|
Thomas J. Friedmann
Philip T. Hinkle Dechert LLP One International Place, 40th Floor 100 Oliver Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (617) 728-7120 |
|
Title of Securities Being Registered
|
| |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price(1) |
| |
Amount of
Registration Fee |
| ||||||
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share(2)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share(2)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription Rights(3)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Securities(4)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 200,000,000(5) | | | | | $ | 25,960(6) | | |
| | |
Page
|
| |||
| | | | 1 | | | |
| | | | 15 | | | |
| | | | 18 | | | |
| | | | 49 | | | |
| | | | 50 | | | |
BUSINESS | | | | | 51 | | |
| | | | 67 | | | |
MANAGEMENT | | | | | 74 | | |
| | | | 83 | | | |
| | | | 84 | | | |
| | | | 86 | | | |
| | | | 90 | | | |
| | | | 100 | | | |
| | | | 101 | | | |
| | | | 107 | | | |
| | | | 108 | | | |
| | | | 110 | | | |
| | | | 119 | | | |
| | | | 121 | | | |
| | | | 123 | | | |
| | | | 127 | | | |
| | | | 133 | | | |
| | | | 134 | | | |
| | | | 135 | | | |
| | | | 135 | | | |
| | | | 135 | | | |
| | | | 135 | | | |
| | | | F-1 | | | |
| | | | A-1 | | |
| | |
September
2019(2) |
| |
July
2019(2) |
| ||||||
Number of unique underlying loan obligors
|
| | | | 1,273 | | | | | | 1,263 | | |
Largest exposure to any individual obligor
|
| | | | 1.07% | | | | | | 1.12% | | |
Average individual loan obligor exposure
|
| | | | 0.08% | | | | | | 0.08% | | |
Top 10 obligors loan exposure
|
| | | | 5.77% | | | | | | 6.13% | | |
Indirect exposure to senior secured loans(3)
|
| | | | 98.03% | | | | | | 97.42% | | |
Weighted average stated loan spread
|
| | | | 3.57% | | | | | | 3.57% | | |
Weighted average loan credit rating(4)
|
| | | | B+/B | | | | | | B+/B | | |
Weighted average junior overcollateralization (OC) cushion
|
| | | | 4.59% | | | | | | 4.69% | | |
Weighted average market value of loan collateral
|
| | | | 97.10% | | | | | | 97.68% | | |
Weighted average loan maturity (in years)
|
| | | | 5.2 | | | | | | 5.3 | | |
Weighted average remaining CLO reinvestment period (in years)
|
| | | | 3.6 | | | | | | 3.6 | | |
U.S. dollar currency exposure
|
| | | | 100% | | | | | | 100% | | |
| Stockholder Transaction Expenses (as a percentage of the offering price): | | | | | | | |
|
Sales load
|
| | | | —%(1) | | |
|
Offering expenses
|
| | | | —%(2) | | |
|
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses
|
| | | | 0.00%(3) | | |
|
Total stockholder transaction expenses
|
| | | | —% | | |
| Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock): | | | |||||
|
Management fee
|
| | | | 1.56%(4) | | |
|
Interest payments on borrowed funds
|
| | | | 0.93%(5) | | |
|
Other expenses
|
| | | | 1.06% | | |
|
Acquired fund fees and expenses (underlying CLO fees and expenses)
|
| | | | 0.84%(6) | | |
|
Total annual expenses
|
| | | | 4.39% | | |
| | |
1 year
|
| |
3 years
|
| |
5 years
|
| |
10 years
|
| ||||||||||||
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return
|
| | | $ | 44 | | | | | $ | 133 | | | | | $ | 222 | | | | | $ | 451 | | |
Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (Net of Expenses)
|
| |
-10%
|
| |
-5%
|
| |
0%
|
| |
5%
|
| |
10%
|
| |||||||||||||||
Corresponding return to common stockholder(1)
|
| | | | -13.43% | | | | | | -7.18% | | | | | | -0.93% | | | | | | 5.32% | | | | | | 11.57% | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Closing Sales Price
|
| |
Premium
(Discount) of High Sales Price to NAV(2) |
| |
Premium
(Discount) of Low Sales Price to NAV(2) |
| |
Distributions
Declared(3) |
| | ||||||||||||||||||||
Period
|
| |
NAV(1)
|
| |
High
|
| |
Low
|
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First quarter
|
| | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | |
N/A
|
| ||||||
Second quarter
|
| | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | |
N/A
|
| ||||||
Third quarter(5)
|
| | | | N/A | | | | | $ | 20.34 | | | | | $ | 19.30 | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | |
$0.2873
|
| ||||||
Fourth quarter (through October 16, 2019)(5)
|
| | | | N/A | | | | | $ | 19.76 | | | | | $ | 19.31 | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | |
$0.3978 (4)
|
|
| | |
September
2019(2) |
| |
July
2019(2) |
| ||||||
Number of unique underlying loan obligors
|
| | | | 1,273 | | | | | | 1,263 | | |
Largest exposure to any individual obligor
|
| | | | 1.07% | | | | | | 1.12% | | |
Average individual loan obligor exposure
|
| | | | 0.08% | | | | | | 0.08% | | |
Top 10 obligors loan exposure
|
| | | | 5.77% | | | | | | 6.13% | | |
Indirect exposure to senior secured loans(3)
|
| | | | 98.03% | | | | | | 97.42% | | |
Weighted average stated loan spread
|
| | | | 3.57% | | | | | | 3.57% | | |
Weighted average loan credit rating(4)
|
| | | | B+/B | | | | | | B+/B | | |
Weighted average junior overcollateralization (OC) cushion
|
| | | | 4.59% | | | | | | 4.69% | | |
Weighted average market value of loan collateral
|
| | | | 97.10% | | | | | | 97.68% | | |
Weighted average loan maturity (in years)
|
| | | | 5.2 | | | | | | 5.3 | | |
Weighted average remaining CLO reinvestment period (in years)
|
| | | | 3.6 | | | | | | 3.6 | | |
U.S. dollar currency exposure
|
| | | | 100% | | | | | | 100% | | |
| | |
Registered
Investment Companies |
| |
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicle |
| |
Other
Accounts |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager
|
| |
Number of
Accounts |
| |
Total Assets
(in millions) |
| |
Number of
Accounts |
| |
Total Assets
(in millions)(1) |
| |
Number of
Accounts |
| |
Total Assets
(in millions) |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Thomas P. Majewski
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | $ | 547.0 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | $ | 1,003.7 | | | | | | 17 | | | | | $ | 818.8 | | |
Daniel W. Ko
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | | 547.0 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | 1,003.7 | | | | | | 17 | | | | | | 818.8 | | |
Daniel M. Spinner
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | | 547.0 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | 1,003.7 | | | | | | 17 | | | | | | 818.8 | | |
Name of Portfolio Manager
|
| |
Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in the Company(1) |
| |||
Thomas P. Majewski
|
| | | | 100,001 – 500,000 | | |
Daniel W. Ko
|
| | | | 100,001 – 500,000 | | |
Daniel M. Spinner
|
| | | | 100,001 – 500,000 | | |
|
Audit
|
| |
Nominating
|
|
| Scott W. Appleby | | | Scott W. Appleby, Chair | |
| Kevin F. McDonald | | | Kevin F. McDonald | |
| Paul E. Tramontano | | | Paul E. Tramontano | |
| Jeffrey L. Weiss, Chair | | | Jeffrey L. Weiss | |
Name, Address(1) and Age
|
| |
Position(s) held with
the Company |
| |
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served |
| |
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years |
| |
Other
Directorships(4) |
|
Interested Directors | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Thomas P. Majewski(2)
Age: 45 |
| | Class III Director, Chairperson of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | | | Since inception; term expires 2020 | | | Managing Partner of the Adviser since September 2018; Managing Partner of Eagle Point Credit Management since September 2012. | | | Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. | |
James R. Matthews(3)
Age: 52 |
| | Class II Director | | | Since inception; term expires 2019 | | | Principal of Stone Point since October 2011. | | | Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. | |
Independent Directors | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Scott W. Appleby
Age: 54 |
| | Class I Director | | | Since inception; term expires 2021 | | | President of Appleby Capital, Inc. since April 2009. | | | Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. | |
Kevin F. McDonald
Age: 53 |
| | Class III Director | | | Since inception; term expires 2020 | | | Chief Operating Officer of AltaRock Partners since January 2019; Director of Business Development of Folger Hill Asset Management, LP from December 2014 to July 2018; Principal of Taylor Investment Advisors, LP from March 2002 to March 2017; Chief Executive Officer of Taylor Investment Advisors, LP from 2006 to December 2014. | | | Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. | |
Name, Address(1) and Age
|
| |
Position(s) held with
the Company |
| |
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served |
| |
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years |
| |
Other
Directorships(4) |
|
Paul E. Tramontano
Age: 57 |
| | Class II Director | | | Since inception; term expires 2019 | | | Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at First Republic Investment Management since October 2015; Co-Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Wealth Advisors LLC from April 2007 to October 2015. | | | Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. | |
Jeffrey L. Weiss
Age: 58 |
| | Class I Director | | | Since inception; term expires 2021 | | | Private Investor since June 2012; Managing Partner of Colter Lewis Investment Partners LLC since January 2018. | | | Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. | |
Name, Address and Age(1)
|
| |
Positions Held
with the Company |
| |
Term of Office(2) and
Length of Time Served |
| |
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Last Five Years |
|
Kenneth P. Onorio
Age: 51 |
| | Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer | | | Since inception | | | Chief Financial Officer of ECC since July 2014 and Chief Operating Officer of ECC since November 2014; Chief Financial Officer of the Adviser since October 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management since July 2014; Chief Operating Officer of the Adviser since October 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management since August 2014; Executive Director of Private Equity and Hedge Fund Administration at JPMorgan Alternative Investment Services from September 2008 to July 2014. | |
Nauman S. Malik
Age: 39 |
| | Chief Compliance Officer | | | Since inception | | | Chief Compliance Officer of ECC since September 2015; General Counsel of the Adviser since October 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management since June 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser since October 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management since September 2015; Associate, Dechert LLP, a law firm, from September 2012 to May 2015. | |
Courtney B. Fandrick
Age: 37 |
| | Secretary | | | Since inception | | | Secretary of ECC since August 2015; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser since October 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management since December 2014; Senior Compliance Associate, Bridgewater Associates, LP, an investment management firm, from August 2007 to December 2014. | |
| | |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Company(1) |
| |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Fund Complex(2)(3) |
| ||||||
Scott W. Appleby
|
| | | $ | 0* | | | | | $ | 50,000** | | |
Kevin F. McDonald
|
| | | $ | 0* | | | | | $ | 47,500** | | |
Paul E. Tramontano
|
| | | $ | 0* | | | | | $ | 47,500** | | |
Jeffrey L. Weiss
|
| | | $ | 0* | | | | | $ | 53,750** | | |
Name of Director
|
| |
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the Company(1) |
| |
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the Fund Complex(1) |
|
Interested Directors | | | | | | | |
Thomas P. Majewski
|
| |
Over $100,000
|
| |
Over $100,000
|
|
James R. Matthews
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
|
Independent Directors | | | | | | | |
Scott W. Appleby
|
| |
$50,001 – $100,000
|
| |
Over $100,000
|
|
Kevin F. McDonald
|
| |
$50,001 – $100,000
|
| |
Over $100,000
|
|
Paul E. Tramontano
|
| |
$50,001 – $100,000
|
| |
Over $100,000
|
|
Jeffrey L. Weiss
|
| |
$50,001 – $100,000
|
| |
Over $100,000
|
|
|
(1)
Title of Class |
| |
(2)
Amount Authorized |
| |
(3)
Amount Held by Us or for Our Account |
| |
(4)
Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Amounts Shown Under (3) |
| |||
|
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
|
| |
150,000,000 shares
|
| | | | — | | | |
6,018,273 shares
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share
|
| |
20,000,000 shares
|
| | | | — | | | |
—
|
|
| | |
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(1) Immediately Prior to Offering |
| |||||||||
Name and Address
|
| |
Number
|
| |
%
|
| ||||||
Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited
Windsor Place, 3rd Floor 22 Queen Street Hamilton, JM JX Bermuda |
| | | | 3,764,580 | | | | | | 62.6% | | |
Potenza Investments LP
34 Greene Street #4N New York, NY 10013 |
| | | | 366,492 | | | | | | 6.1% | | |
All officers and directors as a group (9 persons)(2)
|
| | | | 26,359 | | | | | | * | | |
| | | | | F-2 | | | |
| | | | | F-2 | | | |
| | | | | F-3 | | | |
| | | | | F-5 | | | |
| | | | | F-6 | | | |
| | | | | F-7 | | | |
| | | | | F-8 | | | |
| | | | | F-23 | | | |
| | | | | F-26 | | | |
| | | | | F-26 | | | |
| | | | | F-27 | | | |
| | | | | F-28 | | | |
| | | | | F-29 | | | |
| | | | | F-30 | | | |
| | | | | F-31 | | | |
| | | | | F-32 | | | |
| | | | | F-44 | | | |
| | | | | F-46 | | |
| ASSETS | | | | | | | |
|
Investments, at fair value (cost $84,108,706)
|
| | | $ | 81,190,844 | | |
|
Cash
|
| | | | 10,805,889 | | |
|
Interest receivable
|
| | | | 1,151,306 | | |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
| | | | 23,017 | | |
|
Total Assets
|
| | | | 93,171,056 | | |
| LIABILITIES | | | | | | | |
|
Management fee payable
|
| | | | 96,917 | | |
|
Due to affiliates
|
| | | | 45,296 | | |
|
Professional fees payable
|
| | | | 31,071 | | |
|
Directors’ fees payable
|
| | | | 21,250 | | |
|
Administration fees payable
|
| | | | 19,703 | | |
|
Tax expense payable
|
| | | | 7,500 | | |
|
Other expenses payable
|
| | | | 6,250 | | |
|
Total Liabilities
|
| | | | 227,987 | | |
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6) | | | | | | | |
|
NET ASSETS applicable to 4,656,159 shares of $0.001 par value common stock outstanding
|
| | | $ | 92,943,069 | | |
| NET ASSETS consist of: | | | | | | | |
|
Paid-in capital (Note 5)
|
| | | $ | 93,186,698 | | |
|
Aggregate distributable earnings (losses)
|
| | | | (243,629) | | |
|
Total Net Assets
|
| | | $ | 92,943,069 | | |
|
Net asset value per share of common stock
|
| | | $ | 19.96 | | |
Issuer(1)
|
| |
Investment(2)
|
| |
Principal
Amount |
| |
Cost
|
| |
Fair
Value(3) |
| |
%
of Net Assets |
| ||||||||||||
CLO Debt(4) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Apidos CLO XXIX, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.83% due 7/25/30) | | | | $ | 5,900,000 | | | | | $ | 5,715,005 | | | | | $ | 5,406,170 | | | | | | 5.82% | | |
Ares XLV CLO Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.70% due 10/15/30) | | | | | 800,000 | | | | | | 785,146 | | | | | | 783,680 | | | | | | 0.84% | | |
Assurant CLO IV, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (9.56% due 4/20/30) | | | | | 575,000 | | | | | | 575,419 | | | | | | 575,230 | | | | | | 0.62% | | |
Barings CLO Ltd. 2018-II
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.15% due 4/15/30) | | | | | 3,650,000 | | | | | | 3,606,073 | | | | | | 3,420,050 | | | | | | 3.68% | | |
Barings CLO Ltd. 2018-IV
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.42% due 10/15/30) | | | | | 750,000 | | | | | | 746,400 | | | | | | 713,250 | | | | | | 0.77% | | |
Battalion CLO XI Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.56% due 10/24/29) | | | | | 4,600,000 | | | | | | 4,500,337 | | | | | | 4,391,160 | | | | | | 4.72% | | |
Battalion CLO XII Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.62% due 5/17/31) | | | | | 1,458,000 | | | | | | 1,404,320 | | | | | | 1,374,748 | | | | | | 1.48% | | |
Black Diamond CLO 2016-1, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D-R (8.19% due 4/26/31) | | | | | 1,050,000 | | | | | | 979,711 | | | | | | 932,925 | | | | | | 1.00% | | |
Black Diamond CLO 2017-1, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (9.18% due 4/24/29) | | | | | 3,600,000 | | | | | | 3,590,750 | | | | | | 3,473,280 | | | | | | 3.74% | | |
Carlyle US CLO 2018-1, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.34% due 4/20/31) | | | | | 550,000 | | | | | | 548,252 | | | | | | 518,595 | | | | | | 0.56% | | |
Carlyle US CLO 2018-2, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.85% due 10/15/31) | | | | | 3,750,000 | | | | | | 3,631,592 | | | | | | 3,430,500 | | | | | | 3.69% | | |
CIFC Funding 2015-I, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-RR (8.59% due 1/22/31) | | | | | 2,600,000 | | | | | | 2,554,318 | | | | | | 2,469,220 | | | | | | 2.66% | | |
CIFC Funding 2015-II, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.90% due 4/15/27) | | | | | 2,800,000 | | | | | | 2,800,000 | | | | | | 2,714,320 | | | | | | 2.92% | | |
CIFC Funding 2018-1, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.60% due 4/18/31) | | | | | 3,675,000 | | | | | | 3,488,866 | | | | | | 3,387,248 | | | | | | 3.64% | | |
CIFC Funding 2018-II, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.44% due 4/20/31) | | | | | 950,000 | | | | | | 933,356 | | | | | | 908,010 | | | | | | 0.98% | | |
CIFC Funding 2018-IV, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (10.29% due 10/17/31) | | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | | | 1,836,951 | | | | | | 1,791,400 | | | | | | 1.93% | | |
CIFC Funding 2019-III, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (9.23% due 7/16/32) | | | | | 1,900,000 | | | | | | 1,869,814 | | | | | | 1,874,730 | | | | | | 2.02% | | |
Cook Park CLO, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.99% due 4/17/30) | | | | | 1,000,000 | | | | | | 981,759 | | | | | | 927,200 | | | | | | 1.00% | | |
Dryden 37 Senior Loan Fund, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.75% due 1/15/31) | | | | | 500,000 | | | | | | 480,913 | | | | | | 448,200 | | | | | | 0.48% | | |
Dryden 64 CLO, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.20% due 4/18/31) | | | | | 1,300,000 | | | | | | 1,280,368 | | | | | | 1,221,740 | | | | | | 1.31% | | |
LCM XVIII, L.P.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (8.54% due 4/20/31) | | | | | 600,000 | | | | | | 598,148 | | | | | | 562,320 | | | | | | 0.61% | | |
Madison Park Funding XXVII, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.59% due 4/20/30) | | | | | 500,000 | | | | | | 478,870 | | | | | | 451,550 | | | | | | 0.49% | | |
Marathon CLO IX, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.65% due 4/15/29) | | | | | 4,050,000 | | | | | | 3,991,231 | | | | | | 3,798,090 | | | | | | 4.09% | | |
Marathon CLO XIII Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (9.33% due 4/15/32) | | | | | 3,500,000 | | | | | | 3,325,166 | | | | | | 3,325,000 | | | | | | 3.58% | | |
Octagon Investment Partners 37, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.98% due 7/25/30) | | | | | 1,200,000 | | | | | | 1,173,651 | | | | | | 1,110,960 | | | | | | 1.20% | | |
Octagon Investment Partners 38, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.29% due 7/20/30) | | | | | 3,300,000 | | | | | | 3,227,992 | | | | | | 3,116,520 | | | | | | 3.35% | | |
Octagon Investment Partners 39, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.34% due 10/20/30) | | | | | 950,000 | | | | | | 941,777 | | | | | | 899,365 | | | | | | 0.97% | | |
OZLM XXI, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.13% due 1/20/31) | | | | | 4,150,000 | | | | | | 4,043,167 | | | | | | 3,832,110 | | | | | | 4.12% | | |
Palmer Square CLO 2018-1, Ltd
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.75% due 4/18/31) | | | | | 570,000 | | | | | | 528,560 | | | | | | 523,545 | | | | | | 0.56% | | |
Rockford Tower CLO 2017-3, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.34% due 10/20/30) | | | | | 3,750,000 | | | | | | 3,717,095 | | | | | | 3,512,625 | | | | | | 3.78% | | |
Rockford Tower CLO 2018-2, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.59% due 10/20/31) | | | | | 3,750,000 | | | | | | 3,737,673 | | | | | | 3,564,750 | | | | | | 3.84% | | |
Vibrant CLO VI, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.14% due 6/20/29) | | | | | 4,100,000 | | | | | | 4,026,576 | | | | | | 3,836,370 | | | | | | 4.13% | | |
Vibrant CLO VIII, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.34% due 1/20/31) | | | | | 1,750,000 | | | | | | 1,694,237 | | | | | | 1,621,725 | | | | | | 1.74% | | |
York CLO-2 Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (8.24% due 1/22/31) | | | | | 780,000 | | | | | | 745,963 | | | | | | 733,902 | | | | | | 0.79% | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | 74,539,456 | | | | | | 71,650,488 | | | | | | 77.11% | | |
CLO Equity(5)(6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marathon CLO XIII Ltd.
|
| |
CLO Subordinated Note (estimated yield of 13.64%
due 4/15/32) |
| | | | 5,300,000 | | | | | | 4,889,250 | | | | | | 4,880,679 | | | | | | 5.25% | | |
Venture 37 CLO, Limited
|
| |
CLO Subordinated Note (estimated yield of 17.13%
due 7/15/32) |
| | | | 5,200,000 | | | | | | 4,680,000 | | | | | | 4,659,677 | | | | | | 5.01% | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9,569,250 | | | | | | 9,540,356 | | | | | | 10.26% | | |
Total investments, at fair value as of June 30, 2019
|
| | | | | | | | | $ | 84,108,706 | | | | | $ | 81,190,844 | | | | | | 87.37% | | | |||
Net assets above (below) fair value of investments
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11,752,225 | | | | | | | | | |||
Net assets as of June 30, 2019
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 92,943,069 | | | | | | | | | |||
|
| INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | | | | |
|
Interest income
|
| | | $ | 3,338,800 | | |
|
Total Investment Income
|
| | | | 3,338,800 | | |
| EXPENSES | | | | | | | |
|
Management fee
|
| | | | 501,262 | | |
|
Administration fees
|
| | | | 155,936 | | |
|
Directors’ fees
|
| | | | 127,500 | | |
|
Other expenses
|
| | | | 91,289 | | |
|
Professional fees
|
| | | | 78,706 | | |
|
Tax expense
|
| | | | 45,000 | | |
|
Total Expenses
|
| | | | 999,693 | | |
|
Management fee voluntarily waived by the Adviser
|
| | | | (404,345) | | |
|
Expenses reimbursed by the Adviser
|
| | | | (291,213) | | |
|
Administration fee voluntarily waived by the Adviser
|
| | | | (98,515) | | |
|
Total Expenses Reimbursed and Fees Waived by the Adviser (Note 4)
|
| | | | (794,073) | | |
|
Net Expenses
|
| | | | 205,620 | | |
|
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
|
| | | | 3,133,180 | | |
| REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | |
|
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
|
| | | | (458,946) | | |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
| | | | 3,512,541 | | |
|
NET GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
|
| | | | 3,053,595 | | |
|
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
|
| | | $ | 6,186,775 | | |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations: | | | | | | | |
|
Net investment income
|
| | | $ | 3,133,180 | | |
|
Net realized gain (loss) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
| | | | 3,053,595 | | |
|
Total net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
| | | | 6,186,775 | | |
|
Common stock distributions declared and payable to stockholders
|
| | | | — | | |
| Capital share transactions: | | | | | | | |
|
Issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to private placement
|
| | | | 16,935,451 | | |
|
Paid-in capital contribution by affiliates of the Adviser pursuant to private placement (Note 4)
|
| | | | 897,481 | | |
|
Total capital share transactions
|
| | | | 17,832,932 | | |
|
Total increase (decrease) in net assets
|
| | | | 24,019,707 | | |
|
Net assets at beginning of period
|
| | | | 68,923,362 | | |
|
Net assets at end of period
|
| | | $ | 92,943,069 | | |
| Capital share activity: | | | | | | | |
|
Shares of common stock issued pursuant to private placement
|
| | | | 886,563 | | |
|
Total increase (decrease) in capital share activity
|
| | | | 886,563 | | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
| | | $ | 6,186,775 | | |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to
net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
| | | | | | |
|
Purchases of investments
|
| | | | (19,625,633) | | |
|
Proceeds from sales of investments and repayments of principal
|
| | | | 10,236,445 | | |
|
Net realized (gain) loss on investments
|
| | | | 458,946 | | |
|
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments
|
| | | | (3,512,541) | | |
|
Net amortization (accretion) of premiums or discounts on CLO debt securities
|
| | | | (58,778) | | |
|
Changes in assets and liabilities:
|
| | | | | | |
|
Dividends payable
|
| | | | (1,316,466) | | |
|
Interest receivable
|
| | | | 310,738 | | |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
| | | | (23,017) | | |
|
Management fee payable
|
| | | | 96,917 | | |
|
Due to affiliates
|
| | | | 45,296 | | |
|
Professional fees payable
|
| | | | 31,071 | | |
|
Directors’ fees payable
|
| | | | 21,250 | | |
|
Administration fees payable
|
| | | | 19,703 | | |
|
Tax expense payable
|
| | | | 7,500 | | |
|
Other expenses payable
|
| | | | 6,250 | | |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
| | | | (7,115,544) | | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
|
Issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to private placement
|
| | | | 16,935,451 | | |
|
Paid-in capital contribution by affiliates of the Adviser pursuant to private placement (Note 4)
|
| | | | 897,481 | | |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
| | | | 17,832,932 | | |
|
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
|
| | | | 10,717,388 | | |
|
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
| | | | 88,501 | | |
|
CASH, END OF PERIOD
|
| | | $ | 10,805,889 | | |
|
Cost for federal income tax purposes
|
| | | $ | 84,048,420 | | |
|
Gross unrealized appreciation
|
| | | | 5,130 | | |
|
Gross unrealized depreciation
|
| | | | (2,862,706) | | |
|
Net unrealized depreciation
|
| | | $ | (2,857,576) | | |
| | |
Level I
|
| |
Level II
|
| |
Level III
|
| |
Total
|
| ||||||||||||
Assets | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
CLO Debt
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 71,650,488 | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 71,650,488 | | |
CLO Equity
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 9,540,356 | | | | | | 9,540,356 | | |
Total Investments, at Fair Value
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 71,650,488 | | | | | $ | 9,540,356 | | | | | $ | 81,190,844 | | |
| | |
CLO Equity
|
| |
Total
|
| ||||||
Beginning Balance at January 1, 2019
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
Purchases of investments
|
| | | | 9,569,250 | | | | | | 9,569,250 | | |
Proceeds from sales or maturity of investments
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Net realized gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
| | | | (28,894) | | | | | | (28,894) | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2019
|
| | | $ | 9,540,356 | | | | | $ | 9,540,356 | | |
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held as of June 30, 2019
|
| | | $ | (28,894) | | | | | $ | (28,894) | | |
Assets
|
| |
Fair Value as of
June 30, 2019 |
| |
Valuation
Techniques/Methodologies |
| |
Unobservable Inputs
|
| |
Range/Weighted Average
|
| |||
CLO Equity
|
| | | $ | 9,540,356 | | | |
Discounted Cash Flows
|
| | Constant Default Rate | | |
2.00%
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Constant Prepayment Rate
|
| |
25.00%
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | Reinvestment Spread | | |
3.85%
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | Reinvestment Price | | |
99.50%
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | Recovery Rate | | |
70.00%
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | Yield to Maturity | | |
13.64% – 17.13%/15.35%
|
|
Per Share Data
|
| |
For the six months
ended June 30, 2019 |
| |
For the period from
October 16, 2018 to December 31, 2018 |
| ||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
| | | $ | 18.28 | | | | | | 20.00 | | |
Net investment income, before fee waivers and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser(1)
|
| | | | 0.58 | | | | | | 0.10 | | |
Management fee voluntarily waived by the Adviser(1)
|
| | | | 0.10 | | | | | | 0.05 | | |
Expenses reimbursed by the Adviser(1)
|
| | | | 0.07 | | | | | | 0.20 | | |
Administration fee voluntarily waived by the Adviser(1)
|
| | | | 0.02 | | | | | | — | | |
Net investment income
|
| | | | 0.77 | | | | | | 0.35 | | |
Net realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments(1)(2)
|
| | | | 0.91 | | | | | | (1.72) | | |
Net income (loss) and net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
| | | | 1.68 | | | | | | (1.37) | | |
Common stock distributions from net investment income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (0.35) | | |
Common stock distributions from net realized gains on
investments |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Common stock distributions from tax return of capital
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Total common stock distributions declared to stockholders
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (0.35) | | |
Effect of shares issued(3)
|
| | | | (0.19) | | | | | | — | | |
Effect of paid-in capital contribution(4)
|
| | | | 0.19 | | | | | | — | | |
Net effect of shares issued
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Net asset value at end of period
|
| | | $ | 19.96 | | | | | | 18.28 | | |
Total return(5)
|
| | | | 9.19% | | | | | | (6.85)% | | |
Shares of common stock outstanding at end of period
|
| | | | 4,656,159 | | | | | | 3,769,596 | | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value at end of period
|
| | | $ | 92,943,069 | | | | | | 68,923,362 | | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(6)
|
| | | | 6.74% | | | | | | 8.54% | | |
Ratio of expenses, before fee waivers and expenses reimbursed by the
Adviser, to average net assets(6) |
| | | | 2.65% | | | | | | 3.12% | | |
Ratio of expenses, after fee waivers and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser, to average net assets(6)(7)
|
| | | | 1.65% | | | | | | 0.00% | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(8)
|
| | | | 13.85% | | | | | | 2.35% | | |
Per Unit Data
|
| |
For the period from
October 4, 2018 (Commencement of Operations) to October 15, 2018 |
| |||
Net asset value at beginning of period
|
| | | $ | 1,000.00 | | |
Net investment income
|
| | | | 2.69 | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
| | | | 0.51 | | |
Net income (loss) and net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
| | | | 3.20 | | |
Net asset value at end of period
|
| | | $ | 1,003.20 | | |
Total return(1)
|
| | | | 0.32% | | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | |
Net asset value at end of period
|
| | | $ | 75,391,911 | | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(1)
|
| | | | 0.27% | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(2)
|
| | | | 0.00% | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
|
| | | | 0.00% | | |
| ASSETS | | | | | | | |
|
Investments, at fair value (cost $75,119,687)
|
| | | $ | 68,689,283 | | |
|
Interest receivable
|
| | | | 1,462,044 | | |
|
Cash
|
| | | | 88,501 | | |
|
Total Assets
|
| | | | 70,239,828 | | |
| LIABILITIES | | | | | | | |
|
Dividends payable
|
| | | | 1,316,466 | | |
|
Total Liabilities
|
| | | | 1,316,466 | | |
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 7) | | | | | | | |
|
NET ASSETS applicable to 3,769,596 shares of $0.001 par value common stock outstanding
|
| | | $ | 68,923,362 | | |
| NET ASSETS consist of: | | | | | | | |
|
Paid-in capital (Note 6)
|
| | | $ | 75,353,766 | | |
|
Aggregate distributable earnings (losses)
|
| | | | (6,430,404) | | |
|
Total Net Assets
|
| | | $ | 68,923,362 | | |
|
Net asset value per share of common stock
|
| | | $ | 18.28 | | |
Issuer
|
| |
Investment(1)
|
| |
Principal
Amount |
| |
Cost
|
| |
Fair
Value(2) |
| |
%
of Net Assets |
| ||||||||||||
CLO Debt(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Apidos CLO XXIX, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.64% due 7/25/30) | | | | $ | 5,900,000 | | | | | $ | 5,708,860 | | | | | $ | 5,168,990 | | | | | | 7.50% | | |
Atlas Senior Loan Fund X, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.14% due 1/15/31) | | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | | | 1,933,692 | | | | | | 1,738,000 | | | | | | 2.52% | | |
Babson CLO Ltd. 2015-I
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.97% due 1/20/31) | | | | | 4,100,000 | | | | | | 3,915,462 | | | | | | 3,549,370 | | | | | | 5.15% | | |
Barings CLO Ltd. 2018-II
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.99% due 4/15/30) | | | | | 3,650,000 | | | | | | 3,604,564 | | | | | | 3,315,295 | | | | | | 4.81% | | |
Barings CLO Ltd. 2018-IV
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.24% due 10/15/30) | | | | | 750,000 | | | | | | 746,285 | | | | | | 680,100 | | | | | | 0.99% | | |
Battalion CLO XI Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.47% due 10/24/29) | | | | | 4,600,000 | | | | | | 4,495,877 | | | | | | 4,214,060 | | | | | | 6.11% | | |
Battalion CLO XII Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.73% due 5/17/31) | | | | | 1,350,000 | | | | | | 1,298,711 | | | | | | 1,201,230 | | | | | | 1.74% | | |
Black Diamond CLO 2017-1, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (9.09% due 4/24/29) | | | | | 3,600,000 | | | | | | 3,590,338 | | | | | | 3,324,600 | | | | | | 4.82% | | |
Black Diamond CLO 2016-1, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D-R (8.11% due 4/26/31) | | | | | 1,050,000 | | | | | | 977,406 | | | | | | 893,130 | | | | | | 1.30% | | |
CIFC Funding 2018-1, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.44% due 4/18/31) | | | | | 3,675,000 | | | | | | 3,482,444 | | | | | | 3,116,033 | | | | | | 4.52% | | |
CIFC Funding 2015-I, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-RR (8.47% due 1/22/31) | | | | | 2,600,000 | | | | | | 2,552,729 | | | | | | 2,302,820 | | | | | | 3.34% | | |
CIFC Funding 2015-II, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.74% due 4/15/27) | | | | | 2,800,000 | | | | | | 2,800,000 | | | | | | 2,563,400 | | | | | | 3.72% | | |
Carlyle US CLO 2018-1, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.22% due 4/20/31) | | | | | 550,000 | | | | | | 548,193 | | | | | | 498,025 | | | | | | 0.72% | | |
Carlyle US CLO 2018-2, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.39% due 10/15/31) | | | | | 3,750,000 | | | | | | 3,627,795 | | | | | | 3,309,000 | | | | | | 4.80% | | |
CIFC Funding 2018-II, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.32% due 4/20/31) | | | | | 650,000 | | | | | | 645,876 | | | | | | 583,440 | | | | | | 0.85% | | |
Cook Park CLO, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.85% due 4/17/30) | | | | | 1,000,000 | | | | | | 981,128 | | | | | | 884,600 | | | | | | 1.28% | | |
Dryden 37 Senior Loan Fund, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.59% due 1/15/31) | | | | | 500,000 | | | | | | 480,227 | | | | | | 427,200 | | | | | | 0.62% | | |
Dryden 64 CLO, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.04% due 4/18/31) | | | | | 1,300,000 | | | | | | 1,279,696 | | | | | | 1,147,770 | | | | | | 1.67% | | |
LCM XVIII, L.P.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (8.42% due 4/20/31) | | | | | 600,000 | | | | | | 598,087 | | | | | | 538,440 | | | | | | 0.78% | | |
Madison Park Funding XXVII, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.47% due 4/20/30) | | | | | 500,000 | | | | | | 478,136 | | | | | | 433,300 | | | | | | 0.63% | | |
Marathon CLO IX, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.49% due 4/15/29) | | | | | 4,050,000 | | | | | | 3,988,330 | | | | | | 3,758,400 | | | | | | 5.45% | | |
OZLM XXI, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.01% due 1/20/31) | | | | | 4,150,000 | | | | | | 4,039,375 | | | | | | 3,637,475 | | | | | | 5.28% | | |
Octagon Investment Partners 37, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.76% due 7/25/30) | | | | | 1,200,000 | | | | | | 1,172,744 | | | | | | 1,059,600 | | | | | | 1.54% | | |
Octagon Investment Partners 38, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.89% due 7/20/30) | | | | | 3,300,000 | | | | | | 3,225,641 | | | | | | 2,972,640 | | | | | | 4.31% | | |
Octagon Investment Partners 39, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.21% due 10/20/30) | | | | | 950,000 | | | | | | 941,515 | | | | | | 856,900 | | | | | | 1.24% | | |
Rockford Tower CLO 2017-3, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.22% due 10/20/30) | | | | | 3,750,000 | | | | | | 3,715,884 | | | | | | 3,355,500 | | | | | | 4.87% | | |
Rockford Tower CLO 2018-2, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.43% due 10/20/31) | | | | | 3,750,000 | | | | | | 3,737,291 | | | | | | 3,408,000 | | | | | | 4.94% | | |
Venture XV CLO, Limited
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (9.55% due 7/15/28) | | | | | 3,800,000 | | | | | | 3,801,370 | | | | | | 3,551,480 | | | | | | 5.15% | | |
Venture 31 CLO, Limited
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.78% due 4/20/31) | | | | | 1,100,000 | | | | | | 1,036,570 | | | | | | 953,480 | | | | | | 1.38% | | |
Vibrant CLO VI, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.54% due 6/20/29) | | | | | 4,100,000 | | | | | | 4,023,173 | | | | | | 3,711,730 | | | | | | 5.39% | | |
Vibrant CLO VIII, Ltd.
|
| | CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.22% due 1/20/31) | | | | | 1,750,000 | | | | | | 1,692,288 | | | | | | 1,535,275 | | | | | | 2.23% | | |
Total investments, at fair value as of December 31, 2018
|
| | | | | | | | | $ | 75,119,687 | | | | | $ | 68,689,283 | | | | | | 99.65% | | | |||
Net assets above (below) fair value of investments and liabilities at fair value
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 234,079 | | | | | | | | | |||
Net assets as of December 31, 2018
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 68,923,362 | | | | | | | | | |||
|
| | |
For the period from
October 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to October 15, 2018 |
| |
For the period from
October 16, 2018 to December 31, 2018 |
| ||||||
INVESTMENT INCOME | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income
|
| | | $ | 202,116 | | | | | $ | 1,316,466 | | |
Total Investment Income
|
| | | | 202,116 | | | | | | 1,316,466 | | |
EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Organizational and offering expenses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 450,364 | | |
Management fee
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 190,682 | | |
Professional fees
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 147,500 | | |
Directors’ fees
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 63,750 | | |
Administration fees
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 57,017 | | |
Tax expense
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 18,986 | | |
Other expenses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 24,279 | | |
Total Expenses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 952,578 | | |
Expenses reimbursed by the Adviser (Note 4)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (761,896) | | |
Management fee voluntarily waived by the Adviser (Note 4)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (190,682) | | |
Net Expenses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
|
| | | | 202,116 | | | | | | 1,316,466 | | |
UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
| | | | 38,145 | | | | | | (6,468,549) | | |
NET UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
|
| | | | 38,145 | | | | | | (6,468,549) | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
|
| | | $ | 240,261 | | | | | $ | (5,152,083) | | |
|
Members’ equity at beginning of period
|
| | | $ | — | | |
|
Contributed securities, at fair value
|
| | | | 73,679,953 | | |
|
Contributed interest receivable
|
| | | | 1,371,697 | | |
|
Contributed cash
|
| | | | 100,000 | | |
|
Net investment income
|
| | | | 202,116 | | |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
| | | | 38,145 | | |
|
Members’ equity at end of period
|
| | | $ | 75,391,911 | | |
|
Units issued and outstanding as October 15, 2018 (prior to conversion)(1)
|
| | | | 75,152 | | |
|
Net asset value per unit
|
| | | $ | 1,003.20 | | |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations: | | | | | | | |
|
Net investment income
|
| | | $ | 1,316,466 | | |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
| | | | (6,468,549) | | |
|
Total net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
| | | | (5,152,083) | | |
|
Common stock distributions declared and payable to stockholders
|
| | | | (1,316,466) | | |
| Capital share transactions: | | | | | | | |
|
Issuance of shares of common stock upon conversion (inclusive of $38,145 unrealized appreciation from contributed securities)
|
| | | | 75,391,911 | | |
|
Total capital share transactions
|
| | | | 75,391,911 | | |
|
Total increase (decrease) in net assets
|
| | | | 68,923,362 | | |
|
Net assets at beginning of period
|
| | | | — | | |
|
Net assets at end of period
|
| | | $ | 68,923,362 | | |
| Capital share activity: | | | | | | | |
|
Shares of common stock issued upon conversion
|
| | | | 3,769,596 | | |
|
Total increase (decrease) in capital share activity
|
| | | | 3,769,596 | | |
| | |
For the period from
October 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to October 15, 2018 |
| |
For the period from
October 16, 2018 to December 31, 2018 |
| ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
| | | $ | 240,261 | | | | | $ | (5,152,083) | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of investments
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (3,117,700) | | |
Proceeds from sales of investments and repayments of principal
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 1,700,000 | | |
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments
|
| | | | (38,145) | | | | | | 6,468,549 | | |
Net amortization (accretion) of premiums or discounts on CLO debt securities
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (22,034) | | |
Changes in assets and liabilities:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest receivable
|
| | | | 199,503 | | | | | | (289,850) | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
| | | | 401,619 | | | | | | (413,118) | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash contributions
|
| | | | 100,000 | | | | | | — | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
| | | | 100,000 | | | | | | — | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
|
| | | | 501,619 | | | | | | (413,118) | | |
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 501,619 | | |
CASH, END OF PERIOD
|
| | | $ | 501,619 | | | | | $ | 88,501 | | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution in kind, investments at fair value and interest receivable
|
| | | $ | 75,051,650 | | | | | $ | — | | |
Issuance of common stock upon conversion
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 75,391,911 | | |
Dividends declared, but not yet paid
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 1,316,466 | | |
| | |
For the
tax year ended December 31, 2018 |
| |||
Undistributed ordinary income
|
| | | $ | — | | |
Capital loss carryforward
|
| | | | — | | |
Unrealized depreciation
|
| | | | (6,446,515) | | |
| | |
Level I
|
| |
Level II
|
| |
Level III
|
| |
Total
|
| ||||||||||||
Assets | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
CLO Debt
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 68,689,283 | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 68,689,283 | | |
Total Investments, at Fair Value
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 68,689,283 | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 68,689,283 | | |
Per Unit Data
|
| |
For the period from
October 4, 2018 (Commencement of Operations) to October 15, 2018 |
| |||
Net asset value at beginning of period
|
| | | $ | 1,000.00 | | |
Net investment income
|
| | | | 2.69 | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
| | | | 0.51 | | |
Net income (loss) and net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
| | | | 3.20 | | |
Net asset value at end of period
|
| | | $ | 1,003.20 | | |
Total return(1)
|
| | | | 0.32% | | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | |
Net asset value at end of period
|
| | | $ | 75,391,911 | | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(1)
|
| | | | 0.27% | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(2)
|
| | | | 0.00% | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
|
| | | | 0.00% | | |
Per Share Data
|
| |
For the period from
October 16, 2018 to December 31, 2018 |
| |||
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
| | | $ | 20.00 | | |
Net investment income, before management fee waiver and expenses reimbursed by the
Adviser |
| | | | 0.10 | | |
Expenses reimbursed by the Adviser (Note 4)
|
| | | | 0.20 | | |
Management fee voluntarily waived by the Adviser (Note 4)
|
| | | | 0.05 | | |
Net investment income
|
| | | | 0.35 | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
| | | | (1.72) | | |
Net income (loss) and net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
| | | | (1.37) | | |
Common stock distributions from net investment income
|
| | | | (0.35) | | |
Common stock distributions from net realized gains on investments
|
| | | | — | | |
Common stock distributions from tax return of capital
|
| | | | — | | |
Total common stock distributions declared to stockholders
|
| | | | (0.35) | | |
Net asset value at end of period
|
| | | $ | 18.28 | | |
Total return(1)
|
| | | | (6.85)% | | |
Shares of common stock outstanding at end of period
|
| | | | 3,769,596 | | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | |
Net asset value at end of period
|
| | | $ | 68,923,362 | | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(2)
|
| | | | 8.54% | | |
Ratio of expenses, before management fee waiver and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser, to average net assets(2)
|
| | | | 3.12% | | |
Ratio of expenses, after management fee waiver and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser, to average net assets(2)(3)
|
| | | | 0.00% | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(4)
|
| | | | 2.35% | | |
|
|
| |
KPMG LLP
345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154-0102 |
|
|
KPMG LLP is a Delaware limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.
|
|
| AAA: | | |
An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
|
|
| AA: | | |
An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
|
|
| A: | | |
An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
|
|
| BBB: | | |
An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
|
|
|
BB, B,
CCC, CC, and C: |
| |
Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
|
|
| BB: | | |
An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
|
|
| B: | | |
An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
|
|
| CCC: | | |
An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
|
|
| CC: | | | An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. | |
| C: | | |
A ‘C’ rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the ‘C’ rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.
|
|
| D: | | |
An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.
|
|
|
Plus (+) or
minus (-): |
| |
The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
|
|
| N.R.: | | |
This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
|
|
| | |
Page
|
| |||
Financial Statements for the Period Ended June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
|
| | | | F-2 | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
|
| | | | F-2 | | |
Schedule of Investments
|
| | | | F-3 | | |
Statement of Operations
|
| | | | F-5 | | |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
| | | | F-6 | | |
Statement of Cash
|
| | | | F-7 | | |
Notes to Financial Statements
|
| | | | F-8 | | |
Financial Highlights
|
| | | | F-23 | | |
Financial Statements for the Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Audited)
|
| | | | F-26 | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
|
| | | | F-26 | | |
Schedule of Investments
|
| | | | F-27 | | |
Statement of Operations
|
| | | | F-28 | | |
Statements of Members’ Equity and Changes in Net Assets
|
| | | | F-29 | | |
Statement of Cash Flows
|
| | | | F-31 | | |
Notes to Financial Statements
|
| | | | F-32 | | |
Financial Highlights
|
| | | | F-44 | | |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
| | | | F-46 | | |
|
SEC registration fee
|
| | | $ | 25,960 | | |
|
FINRA filing fee
|
| | | $ | 30,500 | | |
|
NYSE listing fee
|
| | | $ | 65,300 | | |
|
Printing and postage
|
| | | $ | 70,000 | | |
|
Legal fees and expenses
|
| | | $ | 560,000 | | |
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
| | | $ | 600,000 | | |
|
Miscellaneous
|
| | | $ | 48,240 | | |
|
Total
|
| | | $ | 1,400,000 | | |
Title of Class
|
| |
Number of
Record Holders |
| |||
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
|
| | | | 15 | | |
|
* By:
|
| | /s/ Thomas P. Majewski | |
| | | | Name: Thomas P. Majewski | |
| | | | Title: Attorney-in-fact | |
Exhibit (d)(1)
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
(Issuer)
and
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
(Trustee)
Indenture
Dated as of [●], 2019
Providing for the Issuance
of
Debt Securities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 |
Section 1.01. Definitions. | 1 |
Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 10 |
Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 10 |
Section 1.04. Acts of Holders | 11 |
Section 1.05. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company | 12 |
Section 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver | 12 |
Section 1.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 13 |
Section 1.08. Successors and Assigns | 13 |
Section 1.09. Separability Clause | 13 |
Section 1.10. Benefits of Indenture | 13 |
Section 1.11. Governing Law | 13 |
Section 1.12. Legal Holidays | 14 |
Section 1.13. Submission to Jurisdiction | 14 |
ARTICLE 2 SECURITIES FORMS | 14 |
Section 2.01. Forms of Securities | 14 |
Section 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 15 |
Section 2.03. Securities Issuable in Global Form | 15 |
ARTICLE 3 THE SECURITIES | 16 |
Section 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 16 |
Section 3.02. Denominations | 19 |
Section 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 19 |
Section 3.04. Temporary Securities | 21 |
Section 3.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange | 22 |
Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 23 |
Section 3.07. Payment of Interest: Interest Rights Preserved: Optional Interest Reset | 24 |
Section 3.08. Optional Extension of Maturity | 27 |
Section 3.09. Persons Deemed Owners | 27 |
Section 3.10. Cancellation | 28 |
i |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | |
Section 3.11. Computation of Interest | 28 |
Section 3.12. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities | 29 |
Section 3.13. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent | 32 |
Section 3.14. CUSIP Numbers | 32 |
ARTICLE 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 33 |
Section 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 33 |
Section 4.02. Application of Trust Funds | 34 |
ARTICLE 5 REMEDIES | 34 |
Section 5.01. Events of Default | 34 |
Section 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 36 |
Section 5.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 37 |
Section 5.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 37 |
Section 5.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 38 |
Section 5.06. Application of Money Collected | 38 |
Section 5.07. Limitation on Suits | 39 |
Section 5.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest | 39 |
Section 5.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 40 |
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 40 |
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 40 |
Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities | 40 |
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults | 41 |
Section 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 41 |
ARTICLE 6 THE TRUSTEE | 41 |
Section 6.01. Notice of Defaults | 41 |
Section 6.02. Certain Rights of Trustee | 42 |
Section 6.03. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 44 |
Section 6.04. May Hold Securities | 44 |
Section 6.05. Money Held in Trust | 45 |
ii |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | |
Section 6.06. Compensation and Reimbursement and Indemnification of Trustee | 45 |
Section 6.07. Corporate Trustee Required: Eligibility | 45 |
Section 6.08. Disqualification: Conflicting Interests | 46 |
Section 6.09. Resignation and Removal: Appointment of Successor | 46 |
Section 6.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 47 |
Section 6.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 48 |
Section 6.12. Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 49 |
ARTICLE 7 HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 51 |
Section 7.01. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders | 51 |
Section 7.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 51 |
Section 7.03. Reports by Trustee | 51 |
Section 7.04. Reports by Company | 51 |
Section 7.05. Calculation of Original Issue Discount | 52 |
ARTICLE 8 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER | 52 |
Section 8.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 52 |
Section 8.02. Successor Person Substituted | 53 |
ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 53 |
Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 53 |
Section 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 54 |
Section 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 55 |
Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 56 |
Section 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 56 |
Section 9.06. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 56 |
ARTICLE 10 COVENANTS | 56 |
Section 10.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest | 56 |
Section 10.02. Existence; Maintenance of Office or Agency | 56 |
Section 10.03. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust | 57 |
Section 10.04. Additional Amounts | 58 |
Section 10.05. Statement as to Compliance | 59 |
iii |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | |
Section 10.06. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims | 59 |
Section 10.07. Waiver of Certain Covenants | 60 |
ARTICLE 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 60 |
Section 11.01. Applicability of Article | 60 |
Section 11.02. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 60 |
Section 11.03. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed | 60 |
Section 11.04. Notice of Redemption | 61 |
Section 11.05. Deposit of Redemption Price | 62 |
Section 11.06. Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 62 |
Section 11.07. Securities Redeemed in Part | 63 |
ARTICLE 12 SINKING FUNDS | 63 |
Section 12.01. Applicability of Article | 63 |
Section 12.02. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 63 |
Section 12.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 64 |
ARTICLE 13 REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS | 64 |
Section 13.01. Applicability of Article | 64 |
Section 13.02. Repayment of Securities | 64 |
Section 13.03. Exercise of Option | 65 |
Section 13.04. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable | 65 |
Section 13.05. Securities Repaid in Part | 65 |
ARTICLE 14 DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 66 |
Section 14.01. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 66 |
Section 14.02. Defeasance and Discharge | 66 |
Section 14.03. Covenant Defeasance | 67 |
Section 14.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 67 |
Section 14.05. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 68 |
ARTICLE 15 MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 70 |
Section 15.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called | 70 |
iv |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | |
Section 15.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings | 70 |
Section 15.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings | 70 |
Section 15.04. Quorum; Action | 70 |
Section 15.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings | 72 |
Section 15.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings | 72 |
v |
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
Reconciliation and tie between
Trust Indenture Act of 1939
and Indenture, dated as of [●], 2019
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section |
|||
§ 310 | (a)(1) | 6.07 | ||
(a)(2) | 6.07 | |||
(b) | 6.08, 6.09 | |||
§ 312 | (c) | 7.01 | ||
§ 314 | (a) | 7.04 | ||
(a)(4) | 10.05 | |||
(c)(1) | 1.02 | |||
(c)(2) | 1.02 | |||
(e) | 1.02 | |||
§ 315 | (b) | 6.01 | ||
§ 316 | (a) (last sentence) | 1.01 (“Outstanding”) | ||
(a)(1)(A) | 5.02, 5.12 | |||
(a)(1)(B) | 5.13 | |||
(b) | 5.08 | |||
§ 317 | (a)(1) | 5.03 | ||
(a)(2) | 5.04 | |||
§ 318 | (a) | 1.11 | ||
(c) | 1.11 |
___________________________
vi |
INDENTURE, dated as of [●], 2019, between Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, trustee (in such capacity and not in its individual capacity, the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
WHEREAS, the Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured indebtedness, which may or may not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided;
WHEREAS, this Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of, and enforceable against, the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, or of a series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE
1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.01. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular and, pursuant to Section 3.01, any such item may, with respect to any particular series of Securities, be amended or modified or specified as being inapplicable;
(b) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;
(c) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States;
1 |
(d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(e) “or” is not exclusive;
(f) “including” shall be deemed to mean “including without limitation”;
(g) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(h) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.
Certain terms, used in other Articles herein, are defined in those Articles.
“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder of a Security, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts that are required by a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person controlling or controlled by or under common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Authenticating Agent” means any authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.12 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.
“Bankruptcy Law” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder. “Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
2 |
“Business Day” means, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Clearstream” means Clearstream International or its successor.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President, and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Component Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(h).
“Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(d).
“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the Euro both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Union or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the Euro for the purposes for which it was established.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219; provided, that for purposes of presentment or surrender of securities for transfer or payment or exchange, such office is located at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
“corporation” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.
“Currency” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units, including, without limitation, the Euro, issued by the government of one or more countries or by any reorganized confederation or association of such governments.
3 |
“Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(a).
“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“Euro” means the official currency of the eurozone.
“Election Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(h).
“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or its successor as operator of the Euroclear System.
“European Monetary System” means the European Monetary System established by the Resolution of December 5, 1978 of the Council of the European Union.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.
“Exchange Rate Agent” means, with respect to Securities of or within any series, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, a New York Clearing House bank designated pursuant to Section 3.01 or Section 3.13.
“Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate setting forth (i) the applicable Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation and (ii) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 3.02 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of the Company.
“Extension Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.
“Extension Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.
“Final Maturity” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.
“Foreign Currency” means any Currency other than the Dollar, including the Euro.
“Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States or the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States or such other government is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States or such government that issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof,
4 |
and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.01; exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms that relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.
“Indexed Security” means a Security as to which all or certain interest payments and/or the principal amount payable at Maturity are determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures as are specified in Section 3.01 hereof.
“Interest” means, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.04, includes such Additional Amounts.
“Interest Payment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security. “Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated by the Commission thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case, as amended from time to time.
“Market Exchange Rate” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, (i) for any conversion involving a currency unit, on the one hand, and Dollars or any Foreign Currency, on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of the relevant series, (ii) for any conversion of Dollars into any
5 |
Foreign Currency, the noon buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in The City of New York as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (iii) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in either The City of New York, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York, London or other principal market for such currency or currency unit in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any currency or currency unit by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency or currency unit shall be that upon which a nonresident issuer of securities designated in such currency or currency unit would purchase such currency or currency unit in order to make payments in respect of such securities as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent, in its sole discretion.
“Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” has the meaning provided in Section 5.01.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an officer of the Company, who must be the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President or the Secretary and delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.
“Optional Reset Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(b).
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02.
“Original Stated Maturity” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.
“Outstanding” means, when used with respect to Securities or any series of Securities, all Securities or all Securities of such series, as the case may be, theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture as of the date of determination, except:
6 |
(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(ii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(iii) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 14.02 and 14.03, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and
(iv) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above or (iii) below, respectively) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 3.01, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding; except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the
7 |
pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Person” means any natural person or corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, business trust, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Sections 3.01 and 10.02.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Registered Security” means any Security that is registered in the Security Register.
“Regular Record Date” means, for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series, the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01, whether or not a Business Day.
“Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Reset Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(b).
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean
8 |
Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.07.
“Specified Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(h).
“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.08.
“Subsequent Interest Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(b).
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 9.05.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
“United States person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, any natural person who is a citizen or resident of the United States or a corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States Person under any applicable Treasury regulations), any estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or any trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in the Treasury regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as United States persons prior to such date that elect to continue to be treated as United States Persons, will also be United States persons.
“Valuation Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(c).
9 |
“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.
Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that, in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 10.05) shall include:
(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that such individual signing the certificate or opinion has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such individual to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession
10 |
of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations as to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.04. Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing or approved at a meeting of the holders. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record of such meeting or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.06.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him or her the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems reasonably sufficient.
(c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining
11 |
whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.
(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
Section 1.05. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:
(i) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid or sent via overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery or same day messenger service to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: General Counsel; or
(ii) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or sent via overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery or same day messenger service, to the Company, to the attention of its General Counsel at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (ii) five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid; and (iii) the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Section 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery to each such Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail or by overnight courier
12 |
guaranteeing next day delivery, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities. Any notice mailed or sent to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.
If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Section 1.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.08. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.09. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.10. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.11. Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture
13 |
Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
Section 1.12. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.
Section 1.13. Submission to Jurisdiction.
The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture and the Securities of any series, and the Company hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or federal court. The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding.
ARTICLE
2
SECURITIES FORMS
Section 2.01. Forms of Securities.
The Registered Securities of each series, the temporary global Securities of each series, if any, and the permanent global Securities of each series, if any, to be endorsed thereon shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 3.01, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto (and applicable law), and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.
The definitive Securities shall be produced in any manner, as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
14 |
Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Subject to Section 6.11, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, trustee
By: _____________________________________
Authorized Officer
Section 2.03. Securities Issuable in Global Form.
If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, then, notwithstanding clause (viii) of Section 3.01 and the provisions of Section 3.02, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount or any increase or decrease in the amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Security Registrar in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.03 or 3.04. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.03 and, if applicable, Section 3.04, the Trustee or the Security Registrar shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.03 or 3.04 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement, delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.03 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee or the Security Registrar the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.03.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.07, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.
15 |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.09 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee, as applicable, shall treat the Holder of a permanent global Security in registered form as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by such permanent global Security.
ARTICLE
3
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 3.03, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (xv) below), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series when issued from time to time):
(i) the title of the Securities of the series including CUSIP numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);
(ii) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06, 11.07 or 13.05, and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.03, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(iii) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended, on which the principal of the Securities of the series shall be payable;
(iv) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, and the basis upon which such interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(v) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be
16 |
surrendered for exchange, Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(vi) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have the option;
(vii) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(viii) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination or denominations in which any Registered Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(ix) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;
(x) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, upon redemption of the Securities of the series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity, upon surrender for repayment at the option of the Holder, or which the Trustee shall be entitled to claim pursuant to Section 5.04 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;
(xi) if other than Dollars, the Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be made or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 3.12;
(xii) whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(xiii) whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in one or more Currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner
17 |
of determining the exchange rate between the Currency or Currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency or Currencies in which such Securities are to be paid, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 3.12;
(xiv) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series (solely to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act, if then applicable to the Company);
(xv) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to any of the provisions of Section 10.07) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;
(xvi) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series in certificated form and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.05;
(xvii) the date as of which any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;
(xviii) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date shall be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.04; and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a permanent global Security on an Interest Payment Date shall be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.07;
(xix) the applicability, if any, of Sections 14.02 and/or 14.03 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen (solely to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act, if then applicable to the Company);
(xx) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(xxi) whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which, the Company shall pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 10.04 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States Person (including any
18 |
modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company shall have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);
(xxii) the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;
(xxiii) if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;
(xxiv) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable;
(xxv) if the Securities of the series are to be listed on a securities exchange, the name of such exchange; and
(xxvi) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or the requirements of the Investment Company Act (if then applicable to the Company) or the Trust Indenture Act), including secured Securities and guarantees of Securities.
All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.
If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.
Section 3.02. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination) shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Section 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or one of its Vice Presidents and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.
19 |
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon,
(a) an Opinion of Counsel stating,
(i) that the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(iii) that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, shall constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities; and
(b) an Officer’s Certificate stating, to the best of the knowledge of the signer of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of this Section 3.03, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.01 or the Company Order, Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate
20 |
modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee will not be required to authenticate Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency if the Trustee reasonably believes that it would be unable to perform its duties with respect to such Securities.
Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.10 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.04. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount and like tenor of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
21 |
Section 3.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided, and for facilitating exchanges of temporary global Securities for permanent global Securities or definitive Securities, or both, or of permanent global Securities for definitive Securities, or both, as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.
At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the London office of a depositary or common depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, or to the Security Registrar, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and
22 |
deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest or interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar or any transfer agent) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, and duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney or any transfer agent duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 9.06, 11.07 or 13.05 not involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section 11.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.
Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save
23 |
each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall, subject to the following paragraph, execute and, upon its request, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.07. Payment of Interest: Interest Rights Preserved: Optional Interest Reset.
(a) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01, interest, if any, on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 10.02; provided, however, that in the event that the Securities become represented by certificates, the Company shall pay each installment of interest by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 3.09, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) at the option of the Holder as notified to the Company, transfer to an account maintained by the payee located in the United States.
24 |
Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:
(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).
(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (and certification by the Company that the proposed manner of payment complies with the requirements of this clause (ii)), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
(b) The provisions of this Section 3.07(b) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 3.01). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used
25 |
to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”), indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date, or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period, a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date (or if 20 days does not fall on a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph, shall bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable).
The Holder of any such Security will have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.05, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.
26 |
Section 3.08. Optional Extension of Maturity.
The provisions of this Section 3.08 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 3.01). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each, an “Extension Period”) up to, but not beyond, the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”), prepared by the Company, indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, such Security shall have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity (or if 20 days does not fall on a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, notice of such higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended shall bear such higher interest rate.
If the Company extends the Stated Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Stated Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.
Section 3.09. Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, may treat the Person in
27 |
whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.07) interest, if any, on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global temporary or permanent Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.
Section 3.10. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures, unless by a Company Order the Company directs the Trustee to deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company or to return them to the Company.
Section 3.11. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
28 |
Section 3.12. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.
(a) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, with respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in paragraph (b) below or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in paragraph (b) below, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Registered Security of such series shall be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security is payable. The provisions of this Section 3.12 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01.
(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 3.01, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election shall remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date, and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustee of such series of Registered Securities not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Section 3.12(a). The Trustee for each such series of Registered Securities shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.
(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 3.01, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent shall deliver to the Company a written notice specifying the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above. If the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 3.01 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for such series of Registered
29 |
Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency or Currencies payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Dollar or Foreign Currency or Currencies amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the second Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to paragraph (b) above, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee of each such series of Securities and by such Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in paragraph (f) or (g) below.
(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 3.12.
(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.
(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of paragraph (h) below shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.
(h) For purposes of this Section 3.12, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
A “Component Currency” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit.
A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit on
30 |
the Conversion Date. If, after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division, and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.
An “Election Date” shall mean the Regular Record Date for the applicable series of Registered Securities or at least 16 days prior to Maturity, as the case may be, or such other prior date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause (xiii) of Section 3.01 by which the written election referred to in Section 3.12(b) may be made.
All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee for the appropriate series of Securities and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustee for the appropriate series of Securities of any such decision or determination.
In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company shall immediately give written notice thereof and of the applicable Conversion Date to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee shall promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.06 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to the Euro or any other currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company shall immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee shall promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.06 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in
31 |
the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company shall similarly give written notice to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent.
The Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities shall be fully justified and protected in conclusively relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.
Section 3.13. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.
(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company shall maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company shall cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Foreign Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 3.12.
(b) No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities accepting such appointment executed by the successor Exchange Rate Agent.
(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).
Section 3.14. CUSIP Numbers.
In issuing the Securities the Company may use CUSIP numbers, and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the respective CUSIP numbers of the Securities in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee as promptly as practicable in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
32 |
ARTICLE
4
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
Except as set forth below, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto, any surviving rights of tender for repayment at the option of the Holders and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 10.04), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when
(a) either
(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all Securities of such series
(1) have become due and payable,
(2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(3) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (i) or (ii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, solely for the benefit of the Holders, an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(b) the Company has irrevocably paid or caused to be irrevocably paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.06, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.12 and, if money shall have been deposited
33 |
with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.02 and the last paragraph of Section 10.03 shall survive any termination of this Indenture.
Section 4.02. Application of Trust Funds.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Money so held in trust is subject to the Trustee’s rights under Section 6.06.
ARTICLE
5
REMEDIES
Section 5.01. Events of Default.
“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or is in the form of Security for such series:
(i) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when such interest becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(ii) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity, and continuance of such default for a period of five days; or
(iii) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of five days; or
(iv) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice
34 |
specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(v) the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(1) commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law,
(2) consents to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief against it,
(3) consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding,
(4) consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(5) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or
(6) takes any corporate action in furtherance of any such action; or
(vi) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(1) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding, or
(2) adjudges the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approves as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, or
(3) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(4) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order remains unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(vii) if, pursuant to Sections 18(a)(1)(c)(ii) of the Investment Company Act, on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months, the Securities shall have an asset coverage (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act) of less than 100%, after giving effect to exemptive relief, if any, granted to the Company by the Commission; or
(viii) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.
35 |
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law. The term “Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)):
(1) all overdue installments of interest, if any, on all Outstanding Securities of that series,
(2) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) all Outstanding Securities of that series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,
(3) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and
(4) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(ii) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest on Securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.
36 |
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(i) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(ii) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) any Security of any series at its Maturity and such default continues for a period of five days,
then the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
37 |
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be provided for in the terms thereof) (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents (and take such other actions, including serving on a committee of creditors) as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.06.
Subject to Article Eight and Section 9.02 and unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.
Section 5.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.06. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.06;
38 |
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon any Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and
THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person or Persons entitled thereto.
Section 5.07. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(i) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(ii) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(iii) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity, security or both against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(iv) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(v) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 5.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.07) interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holders on the Repayment Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
39 |
Section 5.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities, as the case may be.
Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities.
Subject to Section 6.02(v), the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series; provided that
(i) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
(ii) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(iii) the Trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not consenting.
40 |
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
Subject to Section 5.02, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series and its consequences, except a default (i) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE
6
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.01. Notice of Defaults.
(a) Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such Default hereunder known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Securities of such series; and provided, further, that, in the case of any Default or breach of the character specified in Section 5.01(iv) with respect to the Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.
(b) Prior to the time when the occurrence of an Event of Default becomes known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to a series of Securities that may have occurred:
41 |
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of any series be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the Securities except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein); and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
Section 6.02. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):
(i) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any document.
(ii) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.03, which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.
(iii) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon a Board Resolution, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officer’s Certificate.
(iv) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(v) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of
42 |
Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(vi) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney.
(vii) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(viii) The Trustee shall not deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.
(ix) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.
(x) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.
(xi) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to such Securities.
(xii) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate (unless other evidence is specifically prescribed herein). The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate.
(xiii) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
43 |
(xiv) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(xv) Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(xvi) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action.
The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 6.03. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be responsible for any statement of the Company in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities.
Section 6.04. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.
44 |
Section 6.05. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
Section 6.06. Compensation and Reimbursement and Indemnification of Trustee.
The Company agrees:
(i) To pay to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as has been agreed upon from time to time in writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust).
(ii) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith.
(iii) To indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its own part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on particular Securities.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar Federal, State or analogous foreign law for the relief of debtors.
The provisions of this Section 6.06 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, termination or discharge of this Indenture.
Section 6.07. Corporate Trustee Required: Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of federal, state, territorial or the District of Columbia supervising or examining
45 |
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 6.08. Disqualification: Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.
Section 6.09. Resignation and Removal: Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.10 and any and all amounts then due and owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid in full.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by (i) the Company, by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee; provided, that, contemporaneously therewith, (x) the Company immediately appoints a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series meeting the requirements of Section 6.07 hereof and (y) the terms of Section 6.10 hereof are complied with in respect of such appointment (the Trustee being removed hereby agreeing to execute the instrument contemplated by Section 6.10(b) hereof, if applicable, under such circumstances); and provided, further, that no Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and then be continuing at such time, or (ii) Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.07 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
46 |
then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
(e) If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of resignation or the delivery of an Act of removal, the Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.
(g) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 1.06.
Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee. However, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee,
47 |
such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.06.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (ii) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee. Upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. However, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, as provided for in Section 6.06. Whenever there is a successor Trustee with respect to one or more (but less than all) series of securities issued pursuant to this Indenture, the terms “Indenture” and “Securities” shall have the meanings specified in the provisos to the respective definitions of those terms in Section 1.01 which contemplate such situation.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments reasonably necessary to more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
Section 6.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to
48 |
which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 6.12. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents (which may be an Affiliate or Affiliates of the Company) with respect to one or more series of Securities that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 3.01, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to
49 |
be an Authenticating Agent; provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall promptly give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve in the manner set forth in Section 1.06. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, Trustee
By: _____________________________________
as Authenticating Agent
By: _____________________________________
Authorized Officer
If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent (which, if so requested by the Company, shall be an Affiliate of the Company) having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the
50 |
Company with respect to such series of Securities; provided that the terms and conditions of such appointment are reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
ARTICLE
7
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.01. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).
Section 7.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.01 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.03. Reports by Trustee.
Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a report dated as of such May 15 which meets the requirements of TIA Section 313(a).
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of the listing of the Securities on any stock exchange. In the event that, on any such reporting date, no events have occurred under the applicable sections of the TIA within the 12 months preceding such reporting date, the Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to provide such reports.
51 |
Section 7.04. Reports by Company.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports filed electronically with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall be deemed filed with and delivered to the Trustee and the Holders at the same time as filed with the Commission.
Delivery of such reports, information, and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
Section 7.05. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.
Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year.
ARTICLE
8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER
Section 8.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
Unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other corporation or convey or transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, unless:
(i) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the corporation (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing; and
(iii) the Company and the successor Person have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article
52 |
and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.02. Successor Person Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 8.01, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein. In the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.
ARTICLE
9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(i) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or
(ii) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(iii) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or
(iv) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security
53 |
Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
(v) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of Section 8.01 or otherwise; or
(vi) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company); or
(vii) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or
(viii) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or
(ix) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 4.01, 14.02 and 14.03; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect.
Section 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture that affects such series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of such series of Securities under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:
(i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, subject to the provisions of Section 3.08; or the terms of any sinking fund with respect to any Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest (or change the manner of calculating the rate of interest, thereon, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.04 (except as contemplated by Section 8.01(i) and permitted by Section 9.01(i)), or reduce the portion of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security that
54 |
would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, or upon the redemption thereof or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.04, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 herein; or
(ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.04 for quorum or voting; or
(iii) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.07, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder of a Security with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.10(b) and 9.01(vii).
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date that is eleven months after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.
55 |
Section 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 1.02 of this Indenture, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to such supplemental indenture have been complied with. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.06. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE
10
COVENANTS
Section 10.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 3.01, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.
56 |
Section 10.02. Existence; Maintenance of Office or Agency.
Except as otherwise permitted in Article Eight, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence as a corporation or other Person. The Company shall also maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of any series of Securities or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent with its office at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a currency other than Dollars or (ii) may be payable in a currency other than Dollars, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Exchange Rate Agent retained by it.
Section 10.03. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except,
57 |
if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency or Currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum of money to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums of money held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money held in trust, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.04. Additional Amounts.
If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company shall pay to the Holder of any Security of such series such Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 3.01 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.
58 |
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal, premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officer’s Certificate, the Company shall furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officer’s Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officer’s Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series and the Company shall pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal or interest with respect to any Securities of a series until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal and interest with respect to the Securities of a series without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officer’s Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section or in reliance on the Company’s not furnishing such an Officer’s Certificate.
Section 10.05. Statement as to Compliance.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the date hereof so long as any Security is Outstanding hereunder, an Officer’s Certificate stating to the knowledge of the signer thereof whether the Company is in default in the performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 10.05, such default shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.
Section 10.06. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or upon the income, profits or property of the Company, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company, except where the failure to do so would not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
59 |
Section 10.07. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in Section 10.06, and, as specified pursuant to Section 3.01(xv) for Securities of any series, in any covenants of the Company added to Article Ten pursuant to Section 3.01(xiv) or Section 3.01(xv) in connection with the Securities of a series, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE
11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.01. Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.
Section 11.02. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed, and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed, and shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to Section 11.03. In the case of any redemption of Securities of any series prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.
Section 11.03. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that such method complies with the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Securities are listed (which rules shall be certificated to the Trustee by the Company or such national securities exchange at the Trustee’s request), and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum
60 |
authorized denomination for Securities of that series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.04. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.06, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 3.01, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed; provided that failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.
Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.06;
(iii) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed;
(iv) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;
(v) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.06 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;
61 |
(vi) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any;
(vii) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and
(viii) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.
A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.06 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.
Section 11.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 11.06. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall if the same were interest-bearing cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the Redemption Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.
62 |
Section 11.07. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Registered Security that is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a temporary global Security or permanent global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or permanent global Security, respectively. However, if less than all the Securities of any series with differing issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Company in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 45 days prior to the relevant redemption date.
ARTICLE
12
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.01. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
Section 12.02. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (i) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (ii) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
63 |
Section 12.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.02, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and shall also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officer’s Certificate specifies an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.06 and 11.07.
ARTICLE
13
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section 13.01. Applicability of Article.
Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 3.01) in accordance with this Article.
Section 13.02. Repayment of Securities.
Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at the Repayment Price thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the Repayment Date it shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.
64 |
Section 13.03. Exercise of Option.
Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire Repayment Price of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the portion of the Repayment Price of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. Any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.
Section 13.04. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.
If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, the Repayment Price of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Registered Securities, whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 3.01, on) the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.
If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, the Repayment Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.
Section 13.05. Securities Repaid in Part.
Upon surrender of any Registered Security that is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without
65 |
service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered that is not to be repaid. If a temporary global Security or permanent global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or a new permanent global Security, respectively.
ARTICLE
14
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 14.01. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
If pursuant to Section 3.01 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 14.02 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 14.03, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities, elect to have either Section 14.02 (if applicable) or Section 14.03 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.
Section 14.02. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 14.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 14.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 14.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due; (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 10.02 and 10.03 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.04; (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including, without limitation, Section 6.06; and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 14.03 with respect to such Securities. Following a defeasance, payment of such Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.
66 |
Section 14.03. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section 10.06, and, if specified pursuant to Section 3.01, its obligations under any other covenant with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 14.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with Section 10.06, or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.01(iv) or 5.01(vii) or otherwise, as the case may be, but except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. Following a covenant defeasance, payment of such Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default solely by reference to such Sections specified above in this Section 14.03.
Section 14.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 14.02 or Section 14.03 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:
(i) The Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.07 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for the benefit of, and dedicated solely to, the Holders of such Securities, (A) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (B) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, without reinvestment thereof, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (1) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (2) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.
67 |
(ii) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(iii) No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 5.01(v) and 5.01(vi) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).
(iv) In the case of an election under Section 14.02, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.
(v) In the case of an election under Section 14.03, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.
(vi) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to either the defeasance under Section 14.02 or the covenant defeasance under Section 14.03 (as the case may be) have been complied with.
(vii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.01.
Section 14.05. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 14.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 14.04 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
68 |
determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 3.01, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 14.04 has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.12(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 14.04 has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Section 3.12(d) or 3.12(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Section 14.04 has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 14.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities; it being understood that the Trustee shall bear no responsibility for any such tax, fee or other charge that is imposed by law or for the account of Holders. The foregoing sentence shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 14.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.
If, after the Company has made a deposit with the Trustee pursuant to Section 14.04, the Trustee is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 14.05 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the applicable Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 14.04 until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with this Article Fourteen; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of the principal of or interest on any series of Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive any such payment from the money held by the Trustee.
69 |
ARTICLE 15
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Section 15.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.
A meeting of Holders of any series of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.
Section 15.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.
(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.01, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.06, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.01, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication or mailing of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.
Section 15.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (i) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (ii) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 15.04. Quorum; Action.
The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may
70 |
be made, given or taken by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.02(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.
Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 15.04, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:
(i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and
(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.
71 |
Section 15.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.04 or other proof.
(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.02(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.
(c) At any meeting of Holders, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by such Holder; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.
(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.02 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 15.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The chairman of the meeting shall appoint at least one inspector of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting a verified written report of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any Series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspector of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice
72 |
was given as provided in Section 15.02 and, if applicable, Section 15.04. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
* * * * *
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name:
Title: |
||
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name:
Title: |
73 |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND
CLEARSTREAM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF
A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY
OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR
TO THE EXCHANGE DATE
CERTIFICATE
[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]
This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, [U.S. $] principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not “United States persons” (“United States Person(s)”) within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (ii) is owned by United States Person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v)[(iv)], are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise Eagle Point Income Company Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Code and the United States Treasury Regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.
As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia) and its “possessions” (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands).
We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.
We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in
Exhibit A-1 |
connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.
Dated: ____________________________
[To be dated no earlier than the Exchange Date or the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]
[ ], | ||
as Operator of the Euroclear System | ||
By: | ||
Name:
Title: |
Exhibit A-2 |
Exhibit (d)(2)
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
OF
[ ]% SERIES [ ]PREFERRED STOCK DUE [ ]
OF
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
Pursuant to Section 151 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), certifies that pursuant to the authority contained in its certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors,” which term as used herein shall include any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors) has duly approved and adopted the following resolution on [ ]:
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation and as set forth in Section 151 of the DGCL, the Board of Directors does hereby approve the designation of [ ] authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), without designation as to series as [ ]% Series [ ] Preferred Stock due [ ] (the “Series [ ] Preferred Stock”), having the designations, preferences, relative, participating, optional and other special rights and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof that are set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and in this resolution as follows:
Article I
NUMBER OF SHARES; RANKING
1.1. A series of [ ] shares of the Preferred Stock authorized by the Certificate of Incorporation are hereby designated as the Series [ ] Preferred Stock. Each share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have such preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption, in addition to those required by applicable law and those that are expressly set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, as are set forth in this Certificate of Designation. The Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall constitute a separate series of Capital Stock and each share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be identical. No fractional shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be issued.
1.2. The Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall rank on parity with shares of any other series of preferred stock, whether now or hereafter issued by the Corporation, and any other shares of Capital Stock hereafter authorized and issued by the Corporation of a class having priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payments of dividends (the “Preferred Stock”) as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation. The Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have preference with respect to the payment of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation over the shares of common stock of the Corporation, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), as set forth herein.
1.3. No individual, partnership, trust, corporation, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof (each, a “Person”) in whose name the Series [ ] Preferred Stock or any other security issued by the Corporation is registered in the registration books of the Corporation maintained by [ ] and its successors, or any other redemption and paying agent appointed by the Corporation with respect to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock (the “Redemption and Paying Agent”) or otherwise (such person, a “Holder”) of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have, solely by reason of being such a Holder, any preemptive or other right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, other Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation that it may hereafter issue or sell.
Article II
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
2.1. The Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted by, the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor and in preference to dividends and distributions on the Common Stock, cumulative cash dividends and distributions on each share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, calculated separately for each Dividend Period (as defined below) for the Series [ ] Preferred Stock at, as of any date, [ ]% per
annum (the “Fixed Dividend Rate”) as adjusted, if a Default Period shall be in existence on such date, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.9 (the “Dividend Rate”) in effect from time to time for the Series [ ] Preferred Stock during such Dividend Period (as defined below), computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, on an amount equal to $[ ] (the “Liquidation Preference”) for a share of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, and no more. Dividends and distributions on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall accumulate from [ ] (the “Date of Original Issue”) and shall be payable monthly in arrears as provided in Section 2.8. Dividends on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of dividends payable on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock on any date prior to the end of a dividend period, and for the initial dividend period, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month.
“Dividend Period” means, with respect to each share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, in the case of the first Dividend Period, the period beginning on the Date of Original Issue and ending on and including [ ] and for each subsequent Dividend Period, the period beginning on and including the first calendar day of the month following the month in which the previous Dividend Period ended and ending on and including the last calendar day of such month.
2.2. Declaration and Payment; Dividends in Arrears.
(a) Dividends on shares of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock with respect to any Dividend Period shall be declared to the Holders of record of such shares as their names shall appear on the registration books of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be such date designated by the Board of Directors that is not more than twenty (20) nor less than seven (7) calendar days prior to the Dividend Payment Date (as defined below) with respect to such Dividend Period.
(b) Dividends declared pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be paid on the last Business Day of each Dividend Period (the “Dividend Payment Date”) to the Holders of shares as their names appear on the registration books of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date for such dividend; provided, however, that dividends with respect to the first Dividend Period of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock will be paid on [ ] to holders of record of such Series [ ] Preferred Stock as their names appear on the registration books of the Corporation at the close of business on [ ].
(c) Dividends in arrears on shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock for any past Dividend Period may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to the Holders of shares as their names appear on the registration books of the Corporation on such date, not exceeding twenty (20) nor less than seven (7) calendar days preceding the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.
2.3. No full dividends and distributions shall be declared or paid on shares of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period or part thereof unless full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been declared and paid on all outstanding Preferred Stock of any series, any dividends and distributions being declared and paid on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock will be declared and paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and distributions accumulated but unpaid on each such series of Preferred Stock on the relevant dividend payment date for such series. No Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to any dividends and distributions, whether payable in cash, property or shares, in excess of full cumulative dividends and distributions as provided in this Section 2.3 on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock.
2.4. For so long as any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock are Outstanding (as defined below), the Corporation shall not: (x) declare any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Common Stock) in respect of the Common Stock, (y) call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Common Stock, or (z) pay any proceeds of the liquidation of the Corporation in respect of the Common Stock, unless, in each case,
(a) immediately thereafter, the Corporation shall have “asset coverage,” as defined for purposes of Section 18(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or any successor statute (the “1940 Act”), of at least 200% with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Corporation, including all outstanding shares of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock (or such other percentage as may in the future be specified in the 1940 Act or by rule, regulation or order of the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities of a registered investment company), after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution or redemption or purchase price or liquidation proceeds;
(b) all cumulative dividends and distributions on all shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and all other Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock due on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition shall have been either (i) declared and paid or (ii) declared and Deposit Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock) for the payment thereof shall have been deposited irrevocably with the paying agent for such Preferred Stock; and
(c) the Corporation shall have deposited Deposit Securities pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.7 hereof with respect to Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5.1 [or Section 5.2] hereof for which a Notice of Redemption (as defined below) shall have been given or shall have been required to be given in accordance with the terms hereof on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition.
“Outstanding” means, as of any date with respect to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, the number of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock theretofore issued by the Corporation except (without duplication): (A) any shares of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock theretofore cancelled or redeemed or delivered to the Redemption and Paying Agent for cancellation or redemption in accordance with the terms hereof; (B) any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock as to which the Corporation shall have given a Notice of Redemption and irrevocably deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent sufficient Deposit Securities to redeem such shares in accordance with ARTICLE V hereof; and (C) any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock as to which the Corporation shall be the Holder or the beneficial owner.
“Deposit Securities” means, as of any date, any United States dollar-denominated security or other investment of a type described below that either (i) is a demand obligation payable to the holder thereof on any Business Day or (ii) has a maturity date, mandatory redemption date or mandatory payment date, on its face or at the option of the holder, preceding the relevant Redemption Date, Dividend Payment Date or other payment date in respect of which such security or other investment has been deposited or set aside as a Deposit Security: (A) cash or any cash equivalent; (B) any U.S. Government Obligation; (C) any Short-Term Money Market Instrument; (D) any investment in any money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that qualifies under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, or similar investment vehicle described in Rule 12d1-1(b)(2) under the 1940 Act, that invests principally in Short-Term Money Market Instruments or U.S. Government Obligations or any combination thereof; or (E) any letter of credit from a bank or other financial institution that has a credit rating from at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization that is the highest applicable rating generally ascribed by such rating agency to bank deposits or short-term debt of similar banks or other financial institutions as of the date of this Certificate of Designation (or such rating’s future equivalent).
“Short-Term Money Market Instruments” means the following types of instruments if, on the date of purchase or other acquisition thereof by the Corporation, the remaining term to maturity thereof is not in excess of 180 days: (i) commercial paper rated A-1, if such commercial paper matures within 30 days, or A-1+, if such commercial paper matures in over 30 days; (ii) demand or time deposits in, and bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit of (A) a depository institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or (B) a United States branch office or agency of a foreign depository institution (provided that such branch office or agency is subject to banking regulation under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia); and (iii) overnight funds.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States or of its agencies or instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and that, other than United States treasury bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.
2.5. Any dividend payment made on shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the dividends and distributions accumulated with respect to the earliest Dividend Period for which dividends and distributions have not been paid.
2.6. Not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation shall deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent Deposit Securities having an aggregate Market Value (as defined below) on such date sufficient to pay the dividends and distributions that are payable on such Dividend Payment Date. The Corporation may direct the Redemption and Paying Agent with respect to the investment or reinvestment of any such Deposit Securities prior to the Dividend Payment Date, provided, that such investment consists exclusively of Deposit Securities and provided, further, that the proceeds of any such investment will be available as same day funds at the opening of business on such Dividend Payment Date.
“Market Value” of any asset means, for securities for which market quotations are readily available, the market value
thereof determined by an independent third-party pricing service designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Market Value of any asset shall include any interest accrued thereon. The pricing service values portfolio securities at the mean between the quoted bid and asked price or the yield equivalent when quotations are readily available. Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined by the pricing service using methods that include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; indications as to value from dealers; and general market conditions. The pricing service may employ electronic data processing techniques or a matrix system, or both, to determine recommended valuations.
2.7. All Deposit Securities paid to the Redemption and Paying Agent for the payment of dividends payable on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be held in trust for the payment of such dividends by the Redemption and Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders entitled to the payment of such dividends pursuant to Section 2.8. Any moneys paid to the Redemption and Paying Agent in accordance with the foregoing but not applied by the Redemption and Paying Agent to the payment of dividends, including interest earned on such moneys while so held, will, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Corporation as soon as possible after the date on which such moneys were to have been so applied, upon request of the Corporation.
2.8. Dividend Default.
(a) The Dividend Rate on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be adjusted, for any calendar day, to the Fixed Dividend Rate plus two percent ([ ]%) per annum (the “Default Rate”) in the following circumstances. Subject to the cure provisions below, a “Default Period” with respect to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall commence on any date the Corporation fails to deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on (A) a Dividend Payment Date, Deposit Securities that will provide funds available to the Redemption and Paying Agent on such Dividend Payment Date sufficient to pay the full amount of any dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date (a “Dividend Default”) or (B) an applicable Redemption Date, Deposit Securities that will provide funds available to the Redemption and Paying Agent on such Redemption Date sufficient to pay the full amount of the Liquidation Preference for the shares of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on such shares accumulated to (but excluding) the date fixed for such distribution or payment on such shares (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest thereon) (such amount, the “Redemption Price”), payable in respect of such Series on such Redemption Date (a “Redemption Default” and together with a Dividend Default, hereinafter referred to as “Default”). Subject to the cure provisions of Section 2.8(b) below, a Default Period with respect to a Default on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall end on the calendar day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading (“Business Day”) on which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and any unpaid Redemption Price shall have been deposited irrevocably in trust in same-day funds with the Redemption and Paying Agent. In the case of any Default on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, the Dividend Rate for each calendar day during the Default Period will be equal to the Default Rate.
(b) No Default Period for the Series [ ] Preferred Stock with respect to any Default on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be deemed to commence if the amount of any dividend or any Redemption Price due in respect of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock (if such Default is not solely due to the willful failure of the Corporation) is deposited irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds, with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day that is not later than three (3) Business Days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date or Redemption Date with respect to which such Default occurred, together with an amount equal to the Default Rate applied to the amount and period of such non-payment based on the actual number of calendar days comprising such period divided by three hundred and sixty (360).
Article III
LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
3.1. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfying claims of creditors but before any distribution or payment shall be made in respect of the Common Stock, a liquidation distribution of the Redemption Price, and such Holders shall be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
3.2. If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets of the Corporation available for distribution among the Holders of all Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and any other outstanding Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full to such Holders of the Redemption Price as provided in Section 3.1 above and the amounts due upon liquidation with respect to such other Preferred Stock, then such available assets shall be distributed among the Holders of such shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and such other Preferred
Stock ratably in proportion to the respective preferential liquidation amounts to which they are entitled. In connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, unless and until the Redemption Price, as provided in Section 3.1 above has been paid in full to the Holders of such shares, no dividends, distributions or other payments will be made on, and no redemption, purchase or other acquisition by the Corporation will be made by the Corporation in respect of, shares of the Common Stock.
3.3. Neither the sale of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Corporation, nor the merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Corporation into or with any other business or statutory trust, corporation or other entity, nor the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any other business or statutory trust, corporation or other entity into or with the Corporation shall be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, for the purpose of this ARTICLE III.
Article IV
ASSET COVERAGE TEST
4.1. Asset Coverage Requirement. For so long as any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock are Outstanding, the Corporation shall have “asset coverage” of a class of senior security, as defined for purposes of Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act as in effect on the date hereof (“Asset Coverage”) of at least 200% as of the close of business on the last Business Day of any of the three month periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31 of each year (each, a “Calendar Quarter”). [If the Corporation shall fail to maintain such Asset Coverage as of any time as of which such compliance is required to be determined as aforesaid, the provisions of Section 5.2(a) shall be applicable, which provisions shall constitute the sole remedy for the Corporation’s failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.1.]
4.2. Calculation of Asset Coverage. For purposes of determining whether the requirements of Section 4.1 are satisfied, (i) no Series [ ] Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be Outstanding for purposes of any computation required by Section 4.1 if, prior to or concurrently with such determination, either (x) sufficient Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock) to pay the full Redemption Price for the Series [ ] Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock (or the portion thereof to be redeemed) shall have been deposited in trust with the paying agent for the Series [ ] Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock and the requisite notice of redemption for the Series [ ] Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock (or the portion thereof to be redeemed) shall have been given or (y) sufficient Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock) to pay the full Redemption Price for the Series [ ] Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock (or the portion thereof to be redeemed) shall have been segregated by a bank, as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act, that has the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(1) of the 1940 Act, or such other entity as shall be then providing custodian services to the Corporation as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder (the “Custodian,” which shall include any similarly qualified sub-custodian duly appointed by the Custodian) and the Corporation from the assets of the Corporation, by means of appropriate identification on the Custodian’s books and records or otherwise in accordance with the Custodian’s normal procedures, and (ii) the Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds that shall have been deposited with the applicable paying agent and/or segregated by the Custodian, as applicable, as provided in clause (i) of this sentence shall not be included as assets of the Corporation for purposes of such computation.
Article V
REDEMPTION
Shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be subject to redemption by the Corporation as provided below:
5.1. Term Redemption. The Corporation shall redeem all shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock on [ ] (the “Term Redemption Date”) at a price per share equal to the Redemption Price.
5.2. [Asset Coverage Mandatory Redemption.
(a) If the Corporation fails to comply with the Asset Coverage requirement as provided in Section 4.1 as of the last Business Day of any Calendar Quarter and such failure is not cured as of the date that is thirty (30) calendar days following the date of filing of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR, Semiannual Report on Form N-CSRS or Quarterly Report on Form N-Q (each, an “SEC Report”) with the SEC with respect to such Calendar Quarter (such Business Day, the “Asset Coverage Cure Date”), the Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law, by the close of business on such Asset Coverage Cure Date, fix a redemption date and proceed to redeem in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock, a sufficient number of shares of Preferred Stock, which at the Corporation’s sole option (to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law) may include any number or proportion of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, to enable it to meet the requirements of Section 5.2(b). In the
event that any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock then Outstanding are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.2(a), the Corporation shall redeem such shares at a price per share equal to the Redemption Price.
(b) On the Redemption Date for a redemption contemplated by Section 5.2(a), the Corporation shall redeem, out of funds legally available therefor, such number of shares of Preferred Stock (which may include at the sole option of the Corporation any number or proportion of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock) as shall be equal to the lesser of (x) the minimum number of shares of Preferred Stock, the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date, would result in the Corporation having Asset Coverage on such Asset Coverage Cure Date of at least 200% (provided, however, that if there is no such minimum number of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and other shares of Preferred Stock the redemption or retirement of which would have such result, all shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and other shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be redeemed), and (y) the maximum number of shares of Preferred Stock that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefor in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, provided, further, that in connection with redemption for failure to maintain such Asset Coverage requirement, the Corporation may at its sole option, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5.2 that, when aggregated with other shares of Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation, would result, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date, in the Corporation having Asset Coverage on such Asset Coverage Cure Date of up to and including [ ]%. The Corporation shall effect such redemption on the date fixed by the Corporation therefor, which date shall not be later than ninety (90) calendar days after such Asset Coverage Cure Date, except that if the Corporation does not have funds legally available for the redemption of all of the required number of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and other shares of Preferred Stock which have been designated to be redeemed or the Corporation otherwise is unable to effect such redemption on or prior to ninety (90) calendar days after such Asset Coverage Cure Date, the Corporation shall redeem those shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and other shares of Preferred Stock which it was unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is able to effect such redemption. If fewer than all of the Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.2, the number of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be redeemed (A) pro rata among the Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, (B) by lot or (C) in such other manner as the Board of Directors may determine to be fair and equitable.]
5.3. [Optional Redemption.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 5.3(b), on any Business Day following the expiration of the “No-Call Period,” which is the period beginning on the Date of Original of Issue and ending at the close of business on [ ], the Corporation may redeem in whole or from time to time in part the Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock at the Redemption Price (any such Business Day referred to in this sentence, an “Optional Redemption Date”).
(b) If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5.3(a), the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected either (A) pro rata, (B) by lot or (C) in such other manner as the Board of Directors may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions of this Certificate of Designation and applicable law, the Board of Directors will have the full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock will be redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.3 from time to time.
(c) The Corporation may not on any date deliver a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 5.4 in respect of a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to this Section 5.3 unless on such date the Corporation has available Deposit Securities for the Optional Redemption Date contemplated by such Notice of Redemption having a Market Value not less than the amount due to Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock by reason of the redemption of such shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock on such Optional Redemption Date.]
5.4. Procedures for Redemption.
(a) If the Corporation shall determine or be required to redeem, in whole or in part, shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5.1[, Section 5.2, or Section 5.3], the Corporation shall deliver a notice of redemption (the “Notice of Redemption”), by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means (as defined below) to Holders thereof, or request the Redemption and Paying Agent, on behalf of the Corporation, to promptly do so by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means. A Notice of Redemption shall be provided not more than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the date fixed for redemption in such Notice of Redemption (the “Redemption Date”). Each such Notice of Redemption shall state: (A) the Redemption Date; (B) the
number of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (C) the CUSIP number for shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock; (D) the applicable Redemption Price on a per share basis; (E) that dividends on the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accumulate from and after such Redemption Date; and (F) the provision(s) of this Certificate of Designation under which such redemption is made. If fewer than all shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock held by any Holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption delivered to such Holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to be redeemed from such Holder or the method of determining such number. The Corporation may provide in any Notice of Redemption relating to a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to this Certificate of Designation that such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent and that the Corporation shall not be required to effect such redemption unless each such condition has been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or delivery thereof shall affect the validity of redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
“Electronic Means” means e-mail transmission, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic means of communication providing evidence of transmission (but excluding online communications systems covered by a separate agreement) acceptable to the sending party and the receiving party, in any case if operative as between any two parties, or, if not operative, by telephone (promptly confirmed by any other method set forth in this definition), which, in the case of notices to the Redemption and Paying Agent and the Custodian, shall be sent by such means to each of its representatives set forth in (i) the Redemption and Paying Agent Agreement, or other similarly titled agreement, by and among the Redemption and Paying Agent for the Series [ ] Preferred Stock and the Corporation and (ii) the Custodian Agreement by and among the Custodian and the Corporation with respect to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, respectively.
(b) If the Corporation shall give a Notice of Redemption, then at any time from and after the giving of such Notice of Redemption and prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date (so long as any conditions precedent to such redemption have been met or waived by the Corporation), the Corporation shall (A) deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent Deposit Securities having an aggregate Market Value on the date thereof no less than the Redemption Price of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Redemption Date and (B) give the Redemption and Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the applicable Redemption Price to the Holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock called for redemption on the Redemption Date. The Corporation may direct the Redemption and Paying Agent with respect to the investment of any Deposit Securities consisting of cash so deposited prior to the Redemption Date, provided, that the proceeds of any such investment shall be available at the opening of business on the Redemption Date as same day funds.
(c) Upon the date of the deposit of such Deposit Securities, which in the case of term redemption pursuant to Section 5.1, shall be no later than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the Term Redemption Date, all rights of the Holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease and terminate except the right of the Holders thereof to receive the Redemption Price thereof and such shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed Outstanding for any purpose whatsoever (other than (A) the transfer thereof prior to the applicable Redemption Date and (B) the accumulation of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms hereof up to (but excluding) the applicable Redemption Date, which accumulated dividends, unless previously or contemporaneously declared and paid as contemplated by the last sentence of Section 5.4(d) below, shall be payable only as part of the applicable Redemption Price on the Redemption Date). The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, promptly after the Redemption Date, any Deposit Securities in excess of the aggregate Redemption Price of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock called for redemption on the Redemption Date. Any Deposit Securities so deposited that are unclaimed at the end of ninety (90) calendar days from the Redemption Date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Corporation, after which the Holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for payment of the Redemption Price thereof. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time after the Term Redemption Date, any interest on the Deposit Securities so deposited.
(d) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this ARTICLE V, except as otherwise required by law, the Corporation shall not redeem any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions on all Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and distributions for all applicable past dividend periods (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation) (x) shall have been or are contemporaneously paid or (y) shall have been or are contemporaneously declared and Deposit Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock) for the payment of such dividends and distributions shall have been or are contemporaneously deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent for such Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock pursuant to an otherwise lawful purchase
or exchange offer made on the same terms to Holders of all Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock for which all accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions have not been paid.
(e) To the extent that any redemption for which Notice of Redemption has been provided is not made by reason of the absence of legally available funds therefor in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, such redemption shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent such funds become available. No Redemption Default shall be deemed to have occurred if the Corporation shall fail to deposit in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent the Redemption Price with respect to any shares where (1) the Notice of Redemption relating to such redemption provided that such redemption was subject to one or more conditions precedent and (2) any such condition precedent shall not have been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. Notwithstanding the fact that a Notice of Redemption has been provided with respect to any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, dividends may be declared and paid on the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock in accordance with their terms if Deposit Securities for the payment of the Redemption Price of such shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall not have been deposited in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose.
5.5. Redemption Date After Record Date and Before Dividend Payment Date. Notwithstanding Section 5.1,[ Section 5.2, and Section 5.3,] if any Redemption Date occurs after the applicable record date for a dividend, but on or prior to the related Dividend Payment Date, the dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date in respect of such Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be payable on such Dividend Payment Date to the holders of record of such shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable record date, and shall not be payable as part of the Redemption Price for such shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock.
5.6. Redemption and Paying Agent as Trustee of Redemption Payments by Corporation. All Deposit Securities transferred to the Redemption and Paying Agent for payment of the Redemption Price of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock called for redemption shall be held in trust by the Redemption and Paying Agent for the benefit of Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock so to be redeemed until paid to such Holders in accordance with the terms hereof or returned to the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.4(c) above.
5.7. Compliance with Applicable Law. In effecting any redemption pursuant to this ARTICLE V, the Corporation shall use its best efforts to comply with all applicable conditions precedent to effecting such redemption under the 1940 Act and any applicable Delaware law, but shall effect no redemption except in accordance with the 1940 Act and any applicable Delaware law.
5.8. Modification of Redemption Procedures. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE V, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion and without a stockholder vote, modify the procedures set forth above with respect to notification of redemption for the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, provided, that such modification does not materially and adversely affect the Holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock or cause the Corporation to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation; and provided, further, that no such modification shall in any way alter the rights or obligations of the Redemption and Paying Agent without its prior consent.
Article VI
VOTING RIGHTS
6.1. One Vote Per Share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or as otherwise required by applicable law, (i) each Holder of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock held by such Holder on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation, and (ii) the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, and of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class; provided, however, that the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, shall be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and classes of Capital Stock of the Corporation, to elect two Directors of the Corporation at all times. Subject to Section 6.2, the Holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, including shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, shall elect the balance of the Directors.
6.2. Voting For Additional Directors.
(a) Voting Period. During any period in which any one or more of the conditions described in clauses (A) or (B) of this Section 6.2(a) shall exist (such period being referred to herein as a “Voting Period”), the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be automatically increased by the smallest number that, when added to the
two Directors elected exclusively by the Holders of Preferred Stock, including shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as so increased by such smallest number; and the Holders of Preferred Stock, including Series [ ] Preferred Stock, shall be entitled, voting as a class on a one-vote-per-share basis (to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation), to elect such smallest number of additional Directors, together with the two Directors that such Holders are in any event entitled to elect. A Voting Period shall commence:
(i) | if, at the close of business on any dividend payment date for any outstanding Preferred Stock including any Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such outstanding share of Preferred Stock equal to at least two (2) full years’ dividends shall be due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities shall not have been deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends; or |
(ii) | if at any time Holders of shares of Preferred Stock are otherwise entitled under the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act to elect a majority of the Board of Directors. |
Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in this Section 6.2(a) shall cease, subject always, however, to the revesting of such voting rights in the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock upon the further occurrence of any of the events described in this Section 6.2(a).
(b) Notice of Special Meeting. As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors as described in Section 6.2(a), the Corporation shall call a special meeting of such Holders and notify the Redemption and Paying Agent and/or such other Person as is specified in the terms of such Preferred Stock to receive notice (i) by mailing or delivery by Electronic Means or (ii) in such other manner and by such other means as are specified in the terms of such Preferred Stock, a notice of such special meeting to such Holders, such meeting to be held not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) calendar days after the date of the delivery by Electronic Means or mailing of such notice. If the Corporation fails to call such a special meeting, it may be called at the expense of the Corporation by any such Holder on like notice. The record date for determining the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting shall be the close of business on the fifth (5th) Business Day preceding the calendar day on which such notice is mailed. At any such special meeting and at each meeting of Holders of shares of Preferred Stock held during a Voting Period at which Directors are to be elected, such Holders, voting together as a class (to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation), shall be entitled to elect the number of Directors prescribed in Section 6.2(a) on a one-vote-per-share basis.
(c) Terms of Office of Existing Directors. The terms of office of the incumbent Directors of the Corporation at the time of a special meeting of Holders of the shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors in accordance with Section 6.2(a) shall not be affected by the election at such meeting by the Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and such other Holders of shares of Preferred Stock of the number of Directors that they are entitled to elect, and the Directors so elected by the Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and such other Holders of shares of Preferred Stock, together with the two (2) Directors elected by the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof and the remaining Directors elected by the holders of the shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, shall constitute the duly elected Directors of the Corporation.
(d) Terms of Office of Certain Directors to Terminate Upon Termination of Voting Period. Simultaneously with the termination of a Voting Period, the terms of office of the additional Directors elected by the Holders of the shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6.2(a) shall terminate, the remaining Directors shall constitute the Directors of the Corporation and the voting rights of the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors pursuant to Section 6.2(a) shall cease, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section 6.2(a).
6.3. Holders of Shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to Vote on Certain Matters.
(a) Certain Amendments Requiring Approval of Preferred Stock. Except as otherwise permitted by the terms of this Certificate of Designation, so long as any shares of Preferred Stock of all series are Outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least sixty-seven percent (67%) of the shares of Preferred Stock of all series Outstanding at the time, voting together as a separate class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, or this Certificate of Designation, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of such shares of the Preferred Stock
or the Holders thereof; provided, however, that (i) a change in the capitalization of the Corporation in accordance with Section 7.1 hereof shall not be considered to materially and adversely affect the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock, and (ii) a division of a share of Preferred Stock shall be deemed to affect such preferences, rights or powers only if the terms of such division materially and adversely affect the Holders of the shares of the Preferred Stock. For purposes of the foregoing, no matter shall be deemed to adversely affect any preference, right or power of a share of Preferred Stock or the Holder thereof unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any preferential right of such share of Preferred Stock, or (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such share of Preferred Stock (other than as a result of a division of a share of Preferred Stock). So long as any shares of Preferred Stock are Outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of at least sixty-seven percent (67%) of the Holders of the shares of Preferred Stock Outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, file a voluntary application for relief under Federal bankruptcy law or any similar application under state law for so long as the Corporation is solvent and does not foresee becoming insolvent.
(b) Certain Amendments Requiring Approval of Series [ ] Preferred Stock. The Corporation cannot effect any amendment, alteration or repeal of the obligation to redeem all of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock on [ ] without the prior unanimous consent of the holders of Series [ ] Preferred Stock.
(c) 1940 Act Matters. Unless a higher percentage is provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the Holders of at least “a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock,” including shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock Outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, shall be required (A) to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares or (B) any action requiring a vote of security holders of the Corporation pursuant to Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing, the vote of a “majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock” means the vote at an annual or special meeting duly called of (i) sixty-seven percent (67%) or more of such shares present at a meeting, if the Holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of such shares are present or represented by proxy at such meeting, or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of such shares, whichever is less.
6.4. Voting Rights Set Forth Herein Are Sole Voting Rights. Unless otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall not have any relative rights or preferences or other special rights with respect to voting other than those specifically set forth in this ARTICLE VI.
6.5. No Cumulative Voting. The Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have no rights to cumulative voting.
6.6. Voting for Directors Sole Remedy for Corporation’s Failure to Declare or Pay Dividends. In the event that the Corporation fails to declare or pay any dividends on shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock on the Dividend Payment Date therefor, the exclusive remedy of the Holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be the right to vote for Directors pursuant to the provisions of this ARTICLE VI. Nothing in this Section 6.6 shall be deemed to affect the obligation of the Corporation to accumulate and, if permitted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and this Certificate of Designation, pay dividends at the Default Rate in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2.8 hereof.
6.7. Holders Entitled to Vote. For purposes of determining any rights of the Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock to vote on any matter, whether such right is created by this Certificate of Designation, by the Certificate of Incorporation, by statute or otherwise, no Holder of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote any share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock and no share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be “Outstanding” for the purpose of voting or determining the number of shares required to constitute a quorum if, prior to or concurrently with the time of determination of shares entitled to vote or the time of the actual vote on the matter, as the case may be, the requisite Notice of Redemption with respect to such share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have been given in accordance with this Certificate of Designation and Deposit Securities for the payment of the Redemption Price of such share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have been deposited in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose. No share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock held by the Corporation shall have any voting rights or be deemed to be outstanding for voting or for calculating the voting percentage required on any other matter or other purposes.
Article VII
MISCELLANEOUS
7.1. Issuance of Additional Preferred Stock. So long as any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock are Outstanding, the Corporation may, without the vote or consent of the Holders thereof, (a) authorize, establish and create and issue and sell shares of one or more series of a class of senior securities of the Corporation representing stock under Section 18 of the 1940 Act, ranking on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution,
liquidation or the winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, in addition to then Outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, and (b) authorize, issue and sell additional shares of any such series then outstanding or so established and created, including additional shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, in each case in accordance with applicable law, provided that the Corporation shall, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such additional shares of Preferred Stock and to its receipt and application of the proceeds thereof, including to the redemption of shares of Preferred Stock with such proceeds, have Asset Coverage (calculated in the same manner as is contemplated by Section 4.2 hereof) of at least 200%.
7.2. Status of Redeemed or Repurchased Series [ ] Preferred Stock. Shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock that at any time have been redeemed or purchased by the Corporation shall, after such redemption or purchase, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of Capital Stock.
7.3. Registered Name. Prior to the commencement of a Voting Period, (i) all shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock Outstanding from time to time shall be registered in the name of the Depository Trust Company and its successors and assigns, or any other securities depository selected by the Corporation that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such securities depository as set forth in this Certificate of Designation with respect to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock (the “Securities Depository”) or its nominee and (ii) no registration of transfer of shares of such Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation to any Person other than the Securities Depository or its nominee.
7.4. Notice. All notices or communications hereunder, unless otherwise specified in this Certificate of Designation, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, by Electronic Means or by overnight mail or delivery or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Notices delivered pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be deemed given on the date received or, if mailed by first class mail, on the date five (5) calendar days after which such notice is mailed.
7.5. Termination. In the event that no shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock are Outstanding, all rights and preferences of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock established and designated hereunder shall cease and terminate, and all obligations of the Corporation under this Certificate of Designation with respect to such Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall terminate.
7.6. Amendment. The Board of Directors may, by resolution duly adopted, without stockholder approval (except as otherwise provided by this Certificate of Designation or required by applicable law) amend this Certificate of Designation so as to reflect any amendments to the terms applicable to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, including an increase in the number of authorized shares of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock.
7.7. Actions on Other than Business Days. Unless otherwise provided herein, if the date for making any payment, performing any act or exercising any right, in each case as provided for in this Certificate of Designation, is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made, act performed or right exercised on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made or done on the nominal date provided therefor, and, with respect to any payment so made, no dividends, interest or other amount shall accrue for the period between such nominal date and the date of payment.
7.8. Modification. The Board of Directors, without the vote of the Holders of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, may interpret, supplement or amend the provisions of this Certificate of Designation to supply any omission, resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity or to cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision, including any provision that becomes defective after the date hereof because of impossibility of performance or any provision that is inconsistent with any provision of any other Capital Stock of the Corporation.
7.9. Information Rights. During any period in which the Corporation is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and any shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock are Outstanding, the Corporation will provide holders of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, without cost, copies of SEC Reports that the Corporation would have been required to file pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Corporation was subject to such provisions or, alternatively, the Corporation will voluntarily file SEC Reports as if the Corporation was subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
7.10. No Additional Rights. Unless otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Holders of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall not have any relative rights or preferences or other special rights other than those specifically set forth in this Certificate of Designation.
7.11. Interpretation.
(a) The headings preceding the text of the Articles and Sections included in this Certificate of Designation are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of this Certificate of Designation or be given any effect in interpreting
this Certificate of Designation. The use of the masculine, feminine or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words herein shall not limit any provision of this Certificate of Designation. The use of the terms “including” or “include” shall in all cases herein mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. Reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns to the extent such successors and assigns are permitted by the terms of any applicable agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually.
(b) Reference to any agreement (including this Certificate of Designation), document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, reference to any law means such law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or re-enacted, in whole or in part, including rules, regulations, enforcement procedures and any interpretations promulgated thereunder. Underscored references to Articles and Sections shall refer to those portions of this Certificate of Designation. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import shall refer to this Certificate of Designation as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or clause of this Certificate of Designation.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designation to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer as of this [ ] day of [ ].
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Exhibit (d)(3)
RIGHTS CERTIFICATE #: | NUMBER OF RIGHTS |
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE
RIGHTS OFFERING ARE SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED [ ] AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS DATED [ ]
(COLLECTIVELY,
THE “PROSPECTUS") AND ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. COPIES OF THE
PROSPECTUS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM
[ ], THE INFORMATION AGENT.
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
Incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
Evidencing Subscription Rights to Purchase Shares of Stock, Par Value $0.001 Per Share, of Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
Subscription Price: $[ ] per Share
THE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE IF NOT EXERCISED ON OR BEFORE [5:00] P.M., [NEW YORK CITY TIME], ON [ ], UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY
REGISTERED
OWNER:
THIS CERTIFIES THAT the registered owner whose name is inscribed hereon is the owner of the number of subscription rights (“Rights”) set forth above. Every [ ] Rights entitles the holder thereof to subscribe for and purchase [ ] share[s] of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share, of Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), at a subscription price of $[ ] per share (the “Basic Subscription Privilege”), pursuant to a rights offering (the “Rights Offering”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the “Instructions as to Use of Eagle Point Income Company Inc. Subscription Rights Certificates” accompanying this Subscription Rights Certificate. [If any shares of common stock available for purchase in the Rights Offering are not purchased by other holders of Rights pursuant to the exercise of their Basic Subscription Privilege (the “Excess Shares”), | any Rights holder that exercises its Basic Subscription Privilege in full may subscribe for a number of Excess Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Rights Offering, subject to proration, as described in the Prospectus (the “Over-Subscription Privilege”).] The Rights represented by this Subscription Rights Certificate may be exercised by completing Form 1 and any other appropriate forms on the reverse side hereof and by returning the full payment of the subscription price for each share of common stock in accordance with the “Instructions as to Use of Eagle Point Income Company Inc. Subscription Rights Certificates” that accompany this Subscription Rights Certificate. |
This Subscription Rights Certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the subscription agent and registered by the registrar.
Witness the signatures of its duly authorized officers.
Dated:
Chief Executive Officer | Secretary |
DELIVERY OPTIONS FOR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
Delivery other than in the manner or to the address listed below will not constitute valid delivery.
If delivering by mail, hand or overnight courier:
[ ]
PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY.
FORM 1-EXERCISE OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
To subscribe for shares pursuant to your Basic Subscription Right, please complete lines (a) and (c) and sign under Form 4 below. [To subscribe for shares pursuant to your Over-Subscription Right, please also complete line (b) and sign under Form 4 below.] To the extent you subscribe for more Shares than you are entitled under [either] the Basic Subscription Right [or the Over-Subscription Right], you will be deemed to have elected to purchase the maximum number of shares for which you are entitled to subscribe under the Basic Subscription Right [or Over-Subscription Right, as applicable].
(a) EXERCISE OF BASIC SUBSCRIPTION RIGHT:
I apply for | shares x $ [ ] | = $ | ||
(no. of new shares) | (subscription price) | (amount enclosed) |
[(b) EXERCISE OF OVER-SUBSCRIPTION RIGHT
If you have exercised your Basic Subscription Right in full and wish to subscribe for additional shares in an amount equal to up to [ ]% of the shares of Common Stock for which you are otherwise entitled to subscribe pursuant to your Over-Subscription Right:
I apply for | shares x $ [ ] | = $ | ||
(no. of new shares) | (subscription price) | (amount enclosed) |
(c) Total Amount of Payment Enclosed = $____________
METHOD OF PAYMENT (CHECK ONE)
¨ | Check or bank draft payable to [ ]. |
¨ | Wire transfer of immediately available funds directly to the account maintained by [ ], as Subscription Agent, for purposes of accepting subscriptions in this Rights Offering at [ ] FBO Eagle Income Credit Company Inc., with reference to the rights holder's name. |
[FORM 2-TRANSFER TO DESIGNATED TRANSFEREE
To transfer your subscription rights to another person, complete this Form 2 and have your signature guaranteed under Form 5.
For value received ______________ of the subscription rights represented by this Subscription Rights Certificate are assigned to:
Social Security # | |
Signature(s): |
IMPORTANT: The signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as printed on the reverse of this Subscription Rights
Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any other change whatsoever.]
FORM 3-DELIVERY TO DIFFERENT ADDRESS
If you wish for the Common Stock underlying your subscription rights, a certificate representing unexercised subscription rights or the proceeds of any sale of subscription rights to be delivered to an address different from that shown on the face of this Subscription Rights Certificate, please enter the alternate address below, sign under Form 4 and have your signature guaranteed under Form 5.
FORM 4-SIGNATURE
TO SUBSCRIBE: I acknowledge that I have received the Prospectus for this Rights Offering and I hereby irrevocably subscribe for the number of shares indicated above on the terms and conditions specified in the Prospectus. [By signing below I confirm that [(1) after giving effect to the exercise of my Rights, I will not beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, more than 14.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock (calculated immediately upon the closing of the rights offering after giving effect to the Backstop Commitment, as described in the Prospectus) and (2),] if I already beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in excess of 14.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock I will not, via the exercise of the Rights, increase my proportionate interest in the Company’s Common Stock ([with respect to (1) or (2), ]any such excess shares, the “Excess Shares”). With respect to any such Excess Shares, I hereby (1) irrevocably appoint and constitute the Company, each of its authorized officers and their designees, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as my proxy and attorney in fact with full authority to vote and act by written consent with respect to any such Excess Shares on any matter submitted to shareholders for a vote or action by written consent, in the discretion of such proxy, to the same extent I would have the power to vote or act by written consent and (2) grant the Company a right for 90 days from the closing of the rights offering to repurchase such Excess Shares at the lesser of the $[ ] per share subscription price and the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the trading day immediately prior to the date on which notice is sent to the holder of the Company’s intent to exercise such right, which notice must be sent prior to the expiration of such 90 day period. I agree to cooperate with the Company and provide to the Company any and all information requested by the Company in connection with the exercise of the rights granted in the previous sentence.]
Signature(s): |
IMPORTANT: The signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as printed on the reverse of this Subscription Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any other change whatsoever.
FORM 5-SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
This form must be completed if you have completed any portion of Forms 2 or 3.
Signature Guaranteed: | |
(Name of Bank or Firm) |
By: | |
(Signature of Officer) |
IMPORTANT: The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (bank, stock broker, savings & loan association or credit union) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15.
FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON THE USE OF EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC. SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS CERTIFICATES, CONSULT [ ], THE INFORMATION AGENT, AT [ ].
Exhibit 99.(d)(4)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
New York | 13-3439945 | |
(State of incorporation of organization if not a U.S.
national bank) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York | 11219 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Paul H. Kim
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
(718) 921-8183
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its character)
Delaware | 83-2197405 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, Connecticut |
06830 |
|
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
% Notes due 20
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
Item 1. | General Information. |
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
New York State Department of Financial Services
One State Street
New York, NY 10004-1511
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Item 2. | Affiliations with Obligor. |
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
None.
Items 3-15.
Items 3-15 are not applicable because, to the best of the trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any indenture for which the trustee acts as trustee.
Item 16. List of Exhibits.
Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).
Exhibit | Exhibit Title | |
T-1.1 | A copy of the Articles of Organization of the Trustee, as amended to date | |
T-1.2 | A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to commence business | |
T-1.4 | Limited Liability Trust Company Agreement of the Trustee | |
T-1.6 | The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 | |
T-1.7 | A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the trustee, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a limited liability trust company organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York, and the State of New York, on the [●] day of October, 2019.
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER | ||
& TRUST COMPANY, LLC | ||
Trustee | ||
By: | /s/ Paul H. Kim | |
Name: Paul H. Kim | ||
Title: Assistant General Counsel |
EXHIBIT T-1.1
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
OF
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
We, the undersigned, all being of full age, four of us being citizens of the United States, having associated ourselves together for the purposes of forming a limited liability trust company under and pursuant to the Banking Law of the State of New York, do hereby certify the following:
First. | The name by which the limited liability trust company is to be known is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. |
Second. | The place where its principal office is to be located is 59 Maiden Lane, Borough of Manhattan, City, County, and State of New York. |
Third. | The amount of its capital contributions is to be Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), and the number of units into which such capital contributions are to be divided is five million (5,000,000) units with a par value of $1.00 each. |
Fourth. | The company will not have classes or groups of members, therefore there is only one class of members. Each member shall share the same relative rights, powers, preferences, limitations, and voting powers. |
Fifth. | The name, place of residence, and citizenship of each organizer are as follows: |
Name | Residence | Citizenship | ||
George Karfunkel | Brooklyn, NY, USA | USA | ||
Michael Karfunkel | Brooklyn, NY, USA | USA | ||
Cameron Blanks | Cremorne Point, Australia | Australia | ||
Timothy J. Sims | Terrey Hills, Australia | Australia | ||
Paul J. McCullagh | Tamarama, Australia | Ireland | ||
Joseph John O’Brien | Bondi Beach, Australia | USA | ||
Jay F. Krehbiel | Darling Point, Australia | USA |
Sixth. | The term of existence of the trust company is to be until December 31, 2030, unless the interest holders agree to extend such date. |
Seventh. | The number of managers of the company is to be not less than seven nor more than fifteen. |
Eighth. | The names of the organizers who shall manage the company until the first annual meeting of members are as follows: George Karfunkel, Michael Karfunkel, Cameron Blanks, Timothy J. Sims, Paul J. McCullagh, Joseph John O’Brien, and Jay F. Krehbiel. |
Ninth. | The limited liability trust company is to exercise the powers conferred by Section 100 of the Banking Law. The limited liability trust company shall neither accept deposits nor make loans except for deposits and loans arising directly from the exercise of the fiduciary powers specified in Section 100 of the Banking Law. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have made, signed, and acknowledged this certificate in duplicate this day of March 2008.
/s/ George Karfunkel | ||
George Karfunkel | Paul J. McCullagh | |
/s/ Michael Karfunkel | ||
Michael Karfunkel | Joseph John O’Brien | |
Cameron Blanks | Jay F. Krehbiel | |
Timothy J. Sims |
NOTARY: | |||
State of NY | ) | ||
) | ss.: | ||
County of Kings | ) |
On this 28th day of March, 2008 personally appeared before me
George Karfunkel | |
Michael Karfunkel |
to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing certificate, and severally acknowledged that they executed the same.
/s/ Anthony J. Foti
Anthony J. Foti
Notary Public, State of New York
No. 01FO6022425
Qualified in Kings County
Commission Expires March 29, 2011
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have made, signed, and acknowledged this certificate in duplicate this day of March 2008.
/s/ Paul J. McCullagh | ||
George Karfunkel | Paul J. McCullagh | |
Michael Karfunkel | Joseph John O’Brien | |
/s/ Cameron Blanks | /s/ Jay F. Krehbiel | |
Cameron Blanks | Jay F. Krehbiel | |
/s/ Timothy J. Sims | ||
Timothy J. Sims |
NOTARY: | |||
State of New South Wales | ) | ||
) | ss.: | ||
County of Australia | ) |
On this 27th day of March, 2008 personally appeared before me
Cameron R. Blanks | Paul J. McCullagh | |
Timothy J. Sims | Jay F. Krehbiel |
to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing certificate, and severally acknowledged that they executed the same.
/s/ Brendan Anthony Bateman | |
Brendan Anthony Bateman |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have made, signed, and acknowledged this certificate in duplicate this day of March 2008.
George Karfunkel | Paul J. McCullagh | |
/s/ Joseph John O’Brien | ||
Michael Karfunkel | Joseph John O’Brien | |
Cameron Blanks | Jay F. Krehbiel | |
Timothy J. Sims |
NOTARY: | Kingdom of Thailand | } | |
Bangkok Metropolis | } | ss | |
Embassy of the United States of America | } | ||
State of | } | ||
County of | } |
On this day of Mar 27 2008, personally appeared before me
* Joseph John O’Brien *
|
||
|
to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing certificate, and severally acknowledged that they executed the same.
/s/ Chamnannuch Scherer | |
Chamnannuch Scherer | |
Consular Associate of the United States of America |
Indefinite
EXHIBIT T-1.2
Whereas, the Articles of Organization of AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, of New York, New York, have heretofore been duly approved and said AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC has complied with the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Consolidated Laws,
Now Therefore I, David S. Fredsall, as Deputy Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York, do hereby authorize the said AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC to transact the business of a Limited Liability Trust Company, at 59 Maiden Lane, Borough of Manhattan, City of New York within this State.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the Banking Department, this 30th day of May in the year two thousand and eight.
/s/ David S. Fredsall | |
Deputy Superintendent of Banks |
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY TRUST COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY TRUST COMPANY AGREEMENT (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Company”) dated as of this 29th day of June, 2015, by Armor Holding II LLC, as the sole member of the Company (the “Member”) amends and restates the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Trust Company Agreement of the Company dated as of June 26, 2013 (as amended by that certain First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Trust Company Agreement of the Company dated as of April 23, 2014) in its entirety.
RECITAL
The Member converted the Company into a limited liability trust company under the laws of the State of New York and now desires to amend and restate the written agreement governing the affairs of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Limited Liability Company Law of the State of New York and any successor statute, as amended from time to time (the “Act”) and the Banking Law of the State of New York and any successor statute, as amended from time to time (the “Banking Law”).
ARTICLE 1
The Limited Liability Trust Company
a. Formation. The Member previously converted the Company into a limited liability trust company pursuant to the Act and the Banking Law; such conversion of the Company from a New York trust company into a New York limited liability trust company was approved by the New York Banking Board on April 17, 2008 in conformity with Section 102-a(3) of the Banking Law. The conversion to a limited liability trust company became effective on May 30, 2008, when the New York State Banking Department issued an Authorization Certificate for the converted entity.
b. Name. The name of the Company shall be “American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC” and its business shall be carried on in such name with such variations and changes as the Board (as hereinafter defined) shall determine or deem necessary to comply with requirements of the jurisdictions in which the Company’s operations are conducted.
c. Business Purpose; Powers. The purposes for which the Company is formed are:
(i) to exercise the powers conferred by Section 100 of the Banking Law, including corporate trust powers; personal trust powers; pension trust powers for tax-qualified pension trusts and retirement plans; and common or collective trust powers; provided, however, that the Company shall
8
neither accept deposits nor make loans except for deposits and loans arising directly from the exercise of its fiduciary powers as specified in this Section 1(c); and
(ii) in furtherance of the foregoing, to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability trust companies may be formed under the Banking Law.
d. Registered Office and Agent. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.
e. Term. Subject to the provisions of Article 6 below, the Company shall continue until December 31, 2030, unless the Members agree to extend such date.
ARTICLE 2
The Member
a. The Member. The name and address of the Member is as follows:
Name | Address | |
Armor Holding II LLC | 6201 15th Avenue, | |
Brooklyn, New York 11219 |
b. Actions by the Member; Meetings. All actions taken by the Member must be duly authorized by the board of managers of the Member (the “Member’s Board”) in accordance with the Shareholders Agreement (as hereinafter defined). Subject to the foregoing sentence, the Member may approve a matter or take any action at a meeting or without a meeting by the written consent of the Member. Meetings of the Member may be called at any time by the Member.
c. Liability of the Member. All debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and the Member shall not be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a member, except as otherwise provided for by law.
d. Power to Bind the Company. Except as required by the Act or the Banking Law, the Member (acting in its capacity as such) shall have no authority to bind the Company to any third party with respect to any matter.
e. Admission of Members. New members shall be admitted only upon the prior written approval of the Member.
f. Engagement of Third Parties. The Company, may, from time to time, employ any Person or engage third parties to render services to the Company on such terms and for such compensation as the Member may reasonably determine, including, attorneys, investment consultants, brokers or finders, independent auditors and printers. Such employees and third parties may be affiliates of any Member. Persons retained, engaged or employed by the Company may also be engaged, retained or employed by and act on behalf of one or more Member or any of their respective affiliates.
9
ARTICLE 3
The Board
a. Management By Board of Managers.
(i) Subject to such matters which are expressly reserved hereunder, under the Act, under the Banking Law or under that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2014, as amended from time to time, among the Shareholders of Armor Holdco, Inc. and Armor Holdco, Inc. (the “Shareholders Agreement”), to the Member for decision, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by a board of managers (the “Board”), which shall be responsible for policy setting, approving the overall direction of the Company and making all decisions affecting the business and affairs of the Company. In accordance with Section 7002 of the Banking Law, the Board shall consist of seven (7) to fifteen (15) individuals (the “Managers”). Such Managers shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Member in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Shareholders Agreement.
(ii) Each Manager shall be elected by the Member and shall serve until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier removal, resignation, death or disability. Subject to the provisions of clause (iii) below, the Member may remove any Manager from the Board or from any other capacity with the Company at any time, with or without cause. A Manager may resign at any time upon written notice to the Member.
(iii) The Member may take all actions that it deems necessary to cause the Board to consist of the same managers who serve on the Member’s Board; provided that, subject to Article 3(a)(i), the number of independent directors who serve on the Board may be greater or less than the number of independent directors who serve on the Member’s Board; provided, further, that in no event shall the Board be composed of less than three (3) independent directors. Accordingly, if any person who is a member of the Members’ Board ceases to be a member of such board for any reason, the Member may take such action as is necessary to remove such person from the Board and elect to the Board the person appointed to the Member’s Board in place of such person.
(iv) Any vacancy occurring on the Board as a result of the resignation, removal, death or disability of a Manager or an increase in the size of the Board shall be filled by the Member. A Manager chosen to fill a vacancy resulting from the resignation, removal, death or disability of a Manager shall serve the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office.
b. Action By the Board.
(i) In accordance with Section 7010 of the Banking Law, a regular meeting of the Board shall be held at least ten (10) times a year; provided, however, that during any three (3) consecutive months, the Board shall meet at least twice. Each Manager may call a meeting of the Board upon two (2) days prior written notice to each Manager. The presence of a majority of the Managers then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board. All actions of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Managers then in office.
(ii) Meetings of the Board may be conducted in person or by conference telephone facilities. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting if such number of Managers sufficient to approve such action pursuant to the terms of this Agreement consent thereto in writing. Notice of any meeting may be waived by any Manager.
10
c. Power to Bind Company. None of the Managers (acting in their capacity as such) shall have authority to bind the Company to any third party with respect to any matter unless the Board shall have approved such matter and authorized such Manager(s) to bind the Company with respect thereto.
d. Officers and Related Persons.
(i) The Board shall have the authority to appoint and terminate officers of the Company and retain and terminate employees, agents and consultants of the Company. The Board, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as provided in any resolution of the Board, may, from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion and without limitation, delegate such duties or any or all of its authority, rights and/or obligations, to any one or more officers, employees, agents, consultants or other duly authorized representatives of the Company as the Board deems appropriate, including the power, acting individually or jointly, to represent and bind the Company in all matters in accordance with the scope of their respective duties.
ARTICLE 4
Capital Structure and Contributions
a. Capital Structure. The capital structure of the Company shall consist of one class of common interests, par value $1.00 (the “Common Interests”). Each Common Interest shall entitle its holder to one vote per Common Interest on each matter on which the Member shall be entitled to vote. All Common Interests shall be identical with each other in every respect. The Company shall be authorized to issue 5,000,000 Common Interests. In exchange for all of the outstanding shares of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company held by the Member, the 5,000,000 Common Interests shall be issued to the Member. The Member shall own all of the Common Interests issued and outstanding.
b. Capital Contributions. From time to time, the Board may determine that the Company requires capital and may request the Member to make capital contribution(s) in an amount determined by the Board. A capital account shall be maintained for the Member, to which contributions and profits shall be credited and against which distributions and losses shall be charged.
c. Right to Issue Certificates. The ownership of a Common Interest by a Member shall be evidenced by a certificate (a “Certificate”) issued by the Company. All Common Interests in the Company shall be securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in any jurisdiction, including without limitation the State of New York.
d. Form of Certificates. Certificates attesting to the ownership of Common Interests in the Company shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto and shall state that the Company is a limited liability trust company formed under the laws of the State of New York, the name of the Member to whom such Certificate is issued and that the Certificate represents limited liability trust company interests within the meaning of the Act and the Banking Law. Each Certificate shall bear the following legend:
“THIS CERTIFICATE EVIDENCES COMMON INTERESTS IN THE AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC (THE “COMPANY”) AND SHALL BE A SECURITY FOR PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 8 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE. THE COMMON INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE
11
ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY TRUST COMPANY AGREEMENT OF THE COMPANY DATED AS OF JUNE 29, 2015 (AS MAY BE AMENDED, RESTATED, AMENDED AND RESTATED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE “LLTC AGREEMENT”). A COPY OF THE LLTC AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED TO THE RECORD HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COMPANY AT ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS.”
e. Execution. Each Certificate shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or other authorized officer or person of the Company by either manual or facsimile signature.
f. Registrar. The Company shall maintain an office where Certificates may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange. Unless otherwise designated, the Secretary of the Company shall act as registrar and shall keep a register of the Certificates and of their transfer and exchange.
g. Issuance. The Certificates of the Company shall be numbered and registered in the interest register or transfer books of the Company as they are issued.
h. Common Interest Holder Lists. The Company shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all holders of Common Interests.
i. Transfer and Exchange. When Certificates are presented to the Company with a request to register a transfer, the Company shall register the transfer or make the exchange on the register or transfer books of the Company; provided, that any Certificates presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by the holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer, or exchange, any Certificate if as a result the transfer of the Common Interest at issue would cause the Company or the Member to violate the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, or the laws, rules, regulations, orders and other directives of any Governmental Authority or otherwise violate the terms of this Agreement or the Shareholders Agreement.
j. Record Holder. Except to the extent that the Company shall have received written notice of an assignment of Common Interests and such assignment complies with the requirements of Section 7(a) of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to treat the individual or entity in whose name any Certificates issued by the Company stand on the books of the Company as the absolute owner thereof, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Common Interests on the part of any other individual or entity.
k. Replacement Certificates. If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Company, or the Company receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate, the Company shall issue a replacement Certificate if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. If required by the Company, an indemnity and/or the deposit of a bond in such form and in such sum, and with such surety or sureties as the Company may direct,
12
must be supplied by the holder of such lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate that is sufficient in the judgment of the Company to protect the Company from any loss that it may suffer if a Certificate is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses incurred in connection with replacing a Certificate.
ARTICLE 5
Profits, Losses and Distributions
a. Profits and Losses. For financial accounting and tax purposes, the Company’s net profits or net losses shall be determined on an annual basis in accordance with the manner determined by the Board. In each year, profits and losses shall be allocated entirely to the Member.
b. Distributions. The Board shall determine profits available for distribution and the amount, if any, to be distributed to the Member, and shall authorize and distribute on the Common Interests, the determined amount when, as and if declared by the Board. The distributions of the Company shall be allocated entirely to the Member, provided, however, such distributions are in accordance with the Banking Law.
ARTICLE 6
Events of Dissolution
The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs wound up only upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each, an “Event of Dissolution”):
a. The Board votes for dissolution; or
b. A dissolution of the Company under Section 102-a(2) of the Banking Law or Section 701 of the Act.
ARTICLE 7
Transfer of Interests in the Company
Except upon approval of the Member’s Board in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Member’s Shareholder’s Agreement, the Member may sell, assign, transfer, convey, gift, exchange or otherwise dispose of any or all of its Common Interests and, upon receipt by the Company of a written agreement executed by the person or entity to whom such Common Interests are to be transferred agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, such person shall be admitted as a member.
ARTICLE 8
Exculpation and Indemnification
a. Exculpation. The Member shall not have any liability for the obligations or liabilities of the Company except to the extent provided in the Act or Banking Law. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, whether express or implied, or any obligation or duty at law or in equity, none of the Member, Managers, or any officers, directors, stockholders, partners, employees, affiliates, representatives or agents of any of the foregoing, nor any officer, employee, representative or agent of the Company (individually, a “Covered Person” and, collectively, the “Covered Persons”) shall be liable to the Company or any other person for any act or omission (in relation to the Company, its
13
property or the conduct of its business or affairs, this Agreement, any related document or any transaction or investment contemplated hereby or thereby) taken or omitted by a Covered Person in the reasonable belief that such act or omission is in or is not contrary to the best interests of the Company and is within the scope of authority granted to such Covered Person by the Agreement, provided such act or omission does not constitute fraud, willful misconduct, bad faith, or gross negligence.
b. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (“Claims”), in which the Covered Person may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its management of the affairs of the Company or which relates to or arises out of the Company or its property, business or affairs. A Covered Person shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 8 with respect to (i) any Claim with respect to which such Covered Person has engaged in fraud, willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence or (ii) any Claim initiated by such Covered Person unless such Claim (or part thereof) (A) was brought to enforce such Covered Person’s rights to indemnification hereunder or (B) was authorized or consented to by the Board. Expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending any Claim shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such Claim upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that such Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized by this Article 8.
c. Insurance. The Board in its discretion shall have the power to cause the Company to purchase and maintain insurance in accordance with, and subject to, the Act and Banking Law.
d. Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Article 8 by the Member shall not adversely affect any rights of such Covered Person pursuant to this Article 8, including the right to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses of a Covered Person existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 9
Miscellaneous
a. Tax Treatment. Unless otherwise determined by the Member, the Company shall be a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as well as for any analogous state or local tax purposes), and the Member and the Company shall timely make any and all necessary elections and filings for the Company to be treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as well as for any analogous state or local tax purposes).
b. Amendments. Amendments to this Agreement and to the Certificate of Formation shall be approved in writing by the Member. An amendment shall become effective as of the date specified in the approval of the Member or if none is specified as of the date of such approval or as otherwise provided in the Act.
c. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability; provided, however, that the remaining provisions will continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way unless such invalid or unenforceable provision or clause shall
14
be so significant as to materially affect the expectations of the Member regarding this Agreement. Otherwise, any invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by the Member with a valid provision which most closely approximates the intent and economic effect of the invalid or unenforceable provision.
d. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
e. Limited Liability Trust Company. The Member intends to form a limited liability trust company and does not intend to form a partnership under the laws of the State of New York or any other laws.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
15
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
ARMOR HOLDING II LLC, as sole member | ||
By: | /s/Martin G. Flanigan | |
Name: Martin G. Flanigan | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Trust Company Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE]
Number [*] | Common Interest [*] |
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
a limited liability trust company formed under the laws of the State of New York
Limited Liability Trust Company Common Interest
[Legend]
THIS CERTIFICATE EVIDENCES COMMON INTERESTS IN THE AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC (THE “COMPANY”) AND SHALL BE A SECURITY FOR PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 8 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE. THE COMMON INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY TRUST COMPANY AGREEMENT OF THE COMPANY DATED AS OF JUNE 29, 2015 (AS MAY BE AMENDED, RESTATED, AMENDED AND RESTATED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE “LLTC AGREEMENT”). A COPY OF THE LLTC AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED TO THE RECORD HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COMPANY AT ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS.
This Certifies that _________________________________ is the owner of _______ fully paid and non-assessable Common Interests of the above-named Company and is entitled to the full benefits and privileges of such Common Interest, subject to the duties and obligations, as more fully set forth in the Agreements. This Certificate is transferable on the books of the Company by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Limited Liability Company has caused this Certificate, and the Common Interest it represents, to be signed by its duly authorized officer this ___ day of ______, 20__.
By: | ||
[Name] | ||
[Title] |
[Exhibit A to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Trust Company Agreement]
EXHIBIT T-1.6
October [●], 2019
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 321 (b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and subject to the limitations therein contained, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC hereby consents that reports of examinations of said corporation by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to you upon request therefor.
Very truly yours, | ||
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Paul H. Kim | |
Name: | Paul H. Kim | |
Title: | Assistant General Counsel |
EXHIBIT T-1.7
Exhibit (d)(5)
SUBSCRIPTION AGENT AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
and
[ ]
This Subscription Rights Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of between Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (the “Subscription Agent”), and relates to the base prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File No. 333- , filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on , as amended by any amendment filed with respect thereto (the “Registration Statement”) and any prospectus supplement (together with the base prospectus, the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Subscription Certificate (as defined below).
WHEREAS, the Company proposes to make a subscription offer by issuing subscription certificates in the form designated by the Company (“Subscription Certificates”) to stockholders of record (the “Record Date Stockholders”) of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), as of a record date specified by the Company (the “Record Date”) in the Prospectus, pursuant to which each Record Date Stockholder[, or any transferee of a Record Date Stockholder] (such Record Date Stockholders [and transferees thereof,] the “Rights Holders”) shall have certain rights (the “Rights”) to subscribe for shares of Common Stock, as described in and upon such terms as are set forth in the Prospectus, a final copy of which has been or, upon availability shall promptly be, delivered to the Subscription Agent; and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes the Subscription Agent to perform certain acts on behalf of the Company, and the Subscription Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the distribution of the Subscription Certificates and the issuance and exercise of the Rights, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual agreements set forth herein, each of the parties agrees as follows:
1. | Appointment. |
The Company hereby appoints the Subscription Agent to act as subscription and distribution agent in connection with the distribution of Subscription Certificates and the issuance and exercise of the Rights (the “Offering”) in accordance with the terms set forth in the Agreement, and the Subscription Agent hereby accepts such appointment.
2. | Form and Execution of Subscription Certificates. |
Each Subscription Certificate shall be irrevocable [and transferable] upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus. The Subscription Agent shall maintain a register of Subscription Certificates and of the Rights Holders.
3. | Rights and Issuance of Subscription Certificates. |
A. | Each Subscription Certificate shall evidence the Rights of the Rights Holders therein named to purchase Common Stock upon the terms and conditions therein set forth. |
B. | Upon the written advice of the Company, signed by any of its duly authorized officers, as to the Record Date, the Subscription Agent shall, from a list of the Record Date Stockholders to be prepared by the Subscription Agent, prepare and record Subscription Certificates in the names of such Record Date Stockholders, setting forth the number of Rights to subscribe for shares of Common Stock calculated on the basis of one Right for each shares of Common Stock recorded on the books in the name of each such Record Date Stockholder as of the Record Date. No fractional Rights shall be issued. Each Subscription Certificate shall be dated as of the Record Date and shall be executed manually or by facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Subscription Agent. |
C. | Upon receipt of such written advice, signed as aforesaid, as to the effective date of the Registration Statement, the Subscription Agent shall promptly countersign and deliver the Subscription Certificates, together with a copy of the Prospectus, instruction letter and any other documents as the Company deems necessary or appropriate, to all Record Date Stockholders with record addresses in the United States (including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia). Delivery shall be by first class mail (without registration or insurance). |
D. | The Subscription Agent shall mail a copy of the Prospectus, instruction letter, a special notice and such other documents as the Company may deem necessary or appropriate, if any, but not Subscription Certificates to Record Date Stockholders whose record addresses are outside the United States (including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia) (“Foreign Record Date Stockholders”). Those Record Date Stockholders having a registered address outside the United States (who shall only receive copies of the Prospectus, instruction letter and such other documents as the Company may deem necessary or appropriate, if any) delivery shall be by air mail (without registration or insurance) or by first class mail (without registration or insurance) to those Record Date Stockholders having an APO or FPO address. The Rights to which such Subscription Certificates relate shall be held by the Subscription Agent for such Foreign Record Date Stockholders’ accounts until instructions are received to exercise[, sell or transfer] such Rights. |
E. | The Subscription Agent shall perform their respective duties hereunder in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Fee and Service Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B, and shall act at all times in accordance with the description of the offering and the Subscription Agent’ duties set forth herein and in the Prospectus. |
4. | [Over-Subscription Privilege. |
If any shares of Common Stock available for purchase pursuant to the Rights offering are not subscribed for by Rights Holders pursuant to the Basic Subscription, the Subscription Agent shall allot such shares to Rights Holders who have properly subscribed for such shares pursuant to an over-subscription privilege on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, including as to proration. In addition, any Rights Holder other than a Record Date Stockholder who exercises Rights is entitled to subscribe for any Remaining Shares that are not otherwise subscribed for by Record Date Stockholders pursuant to their over-subscription privilege, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, including as to proration. We refer to these over-subscription privileges as the “Over-Subscription Privilege.”]
5. | Exercise. |
A. | Rights Holders may acquire shares of Common Stock by delivery to the Subscription Agent no later than 5:00 pm on the Expiration Date, as defined below, or on any extended Expiration Date, of (i) a properly completed and duly executed Subscription Certificate and a money order or check or bank draft drawn on a bank or branch located in the United States and payable to “ ” for an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subscribed for pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege] multiplied by the Estimated Subscription Price, each as defined in the Subscription Certificate (the “Exercise Price”); or (ii) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery guaranteeing delivery of (A) a properly completed and duly executed Subscription Certificate and (B) a money order or check or bank draft drawn on a bank or branch located in the United States and payable to “ ” for an amount equal to the Exercise Price. Payment must be made in U.S. dollars. For the purposes of the Prospectus and this Agreement, “Business Day” shall mean any day on which trading is conducted on The New York Stock Exchange. |
B. | The Offering shall terminate, on such date as the Company shall designate to the Subscription Agent in writing (the “Expiration Date”). For the purpose of determining the time of the exercise of any Rights, delivery of any materials to the Subscription Agent shall be deemed to occur when such materials are received by the Subscription Agent specified in the Prospectus. |
C. | Within ten Business Days following the Expiration Date (the “Confirmation Date”), the Subscription Agent shall send to each exercising Rights Holder (or, if rights are held by Cede & Co. or any other depository or nominee, to Cede & Co. or such other depository or nominee, as applicable) a confirmation showing (i) the number of shares purchased pursuant to the Basic Subscription; [(ii) the number of shares, if any, acquired pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege;] (iii) the per share and total purchase price for such shares; and (iv) any additional amount payable to the Company by such Rights Holder or any excess to be refunded by |
the Company to such Rights Holder, in each case based on the Subscription Price as determined on the Expiration Date, [along with a letter explaining the allocation of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege, if applicable]. |
D. | Any additional payment required from an exercising Rights Holder must be received by the Subscription Agent within ten Business Days after the Confirmation Date and any excess payment to be refunded by the Company to an exercising Rights Holder shall be mailed by the Subscription Agent as promptly as practicable after the Confirmation Date and, in no event, later than ten Business Days after the Confirmation Date. If a Rights Holder does not make timely payment of any additional amounts due in accordance with this Section 4, the Subscription Agent shall consult with the Company in accordance with Section 5 as to the appropriate action to be taken. The Subscription Agent shall not issue shares of Common Stock for shares of Common Stock subscribed for until payment in full therefor has been received by the Subscription Agent, including clearance of checks and payment pursuant to Notices of Guaranteed Delivery. |
E. | As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Rights and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Exercise Price, the Company shall issue to the Rights Holder in book entry form the number of full shares of Common Stock to which such holder is entitled upon exercise of the Rights, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and if the Rights Holder shall not have exercised all Rights held by such holder, a new Subscription Certificate for such number of Rights as were not exercised. |
6. | Validity of Subscriptions. |
Irregular, incomplete or unpaid subscriptions not otherwise covered by specific instructions herein shall be submitted to an appropriate officer of the Company and handled in accordance with his or her instructions. Such instructions shall be reasonably documented by the Subscription Agent indicating, among other things, the instructing officer and the date thereof.
7. | Delivery of Shares. |
The Subscription Agent shall deliver Statements of Holding reflecting new shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and, if applicable, those shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Subscription Privilege] as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date, after all allocations have been effected and full payment for such shares has been received and cleared.
8. | Holding Proceeds of Rights Offering. |
A. | All proceeds received by the Subscription Agent from Rights Holders in respect of the exercise of Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege] shall be held by the Subscription Agent on behalf of the Company in a segregated account (the “Account”). Interest shall accrue for the benefit of the Company at and not for the benefit of the Subscription Agent or any Rights Holders, on funds held in the Account pending disbursement in the manner described in Section 4 above. |
B. | The Subscription Agent shall deliver all proceeds received in respect of the exercise of Rights, other than those to be refunded to exercising Rights Holders pursuant to Section 4 above, to the Company as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than one Business Day after the Confirmation Date. |
C. | The Company acknowledges that the bank accounts maintained by in connection with the services provided under this Agreement shall be in its name, in a segregated account and held in trust for the benefit of the Company. |
9. | Reports. |
Daily, during the period commencing on the date of mailing the Subscription Certificates until and including the Confirmation Date, the Subscription Agent shall report by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail to a designated representative(s) of the Company, as instructed by such designated representative, the following information:
(i) | the names of all Rights Holders exercising Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege]; |
(ii) | the total number of Rights exercised by each Rights Holder during the immediately preceding day pursuant to the |
Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege]; |
(iii) | the total number of Rights verified to be in proper form for exercise, rejected for exercise and being processed, and all payments received in connection therewith; |
(iv) | with respect to the Dealer Managers and each soliciting dealer, the number of Rights exercised on forms indicating the Dealer Manager or such soliciting dealer, as the case may be, as the broker-dealer with respect to such exercise; and |
(v) | such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Company or such designated representative; |
The Subscription Agent shall report by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail, as instructed by such designated representative, not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the first business day following the Expiration Date, (i) the total number of Rights exercised by each Rights Holder pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege and shares of Common Stock related thereto], (ii) the total number of Rights verified to be in proper form for exercise, rejected for exercise and being processed, and all payments received in connection therewith, (iii) with respect to the Dealer Managers and each soliciting dealer, the number of Rights exercised on forms indicating the Dealer Manager or such soliciting dealer, as the case may be, as the broker-dealer with respect to such exercise, and (iv) any such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Company or such designated representative.
In addition, the Subscription Agent shall perform the services set forth in Exhibit A.
10. | Loss or Mutilation. |
If any Subscription Certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Subscription Agent may, on such terms as will serve to indemnify and protect the Company and the Subscription Agent as the Subscription Agent may in its reasonable discretion impose on the relevant Rights Holder (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Subscription Certificate, include the surrender and cancellation thereof), issue a new Subscription Certificate to such Rights Holder of like denomination in substitution for the Subscription Certificate so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed.
11. | Compensation for Services. |
The Company agrees that it shall pay to the Subscription Agent compensation for their respective services hereunder in accordance with the Fee and Service Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Company further agrees that it shall reimburse the Subscription Agent for its reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of its respective duties as such; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to reimburse the Subscription Agent for any such expenses incurred which exceed $ in the aggregate without its prior written consent.
12. | Instructions, Indemnification and Limitation of Liability. |
The Subscription Agent undertakes the respective duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions:
A. | The Subscription Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any instructions or directions furnished to it by an officer of the Company listed on the attached Schedule A (an “Appropriate Officer”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, each Agent, in connection with its duties hereunder, shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any instruction or direction from an Appropriate Officer of the Company and which such Agent reasonably believes to be genuine. |
B. | The Company shall indemnify the Subscription Agent and its partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys and representatives against, and hold them harmless from, all liability and expense for any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (each, a “Claim”) against any such party that arises out of or in connection with the services described in this Agreement to be performed by the Subscription Agent or the instructions or directions furnished to the Subscription Agent relating to this Agreement by an Appropriate Officer of the Company; provided that the Company shall not be so obligated for any liability or expense (i) which shall arise out of the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Subscription Agent or the partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys or representatives of the Subscription Agent or (ii) for any liability or expense arising out of a settlement of any Claim unless such |
settlement has been made with the prior written consent of the Company. |
Promptly after the receipt by the Subscription Agent of notice of any Claim, the Subscription Agent shall notify the Company thereof in writing. In no case shall the Company be liable under this Section 12 to the extent it is materially prejudiced by failure of any indemnified party to deliver prompt notice of any Claim. The Company shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense of any Claim, and, if it so elects at any time after receipt of such notice, it may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any Claim. For the purposes of this Section 12, the term “liability and expense” shall include all reasonable costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable counsel fees (including one local counsel, if necessary) and disbursements, paid or incurred in investigating or defending against any such claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding or investigation.
C. | The Subscription Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agree to use its commercially reasonable efforts to insure the accuracy of all services provided under this Agreement and shall indemnify and hold the Company and its subsidiaries and other affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys and representatives harmless from and against any and all liability and expenses directly or indirectly arising out of or in connection with the services described in this Agreement to be performed by the Subscription Agent or the instructions or directions furnished to the Subscription Agent relating to this Agreement by an Appropriate Officer of the Company; provided that the Subscription Agent shall not be so obligated for any liability or expense which shall arise out of the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Company or the partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys or representatives of the Company. |
13. | Assignment/Delegation. |
A. | Except as provided in Section 13(B) below, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties. |
B. | The Subscription Agent may, without further consent on the part of the Company, subcontract with other parties for such systems, processing, telephone and mailing services and post-exchange activities as may be required from time to time; provided, however, that (i) the Subscription Agent shall be as fully responsible to the Company for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor in the same manner and to the same extent as it is for its own acts and omissions, and (ii) no such subcontracting shall relieve the Subscription Agent of any of its obligations hereunder. |
14. | Relationship/Third Party Beneficiaries. |
This Agreement does not constitute an agreement for a partnership or joint venture among the parties. The Subscription Agent shall act hereunder as agent of the Company solely to the limited extent set forth in this Agreement, but shall not assume any fiduciary duties to, or have any rights, power or authority on behalf of, the Company or any of its affiliates, equity holders or creditors or of any other person or entity not expressly set forth in this Agreement. Any duties of the Subscription Agent arising out of its engagements pursuant to this Agreement shall be owed solely to the Company. No party shall make any commitments with third parties that are binding on any other party without such other party’s prior written consent, and none of the Subscription Agent, employees, or representatives or contractors of the Subscription Agent shall be deemed to be employees of the Company or any of its affiliates.
Except as explicitly stated elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing under this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any rights, benefits, remedies or claims under or by reason of this Agreement or any part thereof to anyone other than the Subscription Agent and the Company, and the duties and responsibilities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Subscription Agent and the Company.
15. | Force Majeure. |
In the event any party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, terrorist acts, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control or other cause reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to any other party resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes. Performance under this Agreement shall resume when the affected party or parties are able to perform substantially its or their duties.
16. | Consequential Damages. |
No party to this Agreement shall be liable to any other party for any consequential, indirect, penal, special or incidental damages under any provisions of this Agreement or for any consequential, indirect, penal, special or incidental damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder even if that party has been advised of or has foreseen the possibility of such damages.
17. | Severability. |
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
18. | Captions. |
The captions and descriptive headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only. They do not in any way modify, amplify, alter or give full notice of the provisions hereof.
19. | Confidentiality. |
A. | Under this Agreement, each party shall have access to certain confidential information belonging to the other parties, which information shall include nonpublic information pertaining to the disclosing party, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, customers, representatives and vendors (including without limitation information furnished prior to the date of this Agreement) furnished by or on behalf of the disclosing party or its representatives to the receiving party, directly or indirectly, by any means (“Confidential Information”). |
B. | Each of the parties acknowledges that except as necessary for any party to perform its respective obligations under the Agreement: (i) all Confidential Information is confidential; (ii) all Confidential Information is proprietary to the disclosing party; (iii) it shall keep all Confidential Information confidential and shall not disclose the same; (iv) it shall use Confidential Information only as required by this Agreement; (v) it shall not create a list or other compilation containing any Confidential Information for any purpose other than to perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (vi) except as expressly provided for herein, it shall not provide, directly or indirectly, the Confidential Information to any other person or entity for any purpose. |
C. | Each of the parties acknowledges that this Agreement shall be filed by the Company as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and that the contents of this Agreement will be accessible to the public. |
D. | In the event that any party receives a request or becomes legally compelled to disclose any Confidential Information belonging to any other party, such party shall provide the other party with prompt notice of such request (provided such notice is not otherwise prohibited by applicable law or court order) and shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that it is legally obligated to disclose. |
20. | Term and Termination. |
The Agreement shall remain in effect until the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after the Expiration Date; (ii) it is terminated by the Company, on the one hand, or the Subscription Agent with respect to the service provided by such Subscription Agent, on the other, upon a material breach of this Agreement by the other which remains uncured for fifteen (15) days after written notice of such breach has been provided to such other party; or (iii) thirty (30) days’ written notice has been provided by the Company, on the one hand, or the Subscription Agent, on the other. Upon termination of the Agreement, the Subscription Agent shall retain a copy of all canceled Subscription Certificates and related documentation as required by applicable law; all documentation and information related to the services performed under the Agreement shall be promptly delivered to the Company.
21. | Notices. |
Until further notice in writing by any party hereto to the other parties, all written reports, notices and other communications between any Subscription Agent, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other, required or permitted hereunder shall be delivered or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, facsimile or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows:
If to the Company, to:
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202
Greenwich, CT 06830
Attn: General Counsel
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Dechert LLP
One International Place, 40th Floor
100 Oliver Street
Boston, MA 02110
Attn: Thomas Friedmann
If to the Subscription Agent, to:
22. | Survival. |
The provisions of Paragraphs 8, 12, 19, 24-28 shall survive any termination, for any reason, of this Agreement.
23. | Merger of Agreement. |
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.
24. | Amendment. |
No term or provision of this Agreement may be amended, changed, altered or modified except by written instrument executed by the each of the parties to this Agreement.
The Subscription Agent may, without the consent or concurrence of the Rights Holders in whose names Subscription Certificates are registered but with the prior written consent of the Company, by supplemental agreement or otherwise, make any change or correction in a Subscription Certificate that it shall have been advised by counsel (who may be counsel for the Company) is appropriate to cure any ambiguity or to correct any defective or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error therein or herein contained, and which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Subscription Certificate except insofar as any such change may confer additional rights upon the Rights Holder.
25. | Extension; Waiver. |
At any time, each of the parties hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the time for, or waive, the performance of any of the covenants, obligations or agreements of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies or breaches in the representations and warranties contained herein or in any certificate delivered by another party pursuant hereto or (iii) waive compliance with any of the conditions of another party contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of any of the parties hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed by the party or parties against whom such extension or waiver is to be enforced. Any waiver of any term or condition shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or a subsequent waiver of the same term or condition, or as a waiver of any other term or condition, of this Agreement. The failure of any of the parties hereto to assert any of its rights under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such rights or any other rights.
26. | Jurisdiction. |
Each of the parties hereto: (i) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if such court does not have jurisdiction, the New York State Supreme Court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of the action may be heard and determined in any such court and (iii) agrees not to bring any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court.
In any such action, each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claims that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of the above court, that such action is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such action is improper. Each of the parties hereto also agrees that any final and nonappealable judgment against a party hereto in connection with any action shall be conclusive and binding on such party and that such award or judgment may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the United States. A certified or exemplified copy of such award or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such award or judgment.
Without limiting the foregoing, each party hereto agrees that service of process on such party at the address provided in Section 21 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.
27. | Waiver of Jury Trial. |
Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
28. | Governing Law. |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
29. | Counterparts. |
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall be considered one and the same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, hereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
[SUBSCRIPTION AGENT] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT A
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
TO BE PERFORMED BY SUBSCRIPTION AGENT
· Advance Review of Offering Materials—Review and comment on all Offering materials in advance of final printing and dissemination.
· Financial Printer—Work directly with the financial printer, providing format suggestions and delivery instructions.
· Financial Public Relations—Assist in the preparation and placement of advertisements/tombstones in newspapers (at prevailing market rates).
· Bank and Broker Communications and Mailings—Survey the bank and brokerage communities to obtain material requirements and to ensure that they are aware of the Offering. Coordinate the mailing of the Offering materials to them for forwarding to their beneficial owners.
· Registered Holder Mailings—Coordinate the mailing of the Offering materials to registered holders.
· Incoming Telephone Calls—Set up a toll-free telephone number to enable security holders and their advisors to call with questions. Keep a record of all incoming calls and notify the appropriate individual at the Company upon the receipt of calls outside the normal course.
· Outgoing Telephone Calls—As requested by the Company, initiate follow-up calls to a targeted group of security holders in order to maximize participation in the Offering.
· Depositary Communications—Initiate and maintain communications with the Company’s Depositary and the reorganization departments of bank and brokerage firms to monitor the progress of the Offering.
· Progress Updates—Inform the Company of security holder comments and reactions to the Offering, and gauge the expected level of participation in the Offering. Track shifts in the ownership of shares through the use of Depository Trust Company (DTC) listings, and analyze those shifts.
EXHIBIT B
Fee and Service Schedule
Exhibit 99.(h)(1)
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
[ ] Shares of Common Stock
Par Value $0.001 Per Share
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[ ]
[Representative]
[Address]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investment Adviser”), acts as the Company’s investment adviser. Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator”), acts as the Company’s administrator. The Company proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”) an aggregate of [ ] shares (the “Firm Shares”) of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”). In addition, solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, the Company also proposes to grant to the several Underwriters the option to purchase from the Company up to an additional [ ] shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”). The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Shares.” [ ] (the “Representative”) will act as managing representative for the Underwriters in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares.
On October 16, 2018, the Company filed a Certificate of Conversion with the Delaware Secretary of State to convert the Company from a limited liability company to a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”). The Investment Adviser received shares of Common Stock upon the Conversion in return for all of the units of limited liability company interests of the Company held by the Investment Adviser, which it received in return for contributing cash to the Company. Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda private limited company (the “Contributor”), received shares of Common Stock upon the Conversion in return for all of the units of limited liability company interests of the Company held by the Contributor, which it received in return for contributing certain CLO securities and related investments to the Company (such contributed CLO securities and related investments, the “Initial Portfolio”) pursuant to a contribution agreement, dated as of October 4, 2018, among the Company and the Contributor whereby the Contributor contributed the Initial Portfolio to the Company.
The Investment Adviser acts as the Company’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement by and between the Company and the Investment Adviser, dated as of October 5, 2018 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). Wells Fargo Bank, National Association acts as the custodian (the “Custodian”) of the Company’s cash and portfolio assets pursuant to the Custody Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2018 (the “Custody Agreement”). American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC acts as the Company’s transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent (the “Transfer Agent”) pursuant to the Transfer Agency and Registrar Services Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2018 (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”). The Administrator acts as the Company’s administrator pursuant to the Administration Agreement dated as of October 5, 2018 (the “Administration Agreement”). Collectively, the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Custody Agreement, the Administration Agreement and the Transfer Agency Agreement are herein referred to as the “Company Agreements.” In addition, the Company has adopted an amended and restated dividend reinvestment plan (the “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”) pursuant to which holders of shares of the Common Stock shall have their dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock unless such holders elect to receive such dividends in cash.
The Investment Company Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Acts,” and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Acts and under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Rules and Regulations.”
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. [ ] and 811-[ ]) covering the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act, including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses and a notification on Form N-8A (the “Notification”) of registration of the Company as an investment company under the Investment Company Act and the Rules and Regulations. The registration statement as amended, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”; the prospectus first used by the Company to confirm sales of the Shares in the form filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 497 of the Rules and Regulations is hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus”; any prospectus delivered to any person by the Company, the Investment Adviser or at the direction of the Company or the Investment Adviser by any agent or affiliate thereof before such Registration Statement became effective, and any prospectus that omitted the information included in any such prospectus that was omitted from such Registration Statement at the time it became effective pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations that was delivered after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement is hereinafter referred to as a “preliminary prospectus.” If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to register additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Rules and Regulations (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement.
All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, shall
2 |
be deemed to include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) system.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Omitting Prospectus” means any written advertisement used with the written consent of the Company in the public offering of the Shares and filed pursuant to Rule 482 of the Rules and Regulations (“Rule 482”). “Time of Sale Prospectus” means, as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), the preliminary prospectus, dated [ ] (the “Preliminary Prospectus”), together with the pricing information set forth on Schedule II hereto (which information the Underwriters have informed the Company is being conveyed orally by the Underwriters to prospective purchasers at or prior to the Underwriters’ confirmation of sales of the Shares in the offering) and each Omitting Prospectus identified on Schedule III hereto as a Retail Omitting Prospectus, all considered together. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “Preliminary Prospectus,” “Time of Sale Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein. As used herein, the “Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement became or becomes effective.
As used in this Agreement, “business day” shall mean a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for trading. The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereinafter” and similar terms, as used in this Agreement, shall in each case refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph, sentence or other subdivision of this Agreement. The term “or,” as used herein, is not exclusive.
“Applicable Time” means [ ] [A.M.] / [P.M.] (New York City time) on [ ]or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representative.
1. Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to and agree with each of the Underwriters as of the date hereof, the Applicable Time and the Closing Date (as defined below) (and, if any Additional Shares are purchased, at the Option Closing Date (as defined below)), as follows:
(a) The Registration Statement has been filed with, and declared effective by, the Commission; no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or the use of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus has been received by the Company; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission. The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus delivered or to be delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering were and will be identical in all material respects to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission via EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.
3 |
(b) At the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (filed before the Closing Date) became or becomes effective and at the Closing Date (and, if any Additional Shares are purchased, at the Option Closing Date), the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Acts and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the respective dates thereof and at the Closing Date (and, if any Additional Shares are purchased, at the Option Closing Date), contained or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Time of Sale Prospectus, at the Applicable Time, did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties in this paragraph do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus made solely in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Representative on behalf of any Underwriter for use in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or Prospectus.
(c) The Company (i) has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware; (ii) has full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets, to conduct its business and other activities conducted by it as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iii) is duly licensed and qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where it owns or leases property or in which the conduct of its business or other activity requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Company (a “Company Material Adverse Effect”); and (iv) has no subsidiaries.
(d) The capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus. The issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable (except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus). The Shares to be issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with this Agreement against payment therefor as provided by this Agreement have been duly authorized and when issued and delivered to the Underwriters will have been validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable. The issuance of the Shares has been undertaken in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No person is entitled to any preemptive or other similar rights with respect to the issuance of the Shares. Other than as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company are outstanding.
4 |
(e) The Company is duly registered with the Commission under the Investment Company Act as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company, and, subject to the filing of any final amendment to the Registration Statement, if not already filed, all action under the Acts necessary to make the public offering and consummate the sale of the Shares as provided in this Agreement has or will have been taken by the Company; the provisions of the certificate of incorporation of the Company (as amended to date, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and the bylaws of the Company (as amended to date, the “Bylaws”) comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
(f) The Company has full power and authority to enter into each of this Agreement and the Company Agreements and to perform all of the terms and provisions hereof and thereof to be carried out by it. The Company has adopted the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Each Company Agreement (i) has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company, (ii) complies with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively called the “Advisers Act”), as the case may be, and (iii) assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by U.S. bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, whether statutory or decisional, and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law), and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws.
(g) The Company is, and at all times through the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby will be, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable terms and conditions of the Acts and the Rules and Regulations. To the Company’s knowledge, no person is serving or acting as an officer or director of, or investment adviser to, the Company except in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, to the Company’s knowledge, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, no director of the Company is an “interested person” of the Company or an “affiliated person” of any Underwriter (each as defined in the Investment Company Act).
(h) [Reserved.]
(i) None of (1) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement and each Company Agreement or (2) the issue and sale by the Company of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement conflicts with or will conflict with, result in, or constitute a violation, breach of or default under, (x) the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (y) any agreement, indenture, note, bond, license, lease or other instrument or obligation binding upon the Company that is material to the Company, or (z) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company, whether foreign or domestic; except, with respect to clauses (y) or (z), any contravention which would have neither (i) a Company Material Adverse Effect or (ii) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that no
5 |
representation or warranty is made with respect to compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares in such jurisdiction by any Underwriter.
(j) No consent, approval, authorization, order or permit of, notification to, license from, or qualification with, any federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental or regulatory body, agency, commission, board or authority, or any self-regulatory organization or court or other tribunal, other non-governmental regulatory authority, securities exchange or association, whether foreign or domestic, is required to be obtained by the Company prior to the Closing Date for the consummation by the Company of the transactions to be performed by the Company or the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or the Company Agreements, except such as have been obtained and as may be required (and shall be obtained prior to commencement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) by (i) the Acts, the Advisers Act, the Exchange Act, or the applicable Rules and Regulations, (ii) the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., including legacy NASD rules (“FINRA”) or the NYSE, (iii) the securities or “blue sky laws” of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares or (iv) such as which the failure to obtain would have neither (x) a Company Material Adverse Effect nor (y) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(k) The authorized Common Stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof under the heading “Description of our Capital Stock” in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, the Company Agreements and the Dividend Reinvestment Plan conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(l) This Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws, and the Company Agreements comply with all applicable provisions of the Acts, the Advisers Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, and all approvals of such documents required under the Investment Company Act by the Company’s stockholders and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) have been obtained and are in full force and effect.
(m) The Company Agreements are in full force and effect and neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to any such agreement is in default thereunder, and no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default by the Company thereunder, and the Company is not currently in breach of, or in default under, any other written agreement or instrument to which it or its property is bound or affected, the default under or breach of which could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(n) The Company has filed a registration statement on Form 8-A pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Form 8-A is effective.
(o) Each Omitting Prospectus (i) complies in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 482; (ii) does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
6 |
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (iii) complied and will comply in all material respects with the Acts, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of FINRA, as applicable; and (iv) the client brochure, which is the only Omitting Prospectus required to be filed with FINRA, has been delivered to the Underwriters to be filed with FINRA and FINRA has issued a letter stating such Omitting Prospectus is consistent with applicable standards with respect thereto. Except for the Omitting Prospectuses identified on Schedule III hereto, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to and will not, without the Underwriters’ prior consent, prepare, use or refer to any Omitting Prospectus.
(p) The questionnaires relating to FINRA Rule 5110 provided to the Underwriters or to counsel for the Underwriters in connection with letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA’s conduct rules (Rules 5100 or 5110) are, to the Company’s knowledge, true and correct in all material respects.
(q) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject (i) other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and proceedings that would not have (A) a Company Material Adverse Effect or (B) a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus and are not so described.
(r) The statements in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus under the headings “Prospectus Summary—Operating and Regulatory Structure,” “The Adviser and the Administrator,” “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company,” “Dividend Reinvestment Plan,” “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” and “Description of Our Capital Stock” insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings.
(s) The Company has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders (including exemptive orders), licenses, certificates, permits, qualifications and registrations of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations and courts and other tribunals, whether foreign or domestic, to own and use its assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file the foregoing would not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(t) Each of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of the respective dates thereof, and the Time of Sale Prospectus, as of the Applicable Time, complied as to form in all material respects with the Acts and the applicable Rules and Regulations.
(u) The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, including the schedule of investments and the related notes
7 |
thereto (collectively, the “Company Financial Statements”), present fairly the financial condition of the Company as of the dates or for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) (except as otherwise noted therein). The supporting schedules to such Company Financial Statements, if any, present fairly in accordance with GAAP (except as otherwise noted therein) the information required to be stated therein. KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), whose report appears in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and who have certified the audited Company Financial Statements and supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement, is an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of, and as required by, the Acts and the applicable Rules and Regulations and is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
(v) There are no material restrictions, limitations or regulations with respect to the ability of the Company to invest its assets as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, other than as described therein.
(w) Neither the Company nor any of its agents or representatives (other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares other than (i) the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, and (ii) the Omitting Prospectuses, if any, identified on Schedule III hereto. All other promotional material (including “road show slides” or “road show scripts”) prepared by the Company or the Investment Adviser for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares (“Road Show Material”) is not inconsistent with the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, and when taken together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, at the Applicable Time, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All advertisements authorized by the Company in writing for use in the offering of the Shares complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Acts, the applicable Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of FINRA, including legacy NASD rules, and there are no such advertisements other than (A) the Omitting Prospectuses identified in Schedule III hereto and (B) any advertisement that complies with Rule 135a of the Rules and Regulations.
(x) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.
(y) The expenses summary information set forth in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus in the “Fees and Expenses” table has been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of Form N-2 and any fee projections or estimates, if applicable, are reasonably based.
8 |
(z) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) there has been no adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, prospects, management, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, that would, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect or be reasonably likely to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect; (ii) the Company has not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (iii) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock, other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (iv) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company, except in each case as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, respectively.
(aa) The Company owns or possesses, or can acquire on reasonable terms, all material patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks and trade names currently employed by them in connection with the business now operated by it, and the Company has not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(bb) To the extent that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission and the NYSE thereunder (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), have been applicable to the Company, there is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and its officers and directors, in their capacities as such, to comply with any applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(cc) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations and with the applicable requirements of the Acts; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability and compliance with the books and records requirements under the Acts; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since the date of the Company’s most recent audited financial statements included in the Prospectus, there has been (A) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated); (B) no fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; and (C) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
9 |
(dd) The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the Investment Company Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable Commission rules and forms is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within the Company, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective as required by the Investment Company Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations and the Company is not aware of any material weakness in such controls and procedures.
(ee) The Company’s Board of Directors has validly appointed an audit committee whose composition satisfies the applicable requirements of Rules 303A.06 and 303A.07(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
(ff) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any employee nor agent of the Company has made any payment of funds of the Company or received or retained any funds, which payment, receipt or retention is of a character to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus.
(gg) Any statistical, demographic and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Road Show Materials are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and all such data included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Road Show Materials accurately reflects the materials upon which it is based or from which it was derived.
(hh) The Company has obtained for the benefit of the Underwriters the agreement (a “Lock-Up Agreement”), in the form of Exhibit B hereto, of those individuals and entities set forth on Schedule IV hereto. As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule IV hereto contains a true, complete and correct list of all directors and officers of the Company and certain other persons who are affiliated with the Company or the Investment Adviser as agreed to between the Company and the Underwriters.
(ii) There are no contracts, franchises or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus (or the documents incorporated by reference therein) or to be filed as exhibits thereto by the Securities Act or the Investment Company Act which have not been so described and filed as required.
(jj) The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended, the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the United and Strengthening of America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act) of 2001, and any other money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or
10 |
governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(kk) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and to the knowledge of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, their affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(ll) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is (i) currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”) or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is subject to Sanctions; and none of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person or any country or territory currently subject to any Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions.
(mm) The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; all policies of insurance insuring the Company or its business, assets, employees, officers and directors, including the Company’s directors and officers errors and omissions insurance policy and its fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 of the Rules and Regulations, are in full force and effect, and the Company is in compliance with the terms of such policies and fidelity bond in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Company under any such policies or fidelity bond as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage and fidelity bond as and when such coverage and fidelity bond expires or to obtain similar coverage and fidelity bond from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).
11 |
(nn) Except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (i) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of the Representative (the description of such arrangements and outstanding indebtedness thereunder is true, accurate and complete in all respects) and (ii) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of the Representative.
(oo) There are no business relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus which have not been described as required, it being understood and agreed that the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator make no representation or warranty with respect to such relationships involving any Underwriter or any affiliate and any other person that have not been disclosed to the Company by the relevant Underwriter in connection with this offering.
(pp) The Company and its affiliates have not taken and will not take until the completion of the distribution, directly or indirectly, any action which constitutes or is designed to cause or result in, or which could reasonably be expected to constitute, cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(qq) The Company owns, leases or has rights to use all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.
(rr) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, none of the persons who were officers or directors of the Company as of the date of the Preliminary Prospectus has given oral or written notice to the Company of his or her resignation (or otherwise indicated to the Company an intention to resign within the next 24 months), nor has any such officer or director been terminated by the Company or otherwise removed from his or her office or from the Board of Directors, as the case may be (including, without limitation, any such termination or removal which is to be effective as of a future date) nor is any such termination or removal under consideration by the Company or the Board of Directors.
(ss) There are no stock or other transfer taxes, stamp duties, capital duties or other similar duties, taxes or charges payable in connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the issuance or sale by the Company of the Shares to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder.
(tt) To the Company’s knowledge after due inquiry, no director or officer of the Company or Investment Adviser is subject to any non-competition agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or prior employer which could materially affect his or her ability to be and act in his or her respective capacity of the Company or Investment Adviser or result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(uu) The Company intends to operate in compliance in all material respects with the requirements to be taxed as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal
12 |
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company intends to direct the investment of the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds” and in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.
(vv) The Company will direct the proceeds of the offering of the Shares in such a manner as to comply with the asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act.
(ww) The Company has (a) appointed a Chief Compliance Officer and (b) adopted and implemented written policies and procedures which the Board of Directors has determined are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws in a manner required by and consistent with Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act, including policies and procedures that provide oversight of compliance for each investment adviser, administrator and transfer agent of the Company, and is in compliance in all material respects with such rule.
(xx) Each investment held by the Company as of the date hereof, except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, is, to the Company’s knowledge, current, in all material respects, with all its obligations under the applicable terms of the investment, no event of default (or a default which with the giving of notice or the passage of time would become an event of default) has occurred in respect of such investment, except to the extent that any such failure to be current in any such obligations and any such default would not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(yy) The Company has, with respect to any shares of Common Stock (other than the Shares to be sold pursuant to this Agreement) or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock or other capital stock owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the Investment Adviser, the Administrator or any persons who have entered into or are required to enter into an agreement in the form of Exhibit B hereto, instructed the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the period ending 180 days (or 2 years in the case of Investment Adviser or the Contributor) after the date of the Prospectus; and, during the period ending 180 days (or 2 years in the case of Investment Adviser or the Contributor) after the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not cause or permit any waiver, release, modification or amendment of any such stop transfer instructions or stop transfer procedures without the prior written consent of the Representative.
Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to a representation and warranty by the Company as to the matters covered therein to each Underwriter.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator. The Investment Adviser and the Administrator represent and warrant to and agree with each of the Underwriters as of the date hereof as follows:
13 |
(a) Each of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and enter into this Agreement and the other Company Agreements to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party, as the case may be, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be (an “Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect”). Each of the Investment Adviser and Administrator has no subsidiaries.
(b) The Investment Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the Investment Company Act from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement as an investment adviser to the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and no order of suspension or revocation of such registration has been issued or proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser, threatened by the Commission.
(c) Each of this Agreement and the Company Agreements to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party, as the case may be, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable. Each of this Agreement and each Company Agreement to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party complies with the applicable provisions of the Acts, the Advisers Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations. Assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Company Agreement to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party represents a valid and binding agreement of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, enforceable against the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, except (a) as rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Investment Adviser’s or the Administrator’s obligations thereunder, as applicable, may be limited by U.S. bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, whether statutory or decisional, and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law), except as enforcement of rights to indemnity thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws, and (b) in the case of the Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to termination under the Investment Company Act or the reasonableness or fairness of compensation payable thereunder.
(d) The execution and delivery by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of, and the performance by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of its obligations under, this Agreement does not conflict with or will not conflict with, result in, or constitute a violation, breach of, or default under, (x) the limited liability company operating agreement of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable (y) any agreement, indenture, note, bond, license, lease or other instrument or obligation binding upon the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, that is material to the
14 |
Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, or (z) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, whether foreign or domestic; except, with respect to clauses (y) or (z), any contravention which would have neither (i) an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect or (ii) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that no representation or warranty is made with respect to compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares in such jurisdiction by any Underwriter.
(e) No consent, approval, authorization, order or permit of, license from, or qualification or registration with any governmental body, agency or authority, self-regulatory organization or court or other tribunal, whether foreign or domestic, is required to be obtained by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, prior to the Closing Date for the performance by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of its obligations under this Agreement or any Company Agreement to which it is a party, except such as have been obtained and as may be required by (i) the Acts, the Advisers Act, the Exchange Act, or the applicable Rules and Regulations, (ii) the rules and regulations of FINRA or the NYSE, (iii) by the securities or “blue sky laws” of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares or (iv) such as which the failure to obtain would have neither (A) an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect nor (B) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, threatened to which the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator is a party or to which any of the properties of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator is subject (i) other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and proceedings that would not have (A) an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, as applicable, or (B) a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus and are not so described.
(g) There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus (or the documents incorporated by reference therein) or to be filed as exhibits thereto by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been so described and filed as required.
(h) Each of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders (including exemptive orders), licenses, certificates, permits, qualifications and registrations of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations and courts and other tribunals, whether foreign or domestic, to own and use its assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except to the
15 |
extent that the failure to obtain or file the foregoing would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Each of the Investment Adviser and Administrator has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and by this Agreement and each Company Agreement to which it is a party.
(j) The Investment Advisory Agreement is in full force and effect and neither the Investment Adviser nor, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser, any other party to the Investment Advisory Agreement is in default thereunder, and no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default by the Investment Adviser under such document.
(k) Each of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; none of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect
(l) All information furnished by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator for use in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus, including, without limitation, the description of the Investment Adviser (the “Investment Adviser Information” and the “Administrator Information,” respectively) does not, and on the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make such information not misleading (and in the case of the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which such information is provided).
(m) There has not occurred any change that would constitute an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, or any development reasonably likely to result in a prospective Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, and there have been no transactions entered into by the Investment Adviser other than those in the ordinary course of its business or which would have a material adverse effect on either (i) the ability of the Investment Adviser to provide services to the Company pursuant to the Advisory Agreement or (ii) the offering of the Shares, other than as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(n) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, or, to their respective knowledge, their respective affiliates, has taken or will take until the completion of the
16 |
distribution, directly or indirectly, any action which constitutes or is designed to cause or result in, or which could reasonably be expected to constitute, cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(o) The operations of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable Money Laundering Laws and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Investment Adviser or the Administrator with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, threatened.
(p) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator nor, to its knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and, to their respective knowledge, their respective affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(q) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator nor, to its knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is (i) currently subject to any Sanctions, or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions; and the Investment Adviser or the Administrator will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any Sanctions, or in any manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions.
(r) The Investment Adviser maintains a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions effectuated by it under the Investment Advisory Agreement are executed in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization and (ii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization.
(s) The Administrator maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions for which it has bookkeeping and record keeping responsibility under the Administration Agreement are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for the Company’s assets and (ii) the recorded accountability for such assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
17 |
(t) Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to a representation and warranty by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, as to the matters covered therein to each Underwriter.
3. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective numbers of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite its name at $[ ] per share (the “Purchase Price”). In addition, excluding any Shares sold by the Underwriters to members of the Board of Directors, to the Investment Adviser, to the Investment Adviser’s affiliates, to employees of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and to the persons listed on Schedule V in connection with the sale of up to [ ] Firm Shares, the Investment Adviser agrees to pay the Representative, or to cause an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to pay the Representative, for the account of the Underwriters, an amount equal to $[ ] per share for each Firm Share purchased by the Underwriters (the “Firm Shares Investment Adviser Payment”), and in connection with the sale of the Additional Shares, the Investment Adviser agrees to pay to the Representative, or to cause an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to pay the Representative, for the account of the Underwriters, an amount equal to $[ ] per share for each Additional Share purchased by the Underwriters (the “Additional Shares Investment Adviser Payment”).
On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the Additional Shares and the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to [ ] Additional Shares at the Purchase Price. The Representative may exercise this right on behalf of the Underwriters in whole or from time to time in part by giving written notice to the Company not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement. Any exercise notice shall specify the number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Each purchase date must be at least one business day after the written notice is given and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm Shares not later than ten business days after the date of such notice. Additional Shares may be purchased as provided in Section 5 hereof solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares. On each Option Closing Date, if any, that Additional Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Representative may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date as the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.
4. Terms of Public Offering. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator each understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Shares as soon as the Representative deems advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator each further understands that the Shares are to be offered to the public initially at
18 |
$[ ] per share (the “Public Offering Price”), and to certain dealers selected by the Representative at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $[ ] per share under the Public Offering Price. The Underwriters may from time to time increase or decrease the Public Offering Price after the initial public offering to such extent as they may determine.
5. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available to a bank account designated by the Company against delivery of such Firm Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 A.M. (New York City time), on [ ], or at such other time on the same or such other date as shall be designated in writing by the Representative. The time and date of such payment are herein referred to as the “Closing Date.” Payment of the Firm Shares Investment Adviser Payment shall be made to the Representative, for the account of the Underwriters, in Federal or other funds immediately available to a bank account designated by the Representative at the Closing Date, or at such other time on the same or such other date as shall be designated in writing by the Representative.
Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available to a bank account designated by the Company against delivery of such Additional Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 A.M. (New York City time), on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in Section 3 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event not later than [ ], as shall be designated in writing by the Representative, at a purchase price equal to the Public Offering Price less the per share amount of any dividend or other distribution declared by the Company on the Common Stock, the record date of which occurs during the period from the Closing Date to, but not including, the Option Closing Date (as defined below). The time and date of any such payment for Additional Shares are herein referred to as the “Option Closing Date.” Payment of the Additional Shares Investment Adviser Payment shall be made to the Representative, for the account of the Underwriters, in Federal or other funds immediately available to a bank account designated by the Representative at the Option Closing Date.
The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representative shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to the Representative through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid, against payment of the Purchase Price therefor.
6. Conditions to the Underwriters’ Obligations. The respective obligations of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and the several obligations of the Underwriters, hereunder are subject to the condition that the Registration Statement has become effective and at the Closing Date no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings with respect thereto shall have been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters.
19 |
The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following further conditions:
(a) The Registration Statement must have become effective by 5:30 P.M. (New York City time) on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as the Representative consents to in writing. The Prospectus must have been filed in accordance with Rule 497(b) or (h) or a certificate must have been filed in accordance with Rule 497(j), as the case may be, under the Securities Act.
(b) No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement may be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose may be pending before or, to the knowledge of counsel to the Underwriters, threatened by the Commission, and any requests for additional information on the part of the Commission (to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise) must be complied with or waived to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative.
(c) Since the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, as of the date of this Agreement, (i) there must not have been any change in the Shares or any adverse change in the liabilities of the Company except as set forth in or contemplated by the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus; (ii) there must not have been any Company Material Adverse Effect or Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect except as set forth in or contemplated by the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus; (iii) the Company must not have sustained any loss or interference with its business from any court or from any legislative or other governmental action, order or decree, whether foreign or domestic, or from any other occurrence not described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; and (iv) there must not have occurred any event that (A) makes untrue or incorrect in any respect any statement of fact or information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus or (B) that causes any statement or information omitted in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus to become a statement of fact or information that should be reflected therein in order to make the statements or information therein (in the case of the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading; if, in the judgment of the Representative, any such development referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this paragraph (c) is material and adverse and that makes it, in the Representative’s reasonable judgment, impracticable to market, sell and deliver the Shares to the public on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus.
(d) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date. The Underwriters shall also have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an authorized officer of the Investment Adviser, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Investment Adviser contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Investment Adviser has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied
20
hereunder on or before the Closing Date. The Underwriters shall also have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an authorized officer of the Administrator, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Administrator contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Administrator has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.
(e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to the effect that such officer has reviewed the financial information described in paragraph (j) of this Section 6, and based on such officer’s familiarity with the Company’s accounting, operations and records systems, such disclosures were made in good faith and are based on the most recently available records of the Company.
(f) Each of the Investment Adviser, the Administrator, and the Company shall have performed all of its respective obligations to be performed hereunder on or prior to the Closing Date.
(g) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion and negative assurance letter of Dechert LLP, counsel for the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, dated the Closing Date, satisfactory to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters in form and substance.
The opinion of Dechert LLP described in this Section 6(g) shall be rendered to the Underwriters at the request of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, as applicable, and shall so state therein.
(h) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date the favorable opinion of [ ], counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date, and covering such matters as the Underwriters shall reasonably request.
(i) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from KPMG, independent registered public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the Company Financial Statements and certain other financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than the date hereof.
(j) The Underwriters shall have received, on the date hereof, an “agreed-upon procedures letter” dated the date hereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from KPMG, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in such letters with respect to certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(k) All filings, applications and proceedings taken by the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator in connection with the registration of the Shares under the
21
Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters.
(l) No action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission which would adversely affect the Company’s standing as a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act or the standing of the Investment Adviser as a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
(m) The Shares shall have been approved for trading on the NYSE, subject to notice of issuance, and satisfactory evidence of such actions shall have been provided to the Representative.
(n) The Underwriters shall have obtained a No Objections Letter from FINRA regarding the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.
(o) The Investment Adviser shall have paid to the Representative, for the account of the Underwriters, the Firm Shares Investment Adviser Payment as set forth in Section 3 hereof, and, in connection with any purchase of Additional Shares, the applicable Additional Shares Investment Adviser Payment.
The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to the Representative on the applicable Option Closing Date of such documents as the Representative may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, the due authorization and issuance of the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date and other matters related to the issuance of such Additional Shares, and officers’ certificates to the effect set forth in Section 6(d) and (e), opinions of Dechert LLP and [ ] to the effect set forth in Sections 6(g) and 6(h), respectively, and comfort letters of KPMG to the effect set forth in Section 6(i), except that such certificates, opinions and comfort letters shall be dated as of the applicable Option Closing Date and statements and opinions above contemplated to be given as of the Closing Date shall instead be made and given as of such Option Closing Date.
All opinions, letters, reports, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement will comply only if they are in form and scope reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, provided that any such documents, forms of which are annexed hereto, shall be deemed satisfactory to such counsel if substantially in such form.
7. Covenants of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator. In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, covenant and agree with the Underwriters as follows:
(a) To notify the Underwriters as soon as practicable, and confirm such notice in writing, of the occurrence of any event during the period mentioned in Section 7(f) below which in the judgment of the Company makes any statement in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any Omitting Prospectus or the Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any change in or addition to the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any Omitting Prospectus or the Prospectus in order to make the statements
22
therein not misleading in any material respect. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and, if at any time the Commission shall issue any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company will use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible moment.
(b) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Shares, to comply with the requirements of Rule 430A and to promptly notify the Representative, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall be declared or become effective, or when any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Omitting Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement (and shall promptly furnish the Representative with a copy of any comment letters and any transcript of oral comments, and shall furnish the Representative with copies of any written responses thereto a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed filing thereof with the Commission and will not file any such response to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object), (iii) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Shares, and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Omitting Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or any notice from the Commission objecting to the use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the loss or suspension of any purposes.
(c) To furnish to the Representative in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement, as many copies of the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as the Representative may reasonably request.
(d) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Shares, before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, to furnish to the Representative a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably objects, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 497 under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant thereto.
(e) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Shares, to furnish to the Representative a copy of each proposed Omitting Prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and not to use or refer to any proposed Omitting Prospectus to which the Representative reasonably objects.
(f) If (i) the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Shares at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and (ii) (A) any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement
23
the Time of Sale Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading, or (B) any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Prospectus materially conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, or (C) in the reasonable opinion of either counsel for the Underwriters or counsel for the Company, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to any dealer upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when delivered to a prospective purchaser, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer materially conflict with the Registration Statement, or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law, as applicable.
(g) The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares in the manner specified in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus.
(h) The Company and the Investment Adviser will not take any action designed to cause or result in the manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale of Shares in violation of the Acts or the Exchange Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, or the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of Shares.
(i) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the reasonable opinion of either counsel for the Underwriters or counsel for the Company, the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the reasonable opinion of either counsel for the Underwriters or counsel for the Company, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses the Representative will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law, as applicable.
(j) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters shall reasonably request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent of service of process or to qualify as a foreign entity or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.
24
(k) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company and the Investment Adviser under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, and any Omitting Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified; (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon; (iii) the cost of printing or producing any “blue sky” memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 7(j) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky memorandum; (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Shares by FINRA in an amount not to exceed $[ ]; (v) all costs and expenses incident to listing the Shares on the NYSE; (vi) the cost of printing certificates representing the Shares; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary; (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with production of road show slides and graphics, the reasonable fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, and the travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants; (ix) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement; and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section 7(k). Except as provided in this Section 7, Section 8 entitled “Indemnity and Contribution” and the last paragraph of Section 10 below, the Underwriters will pay all of its costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of its counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by it, the travel and lodging expenses of the Representative in connection with any road show presentations, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers it may make.
(l) The Company will comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and will use reasonable efforts to cause the Company’s directors and officers, in their capabilities, as such, to comply with such laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(m) The Company will use reasonable best efforts to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, with respect to any fiscal year in which the Company is an investment company registered under the
25
Investment Company Act. The Company’s tax return for its [ ] taxable year shall include an election to be treated as a regulated investment company beginning with the Company’s 2018 taxable year and EP Income Company LLC’s tax return for its 2018 taxable year shall, to the extent necessary to avoid the application of Treasury Regulations § 1.337(d)-7(b) to the Company (a) include a deemed-sale election under Treasury Regulations §§ 1.337(d)-7(c)(5) and -7(e), and (b) properly reflect allocation to the Contributor of any net gain recognized by the Company on the deemed sale resulting from the election in (a).
(n) The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will use their reasonable efforts to perform all of the agreements required of them by this Agreement and discharge all conditions of theirs to closing as set forth in this Agreement.
(o) Before using, approving or referring to any Road Show Material, the Company will furnish to the Representative and counsel to the Underwriters a copy of such material for review and will not make, prepare, use authorize, approve or refer to any such material to which the Representative reasonably objects.
(p) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representative an earnings statement or statements of the Company which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act.
(q) The Company will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Shares on the NYSE as and when required by this Agreement and to maintain such listing.
(r) During the period ending two years after the date of the Prospectus, the Investment Adviser will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly (the “Adviser Lock Up Period”) and, during the period ending [ ] days after the date of the Prospectus, neither Company nor the Administrator will, without the prior written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly (together with the Adviser Lock Up Period, the “Lock Up Periods”):
(i) issue, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other capital stock,
(ii) enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement, hedge or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Stock or other capital stock,
whether any transaction described in clause (r)(i) or (r)(ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock, other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.
26
(s) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator may during its respective Lock Up Period, without the prior written consent of the Representative:
(i) after providing the Representative with at least three business days advance written notice, file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock, provided, however, each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will not, during its respective Lock Up Period, enter into any transaction described in clause (r)(i) or (r)(ii) above,
(ii) issue Shares to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, and
(iii) issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
(t) If the Representative, in its sole and absolute discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in the Lock-Up Agreement to permit the transfer of Common Stock or other securities by an officer or director of each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release, in a form agreed upon by the Underwriters, through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (i) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (ii) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in the Lock-Up Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.
8. Indemnity and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, each selling agent of any Underwriter and each director, officer, member, shareholder or affiliate of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations (each, an “Underwriter Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim), caused by, arising out of, related to or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, any Omitting Prospectus, any Road Show Material, the Time of Sale Prospectus, or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by the Representative on behalf of any Underwriter expressly for use therein.
27
(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and each of their respective partners, directors, trustees, managers, members and shareholders (as the case may be), and each officer of the Company who signs the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a “Company Indemnified Party”) to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator to such Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to the Underwriters furnished to the Company by the Representative on behalf of any Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, as originally filed with the Commission, or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, any Omitting Prospectus, any Road Show Material or the Time of Sale Prospectus.
(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b), such person (the “indemnified party”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “indemnifying party”) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements reasonably incurred of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, (ii) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with an actual conflict of interest, or (iii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses reasonably incurred of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Underwriter Indemnified Parties, collectively, and (ii) the fees and expenses reasonably incurred of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Company Indemnified Parties, collectively. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriter Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Representative. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this Section 8(c), the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request,
28
(ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the material terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into, and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 8(a) or 8(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from or in connection with the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate Public Offering Price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.
(e) The Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in Section 8(d) shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter shall be
29
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 8 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.
(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 8 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter Indemnified Party or by or on behalf of any Company Indemnified Party and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.
(g) No party shall be entitled to indemnification under this Section 8 if such indemnification of such party would violate Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act.
9. Termination. The Underwriters may terminate this Agreement by notice given by the Representative to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and:
(a) before the later of the Effective Date and the time when any of the Shares are first generally offered pursuant to this Agreement by the Representative to dealers by electronic delivery, letter or telegram;
(b) as of or before the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the NYSE, the NYSE American LLC, the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by Federal or New York State authorities or (v) there shall have occurred (A) any material adverse change in the financial or securities markets in the United States or the international financial markets, (B) any material adverse change in the financial or economic conditions in the United States, (C) any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity, terrorist activity, crises or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international, financial or economic conditions or (D) declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity that, in the Representative’s sole judgment, is material and adverse and which, singly or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in the Representative’s judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus; or
(c) as of or before the Closing Date, if any of the conditions specified in Section 6 with respect to such Closing Date have not been fulfilled when and as required by this
30
Agreement, and the Representative shall have given the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator notice thereof and a reasonable opportunity to fulfill such condition.
10. Effectiveness; Defaulting Underwriters. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.
If, on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date (the “Defaulted Shares”), and the aggregate number of Defaulted Shares does not exceed one-tenth of the number of Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date, provided that in no event shall the number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 10 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter. If the Defaulted Shares exceeds one-tenth of the number of Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representative and the Company for the purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter. In any such case either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement, in the Time of Sale Prospectus, in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be affected. If the Defaulted Shares are more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company and the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Underwriters, severally, for all out-of-pocket accountable expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their counsel) actually incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.
11. Entire Agreement. (a) (a) This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between and among the Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
31
(b) The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator acknowledge that in connection with the offering of the Shares: (i) each of the Underwriters is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with the sale of the Shares and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not any of the Underwriters has advised or is advising the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator on other matters, (ii) the public offering price of the Shares and the price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Shares set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator following discussions and arm’s-length negotiations with the Representative, (iii) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) the Underwriters owe the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement), if any, (v) the Underwriters may have interests that differ from those of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and (vi) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contact, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or any stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator.
12. No Fiduciary Relationship. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator hereby acknowledge and agree that the Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities contemplated hereby. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator further acknowledge and agree that the Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s-length basis, and in no event do the parties intend that the Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Company, its management, shareholders or creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of such purchase and sale of the Company’s securities, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator hereby confirm their understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator regarding such transactions, including, but not limited to, any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Company’s securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator. The Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters agree that each Underwriter is acting solely as principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator and no Underwriter has assumed, and no Underwriter will assume,
32
any advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator on other matters). The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator acknowledge and agree that the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator have consulted its own respective legal, accounting, regulatory, and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary, advisory or similar duty to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.
13. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and (A) if to the Underwriters, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered, mailed or sent to the Representative in care of [ ]; and (B) if to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered, mailed or sent to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, at the offices of the Company at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, Attention: General Counsel (facsimile no. (203) 340-8543), with a copy to Dechert LLP, One International Place, 40th Floor, 100 Oliver Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Thomas J. Friedmann (facsimile no. (617) 275-8389).
14. Governing Law; Construction. This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement (“Claim”), directly or indirectly, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The Section headings in this Agreement have been inserted as a matter of convenience of reference and are not a part of this Agreement.
15. Submission to Jurisdiction. Except as set forth below, no Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Company and the Underwriters each consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. Each of the Underwriters, the Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates), the Investment Adviser (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and the Administrator (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) waives all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator agrees that a final judgment in any such action, proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, as the case may be, and may be enforced in any other courts in
33
the jurisdiction of which the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be, is or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment.
16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, which together shall constitute one and the same agreement among the parties.
17. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Company’s, the Investment Adviser’s, the Administrator’s or any of the Underwriters’ respective businesses and/or assets, as the case may be.
[Signature page follows.]
34
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding among the Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters, please so indicate in the space provided below, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement among the Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters, severally.
Very truly yours, | ||
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
EAGLE POINT INCOME MANAGEMENT LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
EAGLE POINT ADMINISTRATION LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
Accepted and agreed
to as of the date
first above written, acting on behalf of
itself and the other several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto
[ ] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
Underwriter |
Number of Firm
Shares To Be Purchased |
[ ] | [ ] |
[ ] | [ ] |
[ ] | [ ] |
Total | [ ] |
Sch. I-1
SCHEDULE II
PRICING INFORMATION
Sch. II-1
SCHEDULE III
OMITTING PROSPECTUSES
Sch. III-1
SCHEDULE IV
LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS
Sch. IV-1
SCHEDULE V
EXHIBIT A
OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.(h)(2)
Eagle point INCOME COMPANY Inc.
$[ ] [ ]% Notes due [ ]
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
DATED [ ]
[ ]
[Representative]
[Address]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investment Adviser”), acts as the Company’s investment adviser. Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator”), acts as the Company’s administrator.
The Company proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”) $[ ] aggregate principal amount of [ ]% Notes due [ ] (the “Firm Notes”). The Company also proposes to sell to the several Underwriters not more than an additional $[ ] aggregate principal amount of Notes (the “Additional Notes”) if and to the extent that [ ], as the representative of the Underwriters in the offering (the “Representative”), shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase such Additional Notes granted to the Underwriters in Section 3 hereof. The Firm Notes and the Additional Notes are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Notes.”
The Company has entered into (i) an amended and restated investment advisory agreement with the Investment Adviser dated as of October 5, 2018 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), (ii) a custody agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association dated as of October 3, 2018 (the “Custody Agreement”) and (iii) an Administration Agreement with the Administrator dated as of October 5, 2018 (the “Administration Agreement”). Collectively, the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Administration Agreement are herein referred to as the “Company Agreements.”
The Investment Company Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Acts,” and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Acts and under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Rules and Regulations.”
The Notes will be issued under an indenture, dated as of [ ] (the “Indenture”), between the Company and [ ] (the “Trustee”). The Notes will be issued as fully registered securities to Cede & Co. (or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)), as nominee of DTC, pursuant to a blanket letter of representations, dated [ ], between the Company and DTC.
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-[ ] and 811-[ ]), under the Securities Act in respect of shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), shares of its preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, its debt securities and subscription rights. The registration statement as amended, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 430C of the Rules and Regulations is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement.” The prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Prospectus.” The final prospectus, which includes the final prospectus supplement dated [ ] together with the Base Prospectus, first used by the Company to confirm sales of the Notes in the form filed with the Commission on or before the second business day after the date hereof (or such earlier time as may be required under the Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 497 of the Rules and Regulations is hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus.” The preliminary prospectus, which includes the preliminary prospectus supplement dated [ ] together with the Base Prospectus, filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 497 of the Rules and Regulations is hereinafter referred to as the “Preliminary Prospectus.”
All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include any copy thereof filed with the
Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) system.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Omitting Prospectus” means any written advertisement used with the written consent of the Company in the public offering of the Notes and filed pursuant to Rule 482 of the Rules and Regulations (“Rule 482”). “Time of Sale Prospectus” means, as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Preliminary Prospectus, together with the pricing information set forth on Schedule II hereto (which information the Underwriters have informed the Company is being conveyed orally by the Underwriters to prospective purchasers at or prior to the Underwriters’ confirmation of sales of the Notes in the offering). As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “Preliminary Prospectus,” “Time of Sale Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein.
“Applicable Time” means [ ] (New York City time) on [ ] or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representative.
1. Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to and agree with each of the Underwriters as of the date hereof, the Applicable Time and the Closing Date (as defined below) (and, if any Additional Notes are purchased, at the Option Closing Date (as defined below)) as follows:
(a) The Registration Statement has been filed with, and declared effective by, the Commission; no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or the use of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus has been received by the Company; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission. The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering were and will be identical in all material respects to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.
(b) At the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (filed before the Closing Date) became or becomes effective and at the Closing Date (and, if any Additional Notes are purchased, at the Option Closing Date), the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Acts and the Rules and Regulations (other than with respect to Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act for any Option Closing Date which may occur after [ ]) and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the respective dates thereof and at the Closing Date (and, if any Additional Notes are purchased, at the Option Closing Date), contained or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Time of Sale Prospectus, at the Applicable Time, did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties in this paragraph do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus made solely in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Representative on behalf of any Underwriter for use in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or Prospectus.
(c) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has full power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture, and is in good standing and is duly qualified to transact business in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Company (a “Company Material Adverse Effect”). The Company has no subsidiaries.
(d) The Company is, and at all times through the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby will be, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable terms and conditions of the Acts and the Rules and Regulations. To the Company’s knowledge, no person is serving or acting as an officer or director of, or investment adviser to, the Company except in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended, including the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Advisers Act”). Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, to the Company’s knowledge, no director of the Company is an “interested person” of the Company or an “affiliated person” of any Underwriter (each as defined in the Investment Company Act).
(e) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. Each Company Agreement complies with all applicable provisions of the Acts, the Advisers Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations. Assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Company Agreement represents a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (including without limitation the availability of specific performance or injunctive relief and the application of concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing) whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; provided that neither the Company nor the Investment Adviser makes any representation or warranty as to the effect on the representations and warranties expressed herein of (i) the compliance and noncompliance of any other party (other than the Company) to any of the foregoing Company Agreements with state, federal or other laws or regulations applicable to it or them or (ii) the legal or regulatory status or nature of the business of such other party.
(f) The Indenture has been duly authorized and, when executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee, will constitute a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of the Company, subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(g) The Notes have been duly authorized and, when executed and authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and will conform in all material respects to the description thereof under the heading “Description of Our Debt Securities” contained in the Registration Statement and under the heading “Description of the Notes” contained in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; the offer and sale of the Notes as contemplated hereby has been duly approved by all necessary corporate or other action of the Company; and other than as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company has not issued any debt securities or entered into any agreement or arrangement relating to the issuance of any debt securities.
(h) None of (1) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Indenture, or (2) the issue and sale by the Company of the Notes as contemplated by this Agreement conflicts with or will conflict with, result in, or constitute a violation, breach of or default under, (x) the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended to date (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), or the second amended and restated bylaws of the Company, as amended to date (the “Bylaws”), (y) any agreement, indenture, note, bond, license, lease or other instrument or obligation binding upon the Company that is material to the Company or (z) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company, whether foreign or domestic; except, with respect to clauses (y) or (z), any contravention which would have neither (i) a Company Material Adverse Effect or (ii) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that no representation or warranty is made with respect to compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes in such jurisdiction by any Underwriter.
(i) No consent, approval, authorization, order or permit of, license from, or qualification with, any governmental body, agency or authority, self-regulatory organization or court or other tribunal, whether foreign or domestic, is required to be obtained by the Company prior to the Closing Date for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture or the Company Agreements, except such as have been obtained and as may be required by (i) the Acts, the Advisers Act, the Exchange Act or the applicable Rules and Regulations, (ii) the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., including legacy NASD rules (“FINRA”), or of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), (iii) the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes or (iv) such as which the failure to obtain would have neither (x) a Company Material
Adverse Effect or (y) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(j) This Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the Company Agreements conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(k) This Agreement, the Indenture, the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws comply with all applicable provisions of the Acts, the Advisers Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, and all approvals of such documents required under the Investment Company Act by the Company’s stockholders and, to the extent applicable, Board of Directors have been obtained and are in full force and effect.
(l) The Company Agreements are in full force and effect and neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to any such agreement is in default thereunder, and no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default by the Company thereunder, and the Company is not currently in breach of, or in default under, any other written agreement or instrument to which it or its property is bound or affected, the default under or breach of which could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(m) The shares of Common Stock, [any other securities], outstanding prior to the issuance of the Firm Notes have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. None of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or any other capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. Other than as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company are outstanding.
(n) The Indenture will be duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
(o) Each Omitting Prospectus (i) complies in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 482 and (ii) complied and will comply in all material respects with the Acts, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of FINRA, as applicable. Except for the Omitting Prospectuses identified on Schedule III hereto, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to and will not, without the Underwriters’ prior consent, prepare, use or refer to any Omitting Prospectus.
(p) The questionnaires relating to FINRA Rule 5110 provided to the Underwriters or to counsel for the Underwriters in connection with letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA’s conduct rules (Rules 5100, 5110 or 5121) are, to the Company’s knowledge, true and correct in all material respects.
(q) Since the date of the most recent financial statements included in the Prospectus, there has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development reasonably likely to involve a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Company, and there have been no transactions entered into by the Company which are material to the Company, other than those in the ordinary course of its business or as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus.
(r) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject (i) other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and proceedings that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect, or that would not have a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Indenture or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus and are not so described. Each officer signing or delivering a certificate pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof may rely upon his or her knowledge as to legal or governmental proceedings threatened.
(s) The statements in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus under the headings “Prospectus Supplement Summary-Operating and Regulatory Structure,” “Prospectus Supplement Summary - Conflicts of Interest,” “The Adviser and the Administrator-Investment Advisory Agreement,” “The Adviser and the Administrator-The Administrator and the Administration Agreement,” “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company,” “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters,” “Description of Our Capital Stock,” “Description of Our Debt Securities” and “Description of the Notes” insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries in all material respects of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings.
(t) The Company has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders (including exemptive orders), licenses, certificates, permits, qualifications and registrations of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations and courts and other tribunals, whether foreign or domestic, to own and use its assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file the foregoing would not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(u) Each of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of the respective dates thereof, and the Time of Sale Prospectus, as of the Applicable Time, complied as to form in all material respects with the Acts and the applicable Rules and Regulations.
(v) The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, together with the related notes thereto (collectively, the “Company Financial Statements”), present fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Company as of the respective dates indicated, comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The supporting schedules to such Company Financial Statements, if any, present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), whose report appears in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and who have certified the audited Company Financial Statements and supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement, is an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of, and as required by, the Acts and the applicable Rules and Regulations.
(w) There are no material restrictions, limitations or regulations with respect to the ability of the Company to invest its assets as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, other than as described therein.
(x) Neither the Company nor any of its agents or representatives (other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes other than (i) the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, and (ii) the Omitting Prospectuses, if any, identified on Schedule III hereto. All other promotional material (including “road show slides” or “road show scripts”), if any, prepared by the Company or the Investment Adviser for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes (“Road Show Material”) is not inconsistent with the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus and, when taken together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, at the Applicable Time, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All advertisements authorized by the Company in writing for use in the offering of the Notes complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Acts, the applicable Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of FINRA, including legacy NASD rules, and there are no such advertisements other than (i) the Omitting Prospectuses identified in Schedule III hereto and (ii) any advertisement that complies with Rule 135a of the Rules and Regulations.
(y) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) the Company has not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction, (ii) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock, other than ordinary and customary dividends, and (iii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company, except in each case as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, respectively.
(z) The Company owns or possesses, or can acquire on reasonable terms, all material patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks and trade names currently employed by them in connection with the business now operated by it, and the Company has not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(aa) To the extent that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission and the NYSE thereunder (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), have been applicable to the Company, there is and has been no failure on the part of the Company to comply with any applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(bb) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations and with the applicable requirements of the Acts, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability and compliance with the books and records requirements under the Acts, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since the date of the Company’s most recent audited financial statements included in the Prospectus, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated), (ii) no fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls and (iii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(cc) The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the Investment Company Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective as required by the Investment Company Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations and the Company is not aware of any material weakness in such controls and procedures.
(dd) Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate.
(ee) There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus (or the documents incorporated by reference therein) or to be filed as exhibits thereto by the Securities Act or the Investment Company Act which have not been so described and filed as required.
(ff) The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements and the money laundering statutes and the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(gg) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and to the knowledge of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, their affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(hh) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) and none of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person or any country or territory currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(ii) The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; all policies of insurance insuring the Company or its business, assets, employees, officers and directors, including the Company’s directors and officers errors and omissions insurance policy and its fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 of the Rules and Regulations, are in full force and effect, and the Company is in compliance with the terms of such policies and fidelity bond in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Company under any such policies or fidelity bond as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage and fidelity bond as and when such coverage and fidelity bond expires or to obtain similar coverage and fidelity bond from
similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).
(jj) Except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (i) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of the Representative (the description of such arrangements and outstanding indebtedness thereunder is true, accurate and complete in all respects) and (ii) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of the Representative.
(kk) There are no business relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus which have not been described as required, it being understood and agreed that the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator make no representation or warranty with respect to such relationships involving any Underwriter or any affiliate and any other person that have not been disclosed to the Company by the relevant Underwriter in connection with this offering.
(ll) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action which constitutes or is designed to cause or result in, or which could reasonably be expected to constitute, cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Notes.
(mm) The Company owns, leases or has rights to use all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.
(nn) The Company operates in compliance in all material respects with the requirements to be taxed as, and has duly elected to be taxed as (which election has not been revoked), a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company intends to direct the investment of the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Notes in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” and in such a manner as to continue to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.
(oo) Each investment held by the Company as of the date hereof, except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, is, to the Company’s knowledge, current, in all material respects, with all its obligations under the applicable terms of the investment, no event of default (or a default which with the giving of notice or the passage of time would become an event of default) has occurred in respect of such investment, except to the extent that any such failure to be current in any such obligations and any such default would not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Notes shall be deemed to a representation and warranty by the Company as to the matters covered therein to each Underwriter.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator. The Investment Adviser and the Administrator represent and warrant to and agree with each of the Underwriters as of the date hereof as follows:
(a) Each of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and enter into this Agreement and the other Company Agreements to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party, as the case may be, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be (an “Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect”).
(b) The Investment Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the Investment Company Act from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement as an investment adviser to the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and no order of suspension or revocation of such registration has been issued or proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser, threatened by the Commission.
(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable. This Agreement and each Company Agreement to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party comply with the applicable provisions of the Acts, the Advisers Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations. Assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Company Agreement to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party represents a valid and binding agreement of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, enforceable against the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, except (a) as rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Investment Adviser’s or the Administrator’s obligations thereunder, as applicable, may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (including without limitation the availability of specific performance or injunctive relief and the application of concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing) whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and (b) in the case of the Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to termination under the Investment Company Act or the reasonableness or fairness of compensation payable thereunder.
(d) The execution and delivery by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of, and the performance by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of its obligations under, this Agreement does not conflict with or will not conflict with, result in, or constitute a violation, breach of, or default under, (x) the limited liability company operating agreement of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, (y) any agreement, indenture, note, bond, license, lease or other instrument or obligation binding upon the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, that is material to the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, or (z) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, whether foreign or domestic; except, with respect to clauses (y) or (z), any contravention which would have neither (i) an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect or (ii) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that no representation or warranty is made with respect to compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes in such jurisdiction by any Underwriter.
(e) No consent, approval, authorization, order or permit of, license from, or qualification or registration with, any governmental body, agency or authority, self-regulatory organization or court or other tribunal, whether foreign or domestic, is required to be obtained by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, prior to the Closing Date for the performance by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of its obligations under this Agreement or any Company Agreement to which it is a party, except such as have been obtained and as may be required by (i) the Acts, the Advisers Act, the Exchange Act or the applicable Rules and Regulations, (ii) the rules and regulations of FINRA or of the NYSE, (iii) by the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes or (iv) such as which the failure to obtain would have neither (i) an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect nor (ii) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, threatened to which the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator is a party or to which any of the properties of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator is subject (i) other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and proceedings that would not have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, as applicable, or that would not have a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus and are not so described.
(g) There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus (or the documents incorporated by reference therein) or to be filed as exhibits thereto by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been so described and filed as required.
(h) Each of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders (including exemptive orders), licenses, certificates, permits, qualifications and registrations of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations and courts and other tribunals, whether foreign or domestic, to own and use its assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file the foregoing
would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Each of the Investment Adviser and Administrator has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and by this Agreement and each Company Agreement to which it is a party.
(j) The Investment Advisory Agreement is in full force and effect and neither the Investment Adviser nor, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser, any other party to the Investment Advisory Agreement is in default thereunder, and no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default by the Investment Adviser under such document.
(k) Each of the Investment and the Administrator is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; none of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.
(l) All information furnished by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator for use in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus, including, without limitation, the description of the Investment Adviser (the “Investment Adviser Information” and the “Administrator Information,” respectively) does not, and on the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make such information not misleading (and in the case of the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which such information is provided).
(m) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development reasonably likely to involve a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator from that set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and there have been no transactions entered into by the Investment Adviser other than those in the ordinary course of its business or which would not have a material adverse effect on either (1) the ability of the Investment Adviser to provide services to the Company pursuant to the Advisory Agreement or (2) the offering of the Notes, other than as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(n) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, nor, to its knowledge, any of its respective affiliates, has taken, directly or indirectly, any action which constitutes or is designed to cause or result in, or which could reasonably be expected to constitute, cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Notes.
(o) The operations of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable Money Laundering Laws and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Investment Adviser or the Administrator with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, threatened.
(p) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator nor, to its knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA, and the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, and, to their respective knowledge, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and each of their affiliates has conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(q) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator nor, to its knowledge, any director, officer, agent,
employee or affiliate of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC and the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(r) The Investment Adviser maintains a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions effectuated by it under the Investment Advisory Agreement are executed in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization and (ii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization.
(s) The Administrator maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions for which it has bookkeeping and record keeping responsibility under the Administration Agreement are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for the Company’s assets and (ii) the recorded accountability for such assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Notes shall be deemed to a representation and warranty by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, as to the matters covered therein to each Underwriter.
3. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective principal amount of Firm Notes set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite its name at the purchase price of [ ]% of the aggregate principal amount of the Firm Notes (the “Purchase Price”).
On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the Additional Notes and the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, the Additional Notes, with the same terms and CUSIP number as the Firm Notes, at the Purchase Price, plus interest, if any, accrued from the Closing Date to, but excluding, the applicable Option Closing Date, provided that no such Additional Notes may be issued and sold unless they will be fungible with, and constitute the same series as, the Firm Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Representative may exercise this right on behalf of the Underwriters in whole or from time to time in part by giving written notice to the Company not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement. Any exercise notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date on which such notes are to be purchased. Each purchase date must be at least one business day after the written notice is given and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm Notes and not later than ten business days after the date of such notice. Additional Notes may be purchased as provided in Section 5 hereof solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Notes. On each Option Closing Date (as defined below), if any, that Additional Notes are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes that bears the same proportion to the total aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes to be purchased on such Option Closing Date as the number of Firm Notes set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Notes.
The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 30 days after the date of the Prospectus, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (3) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company other than a post-effective amendment to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form N-2 to update the financial information included therein, to respond to comments from the staff of the Commission and to make other non-material changes. The agreements contained in this paragraph shall not apply to the Notes to be sold hereunder.
4. Terms of Public Offering. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator each understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Notes as soon as the Representative deems advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator each further understands that the Notes are to be offered to the public initially at [ ]% of the aggregate principal amount (the “Public Offering Price”).
5. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Firm Notes shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available to a bank account designated by the Company against delivery of such Firm Notes for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 12:00 P.M. (New York City time), on [ ], or at such other time on the same or such other date as shall be designated in writing by the Representative. The time and date of such payment are herein referred to as the “Closing Date.”
Payment for any Additional Notes shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available to a bank account designated by the Company against delivery of such Additional Notes for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 12:00 P.M. (New York City time), on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in Section 3 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event not later than [ ], as shall be agreed by the Representative and the Company. The time and date of any such payment for Additional Notes are herein referred to as the “Option Closing Date.”
The Firm Notes and Additional Notes shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representative shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The Firm Notes and Additional Notes shall be delivered to the Representative through the facilities of DTC on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters.
6. Conditions to the Underwriters’ Obligations. The respective obligations of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and the several obligations of the Underwriters, hereunder are subject to the condition that at the Closing Date no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings with respect thereto shall have been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters.
The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following further conditions:
(a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, from that set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus that, in the Representative’s reasonable judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the Representative’s reasonable judgment, impracticable to market the Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus.
(b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date. The Underwriters shall also have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Investment Adviser, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Investment Adviser contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Investment Adviser has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date. The Underwriters shall also have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an authorized person of the Administrator, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Administrator contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Administrator has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.
(c) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to the effect that such officer has reviewed (i) the unaudited estimate of the range of the Company’s NAV per share of common stock as of [ ] appearing in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and (ii) the financial information described in paragraph (h) of this Section 6, and based on such officer’s familiarity with the Company’s accounting, operations and records systems, such estimates and disclosures were made in good faith and are
based on the most recently available records of the Company, and, with respect to the unaudited estimate of the range of the Company’s NAV per share of common stock as of [ ], to the best of such officer’s knowledge represents a reasonable estimate of the range of the Company’s NAV per share of common stock as of [ ].
(d) Each of the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Company shall have performed all of its respective obligations to be performed hereunder on or prior to the Closing Date.
(e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion and negative assurance letter of Dechert LLP, counsel for the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, dated the Closing Date, set forth substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
(f) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date the favorable opinion of [ ], counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date, and covering such matters as the Underwriters shall reasonably request.
(g) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from KPMG, independent registered public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than the date hereof.
(h) The Underwriters shall have received, on the date hereof, an “agreed-upon procedures letter” dated the date hereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from KPMG, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in such letters with respect to certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(i) All filings, applications and proceedings taken by the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator in connection with the registration of the Notes under the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters.
(j) No action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission which would adversely affect the Company’s standing as a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act or the standing of the Investment Adviser as a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
(k) The Company shall have applied to have the Notes listed for trading on the NYSE.
(l) The Underwriters shall have obtained a No Objections Letter from FINRA regarding the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.
The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Notes hereunder are subject to the delivery to the Representative on the applicable Option Closing Date of such documents as the Representative may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, the due authorization and issuance of the Additional Notes to be sold on such Option Closing Date and other matters related to the issuance of such Additional Notes, and officers’ certificates to the effect set forth in Sections 6(b) and 6(c), opinions of Dechert LLP and [ ] to the effect set forth in Sections 6(e) and 6(f), respectively, and comfort letters of KPMG to the effect set forth in Section 6(g), except that such certificates, opinions and letters shall be dated as of the applicable Option Closing Date and statements and opinions above contemplated to be given as of the Closing Date shall instead be made and given as of such Option Closing Date.
7. Covenants of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator. In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants and agrees, and the Investment Adviser and the Administrator covenant and agree, with the Underwriters as follows:
(a) To notify the Underwriters as soon as practicable, and confirm such notice in writing, of the occurrence of any event during the period mentioned in Section 7(f) below which in the judgment of the Company makes any statement in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any Omitting Prospectus or the Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any change in or addition to the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any Omitting Prospectus or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading in any material respect. If at any time the Commission shall issue any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company will use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible moment.
(b) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Notes, to comply with the requirements of Rule 430C and to promptly notify the Representative, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall be declared or become effective, or when the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Omitting Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement (and shall promptly furnish the Representative with a copy of any comment letters and any transcript of oral comments, and shall furnish the Representative with copies of any written responses thereto a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed filing thereof with the Commission and will not file any such response to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object), (iii) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Notes and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Omitting Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or any notice from the Commission objecting to the use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Notes for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the loss or suspension of any purposes.
(c) To furnish to the Representative in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in Section 7(f) below, as many copies of the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as the Representative may reasonably request.
(d) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Notes, before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement (other than a post-effective amendment to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form N-2 to update the financial information included therein, to respond to comments from the staff of the Commission and to make other non-material changes), the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, to furnish to the Representative a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably objects, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 497 under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant thereto.
(e) To furnish to the Representative a copy of each proposed Omitting Prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and not to use or refer to any proposed Omitting Prospectus to which the Representative reasonably objects.
(f) If (i) the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Notes at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and (ii) (A) any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading, or (B) any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Prospectus materially conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, or (C) in the reasonable opinion of either counsel for the Underwriters or counsel for the Company, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to any dealer upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when delivered to a prospective purchaser, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer materially conflict with the Registration Statement, or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law, as applicable.
(g) The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Notes in the manner specified in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus.
(h) The Company and the Investment Adviser will not take any action designed to cause or result in the manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale of Notes in violation of the Acts or the Exchange Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, or the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of Notes.
(i) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Notes as in the reasonable opinion of either counsel for the Underwriters or counsel for the Company, the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is
delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the reasonable opinion of either counsel for the Underwriters or counsel for the Company, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses the Representative will furnish to the Company) to which Notes may have been sold by the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law, as applicable.
(j) To endeavor to qualify the Notes for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters shall reasonably request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent of service of process or to qualify as a foreign entity or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.
(k) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company and the Investment Adviser under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Notes under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, and any Omitting Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the preparation, issuance, execution, authentication and delivery of the Notes to the Underwriters, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any “blue sky” memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Notes for offer and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 7(j) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the “blue sky” memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Notes by FINRA in an amount not to exceed $[ ], (v) all costs and expenses incident to listing the Notes on the NYSE, (vi) all costs and expenses of qualifying the Notes for inclusion in the book-entry settlement system of DTC, (vii) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee, (viii) the fees paid to Egan-Jones Ratings Company in connection with the rating of the Notes, (ix) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement and (x) all other costs and expenses of the Company incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section 7(k). It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section 7 and in Section 8 entitled “Indemnity and Contribution,” the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel, transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Notes by them, the travel and lodging expenses of the Representative in connection with any road show presentations, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.
If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Underwriters, severally, for all out-of-pocket accountable expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their counsel) actually incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.
(l) The Company will comply in all material respects with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and will use reasonable efforts to cause the Company’s directors and officers, in their capabilities, as such, to comply with such laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(m) The Company will use reasonable best efforts to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, with respect to any fiscal year in which the Company is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act.
(n) The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will use their reasonable efforts to perform all of the agreements required of them by this Agreement and discharge all conditions of theirs to closing as set forth in this
Agreement.
(o) Before using, approving or referring to any Road Show Material, the Company will furnish to the Representative and counsel to the Underwriters a copy of such material for review and will not make, prepare, use authorize, approve or refer to any such material to which the Representative reasonably objects.
(p) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representative an earnings statement or statements of the Company which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 under the Act.
(q) The Company will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Notes on the NYSE within 30 days of delivery of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement and to maintain such listing.
8. Indemnity and Contribution.
(a) Each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, each selling agent of any Underwriter and each director, officer, member, shareholder or affiliate of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations (each, an “Underwriter Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim), caused by, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Omitting Prospectus, any Road Show Material, the Time of Sale Prospectus, or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by the Representative on behalf of any Underwriter expressly for use therein.
(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and each of their respective partners, directors, trustees, managers, members and shareholders (as the case may be), and each officer of the Company who signs the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a “Company Indemnified Party”) to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator to such Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to the Underwriters furnished to the Company by the Representative on behalf of any Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, as originally filed with the Commission, or any amendment thereof, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Omitting Prospectus, any Road Show Material or the Time of Sale Prospectus.
(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b), such person (the “indemnified party”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “indemnifying party”) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements reasonably incurred of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, (ii) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with an actual conflict of interest, or (iii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses reasonably incurred of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Underwriter Indemnified Parties, collectively, and (ii) the fees and expenses reasonably incurred of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Company Indemnified Parties, collectively. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriter Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Representative. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this Section 8(c), the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the material terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into, and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of the indemnified party.
(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 8(a) or 8(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Notes shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate Public Offering Price of the Notes. The relative fault of the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Notes they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.
(e) The Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in Section 8(d) shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Notes underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 8 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.
(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 8 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter Indemnified Party or by or on behalf of any Company Indemnified Party and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Notes.
(g) No party shall be entitled to indemnification under this Section 8 if such indemnification of such party would
violate Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act.
9. Termination. The Underwriters may terminate this Agreement by notice given by the Representative to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the NYSE, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by Federal or New York State authorities, (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in the Representative’s judgment, is material and adverse and which, singly or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in the Representative’s judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, or (vi) (x) a downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Notes by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, and (y) such an organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of the Notes.
10. Effectiveness; Defaulting Underwriters. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.
If, on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Notes that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date (the “Defaulted Notes”), and the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted Notes does not exceed one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that the principal amount of Firm Notes set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as the Representative may specify, to purchase the Notes which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If the Defaulted Notes exceed one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes to be purchased on the Closing Date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representative and the Company for the purchase of such Firm Notes are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter. In any such case either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement, in the Time of Sale Prospectus, in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be affected. If the Defaulted Notes exceed one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes to be purchased on an Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Additional Notes to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (ii) purchase not less than the principal amount of Additional Notes that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
11. Entire Agreement.
(a) This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between and among the Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(b) Each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator acknowledges that in connection with the offering of the Notes: (i) each of the Underwriters is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with the sale of the Notes and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not any of the Underwriters has advised or is advising the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator on other matters, (ii) the public offering price of the Notes and the price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Notes set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator following discussions and arm’s-length negotiations with the Representative, (iii) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) the Underwriters owe the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement), if any, (v) the Underwriters may have interests that differ from those of the Company, the Investment Adviser
and the Administrator, and (vi) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contact, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or any stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator.
12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
13. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable conflicts of law principles.
14. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.
15. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and (i) if to the Underwriters, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered, mailed or sent to [ ] and (ii) if to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered, mailed or sent to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, at the offices of the Company at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, Attention: General Counsel (facsimile no. (203) 340-8543), with a copy to Dechert LLP, One International Place, 40th Floor, 100 Oliver Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Thomas J. Friedmann (facsimile no. (617) 275-8389).
[Signature pages follow]
Very truly yours, | ||
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EAGLE POINT INCOME MANAGEMENT LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EAGLE POINT ADMINISTRATION LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Company Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
Accepted as of the date hereof | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Underwriter Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
Underwriter |
Aggregate Principal Amount of Firm
Notes To Be Purchased |
Total |
SCHEDULE II
PRICING INFORMATION
SCHEDULE III
OMITTING PROSPECTUSES
EXHIBIT A
Form of Opinion of Dechert LLP
Exhibit 99.(h)(3)
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE
[PREFERRED STOCK], PAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE
FORM OF AT MARKET ISSUANCE SALES AGREEMENT
DATED [ ]
[ ]
[Placement Agent]
[ ]
[ ]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investment Adviser”), and Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator”), each confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with [ ] (the “Placement Agent”) as follows:
1. Description of Securities.
Each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator agrees that, from time to time during the term of this Agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company may issue and sell through Placement Agent, acting as agent and/or principal, shares of the Company’s (i) common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”)[, or (ii) [Series Preferred Stock (the “Series Preferred Stock”], together with the Common Stock, the “Shares”)], provided however, that in no event shall the Company issue or sell through Placement Agent such number or dollar amount of Shares that (a) exceeds the number or dollar amount of Shares registered on the effective Registration Statement (as defined below) pursuant to which the offering is being made or (b) exceeds the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock], as applicable (each of (a) and (b), as applicable, (the “Maximum Amount”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto agree that compliance with the limitations set forth in this Section 1 regarding the amount of Shares to be issued and sold under this Agreement shall be the sole responsibility of the Company, and Placement Agent shall have no obligation in connection with such compliance. The issuance and sale of the Shares through Placement Agent will be effected pursuant to the Registration Statement (as defined below) filed by the Company and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), although nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as requiring the Company to use the Registration Statement to issue the Shares.
The Company has filed with the Commission a shelf registration statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-[ ] and 811-[ ]), including the base prospectus or prospectuses, covering the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The registration statement as amended, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430C under the Securities Act is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”; the prospectus, dated as of [ ], included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective on [ ] (including the information, if any, deemed to be part of the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430C under the Securities Act), in the form in which it was distributed, is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Prospectus”; the prospectus supplement dated [ ] filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act and to be used to confirm sales is hereinafter referred to, together with the Base Prospectus, as the “Prospectus.” If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to register additional Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement.
The Company has entered into (i) an amended and restated investment advisory agreement with the Investment Adviser dated as of October 5, 2018 (“Investment Advisory Agreement”), (ii) a custody agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association dated as of October 3, 2018 (the “Custody Agreement”), (iii) an administration agreement with the Administrator dated as of October 5, 2018 (the “Administration Agreement”), and (iv) a transfer agency and registrar services agreement with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC dated as of October 16, 2018 (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”). Collectively, the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the Administration Agreement and the Transfer Agency Agreement are herein referred to as the “Company Agreements.” In addition, the Company has
adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”) pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock shall have their distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock unless such holders elect to receive such distributions in cash.
The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Securities Act are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Acts,” and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Acts and under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Rules and Regulations.”
All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) system.
“Applicable Time” means the time of each sale of any Shares pursuant to this Agreement as agreed by the Company and Placement Agent.
2. Placements.
Each time that the Company wishes to issue and sell the Shares hereunder (each, a “Placement”), it will notify Placement Agent by email notice (or other method mutually agreed to in writing by the parties) containing the parameters in accordance with which it desires the Shares to be sold, which shall at a minimum include the number of Shares to be issued and sold (the “Placement Shares”), the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of Shares that may be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made (a “Placement Notice”), a form of which containing such necessary minimum sales parameters is attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Placement Notice shall originate from any of the individuals from the Company set forth on Exhibit B (with a copy to each of the other individuals from the Company listed on such schedule), and shall be addressed to each of the individuals from Placement Agent set forth on Exhibit B, as such Exhibit B may be amended from time to time.
The Placement Notice shall be effective upon receipt by the Company of Placement Agent’s written acceptance of the terms of the Placement Notice unless and until (i) the entire amount of the Placement Shares has been sold, (ii) in accordance with the notice requirements set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph, the Company terminates the Placement Notice, (iii) the Company issues a subsequent Placement Notice with parameters superseding those on the earlier dated Placement Notice, (iv) this Agreement has been terminated under the provisions of Section 11 or (v) either party shall have suspended the sale of the Placement Shares in accordance with Section 4 below. The amount of any discount, commission or other compensation to be paid by the Company to Placement Agent in connection with the sale of the Placement Shares shall be calculated in accordance with the terms set forth in Exhibit C. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that neither the Company nor Placement Agent will have any obligation whatsoever with respect to a Placement or any Placement Shares unless and until the Company delivers a Placement Notice to Placement Agent and Placement Agent accepts in writing the terms of such Placement Notice, and then only upon the terms specified in the Placement Notice and herein. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a Placement Notice, the terms of the Placement Notice will control.
3. Sale of Placement Shares by Placement Agent.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7(a), Placement Agent, for the period specified in the Placement Notice, will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell the Placement Shares up to the amount specified, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Placement Notice. Placement Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day (as defined below) immediately following the Trading Day on which it has made sales of Placement Shares hereunder setting forth the number of Placement Shares sold on such day, the compensation payable by the Company to Placement Agent pursuant to Section 2 with respect to such sales, and the Net Proceeds (as defined in Section 7(b)) payable to the Company, with an itemization of the deductions made by Placement Agent (as set forth in Section 7(b)) from the gross proceeds that it receives from such sales. Subject to the terms of the Placement Notice, Placement Agent may sell Placement Shares by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including without limitation sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), on any other existing trading market for the Shares or to or through a market maker. Subject to the terms of the Placement Notice, Placement Agent may also sell Placement Shares by any other method permitted by law, including but not limited to in privately negotiated transactions. For the purposes hereof, “Trading Day” means any day on which shares of Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock, as applicable,] are purchased and sold on the principal market on which the Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock, as applicable,] are listed or quoted.
4. Suspensions of Sales.
(a) The Company or Placement Agent may, upon notice to the other party in writing (including by email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Exhibit B, if receipt of such correspondence is actually acknowledged by any of the individuals to whom the notice is sent, other than via auto-reply) or by telephone (confirmed immediately by verifiable facsimile transmission or email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Exhibit B), suspend any sale of Placement Shares; provided, however, that such suspension shall not affect or impair either party’s obligations with respect to any Placement Shares sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice. Each of the parties agrees that no such notice under this Section 4(a) shall be effective against the other unless it is made to one of the individuals named on Exhibit B hereto, as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time.
(b) No sales of Shares shall take place, the Company shall not request the sale of any Shares that would be sold, and Placement Agent shall not be obligated to sell Shares, during any period in which the Company is in possession of material non-public information.
5. Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator.
The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to and agree with Placement Agent as of the date hereof and as of each Representation Date (as defined below) on which a certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 9(m), as of each Applicable Time and as of each Settlement Date (as defined below) as follows:
(a) The Registration Statement has been filed with, and declared effective by, the Commission; no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or the use of the Prospectus has been received by the Company; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission. The Prospectus delivered to Placement Agent for use in connection with this offering was and will be identical in all material respects to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.
(b) At the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto became or becomes effective, the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Acts and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto, contained or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Prospectus, at each Applicable Time, did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties in this paragraph do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus made solely in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by Placement Agent for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
(c) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has full power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and is in good standing and is duly qualified to transact business in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Company (a “Company Material Adverse Effect”). The Company has no subsidiaries and such other subsidiaries that the Company may form from time to time, the formation of which shall be disclosed in writing by the Company to Placement Agent.
(d) The Company is, and at all times through the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby will be, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable terms and conditions of the Acts and the Rules and Regulations. To the Company’s knowledge, no person is serving or acting as an officer or director of, or investment adviser to, the Company except in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended,
including the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Advisers Act”). Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, to the Company’s knowledge, no director of the Company is an “interested person” of the Company or an “affiliated person” of Placement Agent (each as defined in the Investment Company Act).
(e) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. Each Company Agreement complies with all applicable provisions of the Acts, the Advisers Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations. Assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Company Agreement represents a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (including without limitation the availability of specific performance or injunctive relief and the application of concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing) whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; provided that neither the Company nor the Investment Adviser makes any representation or warranty as to the effect on the representations and warranties expressed herein of (i) the compliance and noncompliance of any other party (other than the Company) to any of the foregoing Company Agreements with state, federal or other laws or regulations applicable to it or them or (ii) the legal or regulatory status or nature of the business of such other party.
(f) None of (1) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement [or (2) the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware increasing under the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) the authorized shares of Series Preferred Stock by the number of shares of Series Preferred Stock to be sold under this Agreement (the “Certificate of Increase”)] or (3) the issue and sale by the Company of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement conflicts with or will conflict with, result in, or constitute a violation, breach of or default under, (x) the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended to date (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), or the bylaws of the Company, as amended to date (the “Bylaws”), (y) any agreement, indenture, note, bond, license, lease or other instrument or obligation binding upon the Company that is material to the Company or (z) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company, whether foreign or domestic; except, with respect to clauses (y) or (z), any contravention which would have neither (i) a Company Material Adverse Effect or (ii) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that no representation or warranty is made with respect to compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares in such jurisdiction by Placement Agent.
(g) No consent, approval, authorization, order or permit of, license from, or qualification with, any governmental body, agency or authority, self-regulatory organization or court or other tribunal, whether foreign or domestic, is required to be obtained by the Company prior to the Settlement Date for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or the Company Agreements, except such as have been obtained and as may be required by (i) the Acts, the Advisers Act, the Exchange Act or the applicable Rules and Regulations, (ii) the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., including legacy NASD rules (“FINRA”), or of the NYSE, (iii) the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares or (iv) such as which the failure to obtain would have neither (x) a Company Material Adverse Effect or (y) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(h) The capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof under the heading “Description of our Capital Stock” in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the Company Agreements conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(i) This Agreement, the Certificate of Designation, the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws comply with all applicable provisions of the Acts, the Advisers Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, and all approvals of such documents required under the Investment Company Act by the Company’s stockholders and, to the extent applicable, Board of Directors have been obtained and are in full force and effect.
(j) The Company Agreements are in full force and effect and neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to any such agreement is in default thereunder, and no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default by the Company thereunder, and the Company is not currently in breach of, or in default under, any other written agreement or instrument to which it or its property is bound or affected, the default under or breach of which could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(k) The shares of Common Stock [and any other shares of the Company’s preferred stock (the “Series [ ] Preferred Stock”, together with the Series Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”)][, and the shares of Series Preferred Stock, in each case] outstanding prior to the date hereof, have been duly authorized and, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. None of the outstanding shares of Common Stock[, Series [ ] Preferred Stock, Series Preferred Stock] or any other capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of any preemptive or other similar rights. Other than as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company are outstanding.
(l) The Common Stock has been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of the Common Stock will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights. The Common Stock conforms to the descriptions thereof under the heading “Description of our Capital Stock” contained in the Registration Statement and such description conforms in all material respects to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same.
(m) [The Series Preferred Stock has been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Certificate of Designation, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of the Series Preferred Stock will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights. The Series Preferred Stock conforms to the descriptions thereof under the heading “Description of our Capital Stock” contained in the Registration Statement and such description conforms in all material respects to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same.]
(n) [The Series Preferred Stock conforms to the provisions of the Certificate of Designation and the relative rights, preferences, interests and powers of the Series Preferred Stock are set forth in the Certificate of Designation. The Certificate of Designation has been, or by the Settlement Date will be, duly authorized and executed by the Company in compliance with the Delaware General Corporation Law and filed by the Company with Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Certificate of Designation is in full force and effect.]
(o) The Company will submit a supplemental listing application for the listing of the Shares on the NYSE and use its best efforts to maintain such listing, subject to official notice of issuance.
(p) The questionnaires relating to FINRA Rule 5110 provided to Placement Agent or its counsel in connection with letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA’s conduct rules (Rules 5100, 5110 or 5121) are, to the Company’s knowledge, true and correct in all material respects.
(q) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development reasonably likely to involve a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Company, and there have been no transactions entered into by the Company which are material to the Company, other than those in the ordinary course of its business.
(r) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject (i) other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Prospectus and proceedings that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect, or that would not have a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described. Each officer signing or delivering a certificate pursuant to this Agreement may rely upon his or her knowledge as to legal or governmental proceedings threatened.
(s) The statements in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the headings “Prospectus Supplement Summary-Operating and Regulatory Structure,” “Prospectus Supplement Summary-Conflicts of Interest” and [“Description of the Series [ ] Term Preferred Stock”] and in the Base Prospectus under the captions “Prospectus Summary-Operating and Regulatory Structure,” “Prospectus Summary-Conflicts of Interest,” “The Adviser and the Administrator-Investment Advisory Agreement,” “The Adviser and the Administrator-The Administrator and the Administration Agreement,” “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company,” “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters,” “Description of our Capital Stock” and [“Description of our Preferred Stock”] insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings.
(t) The Company has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders (including exemptive orders), licenses, certificates, permits, qualifications and registrations of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all
governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations and courts and other tribunals, whether foreign or domestic, to own and use its assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file the foregoing would not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(u) Each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of the respective dates thereof, complied as to form in all material respects with the Acts and the applicable Rules and Regulations.
(v) The financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, together with the related notes thereto (collectively, the “Company Financial Statements”), present fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Company as of the respective dates indicated, comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The supporting schedules to such Company Financial Statements, if any, present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. KPMG LLP, whose report appears in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and who have certified the audited Company Financial Statements and supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement, is an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of, and as required by, the Acts and the applicable Rules and Regulations.
(w) There are no material restrictions, limitations or regulations with respect to the ability of the Company to invest its assets as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, other than as described therein.
(x) Neither the Company nor any of its agents or representatives (other than Placement Agent in its capacity as such) has prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares other than the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing.
(y) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (i) the Company has not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (ii) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock, other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (iii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company, except in each case as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, respectively.
(z) The Company owns or possesses, or can acquire on reasonable terms, all material patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks and trade names currently employed by them in connection with the business now operated by it, and the Company has not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(aa) The Common Stock [and Series Preferred Stock] are [each] listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbols “EIC” [and “ ” respectively]. The Company has not received any notice that it is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of the NYSE with respect to the Common Stock [and Series Preferred Stock]. The Company believes that it is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in material compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements.
(bb) To the extent that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission and the NYSE thereunder (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), have been applicable to the Company, there is and has been no failure on the part of the Company to comply with any applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(cc) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations and with the applicable requirements of the Acts; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability and compliance with the books and records requirements under the Acts; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since the date of the Company’s most recent audited financial statements included in the Prospectus, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated); (ii) no fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls;
and (iii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(dd) The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the Investment Company Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective as required by the Investment Company Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations and the Company is not aware of any material weakness in such controls and procedures.
(ee) Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate.
(ff) There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or the documents incorporated by reference therein) or to be filed as exhibits thereto by the Securities Act or the Investment Company Act which have not been so described and filed as required.
(gg) The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements and the money laundering statutes and the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(hh) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and to the knowledge of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, their affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(ii) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) and none of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person or any country or territory currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(jj) The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; all policies of insurance insuring the Company or its business, assets, employees, officers and directors, including the Company’s directors and officers errors and omissions insurance policy and its fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 of the Rules and Regulations, are in full force and effect, and the Company is in compliance with the terms of such policies and fidelity bond in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Company under any such policies or fidelity bond as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage and fidelity bond as and when such coverage and fidelity bond expires or to obtain similar coverage and fidelity bond from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).
(kk) Except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company (i) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of Placement Agent (the description of such arrangements and outstanding indebtedness thereunder is true, accurate and complete in all respects) and (ii) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of Placement Agent.
(ll) There are no business relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which have not been described as required, it being understood and agreed that the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator make no representation or warranty with respect to such relationships involving Placement Agent or any affiliate and any other person that have not been disclosed to the Company by Placement Agent in connection with this offering.
(mm) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action which constitutes or is designed to cause or result in, or which could reasonably be expected to constitute, cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(nn) The Company owns, leases or has rights to use all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.
(oo) There are no stock or other transfer taxes, stamp duties, capital duties or other similar duties, taxes or charges payable in connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the issuance or sale by the Company of the Shares to be sold by the Company to Placement Agent hereunder.
(pp) The Company operates in compliance in all material respects with the requirements to be taxed as, and has duly elected to be taxed as (which election has not been revoked), a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company intends to direct the investment of the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares in the manner specified in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” and in such a manner as to continue to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.
(qq) Each investment held by the Company, except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, is, to the Company’s knowledge, current, in all material respects, with all its obligations under the applicable terms of the investment, no event of default (or a default which with the giving of notice or the passage of time would become an event of default) has occurred in respect of such investment, except to the extent that any such failure to be current in any such obligations and any such default would not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to Placement Agent or its counsel in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to a representation and warranty by the Company as to the matters covered therein to Placement Agent.
6. Representations and Warranties of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator.
The Investment Adviser and the Administrator represent and warrant to and agree with Placement Agent as of the date hereof and as of each Representation Date (as defined below) on which a certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 9(m), as of each Applicable Time and as of each Settlement Date (as defined below) as follows:
(a) Each of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and enter into this Agreement and the other Company Agreements to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party, as the case may be, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be (an “Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect”). The Investment Adviser has no wholly owned subsidiaries. The Administrator has no subsidiaries.
(b) The Investment Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the Investment Company Act from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement as an investment adviser to the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and no order of suspension or revocation of such registration has been issued or proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser, threatened by the Commission.
(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable. This Agreement and each Company Agreement to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party comply with the applicable provisions of the Acts, the Advisers Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations. Assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Company
Agreement to which the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is a party represents a valid and binding agreement of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, enforceable against the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, except (a) as rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Investment Adviser’s or the Administrator’s obligations thereunder, as applicable, may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (including without limitation the availability of specific performance or injunctive relief and the application of concepts of materiality reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing) whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and (b) in the case of the Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to termination under the Investment Company Act or the reasonableness or fairness of compensation payable thereunder.
(d) The execution and delivery by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of, and the performance by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of its obligations under, this Agreement does not conflict with or will not conflict with, result in, or constitute a violation, breach of, or default under, (x) the limited liability company operating agreement of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable (y) any agreement, indenture, note, bond, license, lease or other instrument or obligation binding upon the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, that is material to the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, or (z) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, whether foreign or domestic; except, with respect to clauses (y) or (z), any contravention which would have neither (i) an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect or (ii) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that no representation or warranty is made with respect to compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares in such jurisdiction by Placement Agent.
(e) No consent, approval, authorization, order or permit of, license from, or qualification or registration with any governmental body, agency or authority, self-regulatory organization or court or other tribunal, whether foreign or domestic, is required to be obtained by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, for the performance by the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, of its obligations under this Agreement or any Company Agreement to which it is a party, except such as have been obtained and as may be required by (i) the Acts, the Advisers Act, the Exchange Act, or the applicable Rules and Regulations, (ii) the rules and regulations of FINRA or of the NYSE, (iii) by the securities or “blue sky laws” of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares or (iv) such as which the failure to obtain would have neither (i) an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect nor (ii) a material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, threatened to which the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator is a party or to which any of the properties of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator is subject (i) other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and proceedings that would not have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, as applicable, or that would not have a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator, as applicable, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described.
(g) There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or the documents incorporated by reference therein) or to be filed as exhibits thereto by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been so described and filed as required.
(h) Each of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders (including exemptive orders), licenses, certificates, permits, qualifications and registrations of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations and courts and other tribunals, whether foreign or domestic, to own and use its assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file the foregoing would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Each of the Investment Adviser and Administrator has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and by this Agreement and each Company Agreement to which it is a party.
(j) The Investment Advisory Agreement is in full force and effect and neither the Investment Adviser nor, to the
knowledge of the Investment Adviser, any other party to the Investment Advisory Agreement is in default thereunder, and no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default by the Investment Adviser under such document.
(k) Each of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; none of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.
(l) All information furnished by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator for use in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, including, without limitation, the description of the Investment Adviser does not, and on the Settlement Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make such information not misleading (and in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which such information is provided).
(m) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development reasonably likely to involve a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the prospects, earnings, business or operations of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator from that set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and there have been no transactions entered into by the Investment Adviser that are material to the Investment Adviser other than those in the ordinary course of its business or as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(n) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, nor to their knowledge, any of its respective affiliates, has taken, directly or indirectly, any action which constitutes or is designed to cause or result in, or which could reasonably be expected to constitute, cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(o) The operations of the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable Money Laundering Laws and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Investment Adviser or the Administrator with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, threatened.
(p) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator nor, to their knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, and, to their knowledge, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and each of their affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(q) None of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator nor, to its knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC and the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(r) The Investment Adviser maintains a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions effectuated by it under the Investment Advisory Agreement are executed in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization and (ii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization.
(s) The Administrator maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance
that (i) transactions for which it has bookkeeping and record keeping responsibility under the Administration Agreement are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for the Company’s assets and (ii) the recorded accountability for such assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator and delivered to Placement Agent or its counsel in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to a representation and warranty by the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, as to the matters covered therein to Placement Agent.
7. Agreements to Sell and Purchase.
(a) Sale of Placement Shares. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, upon Placement Agent’s acceptance of the terms of a Placement Notice, and unless the sale of the Placement Shares described therein has been declined, suspended, or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Placement Agent, for the period specified in the Placement Notice, will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such Placement Shares up to the amount specified in, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of, such Placement Notice. Each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator acknowledges and agrees that (i) there can be no assurance that Placement Agent will be successful in selling Placement Shares, (ii) Placement Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator or any other person or entity if it does not sell Placement Shares for any reason other than a failure by Placement Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such Placement Shares as required under this Section 7 and (iii) Placement Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise agreed by Placement Agent in the Placement Notice.
(b) Settlement of Placement Shares. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Placement Notice, settlement for sales of Placement Shares will occur on the third (3rd) Trading Day (or such shorter settlement cycle as may be in effect under Exchange Act Rule 15c6-1 from time to time) following the date on which such sales are made (each, a “Settlement Date”). The amount of proceeds to be delivered to the Company on a Settlement Date against receipt of the Placement Shares sold (the “Net Proceeds”) will be equal to the aggregate sales price received by Placement Agent at which such Placement Shares were sold, after deduction for (i) Placement Agent’s commission, discount or other compensation for such sales payable by the Company pursuant to Section 2 and (ii) any transaction fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization in respect of such sales.
(c) Delivery of Placement Shares. On or before each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Placement Shares being sold by crediting Placement Agent’s or its designee’s account (provided Placement Agent shall have given the Company written notice of such designee prior to the Settlement Date) at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian System or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form. On each Settlement Date, Placement Agent will deliver the related Net Proceeds in same day funds to an account designated by the Company on, or prior to, the Settlement Date. The Company agrees that if the Company, or its transfer agent (if applicable), defaults in its obligation to deliver Placement Shares on a Settlement Date, in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Section 10, the Company will (i) hold Placement Agent harmless against any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense whatsoever (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company or its transfer agent (if applicable) and (ii) pay to Placement Agent any commission, discount, or other compensation to which it would otherwise have been entitled absent such default.
(d) Denominations; Registration. The certificates for the Shares, if any, shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as Placement Agent may request in writing at least one full business day before the Settlement Date. The certificates for the Shares, if any, will be made available for examination and packaging by Placement Agent in The City of New York not later than noon (New York City time) on the business day prior to the Settlement Date. The Company shall deliver the Shares, if any, through the facilities of DTC unless Placement Agent shall otherwise instruct.
(e) Limitations on Offering Size. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Shares, if after giving effect to the sale of such Shares, the aggregate offering price of the Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement would exceed the Maximum Amount. [Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any shares of Series Preferred Stock that would cause the Company to exceed the asset coverage ratio permitted under the Investment Company Act, which as of the date hereof is 200%, as measured at the time of the issuance of any such shares of Series Preferred Stock, as required by the Investment Company Act.] Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of (i) any Shares pursuant to this Agreement at a price lower than the minimum price authorized from
time to time by the Company and notified to Placement Agent in writing or (ii) any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement at a price (net of Placement Agent’s commission, discount or other compensation for such sales payable by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof) lower than the Company’s then current net asset value per share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 23(b) of the Investment Company Act), unless the Company has received the requisite approval from stockholders as required pursuant to the Investment Company Act.
8. Conditions to Placement Agent’s Obligations.
The respective obligations of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and the several obligations of Placement Agent, hereunder are subject to the condition that the Registration Statement has become effective and at the Settlement Date no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings with respect thereto shall have been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to Placement Agent.
The several obligations of Placement Agent are subject to the following further conditions:
(a) The Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective and shall be available for (i) all sales of Placement Shares issued pursuant to all prior Placement Notices and (ii) the sale of all Placement Shares contemplated to be issued by any Placement Notice.
(b) None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (i) receipt by the Company or the Investment Adviser or the Administrator of any request for additional information from the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the response to which would require any post-effective amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, including any notice objecting to the use of the Registration Statement or order pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Investment Company Act having been issued and proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; (iii) receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Placement Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; (iv) the occurrence of any event that makes any material statement made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, related Prospectus or such documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any materially untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and, that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any materially untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) Placement Agent shall not have advised the Company that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact that in Placement Agent’s reasonable opinion is material, or omits to state a fact that in Placement Agent’s opinion is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading (and in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made).
(d) Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, there shall not have been any material change, on a consolidated basis, in the authorized capital stock of the Company or any Company Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Placement Agent shall have received the favorable opinions of Company Counsel, required to be delivered pursuant to Section 9(n) on or before the date on which such delivery of such opinion is required.
(f) Placement Agent shall have received the Officer’s Certificates on or before the date on which delivery of such certificate is required pursuant to Section 9(m).
(g) Placement Agent shall have received the Comfort Letter and the CEO/CFO Certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 9(o) on or before the date on which such delivery of such letter and certificate are required pursuant to Section 9(o).
(h) The Placement Shares shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to notice of issuance.
(i) Prior to the issuance of any Placement Notice, FINRA shall have confirmed in writing that it has no objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the sales terms and arrangements.
(j) Trading in the Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock] shall not have been suspended on the NYSE.
(k) On each date on which the Company is required to deliver an Officer’s Certificate, counsel for Placement Agent shall have been furnished with such certificates, letters, opinions and other documents as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Shares as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, contained in this Agreement.
(l) There shall not have occurred any event that would permit Placement Agent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11(a).
(m) All filings with the Commission required by Rule 497 under the Securities Act to have been filed prior to the issuance of any Placement Notice hereunder shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 497.
9. Covenants of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator.
In further consideration of the agreements of Placement Agent herein contained, the Company covenants and agrees, and the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, covenant and agree with Placement Agent as follows:
(a) After the date of this Agreement and during any period in which a Prospectus relating to any Placement Shares is required to be delivered by Placement Agent under the Securities Act, (i) the Company will notify Placement Agent promptly of the time when any subsequent amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission and/or has become effective or any subsequent supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and of any comment letter from the Commission or any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (ii) the Company will prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon Placement Agent’s request, any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that, in the opinion of counsel for the Company and for Placement Agent, may be necessary or advisable in connection with the distribution of the Placement Shares by Placement Agent (provided, however, that the failure of Placement Agent to make such request shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect Placement Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement); (iii) the Company will not file any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares or a security convertible into the Placement Shares unless a copy thereof has been submitted to Placement Agent within a reasonable period of time before the filing and Placement Agent has not reasonably objected thereto (provided, however, that the failure of Placement Agent to make such objection shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect Placement Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement); and (iv) the Company will cause each amendment or supplement to the Prospectus to be filed with the Commission as required pursuant to Rule 497 of the Securities Act. The Company will also promptly effect the necessary post-effective amendment and the filings required pursuant to Rule 497 and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 497 was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus.
(b) The Company will advise Placement Agent, promptly after it receives notice or obtains knowledge thereof, of the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any other order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Placement Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Securities Act concerning the Registration Statement or if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Shares. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of any qualification of the Shares for offering or sale and any loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, and if any such stop order is issued or any such suspension or loss occurs, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.
(c) The Company will furnish to Placement Agent and its counsel (at the expense of the Company) copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that are filed with the Commission during any period in which a Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, in each case as soon as reasonably practicable, and in such quantities and at such locations
as Placement Agent may from time to time reasonably request. The copies of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any supplements or amendments thereto furnished to Placement Agent will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
(d) If at any time when a Prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with a pending sale of the Placement Shares, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for Placement Agent and for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of each counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify Placement Agent to suspend the offering of Placement Shares during such period and the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to Placement Agent such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as Placement Agent may reasonably request.
(e) The Company and the Investment Adviser will not take any action designed to cause or result in the manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale of Shares in violation of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, or the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of Shares.
(f) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with Placement Agent, to endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as Placement Agent shall reasonably request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent of service of process or to qualify as a foreign entity or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.
(g) During any period in which the Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares is required to be delivered by Placement Agent under the Securities Act with respect to a pending sale of the Placement Shares, the Company will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Shares on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.
(h) The Company, during any period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act and the Investment Company Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and the Investment Company Act, as the case may be.
(i) The Company will not, without (i) giving Placement Agent at least one (1) business day prior written notice specifying the nature of the proposed sale and the date of such proposed sale and (ii) Placement Agent suspending activity under this program for such period of time as requested by the Company or as deemed appropriate by Placement Agent in light of the proposed sale, (A) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock] or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock], or file any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (B) enter into any swap or other agreement or any transaction that transfers in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock], or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with Common Stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (A) or (B) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock] or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (x) the Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock] to be offered and sold through Placement Agent pursuant to this Agreement and (y) the Common Stock issued pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan as it may be amended from time to time.
(j) The Company will, at any time during a fiscal quarter in which the Company intends to tender a Placement Notice or sell Placement Shares, advise Placement Agent promptly after it shall have received notice or obtained knowledge thereof, of any information or fact that would alter or affect in any material respect any opinion, certificate, letter or other document provided to Placement Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
(k) The Company will cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by Placement Agent or its agents in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, providing information and making available documents and senior officers, during regular business hours and at the Company’s principal offices, as Placement
Agent may reasonably request. The parties acknowledge that the due diligence review contemplated by this Section 9(k) will include, without limitation, during the term of this Agreement a quarterly diligence conference to occur within five (5) Trading Days after the filing of the Company’s annual report and semi-annual report on Form N-CSR and N-CSRS, respectively, and quarterly report on Form N-Q (collectively, with any successor forms that may be required by the Commission, the “Reports”), as applicable, whereby the Company will make its senior corporate officers available to address diligence inquiries of Placement Agent and will provide such additional information and documents as Placement Agent may reasonably request.
(l) The Company will disclose in its annual report and semi-annual report on Form N-CSR and N-CSRS, respectively, and quarterly report on Form N-Q, as applicable, the number of Placement Shares sold through Placement Agent, the Net Proceeds to the Company and the compensation payable by the Company to Placement Agent with respect to such Placement Shares. To the extent the information set forth in this Section 9(l) is filed in a prospectus supplement, the Company agrees to deliver such number of copies of each such prospectus supplement to each exchange or market on which such sales were effected as may be required by the rules or regulations of such exchange or market.
(m) On or prior to the date that the first Placement Notice is issued, and within five (5) Trading Days after the Company:
(i) (A) files the Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares or amends or supplements the Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares by means of a post-effective amendment, sticker, or supplement relating to the Placement Shares, or (B) files a Rule 497 filing (other than a Rule 497 filing solely to update management’s estimates of the Company’s financial metrics as of the most recent month end (“Financial Metrics 497”)); and
(ii) files a Report (to the extent not already covered by subsection (i) of this Section 9(m)) (each such date of filing of one or more of the documents referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) and any time of request pursuant to this Section 9(m) shall be a “Representation Date”);
each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator shall furnish Placement Agent with a certificate, in the forms attached hereto as Exhibit D-1, Exhibit D-2, and Exhibit D-3, as applicable (each, an “Officer’s Certificate”).
With respect to post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement contemplated by this Section 9(m), if the Company is not otherwise permitted to rely on Rule 486(b) regarding the effective date of a post-effective amendment, the Representation Date shall be the date the Commission declares such amendment effective and all Representation Date deliveries relating thereto which are required by Section 9 shall be delivered on or as promptly as practicable following the date of effectiveness of such amendment. If the Company is permitted to rely on Rule 486(b) in connection with the filing of a post-effective amendment, then the Representation Date shall be the date such post-effective amendment is filed with the Commission.
The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 9(m) shall be waived for any Representation Date occurring at a time at which no Placement Notice is pending, which waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers a Placement Notice hereunder (which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Representation Date) and the next occurring Representation Date; provided, however, that such waiver shall not apply for any Representation Date on which the Company files its annual report on Form N-CSR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company subsequently decides to sell Placement Shares following a Representation Date when the Company relied on such waiver and did not provide Placement Agent with a certificate under this Section 9(m), then before the Company delivers the Placement Notice or Placement Agent sells any Placement Shares, each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator shall provide Placement Agent with the applicable Officer’s Certificate dated the date of the Placement Notice.
(n) On or prior to the date of the first Placement Notice and within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date with respect to which the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are obligated to deliver the applicable Officer’s Certificate, as applicable, for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause to be furnished to Placement Agent written opinions and negative assurances of Dechert LLP (“Company Counsel”), or other counsel satisfactory to Placement Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to Placement Agent and their counsel, dated the date that the opinion is required to be delivered, substantially similar to the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented; provided, however, that in lieu of such opinions for subsequent Representation Dates, any such counsel may furnish Placement Agent with a letter to the effect that Placement Agent may rely on a prior opinion delivered under this Section 9(n) to the same extent as if it were dated the date of such letter (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented at such Representation Date).
(o) On or prior to the date of the first Placement Notice and within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date
with respect to which the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are obligated to deliver the applicable Officer’s Certificate, for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause (A) its independent accountants (and any other independent accountants whose report is included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus) to furnish to Placement Agent letters (collectively, the “Comfort Letter”), dated the date the Comfort Letter is delivered, in form and substance satisfactory to Placement Agent, (i) confirming that they are an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, (ii) stating, as of such date, the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings (the first such letters, the “Initial Comfort Letter”) and (iii) updating the Initial Comfort Letter with any information that would have been included in the Initial Comfort Letter had it been given on such date and modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended and supplemented to the date of such letter and (B) the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer to furnish to Placement Agent a certificate (the “CEO/CFO Certificate”) dated the date that the certificate is required to be delivered, in form and substance satisfactory to Placement Agent. In addition, on or prior to the date of the first Placement Notice, the Company shall cause such independent accountants to deliver to Placement Agent an “agreed-upon procedures letter” dated the date the agreed-upon procedures letter is delivered, in form and substance satisfactory to Placement Agent, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in such letters with respect to certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(p) On or prior to the date of the first Placement Notice, each time Shares are delivered to Placement Agent as principal on a Settlement Date and within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date with respect to which the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator are obligated to deliver the applicable Officer’s Certificate, as applicable, for which no waiver is applicable, each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator shall furnish Placement Agent with a certificate of its respective Secretary, dated the date such certificate is required to be delivered, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F-1, Exhibit F-2 and Exhibit F-3, as applicable.
(q) Within five (5) Trading Days of the Company filing with the Commission a Financial Metrics 497, the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Placement Agent a CEO/CFO Certificate certifying the information included in the Financial Metrics 497, in a form and substance satisfactory to the Placement Agent.
(r) The Company will not, directly or indirectly, (i) take any action designed to cause or result in, or that constitutes or might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or (ii) sell, bid for, or purchase the Shares, or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Shares other than Placement Agent; provided, however, that the Company may bid for and purchase its Common Stock [or Series Preferred Stock] in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act.
(s) The Company will comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and will use reasonable efforts to cause the Company’s directors and officers, in their capabilities, as such, to comply with such laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(t) The Company will use reasonable best efforts to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, with respect to any fiscal year in which the Company is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act.
(u) The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator will use their reasonable efforts to perform all of the agreements required of them by this Agreement and discharge all conditions of theirs to closing as set forth in this Agreement.
(v) The Company will use the Net Proceeds as described in the Prospectus.
(w) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to Placement Agent an earnings statement or statements of the Company which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act.
(x) The Company will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Shares on the NYSE as and when required by this Agreement.
(y) The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Placement Shares (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees
and expenses of the registrar, transfer agent of the Shares, (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Placement Shares, (iv) all fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts) and the Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto and this Agreement, (vi) all filing fees, distribution fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Placement Shares for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or any other country, including, if requested by Placement Agent, the preparation by counsel for Placement Agent and printing of a “Blue Sky Survey,” an “International Blue Sky Survey” or other memorandum, and any supplements thereto, advising the Placement Agent of such qualifications, registrations and exemptions, (vii) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Placement Shares on NYSE, (viii) the filing fees incident to the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Placement Shares, (ix) the fee and expense of counsel to Placement Agent in an amount not to exceed (A) $50,000 in connection with due diligence and the preparation of this Agreement and (B) $2,500 on the first day of each calendar quarter that this Agreement is in effect, commencing on July 1, 2017 and (x) all other fees, costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.
10. Indemnity and Contribution.
(a) Each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless Placement Agent, each person, if any, who controls Placement Agent within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, each selling agent of Placement Agent and each director, officer, member, shareholder or affiliate of Placement Agent within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations (each, a “Placement Agent Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) and expense whatsoever, caused by, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B or Rule 497 under the Securities Act, or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by Placement Agent expressly for use therein.
(b) Placement Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and each of their respective partners, directors, trustees, managers, members and shareholders (as the case may be), and each officer of the Company who signs the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a “Company Indemnified Party”) to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator to Placement Agent, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, to written information relating to Placement Agent furnished to the Company by Placement Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as originally filed with the Commission, or any amendment thereof. The Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator acknowledge that Placement Agent has not furnished any information to the Company for inclusion in the Prospectus.
(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 10(a) or 10(b), such person (the “indemnified party”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “indemnifying party”) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements reasonably incurred of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, (ii) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with an actual conflict of interest, or (iii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses reasonably incurred of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Placement Agent Indemnified Parties, collectively, and (ii) the fees and expenses reasonably incurred of more than one separate firm (in addition
to any local counsel) for all Company Indemnified Parties, collectively. In the case of any such separate firm for Placement Agent Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by Placement Agent. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this Section 10(c), the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the material terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into, and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of the indemnified party.
(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 10(a) or 10(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and Placement Agent on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 10(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 10(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and of Placement Agent on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and Placement Agent on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total discounts and commissions received by Placement Agent, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company, the Investment Adviser and/or the Administrator on the one hand and Placement Agent on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or by Placement Agent and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
(e) The Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and Placement Agent agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 10 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if Placement Agent were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 10(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in Section 10(d) shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10, Placement Agent shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares sold by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Placement Agent has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 10 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.
(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 10 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Placement Agent Indemnified Party or by or on behalf of any Company Indemnified Party and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.
(g) No party shall be entitled to indemnification under this Section 10 if such indemnification of such party would
violate Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act.
11. Termination.
(a) Placement Agent may terminate this Agreement by notice given to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Settlement Date (i) any Company Material Adverse Effect, Investment Adviser Material Adverse Effect, or Administrator Material Adverse Effect, has occurred which, in the reasonable judgment of Placement Agent may materially impair the investment quality of the Placement Shares, (ii) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the NYSE, the NYSE MKT, the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (iii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iv) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred, (v) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by Federal or New York State authorities or (vi) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in Placement Agent’s judgment, is material and adverse and which, singly or together with any other event specified in this clause (vi), makes it, in Placement Agent’s judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
(b) The Company and Placement Agent shall have the right, by giving three (3) days’ notice to the other party as hereinafter specified, unless such notice is waived by such other party, to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time after the date of this Agreement.
(c) Unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Section 11, this Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the issuance and sale of the Maximum Amount through Placement Agent on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
(d) This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless terminated pursuant to this Section 11 or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties.
(e) Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice of termination; provided, however, that such termination shall not be effective until the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice by Placement Agent or the Company, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Placement Shares, such Placement Shares shall settle in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
12. Entire Agreement.
(a) This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between and among the Company, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and Placement Agent, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(b) Each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator acknowledges that in connection with the offering of the Shares: (i) Placement Agent is acting solely in such capacity in connection with the sale of the Shares and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and Placement Agent, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not Placement Agent has advised or is advising the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator on other matters, (ii) the public offering price of the Shares and the price to be paid by Placement Agent for the Shares set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator following discussions and arms-length negotiations with Placement Agent, (iii) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) Placement Agent owes the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement), if any, (v) Placement Agent may have interests that differ from those of the Company, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator, and (vi) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against Placement Agent for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that Placement Agent shall not have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contact, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator or any stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
14. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.
15. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.
16. Notices. All communications hereunder
shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and (i) if to Placement Agent, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered,
mailed or sent to [ ]and (ii) if to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, shall be sufficient in all respects
if delivered, mailed or sent to the Company, the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, at the offices of the
Company at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, Attention: Thomas P. Majewski (facsimile no. (203) 340-8501),
with a copy to Dechert LLP, 100 Oliver Street, Boston MA 02110, Attention: Thomas J. Friedmann (facsimile no. (617) 275-8389).
Very truly yours, | ||
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
EAGLE POINT INCOME MANAGEMENT LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
EAGLE POINT ADMINISTRATION LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Company Signature Page to Equity Distribution Agreement]
Accepted as of the date hereof | ||
[ ] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Placement Agent Signature Page to Equity Distribution Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF PLACEMENT NOTICE
From: | [ ] |
Cc: | [ ] |
To: | [ ] |
Date: | [ ] |
Subject: ATM - Placement Notice
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the At Market Issuance Sales Agreement among Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability Company, and [ ] (the “Placement Agent”), I hereby request on behalf of the Company that the Placement Agent sell up to [ ] of [type of Placement Shares], at a minimum market price of $[ ] per share.
The time period during which sales are requested to be made shall be [ ].
No more than [ ] shares may be sold in any one trading day.
ADDITIONAL SALES PARAMETERS MAY BE ADDED, SUCH AS SPECIFIC DATES THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD ON, THE MANNER IN WHICH SALES ARE TO BE MADE BY PLACEMENT AGENT, AND/OR THE CAPACITY IN WHICH THE PLACEMENT AGENT MAY ACT IN SELLING SECURITIES (AS PRINCIPAL, AGENT, OR BOTH).
EXHIBIT B
[ ]
[ ] | [ ] |
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
Thomas P. Majewski | tmajewski@eaglepointcredit.com |
Kenneth P. Onorio | konorio@eaglepointcredit.com |
EXHIBIT C
COMPENSATION
EXHIBIT D-1
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT D-2
EAGLE POINT INCOME MANAGEMENT LLC
OFFICER CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT D-3
EAGLE POINT ADMINISTRATION LLC
OFFICER CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT E
COMPANY COUNSEL OPINION
EXHIBIT F-1
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
Secretary’s Certificate
EXHIBIT F-2
EAGLE POINT INCOME MANAGEMENT LLC
MANAGING PARTNER’S CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT F-3
EAGLE POINT ADMINISTRATION LLC
SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE
Exhibit 99.(l)
One
International Place, 40th Floor
100 Oliver Street Boston, MA 02110-2605 +1 617 728 7100 Main +1 617 426 6567 Fax www.dechert.com |
October 17, 2019
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Re: Registration Statement on Form N-2
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form N-2 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), filed on the date hereof with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to possible offerings from time to time of up to an aggregate of $200,000,000 of the following securities of the Company: (1) shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (2) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), (3) subscription rights to purchase Common Stock (“Subscription Rights”) and (4) debt securities (“Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to an indenture between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Subscription Rights and Debt Securities are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
The Registration Statement provides that the Securities may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to the prospectus included in the Registration Statement (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). This opinion letter is being furnished to the Company in accordance with the requirements of Item 25 of Form N-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and we express no opinion herein as to any matter other than as to the legality of the Securities.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below, including the following documents:
(i) | the Registration Statement; |
October 17, 2019 Page 2 |
(ii) | the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”); |
(iii) | the Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”); |
(iv) | the form of certificate evidencing the Subscription Rights; |
(v) | the form of indenture governing the Debt Securities (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”); |
(vi) | the form of certificate of designation for Preferred Stock; |
(vii) | the form of underwriting agreement for equity securities; |
(viii) | the form of underwriting agreement for debt securities; |
(ix) | the form of sales agent agreement; |
(x) | the form of subscription agent agreement for subscription rights; |
(xi) | a certificate of good standing with respect to the Company issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a recent date; and |
(xii) | resolutions of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”), relating to, among other things, the authorization and approval of the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement. |
As to the facts upon which this opinion letter is based, we have relied, to the extent we deem proper, upon certificates of public officials and certificates and written statements of officers, directors, employees and representatives of the Company.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as original documents and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed (i) the legal capacity of natural persons and (ii) the legal power and authority of all persons signing on behalf of the parties to all documents.
On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in this letter, we are of the opinion that:
1. | The Common Stock, when (a) duly issued and sold by the Company in accordance with the Registration Statement and applicable Prospectus Supplement, upon conversion or exchange of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock or upon exercise of Subscription Rights as contemplated by the Registration |
October 17, 2019 Page 3 |
Statement and applicable Prospectus Supplement and (b) delivered to the purchaser or purchasers thereof against receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may lawfully determine and at a price per share not less than the per share par value of the Common Stock, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
2. | The Preferred Stock, when (a) duly issued and sold in accordance with the Registration Statement and applicable Prospectus Supplement or upon conversion or exchange of Debt Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement and applicable Prospectus Supplement and (b) delivered to the purchaser or purchasers thereof against receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may lawfully determine and at a price per share not less than the per share par value of the Preferred Stock, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
3. | The Subscription Rights, when duly issued in accordance with the Registration Statement and applicable Prospectus Supplement and the provisions of an applicable subscription certificate and any applicable and valid and binding subscription agreement, will be validly issued. |
4. | The Debt Securities, when (a) duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and (x) issued and sold in accordance with the Registration Statement and applicable Prospectus Supplement or (y) issued upon exchange or conversion of Preferred Stock as contemplated by the Registration Statement and applicable Prospectus Supplement and (b) delivered to the purchaser or purchasers thereof against receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized officer of the Company) may lawfully determine, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms. |
The opinions set forth herein are subject to the following assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions being true and correct at or before the time of the delivery of any Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement and appropriate Prospectus Supplement:
October 17, 2019 Page 4 |
(i) | the Board of Directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and/or appropriate officers of the Company shall have duly (x) established the terms of the Securities and (y) authorized and taken any other necessary corporate or other action to approve the creation, if applicable, issuance and sale of the Securities and related matters (including with respect to Preferred Stock, the execution, acknowledgment and filing of a certificate of designation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) and any Securities consisting of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, and any Common Stock or Preferred Stock for or into which any other Securities are exercisable, exchangeable or convertible, shall have been duly reserved for issuance and such authorizations and actions have not been rescinded; |
(ii) | resolutions establishing the definitive terms of, and authorizing the Company to register, offer, sell and issue the Securities, shall remain in effect and unchanged at all times during which the Securities are offered, sold or issued by the Company; |
(iii) | the definitive terms of each class and series of the Securities not presently provided for in the Registration Statement or the Certificate of Incorporation, and the terms of the issuance and sale of the Securities (x) shall have been duly established in accordance with all applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws (collectively, the “Charter”), any Indenture, underwriting agreement and subscription agreement and any other relevant agreement relating to the terms and the offer and sale of the Securities (collectively, the “Documents”) and the authorizing resolutions of the Board of Directors, and reflected in appropriate documentation reviewed by us, and (y) shall not violate any applicable law, the Charter or the Documents (subject to the further assumption that such Charter and Documents have not been amended from the date hereof in a manner that would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein), or result in a default under or breach of (nor constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time or both would constitute a default under or result in any breach of) any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and shall comply with any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; |
(iv) | upon issuance of any shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, including upon exercise, conversion or exchange of Securities, the total number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock issued and outstanding shall not exceed the total number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Certificate of Incorporation; |
(v) | the interest rate on the Debt Securities shall not be higher than the maximum lawful rate permitted from time to time under applicable law; |
October 17, 2019 Page 5 |
(vi) | the Securities (including any Securities issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other Securities) and any certificates representing the relevant Securities (including any Securities issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other Securities) shall have been duly authenticated, executed, countersigned, registered and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon legal consideration therefor and shall have been duly issued and sold in accordance with any relevant agreement and, if applicable, duly executed and delivered by the Company and any other appropriate party; |
(vii) | each of the Indenture, subscription agreement and any other relevant agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of, each party thereto (other than the Company); |
(viii) | the Registration Statement (including all necessary post-effective amendments), and any additional registration statement filed under Rule 462 under the Securities Act, shall be effective under the Securities Act, and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded; |
(ix) | an appropriate Prospectus Supplement shall have been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder describing the Securities offered thereby; |
(x) | the Securities shall be issued and sold in compliance with all U.S. federal and state securities laws and solely in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement and there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity of the opinions rendered herein; |
(xi) | if the Securities will be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Securities in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or incorporated by reference therein, shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; |
(xii) | the Indenture has been, and shall continue to be, duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; and |
(xiii) | in the case of an agreement or instrument pursuant to which any Securities are to be issued, there shall be no terms or provisions contained therein which would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein. |
October 17, 2019 Page 6 |
The opinions set forth herein as to enforceability of obligations of the Company are subject to: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws now or hereinafter in effect affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and the discretion of the court or other body before which any proceeding may be brought; (ii) the unenforceability under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of, or contribution to, a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy, (iii) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in U.S. dollars; (iv) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in U.S. dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law; and (v) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency or composite currency.
We express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision in any agreement or instrument that (i) requires or relates to payment of any interest at a rate or in an amount which a court may determine in the circumstances under applicable law to be commercially unreasonable or a penalty or forfeiture or (ii) relates to governing law and submission by the parties to the jurisdiction of one or more particular courts.
We are members of the bar of the State of New York, and the foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
This opinion letter has been prepared for your use solely in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
October 17, 2019 Page 7 |
Very truly yours,
/s/ Dechert LLP
Dechert LLP
Exhibit (n)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report dated February 27, 2019 with respect to the statement of assets and liabilities of Eagle Point Income Company Inc., (formerly EP Income Company, LLC), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statements of operations, cash flows and financial highlights for the period from October 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) through October 15, 2018 and the period from October 16, 2018 through December 31, 2018, the statement of members’ equity for the period from October 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) through October 15, 2018, and the statement of changes in net assets for the period from October 16, 2018 through December 31, 2018, included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Prospectus.
New York, New York
October 17, 2019
Exhibit (s)(2)
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
[FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE COMMON STOCK OFFERINGS]
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to Prospectus dated , 201 )
Shares
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
Common Stock
$ per share
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or “CLOs,” that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (or its equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, Inc. and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. We may also invest in other securities and instruments that Eagle Point Income Management LLC believes are consistent with our investment objectives. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity, are unrated and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018, and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018. Eagle Point Income Management LLC, or the “Adviser,” is our investment adviser and manages our investments subject to the supervision of our board of directors. An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management LLC, or “Eagle Point Credit Management,” provides investment professionals and other resources to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to conduct its operations. The Adviser, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, as of June 30, 2019, had $2.8 billion in total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of such date. Eagle Point Administration LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, or the “Administrator,” serves as our administrator.
All of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement are being sold by us. Our common stock is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EIC.” The last reported closing price for our common stock on , 20 was $ per share. The net asset value of our common stock on , 20 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement on which we determined net asset value) was $ per share. [The offering price per share of our common stock less any underwriting commissions or discounts will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make this offering.]
Shares of common stock of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. If our shares of common stock trade at a discount to our net asset value, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers of our securities.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial loss of investment. Before purchasing any securities, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in our common stock, which are summarized in “Risk Factors” beginning on page [·] in the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement contains important information you should know before investing in our common stock. Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before you invest and retain them for future reference. We file annual and semi-annual stockholder reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” To obtain this information free of charge or make other inquiries pertaining to us, please visit our website (www.eaglepointincome.com) or call (844) 810-6501 (toll-free). You may also obtain a copy of any information regarding us filed with the SEC from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Share | Total | |||||||
Public offering price | $ | $ | ||||||
Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions) | $ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds to us (before expenses)(1) | $ | $ |
In addition, the underwriters may purchase up to an additional shares of common stock at the public offering price, less the sales load payable by us, to cover overallotments, if any, within days from the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total sales load paid by us will be $ , and total proceeds, before expenses, will be $ .
(1) | Total offering expenses payable by us, excluding sales load, are estimated to be $ . |
The underwriters are offering the common stock as set forth in “Underwriting.” Delivery of the common stock will be made on or about , 20 .
The date of this prospectus supplement is , 20
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ELECTRONIC DELIVERY
Beginning in February 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of shareholder reports for Eagle Point Income Company Inc. (the “Company”) will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Company or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Company’s website, 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 do not need to take any action. For shareholder reports and other communications from the Company issued prior to February 2021, you may elect to receive such reports and other communications electronically. If you own shares of the Company through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to receive materials electronically. You may also visit www.fundreports.com or call 1-866-345-5954. If you own shares of the Company directly, you may contact us at 1-844-810-6501.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper, free of charge. If you own shares of the Company through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports after February 2021. You may also visit www.fundreports.com or call 1-866-345-5954. If you make such an election through your financial intermediary, your election to receive reports in paper may apply to all funds held through your financial intermediary. If you own shares of the Company directly, you may contact us at 1-844-810-6501.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the information appearing in the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its front cover. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since these dates. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers are permitted.
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading, “Available Information” before investing in our common stock
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Page | ||
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY | S-1 | |
THE OFFERING | S-10 | |
FEES AND EXPENSES | S-13 | |
USE OF PROCEEDS | S-16 | |
CAPITALIZATION | S-17 | |
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK | S-18 | |
UNDERWRITING | S-19 | |
LEGAL MATTERS | S-21 | |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | S-21 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | S-21 |
PROSPECTUS
Page | ||
[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.] |
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
The following summary contains basic information about this offering. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that is important to a decision to invest in our common stock. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and beginning on page [·] in the accompanying prospectus and the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms:
· | The “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation or, for periods prior to our conversion to a corporation, EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
· | “Eagle Point Income Management” and “Adviser” refer to Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
· | “Eagle Point Administration” and “Administrator” refer to Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; and |
· | “Risk-adjusted returns” refers to the profile of expected asset returns across a range of potential macroeconomic scenarios, and does not imply that a particular strategy or investment should be considered low-risk. |
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act.” We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018. We were formed on September 28, 2018 as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018.
Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs, that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (e.g., BB+, BB or BB−, or their equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or “Moody’s,” Standard & Poor’s, or “S&P,” or Fitch Ratings, Inc., or “Fitch,” and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We refer to such debt tranches in this prospectus as “BB-Rated CLO Debt.” We may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. We may also invest in other securities and instruments that the Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives. The amount that we will invest in other securities and instruments, which may include investments in debt and other securities issued by CLOs collateralized by non-U.S. loans or securities of other collective investment vehicles, will vary from time to time and, as such, may constitute a material part of our portfolio on any given date, all as based on the Adviser’s assessment of prevailing market conditions. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity securities, are unrated and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
These investment objectives are not fundamental policies of ours and may be changed by our board of directors without prior approval of our stockholders. See “Business” in the accompanying prospectus.
We pursue a differentiated strategy within the CLO debt market premised upon our Adviser’s strong emphasis on assessing the skill of CLO collateral managers and analyzing the structure of a CLO.
S-1
We believe that the Adviser’s Senior Investment Team’s (as defined below) direct and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers and its CLO structural expertise, and the relative scale of the Adviser and its affiliates in the CLO market are competitive advantages as we seek to achieve our investment objectives.
We seek to construct a portfolio of CLO securities that provides varied exposure across several key categories, including:
· | number and investment style of CLO collateral managers; and |
· | CLO vintage period. |
We believe that we are structured as an efficient vehicle for investors to gain exposure to the types of CLO securities and related investments historically accessed by primarily institutional investors. We believe that our closed-end fund structure allows the Adviser to take a long-term view from a portfolio management perspective without the uncertainty posed by redemptions in an open-end fund structure. As such, the Adviser can focus principally on maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of stockholders.
Eagle Point Income Management
Eagle Point Income Management, our investment adviser, manages our investments subject to the supervision of our board of directors pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, or the “Investment Advisory Agreement.” An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management, provides investment professionals and other resources under a personnel and resources agreement, or the “Personnel and Resources Agreement,” to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations. An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Administration, performs, or arranges for the performance of, our required administrative services. For a description of the fees and expenses that we pay to the Adviser and the Administrator, see “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” and “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. The Adviser, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, which, as of June 30, 2019, had approximately $2.8 billion of total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of such date. Based on Eagle Point Credit Management’s CLO equity assets under management, the Adviser believes that, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, it is among the largest CLO equity investors in the market. The Adviser was established in September 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management was established in 2012. The Adviser is primarily owned by the Trident V Funds (as defined below) through intermediary holding companies. Additionally, Aerie Income LLC, or “Aerie”, a Delaware limited liability company, and an affiliate of Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, also indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. The Senior Investment Team also holds an indirect ownership interest in the Adviser. The Adviser is ultimately governed through intermediary holding companies by a board of managers, or the “Adviser’s Board of Managers,” which includes Mr. Majewski and certain principals of Stone Point Capital LLC, or “Stone Point.” The Adviser’s Board of Managers is also responsible for governance and oversight of certain affiliates of the Adviser, including Eagle Point Credit Management. See “The Adviser and the Administrator” in the accompanying prospectus.
Stone Point is the investment manager of Trident V, L.P. and related investment vehicles, which we refer to collectively as the “Trident V Funds.” Stone Point, an investment adviser registered with the SEC, is a specialized private equity firm focused on the financial services industry. Since its inception, Stone Point (including a predecessor entity) has raised seven private equity funds with aggregate committed capital of approximately $19 billion.
The Adviser’s “Senior Investment Team” is led by Mr. Majewski, Managing Partner of the Adviser, and is also comprised of Daniel W. Ko, Portfolio Manager, and Daniel M. Spinner, Portfolio Manager. The Senior Investment Team is primarily responsible for our day-to-day investment management and the implementation of our investment strategy and process.
S-2
Each member of the Senior Investment Team is a CLO industry specialist who has been directly involved in the CLO market for the majority of his career and has built relationships with key market participants, including CLO collateral managers, investment banks and investors. Members of the Senior Investment Team have been involved in the CLO market as:
· | the head of the CLO business at various investment banks; |
· | a lead CLO structurer and collateralized debt obligation, or “CDO,” workout specialist at an investment bank; |
· | a CLO equity and debt investor; |
· | principal investors in CLO collateral management firms; and |
· | a lender and mergers and acquisitions adviser to CLO collateral management firms. |
We believe that the complementary, yet highly specialized, skill set of each member of the Senior Investment Team provides the Adviser with a competitive advantage in its CLO-focused investment strategy. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Portfolio Managers” in the accompanying prospectus.
In addition to managing our investments, the Adviser’s affiliates and the members of the Senior Investment Team manage investment accounts for other clients, including Eagle Point Credit Company Inc., or “ECC,” a publicly traded, closed-end management investment company that is registered under the 1940 Act and for which Eagle Point Credit Management serves as investment adviser, privately offered pooled investment vehicles and several institutional separate accounts. Many of these accounts pursue an investment strategy that substantially or partially overlaps with the strategy that we pursue.
CLO Overview
We pursue an investment strategy focused on investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs. The CLOs that we primarily target are securitization vehicles that pool portfolios of primarily below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans. Such pools of underlying assets are often referred to as CLO “collateral.” While the vast majority of the portfolio of most CLOs consists of senior secured loans, many CLOs enable the CLO collateral manager to invest up to 10% of the portfolio in assets that are not first lien senior secured loans, including second lien loans, unsecured loans, senior secured bonds and senior unsecured bonds.
CLOs are generally required to hold a portfolio of assets that is highly diversified by underlying borrower and industry and that is subject to a variety of asset concentration limitations. Most CLOs are non-static, revolving structures that generally allow for reinvestment over a specific period of time (the “reinvestment period”, which is typically up to five years). The terms and covenants of a typical CLO structure are, with certain exceptions, based primarily on the cash flow generated by, and the par value (as opposed to the market price) of, the collateral. These covenants include collateral coverage tests, interest coverage tests and collateral quality tests.
A CLO funds the purchase of a portfolio of primarily senior secured loans via the issuance of CLO equity and debt securities in the form of multiple, primarily floating rate, debt tranches. The CLO debt tranches typically are rated “AAA” (or its equivalent) at the most senior level down to “BB” or “B” (or its equivalent), which is below investment grade, at the junior level by Moody’s, S&P and/or Fitch. The interest rate on the CLO debt tranches is the lowest at the AAA-level and generally increases at each level down the rating scale. The CLO equity tranche is unrated and typically represents approximately 8% to 11% of a CLO’s capital structure. Below investment grade and unrated securities are sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
The diagram below is for illustrative purposes only. The CLO structure highlighted below is a hypothetical structure intended to depict an average CLO in the market. A minority of CLOs also include a B-rated debt tranche (in which we may invest), and the structure of CLOs in which we invest may otherwise vary from the example set forth below.
S-3
CLOs have two priority-of-payment schedules (commonly called “waterfalls”), which are detailed in a CLO’s indenture and which govern how cash generated from a CLO’s underlying collateral is distributed to the CLO’s debt and equity investors. One waterfall (the interest waterfall) applies to interest payments received on a CLO’s underlying collateral. The second waterfall (the principal waterfall) applies to cash generated from principal on the underlying collateral, primarily through loan repayments and the proceeds from loan sales. Through the interest waterfall, any excess interest-related cash flow available after the required quarterly interest payments to CLO debt investors are made and certain CLO expenses (such as administration and collateral management fees) are paid is then distributed to the CLO’s equity investors each quarter, subject to compliance with certain tests. Please see “Business — CLO Overview” in the accompanying prospectus for a more detailed description of a CLO’s typical structure and certain key terms and conditions thereof.
A CLO’s indenture typically requires that the maturity dates of a CLO’s assets (typically five to eight years from the date of issuance of a senior secured loan) be shorter than the maturity date of the CLO’s liabilities (typically 12 to 13 years from the date of issuance). However, CLO investors do face reinvestment risk with respect to a CLO’s underlying portfolio. In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors are subject to prepayment risk in that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, which would cause the CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk” in the accompanying prospectus.
Investment Opportunity
We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs and focus on BB-Rated CLO Debt.
Based on the Senior Investment Team’s experience, we believe that the CLO market has experienced a significant evolution in the buyer base for BB-Rated CLO Debt. Prior to a few years ago, BB-Rated CLO Debt was primarily acquired and traded by hedge funds with a shorter term investment horizon. As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser believes that a significant amount of the demand for BB-Rated CLO Debt comes from longer term-oriented and sophisticated institutional investors such as asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds. We believe that increased interest in BB-Rated CLO Debt by these categories of institutional investors is driven at least in part by a view that investing in BB-Rated CLO Debt presents an attractive alternative to high-yield bond exposure and a complement to direct exposure to senior secured loans, and suggests that the BB-Rated CLO Debt market is maturing.
S-4
We believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt has the following attractive fundamental attributes:
· | Expected protection against rising interest rates: Similar to the senior secured loans that serve as the underlying collateral for CLOs, BB-Rated CLO Debt is a floating rate security that pays interest based on the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” plus a spread and, as a result, is expected to have lower interest rate risk than high-yield bonds, which are fixed income securities, in a rising interest rate environment. However, our investments are subject to other forms of interest rate risk. For a discussion of the interest rate risk associated with our investments, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk” in the accompanying prospectus. |
· | Potential for higher returns: Due in part to the relative inefficiency of the BB-Rated CLO Debt market as compared to the markets for senior secured loans and high yield bonds, we believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt offers a potential return that compares favorably to that of senior secured loans and high yield bonds. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus. |
· | Potential for lower credit expense: The default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt for the period from 1996 through 2Q 2018 is 1.5%1 (or just 0.07% per annum) as compared to 2.7% per annum for senior secured loans (from 1998 through 2Q 2018, the period for which the data is available) and 4.3% per annum for high-yield bonds (from 1996 through 2Q 2018).2 The Adviser believes that the “self-correcting” structural features associated with CLO structures offer a margin of safety for CLO debt investors and have contributed to the low historical default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus. |
In addition to investing in BB-Rated CLO Debt, we may invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus.
CLO debt and equity securities are subject to a number of risks as discussed elsewhere in this “Prospectus Summary” section and in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement and beginning on page [·] of the accompanying prospectus.
Our Competitive Advantages
We believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of investment opportunities in CLO securities and related investments due to the following competitive advantages:
· | Specialist in CLO securities. The Adviser focuses exclusively on CLO securities and related investments. Each member of the Senior Investment Team is a CLO specialist who has been involved with the CLO market for the majority of his career and brings a distinct and complementary skill set that the Adviser believes is necessary for our success. |
· | Deep CLO structural experience and expertise. Members of the Senior Investment Team have significant experience structuring, valuing and investing in CLOs throughout their careers. The Adviser believes that the initial structuring of a CLO investment is an important contributor to the ultimate risk-adjusted returns, and that experienced and knowledgeable investors can add meaningful value relative to other market participants by identifying investments with more protective and advantageous structures. |
· | Methodical investment process. The goal of the Adviser’s investment process is to outperform the CLO market generally over the long term. This process, augmented by the first-hand CLO industry experience of the Senior Investment Team, is designed to be repeatable and is focused on key areas for analysis that the Adviser believes are most relevant to potential future performance. Our Adviser believes that its investment |
1 | S&P Global Ratings, Default, Transition, and Recovery: 2017 Annual Global Leveraged Loan CLO Default Study and Rating Transitions. |
2 | Based on the Adviser’s analysis of market data over such periods. |
S-5
and security selection process, with its strong emphasis on assessing the skill of the CLO collateral manager and analyzing the structure of a CLO, differentiates its approach to investing in CLO securities. |
· | Proactive investment sourcing. As specialists in the CLO market, members of the Senior Investment Team have developed relationships with many CLO collateral managers and, as such, the Adviser believes that it and Eagle Point Credit Management are collectively viewed as an important market participant. We believe our Adviser’s and Eagle Point Credit Management’s collective relative size and prominence in the CLO market and the Senior Investment Team’s broad and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers and arranging banks benefit us by enhancing our ability to source investments in their early stages and to secure allocations of CLO debt investments issued in the primary market (the syndications of which can be oversubscribed). |
· | Efficient vehicle for gaining exposure to CLO debt securities. We believe that we are structured as an efficient vehicle for investors to gain exposure to the types of CLO securities and related investments historically accessed by primarily institutional investors. We believe our closed-end fund structure allows the Adviser to take a long-term view from a portfolio management perspective without the uncertainty posed by redemptions in an open-end fund structure. As such, the Adviser can focus principally on maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of stockholders. |
Our Structure and Formation Transactions
We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018 and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018. Our initial investment portfolio was contributed to us prior to our registration as an investment company by Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda limited company, or “Cavello Bay,” on October 4, 2018 in exchange for 75,052 of our limited liability company units, or “Units.” Cavello Bay is a subsidiary of Enstar Group Limited, or “Enstar.” The Trident V Funds are minority investors in Enstar, directly or indirectly owning less than 10% of the company’s equity securities, and have participated with Enstar in the acquisition of certain insurance businesses. Cavello Bay acquired the contributed investments from a separate subsidiary of Enstar in which the Trident V Funds indirectly hold an interest, StarStone Insurance Bermuda Limited, or “StarStone.” Eagle Point Credit Management was investment adviser to each of Cavello Bay and StarStone during the time periods in which they held these investments. In addition, the Adviser made a capital contribution to us of $100,000 for which it has received 100 Units.
At the time of our conversion into a corporation on October 16, 2018, the Units held by Cavello Bay converted into 3,764,580 shares, or 99.9% of our common stock, and the Units held by the Adviser converted into 5,016 shares, or 0.1% of our common stock, in each case based on our estimated and unaudited NAV calculated as of the date of the conversion and at a price per common stock equal to $20.00, which offering price per common stock the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, determined was not below the NAV of our common stock as of the date of such conversion. The shares of our common stock held by Cavello Bay and the Adviser are subject to certain lock-up restrictions.
The following chart reflects our organizational structure and our relationship with the Adviser and the Administrator as of the date of this prospectus:
S-6
Financing and Hedging Strategy
Leverage by the Company. We may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We are permitted to obtain leverage using any form of financial leverage instruments, including funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, margin facilities, notes or preferred stock and leverage attributable to reverse repurchase agreements or similar transactions. We currently anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to approximately 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) through borrowings under our credit facility, or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities. Instruments that create leverage are generally considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act. With respect to senior securities representing indebtedness (i.e., borrowing or deemed borrowing), other than temporary borrowings as defined under the 1940 Act, we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 300%, as measured at the time of borrowing and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness. With respect to senior securities that are stocks (i.e., shares of preferred stock), we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 200%, as measured at the time of the issuance of any such shares of preferred stock and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
While we anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to approximately 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) through borrowings under our credit facility, or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities, the actual amount of leverage we incur is uncertain from time to time, and we may use leverage opportunistically or otherwise choose to deviate from our current expectations. We may use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments at any time based on the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment, including forms of leverage other than preferred stock, debt securities and/or credit facilities. In addition, we may borrow for temporary, emergency or other purposes as permitted under the 1940 Act, which indebtedness would be in addition to the asset coverage ratios described above. By leveraging our investment portfolio, we may create an opportunity for increased net income and capital appreciation. However, the use of leverage also involves significant risks and expenses, which will be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock, and our leverage strategy may not be successful. For example, the more leverage is employed, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and increase the risk of investing in us” in the accompanying prospectus.
Derivative Transactions. We may engage in “Derivative Transactions,” as described below, from time to time. To the extent we engage in Derivative Transactions, we expect to do so to hedge against interest rate, credit and/or other risks, or for other investment or risk management purposes. We may use Derivative Transactions for investment purposes to the extent consistent with our investment objectives if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. We may purchase and sell a variety of derivative instruments, including exchange-listed and over-the-counter, or “OTC,” options, futures, options on futures, swaps and similar instruments, various interest rate transactions, such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and credit transactions and credit default swaps. We also may purchase and sell derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. Collectively, we refer to these financial management techniques as “Derivative Transactions.” Our use of Derivative Transactions, if any, will generally be deemed to create leverage for us and involves significant risks. No assurance can be given that our strategy and use of derivatives will be successful, and our investment performance could diminish compared with what it would have
S-7
been if Derivative Transactions were not used. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate” in the accompanying prospectus.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are required to meet certain regulatory tests. See “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, we intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018.
Our investment activities are managed by the Adviser and supervised by our board of directors. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee based on our “Managed Assets.” “Managed Assets” means our total assets (including assets attributable to our use of leverage) minus the sum of our accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of creating leverage). The management fee is calculated monthly based on our Managed Assets at the end of each calendar month and is payable quarterly in arrears. The management fee for any partial month will be pro-rated (based on the number of days actually elapsed at the end of such partial month relative to the total number of days in such calendar month). See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” in the accompanying prospectus.
We have also entered into an administration agreement, which we refer to as the “Administration Agreement,” under which we have agreed to reimburse the Administrator for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
Conflicts of Interest
Our executive officers and directors, and the Adviser and certain of its affiliates and their officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, have several conflicts of interest as a result of the other activities in which they engage. The Adviser and the Administrator are affiliated with other entities engaged in the financial services business. In particular, the Adviser and the Administrator are affiliated with Eagle Point Credit Management and Stone Point, and certain members of the Adviser’s Board of Managers are principals of Stone Point. Pursuant to certain management agreements, Stone Point has received delegated authority to act as the investment manager of the Trident V Funds. The Adviser and the Administrator are primarily owned by the Trident V Funds through intermediary holding companies. The Trident V Funds and other private equity funds managed by Stone Point invest in financial services companies. Additionally, Aerie also indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. Also, under the Personnel and Resources Agreement, Eagle Point Credit Management will make available the personnel and resources, including portfolio managers and investment personnel, to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations. These relationships may cause the Adviser’s, the Administrator’s and certain of their affiliates’ interests, and the interests of their officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, to diverge from our interests and may result in conflicts of interest that may not be foreseen or resolved in a manner that is always or exclusively in our best interest. In addition, an affiliate of the Adviser currently holds a controlling interest in Marble Point Credit Management LLC, or “Marble Point,” which is a CLO collateral manager and manager of other investment vehicles that invest in senior secured loans, CLO securities and other related investments. Our executive officers and directors, as well as other current and potential future affiliated persons, officers and employees of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates, may serve as officers, directors or principals of, or manage the accounts for, other entities, including ECC, with investment strategies that substantially or partially overlap with the strategy that we intend to pursue. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which obligations may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. The Adviser has entered into, and may in the future enter into additional, business arrangements with certain of our stockholders, including granting indirect ownership in limited liability company interests in the Adviser. In such cases, such stockholders may have an incentive to vote shares held by them in a manner that takes such arrangements into account. As a result of these relationships and separate business activities, the Adviser has conflicts of interest in
S-8
allocating management time, services and functions among us, other advisory clients and other business activities. See “Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.
In order to address such conflicts of interest, we have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. Similarly, the Adviser has separately adopted the “Adviser Code of Ethics.” The Adviser Code of Ethics requires the officers and employees of the Adviser to act in the best interests of the Adviser and its client accounts (including us), act in good faith and in an ethical manner, avoid conflicts of interests with the client accounts to the extent reasonably possible and identify and manage conflicts of interest to the extent that they arise. Personnel subject to each code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. Our directors and officers, and the officers and employees of the Adviser, are also required to comply with applicable provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and make prompt reports to supervisory personnel of any actual or suspected violations of law.
Pursuant to the investment allocation policies and procedures of Eagle Point Investment Management and Eagle Point Credit Management, they seek to allocate investment opportunities among accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time. In addition, an account managed by the Adviser, such as us, is expected to be considered for the allocation of investment opportunities together with other accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser, including Eagle Point Credit Management. There is no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to any particular account equitably in the short-term or that any such account, including us, will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable for it. See “Conflicts of Interest — Code of Ethics and Compliance Procedures” in the accompanying prospectus.
Co-Investment with Affiliates. In certain instances, we expect to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other accounts managed by certain of the Adviser’s affiliates, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance and the Adviser’s written allocation procedures. We will be able to rely on the exemptive relief granted by the SEC to Eagle Point Credit Management and certain of its affiliates to participate in certain negotiated co-investments alongside other accounts, including ECC, managed by Eagle Point Credit Management, or certain of its affiliates, subject to certain conditions including (i) that a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction and a majority of our directors who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, approve the co-investment and (ii) the price, terms and conditions of the co-investment are the same for each participant. A copy of the application for exemptive relief, including all of the conditions, and the related order are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Recent Developments
[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]
Our Corporate Information
Our offices are located at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830, and our telephone number is (844) 810-6501.
S-9
THE OFFERING
Issuer | Eagle Point Income Company Inc. |
Common Stock Offered by Us | shares of common stock |
Common Stock to be Outstanding after this Offering |
An additional shares of common stock are issuable pursuant to an overallotment option granted to the underwriters.
shares of common stock assuming the overallotment is not exercised. See “Capitalization” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.
shares of common stock assuming the overallotment is exercised in full. |
Use of Proceeds | We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and for general working capital purposes. We currently anticipate that it will take to months after the completion of this offering of common stock to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering in our targeted investments, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objectives and market conditions. During this period, we will invest in temporary investments, such as cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, which we expect will have returns substantially lower than the returns that we anticipate earning from investments in CLO securities and related investments. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace, which may negatively impact our returns. See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement |
NYSE Symbol | “EIC” |
Trading at a Discount | Shares of closed-end investment companies that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. If our shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering. Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our common stock, including the risk of leverage, in “Risk Factors” beginning on page [·] in the accompanying prospectus. |
S-10
Distributions | We intend to make regular quarterly cash distributions of all or a portion of our “investment company taxable income” (which generally consists of ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any) to common stockholders. We also intend to make at least annual distributions of all or a portion of our “net capital gains” (which is the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses). At times, in order to maintain a stable level of distributions, we may pay out less than all of our investment income or pay out accumulated undistributed income in addition to current net investment income. Subject to market conditions, dividend and capital gains distributions generally are used to purchase additional shares of common stock pursuant to an automatic dividend reinvestment plan. Dividend and capital gains distributions are taxable to our common stockholders whether they are reinvested in our shares of common stock or received in cash. See “Description of Our Capital Stock – Common Stock” in the accompanying prospectus. |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan | We have established an automatic dividend reinvestment plan, or the “DRIP.” Each holder of at least one full share of our common stock will be automatically enrolled in the DRIP. Under the DRIP, distributions on shares of our common stock are automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock by , or the “DRIP Agent.” Holders of our common stock who receive distributions in the form of additional shares of our common stock are nonetheless required to pay applicable federal, state or local taxes on the reinvested distribution but will not receive a corresponding cash distribution with which to pay any applicable tax. Holders of shares of our common stock who opt-out of participation in the DRIP (including those holders whose shares are held through a broker who has opted out of participation in the DRIP) will receive all distributions in cash. Reinvested distributions increase our stockholders’ equity on which a management fee is payable to the Adviser. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus. |
Custodian and Transfer Agent | serves as our custodian, and serves as our transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursement agent and stockholder servicing agent. See “Custodian and Transfer Agent” in the accompanying prospectus. |
Risk Factors | An investment in our common stock is subject to risks and involves a heightened risk of total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [·] of the accompanying prospectus to read about factors you should consider, |
S-11
including the risks of leverage, before investing in our common stock. | |
Additional Information | We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 under the Securities Act, which contains additional information about us and the common stock being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. This information will also be available free of charge by contacting us at Eagle Point Income Company Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (844) 810-6501, or on our website at http://www.eaglepointincome.com. |
S-12
FEES AND EXPENSES
The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in shares of our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table under “Annual Expenses” are estimated based on estimated amounts for our first full year of operations and assume that we incur leverage in an amount equal to 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred). The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown.
Stockholder Transaction Expenses (as a percentage of the offering price):
Sales load | [·] | %(1) | |||
Offering expenses | [·] | %(2) | |||
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses | [·] | %(3) | |||
Total stockholder transaction expenses | [·] | % |
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
Management fee | [·] | %(4) | |||
Interest payments on borrowed funds | [·] | %(5) | |||
Other expenses | [·] | % | |||
Acquired fund fees and expenses (underlying CLO fees and expenses) | [·] | %(6) | |||
Total annual expenses | [·] | % |
(1) | In the event that the securities to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters or agents, the related prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load. |
(2) | The related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of total offering expenses (which may include offering expenses borne by third parties on our behalf), the offering price and the offering expenses borne by us as a percentage of the offering price. |
(3) | The expenses of administering the DRIP are included in “other expenses.” If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator prior to termination of his or her account to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.10 per share brokerage commission from the proceeds. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus. |
(4) | We have agreed to pay the Adviser as compensation under the Investment Advisory Agreement a management fee at an annual rate of 1.25% which is calculated monthly based on our Managed Assets at the end of each calendar month and payable quarterly in arrears. “Managed Assets” means our total assets (including assets attributable to our use of leverage) minus the sum of our accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of creating leverage). Because Managed Assets include our use of leverage, they will typically be greater than our net assets. |
The figure shown in the table above reflects our assumption that we incur leverage in an amount equal to 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred). These management fees are indirectly borne by holders of our common stock and are not borne by the holders of preferred stock, if any, or the holders of any other securities that we may issue. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” in the accompanying prospectus. |
(5) | Assumes that we incur borrowings in an amount equal to 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) with an assumed interest rate of [·]% per annum, based on current market rates. |
(6) | Investors will bear indirectly the fees and expenses (including management fees and other operating expenses) of the CLO equity securities in which we invest. CLO collateral manager fees are charged on the total assets of a CLO but are assumed to be paid from the residual cash flows after interest payments to the CLO debt tranches. Therefore, these CLO collateral manager fees (which generally range from 0.35% to 0.50% of a CLO’s total |
S-13
assets) are effectively much higher when allocated only to the CLO equity tranche. The expense figure shown assumes that 15% of our investment portfolio is invested in equity securities of CLOs that pay collateral management fees equal to 0.45% and that have a CLO equity tranche equal to 10% of the CLO’s aggregate principal amount. The calculation does not include any other operating expense ratios of the CLOs, as these amounts are not routinely reported to stockholders on a basis consistent with this methodology; however, it is estimated that additional operating expenses of approximately 0.30% to 0.70% could be incurred. In addition, CLO collateral managers may earn fees based on a percentage of the CLO’s equity cash flows after the CLO equity has earned a cash-on-cash return of its capital and achieved a specified “hurdle” rate. |
Example
The following example is furnished in response to the requirements of the SEC and illustrates the various costs and expenses that you would pay, directly or indirectly, on a $1,000 investment in shares of our common stock for the time periods indicated, assuming (1) a % sales load, (2) total annual expenses of [·]% of net assets attributable to our common stock and (3) a 5% annual return*:
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||||||||||||||||
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | $ | [·] |
* | The example should not be considered a representation of future returns or expenses, and actual returns and expenses may be greater or less than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated “other expenses” set forth in the Annual Expenses table are accurate, and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Our actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example. |
Other Expenses
The Adviser’s investment team, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, are provided and paid for by the Adviser. We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including:
· | the cost of calculating our NAV (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm or pricing service); |
· | interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments; |
· | fees and expenses incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making or disposing of investments, including legal fees and expenses, travel expenses and other fees and expenses incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective investments, monitoring our investments and, if necessary, enforcing our rights; |
· | brokerage fees and commissions; |
· | federal and state registration fees and exchange listing fees; |
· | federal, state and local taxes; |
· | costs of offerings or repurchases of our common stock and other securities; |
· | the management fee; |
· | distributions on shares of our common stock; |
· | administration fees payable to the Administrator under the Administration Agreement; |
· | direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff, including fees payable in connection with outsourced administrative functions; |
· | transfer agent and custody fees and expenses; |
S-14
· | independent director fees and expenses; |
· | the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders, including printing costs; |
· | costs of holding stockholder meetings; |
· | litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses; |
· | fees and expenses associated with marketing and investor relations efforts; |
· | dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which we are a member; |
· | fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs; |
· | fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; |
· | costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and |
· | all other expenses reasonably incurred by us or the Administrator in connection with administering our business, such as the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and their respective support staff. |
S-15
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that net proceeds we will receive from the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option), in each case based on a public offering price of $ per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option) and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us.
We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and for general working capital purposes. We currently anticipate that it will take to months after the completion of this offering of common stock to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering in our targeted investments, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objectives and market conditions. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace, which may negatively impact our returns. During this period, we will invest in temporary investments, such as cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, which we expect will have returns substantially lower than the returns that we anticipate earning from investments in CLO securities and related investments. Investors should expect, therefore, that before we have fully invested the proceeds of the offering in accordance with our investment objectives and policies, assets invested in these instruments would earn interest income at a modest rate, which may not exceed our expenses during this period.
S-16
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of , 20 :
· | on an actual basis; and |
· | on a pro forma basis to give effect to the issuance and sale of shares of common stock in this offering based on a public offering price of $ per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us. |
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
(Dollars in Thousands
Except Per Unit and Per Share Data) |
||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
Investments at fair value | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Total liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Net Assets applicable to shares of common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
Net Assets consist of: | ||||||||
Paid in capital | $ | $ | ||||||
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investment | ||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | ||||||||
Distributions in excess of net investment income | ||||||||
Total net assets |
S-17
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
Our common stock began trading on July 24, 2019 and is currently traded on the NYSE under the symbol “EIC.” The following table lists the high and low closing sale price for our common stock, the high and low closing sale price as a percentage of NAV and distributions declared per share each quarter since July 24, 2019.
Closing Sales
Price |
Premium
(Discount) of High Sales Price |
Premium
(Discount) of Low Sales Price |
Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period | NAV(1) | High | Low | to NAV(2) | to NAV(2) | Declared(3) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First quarter | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||
Second quarter | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||
Third quarter | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | [·] | % | [·] | % | $ | [0.2873] | (4) | ||||||||||||||
Fourth quarter (through October [·], 2019) | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | [·] | % | [·] | % | $ | [0.3978] | (5) |
(1) | NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low closing sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of each period. |
(2) | Calculated as of the respective high or low closing sales price divided by the quarter end NAV. |
(3) | Represents the cash distributions (including dividends, dividends reinvested and returns of capital, if any) per share that we have declared on our common stock in the specified quarter. Per share amount of common stock distributions from return of capital is calculated as total common stock distributions declared to stockholders for the period less the daily weighted average of common stock distributions from net investment income and realized gains on investments for the period. |
(4) | [Includes a return of capital of approximately $[·]. See also footnote 3 above.] |
(5) | [Includes a return of capital of approximately $[·]. See also footnote 3 above.] |
Shares of non-diversified closed-end management investment companies may trade at a market price that is less than the NAV that is attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount from NAV or at a premium that is unsustainable over the long term is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV will decrease. It is not possible to predict whether our shares will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. Our NAV per share was $ as of (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement on which we determined NAV). The closing sale price for shares of our common stock on the NYSE on that date was $ , which represented a % [premium/discount] to NAV per share.
On , the last reported closing price of our common stock was $ per share. As of we had stockholders of record of our common stock (which does not reflect holders whose shares are held in street name by a broker, bank or other nominee).
S-18
UNDERWRITING
are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares of our common stock set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
Underwriter | Number of Shares | |||
Total |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares of our common stock are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all shares of our common stock (other than those covered by the overallotment option described below) if they purchase any of the shares of our common stock.
The underwriters propose to initially offer some shares of our common stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some shares of our common stock to certain dealers at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of $ per share of common stock. The sales load of $ per share of common stock is equal to % of the public offering price. If all of the shares of our common stock are not sold at the public offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and other selling terms. Investors must pay for any shares purchased on or before . The representatives have advised us that the underwriters do not intend to confirm any sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
The underwriters hold an option, exercisable for days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase from us up to additional shares of our common stock at the public offering price less the sales load. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering overallotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.
Each of our directors and officers has agreed that, for a period of days from the date of this prospectus supplement, or the “Lock-up Period,” such party will not, without the prior written consent of , on behalf of the underwriters, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of or agree to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly or hedge any shares of our common stock, provided, however, that we may issue and sell shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan and other limited exceptions. in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time.
As part of our payment of our offering expenses, we have agreed to pay expenses related to the fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters, in an amount not to exceed $ in the aggregate, in connection with the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or “FINRA,” of the terms of the sale of our common stock.
The following table shows the sales load to be paid to the underwriters solely by the Adviser in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. This offering will conform with the requirements set forth in FINRA Rule 2310. The sum of all compensation to the underwriters in connection with this offering of shares, including the sales load, will not exceed % of the total public offering price of the shares sold in this offering.
No
Exercise |
Full
Exercise |
|||||||
Per share | $ | $ | ||||||
Total | $ | $ |
S-19
We, the Adviser and the Administrator have each agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
Certain underwriters may make a market in our common stock. No underwriter is, however, obligated to conduct market-making activities and any such activities may be discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion of the underwriter. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, shares of our common stock as a result of any market-making activities undertaken by any underwriter. This prospectus supplement is to be used by any underwriter in connection with the offering and, during the period in which a prospectus must be delivered, with offers and sales of the shares in market-making transactions in the over-the-counter market at negotiated prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.
In connection with the offering, , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell shares of our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of shares in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ overallotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position involve either purchases of shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the overallotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when repurchases of shares of our common stock originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of shares. They may also cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE, or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, excluding the sales load, will be approximately $ million.
A prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares of our common stock to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate shares of our common stock to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, shares of our common stock may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell shares to online brokerage account holders.
We anticipate that, from time to time, certain underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they are underwriters.
Certain underwriters may have performed investment banking and financial advisory services for us, the Adviser and our affiliates from time to time, for which they have received customary fees and expenses. Certain underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our investment adviser and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
The principal business addresses of the representatives of the underwriters are: .
S-20
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the common stock will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP, Boston, MA. Dechert LLP also represents the Adviser. Certain matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by .
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, has been appointed as our independent registered public accounting firm.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 (file numbers 333-231921 and 811-23384), together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to the common stock offered by this prospectus. Our registration statement may be obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov.
We will file with or submit to the SEC annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. This information is available free of charge by writing us at Eagle Point Income Company Inc., 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830, Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (844) 810-6501, or on our website at www.eaglepointincome.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this prospectus.
S-21
Exhibit (s)(3)
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
[FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE PREFERRED STOCK OFFERINGS]
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to Prospectus dated , 201 )
Shares
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
% Series Preferred Stock due
Liquidation Preference $ per share
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or “CLOs,” that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (or its equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, Inc. and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. We may also invest in other securities and instruments that Eagle Point Income Management LLC believes are consistent with our investment objectives. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity, are unrated and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018, and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018. Eagle Point Income Management LLC, or the “Adviser,” is our investment adviser and manages our investments subject to the supervision of our board of directors. An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management LLC, or “Eagle Point Credit Management,” provides investment professionals and other resources to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to conduct its operations. The Adviser, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, as of June 30, 2019, had $2.8 billion in total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of such date. Eagle Point Administration LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, or the “Administrator,” serves as our administrator.
We are offering shares of our % Series Preferred Stock due , or the “Series Preferred Stock.” We are required to redeem all outstanding shares of the Series Preferred Stock on at a redemption price of $ per share, or the “Liquidation Preference,” plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time on or after , we may, at our sole option, redeem the outstanding shares of the Series Preferred Stock at a redemption price per share equal to the Liquidation Preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. In addition, if we fail to maintain asset coverage of at least 200%, we will be required to redeem shares of our preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, at least equal to the lesser of (1) the minimum number of shares of preferred stock that will result in our having asset coverage of at least 200%, and (2) the maximum number of shares of preferred stock that can be redeemed out of funds legally available for such redemption. We intend to pay monthly dividends on the Series Preferred Stock at an annual rate of % of the Liquidation
Preference, or $ per share per year, beginning on . The Series Preferred Stock will rank senior in right of payment to our common stock, will rank equally in right of payment with any shares of preferred stock we have issued or may issue in the future and will be subordinated in right of payment to any senior indebtedness[, of which we currently have none]. Each holder of the Series Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders, and the holders of all of our outstanding preferred stock and common stock will generally vote together as a single class. The holders of shares of the Series Preferred Stock (and any additional series of preferred stock we have issued or may issue in the future) are entitled as a class to elect two of our directors and, if dividends on any outstanding shares of our preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more, to elect a majority of our directors.
[We intend to list the Series Preferred Stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “ “ so that trading will begin within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to notice of issuance. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EIC.”] We determine the net asset value per share of our common stock on a quarterly basis. The net asset value per share of our common stock as of , 20 was $ .
Investing in the Series Preferred Stock involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial loss of investment. Before purchasing any shares of the Series Preferred Stock, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in the Series Preferred Stock, which are summarized in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement and on page [·] in the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement contains important information you should know before investing in the Series Preferred Stock. Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before you invest and retain them for future reference. We file annual and semi-annual stockholder reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” To obtain this information free of charge or make other inquiries pertaining to us, please visit our website (www.eaglepointincome.com) or call (844) 810-6501 (toll-free). You may also obtain a copy of any information regarding us filed with the SEC from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Share | Total | |||||||
Public offering price | $ | $ | ||||||
Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions) | $ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds to us (before expenses)(1) | $ | $ |
In addition, the underwriters may purchase up to an additional shares of Series Preferred Stock at the public offering price, less the sales load payable by us, to cover overallotments, if any, within days from the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total sales load paid by us will be $ , and total proceeds, before expenses, will be $ .
(1) | Total offering expenses payable by us, excluding sales load, are estimated to be $ . |
The underwriters are offering the Series Preferred Stock as set forth in “Underwriting.” Delivery of the Series Preferred Stock will be made on or about , 20 .
The date of this prospectus supplement is , 20
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ELECTRONIC DELIVERY
Beginning in February 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of shareholder reports for Eagle Point Income Company Inc. (the “Company”) will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Company or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Company’s website, 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 do not need to take any action. For shareholder reports and other communications from the Company issued prior to February 2021, you may elect to receive such reports and other communications electronically. If you own shares of the Company through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to receive materials electronically. You may also visit www.fundreports.com or call 1-866-345-5954. If you own shares of the Company directly, you may contact us at 1-844-810-6501.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper, free of charge. If you own shares of the Company through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports after February 2021. You may also visit www.fundreports.com or call 1-866-345-5954. If you make such an election through your financial intermediary, your election to receive reports in paper may apply to all funds held through your financial intermediary. If you own shares of the Company directly, you may contact us at 1-844-810-6501.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the information appearing in the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its front cover. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since these dates. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers are permitted.
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading, “Available Information” before investing in our preferred stock
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Page | ||
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY | S-1 | |
THE OFFERING | S-10 | |
RISK FACTORS | S-15 | |
USE OF PROCEEDS | S-16 | |
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK | S-17 | |
CAPITALIZATION | S-25 | |
UNDERWRITING | S-26 | |
LEGAL MATTERS | S-29 | |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | S-29 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | S-29 |
PROSPECTUS
Page | ||
[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.] |
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
The following summary contains basic information about this offering. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that is important to a decision to invest in the Series Preferred Stock. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and beginning on page [·] in the accompanying prospectus and the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms:
· | The “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation or, for periods prior to our conversion to a corporation, EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
· | “Eagle Point Income Management” and “Adviser” refer to Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
· | “Eagle Point Administration” and “Administrator” refer to Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; and |
· | “Risk-adjusted returns” refers to the profile of expected asset returns across a range of potential macroeconomic scenarios, and does not imply that a particular strategy or investment should be considered low-risk. |
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act.” We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018. We were formed on September 28, 2018 as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018.
Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs, that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (e.g., BB+, BB or BB−, or their equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or “Moody’s,” Standard & Poor’s, or “S&P,” or Fitch Ratings, Inc., or “Fitch,” and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We refer to such debt tranches in this prospectus as “BB-Rated CLO Debt.” We may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. We may also invest in other securities and instruments that the Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives. The amount that we will invest in other securities and instruments, which may include investments in debt and other securities issued by CLOs collateralized by non-U.S. loans or securities of other collective investment vehicles, will vary from time to time and, as such, may constitute a material part of our portfolio on any given date, all as based on the Adviser’s assessment of prevailing market conditions. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity securities, are unrated and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
These investment objectives are not fundamental policies of ours and may be changed by our board of directors without prior approval of our stockholders. See “Business” in the accompanying prospectus.
We pursue a differentiated strategy within the CLO debt market premised upon our Adviser’s strong emphasis on assessing the skill of CLO collateral managers and analyzing the structure of a CLO.
S-1
We believe that the Adviser’s Senior Investment Team’s (as defined below) direct and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers and its CLO structural expertise, and the relative scale of the Adviser and its affiliates in the CLO market are competitive advantages as we seek to achieve our investment objectives.
We seek to construct a portfolio of CLO securities that provides varied exposure across several key categories, including:
· | number and investment style of CLO collateral managers; and |
· | CLO vintage period. |
We believe that we are structured as an efficient vehicle for investors to gain exposure to the types of CLO securities and related investments historically accessed by primarily institutional investors. We believe that our closed-end fund structure allows the Adviser to take a long-term view from a portfolio management perspective without the uncertainty posed by redemptions in an open-end fund structure. As such, the Adviser can focus principally on maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of stockholders.
Eagle Point Income Management
Eagle Point Income Management, our investment adviser, manages our investments subject to the supervision of our board of directors pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, or the “Investment Advisory Agreement.” An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management, provides investment professionals and other resources under a personnel and resources agreement, or the “Personnel and Resources Agreement,” to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations. An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Administration, performs, or arranges for the performance of, our required administrative services. For a description of the fees and expenses that we pay to the Adviser and the Administrator, see “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” and “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. The Adviser, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, which, as of June 30, 2019, had approximately $2.8 billion of total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of such date. Based on Eagle Point Credit Management’s CLO equity assets under management, the Adviser believes that, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, it is among the largest CLO equity investors in the market. The Adviser was established in September 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management was established in 2012. The Adviser is primarily owned by the Trident V Funds (as defined below) through intermediary holding companies. Additionally, Aerie Income LLC, or “Aerie”, a Delaware limited liability company, and an affiliate of Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, also indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. The Senior Investment Team also holds an indirect ownership interest in the Adviser. The Adviser is ultimately governed through intermediary holding companies by a board of managers, or the “Adviser’s Board of Managers,” which includes Mr. Majewski and certain principals of Stone Point Capital LLC, or “Stone Point.” The Adviser’s Board of Managers is also responsible for governance and oversight of certain affiliates of the Adviser, including Eagle Point Credit Management. See “The Adviser and the Administrator” in the accompanying prospectus.
Stone Point is the investment manager of Trident V, L.P. and related investment vehicles, which we refer to collectively as the “Trident V Funds.” Stone Point, an investment adviser registered with the SEC, is a specialized private equity firm focused on the financial services industry. Since its inception, Stone Point (including a predecessor entity) has raised seven private equity funds with aggregate committed capital of approximately $19 billion.
The Adviser’s “Senior Investment Team” is led by Mr. Majewski, Managing Partner of the Adviser, and is also comprised of Daniel W. Ko, Portfolio Manager, and Daniel M. Spinner, Portfolio Manager. The Senior Investment Team is primarily responsible for our day-to-day investment management and the implementation of our investment strategy and process.
S-2
Each member of the Senior Investment Team is a CLO industry specialist who has been directly involved in the CLO market for the majority of his career and has built relationships with key market participants, including CLO collateral managers, investment banks and investors. Members of the Senior Investment Team have been involved in the CLO market as:
· | the head of the CLO business at various investment banks; |
· | a lead CLO structurer and collateralized debt obligation, or “CDO,” workout specialist at an investment bank; |
· | a CLO equity and debt investor; |
· | principal investors in CLO collateral management firms; and |
· | a lender and mergers and acquisitions adviser to CLO collateral management firms. |
We believe that the complementary, yet highly specialized, skill set of each member of the Senior Investment Team provides the Adviser with a competitive advantage in its CLO-focused investment strategy. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Portfolio Managers” in the accompanying prospectus.
In addition to managing our investments, the Adviser’s affiliates and the members of the Senior Investment Team manage investment accounts for other clients, including Eagle Point Credit Company Inc., or “ECC,” a publicly traded, closed-end management investment company that is registered under the 1940 Act and for which Eagle Point Credit Management serves as investment adviser, privately offered pooled investment vehicles and several institutional separate accounts. Many of these accounts pursue an investment strategy that substantially or partially overlaps with the strategy that we pursue.
CLO Overview
We pursue an investment strategy focused on investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs. The CLOs that we primarily target are securitization vehicles that pool portfolios of primarily below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans. Such pools of underlying assets are often referred to as CLO “collateral.” While the vast majority of the portfolio of most CLOs consists of senior secured loans, many CLOs enable the CLO collateral manager to invest up to 10% of the portfolio in assets that are not first lien senior secured loans, including second lien loans, unsecured loans, senior secured bonds and senior unsecured bonds.
CLOs are generally required to hold a portfolio of assets that is highly diversified by underlying borrower and industry and that is subject to a variety of asset concentration limitations. Most CLOs are non-static, revolving structures that generally allow for reinvestment over a specific period of time (the “reinvestment period”, which is typically up to five years). The terms and covenants of a typical CLO structure are, with certain exceptions, based primarily on the cash flow generated by, and the par value (as opposed to the market price) of, the collateral. These covenants include collateral coverage tests, interest coverage tests and collateral quality tests.
A CLO funds the purchase of a portfolio of primarily senior secured loans via the issuance of CLO equity and debt securities in the form of multiple, primarily floating rate, debt tranches. The CLO debt tranches typically are rated “AAA” (or its equivalent) at the most senior level down to “BB” or “B” (or its equivalent), which is below investment grade, at the junior level by Moody’s, S&P and/or Fitch. The interest rate on the CLO debt tranches is the lowest at the AAA-level and generally increases at each level down the rating scale. The CLO equity tranche is unrated and typically represents approximately 8% to 11% of a CLO’s capital structure. Below investment grade and unrated securities are sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
The diagram below is for illustrative purposes only. The CLO structure highlighted below is a hypothetical structure intended to depict an average CLO in the market. A minority of CLOs also include a B-rated debt tranche (in which we may invest), and the structure of CLOs in which we invest may otherwise vary from the example set forth below.
S-3
CLOs have two priority-of-payment schedules (commonly called “waterfalls”), which are detailed in a CLO’s indenture and which govern how cash generated from a CLO’s underlying collateral is distributed to the CLO’s debt and equity investors. One waterfall (the interest waterfall) applies to interest payments received on a CLO’s underlying collateral. The second waterfall (the principal waterfall) applies to cash generated from principal on the underlying collateral, primarily through loan repayments and the proceeds from loan sales. Through the interest waterfall, any excess interest-related cash flow available after the required quarterly interest payments to CLO debt investors are made and certain CLO expenses (such as administration and collateral management fees) are paid is then distributed to the CLO’s equity investors each quarter, subject to compliance with certain tests. Please see “Business — CLO Overview” in the accompanying prospectus for a more detailed description of a CLO’s typical structure and certain key terms and conditions thereof.
A CLO’s indenture typically requires that the maturity dates of a CLO’s assets (typically five to eight years from the date of issuance of a senior secured loan) be shorter than the maturity date of the CLO’s liabilities (typically 12 to 13 years from the date of issuance). However, CLO investors do face reinvestment risk with respect to a CLO’s underlying portfolio. In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors are subject to prepayment risk in that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, which would cause the CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk” in the accompanying prospectus.
Investment Opportunity
We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs and focus on BB-Rated CLO Debt.
Based on the Senior Investment Team’s experience, we believe that the CLO market has experienced a significant evolution in the buyer base for BB-Rated CLO Debt. Prior to a few years ago, BB-Rated CLO Debt was primarily acquired and traded by hedge funds with a shorter term investment horizon. As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser believes that a significant amount of the demand for BB-Rated CLO Debt comes from longer term-oriented and sophisticated institutional investors such as asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds. We believe that increased interest in BB-Rated CLO Debt by these categories of institutional investors is driven at least in part by a view that investing in BB-Rated CLO Debt presents an attractive alternative to high-yield bond exposure and a complement to direct exposure to senior secured loans, and suggests that the BB-Rated CLO Debt market is maturing.
S-4
We believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt has the following attractive fundamental attributes:
· | Expected protection against rising interest rates: Similar to the senior secured loans that serve as the underlying collateral for CLOs, BB-Rated CLO Debt is a floating rate security that pays interest based on the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” plus a spread and, as a result, is expected to have lower interest rate risk than high-yield bonds, which are fixed income securities, in a rising interest rate environment. However, our investments are subject to other forms of interest rate risk. For a discussion of the interest rate risk associated with our investments, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk” in the accompanying prospectus. |
· | Potential for higher returns: Due in part to the relative inefficiency of the BB-Rated CLO Debt market as compared to the markets for senior secured loans and high yield bonds, we believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt offers a potential return that compares favorably to that of senior secured loans and high yield bonds. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus. |
· | Potential for lower credit expense: The default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt for the period from 1996 through 2Q 2018 is 1.5%1 (or just 0.07% per annum) as compared to 2.7% per annum for senior secured loans (from 1998 through 2Q 2018, the period for which the data is available) and 4.3% per annum for high-yield bonds (from 1996 through 2Q 2018).2 The Adviser believes that the “self-correcting” structural features associated with CLO structures offer a margin of safety for CLO debt investors and have contributed to the low historical default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus. |
In addition to investing in BB-Rated CLO Debt, we may invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus.
CLO debt and equity securities are subject to a number of risks as discussed elsewhere in this “Prospectus Summary” section and in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement and beginning on page [·] of the accompanying prospectus.
Our Competitive Advantages
We believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of investment opportunities in CLO securities and related investments due to the following competitive advantages:
· | Specialist in CLO securities. The Adviser focuses exclusively on CLO securities and related investments. Each member of the Senior Investment Team is a CLO specialist who has been involved with the CLO market for the majority of his career and brings a distinct and complementary skill set that the Adviser believes is necessary for our success. |
· | Deep CLO structural experience and expertise. Members of the Senior Investment Team have significant experience structuring, valuing and investing in CLOs throughout their careers. The Adviser believes that the initial structuring of a CLO investment is an important contributor to the ultimate risk-adjusted returns, and that experienced and knowledgeable investors can add meaningful value relative to other market participants by identifying investments with more protective and advantageous structures. |
· | Methodical investment process. The goal of the Adviser’s investment process is to outperform the CLO market generally over the long term. This process, augmented by the first-hand CLO industry experience of the Senior Investment Team, is designed to be repeatable and is focused on key areas for analysis that the Adviser believes are most relevant to potential future performance. Our Adviser believes that its investment |
1 | S&P Global Ratings, Default, Transition, and Recovery: 2017 Annual Global Leveraged Loan CLO Default Study and Rating Transitions. |
2 | Based on the Adviser’s analysis of market data over such periods. |
S-5
and security selection process, with its strong emphasis on assessing the skill of the CLO collateral manager and analyzing the structure of a CLO, differentiates its approach to investing in CLO securities.
· | Proactive investment sourcing. As specialists in the CLO market, members of the Senior Investment Team have developed relationships with many CLO collateral managers and, as such, the Adviser believes that it and Eagle Point Credit Management are collectively viewed as an important market participant. We believe our Adviser’s and Eagle Point Credit Management’s collective relative size and prominence in the CLO market and the Senior Investment Team’s broad and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers and arranging banks benefit us by enhancing our ability to source investments in their early stages and to secure allocations of CLO debt investments issued in the primary market (the syndications of which can be oversubscribed). |
· | Efficient vehicle for gaining exposure to CLO debt securities. We believe that we are structured as an efficient vehicle for investors to gain exposure to the types of CLO securities and related investments historically accessed by primarily institutional investors. We believe our closed-end fund structure allows the Adviser to take a long-term view from a portfolio management perspective without the uncertainty posed by redemptions in an open-end fund structure. As such, the Adviser can focus principally on maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of stockholders. |
Our Structure and Formation Transactions
We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018 and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018. Our initial investment portfolio was contributed to us prior to our registration as an investment company by Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda limited company, or “Cavello Bay,” on October 4, 2018 in exchange for 75,052 of our limited liability company units, or “Units.” Cavello Bay is a subsidiary of Enstar Group Limited, or “Enstar.” The Trident V Funds are minority investors in Enstar, directly or indirectly owning less than 10% of the company’s equity securities, and have participated with Enstar in the acquisition of certain insurance businesses. Cavello Bay acquired the contributed investments from a separate subsidiary of Enstar in which the Trident V Funds indirectly hold an interest, StarStone Insurance Bermuda Limited, or “StarStone.” Eagle Point Credit Management was investment adviser to each of Cavello Bay and StarStone during the time periods in which they held these investments. In addition, the Adviser made a capital contribution to us of $100,000 for which it has received 100 Units.
At the time of our conversion into a corporation on October 16, 2018, the Units held by Cavello Bay converted into 3,764,580 shares, or 99.9% of our common stock, and the Units held by the Adviser converted into 5,016 shares, or 0.1% of our common stock, in each case based on our estimated and unaudited NAV calculated as of the date of the conversion and at a price per common stock equal to $20.00, which offering price per common stock the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, determined was not below the NAV of our common stock as of the date of such conversion. The shares of our common stock held by Cavello Bay and the Adviser are subject to certain lock-up restrictions.
The following chart reflects our organizational structure and our relationship with the Adviser and the Administrator as of the date of this prospectus:
S-6
Financing and Hedging Strategy
Leverage by the Company. We may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We are permitted to obtain leverage using any form of financial leverage instruments, including funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, margin facilities, notes or preferred stock and leverage attributable to reverse repurchase agreements or similar transactions. We currently anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to approximately 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) through borrowings under our credit facility or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities. Instruments that create leverage are generally considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act. With respect to senior securities representing indebtedness (i.e., borrowing or deemed borrowing), other than temporary borrowings as defined under the 1940 Act, we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 300%, as measured at the time of borrowing and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness. With respect to senior securities that are stocks (i.e., shares of preferred stock), we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 200%, as measured at the time of the issuance of any such shares of preferred stock and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
While we anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to approximately 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) through borrowings under our credit facility, or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities, the actual amount of leverage we incur is uncertain from time to time, and we may use leverage opportunistically or otherwise choose to deviate from our current expectations. We may use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments at any time based on the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment, including forms of leverage other than preferred stock, debt securities and/or credit facilities. In addition, we may borrow for temporary, emergency or other purposes as permitted under the 1940 Act, which indebtedness would be in addition to the asset coverage ratios described above. By leveraging our investment portfolio, we may create an opportunity for increased net income and capital appreciation. However, the use of leverage also involves significant risks and expenses, which will be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock, and our leverage strategy may not be successful. For example, the more leverage is employed, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and increase the risk of investing in us” in the accompanying prospectus.
Derivative Transactions. We may engage in “Derivative Transactions,” as described below, from time to time. To the extent we engage in Derivative Transactions, we expect to do so to hedge against interest rate, credit and/or other risks, or for other investment or risk management purposes. We may use Derivative Transactions for investment purposes to the extent consistent with our investment objectives if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. We may purchase and sell a variety of derivative instruments, including exchange-listed and over-the-counter, or “OTC,” options, futures, options on futures, swaps and similar instruments, various interest rate transactions, such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and credit transactions and credit default swaps. We also may purchase and sell derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. Collectively, we refer to these financial management techniques as “Derivative Transactions.” Our use of Derivative Transactions, if any, will generally be deemed to create leverage for us and involves significant risks. No assurance can be given that our strategy and use of derivatives will be successful, and our investment performance could diminish compared with what it would have
S-7
been if Derivative Transactions were not used. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate” in the accompanying prospectus.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are required to meet certain regulatory tests. See “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, we intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018.
Our investment activities are managed by the Adviser and supervised by our board of directors. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee based on our “Managed Assets.” “Managed Assets” means our total assets (including assets attributable to our use of leverage) minus the sum of our accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of creating leverage). The management fee is calculated monthly based on our Managed Assets at the end of each calendar month and is payable quarterly in arrears. The management fee for any partial month will be pro-rated (based on the number of days actually elapsed at the end of such partial month relative to the total number of days in such calendar month). See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” in the accompanying prospectus.
We have also entered into an administration agreement, which we refer to as the “Administration Agreement,” under which we have agreed to reimburse the Administrator for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
Conflicts of Interest
Our executive officers and directors, and the Adviser and certain of its affiliates and their officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, have several conflicts of interest as a result of the other activities in which they engage. The Adviser and the Administrator are affiliated with other entities engaged in the financial services business. In particular, the Adviser and the Administrator are affiliated with Eagle Point Credit Management and Stone Point, and certain members of the Adviser’s Board of Managers are principals of Stone Point. Pursuant to certain management agreements, Stone Point has received delegated authority to act as the investment manager of the Trident V Funds. The Adviser and the Administrator are primarily owned by the Trident V Funds through intermediary holding companies. The Trident V Funds and other private equity funds managed by Stone Point invest in financial services companies. Additionally, Aerie also indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. Also, under the Personnel and Resources Agreement, Eagle Point Credit Management will make available the personnel and resources, including portfolio managers and investment personnel, to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations. These relationships may cause the Adviser’s, the Administrator’s and certain of their affiliates’ interests, and the interests of their officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, to diverge from our interests and may result in conflicts of interest that may not be foreseen or resolved in a manner that is always or exclusively in our best interest. In addition, an affiliate of the Adviser currently holds a controlling interest in Marble Point Credit Management LLC, or “Marble Point,” which is a CLO collateral manager and manager of other investment vehicles that invest in senior secured loans, CLO securities and other related investments. Our executive officers and directors, as well as other current and potential future affiliated persons, officers and employees of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates, may serve as officers, directors or principals of, or manage the accounts for, other entities, including ECC, with investment strategies that substantially or partially overlap with the strategy that we intend to pursue. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which obligations may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. The Adviser has entered into, and may in the future enter into additional, business arrangements with certain of our stockholders, including granting indirect ownership in limited liability company interests in the Adviser. In such cases, such stockholders may have an incentive to vote shares held by them in a manner that takes such arrangements into account. As a result of these relationships and separate business activities, the Adviser has conflicts of interest in
S-8
allocating management time, services and functions among us, other advisory clients and other business activities. See “Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.
In order to address such conflicts of interest, we have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. Similarly, the Adviser has separately adopted the “Adviser Code of Ethics.” The Adviser Code of Ethics requires the officers and employees of the Adviser to act in the best interests of the Adviser and its client accounts (including us), act in good faith and in an ethical manner, avoid conflicts of interests with the client accounts to the extent reasonably possible and identify and manage conflicts of interest to the extent that they arise. Personnel subject to each code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. Our directors and officers, and the officers and employees of the Adviser, are also required to comply with applicable provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and make prompt reports to supervisory personnel of any actual or suspected violations of law.
Pursuant to the investment allocation policies and procedures of Eagle Point Investment Management and Eagle Point Credit Management, they seek to allocate investment opportunities among accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time. In addition, an account managed by the Adviser, such as us, is expected to be considered for the allocation of investment opportunities together with other accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser, including Eagle Point Credit Management. There is no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to any particular account equitably in the short-term or that any such account, including us, will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable for it. See “Conflicts of Interest — Code of Ethics and Compliance Procedures” in the accompanying prospectus.
Co-Investment with Affiliates. In certain instances, we expect to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other accounts managed by certain of the Adviser’s affiliates, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance and the Adviser’s written allocation procedures. We will be able to rely on the exemptive relief granted by the SEC to Eagle Point Credit Management and certain of its affiliates to participate in certain negotiated co-investments alongside other accounts, including ECC, managed by Eagle Point Credit Management, or certain of its affiliates, subject to certain conditions including (i) that a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction and a majority of our directors who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, approve the co-investment and (ii) the price, terms and conditions of the co-investment are the same for each participant. A copy of the application for exemptive relief, including all of the conditions, and the related order are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Recent Developments
[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]
Our Corporate Information
Our offices are located at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830, and our telephone number is (844) 810-6501.
S-9
THE OFFERING
Issuer | Eagle Point Income Company Inc. |
Securities Offered | shares of Series Preferred Stock |
[Listing |
We intend to apply to list Series Preferred Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, or the “NYSE,” under the symbol “ ”.
Trading in Series Preferred Stock on the NYSE is expected to begin within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. Prior to the expected commencement of trading, the underwriters may, but are not obligated, to make a market in Series Preferred Stock.] |
Use of Proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of Series Preferred Stock to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies as described in this prospectus supplement and for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.” |
Liquidation Preference | In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, holders of Series Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a liquidation distribution equal the Liquidation Preference of $ per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not earned or declared, but excluding interest on such dividends) to, but excluding, the payment date. |
Dividends |
We intend to pay monthly dividends on the Series Preferred Stock at a fixed annual rate of % of the Liquidation Preference ($ per share per year), or the “Dividend Rate.” Our board of directors may determine not to pay, or may be precluded from paying, such dividends if the board of directors believes it is not in the best interest of our stockholders or if we fail to maintain the asset coverage required by the 1940 Act. If we fail to redeem the Series Preferred Stock as required on the Mandatory Redemption Date (as defined below) or fail to pay any dividend on the payment date for such dividend, the Dividend Rate will increase by % per annum until we redeem the Series Preferred Stock or pay the dividend, as applicable. See “Description of Preferred Stock — Dividends— Adjustment to Fixed Dividend Rate — Default Period.” The Dividend Rate will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Cumulative cash dividends and distributions on each share of Series Preferred Stock will be payable monthly, when, as and if declared, or under authority |
S-10
granted, by our board of directors out of funds legally available for such payment. | |
The first dividend period for Series Preferred Stock will commence upon the closing of the offering, or the “Date of Original Issue,” and will end on . See “Description of Preferred Stock — Dividends— Dividend Periods.” | |
Ranking |
The shares of Series Preferred Stock will be senior securities that constitute capital stock.
The Series Preferred Stock will rank:
· Senior to shares of our common stock in priority of payment of dividends and as to the distributions of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or the winding-up of our affairs;
· Equal in priority with all other series of preferred stock we have issued or may issue in the future, as to priority of payment of dividends and as to distributions of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or the winding-up of our affairs; and
· Subordinate in right of payment to the holders of any [future] senior indebtedness.
Subject to the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, we may issue additional series of preferred stock, but we may not issue additional classes of capital stock that rank senior or junior to the Series Preferred Stock as to priority of payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of our affairs. |
Mandatory Term Redemption |
We are required to redeem all outstanding shares of the Series Preferred Stock on , or the “Mandatory Redemption Date,” at a redemption price equal to the Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not earned or declared, but excluding interest on such dividends) to, but excluding, the Mandatory Redemption Date. See “Description of Preferred Stock — Redemption.”
We cannot effect any modification of or repeal our obligation to redeem the Series Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Redemption Date without the prior unanimous approval of the holders of the Series Preferred Stock. |
Leverage | We may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We are permitted to obtain leverage using any form of financial leverage instruments, including funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, margin facilities, notes or preferred stock and leverage attributable to reverse repurchase |
S-11
agreements or similar transactions. We anticipate incurring leverage of approximately % of our total assets (as determined immediately before the leverage is incurred) through the issuance of the Series Preferred Stock in connection with this offering and given all other preferred stock we have issued. We may further increase our leverage through entry into a credit facility or other leveraging instruments. Instruments that create leverage are generally considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act. With respect to senior securities that are stocks (i.e., shares of preferred stock), we are required to have an asset coverage of at least 200%, as measured at the time of the issuance of any such shares of preferred stock and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of preferred stock. With respect to senior securities representing indebtedness (i.e., borrowing or deemed borrowing), other than temporary borrowings as defined under the 1940 Act, we are required to have an asset coverage of at least 300%, as measured at the time of borrowing and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness. | |
Mandatory Redemption for Asset Coverage |
If we fail to maintain asset coverage (as defined in Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act) of at least 200% as of the close of business on the last business day of any calendar quarter and such failure is not cured by the close of business on the date that is 30 calendar days following the filing date of our Annual Report on Form N-CSR, Semiannual Report on Form N-CSRS or Quarterly Report on Form N-Q, as applicable, for that quarter, or the “Asset Coverage Cure Date,” then we will be required to redeem, within 90 calendar days of the Asset Coverage Cure Date, shares of preferred stock, including Series Preferred Stock, at least equal to the lesser of (1) the minimum number of shares of preferred stock that will result in us having asset coverage of at least 200% and (2) the maximum number of shares of preferred stock that can be redeemed out of funds legally available for such redemption. In connection with any redemption for failure to maintain such asset coverage, we may, in our sole option, redeem such additional number of shares of preferred stock that will result in asset coverage up to and including %.
If shares of Series Preferred Stock are to be redeemed for failure to maintain asset coverage of at least 200%, such shares will be redeemed at a redemption price |
S-12
equal to the Liquidation Preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not declared, but excluding interest on accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any) to, but excluding, the date fixed for such redemption. See “Description of Preferred Stock — Redemption — Redemption for Failure to Maintain Asset Coverage.” | |
[Optional Redemption | At any time on or after , we may, in our sole option, redeem the outstanding shares of Series Preferred Stock in whole or, from time to time, in part, out of funds legally available for such redemption, at the Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not earned or declared, but excluding interest on such dividends) to, but excluding, the date fixed for such redemption. See “Description of Preferred Stock — Redemption — Optional Redemption.”] |
Voting Rights |
Except as otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation or as otherwise required by law, (1) each holder of Series Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Series Preferred Stock held on each matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders and (2) the holders of all outstanding preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, and common stock will vote together as a single class; provided that holders of preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, will be entitled to elect at least two (2) of our directors and, if we fail to pay dividends on any outstanding shares of preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, in an amount equal to two (2) full years of dividends, and continuing until such failure is cured, will be entitled to elect a majority of our directors.
One of the “Preferred Directors” will be up for election in , and the other Preferred Director will be up for election in .
Holders of shares of the Series Preferred Stock will also vote separately as a class on any matter that materially and adversely affects any preference, right or power of holders of the Series Preferred Stock. See “Description of Preferred Stock — Voting Rights.” |
Conversion Rights | The shares of Series Preferred Stock have no conversion rights. |
Redemption and Paying Agent | We intend to enter into an amendment to our Transfer Agency and Registrar Services Agreement with , or the “Redemption and Paying Agent.” Under this amendment, the Redemption and Paying Agent will serve as transfer agent and registrar, dividend |
S-13
disbursing agent and redemption and paying agent with respect to the Series Preferred Stock. | |
Ranking | The Series Preferred Stock is not rated. |
U.S. Federal Income Taxes |
Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding these matters in light of their personal investment circumstances.
We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. |
Risk Factors | Investing in the Series Preferred Stock involves risks. You should carefully consider the information set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page [·] of this prospectus supplement before deciding to invest in the Series Preferred Stock. |
[Information Rights | During any period in which we are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the “Exchange Act,” and any shares of the Series Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will provide holders of such shares, without cost, copies of our annual, semi-annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information that we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act if we were subject to such requirements.] |
Additional Information | We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 under the Securities Act, which contains additional information about us and the common stock being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. This information will also be available free of charge by contacting us at Eagle Point Income Company Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (844) 810-6501, or on our website at http://www.eaglepointincome.com. |
S-14
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below and those set forth in the accompanying prospectus. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our preferred stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors described below, together with those set forth in the accompanying prospectus, are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us as well as those factors generally associated with an investment company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours.
[Market yields may increase, which would result in a decline in the price of our preferred stock.
The prices of fixed income investments, such as our preferred stock, vary inversely with changes in market yields. The market yields on securities comparable to our preferred stock may increase, which could result in a decline in the secondary market price of our preferred stock prior to the term redemption date. See “Description of Preferred Stock—Dividends—Dividend Periods.”]
[Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Series Preferred Stock, and we cannot assure you that the market price of the Series Preferred Stock will not decline following the offering.
We cannot assure you that a trading market will develop for the Series Preferred Stock after this offering or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. [During a period of up to days from the date of this prospectus supplement, the Series Preferred Stock will not be listed on any securities exchange. During this period, the underwriters do not intend to make a market in the Series Preferred Stock. Consequently, an investment in the Series Preferred Stock during this period will likely be illiquid and holders thereof may not be able to sell such shares as it is unlikely that a secondary market for the Series Preferred Stock will develop during this period. If a secondary market does develop during this period, holders of the Series Preferred Stock may be able to sell such shares only at substantial discounts from the Liquidation Preference.] [An application has been made to list the Series Preferred Stock on [so that trading on the exchange will begin within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to notice of issuance]. If we are unable to list the Series Preferred Stock on a national securities exchange, holders thereof may be unable to sell such shares at all, or if they are able to, only at substantial discounts from the Liquidation Preference. Even after the Series Preferred Stock is listed on as anticipated, there is a risk that the market for such shares may be thinly traded and relatively illiquid compared to the market for other types of securities, with the spread between the bid and asked prices considerably greater than the spreads of other securities with comparable terms and features.]
[The Series Preferred Stock are unrated securities.
We do not intend to have the Series Preferred Stock rated by any rating agency. Unrated securities typically trade at a discount to similar, rated securities, depending on the rating of the rated securities. As a result, there is a risk that the Series Preferred Stock may trade at a price that is lower than what they might otherwise trade at if rated by a rating agency.]
[The Series Preferred Stock will be subordinate to the rights of holders of senior indebtedness.
While holders of our Series Preferred Stock will have equal liquidation and distribution rights to any other preferred stock that has been or might be issued by us, they will be subordinated to the rights of holders of senior indebtedness, if any. Therefore, dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of our Series Preferred Stock in liquidation or otherwise may be subject to prior payments due to the holders of senior indebtedness. In addition, the 1940 Act may provide debt holders with voting rights that are superior to the voting rights of the Series Preferred Stock.]
S-15
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that net proceeds we will receive from the sale of shares of the Series Preferred Stock in this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option), in each case based on a public offering price of $ per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option) and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us.
We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and for general working capital purposes. We currently anticipate that it will take to months after the completion of this offering of Series Preferred Stock to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering in our targeted investments, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objectives and market conditions. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace, which may negatively impact our returns. During this period, we will invest in temporary investments, such as cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, which we expect will have returns substantially lower than the returns that we anticipate earning from investments in CLO securities and related investments. Investors should expect, therefore, that before we have fully invested the proceeds of the offering in accordance with our investment objectives and policies, assets invested in these instruments would earn interest income at a modest rate, which may not exceed our expenses during this period.
S-16
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
The following is a brief description of the terms of the Series Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus supplement. This is not a complete description and is subject to, and entirely qualified by reference to, our certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation setting forth the terms of the Series Preferred Stock. The certificate of designation is attached as Appendix A to this prospectus supplement. You may obtain copies of these documents using the methods described in “Additional Information.”
General
We are authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, and we have designated shares as Series Preferred Stock. At the time of issuance the Series Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive, conversion or exchange rights or rights to cumulative voting. The shares of Series Preferred Stock will rank equally in right with all other preferred stock that we have issued or may issue from time to time in accordance with the 1940 Act, if any, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of our assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our affairs. The shares of Series Preferred Stock and all other preferred stock that we may issue from time to time in accordance with the 1940 Act, if any, will rank senior to our common stock as to payment of dividends and the distribution of our assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our affairs and subordinate to the rights of holders of any senior indebtedness.
Dividends
General. Holders of the Series Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends and distributions at the Dividend Rate of % of the Liquidation Preference, or $ per share per year (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as described below), when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted by, our board of directors out of funds legally available for payment and in preference to dividends and distributions on shares of our common stock. Dividends will be payable monthly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar month, or the “Dividend Payment Date,” commencing on . Dividends on the Series Preferred Stock will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of dividends payable on the Series Preferred Stock on any date prior to the end of a Dividend Period, and for the initial Dividend Period, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month.
Dividend Periods. The first period for which dividends on the Series Preferred Stock will be calculated (each such period, a “Dividend Period”) will commence on , or the “Date of Original Issue,” and will end , and each subsequent Dividend Period will be a calendar month (or the portion thereof occurring prior to the redemption of such shares of Series Preferred Stock). Dividends will be payable monthly in arrears on the Dividend Payment Date and upon redemption of the Series Preferred Stock. Except for the first Dividend Period, dividends with respect to any monthly Dividend Period will be declared and paid to holders of record of Series Preferred Stock as their names appear on our registration books at the close of business on the applicable record date, which will be a date designated by the board of directors that is not more than twenty (20) nor less than seven (7) calendar days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. We expect that dividends with respect to the first Dividend Period of the Series Preferred Stock will be declared in and paid on , 20 to holders of record of such Series Preferred Stock as their names appear on our registration books at the close of business on .
Only holders of Series Preferred Stock on the record date for a Dividend Period will be entitled to receive dividends and distributions payable with respect to such Dividend Period, and holders of Series Preferred Stock who sell shares before such a record date and purchasers of Series Preferred Stock who purchase shares after such a record date should take the effect of the foregoing provisions into account in evaluating the price to be received or paid for such Series Preferred Stock.
Mechanics of Payment of Dividends. Not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Dividend Payment Date, we are required to deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent sufficient funds for the payment of dividends in the form of Deposit Securities. “Deposit Securities” will generally consist of (1) cash or cash equivalents; (2) direct obligations of the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, which we refer to as the U.S. Government Obligations; (3) short-term money market instruments; (4) investments in money market funds registered under the 1940 Act that qualify under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act
S-17
and certain similar investment vehicles that invest principally in U.S. Government Obligations, short-term money market instruments or any combination thereof; or (5) any letter of credit from a bank or other financial institution that has a credit rating from at least one ratings agency that is the highest applicable rating generally ascribed by such ratings agency to bank deposits or short-term debt of similar banks or other financial institutions, in each case either that is a demand obligation payable to the holder on any business day or that has a maturity date, mandatory redemption date or mandatory payment date, preceding the relevant Redemption Date (as defined below), Dividend Payment Date or other payment date. We do not intend to establish any reserves for the payment of dividends.
All Deposit Securities paid to the Redemption and Payment Agent for the payment of dividends will be held in trust for the payment of such dividends to the holders of Series Preferred Stock. Dividends will be paid by the Redemption and Payment Agent to the holders of Series Preferred Stock as their names appear on our registration books on the applicable record date. Dividends that are in arrears for any past Dividend Period may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date. Such payments are made to holders of Series Preferred Stock as their names appear on our registration books on such date, not exceeding 20 nor less than 7 calendar days preceding the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by our board of directors. Any payment of dividends in arrears will first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividends. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on any Series Preferred Stock which may be in arrears. See “—Adjustment to Fixed Dividend Rate—Default Period.”
Upon our failure to pay dividends for at least two years, the holders of Series Preferred Stock will acquire certain additional voting rights. See “— Voting Rights” below. Such rights will be the exclusive remedy of the holders of Series Preferred Stock upon any failure to pay dividends on Series Preferred Stock.
Adjustment to Fixed Dividend Rate—Default Period. Subject to the cure provisions below, a “Default Period” with respect to Series Preferred Stock will commence on a date we fail to deposit the Deposit Securities as required in connection with a Dividend Payment Date or a Redemption Date. A Default Period will end on the business day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and any unpaid redemption price has have been deposited irrevocably in trust in same-day funds with the Redemption and Paying Agent. The applicable dividend rate for each day during the Default Period will be equal to the Dividend Rate in effect on such day plus two percent (2%) per annum, or the “Default Rate.”
No Default Period will be deemed to commence if the amount of any dividend or any redemption price due (if such default is not solely due to our willful failure) is deposited irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a business day that is not later than three business days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date or Redemption Date, together with an amount equal to the Default Rate applied to the amount and period of such non-payment based on the actual number of calendar days comprising such period divided by 360.
Restrictions on Dividend, Redemption, Other Payments and Issuance of Debt. No full dividends and distributions will be declared or paid on shares of the Series Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period, or a part of a Dividend Period, unless the full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent Dividend Payment Dates for all outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid through the most recent Dividend Payment Dates for each share of preferred stock. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been paid on all outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series, any dividends and distributions being declared and paid on Series Preferred Stock will be declared and paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and distributions accumulated but unpaid on the shares of each such series of preferred stock on the relevant Dividend Payment Date. No holders of Series Preferred Stock will be entitled to any dividends and distributions in excess of full cumulative dividends and distributions as provided in the certificate of designation.
For so long as any shares of Series Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will not: (x) declare any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common stock) in respect of the common stock, (y) call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any such common stock, or (z) pay any proceeds of our liquidation in respect of such common stock, unless, in each case, (A) immediately thereafter, we will be in compliance with the 200% asset coverage limitations set forth under the 1940 Act with respect to a class of senior security which is stock, after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution or redemption or purchasing price
S-18
or liquidation proceeds, as described below, (B) all cumulative dividends and distributions of shares of all series of preferred stock ranking on parity with the Series Preferred Stock due on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition have been declared and paid (or have been declared and sufficient funds or Deposit Securities as permitted by the terms of such preferred stock for the payment thereof have been deposited irrevocably with the applicable paying agent) and (C) we have deposited Deposit Securities with the Redemption and Paying Agent in accordance with the requirements described herein with respect to outstanding Series Preferred Stock to be redeemed pursuant to a mandatory term redemption or mandatory redemption resulting from the failure to comply with the asset coverage requirements as described below for which a Notice of Redemption (as defined below) has been given or has been required to be given in accordance with the terms described herein on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition.
Except as required by law, we will not redeem any shares of Series Preferred Stock unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions on all outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series ranking on parity with the Series Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and distributions for all applicable past Dividend Periods (whether or not earned or declared by us) (x) will have been or are contemporaneously paid or (y) will have been or are contemporaneously declared and Deposit Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such preferred stock) for the payment of such dividends and distributions will have been or are contemporaneously deposited with the applicable paying agent, provided, however, that the foregoing will not prevent the purchase or acquisition of outstanding shares of Series Preferred Stock pursuant to an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of any other series of preferred stock for which all accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions have not been paid.
1940 Act Asset Coverage. Under the 1940 Act, we may not (1) declare any dividend with respect to any preferred stock if, at the time of such declaration (and after giving effect thereto), our asset coverage with respect to any of our borrowings that are senior securities representing indebtedness (as determined in accordance with Section 18(h) under the 1940 Act), would be less than 300% or (2) declare any other distribution on the preferred stock or purchase or redeem preferred stock if at the time of the declaration or redemption (and after giving effect thereto), asset coverage with respect to such borrowings that are senior securities representing indebtedness would be less than 200%. “Senior securities representing indebtedness” generally means any bond, debenture, note or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security (other than shares of capital stock) and evidencing indebtedness and could include our obligations under any borrowings. For purposes of determining our asset coverage for senior securities representing indebtedness in connection with the payment of dividends or other distributions on or purchases or redemptions of stock, the term senior security does not include any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension or renewal thereof, made by a bank or other person and privately arranged, and not intended to be publicly distributed. The term senior security also does not include any such promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness in any case where such a loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of our total assets at the time when the loan is made; a loan is presumed under the 1940 Act to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 calendar days and is not extended or renewed; otherwise such loan is presumed not to be for temporary purposes.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfying claims of creditors but before any distribution or payment will be made in respect of the common stock, a liquidation distribution equal to the Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions accumulated to, but excluding, the date fixed for such distribution or payment (whether or not earned or declared by us, but excluding interest thereon), and such holders will be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, our assets available for distribution among the holders of all Series Preferred Stock, and any other outstanding shares of preferred stock, if any, will be insufficient to permit the payment in full to such holders of Series Preferred Stock of the Liquidation Preference plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions and the amounts due upon liquidation with respect to such other shares of preferred stock, then the available assets will be distributed among the holders of such Series Preferred Stock and such other series of preferred stock ratably in proportion to the respective preferential
S-19
liquidation amounts to which they are entitled. In connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs whether voluntary or involuntary, unless and until the Liquidation Preference on each outstanding share of Series Preferred Stock plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions has been paid in full to the holders of Series Preferred Stock, no dividends, distributions or other payments will be made on, and no redemption, repurchase or other acquisition by us will be made by us in respect of, our common stock.
Neither the sale of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Company, nor the merger, consolidation or our reorganization into or with any other business or corporation, statutory trust or other entity, nor the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any other business or corporation, statutory trust or other entity into or with us will be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, for purposes of the provisions relating to liquidation set forth in the certificate of designation.
Redemption
Mandatory Term Redemption. We are required to redeem all outstanding shares of the Series Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Redemption Date, at a redemption price equal to the Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared, but excluding interest on such dividends) to, but excluding, the Mandatory Redemption Date. If the Mandatory Redemption Date occurs after the applicable record date for a dividend but on or prior to the related Dividend Payment Date, the dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date in respect of such shares of Series Preferred Stock will be payable on such Dividend Payment Date to the holders of record of such shares of Series Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable Dividend Record Date, and will not be payable as part of the redemption price for such shares of Series Preferred Stock.
Redemption for Failure to Maintain Asset Coverage. If we fail to maintain asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% as provided in the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock and such failure is not cured as of the close of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date, we will fix a redemption date and proceed to redeem the number of shares of preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, as described below at a price per share equal to the Liquidation Preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends and distributions thereon (whether or not earned or declared but excluding interest thereon) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption by our board of directors. We will redeem out of funds legally available the number of shares of outstanding preferred stock equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum number of shares of preferred stock, the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date, would result in us having asset coverage of at least 200% and (ii) the maximum number of shares of preferred stock that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available in accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, provided further, that in connection with any such redemption for failure to maintain the asset coverage required by the 1940 Act, we may, at our sole option, redeem such additional number of shares of preferred stock that will result in our having asset coverage of up to and including 285%. We will effect a redemption on the date fixed by us, which date will not be later than 90 calendar days after the Asset Coverage Cure Date, except that if we do not have funds legally available for the redemption of all of the required number of shares of preferred stock which have been designated to be redeemed or we otherwise are unable to effect such redemption on or prior to 90 calendar days after the Asset Coverage Cure Date, we will redeem those shares of preferred stock which we were unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which we are able to effect such redemption.
Optional Redemption. The Series Preferred Stock may, at our sole option, be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time on or after , upon giving notice of redemption at a redemption price per share equal to the Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not earned or declared, but excluding interest on such dividends) to, but excluding, the date fixed for such redemption.
Subject to the provisions of the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock and applicable law, our board of directors will have the full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Series Preferred Stock will be redeemed from time to time.
We may not on any date deliver a notice of redemption to redeem any shares of Series Preferred Stock pursuant to the optional redemption provisions described above unless on such date we have available Deposit Securities for
S-20
the redemption contemplated by such notice having a value not less than the amount due to holders of shares of Series Preferred Stock by reason of the redemption of such shares of Series Preferred Stock on such redemption date.
Redemption Procedures. We will file a notice of our intention to redeem with the SEC so as to provide the 30 calendar day notice period contemplated by Rule 23c-2 under the 1940 Act, or such shorter notice period as may be permitted by the SEC or its staff.
If we determine to or are required to redeem, in whole or in part, shares of Series Preferred Stock, we will deliver a notice of redemption, or a “Notice of Redemption,” by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by electronic means to the holders of record of such shares of Series Preferred Stock to be redeemed, or request the Redemption and Paying Agent, on our behalf, to promptly do so by overnight delivery, by first class mail or by electronic means. A Notice of Redemption will be provided not more than 45 calendar days prior to the date fixed for redemption in such Notice of Redemption, or the “Redemption Date.” If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant to either the mandatory redemption provisions triggered by our failure to maintain the required asset coverage or the optional redemption provisions, the shares of Series Preferred Stock to be redeemed will be selected either (1) pro rata among Series Preferred Stock, (2) by lot or (3) in such other manner as our board of directors may determine to be fair and equitable. If fewer than all shares of Series Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption mailed to such holder will also specify the number of shares of Series Preferred Stock to be redeemed from such holder or the method of determining such number. We may provide in any Notice of Redemption relating to a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock that such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent and that we will not be required to effect such redemption unless each such condition has been satisfied. No defect in any Notice of Redemption or delivery thereof will affect the validity of redemption proceedings except as required by applicable law.
If we give a Notice of Redemption, then at any time from and after the giving of such Notice of Redemption and prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date (so long as any conditions precedent to such redemption have been met or waived by us), we will (i) deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent Deposit Securities having an aggregate market value at the time of deposit not less than the redemption price of the shares of Series Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Redemption Date and (ii) give the Redemption and Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the applicable redemption price to the holders of shares of Series Preferred Stock called for redemption on the Redemption Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Redemption Date is the Mandatory Redemption Date, then such deposit of Deposit Securities will be made no later than 15 calendar days prior to the Mandatory Redemption Date.
Upon the date of the deposit of Deposit Securities by us for purposes of redemption of shares of Series Preferred Stock, all rights of the holders of Series Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease and terminate except the right of the holders thereof to receive the applicable redemption price and such shares of Series Preferred Stock will no longer be deemed outstanding for any purpose whatsoever (other than the transfer thereof prior to the applicable Redemption Date and other than the accumulation of dividends on such stock in accordance with the terms of the Series Preferred Stock up to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date). We will be entitled to receive, promptly after the Redemption Date, any Deposit Securities in excess of the aggregate redemption price of shares of Series Preferred Stock called for redemption on the Redemption Date. Any Deposit Securities so deposited that are unclaimed at the end of 90 calendar days from the Redemption Date will, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to us, after which the holders of shares of Series Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall look only to us for payment of the Redemption Price. We will be entitled to receive, from time to time after the Redemption Date, any interest on the Deposit Securities so deposited.
If any redemption for which a Notice of Redemption has been provided is not made by reason of the absence of our legally available funds in accordance with the certificate of designation and applicable law, such redemption shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent such funds become available. No default will be deemed to have occurred if we have failed to deposit in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent the applicable redemption price with respect to any shares where (1) the Notice of Redemption relating to such redemption provided that such redemption was subject to one or more conditions precedent and (2) any such condition precedent has not been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. Notwithstanding the fact that a Notice of Redemption has been provided with respect to any shares of Series Preferred Stock, dividends may be declared and
S-21
paid on such shares of Series Preferred Stock in accordance with their terms if Deposit Securities for the payment of the redemption price of such shares of Series Preferred Stock shall not have been deposited in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose.
We may, in our sole discretion and without a stockholder vote, modify the redemption procedures with respect to notification of redemption for the Series Preferred Stock, provided that such modification does not materially and adversely affect the holders of Series Preferred Stock or cause us to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation.
Voting Rights
Except for matters that do not require the vote of holders of the Series Preferred Stock under the 1940 Act and except as otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, in the certificate of designation or as otherwise required by applicable law, each holder of shares of the Series Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Series Preferred Stock held on each matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders, and the holders of outstanding shares of our preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, and shares of our common stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to stockholders.
In addition, the holders of our preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will have the right to elect two members of the board of directors at all times (regardless of the number of directors serving on the board of directors), such directors are referred to as our “Preferred Directors.” The holders of outstanding shares of our common stock together with the holders of outstanding shares of our preferred stock, voting together as a single class, will elect the remaining members of the board of directors. Under our certificate of incorporation, our directors are divided into three classes, with the term of one class expiring at each annual meeting of our stockholders. One of our Preferred Directors will be up for election at the annual meeting of our stockholders held in and the other Preferred Director will be up for election at the annual meeting of our stockholders held in .
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) at the close of business on any Dividend Payment Date for dividends on any outstanding share of any preferred stock, including any outstanding shares of the Series Preferred Stock, accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on the shares of preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, equal to at least two full years’ dividends shall be due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities shall not have been deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends; or (2) at any time holders of any shares of Series Preferred Stock, together with holders of shares of any of our outstanding preferred stock, are entitled under the 1940 Act to elect a majority of our directors (a period when either of the foregoing conditions exists, a “Voting Period”), then the number of members constituting our board of directors will automatically be increased by the smallest number of directors (each, a “New Preferred Director”) that, when added to the two Preferred Directors, would constitute a majority of our board of directors as so increased by such smallest number. The terms of office of the persons who are directors at the time of that election will not be affected by the election of the New Preferred Directors. If we thereafter shall pay, or declare and set apart for payment, in full all dividends payable on all outstanding shares of preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, for all past Dividend Periods, or the Voting Period is otherwise terminated, (1) the voting rights stated above shall cease, subject always, however, to the re-vesting of such voting rights in the holders of shares of Series Preferred Stock upon the further occurrence of any of the events described herein, and (2) the terms of office of all of the New Preferred Directors will terminate automatically. Any preferred stock, including the Series Preferred Stock, issued after the date hereof will vote with the Series Preferred Stock as a single class on the matters described above, and the issuance of any other preferred stock by us may reduce the voting power of the holders of the Series Preferred Stock.
As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the holders of shares of preferred stock to elect New Preferred Directors, we will call a special meeting of such holders and notify the Redemption and Paying Agent and/or such other person as is specified in the terms of such preferred stock to receive notice, (i) by mailing or delivery by electronic means or (ii) in such other manner and by such other means as are specified in the terms of such preferred stock, a notice of such special meeting to such holders, such meeting to be held not less than 10 nor more than 30 calendar days after the date of the delivery by electronic means or mailing of such notice. If we fail to call such a special meeting, it may be called at our expense by any such holder on like notice. The record date for determining the holders of shares of preferred stock entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting shall be the close of business on the business day preceding the calendar day on which such notice is mailed. At any such special meeting and at each meeting of holders of shares of preferred stock held during a Voting Period at which directors are to be
S-22
elected, such holders, voting together as a class (to the exclusion of the holders of all our other securities and classes of capital stock), will be entitled to elect the number of New Preferred Directors prescribed above on a one-vote-per-share basis.
Except as otherwise permitted by the terms of the certificate of designation, so long as any shares of the Series Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of shares of Series Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power of the Series Preferred Stock or the holders thereof; provided, however, that (i) a change in our capitalization as described under the heading “—Issuance of Additional Preferred Stock” will not be considered to materially and adversely affect the rights and preferences of the Series Preferred Stock, and (ii) a division of a share of the Series Preferred Stock will be deemed to affect such preferences, rights or powers only if the terms of such division materially and adversely affect the holders of Series Preferred Stock. For purposes of the foregoing, no matter shall be deemed to adversely affect any preference, right or power of a share of the Series Preferred Stock of such series or the holder thereof unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any preferential right of such share of the Series Preferred Stock, or (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of the Series Preferred Stock (other than as a result of a division of the Series Preferred Stock). So long as any shares of preferred stock are outstanding, we will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the preferred stock outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, file a voluntary application for relief under federal bankruptcy law or any similar application under state law for so long as we are solvent and does not foresee becoming insolvent.
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a “majority of the shares of our preferred stock,” including the shares of the Series Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, will be required (i) to approve any action requiring a vote of our security holders pursuant to Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, or (ii) to approve any plan of “reorganization” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(33) of the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares of preferred stock. For purposes of the foregoing, the vote of a “majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock” means the vote at an annual or special meeting duly called (a) of 67% or more of such shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of such outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy at such meeting, or (b) of more than 50% of such outstanding shares, whichever is less.
For purposes of determining any rights of the holders of Series Preferred Stock to vote on any matter, whether such right is created by our certificate of incorporation, by the provisions of the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock, by statute or otherwise, no holder of the Series Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote any shares of the Series Preferred Stock and no share of the Series Preferred Stock will be deemed to be “outstanding” for the purpose of voting or determining the number of shares required to constitute a quorum if, prior to or concurrently with the time of determination of shares entitled to vote or the time of the actual vote on the matter, as the case may be, the requisite Notice of Redemption with respect to such share of Series Preferred Stock will have been given in accordance with the certificate of designation, and the price for the redemption of such shares of Series Preferred Stock will have been irrevocably deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose. No shares of Series Preferred Stock held by us will have any voting rights or be deemed to be outstanding for voting or for calculating the voting percentage required on any other matter or other purposes.
Unless otherwise required by law or our certificate of incorporation, holders of the Series Preferred Stock will not have any relative rights or preferences or other special rights with respect to voting other than those specifically set forth in the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock. The holders of shares of Series Preferred Stock will have no rights to cumulative voting. In the event that we fail to declare or pay any dividends on share of the Series Preferred Stock, the exclusive remedy of the holders will be the right to vote for additional directors as discussed above; provided that the foregoing does not affect our obligation to accumulate and, if permitted by applicable law and the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock, pay dividends at the Default Rate as discussed above.
Issuance of Additional Preferred Stock
So long as any shares of Series Preferred Stock are outstanding, we may, without the vote or consent of the holders thereof, authorize, establish and create and issue and sell shares of one or more series of a class of our senior securities representing stock under Section 18 of the 1940 Act, ranking on parity with the Series Preferred Stock as to payment
S-23
of dividends and distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or the winding up of our affairs, including additional series of preferred stock, and authorize, issue and sell additional shares of any such series of preferred stock then outstanding or so established and created, in each case in accordance with applicable law, provided that we will, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such additional preferred stock and to its receipt and application of the proceeds thereof, including to the redemption of preferred stock with such proceeds, have asset coverage of at least 200%.
Actions on Other than Business Days
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of designation for the Series Preferred Stock, if the date for making any payment, performing any act or exercising any right is not a business day (i.e., a calendar day on which the NYSE is open for trading), such payment will be made, act performed or right exercised on the next succeeding business day, with the same force and effect as if made or done on the nominal date provided therefor, and, with respect to any payment so made, no dividends, interest or other amount will accrue for the period between such nominal date and the date of payment.
Modification
Without the consent of any holders of the Series Preferred Stock, our board of directors may amend or modify these terms of the Series Preferred Stock to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision in our certificate of incorporation or make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under these terms of the Series Preferred Stock that are not inconsistent with the provisions in our certificate of incorporation.
S-24
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of , 20 :
· | on an actual basis; and |
· | on a pro forma basis to give effect to the issuance and sale of shares of Series Preferred Stock in this offering based on a public offering price of $ per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us. |
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
(Dollars in Thousands
Except Per Unit and Per Share Data) |
||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
Investments at fair value | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Total liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Net Assets applicable to shares of common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
Net Assets consist of: | ||||||||
Paid in capital | $ | $ | ||||||
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investment | ||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | ||||||||
Distributions in excess of net investment income | ||||||||
Total net assets |
S-25
UNDERWRITING
are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares of the Series Preferred Stock set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
Underwriter | Shares | |||
Total |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares of the Series Preferred Stock are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all shares of the Series Preferred Stock (other than those covered by the overallotment option described below) if they purchase any of the shares of the Series Preferred Stock.
The underwriters propose to initially offer some shares of the Series Preferred Stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some shares of our common stock to certain dealers at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of $ per share of the Series Preferred Stock. The sales load of $ per share of the Series Preferred Stock is equal to % of the public offering price. If all of the shares of the Series Preferred Stock are not sold at the public offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and other selling terms. Investors must pay for any shares purchased on or before . The representatives have advised us that the underwriters do not intend to confirm any sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
The underwriters hold an option, exercisable for days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase from us up to additional shares of the Series Preferred Stock at the public offering price less the sales load. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering overallotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.
Each of our directors and officers has agreed that, for a period of days from the date of this prospectus supplement, or the “Lock-up Period,” such party will not, without the prior written consent of , on behalf of the underwriters, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of or agree to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly or hedge any shares of the Series Preferred Stock, provided, however, that we may issue and sell shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan and other limited exceptions. in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time.
[We intend to apply to list the shares of the Series Preferred Stock on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “ .”]
As part of our payment of our offering expenses, we have agreed to pay expenses related to the fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters, in an amount not to exceed $ in the aggregate, in connection with the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or “FINRA,” of the terms of the sale of the Series Preferred Stock.
The following table shows the sales load to be paid to the underwriters solely by the Adviser in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of the Series Preferred Stock. This offering will conform with the requirements set forth in FINRA Rule 2310. The sum of all compensation to the underwriters in connection with this offering of shares, including the sales load, will not exceed % of the total public offering price of the shares sold in this offering.
No
Exercise |
Full
Exercise |
|||||||
Per share | $ | $ | ||||||
Total | $ | $ |
S-26
We, the Adviser and the Administrator have each agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
Certain underwriters may make a market in the Series Preferred Stock. No underwriter is, however, obligated to conduct market-making activities and any such activities may be discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion of the underwriter. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, shares of the Series Preferred Stock as a result of any market-making activities undertaken by any underwriter. This prospectus supplement is to be used by any underwriter in connection with the offering and, during the period in which a prospectus must be delivered, with offers and sales of the shares in market-making transactions in the over-the-counter market at negotiated prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.
In connection with the offering, , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell shares of the Series Preferred Stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of shares in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ overallotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position involve either purchases of shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the overallotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when repurchases of shares of the Series Preferred Stock originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of shares. They may also cause the price of the Series Preferred Stock to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE, or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, excluding the sales load, will be approximately $ million.
A prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares of the Series Preferred Stock to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate shares of the Series Preferred Stock to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, shares of the Series Preferred Stock may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell shares to online brokerage account holders.
We anticipate that, from time to time, certain underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they are underwriters.
Certain underwriters may have performed investment banking and financial advisory services for us, the Adviser and our affiliates from time to time, for which they have received customary fees and expenses. Certain underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our investment adviser and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
S-27
The principal business addresses of the representatives of the underwriters are: .
S-28
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the Series Preferred Stock will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP, Boston, MA. Dechert LLP also represents the Adviser. Certain matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by .
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, has been appointed as our independent registered public accounting firm.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 (file numbers 333-231921 and 811-23384), together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to the Series Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus. Our registration statement may be obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov.
We will file with or submit to the SEC annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. This information is available free of charge by writing us at Eagle Point Income Company Inc., 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830, Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (844) 810-6501, or on our website at www.eaglepointincome.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this prospectus.
S-29
Exhibit (s)(4)
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
[FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE RIGHTS OFFERINGS]
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to Prospectus dated , 201 )
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
Up to Shares of Common Stock
Issuable Upon Exercise of Rights
to Subscribe for Such Shares
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or “CLOs,” that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (or its equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, Inc. and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. We may also invest in other securities and instruments that Eagle Point Income Management LLC believes are consistent with our investment objectives. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity, are unrated and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018, and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018. Eagle Point Income Management LLC, or the “Adviser,” is our investment adviser and manages our investments subject to the supervision of our board of directors. An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management LLC, or “Eagle Point Credit Management,” provides investment professionals and other resources to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to conduct its operations. The Adviser, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, as of June 30, 2019, had $2.8 billion in total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of such date. Eagle Point Administration LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, or the “Administrator,” serves as our administrator.
We are issuing [transferable/non-transferable] subscription rights to our stockholders of record as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , , or the “record date,” entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for an aggregate of shares of our common stock. Stockholders will receive one right for each outstanding share of common stock owned on the record date. The rights entitle the holders to purchase one new share of common stock for every rights held. [In addition, stockholders on the record date who fully exercise their rights will be entitled to subscribe, subject to the limitations described in this prospectus supplement and subject to allotment, for additional shares that remain unsubscribed as a result of any unexercised rights.] [In addition, any non-record date stockholder who exercises rights is entitled to subscribe for remaining shares that are not otherwise subscribed for by record date stockholders, subject to the limitations described in this prospectus supplement and subject to allotment.]
Our common stock is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EIC.” The last reported closing price for our common stock on , 20 was $ per share. [The rights are transferable and will be listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ .”]
The subscription price will be [describe means of computing subscription price]. The offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 20 , unless extended as described in this prospectus supplement. We, in our sole discretion, may extend the period for exercising the subscription rights. You will have no right to rescind your subscriptions after receipt of your payment of the estimated subscription price except as described in this prospectus supplement.
Shares of common stock of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. If our shares of common stock trade at a discount to our net asset value, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial loss of investment. Before purchasing any securities, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in our rights, which are summarized in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-16 of this prospectus supplement and on page [·] in the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement contains important information you should know before investing in our common stock. Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before you invest and retain them for future reference. We file annual and semi-annual stockholder reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” To obtain this information free of charge or make other inquiries pertaining to us, please visit our website (www.eaglepointincome.com) or call (844) 810-6501 (toll-free). You may also obtain a copy of any information regarding us filed with the SEC from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Share | Total(4) | ||||
Estimated subscription price(1) | $ | $ | |||
Estimated sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)(2)(3) | $ | $ | |||
Proceeds to us (before estimated expenses)(1)(3) | $ | $ |
(1) | Estimated on the basis of [describe means of computing subscription price]. See “The Offer—Subscription Price.” |
[(2) | In connection with this offering, , the dealer manager for this offering, will receive a fee for its financial advisory, marketing and soliciting services equal to % of the subscription price per share for each share issued pursuant to the exercise of rights[, including pursuant to the over-subscription privilege].] |
(3) | Total offering expenses payable by us, excluding sales load, are estimated to be $ . We estimate that net proceeds to us after expenses will be $ assuming all of the rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price. |
(4) | Assumes all rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price. |
The date of this prospectus supplement is , 20
As a result of the terms of this offering, stockholders who do not fully exercise their rights will own, upon completion of this offer, a smaller proportional interest in us than they owned prior to the offering. [In addition, because the subscription price per share will likely be less than the net asset value per share, based on our current market price, the offer will likely result in an immediate dilution of net asset value per share for all of our stockholders.] This offering will also cause dilution in the distributions per share we are able to distribute subsequent to completion of the offering. Such dilution is not currently determinable because it is not known how many shares will be subscribed for, what the net asset value or market price of our common stock will be on the expiration date for the offer or what the subscription price will be. If the subscription price per share is substantially less than the current net asset value per share, such dilution could be substantial. Any such dilution will disproportionately affect non-exercising stockholders. [If the subscription price is less than our net asset value per share, then all stockholders will experience a decrease in the net asset value per share held by them, irrespective of whether they exercise all or any portion of their rights]. [See “Risk Factors—Your economic and voting interest in us, as well as your proportionate interest in our net asset value, may be diluted as a result of this rights offering” and “Dilution” in this prospectus supplement for more information.]
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ELECTRONIC DELIVERY
Beginning in February 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of shareholder reports for Eagle Point Income Company Inc. (the “Company”) will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Company or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Company’s website, 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 do not need to take any action. For shareholder reports and other communications from the Company issued prior to February 2021, you may elect to receive such reports and other communications electronically. If you own shares of the Company through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to receive materials electronically. You may also visit www.fundreports.com or call 1-866-345-5954. If you own shares of the Company directly, you may contact us at 1-844-810-6501.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper, free of charge. If you own shares of the Company through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports after February 2021. You may also visit www.fundreports.com or call 1-866-345-5954. If you make such an election through your financial intermediary, your election to receive reports in paper may apply to all funds held through your financial intermediary. If you own shares of the Company directly, you may contact us at 1-844-810-6501.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the dealer manager has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. We are not, and the dealer manager is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the information appearing in the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its front cover. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since these dates. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers are permitted.
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading, “Available Information” before investing in our common stock
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Page | ||
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY | S-1 | |
THE OFFERING | S-10 | |
FEES AND EXPENSES | S-13 | |
RISK FACTORS | S-16 | |
USE OF PROCEEDS | S-17 | |
CAPITALIZATION | S-18 | |
DILUTION | S-19 | |
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK | S-20 | |
THE OFFER | S-21 | |
LEGAL MATTERS | S-31 | |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | S-31 | |
AVAILABLE INFORMATION | S-31 |
PROSPECTUS
Page | ||
[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.] |
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
The following summary contains basic information about this offering. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that is important to a decision to invest in the rights. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and beginning on page [·] in the accompanying prospectus and the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms:
· | The “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation or, for periods prior to our conversion to a corporation, EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
· | “Eagle Point Income Management” and “Adviser” refer to Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
· | “Eagle Point Administration” and “Administrator” refer to Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; and |
· | “Risk-adjusted returns” refers to the profile of expected asset returns across a range of potential macroeconomic scenarios, and does not imply that a particular strategy or investment should be considered low-risk. |
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act.” We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018. We were formed on September 28, 2018 as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018.
Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs, that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (e.g., BB+, BB or BB−, or their equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or “Moody’s,” Standard & Poor’s, or “S&P,” or Fitch Ratings, Inc., or “Fitch,” and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We refer to such debt tranches in this prospectus as “BB-Rated CLO Debt.” We may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. We may also invest in other securities and instruments that the Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives. The amount that we will invest in other securities and instruments, which may include investments in debt and other securities issued by CLOs collateralized by non-U.S. loans or securities of other collective investment vehicles, will vary from time to time and, as such, may constitute a material part of our portfolio on any given date, all as based on the Adviser’s assessment of prevailing market conditions. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity securities, are unrated and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
These investment objectives are not fundamental policies of ours and may be changed by our board of directors without prior approval of our stockholders. See “Business” in the accompanying prospectus.
We pursue a differentiated strategy within the CLO debt market premised upon our Adviser’s strong emphasis on assessing the skill of CLO collateral managers and analyzing the structure of a CLO.
S-1
We believe that the Adviser’s Senior Investment Team’s (as defined below) direct and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers and its CLO structural expertise, and the relative scale of the Adviser and its affiliates in the CLO market are competitive advantages as we seek to achieve our investment objectives.
We seek to construct a portfolio of CLO securities that provides varied exposure across several key categories, including:
· | number and investment style of CLO collateral managers; and |
· | CLO vintage period. |
We believe that we are structured as an efficient vehicle for investors to gain exposure to the types of CLO securities and related investments historically accessed by primarily institutional investors. We believe that our closed-end fund structure allows the Adviser to take a long-term view from a portfolio management perspective without the uncertainty posed by redemptions in an open-end fund structure. As such, the Adviser can focus principally on maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of stockholders.
Eagle Point Income Management
Eagle Point Income Management, our investment adviser, manages our investments subject to the supervision of our board of directors pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, or the “Investment Advisory Agreement.” An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management, provides investment professionals and other resources under a personnel and resources agreement, or the “Personnel and Resources Agreement,” to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations. An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Administration, performs, or arranges for the performance of, our required administrative services. For a description of the fees and expenses that we pay to the Adviser and the Administrator, see “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” and “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. The Adviser, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, which, as of June 30, 2019, had approximately $2.8 billion of total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of such date. Based on Eagle Point Credit Management’s CLO equity assets under management, the Adviser believes that, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, it is among the largest CLO equity investors in the market. The Adviser was established in September 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management was established in 2012. The Adviser is primarily owned by the Trident V Funds (as defined below) through intermediary holding companies. Additionally, Aerie Income LLC, or “Aerie”, a Delaware limited liability company, and an affiliate of Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, also indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. The Senior Investment Team also holds an indirect ownership interest in the Adviser. The Adviser is ultimately governed through intermediary holding companies by a board of managers, or the “Adviser’s Board of Managers,” which includes Mr. Majewski and certain principals of Stone Point Capital LLC, or “Stone Point.” The Adviser’s Board of Managers is also responsible for governance and oversight of certain affiliates of the Adviser, including Eagle Point Credit Management. See “The Adviser and the Administrator” in the accompanying prospectus.
Stone Point is the investment manager of Trident V, L.P. and related investment vehicles, which we refer to collectively as the “Trident V Funds.” Stone Point, an investment adviser registered with the SEC, is a specialized private equity firm focused on the financial services industry. Since its inception, Stone Point (including a predecessor entity) has raised seven private equity funds with aggregate committed capital of approximately $19 billion.
The Adviser’s “Senior Investment Team” is led by Mr. Majewski, Managing Partner of the Adviser, and is also comprised of Daniel W. Ko, Portfolio Manager, and Daniel M. Spinner, Portfolio Manager. The Senior Investment Team is primarily responsible for our day-to-day investment management and the implementation of our investment strategy and process.
S-2
Each member of the Senior Investment Team is a CLO industry specialist who has been directly involved in the CLO market for the majority of his career and has built relationships with key market participants, including CLO collateral managers, investment banks and investors. Members of the Senior Investment Team have been involved in the CLO market as:
· | the head of the CLO business at various investment banks; |
· | a lead CLO structurer and collateralized debt obligation, or “CDO,” workout specialist at an investment bank; |
· | a CLO equity and debt investor; |
· | principal investors in CLO collateral management firms; and |
· | a lender and mergers and acquisitions adviser to CLO collateral management firms. |
We believe that the complementary, yet highly specialized, skill set of each member of the Senior Investment Team provides the Adviser with a competitive advantage in its CLO-focused investment strategy. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Portfolio Managers” in the accompanying prospectus.
In addition to managing our investments, the Adviser’s affiliates and the members of the Senior Investment Team manage investment accounts for other clients, including Eagle Point Credit Company Inc., or “ECC,” a publicly traded, closed-end management investment company that is registered under the 1940 Act and for which Eagle Point Credit Management serves as investment adviser, privately offered pooled investment vehicles and several institutional separate accounts. Many of these accounts pursue an investment strategy that substantially or partially overlaps with the strategy that we pursue.
CLO Overview
We pursue an investment strategy focused on investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs. The CLOs that we primarily target are securitization vehicles that pool portfolios of primarily below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans. Such pools of underlying assets are often referred to as CLO “collateral.” While the vast majority of the portfolio of most CLOs consists of senior secured loans, many CLOs enable the CLO collateral manager to invest up to 10% of the portfolio in assets that are not first lien senior secured loans, including second lien loans, unsecured loans, senior secured bonds and senior unsecured bonds.
CLOs are generally required to hold a portfolio of assets that is highly diversified by underlying borrower and industry and that is subject to a variety of asset concentration limitations. Most CLOs are non-static, revolving structures that generally allow for reinvestment over a specific period of time (the “reinvestment period”, which is typically up to five years). The terms and covenants of a typical CLO structure are, with certain exceptions, based primarily on the cash flow generated by, and the par value (as opposed to the market price) of, the collateral. These covenants include collateral coverage tests, interest coverage tests and collateral quality tests.
A CLO funds the purchase of a portfolio of primarily senior secured loans via the issuance of CLO equity and debt securities in the form of multiple, primarily floating rate, debt tranches. The CLO debt tranches typically are rated “AAA” (or its equivalent) at the most senior level down to “BB” or “B” (or its equivalent), which is below investment grade, at the junior level by Moody’s, S&P and/or Fitch. The interest rate on the CLO debt tranches is the lowest at the AAA-level and generally increases at each level down the rating scale. The CLO equity tranche is unrated and typically represents approximately 8% to 11% of a CLO’s capital structure. Below investment grade and unrated securities are sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
The diagram below is for illustrative purposes only. The CLO structure highlighted below is a hypothetical structure intended to depict an average CLO in the market. A minority of CLOs also include a B-rated debt tranche (in which we may invest), and the structure of CLOs in which we invest may otherwise vary from the example set forth below.
S-3
CLOs have two priority-of-payment schedules (commonly called “waterfalls”), which are detailed in a CLO’s indenture and which govern how cash generated from a CLO’s underlying collateral is distributed to the CLO’s debt and equity investors. One waterfall (the interest waterfall) applies to interest payments received on a CLO’s underlying collateral. The second waterfall (the principal waterfall) applies to cash generated from principal on the underlying collateral, primarily through loan repayments and the proceeds from loan sales. Through the interest waterfall, any excess interest-related cash flow available after the required quarterly interest payments to CLO debt investors are made and certain CLO expenses (such as administration and collateral management fees) are paid is then distributed to the CLO’s equity investors each quarter, subject to compliance with certain tests. Please see “Business — CLO Overview” in the accompanying prospectus for a more detailed description of a CLO’s typical structure and certain key terms and conditions thereof.
A CLO’s indenture typically requires that the maturity dates of a CLO’s assets (typically five to eight years from the date of issuance of a senior secured loan) be shorter than the maturity date of the CLO’s liabilities (typically 12 to 13 years from the date of issuance). However, CLO investors do face reinvestment risk with respect to a CLO’s underlying portfolio. In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors are subject to prepayment risk in that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, which would cause the CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk” in the accompanying prospectus.
Investment Opportunity
We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs and focus on BB-Rated CLO Debt.
Based on the Senior Investment Team’s experience, we believe that the CLO market has experienced a significant evolution in the buyer base for BB-Rated CLO Debt. Prior to a few years ago, BB-Rated CLO Debt was primarily acquired and traded by hedge funds with a shorter term investment horizon. As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser believes that a significant amount of the demand for BB-Rated CLO Debt comes from longer term-oriented and sophisticated institutional investors such as asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds. We believe that increased interest in BB-Rated CLO Debt by these categories of institutional investors is driven at least in part by a view that investing in BB-Rated CLO Debt presents an attractive alternative to high-yield bond exposure and a complement to direct exposure to senior secured loans, and suggests that the BB-Rated CLO Debt market is maturing.
S-4
We believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt has the following attractive fundamental attributes:
· | Expected protection against rising interest rates: Similar to the senior secured loans that serve as the underlying collateral for CLOs, BB-Rated CLO Debt is a floating rate security that pays interest based on the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” plus a spread and, as a result, is expected to have lower interest rate risk than high-yield bonds, which are fixed income securities, in a rising interest rate environment. However, our investments are subject to other forms of interest rate risk. For a discussion of the interest rate risk associated with our investments, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk” in the accompanying prospectus. |
· | Potential for higher returns: Due in part to the relative inefficiency of the BB-Rated CLO Debt market as compared to the markets for senior secured loans and high yield bonds, we believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt offers a potential return that compares favorably to that of senior secured loans and high yield bonds. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus. |
· | Potential for lower credit expense: The default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt for the period from 1996 through 2Q 2018 is 1.5%1 (or just 0.07% per annum) as compared to 2.7% per annum for senior secured loans (from 1998 through 2Q 2018, the period for which the data is available) and 4.3% per annum for high-yield bonds (from 1996 through 2Q 2018).2 The Adviser believes that the “self-correcting” structural features associated with CLO structures offer a margin of safety for CLO debt investors and have contributed to the low historical default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus. |
In addition to investing in BB-Rated CLO Debt, we may invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus.
CLO debt and equity securities are subject to a number of risks as discussed elsewhere in this “Prospectus Summary” section and in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement and beginning on page [·] of the accompanying prospectus.
Our Competitive Advantages
We believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of investment opportunities in CLO securities and related investments due to the following competitive advantages:
· | Specialist in CLO securities. The Adviser focuses exclusively on CLO securities and related investments. Each member of the Senior Investment Team is a CLO specialist who has been involved with the CLO market for the majority of his career and brings a distinct and complementary skill set that the Adviser believes is necessary for our success. |
· | Deep CLO structural experience and expertise. Members of the Senior Investment Team have significant experience structuring, valuing and investing in CLOs throughout their careers. The Adviser believes that the initial structuring of a CLO investment is an important contributor to the ultimate risk-adjusted returns, and that experienced and knowledgeable investors can add meaningful value relative to other market participants by identifying investments with more protective and advantageous structures. |
· | Methodical investment process. The goal of the Adviser’s investment process is to outperform the CLO market generally over the long term. This process, augmented by the first-hand CLO industry experience of the Senior Investment Team, is designed to be repeatable and is focused on key areas for analysis that the Adviser believes are most relevant to potential future performance. Our Adviser believes that its investment |
1 S&P Global Ratings, Default, Transition, and Recovery: 2017 Annual Global Leveraged Loan CLO Default Study and Rating Transitions.
2 Based on the Adviser’s analysis of market data over such periods.
S-5
and security selection process, with its strong emphasis on assessing the skill of the CLO collateral manager and analyzing the structure of a CLO, differentiates its approach to investing in CLO securities. |
· | Proactive investment sourcing. As specialists in the CLO market, members of the Senior Investment Team have developed relationships with many CLO collateral managers and, as such, the Adviser believes that it and Eagle Point Credit Management are collectively viewed as an important market participant. We believe our Adviser’s and Eagle Point Credit Management’s collective relative size and prominence in the CLO market and the Senior Investment Team’s broad and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers and arranging banks benefit us by enhancing our ability to source investments in their early stages and to secure allocations of CLO debt investments issued in the primary market (the syndications of which can be oversubscribed). |
· | Efficient vehicle for gaining exposure to CLO debt securities. We believe that we are structured as an efficient vehicle for investors to gain exposure to the types of CLO securities and related investments historically accessed by primarily institutional investors. We believe our closed-end fund structure allows the Adviser to take a long-term view from a portfolio management perspective without the uncertainty posed by redemptions in an open-end fund structure. As such, the Adviser can focus principally on maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of stockholders. |
Our Structure and Formation Transactions
We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018 and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018. Our initial investment portfolio was contributed to us prior to our registration as an investment company by Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda limited company, or “Cavello Bay,” on October 4, 2018 in exchange for 75,052 of our limited liability company units, or “Units.” Cavello Bay is a subsidiary of Enstar Group Limited, or “Enstar.” The Trident V Funds are minority investors in Enstar, directly or indirectly owning less than 10% of the company’s equity securities, and have participated with Enstar in the acquisition of certain insurance businesses. Cavello Bay acquired the contributed investments from a separate subsidiary of Enstar in which the Trident V Funds indirectly hold an interest, StarStone Insurance Bermuda Limited, or “StarStone.” Eagle Point Credit Management was investment adviser to each of Cavello Bay and StarStone during the time periods in which they held these investments. In addition, the Adviser made a capital contribution to us of $100,000 for which it has received 100 Units.
At the time of our conversion into a corporation on October 16, 2018, the Units held by Cavello Bay converted into 3,764,580 shares, or 99.9% of our common stock, and the Units held by the Adviser converted into 5,016 shares, or 0.1% of our common stock, in each case based on our estimated and unaudited NAV calculated as of the date of the conversion and at a price per common stock equal to $20.00, which offering price per common stock the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, determined was not below the NAV of our common stock as of the date of such conversion. The shares of our common stock held by Cavello Bay and the Adviser are subject to certain lock-up restrictions.
The following chart reflects our organizational structure and our relationship with the Adviser and the Administrator as of the date of this prospectus:
S-6
Financing and Hedging Strategy
Leverage by the Company. We may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We are permitted to obtain leverage using any form of financial leverage instruments, including funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, margin facilities, notes or preferred stock and leverage attributable to reverse repurchase agreements or similar transactions. We currently anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to approximately 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) through borrowings under our credit facility or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities. Instruments that create leverage are generally considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act. With respect to senior securities representing indebtedness (i.e., borrowing or deemed borrowing), other than temporary borrowings as defined under the 1940 Act, we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 300%, as measured at the time of borrowing and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness. With respect to senior securities that are stocks (i.e., shares of preferred stock), we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 200%, as measured at the time of the issuance of any such shares of preferred stock and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
While we anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to approximately 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) through borrowings under our credit facility or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities, the actual amount of leverage we incur is uncertain from to time, and we may use leverage opportunistically or otherwise choose to deviate from our current expectations. We may use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments at any time based on the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment, including forms of leverage other than preferred stock, debt securities and/or credit facilities. In addition, we may borrow for temporary, emergency or other purposes as permitted under the 1940 Act, which indebtedness would be in addition to the asset coverage ratios described above. By leveraging our investment portfolio, we may create an opportunity for increased net income and capital appreciation. However, the use of leverage also involves significant risks and expenses, which will be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock, and our leverage strategy may not be successful. For example, the more leverage is employed, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and increase the risk of investing in us” in the accompanying prospectus.
Derivative Transactions. We may engage in “Derivative Transactions,” as described below, from time to time. To the extent we engage in Derivative Transactions, we expect to do so to hedge against interest rate, credit and/or other risks, or for other investment or risk management purposes. We may use Derivative Transactions for investment purposes to the extent consistent with our investment objectives if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. We may purchase and sell a variety of derivative instruments, including exchange-listed and over-the-counter, or “OTC,” options, futures, options on futures, swaps and similar instruments, various interest rate transactions, such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and credit transactions and credit default swaps. We also may purchase and sell derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. Collectively, we refer to these financial management techniques as “Derivative Transactions.” Our use of Derivative Transactions, if any, will generally be deemed to create leverage for us and involves significant risks. No assurance can be given that our strategy and use of derivatives will be successful, and our investment performance could diminish compared with what it would have
S-7
been if Derivative Transactions were not used. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate” in the accompanying prospectus.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are required to meet certain regulatory tests. See “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, we intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018.
Our investment activities are managed by the Adviser and supervised by our board of directors. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee based on our “Managed Assets.” “Managed Assets” means our total assets (including assets attributable to our use of leverage) minus the sum of our accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of creating leverage). The management fee is calculated monthly based on our Managed Assets at the end of each calendar month and is payable quarterly in arrears. The management fee for any partial month will be pro-rated (based on the number of days actually elapsed at the end of such partial month relative to the total number of days in such calendar month). See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” in the accompanying prospectus.
We have also entered into an administration agreement, which we refer to as the “Administration Agreement,” under which we have agreed to reimburse the Administrator for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
Conflicts of Interest
Our executive officers and directors, and the Adviser and certain of its affiliates and their officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, have several conflicts of interest as a result of the other activities in which they engage. The Adviser and the Administrator are affiliated with other entities engaged in the financial services business. In particular, the Adviser and the Administrator are affiliated with Eagle Point Credit Management and Stone Point, and certain members of the Adviser’s Board of Managers are principals of Stone Point. Pursuant to certain management agreements, Stone Point has received delegated authority to act as the investment manager of the Trident V Funds. The Adviser and the Administrator are primarily owned by the Trident V Funds through intermediary holding companies. The Trident V Funds and other private equity funds managed by Stone Point invest in financial services companies. Additionally, Aerie also indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. Also, under the Personnel and Resources Agreement, Eagle Point Credit Management will make available the personnel and resources, including portfolio managers and investment personnel, to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations. These relationships may cause the Adviser’s, the Administrator’s and certain of their affiliates’ interests, and the interests of their officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, to diverge from our interests and may result in conflicts of interest that may not be foreseen or resolved in a manner that is always or exclusively in our best interest. In addition, an affiliate of the Adviser currently holds a controlling interest in Marble Point Credit Management LLC, or “Marble Point,” which is a CLO collateral manager and manager of other investment vehicles that invest in senior secured loans, CLO securities and other related investments. Our executive officers and directors, as well as other current and potential future affiliated persons, officers and employees of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates, may serve as officers, directors or principals of, or manage the accounts for, other entities, including ECC, with investment strategies that substantially or partially overlap with the strategy that we intend to pursue. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which obligations may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. The Adviser has entered into, and may in the future enter into additional, business arrangements with certain of our stockholders, including granting indirect ownership in limited liability company interests in the Adviser. In such cases, such stockholders may have an incentive to vote shares held by them in a manner that takes such arrangements into account. As a result of these relationships and separate business activities, the Adviser has conflicts of interest in
S-8
allocating management time, services and functions among us, other advisory clients and other business activities. See “Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.
In order to address such conflicts of interest, we have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. Similarly, the Adviser has separately adopted the “Adviser Code of Ethics.” The Adviser Code of Ethics requires the officers and employees of the Adviser to act in the best interests of the Adviser and its client accounts (including us), act in good faith and in an ethical manner, avoid conflicts of interests with the client accounts to the extent reasonably possible and identify and manage conflicts of interest to the extent that they arise. Personnel subject to each code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. Our directors and officers, and the officers and employees of the Adviser, are also required to comply with applicable provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and make prompt reports to supervisory personnel of any actual or suspected violations of law.
Pursuant to the investment allocation policies and procedures of Eagle Point Investment Management and Eagle Point Credit Management, they seek to allocate investment opportunities among accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time. In addition, an account managed by the Adviser, such as us, is expected to be considered for the allocation of investment opportunities together with other accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser, including Eagle Point Credit Management. There is no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to any particular account equitably in the short-term or that any such account, including us, will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable for it. See “Conflicts of Interest — Code of Ethics and Compliance Procedures” in the accompanying prospectus.
Co-Investment with Affiliates. In certain instances, we expect to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other accounts managed by certain of the Adviser’s affiliates, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance and the Adviser’s written allocation procedures. We will be able to rely on the exemptive relief granted by the SEC to Eagle Point Credit Management and certain of its affiliates to participate in certain negotiated co-investments alongside other accounts, including ECC, managed by Eagle Point Credit Management, or certain of its affiliates, subject to certain conditions including (i) that a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction and a majority of our directors who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, approve the co-investment and (ii) the price, terms and conditions of the co-investment are the same for each participant. A copy of the application for exemptive relief, including all of the conditions, and the related order are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Recent Developments
[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]
Our Corporate Information
Our offices are located at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830, and our telephone number is (844) 810-6501.
S-9
THE OFFERING
The Offer
We are issuing to stockholders of record, or record date stockholders, on , , or the “record date,” one [transferable/non-transferable] right for each share of our common stock held on the record date. Each holder of the rights, or “rights holder,” is entitled to subscribe for one share of our common stock for every rights held[, which we refer to as the “primary subscription right”]. We will not issue fractional shares of our common stock upon the exercise of rights; accordingly, rights may be exercised only in multiples of .
[The rights are transferable and will be listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange, or the “NYSE,” under the symbol “ ”during the course of this offer. See “The Offer.”]
Subscription Price
The subscription price per share will be [describe means of computing subscription price]. [Because the subscription price will be determined on the expiration date, rights holders who decide to acquire shares pursuant to the primary subscription right or pursuant to the over-subscription privilege will not know the actual purchase price of those shares when they make that decision.] See “The Offer—Subscription Price.”
[Over-Subscription Privilege
Record date stockholders who fully exercise all rights issued to them (other than those rights which cannot be exercised because they represent the right to acquire less than one share) are entitled to subscribe for additional shares of our common stock which were not subscribed for by other stockholders, which we refer to as the “remaining shares.” If sufficient remaining shares of our common stock are available, all record date stockholders’ over-subscription requests will be honored in full. In addition, any non-record date stockholder who exercises rights is entitled to subscribe for remaining shares that are not otherwise subscribed for by record date stockholders. Shares acquired pursuant to the over-subscription privilege are subject to certain limitations and pro rata allocations. See “The Offer—Over-Subscription Privilege.”]
Purpose of the Offer
Our board of directors has determined that it would be in the best interest of us and our stockholders to increase the capital available for making additional investments, as well as to pay operating expenses, temporarily repay debt and generally enhance our liquidity. We believe that we must have sufficient liquidity available to remain a credible source of capital. The offering will increase the capital available for us to make additional investments. This offering gives existing stockholders the right to purchase additional shares at a price that is expected to be below market without incurring any commission or charge, while providing us access to additional capital resources. In connection with the approval of this rights offering, our board of directors considered, among other things, the following factors:
· | the subscription price relative to the market price and to our net asset value per share, including the likelihood that the subscription price will be below our net asset value per share; |
· | the increased capital to be available upon completion of the rights offering for us to make additional investments consistent with our investment objective; |
· | the dilution to be experienced by non-exercising stockholders; |
· | the dilutive effect the offering will have on the distributions per share we distribute subsequent to completion of the offering; |
· | [the terms and expenses in connection with the offering relative to other alternatives for raising capital, including fees payable to the dealer manager;] |
· | the size of the offering in relation to the number of shares outstanding; |
· | [the fact that the rights will be listed on The New York Stock Exchange during the subscription period;] |
· | the general condition of the securities markets; and |
S-10
· | any impact on operating expenses associated with an increase in capital, including an increase in fees payable to the Adviser. |
There can be no assurance of the amount of dilution that a stockholder will experience or that the rights offering will be successful.
[The purpose of setting the determination of the subscription price upon the expiration of the offer is to attract the maximum participation of stockholders in the offer, with minimum dilution to non-participating stockholders.]
[The transferable rights will allow non-participating stockholders the potential of receiving cash payment upon the sale of the rights, receipt of which may be viewed as partial compensation for the dilution of their interests.]
We cannot assure you that the current offering will be successful, or that by increasing the amount of our available capital, our aggregate expenses and, correspondingly, our expense ratio will be lowered.
[In determining that this offer is in our best interest and in the best interests of our stockholders, we have retained , the dealer manager for this offer, to provide us with financial advisory, marketing and soliciting services relating to this offer, including advice with respect to the structure, timing and terms of the offer. In this regard, our board of directors considered, among other things, using a fixed pricing versus variable pricing mechanism, the benefits and drawbacks of conducting a non-transferable versus a transferable rights offering, the effect on us if this offer is not fully subscribed and the experience of the dealer manager in conducting rights offerings.]
[Although we have no present intention to do so, we may, in the future and in our discretion, choose to make additional rights offerings from time to time for a number of shares and on terms which may or may not be similar to this offer, provided that our board of directors must determine that each subsequent rights offering is in the best interest of our stockholders. Any such future rights offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act.]
[Sale of Rights
The rights are evidenced by a subscription certificate and are transferable until , (or if the offer is extended, until the extended expiration date). The rights will be listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “ ”. We and the dealer manager will use our best efforts to ensure that an adequate trading market for the rights will exist. However, no assurance can be given that a market for the rights will develop. Trading in the rights on the NYSE may be conducted until close of trading on the NYSE on , (or, if the offer is extended, until the extended expiration date). See “The Offer—Sale of Rights.”]
How to Obtain Subscription Information
· | Contact your broker-dealer, trust company, bank or other nominee where your shares are held, or |
· | Contact the information agent, , at . Broker-dealers and nominees may call . |
How to Subscribe
· | Deliver a completed subscription certificate and payment to the subscription agent by the expiration date of the rights offering, or |
· | If your shares are held in an account with your broker-dealer, trust company, bank or other nominee, which qualifies as an Eligible Guarantor Institution under Rule 17Ad-15 of the Exchange Act, have your Eligible Guarantor Institution deliver a notice of guaranteed delivery to the subscription agent by the expiration date of the rights offering. |
Subscription Agent
will act as the subscription agent in connection with this offer.
Information Agent
S-11
will act as the information agent in connection with this offer. You may contact toll-free with questions at . Broker-dealers and nominees may call .
[Distribution Arrangements
will act as dealer manager for the offer. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the dealer manager agreement, the dealer manager will provide financial advisory services and marketing assistance in connection with the offer and will solicit the exercise of rights and participation in the over-subscription privilege by our stockholders. The offer is not contingent upon any number of rights being exercised. We have agreed to pay the dealer manager a fee for its financial advisory, marketing and soliciting services equal to % of the subscription price per share for shares issued pursuant to the exercise of rights, including pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. The dealer manager may reallow a portion of its fees to other broker-dealers that have assisted in soliciting the exercise of rights.]
Important Dates to Remember
Record Date | ||||
Subscription Period | (1) | |||
Measurement Period for Subscription Price(2) | (1) | |||
Expiration Date | (1) | |||
Deadline for Delivery of Subscription Certificates and Payment for Shares(3) | (1) | |||
Deadline for Delivery of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery(3) | (1) | |||
Deadline for Delivery of Subscription Certificates and Payment for Shares pursuant to Notice of Guaranteed Delivery | (1) | |||
Confirmations Mailed to Participants | (1) | |||
Final Payment for Shares | (1) |
(1) | Unless the offer is extended. |
(2) | The subscription price will be [describe means of computing subscription price]. |
(3) | Participating rights holders must, by the expiration date of the offer (unless the offer is extended), either (1) deliver a subscription certificate and payment for shares or (2) cause to be delivered on their behalf a notice of guaranteed delivery. |
S-12
FEES AND EXPENSES
The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in shares of our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table under “Annual Expenses” are estimated based on estimated amounts for our first full year of operations and assume that we incur leverage in an amount equal to 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred). The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown.
Stockholder Transaction Expenses (as a percentage of the offering price):
Sales load | [·]%(1) |
Offering expenses | [·]%(2) |
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses | [·]%(3) |
Total stockholder transaction expenses | [·]% |
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
Management fee | [·]%(4) |
Interest payments on borrowed funds | [·]%(5) |
Other expenses | [·]% |
Acquired fund fees and expenses (underlying CLO fees and expenses) | [·]%(6) |
Total annual expenses | [·]% |
(1) | In the event that the securities to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters or agents, the related prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load. |
(2) | The related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of total offering expenses (which may include offering expenses borne by third parties on our behalf), the offering price and the offering expenses borne by us as a percentage of the offering price. |
(3) | The expenses of administering the DRIP are included in “other expenses.” If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator prior to termination of his or her account to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.10 per share brokerage commission from the proceeds. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus. |
(4) | We have agreed to pay the Adviser as compensation under the Investment Advisory Agreement a management fee at an annual rate of 1.25% which is calculated monthly based on our Managed Assets at the end of each calendar month and payable quarterly in arrears. “Managed Assets” means our total assets (including assets attributable to our use of leverage) minus the sum of our accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of creating leverage). Because Managed Assets include our use of leverage, they will typically be greater than our net assets. |
The figure shown in the table above reflects our assumption that we incur leverage in an amount equal to 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred). These management fees are indirectly borne by holders of our common stock and are not borne by the holders of preferred stock, if any, or the holders of any other securities that we may issue. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” in the accompanying prospectus. |
(5) | Assumes that we incur borrowings in an amount equal to 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) with an assumed interest rate of 3.76% per annum, based on current market rates. |
(6) | Investors will bear indirectly the fees and expenses (including management fees and other operating expenses) of the CLO equity securities in which we invest. CLO collateral manager fees are charged on the total assets of a CLO but are assumed to be paid from the residual cash flows after interest payments to the CLO debt tranches. Therefore, these CLO collateral manager fees (which generally range from 0.35% to 0.50% of a CLO’s total |
S-13
assets) are effectively much higher when allocated only to the CLO equity tranche. The expense figure shown assumes that 15% of our investment portfolio is invested in equity securities of CLOs that pay collateral management fees equal to 0.45% and that have a CLO equity tranche equal to 10% of the CLO’s aggregate principal amount. The calculation does not include any other operating expense ratios of the CLOs, as these amounts are not routinely reported to stockholders on a basis consistent with this methodology; however, it is estimated that additional operating expenses of approximately 0.30% to 0.70% could be incurred. In addition, CLO collateral managers may earn fees based on a percentage of the CLO’s equity cash flows after the CLO equity has earned a cash-on-cash return of its capital and achieved a specified “hurdle” rate. |
Example
The following example is furnished in response to the requirements of the SEC and illustrates the various costs and expenses that you would pay, directly or indirectly, on a $1,000 investment in shares of our common stock for the time periods indicated, assuming (1) combined offering expenses payable by us of [·]%, (2) total annual expenses of [·]% of net assets attributable to our common stock and (3) a 5% annual return*:
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||||||||||||||
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | $ | [·] |
* | The example should not be considered a representation of future returns or expenses, and actual returns and expenses may be greater or less than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated “other expenses” set forth in the Annual Expenses table are accurate, and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Our actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example. |
Other Expenses
The Adviser’s investment team, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, are provided and paid for by the Adviser. We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including:
· | the cost of calculating our NAV (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm or pricing service); |
· | interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments; |
· | fees and expenses incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making or disposing of investments, including legal fees and expenses, travel expenses and other fees and expenses incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective investments, monitoring our investments and, if necessary, enforcing our rights; |
· | brokerage fees and commissions; |
· | federal and state registration fees and exchange listing fees; |
· | federal, state and local taxes; |
· | costs of offerings or repurchases of our common stock and other securities; |
· | the management fee; |
· | distributions on shares of our common stock; |
· | administration fees payable to the Administrator under the Administration Agreement; |
· | direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff, including fees payable in connection with outsourced administrative functions; |
· | transfer agent and custody fees and expenses; |
S-14
· | independent director fees and expenses; |
· | the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders, including printing costs; |
· | costs of holding stockholder meetings; |
· | litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses; |
· | fees and expenses associated with marketing and investor relations efforts; |
· | dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which we are a member; |
· | fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs; |
· | fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; |
· | costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and |
· | all other expenses reasonably incurred by us or the Administrator in connection with administering our business, such as the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and their respective support staff. |
S-15
RISK FACTORS
Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below and those set forth in the accompanying prospectus. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out below and under the heading “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, the price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment
[The rights are non-transferable, and there is no market for the rights.
Other than in very limited circumstances, you may not sell, give away or otherwise transfer your rights. Because the rights are non-transferable, there is no market or other means for you to directly realize any value associated with the rights. You must exercise the rights and acquire additional shares of our common stock to realize any value.]
Your economic and voting interest in us, as well as your proportionate interest in our net asset value, may be diluted as a result of this rights offering.
Stockholders who do not fully exercise their rights should expect that they will, at the completion of the offer, own a smaller proportional interest in us, including with respect to voting rights, than would otherwise be the case if they fully exercised their rights. We cannot state precisely the amount of any such dilution in share ownership because we do not know at this time what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of the offer.
In addition, if the subscription price is less than our net asset value per share, then our stockholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their shares as a result of the offer. The amount of any decrease in net asset value is not predictable because it is not known at this time what the subscription price and net asset value per share will be on the expiration date of the rights offering or what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of the offer. Such dilution could be substantial.
This offering will also cause dilution in the dividends per share we are able to distribute subsequent to completion of the offering. In addition, our reported earnings per share will be retroactively adjusted to reflect the dilutive effects of this offering. See “Dilution.”]
[Insert any additional relevant risk factors not included in the base prospectus.]
S-16
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that net proceeds we will receive from this offering will be approximately $ million assuming all of the rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price and after deducting payments to the dealer manager of % of the subscription price for each share issued pursuant to exercise of the rights and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us.
We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and for general working capital purposes. We currently anticipate that it will take to months after the completion of this offering of rights to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering in our targeted investments, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objectives and market conditions. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace, which may negatively impact our returns. During this period, we will invest in temporary investments, such as cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, which we expect will have returns substantially lower than the returns that we anticipate earning from investments in CLO securities and related investments. Investors should expect, therefore, that before we have fully invested the proceeds of the offering in accordance with our investment objectives and policies, assets invested in these instruments would earn interest income at a modest rate, which may not exceed our expenses during this period.
S-17
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of , 20 :
· | on an actual basis; and |
· | on a pro forma basis to give effect to sale of shares of our common stock in this offering, assuming all rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price of $ and our receipt of the estimated net proceeds from that sale. |
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
(Dollars in Thousands
Except Per Unit and Per Share Data) |
||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
Investments at fair value | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Total liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Net Assets applicable to shares of common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
Net Assets consist of: | ||||||||
Paid in capital | $ | $ | ||||||
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investment | ||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | ||||||||
Distributions in excess of net investment income | ||||||||
Total net assets |
S-18
DILUTION
As of , , our net assets were $ million, or approximately $ per share. After giving effect to the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering, assuming all rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price of $ per share, and our receipt of the estimated net proceeds from that sale, our pro forma NAV would have been approximately $ million, or approximately $ per share, representing an immediate dilution of approximately $ per share to our existing stockholders.
The following table illustrates the dilutive effects of this offering on a per share basis, assuming all rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price of $ per share:
As of , | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
Net asset value per common share | $ | $ | ||||||
Months Ended , | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from net investment income per common share | $ | (1) | $ | (2) | ||||
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations per common share | $ | (1) | $ | (2) | ||||
Distributions per common share | $ | $ | (3) |
(1) | Basic and diluted, weighted average number of shares outstanding is . | |
(2) | Assumes that on , , the beginning of the indicated period, (1) all rights were exercised at the estimated subscription price of $ per share and (2) shares of our common stock were issued upon exercise of such rights. | |
(3) | Assumes actual cash distributions divided by adjusted shares, including shares issued upon exercise of rights. |
S-19
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
Our common stock began trading on July 24, 2019 and is currently traded on the NYSE under the symbol “EIC.” The following table lists the high and low closing sale price for our common stock, the high and low closing sale price as a percentage of NAV and distributions declared per share each quarter since XXX.
Closing Sales
Price |
Premium
(Discount) of High Sales Price |
Premium
(Discount) of Low Sales Price |
Distributions | |||||||||||||||||
Period | NAV(1) | High | Low | to NAV(2) | to NAV(2) | Declared(3) | ||||||||||||||
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
First quarter | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Second quarter | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Third quarter | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | [·] | % | [·] | % | $ | [0.2873] | (4) | |||||||
Fourth quarter (through October [•], 2019) | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | $ | [·] | [·] | % | [·] | % | $ | [0.3978] | (5) |
(1) | NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of each period. |
(2) | Calculated as of the respective high or low closing sales price divided by the quarter end NAV. |
(3) | Represents the cash distributions (including dividends, dividends reinvested and returns of capital, if any) per share that we have declared on our common stock in the specified quarter. Per share amount of common stock distributions from return of capital is calculated as total common stock distributions declared to stockholders for the period less the daily weighted average of common stock distributions from net investment income and realized gains on investments for the period. |
(4) | [Includes a return of capital of approximately $[·]. See also footnote 3 above.] |
(5) | [Includes a return of capital of approximately $[·]. See also footnote 3 above.] |
Shares of non-diversified closed-end management investment companies may trade at a market price that is less than the NAV that is attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount from NAV or at a premium that is unsustainable over the long term is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV will decrease. It is not possible to predict whether our shares will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. Our NAV per share was $ as of (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement on which we determined NAV). The closing sale price for shares of our common stock on the NYSE on that date was $ , which represented a % [premium/discount] to NAV per share.
On , the last reported closing price of our common stock was $ per share. As of we had stockholders of record of our common stock (which does not reflect holders whose shares are held in street name by a broker, bank or other nominee).
S-20
THE OFFER
Purpose of the Offer
Our board of directors has determined that it would be in the best interests of us and our stockholders to increase the capital available for making additional investments, as well as to pay operating expenses, temporarily repay debt and generally enhance our liquidity. We believe that we must have sufficient liquidity available to remain a credible source of capital. The offering will increase the capital available for us to make additional investments. The current offering gives existing stockholders the right to purchase additional shares at a price that is expected to be below market without incurring any commission or charge, while providing us access to such additional capital resources. In connection with the approval of this rights offering, our board of directors considered, among other things, the following factors:
· | the subscription price relative to the market price and to our net asset value per share, including the likelihood that the subscription price will be below our net asset value per share; |
· | the increased capital to be available upon completion of the rights offering for us to make additional investments consistent with our investment objective; |
· | the dilution to be experienced by non-exercising stockholders; |
· | the dilutive effect the offering will have on the distributions per share we distribute subsequent to completion of the offering; |
· | [the terms and expenses in connection with the offering relative to other alternatives for raising capital, including fees payable to the dealer manager;] |
· | the size of the offering in relation to the number of shares outstanding; |
· | [the fact that the rights will be listed on the NYSE during the subscription period;] |
· | the market price of our common stock, both before and after the announcement of the rights offering; |
· | the general condition of the securities markets; and |
· | any impact on operating expenses associated with an increase in capital, including an increase in fees payable to the Adviser. |
There can be no assurance of the amount of dilution that a stockholder will experience or that the rights offering will be successful.
The purpose of setting the determination of the subscription price upon the expiration of the offer is to attract the maximum participation of stockholders in the offer, with minimum dilution to non-participating stockholders.
[The transferable rights will allow non-participating stockholders the potential of receiving cash payment upon the sale of the rights, receipt of which may be viewed as partial compensation for the dilution of their interests.]
We cannot assure you that the current offering will be successful, or that by increasing the size of our available equity capital, our aggregate expenses and, correspondingly, our expense ratio will be lowered. In addition, the management fee we pay to the Adviser is based in part upon our NAV attributable to our common stockholders, which will increase as a result of this offering].
[In determining that this offer was in our best interest and in the best interests of our stockholders, we have retained , the dealer manager for this offering, to provide us with financial advisory, marketing and soliciting services relating to this offer, including advice with respect to the structure, timing and terms of the offer. In this regard, our board of directors considered, among other things, using a fixed pricing versus variable pricing mechanism, the benefits and drawbacks of conducting a non-transferable versus a transferable rights offering, the effect on us if this offer is not fully subscribed and the experience of the dealer manager in conducting rights offerings.]
[Although we have no present intention to do so, we may, in the future and in our discretion, choose to make additional rights offerings from time to time for a number of shares and on terms which may or may not be similar to this offer, provided that our board of directors must determine that each subsequent rights offering is in the best interest of our stockholders. Any such future rights offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act.]
S-21
Terms of the Offer
We are issuing to record date stockholders [transferable/non-transferable] rights to subscribe for up to approximately shares. Each record date stockholder is being issued one [transferable/non-transferable] right for each whole share owned on the record date. The rights entitle each holder, or rights holder, to acquire at the subscription price one share for every rights held [, which we refer to as the “primary subscription right”]. Rights may be exercised at any time during the subscription period, which commences on , , the record date, and ends at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , , the expiration date, unless extended by us.
The rights are [transferable and will be listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “ ” during the course of the offer/non-transferable]. The shares of our common stock issued pursuant to an exercise of rights will be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ECC”. The rights will be evidenced by subscription certificates which will be mailed to stockholders, except as discussed below under “—Foreign Stockholders.”
We will not issue fractional shares upon the exercise of rights; accordingly, rights may be exercised only in multiples of .
The rights are [transferable/non-transferable]. [Rights holders who are not record date stockholders may purchase shares as described above, which we refer to as the primary subscription, and may be entitled to subscribe for shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege (as described below).]
[Shares for which there is no subscription during the primary subscription will be offered, by means of the over-subscription privilege, first to record date stockholders who fully exercise the rights issued to them pursuant to this offering (other than those rights that cannot be exercised because they represent in the aggregate the right to acquire less than one share) and who wish to acquire more than the number of shares they are entitled to purchase pursuant to the exercise of their rights. In addition, any non-record date rights holder who exercises rights is entitled to subscribe for remaining shares that are not otherwise subscribed for by record date stockholders. Shares acquired pursuant to the over-subscription privilege are subject to certain limitations and pro rata allocations. See “—Over-Subscription Privilege” below.]
For purposes of determining the number of shares a record date stockholder may acquire pursuant to the offer, broker-dealers, trust companies, banks or others whose shares are held of record by Cede & Co., or “Cede,” or by any other depository or nominee will be deemed to be the holders of the rights that are issued to Cede or the other depository or nominee on their behalf.
There is no minimum number of rights which must be exercised in order for the offer to close.
[Over-Subscription Privilege
Shares not subscribed for by rights holders, which we refer to as the “remaining shares,” will be offered, by means of the over-subscription privilege, first to record date stockholders who have fully exercised the rights issued to them and who wish to acquire more than the number of shares they are entitled to purchase pursuant to the basic subscription. Rights holders should indicate on the subscription certificate that they submit with respect to the exercise of the rights issued to them how many additional shares they are willing to acquire pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. If there are sufficient remaining shares, all record date stockholders’ over-subscription requests will be honored in full. If record date stockholder requests for shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege exceed the remaining shares available, the available remaining shares will be allocated pro-rata among record date stockholders who over-subscribe based on the number of shares held on the record date. The percentage of remaining shares each over-subscribing stockholder may acquire will be rounded down to result in delivery of whole shares. The allocation process may involve a series of allocations to assure that the total number of remaining shares available for over-subscriptions is distributed on a pro-rata basis. The formula to be used in allocating the remaining shares is as follows:
Stockholder’s Record Date Position Total Record Date Position of All Over-Subscribers |
× | Remaining Shares |
S-22
Any rights holder other than record date stockholders who exercises rights is entitled to subscribe for remaining shares that are not otherwise over-subscribed for by record date stockholders. These non-record date rights holders should indicate in the subscription certificate submitted with respect to the exercise of any rights how many shares they are willing to acquire pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. We cannot assure non-record date rights holders that they will receive shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege.
If sufficient remaining shares are available after the over-subscription privileges for the record date stockholders have been allotted, then all over-subscriptions by non-record date rights holders will be honored in full. If the remaining shares are insufficient to permit such allocation, the remaining shares will be allocated pro-rata among the non-record date rights holders who wish to exercise their over-subscription privilege, based on the number of rights held by such rights holders on the expiration date. However, if this pro-rata allocation results in any holder being allocated a greater number of shares than the holder subscribed for pursuant to the exercise of the over-subscription privilege, then such holder will be allocated only such number of shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege as such holder subscribed for. The formula to be used in allocating the shares available to non-record date rights holders exercising their over-subscription privilege is as follows:
Non-Record Date Rights Holder’s Rights Ownership as of the Expiration Date Total Rights Ownership as of the Expiration Date of Non-Record Date Rights Holders Exercising Their Over-Subscription Privilege |
× | Shares Available for Non-Record Date Rights Holders Exercising Their Over-Subscription Privilege |
Banks, brokers, trustees and other nominee holders of rights will be required to certify to the subscription agent, before any over-subscription privilege may be exercised with respect to any particular beneficial owner, as to the aggregate number of rights exercised pursuant to the primary subscription and the number of shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege by such beneficial owner and that such beneficial owner’s primary subscription was exercised in full. We will not offer or sell in connection with the offer any shares that are not subscribed for pursuant to the primary subscription or the over-subscription privilege.]
Subscription Price
The subscription price for the shares to be issued pursuant to the offer will be [describe means of computing subscription price]. [Since the expiration date will be , (unless we extend the subscription period), rights holders will not know the subscription price at the time of exercise and will be required initially to pay for both the shares subscribed for pursuant to the primary subscription right and, if eligible, any additional shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege at the estimated subscription price of $ per share.] See “—Payment for Shares” below. Rights holders who exercise their rights will have no right to rescind a purchase after receipt of their completed subscription certificates together with payment for shares by the subscription agent. We do not have the right to withdraw the rights or cancel this offer after the rights have been distributed.
Expiration of the Offer
The offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , , the expiration date, unless extended by us. The rights will expire on the expiration date of the rights offering and may not be exercised thereafter.
Our board of directors may determine to extend the subscription period, and thereby postpone the expiration date, to the extent our board of directors determines that doing so is in the best interest of our stockholders. For example, our board of directors may elect to extend the subscription period in the event there is substantial instability or volatility in the trading price of our common stock or the rights on the NYSE at or near the expiration date, or if any event occurs which causes trading to cease or be suspended on the NYSE or the financial markets generally. The foregoing are not the only circumstances under which this offer may be extended, and our board of directors is free to extend the subscription period at its discretion, provided it determines that doing so is in the best interests of our stockholders.
Any extension of the offer will be followed as promptly as practicable by announcement thereof, and in no event later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following the previously scheduled expiration date.
S-23
Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make such announcement, we will not, unless otherwise required by law, have any obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such announcement other than by issuing a press release or such other means of announcement as we deem appropriate.
Information Agent
will act as the information agent in connection with the offering. The information agent will receive for its services a fee estimated to be approximately $ plus reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses related to the offering. can be contacted at the below address:
Subscription Agent
will act as the subscription agent in connection with this offer. The subscription agent will receive for its administrative, processing, invoicing and other services a fee estimated to be approximately $ , plus reimbursement for all out-of-pocket expenses related to the offer.
Completed subscription certificates must be sent together with full payment of the subscription price for all shares subscribed for in the primary subscription and the pursuant to over-subscription privilege to the subscription agent by one of the methods described below. Alternatively, an Eligible Guarantor Institution may send notices of guaranteed delivery by facsimile to which must be received by the subscription agent at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the rights offering. Facsimiles should be confirmed by telephone at . We will accept only properly completed and duly executed subscription certificates actually received at any of the addresses listed below, at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the rights offering or by the close of business on the third business day after the expiration date of the rights offering following timely receipt of a notice of guaranteed delivery. See “—Payment for Shares” below. In this prospectus supplement, close of business means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the relevant date.
Subscription Certificate Delivery Method |
Address/Number | |
By Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: | Contact an Eligible Guarantor Institution, which may include a commercial bank or trust company, a member firm of a domestic stock exchange or a savings bank or credit union, to notify us of your intent to exercise the rights. |
By First Class Mail Only (Not Overnight /Express Mail):
By Overnight Delivery:
Delivery to an address other than one of the addresses listed above will not constitute valid delivery.
Any questions or requests for assistance concerning the method of subscribing for shares or for additional copies of this prospectus supplement or subscription certificates or notices of guaranteed delivery may be directed to the information agent at its telephone number and address listed below:
Stockholders may also contact their broker-dealers or nominees for information with respect to the offer.
Delivery to an address other than one of the addresses listed above will not constitute valid delivery.
Any questions or requests for assistance concerning the method of subscribing for shares or for additional copies of this prospectus supplement or subscription certificates or notices of guaranteed delivery may be directed to the information agent at its telephone number and address listed below:
Stockholders may also contact their broker-dealers or nominees for information with respect to the offer.
[Sale of Rights
S-24
The Rights are Transferable
The rights will be listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “ ” subject to notice of issuance. We and the dealer manager will use our best efforts to ensure that an adequate trading market for the rights will exist, although no assurance can be given that a market for the rights will develop. Trading in the rights on the NYSE is expected to be conducted beginning on or about , , and continuing until , (or if the offer is extended, until the extended expiration date). Rights holders are encouraged to contact their broker-dealer, bank, trustee or other nominees for more information about trading of the rights.
Sales Through Subscription Agent and Dealer Manager
Stockholders who do not wish to exercise any or all of their rights may instruct the subscription agent to sell any rights they do not intend to exercise themselves through or to the dealer manager. Subscription certificates representing the rights to be sold through or to the dealer manager must be received by the subscription agent on or before , (or if the offer is extended, on or before two business days prior to the extended expiration date). Upon the timely receipt by the subscription agent of appropriate instructions to sell rights, the subscription agent will ask the dealer manager either to purchase or to use its best efforts to complete the sale and the subscription agent will remit the proceeds of the sale to the selling stockholders. If the rights can be sold, sales of such rights will be deemed to have been effected at the weighted-average price received by the dealer manager on the day such rights are sold. The sale price of any rights sold to the dealer manager will be based upon the then current market price for the rights. The dealer manager will also attempt to sell all rights which remain unclaimed as a result of subscription certificates being returned by the postal authorities to the subscription agent as undeliverable as of the fourth business day prior to the expiration date of the rights offering. The subscription agent will hold the proceeds from those sales for the benefit of such non-claiming stockholders until such proceeds are either claimed or revert to the state pursuant to applicable state law. There can be no assurance that the dealer manager will purchase or be able to complete the sale of any such rights, and neither we nor the dealer manager has guaranteed any minimum sales price for the rights. If a stockholder does not utilize the services of the subscription agent and chooses to use another broker-dealer or other financial institution to sell rights, then the other broker-dealer or financial institution may charge a fee to sell the rights.
Other Transfers
The rights evidenced by a subscription certificate may be transferred in whole by endorsing the subscription certificate for transfer in accordance with the accompanying instructions. A portion of the rights evidenced by a single subscription certificate (but not fractional rights) may be transferred by delivering to the subscription agent a subscription certificate properly endorsed for transfer, with instructions to register such portion of the rights evidenced thereby in the name of the transferee and to issue a new subscription certificate to the transferee evidencing such transferred rights. In such event, a new subscription certificate evidencing the balance of the rights, if any, will be issued to the stockholder or, if the stockholder so instructs, to an additional transferee. The signature on the subscription certificate must correspond to the name as written upon the face of the subscription certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change. A signature guarantee must be provided by an Eligible Guarantor Institution as that term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act, subject to the standards and procedures adopted by us.
Stockholders wishing to transfer all or a portion of their rights should allow at least five business days prior to the expiration date of the rights offering for (1) the transfer instructions to be received and processed by the subscription agent, (2) a new subscription certificate to be issued and transmitted to the transferee or transferees with respect to transferred rights, and to the transferor with respect to retained rights, if any, and (3) the rights evidenced by such new subscription certificate to be exercised or sold by the recipients thereof. Neither we nor the subscription agent nor the dealer manager shall have any liability to a transferee or transferor of rights if subscription certificates are not received in time for exercise or sale prior to the expiration date (or if the offer is extended, on or before two business days prior to the extended expiration date) of the rights offering.
Except for the fees charged by the subscription agent [and dealer manager], which will be paid by us, all commissions, fees and other expenses (including brokerage commissions and transfer taxes) incurred or charged in connection with the purchase, sale or exercise of rights will be for the account of the transferor of the rights, and none of those commissions, fees or expenses will be paid by us, the subscription agent or the dealer manager.
S-25
We anticipate that the rights will be eligible for transfer through, and that the exercise of the primary subscription and the over-subscription privilege may be effected through, the facilities of the Depository Trust Company, or “DTC.” Holders of DTC exercised rights may exercise the over-subscription privilege in respect of such DTC exercised rights by properly completing and duly executing and delivering to the subscription agent, at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day prior to the expiration date of the rights offering, a nominee holder over-subscription certificate or a substantially similar form satisfactory to the subscription agent, together with payment of the subscription price for the number of shares for which the over-subscription privilege is to be exercised.]
Methods for Exercising Rights
Rights are evidenced by subscription certificates that, except as described below under “—Foreign Stockholders,” will be mailed to record date stockholders or, if a record date stockholder’s shares are held by Cede or any other depository or nominee on their behalf, to Cede or such depository or nominee. Rights may be exercised by completing and signing the subscription certificate that accompanies this prospectus supplement and mailing it in the envelope provided, or otherwise delivering the completed and duly executed subscription certificate to the subscription agent, together with payment in full for the shares at the estimated subscription price by the expiration date of the rights offering. Rights may also be exercised by contacting your broker, trustee or other nominee, who can arrange, on your behalf, to guarantee delivery of payment and delivery of a properly completed and duly executed subscription certificate pursuant to a notice of guaranteed delivery by the close of business on the third business day after the expiration date. A fee may be charged for this service. Completed subscription certificates and related payments must be received by the subscription agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on or before the expiration date (unless payment is effected by means of a notice of guaranteed delivery as described below under “—Payment for Shares”) at the offices of the subscription agent at the address set forth above. Fractional shares will not be issued upon the exercise of rights.
[Exercise of the Over-Subscription Privilege
Record date stockholders who fully exercise all rights issued to them and rights holders other than record date stockholders, may both participate in the over-subscription privilege by indicating on their subscription certificate the number of shares they are willing to acquire. If sufficient remaining shares are available after the primary subscription, all over-subscriptions will be honored in full; otherwise remaining shares will be allocated first to record date stockholders and then (if any remaining shares are still available) to non-record date rights holders, and the number of remaining shares issued to some or all rights holders participating in the over-subscription privilege may be reduced as described under “—Over-Subscription Privilege” above. ]
Record Date Stockholders Whose Shares Are Held By a Nominee
Record date stockholders whose shares are held by a nominee, such as a bank, broker-dealer or trustee, must contact that nominee to exercise their rights. In that case, the nominee will complete the subscription certificate on behalf of the record date stockholder and arrange for proper payment by one of the methods set forth under “—Payment for Shares” below.
Nominees
Nominees, such as brokers, trustees or depositories for securities, who hold shares for the account of others, should notify the respective beneficial owners of the shares as soon as possible to ascertain the beneficial owners’ intentions and to obtain instructions with respect to the rights. If the beneficial owner so instructs, the nominee should complete the subscription certificate and submit it to the subscription agent with the proper payment as described under “—Payment for Shares” below.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including times of receipt and matters pertaining to beneficial ownership) and the acceptance of subscription forms and the subscription price will be determined by us, which determinations will be final and binding. No alternative, conditional or contingent subscriptions will be accepted. We reserve the right to reject any or all subscriptions not properly submitted or the acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful.
S-26
We reserve the right to reject any exercise if such exercise is not in accordance with the terms of this rights offering or not in proper form or if the acceptance thereof or the issuance of shares of our common stock thereto could be deemed unlawful. We reserve the right to waive any deficiency or irregularity with respect to any subscription certificate. Subscriptions will not be deemed to have been received or accepted until all irregularities have been waived or cured within such time as we determine in our sole discretion. We will not be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity in connection with the submission of subscription certificates or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Foreign Stockholders
Subscription certificates will not be mailed to foreign stockholders. Foreign stockholders will receive written notice of this offer. The subscription agent will hold the rights to which those subscription certificates relate for these stockholders’ accounts until instructions are received to exercise the rights, subject to applicable law. If no instructions have been received by the expiration date, such rights will expire.
Payment for Shares
Participating rights holders may choose between the following methods of payment:
(1) | A participating rights holder may send the subscription certificate together with payment for the shares acquired in the primary subscription and any additional shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege to the subscription agent based on the estimated subscription price of $ per share [( % of $ , the last reported sale price of a share on the NYSE on , )]. To be accepted, the payment, together with a properly completed and executed subscription certificate, must be received by the subscription agent at one of the subscription agent’s offices set forth above, at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. |
(2) | A participating rights holder may request a Eligible Guarantor Institution as that term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act to send a notice of guaranteed delivery by facsimile or otherwise guaranteeing delivery of (i) payment of the full subscription price for the shares subscribed for in the primary subscription and any additional shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege and (ii) a properly completed and duly executed subscription certificate. The subscription agent will not honor a notice of guaranteed delivery unless a properly completed and duly executed subscription certificate and full payment for the shares is received by the subscription agent at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , (or, if the offer is extended, by the close of business on the third business day after the extended expiration date). |
All payments by a participating rights holder must be in U.S. dollars by money order or check or bank draft drawn on a bank or branch located in the United States and payable to Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. The subscription agent will deposit all funds received by it prior to the final payment date into a segregated account pending pro-ration and distribution of the shares.
The method of delivery of subscription certificates and payment of the subscription price to us will be at the election and risk of the participating rights holders, but if sent by mail it is recommended that such certificates and payments be sent by registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt requested, and that a sufficient number of days be allowed to ensure delivery to the subscription agent and clearance of payment prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date or the date guaranteed payments are due under a notice of guaranteed delivery (as applicable). Because uncertified personal checks may take at least five business days to clear, you are strongly urged to pay, or arrange for payment, by means of certified or cashier’s check or money order.
On a date within business days following the expiration date, the subscription agent will send to each participating rights holder (or, if rights are held by Cede or any other depository or nominee, to Cede or such other depository or nominee) a confirmation showing (1) the number of shares purchased pursuant to the primary subscription, (2) the number of shares, if any, acquired pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, (3) the per share and total purchase price for the shares, and (4) any additional amount payable to us by the participating rights holder or any excess to be
S-27
refunded by us to the participating rights holder, in each case based on the subscription price as determined on the expiration date. Any additional payment required from a participating rights holder must be received by the subscription agent within ten business days after the confirmation date. Any excess payment to be refunded by us to a participating rights holder will be mailed by the subscription agent to the rights holder as promptly as practicable. No interest will be paid on any amounts refunded.
Whichever of the two methods described above is used, issuance of the shares purchased is subject to collection of checks and actual payment. If a participating rights holder who subscribes for shares pursuant to the primary subscription or over-subscription privilege does not make payment of any amounts due by the expiration date, the date guaranteed payments are due under a notice of guaranteed delivery or within ten business days of the confirmation date, as applicable, the subscription agent reserves the right to take any or all of the following actions: (1) reallocate the shares to other participating rights holders in accordance with the over-subscription privilege; (2) apply any payment actually received by it from the participating rights holder toward the purchase of the greatest whole number of shares which could be acquired by such participating rights holder upon exercise of the primary subscription and/or the over-subscription privilege; and/or (3) exercise any and all other rights or remedies to which it may be entitled, including the right to set off against payments actually received by it with respect to such subscribed for shares.
All questions concerning the timeliness, validity, form and eligibility of any exercise of rights will be determined by us, whose determinations will be final and binding. We in our sole discretion may waive any defect or irregularity, or permit a defect or irregularity to be corrected within such time as we may determine, or reject the purported exercise of any right. Subscriptions will not be deemed to have been received or accepted until all irregularities have been waived or cured within such time as we determine in our sole discretion. The subscription agent will not be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity in connection with the submission of subscription certificates or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Participating rights holders will have no right to rescind their subscription after receipt of their payment for shares by the subscription agent, except as provided below under “—Notice of Net Asset Value Decline.”
Notice of Net Asset Value Decline
We will suspend the offer until we amend this prospectus supplement if, subsequent to the effective date of this prospectus supplement, our net asset value declines more than 10% from our net asset value as of that date. Accordingly, the expiration date would be extended and we would notify record date stockholders of the decline and permit participating rights holders to cancel their exercise of rights.
Delivery of Stock Certificates
Participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will have any shares that they acquire pursuant to the offer credited to their stockholder dividend reinvestment accounts in the plan. Stockholders whose shares are held of record by Cede or by any other depository or nominee on their behalf or their broker-dealers’ behalf will have any shares that they acquire credited to the account of Cede or the other depository or nominee. With respect to all other stockholders, stock certificates for all shares acquired will be mailed after payment for all the shares subscribed for has cleared, which may take up to 15 days from the date of receipt of the payment.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Offer
For federal income tax purposes, neither the receipt nor the exercise of the rights by record date stockholders will result in taxable income to such stockholders, and no loss will be realized if the rights expire without exercise.
A record date stockholder’s basis in a right will be zero unless either (1) the fair market value of the right on the date of distribution is 15% or more of the fair market value of the shares with respect to which the right was distributed or (2) the record date stockholder elects, in his or her federal income tax return for the taxable year in which the right is received, to allocate part of the basis of the shares to the right. If either of clauses (1) or (2) is applicable, then if the right is exercised, the record date stockholder will allocate his or her basis in the shares with respect to which the right
S-28
was distributed between the shares and the right in proportion to the fair market values of each on the date of distribution.
The holding period of a right received by a record date stockholder includes the holding period of the shares with regard to which the right is issued. If the right is exercised, the holding period of the shares acquired begins on the date the right is exercised.
[If a right is sold, a gain or loss will be realized by the rights holder in an amount equal to the difference between the basis of the right sold and the amount realized on its disposition.]
A record date stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of a share acquired upon the exercise of a right will be equal to the sum of the record date stockholder’s basis in the right, if any, and the subscription price per share. A record date stockholder’s gain or loss recognized upon a sale of a share acquired upon the exercise of a right will be capital gain or loss (assuming the share was held as a capital asset at the time of sale) and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the share is held for more than one year.
The foregoing is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the offer under the provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations in effect as of the date of the prospectus that are generally applicable to record date stockholders who are United States persons within the meaning of the Code, and does not address any foreign, state or local tax consequences. The Code and Treasury regulations are subject to change or differing interpretations by legislative or administrative action, which may be retroactive. Participating rights holders should consult their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to foreign, federal, state or local taxes.
ERISA Considerations
Stockholders who are employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA (including corporate savings and 401(k) plans), Keogh or H.R. 10 plans of self-employed individuals and individual retirement accounts should be aware that additional contributions of cash to a retirement plan (other than rollover contributions or trustee-to-trustee transfers from other retirement plans) in order to exercise rights would be treated as contributions to the retirement plan and, when taken together with contributions previously made, may result in, among other things, excise taxes for excess or nondeductible contributions. In the case of retirement plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and certain other retirement plans, additional cash contributions could cause the maximum contribution limitations of Section 415 of the Code or other qualification rules to be violated. It may also be a reportable distribution and there may be other adverse tax and ERISA consequences if rights are sold or transferred by a retirement plan.
Retirement plans and other tax exempt entities, including governmental plans, should also be aware that if they borrow in order to finance their exercise of rights, they may become subject to the tax on unrelated business taxable income under Section 511 of the Code. If any portion of an individual retirement account is used as security for a loan, the portion so used is also treated as distributed to the IRA depositor. ERISA contains fiduciary responsibility requirements, and ERISA and the Code contain prohibited transaction rules that may impact the exercise of rights. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties for noncompliance, retirement plans should consult with their counsel and other advisers regarding the consequences of their exercise of rights under ERISA and the Code.
[Distribution Arrangements
, which is a broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, will act as dealer manager for this offer. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the dealer management agreement, the dealer manager will provide financial advisory and marketing services in connection with this offer and will solicit the exercise of rights and participation in the over-subscription privilege. This offer is not contingent upon any number of rights being exercised. We have agreed to pay the dealer manager a fee for its financial advisory, marketing and soliciting services equal to % of the aggregate subscription price for shares issued pursuant to this offer. In addition, we have agreed to reimburse the dealer manager an aggregate amount up to $ for its expenses incurred in connection with this offer.
S-29
The dealer manager will reallow to other broker-dealers that have executed and delivered a soliciting dealer agreement and have solicited the exercise of rights, solicitation fees equal to % of the subscription price per share for each share issued pursuant to the exercise of rights as a result of their soliciting efforts, subject to a maximum fee based on the number of shares held by each broker-dealer through DTC on the record date. Fees will be paid by us to the broker-dealer designated on the applicable portion of the subscription certificates or, in the absence of such designation, to the dealer manager.
We have agreed to indemnify the dealer manager for, or contribute to losses arising out of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The dealer manager agreement also provides that the dealer manager will not be subject to any liability to us in rendering the services contemplated by the dealer manager agreement except for any act of bad faith, willful misfeasance, or gross negligence of the dealer manager or reckless disregard by the dealer manager of its obligations and duties under the dealer manager agreement. We have also agreed not to directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, enter into any agreement to sell, or otherwise dispose of, any of our equity or equity related securities or securities convertible into such securities, other than the rights, the shares and the common stock issued in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or distributions, for a period of days from the date hereof without the prior consent of the dealer manager.
The principal business address of the dealer manager is .
Prior to the expiration of this offer, the dealer manager may independently offer for sale shares, including shares acquired through purchasing and exercising the rights, at prices it sets. The dealer manager may realize profits or losses independent of any fees described in this prospectus supplement.
This offering is being conducted in compliance with Rule 5110 of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.]
Additional Dealer Manager Compensation
The dealer manager and/or its affiliates have from time to time performed and may in the future perform various commercial banking, financial advisory and investment banking services for us and our affiliates for which they have received or will receive customary compensation. [Describe any specific transactions and compensation related thereto required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]
Certain Effects of this Offer
The Adviser will benefit from this offer because a portion of the investment advisory fee we pay to the Adviser is based on the NAV attributable to our common stock. See “The Adviser and The Administrator—Investment Advisory Agreement—Management Fee and Incentive Fee” in the accompanying prospectus. It is not possible to state precisely the amount of additional compensation the Adviser will receive as a result of this offer because it is not known how many shares will be subscribed for. However, assuming (1) all rights are exercised, (2) the estimated subscription price is $ per share, and (3) all of the proceeds from the offer are invested in additional portfolio companies, and after giving effect to dealer manager fees and other expenses related to this offer, the Adviser would receive additional annualized advisory fees of approximately $ . of our directors who voted to authorize this offer are interested persons of the Adviser. The other directors who approved this offer are not affiliated with the Adviser.
As a result of the terms of this offer, stockholders who do not fully exercise their rights will own, upon completion of this offer, a smaller proportional interest in us than they owned prior to the offer, including with respect to voting rights. [In addition, because the subscription price per share will likely be less than the net asset value per share, based on our current market price, the offer will likely result in an immediate dilution of net asset value per share for all of our stockholders. If the subscription price per share is substantially less than the current net asset value per share, such dilution could be substantial. Any such dilution will disproportionately affect non-exercising stockholders. If the subscription price is less than our net asset value per share, then all stockholders will experience a decrease in the net asset value per share held by them, irrespective of whether they exercise all or any portion of their rights. This offering will also cause dilution in the dividends per share we are able to distribute subsequent to completion of the offering. See “Dilution.”]
S-30
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP, Boston, MA. Dechert LLP also represents the Adviser. Certain matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the dealer manager by .
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Our portfolio securities are held pursuant to a custodian agreement between us and . The principal business address of .
serves as our transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursement agent and stockholder servicing agent, as well as agent for our DRIP. The principal business address of .
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, has been appointed as our independent registered public accounting firm.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 (file numbers 333-231921 and 811-23384), together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to the common stock offered by this prospectus. Our registration statement may be obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov.
We will file with or submit to the SEC annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. This information is available free of charge by writing us at Eagle Point Income Company Inc., 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830, Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (844) 810-6501, or on our website at www.eaglepointincome.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this prospectus.
S-31
Exhibit (s)(5)
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
[FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE DEBT OFFERINGS]
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to Prospectus dated , 201 )
$
EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.
% Notes due
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act’). Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or “CLOs,” that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (or its equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, Inc. and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. We may also invest in other securities and instruments that Eagle Point Income Management LLC believes are consistent with our investment objectives. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity, are unrated and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018, and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018. Eagle Point Income Management LLC, or the “Adviser,” is our investment adviser and manages our investments subject to the supervision of our board of directors. An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management LLC, or “Eagle Point Credit Management,” provides investment professionals and other resources to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to conduct its operations. The Adviser, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, as of June 30, 2019, had $2.8 billion in total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of such date. Eagle Point Administration LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, or the “Administrator,” serves as our administrator.
We are offering $ in aggregate principal amount of % notes due , or the “Notes.” The Note will mature on and % of the aggregate principal amount will be paid on (the first business day after ). The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $ and integral multiples of $ in excess thereof. We will pay interest on the Notes on , , and of each year, beginning on . We may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time on or after at our sole option, at the redemption price set forth under the caption “The Offering” in this prospectus supplement. Holders of the Notes will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date. If we fail to maintain asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, of at least 200%, we will be required to redeem an aggregate principal amount of securities issued under our indenture (which at our discretion may include any number or portion of the Notes) that, when combined with any preferred stock redeemed for failure to maintain the asset coverage required for preferred stock, (1) results in us having asset coverage of at least 300% or
(2) if smaller, the maximum aggregate principal amount of such securities that can be redeemed out of funds legally available for such redemption.
The Notes will be our direct unsecured obligations and will rank equal in right of payment with any other indebtedness that we may incur in the future. The Notes will be effectively subordinated, or junior in right of payment, to any future secured indebtedness that we may incur and structurally subordinated to all future indebtedness and other obligations of our subsidiaries. [We intend to list the Notes on the New York Stock Exchange, or the “NYSE,” under the symbol “ ,” and we expect trading in the Notes on the NYSE to begin within 30 days of the original issue date. The Notes are expected to trade “flat.” This means that purchasers will not pay, and sellers will not receive, any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that is not reflected in the trading price. Currently, there is no public market for the Notes.]
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial loss of investment. Before purchasing any Notes, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in the Notes, which are summarized in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-14 of this prospectus supplement and on page [·] of the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement contains important information you should know before investing in our Notes. Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before you invest and retain them for future reference. We file annual and semi-annual stockholder reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” To obtain this information free of charge or make other inquiries pertaining to us, please visit our website (www.eaglepointincome.com) or call (844) 810-6501 (toll-free). You may also obtain a copy of any information regarding us filed with the SEC from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Note | Total | |||||||
Public offering price | $ | $ | ||||||
Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions) | $ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds to us (before expenses)(1) | $ | $ |
In addition, the underwriters may purchase up to an additional $ aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the public offering price, less the sales load payable by us, to cover overallotments, if any, within days from the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total sales load paid by us will be $ , and total proceeds, before expenses, will be $ .
(1) | Total offering expenses payable by us, excluding sales load, are estimated to be $ . |
The underwriters are offering the Notes as set forth in “Underwriting.” Delivery of the Notes will be made on or about , 20 .
The date of this prospectus supplement is , 20
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ELECTRONIC DELIVERY
Beginning in February 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of shareholder reports for Eagle Point Income Company Inc. (the “Company”) will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Company or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Company’s website, 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 do not need to take any action. For shareholder reports and other communications from the Company issued prior to February 2021, you may elect to receive such reports and other communications electronically. If you own shares of the Company through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to receive materials electronically. You may also visit www.fundreports.com or call 1-866-345-5954. If you own shares of the Company directly, you may contact us at 1-844-810-6501.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper, free of charge. If you own shares of the Company through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports after February 2021. You may also visit www.fundreports.com or call 1-866-345-5954. If you make such an election through your financial intermediary, your election to receive reports in paper may apply to all funds held through your financial intermediary. If you own shares of the Company directly, you may contact us at 1-844-810-6501.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the information appearing in the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its front cover. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since these dates. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers are permitted.
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading, “Available Information” before investing in the Notes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Page | ||||
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY | S-1 | |||
THE OFFERING | S-10 | |||
RISK FACTORS | S-14 | |||
USE OF PROCEEDS | S-17 | |||
CAPITALIZATION | S-18 | |||
UNDERWRITING | S-19 | |||
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS | S-21 | |||
LEGAL MATTERS | S-28 | |||
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | S-28 | |||
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | S-28 |
PROSPECTUS
Page | ||||
[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.] |
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
The following summary contains basic information about this offering. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that is important to a decision to invest in the Notes. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and beginning on page [·] in the accompanying prospectus and the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms:
· | The “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation or, for periods prior to our conversion to a corporation, EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
· | “Eagle Point Income Management” and “Adviser” refer to Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
· | “Eagle Point Administration” and “Administrator” refer to Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; and |
· | “Risk-adjusted returns” refers to the profile of expected asset returns across a range of potential macroeconomic scenarios, and does not imply that a particular strategy or investment should be considered low-risk. |
Eagle Point Income Company Inc.
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act.” We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018. We were formed on September 28, 2018 as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018.
Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs, that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (e.g., BB+, BB or BB−, or their equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or “Moody’s,” Standard & Poor’s, or “S&P,” or Fitch Ratings, Inc., or “Fitch,” and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We refer to such debt tranches in this prospectus as “BB-Rated CLO Debt.” We may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. We may also invest in other securities and instruments that the Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives. The amount that we will invest in other securities and instruments, which may include investments in debt and other securities issued by CLOs collateralized by non-U.S. loans or securities of other collective investment vehicles, will vary from time to time and, as such, may constitute a material part of our portfolio on any given date, all as based on the Adviser’s assessment of prevailing market conditions. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity securities, are unrated and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
These investment objectives are not fundamental policies of ours and may be changed by our board of directors without prior approval of our stockholders. See “Business” in the accompanying prospectus.
We pursue a differentiated strategy within the CLO debt market premised upon our Adviser’s strong emphasis on assessing the skill of CLO collateral managers and analyzing the structure of a CLO.
S-1
We believe that the Adviser’s Senior Investment Team’s (as defined below) direct and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers and its CLO structural expertise, and the relative scale of the Adviser and its affiliates in the CLO market are competitive advantages as we seek to achieve our investment objectives.
We seek to construct a portfolio of CLO securities that provides varied exposure across several key categories, including:
· | number and investment style of CLO collateral managers; and |
· | CLO vintage period. |
We believe that we are structured as an efficient vehicle for investors to gain exposure to the types of CLO securities and related investments historically accessed by primarily institutional investors. We believe that our closed-end fund structure allows the Adviser to take a long-term view from a portfolio management perspective without the uncertainty posed by redemptions in an open-end fund structure. As such, the Adviser can focus principally on maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of stockholders.
Eagle Point Income Management
Eagle Point Income Management, our investment adviser, manages our investments subject to the supervision of our board of directors pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, or the “Investment Advisory Agreement.” An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management, provides investment professionals and other resources under a personnel and resources agreement, or the “Personnel and Resources Agreement,” to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations. An affiliate of the Adviser, Eagle Point Administration, performs, or arranges for the performance of, our required administrative services. For a description of the fees and expenses that we pay to the Adviser and the Administrator, see “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” and “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. The Adviser, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, which, as of June 30, 2019, had approximately $2.8 billion of total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of such date. Based on Eagle Point Credit Management’s CLO equity assets under management, the Adviser believes that, collectively with Eagle Point Credit Management, it is among the largest CLO equity investors in the market. The Adviser was established in September 2018 and Eagle Point Credit Management was established in 2012. The Adviser is primarily owned by the Trident V Funds (as defined below) through intermediary holding companies. Additionally, Aerie Income LLC, or “Aerie”, a Delaware limited liability company, and an affiliate of Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, also indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. The Senior Investment Team also holds an indirect ownership interest in the Adviser. The Adviser is ultimately governed through intermediary holding companies by a board of managers, or the “Adviser’s Board of Managers,” which includes Mr. Majewski and certain principals of Stone Point Capital LLC, or “Stone Point.” The Adviser’s Board of Managers is also responsible for governance and oversight of certain affiliates of the Adviser, including Eagle Point Credit Management. See “The Adviser and the Administrator” in the accompanying prospectus.
Stone Point is the investment manager of Trident V, L.P. and related investment vehicles, which we refer to collectively as the “Trident V Funds.” Stone Point, an investment adviser registered with the SEC, is a specialized private equity firm focused on the financial services industry. Since its inception, Stone Point (including a predecessor entity) has raised seven private equity funds with aggregate committed capital of approximately $19 billion.
The Adviser’s “Senior Investment Team” is led by Mr. Majewski, Managing Partner of the Adviser, and is also comprised of Daniel W. Ko, Portfolio Manager, and Daniel M. Spinner, Portfolio Manager. The Senior Investment Team is primarily responsible for our day-to-day investment management and the implementation of our investment strategy and process.
S-2
Each member of the Senior Investment Team is a CLO industry specialist who has been directly involved in the CLO market for the majority of his career and has built relationships with key market participants, including CLO collateral managers, investment banks and investors. Members of the Senior Investment Team have been involved in the CLO market as:
· | the head of the CLO business at various investment banks; |
· | a lead CLO structurer and collateralized debt obligation, or “CDO,” workout specialist at an investment bank; |
· | a CLO equity and debt investor; |
· | principal investors in CLO collateral management firms; and |
· | a lender and mergers and acquisitions adviser to CLO collateral management firms. |
We believe that the complementary, yet highly specialized, skill set of each member of the Senior Investment Team provides the Adviser with a competitive advantage in its CLO-focused investment strategy. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Portfolio Managers” in the accompanying prospectus.
In addition to managing our investments, the Adviser’s affiliates and the members of the Senior Investment Team manage investment accounts for other clients, including Eagle Point Credit Company Inc., or “ECC,” a publicly traded, closed-end management investment company that is registered under the 1940 Act and for which Eagle Point Credit Management serves as investment adviser, privately offered pooled investment vehicles and several institutional separate accounts. Many of these accounts pursue an investment strategy that substantially or partially overlaps with the strategy that we pursue.
CLO Overview
We pursue an investment strategy focused on investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs. The CLOs that we primarily target are securitization vehicles that pool portfolios of primarily below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans. Such pools of underlying assets are often referred to as CLO “collateral.” While the vast majority of the portfolio of most CLOs consists of senior secured loans, many CLOs enable the CLO collateral manager to invest up to 10% of the portfolio in assets that are not first lien senior secured loans, including second lien loans, unsecured loans, senior secured bonds and senior unsecured bonds.
CLOs are generally required to hold a portfolio of assets that is highly diversified by underlying borrower and industry and that is subject to a variety of asset concentration limitations. Most CLOs are non-static, revolving structures that generally allow for reinvestment over a specific period of time (the “reinvestment period”, which is typically up to five years). The terms and covenants of a typical CLO structure are, with certain exceptions, based primarily on the cash flow generated by, and the par value (as opposed to the market price) of, the collateral. These covenants include collateral coverage tests, interest coverage tests and collateral quality tests.
A CLO funds the purchase of a portfolio of primarily senior secured loans via the issuance of CLO equity and debt securities in the form of multiple, primarily floating rate, debt tranches. The CLO debt tranches typically are rated “AAA” (or its equivalent) at the most senior level down to “BB” or “B” (or its equivalent), which is below investment grade, at the junior level by Moody’s, S&P and/or Fitch. The interest rate on the CLO debt tranches is the lowest at the AAA-level and generally increases at each level down the rating scale. The CLO equity tranche is unrated and typically represents approximately 8% to 11% of a CLO’s capital structure. Below investment grade and unrated securities are sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.
The diagram below is for illustrative purposes only. The CLO structure highlighted below is a hypothetical structure intended to depict an average CLO in the market. A minority of CLOs also include a B-rated debt tranche (in which we may invest), and the structure of CLOs in which we invest may otherwise vary from the example set forth below.
S-3
CLOs have two priority-of-payment schedules (commonly called “waterfalls”), which are detailed in a CLO’s indenture and which govern how cash generated from a CLO’s underlying collateral is distributed to the CLO’s debt and equity investors. One waterfall (the interest waterfall) applies to interest payments received on a CLO’s underlying collateral. The second waterfall (the principal waterfall) applies to cash generated from principal on the underlying collateral, primarily through loan repayments and the proceeds from loan sales. Through the interest waterfall, any excess interest-related cash flow available after the required quarterly interest payments to CLO debt investors are made and certain CLO expenses (such as administration and collateral management fees) are paid is then distributed to the CLO’s equity investors each quarter, subject to compliance with certain tests. Please see “Business — CLO Overview” in the accompanying prospectus for a more detailed description of a CLO’s typical structure and certain key terms and conditions thereof.
A CLO’s indenture typically requires that the maturity dates of a CLO’s assets (typically five to eight years from the date of issuance of a senior secured loan) be shorter than the maturity date of the CLO’s liabilities (typically 12 to 13 years from the date of issuance). However, CLO investors do face reinvestment risk with respect to a CLO’s underlying portfolio. In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors are subject to prepayment risk in that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, which would cause the CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk” in the accompanying prospectus.
Investment Opportunity
We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs and focus on BB-Rated CLO Debt.
Based on the Senior Investment Team’s experience, we believe that the CLO market has experienced a significant evolution in the buyer base for BB-Rated CLO Debt. Prior to a few years ago, BB-Rated CLO Debt was primarily acquired and traded by hedge funds with a shorter term investment horizon. As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser believes that a significant amount of the demand for BB-Rated CLO Debt comes from longer term-oriented and sophisticated institutional investors such as asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds. We believe that increased interest in BB-Rated CLO Debt by these categories of institutional investors is driven at least in part by a view that investing in BB-Rated CLO Debt presents an attractive alternative to high-yield bond exposure and a complement to direct exposure to senior secured loans, and suggests that the BB-Rated CLO Debt market is maturing.
S-4
We believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt has the following attractive fundamental attributes:
· | Expected protection against rising interest rates: Similar to the senior secured loans that serve as the underlying collateral for CLOs, BB-Rated CLO Debt is a floating rate security that pays interest based on the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” plus a spread and, as a result, is expected to have lower interest rate risk than high-yield bonds, which are fixed income securities, in a rising interest rate environment. However, our investments are subject to other forms of interest rate risk. For a discussion of the interest rate risk associated with our investments, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk” in the accompanying prospectus. |
· | Potential for higher returns: Due in part to the relative inefficiency of the BB-Rated CLO Debt market as compared to the markets for senior secured loans and high yield bonds, we believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt offers a potential return that compares favorably to that of senior secured loans and high yield bonds. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus. |
· | Potential for lower credit expense: The default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt for the period from 1996 through 2Q 2018 is 1.5%1 (or just 0.07% per annum) as compared to 2.7% per annum for senior secured loans (from 1998 through 2Q 2018, the period for which the data is available) and 4.3% per annum for high-yield bonds (from 1996 through 2Q 2018).2 The Adviser believes that the “self-correcting” structural features associated with CLO structures offer a margin of safety for CLO debt investors and have contributed to the low historical default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus. |
In addition to investing in BB-Rated CLO Debt, we may invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions) and related securities and instruments. See “Business — CLO Market Opportunity” in the accompanying prospectus.
CLO debt and equity securities are subject to a number of risks as discussed elsewhere in this “Prospectus Summary” section and in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement and beginning on page [·] of the accompanying prospectus.
Our Competitive Advantages
We believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of investment opportunities in CLO securities and related investments due to the following competitive advantages:
· | Specialist in CLO securities. The Adviser focuses exclusively on CLO securities and related investments. Each member of the Senior Investment Team is a CLO specialist who has been involved with the CLO market for the majority of his career and brings a distinct and complementary skill set that the Adviser believes is necessary for our success. |
· | Deep CLO structural experience and expertise. Members of the Senior Investment Team have significant experience structuring, valuing and investing in CLOs throughout their careers. The Adviser believes that the initial structuring of a CLO investment is an important contributor to the ultimate risk-adjusted returns, and that experienced and knowledgeable investors can add meaningful value relative to other market participants by identifying investments with more protective and advantageous structures. |
· | Methodical investment process. The goal of the Adviser’s investment process is to outperform the CLO market generally over the long term. This process, augmented by the first-hand CLO industry experience of the Senior Investment Team, is designed to be repeatable and is focused on key areas for analysis that the Adviser believes are most relevant to potential future performance. Our Adviser believes that its investment |
1 | S&P Global Ratings, Default, Transition, and Recovery: 2017 Annual Global Leveraged Loan CLO Default Study and Rating Transitions. |
2 | Based on the Adviser’s analysis of market data over such periods. |
S-5
and security selection process, with its strong emphasis on assessing the skill of the CLO collateral manager and analyzing the structure of a CLO, differentiates its approach to investing in CLO securities. |
· | Proactive investment sourcing. As specialists in the CLO market, members of the Senior Investment Team have developed relationships with many CLO collateral managers and, as such, the Adviser believes that it and Eagle Point Credit Management are collectively viewed as an important market participant. We believe our Adviser’s and Eagle Point Credit Management’s collective relative size and prominence in the CLO market and the Senior Investment Team’s broad and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers and arranging banks benefit us by enhancing our ability to source investments in their early stages and to secure allocations of CLO debt investments issued in the primary market (the syndications of which can be oversubscribed). |
· | Efficient vehicle for gaining exposure to CLO debt securities. We believe that we are structured as an efficient vehicle for investors to gain exposure to the types of CLO securities and related investments historically accessed by primarily institutional investors. We believe our closed-end fund structure allows the Adviser to take a long-term view from a portfolio management perspective without the uncertainty posed by redemptions in an open-end fund structure. As such, the Adviser can focus principally on maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of stockholders. |
Our Structure and Formation Transactions
We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018 and converted into a Delaware corporation on October 16, 2018. Our initial investment portfolio was contributed to us prior to our registration as an investment company by Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda limited company, or “Cavello Bay,” on October 4, 2018 in exchange for 75,052 of our limited liability company units, or “Units.” Cavello Bay is a subsidiary of Enstar Group Limited, or “Enstar.” The Trident V Funds are minority investors in Enstar, directly or indirectly owning less than 10% of the company’s equity securities, and have participated with Enstar in the acquisition of certain insurance businesses. Cavello Bay acquired the contributed investments from a separate subsidiary of Enstar in which the Trident V Funds indirectly hold an interest, StarStone Insurance Bermuda Limited, or “StarStone.” Eagle Point Credit Management was investment adviser to each of Cavello Bay and StarStone during the time periods in which they held these investments. In addition, the Adviser made a capital contribution to us of $100,000 for which it has received 100 Units.
At the time of our conversion into a corporation on October 16, 2018, the Units held by Cavello Bay converted into 3,764,580 shares, or 99.9% of our common stock, and the Units held by the Adviser converted into 5,016 shares, or 0.1% of our common stock, in each case based on our estimated and unaudited NAV calculated as of the date of the conversion and at a price per common stock equal to $20.00, which offering price per common stock the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, determined was not below the NAV of our common stock as of the date of such conversion. The shares of our common stock held by Cavello Bay and the Adviser are subject to certain lock-up restrictions.
The following chart reflects our organizational structure and our relationship with the Adviser and the Administrator as of the date of this prospectus:
S-6
Financing and Hedging Strategy
Leverage by the Company. We may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We are permitted to obtain leverage using any form of financial leverage instruments, including funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, margin facilities, notes or preferred stock and leverage attributable to reverse repurchase agreements or similar transactions. We currently anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to approximately 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) through borrowings under our credit facility or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities. Instruments that create leverage are generally considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act. With respect to senior securities representing indebtedness (i.e., borrowing or deemed borrowing), other than temporary borrowings as defined under the 1940 Act, we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 300%, as measured at the time of borrowing and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness. With respect to senior securities that are stocks (i.e., shares of preferred stock), we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 200%, as measured at the time of the issuance of any such shares of preferred stock and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
While we anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to approximately 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) through borrowings under our credit facility or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities, the actual amount of leverage we incur is uncertain from to time, and we may use leverage opportunistically or otherwise choose to deviate from our current expectations. We may use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments at any time based on the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment, including forms of leverage other than preferred stock, debt securities and/or credit facilities. In addition, we may borrow for temporary, emergency or other purposes as permitted under the 1940 Act, which indebtedness would be in addition to the asset coverage ratios described above. By leveraging our investment portfolio, we may create an opportunity for increased net income and capital appreciation. However, the use of leverage also involves significant risks and expenses, which will be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock, and our leverage strategy may not be successful. For example, the more leverage is employed, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and increase the risk of investing in us” in the accompanying prospectus.
Derivative Transactions. We may engage in “Derivative Transactions,” as described below, from time to time. To the extent we engage in Derivative Transactions, we expect to do so to hedge against interest rate, credit and/or other risks, or for other investment or risk management purposes. We may use Derivative Transactions for investment purposes to the extent consistent with our investment objectives if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. We may purchase and sell a variety of derivative instruments, including exchange-listed and over-the-counter, or “OTC,” options, futures, options on futures, swaps and similar instruments, various interest rate transactions, such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and credit transactions and credit default swaps. We also may purchase and sell derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. Collectively, we refer to these financial management techniques as “Derivative Transactions.” Our use of Derivative Transactions, if any, will generally be deemed to create leverage for us and involves significant risks. No assurance can be given that our strategy and use of derivatives will be successful, and our investment performance could diminish compared with what it would have
S-7
been if Derivative Transactions were not used. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate” in the accompanying prospectus.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are required to meet certain regulatory tests. See “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, we intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018.
Our investment activities are managed by the Adviser and supervised by our board of directors. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee based on our “Managed Assets.” “Managed Assets” means our total assets (including assets attributable to our use of leverage) minus the sum of our accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of creating leverage). The management fee is calculated monthly based on our Managed Assets at the end of each calendar month and is payable quarterly in arrears. The management fee for any partial month will be pro-rated (based on the number of days actually elapsed at the end of such partial month relative to the total number of days in such calendar month). See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” in the accompanying prospectus.
We have also entered into an administration agreement, which we refer to as the “Administration Agreement,” under which we have agreed to reimburse the Administrator for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
Conflicts of Interest
Our executive officers and directors, and the Adviser and certain of its affiliates and their officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, have several conflicts of interest as a result of the other activities in which they engage. The Adviser and the Administrator are affiliated with other entities engaged in the financial services business. In particular, the Adviser and the Administrator are affiliated with Eagle Point Credit Management and Stone Point, and certain members of the Adviser’s Board of Managers are principals of Stone Point. Pursuant to certain management agreements, Stone Point has received delegated authority to act as the investment manager of the Trident V Funds. The Adviser and the Administrator are primarily owned by the Trident V Funds through intermediary holding companies. The Trident V Funds and other private equity funds managed by Stone Point invest in financial services companies. Additionally, Aerie also indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. Also, under the Personnel and Resources Agreement, Eagle Point Credit Management will make available the personnel and resources, including portfolio managers and investment personnel, to Eagle Point Income Management as Eagle Point Income Management may determine to be reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations. These relationships may cause the Adviser’s, the Administrator’s and certain of their affiliates’ interests, and the interests of their officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, to diverge from our interests and may result in conflicts of interest that may not be foreseen or resolved in a manner that is always or exclusively in our best interest. In addition, an affiliate of the Adviser currently holds a controlling interest in Marble Point Credit Management LLC, or “Marble Point,” which is a CLO collateral manager and manager of other investment vehicles that invest in senior secured loans, CLO securities and other related investments. Our executive officers and directors, as well as other current and potential future affiliated persons, officers and employees of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates, may serve as officers, directors or principals of, or manage the accounts for, other entities, including ECC, with investment strategies that substantially or partially overlap with the strategy that we intend to pursue. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which obligations may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. The Adviser has entered into, and may in the future enter into additional, business arrangements with certain of our stockholders, including granting indirect ownership in limited liability company interests in the Adviser. In such cases, such stockholders may have an incentive to vote shares held by them in a manner that takes such arrangements into account. As a result of these relationships and separate business activities, the Adviser has conflicts of interest in
S-8
allocating management time, services and functions among us, other advisory clients and other business activities. See “Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.
In order to address such conflicts of interest, we have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. Similarly, the Adviser has separately adopted the “Adviser Code of Ethics.” The Adviser Code of Ethics requires the officers and employees of the Adviser to act in the best interests of the Adviser and its client accounts (including us), act in good faith and in an ethical manner, avoid conflicts of interests with the client accounts to the extent reasonably possible and identify and manage conflicts of interest to the extent that they arise. Personnel subject to each code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. Our directors and officers, and the officers and employees of the Adviser, are also required to comply with applicable provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and make prompt reports to supervisory personnel of any actual or suspected violations of law.
Pursuant to the investment allocation policies and procedures of Eagle Point Investment Management and Eagle Point Credit Management, they seek to allocate investment opportunities among accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time. In addition, an account managed by the Adviser, such as us, is expected to be considered for the allocation of investment opportunities together with other accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser, including Eagle Point Credit Management. There is no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to any particular account equitably in the short-term or that any such account, including us, will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable for it. See “Conflicts of Interest — Code of Ethics and Compliance Procedures” in the accompanying prospectus.
Co-Investment with Affiliates. In certain instances, we expect to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other accounts managed by certain of the Adviser’s affiliates, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance and the Adviser’s written allocation procedures. We will be able to rely on the exemptive relief granted by the SEC to Eagle Point Credit Management and certain of its affiliates to participate in certain negotiated co-investments alongside other accounts, including ECC, managed by Eagle Point Credit Management, or certain of its affiliates, subject to certain conditions including (i) that a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction and a majority of our directors who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, approve the co-investment and (ii) the price, terms and conditions of the co-investment are the same for each participant. A copy of the application for exemptive relief, including all of the conditions, and the related order are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Recent Developments
[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]
Our Corporate Information
Our offices are located at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830, and our telephone number is (844) 810-6501.
S-9
THE OFFERING
Issuer | Eagle Point Income Company Inc. |
Title of Securities | % Notes due |
Aggregate Principal Amount Offered | $ |
Overallotment Option | The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional $ aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the public offering price, less the sales load payable by us, to cover overallotments, if any, within days from the date of this prospectus supplement. |
Initial Public Offering Price | % of the aggregate principal amount |
Denominations | We will issue the Notes in denominations of $ and integral multiples of $ in excess thereof. |
Principal Payable at Maturity | % of the aggregate principal amount; the principal amount of each Note will be payable on its stated maturity date (or, if such date is not a business day, the immediately succeeding business day) at the office of the trustee for the Notes or at such other office in New York City as we may designate. |
Interest | % per year, payable every , and , commencing . If an interest payment date is a non-business day, the applicable interest payment will be made on the next business day, and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment. |
Regular Record Dates for Interest | Every , , and , commencing . If the record date for an interest payment is a non-business day, the record date will be the next business day. |
Day Count Basis | 360-day year of twelve 30-day months |
Original Issue Date | |
Stated Maturity Date | |
Specified Currency | U.S. Dollars |
Interest Periods | The initial interest period will be the period from and including , to, but excluding, the initial interest payment date, and the subsequent interest periods will be the periods from and including an interest payment date to, but excluding, the next interest payment date or the stated maturity date, as the case may be. |
Ranking of Notes | The Notes will be our direct unsecured obligations and will rank: |
S-10
· pari passu with existing and future unsecured indebtedness;
· effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness (including indebtedness that is initially unsecured, but to which we subsequently grant security), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and
· structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities. |
|
Business Days | Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law or executive order to close. |
Optional Redemption | [The Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option upon not less than -days’ nor more than -days’ written notice by mail prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof, at the redemption price set forth as follows:] |
Redemption for Asset Coverage | [If we fail to maintain asset coverage (as defined in Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act) with respect to the Notes of at least 200% as of the close of business on the last business day of any calendar quarter and such failure is not cured by the close of business on the date that is calendar days following the filing date of our Annual Report on Form N-CSR, Semiannual Report on Form N-CSRS or Quarterly Report on Form N-Q, as applicable, for that quarter, or the “Asset Coverage Cure Date,” then we will be required to redeem, within calendar days of the Asset Coverage Cure Date, an aggregate principal amount of Notes at least equal to the lesser of (1) the minimum aggregate principal amount of Notes that will result in us having asset coverage of at least 200% and (2) the maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes that can be redeemed out of funds legally available for such redemption. In connection with any redemption for failure to maintain such asset coverage, we may, in our sole option, redeem such additional Notes that will result in asset coverage up to and including %.] |
Sinking Fund | [The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund (i.e., no amounts will be set aside by us to ensure repayment of the Notes at maturity).] |
Repurchase at the Option of the Holder | [Holders of the Notes will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date.] |
Defeasance | The Notes are subject to legal and covenant defeasance by us. See “Description of Our Debt Securities – Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus. |
S-11
Form of Notes | The Notes will be represented by global securities that will be deposited and registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or “DTC,” or its nominee. This means that, except in limited circumstances, you will not receive certificates for the Notes. Beneficial interests in the Notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the Notes through either DTC, if they are a participant, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in DTC. |
Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent | |
Events of Default | If an event of default on the Notes occurs, the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, may be declared immediately due and payable, subject to the conditions set forth in the indenture. See “Description of Our Debt Securities — Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus. |
Other Covenants |
[In addition to the covenants described in the accompanying prospectus, the following covenants will apply to the Notes:
· we agree that for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, we will not violate Section 18(a)(1)(A) or Section 18(a)(1)(B) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions; and
· if, at any time, we are not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act,” to file any periodic reports with the SEC, we agree to furnish to holders of the Notes and the trustee, for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, our audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 60 days of our fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 60 days of our second fiscal quarter end. All such financial statements will be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable United States generally accepted accounting principles, or “GAAP.”] |
Listing | [We intend to list the Notes on the NYSE under the symbol “ .” We expect trading in the Notes on the NYSE to begin within 30 days of the original issue date.] |
S-12
Use of Proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and for general working capital purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.” |
Additional Information | We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 under the Securities Act, which contains additional information about us and the common stock being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. This information will also be available free of charge by contacting us at Eagle Point Income Company Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (844) 810-6501, or on our website at http://www.eaglepointincome.com. |
S-13
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below and those set forth in the accompanying prospectus. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors described below, together with those set forth in the accompanying prospectus, are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us as well as those factors generally associated with an investment company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours.
The Notes will be unsecured and therefore will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we may incur.
The Notes will not be secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are [effectively] subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries [have outstanding as of the date of this prospectus supplement or] may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our [existing or] future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes.
The Notes will be subordinated structurally to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
The Notes are obligations exclusively of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries is or acts as a guarantor of the Notes and the Notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiaries we may acquire or create in the future. The assets of any such subsidiary are not directly available to satisfy the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes. Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including holders of preferred stock, if any) of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we were recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish as financing vehicles or otherwise. [All of the existing indebtedness of our subsidiaries would be structurally senior to the Notes. In addition, our subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the Notes.]
The indenture under which the Notes will be issued will contain limited protection for holders of the Notes.
The indenture under which the Notes will be issued offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the indenture and the Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries' ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. In particular, the terms of the indenture and the Notes will not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries' ability to:
· | issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to the Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to the Notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours |
S-14
that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore would rank structurally senior to the Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to the Notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions; | ||
· | pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the Notes; | |
· | sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets); | |
· | enter into transactions with affiliates; | |
· | create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions; | |
· | make investments; or | |
· | create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries. |
Furthermore, the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not protect holders of the Notes in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity, except as required under the 1940 Act.
Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes.
Other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and the Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the Notes.
An active trading market for the Notes may not develop, which could adversely affect the price of the Notes and your ability to sell them.
The Notes are a new issue of debt securities for which currently there is no trading market. We cannot provide assurances that an active trading market will develop for the Notes or that you will be able to sell your Notes. If the Notes are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount to their initial offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our credit ratings and our financial condition. The underwriters may discontinue any market-making in the Notes at any time at their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the Notes, that you will be able to sell your Notes at a particular time or that the price at which you may be able to sell your Notes will be favorable. To the extent an active trading market does not develop, the liquidity and trading price of the Notes may be harmed. Accordingly, you may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Notes for an indefinite period of time.
[The optional redemption provision may materially adversely affect your return on the Notes.
The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part upon certain conditions at any time or from time to time at our option. We may choose to redeem the Notes at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the Notes. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the Notes being redeemed.]
If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the Notes.
Any default under any agreements governing our indebtedness or under other indebtedness to which we may be a party that is not waived by the required lenders or holders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and substantially
S-15
decrease the market value of the Notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under our current and future indebtedness could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders under the agreements relating to our current and future indebtedness to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our indebtedness and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders or holders of the debt. If this occurs, we would be in default and our lenders or debt holders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we are unable to repay debt, lenders having secured obligations, including the lenders under our Credit Facility and the Debt Securitizations, could proceed against the collateral securing the debt. Because our existing indebtedness, and any future debt will likely have, customary cross-default provisions, if the indebtedness thereunder or under any future credit facility is accelerated, we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due.
FATCA withholding may apply to payments to certain foreign entities.
Payments made under the Notes to a foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity (including such an institution or entity acting as an intermediary) may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 30% under U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (commonly referred to as “FATCA”). This tax may apply to certain payments of interest on the Notes as well as, after December 31, 2018, to payments made upon maturity, redemption, or sale of the Notes, unless the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity complies with certain information reporting, withholding, identification, certification and related requirements imposed by FATCA. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding FATCA and how it may affect your investment in the Notes. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters — Taxation of Note Holders — FATCA Withholding on Payments to Certain Foreign Entities” in this prospectus supplement for more information.
S-16
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that net proceeds we will receive from the sale of $ aggregate principal amount of Notes in this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option), in each case based on a public offering price of $ per Note, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option) and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us.
We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and for general working capital purposes. We currently anticipate that it will take to months after the completion of this offering of the Notes to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering in our targeted investments, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objectives and market conditions. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace, which may negatively impact our returns. During this period, we will invest in temporary investments, such as cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, which we expect will have returns substantially lower than the returns that we anticipate earning from investments in CLO securities and related investments. Investors should expect, therefore, that before we have fully invested the proceeds of the offering in accordance with our investment objectives and policies, assets invested in these instruments would earn interest income at a modest rate, which may not exceed our expenses during this period.
S-17
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of , 20 :
· | on an actual basis; and |
· | on a pro forma basis to give effect to the issuance and sale of Notes in this offering based on a public offering price of $ per Note, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us. |
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
(Dollars in Thousands
Except Per Unit and Per Note Data) |
||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
Investments at fair value | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Total liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Net Assets applicable to shares of common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
Net Assets consist of: | ||||||||
Paid in capital | $ | $ | ||||||
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investment | ||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | ||||||||
Distributions in excess of net investment income | ||||||||
Total net assets |
S-18
UNDERWRITING
are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of Notes set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
Underwriter | Notes | |||
Total |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Notes are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the Notes (other than those covered by the overallotment option described below) if they purchase any of the Notes.
The underwriters propose to initially offer some of the Notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some of the Notes to certain dealers at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of $ per Note. The sales load of $ per Note is equal to % of the public offering price. If all of the Notes are not sold at the public offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and other selling terms. Investors must pay for any Notes purchased on or before . The representatives have advised us that the underwriters do not intend to confirm any sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
The underwriters hold an option, exercisable for days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase from us up to additional Notes at the public offering price less the sales load. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering overallotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional Notes approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.
[We intend to apply to list the Notes on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “ .”]
As part of our payment of our offering expenses, we have agreed to pay expenses related to the fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters, in an amount not to exceed $ in the aggregate, in connection with the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or “FINRA,” of the terms of the sale of the Notes
The following table shows the sales load to be paid to the underwriters solely by the Adviser in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Notes. This offering will conform with the requirements set forth in FINRA Rule 2310. The sum of all compensation to the underwriters in connection with this offering of Notes, including the sales load, will not exceed % of the total public offering price of the Notes sold in this offering.
No
Exercise |
Full
Exercise |
|||||||
Per Note | $ | $ | ||||||
Total | $ | $ |
We, the Adviser and the Administrator have each agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
Certain underwriters may make a market in the Notes. No underwriter is, however, obligated to conduct market-making activities and any such activities may be discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion of the underwriter. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, the Notes as a result of any market-making activities undertaken by any underwriter. This prospectus supplement is to be used by any underwriter
S-19
in connection with the offering and, during the period in which a prospectus must be delivered, with offers and sales of the Notes in market-making transactions in the over-the-counter market at negotiated prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.
In connection with the offering, , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell Notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of Notes in excess of the number of Notes to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of Notes made in an amount up to the number of Notes represented by the underwriters’ overallotment option. In determining the source of Notes to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of Notes available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase Notes through the overallotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position involve either purchases of Notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the overallotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of Notes in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing the Notes in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Notes in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of the Notes in the open market while the offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when repurchases of the Notes originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes. They may also cause the price of the Notes to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE, or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, excluding the sales load, will be approximately $ million.
A prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of the Notes to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate the Notes to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, the Notes may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell the Notes to online brokerage account holders.
We anticipate that, from time to time, certain underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they are underwriters.
Certain underwriters may have performed investment banking and financial advisory services for us, the Adviser and our affiliates from time to time, for which they have received customary fees and expenses. Certain underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our investment adviser and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
The principal business addresses of the representatives of the underwriters are: .
S-20
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise stated, this summary deals only with Notes held as capital assets for U.S. federal tax purposes (generally, property held for investment).
As used herein, a “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the Notes that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes any of the following:
· | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; | |
· | a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state or other political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia); | |
· | an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or | |
· | a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
The term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the Notes (other than a partnership or any other entity or other arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. holder.
An individual may, subject to exceptions, be deemed to be a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as opposed to a non-resident alien, by, among other ways, being present in the United States (i) on at least 31 days in the calendar year, and (ii) for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year, counting for such purposes all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding calendar year, and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding calendar year. Individuals who are residents for such purposes are subject to U.S. federal income tax as if they were United States citizens.
This summary does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you, as a holder of the Notes, if you are a person subject to special tax treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation:
· | a dealer in securities or currencies; | |
· | a financial institution; | |
· | a regulated investment company; | |
· | a real estate investment trust; | |
· | a tax-exempt organization; | |
· | an insurance company; | |
· | a person holding the Notes as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle; | |
· | a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities; | |
· | a person liable for alternative minimum tax; | |
· | a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes; | |
· | a U.S. holder whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar; | |
· | a “controlled foreign corporation;” | |
· | a “passive foreign investment company;” or | |
· | a United States expatriate. |
If a partnership (including any entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership or a partner in a partnership holding Notes, you should consult your own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in the Notes.
S-21
This summary is based on the Code, United States Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those summarized below. This summary does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to you in light of your particular circumstances and does not address the effects of any aspects of U.S. estate or gift, or state, local or non-U.S. income, estate, or gift tax laws. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular purchaser of Notes. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the “IRS.” You should consult your own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of the ownership of the Notes, as well as the consequences to you arising under the laws or other guidance of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Important U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Affecting Us
We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify each tax year, as a RIC under the Code, commencing with our tax year ended November 30, 2014. Accordingly, we must satisfy certain requirements relating to sources of our income and diversification of our total assets and to satisfy certain distribution requirements, so as to maintain our RIC status and to avoid paying U.S. federal income or excise tax thereon. To the extent we qualify for treatment as a RIC and satisfy the applicable distribution requirements, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income paid to our stockholders in the form of dividends or capital gains distributions.
To qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must derive at least 90% of our annual gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to our business of investing in stock, securities and currencies. A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is a publicly traded partnership that meets certain requirements with respect to the nature of its income. To qualify as a RIC, we must also satisfy certain requirements with respect to the diversification of our assets. We must have, at the close of each quarter of the tax year, at least 50% of the value of our total assets represented by cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities that, in respect of any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets nor more than 10% of the voting securities of that issuer. In addition, at those times, not more than 25% of the value of our assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, or of two or more issuers, which we control and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. If we fail to satisfy the 90% gross income test described above, or the “Income Test,” we will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test if (i) (a) such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) we report the failure pursuant to Treasury Regulations to be adopted, and (ii) we pay an excise tax equal to the excess non-qualifying income. If we fail to meet the asset diversification test described above with respect to any quarter, we will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the requirements for such quarter if we cure such failure within six months and either (i) such failure is de minimis or (ii) (a) such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) we report the failure under Treasury Regulations to be adopted and pay an excise tax.
As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on our investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code) and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss), if any, that we distribute in each tax year as dividends to stockholders, provided that we distribute dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of 90% of our investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, plus 90% of our net tax-exempt interest income for such tax year. We intend to distribute to our stockholders, at least annually, substantially all of our investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gains. In order to avoid incurring a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires that we distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year dividends of an amount generally at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of our ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for such calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary losses and generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year and (iii) 100% of any ordinary income and capital gain net income from prior calendar years (as previously computed) that were not paid out during such calendar years and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax.
S-22
For purposes of the Income Test, income that we earn from equity interests in certain entities that are not treated as corporations or as qualified publicly traded partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (e.g., certain CLOs that are treated as partnerships) will generally have the same character for us as in the hands of such an entity; consequently, we may be required to limit our equity investments in any such entities that earn fee income, rental income, or other nonqualifying income.
Some of the income and fees that we may recognize will not satisfy the Income Test. In order to ensure that such income and fees do not disqualify us as a RIC for a failure to satisfy such test, we may be required to recognize such income and fees indirectly through one or more entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such corporations will be required to pay U.S. corporate income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce our return on such income and fees.
We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt instruments that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the origination of a loan or possibly in other circumstances), we must include in income each tax year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same tax year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as contractual PIK interest (which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term) and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the tax year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Distribution Requirements, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.
We may invest (directly or indirectly through an investment in an equity interest in a CLO treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) a portion of our net assets in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for us. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when we 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 us to the extent necessary in order to seek to ensure that we distribute sufficient income that we do not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Some of the CLOs in which we invest may constitute PFICs. Because we acquire interests treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in PFICs (including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in CLOs that are PFICs), we may be subject to federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by us to our stockholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on us in respect of deferred taxes arising from any such excess distributions or gains. If we invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code, or a “QEF,” in lieu of the foregoing requirements, we will be required to include in income each tax year our proportionate share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if such income is not distributed to us. Alternatively, we can elect to mark-to-market at the end of each tax year (as well as on certain other dates prescribed in the Code) our shares in a PFIC; in this case, we will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares, and as an ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it does not exceed prior increases included in our ordinary income. Under either election, we may be required to recognize in a tax year taxable income in excess of our distributions from PFICs and our proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that tax year, and we may be required to distribute such taxable income to satisfy the U.S. federal income or excise tax distribution requirements described above.
If we hold more than 10% of the interests treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a foreign corporation that is treated as a CFC (including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in a CLO treated as CFC), we may be treated as receiving a deemed distribution (taxable as ordinary income) each tax year from such foreign corporation in an amount equal to our pro rata share of the corporation’s income for the tax year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains), whether or not the corporation makes an actual distribution
S-23
during such tax year. This deemed distribution is required to be included in the income of a U.S. Shareholder of a CFC regardless of whether the shareholder has made a QEF election with respect to such CFC. In general, a foreign corporation will be classified as a CFC if more than 50% of the shares of the corporation, measured by reference to combined voting power or value, is owned (directly, indirectly or by attribution) by U.S. Shareholders. A “U.S. Shareholder,” for this purpose, is any U.S. person that possesses (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of shares of a corporation. If we are treated as receiving a deemed distribution from a CFC, we will be required to include such distribution in our investment company taxable income regardless of whether we receive any actual distributions from such CFC, and we must distribute such income to satisfy the Distribution Requirements.
FATCA generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on (i) U.S. source periodic payments, including interest and dividends, and (ii) after December 31, 2018, payments of gross proceeds from the disposition of an instrument that produces U.S. source interest or dividends as well as certain capital gain dividends distributed, to certain non-U.S. entities, including certain non-U.S. financial institutions and investment funds, unless such non-U.S. entity complies with certain reporting requirements regarding its United States account holders and its United States owners. Most CLOs in which we invest will be treated as non-U.S. financial entities for this purpose, and therefore will be required to comply with these reporting requirements to avoid the 30% withholding. If a CLO in which we invest fails to properly comply with these reporting requirements, it could reduce the amounts available to distribute to equity and junior debt holders in such CLO, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.
Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time we accrue income, expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time we actually collect such income or pay such expenses or liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts and the disposition of debt obligations denominated in a 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.
Gain or loss realized by us from the sale or exchange of warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. The treatment of such gain or loss as long-term or short-term will depend on how long we held a particular warrant. Upon the exercise of a warrant acquired by us, our tax basis in the stock purchased under the warrant will equal the sum of the amount paid for the warrant plus the strike price paid on the exercise of the warrant.
Certain of our investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) convert dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income into ordinary income, (ii) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for deductions available to certain U.S. corporations under the Code as ineligible for such treatment, (iii) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (iv) convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (v) convert an ordinary loss or deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (vi) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (vii) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions, and (viii) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the income requirement that applies to RICs. While we may not always be successful in doing so, we will seek to avoid or minimize the adverse tax consequences of our investment practices.
We may recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of certain “appreciated financial positions” if we enter into a short sale, offsetting notional principal contract, or forward contract transaction with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property. Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment include interests (including options and forward contracts and short sales) in stock and certain other instruments. Constructive sale treatment does not apply if the transaction is closed out not later than thirty days after the end of the tax year in which the transaction was initiated, and the underlying appreciated securities position is held unhedged for at least the next sixty days after the hedging transaction is closed.
Gain or loss from a short sale of property is generally considered as capital gains or loss to the extent the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in our hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date the short sale is entered into, gains on
S-24
short sales generally are short-term capital gains. A loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by us for more than one year. In addition, entering into a short sale may result in suspension of the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by us.
Gain or loss on a short sale will generally not be realized until such time as the short sale is closed. However, as described above in the discussion of constructive sales, if we holds a short sale position with respect to securities that have appreciated in value, and we then acquire property that is the same as or substantially identical to the property sold short, we generally will recognize gain on the date we acquire such property as if the short sale were closed on such date with such property. Similarly, if we hold an appreciated financial position with respect to securities and then enter into a short sale with respect to the same or substantially identical property, we generally will recognize gain as if the appreciated financial position were sold at its fair market value on the date we enter into the short sale. The subsequent holding period for any appreciated financial position that is subject to these constructive sale rules will be determined as if such position were acquired on the date of the constructive sale.
Taxation of Note Holders
Taxation of U.S. holders. Payments or accruals of interest on a Note generally will be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary interest income at the time they are received (actually or constructively) or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. holder’s regular method of tax accounting.
Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of a Note, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement (excluding any amounts representing accrued and unpaid interest, which are treated as ordinary income) and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Note. A U.S. holder’s tax basis in a Note generally will equal the amount of the U.S. holder’s initial investment in the Note. Capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Note was held for more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by individuals and certain other non-corporate U.S. holders generally are eligible for preferential rates of taxation, currently at a rate of either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the U.S. holder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts, and the deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations prescribed under the Code. The distinction between capital gain or loss and ordinary income or loss is also important in other contexts, such as, for example, for purposes of the limitations on a U.S. holder’s ability to offset capital losses against ordinary income.
If you acquire a Note for an amount that is less than its principal amount, the amount of the difference generally will be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless that difference is less than a specified de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, you will be required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a Note as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount that you have not previously included in income and are treated as having accrued on the Note at the time of the payment or disposition.
In addition, you may be required to defer, until the maturity of a Note or its earlier sale or other disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness attributable to the Note. You may elect, on a Note-by-Note basis, to deduct such deferred interest expense in a tax year prior to the tax year of disposition. You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.
Any market discount on a Note will be considered to accrue ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the Note, unless you elect to accrue such market discount on a constant interest method. In addition, you may make a separate election to include market discount in income currently as it accrues, on either a ratable or constant interest method, in which case the rule described above regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. An election to include market discount in income currently will apply to all debt instruments (including the Notes) acquired by a U.S. holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. You should consult your own tax advisor before making either such election.
If you acquire a Note for an amount in excess of its stated principal amount, you will be considered to have purchased the Note at a “premium.” You generally may elect to amortize such premium over the remaining term of
S-25
the Note on a constant yield method as an offset to interest when includible in taxable income under your regular accounting method. If you do not elect to amortize premium on the Note, that premium will decrease the gain or increase the loss you would otherwise recognize on disposition of the Note.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders. A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding taxes on payments of principal or interest on a Note provided that in the case of interest on a Note (i) the interest is not effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States, (ii) the non-U.S. holder is not a CFC related to the Company through sufficient stock ownership, (iii) the recipient is not a bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) the non-U.S. holder does not own (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, and (v) the non-U.S. holder provides to the applicable withholding agent a statement on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) signed under penalties of perjury that includes its name and address and certifies that it is not a United States person in compliance with applicable requirements, or satisfies documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. holder.
A non-U.S. holder that is not exempt from tax under these rules generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax on payments of interest on the Notes at a rate of 30% unless (i) the interest is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business, in which case the interest will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis as applicable to U.S. holders generally (unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise), or (ii) an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate of, or exemption from, this withholding. In the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that receives income that is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business, such income may also be subject to a branch profits tax (which is generally imposed on a non-U.S. corporation on the actual or deemed repatriation from the United States of earnings and profits attributable to a United States trade or business) at a 30% rate. The branch profits tax may not apply (or may apply at a reduced rate) if the non-U.S. holder is a qualified resident of a country with which the United States has an income tax treaty.
To claim the benefit of an income tax treaty or to claim exemption from withholding because interest is effectively connected with a United States trade or business, the non-U.S. holder must timely provide the appropriate, properly executed IRS forms to the applicable withholding agent.
Generally, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding taxes on any amount that constitutes capital gain upon the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of a Note, provided the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the non-U.S. holder (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is not attributable to a United States “permanent establishment” maintained by the non-U.S. holder). Certain other exceptions may be applicable, and a non-U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor in this regard.
A Note that is held by an individual who, at the time of death, is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) generally will not be subject to the U.S. federal estate tax, unless, at the time of death, (i) such individual directly or indirectly, actually or constructively, owns ten percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder or (ii) such individual’s interest in the Notes is effectively connected with the individual’s conduct of a United States trade or business.
Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income. A 3.8% tax is imposed under Section 1411 of the Code on the “net investment income” of certain U.S. citizens and residents and on the undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts. Among other items, net investment income generally includes payments of interest on, and net gains recognized from the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of Notes (unless the Notes are held in connection with certain trades or businesses), less certain deductions. Prospective investors in the Notes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of the Notes.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, if a U.S. holder recognizes a loss with respect to the Notes or our common stock of $2 million or more for a non-corporate U.S. holder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. holder in any single tax year (or a greater loss over a combination of tax years), the U.S. holder may be required to file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct U.S. holders of portfolio
S-26
securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but, under current guidance, U.S. holders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to U.S. holders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Significant monetary penalties apply to a failure to comply with this reporting requirement. States may also have a similar reporting requirement. U.S. holders of the Notes or our common stock should consult their own tax advisers to determine the applicability of these U.S. Treasury regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. A U.S. holder (other than an “exempt recipient,” including a corporation and certain other persons who, when required, demonstrate their exempt status) may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% on, and will be subject to information reporting requirements with respect to, payments of principal or interest on, and proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of, the Notes. In general, if a non-corporate U.S. holder subject to information reporting fails to furnish a correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with applicable backup withholding requirements, backup withholding at the applicable rate may apply.
If you are a non-U.S. holder, generally, the applicable withholding agent must report to the IRS and to you payments of interest on the Notes and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of a treaty or agreement. In general, backup withholding will not apply to payments of interest on your Notes if you have provided to the applicable withholding agent the required certification that you are not a U.S. person and the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person. Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to payment to you of the proceeds of a sale or other disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of your Notes within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless you certify under penalties of perjury that you are not a U.S. person or you otherwise establish an exemption, and the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding in your particular circumstance and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
FATCA Withholding on Payments to Certain Foreign Entities. FATCA generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on (i) interest earned in respect of a debt instrument, and (ii) the gross proceeds from the disposition of a debt obligation paid after December 31, 2018, which, in each case, would include the Notes, to certain non-U.S. entities (including, in some circumstances, where such an entity is acting as an intermediary) that fail to comply with certain certification and information reporting requirements. FATCA withholding taxes apply to all withholdable payments without regard to whether the beneficial owner of the payment would otherwise be entitled to an exemption from withholding taxes pursuant to an applicable tax treaty with the United States or under U.S. domestic law. If FATCA withholding taxes are imposed with respect to any payments of interest or proceeds made under the Notes, holders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding taxes with respect to such interest or proceeds will be required to seek a credit or refund from the IRS in order to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction, if any. Prospective investors in the Notes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the FATCA rules for them based on their particular circumstances.
The preceding discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations is for general information only and is not tax advice. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor with respect to the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Notes, including the possible effect of any pending legislation or proposed regulations.
S-27
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the Notes will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP, Boston, MA. Dechert LLP also represents the Adviser. Certain matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by .
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, has been appointed as our independent registered public accounting firm.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 (file numbers 333-231921 and 811-23384), together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to the Notes offered by this prospectus. Our registration statement may be obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov.
We will file with or submit to the SEC annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. This information is available free of charge by writing us at Eagle Point Income Company Inc., 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830, Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (844) 810-6501, or on our website at www.eaglepointincome.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this prospectus.
S-28