholders in the form of dividends. The Fund intends to declare income dividends daily and distribute them monthly to shareholders of record. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute any net capital gains earned from the sale of portfolio securities to shareholders no less frequently than annually. Net short-term capital gains may be paid more frequently.
Unless a shareholder specifies otherwise, dividends will be reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund in accordance with the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. The Fund may pay distributions from sources that may not be available in the future and that are unrelated to the Funds performance, such as from offering proceeds and/or borrowings. See Distributions and Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
5
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent
FEF Distributors, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser and the Subadviser, serves as the Funds principal underwriter and distributor. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. serves as the primary custodian of the Funds assets. U.S. Bank National Association serves as the custodian of the Subsidiarys assets. DST Systems, Inc. serves as the Funds transfer agent and dividend disbursement agent.
Unlisted Closed-End Fund Structure; Limited Liquidity
The Funds Common Shares are not listed for trading on any securities exchange. There is currently no secondary market for its Common Shares and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for its Common Shares. Shareholders of the Fund are not able to have their Common Shares redeemed or otherwise sell their Common Shares on a daily basis because the Fund is an unlisted closed-end fund. In order to provide liquidity to shareholders, the Fund is structured as an Interval Fund and conducts periodic repurchase offers for a portion of its outstanding Common Shares, as described herein. Investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for long-term investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of the Common Shares. Investors should consider their investment goals, time horizons and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund.
Investor Suitability
An investment in the Fund involves a considerable amount of risk. It is possible that you will lose money. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of the Common Shares and should be viewed as a long-term investment. Before making your investment decision, you should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to your investment goals and personal financial situation and (ii) consider factors such as your personal net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. An investment in the Fund should not be viewed as a complete investment program.
Summary of Principal Risks of the Fund
Investing in the Funds Common Shares involves a number of significant risks. Below is a summary of some of the principal risks of investing in the Fund. Before you invest in the Funds Common Shares, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. For a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in the Fund, see Principal Risks of the Fund.
Limited Operating History
The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified closed-end investment company. The Fund has a limited history of operations and public trading and is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record or history on which to base their investment decisions. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle.
Investment Risk
An investment in the Funds Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in the Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the investments and other financial assets owned by the Fund. The value of the Funds investments will generally fluctuate with, among other things, changes in prevailing interest rates, federal tax rates, counterparty risk, general economic conditions, the condition of certain financial markets, developments or trends in any particular industry and the financial condition of the issuer. Lower-quality debt securities involve greater risk of default or price changes and their value can fluctuate, especially during periods of increased market volatility, economic recessions or periods
6
of high interest rates. The Fund anticipates using leverage, which would magnify the Funds investment, market and certain other risks. See Risk FactorsLeverage Risk.
Market Risk
The Fund is subject to market risk. Market risk includes unexpected directional price movements, deviations from historical pricing relationships, changes in the regulatory environment, changes in market volatility, panicked or forced selling of assets and contraction of available credit or other financing sources. The success of the Funds activities may be affected by general economic and market conditions, such as interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws and national and international political circumstances.
Market turmoil may negatively affect the Funds performance. Credit markets may become illiquid, credit spreads may widen and the equity markets may lose substantial value. Such market conditions may cause the Fund to suffer substantial losses and/or implement measures that adversely affect the Fund.
Many countries have experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses in recent decades, including swine flu, avian influenza, SARS, and most recently, SARS-CoV-2 (and the resulting respiratory disease sometimes referred to as the corona virus and abbreviated as COVID-19). In December 2019, an initial outbreak of the COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Since then, a large and growing number of cases have been confirmed around the world. COVID-19 has resulted in, among other things, closing borders, enhanced health screenings, disruptions to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, has affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global markets, including liquidity, in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
Asset Allocation Risk
The Funds investment performance depends upon how its assets are allocated and reallocated. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is that the Adviser or the Subadviser may make less than optimal or poor asset allocation decisions. The Adviser and the Subadviser employ an active approach to allocation across multiple credit sectors, but there is no guarantee that such allocation techniques will produce the desired results. It is possible that the Adviser or the Subadviser will focus on an investment that performs poorly or underperforms other investments under various market conditions. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund as a result of these allocation decisions.
Issuer Risk
The value of securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to a securitys issuer, such as its financial strength, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods and services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. A change in the financial condition of a single issuer may affect securities markets as a whole. These risks can apply to the Common Shares issued by the Fund and to the issuers of securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.
Repurchase Offers Risk
As described under Periodic Repurchase Offers above, the Fund is an Interval Fund and, in order to provide liquidity to shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, conducts quarterly repurchase offers of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. In all cases such repurchases will be for at least 5% and not more than 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers for 5% of its outstanding Common Shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Funds shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities.
7
However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Funds investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objective. The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Funds investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Funds investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Funds repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Funds repurchase obligations, the Fund intends, if necessary, to sell investments. If, as expected, the Fund employs investment leverage, repurchases of Common Shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Common Shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Funds expenses and reducing any net investment income.
If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Fund may determine to increase the amount repurchased by up to 2% of the Funds outstanding shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. In the event that the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the repurchase offer amount, or if shareholders tender more than the repurchase offer amount plus 2% of the Funds outstanding shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. The NAV of the Funds Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV for tendered Common Shares is determined. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to Common Shareholders, potentially even to those Common Shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase. For a discussion of these tax consequences, please see Tax Matters and Taxation in the Statement of Additional Information.
Large Shareholder Risk
To the extent a large proportion of Common Shares are held by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single Common Shareholder), including affiliates of the Adviser and the Subadviser, the Fund is subject to the risk that these Shareholders will seek to sell Common Shares in large amounts rapidly in connection with repurchase offers. These transactions could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to conduct its investment program. Furthermore, it is possible that in response to a repurchase offer, the total amount of Common Shares tendered by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single Common Shareholder) may exceed the number of Common Shares that the Fund has offered to repurchase. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed by Common Shareholders, the Fund will repurchase only a pro rata portion of shares tendered by each Common Shareholder. However, the Fund may determine to increase the repurchase offer by up to 2% of the Funds outstanding Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund only repurchases a pro rata portion of shares tendered in connection with an oversubscribed repurchase offer, Shareholders unaffiliated with the Adviser and the Subadviser will not be given priority over Shareholders that are affiliates of the Adviser and the Subadviser, whose holdings in the Fund may be significant and may have the effect of diluting third party Shareholders with respect to any repurchase offer. See RisksRepurchase Offers Risk.
Management Risk
The Fund does not have internal management capacity or employees. The Fund depends on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the senior investment professionals of the Adviser and the Subadviser to achieve the Funds investment objective. The Fund expects that the Adviser, with the assistance of the Subadviser, will evaluate,
8
negotiate, structure, close and monitor the Funds investments in accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement, as applicable. The Fund can offer no assurance, however, that the senior investment professionals of the Adviser and/or Subadviser will continue to provide investment advice to the Fund. The loss of any member of the Advisers and/or Subadvisers Investment Committee or of other senior investment professionals of the Adviser and/or Subadviser and their affiliates would limit the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective and operate as the Fund anticipates. This could have a material adverse effect on the Funds financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Interest Rate Risk
General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on the Funds investments and investment opportunities, and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on the Funds investment objective and rate of return on investment capital. A portion of the Funds income will depend upon the difference between the rate at which it borrows funds and the interest rate on the debt securities in which it invests. Because the Fund will borrow money to make investments and may issue debt securities, preferred stock or other securities, the Funds net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which the Fund borrows funds or pays interest or dividends on such debt securities, preferred stock or other securities and the rate at which the Fund invests these funds. Typically, the Fund anticipates that its interest earning investments will accrue and pay interest at both variable and fixed rates, and that its interest-bearing liabilities will accrue interest at variable and fixed rates.
As of the date of this prospectus, interest rates in the United States are at, or near, historic lows, which may increase the Funds exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain countries have recently experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed-income instruments. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates. Moreover, interest rate levels are currently impacted by extraordinarily accommodative monetary policy initiatives the effect of which is impossible to predict with certainty. A significant increase in market interest rates could harm the Funds ability to attract new portfolio companies and originate new loans and investments. The Fund expects that a majority of its investments in debt will continue to be at floating rates with a floor. However, in the event that the Fund makes investments in debt at variable rates, a significant increase in market interest rates could also result in an increase in the Funds non-performing assets and a decrease in the value of the Funds portfolio because the Funds floating-rate loan portfolio companies may be unable to meet higher payment obligations. In periods of rising interest rates, the Funds cost of funds would increase, resulting in a decrease in the Funds net investment income. In addition, a decrease in interest rates may reduce net income, because new investments may be made at lower rates despite the increased demand for the Funds capital that the decrease in interest rates may produce.
Credit Risk
Investment in private and middle market companies is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk of credit loss, and therefore the Funds securities may not be suitable for someone with a low tolerance for risk.
These risks are likely to increase during an economic recession. Additionally, issuers of the syndicated loans and other types of credit instruments in which the Fund may invest may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. This nonpayment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of such syndicated loans or credit instrument experiencing nonpayment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. With respect to the Funds investments in syndicated loans and debt securities that are secured, there can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuers obligation in the event of nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of an issuer, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing syndicated loans or credit instrument. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in the Funds
9
portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. To the extent the Fund invests in high-yield securities and other types of credit instruments, it will be exposed to a greater amount of credit risk than if it invested solely in investment grade debt securities and other types of credit instruments.
Below Investment Grade Rating Risk
Most of the credit instruments in which the Fund invests, including its investments in syndicated bank loans, middle market club loans (senior secured loans in middle market companies funded by an arranged group of lenders that generally does not involve syndication), direct lending (consisting of first lien loans, including unitranche loans), asset-based loans, and high-yield bonds, will be rated below investment grade by rating agencies or would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade investments are often referred to as high-yield or junk securities. While generally providing greater income and opportunity for gain, below investment grade securities or comparable unrated securities may be subject to greater risks than securities or instruments that have higher credit ratings, including a higher risk of default.
Because unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated securities, the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective will be more dependent on the Subadvisers credit analysis than would be the case when the Fund invests in rated securities. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to an investment, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value substantially less than its original investment.
Bank Loan Risk
The Fund intends to invest in bank loans. These investments potentially expose the Fund to the credit risk of the underlying borrower, and in certain cases, of the financial institution. The Funds ability to receive payments in connection with the loan depends primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. Even investments in secured loans present risk, as there is no assurance that the collateral securing the loan will be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligation. The market for bank loans may be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. In addition, bank loans often have contractual restrictions on resale, which can delay the sale and adversely impact the sale price. In some instances, other accounts managed by the Adviser, the Subadviser or an affiliate may hold other securities issued by borrowers whose loans may be held in the Funds portfolio. If the credit quality of the issuer deteriorates, the Adviser or the Subadviser may owe conflicting fiduciary duties to the Fund and other client accounts. At times, the Fund may decline to receive non-public information relating to loans, which could disadvantage the Fund relative to other investors. Alternatively, the Adviser or the Subadviser may come into possession of material, non-public information about the issuers of loans that may be held in the Funds portfolio. The Adviser or the Subadvisers ability to trade in these loans for the account of the Fund could be limited by its possession of such information. Limitations on the Adviser or the Subadvisers ability to trade could have an adverse effect on the Fund by preventing the Fund from selling a loan that is experiencing a material decline in value.
Loans and Assignments Risk
The Fund may acquire loans through assignments of interests in such loans. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the credit agreement with respect to such debt obligation. However, the purchasers rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under an assigned debt obligation and with regard to any associated collateral.
10
Direct Lending and Middle Market Club Loan Risk
Investment in private and middle market companies involves a number of significant risks. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and the Fund is required to rely on the ability of the Subadvisers investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If the Subadviser is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, it may not be able to make a fully informed investment decision, and the Fund may lose money on is investments. Private and middle market companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that the Fund holds, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of the Fund realizing any guarantees it may have obtained in connection with its investment. In addition, they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns. Additionally, middle market companies are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on the Funds portfolio company and, in turn, on the Fund. Middle market companies also generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. In addition, the Funds executive officers, directors and the Adviser and/or Subadviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from the Funds investments in its portfolio companies.
Privacy and Data Security Laws
Many jurisdictions in which the Fund and its portfolio companies operate have laws and regulations relating to data privacy, cyber security and protection of personal information, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union that went into effect in May 2018 and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) that took effect in January 2020 and provides for enhanced consumer protections for California residents, a private right of action for data breaches and statutory fines for data breaches or other CCPA violations. If the Fund or the Adviser and/or Subadviser fail to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, it could result in regulatory investigations and penalties, which could lead to negative publicity and may cause investors and clients to lose confidence in the effectiveness of the Funds security measures.
Liquidity Risk
The Fund intends to invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is a security or other investment that cannot be sold or disposed of within seven days or less in current market conditions without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid investments often can be resold only in privately negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act). Considerable delay could be encountered in either event and, unless otherwise contractually provided, the Funds proceeds upon sale may be reduced by the costs of registration or underwriting discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such transactions could result in the Funds inability to realize a favorable price upon disposition of illiquid investments, and at times might make disposition of such securities impossible.
Investment in Other Regulated Funds
The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), closed-end funds and business development companies (BDCs) (collectively referred to as regulated funds), to the extent that these investments are consistent with the Funds investment objective, strategies and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act or any applicable exemption therefrom. The Fund does not intend to invest in such a
11
regulated fund unless, in the judgment of the Subadviser, the potential benefits of such investment justify the payment of any applicable premium or sales charge. As a shareholder in a regulated fund, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that regulated funds expenses, including its advisory and administration fees.
Exchange-Traded Funds
The Fund may invest in ETFs, which are investment companies or special purpose trusts whose primary objective is to achieve the same rate of return as a particular market index or commodity while trading throughout the day on an exchange. The Fund would purchase and sell individual shares of ETFs in the secondary market. These secondary market transactions require the payment of commissions.
ETF shares are subject to the same risks as regulated funds, as described above. Furthermore, there may be times when the exchange halts trading, in which case the Fund would be unable to sell ETF shares until trading is resumed.
Valuation Risk
When market quotations are not readily available or are deemed to be unreliable, the Fund values its investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. See Net Asset Value. Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations about the value of a security or other asset. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value pricing will result in adjustments to the prices of securities or other assets, or that fair value pricing will reflect actual market value, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security or other asset will be materially different from quoted or published prices, from the prices used by others for the same security or other asset and/or from the value that actually could be or is realized upon the sale of that security or other asset.
Leverage Risk
The Fund intends to utilize leverage and has entered into a Credit Agreement with the Lenders. There can be no assurance that the Funds use of leverage will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Leverage is a speculative technique that exposes the Fund to greater risk and higher costs than if it were not implemented. The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including through funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, margin facilities, and the issuance of preferred shares or notes. The Funds total leverage, either through borrowings, preferred stock issuance, or similar transactions, may not exceed 331/3% of the Funds Managed Assets.
ESG Investing Risk
The Subadviser considers ESG factors throughout its investment process alongside its existing fundamental research process. The Subadvisers incorporation of ESG investment insights may affect the Funds exposure to certain companies or industries. The Funds results may be lower than other funds that do not consider ESG characteristics. Investors may differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG factors.
Focused Investment Risk
To the extent that the Fund focuses its investments in a particular industry, the NAV of the Common Shares will be more susceptible to events or factors affecting companies in that industry. These may include, but are not limited to, governmental regulation, inflation, rising interest rates, cost increases in raw materials, fuel and other operating expenses, technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete, competition from new entrants, high research and development costs, increased costs associated with compliance with environmental or other regulation and other economic, market, political or other developments specific to that industry. Also, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in companies in related sectors that may share common characteristics, are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens and whose securities may react similarly to the types
12
of events and factors described above, which will subject the Fund to greater risk. The Fund also will be subject to focused investment risk to the extent that it invests a substantial portion of its assets in a particular country or geographic region.
Confidential Information Access Risk
Principals of the Adviser, the Subadviser and their affiliates and certain of the Advisers and/or Subadvisers investment professionals may have or establish relationships with companies in which the Fund invests, including serving as a director of, or in a similar capacity with, such companies. In connection with the foregoing activities, principals of the Adviser, the Subadviser and their affiliates and certain of the Advisers and/or Subadvisers investment professionals may from time to time come into possession of confidential or material nonpublic information or be restricted from effecting transactions relating to certain issuers that would limit the ability of the Adviser and/or Subadviser to effect a transaction for the Fund (including the Funds ability to buy, sell or hold certain investments) and the Funds investments may be constrained as a consequence of the Adviser and/or Subadvisers inability to use such information for advisory purposes or otherwise to effect transactions that otherwise may have been initiated on behalf of its clients, including the Fund.
Risk of Regulatory Changes
Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur and may adversely affect the Fund and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. New (or revised) laws or regulations may be imposed by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the SEC, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. Federal Reserve or other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund. In particular, these agencies are implementing a variety of new rules pursuant to financial reform legislation in the United States. The EU (and some other countries) are implementing similar requirements. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.
LIBOR Risk
LIBOR, the London Interbank Offered Rate, is the basic rate of interest used in lending transactions between banks on the London interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally. The Fund will typically use LIBOR as a reference rate in floating-rate loans it extends to portfolio companies such that the interest due to the Fund pursuant to a term loan extended to a portfolio company is calculated using LIBOR. The terms of the Funds debt investments generally include minimum interest rate floors which are calculated based on LIBOR.
On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. For U.S. dollar LIBOR, however, the relevant date may be deferred to June 30, 2023 for the most common tenors (overnight and one, three, six and 12 months). As to those tenors, the LIBOR administrator has published a consultation regarding its intention to cease publication of U.S. dollar LIBOR as of June 30, 2023 (instead of December 31, 2021, as previously expected), apparently based on continued rate submissions from banks. The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority and other regulators have stated that they welcome the LIBOR administrator s action. An extension to 2023 would mean that many legacy U.S. dollar LIBOR contracts would terminate before related LIBOR rates cease to be published. However, the same regulators emphasized that, despite any continued publication of U.S. dollar LIBOR through June 30, 2023, no new contracts using U.S. dollar LIBOR should be entered into after December 31, 2021. Moreover, the LIBOR administrators consultation also relates to the LIBOR administrators intention to cease publication of non-U.S. dollar LIBOR after December 31, 2021. Although the foregoing may provide some sense of timing, there is no assurance that LIBOR, of any particular currency and tenor, will continue to be published until any particular date, and it appears highly likely
13
that LIBOR will be discontinued or modified after December 31, 2021 or June 30, 2023, depending on the currency and tenor. As a result of this transition, interest rates on financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, as well as the revenue and expenses associated with those financial instruments, may be adversely affected. Further, any uncertainty regarding the continued use and reliability of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate could adversely affect the value of the Funds financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates.
Upon LIBORs phase out, the Fund may need to renegotiate any credit agreements with its portfolio companies extending beyond 2021 that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established. Any of such renegotiations may have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, result of operations, financial condition, and share price, including as a result of changes in interest rates payable to the Fund by its portfolio companies.
Tax Risk
To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to regulated investment companies (RICs), the Fund must, among other things: (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain kinds of investment income; (ii) meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter; and (iii) distribute in each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), but determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and its net tax-exempt income. If the Fund failed to meet any of these requirements, subject to the opportunity to cure such failures under applicable provisions of the Code, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income (including its net capital gain), even if such income were distributed to its Common Shareholders. In addition, all distributions by the Fund out of earnings and profits (including distributions of net capital gain), would be taxed to Common Shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individual and other non-corporate Common Shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be subject to interest charges), before requalifying as a RIC. See Tax Matters.
The tax treatment and characterization of the Funds distributions may vary significantly from time to time due to the nature of the Funds investments. The ultimate tax characterization of the Funds distributions in a calendar year may not finally be determined until after the end of that calendar year. The Fund may make distributions during a calendar year that exceed the Funds net investment income and net realized capital gains for that year. In such a situation, the amount by which the Funds total distributions exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains would generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of the Common Shareholders tax basis in his or her Common Shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of his or her Common Shares.
No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the distributions paid on the Common Shares, if any, will consist of tax-advantaged qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains or what the tax rates on various types of income will be in future years. In light of the Funds investment strategies, it is anticipated that the Funds distributions generally will not be treated as tax-advantaged qualified dividend income. See Tax Matters.
Potential Conflicts of Interest RiskAllocation of Investment Opportunities
The Adviser, the Subadviser and their affiliates may sponsor or manage investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles with similar or overlapping investment strategies. For example, the Adviser or the Subadviser may serve as investment adviser to one or more private funds, registered closed-end funds and collateralized loan obligations (CLO). In addition, the Funds officers may serve in similar capacities for one or more private funds, registered closed-end funds and CLOs. To the extent the Adviser, Subadviser and their affiliates determine that an investment is appropriate for the Fund and for one or more other funds, the Adviser and the Subadviser intend to allocate investment opportunities across the entities for which such opportunities are appropriate, consistent with (a)
14
certain restrictions under the 1940 Act and rules thereunder regarding co-investments with affiliates, (b) the requirements of the Advisers Act and (c) the Adviser and Subadvisers internal conflict of interest and allocation policies. The Fund and the Adviser intend to rely on exemptive relief from the SEC that would permit the Fund to, among other things, co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain public or private funds managed by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions.
The Adviser has established policies to ensure that the Fund will generally share equitably with other funds managed by the Adviser or Subadviser or their affiliates in investment opportunities that are suitable for the Fund and such other investment funds.
The Subadviser has established allocation policies to ensure that the Fund will generally share equitably with other credit investment funds managed by the Subadviser or its affiliates within the alternative credit platform in credit investment opportunities that are suitable for the Fund and such other investment funds.
The 1940 Act imposes significant limits on co-investment with affiliates of the Fund, and without an exemptive order the Fund generally would not be permitted to co-invest alongside its affiliates in privately negotiated transactions unless the transaction is otherwise permitted under existing regulatory guidance, such as transactions where price is the only negotiated term, and will not participate in transactions where other terms are negotiable. In situations where co-investment with other entities sponsored or managed by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer, the Subadviser will need to decide whether the Fund or such other entity or entities will proceed with the investment. The Subadviser will make these determinations based on its policies and procedures, which will generally require that such opportunities be offered to eligible accounts on a basis that is fair and equitable over time. This reduces the amount of transactions in which the Fund can participate and makes it more difficult for the Fund to implement its investment objective.
Conflicts of Interest Relating to Affiliates
The Advisers affiliation with The Blackstone Group Inc. and Corsair Capital LLC (collectively, Blackstone/Corsair) requires the Advisers to manage conflicts of interest associated with dealings the Fund may have with those businesses or funds, clients or portfolio companies associated with it. For example, should the Advisers wish to cause the Fund to execute portfolio transactions through broker dealers associated with Blackstone/Corsair, the commercial reasonableness of the brokerage compensation associated with those trades would have to be assessed. Other dealings may be more completely restricted. For example, the Fund may not be able to buy or sell property directly to or from Blackstone/Corsair or their associated accounts. There also may be limits on participation in underwritings or other securities offerings by Blackstone/Corsair or their associated funds, accounts or portfolio companies. The breadth of these affiliations at times may require the Fund to abstain from or restructure an otherwise attractive investment opportunity.
Investments in portfolio companies associated with Blackstone/Corsair may be restricted by the 1940 Act. To the extent such investments are permitted and the Fund invests in such a portfolio company (a portfolio company generally referring to a company owned by private equity funds managed by Blackstone/Corsair), conflicts of interest may arise from the presence of Blackstone/Corsair representatives on the company board or the payment of compensation by the company to Blackstone/Corsair or an affiliate. Moreover, the Advisers could have an incentive to allocate the Funds assets to such a portfolio company since affiliates of the Advisers have a direct or indirect financial interest in its success. There also may be instances where Blackstone/Corsair could be involved in bankruptcy proceedings of current investments or of issuers in which the Fund would otherwise invest, with potentially divergent interests as between the Fund and Blackstone/Corsair. The Fund may be forced to sell or hold existing investments (possibly at disadvantageous times or under disadvantageous conditions) as a result of various relationships that Blackstone/Corsair may have or transactions or investments Blackstone/Corsair and their affiliates
15
may make or have made. The inability to transact in any security, derivative or loan held by the Fund could result in significant losses or lost opportunity costs to the Fund.
Distribution Risk
The Fund cannot assure you that it will achieve investment results that will allow the Fund to make a specified level of cash distributions or periodically increase its dividend rate. The monthly distributions that Common Shareholders are expected to receive from the Fund will be derived from the Funds dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses. The Funds cash available for distribution may vary widely over the short and long term.
Zero-Coupon Bond Risk
Among the debt securities in which the Fund may invest are zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are debt obligations that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a specified date when the securities begin paying current interest. They are issued and traded at a discount from their face amount or par value, which discount varies depending on the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than do other types of debt securities having similar maturities and credit quality. Original issue discount earned on zero coupon securities must be included in the Funds income. Thus, to continue to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and to avoid a certain excise tax on undistributed income, the Fund may be required to distribute as a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash it actually receives. These distributions must be made from the Funds cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of sales of portfolio securities. The Fund will not be able to purchase additional income-producing securities with cash used to make such distributions, and its current income ultimately could be reduced as a result.
Cyber Security Risk
The occurrence of a disaster such as a cyber-attack, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a terrorist attack or war, events unanticipated in the disaster recovery systems of the Fund, Adviser and Subadviser, or a support failure from external providers, could have an adverse effect on the Funds ability to conduct business and on its results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect the Fund, the Adviser and/or the Subadvisers computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems or destroy data. If the Adviser and/or the Subadviser were unavailable in the event of a disaster, the Funds ability to effectively conduct its business could be severely compromised.
Non-Diversification Risk
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act. As a result, it can invest a greater portion of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than a diversified fund. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence. The Fund intends to qualify for the favorable tax treatment available to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code, and thus intends to satisfy the diversification requirements of Subchapter M (which are less stringent than the diversification requirements of the 1940 Act), including its diversification requirements that apply to the percentage of the Funds total assets that are represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and certain other securities.
Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust
The Funds Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. The Trustees are elected for indefinite terms and do not stand for reelection on a regular basis, although they may stand for reelection in connection with the election of
16
another Trustee. The anti-takeover provisions in the Declaration of Trust promote stability in the governance of the Fund and limit the risk that the Fund will be subject to changes in control, operational changes or other changes that may not be in the best interests of shareholders. However, these anti-takeover provisions may also inhibit certain changes of control that could benefit shareholders, such as by leading to improvements in Fund operations, by leading to increased returns of capital to shareholders or through other means. The Declaration of Trust, including the anti-takeover provisions contained therein, was considered and ratified by the Funds Board of Trustees. See Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust.
17
The following table illustrates the aggregate fees and expenses (based on average net assets) that the Fund expects to incur and that Shareholders can expect to bear directly or indirectly. Because the Fund has a limited operating history, many of these expenses are estimates.
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Class A Shares |
Class I Shares |
||||||||||||
Shareholder Transaction Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) on Purchases (as a percentage of public offering price)(1) |
|
|
3.50 |
% |
|
|
|
None |
||||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lesser of your purchase or redemption price)(2) |
|
|
1.00 |
% |
|
|
|
None |
||||||
Repurchase Fee(3) |
|
|
None |
|
|
None |
||||||||
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a percentage of average net assets attributable to our Common Shares):(4) |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Management Fee(5)(6) |
|
1.74 |
% |
|
|
1.74 |
% |
|
||||||
Distribution (12b-1) Fees(7) |
|
0.50 |
% |
|
|
None |
||||||||
Shareholder Servicing Fees(8) |
|
0.25 |
% |
|
|
None |
||||||||
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds(9) |
|
1.56 |
% |
|
|
1.56 |
% |
|
||||||
Other Expenses(10) |
|
1.65 |
% |
|
|
1.65 |
% |
|
||||||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(11) |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
|
0.01 |
% |
|
||||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
5.71 |
% |
|
|
4.96 |
% |
|
||||||
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(6)(12) |
|
(3.14) |
% |
|
|
(3.14) |
% |
|
||||||
Total Annual Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
|
2.57 |
% |
|
|
1.82 |
% |
|
(1) |
The Fund continuously offers its Common Shares through FEF Distributors, LLC (the Distributor), as principal underwriter, on a best efforts basis. Class A Shares and Class I Shares will be sold on a continuous basis at the Funds then current NAV per Share, plus for Class A Shares only, a maximum front-end sales commission of 3.50%. While neither the Fund nor the Distributor impose a front-end sales commission on Class I Shares, if you buy Class I Shares through certain financial firms, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) |
Investors that purchase $250,000 or more of the Funds Class A Shares will not pay any initial sales charge on the purchase. However, unless eligible for a waiver, purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A Shares will be subject to an early withdrawal charge of 1.00% if the shares are repurchased during the first 12 months after their purchase. See Early Withdrawal ChargesClass A Shares. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3) |
The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee. However, in the future the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00%. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) |
Assumes the Fund raises approximately $75,000,000 in proceeds during the fiscal year resulting in estimated average net assets of approximately $88,000,000. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(5) |
The Management Fee paid by the Fund is calculated at the annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets which includes assets purchased with borrowed money. The table above assumes that the Fund borrows money for investment purposes at an average amount of 28% of its Managed Assets. The Management Fee estimate in the table is greater than 1.25% since it is computed as a percentage of the Funds net assets for presentation therein. In addition, if the Fund borrows money in excess of the estimated 28% debt-to Managed Assets ratio, then the Management Fee in relation to its net assets would be higher than the estimate presented in the table. Managed Assets means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Funds accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment purposes). To derive the annual Management Fee as a percentage of the Funds net assets (which are the Funds total assets less all of the Funds liabilities), the Funds estimated average Managed Assets (approximately $122,000,000) were multiplied by the annual Management Fee rate and then divided by the Funds estimated average net assets (approximately $88,000,000). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
18
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(6) |
Effective May 1, 2021, FEIM and FEAC have agreed to waive all management fees and subadvisory fees payable to them under the Management Agreement (defined below) and Subadvisory Agreement (defined below) until April 30, 2022 (the Management Fee Waiver). The Management Fee Waiver is not revocable during its term and amounts waived pursuant to the Management Fee Waiver will not be subject to any right of future recoupment in favor of FEIM and FEAC. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(7) |
The maximum annual rate at which distribution fees may be paid under the Distribution and Servicing Plan is 0.50% for Class A Shares (calculated as a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to the Class A Shares). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(8) |
The maximum annual rate at which servicing fees may be paid under the Distribution and Servicing Plan is 0.25% for Class A Shares (calculated as a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to the Class A Shares). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(9) |
These expenses represent estimated interest payments plus applicable fees the Fund expects to incur in connection with its credit facility during the current fiscal year. See Principal Risks of the FundLeverage Risk. The amount shown in the table above is based on the assumption that the Fund borrows money for investment purposes at an average amount of 28% of its Managed Assets. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(10) |
Other expenses include, but are not limited to, accounting, legal and auditing fees of the Fund, as well as fees payable to the Independent Trustees. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(11) |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (“AFFE”) are fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with its investments in other investment companies. Total Annual Operating Expenses shown will not correlate to the Fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets appearing in the Financial Highlights table, which does not include AFFE. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(12) |
FEIM has contractually undertaken to waive and/or reimburse certain fees and expenses of the Fund so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding the Management Fee (because separately waived), interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (annual operating expenses) of the Class A and Class I shareholders are limited to 1.00% and 0.25%, respectively, of average net assets. This undertaking lasts until April 30, 2022 and may not be terminated during its term without the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Fund has agreed that each of Class A and Class I will repay FEIM for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed for the class provided that repayment does not cause annual operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed either: (1) 1.00% and 0.25% of the class average net assets, respectively; or (2) if applicable, the then-current expense limitations. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the date in which the Fund incurred the fee and/or expense. Additionally, FEIM paid for the Funds organizational and offering costs until effectiveness of the Funds registration statement and such costs are not being recouped by FEIM. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Example
The following example illustrates the expenses (including any applicable sales charge) that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in the Common Shares. The example also assumes the average annual return is 5% and operating expenses remain the same (except that the fee waiver is taken into account only for the one-year expense example).(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Shares |
|
$60 |
|
$172 |
|
$283 |
|
$552 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Class I Shares |
|
$18 |
|
$121 |
|
$223 |
|
$480 |
(1) |
The example above should not be considered a representation of future expenses and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds and Other Expenses set forth in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table are accurate, that the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as described above) remain the same for all time periods shown and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Moreover, the Funds actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% annual return shown in the example. Class I Shares are offered for investment through certain financial firms that charge their customers transaction or other fees with respect to their customers investments in the Fund and such fees are not reflected in the example. |
19
The Financial Highlights Table is intended to help you understand the financial performance of the Fund for the period indicated. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The Financial Highlights Table for the Funds fiscal period ended December 31, 2020, was audited by the Funds independent accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017-6204. The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (for the Funds fiscal period ended December 31, 2020), together with the Funds financial statements, are contained in the annual report for the Fund for that period and are incorporated by reference in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Funds Annual report, Semi-Annual report and the Statement of Additional Information are available upon request.
|
|
|
|||||
Class A |
Per share operating performance* |
||||||
For the Period
|
|||||||
Investment Operations |
|||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
|
$ |
|
25.15 |
|||
|
|||||||
Net investment income |
|
0.10 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments and unfunded delayed draw loan commitments |
|
0.32 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Total investment operations |
|
0.42 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Less Dividends and Distributions |
|||||||
|
|||||||
From net investment income |
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
From capital gains |
|
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Total distributions |
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
|
$ |
|
25.48 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total return(a) |
|
1.62 |
%(b) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net assets, end of period (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
1,016 |
|||
|
|||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets |
|||||||
|
|||||||
Operating expenses excluding fee waivers |
|
5.45 |
%(c) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Operating expenses including fee waivers |
|
2.75 |
%(c) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net investment income excluding fee waivers |
|
2.16 |
%(c) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net investment income including fee waivers |
|
4.86 |
%(c) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Supplemental Data |
|||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
21.38 |
%(b) |
|
|||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
^ |
Commencement of investment operations. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) |
Does not take into account the sales charge of 3.50% for Class A shares. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Not annualized. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Annualized. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
20
|
|
|
|||||
Class I |
Per share operating performance* |
||||||
For the Period
|
|||||||
Investment Operations |
|||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
|
$ |
|
25.00 |
|||
|
|||||||
Net investment income |
|
0.33 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments and unfunded delayed draw loan commitments |
|
0.45 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Total investment operations |
|
0.78 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Less Dividends and Distributions |
|||||||
|
|||||||
From net investment income |
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
From capital gains |
|
(0.00 |
)** |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Return of capital |
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total distributions |
|
(0.31 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
|
25.47 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Total return |
|
3.13 |
%(a) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net assets, end of period (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
41,086 |
|||
|
|||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets |
|||||||
|
|||||||
Operating expenses excluding fee waivers |
|
4.70 |
%(b) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Operating expenses including fee waivers |
|
2.00 |
%(b) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net investment income excluding fee waivers |
|
1.74 |
%(b) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net investment income including fee waivers |
|
4.44 |
%(b) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Supplemental Data |
|||||||
|
|||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
21.38 |
%(a) |
|
|||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
^ |
Commencement of investment operations. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
** |
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) |
Not annualized. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Annualized. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
21
The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund continuously offers its Common Shares and is operated as an Interval Fund. At present, Class A Shares and Class I Shares are available for purchase. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 8, 2020, pursuant to a Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of September 4, 2020 (the Declaration of Trust). The Fund has a limited operating history. The Funds principal office is located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.
22
The Fund will invest the net proceeds of the continuous offering of Common Shares on an ongoing basis in accordance with its investment objective, strategies and policies as stated below. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest all or substantially all of the net proceeds according to its investment objective, strategies and policies within approximately 30 days after receipt of the proceeds, depending on the amount and timing of proceeds available to the Fund, the availability of investments consistent with the Funds investment objective, strategies and policies, and overall market conditions. Pending investment pursuant to the Funds investment objective, strategies and policies, the Subadviser anticipates that the net proceeds of the offering will be invested in predominantly broadly syndicated loans and/or high-yield bonds. In addition, the Fund may maintain a portion of the proceeds in cash to meet operational needs, including to pay dividends and expenses, satisfy repurchase offers or for temporary defensive purposes. The Fund may be prevented from achieving its investment objective during any time in which the Funds assets are not substantially invested in accordance with its policies.
23
The Funds Investment Objective and Strategies
Investment Objective
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of providing long-term risk-adjusted returns. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of credit asset classes. Risk-adjusted returns are generally understood to frame investments in the context of the level of risk that is associated with a particular investment. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to provide current income and long-term risk-adjusted returns. Risk-adjusted returns are generally understood to frame investments in the context of the level of risk that is associated with a particular investment.
The Fund will invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined in this prospectus) in a credit portfolio of below investment grade credit assets including syndicated bank loans, middle market club loans (senior secured loans in middle market companies funded by an arranged group of lenders that generally does not involve syndication), direct lending (consisting of first lien loans, including unitranche loans), asset-based loans, and high-yield bonds (commonly referred to as junk bonds). First lien loans are senior secured loans. Unitranche loans are loans that combine both senior and mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position. The Fund expects, under normal circumstances, to employ a flexible investment strategy that capitalizes on current and future income and relative value opportunities in credit markets that may lead to outperformance compared to traditional fixed income opportunities. The Subadviser identifies relative value opportunities by assessing an investment based on the risk reward relationship along with the interaction between a variety of differentiating factors: income, maturity, seniority, structure, collateral, liquidity, geopolitical and other relevant factors. The Subadviser considers Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors throughout its investment process alongside its existing fundamental research process. In connection with the investment strategies, the Subadviser considers financially material environmental, social and governance factors associated with existing and potential investment opportunities. The Subadviser believes that consideration of ESG factors is an effective risk management tool, allowing the Subadviser to identify certain investment risks that may not be apparent absent consideration of ESG factors. ESG factors would not be a sole determining factor in any investment decisions for the Fund. To the extent consistent with the applicable liquidity requirements for interval funds under Rule 23c-3 of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid investments. Most of the credit instruments in which the Fund invests will be rated below investment grade by rating agencies or would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. The Fund generally may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in shares of other investment companies, including ETFs, closed-end funds and BDCs, to the extent that these investments are consistent with the Funds investment objective, strategies and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act or any applicable exemption therefrom. Managed Assets means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Funds accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment purposes).
The Fund will invest primarily in senior-secured assets, which the Adviser and the Subaviser (together, the Advisers) believe will provide attractive downside protection compared to other high-yield fixed income investments.
Flexible Credit Investing Strategy
The Subadviser will employ a flexible investment strategy utilizing its long-standing and comprehensive investment process. The Subadviser constructs and manages a portfolio of credit assets with significant latitude to invest where it sees opportunities and reduce exposure to areas where it sees less value or heightened downside risks. The Subadviser makes investment decisions based on its assessment of the issuers credit characteristics, industry and sector outlooks, and forecasts for the global economy, interest rates, and markets in general. This approach is intended to achieve attractive income and risk-adjusted returns through multiple market cycles.
24
Current Income and Relative Value Focus
An additional driver of the Funds investment strategy will be a relative value focus. The Fund seeks to identify opportunities and market dislocations that may lead to outperformance relative to traditional fixed income opportunities. Catalysts that may lead to opportunities and market dislocations include, but are not limited to, corporate transactional events (e.g., leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions), market inefficiencies, increased corporate liquidity needs, and increased market liquidity needs.
Independent Credit Analysis, Active Approach to Monitoring and Investing, Managed by an Experienced Team
The Subadviser uses a time-tested investment process leveraging the collective experience of a long-standing senior investment team across multiple credit cycles. The Funds portfolio management team will utilize its independent credit analysis in an attempt to minimize credit risk and to identify issuers, industries and sectors that they believe are undervalued or offer potentially attractive yields relative to the Subadvisers assessment of their creditworthiness. The teams quantitative and qualitative credit analysis is led by James Fellows, Chris Flynn, and Robert Hickey, who each have extensive experience investing in credit markets. The approach is a collaborative, consistent approach leveraging multiple perspectives. Team management of the Fund is paramount. The process benefits from a long-standing senior investment team, experience over multiple credit cycles, and consistency of credit analysts, portfolio managers, and traders.
Access to First Eagle Alternative Credit Deal Flow
The Fund intends to benefit from the scale, infrastructure, and demonstrated investment expertise of the First Eagle Alternative Credit platform. This includes a proprietary deal pipeline and access to broad opportunities in the public, private, new-issue, and secondary credit markets. The Fund will seek out the most attractive investment ideas sourced through the platforms multi-billion-dollar credit platform to achieve its investment objective. As such, the portfolio management team will have the flexibility to invest where they see opportunities in a variety of credit instruments with varying yield and risk profiles in order to achieve its investment objective.
Differentiated Investment Opportunity to the Retail Investor Base
Many retail-oriented investment products do not offer access to credit products such as middle market club loans, asset-back loans, and direct lending. In many cases, investment products offering these exposures typically have higher investment minimums and are traditionally offered exclusively to institutional investors, therefore the Fund offers a differentiated investment opportunity to retail investors.
Portfolio Composition
The Funds portfolio will primarily consist of some combination of the following types of investments:
Syndicated Loans. Syndicated loans are typically underwritten and syndicated by large commercial and investment banks. These loans may be recently originated by such banks pursuant to the originating banks, or lead arrangers, underwriting standards applicable to corporate borrowers at the time of issuance. The Fund may purchase syndicated loans either in the primary market in connection with their syndication or in the secondary market. In most cases, syndicated loans will be secured by specific collateral of the issuer. In general, most of the syndicated loans purchased by the Fund will be current on principal and interest payments at the time of purchase. However, the Fund can purchase syndicated loans that are not current on principal and are likely to default. In addition, syndicated loans held by the Fund may at times cease being current on principal and interest payments.
Middle Market Club Loans. Middle market club loans are loans made to upper middle market companies that may not have access to traditional capital markets. Middle market club loans are distinct from customary direct lending loans described herein in that they are generally more liquid, often rated by a third party and funded by more than one lender, often a club of unaffiliated lenders. Middle market club loans in the Fund will consist of first lien senior secured loans.
25
Direct Lending. The Subadviser intends to originate sponsor-backed, first lien senior secured directly originated loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position) of middle-market U.S. companies. Direct lending middle market loans are generally illiquid, unrated and funded by one affiliated lender group.
Asset-Based Loans. The Subadviser intends to originate and selectively purchase asset based loans that are secured by collateral consisting of inventory, accounts receivable, machinery/equipment, real estate, intellectual property/brands and/or other assets owned by the borrower(s) where by the underlying loan will be underwritten by the value of the collateral. These loans are highly structured and typically include frequent monitoring including but not limited to financial and collateral reporting. The term loans are provided to both private and public borrowers with varying ownership structures.
High-Yield Bonds. The Fund may invest in high-yield bonds, which are securities rated below Baa by Moodys, or below BBB by S&P and Fitch and unrated debt securities and other types of credit instruments of similar quality, commonly referred to as junk bonds. Such securities are predominately speculative with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The ratings of S&Ps represent its opinion as to the credit quality of the securities it undertakes to rate. It should be emphasized, however, the ratings are relative and subjective and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal payments, they do not evaluate the market price risk of these securities. In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Fund depends on credit analysis to identify investment opportunities.
Subadvisers Investment Process
First Eagle Alternative Credits Global Investment Committee (GIC or the Committee) oversees the asset allocation of the Fund. GIC meets monthly and is responsible for formulating, monitoring, and updating the investment policy of the Fund. In addition, GIC is responsible for advising on the strategic and tactical allocation in response to changing market conditions and reviewing weightings across asset classes. This ensures that investments are consistent with the Funds objectives and the Committees target allocations. The Committee is also responsible for oversight of the investment portfolio of the Fund and monitoring the risk management process of the Fund.
The GIC currently consists of three members, Christopher Flynn, James Fellows, CFA, Robert Hickey and Michael Herzig. Individual investments are sourced in accordance with the asset allocation determined by the GIC. To the extent possible, such portfolio managers are the same as would be employed in managing a standalone fund within that underlying asset class and the pool of investment ideas from which the underlying asset category is populated would similarly be the same. Each investment strategy (i.e. direct lending, tradable credit, asset-based lending) employs its own distinct investment process tailored to their respective asset class. All portfolio investments undergo intensive screening, due diligence, and credit analyses focused on principal preservation and long-term value creation in market leading businesses. This ensures integrity of process and is intended to maximize best ideas capture. With respect to any potential co-investment transactions with affiliates that would be done in reliance on applicable exemptive relief from the SEC, the Subadviser will make investment and allocation recommendations to the Adviser and the Adviser will have the ultimate authority to accept or reject such recommendations. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk —Allocation of Investment Opportunities” below for more information.
The Subadviser utilizes an ESG policy based on guidelines that are predominantly consistent with the United Nations-backed Principles of Responsible Investment as part of its credit analysis process. The Subadviser considers material ESG factors in the course of its due diligence, credit research, security selection, portfolio oversight and risk management to the extent reasonably practical under the circumstances. In addition to traditional credit investment criteria, FEACs due diligence process includes an assessment of a potential investments ESG factors and will be considered through the underwriting and due diligence process. When material ESG issues are identified, they are included in discussions with the applicable investment committee. The Subadvisor undertakes reasonable efforts to monitor any material issues identified in the pre-investment phase. In cases where material ESG-related risks and opportunities are being monitored on current investments, FEAC will endeavor to document, for internal use, the issue, progress and internal next steps, as applicable.
Please see Investment Objective and Policies in the Statement of Additional Information for additional information regarding the investments of the Fund and their related risks.
26
The Fund intends to add leverage to its portfolio by utilizing borrowings, such as through bank loans or commercial paper and/or other credit facilities. The Fund has formed a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary (the Subsidiary) that has entered into a secured credit facility (the Credit Agreement) with Ally Bank and such other lenders that may become party to the Credit Agreement (the Lenders). Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Subsidiary, of which the Fund is the sole member and designated manager, may borrow money from the Lenders up to a maximum aggregate outstanding amount of $75 million, subject to change by mutual agreement of the borrower and the Lenders. The Fund may also enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, loans of portfolio securities. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund may also determine to issue preferred shares or other types of senior securities to add leverage to its portfolio. The Funds Board of Trustees may authorize the issuance of preferred shares without the approval of the Common Shareholders; however, the Fund is not authorized to issue preferred shares as of the date of this prospectus. If the Fund issues preferred shares in the future, all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares will be borne by the Common Shareholders, and these costs and expenses may be significant. The Fund may choose to increase or decrease, or eliminate entirely, its use of leverage over time and from time to time based on the Subadvisers assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions and other factors. See Principal Risks of the FundSegregation and Coverage Risk.
The net proceeds the Fund obtains from leverage utilized will be invested in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies as described in this prospectus. So long as the rate of return, net of applicable Fund expenses, on the debt obligations and other investments purchased by the Fund exceeds the costs to the Fund of the leverage it utilizes, the investment of the Funds assets attributable to leverage will generate more income than will be needed to pay the costs of the leverage. If so, and all other things being equal, the excess may be used to pay higher dividends to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Fund from engaging in most forms of leverage (including the use of bank loans, commercial paper or other credit facilities, certain derivative transactions, loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions, to the extent that these instruments are not covered as described below) unless immediately after the issuance of the leverage the Fund has satisfied the asset coverage test with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness prescribed by the 1940 Act; that is, the value of the Funds total assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (for these purposes, total net assets) is at least 300% of the senior securities representing indebtedness (effectively limiting the use of leverage through senior securities representing indebtedness to 331/3% of the Funds total net assets, including assets attributable to such leverage). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, this asset coverage test is satisfied. To the extent that the Fund engages in borrowings, it may prepay a portion of the principal amount of the borrowing to the extent necessary in order to maintain the required asset coverage. Failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements could result in an event of default.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred shares unless immediately after such issuance the value of the Funds asset coverage is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Funds assets less all liabilities other than borrowings and outstanding preferred shares). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Funds assets less liabilities other than borrowings and outstanding preferred shares satisfies the above-referenced 200% coverage requirement. If the Fund uses a combination of borrowing (including notes and other securities representing indebtedness) and issuing preferred shares, the maximum asset coverage required would be between 300% and 200% depending on the relative amounts of borrowings and preferred shares.
Leveraging is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. There can be no assurance that the Funds leveraging strategies will be successful or result in a higher yield on your Common Shares. When leverage is used, the NAV of the Common Shares and the yield to Common Shareholders will be more volatile. In addition, interest and other expenses borne by the Fund with respect to its use of borrowings or any other forms of leverage are
27
borne by the Common Shareholders and result in a reduction of the NAV of the Common Shares. In addition, because the fees received by the Adviser and Subadviser are based on the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes and any preferred shares that may be outstanding, if issued), the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive for the Fund to use certain forms of leverage (e.g., borrowings and preferred shares), which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the Common Shareholders, on the other hand.
Certain types of borrowings may, and the Credit Agreement does, result in the Fund effectively being subject to covenants relating to asset coverage, portfolio composition and operational requirements. Among other things, these covenants can mean that termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement or the Investment Subadvisory Agreement, or the loss of certain key personnel, may adversely impact the terms of the Funds or its subsidiaries financing facilities or any financing facility into which the Fund or its subsidiaries may enter in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business and financial condition. Covenants can also limit the ability to distribute assets or income from the Funds subsidiary back to the Fund. The borrowings which the Fund may incur may be, and the Credit Agreement is, secured by a lien on all or a portion of the Funds and/or the Subsidiarys assets (the Collateral).
The Credit Agreement is commonly referred to as an asset-backed facility. Under such a credit facility, a decrease in the market value of the assets (due to market conditions, the fair valuation of the assets or otherwise) would increase the effective amount of leverage and could result in the possibility of a violation of certain covenants. A breach of a covenant can result in an event of default, which may permit the agent on behalf of the Lender to accelerate the debt and/or exercise rights and remedies against the Collateral. Liquidation of the Collateral at an inopportune time could adversely impact the performance of the Fund and could, if the value of the assets declined significantly, cause a loss of all or a substantial amount of the value of the Collateral. In the event of a sudden, precipitous drop in the value of the Collateral, the Fund and/or the Subsidiary might not be able to dispose of assets quickly enough to pay down debt, resulting in a foreclosure or other total loss of some or all of the Collateral.
The Subsidiary, which is expected to hold a majority of the Funds assets, is not registered under the 1940 Act. However, to the extent applicable, the Subsidiary will be subject to the same fundamental investment restrictions and will follow the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund. Compliance with the Funds investment restrictions also generally will be measured on an aggregate basis in respect of the Funds and the Subsidiarys portfolios, and the Subsidiary will comply with the 1940 Act provisions governing affiliate transactions and custody of assets. (Custody of these assets will be maintained with U.S. Bank National Association rather than with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., which is otherwise the custodian of the Funds assets). The Fund is the sole member of the Subsidiary and does not expect interests in the Subsidiary to be offered or sold to other investors.
Certain loans made by the Fund represent advance commitments to extend credit as and when requested by the borrower. These commitments typically are subject to various contingencies and conditions, but nonetheless generally require that the Fund lend monies on short notice. This exposes the Fund to the risk that completing a loan may be required at a time when it is no longer as desirable from a credit or investment perspective as when the original commitment was made. The Fund also must manage its available cash, cash equivalents and borrowings so as to have cash on hand to complete the loan when required. A rule recently adopted by the SEC will, upon its implementation, require that the Fund reasonably believe, at the time it enters into an unfunded commitment agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations on these commitments when due. The Fund will consider its overall circumstances when evaluating sufficiency of its cash and cash equivalents for this purpose. For example, the Fund will consider any conditions on its commitments, its reasonable expectations as to when each commitment will be due, other obligations of the Fund (such as the obligation to hold liquid assets during periods when the Fund has offered to repurchase its shares), and the Funds ability to borrow. The rule recently adopted by the SEC also may limit the Funds ability to utilize leverage through derivatives and related instruments.
Effective late 2022, longstanding regulatory guidance governing use of derivatives by mutual funds will be withdrawn and superseded by new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. The rule is accompanied by a new set of conditions and interpretations that will need to be assessed for the Fund in light of the Funds existing practices and stated
28
investment restrictions. Once implemented, the rule could limit a Funds ability to use derivatives in support of its investment strategies and may make derivatives more costly, or may otherwise adversely affect their liquidity, value or performance.
The Fund also may borrow money in order to repurchase its shares or as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including for the payment of dividends or the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of portfolio securities held by the Fund.
Effects of Leverage
The following table is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on Common Share total return, assuming hypothetical investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of securities held in the Funds portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund. RisksLeverage Risk. Actual returns may be greater or less than those reflected in the table.
The table further reflects the issuance of leverage representing 28% of the Funds Managed Assets (including assets attributable to such leverage) and a projected annual rate of interest on the borrowings of 4.01%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses) |
(10)% |
(5)% |
0% |
5% |
10% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Share Total Return |
|
(15.45 |
)% |
|
|
(8.50 |
)% |
|
|
(1.56 |
)% |
|
|
5.39 |
% |
|
|
12.33 |
% |
|
Common Share Total Return is composed of two elements: (i) the Common Share dividends and distributions paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund after paying expenses on any forms of leverage outstanding) and (ii) gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table above assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the interest it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments.
If the Fund uses leverage, the amount of fees paid to the Adviser and the Subadviser for its services will be higher than if the Fund does not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets, which includes assets purchased with leverage. Therefore, the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive to use leverage, which creates a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser on the one hand, and Common Shareholders on the other, as only the Common Shareholders would bear the fees and expenses incurred through the Funds use of leverage. See Risks. The Funds willingness to use leverage, and the extent to which leverage is used at any time, will depend on many factors, including among other things, the Advisers assessment of the yield curve, interest rate trends, market conditions and other factors.
29
Investing in the Funds Common Shares involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in the Funds Common Shares, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. The risks set out below are not the only risks the Fund will face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Fund or not presently deemed material by the Fund may also impair the Funds operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, the Funds business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, the Funds NAV could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors described below are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in the Fund as well as those factors generally associated with an investment company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to the Fund.
Limited Operating History
The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified closed-end investment company. The Fund has a limited history of operations and public trading and is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record or history on which to base their investment decisions. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle.
Investment Risk
An investment in the Funds Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in the Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the investments and other financial assets owned by the Fund. The value of the Funds investments will generally fluctuate with, among other things, changes in prevailing interest rates, federal tax rates, counterparty risk, general economic conditions, the condition of certain financial markets, developments or trends in any particular industry and the financial condition of the issuer. The Fund anticipates using leverage, which would magnify the Funds investment, market and certain other risks. See Risk FactorsLeverage Risk. During periods of limited liquidity and higher price volatility, the Funds ability to dispose of investments at a price and time that the Adviser and/or Subadviser deems advantageous may be impaired. Lower-quality debt securities involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer. The value of lower-quality debt securities often fluctuates in response to company, political, or economic developments and can decline significantly over short periods of time or during periods of general or regional economic difficulty. Lower-quality debt securities can be thinly traded or have restrictions on resale, making them difficult to sell at an acceptable price. The default rate for lower-quality debt securities is likely to be higher during economic recessions or periods of high interest rates. In addition, the Advisers and the Subadvisers responses to these market movements may not be successful. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original cost, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
Market Risk
The Fund is subject to market risk. Market risk includes unexpected directional price movements, deviations from historical pricing relationships, changes in the regulatory environment, changes in market volatility, panicked or forced selling of assets and contraction of available credit or other financing sources. The success of the Funds activities may be affected by general economic and market conditions, such as interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws and national and international political circumstances. Although globally and among developed countries there has been a relatively stable political environment for decades, there is no guarantee that such stability will be maintained in the future. International policies, relationships and trade agreements, which have generally been perceived as stable or evolving, appear to be much more in flux. Adjustments in major trade relationships have already been met by retaliatory measures from other countries and could cause potential escalation in protectionist behavior leading to a drag on growth prospects as trade and investment and productivity growth are reinforcing and linked. Other drivers of geopolitical, economic and market risk may also come from, among other things, increased political tension on the international stage, substantial slowdown and
30
outright recessions in certain markets, pressure on oil prices, rising corporate leverage, continuous abnormally low global interest rates, structural stresses in the European Union, international terrorist activity and armed conflict and risk of armed conflict in the Middle East, East Asia and elsewhere. Similarly, environmental and public health risks, such as natural disasters or pandemics, or widespread fear that such events may occur, may impact markets adversely and cause market volatility in both the short- and long-term.
Any of these developments, or the perception that any of these developments are likely to occur or worsen, could have a material adverse effect on economic growth or business activity, result in the relocation of businesses, cause business interruptions, lead to economic recession or depression, and impact the stability of financial markets or financial institutions and the financial and monetary system. The Fund may be affected by these developments in ways that are not foreseeable, and there is a possibility that such developments could have a significant adverse effect on the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective.
Market turmoil may negatively affect the Funds performance. Such factors may affect the level and volatility of security prices and liquidity of a Funds investments. Credit markets may become illiquid, credit spreads may widen and the equity markets may lose substantial value. Such market conditions may cause the Fund to suffer substantial losses and/or implement measures that adversely affect the Fund. Changes in the value of securities may be temporary or may last for extended periods.
Many countries have experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses in recent decades, including swine flu, avian influenza, SARS, and most recently, COVID-19. In December 2019, an initial outbreak of the COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Since then, a large and growing number of cases have been confirmed around the world. COVID-19 has resulted in, among other things, closing borders, enhanced health screenings, disruptions to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, has affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global markets, including liquidity, in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The impact of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in developing or emerging market countries may be greater for a variety of reasons. Public health crises, including those caused by COVID-19, may exacerbate pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries. The impact may be short term or may last for an extended period of time.
Asset Allocation Risk
The Funds investment performance depends upon how its assets are allocated and reallocated. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is that the Adviser or the Subadviser may make less than optimal or poor asset allocation decisions. The Adviser and the Subadviser employ an active approach to allocation across multiple credit sectors, but there is no guarantee that such allocation techniques will produce the desired results. It is possible that the Adviser or the Subadviser will focus on an investment that performs poorly or underperforms other investments under various market conditions. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund as a result of these allocation decisions.
Issuer Risk
The value of securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to a securitys issuer, such as its financial strength, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods and services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. A change in the financial condition of a single issuer may affect securities markets as a whole. These risks can apply to the Common Shares issued by the Fund and to the issuers of securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.
The value of securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to a securitys issuer, such as its financial strength, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods and services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.
31
Repurchase Offers Risk
As described under Periodic Repurchase Offers above, the Fund is an Interval Fund and, in order to provide liquidity to shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, conducts quarterly repurchase offers of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. In all cases such repurchases will be for at least 5% and not more than 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers for 5% of its outstanding Common Shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Funds shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Funds investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objective. The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Funds investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Funds investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Funds repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Funds repurchase obligations, the Fund intends, if necessary, to sell investments. If, as expected, the Fund employs investment leverage, repurchases of Common Shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Common Shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Funds expenses and reducing any net investment income.
If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Fund may determine to increase the amount repurchased by up to 2% of the Funds outstanding shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. In the event that the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the repurchase offer amount, or if shareholders tender more than the repurchase offer amount plus 2% of the Funds outstanding shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. The NAV of the Funds Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV for tendered Common Shares is determined. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to Common Shareholders, potentially even to those Common Shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase. For a discussion of these tax consequences, please see Tax Matters and Taxation in the Statement of Additional Information.
Large Shareholder Risk
To the extent a large proportion of Common Shares are held by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a Single Common Shareholder), including affiliates of the Adviser and the Subadviser, the Fund is subject to the risk that these Shareholders will seek to sell Common Shares in large amounts rapidly in connection with repurchase offers. These transactions could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to conduct its investment program. Furthermore, it is possible that in response to a repurchase offer, the total amount of Common Shares tendered by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single Common Shareholder) may exceed the number of Common Shares that the Fund has offered to repurchase. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed by Common Shareholders, the Fund will repurchase only a pro rata portion of shares tendered by each Common Shareholder. However, the Fund may determine to increase the repurchase offer by up to 2% of the Funds outstanding Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund only repurchases a pro rata portion of shares tendered in connection with an oversubscribed repurchase offer, Shareholders unaffiliated with the Adviser and the Subadviser will not be given priority over Shareholders that are affiliates of the Adviser and the Subadviser, whose holdings in the Fund may be
32
significant and may have the effect of diluting third party Shareholders with respect to any repurchase offer. See RisksRepurchase Offers Risk.
Management Risk
The Fund does not have internal management capacity or employees. The Fund depends on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the senior investment professionals of the Adviser and the Subadviser to achieve the Funds investment objective. The Fund expects that the Adviser, with the assistance of the Subadviser, will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor the Funds investments in accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement, as applicable. The Fund can offer no assurance, however, that the senior investment professionals of the Adviser and/or Subadviser will continue to provide investment advice to the Fund. The loss of any member of the Advisers and/or Subadvisers Investment Committee or of other senior investment professionals of the Adviser and/or Subadviser and their affiliates would limit the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective and operate as the Fund anticipates. This could have a material adverse effect on the Funds financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Interest Rate Risk
General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on the Funds investments and investment opportunities, and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on the Funds investment objective and rate of return on investment capital. A portion of the Funds income will depend upon the difference between the rate at which it borrows funds and the interest rate on the debt securities in which it invests. Because the Fund will borrow money to make investments and may issue debt securities, preferred stock or other securities, the Funds net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which the Fund borrows funds or pays interest or dividends on such debt securities, preferred stock or other securities and the rate at which the Fund invests these funds. Typically, the Fund anticipates that its interest earning investments will accrue and pay interest at both variable and fixed rates, and that its interest-bearing liabilities will accrue interest at variable and fixed rates. The benchmarks used to determine the floating rates earned on the Funds interest earning investments are LIBOR, and CDOR, with maturities that range between one and twelve months and alternate base rate, or ABR, (commonly based on the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate), with no fixed maturity date. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on the Funds net investment income. The Fund uses a combination of equity and long-term and short-term borrowings to finance its investment activities.
As of the date of this prospectus, interest rates in the United States are at, or near, historic lows, which may increase the Funds exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain countries have recently experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed-income instruments. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates. Moreover, interest rate levels are currently impacted by extraordinarily accommodative monetary policy initiatives the effect of which is impossible to predict with certainty. A significant increase in market interest rates could harm the Funds ability to attract new portfolio companies and originate new loans and investments. The Fund expects that a majority of its investments in debt will continue to be at floating rates with a floor. However, in the event that the Fund makes investments in debt at variable rates, a significant increase in market interest rates could also result in an increase in the Funds non-performing assets and a decrease in the value of the Funds portfolio because the Funds floating-rate loan portfolio companies may be unable to meet higher payment obligations. In periods of rising interest rates, the Funds cost of funds would increase, resulting in a decrease in the Funds net investment income. In addition, a decrease in interest rates may reduce net income, because new investments may be made at lower rates despite the increased demand for the Funds capital that the decrease in interest rates may produce. The Subadviser may, but is not required to, hedge against the risk of adverse movement in interest rates in the Funds short-term and long-term borrowings relative to the Funds portfolio of assets. If the Subadviser engages in hedging activities on behalf of the Fund, it may limit the Funds ability to
33
participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, financial condition, and results of operations. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Credit Risk
Investment in private and middle market companies is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk of credit loss, and therefore the Funds securities may not be suitable for someone with a low tolerance for risk. These risks are likely to increase during an economic recession. Additionally, issuers of the syndicated loans and other types of credit instruments in which the Fund may invest may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. This nonpayment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of such syndicated loans or credit instrument experiencing nonpayment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. With respect to the Funds investments in syndicated loans and debt securities that are secured, there can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuers obligation in the event of nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of an issuer, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing syndicated loans or credit instrument. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in the Funds portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. To the extent the Fund invests in high-yield securities and other types of credit instruments, it will be exposed to a greater amount of credit risk than if it invested solely in investment grade debt securities and other types of credit instruments.
Below Investment Grade Rating Risk
Most of the credit instruments in which the Fund invests, including its investments in syndicated bank loans, middle market club loans (senior secured loans in middle market companies funded by an arranged group of lenders that generally does not involve syndication), direct lending (consisting of first lien loans, including unitranche loans), asset-based loans, and high-yield bonds, will be rated below investment grade by rating agencies or would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade investments are often referred to as high-yield or junk securities. Below investment grade syndicated bank loans, high-yield bonds and other similar instruments are rated Ba1 or lower by Moodys, BB+ or lower by S&P or BB+ or lower by Fitch or, if unrated, are judged by the Subadviser to be of comparable credit quality. The direct lending and asset-based loans in which the Subadviser invests typically are not rated by any rating agency, but the Subadviser believes that if such investments were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than Baa3 by Moodys, lower than BBB- by S&P and lower than BBB- by Fitch Ratings).
While generally providing greater income and opportunity for gain, below investment grade securities or comparable unrated securities may be subject to greater risks than securities or instruments that have higher credit ratings, including a higher risk of default. The credit rating of a high-yield bond and/or syndicated bank loan that is rated below investment grade does not necessarily address its market value risk, and ratings may from time to time change, positively or negatively, to reflect developments regarding the issuers financial condition. Below investment grade high-yield bonds and syndicated bank loans and similar instruments often are considered to be speculative with respect to the capacity of the borrower to timely repay principal and pay interest or dividends in accordance with the terms of the obligation and may have more credit risk than higher rated securities. Lower grade securities and similar debt instruments may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. It is likely that a prolonged or deepening economic recession could adversely affect the ability of some borrowers issuing such high-yield bonds, syndicated bank loans and similar debt instruments to repay principal and pay interest on the instrument, increase the incidence of default and severely disrupt the market value of the securities and similar debt instruments.
The secondary market for below investment grade high-yield bonds and syndicated bank loans and similar instruments may be less liquid than that for higher rated instruments. Because unrated securities may not have an
34
active trading market or may be difficult to value, the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated securities, the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective will be more dependent on the Subadvisers credit analysis than would be the case when the Fund invests in rated securities.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in syndicated bank loans, middle market club loans, and high-yield bonds, and may invest in other debt instruments, rated in the lower rating categories (Caa1 or lower by Moodys, CCC+ or lower by S&P or CCC+ or lower by Fitch) or unrated and of comparable quality. For these securities, the risks associated with below investment grade instruments are more pronounced. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to an investment, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value substantially less than its original investment.
Bank Loan Risk
The Fund intends to invest in bank loans. These investments potentially expose the Fund to the credit risk of the underlying borrower, and in certain cases, of the financial institution. The Funds ability to receive payments in connection with the loan depends primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. Even investments in secured loans present risk, as there is no assurance that the collateral securing the loan will be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligation. The market for bank loans may be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. In addition, bank loans often have contractual restrictions on resale, which can delay the sale and adversely impact the sale price. In some instances, other accounts managed by the Adviser, the Subadviser or an affiliate may hold other securities issued by borrowers whose loans may be held in the Funds portfolio. If the credit quality of the issuer deteriorates, the Adviser or the Subadviser may owe conflicting fiduciary duties to the Fund and other client accounts. At times, the Fund may decline to receive non-public information relating to loans, which could disadvantage the Fund relative to other investors. Alternatively, the Adviser or the Subadviser may come into possession of material, non-public information about the issuers of loans that may be held in the Funds portfolio. The Adviser or the Subadvisers ability to trade in these loans for the account of the Fund could be limited by its possession of such information. Limitations on the Adviser or the Subadvisers ability to trade could have an adverse effect on the Fund by preventing the Fund from selling a loan that is experiencing a material decline in value.
Distressed Debt, Litigation, Bankruptcy and Other Proceedings Risk
The Fund may invest in debt securities and other obligations of companies that are experiencing significant financial or business distress, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although such investments may result in significant returns for the Fund, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful investment in distressed assets is unusually high. There is no assurance that the Subadviser will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing the Funds investments or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action in respect of any company. Troubled company investments and other distressed asset-based investments require active monitoring.
Investments in distressed securities involve a material risk that the issuer will default on the obligations or enter bankruptcy. In an event of default or bankruptcy, the obligations may be repaid only after lengthy workout proceedings, may result in only partial payment of the obligations, and, in some cases, there is a risk of loss by the Fund of its entire investment in such securities. The Fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce distribution levels if the income and/or dividends the Fund receives from its investments decline.
A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may adversely and permanently affect the market position and operations of the issuer. Many factors of the bankruptcy process, including court decisions, the size and priority of other claims, and the duration and costs of the bankruptcy process, are beyond the control of the Fund and can adversely affect the Funds return on investment. For example, a court could invalidate or subordinate a debt obligation of, or reclaim amounts paid by a debtor to, the Fund. To the extent that any such payments are recaptured from the Fund the
35
resulting loss will be borne by the Fund and its investors. The Subadviser, on behalf of the Fund, may also participate on committees formed by creditors to negotiate with debtors with respect to restructuring issues. There can be no assurance that the Subadvisers participation would yield favorable results for the Fund, and such participation may subject the Fund to additional duties, liabilities and trading restrictions in a particular investment. The Fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce distribution levels if the income and/or dividends the Fund receives from its investments declines.
Certain fixed-income instruments invested in by the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. bankruptcy laws or fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, if such securities were issued with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or, in certain circumstances, if the issuer receives less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for issuing such securities. If a court were to find that the issuance of the securities was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void the payment obligations under the securities, further subordinate the securities to other existing and future indebtedness of the issuer or require the Fund to repay any amounts received by it with respect to the securities. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, the Fund may not receive any payment on the securities. If the Fund or the Subadviser is found to have interfered with the affairs of a company in which the Fund holds a debt investment, to the detriment of other creditors or Common Shareholders of such company, the Fund may be held liable for damages to injured parties or a bankruptcy court. While the Fund will attempt to avoid taking the types of action that would lead to such liability, there can be no assurance that such claims will not be asserted or that the Fund will be able to successfully defend against them. Moreover, such debt may be disallowed or subordinated to the claims of other creditors or treated as equity. Where the Fund or the Subadviser has representatives on the boards of a portfolio company, such involvement may also prevent the Fund from freely disposing of its debt investments and may subject the Fund to additional liability or result in re-characterization of its debt investments as equity.
Loans and Assignments Risk
The Fund may acquire loans through assignments of interests in such loans. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the credit agreement with respect to such debt obligation. However, the purchasers rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under an assigned debt obligation and with regard to any associated collateral.
Direct Lending and Middle Market Club Loan Risk
Investment in private and middle market companies involves a number of significant risks. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and the Fund is required to rely on the ability of the Subadvisers investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If the Subadviser is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, it may not be able to make a fully informed investment decision, and the Fund may lose money on is investments. Private and middle market companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that the Fund holds, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of the Fund realizing any guarantees it may have obtained in connection with its investment. In addition, they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns.
Additionally, middle market companies are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on the Funds portfolio company and, in turn, on the Fund. Middle market companies also generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. In
36
addition, the Funds executive officers, directors and the Adviser and/or Subadviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from the Funds investments in its portfolio companies.
Foreign Loan Originations Risk
A portion of the Funds investments may be in securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose the Fund to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. These risks many be more pronounced for portfolio companies located or operating primarily in emerging markets, whose economies, markets and legal systems may be less developed.
Privacy and Data Security Laws
Many jurisdictions in which the Fund and its portfolio companies operate have laws and regulations relating to data privacy, cyber security and protection of personal information, including GDPR in the European Union that went into effect in May 2018 and the CCPA that took effect in January 2020 and provides for enhanced consumer protections for California residents, a private right of action for data breaches and statutory fines for data breaches or other CCPA violations. If the Fund or the Adviser and/or Subadviser fail to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, it could result in regulatory investigations and penalties, which could lead to negative publicity and may cause investors and clients to lose confidence in the effectiveness of the Funds security measures.
Liquidity Risk
The Fund intends to invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is a security or other investment that cannot be sold or disposed of within seven days or less in current market conditions without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid investments often can be resold only in privately negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or in a public offering registered under the 1933 Act. Considerable delay could be encountered in either event and, unless otherwise contractually provided, the Funds proceeds upon sale may be reduced by the costs of registration or underwriting discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such transactions could result in the Funds inability to realize a favorable price upon disposition of illiquid investments, and at times might make disposition of such securities impossible. In addition, the Fund may be unable to sell other illiquid investments when it desires to do so, resulting in the Fund obtaining a lower price or being required to retain the investment. Illiquid investments generally must be valued at fair value, which is inherently less precise than utilizing market value for liquid investments, and may lead to differences between the price at which a security is valued for determining the Funds NAV and the price the Fund actually receives upon sale. For the period between the repurchase offer notice and the end of the repurchase period, the Fund must maintain 100% of the repurchase offer amount in liquid assets.
Reinvestment Risk
Income from the Funds portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called debt obligations at market interest rates that are below the portfolios current earnings rate. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of debt obligations may exercise an option to redeem securities prior to maturity, forcing the Fund to invest in lower-yielding securities. The Fund also may choose to sell higher yielding portfolio securities and to purchase lower yielding securities to achieve greater portfolio diversification, because the portfolio managers believe the current holdings are overvalued or for other investment-related reasons. A decline in income received by the Fund from its investments is likely to have a negative effect on dividend levels, NAV and/or overall return of the Common Shares.
37
Convertible Securities Risk
Convertible securities have characteristics of both equity and debt securities and, as a result, are exposed to certain additional risks that are typically associated with debt. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, the convertible securitys market value tends to reflect the market price of the common stock of the issuing company when that stock price is greater than the convertible securitys conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price at which the convertible security could be exchanged for the associated stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the price of the convertible security tends to be influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. However, convertible securities fall below debt obligations of the same issuer in order of preference or priority in the event of a liquidation and are typically unrated or rated lower than such debt obligations.
Investment in Other Regulated Funds
The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including ETFs, closed-end funds and BDCs (collectively referred to as regulated funds), to the extent that these investments are consistent with the Funds investment objective, strategies and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act or any applicable exemption therefrom. The Fund may invest in other regulated funds to gain broad market or sector exposure, including during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash or when the Subdviser believes share prices of other regulated funds offer attractive values. The Fund generally may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in shares of other regulated funds and up to 5% of its total assets in any one regulated fund (in each case measured at the time of investment), as long as no investment represents more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of the acquired regulated fund at the time of investment. These restrictions do not apply to certain ETFs (as further described below), subject to specialized SEC exemptive orders applicable to those ETFs.
Investment in another regulated funds may involve the payment of a premium above the value of the issuers portfolio securities, and is subject to market availability. In the case of a purchase of shares of such a fund in a public offering, the purchase price may include an underwriting spread. The Fund does not intend to invest in such a regulated fund unless, in the judgment of the Subadviser, the potential benefits of such investment justify the payment of any applicable premium or sales charge. As a shareholder in a regulated fund, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that regulated funds expenses, including its advisory and administration fees. At the same time, the Fund would continue to pay its own advisory fees and other expenses. To the extent the Fund invests in other regulated funds, its performance will be affected by the performance of those other regulated funds.
Exchange-Traded Funds
The Fund may invest in ETFs, which are investment companies or special purpose trusts whose primary objective is to achieve the same rate of return as a particular market index or commodity while trading throughout the day on an exchange. Most ETF shares are sold initially in the primary market in creation units. A creation unit represents a bundle of securities (or other assets) that replicates, or is a representative sample of, the ETFs holdings and that is deposited with the ETF. Once owned, the individual shares comprising each creation unit are traded on an exchange in secondary market transactions for cash. The secondary market for ETF shares allows them to be readily converted into cash, like commonly traded stocks. The combination of primary and secondary markets permits ETF shares to be traded throughout the day close to the value of the ETFs underlying holdings. The Fund would purchase and sell individual shares of ETFs in the secondary market. These secondary market transactions require the payment of commissions.
ETF shares are subject to the same risks as regulated funds, as described above. Furthermore, there may be times when the exchange halts trading, in which case the Fund would be unable to sell ETF shares until trading is resumed. In addition, because ETFs often invest in a portfolio of common stocks and track a designated index, an overall decline in stocks comprising an ETFs benchmark index could have a greater impact on the ETF and investors than might be the case in an investment company with a more widely diversified portfolio. Losses could also occur if the
38
ETF is unable to replicate the performance of the chosen benchmark index. ETFs tracking the return of a particular commodity (e.g., gold or oil) are exposed to the volatility and other financial risks relating to commodities investments.
Other risks associated with ETFs include the possibility that: (i) an ETFs distributions may decline if the issuers of the ETFs portfolio securities fail to continue to pay dividends; and (ii) under certain circumstances, an ETF could be terminated. Should termination occur, the ETF could have to liquidate its portfolio when the prices for those assets are falling. In addition, inadequate or irregularly provided information about an ETF or its investments, because ETFs are passively managed, could expose investors in ETFs to unknown risks.
Valuation Risk
When market quotations are not readily available or are deemed to be unreliable, the Fund values its investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. See Net Asset Value. Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations about the value of a security or other asset. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value pricing will result in adjustments to the prices of securities or other assets, or that fair value pricing will reflect actual market value, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security or other asset will be materially different from quoted or published prices, from the prices used by others for the same security or other asset and/or from the value that actually could be or is realized upon the sale of that security or other asset.
Leverage Risk
The Fund intends to utilize leverage and has entered into a Credit Agreement with the Lenders. There can be no assurance that the Funds use of leverage will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Leverage is a speculative technique that exposes the Fund to greater risk and higher costs than if it were not implemented. The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including through funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, margin facilities, and the issuance of preferred shares or notes. The Funds total leverage, either through borrowings, preferred stock issuance, or similar transactions, may not exceed 331/3% of the Funds Managed Assets.
The use of leverage through borrowing of money or the issuance of preferred shares to purchase additional securities creates an opportunity for increased common share net investment income dividends, but also creates risks for the holders of Common Shares, including increased variability of the Funds net income, distributions and/or NAV in relation to market changes. Increases and decreases in the value of the Funds portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. As a result, leverage may cause greater changes in the Funds NAV, which could have a material adverse impact on the Funds business, financial condition and results of operations. The Fund will also have to pay interest and dividends on its borrowings, which may reduce the Funds current income. This interest expense may be greater than the Funds current income on the underlying investment. The Funds leveraging strategy may not be successful. The use of leverage to purchase additional investments creates an opportunity for increased Common Share dividends, but also creates special risks and considerations for the Common Shareholders, including:
|
The likelihood of greater volatility of NAV, market price and dividend rate of the Common Shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage; |
||
|
The risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings and short-term debt or in the interest or dividend rates on any leverage that the Fund must pay will reduce the return to the Common Shareholders; |
||
|
The effect of leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of the Common Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, may result in a greater decline in the market price of the Common Shares; |
||
|
When the Fund uses financial leverage, the investment advisory and subadvisory fees payable to FEIM and FEAC, respectively, will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage, including periods when the Fund is |
39
|
losing money, and because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Funds Managed Assets there may be a financial incentive to the Adviser and the Subadviser to increase the Funds use of leverage, which creates an inherent conflict of interests; |
||
|
Leverage increases operating costs, which will be borne entirely by the Common Shareholders and may reduce total return; and |
||
|
Certain types of borrowings and issuances of preferred stock by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants relating to asset coverage and Fund composition requirements. Among other things, these covenants can mean that termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement or the Investment Subadvisory Agreement, or the loss of certain key personnel, may adversely impact the terms of the Funds or its subsidiaries financing facilities or any financing facility into which the Fund or its subsidiaries may enter in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business and financial condition. Covenants can also limit the ability to distribute assets or income from the Funds subsidiary back to the Fund. The borrowings which the Fund may incur may be, and the Credit Agreement is, secured by the Collateral. |
See Leverage and Use of Leverage for more information.
ESG Investing Risk
The Subadviser considers ESG factors throughout its investment process alongside its existing fundamental research process. The Subadvisers incorporation of ESG investment insights may affect the Funds exposure to certain companies or industries. The Funds results may be lower than other funds that do not consider ESG characteristics. Investors may differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG factors.
Focused Investment Risk
To the extent that the Fund focuses its investments in a particular industry, the NAV of the Common Shares will be more susceptible to events or factors affecting companies in that industry. These may include, but are not limited to, governmental regulation, inflation, rising interest rates, cost increases in raw materials, fuel and other operating expenses, technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete, competition from new entrants, high research and development costs, increased costs associated with compliance with environmental or other regulation and other economic, market, political or other developments specific to that industry. Also, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in companies in related sectors that may share common characteristics, are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens and whose securities may react similarly to the types of events and factors described above, which will subject the Fund to greater risk. The Fund also will be subject to focused investment risk to the extent that it invests a substantial portion of its assets in a particular country or geographic region.
Confidential Information Access Risk
Principals of the Adviser, the Subadviser and their affiliates and certain of the Advisers and/or Subadvisers investment professionals may have or establish relationships with companies in which the Fund invests, including serving as a director of, or in a similar capacity with, such companies. In connection with the foregoing activities, principals of the Adviser, the Subadviser and their affiliates and certain of the Advisers and/or Subadvisers investment professionals may from time to time come into possession of confidential or material nonpublic information or be restricted from effecting transactions relating to certain issuers that would limit the ability of the Adviser and/or Subadviser to effect a transaction for the Fund (including the Funds ability to buy, sell or hold certain investments) and the Funds investments may be constrained as a consequence of the Adviser and/or Subadvisers inability to use such information for advisory purposes or otherwise to effect transactions that otherwise may have been initiated on behalf of its clients, including the Fund.
40
Inflation/Deflation Risk
Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investment will be worth less in the future, as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions on those shares can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, interest rates on any borrowings by the Fund may increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to the holders of Common Shares. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may have an adverse effect on the market valuation of companies, their assets and revenues. In addition, deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Funds portfolio.
Risk of Regulatory Changes
Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur and may adversely affect the Fund and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. New (or revised) laws or regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the IRS, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund. In particular, these agencies are implementing a variety of new rules pursuant to financial reform legislation in the United States. The EU (and some other countries) are implementing similar requirements. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.
In addition, the securities and futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. The CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, other regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized under these statutes, regulations and otherwise to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The Fund and the Adviser historically been eligible for exemptions from certain regulations. However, there is no assurance that the Fund and the Adviser will continue to be eligible for such exemptions. The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have established limits, referred to as position limits, on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts.
Current rules related to credit risk retention requirements for asset backed securities may increase the cost to originators, securitizers and, in certain cases, asset managers of securitization vehicles in which the Fund may invest. The impact of the risk retention rules on the securitization markets is uncertain. These requirements may increase the costs to originators, securitizers, and, in certain cases, collateral managers of securitization vehicles in which the Fund may invest, which costs could be passed along to such Fund as an investor in such vehicles.
LIBOR Risk
LIBOR, the London Interbank Offered Rate, is the basic rate of interest used in lending transactions between banks on the London interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally. The Fund will typically use LIBOR as a reference rate in floating-rate loans it extends to portfolio companies such that the interest due to the Fund pursuant to a term loan extended to a portfolio company is calculated using LIBOR. The terms of the Funds debt investments generally include minimum interest rate floors which are calculated based on LIBOR.
On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. For U.S. dollar LIBOR, however, the relevant date may be deferred to June 30, 2023 for the most common tenors (overnight and one, three, six and 12 months). As to those tenors, the LIBOR administrator has published a consultation regarding its intention to cease publication of U.S. dollar LIBOR as of June 30, 2023 (instead of December 31, 2021, as previously expected), apparently based on continued rate submissions from banks. The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority and other regulators have stated that they welcome the LIBOR administrators action. An extension to 2023 would mean that many legacy U.S. dollar LIBOR contracts would terminate before related LIBOR rates cease to be published. However, the same regulators
41
emphasized that, despite any continued publication of U.S. dollar LIBOR through June 30, 2023, no new contracts using U.S. dollar LIBOR should be entered into after December 31, 2021. Moreover, the LIBOR administrators consultation also relates to the LIBOR administrators intention to cease publication of non-U.S. dollar LIBOR after December 31, 2021. Although the foregoing may provide some sense of timing, there is no assurance that LIBOR, of any particular currency and tenor, will continue to be published until any particular date, and it appears highly likely that LIBOR will be discontinued or modified after December 31, 2021 or June 30, 2023, depending on the currency and tenor. As a result of this transition, interest rates on financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, as well as the revenue and expenses associated with those financial instruments, may be adversely affected. Further, any uncertainty regarding the continued use and reliability of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate could adversely affect the value of the Funds financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S. dollar LIBOR with a new index calculated by short term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities, called the SOFR. The first publication of SOFR was released in April 2018. Whether or not SOFR attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement remains a question and the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain. Any transition away from LIBOR to alternative reference rates is complex and could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of any changes in the pricing of the Funds investments, changes to the documentation for certain of the Funds investments and pace of such changes, disputes, changes in interest rates payable to the Fund by its portfolio companies, and other actions regarding the interpretation of current and prospective loan documentation or modifications to processes and systems.
Upon LIBORs phase out, the Fund may need to renegotiate any credit agreements with its portfolio companies extending beyond 2021 that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established. Any of such renegotiations may have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, result of operations, financial condition, and share price, including as a result of changes in interest rates payable to the Fund by its portfolio companies.
There is no guarantee that a transition from LIBOR to an alternative will not result in financial market disruptions, volatility in risk-free benchmark rates, significant increases in benchmark rates, or borrowing costs to borrowers, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, result of operations and financial condition.
Tax Risk
To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things: (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain kinds of investment income; (ii) meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter; and (iii) distribute in each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and its net tax-exempt income. If the Fund failed to meet any of these requirements, subject to the opportunity to cure such failures under applicable provisions of the Code, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income (including its net capital gain), even if such income were distributed to its Common Shareholders. In addition, all distributions by the Fund out of earnings and profits (including distributions of net capital gain), would be taxed to Common Shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individual and other non-corporate Common Shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be subject to interest charges), before requalifying as a RIC. See Tax Matters.
The tax treatment and characterization of the Funds distributions may vary significantly from time to time due to the nature of the Funds investments. The ultimate tax characterization of the Funds distributions in a calendar year may not finally be determined until after the end of that calendar year. The Fund may make distributions during a calendar year that exceed the Funds net investment income and net realized capital gains for that year. In such a situation, the amount by which the Funds total distributions exceed net investment income and net realized capital
42
gains would generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of the Common Shareholders tax basis in his or her Common Shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of his or her Common Shares.
No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the distributions paid on the Common Shares, if any, will consist of tax-advantaged qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains or what the tax rates on various types of income will be in future years. In light of the Funds investment strategies, it is anticipated that the Funds distributions generally will not be treated as tax-advantaged qualified dividend income. See Tax Matters.
Potential Conflicts of Interest RiskAllocation of Investment Opportunities
The Adviser, the Subadviser and their affiliates may sponsor or manage investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles with similar or overlapping investment strategies. For example, the Adviser or the Subadviser may serve as investment adviser to one or more private funds, registered closed-end funds and collateralized loan obligations (CLO). In addition, the Funds officers may serve in similar capacities for one or more private funds, registered closed-end funds and CLOs. To the extent the Adviser, Subadviser and their affiliates determine that an investment is appropriate for the Fund and for one or more other funds, the Adviser and the Subadviser intend to allocate investment opportunities across the entities for which such opportunities are appropriate, consistent with (a) certain restrictions under the 1940 Act and rules thereunder regarding co-investments with affiliates, (b) the requirements of the Advisers Act and (c) the Adviser and Subadvisers internal conflict of interest and allocation policies. The Fund and the Adviser intend to rely on exemptive relief from the SEC that would permit the Fund to, among other things, co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain public or private funds managed by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions.
The Adviser has established policies to ensure that the Fund will generally share equitably with other funds managed by the Adviser or Subadviser or their affiliates in investment opportunities that are suitable for the Fund and such other investment funds.
The Subadviser has established allocation policies to ensure that the Fund will generally share equitably with other credit investment funds managed by the Subadviser or its affiliates within the alternative credit platform in credit investment opportunities that are suitable for the Fund and such other investment funds.
The 1940 Act imposes significant limits on co-investment with affiliates of the Fund, and without an exemptive order the Fund generally would not be permitted to co-invest alongside its affiliates in privately negotiated transactions unless the transaction is otherwise permitted under existing regulatory guidance, such as transactions where price is the only negotiated term, and will not participate in transactions where other terms are negotiable. In situations where co-investment with other entities sponsored or managed by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer, the Subadviser will need to decide whether the Fund or such other entity or entities will proceed with the investment. The Subadviser will make these determinations based on its policies and procedures, which will generally require that such opportunities be offered to eligible accounts on a basis that is fair and equitable over time. This reduces the amount of transactions in which the Fund can participate and makes it more difficult for the Fund to implement its investment objective.
Conflicts of Interest Relating to Affiliates
The Advisers affiliation with Blackstone/Corsair requires the Advisers to manage conflicts of interest associated with dealings the Fund may have with those businesses or funds, clients or portfolio companies associated with it. For example, should the Advisers wish to cause the Fund to execute portfolio transactions through broker-dealers associated with Blackstone/Corsair, the commercial reasonableness of the brokerage compensation associated with
43
those trades would have to be assessed. Other dealings may be more completely restricted. For example, the Fund may not be able to buy or sell property directly to or from Blackstone/Corsair or their associated accounts. There also may be limits on participation in underwritings or other securities offerings by Blackstone/Corsair or their associated funds, accounts or portfolio companies. The breadth of these affiliations at times may require the Fund to abstain from or restructure an otherwise attractive investment opportunity.
Investments in portfolio companies associated with Blackstone/Corsair may be restricted by the 1940 Act. To the extent such investments are permitted and the Fund invests in such a portfolio company (a portfolio company generally referring to a company owned by private equity funds managed by Blackstone/Corsair), conflicts of interest may arise from the presence of Blackstone/Corsair representatives on the company board or the payment of compensation by the company to Blackstone/Corsair or an affiliate. Moreover, the Advisers could have an incentive to allocate the Funds assets to such a portfolio company since affiliates of the Advisers have a direct or indirect financial interest in its success. There also may be instances where Blackstone/Corsair could be involved in bankruptcy proceedings of current investments or of issuers in which the Fund would otherwise invest, with potentially divergent interests as between the Fund and Blackstone/Corsair. The Fund may be forced to sell or hold existing investments (possibly at disadvantageous times or under disadvantageous conditions) as a result of various relationships that Blackstone/Corsair may have or transactions or investments Blackstone/Corsair and their affiliates may make or have made. The inability to transact in any security, derivative or loan held by the Fund could result in significant losses or lost opportunity costs to the Fund.
Distribution Risk
The Fund cannot assure you that it will achieve investment results that will allow the Fund to make a specified level of cash distributions or periodically increase its dividend rate. The monthly distributions that Common Shareholders are expected to receive from the Fund will be derived from the Funds dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses. The Funds cash available for distribution may vary widely over the short and long term.
Payment-In-Kind Securities
The Fund may invest in PIK Securities. PIK securities pay all or a portion of their interest in the form of additional debt or equity securities. Because such securities do not pay current cash income, the price of these securities can be volatile when interest rates fluctuate. While these securities do not pay current cash income, federal income tax law requires the holders of PIK securities to include in income each year the portion of the original issue discount (or deemed discount) and other non-cash income on such securities accrued during that year. In order to continue to qualify for treatment as a RIC under the Code, and avoid a certain excise tax, the Fund may be required to distribute a portion of such discount and non-cash income and may be required to dispose of other portfolio securities, which may occur in periods of adverse market prices, in order to generate cash to meet these distribution requirements.
Zero-Coupon Bond Risk
Among the debt securities in which the Fund may invest are zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are debt obligations that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a specified date when the securities begin paying current interest. They are issued and traded at a discount from their face amount or par value, which discount varies depending on the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than do other types of debt securities having similar maturities and credit quality. Original issue discount earned on zero coupon securities must be included in the Funds income. Thus, to continue to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and to avoid a certain excise tax on undistributed income, the Fund may be required to distribute as a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash it actually receives. These distributions must be made from the Funds cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of sales of
44
portfolio securities. The Fund will not be able to purchase additional income-producing securities with cash used to make such distributions, and its current income ultimately could be reduced as a result.
Portfolio Turnover Risk
The Fund may engage in short-term trading strategies, as part of its cash management strategy in connection with inflows and repurchase offers, and securities may be sold without regard to the length of time held when, in the opinion of the Subadviser, investment considerations warrant such action. These policies may have the effect of increasing the annual rate of portfolio turnover of the Fund. Higher rates of portfolio turnover would likely result in higher transaction costs and may generate short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income, which may have a negative impact on the Funds performance over time.
Cyber Security Risk
The occurrence of a disaster such as a cyber-attack, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a terrorist attack or war, events unanticipated in the disaster recovery systems of the Fund, Adviser and Subadviser, or a support failure from external providers, could have an adverse effect on the Funds ability to conduct business and on its results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect the Fund, the Adviser and/or the Subadvisers computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems or destroy data. If the Adviser and/or the Subadviser were unavailable in the event of a disaster, the Funds ability to effectively conduct its business could be severely compromised.
The Fund, Adviser and Subadviser depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Despite implementation of a variety of security measures, the computer systems of the Fund, Adviser and/or Subadviser could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, such as physical and electronic break-ins, phishing attempts or unauthorized tampering. Like other companies, the Fund, Adviser and Subadviser may experience threats to their data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, impersonation of authorized users, unauthorized access, system failures and disruptions. The Fund does not control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund, the Adviser, the Subadviser, Common Shareholders and/or a portfolio company, each of which would be negatively impacted. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, the computer systems and networks of the Fund, Adviser or Subadivser, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in the Funds operations, which could result in damage to the Funds reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs, regulatory penalties and/or customer dissatisfaction or loss.
Non-Diversification Risk
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act. As a result, it can invest a greater portion of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than a diversified fund. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence. The Fund intends to qualify for the favorable tax treatment available to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code, and thus intends to satisfy the diversification requirements of Subchapter M (which are less stringent than the diversification requirements of the 1940 Act), including its diversification requirements that apply to the percentage of the Funds total assets that are represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and certain other securities.
Foreign Currency Risk
Although it is anticipated that most of the Funds investments will be denominated in U.S. dollars, the Funds investments that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency may change in relation to the U.S. dollar. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation and political developments. As a result, a change in currency exchange rates may adversely affect the Funds profitability.
45
Trustees and Officers
Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and bylaws, the Funds business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees, which has overall responsibility for monitoring and overseeing the Funds management and operations. The Board of Trustees consists of four members, three of whom are not interested persons of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). The names and business addresses of the Trustees and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years are set forth under Management of the Fund in the Statement of Additional Information.
Adviser and Subadviser
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (FEIM or the Adviser) serves as the investment adviser for the Fund. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, FEIM is responsible for managing the investment activities of the Fund and the Funds business affairs.
The Adviser is located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. The Adviser is a subsidiary of First Eagle. A controlling interest in First Eagle is owned by BCP CC Holdings L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (BCP CC Holdings). BCP CC Holdings GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (BCP CC Holdings GP), is the general partner of BCP CC Holdings and has two managing members, Blackstone Capital Partners VI L.P. (BCP VI) and Corsair IV Financial Services Capital Partners L.P. (Corsair IV). BCP VI and Corsair IV are indirectly controlled by The Blackstone Group Inc. (Blackstone) and Corsair Capital LLC (Corsair), respectively. Investment vehicles indirectly controlled by \Blackstone and Corsair and certain co-investors own a majority economic interest in First Eagle and the Adviser through BCP CC Holdings. With a heritage that dates back to 1864, the Adviser offers a variety of investment management services. In addition to the Fund, its clients include, the First Eagle Funds, the First Eagle Variable Funds, other pooled vehicles, corporations, foundations, major retirement plans and high net worth individuals. As of March 31, 2021, the Adviser had approximately $89,489,626,595 in assets under management.5
First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC (FEAC or the Subadviser and together with the Adviser, the Advisers), in its capacity as the alternative credit group of FEIM, serves as the Funds investment subadviser. FEAC is an investment adviser for both direct lending and broadly syndicated investments, through public and private vehicles, collateralized loan obligations, separately managed accounts and co-mingled funds. The Subadviser was formed in 2009 under the name THL Credit Advisors LLC (THL Credit). In January 2020, the Subadviser was acquired by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. As of March 31, 2021, the Subadviser had approximately $19,738,804,651 in assets under management.6
Christopher Flynn, James Fellows, Robert Hickey, Brian Murphy, Steven Krull, Michelle Handy, and Christian Champ, portfolio managers with FEAC, are predominantly responsible for managing the Fund.
Management and Subadvisory Agreements
Pursuant to a management agreement with the Fund (the Management Agreement), the Adviser is responsible for the management of the Funds portfolio. In return for its investment advisory services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets. The Adviser voluntarily waived its Management Fee until the Funds registration statement was declared effective by the SEC. Effective May 1, 2021, FEIM and FEAC have agreed to waive all management fees and subadvisory fees payable to
5 |
|
Excludes the AUM of First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC. |
||
|
||||
6 |
|
Represents the aggregate AUM of First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC and the AUM of First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc., along with its related funds and separate accounts, including unfunded capital commitments of $183,694,293.
|
||
|
46
them under the Management Agreement (defined below) and Subadvisory Agreement (defined below) until April 30, 2022 (the Management Fee Waiver). The Management Fee Waiver is not revocable during its term and amounts waived pursuant to the Management Fee Waiver will not be subject to any right of future recoupment in favor of FEIM and FEAC.
The Adviser will review the performance of the Subadviser and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the retention of subadvisers and the renewal of contracts. The Adviser may also provide investment advisory services directly to the Fund and anticipates doing so with respect to certain determinations that may be required of the Adviser in respect of co-investments with affiliates in accordance with any applicable exemptive relief from the SEC. See Potential Conflicts of Interest RiskAllocation of Investment Opportunities above for more information.
The Adviser also performs certain non-investment advisory administrative, accounting, operations, legal, compliance and other services on behalf of the Fund, and in accordance with the Management Agreement, the Fund reimburses the Adviser for costs and expenses (including overhead and personnel costs) associated with such services. These reimbursements may not exceed an annual rate of 0.05% of the Funds average daily net assets. Those reimbursements comprise a portion of the Other Expenses in the fees and expenses table in this prospectus.
The management services of the Adviser to the Fund are not exclusive under the terms of the Management Agreement and the Adviser is free to, and does, render management services to others.
The Management Agreement provides that the Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment by the Adviser or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Management Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties. The Management Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the 1940 Act), and that it may be terminated without penalty by either the Adviser or the Fund by the Board of Trustees or vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) upon not more than 60 days, nor less than 30 days, written notice. The Management Agreement will have an initial term of two years, and continue in effect thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
FEIM has entered into a subadvisory agreement with FEAC relating to the Fund (the Subadvisory Agreement). The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Subadviser will furnish investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund. For its services under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Adviser pays the Subadviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.625% of the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets (including assets attributable to such leverage) managed by the Subadviser. No advisory fee will be paid by the Fund directly to the Subadviser.
Under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Subadviser, subject to the supervision of Adviser, is responsible for managing the assets of the Fund in accordance with the Funds investment objective, investment strategies and policies. The Subadviser determines what securities and other instruments are purchased and sold for the Fund. The Adviser continues to have responsibility for all investment advisory services pursuant to the Management Agreement and supervises the Subadvisers performance of such services. The Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadvisory Agreement may be terminated by the Fund, the Adviser, or the Subadviser upon not more than 60 days, nor less than 30 days, written notice. The Subadvisory Agreement will have an initial term of two years, and continue in effect thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Subadviser will not be liable for any error of judgment by the Subadviser or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Subadvisory Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of
47
the 1940 Act) or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties. The Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the 1940 Act), and that it may be terminated without penalty by either the Subadviser or the Fund by the Board of Trustees or vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) upon not more than 60 days, nor less than 30 days, written notice. The Subadvisory Agreement will continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date of execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Adviser and Subadviser share personnel pursuant to a personnel-sharing or similar inter-company arrangement.
A discussion regarding the basis of the Board of Trustees initial approval of the Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement is included in the Funds Annual Report for the period ended December 31, 2020. The basis for subsequent continuations of the Funds Management Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement will be provided in Annual or Semi-Annual reports to shareholders for the financial reporting periods in which the Agreement was acted upon by the Board of Trustees.
During periods when the Fund is using leverage, if any, the fees paid to the Adviser and Subadviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated on the basis of the Funds Managed Assets (including assets attributable to such leverage).
Portfolio Managers
Christopher Flynn, James Fellows, Robert Hickey, Brian Murphy, Steven Krull, Michelle Handy and Christian Champ, portfolio managers with FEAC, manage the Fund. Their professional backgrounds are below.
Christopher Flynn is President of First Eagle Alternative Credit. He also services on the firms Global Investment Committee and the Investment Committee of its Direct Lending platform. Mr. Flynn oversees all aspects of the First Eagle Alternative Credit business. Mr. Flynn became part of First Eagle in 2020 upon the firms acquisition of THL Credit, where he was Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Flynn joined THL Credit in 2007 and served as Co-President and prior to that, Managing Director of its Direct Lending platform. He was involved in origination and closing investments, portfolio management, capital raising, and management of THL Credits direct lending private funds and accounts, and the establishment of the Chicago and New York offices of THL Credits Direct Lending platform. Previously, Mr. Flynn was a Vice President at AIG in the Leveraged Capital Group. Mr. Flynn joined AIG in February 2005 after working for Black Diamond Capital Management, a hedge fund, as a Senior Financial Analyst. From 200 to 2003, Mr. Flynn worked in a variety of roles at GE Capital, most recently as an Assistant Vice President within the Capital Markets Syndication Group. Prior to joining GE Capital, Mr. Flynn worked at BNP Paribas as a Financial Analyst and at Bank One as a Commercial Banker. Mr. Flynn earned his M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance and Strategy from Northwestern Universitys Kellogg Graduate School of Business and his B.A. in Finance from DePaul University.
James Fellows, CFA is the Chief Investment Officer of FEAC and Head of its Tradable Credit platform. He also serves on the firms Global Investment Committee and the Investment Committees of both its Tradable Credit and Direct Lending platforms. Mr. Fellows became part of First Eagle in 2020 upon the firms acquisition of THL Credit. Mr. Fellows has more than twenty-eight years of investment industry experience, principally in the area of leveraged finance. Prior to joining THL Credit in 2012, Mr. Fellows was Co-Head, Alternative Credit Strategies Group of McDonnell Investment Management, LLC, where he helped establish and manage three cash flow CLOs, a leveraged loan opportunity fund and unleveraged fund and a separate account. From 1998 to April 2004, Mr. Fellows was a Senior Vice President at Columbia Advisors, where he served as Co-Portfolio Manager for two continuously offered closed-end funds and four structured product vehicles from their inception, including two CLOs. Prior to joining Columbia Advisors in 1998, Mr. Fellows was a Senior Credit Analyst for Van Kampen Investments in its Bank Loan Investment Group. While at Van Kampen, Mr. Fellows also served as a Credit Analyst for high-yield bonds and privately placed mezzanine bonds. Other responsibilities with Van Kampen included training junior credit analysts for its bank loans and high-yield groups. Mr. Fellows brings extensive knowledge of
48
high-yield bank loans and high-yield bonds, as well as in-depth workout, restructuring and distressed investment experience. Mr. Fellows earned his B.S. degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Nebraska, is a member of The CFA Institute, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Robert Hickey is a Senior Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for FEACs Tradable Credit platform. He also serves on the firms Global Investment Committee and the Investment Committee of its Tradable Credit platform. Mr. Hickey became part of First Eagle in 2020 upon the firms acquisition of THL Credit. Mr. Hickey has more than twenty-eight years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining THL Credit in 2012, Mr. Hickey was a Senior Credit Analyst/Senior Portfolio Manager in the Alternative Credit Strategies Group of McDonnell Investment Management, LLC. Prior to joining McDonnell, Mr. Hickey was a Vice President at INVESCO Funds Inc. in Denver, Colorado, where he served as Portfolio Manager for the INVESCO High-Yield Fund and Co-Manager of the INVESCO Select Income Fund. In addition, Mr. Hickey co-managed the fixed income components of several sub-advised funds. During this time, he maintained primary credit coverage of the energy, gaming, metals/mining, media/entertainment and paper/forest products sectors of the high-yield market. Mr. Hickey brings extensive knowledge of corporate, high-yield, and emerging market securities, as well as derivatives and hedging instruments throughout the entire credit spectrum. He also has experience with the management and regulatory aspects of the insurance industry. Prior to joining INVESCO in 2001, Mr. Hickey was the Director of Corporate Bonds for Van Kampen Investments. While at Van Kampen, he was also Senior Portfolio Manager for several high-yield and high-grade corporate bond portfolios. Other responsibilities with Van Kampen included the management of an annuity company for OakRe Life/Xerox Financial Services Life Insurance. Mr. Hickey earned his M.B.A. from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.
Brian Murphy is a Senior Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for First Eagle Alternative Credits Tradable Credit platform and Head of Capital Markets across the firms Tradable Credit and Direct Lending platforms. He also serves on the Investment Committee of the firms Tradable Credit platform. Mr. Murphy became part of First Eagle in 2020 upon the firms acquisition of THL Credit. Mr. Murphy has more than twenty-four years of investment industry experience, principally in the area of leveraged finance. Prior to joining THL Credit in June 2012, Mr. Murphy was a Senior Credit Analyst/Senior Portfolio Manager in the Alternative Credit Strategies Group of McDonnell Investment Management, LLC. From 1998 to May 2004, Mr. Murphy was employed by Columbia Advisors in the Bank Loan Asset Management Group as a Senior Credit Analyst covering telecommunications, media/broadcasting, and the cable industries. Prior to joining Columbia Advisors, Mr. Murphy was employed by Van Kampen Investments from October 1991 through March 1998, most recently serving as an Assistant Portfolio Manager for the Van Kampen Prime Rate Income Trust, where he gained credit training and significant experience in all aspects of the bank loan asset class, including cash management, trade settlement, credit monitoring, portfolio surveillance, and analysis.
Steven Krull, CFA is a Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, and Head of Trading for First Eagle Alternative Credits Tradable Credit platform. He also serves on the Investment Committee of the firms Tradable Credit platform. Mr. Krull became part of First Eagle in 2020 upon the firms acquisition of THL Credit. Mr. Krull has more than seventeen years of investment industry experience, principally in the area of leveraged finance. Prior to joining THL Credit in 2012, Mr. Krull was a Portfolio Manager/Head Trader of the Alternative Credit Strategies Group of McDonnell Investment Management, LLC. From 1998 to May 2004, Mr. Krull was employed by Columbia Management Group as a member of the Bank Loan Asset Management Group. Mr. Krull served in various roles, most recently as the groups bank loan trader, responsible for day-to-day cash management and trading activity of the groups two mutual funds, Columbia Floating Rate Fund and Columbia Floating Rate Advantage Fund, as well as four structured products, with assets totaling $2.7 billion. Mr. Krull earned his B.A. in Economics from Illinois Wesleyan University and is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Chicago.
Michelle Handy is a Managing Director and Head of Portfolio & Underwriting for First Eagle Alternative Credits Direct Lending platform. As a member of the Boston investment team, her role includes overseeing the underwriting and management of portfolio investments. Ms. Handy became part of First Eagle in 2020 upon the firms acquisition of THL Credit. Prior to joining THL Credit in 2016, Ms. Handy worked at GE Capital where she held several roles in underwriting, portfolio management and workouts. Most recently, she was the COO of GE Capital Americas
49
workout function. Ms. Handy earned her M.S. in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her B.S. in Finance and Spanish from Boston College.
Christian Champ, CFA is a Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, and Head of Research for First Eagle Alternative Credits Tradable Credit platform. Mr. Champ became part of First Eagle in 2020 upon the firms acquisition of THL Credit. Prior to joining THL Credit in 2012, Mr. Champ was a Senior Distressed Analyst and Vice President with McDonnell Investment Management, LLC. Previously, he was an Analyst for Columbia Management Group in its Bank Loan Asset Management Group. Mr. Champ earned his B.S. in Analytical Finance from Wake Forest University. He currently holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Chicago, and the Turnaround Management Association.
Additional information regarding these portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of the Common Shares is available in the Statement of Additional Information. The portfolio managers are supported in their duties by a team of investment professionals employed by the Adviser and/or the Subadviser. Also available in the Statement of Additional Information is certain background information regarding these investment professionals.
Control Persons
A control person is a person who owns, either directly or indirectly, beneficially more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. As of April 6, 2021, the Fund could be deemed to be under the control of Anna-Maria & Stephen Kellen Foundation, Inc.
50
FEF Distributors, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Adviser and Subadviser, serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds Common Shares pursuant to a distribution contract (the Distribution Contract) with the Fund. The Distributor, located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. None of the Adviser, the Subadviser or the Distributor intend to make a market in the Common Shares.
The Distributor acts as the distributor of Common Shares for the Fund on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Contract. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of Common Shares of the Fund.
Common Shares of the Fund are continuously offered through the Distributor and/or certain financial intermediaries that have agreements with the Distributor. As discussed below, the Fund may authorize one or more intermediaries (e.g., broker-dealers and other financial firms) to receive orders on its behalf. The Common Shares will be offered at NAV per share (plus any applicable sales load) calculated each regular business day. Please see Net Asset Value below.
The Fund and the Distributor have the sole right to accept orders to purchase Common Shares and reserve the right to reject any order in whole or in part.
The Funds Common Shares are not listed for trading on any securities exchange. There is currently no secondary market for the Funds Common Shares and the Fund does not anticipate that a secondary market will develop for its Common Shares. Investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment. None of the Adviser, the Subadviser or the Distributor intends to make a market in the Funds Common Shares.
The Fund has agreed to indemnify the Distributor and certain of the Distributors affiliates against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the 1933 Act. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Distributor has agreed to indemnify the Fund and each Trustee against certain liabilities under the 1933 Act and in connection with the services rendered to the Fund.
Share Classes
The Fund has adopted a Multi-Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. Although the Fund is not an open-end investment company, it intends to comply with the terms of Rule 18f-3 as a condition of the Exemptive Relief which permits the Fund to have, among other things, a multi-class structure and distribution and shareholder servicing fees.
Under the Multi-Class Plan, shares of each class of the Fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the Fund and, generally, have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and terms and conditions, except that: (a) each class has a different designation; (b) each class of shares bears any class-specific expenses; and (c) each class shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class, and shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class.
Currently, Class A Shares and Class I Shares are available for purchase. The Fund has been granted Exemptive Relief from the SEC that permits the Fund to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose asset-based distribution fees and early-withdrawal fees. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future. Each share class will represent an investment in the same portfolio of investments, but each class has its own expense structure and arrangements for shareholder services or distribution, which allows you to choose the class that best fits your situation and eligibility requirements.
Class I Shares are offered for investment through certain financial firms that charge their customers transaction or other fees with respect to their customers investments in the Fund. Class I Shares may be offered for investment to investors such as pension and profit sharing plans, employee benefit trusts, endowments, foundations, corporations and individuals that can meet the minimum investment amount.
51
Class A Shares are not available for purchase directly from the Distributor and are primarily offered and sold to retail investors by certain broker-dealers which are members of FINRA and which have agreements with the Distributor to sell Class A Common Shares, but may be made available through other financial firms, including banks and trust companies and to specified benefit plans (as defined below) and other retirement accounts
Individual shareholders who hold Common Shares through financial intermediaries, pensions or profit sharing plans may not be eligible to hold Common Shares of the Fund outside of their respective financial intermediary platform or plan.
Class A Distribution and Servicing Plan
The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Servicing Plan for the Class A Shares of the Fund. The Distribution and Servicing Plan operates in a manner consistent with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which regulates the manner in which an open-end investment company may directly or indirectly bear the expenses of distributing its shares. Although the Fund is not an open-end investment company, it intends to comply with the terms of Rule 12b-1 as a condition of the Exemptive Relief which permits the Fund to have, among other things, a multi-class structure and distribution and shareholder servicing fees. Each Distribution and Servicing Plan permits the Fund to compensate the Distributor for providing or procuring through financial firms, distribution, administrative, recordkeeping, shareholder and/or related services with respect to the Class A Shares, as applicable. Most or all of the distribution and/or service fees are paid to financial firms through which Common Shareholders may purchase or hold Class A Shares, as applicable. Because these fees are paid out of the applicable share classs assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of an investment in Class A Shares and may cost you more than other types of sales charge.
The maximum annual rates at which the distribution and/or servicing fees may be paid under the Distribution and Servicing Plan is 0.75% for Class A Shares (calculated as a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to the Class A Shares).
Shareholder Services Expenses
Certain broker-dealers or other intermediaries perform services that otherwise could be handled by the Funds Transfer Agent. These services may include preparing and distributing client statements, tax reporting, order-processing and client relations. As a result, these third parties may charge fees (sometimes called sub-transfer agency fees or sub-accounting fees) to the Fund for these services. The Fund may pay for such services outside of a Rule 12b-1 Plan (meaning in addition to or instead of as Rule 12b-1 fees) so long as such compensation does not exceed certain limits set from time to time by the Board of Trustees in consultation with management. Arrangements may involve a dollar per-account fee, an asset-based fee, transaction or other charges, cost reimbursement or, in some cases, a combination of these inputs.
Sub-transfer agency fees can comprise a substantial portion of the Funds ongoing expenses. While the Adviser and the Distributor consider sub-transfer agency fees to be payments for services rendered, they represent an additional business relationship between these sub-transfer agents and the Fund that often results, at least in part, from past or present sales of Fund shares by the sub-transfer agents or their affiliates. The Adviser, the Distributor or an affiliate may make additional payments to intermediaries for these and other services, and their payments may be based on the same or other methods of calculation. See Revenue Sharing below.
Revenue Sharing
The Distributor, Adviser or an affiliate may make cash payments from their own resources to broker-dealers or financial intermediaries for various reasons. These payments, often referred to as revenue sharing, may support the delivery of services to the Fund or shareholders in the Fund, including transaction processing and sub-accounting services.
These payments also may serve as an incentive to sell Fund Shares or to promote shareholder retention. As such, the payments may go to firms providing various marketing support or other promotional services relating to the Fund,
52
including advertising and sales meetings, as well as inclusion of the Fund in various promotional and sales programs. Marketing support services also may include business planning assistance, broker-dealer education about the Fund and shareholder financial planning assistance.
Revenue sharing payments may include any portion of the sub-transfer agency fees (described in the preceding section) that exceed the limits for those fees established by the Board of Trustees in consultation with management and which, accordingly, the Fund does not pay. They also may include any other payment requirement of a broker-dealer or another third-party intermediary, including certain agreed upon finders fees as described in greater detail under Early Withdrawal ChargesClass A Shares.
The Distributor, Adviser or an affiliate pay all such payments out of its (or their) own resources. Such payments are in addition to any recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency/networking fees payable by the Fund (through the Distributor or otherwise) to others for performing such services and Rule 12b-1 or service plan payments described elsewhere in this prospectus. Revenue sharing payments may be structured, among other means, as: (i) a percentage of sales; (ii) a percentage of net assets; (iii) a flat fee per transaction; (iv) a fixed dollar amount; or (v) some combination of any of these. In many cases, revenue sharing arrangements may be viewed as encouraging sales activity or retention of assets in the Fund. Generally, any revenue sharing or similar payments are requested by the party receiving them, often as a condition of distribution, but they are subject to negotiation as to their structure and scope.
The Distributor, Adviser or an affiliate also may pay from their own resources for travel and other expenses, including lodging, entertainment and meals, incurred by brokers for attending diligence or informational meetings with the Funds investment professionals. The Distributor, Adviser or an affiliate also may pay for costs of organizing and holding such meetings and also may make payments to or on behalf of brokers or other financial intermediaries for other types of events, including pre-approved conferences, seminars or sales or training programs (and payments for travel, lodging, etc.), and may provide small gifts and/or entertainment as permitted by applicable rules. The Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate also may pay fixed fees for the listing of the Fund on a broker-dealers or financial intermediarys system. This compensation is not included in, and is made in addition to, the compensation described in the preceding paragraph.
Please be aware that revenue sharing arrangements or other payments to intermediaries could create incentives on the part of the parties receiving the payments to more positively consider the Fund relative to mutual funds either not making payments of this nature or making smaller such payments. A shareholder or prospective investor with questions regarding revenue sharing or other such payments may obtain more details by contacting his or her broker representative or other financial intermediary directly. The Funds Statement of Additional Information includes a listing of certain parties receiving revenue sharing payments in respect of the Fund.
Purchasing Shares
The following section provides basic information about how to purchase Common Shares of the Fund.
The Fund typically does not offer or sell its shares to non-U.S. residents. For purposes of this policy, a U.S. resident is defined as an account with (i) a U.S. address of record and (ii) all account owners residing in the U.S. at the time of sale.
If you are eligible to buy Class I Shares and Class A Shares, you should buy Class I Shares because Class A Shares may be subject to sales charges and will pay an annual distribution and/or service fee.
Individual shareholders who purchase Common Shares through financial intermediaries, pensions or profit sharing plans may not be eligible to hold Common Shares outside of their respective plan or financial intermediary platform.
Class A Shares
Eligible investors may purchase Class A Shares through their broker-dealer or other financial firm. Class A Shares are not available for purchase directly from the Distributor.
|
Through your broker-dealer or other financial firm. Class A Shares are primarily offered and sold to retail investors by certain broker-dealers which are members of FINRA and which have agreements with the Funds |
53
|
distributor to offer Class A Shares, but may be made available through other financial firms, including banks and trust companies and to specified benefit plans and other retirement accounts. Your broker-dealer or other financial firm may establish different minimum investment requirements than the Fund and may also independently charge you transaction or other fees and additional amounts (which may vary) in return for its services, which will reduce your return. Shares you purchase through your broker-dealer or other financial firm will normally be held in your account with that firm and instructions for buying, selling, exchanging or transferring Class A Shares must be submitted by your broker-dealer or other financial firm on your behalf. |
Class I Shares
Eligible investors may purchase Class I Shares in the following ways:
|
Through your broker-dealer or other financial firm. Class I Shares may be offered through certain financial firms that charge their customers transaction or other fees with respect to their customers investments in the Fund. Class I Shares may also be offered to investors in pension and profit sharing plans, employee benefit trusts, endowments, foundations, corporations and individuals that can meet the minimum investment amount. Your broker-dealer or other financial firm may establish different minimum investment requirements than the Fund and may also independently charge you transaction or other fees and additional amounts (which may vary) in return for its services, which will reduce your return. Shares you purchase through your broker-dealer or other financial firm will normally be held in your account with that firm. If you purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial firm, instructions for buying, selling, exchanging or transferring Class I Shares must be submitted by your financial firm or broker-dealer on your behalf. |
||
|
Through the Distributor. You should discuss your investment with your financial advisor before you make a purchase to be sure the Fund is appropriate for you. Individual investors who meet the minimum investment amount and wish to invest directly in Class I Shares may obtain an Account Application online at www.FEIM.com or by calling (800) 334-2143. If you do not list a financial advisor and his/her brokerage firm on the Account Application, the Distributor is designated as the broker of record, but solely for purposes of acting as your agent to purchase shares. |
The completed Account Application may be submitted using the following methods:
|
|
|
Overnight Mail: |
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund
|
|
Regular Mail: |
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund
|
For inquiries, please call (800) 334-2143
Payment for the purchase of Common Shares may be made by check payable to the transfer agent and sent to the Regular Mail address above; or by wiring federal funds to:
|
|
|
State Street Bank and Trust
|
|
|
ABA: |
011 000 028 |
|
Account#: |
75000125 |
|
Account Name: |
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund |
|
FFC: |
(include First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund and Account Number) |
54
In order to receive the current days NAV, order instructions must be received in good order prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (NYSE Close). Instructions must include the name and signature of an appropriate person designated on the Account Application (Authorized Person), account name, account number, name of the Fund and dollar amount. Payments received without order instructions could result in a processing delay or a return of wire. Failure to send the accompanying payment on the same day may result in the cancellation of the order.
An investor may place a purchase order for Common Shares without first wiring federal funds if the purchase amount is to be derived from an advisory account managed by FEIM or one of its affiliates, or from an account with a broker-dealer or other financial firm that has established a processing relationship with the Fund on behalf of its customers.
Investment Minimums
Class A Common Shares. The following investment minimums apply for purchases of Class A Common Shares:
|
|
|
Initial Investment |
Subsequent Investments |
|
$2,500 per account |
$100 |
Class I Shares. The following investment minimums apply for purchases of Class I Shares:
|
|
|
Initial Investment |
Subsequent Investments |
|
$1 million per account |
None |
The initial investment minimums may be modified for certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers. The Fund or the Distributor may lower or waive the minimum initial investment for certain classes of shares or categories of investors at their discretion. The minimum initial investment may also be modified for current officers, trustees, directors, and employees of the Fund, First Eagle, the Adviser, the Subadviser, the Distributor, certain other subsidiaries of First Eagle, The Blackstone Group Inc., Corsair Capital LLC, employees of certain firms providing services to the Fund (such as the custodian and the shareholder servicing agent), and to the immediate family members of any such persons or to any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for only such persons.
Additional Investments. An investor may purchase additional Class I Shares at any time. If you invest in Common Shares through a broker-dealer, contact your financial firm for information on purchasing additional Common Shares.
Other Purchase Information. Purchases of a Funds Common Shares will be made in full and fractional shares.
The Fund and the Distributor each reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of shares of the Fund or to reject any purchase order, in whole or in part, when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Fund.
In the interest of economy and convenience, certificates for shares will not be issued.
Sales ChargeClass A Shares
This section includes important information about sales charge reduction programs available to investors in Class A Shares of the Fund and describes information or records you may need to provide to the Distributor or your financial firm in order to be eligible for sales charge reduction programs.
Unless you are eligible for a waiver, the public offering price you pay when you buy Class A of the Fund is the NAV of the shares plus an initial sales charge. The initial sales charge varies depending upon the size of your purchase, as set forth below.
No sales charge is imposed where Class A Shares are issued to you pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income dividends or capital gains distributions. For investors investing in Class A Shares of the Fund through a financial
55
intermediary, it is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to ensure that you obtain the proper breakpoint discount.
Because the offering price is calculated to two decimal places, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and your net amount invested for any particular purchase of Fund shares may be higher or lower depending on whether downward or upward rounding was required during the calculation process.
Class A Shares are subject to a 3.50% maximum sales charge as a percentage of the offering price (3.62% as a percentage of net amount invested).
Class A Shares are subject to the following sales charge:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Class A shares Dollars Invested |
As a Percentage of |
Dealer
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Offering Price |
Net Amount
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Less than $250,000 |
|
|
3.50 |
% |
|
|
|
3.63 |
% |
|
|
|
3.50 |
% |
|
||||||
$250,000 but less than $500,000 |
|
|
2.50 |
% |
|
|
|
2.56 |
% |
|
|
|
2.50 |
% |
|
||||||
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 |
|
|
1.50 |
% |
|
|
|
1.52 |
% |
|
|
|
1.50 |
% |
|
||||||
$1,000,000 or over* |
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
* |
As shown, investors that purchase $1,000,000 or more of the Funds Class A Shares will not pay any initial sales charge on the purchase. However, unless eligible for a waiver, purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A Shares will be subject to an early withdrawal charge of 1.00% if the shares are repurchased during the first 12 months after their purchase. See Early Withdrawal ChargesClass A Shares and Sales at Net Asset Value below. |
Investors in the Fund may reduce or eliminate sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A Shares through utilization of the Combined Purchase Privilege, Right of Accumulation, Letter of Intent or Reinstatement Privilege. These programs will apply to purchases of other closed-end funds that FEIM or FEAC sponsors currently or in the future (collectively, Eligible Funds), which offer Class A Shares. These programs are summarized below and described in the Statement of Additional Information. Eligible Funds do not include any open-end funds sponsored by FEIM.
Combined Purchase Privilege and Right of Accumulation (Breakpoints). A Qualifying Investor (as defined below) may qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A Shares at the breakpoint levels disclosed herein by combining concurrent purchases of the Class A common shares of one or more Eligible Funds into a single purchase (the Combined Purchase Privilege). In addition, a Qualifying Investor may obtain a reduced sales charge on Class A Shares of the Fund by adding the purchase value of Class A Shares of an Eligible Fund with the current aggregate NAV of all Class A common shares of any Eligible Fund held by accounts for the benefit of such Qualifying Investor (the Right of Accumulation or Cumulative Quantity Discount).
The term Qualifying Investor refers to:
1. |
an individual, such individuals spouse or domestic partner, as recognized by applicable state law, or such individuals children under the age of 21 years (each a family member) (including family trust* accounts established by such a family member); or |
||
2. |
a trustee or other fiduciary for a single trust (except family trusts* noted above), estate or fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary may be involved; or |
||
3. |
an employee benefit plan of a single employer. |
* |
|
For these purposes, a family trust is one in which a family member, as defined in section (1) above, or a direct lineal descendant(s) of such person is/are the beneficiary(ies), and such person or another family member, direct lineal ancestor or sibling of such person is/are the trustee(s).
|
56
Letter of Intent. Investors may also obtain a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A Shares of the Fund by means of a written Letter of Intent which expresses an intent to invest not less than $250,000 within a period of 13 months in Class A common shares of any Eligible Fund(s). The maximum intended investment allowable in a Letter of Intent is $1,000,000. Each purchase of shares under a Letter of Intent will be made at the public offering price or prices applicable at the time of such purchase to a single purchase of the dollar amount indicated in the Letter of Intent. The value of the investors account(s) linked to a Letter of Intent will be included at the start date of the Letter of Intent. A Letter of Intent is not a binding obligation to purchase the full amount indicated. Shares purchased with the first 3.5% of the amount indicated in the Letter of Intent will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in your name) to secure payment of the higher sales charges applicable to the shares actually purchased in the event the full intended amount is not purchased. If the full amount indicated is not purchased, a sufficient amount of such escrowed shares will be involuntarily repurchased to pay the additional sales charge applicable to the amount actually purchased, if necessary. Dividends on escrowed shares, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Eligible Fund shares, are not subject to escrow. When the full amount indicated has been purchased, the escrow will be released. Repurchases during the Letter of Intent period will not count against the shareholder.
In making computations concerning the amount purchased for purposes of a Letter of Intent, market appreciation in the value of the shareholders Class A common shares of Eligible Funds will not be included.
|
Method of Valuation of Accounts. To determine whether a shareholder qualifies for a reduction in sales charge on a purchase of Class A Shares of the Fund, the public offering price of the shares is used for purchases relying on the Combined Purchase Privilege or a Letter of Intent and the amount of the total current purchase (including any sales load) plus the NAV (at the close of business on the day of the current purchase) of shares previously acquired is used for the Right of Accumulation. |
Reinstatement Privilege. A Class A Shareholder who has caused any or all of his or her shares to be repurchased may reinvest all or any portion of the repurchase proceeds in Class A common shares of any Eligible Fund at NAV without any sales charge, provided that such reinvestment is made within 120 calendar days after the repurchase date. The limitations and restrictions of this program are fully described in the Statement of Additional Information.
Sales at Net Asset Value. In addition to the programs summarized above, Class A Shares, which are available for purchase only through a broker-dealer or other financial firm, may be sold at NAV without an initial sales charge to certain types of accounts or account holders, including: individuals or accounts having certain relationships with the Fund, certain of its affiliates, certain broker-dealers or the Distributor; individuals purchasing shares through certain types of omnibus or wrap accounts; investors engaging in certain transactions related to IRAs or other qualified retirement plan accounts; investors making certain purchases following the announcement of a Fund or share class liquidation; and any other person for which the Distributor determines that there will be minimal cost borne by the Distributor associated with the sale. Please see the SAI for additional details.
Exchanges. Exchanges of Common Shares for Class A Shares of the Fund will not be subject to a sales charge.
Early Withdrawal ChargesClass A Shares
Unless you are eligible for a waiver, if you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A Shares (and, thus, pay no initial sales charge) of the Fund, you will generally be subject to a 1% early withdrawal charge (EWC) if your Class A Shares are repurchased within 12 months of their purchase. However, If the financial firm through which you purchased your Shares does not receive a finders fee from the Distributor at the time of purchase, you will not be subject to an EWC upon repurchase. The Class A EWC does not apply if you are otherwise eligible to purchase Class A Shares without an initial sales charge or are eligible for a waiver of the EWC.
The Distributor may pay dealers of record finders fee commissions of up to 1.00% of purchases of Class A Shares not previously subject to a front-end sales charge or dealer commission paid by the investor.***
These finders fee commissions will be paid with respect to (i) purchases aggregating (on a single trade date) $1,000,000 or more by any person, which term includes any account having the same mailing address or tax identification number; (ii) accounts with completed letters of intention of $1,000,000 or more; and (iii) certain group
57
retirement plans investing through an omnibus account making any single purchase of Class A shares of $1,000,000 or more. Subsequent purchases will need to aggregate $1,000,000 or more to be eligible for this commission (and appropriate documentation will be required to verify additional aggregations). Finders fee commissions also may be paid under certain other circumstances. Your dealer will advise you if any such commissions are paid with respect to your account.
How EWCs will be Calculated
An EWC is imposed on repurchases of Class A Shares on the amount of the repurchase which causes the current value of your account for the particular class of Common Shares of the Fund to fall below the total dollar amount of your purchase payments subject to the EWC.
The following rules apply under the method for calculating EWCs:
|
Common Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions will be repurchased first and will not be subject to any EWC. |
||
|
For the repurchase of all other Common Shares, the EWC will be based on either your original purchase price or the then current NAV of the Common Shares being sold, whichever is lower. To illustrate this point, consider Common Shares purchased at an NAV of $10. If the Funds NAV per Common Share at the time of repurchase is $12, the EWC will apply to the purchase price of $10. If the NAV per Common Share at the time of repurchase is $8, the EWC will apply to the $8 current NAV per Common Share. |
EWCs will be deducted from the proceeds of your repurchase, not from amounts remaining in your account.
In determining whether an EWC is payable, it is assumed that you will have repurchased first the lot of Common Shares which will incur the lowest EWC.
Reductions and Waivers of Initial Sales Charges and EWCs
The initial sales charges and EWCs on Class A Shares may be reduced or waived under certain purchase arrangements and for certain categories of investors. See Sales at Net Asset Value above for information on such reductions or waivers that may be applicable to Class A Share initial sales charges.
EWCs on Class A Shares may be reduced or waived for repurchases where the shareholder can demonstrate hardship, which shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Distributor, and there will be minimal cost borne by the Distributor associated with the repurchase, which shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Distributor. In addition, investors will not be subject to EWCs for certain transactions where the Distributor did not pay at the time of purchase the amount it normally would have to the broker-dealer.
Required Shareholder Information and Records. In order for investors in Class A Shares of the Fund to take advantage of sales charge reductions, an investor or his or her financial firm must notify the Fund that the investor qualifies for such a reduction. If the Fund is not notified that the investor is eligible for these reductions, the Fund will be unable to ensure that the reduction is applied to the investors account. An investor may have to provide certain information or records to his or her financial firm or the Fund to verify the investors eligibility for breakpoint discounts or sales charge waivers.
An investor may be asked to provide information or records, including account statements, regarding shares of the Fund or other Eligible Funds held in:
|
any account of the investor at another financial firm; and |
||
|
accounts of Qualifying Investors at any financial firm. |
58
Exchanging Shares
Intra-Fund Exchanges: Shares of one class of the Fund may be exchanged at any time, at a shareholders option, directly for shares of another class of the Fund (an intra-fund exchange), subject to the terms and conditions described below and provided that the shareholder for whom the intra-fund exchange is being requested meets the eligibility requirements of the class into which such shareholder seeks to exchange. Additional information regarding the eligibility requirements of different share classes, including investment minimums and intended distribution channels is described under Purchasing Shares and Investment Minimums above.
Shares of one class of the Fund will be exchanged for shares of a different class of the Fund on the basis of their respective NAVs. Ongoing fees and expenses incurred by a given share class will differ from those of other share classes, and a shareholder receiving new shares in an intra-fund exchange may be subject to higher or lower total expenses following such exchange. Intra-fund exchanges generally should not result in the realization of income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Financial Intermediary-Directed Exchanges: Financial intermediaries may, in connection with a change in a clients account type, at the direction of a client, or otherwise in accordance with a financial intermediarys policies and procedures, direct the Fund on behalf of the intermediarys clients to exchange shares of one class of Common Shares of the Fund for shares of another class of Common Shares of the Fund, or exchange Common Shares of the Fund for the same class or another class of common shares of another Eligible Fund. Any such exchange will not be subject to a sales charge. Class A Shares of the Fund are, however, subject to higher annual operating expenses than Class I Shares. See Summary of Fund Expenses. The Fund will only complete such an exchange at the direction of a financial intermediary and without making inquiry as to whether the exchange is consistent with the particular intermediarys policies and procedures or the clients account type and/or suitability criteria. An investor should contact his or her financial intermediary to learn more about the details of this exchange feature and whether and under what circumstances it may apply in accordance with the investors arrangements with the particular intermediary.
Shares Purchased or Held Through Financial Intermediaries
The availability of sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on the particular financial intermediary or type of account through which you purchase or hold Fund shares. The Funds sales charge waivers and discounts disclosed in this prospectus are available for qualifying purchases and are generally available through financial firms unless otherwise specified in Appendix A.
The sales charge waivers, discounts and/or breakpoints available through certain other financial intermediaries are set forth in Appendix A to this prospectus (Financial Firm-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts), which may differ from those available for purchases made directly from the Distributor or certain other financial firms. Please contact your financial firm for more information regarding applicable sales charge waivers, discounts and/or breakpoints available to you and the financial firms related policies and procedures.
While neither the Fund nor the Distributor impose an initial sales charge on Class I Shares, if you buy Class I Shares through certain financial firms they may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information.
Signature Validation
The following section provides additional information for investors who purchase shares directly from the Fund. If you are investing through a financial intermediary, please contact your financial intermediary directly for more information. A signature guarantee from an acceptable guarantor is required if you want repurchase proceeds sent to an address other than the address of record, to a person other than the registered shareholder(s) for the account or to a bank account number other than the one previously designated. In addition to the situations described above, the Fund and/or the Funds transfer agent reserve the right to require a signature guarantee in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.
59
Information Regarding State Escheatment Laws
Closed-end fund accounts can be considered abandoned property. States increasingly are looking at inactive closed-end fund accounts as possible abandoned or unclaimed property. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) an investors account to the appropriate states unclaimed property administrator. The Fund will not be liable to investors or their representatives for good faith compliance with state unclaimed or abandoned property (escheatment) laws. If you invest in the Fund through a financial intermediary, we encourage you to contact your financial intermediary regarding applicable state escheatment laws.
Escheatment laws vary by state, and states have different criteria for defining inactivity and abandoned property. Generally, a closed-end account may be subject to escheatment (i.e., considered to be abandoned or unclaimed property) if the account owner has not initiated any activity in the account or contacted the fund for an inactivity period as specified in applicable state laws. If the Fund is unable to establish contact with an investor, the Fund will determine whether the investors account must legally be considered abandoned and whether the assets in the account must be transferred to the appropriate states unclaimed property administrator. Typically, an investors last known address of record determines the state that has jurisdiction.
Request for Multiple Copies of Shareholder Documents
To reduce expenses, it is intended that only one copy of the Funds prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report (if a paper copy of such reports has been requested), when available, will be mailed to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents and your shares are held directly with the Fund, call the Fund at 800-334-2143. You will receive the additional copy within 30 days after receipt of your request by the Fund. Alternatively, if your shares are held through a financial institution, please contact the financial institution directly.
Electronic Delivery
The Fund can deliver your account statements and fund financial reports electronically. If you are a registered user of feim.com, you can consent to the electronic delivery of these documents by logging on and changing your mailing preference under eDelivery. Should you later wish to receive these documents by mail you can revoke your electronic consent at any time, and we will begin to send paper copies of these documents within 30 days of receiving your notice.
As permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of the Funds shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.feim.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-334-2143 or by visiting www.FEIM.com. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 800-334-2143 or visit www.FEIM.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with First Eagle or your financial intermediary.
Acceptance and Timing of Purchase Orders
A purchase order received by the Fund or its designee prior to the NYSE Close, on a day the Fund is open for business, together with payment made in one of the ways described above will be effected at that days NAV plus any applicable sales charge. An order received after the NYSE Close will be effected at the NAV determined on the next business day. However, orders received by certain retirement plans and other financial firms on a business day prior to
60
the NYSE Close and communicated to the Fund or its designee prior to such time as agreed upon by the Fund and financial firm will be effected at the NAV determined on the business day the order was received by the financial firm.
The Fund is open for business on each day the NYSE is open for trading, which excludes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a Business Day and accept purchase orders in accordance with applicable law. The Fund reserves the right to close if the primary trading markets of the Funds portfolio instruments are closed and the Funds management believes that there is not an adequate market to meet purchase requests. Purchase orders will be accepted only on days which the Fund is open for business.
The Fund and the Distributor each reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to accept or reject any order for purchase of Fund Common Shares. The sale of Common Shares may be suspended during any period in which the NYSE is closed other than weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the rules of the SEC, when trading on the NYSE is restricted or during an emergency which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or during any other period as permitted by the SEC for the protection of investors.
Verification of Identity and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional Common Shares until your identity is verified. The Fund also may close your account and redeem your shares or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity.
The Fund and the Distributor are required to comply with various anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Consequently, the Fund or the Distributor may request additional information from you to verify your identity and source of funds. For individual investors, such information typically will include name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Such information also may include requests for documents such as drivers license or other government-issued identification. For entity investors, such information typically will include name, principal business address, taxpayer identification number, corporate documents such as articles of incorporation, trust or partnership agreements, by-laws and similar documents, and also may include requests for documents confirming the authority and identity of those having control over the entity or its trading.
If the Fund or Distributor believes the information submitted does not provide adequate identity verification, it reserves the right to reject the establishment of your account or close the account at its current NAV. If, at any time, the Fund believes an investor may be involved in suspicious activity, or if certain account information matches data on government lists of suspicious persons, the Fund or Distributor may choose to prohibit the establishment of a new account for the purchase of Fund Shares or may be required to freeze an account. They also may be required to provide a governmental agency or another financial institution with information about transactions that have occurred in a shareholders account or to transfer monies received to establish a new account, transfer an existing account or transfer the proceeds of an existing account to a governmental agency. In some circumstances, the law may not permit the Fund or the Distributor to inform the investor it has taken the actions described above.
Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above.
Contractual Arrangements
The Fund is a party to contractual arrangements with various parties who provide services to the Fund, including the Adviser, the Subadviser, the Distributor, the custodian, and the transfer agents, among others. Fund shareholders are not parties to, or intended (third party) beneficiaries of, any such contractual arrangements, and such contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any individual investor or group of investors any right to enforce them
61
against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Fund.
Also, while this prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information describe pertinent information about the Fund, neither this prospectus nor the Statement of Additional Information represents a contract between the Fund and any shareholder or any other party. The Trustees may amend this prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, and any other contracts to which the Fund is a party, and interpret the investment objective, policies, restrictions and contractual provisions applicable to the Fund without Common Shareholder input or approval, except in circumstances in which Common Shareholder approval is specifically required by law (such changes to fundamental investment policies) or where a Common Shareholder approval requirement is specifically disclosed in this prospectus or Statement of Additional Information.
62
The Fund is a closed-end Interval Fund, a type of fund that, in order to provide liquidity to shareholders, has adopted a fundamental investment policy to make offers to repurchase Common Shares. No shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase its Common Shares, except as permitted by the Funds Interval Fund structure. No public market for the Common Shares exists, and none is expected to develop in the future. Consequently, shareholders generally will not be able to liquidate their investment other than as a result of repurchases of their Common Shares by the Fund, and then only on a limited basis.
The Fund has adopted, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy, which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, requiring the Fund to offer to repurchase at least 5% and up to 25% of its Common Shares at NAV on a regular schedule. Although the policy permits repurchases of between 5% and 25% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. The schedule requires the Fund to make repurchase offers every three months. The Fund expects the first repurchase offer to be issued within six months following effectiveness of the Funds registration statement.
Repurchase Dates
The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers every three months. As discussed below, the date on which the repurchase price for Common Shares is determined will occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day).
Repurchase Request Deadline
The date by which shareholders wishing to tender Common Shares for repurchase must respond to the repurchase offer will be no more than fourteen days before the Repurchase Pricing Date (defined below). When a repurchase offer commences, the Fund sends, at least 21 days before the Repurchase Request Deadline, written notice to each shareholder setting forth, among other things:
|
The percentage of outstanding Common Shares that the Fund is offering to repurchase and how the Fund will purchase Common Shares on a pro rata basis if the offer is oversubscribed. |
||
|
The date on which a shareholders repurchase request is due. |
||
|
The date that will be used to determine the Funds NAV applicable to the repurchase offer (the Repurchase Pricing Date). |
||
|
The date by which the Fund will pay to shareholders the proceeds from their Common Shares accepted for repurchase. |
||
|
The NAV of the Common Shares as of a date no more than seven days before the date of the written notice and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the NAV. |
||
|
The procedures by which shareholders may tender their Common Shares and the right of shareholders to withdraw or modify their tenders before the Repurchase Request Deadline. |
||
|
The circumstances in which the Fund may suspend or postpone the repurchase offer. |
This notice may be included in a shareholder report or other Fund document. Shareholders that hold shares through a financial intermediary will need to ask their financial intermediary to submit their repurchase requests and tender shares on their behalf. The Repurchase Request Deadline will be strictly observed. If a shareholders repurchase request is not submitted to the Funds transfer agent in properly completed form by the Repurchase Request Deadline, the shareholder will be unable to sell his or her shares to the Fund until a subsequent repurchase offer, and the shareholders request for that offer must be resubmitted. If a shareholders Authorized Intermediary will submit his or her repurchase request, the shareholder should submit his or her request to the Authorized Intermediary in the
63
form requested by the Authorized Intermediary sufficiently in advance of the Repurchase Request Deadline to allow the Authorized Intermediary to submit the request to the Fund. If a shareholders Authorized Intermediary is unable or fails to submit the shareholders request to the Fund in a timely manner, or if the shareholder fails to submit his or her request to the shareholders Authorized Intermediary, the shareholder will be unable to sell his or her shares to the Fund until a subsequent repurchase offer, and the shareholders request for that offer must be resubmitted. Shareholders may withdraw or change a repurchase request with a proper instruction submitted in good form at any point before the Repurchase Request Deadline.
Determination of Repurchase Price and Payment for Shares
The Repurchase Pricing Date will occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day). The Fund expects to distribute payment to shareholders between one and three (3) business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than seven (7) calendar days after such date. The Funds NAV per share may change materially between the date a repurchase offer is mailed and the Repurchase Request Deadline, and it may also change materially between the Repurchase Request Deadline and Repurchase Pricing Date. The method by which the Fund calculates NAV is discussed below under Net Asset Value. During the period an offer to repurchase is open, shareholders may obtain the current NAV by visiting www.FEIM.com or calling the Funds transfer agent at 800-334-2143.
Repurchase Fee
The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee. However, in the future the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00%, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Common Shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the shareholder whose Common Shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce a repurchase fee if the Adviser or Subadviser determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.
Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers
The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer in limited circumstances set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as described below, but only with the approval of a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer only: (1) if making or effecting the repurchase offer would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code; (2) for any period during which the NYSE or any other market in which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (4) for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
Oversubscribed Repurchase Offers
There is no minimum number of Common Shares that must be tendered before the Fund will honor repurchase requests. However, the Funds Trustees set for each repurchase offer a maximum percentage of Common Shares that may be repurchased by the Fund, which is currently expected to be 5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares. In the event a repurchase offer by the Fund is oversubscribed, the Fund may repurchase, but is not required to repurchase, additional Common Shares up to a maximum amount of 2% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Fund. If the Fund determines not to repurchase additional Common Shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if shareholders tender an amount of Common Shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to repurchase, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis.
64
If any Common Shares that you wish to tender to the Fund are not repurchased because of proration, you will have to wait until the next repurchase offer and resubmit a new repurchase request, and your repurchase request will not be given any priority over other shareholders requests. Thus, there is a risk that the Fund may not purchase all of the Common Shares you wish to have repurchased in a given repurchase offer or in any subsequent repurchase offer.
In anticipation of the possibility of proration, some shareholders may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, increasing the likelihood of proration.
There is no assurance that you will be able to tender your Common Shares when or in the amount that you desire.
Consequences of Repurchase Offers
From the time the Fund distributes or publishes each repurchase offer notification until the Repurchase Pricing Date for that offer, the Fund must maintain liquid assets at least equal to the percentage of its Common Shares subject to the repurchase offer. For this purpose, liquid assets means assets that may be sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund values them, within the period between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the repurchase payment deadline, or which mature by the repurchase payment deadline. The Fund is also permitted to borrow up to the maximum extent permitted under the 1940 Act to meet repurchase requests.
If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Funds expenses and reducing any net investment income. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able sell a significant amount of additional Common Shares so as to mitigate these effects.
These and other possible risks associated with the Funds repurchase offers are described under Principal Risks of Investment in the FundRepurchase Offers Risk above. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders, potentially even to those shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see Tax Matters below and Taxation in the Statement of Additional Information.
65
The Funds NAV per Share is computed by dividing the total current value of the assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, by the total number of Shares outstanding at the time of such computation. The Fund computes its NAV per Share as of the close of trading on each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for trading.
Portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are readily available are valued at market value. In circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, the Board of Trustees has adopted methods for determining the fair value of such securities and other assets. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the valuation of the Funds portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available, as determined in good faith pursuant to the Funds valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. The Board of Trustees has delegated day-to-day responsibility for implementing the portfolio valuation process set forth in the Funds valuation policy, as amended from time to time, to the Adviser and the Subadviser, and has authorized the use of independent third-party pricing and valuation services that have been approved by the Board of Trustees.
Valuations of Fund investments are disclosed in reports publicly filed with the SEC. The Advisers will provide the Board of Trustees with periodic reports, no less than quarterly, that discuss the functioning of the valuation process, if applicable to that period, and that identify issues and valuation problems that have arisen, if any.
Under certain circumstances, the NAV per Share of a class of the Funds Shares may be different from the per share NAV of another class of shares as a result of the different daily expense accruals applicable to each class of shares.
66
The Fund intends to declare income dividends daily and distribute them to Common Shareholders monthly at rates that reflect the net investment income of the Fund. Subject to applicable law, the Fund may fund a portion of its distributions with gains from the sale of portfolio securities and other sources. The dividend rate that the Fund pays on its Common Shares may vary as portfolio and market conditions change, and will depend on a number of factors, including without limitation the amount of the Funds undistributed net investment income and net short- and long-term capital gains, as well as the costs of any leverage obtained by the Fund (including interest expenses on borrowings and dividends payable on any preferred shares issued by the Fund). As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions on the Common Shares and the Funds dividend policy could change. For a discussion of factors that may cause the Funds income and capital gains (and therefore the dividend) to vary, see Principal Risks of the Fund. The net investment income of the Fund consists of all income (other than net short-term and long-term capital gains) less all expenses of the Fund (after it pays accrued dividends on any outstanding preferred shares).
The Fund may distribute less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in a particular period. The undistributed net investment income would be available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions paid by the Fund for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income actually earned by the Fund during the period.
The tax treatment and characterization of the Funds distributions may vary significantly from time to time because of the varied nature of the Funds investments. If the Fund estimates that a portion of one of its dividend distributions may be comprised of amounts from sources other than net investment income in accordance with its policies and accounting practices, the Fund will notify shareholders of record of the estimated composition of such distribution through a section 19 notice (Section 19 Notice). To determine the sources of the Funds distributions during the reporting period, the Fund references its internal accounting records at the time the distribution is paid and generally bases its projections of the final tax character of those distributions on the tax characteristics of the distribution reflected in its internal accounting records at the time of such payment. If, based on such records, a particular distribution does not include capital gains or paid-in surplus or other capital sources, a Section 19 Notice generally would not be issued. It is important to note that differences exist between the Funds daily internal accounting records, the Funds financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and recordkeeping practices under income tax regulations. Examples of such differences may include, among others, the treatment of paydowns on mortgage-backed securities purchased at a discount and periodic payments under interest rate swap contracts. Notwithstanding the Funds estimates and projections, it is possible that the Fund may not issue a Section 19 Notice in situations where the Funds financial statements prepared later and in accordance with U.S. GAAP or the final tax character of those distributions might later report that the sources of those distributions included capital gains and/or a return of capital. Additionally, given differences in tax and U.S. GAAP treatment of certain distributions, the Fund may not issue a Section 19 Notice in situations where the Funds financial statements prepared later and in accordance with U.S. GAAP might report that the sources of these distributions included capital gains and/or a return of capital.
The tax characterization of the Funds distributions made in a taxable year cannot finally be determined until at or after the end of the year. As a result, there is a possibility that the Fund may make total distributions during a taxable year in an amount that exceeds the Funds net investment income and net realized capital gains (as reduced by any capital loss carry-forwards) for the relevant year. For example, the Fund may distribute amounts early in the year that are derived from short-term capital gains, but incur net short-term capital losses later in the year, thereby offsetting short-term capital gains out of which distributions have already been made by the Fund. In such a situation, the amount by which the Funds total distributions exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains would generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of a shareholders tax basis in his or her Common Shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of Common Shares. In general terms, a return of capital would occur where a Fund distribution (or portion thereof) represents a return of a portion of your investment, rather than net income or capital gains generated from your investment during a particular period. A
67
return of capital distribution is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in the Common Shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of the Common Shares. The Fund will send shareholders detailed tax information with respect to the Funds distributions annually. See Tax Matters.
The 1940 Act currently limits the number of times the Fund may distribute long-term capital gains in any tax year, which may increase the variability of the Funds distributions and result in certain distributions being comprised more or less heavily than others of long-term capital gains currently eligible for favorable income tax rates.
Unless a Common Shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash, all distributions of Common Shareholders whose shares are registered with the plan agent will be automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares under the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan. See Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Although it does not currently intend to do so, the Board of Trustees may change the Funds distribution policy and the amount or timing of distributions, based on a number of factors, including the amount of the Funds undistributed net investment income and net short- and long-term capital gains and historical and projected net investment income and net short- and long-term capital gains.
68
Pursuant to the Funds dividend reinvestment plan (the Plan), all Common Shareholders will have all dividends, including any capital gain dividends, reinvested automatically in additional Common Shares by DST Systems, Inc., as agent for the Common Shareholders (the Plan Agent), unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. An election to receive cash may be revoked or reinstated at the option of the shareholder. In the case of record shareholders such as banks, brokers or other nominees that hold Common Shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder as representing the total amount registered in such shareholders name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to participate in the Plan. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or nominee should contact the bank, broker or nominee for details.
Common Shares received under the Plan will be issued to you at their NAV on the ex-dividend date; there is no sales or other charge for reinvestment. You are free to withdraw from the Plan and elect to receive cash at any time by giving written notice to the Plan Agent or by contacting your broker or dealer, who will inform the Fund. Your request must be received by the Fund at least ten days prior to the payment date of the distribution to be effective for that dividend or capital gain distribution.
The Plan Agent provides written confirmation of all transactions in the shareholder accounts in the Plan, including information you may need for tax records. Any proxy you receive will include all Common Shares you have received under the Plan.
Automatically reinvested dividends and distributions are taxed in the same manner as cash dividends and distributions. See Tax Matters.
The Fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. If the Plan is amended to include such service charges, the Plan Agent will include a notification to registered holders of Common Shares with the Plan Agent.
Additional information about the Plan may be obtained from the Plan Agent.
69
Description of Capital Structure and Shares
Common Shares
The Fund is a statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware pursuant to the Declaration of Trust dated as of July 8, 2020. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares. Each Common Share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of this offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable. The Funds Board of Trustees does not intend to grant Common Shareholders any right to receive any distributions from the Fund unless all accrued interest, fees and dividends, if any, with respect to the Funds leverage have been paid, unless certain asset coverage tests with respect to the leverage employed by the Fund are satisfied after giving effect to the distributions and unless certain other requirements imposed by any rating agencies rating any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund have been met. See Preferred Shares below. All Common Shares are equal as to distributions, assets and voting privileges and have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. The Fund will send annual and semi-annual reports, including financial statements, when available, to all Common Shareholders.
The Fund has no present intention of offering any additional shares other than the Common Shares it may issue under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Any additional offerings of shares will require approval by the Funds Board of Trustees. Any additional offering of Common Shares will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, which provides that shares may not be issued at a price below the then current NAV, exclusive of the sales load, except in connection with an offering to existing Common Shareholders or with the consent of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities.
The Funds NAV per share generally increases when interest rates decline, and decreases when interest rates rise. The Funds NAV will be reduced immediately following the offering of Common Shares by the amount of the sales load and the amount of the organizational costs and offering expenses paid by the Fund. See Summary of Fund Expenses.
The Common Shares are not, and are not expected to be, listed for trading on any national securities exchange nor is there expected to be any secondary trading market in the Common Shares.
Preferred Shares
The Funds Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the Board of Trustees of the Fund may authorize and issue Preferred Shares, with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, without the approval of the Common Shareholders. Common Shareholders have no preemptive right to purchase any Preferred Shares that might be issued.
While the Fund does not anticipate doing so, it may issue Preferred Shares in an aggregate amount of up to 40% of its Managed Assets. The use of leverage can create risks. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to change the foregoing percentage limitation and may issue Preferred Shares to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, which currently limits the aggregate liquidation preference of all outstanding Preferred Shares to 50% of the value of the Funds total assets, less liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund. The Fund cannot assure you, however, that Preferred Shares will not be issued. The terms of any Preferred Shares, including dividend rate, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, restrictions on the declaration of dividends, maintenance of asset ratios and restrictions while dividends are in arrears will be determined by the Board of Trustees, subject to applicable law and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Fund also believes that it is likely that the liquidation preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of any Preferred Shares will be similar to those stated below.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of any Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.
70
The 1940 Act requires that the holders of any Preferred Shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two trustees at all times. The remaining trustees will be elected by Common Shareholders and Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any Preferred Shares have the right to elect a majority of the trustees of the Fund at any time two years dividends on any Preferred Shares are unpaid. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, would be required to (1) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Shares and (2) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Funds sub-classification as a closed-end investment company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Funds ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any Preferred Shares outstanding. The Board of Trustees presently intends that, except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus and except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, holders of Preferred Shares will have equal voting rights with Common Shareholders (one vote per share, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act) and will vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of holders of Preferred Shares so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, or to increase or decrease the authorized number of Preferred Shares. The class vote of holders of Preferred Shares described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.
The terms of any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund are expected to provide that (i) they are redeemable by the Fund in whole or in part at the original purchase price per share plus accrued dividends per share; (ii) the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Shares; and (iii) the Fund may subsequently resell any Preferred Shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Shares by the Fund will reduce the leverage applicable to the Common Shares, while any resale of such Preferred Shares by the Fund will increase that leverage.
The discussion above describes the possible offering of Preferred Shares by the Fund. If the Board of Trustees determines to proceed with such an offering, the terms of the Preferred Shares may be the same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and the terms of the Funds Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Board of Trustees, without the approval of the Common Shareholders may authorize an offering of Preferred Shares, and may fix the terms of the Preferred Shares to be offered.
Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust
The Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. The Trustees are elected for indefinite terms and do not stand for reelection. The anti-takeover provisions in the Declaration of Trust promote stability in the governance of the Fund and limit the risk that the Fund will be subject to changes in control, operational changes or other changes that may not be in the best interests of shareholders.
The Declaration of Trust requires the affirmative vote of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the Shares of the Fund to approve, adopt or authorize an amendment to the Declaration of Trust that makes the Shares a redeemable security as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, unless such amendment has been approved by a majority of the Trustees then in office, in which case approval by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, is required, notwithstanding any provisions of the By-laws. Upon the adoption of a proposal to convert the Fund from a closed-end company to an open-end company, as those terms are defined by the 1940 Act, and the necessary amendments to the Declaration of Trust to permit such a conversion of the Funds outstanding Shares entitled to vote, the Fund shall, upon complying with any requirements of the 1940 Act and state law, become an open-end investment company. Such affirmative vote or consent shall be in addition to the vote or consent of the holders of the Shares otherwise required by law, or any agreement between the Fund and any national securities exchange.
71
The Trustees may from time to time grant other voting rights to shareholders with respect to these and other matters in the By-laws, certain of which are required by the 1940 Act.
The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of the assumption of control of the Fund by a third party and/or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Trustees has considered the foregoing provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, including holders of the Shares.
The foregoing is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws, both of which are on file with the SEC.
72
The discussion below and certain disclosure in the SAI provide general tax information related to an investment in Common Shares of the Fund. Because tax laws are complex and often change, Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. Unless otherwise noted, the following tax discussion applies only to U.S. shareholders that hold the Common Shares as capital assets. A U.S. shareholder is an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a U.S. corporation, a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court in the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the Fund or (b) has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person, or any estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify each taxable year thereafter, as a regulated investment company (a RIC) under Subchapter M of the Code. To qualify under Subchapter M for the favorable tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things: (1) distribute to its shareholders in each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and its net tax-exempt income; (2) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each, a Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership); and (3) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year of the Fund (a) at least 50% of the value of the Funds total assets is represented by cash, cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other RICs, and other securities, with these other securities limited, with respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets, and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets is represented by the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships. As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes in each taxable year to its shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain.
If the Fund failed to qualify for the favorable tax treatment accorded to RICs in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income (including its net capital gain), even if such income were distributed to its shareholders, and all distributions out of earnings and profits (including distributions of net capital gain) would be taxed to Common Shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individual and other non-corporate Common Shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be subject to interest charges) before requalifying for taxation as a RIC.
A RIC that fails to distribute, by the close of each calendar year, an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary taxable income for such calendar year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year, plus any shortfalls from any prior years required distribution, is liable for a 4% excise tax on the portion of the undistributed amounts of such income that are less than the required distributions. For these purposes, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gain on which it paid U.S. federal income tax.
Distributions to Common Shareholders of ordinary income (including market discount realized by the Fund on the sale of debt securities), and of net short-term capital gains, if any, realized by the Fund will generally be taxable to
73
Common Shareholders as ordinary income to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions, if any, of net capital gains properly reported as capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the Common Shareholder has owned Common Shares of the Fund. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will be treated by a Common Shareholder as a return of capital which will be applied against and reduce the Common Shareholders tax basis in his or her Common Shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Common Shareholders basis in his or her Common Shares, the excess will be treated by the Common Shareholder as gain from a sale of the Common Shares. Distributions paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations or for the reduced rates applicable to certain qualified dividend income received by non-corporate Common Shareholders.
Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional Common Shares of the Fund pursuant to the Plan. Common Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional Common Shares of the Fund will generally be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of cash that they would have received if they had elected to receive the distribution in cash. The additional Common Shares received by a Common Shareholder pursuant to the Plan will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the Common Shares were credited to the Common Shareholders account.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to Common Shareholders of record on a specified date in one of those months, and paid during the following January, will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund (and received by Common Shareholders) on December 31 of the year in which declared.
In general, the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares (except pursuant to a repurchase by the Fund, as described below) will result in capital gain or loss to Common Shareholders. A holders gain or loss generally will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year. Present law taxes both long- and short-term capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, however, long-term capital gains are currently eligible for reduced rates of taxation. Losses realized by a holder on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares held for six months or less are treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gain received (or amounts designated as undistributed capital gains, as discussed under TaxationDistributions in the SAI) with respect to such Common Shares. In addition, no loss will be allowed on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares if the owner acquires (including pursuant to the Plan) or enters into a contract or option to acquire securities that are substantially identical to such Common Shares within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such case, the basis of the securities acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
From time to time, the Fund may offer to repurchase its outstanding Common Shares. Common Shareholders who tender all Common Shares held, or considered to be held, by them will be treated as having sold their shares and generally will realize a capital gain or loss. If a Common Shareholder tenders fewer than all of its Common Shares or fewer than all Common Shares tendered are repurchased, such Common Shareholder may be treated as having received a taxable dividend upon the tender of its Common Shares. In such a case, there is a risk that non-tendering Common Shareholders, and Common Shareholders who tender some but not all of their Common Shares or fewer than all of whose Common Shares are repurchased, in each case whose percentage interests in the Fund increase as a result of such tender, will be treated as having received a taxable distribution from the Fund.
The Fund may be required to withhold from all distributions and redemption proceeds payable to U.S. shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain Common Shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. This backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against the Common Shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
74
If a Common Shareholder (other than a partnership) is not a U.S. shareholder (other than such a Common Shareholder whose ownership of shares is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business), certain dividends received by such Common Shareholder may be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax. To the extent that Fund distributions consist of ordinary dividends that are subject to withholding, the applicable withholding agent will generally be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be determined in accordance with any applicable treaty). However, dividends paid by the Fund that are interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends will generally be exempt from such withholding, in each case to the extent the Fund properly reports such dividends to Common Shareholders. For these purposes, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the source if they had been received directly by a non-U.S. shareholder, and that satisfy certain other requirements. Net capital gain dividends (that is, distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) distributed by the Fund to a non-U.S. shareholder will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax.
The Fund may be required to withhold from distributions to a non-U.S. shareholder that are otherwise exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless the non-U.S. shareholder certifies his or her foreign status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption.
Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as FATCA), a 30% United States federal withholding tax may apply to any ordinary dividends and other distributions that the Fund pays to (i) a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined in the Code), whether such foreign financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its United States account holders (as specifically defined in the Code) and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity, whether such non-financial foreign entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such entity provides a certification that the beneficial owner of the payment does not have any substantial United States owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each such substantial United States owner and certain other specified requirements are met. In certain cases, the relevant foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from, or be deemed to be in compliance with, these rules. In addition, foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding FATCA and whether it may be relevant to your ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
The foregoing tax discussion is for general information only. The provisions of the Code and regulations thereunder presently in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and Common Shareholders are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive with respect to the Funds transactions. The foregoing does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to special classes of taxpayers including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, pass-through entities (or investors therein), U.S. shareholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark to market treatment, or persons that will hold Common Shares as a position in a straddle, hedge or as part of a constructive sale for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion does not address the application of the Medicare tax on net investment income or the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.
Common Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisors for more detailed information concerning federal income tax matters.
The primary custodian of the assets of the Fund is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.s principal business address is 4 Chase Metrotech Center, Floor 16, Brooklyn, New York, 11245. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. also performs custodial and fund accounting services as well as sub-administrative and compliance services on behalf of the Fund. U.S. Bank National Association serves as the custodian of the Subsidiarys assets. DST
75
Systems, Inc. serves as the Funds transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursement agent and shareholder servicing agent, as well as agent for the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), 300 Madison Avenue, New York. New York 10017 serves as independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. PwC provides audit services, tax assistance and consultation in connection with review of SEC and IRS filings.
Certain legal matters will be passed on for the Fund by Sidley Austin LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019.
76
Appendix A: Financial Firm-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts
None
77
FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND
CLASS A SHARES
CLASS I SHARES
PROSPECTUS
April 30, 2021
All dealers that buy, sell or trade the Funds Common Shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus in accordance with the terms of the dealers agreements with the Funds Distributor.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
|
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund
April 30, 2021
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund (the Fund) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its shares of beneficial interest, (the Common Shares), and is operated as an interval fund. The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class A Shares and Class I Shares.
This Statement of Additional Information relating to the Common Shares of the Fund is not a prospectus, and should be read in conjunction with the Funds prospectus relating thereto dated April 30, 2021, as supplemented from time to time (the Prospectus). This Statement of Additional Information does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Common Shares, and investors should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to purchasing such shares.
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (FEIM or the Adviser), 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105 is the investment adviser to the Fund. The Funds investment subadviser is First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC (FEAC or the Subadviser).
A copy of the Prospectus and annual or semi-annual reports for the Fund may be obtained free of charge at the telephone number and address listed below or by visiting www.feim.com.
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Telephone: 800.334.2143
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
3 |
|||||
|
|
3 |
|||||
|
|
9 |
|||||
|
|
22 |
|||||
|
25 |
||||||
|
|
25 |
|||||
|
27 |
||||||
|
27 |
||||||
Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust |
|
|
28 |
||||
|
29 |
||||||
|
|
29 |
|||||
|
|
34 |
|||||
|
35 |
||||||
|
35 |
||||||
|
|
35 |
|||||
|
|
35 |
|||||
|
|
35 |
The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Fund continuously offers its Common Shares and is operated as an interval fund. At present, Class A Shares and Class I Shares are available for purchase. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 8, 2020, pursuant to a Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of September 4, 2020 (the Declaration of Trust). The Fund has a limited operating history. The Funds principal office is located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of providing long-term risk-adjusted returns. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of credit asset classes. Risk-adjusted returns are generally understood to frame investments in the context of the level of risk that is associated with a particular investment. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Additional information concerning the characteristics of certain of the Funds investments, strategies and risks is set forth below.
Commodity Pool Operators and Commodity Trading Advisors. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) has adopted regulations that subject registered investment companies and their investment advisers to regulation by the CFTC if the registered investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in futures, options on futures or commodities, swaps, or other financial instruments regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (CEA) and the rules thereunder (commodity interests), or if the Fund markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Fund and/or the Adviser has claimed an exclusion from commodity pool operator (CPO) registration pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5 with respect to the Fund. To remain eligible for this exclusion, the Fund must comply with certain limitations, including limits on its ability to use any commodity interests and limits on the manner in which the Fund holds out its use of such commodity interests. These limitations may restrict the Funds ability to pursue its investment objective and strategies, increase the costs of implementing its strategies, result in higher expenses for the Fund, and/or adversely affect the Funds total return.
Leverage and Borrowing
The Fund intends to add leverage to its portfolio by utilizing borrowings, such as through bank loans or commercial paper and/or other credit facilities, including through one or more subsidiaries. The Fund has formed a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary (the Subsidiary) that has entered into a secured credit facility (the Credit Agreement) with Ally Bank and such other lenders that may become party to the Credit Agreement (the Lenders). Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Subsidiary, of which the Fund is the sole member and designated manager, may borrow money from the Lenders up to a maximum aggregate outstanding amount of $75 million, subject to change by mutual agreement of the Subsidiary and the Lenders. The Fund may also enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, loans of portfolio securities. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund may also determine to issue preferred shares or other types of senior securities to add leverage to its portfolio. The Funds Board of Trustees may authorize the issuance of preferred shares without the approval of the Common Shareholders; however, the Fund is not authorized to issue preferred shares as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. If the Fund issues preferred shares in the future, all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares will be borne by the Common Shareholders, and these costs and expenses may be significant. The Fund may choose to increase or decrease, or eliminate entirely, its use of leverage over time and from time to time based on the Subadvisers assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions and other factors. See Principal Risks of the FundSegregation and Coverage Risk.
The net proceeds the Fund obtains from leverage utilized will be invested in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies as described in the Prospectus. So long as the rate of return, net of applicable Fund expenses, on the debt obligations and other investments purchased by the Fund exceeds the costs to the Fund of the leverage it utilizes, the investment of the Funds assets attributable to leverage will generate more income than will be
3
needed to pay the costs of the leverage. If so, and all other things being equal, the excess may be used to pay higher dividends to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Fund from engaging in most forms of leverage (including the use of bank loans, commercial paper or other credit facilities, certain derivative transactions, loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions, to the extent that these instruments are not covered as described below) unless immediately after the issuance of the leverage the Fund has satisfied the asset coverage test with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness prescribed by the 1940 Act; that is, the value of the Funds total assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (for these purposes, total net assets) is at least 300% of the senior securities representing indebtedness (effectively limiting the use of leverage through senior securities representing indebtedness to 331/3% of the Funds total net assets, including assets attributable to such leverage). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, this asset coverage test is satisfied. To the extent that the Fund engages in borrowings, it may prepay a portion of the principal amount of the borrowing to the extent necessary in order to maintain the required asset coverage. Failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements could result in an event of default.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred shares unless immediately after such issuance the value of the Funds asset coverage is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Funds assets less all liabilities other than borrowings and outstanding preferred shares). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Funds assets less liabilities other than borrowings and outstanding preferred shares satisfies the above-referenced 200% coverage requirement. If the Fund uses a combination of borrowing (including notes and other securities representing indebtedness) and issuing preferred shares, the minimum asset coverage required would be between 300% and 200% depending on the relative amounts of borrowings and preferred shares.
Leveraging is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. There can be no assurance that the Funds leveraging strategies will be successful or result in a higher yield on your Common Shares. When leverage is used, the net asset value (NAV) of the Common Shares and the yield to Common Shareholders will be more volatile. In addition, interest and other expenses borne by the Fund with respect to its use of borrowings or any other forms of leverage are borne by the Common Shareholders and result in a reduction of the NAV of the Common Shares. In addition, because the fees received by the Adviser and Subadviser are based on the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes and any preferred shares that may be outstanding, if issued), the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive for the Fund to use certain forms of leverage (e.g., borrowings and preferred shares), which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the Common Shareholders, on the other hand.
Certain types of borrowings may, and the Credit Agreement does, result in the Fund effectively being subject to covenants relating to asset coverage, portfolio composition and operational requirements. Among other things, these covenants can mean that termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement or the Investment Subadvisory Agreement, or the loss of certain key personnel, may adversely impact the terms of the Funds or its subsidiaries financing facilities or any financing facility into which the Fund or its subsidiaries may enter in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Funds business and financial condition. Covenants can also limit the ability to distribute assets or income from the Funds subsidiary back to the Fund. The borrowings which the Fund may incur may be, and the Credit Agreement is, secured by a lien on all or a portion of the Funds and/or the Subsidiarys assets (the Collateral).
The Credit Agreement is commonly referred to as an asset-backed facility. Under such a credit facility, a decrease in the market value of the assets (due to market conditions, the fair valuation of the assets or otherwise) would increase the effective amount of leverage and could result in the possibility of a violation of certain covenants. A breach of a covenant can result in an event of default, which may permit the agent on behalf of the Lender to accelerate the debt and/or exercise rights and remedies against the Collateral. Liquidation of the Collateral at an inopportune time could adversely impact the performance of the Fund and could, if the value of the assets declined significantly, cause a loss of all or a substantial amount of the value of the Collateral. In the event of a sudden, precipitous drop in the value of the Collateral, the Fund and/or the Subsidiary might not be able to dispose of assets quickly enough to pay down debt, resulting in a foreclosure or other total loss of some or all of the Collateral.
The Subsidiary, which is expected to hold a majority of the Funds assets, is not registered under the 1940 Act. However, to the extent applicable, the Subsidiary will be subject to the same fundamental investment restrictions and
4
will follow the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund. Compliance with the Funds investment restrictions also generally will be measured on an aggregate basis in respect of the Funds and the Subsidiarys portfolios, and the Subsidiary will comply with the 1940 Act provisions governing affiliate transactions and custody of assets. (Custody of these assets will be maintained with U.S. Bank National Association rather than with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., which is otherwise the custodian of the Funds assets). The Fund is the sole member of the Subsidiary and does not expect interests in the Subsidiary to be offered or sold to other investors.
Certain loans made by the Fund represent advance commitments to extend credit as and when requested by the borrower. These commitments typically are subject to various contingencies and conditions, but nonetheless generally require that the Fund lend monies on short notice. This exposes the Fund to the risk that completing a loan may be required at a time when it is no longer as desirable from a credit or investment perspective as when the original commitment was made. The Fund also must manage its available cash, cash equivalents and borrowings so as to have cash on hand to complete the loan when required. A rule recently adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) will, upon its implementation, require that the Fund reasonably believe, at the time it enters into an unfunded commitment agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations on these commitments when due. The Fund will consider its overall circumstances when evaluating sufficiency of its cash and cash equivalents for this purpose. For example, the Fund will consider any conditions on its commitments, its reasonable expectations as to when each commitment will be due, other obligations of the Fund (such as the obligation to hold liquid assets during periods when the Fund has offered to repurchase its shares), and the Funds ability to borrow. The rule recently adopted by the SEC also may limit the Funds ability to utilize leverage through derivatives and related instruments.
Effective late 2022, longstanding regulatory guidance governing use of derivatives by mutual funds will be withdrawn and superseded by new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. The rule is accompanied by a new set of conditions and interpretations that will need to be assessed for the Fund in light of the Funds existing practices and stated investment restrictions. Once implemented, the rule could limit a Funds ability to use derivatives in support of its investment strategies and may make derivatives more costly, or may otherwise adversely affect their liquidity, value or performance.
The Fund also may borrow money in order to repurchase its shares or as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including for the payment of dividends or the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of portfolio securities held by the Fund.
Illiquid Investments
The Fund intends to invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is a security or other investment that cannot be sold or disposed of within seven days or less in current market conditions without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid investments often can be resold only in privately negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act). Considerable delay could be encountered in either event and, unless otherwise contractually provided, the Funds proceeds upon sale may be reduced by the costs of registration or underwriting discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such transactions could result in the Funds inability to realize a favorable price upon disposition of illiquid investments, and at times might make disposition of such securities impossible. In addition, the Fund may be unable to sell other illiquid investments when it desires to do so, resulting in the Fund obtaining a lower price or being required to retain the investment. Illiquid investments generally must be valued at fair value, which is inherently less precise than utilizing market value for liquid investments, and may lead to differences between the price at which a security is valued for determining the Funds NAV and the price the Fund actually receives upon sale. For the period between the repurchase offer notice and the end of the repurchase period, the Fund must maintain 100% of the repurchase offer amount in liquid assets.
Derivatives and Hedging
While the Subadviser may, but is not required to, enter into transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if the Subadviser had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, the Subadviser may not seek or be
5
able to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent the Subadviser from achieving the intended hedge and expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations.
Effective late 2022, longstanding regulatory guidance governing use of derivatives by mutual funds will be withdrawn and superseded by new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. The rule is accompanied by a new set of conditions and interpretations that will need to be assessed for the Fund in light of the Funds existing practices and stated investment restrictions. Once implemented, the rule could limit the Funds ability to use derivatives in support of its investment strategies and may make derivatives more costly, or may otherwise adversely affect their liquidity, value or performance. Whether those changes will materially impact the Fund is not known at this time.
Investments in Foreign Companies
A portion of the Funds investments may be in securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose the Fund to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. These risks many be more pronounced for portfolio companies located or operating primarily in emerging markets, whose economies, markets and legal systems may be less developed.
Tax Consequences
The Funds investments in certain securities and transactions described above will potentially be limited by its intention to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company. In addition, the Funds utilization of certain investment instruments may alter the amount, timing and character of the Funds income, and, in turn, of the Funds distributions to its shareholders, relative to other means of achieving similar investment exposure. In certain circumstances, the Fund may be required to sell assets in order to meet regulated investment company distribution requirements even when investment considerations make such sales otherwise undesirable. For more information concerning these requirements and the taxation of the Funds investments, see Taxation below.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act, means the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Funds voting securities present at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Funds outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the Funds outstanding voting securities). Except as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations set forth below apply immediately after a purchase and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations does not require any action. The Funds fundamental policies are as follows:
(1) |
Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
||
(2) |
Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
||
(3) |
Underwriting. The Fund will not act as an underwriter of securities within the meaning of the 1933 Act, as amended, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
||
(4) |
Concentration. The Fund will not concentrate its investments in an industry. |
||
(5) |
Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. |
6
(6) |
Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
||
(7) |
Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
The Board has adopted a repurchase offer fundamental policy resolution setting forth the Funds fundamental policy that it will conduct quarterly repurchase offers. This fundamental policy may be changed only with the approval of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities, including a majority of any holders of preferred shares voting separately as a class. The Fund is required to offer to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares with each repurchase offer.
In addition, the Fund has adopted the following fundamental policies with respect to repurchase offers, which may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act, means the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Funds voting securities present at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Funds outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the Funds outstanding voting securities).
(a) |
The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended from time to time. |
||
(b) |
The Fund will repurchase shares that are tendered by a specific date (the Repurchase Request Deadline), which will be established by the Board in accordance with Rule 23c-3, as amended from time to time. Rule 23c-3 requires the Repurchase Request Deadline to be no less than 21 and no more than 42 days after the Fund sends notification to shareholders of the repurchase offer. |
||
(c) |
There will be a maximum fourteen (14) calendar day period (or the next business day if the 14th calendar day is not a business day) between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the Funds NAV applicable to the repurchase offer is determined (the Repurchase Pricing Date). |
Other Information Regarding Investment Restrictions
The following are interpretations of the fundamental investment policies of the Fund and may be revised without shareholder approval, consistent with current laws and regulations as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time:
Borrowing Money. Under current law as interpreted by the SEC and its staff, the Fund may borrow from: (i) a bank to purchase or carry securities or other investments, (ii) from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, or (iii) by entering into reverse repurchase agreements, if, immediately after any such borrowing, the value of the Funds assets, including all borrowings then outstanding less its liabilities, is equal to at least 300% of the aggregate amount of borrowings then outstanding (for the purpose of determining the 300% asset coverage, the Funds liabilities will not include amounts borrowed). Any such borrowings may be secured or unsecured. The Fund may issue securities (including senior securities) appropriate to evidence the indebtedness, including reverse repurchase agreements, which the Fund is permitted to incur.
Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by an investment company evidencing indebtedness. The Funds limitation with respect to issuing senior securities is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Funds engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff. In particular, the SEC and its staff currently have interpreted the 1940 Act and developed an approach that allows a Fund to cover certain transactions that create leverage or enter into offsetting transactions to avoid causing such leveraged transactions to be deemed senior securities.
Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities generally involves an investment company purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. The Funds limitation with respect to underwriting securities is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws.
7
Concentration. Under current SEC and SEC staff interpretation, the Fund would concentrate its investments if more than 25% of the Funds total assets would be invested in securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry. For purposes of this limitation, there is no limit on: (1) investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities or securities of state and municipal governments or their political subdivisions, in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities, or in tax-exempt securities issued by the states, territories, or possessions of the United States (municipal securities), excluding private activity municipal securities whose principal and interest payments are derived principally from the assets and revenues of a non-governmental entity (which will be subject to restriction 4); (2) investments in issuers domiciled in a single jurisdiction provided that the Fund does not invest greater than 25% in a particular industry; or (3) certain asset-backed securities that are backed by a pool of loans issued to companies in a wide variety of industries unrelated to each other such that the economic characteristics of such a security are not predominantly related to a single industry to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in one or more investment companies; provided that, except to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(A) or (F) of the 1940 Act, the Fund treats the assets of the investment companies in which it invests as its own for purposes of this policy.
Real Estate. The Funds limitation with respect to investing in real estate is not applicable to investments in securities or mortgages or loans that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation also does not preclude the Fund from purchasing and selling securities which are secured by real estate, securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate and publicly traded securities or real estate investment trusts.
Commodities. The Fund may hold commodities acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.
Loans. Under current law as interpreted by the SEC and its staff, the Fund may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, except that the Fund (i) will not be deemed to be making a loan to the extent that the Fund makes debt investments in accordance with its stated investment strategies; (ii) may take short positions in any security or financial instrument; and (iii) may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not in excess of 33 1/3% of its total assets, taken at market value, provided that such loans shall be made in accordance with applicable law.
Portions of the Funds fundamental investment restrictions (i.e., the references to except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time) provide the Fund with flexibility to change its limitations in connection with changes in applicable law, rules, regulations or exemptive relief. The language used in these restrictions provides the necessary flexibility to allow the Board of Trustees to respond efficiently to these kinds of developments without the delay and expense of a shareholder meeting.
8
Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and bylaws, the Funds business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees, which has overall responsibility for monitoring and overseeing the Funds management and operations.
Pertinent information regarding the members of the Board of Trustees and principal officers of the Fund is set forth below. Some of the Trustees and officers are employees of the Adviser or Subadviser and their affiliates. At least a majority of the Funds Board of Trustees are not interested persons of the Fund as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s)
|
Term of
|
Principal
|
Number of
|
Other
|
|||||
Candace K. Beinecke
|
Trustee (Chair) |
September 2020 to present |
Senior Partner, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP; prior to April 2017, Chair, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP |
9 |
Chair of the Board of First Eagle Funds (7 portfolios) and First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Board Member, ViacomCBS Corporation; Lead Trustee, Vornado Realty Trust; Trustee, Co-Chair, Metropolitan Museum of Art; Trustee, Chairman, The Wallace Foundation; Director, Partnership for New York City |
|||||
Jean D. Hamilton
|
Trustee |
September 2020 - Present |
Private Investor/Independent Consultant/Member, Brock Capital Group LLC |
9 |
Trustee, First Eagle Funds (7 portfolios) and First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Director, RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd; Chairman, Investment Committee, Thomas Cole National Historic Site; Member, Investment Advisory Committee, Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation; prior to June 2012, Director, Four Nations |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s)
|
Term of
|
Principal
|
Number of
|
Other
|
|||||
Nancy Hawthorne
|
Trustee |
October 2020 to Present |
Founder and Partner, Hawthorne Financial Advisors, LLC (2014-present); Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Clerestory LLC (financial advisory and investment firm) (2001-2015) |
2 |
Chairman of the Board of First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc.; Director, Avid Technology, Inc. (provider of an open and integrated technology platform); Director, Brighthouse Financial (formerly known as the MetLife Funds) (family of mutual funds); Director, CRA International, Inc. (global consulting firm) |
1 |
Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. |
||
2 |
The term of office of the Independent Trustee is indefinite. |
10
INTERESTED TRUSTEES1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s)
|
Term of
|
Principal
|
Number of
|
Other
|
|||||
Mehdi Mahmud
|
Trustee |
September 2020 to present |
President and Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; President, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; prior to March 2016, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jennison Associates LLC |
9 |
Trustee, First Eagle Funds (7 portfolios) and First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Director, First Eagle Amundi |
1 |
Mehdi Mahmud is treated as an Interested Trustee because of the professional roles he holds with the Adviser. |
||
2 |
The term of office of the Interested Trustee is indefinite. |
11
OFFICERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s)
|
Term of Office
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|||
Mehdi Mahmud
|
President |
September 2020 - present |
President and Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; President, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; Director, First Eagle Amundi; Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; prior to March 2016, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jennison Associates LLC; prior to 2012, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Jennison Associates LLC |
|||
Robert Bruno
|
Senior Vice President |
September 2020 - present |
Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; President, FEF Distributors, LLC; Senior Vice President, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds |
|||
Michael Luzzatto
|
Vice President |
September 2020 - present |
Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Vice President, FEF Distributors, LLC; Vice President, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds |
|||
Joseph Malone
|
Chief Financial Officer |
September 2020 - present |
Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Chief Financial Officer, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds |
|||
Albert Pisano
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
September 2020 - present |
Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; prior to June 2014, Director and Chief Compliance Officer of Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC, and also served as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC |
|||
Andrew Morris
|
Deputy Chief Compliance Officer |
September 2020 - present |
First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC, Chief Compliance Officer (2020); Director, Senior Counsel (2019); Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Associate (2016 2019); Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Associate (2014 2016). |
|||
David OConnor
|
General Counsel |
September 2020 - present |
General Counsel and Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; General Counsel, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; General Counsel, First Eagle Holdings, Inc.; Secretary and General Counsel, FEF Distributors, LLC; Director, First Eagle Amundi; Director, First Eagle Investment Management, Ltd; Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; prior to January 2017, Investment Management Consultant; prior to June 2015, Executive Vice President Strategic Investment Initiatives and General Counsel, Delaware Investments |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s)
|
Term of Office
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|||
Sabrina Rusnak-Carlson
|
Deputy General Counsel |
September 2020 - present |
General Counsel, First Eagle Alternative Credit LLC; prior to January 2019, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, THL Credit Advisors LLC; prior to 2015, Partner, Proskauer Rose LLP |
|||
Sheelyn Michael
|
Secretary and Deputy General Counsel |
September 2020 - present |
Deputy General Counsel and Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Secretary and Deputy General Counsel, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; Director, First Eagle Investment Management, Ltd; prior to September 2014, Associate, Dechert LLP |
|||
Jennifer Wilson
|
Chief Accounting Officer |
September 2020 - present |
Chief Accounting Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit LLC; Prior to 2020, Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, First Eagle Alternative Credit LLC; prior to 2018, Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Four Wood Capital Partners LLC |
|||
Tricia Larkin
|
Treasurer |
September 2020 - present |
Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Treasurer, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; prior to March 2016, Vice President of Fund Administration, State Street Corporation |
|||
Thomas Meyer
|
Assistant Treasurer |
September 2020 - present |
Assistant Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Assistant Treasurer, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; prior to September 2017, Assurance Manager, PwC LLP |
|||
William Karim
|
Associate General Counsel |
September 2020 - present |
Deputy General Counsel, First Eagle Alternative Credit LLC; prior to January 2020, Associate General Counsel, THL Credit LLC; prior to 2016, Attorney, Keurig
|
1 |
The term of office of each officer is indefinite. Length of time served represents time served as an officer of the Fund, although various positions may have been held during the period. |
13
The following table describes the standing committees of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
Committee Name |
Members |
Function(s) |
||
Audit Committee |
Candace Beinecke, Jean Hamilton and Nancy Hawthorne (Chair) |
Reviews the contract between the Fund and its independent registered public accounting firm (in this regard, assists the Board in selecting the independent registered public accounting firm and is responsible for overseeing that firms compensation and performance); oversees the audit process, including audit plans; oversees the Funds accounting and financial reporting policies, procedures and internal controls and acts as liaison to the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews financial statements contained in reports to regulators and shareholders with fund management and the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and, as appropriate, approves in advance non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Fund, the Adviser, and, in certain cases, other affiliates of the Fund. |
||
Nominating and Governance Committee |
Candace Beinecke (Chair), Jean Hamilton and Nancy Hawthorne |
Nominates new Independent Trustees of the Fund. (The Nominating and Governance Committee does not consider shareholder recommendations.) Considers various matters relating to the governance and operations of the Board of Trustees, including committee structure and Trustee compensation. Additionally, the Nominating and Governance Committee includes a sub-committee responsible for administering the Trustees deferred compensation plan. |
||
Credit Valuation and Allocation Committee |
Jean Hamilton (Chair) and Nancy Hawthorne |
Monitors the execution of the valuation procedures, makes certain determinations in accordance with such procedures, and assists the Board in its oversight of the valuation of the Funds investments by FEIM and FEAC; reviews and approves recommendations by FEIM and FEAC for changes to the Funds valuation policies for submission to the Board for its approval; reviews FEIMs and FEACs quarterly presentations on valuation; oversees the implementation of the Funds valuation policies by FEIM and FEAC; determines whether to approve the fair value recommendations for specific investments pursuant to the Funds valuation policies. Additionally, if the SEC grants the exemptive relief sought by the Fund to permit it to co-invest alongside its affiliates in privately negotiated transactions, the Credit Valuation and Allocation Committee will be responsible for reviewing any proposed co-investments that would be made in reliance on such exemptive relief. |
The Board of Trustees considers these to be its primary working committees but also organizes additional special or ad hoc committees of the Board from time to time.
14
Organization of the Board
The Chair of the Board of Trustees is an Independent Trustee, and the Fund has a separate President. The standing committees of the Board are described above.
The organization of the Board of Trustees in this manner reflects the judgment of the Trustees that it is in the interests of the Fund and its shareholders to have an independent member of the Board preside at Board meetings, supervise the Board agenda and otherwise serve as the lead Trustee both at meetings and in overseeing the business of the Fund between meetings. It is also the judgment of the Trustees that there are efficiencies in having working committees responsible for or to assist with specific aspects of the Boards business.
In reaching these judgments, the Trustees considered the Boards working experience with both its current and past Board leadership and committee structures, legal requirements under applicable law, including the 1940 Act, the perceived expectations of shareholders, information available on industry practice generally, the number of portfolios within the Fund, the nature of the underlying investment programs, and the relationship between the Fund and its principal service providers. The Board may consider different leadership structures in the future and make changes to these arrangements over time.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
In considering risks related to the Fund, the Board consults and receives reports from officers and personnel of the Fund and the Adviser, who are charged with the day-to-day risk oversight function. Matters regularly reported to the Board include certain risks involving the Funds investment portfolio, trading practices, operational matters, financial and accounting controls, and legal and regulatory compliance. The Board does not maintain a specific committee solely devoted to risk management responsibilities, but various standing committees of the Board and occasionally informal working groups of Trustees are involved in oversight of the risk management process. Risk management and Board-related reporting at the Adviser is not centralized in any one person or body.
Trustee Qualifications
All Trustees are expected to demonstrate various personal characteristics appropriate to their position, such as integrity and the exercise of professional care and business judgment. All Trustees also are expected to meet the necessary time commitments for service on the Board. The Board then generally views each Trustee appointment or nomination in the context of the Boards overall composition and diversity of backgrounds and considers each Trustees individual professional experience and service on other boards of directors, as well as his or her current and prior roles (such as committee service) on the Board.
The following summarizes the experience and qualifications of the Trustees:
Ms. Candace Beinecke. Ms. Beinecke has significant executive and business advisory experience. She is a Senior Partner, and previously was the Chair, of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, an international law firm. Ms. Beinecke also serves on the boards of an international industrial firm, a major real estate investment trust, a major media company, and various charitable institutions. For the Fund, Ms. Beinecke serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Ms. Jean Hamilton. Ms. Hamilton has significant professional and leadership experience in the financial services industry. Currently engaged as a private investor and consultant, she previously held a number of senior executive positions with Prudential Financial, Inc. Ms. Hamilton also serves on the boards of an international reinsurance and insurance firm and various charitable institutions.
Nancy Hawthorne. Ms. Hawthorne has significant professional and leadership experience in the financial services industry. Currently engaged as founder and partner at an investment advisory firm, she previously held senior executive positions with various finance and communications companies. Ms. Hawthorne also serves on the boards of a mutual fund complex associated with an international insurance company, a technology company, a global consulting firm, and various charitable institutions. Ms. Hawthorne is a Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the Fund and also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc., an SEC-registered business development company managed by First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC.
Mr. Mehdi Mahmud. Mr. Mahmud has significant executive and investment management experience. Currently, Mr. Mahmud serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, and
15
President of First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds. Prior to that, Mr. Mahmud was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jennison Associates LLC. Prior to these roles, he held several senior management positions at Jennison relating to product and business strategy, investment supervision of the firms value, small-cap, opportunistic and income-equity capabilities, and oversight of key support areas including institutional, retail and sub-advisory client activities. He has also served in a variety of investment management roles at JP Morgan Investment Management and Credit Suisse Asset Management.
Each Independent Trustee also was nominated based in part on his or her status as a person who is not an interested person of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Descriptions of Trustee experience should not be taken to suggest that any Trustee is expert in a particular subject.
Compensation of Trustees and Officers
Independent Trustees of the Fund are paid by the Fund an annual fee of $15,000. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees will receive an additional $25,000 per year and the Chair of the Credit Valuation and Allocation Committee will receive an additional $10,000 per year. Each Independent Trustee who is a member of the Audit Committee will receive an additional $15,000 per year and each Independent Trustee who is a member of the Credit Valuation and Allocation Committee will receive an additional $25,000 per year. Each Independent Trustee who is a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee will receive an additional $2,500 for each meeting they attend. Each Independent Trustee is reimbursed by the Fund for any reasonable expenses he or she may incur in connection with services he or she may perform for the Fund.
The following table sets forth information regarding (i) compensation of Trustees by the fund complex (except for the Fund) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and (ii) estimated compensation from the Fund for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. Officers of the Fund and Interested Trustees do not receive any compensation from the Fund or any other fund in the fund complex. The Fund does not maintain a retirement plan for its Trustees.
Trustee Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Name of Person, Position |
Aggregate
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Candace K. Beinecke, Trustee |
|
$ |
|
60,000 |
|
$ |
|
447,083 |
||||||
Jean D. Hamilton, Trustee |
|
$ |
|
70,000 |
|
$ |
|
364,750 |
||||||
Nancy Hawthorne, Trustee |
|
$ |
|
60,000 |
|
$ |
|
168,000 |
||||||
Mehdi Mahmud, Trustee* |
|
|
None |
|
|
None |
* |
Interested Trustees are not compensated by the Fund for their services. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
** |
The fund complex consists of the Fund, the First Eagle Funds, the First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund, First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc., First Eagle Senior Loan Fund and Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund representing twelve separate portfolios. As of April 30, 2021, Candace Beinecke, Jean Hamilton and Mehdi Mahmud served on the board of the Fund, the First Eagle Funds and that of the First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund and Nancy Hawthorne served on the board of the Fund and First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
No compensation is paid by the Fund to the trustees who are interested persons of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act.
In addition, all persons serving as officers of the Fund (including the Funds Chief Compliance Officer) are employed by the Adviser. The Adviser seeks reimbursement from certain investment companies in the Fund Complex for salary and benefits paid to some of those persons to the extent they provide services eligible for such reimbursement. This reimbursement program does not extend to the Fund, which pays no compensation to its officers, except that the Fund and the Adviser agree each year as to the relative portion of the compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer to be paid by each party.
16
Additional Information Regarding the Trustees
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2020, regarding ownership by the Trustees of the Fund of equity securities of the Fund or any other fund in the same fund complex for which each is also a director or trustee. (Fund complex has the same meaning as in the footnote to the Trustee Compensation Table above.) Dollar ranges of ownership are indicated as follows: A = None; B = $1 to $10,000; C = $10,001 to $50,000; D = $50,001 to $100,000; E = over $100,000.
Please note that the table does not reflect the amounts Trustees invest in the Fund through their deferred compensation plan (which amounts are separately detailed in the prior table).
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
Dollar
|
Aggregate
|
||
Candace K. Beinecke |
None |
E |
||
Jean D. Hamilton |
None |
E |
||
Nancy Hawthorne |
None |
D |
||
Mehdi Mahmud |
None |
E |
As of April 6, 2021, to the knowledge of the Fund, the Trustees and officers of the Fund, as a group, owned beneficially less than 1% of the shares of the beneficial interest of the Fund. These percentages are based generally on ownership of the shares by the officers and Trustees, their immediate family members, and entities (such as family companies or trusts) whose investment activities they direct. Other entities in which an officer or Trustee has an interest may hold shares of the Fund, but those holdings generally are disregarded.
As of April 6, 2021, to the knowledge of the Fund, the following shareholders owned 5.00% or more of the Funds securities:
Class IAnna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation Inc. 1345 Avenue of the Americas Fl 47th New York NY 10105-0302 42.61%; Diplomat Ltd. Wickhams Cay Road Town Tortoal British Virgin Islands 21.26%; Angelico Finance Ltd. Wickhams Cay 1 Flemming House Road Town British Virgin Island 6.95%; Charles Schwab & Co Inc. Special Custody Acct FBO Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 211 Main St San Francisco CA 94105-1905 7.22%.
Class AFirst Eagle Investment Management LLC 1345 Avenue of the Americas Fl 48 New York NY 10105-4300 100%.
Codes of Ethics
The Fund, the Adviser, the Subadviser and the Distributor have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. This code of ethics permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, with certain exceptions. The codes of ethics are available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
17
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Adviser and Subadviser
As described in the Prospectus, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC is the Funds investment adviser. The Advisers primary offices are located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. The Adviser is a subsidiary of First Eagle Holdings, Inc. (FE Holdings). Based in New York City since 1937, FE Holdings, formerly Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Holdings, Inc., traces its heritage to the German banking house Gebr. Arnhold, founded in Dresden in 1864. A controlling interest in FE Holdings is owned by BCP CC Holdings L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (BCP CC Holdings). BCP CC Holdings GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (BCP CC Holdings GP), is the general partner of BCP CC Holdings and has two managing members, Blackstone Capital Partners VI L.P. (BCP VI) and Corsair IV Financial Services Capital Partners L.P. (Corsair IV). BCP VI and Corsair IV are indirectly controlled by The Blackstone Group Inc. (Blackstone) and Corsair Capital LLC (Corsair), respectively. Investment vehicles indirectly controlled by Blackstone and Corsair and certain co-investors own a majority economic interest in FE Holdings and the Adviser through BCP CC Holdings.
First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC, in its capacity as the alternative credit group of FEIM, serves as the Funds investment subadviser. The Subadviser is an investment adviser for both direct lending and broadly syndicated investments, through public and private vehicles, collateralized loan obligations, separately managed accounts and co-mingled funds. The Subadviser was formed in 2009 under the name THL Credit Advisors LLC (THL Credit). In January 2020, the Subadviser was acquired by FEIM and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser.
Pursuant to a management agreement with the Fund (the Management Agreement), the Adviser is responsible for the management of the Funds portfolio. In return for its investment advisory services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets. The Adviser contractually agreed to waive its Management Fee until the Funds registration statement was declared effective by the SEC. This fee reduction is not reflected in the Summary of Fund Expenses in the Prospectus. Effective May 1, 2021, FEIM and FEAC have agreed to waive all management fees and subadvisory fees payable to them under the Management Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement (defined below) until April 30, 2022 (the Management Fee Waiver). The Management Fee Waiver is not revocable during its term and amounts waived pursuant to the Management Fee Waiver will not be subject to any right of future recoupment in favor of FEIM and FEAC.
The Adviser will review the performance of the Subadviser and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the retention of subadvisers and the renewal of contracts. The Adviser may also provide investment advisory services directly to the Fund and anticipates doing so with respect to certain determinations that may be required of the Adviser in respect of co-investments with affiliates in accordance with any applicable exemptive relief from the SEC. See Potential Conflicts of Interest RiskAllocation of Investment Opportunities in the Prospectus for more information.
The Adviser also performs certain non-investment advisory administrative, accounting, operations, legal, compliance and other services on behalf of the Fund, and in accordance with the Management Agreement, the Fund reimburses the Adviser for costs and expenses (including overhead and personnel costs) associated with such services. Administrative services performed by the Adviser in exchange for these reimbursements from the Fund are in addition to services performed by the Funds principal third-party administrator, custodian, fund accounting agent, and transfer agent and in addition to services of other third-party middle- and back-office service providers. Accordingly, the costs to the Fund are likewise in addition to the costs incurred in retaining those other service providers. These reimbursements may not exceed an annual rate of 0.05% of the Funds average daily net assets. Those reimbursements comprise a portion of the Other Expenses in the fees and expenses table in the Prospectus.
The management services of the Adviser to the Fund are not exclusive under the terms of the Management Agreement and the Adviser is free to, and does, render management services to others.
The Management Agreement provides that the Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment by the Adviser or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Management Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties. The Management Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the 1940 Act), and that it may be terminated without penalty by either the Adviser or the Fund by the Board of Trustees or vote of a majority of the
18
outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) upon not more than 60 days, nor less than 30 days, written notice. The Management Agreement will have an initial term of two years, and continue in effect thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
FEIM has entered into a subadvisory agreement with FEAC relating to the Fund (the Subadvisory Agreement). The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Subadviser will furnish investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund. For its services under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Adviser pays the Subadviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.625% of the average daily value of the Funds Managed Assets (including assets attributable to such leverage) managed by the Subadviser. No advisory fee will be paid by the Fund directly to the Subadviser.
Under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Subadviser, subject to the supervision of the Adviser, is responsible for managing the assets of the Fund in accordance with the Funds investment objective, investment strategies and policies. The Subadviser determines what securities and other instruments are purchased and sold for the Fund. The Adviser continues to have responsibility for all investment advisory services pursuant to the Management Agreement and supervises the Subadvisers performance of such services. The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Subadviser will not be liable for any error of judgment by the Subadviser or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Subadvisory Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties. The Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadvisory Agreement may be terminated by the Fund, the Adviser, or the Subadviser upon not more than 60 days, nor less than 30 days, written notice. The Subadvisory Agreement will have an initial term of two years, and continue in effect thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Adviser and Subadviser share personnel pursuant to a personnel-sharing or similar inter-company arrangement.
A discussion regarding the basis of the Board of Trustees initial approval of the Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement is available in the Annual or Semi-Annual Report to shareholders for the financial reporting periods which the Agreement was acted upon by the Board of Trustees.
During periods when the Fund is using leverage, if any, the fees paid to the Adviser and Subadviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated on the basis of the Funds total Managed Assets (including assets attributable to such leverage).
Portfolio Managers
Christopher Flynn, James Fellows, Robert Hickey, Brian Murphy, Steven Krull, Michelle Handy and Christian Champ, portfolio managers with FEAC, manage the Fund.
Each of these portfolio managers receives significant input and support from a team of investment professionals. Additional information regarding these investment professionals is available on the following pages.
The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the Fund) for which the Funds portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, each as of December 31, 2020, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated as of December 31, 2020.
19
Conflicts of Interest
The Adviser and Subadviser will experience conflicts of interest in connection with the management of the Fund, including the following situations. The following briefly summarizes the material potential and actual conflicts of interest which may arise from the overall investment activity of the Adviser and/or Subadviser, its clients and its affiliates.
The Adviser, the Subadviser and their affiliates may sponsor or manage investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles with similar or overlapping investment strategies. For example, the Adviser or the Subadviser may serve as investment adviser to one or more private funds, registered closed-end funds, separate managed accounts, and collateralized loan obligations (CLO). In addition, the Funds officers may serve in similar capacities for one or more private funds, registered closed-end funds, separate managed accounts and CLOs. To the extent, the Adviser, Subadviser and their affiliates determine that an investment is appropriate for us and for one or more other funds, the Adviser and the Subadviser intend to allocate investment opportunities across the entities for which such opportunities are appropriate, consistent with (a) certain restrictions under the 1940 Act and rules thereunder regarding co-investments with affiliates, (b) the requirements of the Advisers Act and (c) the Adviser and Subadvisers internal conflict of interest and allocation policies.
20
The Adviser has established policies to ensure that the Fund will generally share equitably with other funds managed by the Adviser or Subadviser or their affiliates in investment opportunities that are suitable for the Fund and such other investment funds.
The Subadviser has established allocation policies to ensure that the Fund will generally share equitably with other credit investment funds managed by the Subadviser or its affiliates within the alternative credit platform in credit investment opportunities that are suitable for the Fund and such other investment funds.
The 1940 Act imposes significant limits on co-investment with affiliates of the Fund, and without an exemptive order the Fund generally would not be permitted to co-invest alongside its affiliates in privately negotiated transactions unless the transaction is otherwise permitted under existing regulatory guidance, such as transactions where price is the only negotiated term, and will not participate in transactions where other terms are negotiable. In situations where co-investment with other entities sponsored or managed by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer, the Subadviser will need to decide whether the Fund or such other entity or entities will proceed with the investment. The Subadviser will make these determinations based on its policies and procedures, which will generally require that such opportunities be offered to eligible accounts on a basis that is fair and equitable over time. This reduces the amount of transactions in which the Fund can participate and makes it more difficult for the Fund to implement its investment objective.
The Advisers affiliation with The Blackstone Group Inc. and Corsair Capital LLC (collectively, Blackstone/Corsair) requires the Adviser to manage conflicts of interest associated with dealings the Fund may have with those businesses or funds, clients or portfolio companies associated with it. For example, should the Adviser or Subadviser wish to cause the Fund to execute portfolio transactions through broker-dealers associated with Blackstone/Corsair, the commercial reasonableness of the brokerage compensation associated with those trades would have to be assessed. Other dealings may be more completely restricted. For example, the Fund may not be able to buy or sell property directly to or from Blackstone/Corsair or their associated accounts. There also may be limits on participation in underwritings or other securities offerings by Blackstone/Corsair or their associated funds, accounts or portfolio companies. The breadth of these affiliations at times may require the Fund to abstain from or restructure an otherwise attractive investment opportunity.
Investments in portfolio companies associated with Blackstone/Corsair may be restricted by the 1940 Act. To the extent such investments are permitted and the Fund invests in such a portfolio company (a portfolio company generally referring to a company owned by private equity funds managed by Blackstone/Corsair), conflicts of interest may arise from the presence of Blackstone/Corsair representatives on the company board or the payment of compensation by the company to Blackstone/Corsair or an affiliate. Moreover, the Adviser or Subadviser could have an incentive to allocate the Funds assets to such a portfolio company since affiliates of the Adviser have a direct or indirect financial interest in its success. There also may be instances where Blackstone/Corsair could be involved in bankruptcy proceedings of current investments or of issuers in which the Fund would otherwise invest, with potentially divergent interests as between the Fund and Blackstone/Corsair. The Fund may be forced to sell or hold existing investments (possibly at disadvantageous times or under disadvantageous conditions) as a result of various relationships that Blackstone/Corsair may have or transactions or investments Blackstone/Corsair and their affiliates may make or have made. The inability to transact in any security, derivative or loan held by the Fund could result in significant losses or lost opportunity costs to the Fund.
CONTROL PERSONS
A control person is a person who owns, either directly or indirectly, beneficially more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. As of April 6, 2021, the Fund could be deemed to be under the control of Anna-Maria & Stephen Kellen Foundation, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware.
VOTING OF PROXIES
The Board of Trustee has delegated to the Adviser the authority to vote proxies received by the Fund from companies in which they invest. The Adviser in turn has delegated this authority to the Subadviser which has adopted policies and procedures (collectively, the Proxy Voting Policy) regarding the voting of such proxies, which policies
21
have been reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees as appropriate to their management of the Funds assets. It is the policy of the Subadviser to vote proxies in a manner that serves the best interest of the client.
The Proxy Voting Policy provides procedures to address conflicts of interest between the Subadviser and a client with respect to voting proxies. Such conflicts could arise, for example, when the Subadviser or its affiliate has a client or other business relationship with the issuer of the security being voted or with a third-party that has an interest in the vote. A conflict of interest also could arise when the Fund, the Adviser or principal underwriter or any of their affiliates has an interest in the vote.
If the Subadviser becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest with respect to a proxy to be voted for a client, the Proxy Voting Policy requires notification to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Subadviser (the Subadviser CCO). The Subadviser CCO then determines whether a material conflict of interest exists and, if so, the appropriate method of resolving the conflict. Such methods may include voting in accordance with the recommendation of a third-party, voting pursuant to pre-determined voting guidelines or, in certain circumstances, consultation with the Board of Trustees. The Subadviser may abstain from voting from time to time when it determines that the costs associated with voting a proxy outweigh the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote or in other situations where voting may not be practical or desirable. These conflicts procedures are intended to reduce, but they will not necessarily eliminate, any influence on the proxy voting by conflicts of interest.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended December 31, 2020 will be available without charge by calling the Fund at 800.334.2143; or (ii) at www.feim.com/individual-investors. This information also is available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
FEF Distributors, LLC serves as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Funds shares pursuant to a distribution contract (the Distribution Contract) with the Fund, which is subject to annual approval by the Board. FEF Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FEF Distributors, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. Because of this affiliation with the Adviser, the interests of the Distributor may conflict with the interests of Fund investors. FEF Distributors, LLCs principal business address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.
The Distribution Contract will continue in effect with respect to the Fund for successive one-year periods, provided that each such continuance is specifically approved: (i) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution Contract or the Management Agreement; and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the entire Board cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose.
The Fund has agreed to indemnify the Distributor and certain of the Distributors affiliates against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the 1933 Act, as amended. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Distributor has agreed to indemnify the Fund and each Trustee against certain liabilities under the 1933 Act, as amended, and in connection with the services rendered to the Fund.
The Distributor acts as the distributor of Common Shares for the Fund on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Contract. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of Common Shares of the Fund.
The Fund has been granted exemptive relief (the Exemptive Relief) by the SEC that permits the Fund to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose asset-based distribution fees and early-withdrawal fees.
Pursuant to the Exemptive Relief, the Fund maintains a Multi-Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. Although the Fund is not an open-end investment company, it has undertaken to comply with the terms of Rule 18f-3 as a condition of the Exemptive Relief (which relief permits it to have, among other things, a multi-class structure and distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees). Under the Multi-Class Plan, shares of each class of the Fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the Fund and, generally, have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and terms and conditions, except that: (a) each class has a different designation; (b) each class of shares bears any class-specific expenses; and (c) each class has separate
22
voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class, and shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class.
The Fund will pay the Distributor a Rule 12b-1 fee to cover expenses incurred by the Distributor for providing shareholder liaison services, including assistance with subscriptions and other shareholder questions on Class A Shares at the annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Funds outstanding Class A Shares. The Fund will also pay the Distributor a distribution fee of up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Funds outstanding Class A Shares, which may be used to cover expenses incurred by the Distributor for providing sales and promotional activities under the Funds Rule 12b-1 Plan, including the printing and distribution of sales literature and prospectuses sent to prospective investors. Authorized dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be underwriters, according to the definition under the 1933 Act. Pursuant to the Distribution and Services Agreements between the Distributor and the Fund, the Fund agrees to indemnify the Distributor against certain liabilities under the 1933 Act. Any distribution-related (Rule 12b-1) fee may be used in whole or in part to finance distribution activities, including sales compensation, and/or shareholder account liaison and servicing activities.
The Funds Rule 12b-1 Plan will be a compensation plan, which means that the Fund pays the Distributor for distributor services based on the net assets of the covered shares. The Distributor pays financial services firms fees for distributing the applicable shares. The Class I shares of the Fund will not participate in the Plan.
The Fund may enter into arrangements with financial intermediaries to provide sub-transfer agent services and other related services (e.g., client statements, tax reporting, order-processing and client relations) that otherwise could be handled by the Funds transfer agent, DST Systems, Inc. As a result, these third parties may charge fees (sometimes called sub-transfer agency fees) to the Fund for these services so long as such compensation does not exceed certain limits set from time to time by the Board of Trustees in consultation with management. The Fund may compensate the institution rendering such services on a per-account basis, as an asset-based fee, based on transaction fees or other charges, or on a cost reimbursement basis, or in some cases, a combination of these inputs. The aggregate amount of sub-transfer agency fees may be substantial and may exceed the actual costs incurred in engaging in these services. Accordingly, financial intermediaries may realize a profit in connection with such services. (The Adviser, the Distributor or an affiliate may make additional payments to intermediaries for these and other services, and their payments may be based on the same or other methods of calculation. See Revenue Sharing below.) Sub-transfer agency fees can comprise a substantial portion of the Funds ongoing expenses. While the Adviser and the Distributor consider these sub-transfer agency fees to be payments for services rendered, they represent an additional business relationship between these sub-transfer agents and the Fund that often results, at least in part, from past or present sales of Fund shares by the sub-transfer agents or their affiliates. While sub-transfer agency fees and service levels are set in the market, there generally is limited comparative information available about them. The Fund and the Adviser also face certain conflicts of interest when considering these relationships in that the counterparty is both a prospective service provider and, typically, a distribution partner. The Advisers practice of paying sub-transfer agency fees above agreed limits as revenue sharing (as discussed further below) also creates conflicts of interest for the parties when considering sub-transfer agency relationships, and that is so both generally and in terms of the allocation of those fees between the Fund and the Adviser.
Revenue Sharing
The Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate may, from time to time, out of its (or their) own resources, make substantial cash paymentssometimes referred to as revenue sharingto broker-dealers or financial intermediaries for various reasons. The revenue sharing payments do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of a Funds shares or the amount a Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales. Although a broker-dealer or financial intermediary may seek revenue sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in a Fund, the aggregate amount of these payments to broker-dealers or financial intermediaries may be substantial and may exceed the actual costs incurred in engaging in these promotional activities or services. Accordingly, broker-dealers or financial intermediaries may realize a profit in connection with such activities or services.
Revenue sharing payments may support the delivery of services to the Fund or to shareholders in the Fund, including, without limitation, transaction processing and sub-accounting services. These payments also may serve as an incentive to sell shares of the Fund and/or to promote retention of customer assets in the Fund. As such, they may be made to firms that provide various marketing support or other promotional services relating to the Fund, including, without limitation, advertising, access on the part of the Distributors personnel to sales meetings, sales representatives
23
and/or management representatives of the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, as well as inclusion of the Fund in various promotional and sales programs. Marketing support services also may include business planning assistance, educating broker-dealer personnel about the Fund and shareholder financial planning assistance. To the extent that broker-dealers or financial intermediaries receiving revenue sharing payments sell more shares of a Fund, the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate benefit from the increase in Fund assets as a result of the distribution fees (if applicable) and management fees they receive from the Fund, respectively. However, the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate does not consider a broker-dealer or financial intermediarys sale of shares of a Fund when selecting brokers or dealers to effect portfolio transactions for the Fund.
Revenue sharing also may include any other payment requirement of a broker-dealer or another third-party intermediary, including certain agreed upon finders fees as described in greater detail in the Prospectuses. All such payments are paid by the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate of either out of its (or their) own resources and are in addition to any Rule 12b-1 payments described elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information. Revenue sharing payments may be structured, among other means, (i) as a percentage of sales; (ii) as a percentage of net assets; (iii) as a flat fee per transaction; (iv) as a fixed dollar amount; or (v) as some combination of any of these. In many cases, they therefore may be viewed as encouraging sales activity or retention of assets in the Fund. Generally, any revenue sharing or other payments of the type just described will have been requested by the party receiving them, often as a condition of distribution, but are subject to negotiation as to their structure and scope. Various factors are used to determine whether to make revenue sharing payments. Possible considerations include, without limitation, the types of services provided by the broker-dealer or financial intermediary, sales of Fund shares, the redemption rates on accounts of clients of the broker-dealer or financial intermediary or overall asset levels of the Fund held for or by clients of the broker-dealer or financial intermediary, the willingness of the broker-dealer or financial intermediary to allow the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate to provide educational and training support for the broker-dealers or financial intermediarys sales personnel relating to the Fund, as well as the overall quality of the services provided by the broker-dealer or financial intermediary
The Distributor, the Adviser and/or an affiliate of either also pays from its (or their) own resources for travel and other expenses, including lodging, entertainment and meals, incurred by brokers or broker representatives related to diligence or informational meetings in which broker representatives meet with investment professionals employed by a Funds investment adviser, as well as for costs of organizing and holding such meetings. The Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate also may make payments to or on behalf of brokers or their representatives for other types of events, including sales or training seminars, and may provide certain small gifts and/or entertainment as permitted by applicable rules. The Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate also may pay fixed fees for the listing of a Fund on a broker-dealers or financial intermediarys system. This compensation is not included in, and is made in addition to, the compensation described in the preceding paragraph.
As of April 6, 2021, the parties with whom the Distributor, the Adviser and/or an affiliate of either have entered into written agreements to make revenue sharing payments with respect to the Fund are as follows (such payments not including, for this purpose, finders fees paid, the sub-transfer agency payments described above, and payments for entertainment, training and education activities for the brokers and broker representatives, their investment professionals and/or their clients or potential clients). The Distributor, the Adviser and/or an affiliate may revise the terms of any existing revenue sharing arrangement and may enter into additional revenue sharing arrangements with other broker-dealers or financial intermediaries.
|
Parties Having Revenue Sharing Agreements
|
None. |
The above-listed revenue sharing counterparties may change from time to time.
Shareholders or prospective investors should be aware that revenue sharing arrangements or other payments to intermediaries could create incentives on the part of the parties receiving the payments to consider selling more shares of the Fund relative to mutual funds either not making payments of this nature or making smaller such payments. A shareholder or prospective investor with questions regarding revenue sharing or other such payments may obtain more details by contacting his or her broker representative or other financial intermediary directly.
24
Custodial Risks for Shares Held Through Financial Intermediaries
As described above, investors may purchase the Funds shares either through the Distributor or from selected securities dealers or other intermediaries authorized to effect those transactions. The manner in which these intermediary firms custody an investors Fund shares or provide instructions to the Fund concerning an investors shareholder account with the Fund will vary by firm. In addition, information or securities, such as Fund shares, held in the custody of an intermediary firm may be subject to risks of, among other things, misappropriation, cyber-attacks or other similar risks associated with internet security.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
The methods of buying and selling shares and the sales charges applicable to purchases of shares of the Fund are described in the Prospectus.
In order to provide some liquidity to shareholders, the Fund makes quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV. Although the policy permits repurchases of between 5% and 25% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV subject to approval of the Board. Notices of each quarterly repurchase offer are sent to shareholders at least 21 days before the Repurchase Request Deadline (i.e., the date by which shareholders can tender their Common Shares in response to a repurchase offer). The Fund determines the NAV applicable to repurchases no later than the 14 days after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day)(the Repurchase Pricing Date). The Fund expects to distribute payment to shareholders between one and three business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than 7 calendar days after such date. The Funds Common Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Common Shares. Investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Common Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, Common Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Funds repurchase offers may subject the Fund and shareholders to special risks.
The section entitled Periodic Repurchase Offers in the Prospectus discusses the type and timing of notice for repurchase offers, the effects of oversubscribed repurchase offers, the determination of the repurchase price, payment by the Fund for Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer, the effect of repurchase policies on the liquidity of the Fund, the consequences of repurchase offers and other details regarding the repurchase offers, including associated risks. The Funds fundamental policies with respect to repurchase offers are discussed in Investment Restrictions in this Statement of Additional Information.
See RisksRepurchase Offers Risk in the Prospectus for a description of the risks associated with the Funds repurchase offers. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see Taxation below.
In addition to the Funds policy to make periodic repurchase offers as described above, the Board may consider additional repurchases of its Common Shares on the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company (described below). The Fund cannot assure you that its Board will decide to take or propose any of these actions.
Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Funds net income and gains. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board would have to comply with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and other applicable law.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Pursuant to the Subadvisory Agreement, the Subadviser is responsible for placing all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities of the Fund. The Subadviser has no formula for the distribution of the Funds brokerage business; rather it places orders for the purchase and sale of securities with the primary objective of obtaining the best overall qualitative execution under the circumstances for the Fund and the Subadvisers other clients. The cost of
25
securities transactions for the Fund will consist primarily of brokerage commissions or dealer or underwriter spreads. Fixed-income securities and money market instruments are generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes.
Occasionally, assets may be purchased directly from the issuer. For securities traded primarily in the OTC market, the Subadviser will, where possible, deal directly with dealers who make a market in the securities unless better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually act as principals for their own account. The Funds investments in direct lending loans, and in some cases, middle market club loans, will generally be directly originated and will not involve a broker or dealer.
Selection of Brokers, Dealers or Other Counterparties to Effect Trades. In selecting brokers, dealers or other counterparties to implement transactions, the Subadviser will give consideration to a number of factors, including:
|
Quality of execution, including accurate and timely execution, clearance and cooperation in resolving errors and disputes; |
||
|
Ability to obtain competitive pricing; |
||
|
Reputation, financial strength (creditworthiness) and stability; |
||
|
Reliability, both historically and as an ongoing matter; |
||
|
Relevant regulatory history; |
||
|
Willingness to execute difficult transactions; |
||
|
Willingness and ability to commit capital; |
||
|
Access to underwritten offerings of securities; |
||
|
Willingness to provide liquidity in secondary market; |
||
|
Desired timing of the transaction and size of trade; |
||
|
Confidentiality of trading activity, particularly in less liquid sectors; |
||
|
Market intelligence and knowledge regarding trading activity; and |
||
|
Ability to settle trades. |
Depending on the nature of the transaction or the type of investment, the Subadviser generally will not consider each of these factors for every transaction made on behalf of the Fund. Consideration of these factors by the Subadviser, either in terms of a particular transaction or the Subadvisers overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and any other accounts managed by the Subadviser, could result in the Fund paying a commission or spread on a transaction that is in excess of the amount of commission or spread another broker, dealer or other counterparty might have charged for executing the same transactions.
Allocation of Trades by the Subadviser. The Subadviser and its affiliates manage a number of accounts other than the Fund. Although investment determinations for the Fund will be made by the Subadviser independently from the investment determinations that it makes for any other account, investments deemed appropriate for the Fund by the Subadviser also may be deemed appropriate by them for other accounts. Therefore, the same security may be purchased or sold at or about the same time for both the Fund and other accounts. In such circumstances, the Subadviser may determine that orders for the purchase or sale of the same security for the Fund and one or more other accounts should be combined. In this event, the transactions will be priced and allocated in a manner deemed by the Subadviser to be equitable and in the best interests of the Fund and such other accounts. While in some instances, combined orders could adversely affect the price or volume of a security, the Fund believes that its participation in such transactions on balance will produce better overall results for the Fund.
Holdings of Securities of the Funds Regular Brokers and Dealers
The Fund is newly-organized and did not acquire or hold any securities of its regular broker-dealers in the prior fiscal year.
26
See Distributions in the Prospectus for information relating to distributions to Fund shareholders.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND SHARES
Common Shares
The Fund is a statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware pursuant to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated as of September 4, 2020. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares. Each Common Share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of this offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable. The Funds Board of Trustees does not intend to grant Common Shareholders any right to receive any distributions from the Fund unless all accrued interest, fees and dividends, if any, with respect to the Funds leverage have been paid, unless certain asset coverage tests with respect to the leverage employed by the Fund are satisfied after giving effect to the distributions and unless certain other requirements imposed by any rating agencies rating any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund have been met. See Preferred Shares below. All Common Shares are equal as to distributions, assets and voting privileges and have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. The Fund will send annual and semi-annual reports, including financial statements, when available, to all Common Shareholders.
The Fund has no present intention of offering any additional shares other than the Common Shares it may issue under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Any additional offerings of shares will require approval by the Funds Board of Trustees. Any additional offering of Common Shares will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, which provides that shares may not be issued at a price below the then current NAV, exclusive of the sales load, except in connection with an offering to existing Common Shareholders or with the consent of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities.
The Funds NAV per share generally increases when interest rates decline, and decreases when interest rates rise. The Funds NAV will be reduced immediately following the offering of Common Shares by the amount of the sales load and the amount of the organizational costs and offering expenses paid by the Fund. See Summary of Fund Expenses in the Prospectus.
The Common Shares are not, and are not expected to be, listed for trading on any national securities exchange nor is there expected to be any secondary trading market in the Common Shares.
Preferred Shares
The Funds Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the Board of Trustees of the Fund may authorize and issue Preferred Shares, with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, without the approval of the Common Shareholders. Common Shareholders have no preemptive right to purchase any Preferred Shares that might be issued.
While the Fund does not anticipate doing so, it may issue Preferred Shares in an aggregate amount of up to 40% of its Managed Assets. The use of leverage can create risks. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to change the foregoing percentage limitation and may issue Preferred Shares to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, which currently limits the aggregate liquidation preference of all outstanding Preferred Shares to 50% of the value of the Funds total assets, less liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund. The Fund cannot assure you, however, that Preferred Shares will not be issued. The terms of any Preferred Shares, including dividend rate, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, restrictions on the declaration of dividends, maintenance of asset ratios and restrictions while dividends are in arrears will be determined by the Board of Trustees, subject to applicable law and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Fund also believes that it is likely that the liquidation preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of any Preferred Shares will be similar to those stated below.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of any Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.
The 1940 Act requires that the holders of any Preferred Shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two trustees at all times. The remaining trustees will be elected by Common Shareholders and Preferred
27
Shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any Preferred Shares have the right to elect a majority of the Trustees of the Fund at any time two years dividends on any Preferred Shares are unpaid. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, would be required to adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Shares.
As a result of these voting rights, the Funds ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any Preferred Shares outstanding. The Board of Trustees presently intends that, except as otherwise indicated in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information and except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, holders of Preferred Shares will have equal voting rights with Common Shareholders (one vote per share, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act) and will vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of holders of Preferred Shares so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, or to increase or decrease the authorized number of Preferred Shares. The class vote of holders of Preferred Shares described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.
The terms of any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund are expected to provide that (i) they are redeemable by the Fund in whole or in part at the original purchase price per share plus accrued dividends per share; (ii) the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Shares; and (iii) the Fund may subsequently resell any Preferred Shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Shares by the Fund will reduce the leverage applicable to the Common Shares, while any resale of such Preferred Shares by the Fund will increase that leverage.
The discussion above describes the possible offering of Preferred Shares by the Fund. If the Board of Trustees determines to proceed with such an offering, the terms of the Preferred Shares may be the same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and the terms of the Funds Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Board of Trustees, without the approval of the Common Shareholders may authorize an offering of Preferred Shares, and may fix the terms of the Preferred Shares to be offered.
ANTI-TAKEOVER AND OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. The Trustees are elected for indefinite terms and do not stand for reelection. The anti-takeover provisions in the Declaration of Trust promote stability in the governance of the Fund and limit the risk that the Fund will be subject to changes in control, operational changes or other changes that may not be in the best interests of shareholders.
The Declaration of Trust requires the affirmative vote of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the Shares of the Fund to approve, adopt or authorize an amendment to the Declaration of Trust that makes the Shares a redeemable security as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, unless such amendment has been approved by a majority of the Trustees then in office, in which case approval by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, is required, notwithstanding any provisions of the By-laws. Upon the adoption of a proposal to convert the Fund from a closed-end company to an open-end company, as those terms are defined by the 1940 Act, and the necessary amendments to the Declaration of Trust to permit such a conversion of the Funds outstanding Shares entitled to vote, the Fund shall, upon complying with any requirements of the 1940 Act and state law, become an open-end investment company. Such affirmative vote or consent shall be in addition to the vote or consent of the holders of the Shares otherwise required by law, or any agreement between the Fund and any national securities exchange.
The Trustees may from time to time grant other voting rights to shareholders with respect to these and other matters in the By-laws, certain of which are required by the 1940 Act.
The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of the assumption of control of the Fund by a third party and/or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Trustees has considered the foregoing provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, including holders of the Shares.
28
The foregoing is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws, both of which are on file with the SEC.
The Funds NAV per Share is computed by dividing the total current value of the assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, by the total number of Shares outstanding at the time of such computation. The Fund computes its NAV per Share as of the close of trading on each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for trading.
Portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are readily available are valued at market value. In circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, the Board of Trustees has adopted methods for determining the fair value of such securities and other assets. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the valuation of the Funds portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available, as determined in good faith pursuant to the Funds valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. The Board of Trustees has delegated day-to-day responsibility for implementing the portfolio valuation process set forth in the Funds valuation policy, as amended from time to time, to the Adviser and the Subadviser, and has authorized the use of independent third-party pricing and valuation services that have been approved by the Board of Trustees.
Valuations of Fund investments are disclosed in reports publicly filed with the SEC. The Advisers will provide the Board of Trustees with periodic reports, no less than quarterly, that discuss the functioning of the valuation process, if applicable to that period, and that identify issues and valuation problems that have arisen, if any.
Under certain circumstances, the NAV per Share of a class of the Funds Shares may be different from the per share NAV of another class of shares as a result of the different daily expense accruals applicable to each class of shares.
Set forth below is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax aspects concerning the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. This discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to Common Shareholders in light of their particular circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion applies only to U.S. shareholders that hold Common Shares as capital assets. A U.S. shareholder is an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a U.S. corporation, a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court in the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person, or any estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source. This discussion is based upon present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). This discussion does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to special classes of taxpayers including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, pass-through entities (or investors therein), U.S. shareholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark to market treatment, or persons that will hold Common Shares as a position in a straddle, hedge or as part of a constructive sale for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion does not address the application of the Medicare tax on net investment income or the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of Common Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, foreign country or other taxing jurisdiction.
Taxation of the Fund
The Fund intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify annually thereafter, as a regulated investment company (a RIC) under Subchapter M of the Code.
To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things: (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies; and (b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of
29
their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each a Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership); and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Funds assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, with respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is represented by the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships.
As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes in each taxable year to shareholders, provided that it distributes at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income and its net tax-exempt income for such taxable year. The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain.
Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 of the calendar year, and (iii) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years. For these purposes, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gains on which it paid U.S. federal income tax.
A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of any calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to Common Shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.
If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income (including its net capital gain), even if such income were distributed to shareholders, and all distributions out of earnings and profits (including distributions of net capital gain) would be taxed to Common Shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individual and other non-corporate Common Shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be subject to interest charges) before requalifying for taxation as a RIC.
Distributions
Distributions to Common Shareholders of ordinary income (including market discount realized by the Fund on the sale of debt securities), and of net short-term capital gains, if any, realized by the Fund will generally be taxable to Common Shareholders as ordinary income to the extent that such distributions are paid out of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions, if any, of net capital gains properly reported as capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the Common Shareholder has owned Common Shares. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will be treated by a Common Shareholder as a return of capital which will be applied against and reduce the Common Shareholders tax basis in his or her Common Shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Common Shareholders basis in his or her Common Shares, the excess will be treated by the Common Shareholder as gain from a sale of the Common Shares. Distributions paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations or for the reduced rates applicable to certain qualified dividend income received by non-corporate Common Shareholders.
Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional Common Shares pursuant to the Plan. Common Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional Common Shares will generally be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of cash that they would have received if they had elected to receive the distribution in cash. The additional Common Shares received
30
by a Common Shareholder pursuant to the Plan will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the Common Shares were credited to the Common Shareholders account.
The Fund may elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained. In such case, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to Common Shareholders, who will be treated as if each received a distribution of his pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each Common Shareholder will (i) be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain and (iii) increase the tax basis for its Common Shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
The IRS currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income and capital gains) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, if the Fund issues preferred shares, the Fund intends to allocate capital gain dividends, if any, between its Common Shares and preferred shares in proportion to the total dividends paid to each class with respect to such tax year. Common Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions.
Sale or other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares (except pursuant to a repurchase by the Fund, as described below), a Common Shareholder will generally realize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the Common Shareholders adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares sold. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the Common Shareholders holding period for the Common Shares. Generally, a Common Shareholders gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year. For non-corporate taxpayers, long-term capital gains are currently eligible for reduced rates of taxation.
No loss will be allowed on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares if the owner acquires (including pursuant to the Plan) or enters into a contract or option to acquire securities that are substantially identical to such Common Shares within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the securities acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Losses realized by a Common Shareholder on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares held for six months or less are treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gain received (or amounts designated as undistributed capital gains) with respect to such Common Shares.
From time to time, the Fund may offer to repurchase its outstanding Common Shares. Common Shareholders who tender all Common Shares held, or considered to be held, by them will be treated as having sold their Common Shares and generally will realize a capital gain or loss. If a Common Shareholder tenders fewer than all of its Common Shares or fewer than all Common Shares tendered are repurchased, such Common Shareholder may be treated as having received a taxable dividend upon the tender of its Common Shares. In such a case, there is a risk that non-tendering Common Shareholders, and Common Shareholders who tender some but not all of their Common Shares or fewer than all of whose Common Shares are repurchased, in each case whose percentage interests in the Fund increase as a result of such tender, will be treated as having received a taxable distribution from the Fund.
Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a Common Shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Common Shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Nature of Funds Investments
Certain of the Funds hedging and derivatives transactions are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary
31
income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above.
These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to Common Shareholders and the Funds status as a RIC. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effect of these provisions.
Below Grade Investments
The Fund expects to invest a substantial portion of its Managed Assets in below investment grade (high-yield) instruments, commonly known as high-yield or junk instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, to the extent necessary, to preserve its status as a RIC and to distribute sufficient income to not become subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Original Issue Discount
Investments by the Fund in debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as zero coupon securities, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest, step-up bonds or other discount securities) will result in income to the Fund equal to the accrued original issue discount each year during which the Fund holds the securities, even if the Fund receives no corresponding cash interest payments. If the Fund purchases debt instruments as part of a package of investments where the Fund also invests in common stock, other equity securities or warrants, the Fund might be required to accrue original issue discount in an amount equal to the value of such common stock, other equity securities or warrants (even if the face amount of such debt instruments does not exceed the Funds purchase price for such package of investments). Original issue discount is included in determining the amount of income which the Fund must distribute to maintain its qualification for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs and to avoid the payment of U.S. federal income tax and the nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax. Because such income may not be matched by a corresponding cash distribution to the Fund, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of other securities to be able to make distributions to Common Shareholders.
Market Discount Securities
In general, the Fund will be treated as having acquired a security with market discount if its stated redemption price at maturity (or, in the case of a security issued with original issue discount, its revised issue price) exceeds the Funds initial tax basis in the security by more than a statutory de minimis amount. The Fund will be required to treat any principal payments on, or any gain derived from the disposition of, any securities acquired with market discount as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount, unless the Fund makes an election to accrue market discount on a current basis. If this election is not made, all or a portion of any deduction for interest expense incurred to purchase or carry a market discount security may be deferred until the Fund sells or otherwise disposes of such security.
Currency Fluctuations
Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, certain foreign currency options or futures contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.
32
Foreign Taxes
The Funds investment in non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes. In that case, the Funds yield on those securities would be decreased. Common Shareholders will generally not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
Preferred Shares or Borrowings
If the Fund utilizes leverage through the issuance of preferred shares or borrowings, it may be restricted by certain covenants with respect to the declaration of, and payment of, dividends on Common Shares in certain circumstances. Limits on the Funds payments of dividends on Common Shares may prevent the Fund from meeting the distribution requirements described above, and may, therefore, jeopardize the Funds qualification for taxation as a RIC and possibly subject the Fund to the 4% excise tax. The Fund will endeavor to avoid restrictions on its ability to make dividend payments.
Backup Withholding
The Fund may be required to withhold from all distributions and redemption proceeds payable to U.S. shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. This backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against the Common Shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Shareholders
U.S. taxation of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation, as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a foreign shareholder), depends on whether the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the shareholder.
If the income from the Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the foreign shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions. However, dividends paid by the Fund that are interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends will generally be exempt from such withholding, in each case to the extent the Fund properly reports such dividends to shareholders. For these purposes, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the source if received directly by a foreign shareholder, and that satisfy certain other requirements. A foreign shareholder whose income from the Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or taxable disposition of Common Shares.
However, a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements will nevertheless be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% on such capital gain dividends, undistributed capital gains and gains realized upon the sale or taxable disposition of Common Shares.
If the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income, any capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations. Foreign corporate shareholders may also be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code.
The Fund may be required to withhold from distributions that are otherwise exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless the foreign shareholder certifies his or her foreign status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption.
33
The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
Additional Withholding Requirements
Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as FATCA), a 30% United States federal withholding tax may apply to any ordinary dividends and other distributions that the Fund pays to (i) a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined in the Code), whether such foreign financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its United States account holders (as specifically defined in the Code) and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity, whether such non-financial foreign entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such entity provides a certification that the beneficial owner of the payment does not have any substantial United States owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each such substantial United States owner and certain other specified requirements are met. In certain cases, the relevant foreign financial institution or nonfinancial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from, or be deemed to be in compliance with, these rules. In addition, foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding FATCA and whether it may be relevant to your ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
Other Taxation
Common Shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions. Common Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE RELATED AND COMPARATIVE INFORMATION
Total Return. From time to time, the Fund may advertise its average annual total returns. Returns may be calculated both on a before-tax and an after-tax basis (and are so presented in the Prospectus with respect to the Funds largest and/or oldest share class). Returns are based on past performance and are not an indication of future performance.
Unless otherwise noted, results shown will reflect any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during the periods presented.
As noted above, returns may also be calculated on certain after-tax bases under similar assumptions and using similar formulae as specified by the SEC. For example, returns may be calculated after taxes on distributions, which assume reinvestment of the amount of any distributions less applicable taxes on such distributions. Returns may also be calculated after taxes on distributions and the sale (redemption) of Fund shares. After-tax returns assume the highest individual federal income tax rate for each year included in the calculation. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. Such returns do not reflect the effect of state and local taxes, nor do they reflect the phase-outs of certain federal exemptions, deductions, and credits at various income levels, or the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax. In addition, actual after-tax returns depend on each investors individual tax situation, which may differ from the returns presented. For instance, after-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their funds in tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
Comparison of Portfolio Performance. From time to time the Fund may discuss in sales literature and advertisements, specific performance grades or rankings or other information as published by recognized such as Morningstar, Inc. or Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., or by publications of general interest such as Barrons, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune, Kiplingers Personal Finance, Money, The Wall Street Journal or Worth. Criteria associated with the performance grades or rankings may vary widely. Any given performance grade or ranking should not be considered representative of the Funds performance for any future period.
Portfolio Turnover. Purchases and sales of portfolio instruments will be made whenever appropriate, in the investment advisers view, to achieve the Funds investment objective. The rate of portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing the lesser of the cost of purchases or the proceeds from sales of portfolio instruments (excluding short-term
34
U.S. government obligations and other short-term investments) for the particular fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio instruments (excluding short-term U.S. government obligations and short-term investments) owned by the Fund during the particular fiscal year. Although higher portfolio turnover rates are likely to result in higher brokerage commissions paid by the Fund, higher levels of realized capital gains and more short-term capital gain (taxable to individuals at ordinary income tax rates) than lower portfolio turnover rates, portfolio turnover is not a limiting factor when management deems portfolio changes appropriate to achieve the Funds stated objective.
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSEMENT AGENT
The primary custodian of the assets of the Fund is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.s principal business address is 4 Chase Metrotech Center, Floor 16, Brooklyn, New York, 11245. The custodian performs custodial and fund accounting services as well as sub-administrative and compliance services on behalf of the Fund. DST Systems, Inc. serves as the Funds transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursement agent and shareholder servicing agent, as well as agent for the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017-6204, serves as the Funds independent registered public accountant. PwC audits the Funds financial statements and renders its report thereon.
Certain legal matters will be passed on for the Fund by Sidley Austin LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019.
A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Common Shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC in Washington, D.C. The Funds prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Common Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Funds Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Funds prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SECs principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC or on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Funds audited financial statements appearing in the Funds annual shareholder report for the year ended December 31, 2020, are incorporated by reference in this Statement of Additional Information and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of PwC, independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, whose report is included in such annual shareholder report.
The annual shareholder report is available without charge at www.feim.com or by calling 800.334.2143 to request a paper copy.
35
|
PART C
Other Information
Item 25. Financial Statements And Exhibits
The agreements included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to this registration statement contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.
The Registrant acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this registration statement not misleading.
(1) | Financial Statements |
Part A | Financial highlights for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.** |
Part B | Financial Statements incorporated by reference to Registrant’s most recent certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR, filed on March 5, 2021 (File No. 811-23592). |
(2) | Exhibits |
(a)(1) | Certificate of Trust dated July 8, 2020.(2) |
(a)(2) | Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated September 4, 2020.(3) |
(b) | Bylaws dated September 4, 2020.(3) |
(c) | Not Applicable. |
(d) | Not Applicable. |
(e) | Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan.(3) |
(f) | Not Applicable. |
(g)(1) | Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (“FEIM”).(3) |
(g)(2) | Subadvisory Agreement FEIM and First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC (“FEAC”).(3) |
(h) | Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and FEF Distributors, LLC (“FEF Distributors”).(3) |
(i) | Not Applicable. |
(j)(2) | Joinder and Amendment to Global Custody Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2020.(3) |
(k)(1) | Amended and Restated Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. with amended Exhibit A, dated April 21, 2021** |
(k)(2) | Agency Agreement between First Eagle Funds, First Eagle Variable Fund and DST System INC., dated March 1, 2016.(3) |
|
(k)(3) | Amendment to the Agency Agreement, dated August 10, 2020.(3) |
(k)(4) | Amendment to the Agency Agreement, dated April 27, 2021.** |
(k)(6) | Sale and Contribution Agreement between SPV and the Registrant, dated February 5, 2021.(1) |
(k)(7) | Securities Account Control Agreement between SPV, Ally Bank and US Bank, dated February 5, 2021.(1) |
(k)(8) | Pledge Agreement between the Registrant and Ally Bank, dated February 5, 2021.(1) |
(k)(9) | Form of Expense Limitation Agreement** |
(l) | Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.(5) |
(m) | Not Applicable. |
(n) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.** |
(o) | Not Applicable. |
(p) | Form of Subscription Agreement.(3) |
(q) | Not Applicable. |
(r)(1) | Code of Ethics of FEIM and the Registrant.(3) |
(r)(2) | Code of Ethics of FEAC.(3) |
(s)(1) | Power of Attorney.(4) |
(s)(2) | Power of Attorney.(3) |
** | Filed herewith. | |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (File No. 333-239995) on Form N-2, filed on February 8, 2021. | |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (File No. 333-239995) on Form N-2, filed on July 22, 2020. | |
(3) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (File No. 333-239995) on Form N-2, filed on November 19, 2020. | |
(4) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (File No. 333-239995) on Form N-2, filed on September 23, 2020. | |
(5) | Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (File No. 333-239995) on Form N-2, filed on November 25, 2020. |
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
See the Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit (h).
Item 27. Other Expenses Of Issuance And Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this registration statement:
Registration fee | $ | 52,000 |
Printing and engraving expenses | 11,824 | |
Accounting fees and expenses | 86,900 | |
Legal fees and expenses | 450,000 | |
Miscellaneous | 40,000 | |
Total | $ | 640,724 |
|
Item 28. Persons Controlled By Or Under Common Control With The Registrant
None.
Item 29. Number Of Holders Of Shares
As of April 6, 2021:
Title Of Class | Number Of Record Holders | |
Class A | 1 | |
Class I | 153 |
Item 30. Indemnification
Reference is made to Article V, Section 5.3 of Registrant’s Declaration of Trust to be filed by amendment as Exhibit (a)(2). Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of an action suit or proceeding) is asserted by a director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is again public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31. Business And Other Connections Of Investment Adviser
The descriptions of FEIM and FEAC under the caption “Principal Risks of the Fund” in the Prospectus and under the caption “Management of the Fund” in the Statement of Additional Information of this Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. Information as to the trustees and officers of FEIM and FEAC, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the trustees and officers of FEIM and FEAC in the last two years, is included in their respective applications for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File Nos. 801-50659 and 801-71201, respectively) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Location Of Accounts And Records
The books, accounts and records of the Registrant required by Section 31(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained at the office of the Registrant at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Item 33. Management Services
Not Applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings
(1) Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the Prospectus is amended, if subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, its net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement or its net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the Prospectus.
(2) | Not Applicable. |
(3) | (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act; (ii) to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration |
|
statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(d) Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the 1933 Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the 1933 Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(e) That for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the 1933 Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:
The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:
(1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act;
(2) the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the 1933 Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(3) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
(4) | Not Applicable. |
(5) | Not Applicable. |
(6) | Not Applicable. |
(7) | Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information. |
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that this Registration Statement meets all of the requirements for effectiveness under Rule 486(b) and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, in the State of New York, on the 30th day of April 2021.
FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND | |||
(A Delaware statutory trust) | |||
By: | /s/ Mehdi Mahmud | ||
Name: | Mehdi Mahmud | ||
Title: | President (Principal Executive Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name | Title | Date | ||
* | ||||
Candace Beinecke | Trustee | April 30, 2021 | ||
* | ||||
Jean Hamilton | Trustee | April 30, 2021 | ||
* | ||||
Nancy Hawthorne | Trustee | April 30, 2021 | ||
/s/ Mehdi Mahmud | ||||
Mehdi Mahmud | Trustee | April 30, 2021 | ||
/s/ Joseph Malone | ||||
Joseph Malone | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | April 30, 2021 |
*By: | /s/ Mehdi Mahmud | |
Mehdi Mahmud, Attorney-in-Fact |
|
Exhibit Index
Exhibit | Exhibit Name | |
(j)(1) | Global Custody Agreement with Amended Exhibit A | |
(k)(1) | Amended and Restated Fund Services Agreement with Amended Exhibit A | |
(k)(4) | Amendment to the Agency Agreement | |
(k)(9) | Form of Expense Limitation Agreement | |
(n) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Exhibit (j)(1)
AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT | |
between | |
EACH FIRST EAGLE ENTITY SET FORTH ON EXHIBIT A HERETO | |
and | |
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. | |
SECURITIES SERVICES | |
jpmorgan.com |
|
Table of Contents
1. | INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS | 1 |
1.1. | Intention of the Parties | 1 |
1.2. | Definitions; Interpretation | 1 |
2. | WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO | 4 |
2.1. | Set Up Accounts | 4 |
2.2. | Cash Account | 5 |
2.3. | Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name | 5 |
2.4. | Settlement of Transactions | 6 |
2.5. | Contractual Settlement Date Accounting | 6 |
2.6. | Actual Settlement Date Accounting | 7 |
2.7. | Income Collection (AutoCredit®) | 7 |
2.8. | Miscellaneous Administrative Duties | 7 |
2.9. | Corporate Actions | 8 |
2.10. | Class Action Litigation | 8 |
2.11. | Proxies | 8 |
2.12. | Statements of Account | 9 |
2.13. | Access to J.P. Morgan’s Records | 9 |
2.14. | Maintenance of Financial Assets at Subcustodian Locations | 10 |
2.15. | Tax Relief Services | 10 |
2.16. | Foreign Exchange Transactions | 10 |
2.17. | Notifications | 10 |
2.18. | Sealed Envelopes | 10 |
3. | INSTRUCTIONS | 13 |
3.1. | Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction and Unclear Instructions | 13 |
3.2. | Verification and Security Procedures | 13 |
3.3. | Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice | 13 |
3.4. | Cut-Off Times | 13 |
3.5. | Electronic Access | 13 |
4. | FEES, EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO J.P. MORGAN | 14 |
4.1. | Fees and Expenses | 14 |
4.2. | Overdrafts | 14 |
4.3. | J.P. Morgan’s Right Over Securities; Set-off | 14 |
5. | SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES | 15 |
5.1. | Appointment of Subcustodians; Use of Securities Depositories | 15 |
5.2. | Liability for Subcustodians | 15 |
6. | ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS | 16 |
6.1. | Representations of the Customer and J.P. Morgan | 16 |
6.2. | The Customer is Liable to J.P. Morgan Even if it is Acting for Another Person | 16 |
6.3. | Special Settlement Services | 17 |
7. | WHEN J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER | 17 |
7.1. | Standard of Care; Liability | 17 |
7.2. | Force Majeure | 18 |
7.3. | J.P. Morgan May Consult With Counsel | 18 |
|
|
AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This agreement, dated April 18, 2017 (the “Agreement”), is between JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (“J.P. Morgan”), with a place of business at 383 Madison Ave., Floor 11, New York, New York, 10179; and each entity managed by First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, or First Eagle Alternative Credit, that is set forth on Exhibit A (each, the “Customer”) with a place of business at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.
1. | INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS |
1.1. | Intention of the Parties | ||
(a) | This Agreement sets out the terms on which J.P. Morgan will provide custodial, settlement, asset servicing and other associated services to the Customer. J.P. Morgan will be responsible for the performance of only those duties expressly set forth in this Agreement. | ||
(b) | Investing in Financial Assets and cash in foreign jurisdictions may involve risks of loss or other burdens and costs. The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan is not providing any legal, tax or investment advice in connection with the services under this Agreement and will not be liable for any losses resulting from Country Risk. | ||
(c) | The terms and conditions of this Agreement are applicable only to the services which are specified in this Agreement. | ||
1.2. | Definitions; Interpretation | ||
(a) | Definitions | ||
As used herein, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated. | ||
“Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1. | ||
“Account Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a). | ||
“Affiliated Subcustodian Bank” means a Subcustodian that is both a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and either (i) a bank chartered or incorporated in the United States of America or (ii) a branch or subsidiary of such a bank. | ||
“AML/Sanctions Requirements” means (a) any Applicable Law (including but not limited to the rules and regulations of the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control) applicable to J.P. Morgan, or to any J.P. Morgan Affiliate engaged in servicing any Account, which governs (i) money laundering, the financing of terrorism, insider dealing or other unlawful activities, or the use of financial institutions to facilitate such activities or (ii) transactions involving individuals or institutions which have been prohibited by, or subject to, sanctions of any governmental authority; and (b) any J.P. Morgan policies and procedures reasonably designed to assure compliance with any such Applicable Law. | ||
“Applicable Law” means any applicable statute, treaty, rule, regulation or law (including common law) and any applicable decree, injunction, judgment, order, formal interpretation or ruling issued by a court or governmental entity. | ||
“Authorized Person” means any person who has been designated by written notice from the Customer in the form as provided by J.P. Morgan (or by written notice in the form as provided by J.P. Morgan from any agent designated by the Customer, including, without limitation, an investment manager) to act on behalf of the Customer under this Agreement and any person who has been given an access code by a security administrator appointed by the Customer which allows the provision of Instructions. Such persons will continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as J.P. Morgan receives and has had reasonable time to act upon Instructions from the Customer (or its agent) that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person. | ||
“Cash Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ii). |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 1
|
“Confidential Information” means all non-public information concerning the Customer or the Accounts which J.P. Morgan receives in the course of providing services under this Agreement. Nevertheless, the term Confidential Information shall not include information which is or becomes available to the general public other than as a direct result of J.P. Morgan’s breach of the terms of this Agreement or information which J.P. Morgan obtains on a non-confidential basis from a person who is not known to be subject to any obligation of confidence to any person with respect to that information.
“Corporate Action” means any subscription right, bonus issue, stock repurchase plan, redemption, exchange, tender offer, or similar matter with respect to a Financial Asset in the Securities Account that requires discretionary action by the beneficial owner of the Financial Asset, but does not include rights with respect to class action litigation or proxy voting.
“Country Risk” means the risk of investing or holding assets in a particular country or market, including, but not limited to, risks arising from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; the country’s financial infrastructure, including prevailing custody, tax and settlement practices; laws applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Financial Assets and cash held in custody; the regulation of the banking and securities industries, including changes in market rules; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and market conditions affecting the orderly execution of securities transactions or the value of assets.
“Eligible Foreign Custodian” means (i) a banking institution or trust company, incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States, that is regulated as such by that country’s government or an agency thereof, and (ii) a majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in rule 17f-5(a)(7)) or bank holding company which subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States. In addition, an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall also mean any other entity that shall have been so qualified by exemptive order, rule or other appropriate action of the SEC.
“Eligible Securities Depository” shall have the same meaning as in rule 17f-7(b)(1)(i)-(vi) as the same may be amended from time to time, or that has otherwise been made exempt pursuant to an SEC exemptive order; provided that, prior to the compliance date with rule 17f-7 for a particular securities depository the term “securities depositories” shall be as defined in (a)(1)(ii)-(iii) of the 1997 amendments to rule 17f-5.
“Entitlement Holder” means the person named on the records of a Securities Intermediary as the person having a Security Entitlement against the Securities Intermediary.
“Financial Asset” means a Security, Gold, and Silver, and refers, as the context requires, either to the asset itself or to the means by which a person’s claim to it is evidenced, including, without limitation, for a Security, a security certificate or a Security Entitlement and for Gold and Silver, the serial numbers or other identification marks. “Financial Asset” does not include cash.
“Fund” means each separate portfolio of the First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds.
“Gold” means gold bars, custodied on an allocated basis, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties.
“Instruction” means an instruction that has been verified in accordance with a Security Procedure or, if no Security Procedure is applicable, that J.P. Morgan believes, in its commercially reasonable discretion, to have been given by an Authorized Person.
“J.P. Morgan Affiliate” means an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with J.P. Morgan.
“J.P. Morgan Indemnitees” means J.P. Morgan, J.P. Morgan Affiliates, Subcustodians, and their respective nominees, directors, officers, employees and agents.
“Liabilities” means any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, taxes (other than taxes based solely on J.P. Morgan’s income), or expenses of any kind whatsoever (whether actual or contingent and including, without limitation, attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ and experts’ fees and disbursements reasonably incurred and, where relevant, any and all amounts owing to J.P.
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 2
|
Morgan by Customer’s counterparty in connection with collateral Accounts or control Accounts established at J.P. Morgan pursuant to the Customer’s Instruction) outstanding from time to time.
“Proxy Voting Service” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(a).
“Sealed Envelope” means a sealed envelope which the Customer requests J.P. Morgan to hold in custody. Nothing in this definition shall obligate J.P. Morgan to accept any such Sealed Envelope.
“Secured Liabilities” means Customer’s obligation to (i) pay any unpaid fees to J.P. Morgan, and (ii) repay any extension of credit made by J.P. Morgan or its Affiliates in the normal course of business for the purpose of (A) clearing and settling purchases or sales of Securities for which Customer has not yet delivered sufficient cash into the Cash Account or Securities into the Securities Account, (B) funding any cash payment related to clearing and settling the purchase or sale of an asset or other investment vehicle, including cash payments related to a purchase or sale of foreign currencies or precious metals for which Customer has not yet delivered sufficient cash into the Cash Account, or (C) the advancement of funds in relation to Contractual Settlement Date Accounting as described in Section 2.5, which in each case was intended by J.P. Morgan to be a short-term extension of credit when made.
“Securities” means shares, stocks, debentures, bonds, notes or other like obligations, whether issued in certificated or uncertificated form, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the same that are commonly traded or dealt in on securities exchanges or financial markets and any other property as may be acceptable to J.P. Morgan for the Securities Account.
“Securities Account” means each Securities custody account on J.P. Morgan’s records to which Financial Assets are or may be credited under this Agreement.
“Securities Depository” means any securities depository, clearing corporation, dematerialized book entry system or similar system for the central handling of Securities, whether or not acting in that capacity. The term ‘Securities Depository’ as used in this Agreement when referring to a securities depository located in the U.S. shall mean a ’securities depository’ as defined in rule 17f-4(c)(6).
“Security Entitlement” means the rights and property interests of an Entitlement Holder with respect to a Financial Asset as set forth in Part 5 of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, as the same may be amended from time to time.
“Securities Intermediary” means J.P. Morgan, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository and any other financial institution which in the ordinary course of business maintains Securities custody accounts for others and acts in that capacity.
“Security Procedure” means a security procedure to be followed by the Customer upon the issuance of an instruction and/or by J.P. Morgan upon the receipt of an instruction, so as to enable J.P. Morgan to verify that such instruction is authorized, as set forth in service level documentation in effect from time to time with respect to the services set forth in this Agreement, or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. A Security Procedure may, without limitation, involve the use of algorithms, codes, passwords, encryption or telephone call backs, and may be updated by J.P. Morgan from time to time upon notice to the Customer. The Customer acknowledges that the Security Procedure is designed to verify the authenticity of, and not to detect errors in, instructions. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that a SWIFT message issued in the name of the Customer through any third party utility that the parties have agreed as an utility through which instructions may be provided hereunder and authenticated in accordance with that utility’s customary procedures, shall be deemed to be an authorized instruction; provided that nothing in the foregoing clause shall require Customer to use SWIFT messaging as a method for providing Instructions.
“Silver” means silver bars, custodied on an allocated basis, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties.
“Subcustodian” means any of the subcustodians appointed by J.P. Morgan from time to time to hold Financial Assets and act on its behalf in different jurisdictions (and being at the date of this Agreement the entities listed in 0 – List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan) and includes any Affiliated Subcustodian Bank.
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 3
|
(b) | Interpretation | ||
(i) | Headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not in any way form part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. | ||
(ii) | Unless otherwise expressly stated to the contrary herein, references to articles and sections are to articles and sections of this Agreement and references to sub-sections and paragraphs are to sub-sections of the Sections and paragraphs of the sub-sections in which they appear. | ||
(iii) | Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Agreement to “persons” shall include legal as well as natural entities; references importing the singular shall include the plural (and vice versa); use of the generic masculine pronoun shall include the feminine (and vice versa); use of the term “including” shall be deemed to mean “including but not limited” to, and references to appendices and numbered sections shall be to such addenda and provisions herein; all such addenda are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by reference. | ||
(iv) | Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference to a statute or a statutory provision shall include such statute or provision as from time modified to the extent such modification applies to any service provided hereunder. Any reference to a statute or a statutory provision shall also include any subordinate legislation made from time to time under that statute or provision. |
2. | WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO |
2.1. | Set Up Accounts |
(a) | J.P. Morgan will establish and maintain the following accounts (“Accounts”): | ||
(i) | one or more Securities Accounts in the name of the Customer (or in another name requested by the Customer that is acceptable to J.P. Morgan) for the safekeeping of Financial Assets, which may be held by J.P. Morgan, a Subcustodian or a Securities Depository for J.P. Morgan on behalf of the Customer, including as an Entitlement Holder; and | ||
(ii) | one or more cash accounts in the name of the Customer (each, a “Cash Account”) (or in another name requested by the Customer that is acceptable to J.P. Morgan) for the safekeeping of any and all cash in any currency received by or on behalf of J.P. Morgan for the account of the Customer. | ||
Notwithstanding paragraph 2.1(a)(ii), cash held in respect of those markets where the Customer is required to have a cash account in its own name held directly with the relevant Subcustodian or Securities Depository will be held in that manner and will not be part of the Cash Account. | |||
(b) | At the request of the Customer, additional Accounts may be opened in the future, and such additional Accounts shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement. | ||
(c) | In the event that the Customer requests the opening of any additional Account for the purpose of holding collateral pledged by the Customer to a securities exchange, clearing corporation, or other central counterparty (a “Counterparty”) to secure trading activity by the Customer, or the pledge to a Counterparty of cash or individual Securities held in an Account, that Account (or the pledged cash or Securities) shall be subject to the collateral arrangements in effect between J.P. Morgan and the Counterparty in addition to the terms of this Agreement. | ||
(d) | Upon thirty (30) days’ prior notice to the Customer, J.P. Morgan may close any Account that it reasonably determines to be dormant. In the case of a dormant Cash Account, J.P. Morgan may, upon closure of the Account, pay any de minimis balances in that Cash Account into another Cash |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 4
|
Account of the Customer, and is authorized to enter into with Customer any foreign exchange transactions needed to facilitate the payment, as contemplated by Section 2.16 of this Agreement | |||
(e) | J.P. Morgan’s obligation to open Accounts pursuant to Section 2.1(a) is conditional upon J.P. Morgan receiving such of the following documents as J.P. Morgan may require: | ||
(i) | a certified copy of the Customer’s constitutional documents as in force at the time of receipt; | ||
(ii) | evidence reasonably satisfactory to J.P. Morgan of the due authorization and execution of this Agreement by the Customer (for example by a certified copy of a resolution of the Customer’s board of directors or equivalent governing body, substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1 Form of Board Resolution); | ||
(iii) | fund manager mandate completed by the fund manager designated by the Customer; | ||
(iv) | information about the Customer’s financial status, such as its audited and unaudited financial statements; and | ||
(v) | in the case of any Account opened in a name other than that of the Customer, documentation with respect to that name similar to that set forth in sub-sections (i) – (iv). |
2.2. | Cash Account |
(a) | Any amount standing to the credit of the Cash Account will be either: | ||
(i) | deposited during the period it is credited to the Accounts in one or more deposit accounts at J.P. Morgan’s head office or at one of its non-U.S. branch offices and will constitute a debt owing to the Customer by J.P. Morgan as banker, provided that (A) any cash so deposited with a non-U.S. branch office will be payable exclusively by that branch office in the applicable currency, subject to compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, any restrictions on transactions in the applicable currency imposed by the country of the applicable currency and (B) from time to time, J.P. Morgan may, in its discretion, pay interest on any such deposit account at a rate to be determined by J.P. Morgan (or charge interest if, at the time, the prevailing interest rate in the relevant market for similar deposits in the same currency is negative); or | ||
(ii) | placed by J.P. Morgan with a bank or other financial institution in the country in which the applicable currency is issued, in which case the deposit will constitute a debt owing to the Customer by that bank or other financial institution and not J.P. Morgan, payable exclusively in the applicable currency at that bank or financial institution. | ||
(b) | Any amounts credited by J.P. Morgan to the Cash Account on the basis of a notice or an interim credit from a third party, may be reversed if J.P. Morgan does not receive final payment in a timely manner. J.P. Morgan will notify the Customer promptly of any such reversal. |
2.3. | Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name |
(a) | J.P. Morgan will identify in its books that Financial Assets credited to the Customer’s Securities Account belong to the Customer (except as may be otherwise agreed by J.P. Morgan and the Customer). | |
(b) | To the extent permitted by Applicable Law or market practice, J.P. Morgan will require each Subcustodian to identify in its own books that Financial Assets held at such Subcustodian by J.P. Morgan on behalf of its customers belong to customers of J.P. Morgan, such that it is readily apparent that the Financial Assets do not belong to J.P. Morgan or the Subcustodian. J.P. Morgan |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 5
|
will notify Customer promptly following J.P. Morgan becoming aware of a Sub-Custodian that holds Customer’s Financial Assets failing to segregate customer assets from its proprietary assets. | |||
(c) | J.P. Morgan is authorized, in its discretion to: | ||
(i) | hold in bearer form such Financial Assets as are customarily held in bearer form or are delivered to J.P. Morgan or its Subcustodian in bearer form; | ||
(ii) | hold Financial Assets in or deposit Financial Assets with any Securities Depository; | ||
(iii) | hold Financial Assets in omnibus accounts on a fungible basis and to accept delivery of Financial Assets of the same class and denomination as those deposited by the Customer; | ||
(iv) | register in the name of the Customer, J.P. Morgan, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository or their respective nominees, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in registered form; and | ||
(v) | decline to accept any asset or property which it deems to be unsuitable or inconsistent with its custodial operations. |
2.4. | Settlement of Transactions |
Subject to Article 3 and Section 4.2 of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with Instructions with respect to settlement of transactions. Settlement of transactions will be conducted in accordance with prevailing standards of the market in which the transaction occurs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to deliver Financial Assets or payment in accordance with applicable market practice in advance of receipt or settlement of consideration expected in connection with such delivery or payment, and the Customer acknowledges and agrees that such action alone will not of itself constitute negligence, fraud, or willful misconduct of J.P. Morgan, and the risk of loss arising from any such action will be borne by the Customer. In the case of the failure of the Customer’s counterparty (or other appropriate party) to deliver the expected consideration as agreed, J.P. Morgan will notify the Customer of such failure. If the Customer’s counterparty continues to fail to deliver the expected consideration, J.P. Morgan will provide information reasonably requested by the Customer that J.P. Morgan has in its possession to allow the Customer to enforce rights that the Customer has against the Customer’s counterparty, but neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians will be obliged to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action. |
2.5. | Contractual Settlement Date Accounting |
(a) | J.P. Morgan will effect book entries on a contractual settlement date accounting basis as described below with respect to the settlement for those Financial Assets and transactions as to which J.P. Morgan customarily offers contractual settlement date accounting. J.P. Morgan reserves the right to restrict in good faith the availability of contractual settlement date accounting for credit or operational reasons. |
(i) | Sales: On the settlement date for a sale, J.P. Morgan will credit the Cash Account with the proceeds of the sale and post the Securities Account as pending delivery of the relevant Financial Assets. | |
(ii) | Purchases: On the settlement date for a purchase (or earlier, if market practice requires delivery of the purchase price before the settlement date), J.P. Morgan will debit the Cash Account for the settlement amount. J.P. Morgan will then post the Securities Account as awaiting receipt of the expected Financial Assets. The Customer will not be entitled to the delivery of Financial Assets until J.P. Morgan or a Subcustodian actually receives them. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 6
|
Upon request, J.P. Morgan shall provide the Customer with a list of those markets for which it provides contractual settlement date accounting. J.P. Morgan may add markets to or remove markets from such list upon reasonable notice to the Customer. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan may reverse any debit or credit made pursuant to Section 2.5(a) prior to a transaction’s actual settlement upon notice to the Customer in cases where J.P. Morgan reasonably believes that the transaction will not settle in the ordinary course within a reasonable time. The Customer will be responsible for any Liabilities resulting from such reversal. The Customer acknowledges that the procedures described in Section 2.5 are of an administrative nature, and J.P. Morgan does not undertake to make loans of cash and/or Financial Assets available to the Customer. |
2.6. | Actual Settlement Date Accounting | ||
With respect to settlement of any transaction that is not posted to the Account on the contractual settlement date as referred to in Section 2.5, J.P. Morgan will post such transaction on the date on which the cash or Financial Assets received as consideration for the transaction is actually received and settled by J.P. Morgan. | |||
2.7. | Income Collection (AutoCredit®) | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan will monitor information publicly available in the applicable market about forthcoming income payments on the Financial Assets held in the Securities Account, and will promptly notify the Customer of such information. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan will credit the Cash Account with income proceeds on Financial Assets on the anticipated payment date, net of any taxes that are withheld by J.P. Morgan or any third party (“AutoCredit”) for those Financial Assets and/or markets for which J.P. Morgan customarily offers an AutoCredit service. However, J.P. Morgan reserves the right to restrict in good faith the availability of AutoCredit for credit or operational reasons. Upon request, J.P. Morgan shall provide the Customer with a list of AutoCredit eligible markets. J.P. Morgan may add markets to or remove markets from the list of AutoCredit markets upon notice to the Customer that is reasonable in the circumstances. J.P. Morgan may reverse AutoCredit credits upon oral or written notification to the Customer if J.P. Morgan believes that the corresponding payment will not be received by J.P. Morgan within a reasonable period or the credit was incorrect. | ||
(c) | When the AutoCredit service is not available, income on Financial Assets, net of any taxes withheld by J.P. Morgan or any third party, will be credited only after actual receipt and reconciliation by J.P. Morgan. | ||
(d) | J.P. Morgan will use reasonable efforts to contact appropriate parties to collect unpaid interest, dividends or redemption proceeds and notify the Customer of the late payment, but neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians will be obliged to file any formal notice of default, institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action. | ||
2.8. | Miscellaneous Administrative Duties |
(a) | Until J.P. Morgan receives Instructions to the contrary, J.P. Morgan will: | ||
(i) | present all Financial Assets for which J.P. Morgan has received notice of a call for redemption or that have otherwise matured, and all income and interest coupons and other income items that call for payment upon presentation; | ||
(ii) | execute in the name of the Customer such certificates as may be required to obtain payment in respect of Financial Assets; and |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 7
|
(iii) | exchange interim or temporary documents of title held in the Securities Account for definitive documents of title. |
(b) | In the event that, as a result of holding of Financial Assets in an omnibus account, the Customer receives fractional interests in Financial Assets arising out of a Corporate Action or class action litigation, J.P. Morgan will credit the Customer with the amount of cash the Customer would have received, as reasonably determined by J.P. Morgan, had the Financial Assets not been held in an omnibus account, and the Customer shall relinquish to J.P. Morgan its interest in such fractional interests. | ||
(c) | If some, but not all, of an outstanding class of Financial Assets is called for redemption, J.P. Morgan may allot the amount redeemed among the respective beneficial holders of such a class of Financial Assets on a pro rata basis or in a similar manner J.P. Morgan deems fair and equitable. | ||
(d) | J.P. Morgan reserves the right to reverse any transactions that are credited to the Accounts due to mis-postings and other similar actions. | ||
2.9. | Corporate Actions | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with local market practice to obtain information concerning Corporate Actions that is publicly available in the local market. J.P. Morgan also will review information obtained from sources to which J.P. Morgan subscribes for information concerning such Corporate Actions. J.P. Morgan will promptly provide that information (or summaries that reflect the material points concerning the applicable Corporate Action) to the Customer or its Authorized Person. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with the Customer’s Instructions in relation to such Corporate Actions. If the Customer fails to provide J.P. Morgan with timely Instructions with respect to any Corporate Action, neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians or their respective nominees will take any action in relation to that Corporate Action, except as otherwise agreed in writing by J.P. Morgan and the Customer or as may be set forth by J.P. Morgan as a default action in the notification it provides under Section 2.9(a) with respect to that Corporate Action. | ||
(c) | When instructed by the Customer, subject to availability in the market, J.P. Morgan, or a J.P. Morgan Affiliate, shall place orders for the sale of rights offerings that the Customer received from Corporate Actions. A current list of markets in which this service is being offered is available from J.P. Morgan on request. | ||
2.10. | Class Action Litigation | ||
Any notices received by J.P. Morgan’s corporate actions department about settled securities class action litigation that requires action by affected owners of the underlying Financial Assets will be promptly notified to the Customer if J.P. Morgan, using reasonable care and diligence in the circumstances, identifies that the Customer was a shareholder and held the relevant Financial Assets in custody with J.P. Morgan at the relevant time. J.P. Morgan will not make filings in the name of the Customer in respect to such notifications except as otherwise agreed in writing between the Customer and J.P. Morgan. The services set forth in this Section 2.10 are available only in certain markets, details of which are available from J.P. Morgan on request. | |||
2.11. | Proxies | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan will monitor information distributed to holders of Financial Assets about upcoming shareholder meetings, promptly notify the Customer of such information and, subject to Section 2.11(c), act in accordance with the Customer’s Instructions in relation to such meetings (the “Proxy Voting Service”). |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 8
|
(b) | The Proxy Voting Service is available only in certain markets, details of which are available from J.P. Morgan on request. Provision of the Proxy Voting Service is conditional upon receipt by J.P. Morgan of a duly completed enrollment form as well as all documentation that may be required for certain markets. | ||
(c) | The Proxy Voting Service does not include physical attendance at shareholder meetings. Requests for physical attendance at shareholder meetings can be made but they will be evaluated and agreed to by J.P. Morgan on a case by case basis. | ||
(d) | The Customer acknowledges that the provision of the Proxy Voting Service may be precluded or restricted under a variety of circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to: | ||
(i) | the Financial Assets being on loan or out for registration; | ||
(ii) | the pendency of conversion or another corporate action; | ||
(iii) | the Financial Assets being held in a margin or collateral account at J.P. Morgan or another bank or broker, or otherwise in a manner which affects voting; | ||
(iv) | local market regulations or practices, or restrictions by the issuer; and | ||
(v) | J.P. Morgan being required to vote all shares held for a particular issue for all of J.P. Morgan’s customers on a net basis (i.e., a net yes or no vote based on voting instructions received from all its customers). Where this is the case, J.P. Morgan will notify the Customer. |
2.12. | Statements of Account | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan will provide the Customer with electronic access to Account information (the “Information”) that will enable the Customer to generate or receive reports and statements of account for each Account and to identify Account Assets as well as Account transactions. The Customer will review the Information and give J.P. Morgan written notice of (i) any suspected error or omission or (ii) the Customer’s inability to access any such Information. The Customer will provide J.P. Morgan such notice within a reasonable time after (x) the Information is made available to the Customer or (y) the Customer discovers that it is unable to access the Information, as the case may be. | ||
(b) | The Customer acknowledges that Information available to it electronically with respect to transactions posted after the close of the prior business day may not be accurate due to mis-postings, delays in updating Account records, and other causes. J.P. Morgan will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of any such information accessed electronically that is subsequently updated or corrected by the close of business on the first business day after the original transaction was posted. | ||
2.13. | Access to J.P. Morgan’s Records | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan will, upon reasonable written notice, allow the Customer’s auditors and independent public accountants such reasonable access to the records of J.P. Morgan relating to the Accounts as may be required in connection with their examination of books and records pertaining to the Customer’s affairs. Subject to restrictions under the relevant local law, J.P. Morgan shall direct any Subcustodian to permit the Customer’s auditors and independent public accountants, reasonable access to the records of any Subcustodian of Financial Assets held in the Securities Account as may be required in connection with such examination. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan will, upon reasonable written notice, allow the Customer reasonable access during normal working hours to the records of J.P. Morgan relating to the Accounts. The Customer shall |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 9
|
reimburse J.P. Morgan for the reasonable cost of copying, collating and researching archived information. | |||
2.14. | Maintenance of Financial Assets at Subcustodian Locations | ||
(a) | Unless Instructions require another location acceptable to J.P. Morgan, Financial Assets will be held in the country or jurisdiction in which their principal trading market is located, where such Financial Assets may be presented for payment, where such Financial Assets were acquired, or where such Financial Assets are located. J.P. Morgan reserves the right to refuse to accept delivery of Financial Assets or cash in countries and jurisdictions other than those referred to in 0 - List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan, as in effect from time to time. J.P. Morgan may modify 0 – List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan from time to time upon notice to the Customer. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan reserves the right to restrict the services it provides in certain markets that are deemed by J.P. Morgan to be restricted markets from time to time. A current list of these markets, and a summary of the related restrictions, is set forth on Schedule 2 - List of J.P. Morgan Investor Services Custody Restricted Markets. J.P. Morgan may update Schedule 2 - List of J.P. Morgan Investor Services Custody Restricted Markets from time to time upon notice to the Customer. | ||
2.15. | Tax Relief Services | ||
J.P. Morgan will provide tax relief services as provided in Section 8.2. | |||
2.16. | Foreign Exchange Transactions | ||
To facilitate the administration of the Customer’s trading and investment activity, J.P. Morgan may, but will not be obliged to, enter into spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with the Customer, or an Authorized Person, and may also provide foreign exchange contracts and facilities through J.P. Morgan Affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions, including standing Instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts and facilities, but J.P. Morgan may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange contract or facility made available. In all cases where J.P. Morgan or J.P. Morgan Affiliates or Subcustodians enter into foreign exchange contracts or facilities with the Customer, J.P. Morgan will not be executing or otherwise placing any foreign exchange transaction as the Customer’s agent, and such transactions will be governed by the terms and conditions of such foreign exchange contracts or facilities (as the case may be). Such foreign exchange contracts and facilities shall not be deemed as part of the custodial, settlement or associated services under this Agreement. With respect to the Customer’s foreign exchange contracts or facilities with J.P. Morgan, J.P. Morgan will be acting as the Customer’s principal counterparty on such foreign exchange contracts or facilities (as the case may be). | |||
2.17. | Notifications | ||
If the Customer has agreed to access information concerning the Accounts through J.P. Morgan’s website, J.P. Morgan may make any notifications required under this Agreement, other than notifications pursuant to Article 9, by posting it on the website. | |||
2.18. | Sealed Envelopes | ||
From time to time, at the Customer’s request, J.P. Morgan may agree to hold certain Sealed Envelopes in custody for the Customer. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, J.P. Morgan’s sole responsibility with regards to Sealed Envelopes will be to hold them in J.P. Morgan’s or in a Subcustodian’s possession. J.P. Morgan shall not be responsible for verifying the content of any Sealed Envelope purported to contain assets or assessing the value, validity or transferability of any such assets (including the existence or value of any investments contained in any Sealed Envelope). With respect to Sealed Envelopes, neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians will be obligated to perform any service or action described in this Agreement, including, but not limited to, asset servicing, tax services, corporate actions, income or dividend collection, settlement services or class action litigation. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 10
|
2.19. | Compliance With Securities And Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 17f-5 (“Rule 17f-5”). |
(a) | Customer’s board of directors (or equivalent body) (hereinafter ‘Board’) hereby delegates to J.P. Morgan, and, except as to the country or countries as to which J.P. Morgan may, from time to time, advise Customer that it does not accept such delegation, J.P. Morgan hereby accepts the delegation to it, of the obligation to perform as Customer’s ‘Foreign Custody Manager’ (as that term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(3) as promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”)), including for the purposes of: (i) selecting Subcustodians to hold foreign Financial Assets and Cash, (ii) evaluating the contractual arrangements with such Subcustodians (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(2)), (iii) monitoring such foreign custody arrangements (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(3)). | ||
(b) | In connection with the foregoing, J.P. Morgan shall: | ||
(i) | provide written reports notifying Customer’s Board of the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with particular Subcustodians and of any material change in the arrangements with such Subcustodians, with such reports to be provided to Customer’s Board at such times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of Customer’s foreign custody arrangements (and until further notice from Customer such reports shall be provided not less than quarterly with respect to the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with particular Subcustodians and with reasonable promptness upon the occurrence of any material change in the arrangements with such Subcustodians); | ||
(ii) | exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing as Customer’s Foreign Custody Manager as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of foreign Financial Assets and cash would exercise; | ||
(iii) | in selecting a Subcustodian, first have determined that foreign Financial Assets and cash placed and maintained in the safekeeping of such Subcustodian shall be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after having considered all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such foreign Financial Assets and cash, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(1)(i)-(iv); | ||
(iv) | determine that the written contract with a Subcustodian requires that the Subcustodian shall provide reasonable care for foreign Financial Assets and Cash based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market. | ||
(v) | have established a system to monitor the continued appropriateness of maintaining foreign Financial Assets and cash with particular Subcustodians and of the governing contractual arrangements; it being understood, however, that in the event that J.P. Morgan shall have determined that the existing Subcustodian in a given country would no longer afford foreign Financial Assets and cash reasonable care and that no other Subcustodian in that country would afford reasonable care, J.P. Morgan shall promptly so advise Customer and shall then act in accordance with the Instructions of Customer with respect to the disposition of the affected foreign Financial Assets and cash. | ||
Subject to (b)(i)-(v) above, J.P. Morgan is hereby authorized to place and maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash on behalf of Customer with Subcustodians pursuant to a written contract deemed appropriate by J.P. Morgan. | |||
(c) | J.P. Morgan shall use reasonable efforts for markets for which it is acting as Foreign Custody Manager to use as its Subcustodians entities that are Eligible Foreign Subcustodians. In cases where due to (i) Applicable Law in a market or (ii) market practice or market conditions it is not practicable to have the subcustody services performed by an Eligible Foreign Custodian, J.P. Morgan shall promptly advise the Customer of the circumstances, including any mitigants that may support a conclusion that the arrangement may nevertheless comply with rule 17f-5. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 11
|
(d) | Except as expressly provided herein, Customer shall be solely responsible to assure that the maintenance of foreign Financial Assets and cash hereunder complies with the rules, regulations, interpretations and exemptive orders as promulgated by or under the authority of the SEC. | ||
(e) | J.P. Morgan represents to Customer that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in rule 17f-5(a)(7). Customer represents to J.P. Morgan that: (1) the foreign Financial Assets and cash being placed and maintained in J.P. Morgan’s custody are subject to the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time; (2) its Board: (i) has determined that it is reasonable to rely on J.P. Morgan to perform as Customer’s Foreign Custody Manager (ii) or its investment adviser shall have determined that Customer may maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash in each country in which Customer’s Financial Assets and cash shall be held hereunder and determined to accept Country Risk. Nothing contained herein shall require J.P. Morgan to make any selection or to engage in any monitoring on behalf of Customer that would entail consideration of Country Risk. | ||
(f) | J.P. Morgan shall provide to Customer such information relating to Country Risk as is specified in Appendix 1 hereto. Customer hereby acknowledges that: (i) such information is solely designed to inform Customer of market conditions and procedures and is not intended as a recommendation to invest or not invest in particular markets; and (ii) J.P. Morgan has gathered the information from sources it considers reliable, but that J.P. Morgan shall have no responsibility for inaccuracies or incomplete information. | ||
2.20. | Compliance with SEC Rule 17f-7 (“rule 17f-7”). | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan shall, for consideration by Customer, provide an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer’s foreign Financial Assets with each Eligible Securities Depository used by J.P. Morgan as of the date hereof (or, in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository not used by J.P. Morgan as of the date hereof, prior to the initial placement of Customer’s foreign Financial Assets at such Depository) and at which any foreign Financial Assets of Customer are held or are expected to be held. The foregoing analysis will be provided to Customer at J.P. Morgan’s Website. In connection with the foregoing, (i) Customer shall notify J.P. Morgan of any Eligible Securities Depositories at which it does not choose to have its foreign Financial Assets held and hereby covenants that it will not issue any Instructions to J.P. Morgan to hold its foreign Financial Assets at such Eligible Securities Depositories, (ii) Customer hereby waives, and releases J.P. Morgan from, any liability that J.P Morgan may incur to Customer in connection with any Instructions delivered to J.P. Morgan in contravention of such notification and (iii) Customer shall be solely liable for any Instructions delivered to J.P. Morgan in contravention of such notification. J.P. Morgan shall monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer’s foreign Financial Assets at each such Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify Customer or its adviser of any material changes in such risks. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the requirements set forth in Section 2.19(a) above. | ||
(c) | Attached as Schedule 2 is a list of the Securities Depositories currently used through J.P. Morgan’s network, identifying which of those Securities Depositories are not Eligible Securities Depositories. In the exercise of diligence, J.P. Morgan shall determine the eligibility under rule 17f-7 of each Securities Depository included on Schedule 2 hereto and shall promptly advise Customer if any Securities Depository listed as an Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be eligible. (J.P. Morgan may amend Schedule 2 from time to time and shall advise the Customer of such change via electronic means). |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 12
|
3. | INSTRUCTIONS |
3.1. | Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction and Unclear Instructions | ||
(a) | The Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to accept, rely upon and/or act upon any Instructions. The Customer will indemnify J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold each of them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against J.P. Morgan Indemnitees as a result of any action or omission taken in accordance with any Instruction unless the Liabilities result from an act of negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees with respect to the manner in which such Instructions are followed. | ||
(b) | To the extent possible, instructions to J.P. Morgan shall be sent via electronic instruction or trade information system acceptable to J.P. Morgan or via facsimile transmission. Where reasonably practicable, the Customer will use automated and electronic methods of sending instructions. | ||
(c) | J.P. Morgan shall promptly notify an Authorized Person if J.P. Morgan determines that an Instruction does not contain all information reasonably necessary for J.P. Morgan to carry out the Instruction. J.P. Morgan may decline to act upon an Instruction if it does not receive clarification or confirmation satisfactory to it. J.P. Morgan will not be liable for any loss arising from any reasonable delay in carrying out any such Instruction while it seeks any such missing information, clarification or confirmation or in declining to act upon any Instruction for which it does not receive clarification satisfactory to it. | ||
3.2. | Verification and Security Procedures | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan and the Customer shall comply with any applicable Security Procedures with respect to the delivery or authentication of Instructions and shall ensure that any codes, passwords or similar devices are reasonably safeguarded. | ||
(b) | Either party may record any of their telephone communications. | ||
3.3. | Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice | ||
J.P. Morgan need not act upon Instructions that it reasonably believes are contrary to law, regulation or market practice. J.P. Morgan shall be under no duty to investigate whether any Instructions comply with Applicable Law or market practice. In the event that J.P. Morgan does not act upon such Instructions, J.P. Morgan will notify the Customer where reasonably practicable. | |||
3.4. | Cut-Off Times | ||
J.P. Morgan has established cut-off times for receipt of Instructions, which will be made available to the Customer. If J.P. Morgan receives an Instruction after its established cut-off time, J.P. Morgan will attempt on a reasonable efforts basis to act upon the Instruction on the day requested only if J.P. Morgan deems it practicable to do so or otherwise as soon as practicable after the day on which the Instruction was received. | |||
3.5. | Electronic Access | ||
Access by the Customer to certain applications or products of J.P. Morgan via J.P. Morgan’s website or otherwise shall be governed by this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth in Annex A Electronic Access. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 13
|
4. | FEES, EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO J.P. MORGAN |
4.1. | Fees and Expenses | ||
The Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for its services under this Agreement such fees as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time, together with J.P. Morgan’s reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses related to the Financial Assets, including, but not limited to, legal fees and tax or related fees incidental to processing charged directly or indirectly by governmental authorities, issuers or their agents. The Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for J.P. Morgan’s other reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, as may be agreed upon in writing, from time to time. Invoices will be payable within thirty (30) days of the date of the invoice. If the Customer disputes an invoice, it shall nevertheless pay, on or before the date that payment is due, such portion of the invoice that is not subject to a bona fide dispute. J.P. Morgan may deduct amounts invoiced from the Cash Account except such portion of the invoice that the Customer has objected to within thirty (30) days of the date of the invoice (or such other period as the parties may agree in writing). Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s other rights, J.P. Morgan reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts from the due date until actual payment at such rate as J.P. Morgan customarily charges for similar overdue amounts. Unless expressly specified in this Agreement, fees and expenses hereunder excludes any price or cost that J.P. Morgan may charge as the Customer’s counterparty in the event J.P. Morgan enters into a principal transaction with the Customer. | |||
4.2. | Overdrafts | ||
If a debit to any currency in the Cash Account results or would result in a debit balance, then J.P. Morgan may, in its discretion, (i) advance an amount equal to the overdraft, (ii) refuse to settle in whole or in part the transaction causing such debit balance, or (iii) if any such transaction is posted to the Securities Account, reverse any such posting. If J.P. Morgan elects to make such an advance, the advance will be deemed a loan to the Customer, payable on demand, bearing interest at the applicable rate charged by J.P. Morgan from time to time, for such overdrafts, from the date of such advance to the date of payment (including after the date any judgment may be entered against the Customer with respect to any overdraft) and otherwise on the terms on which J.P. Morgan makes similar overdrafts available from time to time. No prior action or course of dealing on J.P. Morgan’s part with respect to the settlement of transactions on the Customer’s behalf will be asserted by the Customer against J.P. Morgan for J.P. Morgan’s refusal to make advances to the Cash Account or refusal to settle any transaction for which the Customer does not have sufficient available funds in the applicable currency in the Account. The Customer shall be deemed to be in default with respect to any such advance upon the occurrence of any event of the type specified in section 365(e)(1) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, as amended from time to time. | |||
4.3. | J.P. Morgan’s Right Over Securities; Set-off | ||
(a) | Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s rights under Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan and J.P. Morgan Affiliates shall have, and the Customer grants to J.P. Morgan and J.P. Morgan Affiliates, a first priority, perfected and continuing security interest in and a lien on all cash, Financial Assets and any other property of every kind that are credited to the Account or otherwise held for the Customer by J.P. Morgan (“Account Assets”) as security for any and all Secured Liabilities of the Customer to J.P. Morgan and/or any of J.P. Morgan Affiliates, and J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to withhold delivery of such Account Assets, and with one business days’ prior notice to the Customer and an opportunity for the Customer to satisfy such Secured Liabilities to J.P Morgan, sell or otherwise realize any of such Account Assets and to apply the proceeds and any other monies credited to the Cash Account in satisfaction of such Secured Liabilities. For this purpose, J.P. Morgan may make such currency conversions as may be necessary at its then current rates for the sale and purchase of the relevant currencies. | ||
(b) | Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s rights under Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan may set off against any Secured Liabilities of the Customer owed to J.P. Morgan or any of J.P. Morgan Affiliates, any |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 14
|
amount in any currency (i) standing to the credit of any of the Customer’s accounts (whether deposit or otherwise) with any J.P. Morgan branch or office or with any J.P. Morgan Affiliate and/or (ii) owed to the Customer by any J.P. Morgan branch or office or by any J.P. Morgan Affiliate. |
5. | SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES |
5.1. | Appointment of Subcustodians; Use of Securities Depositories | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan is authorized under this Agreement to act through and hold the Customer’s Financial Assets with Subcustodians. J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care in the selection, monitoring and continued appointment of such Subcustodians. In addition, J.P. Morgan and each Subcustodian may deposit Financial Assets with, and hold Financial Assets in any Securities Depository on such terms as such Securities Depository customarily operates, and the Customer will provide J.P. Morgan with such documentation or acknowledgements that J.P. Morgan may require to hold the Financial Assets in such Securities Depository. On the basis of such terms, a Securities Depository may have a security interest or lien over, or right of set-off in relation to the Financial Assets. | ||
(b) | Any agreement that J.P. Morgan enters into with a Subcustodian for holding J.P. Morgan’s customers’ assets will provide that such assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors except a claim for payment for their safe custody or administration, or, in the case of cash deposits, except for liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, and that the beneficial ownership thereof will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration, unless required otherwise by Applicable Law in the relevant market. J.P. Morgan shall be responsible for all claims for payment of fees for safe custody or administration so that no Subcustodian exercises any claim for such payment against the Customer’s assets. Where a Subcustodian deposits Financial Assets with a Securities Depository, J.P. Morgan will direct the Subcustodian to identify on its records that the Financial Assets deposited by the Subcustodian at such Securities Depository belong to J.P. Morgan, as agent of the Customer. This Section 5.1(b) will not apply to the extent of any special agreement or arrangement made by the Customer with any particular Subcustodian. | ||
(c) | J.P. Morgan is not responsible for the selection or monitoring of any Securities Depository and will not be liable for any act or omission by (or the insolvency of) any Securities Depository. In the event the Customer incurs a loss due to an act or omission, negligence, willful misconduct or insolvency of a Securities Depository, J.P. Morgan will make reasonable efforts, in its discretion, to seek recovery from the Securities Depository, but J.P. Morgan will not be obligated to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action. | ||
5.2. | Liability for Subcustodians | ||
(a) | Subject to Section 7.1(b), J.P. Morgan will be liable for direct losses incurred by the Customer that result from: |
(i) | the failure by a Subcustodian to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services by it in accordance with the standards prevailing in the relevant market or from the fraud or willful misconduct of such Subcustodian in the provision of custodial services by it; or | ||
(ii) | the insolvency of any Affiliated Subcustodian Bank. | ||
(b) | Subject to Section 5.1(a) and J.P. Morgan’s duty to use reasonable care in the monitoring of a Subcustodian’s financial condition as reflected in its published financial statements and other publicly available financial information concerning it customarily reviewed by J.P. Morgan in its oversight process, J.P. Morgan will not be responsible for any losses (whether direct or indirect) |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 15
|
incurred by the Customer that result from the insolvency of any Subcustodian which is not a branch or an Affiliated Subcustodian Bank. | ||
(c) | J.P. Morgan reserves the right to add, replace or remove Subcustodians. J.P. Morgan will give prompt notice of any such action, which will be advance notice if practicable. Upon request by the Customer, J.P. Morgan will identify the name, address and principal place of business of any Subcustodian and the name and address of the governmental agency or other regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such Subcustodian. |
6. | ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS |
6.1. | Representations of the Customer and J.P. Morgan | ||
(a) | The Customer or Fund, as applicable, represents, warrants and covenants that (i) it has full authority and power, and has obtained all necessary authorizations and consents (including from the Customer’s underlying clients, if applicable), to deposit and control the Financial Assets, Sealed Envelopes and cash in the Accounts, to use J.P. Morgan as its custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to incur overdraft, to grant a lien over Account Assets as contemplated by Section 4.3 and to enter into foreign exchange transactions; (ii) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan, this Agreement is the Customer’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against the Customer in accordance with its terms and it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement; (iii) it has not relied on any oral or written representation made by J.P. Morgan or any person on its behalf, and acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the duties of J.P. Morgan; (iv) each Fund is a resident of the United States and shall notify J.P. Morgan of any changes in residency; (v) the Financial Assets, Sealed Envelopes and cash deposited in the Accounts (other than those assets (A) pledged to a Counterparty pursuant to Section 2.1(c) or (B) held in Accounts established pursuant to certain account control agreements among the Customer, J.P. Morgan and secured party named therein, (A) and (B) collectively referred to as “Control Account Assets”) are not subject to any encumbrance or security interest whatsoever and the Customer undertakes that, so long as Liabilities of the Customer under or in connection with this Agreement are outstanding, it will not create or permit to subsist any encumbrance or security interest over such Financial Assets, Sealed Envelopes or cash (other than Control Account Assets); (vi) no delivery of Account Assets by the Customer to J.P. Morgan and no Instruction by the Customer with respect to such Account Assets will contravene Applicable Law; and (vii) none of the Financial Assets, Sealed Envelopes and cash to be held under this Agreement are “plan assets” as defined in Section 3(42) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the regulations thereunder except as otherwise expressly notified to J.P. Morgan. | ||
J.P. Morgan may rely upon the certification of such other facts as may be required to administer J.P. Morgan’s obligations under this Agreement and the Customer shall indemnify J.P. Morgan against all Liabilities arising directly or indirectly from any such certification given by Customer or a representative of Customer. | |||
(b) | J.P. Morgan represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Customer, this Agreement is J.P. Morgan’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against J.P. Morgan in accordance with its terms and (ii) it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement. | ||
6.2. | The Customer is Liable to J.P. Morgan Even if it is Acting for Another Person | ||
If the Customer is acting as an agent or for another person as envisaged in Section 2.1(a) in respect of any transaction, cash or Financial Asset, J.P. Morgan nevertheless will treat the Customer as its principal for all purposes under this Agreement. In this regard, the Customer will be liable to J.P. Morgan as a principal in respect of any transactions relating to the Account. The foregoing will not affect |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 16
|
any rights J.P. Morgan might have against the Customer’s principal or the other person envisaged by Section 2.1(a). | ||
6.3. | Special Settlement Services | |
J.P. Morgan may, but shall not be obliged to, make available to the Customer from time to time special settlement services (including continuous linked settlement) for transactions involving Financial Assets, cash, foreign exchange, and other instruments or contracts. The Customer shall comply, and shall cause its Authorized Persons to comply, with the requirements of any external settlement agency through which such settlements may be processed, including, without limitation, its rules and by-laws, where applicable. |
7. | WHEN J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER |
7.1. | Standard of Care; Liability | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care in performing its obligations under this Agreement. J.P. Morgan will not be in violation of this Agreement with respect to any matter as to which it has satisfied its obligation of reasonable care. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan will only be liable for the Customer’s direct losses and only to the extent they result from J.P. Morgan’s fraud, negligence, willful misconduct or material breach in performing its duties as set out in this Agreement and to the extent provided in Section 5.2(a). Under no circumstances will J.P. Morgan be liable for (i) any loss of profits (whether direct or indirect) or (ii) any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages of any form, incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to the Accounts, J.P. Morgan’s performance or non-performance under this Agreement, or J.P. Morgan’s role as custodian or banker. | ||
(c) | The Customer will indemnify J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any J.P. Morgan Indemnitees in connection with or arising out of (i) J.P. Morgan’s performance under this Agreement, provided that the J.P. Morgan Indemnitee has not acted with negligence or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or material breach in connection with the Liabilities in question or (ii) any J.P. Morgan Indemnitee’s status as a holder of record of the Customer’s Financial Assets. J.P. Morgan Indemnitee shall notify the Customer in writing promptly after determining that it will seek indemnity under this Section 7.1 for any litigation or proceeding brought against such J.P. Morgan Indemnitee. A J.P. Morgan Indemnitee shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement in any such litigation or proceeding without the Customer’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, where such entry of judgment or settlement involves will result in the Customer making a payment in excess of $50,000. | ||
Nevertheless, the Customer will not be obligated to indemnify any J.P. Morgan Indemnitee under this Section 7.1(c) with respect to any Liability for which J.P. Morgan is liable under Section 5.2(a) of this Agreement. | |||
(d) | Except for any Liability owing to a third party (other than an Affiliate of J.P. Morgan or a Subcustodian for which J.P. Morgan is liable under Section 5.2 of this Agreement) asserting a claim against J.P. Morgan for which J.P. Morgan is entitled to be indemnified under this Agreement, under no circumstances will Customer be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits or business) of any form, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought. | ||
(e) | The Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan provides no service in relation to, and therefore has no duty or responsibility to: |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 17
|
(i) | question Instructions or make any suggestions to the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding such Instructions; | ||
(ii) | supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or the retention of Financial Assets; | ||
(iii) | advise the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default in the payment of principal or income on any Financial Asset other than as provided in Section 2.7(b) of this Agreement; and | ||
(iv) | evaluate or report to the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party to which J.P. Morgan is instructed to deliver Financial Assets or cash. J.P. Morgan is not responsible or liable in any way for the genuineness or validity of any Security or instrument received, delivered or held by J.P. Morgan in physical form that appears to be genuine and valid. |
7.2. | Force Majeure | |
J.P. Morgan will maintain and update from time to time business continuation and disaster recovery procedures with respect to its global custody business that it determines from time to time meet reasonable commercial standards. J.P. Morgan will provide Customer with a copy of a general summary of such business continuation and disaster recovery procedures upon request. J.P. Morgan will have no liability, however, for any damage, loss, expense or liability of any nature that the Customer may suffer or incur, caused by an act of God, fire, flood, epidemics, earthquakes or other disasters, civil or labor disturbance, war, terrorism, act of any governmental authority or other act or threat of any authority (de jure or de facto), nationalization, expropriation, legal constraint, fraud or forgery (other than on the part of J.P. Morgan or its employees), malfunction of equipment or software (except where such malfunction is primarily and directly attributable to J.P. Morgan’s negligence in maintaining the equipment or software), currency re-denominations, currency restrictions, failure of or the effect of rules or operations of any external funds transfer system, inability to obtain (or interruption of) external communications facilities, power failures or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of J.P. Morgan (including, without limitation, the non-availability of appropriate foreign exchange). | ||
7.3. | J.P. Morgan May Consult With Counsel | |
J.P. Morgan will be entitled to rely on, and may act upon the advice of professional advisors (which may be the professional advisors of the Customer) in relation to matters of Applicable Law or market practice and will not be liable to the Customer under this Agreement for any action taken or omitted pursuant to such advice; provided that J.P. Morgan has selected and retained such professional advisers using reasonable care and acts reasonably in reliance on the advice. | ||
7.4. | J.P. Morgan Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result | |
The Customer hereby authorizes J.P. Morgan to act under this Agreement notwithstanding that: (a) J.P. Morgan or any of its divisions, branches or J.P. Morgan Affiliates may have a material interest in transactions entered into by the Customer with respect to the Account or that circumstances are such that J.P. Morgan may have a potential conflict of duty or interest, including the fact that J.P. Morgan or J.P. Morgan Affiliates may act as a market maker in the Financial Assets to which Instructions relate, provide brokerage services to other customers, act as financial adviser to the issuer of such Financial Assets, act in the same transaction as agent for more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of the Financial Assets; or earn profits from any of the activities listed herein and (b) J.P. Morgan or any of its divisions, branches or J.P. Morgan Affiliates may be in possession of information tending to show that the Instructions received may not be in the best interests of the Customer. J.P. Morgan is not under any duty to disclose any such information. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 18
|
7.5. | Assets Held Outside J.P. Morgan’s Control | |
J.P. Morgan will not be obliged to (a) hold Financial Assets or cash with any person not agreed to by J.P. Morgan or (b) register or record Financial Assets in the name of any person not agreed to by J.P. Morgan. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan will not be obliged to register or record on J.P. Morgan’s records Financial Assets held outside of J.P. Morgan’s control. If, however, the Customer makes any such request and J.P. Morgan agrees to the request, the consequences of doing so will be at the Customer’s own risk. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any losses incurred as a result and may be precluded from providing some of the services referred to in this Agreement (for example, and without limitation, income collection, proxy voting, class action litigation and Corporate Action notification and processing). | ||
7.6. | Ancillary Services | |
J.P. Morgan and its Subcustodians may use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions and class action litigation and use local agents to provide extraordinary services such as attendance at annual meetings of issuers of Securities. Although J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care (and cause its Subcustodians to use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third party providers and local agents, it will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services. | ||
7.7. | Service Locations | |
J.P. Morgan maintains various operational/service centers and locations in the United States and other jurisdictions. The services provided under this Agreement may be provided from one or more such locations. J.P. Morgan may change the operational/service centers and locations as it deems necessary or appropriate for its business concerns. |
8. | TAXATION |
8.1. | Tax Obligations |
(a) | The Customer will pay or reimburse J.P. Morgan, and confirms that J.P. Morgan is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the Cash Account, any taxes or levies required by any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of the Customer’s Accounts. For the avoidance of doubt, J.P. Morgan hereby agrees that it may not deduct those taxes or levies applicable to one Fund from the Cash Account or Cash Accounts of another Fund. | |
(b) | The Customer will provide to J.P. Morgan (upon reasonable request) such certifications, declarations, documentation, and information as it may require in connection with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information is true, complete and correct in every respect. The Customer undertakes to notify J.P. Morgan as soon as reasonably practicable if any information requires updating or correcting. J.P. Morgan provides no service of controlling or monitoring, and therefore has no duty in respect of, or liability for any taxes, penalties, interest or additions to tax, whether payable or paid, that result from |
(i) | the inaccurate completion of documents by the Customer or any third party; | ||
(ii) | the provision to J.P. Morgan or a third party of inaccurate or misleading information by the Customer or any third party; | ||
(iii) | the withholding of material information by the Customer or any third party; or | ||
(iv) | any delay by any revenue authority or any other cause beyond J.P. Morgan’s control. |
(c) | If J.P. Morgan does not receive appropriate certifications, documentation and information then, as and when appropriate and required by a revenue or governmental authority, tax shall be deducted |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 19
|
from all income received in respect of the Financial Assets issued (including, but not limited to, withholding under United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, United States non-resident alien tax and/or backup withholding tax, as applicable). | |||
(d) | The Customer will be responsible in all events for the timely payment of all taxes relating to the Financial Assets in the Securities Account; provided, however, that J.P. Morgan will be responsible for any penalty or additions to tax (including interest) due solely as a result of J.P. Morgan’s negligent acts or omissions with respect to paying or withholding tax or reporting interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account. | ||
8.2. | Tax Relief Services | ||
(a) | Subject to the provisions of this Section 8.2, J.P. Morgan will provide a “relief at source” service to obtain a reduction of withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax credits as may be available in the applicable market in respect of income payments on Financial Assets credited to the Securities Account that J.P. Morgan believes may be available to the Customer. To defray expenses pertaining to nominal tax claims, J.P. Morgan may, in its reasonable discretion decline to pursue tax claims of a de minimis value. | ||
(b) | The provision of a tax relief service by J.P. Morgan is conditional upon J.P. Morgan receiving from the Customer (to the extent reasonably requested by J.P. Morgan) (i) a declaration of its identity and place of residence and (ii) certain other documentation (pro forma copies of which are available from J.P. Morgan), prior to the receipt of Financial Assets in the Securities Account and/or the payment of income. | ||
(c) | J.P. Morgan will perform tax relief services only with respect to taxation levied by the revenue authorities of the countries advised to the Customer from time to time and J.P. Morgan may, by notification in writing, in its absolute discretion, supplement or amend the countries in which the tax relief services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this Section 8.2, J.P. Morgan will have no responsibility with regard to the Customer’s tax position or status in any jurisdiction. |
9. | TERMINATION |
9.1. | Termination | ||
(a) | The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a period of five (5) years following the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under the Agreement (the “Initial Term”). Following the Initial Term, the Customer may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement on one hundred and eighty (180) days’ prior written notice to the Customer. | ||
(b) | Notwithstanding Section 9.1(a): |
(i) | Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately on written notice to the other party in the event that a material breach of this Agreement by the other party has not been cured within thirty (30) days of that party being given written notice of the material breach; | ||
(ii) | Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately on written notice to the other party upon the other party being declared bankrupt, entering into a composition with creditors, obtaining a suspension of payment, being put under court controlled management, being subject to an involuntary order for the transfer of all or part of its business by a statutory authority, having any of its issued shares suspended from trading on any exchange on which they are listed (if applicable) or being the subject of a similar measure; |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 20
|
(iii) | J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the Customer in the event that J.P. Morgan reasonably determines that the Customer has ceased to satisfy J.P. Morgan’s customary credit requirements and/or reputational or regulatory concerns; and | ||
(iv) | The Customer may terminate this Agreement immediately on written notice within sixty (60) days following an assignment of this Agreement (a) to any J.P. Morgan Affiliate or subsidiary of J.P. Morgan or (b) in connection with a merger, reorganization, stock sale or sale of all or substantially all of J.P. Morgan’s custody business, for which J.P. Morgan did not obtain Customer’s consent. | ||
(v) | The Customer may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Initial Term by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to J.P. Morgan upon payment of a termination fee. During the first and second years of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $2 million and (ii) six (6) times the average monthly fees paid during the six (6) month period prior to the Customer’s notice of termination, or since the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under this Agreement if such period is less than six (6) months. During the third year of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $1.25 million and (ii) four (4) times the average monthly fees paid during the four (4) month period prior to the Customer’s notice of termination. During the fourth and fifth year of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be zero. |
9.2. | Exit Procedure | |
The Customer will provide J.P. Morgan full details of the persons to whom J.P. Morgan must deliver Financial Assets and cash within a reasonable period before the effective time of termination of this Agreement. If the Customer fails to provide such details in a timely manner, J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to continue to be paid fees under this Agreement until such time as it is able to deliver the Financial Assets and cash to a successor custodian, but J.P. Morgan may take such steps as it reasonably determines to be necessary to protect itself following the effective time of termination, including ceasing to provide transaction settlement services in the event that J.P. Morgan is unwilling to assume any related credit risk. J.P. Morgan will in any event be entitled to deduct any amounts owing to it from the Cash Account prior to delivery of the Financial Assets and cash. In the event that insufficient funds are available in the Cash Account, the Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan may, in such manner and, at such time or times as J.P. Morgan in its sole discretion sees fit, liquidate any Financial Assets that J.P. Morgan in its sole discretion may select, in the Securities Account in order to deduct such amount from the proceeds (and, accordingly, J.P. Morgan will be entitled to sell Financial Assets and apply the sale proceeds in satisfaction of amounts owing to it). The Customer will reimburse J.P. Morgan promptly for all out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in delivering Financial Assets upon termination. Termination will not affect any of the liabilities either party owes to the other arising under this Agreement prior to such termination. | ||
9.3. | Inactive Securities Accounts | |
J.P. Morgan reserves the right to charge a reasonable account maintenance fee for any inactive Securities Account in respect of which J.P. Morgan has not received any Instructions for at least one (1) year. The Customer shall be notified by J.P. Morgan of such fee at its address last known to J.P. Morgan, and J.P. Morgan may automatically deduct such fee from the Cash Account. In the event that insufficient funds are available in the Cash Account, the Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan may, in its sole discretion, liquidate any Financial Assets from the Securities Account in such manner and at such time or times as J.P. Morgan deems appropriate in order to deduct the amount of the maintenance fee from the proceeds. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 21
|
10. | MISCELLANEOUS |
10.1. | Notifications | |
Notices pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement shall be sent or served by registered mail, nationally recognized delivery services, courier services or hand delivery to the address of the respective parties as set out on the first page of this Agreement, unless at least two (2) days’ prior notice of a new address is given to the other party in writing. | ||
10.2. | Successors and Assigns | |
This Agreement will be binding on each of the parties’ hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The parties agree that neither party can assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; except that J.P. Morgan may assign this Agreement without the Customer’s consent (a) to any J.P. Morgan Affiliate of J.P. Morgan or (b) in connection with a merger, reorganization, stock sale or sale of all or substantially all of J.P. Morgan’s custody business. | ||
10.3. | Entire Agreement and Amendments | |
This Agreement, including any Schedules, Exhibits, Annexes and Riders (and any separate agreement which J.P. Morgan and the Customer may enter into with respect to any Cash Account), sets out the entire agreement between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof, and this Agreement supersedes any other agreement, statement or representation relating to custody, whether oral or written. To the extent inconsistent with this Agreement, J.P. Morgan’s electronic access terms and conditions shall not apply to matters arising under this Agreement. Amendments must be in writing and, except where this Agreement provides for amendments by notice from J.P. Morgan, signed by both parties. | ||
10.4. | Information Concerning Deposits at J.P. Morgan’s Non-U.S. Branch | |
Under U.S. federal law, deposit accounts that the Customer maintains in J.P. Morgan’s foreign branches (outside of the U.S.) are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In the event of J.P. Morgan’s liquidation, foreign branch deposits have a lesser preference than U.S. deposits, and such foreign deposits are subject to cross-border risks. | ||
To the extent any amount standing to the credit of the Cash Account is deposited in one or more deposit accounts at J.P. Morgan London Branch, please note that J.P. Morgan London Branch is a participant in the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (the “FSCS”). The terms of the FSCS offer protection in connection with deposits to certain types of claimants to whom J.P. Morgan London Branch provides services in the event that they suffer a financial loss as a direct consequence of J.P. Morgan London Branch being unable to meet any of its obligations and, subject to the FSCS rules regarding eligible deposits, the Customer may have a right to claim compensation from the FSCS. Subject to the FSCS rules, the maximum compensation payable by the FSCS, as at the date of this Agreement, in relation to eligible deposits is £75,000. For the purposes of establishing such maximum compensation, all the Customer’s eligible deposits at J.P. Morgan London Branch are aggregated and the total is subject to such maximum compensation. | ||
For further information about the compensation provided by the FSCS, refer to the FSCS website at www.FSCS.org.uk. | ||
Further information is also available online at www.jpmorgan.com/pages/deposit-guarantee-scheme-directive. | ||
10.5. | Insurance | |
The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan will not be required to maintain any insurance coverage specifically for the benefit of the Customer. J.P. Morgan will, however, provide summary information regarding its own general insurance coverage to the Customer upon written request. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 22
|
10.6. | Security Holding Disclosure | ||
With respect to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 under the U.S. Shareholder Communications Act regarding disclosure of beneficial owners to issuers of Securities, J.P. Morgan is instructed not to disclose the name, address or Securities positions of the Customer in response to shareholder communications requests regarding the Account. | |||
10.7. | U.S. Regulatory Disclosure | ||
(a) | Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”) requires J.P. Morgan to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of any person that opens a new account with it. Accordingly, the Customer acknowledges that Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and J.P. Morgan’s identity verification procedures require J.P. Morgan to obtain information which may be used to confirm the Customer’s identity, including, without limitation, the Customer’s name, address and organizational documents (“identifying information”). The Customer agrees to provide J.P. Morgan with and consents to J.P. Morgan obtaining from third parties any such identifying information required as a condition of opening an account with or using any service provided by J.P. Morgan. | ||
(b) | The Customer hereby acknowledges that J.P. Morgan is obliged to comply with AML/Sanctions Requirements and that J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any action it or any J.P. Morgan Affiliate reasonably takes to comply with any AML/Sanctions Requirement, including identifying and reporting suspicious transactions, rejecting transactions, and blocking or freezing funds, Financial Assets, or other assets. The Customer shall cooperate with J.P. Morgan’s performance of its due diligence and other obligations concerning AML/Sanctions Requirements, including with regard to any Beneficial Owners (as defined below). In addition, the Customer agrees that (i) J.P. Morgan may defer acting upon an Instruction pending completion of any review under its policies and procedures for compliance with AML/Sanctions Requirements and (ii) Customer’s utilization of Accounts as omnibus accounts to hold assets of Beneficial Owners is subject to J.P. Morgan’s discretion. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan shall not be obliged to hold any “penny stock” (or other Financial Asset raising special anti-money laundering concerns) in any Account in which a Beneficial Owner has an interest, or to settle any transaction in which a Beneficial Owner has an interest, that relates to any “penny stock” or any such other Financial Asset. For the purposes of this section, “Beneficial Owner” means any person, other than the Customer, who has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest in any assets held in any of the Account. | ||
10.8. | Governing Law and Jurisdiction | ||
This Agreement will be construed, regulated and administered under the laws of the United States or the State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York’s principles regarding conflict of laws, except that the foregoing shall not reduce any statutory right to choose New York law or forum. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any lawsuit or other judicial proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement. If that court lacks federal subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County will have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Either of these courts will have proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding, and the parties waive any objection to venue or their convenience as a forum. The parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified and to accept service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts. The parties further hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right to statutory prejudgment interest and a trial by jury with respect to any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding arising or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. To the extent that in any jurisdiction the Customer or J.P. Morgan may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, the Customer or J.P. Morgan (as applicable) shall not claim, and it hereby irrevocably waives, such immunity. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 23
|
10.9. | Severability; Waiver; and Survival |
(a) | If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired. | ||
(b) | Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced. | ||
(c) | The parties’ rights, protections and remedies under this Agreement shall survive its termination. | ||
10.10. | Confidentiality | ||
(a) | Subject to Section 10.10(b), J.P. Morgan will hold all Confidential Information in confidence and will not disclose any Confidential Information except as may be required by Applicable Law, a regulator with jurisdiction over J.P. Morgan’s business, or with the consent of the Customer, provided that prior to disclosing any such Confidential Information pursuant to Applicable Law or as required by any such regulator in connection with a request for information specific to Customer, J.P. Morgan shall provide Customer with written notice within a reasonable time prior to disclosing Confidential Information to the extent practicable and legally permissible in order to permit Customer to seek a protective order prohibiting the disclosure of such Confidential Information. | ||
(b) | The Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to disclose Confidential Information to: |
(i) | any Subcustodian subcontractor, agent, Securities Depository, securities exchange, broker, third party agent, proxy solicitor, issuer, or any other person that J.P. Morgan believes is reasonably required in connection with J.P. Morgan’s provision of relevant services under this Agreement; | ||
(ii) | its professional advisors, auditors or public accountants; | ||
(iii) | its branches and J.P. Morgan Affiliates; and | ||
(iv) | any revenue authority or any governmental entity in relation to the processing of any tax claim. |
Except where J.P. Morgan is instructed to provide Confidential Information to a party designated by the Customer, J.P. Morgan agrees that any person to whom it discloses any Confidential Information pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) above has agreed to keep such Confidential Information confidential or has an internal policy to keep confidential client information confidential. | |||
(c) | Except as (i) otherwise required by Applicable Law, (ii) required for disclosure in the Customer’s Registration Statement, or (iii) needed to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the parties shall hold the terms and conditions, including, without limitation, any commercial terms, of this Agreement in confidence. | ||
10.11. | Use of J.P. Morgan’s Name | ||
The Customer agrees not to use (or permit the use of) J.P. Morgan’s name in any document, publication or publicity material relating to the Customer, including, but not limited to, notices, sales literature, stationery, advertisements, etc., without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), provided that no prior consent is needed if the document in which J.P. Morgan’s name is used merely states that J.P. Morgan is acting as custodian to the Customer. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 24
|
10.12. | Counterparts | |
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together will constitute one and the same agreement. | ||
10.13. | No Third Party Beneficiaries | |
A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any term of this Agreement. | ||
10.14. | Cyber-security |
J.P. Morgan will implement and maintain an information security program to safeguard customer information, and will provide Customer with a written summary of such program upon request.
10.15. | Obligations of Each Customer Several; Funds as Customers |
(a) Although each Customer and J.P. Morgan are entering into this agreement for convenience, each Customer and J.P. Morgan intend that this Agreement constitute a separate agreement between each Customer and J.P. Morgan such that each reference to Customer shall be read solely as a reference to a single entity.
(b) J.P. Morgan acknowledges and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Customer hereunder shall be limited in all cases to the assets of the Customer and that J.P. Morgan may not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the officers, agents, employees, trustees, directors or shareholders of the Customer or of any other Customer hereto, and to the extent such trustees or officers are regarded as entering into this Agreement, they do so only as trustees or officers and not individually and that the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any such trustee, officer, employee or shareholder individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of such Customer. J.P. Morgan hereby agrees that such trustees, officers, employees or shareholders shall not be personally liable under this Agreement and that J.P. Morgan shall look solely to the property of the Customer for the performance of the Agreement or payment of any claim under the Agreement.
(c) This Agreement is an agreement entered into between J.P. Morgan and, with respect to each Customer that is also a Fund, each Fund, severally. With respect to any obligation of the Customer on behalf of any Fund arising out of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall look for payment or satisfaction of such obligation solely to the assets of the Fund to which such obligation relates with the same effect as if J.P. Morgan had separately contracted with the Customer by separate written instrument with respect to each Fund.
10.16. | Additional Customers |
(a) Any additional entity (each an “Additional Customer”) may be added to this Agreement as a Customer upon execution of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan and such Additional Customer. Any such joinder shall not require the prior written approval of, or the execution of any amendment to this Agreement by, any other Customer.
(b) Following the execution of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan and Additional Customer (i) each Additional Customer shall automatically be and become a party to this Agreement as a “Customer” hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named herein as a Customer; (ii) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Additional Customer shall expressly assume all obligations and liability of a Customer under this Agreement; and (iii) Exhibit A to this Agreement shall be automatically amended and restated to include each Additional Customer.
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016
Page 25
|
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID:
[D2817270] - May 2016
Page 26
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.
3
|
AS WITNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto
FIRST EAGLE SMALL CAP OPPORTUNITY FUND | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: | Joseph Malone | |||
Title: | CFO First Eagle Funds | |||
Date: | 4/21/21 | |||
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: | Carl Mehldau | |||
Title: | Vice President | |||
Date: | April 21, 2021 |
with respect to the addition of the above Additional Customer
pursuant to Section 10.16(a) hereof.
|
Exhibit A List of Entities
(as of April 21, 2021)
First Eagle Funds: |
First Eagle Global Fund |
First Eagle Overseas Fund |
First Eagle U.S. Value Fund |
First Eagle Gold Fund |
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund First |
Eagle High Yield Fund |
First Eagle Fund of America |
First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund |
First Eagle Variable Funds: |
First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund |
First Eagle Global Cayman Fund, Ltd. |
First Eagle Overseas Cayman Fund, Ltd. |
First Eagle US Value Cayman Fund, Ltd. |
First Eagle Gold Caymans Fund, Ltd. |
Financiere Rouge LLC |
Financiere Bleue LLC |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID:
[D2817270] - May 2016
Page 27
|
List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID:
[D2817270] - May 2016
Page 28
|
Print Date : 19-Apr-21
Agent and Cash Network
(Custody & Fund Services)
Market | Subcustodian | Cash Correspondent Bank |
Argentina |
HSBC Bank Argentina S.A.
Bouchard 557, 18th Floor Buenos Aires C1106ABJ Argentina |
HSBC Bank Argentina S.A.
Buenos Aires |
Australia |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate
Level 18, 85 Castlereagh Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia |
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. Melbourne
JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., Sydney
Branch
|
Austria |
UniCredit Bank Austria AG
Julius Tandler Platz - 3, Vienna A-1090 Austria |
J.P. Morgan
AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt |
Bahrain |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Road No 2832 Al Seef 428 Bahrain |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Al Seef |
Bangladesh |
Standard Chartered Bank
Portlink Tower, Level-6, 67 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan Dhaka 1212 Bangladesh |
Standard Chartered Bank
Dhaka |
Belgium |
BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA (for
Paris 75002
J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A.
(for clients
|
J.P. Morgan
AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 1 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 2 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 3 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Market | Subcustodian | Cash Correspondent Bank |
Satamaradankatu 5
Helsinki FIN-00020 Nordea Finland |
Frankfurt am Main | |
France |
BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA (for clients contracting
with J.P. Morgan (Suisse) SA and for Physical Securities and Ordre de Mouvement (ODMs) held by clients)
J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A.
(for clients contracting with this entity)
J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A.
(for clients contracting with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) J.P. Morgan affiliate
J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) PLC
(for clients contracting with this entity) J.P. Morgan affiliate
|
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Germany |
J.P.
Morgan
AG
(for
domestic
German
custody
clients
only) J.P.
Morgan
affiliate
Deutsche Bank AG
|
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Ghana |
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC
Accra High Street, P.O. Box 768 Accra null Ghana |
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC
Accra |
Greece |
HSBC Continental Europe, Greece
109-111, Messogion Ave. Athens 11526 Greece |
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Hong Kong |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate
18th Floor Tower 2, The Quayside, 77 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong Hong Kong |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., Hong Kong
J.P. Morgan affiliate |
Hungary |
Deutsche Bank AG
Hold utca 27 Budapest H-1054 |
UniCredit Bank Hungary Zrt. |
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 4 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 5 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Market | Subcustodian | Cash Correspondent Bank |
Jordan | ||
Kazakhstan |
Citibank Kazakhstan JSC
Park Palace, Building A, Floor 2, 41 Kazybek Bi Almaty 050010 Kazakhstan |
Subsidiary Bank Sberbank of Russia Joint Stock Company
Almaty |
Kenya |
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited
Chiromo, 48 Westlands Road Nairobi 00100 Kenya |
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited
Nairobi |
Kuwait |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Al Hamra Tower, Abdulaziz Al Sager Street Sharq Area Kuwait City Kuwait |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Kuwait City |
Latvia | Access to the market via Clearstream Banking S.A., Luxembourg in its capacity as International Central Securities Depository |
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Lithuania | Access to the market via Clearstream Banking S.A., Luxembourg in its capacity as International Central Securities Depository |
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Luxembourg |
BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA,
Luxembourg Branch 60 Avenue John F. Kennedy Luxembourg L-1855 Luxembourg |
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Malawi
Clients may be required to upgrade certain clauses in their existing agreement prior to entry |
Standard Bank PLC
Kaomba Centre, Cnr Glyn Jones Road & Victoria Avenue, P.O. Box 1111 Blantyre Malawi |
Standard Bank PLC
Blantyre |
Malaysia |
HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad
2 Leboh Ampang, 12th Floor, South Tower Kuala Lumpur 50100 Malaysia |
HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad
Kuala Lumpur |
Mauritius |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
HSBC Centre 18 Cybercity Ebene Mauritius |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Ebene |
Mexico |
Banco Nacional de Mexico S.A.
Act. Roberto Medellin No. 800 3er Piso Norte Colonia Santa Fe Mexico, D.F. 1210 Mexico |
Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A.
Ciudad de México, C.P. |
Morocco |
Société Générale Marocaine de Banques
55 Boulevard Abdelmoumen Casablanca 20100 Morocco |
Attijariwafa Bank S.A.
Casablanca |
Namibia |
Standard Bank Namibia Limited
Erf 137, Standard Bank Centre, Chasie Street, Hill Top, Kleine Kuppe Windhoek |
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Johannesburg |
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 6 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Market | Subcustodian | Cash Correspondent Bank |
Namibia | ||
Netherlands |
J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. (for clients contracting
with this entity)
J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A.
(for clients contracting with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.)
BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA (for clients contracting
with J.P. Morgan (Suisse) SA)
Paris 75002
J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) PLC
(for clients contracting with this entity) J.P. Morgan affiliate
|
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
New Zealand |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate
Level 13, 2 Hunter Street Wellington 6011 New Zealand |
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank,
N.A.
New
Zealand
Branch
(for
clients
utilizing
J.P.
Morgan’s
domestic
NZD
solution) J.P.
Morgan
affiliate
ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited
|
Nigeria |
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc
Plot 1712, Idejo Street Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria |
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc
Lagos |
Norway |
Nordea Bank Abp
Essendropsgate 7, P.O. Box 1166 Oslo NO-0107 Norway |
Nordea Bank Abp
Oslo |
Oman |
HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G.
2nd Floor Al Khuwair P.O. Box 1727 Seeb PC 111 Oman |
HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G.
Seeb |
Pakistan |
Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited
P.O. Box 4896, Ismail Ibrahim Chundrigar Road Karachi 74000 Pakistan |
Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited
Karachi |
Panama |
Citibank N.A. Panama Branch
Punta Pacifica, |
Citibank N.A. Panama Branch
Panama |
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 7 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Market | Subcustodian | Cash Correspondent Bank |
Calle Punta Darien,
Torre De Las Americas, Torre B, Piso 14 Panama Panama |
||
Peru |
Citibank del Perú S.A.
Canaval y Moreryra 480 Piso 3, San Isidro San Isidro, L-27 L-27 Lima, Peru |
Banco de Crédito del Perú
Lima 012 |
Philippines |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
7/F HSBC Centre, 3058 Fifth Avenue West, Bonifacio Global City Taguig City 1634 Philippines |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Taguig City |
Poland |
Bank Handlowy w. Warszawie S.A.
ul. Senatorska 16 Warsaw 00-923 Poland |
mBank S.A.
Warsaw |
Portugal |
BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA
Paris 75002
|
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Qatar |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Building 150, Airport Road Doha Qatar |
The Commercial Bank (P.Q.S.C.)
Doha |
Romania |
Citibank Europe plc
145 Calea Victoriei, 1st District Bucharest 10072 Hungary |
ING Bank N.V.
Bucharest |
Russia |
Commercial
Bank “J.P. Morgan Bank International” (Limited Liability Company) J.P.
Morgan affiliate
10, Butyrsky Val, White Square Business Centre, Floor 12 Moscow 125047 Russia |
Sberbank of Russia
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P.
Morgan affiliate
|
Saudi Arabia |
J.P.
Morgan Saudi Arabia Company J.P. Morgan affiliate
Al Faisaliah Tower, Level 8, P.O. Box 51907 Riyadh 11553 Saudi Arabia |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. - Riyadh Branch J.P. Morgan affiliate
Riyadh |
Serbia |
Unicredit Bank Srbija a.d.
Rajiceva 27-29 Belgrade 11000 Serbia |
Unicredit Bank Srbija a.d.
Belgrade |
Singapore |
DBS Bank Ltd
10 Toh Guan Road, DBS Asia Gateway, Level 04-11 (4B) Singapore 608838 Singapore |
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
Singapore |
Slovak Republic |
UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, a.s.
Sancova 1/A Bratislava SK-813 33 |
J.P.
Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate
Frankfurt am Main |
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 8 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 9 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Market | Subcustodian | Cash Correspondent Bank |
Thailand | ||
Tunisia |
Union Internationale de Banques Societe Generale SA
10, Rue d’Egypte, Tunis Belvedere Tunis 1002 Tunisia |
Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie S.A.
Tunis |
Turkey |
Citibank A.S.
Istanbul 34394
|
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. Istanbul Branch J.P. Morgan affiliate
Istanbul |
Uganda |
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited
5 Speke Road, PO Box 7111 Kampala Uganda |
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited
Kampala |
Ukraine
Restricted service only. Please contact your Relationship Manager for further information |
Joint Stock Company “Citibank”
16-G Dilova Street Kiev 03150 Ukraine |
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank,
N.A. J.P.
Morgan
affiliate
Joint Stock Company “Citibank”
|
United Arab Emirates |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Emaar Square, Level 4, Building No. 5, P.O. Box 502601 Dubai United Arab Emirates |
First Abu Dhabi Bank P.J.S.C
Dubai |
United Kingdom |
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank,
N.A. J.P.
Morgan
affiliate
Deutsche Bank AG Depository and Clearing Centre
|
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London J.P. Morgan affiliate |
United States |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate
383 Madison Avenue New York 10017 United States |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate
New York |
Uruguay |
Banco Itaú Uruguay S.A.
Zabala 1463 Montevideo 11000 Uruguay |
Banco Itaú Uruguay S.A.
Montevideo |
Vietnam |
HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd.
106 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Phu Nhuan District Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam |
HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd.
Ho Chi Minh City |
WAEMU
(Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo)
Clients may be required to upgrade certain clauses in |
Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire S.A.
23 Boulevard de la Republique 1 Abidjan 01 B.P. 1141 Ivory Coast |
Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire S.A.
Abidjan |
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 10 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Market | Subcustodian | Cash Correspondent Bank |
their existing agreement prior to entry | ||
Zambia |
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc
Standard Chartered House, Cairo Road P.O. Box 32238 Lusaka 10101 Zambia |
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc
Lusaka |
Zimbabwe
Clients may be required to upgrade certain clauses in their existing agreement prior to entry |
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited
Stanbic Centre, 3rd Floor, 59 Samora Machel Avenue Harare Zimbabwe |
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited
Harare |
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. | Page 11 of 12 |
|
Strictly Private and Confidential |
|
Schedule 2 Form of Board Resolution
To: | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
___________________________20____ |
We hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the minutes of the Board of Directors of _______________________________* (the “Company”) which was duly called and held on ___________________________20____ and at which a duly qualified quorum was present throughout and entitled to vote.
1. | There was produced to the meeting a form of Custody Agreement provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“J.P. Morgan”) for use in connection with the opening of one or more cash and securities accounts and the conduct of such other transactions between the Company and J.P. Morgan as referred to therein. The form of Custody Agreement produced had been completed by an officer of the Company, and in particular it was noted that details of the Authorized Persons (as defined therein) and details of persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Company had been provided to J.P. Morgan. Details of any Fund Managers and Advisers had also been provided to J.P. Morgan. The indemnities given to J.P. Morgan in the Custody Agreement were also noted. The meeting considered the form of the Custody Agreement. |
2. | IT WAS RESOLVED that the form of Custody Agreement (together with the Schedules and Appendices), completed in the manner and form produced at the meeting, be and is hereby approved and that _______________________________** be and he/she is hereby authorized, for and on behalf of the Company, to sign and deliver the same together with such changes and amendments thereto as he/she may in his/her sole discretion think fit. |
3. | There was produced to the meeting a form of power of attorney (“power of attorney”) to be given by the Company to J.P. Morgan to enable J.P. Morgan to provide tax reclaim services as provided for in the Custody Agreement. The meeting considered the form of the power of attorney and in particular the indemnities contained in it. IT WAS RESOLVED that that power of attorney be and it is hereby approved and that it be executed under seal in accordance with the Company’s constitution. |
DIRECTOR | |
SECRETARY | |
* | Name of Company in full. | |
** | Name of signer of the Agreement. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID:
[D2817270] - May 2016
Page 29
|
|
|
Schedule 3 |
J.P. Morgan Investor Services Global Custody Restricted Markets Schedule
The following table identifies certain markets that J.P. Morgan has determined to be restricted markets and provides summary information about the nature of the restrictions applicable in each. J.P. Morgan reserves the right to update this Schedule from time to time upon notice to Customer.
J.P. Morgan Investor Services Global Custody
|
J.P. Morgan Investor Services Global Custody
|
Market | Restrictions |
Morgan is able to obtain, as reasonably determined by J.P. Morgan. | |
If J.P. Morgan’s Zimbabwean Subcustodian exits the market or becomes an unacceptable provider of subcustody services, or if market conditions otherwise deteriorate, J.P. Morgan may cease to provide custody services with respect to Zimbabwe Securities. Although J.P. Morgan will work with customers to mitigate the impact of any decision to exit the market, it may not be practicable to give significant advance notice of the exit. |
J.P. Morgan Investor Services Global Custody
|
Annex A Electronic Access
1. | J.P. Morgan may permit the Customer and its Authorized Persons to access certain electronic systems and applications (collectively, the “Products”) and to access or receive electronically Data (as defined below) in connection with the Agreement. J.P. Morgan may, from time to time, introduce new features to the Products or otherwise modify or delete existing features of the Products in its sole discretion. J.P. Morgan shall endeavor to give the Customer reasonable notice of its termination or suspension of access to the Products, but may do so immediately if J.P. Morgan determines, in its sole discretion, that providing access to the Products would violate Applicable Law or that the security or integrity of the Products is at risk. Access to the Products shall be subject to the Security Procedures. |
2. | In consideration of the fees paid by the Customer to J.P. Morgan and subject to any applicable software license addendum in relation to J.P. Morgan-owned or sublicensed software provided for a particular application and Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan grants to the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable license to use the Products and the information and data made available through the Products or transferred electronically (the “Data”) for the Customer’s internal business use only. The Customer may download the Data and print out hard copies for its reference, provided that it does not remove any copyright or other notices contained therein. The license granted herein will permit use by the Customer’s Authorized Person, provided that such use shall be in compliance with the Agreement, including this Annex. The Customer acknowledges that elements of the Data, including prices, corporate action information, and reference data, may have been licensed by J.P. Morgan from third parties and that any use of such Data beyond that authorized by the foregoing license, may require the permission of one or more third parties in addition to J.P. Morgan. |
3. | The Customer acknowledges that there are security, corruption, transaction error and access availability risks associated with using open networks such as the internet, and the Customer hereby expressly assumes such risks. The Customer is solely responsible for obtaining, maintaining and operating all software (including antivirus software, anti-spyware software, and other internet security software) and personnel necessary for the Customer to access and use the Products. All such software must be interoperable with J.P. Morgan’s software. Each of the Customer and J.P. Morgan shall be responsible for the proper functioning, maintenance and security of its own systems, services, software and other equipment. |
4. | In cases where J.P. Morgan’s web site is unexpectedly down or otherwise unavailable, J.P. Morgan shall, absent a force majeure event, provide other appropriate means for the Customer or its Authorized Persons to instruct J.P. Morgan or obtain reports from J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities arising out of the Customer’s use of, access to or inability to use the Products via J.P. Morgan’s web site in the absence of J.P. Morgan’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. |
5. | Use of the Products may be monitored, tracked, and recorded. In using the Products, the Customer hereby expressly consents to such monitoring, tracking, and recording. Individuals and organizations should have no expectation of privacy unless local law, regulation, or contract provides otherwise. J.P. Morgan shall own all right, title and interest in the data reflecting the Customer usage of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site (including, but not limited to, general usage data and aggregated transaction data). J.P. Morgan may use and sublicense data obtained by it regarding the Customer’s use of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site, as long as J.P. Morgan does not disclose to others that the Customer was the source of such data or the details of individual transactions effected using the Products or web site. |
6. | The Customer shall not knowingly use the Products to transmit (i) any virus, worm, or destructive element or any programs or data that may be reasonably expected to interfere with or disrupt the Products or servers connected to the Products; (ii) material that violates the rights of another, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights of another; and (iii) “junk mail”, “spam”, “chain letters” or unsolicited mass distribution of e-mail. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID:
[D2817270] - May 2016
Page 31
|
7. | The Customer shall promptly and accurately designate in writing to J.P. Morgan the geographic location of its users upon written request. The Customer further represents and warrants to J.P. Morgan that the Customer shall not access the service from any jurisdiction which J.P. Morgan informs the Customer or where the Customer has actual knowledge that the service is not authorized for use due to local regulations or laws, including applicable software export rules and regulations. Prior to submitting any document which designates the persons authorized to act on the Customer’s behalf, the Customer shall obtain from each individual referred to in such document all necessary consents to enable J.P. Morgan to process the data set out therein for the purposes of providing the Products. |
8. | The Customer will be subject to and shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning restricting collection, use, disclosure, processing and free movement of the Data (collectively, the “Privacy Regulations”). The Privacy Regulations may include, as applicable, the Federal “Privacy of Consumer Financial Information” Regulation (12 CFR Part 30), as amended from time to time, issued pursuant to Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. §6801, et seq.), the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. §1320d), The Data Protection Act 1998 and Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data and the free movement of such data. |
9. | The Customer shall be responsible for the compliance of its Authorized Persons with the terms of the Agreement, including this Annex. |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID:
[D2817270] - May 2016
Page 32
|
Appendix 1
Information Regarding Country Risk
1. | To aid Customer in its determinations regarding Country Risk, J.P. Morgan shall furnish annually, and upon the initial placing of Financial Assets and cash into a country, the following information: |
A. | Opinions of local counsel concerning: | |
i. | Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access of Customer’s independent public accountants to books and records kept by a Subcustodian located in that country which pertain to the Customer’s account. | |
ii. | Whether applicable foreign law would restrict Customer’s ability to recover its Financial Assets and cash in the event of the bankruptcy of a Subcustodian located in that country. | |
iii. | Whether applicable foreign law would restrict Customer’s ability to recover Financial Assets that are lost while under the control of a Subcustodian located in the country. | |
iv. | Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer’s right as foreign investors to convert Customer’s cash or cash equivalents into U.S. dollars which have not yet been invested in securities. | |
B. | A market profile with respect to the following topics: | |
(i) securities regulatory environment, (ii) foreign ownership restrictions, (iii) foreign exchange, (iv) securities settlement and registration, (v) taxation, and (vi) securities depositories (including depository risk assessment), if any. | |
2. | To aid Customer in monitoring Country Risk, J.P. Morgan shall furnish board the following additional information: |
NewsFlashes, including with respect to changes in the information in market profiles |
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID:
[D2817270] - May 2016
Page 33
Exhibit (k)(1)
AMENDED AND RESTATED FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
EACH FIRST EAGLE ENTITY SET FORTH ON EXHIBIT A HERETO
AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
SECURITIES SERVICES
jpmorgan.com
|
Table of Contents
1. | INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS | 1 |
1.1. | Intention of the Parties | 1 |
1.2. | Definitions; Interpretation | 1 |
2. | WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO | 3 |
2.1. | The Services. | 3 |
2.2. | No Duty to Monitor Compliance. | 4 |
2.3. | No Responsibility for Tax Returns. | 4 |
2.4. | Storage of Records. | 4 |
2.5. | Compliance with Laws and Regulations. | 4 |
2.6. | Change Control. | 4 |
3. | INSTRUCTIONS | 5 |
3.1. | Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction; and Unclear Instructions. | 5 |
3.2. | Verification and Security Procedures. | 5 |
3.3. | Instructions Contrary To Applicable Law/Market Practice. | 5 |
3.4. | Cut-Off Times. | 6 |
3.5. | Electronic Access. | 6 |
4. | FEES AND EXPENSES OWING TO J.P. MORGAN | 6 |
4.1. | Fees and Expenses. | 6 |
5. | ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS | 7 |
5.1. | Representations of the Customer and J.P. Morgan. | 7 |
5.2. | The Customer to Provide Certain Information to J.P. Morgan. | 7 |
5.3. | Information Used to Provide the Service. | 7 |
5.4. | Know Your Customer Rules. | 7 |
6. | WHERE J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER OR THE FUNDS | 8 |
6.1. | Standard of Care; Liability. | 8 |
6.2. | Force Majeure. | 8 |
6.3. | J.P. Morgan May Consult with Counsel. | 8 |
6.4. | Limitations of J.P. Morgan’s Liability. | 9 |
7. | TERM AND TERMINATION | 10 |
7.1. | Term and Termination. | 10 |
7.2. | Other Grounds for Termination. | 10 |
7.3. | Consequences of Termination. | 10 |
7.4. | Transition following Termination. | 10 |
8. | MISCELLANEOUS | 11 |
8.1. | Notices. | 11 |
8.2. | Successors and Assigns. | 11 |
8.3. | Entire Agreement. | 11 |
8.4. | Insurance. | 11 |
8.5. | Governing Law and Jurisdiction. | 11 |
8.6. | Severability; Waiver; and Survival. | 12 |
8.7. | Confidentiality. | 12 |
8.8. | Use of J.P. Morgan’s Name. | 13 |
|
8.9. | Delegation. | 13 |
8.10. | Counterparts. | 13 |
8.11. | No Third Party Beneficiaries. | 13 |
8.12. | Cyber-security | 13 |
8.13. | Obligations of Each Customer Several; Funds as Customers | 13 |
Exhibit A List of Entities | 15 | |
Schedule 1 Accounting and NAV Calculation Services | 16 | |
APPENDIX A Net Asset Value Error Correction Policy and Procedures | 17 | |
Schedule 2 Fund Administration Services | 19 | |
Schedule 3 OTC Derivative Administration Solutions | 21 | |
Annex A Electronic Access | 22 |
|
AMENDED AND RESTATED FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
This agreement, dated September 9, 2020 (this “Agreement”), is between each entity managed by First Eagle Investment Management, LLC or First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC, that is set forth on Exhibit A, each of whose principal place of business is at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105 (each, the “Customer”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. with a place of business at 70 Fargo Street, Boston, MA 02210 (“J.P. Morgan”).
1. | INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS |
1.1. | Intention of the Parties | ||
(a) | Each Customer that is a Fund is a management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with the purpose of investment of its assets in certain types of securities and instruments, as more fully described in the Funds’ Registration Statement, as amended from time to time. | ||
(b) | The Customer has requested J.P. Morgan to provide Accounting and NAV Calculation Services, Fund Administration Services and OTC Derivative Administration Solutions, which J.P. Morgan has agreed to do subject to the terms and conditions appearing in this Agreement and the Schedules hereto. J.P. Morgan will be responsible for the performance of only those duties set forth in this Agreement. | ||
1.2. | Definitions; Interpretation | ||
(a) | As used in this Agreement and the Schedules and Appendices to this Agreement, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated. | ||
“Accounting and NAV Calculation Services” means the services described in Schedule 1 Accounting and NAV Calculation Services. | |
“Advisers Act” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. | |
“Affiliate” means an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, J.P. Morgan or the Customer, as the case may be. | |
“Applicable Law” means any applicable statute (including the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (“1934 Act”)), treaty, rule, regulation or law (including common law) and any applicable decree, injunction, judgment, order, formal interpretation or ruling issued by a court or governmental entity. | |
“Articles” means the formation documents (such as articles of incorporation or declaration of trust) of the Customer, as amended from time to time. | |
“Authorized Person” means any person who has been designated by the Customer (or by any agent designated by the Customer, including the Investment Adviser) to act on behalf of the Customer under this Agreement and any person who has been given an access code by a security administrator appointed by the Customer which allows the provision of Instructions. Such persons will continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as J.P. Morgan receives, and has had reasonable time to act upon, Instructions from the Customer (or its agent) that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person. | |
“Board” means the board of trustees of the Customer. | |
“Change” has the meaning given in Section 2.6. | |
“Change Control” means the process set out in Section 2.6. | |
“Change Request” has the meaning given in Section 2.6. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 1
|
“Confidential Information” means and includes all non-public information concerning the Customer and/or the Funds which J.P. Morgan receives in the course of providing services under this Agreement. Nevertheless, the term Confidential Information shall not include information which is or becomes available to the general public by means other than J.P. Morgan’s breach of the terms of this Agreement or information which J.P. Morgan develops independently without using the Customer’s confidential information or obtains on a non-confidential basis from a person who is not known to be subject to any obligation of confidence to any person with respect to that information. | |
“Fees” means the payments described in Article 4, to be made by the Customer to J.P. Morgan for the Services. | |
“Fund Administration Services” means the services described in Schedule 2 Fund Administration Services. | |
“Fund(s)” means each separate portfolio of the First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds. | |
“Instruction” means an instruction that has been verified in accordance with a Security Procedure or, if no Security Procedure is applicable, which J.P. Morgan believes in good faith to have been given by an Authorized Person. | |
“Investment Adviser” means any person or entity appointed as investment adviser or manager of any of the Funds, in accordance with the Registration Statement. | |
“J.P. Morgan Indemnitees” means J.P. Morgan, its Affiliates, and their respective nominees, directors, officers, employees and agents. | |
“Liabilities” means any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, taxes (other than taxes based solely on J.P. Morgan’s income) or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ or experts’ fees and disbursements). | |
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. | |
“OTC Derivative Administration Solutions” means the services described in Schedule 3 OTC Derivative Administration Solutions. | |
“OTC Derivative Contract” means any contract of a type that J.P. Morgan, acting reasonably, determines to be an over-the-counter derivative. | |
“Prospectus” means the prospectus of the applicable Fund as supplemented, updated or amended from time to time. | |
“Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form N-1A or Form N-2 of the applicable Fund, filed under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as amended or supplemented, updated or amended from time to time. | |
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. | |
“Security Procedure” means any security procedure to be followed by Customer upon the issuance of an Instruction and/or by J.P. Morgan upon the receipt of an Instruction, so as to enable J.P. Morgan to verify that such Instruction is authorized, as set forth in the operating procedures documentation in effect from time to time between the parties with respect to the services set forth in this Agreement, or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. A Security Procedure may, without limitation, involve the use of algorithms, codes, passwords, encryption and telephone call backs and may be updated by J.P. Morgan from time to time upon notice to the Customer. The Customer acknowledges that Security Procedures are designed to verify the authenticity of, and not detect errors in, Instructions. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that a SWIFT message issued in the name of the Customer through any third party utility agreed upon by the parties as being a method for providing Instructions and authenticated in accordance with that utility’s customary procedures, shall be deemed to be an authorized Instruction; provided that nothing in the foregoing clause shall require Customer to use SWIFT messaging as a method for providing Instructions. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 2
|
“Service Commencement Date” means the first date on which J.P. Morgan is entitled to receive Fees under this Agreement. | |
“Services” means the Accounting and NAV Calculation Services, Fund Administration Services, and OTC Derivative Administration Solutions. | |
“Share Transaction” means a purchase, redemption, repurchase offer, or exchange transaction of Shares. | |
“Shareholder Records” means the records maintained by the Transfer Agent containing information concerning the Shareholders and Share Transactions. | |
“Shares” means the shares issued by the Customer or the Funds. | |
“Shareholder” means a holder of Shares. | |
(b) | Headings are for reference and convenience only and are not intended to affect interpretation. | |
(c) | References to articles and sections are to articles and sections of this Agreement and references to sub-sections and paragraphs are to sub-sections of the Sections and paragraphs of the sub-sections in which they appear. | |
(d) | Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Agreement to “persons” shall include legal as well as natural entities; references importing the singular shall include the plural (and vice versa); use of the generic masculine pronoun shall include the feminine; use of the term “including” shall be deemed to mean “including but not limited to,” and references to appendices and numbered sections shall be to such addenda and provisions herein; all such addenda are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by reference. |
2. | WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO |
2.1. | The Services. | ||
(a) | The Customer hereby appoints J.P. Morgan to act as administrator of and to provide the Services with respect to each of the Customers and J.P. Morgan agrees to act as administrator of and to provide the Services with respect to each of the Customers (subject to any limitations notified by the Customer to J.P. Morgan in writing and subject to any requirements or restrictions imposed on the performance of such functions by any statutory provisions for the time being in force), until this Agreement is terminated as hereinafter provided. | ||
(b) | Customer will endeavor to provide J.P. Morgan with advance notice of material amendments to the Articles, Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and will provide such amendments to J.P. Morgan promptly after effectiveness. J.P. Morgan shall not be required to act in accordance with any amendments to the Articles, Registration Statement or the Prospectus that it does not receive a reasonable amount of time prior to such amendment or revision becoming effective or that are in any way inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, but J.P. Morgan will use its best efforts to implement any such amendment. If any such proposed amendment is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Customer shall promptly submit a Change Request in accordance Section 2.6. | ||
(c) | J.P. Morgan shall act as an agent of the Customer and/or the Funds solely with respect to the duties of J.P. Morgan described in this Agreement. | ||
(d) | The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan is not providing any legal, tax or investment advice in providing the Services. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 3
|
2.2. | No Duty to Monitor Compliance. | ||
Each party hereto acknowledges that the duty of J.P. Morgan in its capacity as the provider of any of the Services shall not constitute a duty to monitor the compliance of any other party hereto or their delegates or any other person whatsoever (other than J.P. Morgan or any of its Affiliates or sub-contractors) with any restriction or guideline imposed on any of the Funds or the Investment Adviser by the Registration Statement and any other document, or by law or regulation or otherwise with regard to any of the Funds or the Investment Adviser, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement and further, that the duties of J.P. Morgan in its capacity as the provider of any of the Services, shall not extend to enforcing compliance of any of the Funds, the Investment Adviser, their respective delegates or any other person whatsoever (other than J.P. Morgan or any of its Affiliates or sub-contractors) with any such restrictions or guidelines. | |||
2.3. | No Responsibility for Tax Returns. | ||
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, while J.P. Morgan shall provide the Customer with information regarding taxable events in the United States in relation to the Customer and/or the Funds, J.P. Morgan is not responsible for preparing or filing any tax reports or returns on behalf of the Shareholders or the Funds except as expressly set forth in this Agreement. | |||
2.4. | Storage of Records. | ||
J.P. Morgan is authorized to maintain all accounts, registers, corporate books and other documents on magnetic tape or disc, or on any other mechanical or electronic system; provided that they are capable of being reproduced in legible form in accordance with Applicable Law. All such records for the Funds are the property of the Customer. If requested by Customer, J.P. Morgan shall provide a copy of any and all such records to the Customer. Where any Authorized Person, including any Fund’s auditor, wishes to inspect such documents maintained by J.P. Morgan, J.P. Morgan shall provide legible documents, for the discharge of the Fund’s and its auditors’ legal and regulatory duties. The applicable Funds shall be responsible for the payment of any reasonable research and copying costs associated with any such request, in accordance with J.P. Morgan’s customary practices. | |||
2.5. | Compliance with Laws and Regulations. | ||
J.P. Morgan will comply with Applicable Law in the United States with respect to the provision of the Services. The Customer shall comply (and to cause the Funds to comply) with Applicable Law in the United States and in each state in which the Customer conducts business, to the extent that compliance with such Applicable Law is relevant to the provision or receipt of the Services or the marketing of the Funds. | |||
2.6. | Change Control. | ||
(a) | If either party wishes to propose any amendment or modification to, or variation of, the Services including the scope or details of the Services (a “Change”) then it shall notify the other party of that fact by sending a written request (a “Change Request”) to the party, specifying in as much detail as is reasonably practicable the nature of the Change. J.P. Morgan shall maintain a log of all Change Requests. | ||
(b) | Promptly following the receipt of a Change Request the parties shall agree in writing whether to implement the Change Request, whether the Fees should be modified in light of the change to the Services, and the basis upon which J.P. Morgan will be compensated for implementing the Change Request. | ||
(c) | If a change to Applicable Law requires a change to the provision of the Services, or an increase in J.P. Morgan’s costs or risk associated with provision of the Services, the parties shall follow the |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 4
|
Change Control processes set forth in this Section. J.P. Morgan shall bear its own costs with respect to implementing such a Change Request except that: | ||
(i) | J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to charge the Customer for any changes to software that has been developed or customized for the Customer; and | |
(ii) | J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to charge the Customer for any changes required as a result of the change in Applicable Law affecting the Customer and/or any of its Funds in a materially different way than it affects J.P. Morgan’s other customers, or which the Customer wishes J.P. Morgan to implement in a way different from what J.P. Morgan reasonably intends to implement for its other customers. |
3. | INSTRUCTIONS |
3.1. | Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction; and Unclear Instructions. | ||
(a) | The Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to accept, rely upon and/or act upon any Instructions received by it without inquiry. The Customer will indemnify the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold each of them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees as a result of any action or omission taken in accordance with any Instruction unless the Liabilities result from an act of negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees with respect to the manner in which such Instructions are followed. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan shall promptly notify an Authorized Person or Shareholder, as applicable, if J.P. Morgan determines that an Instruction does not contain all information reasonably necessary for J.P. Morgan to carry out the Instruction. J.P. Morgan may decline to act upon an Instruction if it does not receive clarification or confirmation satisfactory to it. J.P. Morgan will not be liable for any loss arising from any reasonable delay in carrying out any such Instruction while it seeks such missing information, clarification or confirmation or in declining to act upon any Instruction for which it does not receive clarification satisfactory to it. | ||
(c) | Where reasonably practicable, the Customer will use automated and electronic methods of sending Instructions. | ||
3.2. | Verification and Security Procedures. | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan and the Customer shall comply with any applicable Security Procedures with respect to the delivery or authentication of Instructions and shall ensure that any codes, passwords or similar devices are reasonably safeguarded. | ||
(b) | Either party may record any of its telephone communications. | ||
3.3. | Instructions Contrary To Applicable Law/Market Practice. | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan need not act upon Instructions which it reasonably believes to be contrary to law, regulation or market practice but J.P. Morgan shall be under no duty to investigate whether any Instructions comply with Applicable Law or market practice. In the event J.P. Morgan does not act upon such Instructions, J.P. Morgan will promptly notify Customer. | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan shall not incur liability by refusing in good faith to perform any duty or obligation herein which in its reasonable judgment is improper or unauthorized. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 5
|
3.4. | Cut-Off Times. | |
J.P. Morgan has established cut-off times for receipt of Instructions, which will be made available to the Customer. If J.P. Morgan receives an Instruction (other than Instructions relating to a Share Transaction, which shall be processed by J.P. Morgan in accordance with the Registration Statement) after its established cut-off time, J.P. Morgan will attempt to act upon the Instruction on the day requested if J.P. Morgan deems it practicable to do so or otherwise as soon as practicable after that day. | ||
3.5. | Electronic Access. | |
Access by the Customer to certain applications or products of J.P. Morgan via J.P. Morgan’s web site or otherwise shall be governed by this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth in Annex A Electronic Access. |
4. | FEES AND EXPENSES OWING TO J.P. MORGAN |
4.1. | Fees and Expenses. | ||
(a) | The Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for the Services under this Agreement the Fees as set forth in the Fee Schedule as attached hereto, or as otherwise agreed upon in writing between the Customer and J.P. Morgan from time to time. J.P. Morgan may make reasonable amendments to the Fees at any time should either (i) the Customer’s actual investment portfolio and/or trading activity differ significantly from the assumptions used to develop J.P. Morgan’s fee proposal or (ii) the Customer’s service requirements change. | ||
(b) | In addition to the Fees provided for above, the Customer shall be responsible for, and shall reimburse J.P. Morgan for, the payment of all governmental or similar fees, charges, taxes, duties and imposts levied in or by any relevant authority in the United States on or in respect of the Customer and/or any Fund which are incurred by J.P. Morgan. The Customer shall reimburse J.P. Morgan for reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses related to the Funds, including, but not limited to, market data charges, pricing vendors charges, travel costs, telephone, postage and stationery and expenses of a similar nature as J.P. Morgan may incur in the execution of its duties under this Agreement and including the costs and expenses, by the Customer’s request or with the Customer’s agreement, incurred by J.P. Morgan and its agents in determining the value of assets in connection with its duty as the calculator of the Net Asset Value of the Funds or any Shares and in connection with the performance of its duties pursuant to this Agreement. The Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for J.P. Morgan’s other reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, as may be agreed upon in writing, from time to time. | ||
(c) | Invoices will be payable within thirty (30) days of the date of the receipt of invoice. If the Customer disputes an invoice, it shall nevertheless pay on or before the date that payment is due such portion of the invoice that is not subject to a bona fide dispute. J.P. Morgan may deduct amounts invoiced from the accounts held by J.P. Morgan for the benefit of the Customer except to the extent that the Customer has objected to the invoice within thirty (30) days of the date of receipt of invoice (or such other period as the parties may agree in writing). Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s other rights, J.P. Morgan reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts from the due date until actual payment at a rate as J.P. Morgan customarily charges for similar overdue amounts. | ||
(d) | J.P. Morgan shall be reasonably compensated, at the customary hourly rates, for remediation efforts conducted by J.P. Morgan at the Customer’s request to review and re-execute certain Instructions. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 6
|
5. | ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS |
5.1. | Representations of the Customer and J.P. Morgan. | ||
(a) | The Customer represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan, this Agreement is the Customer’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against the Customer in accordance with its terms, (ii) it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement, (iii) there is no material administrative, civil or criminal proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Customer, threatened against the Customer, and (iv) it has not relied on any oral or written representation made by J.P. Morgan or any person on its behalf, and acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the duties of J.P. Morgan. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Customer, this Agreement is J.P. Morgan’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against J.P. Morgan in accordance with its terms;(ii) it has full power and authority to enter into, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of, this Agreement; (iii) any and all information J.P. Morgan provided to Customer or its representatives in connection with the Customer’s evaluation of J.P. Morgan’s experience and capabilities to provide the Services was at the time it was provided true, correct and complete in all material respects; and (iv) it has established and maintains and enforces written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent material and intentional violations of Applicable Law relating to J.P. Morgan’s duties as a service provider hereunder (including federal securities laws prohibiting unlawful use and disclosure of material, non-public information regarding an issuer (such as Customer) or a security (such as Customer’s shares) by J. P. Morgan as a service provider hereunder. | ||
5.2. | The Customer to Provide Certain Information to J.P. Morgan. | ||
The Customer will promptly provide to J.P. Morgan such information about itself and its financial status as J.P. Morgan may reasonably request, including the Customer’s organizational documents and its current audited and unaudited financial statements, its Registration Statement and any contracts, regulatory documents or opinions from a lawyer or accountant that relate to the Services described in this Agreement. | |||
5.3. | Information Used to Provide the Service. | ||
The Customer agrees with J.P. Morgan that any information the Customer or the Investment Adviser provides to J.P. Morgan pursuant to this Agreement shall be complete and accurate to enable J.P. Morgan to perform its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement. | |||
5.4. | Know Your Customer Rules. | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan, by Applicable Law, is required to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of a person seeking to commence a commercial relationship with J.P. Morgan. The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan’s identity verification procedures require it to request certain information from the Customer or third parties regarding the Customer. The Customer agrees to provide J.P. Morgan with, and consents to J.P. Morgan obtaining from third parties, any such information as a condition of using any service provided by J.P. Morgan hereunder. To the extent that the Customer fails to provide or to consent to the provision of any such information, such failure shall be grounds for J.P. Morgan to not open any account or provide any Services and/or to close any account or discontinue providing the Services. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 7
|
6. | WHERE J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER OR THE FUNDS |
6.1. | Standard of Care; Liability. | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care in performing its obligations under this Agreement. J.P. Morgan will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by the Customer or the Funds with respect to any matter as to which J.P. Morgan has satisfied its obligation of reasonable care unless the same results from an act of negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of J.P. Morgan. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan will be liable for the Customer’s and/or any Fund’s direct damages to the extent they result from J.P. Morgan’s fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct in performing its duties as set out in this Agreement. Nevertheless, under no circumstances will J.P. Morgan be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits or business) of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought, resulting from J.P. Morgan’s performance under this Agreement, or J.P. Morgan’s role as a service provider to the Customer. | ||
(c) | The Customer will indemnify the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees in connection with or arising out of J.P. Morgan’s performance under this Agreement, provided the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees have not acted with negligence or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct in connection with the Liabilities in question. | ||
(d) | No Shareholder of the Customer (or any Fund thereof), or any Board trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Customer (or any Fund thereof), shall be subject to claims against or obligations of the Customer (or any Fund thereof) to any extent whatsoever. J.P. Morgan agrees that the obligations assumed by the Customer (or any Fund thereof) under this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Customer (and specifically to the relevant Fund and its assets), and J.P. Morgan shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the Shareholders or any Shareholder of the Customer (or the relevant Fund) or from any other Fund of the Customer, or from any Board trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Customer (or any Fund thereof). | ||
6.2. | Force Majeure. | ||
J.P. Morgan will maintain and update from time to time business continuation and disaster recovery procedures with respect to its global business that it determines from time to time meet reasonable commercial standards. J.P. Morgan will have no liability, however, for any damage, loss, expense or liability of any nature that the Customer or any of the Funds may suffer or incur, caused by an act of God, fire, flood, civil or labor disturbance, war, terrorism, act of any governmental authority or other act or threat of any governmental authority (de jure or de facto), legal constraint, fraud or forgery (other than on the part of J.P. Morgan or its employees), malfunction of equipment or software (except where such malfunction is primarily and directly attributable to J.P. Morgan’s negligence in maintaining the equipment or software), failure of or the effect of rules or operations of any external funds transfer system, inability to obtain or interruption of external communications facilities, or any cause beyond the reasonable control of J.P. Morgan. | |||
6.3. | J.P. Morgan May Consult with Counsel. | ||
J.P. Morgan will be entitled to rely on, and may act upon the advice of professional advisors in relation to matters of Applicable Law or market practice (which may be the professional advisors of the Customer or the Funds), and shall not be liable to the Customer under this Agreement for any action taken or omitted pursuant to such advice provided that J.P. Morgan has selected and retained such professional advisers using reasonable care and acts reasonably in reliance on the advice. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 8
|
6.4. | Limitations of J.P. Morgan’s Liability. | ||
(a) | J.P. Morgan may rely on information provided to it by or on behalf of the Funds, or which was prepared or maintained by the Customer or any third party on behalf of the Funds, in the course of discharging its duties under this Agreement. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable to any person for any Liabilities suffered by any person as a result of J.P. Morgan: (i) having relied upon the authority, accuracy, truth or completeness of information including, without limitation, information supplied to J.P. Morgan by the Customer or by the Investment Adviser or any third party (other than an Affiliate or subcontractor of J.P. Morgan involved in the provision of the Services), including but not limited to, information in relation to trades in respect of the Funds or expenses of the Funds; (ii) having relied upon the authority, accuracy, truth and completeness of information furnished to J.P. Morgan by any pricing services, data services, or provider of other market information or information concerning securities held by the Funds. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any error in data that is transitioned to J.P. Morgan at the time it begins to provide the Services with respect to the Funds provided that J.P. Morgan: |
(i) | shall use reasonable efforts to mitigate any Losses arising as a result of any such error of which it is aware; and | |
(ii) | shall notify the Customer as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the error. |
J.P. Morgan and the Customer shall mutually agree on any remediation efforts to correct any such error in data and any compensation to remediate any such error. | |||
(c) | J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities resulting from a failure by any person to provide J.P. Morgan with any information or notice that is reasonably necessary for the provision of the Services save for Liabilities which result directly from an act of negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees. J.P. Morgan shall use reasonable efforts to find alternative sources of information in the event of any such failure. In the event of any such failure that may affect the performance of the Services, J.P. Morgan shall promptly notify the Customer. | ||
(d) | J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities whatsoever incurred or suffered by any party hereto, whether on their own account or for the account of the Funds, as a result of the failure of the Customer or its agents, officers or employees to comply with the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction in which Shares are offered. | ||
(e) | J.P. Morgan’s responsibilities with respect to the correction of an error in calculating the net asset value of any Fund shall be subject to the NAV correction policy and procedures attached to this Agreement as APPENDIX A Net Asset Value Error Correction Policy and Procedures to Schedule 1 of this Agreement. | ||
(f) | The Customer agrees that the accounting reports provided by J.P. Morgan, as well as any share class or other similar reports, are to enable the Customer to fulfill its statutory reporting and investor subscription/redemption obligations, and are not for investment, treasury or hedging purposes. Accordingly, notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan shall have no liability whatsoever for any Liabilities incurred by the Customer as result of use of the accounting reports for investment, treasury or hedging purposes, including, but not limited to, for the purpose of currency overlay transactions. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 9
|
7. | TERM AND TERMINATION |
7.1. | Term and Termination | ||
The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a period of five (5) years following the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under the Agreement (the “Initial Term”). Following the Initial Term, the Customer may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement on one hundred and eighty (180) days’ prior written notice to the Customer. The Customer may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Initial Term by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to J.P. Morgan upon payment of a termination fee. During the first and second years of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $1.5 million and (ii) six (6) times the average monthly fees paid during the six (6) month period prior to the Customer’s notice of termination, or since the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under this Agreement if such period is less than six (6) months. During the third year of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $1 million and (ii) four (4) times the average monthly fees paid during the four (4) month period prior to the Customer’s notice of termination. During the fourth and fifth year of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be zero. | |||
7.2. | Other Grounds for Termination. | ||
(a) | In the event of the termination of the custody agreement between J.P. Morgan and the Customer, J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part and cease to provide the Services simultaneously with the transition of the assets of the Customer to a successor custodian, provided that if the Agreement is terminated during the initial term, the termination fee described in Section 7.1 shall apply. | ||
(b) | Notwithstanding Section 7.2(a), either party may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice to the other party following the occurrence of any of the following: |
(i) | the other party being declared bankrupt, entering into a composition with creditors, obtaining a suspension of payment, being put under court controlled management or being the subject of a similar measure; | |
(ii) | the relevant federal or state authority withdrawing its authorization of either party; or | |
(iii) | the other party committing any material breach of this Agreement and failing to remedy such breach (if capable of remedy) within 90 days of being given written notice of the material breach, unless the parties agree to extend the period to remedy the breach. |
7.3. | Consequences of Termination. | ||
Termination of this Agreement under the provisions of this Article 7 will be without prejudice to the performance of any party’s obligations under this Agreement with respect to all outstanding transactions at the date of termination. | |||
7.4. | Transition following Termination. | ||
As soon as reasonably practicable following its resignation or termination of appointment becoming effective and subject to payment of any amount owing to J.P. Morgan under this Agreement, J.P. Morgan agrees to transfer such records and related supporting documentation as are held by it under this Agreement, to any replacement provider of the Services or to such other person as the Customer may direct. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2, J.P. Morgan shall provide the Services until a replacement administrator is in place, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Article 4). J.P. Morgan will also provide reasonable assistance to its successor, for such transfer, subject to the payment of such reasonable expenses and charges as J.P. Morgan customarily charges |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 10
|
for such assistance. The Customer undertakes to use its best efforts to appoint a new administrative service provider as soon as possible. |
8. | MISCELLANEOUS |
8.1. | Notices. | |
Notices pursuant to Article 7 of this Agreement shall be sent or served by registered mail, nationally recognized delivery services, such as Federal Express (FedEx) or United Parcel Service (UPS), etc., courier services or hand delivery to the address of the respective parties as set out on the first page of this Agreement, unless notice of a new address is given to the other party in writing. Notice will not be deemed to be given unless it has been received. | ||
8.2. | Successors and Assigns. | |
This Agreement will be binding on each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The parties agree that neither party can assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; except J.P. Morgan may assign this Agreement without Customer’s consent to (a) any Affiliate of J.P. Morgan or (b) in connection with a merger, reorganization, stock sale or sale of all or substantially all of J.P. Morgan’s fund servicing business. | ||
8.3. | Entire Agreement. | |
This Agreement, including any Schedules, Exhibits, Appendices and Annexes, sets out the entire Agreement between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof, and this Agreement supersedes any other agreement, statement, or representation relating to the Services under this Agreement, whether oral or written. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties. | ||
8.4. | Insurance. | |
The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan will not be required to maintain any insurance coverage specifically for the benefit of the Customer or the Funds. J.P. Morgan will, however, provide summary information of its own general insurance coverage to the Customer upon written request. | ||
8.5. | Governing Law and Jurisdiction. | |
This Agreement will be construed, regulated and administered under the laws of the United States or State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York’s principles regarding conflict of laws, except that the foregoing shall not reduce any statutory right to choose New York law or forum. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any lawsuit or other judicial proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement. If that court lacks federal subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County will have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Either of these courts will have the proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding, and the parties waive any objection to venue or their convenience as a forum. The parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified and to accept service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts. The parties further hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right to a trial by jury with respect to any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding arising or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. To the extent that in any jurisdiction the Customer or J.P. Morgan may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, the Customer or J.P. Morgan (as applicable) shall not claim, and it hereby irrevocably waives, such immunity. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 11
|
8.6. | Severability; Waiver; and Survival. | ||
(a) | If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired. | ||
(b) | Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced. | ||
(c) | The parties’ rights, protections, and remedies under this Agreement shall survive its termination. | ||
8.7. | Confidentiality. | ||
(a) | Subject to Section 8.7(b), J.P. Morgan will hold all Confidential Information in confidence with the same level of care as if such Confidential Information was its own and will not disclose any Confidential Information except as may be required by Applicable Law, a regulator with jurisdiction over J.P. Morgan’s business, or with the consent of the Customer provided that prior to disclosing any such Confidential Information pursuant to Applicable Law or as required by any such regulator in connection with a request for information specific to Customer, J.P. Morgan shall provide Customer with written notice within a reasonable time prior to disclosing Confidential Information to the extent practicable and legally permissible in order to permit Customer to seek a protective order prohibiting the disclosure of such Confidential Information. | ||
(b) | The Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to disclose Confidential Information to: |
(i) | any subcontractor, agent, service provider, vendor or any other person that J.P. Morgan believes is reasonably required in connection with J.P. Morgan’s provision of relevant services under this Agreement; | |
(ii) | its professional advisors, auditors or public accountants; | |
(iii) | its branches and J.P. Morgan Affiliates; and | |
(iv) | any revenue authority or any governmental entity in relation to the processing of any tax claim. |
Except where J.P. Morgan is instructed to provide Confidential Information to a party designated by the Funds, J.P. Morgan agrees that any person to whom it discloses any Confidential Information pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) above has agreed to keep such Confidential Information confidential or has an internal policy to keep confidential client information confidential to the same extent as required of J.P. Morgan pursuant to this Agreement and J.P. Morgan shall be responsible and liable for any breach of confidentiality by any such person, except in the case of disclosure required by Applicable Law. | |||
(c) | Except as (i) otherwise required by Applicable Law, (ii) required for disclosure in the Customer’s Registration Statement, or (iii) needed to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the parties shall hold the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any commercial terms, in confidence. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 12
|
8.8. | Use of J.P. Morgan’s Name. | ||
The Customer agrees not to use (or permit the use of) J.P. Morgan’s name in any document, publication or publicity material relating to the Customer or the Funds, including but not limited to notices, sales literature, stationery, advertisements, etc., without the prior consent of J.P. Morgan (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), provided that no prior consent is needed if the document in which J.P. Morgan’s name is used merely states that J.P. Morgan is acting as administrator to the Funds. | |||
8.9. | Delegation. | ||
J.P. Morgan may delegate to a reputable agent any of its functions herein. However, J.P. Morgan will remain responsible to the Funds for any such delegation. To the extent reasonably practicable, J.P. Morgan will consult with the Customer before it implements the delegation of a material portion of the Services. | |||
8.10. | Counterparts. | ||
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together will constitute one and the same agreement. | |||
8.11. | No Third Party Beneficiaries. | ||
A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any term of this Agreement. | |||
8.12. | Cyber-security. | ||
J.P. Morgan will implement and maintain an information security program to safeguard customer information, and will provide Customer with a written summary of such program upon request. | |||
8.13. | Obligations of Each Customer Several; Funds as Customers. | ||
(a) | Although each Customer and J.P. Morgan are entering into this agreement for convenience, each Customer and J.P. Morgan intend that this Agreement constitute a separate agreement between each Customer and J.P. Morgan such that each reference to Customer shall be read solely as a reference to a single entity. | ||
(b) | J.P. Morgan acknowledges and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Customer hereunder shall be limited in all cases to the assets of the Customer and that J.P. Morgan may not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the officers, agents, employees, trustees, directors or shareholders of the Customer or of any other Customer hereto, and to the extent such trustees or officers are regarded as entering into this Agreement, they do so only as trustees or officers and not individually and that the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any such trustee, officer, employee or shareholder individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of such Customer. J.P. Morgan hereby agrees that such trustees, officers, employees or shareholders shall not be personally liable under this Agreement and that J.P. Morgan shall look solely to the property of the Customer for the performance of the Agreement or payment of any claim under the Agreement. | ||
8.14 | Additional Customers. | ||
(a) | Any additional entity (each an “Additional Customer”) may be added to this Agreement as a Customer upon execution of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan and such Additional Customer. Any such joinder shall not require the prior written approval of, or the execution of any amendment to this Agreement by, any other Customer. | ||
(b) | Following the execution of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan an Additional Customer (i) each Additional Customer shall automatically be and become a party to this Agreement as a “Customer” hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named herein as a Customer; (ii) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Additional Customer hereby shall expressly assume all obligations and liability of a Customer under this Agreement; and (iii) Exhibit A to this Agreement shall be automatically amended and restated to include each Additional Customer. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 13
|
AS WITNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto:
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page14
|
AS WITTNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto:
FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND SPV, LLC | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: | Joseph Malone | |||
Title: | SVP | |||
Date: | 2/5/21 | |||
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: | Gregory Cook | |||
Title: | Executive Director | |||
Date: | February 8, 2021 |
Fund Services Agreement – U.S. Mutual Funds – June
2016
Page 14
|
AS WITTNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto:
FIRST EAGLE SMALL CAP OPPORTUNITY FUND | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: | Joseph Malone | |||
Title: | CFO First Eagle Funds | |||
Date: | 4/21/21 | |||
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: | Gregory Cook | |||
Title: | Executive Director | |||
Date: | 4/21/2021 |
With respect to the addition of the above Additional
Customer pursuant to Section 8.14(a) hereof.
Fund Services Agreement – U.S. Mutual Funds – June
2016
Page 14
|
EXHIBIT A
LIST OF ENTITIES
(as of April 21, 2021)
First Eagle Funds
First Eagle Global Fund
First Eagle Overseas Fund
First Eagle U.S. Value Fund
First Eagle Gold Fund
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund
First Eagle High Yield Fund
First Eagle Fund of America
First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund
First Eagle Variable Funds
First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund
First Eagle Global Cayman Fund, Ltd.
First Eagle Overseas Cayman Fund, Ltd.
First Eagle US Value Cayman Fund, Ltd.
First Eagle Gold Cayman Fund Ltd.
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund SPV, LLC
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 15
|
Schedule 1 Accounting and NAV Calculation Services
§ | NAV calculation/fund valuation: |
— | Calculation of NAV based on a single valuation per day | |
— | Standard transactional and NAV materiality thresholds | |
— | Share class accounting with market standard allocation methodology | |
— | Support both GAAP and tax-based records | |
— | Utilizing standard NAV delivery timeframes |
§ | Asset pricing and reporting |
— | Standard automated vendor inputs, including international fair valuation | |
— | Standard valuation oversight reporting (e.g., fair value reports, broker prices, etc.) |
§ | Capital stock processing and reconciliation |
— | Automated data files from transfer agent using market standard formats | |
— | Automated NAV transmissions to transfer agent using market standard formats |
§ | Cash availability reporting for money market funds |
§ | Portfolio trades processing |
— | Market standard automated trade files |
§ | Corporate actions processing |
§ | Portfolio income recognition |
§ | Automated expense processing |
§ | Cash Reconciliations |
§ | Asset reconciliations |
§ | NAV dissemination |
— | Standard JP Morgan automated tools and reporting |
§ | Audit reporting and coordination |
— | External audit, SSAE16, and client due diligence coordination |
§ | Standard accounting data extracts |
§ | ASC 820 and 815 support |
§ | Standard client reporting |
— | Standard end-of-day accounting information | |
— | Standard risk oversight reporting (e.g.. aged receivables, stale prices, etc.) using Views Portfolio Reporting (VPR) |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 16
|
APPENDIX A Net Asset Value Error Correction Policy and Procedures
1. | As used in this Agreement and the Schedules and Appendices to this Agreement, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated: |
“NAV Error” is defined as one or more errors in the computation of net asset value which, when considered cumulatively, result in a difference between the originally computed NAV and the corrected NAV of at least $0.010 per share. This computation is based upon the actual difference and is not based upon the rounding of the NAV to the nearest cent per share.
“Per Share NAV Error” is the difference between the originally computed per share NAV, and the amount that would have been computed had the errors not occurred.
“NAV Error Period” comprises those days during which a NAV Error existed.
“Fund Loss” refers to a situation where a Fund has either paid excessive redemption proceeds as a result of an overstatement of the NAV or received insufficient subscription proceeds as a result of an understatement of the NAV. When such a Fund Loss occurs, the individual Shareholders effecting transactions received a corresponding benefit (a “Shareholder Benefit”).
“Fund Benefit” means a situation where a Fund has either paid insufficient redemption proceeds as a result of an understatement of NAV or received excessive subscription proceeds as a result of an overstatement of NAV. When such a Fund Benefit occurs, the individual Shareholders effecting transactions suffer a corresponding loss (a “Shareholder Loss”).
The term “responsible person” means a person who, by virtue of negligence, fraud, or willful misconduct, caused or contributed to an NAV Error.
2. | The following Procedures will be utilized by J.P. Morgan with respect to NAV Error corrections: | |
(a) | If the error in the computation of the net asset value is less than $0.010 per share, no action shall be taken. At the request of Customer, J.P. Morgan will prepare and deliver a written memo to the Customer explaining the cause of error and any remediation. | |
(b) | If a Per Share NAV Error is less than one half of one percent of the originally computed Per Share NAV, J.P. Morgan, on behalf of the Funds, will determine whether total Fund Losses exceeded total Fund Benefits for the NAV Error Period. If the Fund incurred a net loss, the Customer will be responsible for obtaining reimbursement for such loss from the responsible person or persons. If the Fund had a net benefit, no action need be taken; however, such net benefit should not be carried forward to any analyses performed in the future for other NAV Errors that may arise. | |
(c) | If the Per Share NAV Error equals or exceeds one half of one percent of the originally computed per share NAV, 1) account adjustments should be made to compensate Shareholders for Shareholder Losses, and 2) the Customer will be responsible for obtaining reimbursement for such loss from the responsible person or persons for Fund Losses. | |
(i) | With respect to individual Shareholder Losses, the Customer will be responsible for causing the Fund (or responsible party) to pay to individual Shareholders any additional redemption proceeds owed and either refund excess subscription monies paid or credit the Shareholder account as of the date of the NAV Error, for additional shares. Nevertheless, no correction of a given individual Shareholder account shall be made unless the applicable Shareholder Loss for such Shareholder equals or exceeds a de minimis amount of $20. | |
(ii) | With respect to Fund Losses, the Customer will be responsible for causing either the responsible person or persons or the individual Shareholders to reimburse the Fund for the |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 17
|
amount of the Fund’s Losses. (Note that there is no netting of Fund Losses (as described in (c)(i)above) where the error equals or exceeds ½ of 1% of NAV, to the extent benefits were paid out by the Fund to Shareholders as account adjustments). | ||
(d) | In the case of an error that fluctuates above and below one half of one percent, individual Shareholder adjustments should be effected for those days where the NAV Error was equal to or exceeded one half of one percent. With respect to the remaining days, the Fund level process described above in Section 2(b) may be applied. | |
(e) | If there is a subsequent discovery of an error which affects a NAV Error Period that had previously been corrected in the manner described above, the subsequently discovered NAV Error should be analyzed in isolation without taking into consideration the previously corrected NAV Errors. | |
(f) | In cases where a NAV Error has occurred, the Customer, upon J.P. Morgan’s request, will instruct the Transfer Agent to reprocess transactions and to adjust each Shareholder’s Shares upwards or downwards accordingly, at the expense of the responsible person or persons. If the Transfer Agent does not agree to reprocess transactions resulting from a NAV Error for which J.P. Morgan is a responsible person, J.P. Morgan’s liability will be limited to the amount it would have been liable for had the reprocessing occurred. | |
(g) | In cases where J.P. Morgan is not the responsible person with regard to an NAV Error, J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for the work it performs with respect to the remediation of the NAV Error. | |
(h) | In cases where J.P. Morgan is a responsible person with regard to an NAV Error, but not the sole responsible person, the Fund, to the extent customary under industry practice, shall seek recovery from each such responsible person, for its proportional share of the applicable Fund Loss or Shareholder Loss. | |
(i) | Subject to the other provisions of this Appendix and to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in connection with any NAV Error caused by J.P. Morgan’s fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct, for which J.P. Morgan is not otherwise excused under this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall pay to the Customer (i) the applicable Fund Loss or Shareholder Loss resulting from such NAV Error, and (ii) any other Liabilities incurred by the Customer as a result of, or in connection with, such NAV Error, including any such Liabilities incurred in complying with the requirements of this Appendix. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 18
|
Schedule 2 Fund Administration Services
Fund Expense Administration
§ | Prepare fund expense budgets (monthly and annually) |
— | Annual budgets | |
— | Quarterly and monthly adjustments as required | |
— | True-ups and other expense adjustments as required |
§ | Expense cap and basis point analysis (monthly and annually) |
— | By class and by contractual fee (12b-1, advisory, administration, etc.) type (twice a month) |
§ | Fund invoice payments |
— | Validate, approve and process fund invoices upon receipt | |
— | Asset-based fee payments (management fees, distribution fees, etc.) |
§ | Periodic multi-class dividend distributions (monthly, quarterly, annually) |
— | Calculation, verification, and communication of income, capital gains, excise, special distributions and income projections |
§ | Performance (NAV total return) reporting |
— | Before tax calculations | |
— | Core performance reporting utilizing Unity Performance with Core frequency |
§ | Standard survey preparation and dissemination |
§ | Preparation and dissemination of vendor/trustee 1099-Misc Forms (annually) |
§ | Preparation and dissemination of ICI primary and secondary reporting (annually) |
— | Including treasury income and asset tests |
§ | Preparation and filing of Form 24F-2 (annually) |
§ | Calculation of portfolio turnover and cost rollforward (semi-annually and annually) |
§ | Financial Statement and prospectus/statement of additional income (SAI) support (annually) |
— | Calculate and provide specific financial and compliance data to support financial statement process |
§ | Quarterly Board materials |
— | Standard Financial Administration-related board materials utilizing Investor Services-resident data | |
— | Standard report package includes: |
a. | Broker Commission | |
b. | Top 10 Holdings | |
c. | Top 10 Industries | |
d. | 144A Illiquid Reporting |
Compliance Services
§ | 1940 Act compliance monitoring |
— | Portfolio diversification 5b-1 | |
— | Industry concentration 8b-1 using standard industry schema | |
— | Borrowing provision 18f-1 (300% leverage) | |
— | Illiquid securities 22e | |
— | Securities Related Businesses 12d3 | |
— | Investment Companies 12d-1 |
§ | Voting shares 12d2 |
— | Investment Company Names test 35d1 | |
— | Perform research into daily results |
§ | Communication of compliance monitoring results |
— | Communication of warnings and violations as applicable |
§ | Breach review – investigation and research of potential warnings and violations |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 19
|
§ | Prospectus / Statement of Additional Information (SAI) Monitoring |
— | Communication of compliance monitoring results | |
— | Communication of warnings and violations as applicable | |
— | Breach review – investigation and research of potential warnings and violations |
§ | Update Prospectus / SAI rules as required (per client instruction) |
§ | IRS Subchapter M Diversification testing |
— | Diversification testing under Section 851(b)(3) for Mutual Funds | |
— | Diversification testing under Section 817(h) for Variable Annuities | |
— | 50% Tax Exempt Test under Section 852(b)(5) for tax-exempt (Municipal) Funds | |
— | 90% Gross Income testing under Section 851(b)(2) |
§ | Communication of warnings and violations where required and cure analysis |
§ | Core Compliance-related board materials utilizing IS-resident data |
§ | Look-through for fund of funds custodied at JP Morgan |
§ | 10666 (Section 18) asset coverage testing |
Delivery of Standard Reporting Package
Financial Reporting Services
§ | Preparation and review of semi- and annual- financial statements with 60 day turnaround time |
— | Creation, distribution, and review of up to3 production drafts |
§ | Preparation, review, and coordination with printer of Form N-CSR |
— | Prepare and review line item 1 of Form N-CSR and assist in the coordination and filing |
§ | Preparation, review, and coordination of filing of Form N-Q |
— | Creation, distribution, and review of up to 2-3 production drafts |
§ | Preparation, review, and filing of Form N-SAR |
§ | Provide audit coordination support |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 20
|
Schedule 3 OTC Derivative Administration Solutions
OTC Derivatives Accounting
Base Position Management
§ | Calculation of cash flow events for supported instruments or receipt of cash events for non-supported instruments |
§ | Processing of OTC valuation and cash data into the J.P. Morgan accounting system |
§ | Reconciliation of J.P. Morgan accounting system OTC positions to the client or client’s fund manager |
§ | Reconciliation of the J.P. Morgan accounting system OTC positions, fees and coupons to the Clearing Broker |
§ | Cash break management in relation to the accounting ledger |
§ | Sourcing Valuation on a directed frequency from the Investment Manager |
OTC Derivative Trade and Instruction Capture
Trade and Instruction Capture Management
§ | Trade capture via FpML and / or J.P. Morgan pre-formatted .CSV template – full trade data to be supplied |
Valuation - Provision of a Third Party Provided Valuation
Lifecycle and Position Management
§ | Sourcing of OTC derivative valuation from a relevant third party pricing provider –single source |
§ | Entry of Clearing House sourced OTC derivative valuation into the J.P. Morgan accounting system |
§ | Standard Client Reporting |
§ | Dual sourcing – available, subject to an additional fee |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 21
|
Annex A Electronic Access
1. | J.P. Morgan may permit the Customer and its Authorized Persons to access certain electronic systems and applications (collectively, the “Products”) and to access or receive electronically Data (as defined below) in connection with the Agreement. J.P. Morgan may, from time to time, introduce new features to the Products or otherwise modify or delete existing features of the Products in its sole discretion. J.P. Morgan shall endeavor to give the Customer reasonable notice of its termination or suspension of access to the Products, but may do so immediately if J.P. Morgan determines, in its sole discretion, that providing access to the Products would violate Applicable Law or that the security or integrity of the Products is at risk. Access to the Products shall be subject to the Security Procedures. |
2. | In consideration of the fees paid by the Customer to J.P. Morgan and subject to any applicable software license addendum in relation to J.P. Morgan-owned or sublicensed software provided for a particular application and Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan grants to the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable license to use the Products and the information and data made available through the Products or transferred electronically (the “Data”) for the Customer’s internal business use only. The Customer may download the Data and print out hard copies for its reference, provided that it does not remove any copyright or other notices contained therein. The license granted herein will permit use by the Customer’s Authorized Person, provided that such use shall be in compliance with the Agreement, including this Annex. The Customer acknowledges that elements of the Data, including prices, corporate action information, and reference data, may have been licensed by J.P. Morgan from third parties and that any use of such Data beyond that authorized by the foregoing license, may require the permission of one or more third parties in addition to J.P. Morgan. |
3. | The Customer acknowledges that there are security, corruption, transaction error and access availability risks associated with using open networks such as the internet, and the Customer hereby expressly assumes such risks. The Customer is solely responsible for obtaining, maintaining and operating all software (including antivirus software, anti-spyware software, and other internet security software) and personnel necessary for the Customer to access and use the Products. All such software must be interoperable with J.P. Morgan’s software. Each of the Customer and J.P. Morgan shall be responsible for the proper functioning, maintenance and security of its own systems, services, software and other equipment. |
4. | In cases where J.P. Morgan’s web site is unexpectedly down or otherwise unavailable, J.P. Morgan shall, absent a force majeure event, provide other appropriate means for the Customer or its Authorized Persons to instruct J.P. Morgan or obtain reports from J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities arising out of the Customer’s use of, access to or inability to use the Products via J.P. Morgan’s web site in the absence of J.P. Morgan’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. |
5. | Use of the Products may be monitored, tracked, and recorded. In using the Products, the Customer hereby expressly consents to such monitoring, tracking, and recording. Individuals and organizations should have no expectation of privacy unless local law, regulation, or contract provides otherwise. J.P. Morgan shall own all right, title and interest in the data reflecting the Customer usage of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site (including, but not limited to, general usage data and aggregated transaction data). J.P. Morgan may use and sublicense data obtained by it regarding the Customer’s use of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site, as long as J.P. Morgan does not disclose to others that the Customer was the source of such data or the details of individual transactions effected using the Products or web site. |
6. | The Customer shall not knowingly use the Products to transmit (i) any virus, worm, or destructive element or any programs or data that may be reasonably expected to interfere with or disrupt the Products or servers connected to the Products; (ii) material that violates the rights of another, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights of another; and (iii) “junk mail”, “spam”, “chain letters” or unsolicited mass distribution of e-mail. |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 22
|
7. | The Customer shall promptly and accurately designate in writing to J.P. Morgan the geographic location of its users upon written request. The Customer further represents and warrants to J.P. Morgan that the Customer shall not access the service from any jurisdiction which J.P. Morgan informs the Customer or where the Customer has actual knowledge that the service is not authorized for use due to local regulations or laws, including applicable software export rules and regulations. Prior to submitting any document which designates the persons authorized to act on the Customer’s behalf, the Customer shall obtain from each individual referred to in such document all necessary consents to enable J.P. Morgan to process the data set out therein for the purposes of providing the Products |
8. | The Customer will be subject to and shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning restricting collection, use, disclosure, processing and free movement of the Data (collectively, the “Privacy Regulations”). The Privacy Regulations may include, as applicable, the Federal “Privacy of Consumer Financial Information” Regulation (12 CFR Part 30), as amended from time to time, issued pursuant to Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. §6801, et seq.), the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. §1320d), The Data Protection Act 1998 and Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data and the free movement of such data. |
9. | The Customer shall be responsible for the compliance of its Authorized Persons with the terms of the Agreement, including this Annex |
Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016
Page 23
Exhibit (k)(4)
AMENDMENT
TO
AGENCY AGREEMENT
This amendment (“Amendment”) is entered into on April 27, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between DST SYSTEMS, INC., (“DST”), FIRST EAGLE FUNDS, FIRST EAGLE VARIALBE FUNDS and FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND (collectively, the “Fund”). DST and the Funds are parties to the AGENCY AGREEMENT executed on March 1, 2016 and as subsequently amended (“Agency Agreement”).
WHEREAS, the parties intend to include additional products under Schedule I of the Agency Agreement
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, undertakings, covenants and conditions set forth herein, the Fund and DST agree to amend the Agency Agreement as follows:
1. | Schedule I. List of Trusts. Schedule I, List of Trusts is deleted in its entirety and replaced with a new Schedule I, List of Trusts attached hereto. |
2. | Effect on Agreement. As of the Effective Date, this Amendment shall be effective to amend the Agency Agreement and to the extent of any conflict between the Agency Agreement and this Amendment, this Amendment shall control. Except as specifically modified by this Amendment, the terms and conditions of the Agency Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers, to be effective as of the day and year first above written.
FIRST EAGLE FUNDS | FIRST EAGLE VARIABLE FUNDS | |||
By: /s/ Joseph Malone | By: /s/ Joseph Malone | |||
Title: SVP | Title: SVP | |||
FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND | ||||
By: /s/ Joseph Malone | ||||
Title: SVP | ||||
DST SYSTEMS, INC. | ||||
By: /s/ Rahul Kanwar | ||||
Title: Authorized Representative |
|
Schedule I
LIST OF FUNDS
As of April 27, 2021
FUND/DESCRIPTION | Class | CUSIP |
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund | A | 32010B205 |
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund | I | 32010B106 |
First Eagle Fund of America | R3 | 32008F358 |
First Eagle Fund of America | R4 | 32008F341 |
First Eagle Fund of America | R5 | 32008F333 |
First Eagle Fund of America | R6 | 32008F325 |
First Eagle Fund of America | A | 32008F853 |
First Eagle Fund of America | C | 32008F846 |
First Eagle Fund of America | I | 32008F663 |
First Eagle Fund of America | Y | 32008F838 |
First Eagle Global Fund | A | 32008F507 |
First Eagle Global Fund | C | 32008F705 |
First Eagle Global Fund | I | 32008F606 |
First Eagle Global Fund | R3 | 32008F622 |
First Eagle Global Fund | R4 | 32008F614 |
First Eagle Global Fund | R5 | 32008F598 |
First Eagle Global Fund | R6 | 32008F580 |
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund | A | 32008F697 |
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund | C | 32008F689 |
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund | I | 32008F671 |
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund | R3 | 32008F440 |
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund | R4 | 32008F432 |
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund | R5 | 32008F424 |
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund | R6 | 32008F416 |
First Eagle Gold Fund | A | 32008F408 |
First Eagle Gold Fund | C | 32008F788 |
First Eagle Gold Fund | I | 32008F770 |
First Eagle Gold Fund | R3 | 32008F481 |
First Eagle Gold Fund | R4 | 32008F473 |
First Eagle Gold Fund | R5 | 32008F465 |
First Eagle Gold Fund | R6 | 32008F457 |
First Eagle High Income Fund | R3 | 32008F390 |
First Eagle High Income Fund | R4 | 32008F382 |
First Eagle High Income Fund | R5 | 32008F374 |
First Eagle High Income Fund | R6 | 32008F366 |
First Eagle High Income Fund | A | 32008F739 |
First Eagle High Income Fund | C | 32008F721 |
First Eagle High Income Fund | I | 32008F713 |
First Eagle Overseas Fund | A | 32008F101 |
First Eagle Overseas Fund | C | 32008F804 |
First Eagle Overseas Fund | I | 32008F200 |
|
Exhibit (k)(9)
April 30, 2021
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Re: Expense Limitation for First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”)
Dear First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund:
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) and the Fund hereby confirm their agreement as follows, which supersedes and replaces in full the corresponding agreements approved by the Fund on September 11, 2020 and September 20, 2020 (the “Preceding Agreements”) during the Limitation Period (as defined below). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall amend, alter or supersede the ability of the Investment Adviser to seek reimbursement or repayment under the Preceding Agreements.
For the periods noted on Schedule A attached hereto (each a “Limitation Period”), the Investment Adviser agrees to waive fees and/or reimburse annual operating expenses (excluding interest, the advisory fee and subadvisory fee (which have been waived until April 30, 2022), taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (“Annual Operating Expenses”) so that the Annual Operating Expenses of each respective Class of the Fund’s shares are limited to the respective rate per annum, as noted on Schedule A, of that respective Class’ average daily net assets (each an “Expense Limitation”). Commitment fees relating to borrowings are treated as interest for purposes of this section.
The Fund agrees to repay the Investment Adviser out of assets attributable to its respective Class noted on Schedule A for any fees waived or expenses reimbursed by the Investment Adviser pursuant to the terms of this letter, provided that the repayment does not cause that Class’ Annual Operating Expenses to exceed the expense limitation in place at the time the fees were waived and/or the expenses were reimbursed, or the expense limitation in place at the time the Fund repays the Investment Adviser, whichever is lower. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which the Fund incurred the expense.
The Investment Adviser understands that it shall look only to the assets attributable to the respective Class of the Fund for performance of this Agreement and for payment of any claim the Investment Adviser may have hereunder, and no other Class of the Fund, nor any of the Trust’s trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
This Agreement is made and is to be performed principally in the State of New York, and except insofar as the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto, and requires approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the enclosed counterpart hereof and return the same.
FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND
By: _____________________________
Name: Sheelyn M. Michael
Title: Secretary and Deputy General Counsel
Agreed and Acknowledged:
FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
By: |
Name: Mehdi Mahmud
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
[Signature page to Expense Limitation Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
Class | Limitation Period | Expense Limitation | ||
A | 4/30/21 through 4/30/2022 | 1.00% | ||
I | 4/30/21 through 4/30/2022 | 0.25% |
Exhibit (n)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund of our report dated February 26, 2021, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial Statements", "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "Financial Highlights" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
April 30, 2021